LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Media forget nation's principles

I was stunned to read that President Bush had made a "promising choice" for attorney general.

It just didn't make any sense that this president, whose intolerance of dissent and disregard for the law are defining characteristics, would select a person of "integrity and independence" for such a powerful position. Our commander in chief may be an idiot, but when it comes to keeping power in safe hands, he's no fool. How to make sense of this sudden shift?

Easily, as it turns out. I just had to take into account the typical distortion of American political discourse, according to which providing legal counsel to persons illegally and indefinitely detained seems positively progressive. Thus is the not-so-slow slide into tyranny abetted by a media that for all its topical concern can't seem to recall the founding principles of our society. Do the words "habeas corpus" ring any bells?

If, as The Register-Guard writes, trust in the Justice Department is restored under Michael Mukasey, it'll only be because we have forgotten what this country is supposed to be about. With, I should add, the media's help.

Timothy Shaw

Eugene

All taxation should be fair

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of smoking adults in Oregon in 1995 was 21.8.

I ask Stan Bridges (letters, Sept. 25) and all other Oregonians of like thought: Why should less than 22 percent of us pay for something that is to benefit us all? I, for one, don't need all the other arguments. This is strictly a matter of fairness.

Please join me in voting against any tax that selectively penalizes any group if those taxes are not specifically to the benefit of that group. Also, let's defeat any tax that selectively exempts a group, such as state and federal retired employees. Our state legislators surely can tax more equitably than this. In answer to Bridges' question: I am a nonsmoker; my wife is a smoker.

Rod Storz

Pleasant Hill

Taxpayers, soldiers accomplices

Every citizen who pays taxes and all the soldiers who follow orders are accomplices to vast and various crimes against humanity. Are all of them either criminals or slaves?

bernard nickerson

Eugene

U.S. sets stage for Iraq genocide

The time-honored oxymoron "military intelligence" is working overtime on this one.

By the American military's logic, only insurgents bent on the destruction of America's occupying force would pick up dangerous military items (Register-Guard, Sept. 25). Apparently, the military's brilliant evaluations have determined that there aren't any responsible parents in Iraq. Nor are there any responsible aunts, uncles, grandparents or concerned citizens who would wish to dispose of a dangerous military device before a child could find it and be killed.

President Bush's policies of cowardice are clear. If a country might pose a threat, we can invade it. If a person might be a terrorist, that person can be tortured. If a person might pose a threat to our military, that person can be killed.

The baiting program is just another in a long and cowardly Bush-sponsored and congressionally backed disregard for life and law - an excuse to kill more Iraqis.

Will it stop now that this criminal practice has been brought to light? No more than the torture was stopped. It is just another step closer to the day when the American government will declare all Iraqis insurgents, commit genocide, and keep the oil.

Don't believe we're capable of genocide? Would you have believed six years ago we were capable of invading countries for oil and torturing prisoners? God bless America.

Terry Jacobs

Springfield

When we kill enough, they'll quit

In Vietnam, we won every battle but lost the war. The lesson: You can't fight a political war when you are more concerned about collateral damage and world opinion. You are going to lose - or at least, you will not win.

In Iraq, the rules of engagement are causing as many casualties as the roadside bombs. The enemy's main objective is our destruction, regardless of the cost.

The left wing keeps pushing for early withdrawal. This gives the Islamists a timetable to operate from. The oldest principle of guerrilla warfare is to wait for the enemy to weaken and attack that spot.

Forget about politics; George W. Bush is a lame duck. The Democrats want the White House and Congress, and damn the consequences. Go for the throat. In the long run, the military will survive - some of our best and brightest will rebuild as we always have. We will, in the end, be stronger and better equipped to fight the next war.

The kicker is Iran. If Iran controls the Mideast, it's not the price of oil we will have to worry about; oil will not be available in this country at any price. There will be a depression that will make 1929 seem like the good old times. Controlling Iran and democratizing the Middle East is the only choice - our future depends on it. Curtis LeMay, former commander of the Strategic Air Command, said it best: "War is about killing people. When you've killed enough, they'll stop fighting."

Jeff Crocker

Eugene

Home birth empowers family

My wife and I have six children. Our first four were born conventionally in the hospital, with all the drugs made available.

With our fifth, she planned a water birth. As fate would have it, we accidentally delivered at home, in the bathtub. I was the midwife, which simply means, "with wife."

With our sixth, we planned a home water birth with a midwife. This was an amazing time. All the family was around, and I was so empowered as a husband and a father.

I have an acquaintance who delivered their child in jack-knife breech position. Knowing in advance that they could not get the baby turned beforehand, he spent a lot of time learning how to walk through this delivery technique.

With this position, the least of one's worries is a lacerated liver. In choosing to have a home birth, they were fully informed of the challenges, but they also were aware of the rewards. In the end, he stepped up and together made the decision to go forward. All went well.

I am just here to say: Men, step up and support your wives. If she wants to birth at home, go for it. Less than 5 percent of women need to be in a hospital, and this investment in family formation is invaluable to you and your future. I know this; I was a male midwife.

David Brendah

Eugene

Explore instant runoff voting 

As a former political science professor, I know the Sept. 24 editorial on the declining numbers of voters registered with the two major parties is true and a sign that something very important going on.

But contrary to the editors' prediction, it will take more than appealing leaders not tied to the two major parties to change this. Independent candidates and those from other parties have the cards stacked against them by the rules under which our electoral system functions (or more accurately, dysfunctions).

Oregon should change to instant runoff voting, which eliminates the "spoiler" dynamic, allows voters to express their true preferences, and tilts the balance of influence from funders of campaigns back to the voters. Instant runoffs have been used successfully in Australia for a century, and in the last two decades they have been spreading to communities across the United States.

For more information, readers should contact IRV-Oregon at www.irvoregon.org.

Alan Zundel

Eugene

Who's accountable for vandals?

My husband's truck was one of the many that were hit by vandals recently in the Bethel area. The driver's side window was broken out, and they sprayed paint down the side of his pickup. We have insurance, but it will not cover the glass that was broken. We are a hard-working older couple, self employed.

When I found out that the vandals had been caught, I called the police and told them I already had filed a report about this. I wanted to find out if the vandals were going to pay for the damage.

I was told that it was a civil matter for the damages. Well, guess what? We, along with a lot of the victims, can't afford a lawyer.

Along with others who have written letters, I wonder where the parents are and who is accountable. When one of the vandals was asked why they did it, the answer was, "Just something stupid, I guess."

I'm sorry, that doesn't get it. I am outraged that young people can go around and do this kind of damage and they and their parents are not accountable! My husband and I are in our so-called "golden years," and if these young people think this is funny, it is not.

As much as I hate the Iraq war, send them over there and see how they like it. I know my grandson who is over there for the second time does not like it.

Patricia A. Russell

Eugene