Letters in the Editor's Mailbag.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Death is painful

As someone who has worked as a nurse's aide for many years, I would like to respond to R. M. Thompson's call to end assisted suicide (letters, April 26).

At one hospital I worked for many years ago, my assignment was to sit with a patient until he died so that the exact time of death would be recorded. He was heavily medicated and asleep for most of the time, but he was having difficulty breathing. After a few hours he woke up screaming. His body was tense and his face was stricken in pain. Since I knew that he was heavily medicated, I thought it must be some strange muscle reaction. Then the man collapsed and was dead.

The nurse came, and I asked what had just happened. Why did he scream? She said, "Death is painful." I was stunned. "Then why didn't the doctor give him more pain medication?" I asked. The nurse shook her head sadly and said, "It would have killed him."

Last winter, I had to take our old, sick cat to the vet to be put to sleep. I stayed with the vet while he gave Tigger the shot. Tigger was asleep before the injection was finished. It was over in less than 30 seconds and there was no pain.

Why should we be kinder to animals than we are to people?

LISA HARROD-TEXEIRA Eugene

An insightful writer

As readers of the Register-Guard over many years, we have acquired one habit that we now break most reluctantly: our reading of the stories filed by Kimber Williams, longtime Register-Guard staff writer.

This very talented scribe is relocating to Madison, Wis., with her husband and young daughter. She takes with her the affectionate admiration of a legion of readers who have sought her byline week after week, confidently anticipating stories sensitively and articulately told.

We have come to rely on these journalistic tapestries which she has woven with insight and intelligence, ranging wide on often complex and demanding subjects.

At a time when the integrity of some prominent writers is questioned, Williams' honesty honors her profession. She will be greatly missed on these pages.

RICHARD C. ARMSTRONG

PATRICIA ARMSTRONG Eugene

End smear campaign 

The Republican phone call campaign that attempted to smear Susan Castillo's reputation was a dishonorable thing to do. Susan Castillo, a candidate for state superintendent of public instruction, has supported America's fight against terrorism from day one.

These are serious times that need honest, clear-thinking people. For her opponent, Rob Kremer, to permit the Republican Party's campaign of disinformation and innuendo proves he is neither.

KEN CROES Eugene

Schuman's record stellar

I write to voice my strongest support for incumbent Judge David Schuman, who is running for election to the Oregon Court of Appeals. Schuman is uniquely qualified by experience and temperament to be a judge.

First, Schuman has years of invaluable experience beginning as a clerk for the Oregon Supreme Court. He then represented the legal interests of the people of Oregon in the Oregon attorney general's office. At the University of Oregon, he was revered as an outstanding teacher, colleague and mentor. In 1997, Schuman became principal deputy to Attorney General Hardy Myers. His record as a judge on the Oregon Court of Appeals is stellar. In everything he has done, Schuman has demonstrated hard work, integrity and a commitment to excellence.

Second, Schuman's temperament is well suited for a judge. He is impartial and reaches even-handed conclusions based solely on the merits of a case. His opinions are thoughtful and cautious.

Unlike Schuman, his opponent, David Hunnicutt, has a clear and overriding political agenda and would be best suited to run for a legislative or executive branch position. Our judges should remain nonpartisan. I urge Oregonians to vote for David Schuman, by far the most qualified candidate for the Court of Appeals.

KEITH AOKI Eugene

U.S. has global support

I must respond to Jerry Copeland's April 26 letter titled "U.S. loses moral standing." Copeland has it wrong. He is mistaking the echoes of voices in a Florence, Ore., coffeehouse for the voices of the world.

I am in regular correspondence with people in Japan, Australia, Italy, France, Belgium and Great Britain. All of them have the greatest respect for the actions of our president and for U.S. foreign policy in general. Most of them think we lean over too far to accommodate the Palestinians, but they express overall support for the U.S. position.

The writer asks, "Where do we find these guys who are in the White House?" My answer is we find them from among the people, by the expressed choice of the people. Copeland apparently believes that "the greatest minds" (namely his) should choose our leaders. It is interesting, that was exactly the opinion of Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, the man called Lenin.

CALVIN W. HURD Florence

Taking responsibility

I am relatively new to Oregon and have read with great interest the Mailbag letters about a state sales tax. I was especially taken by recent letters that mention California's sales tax. (I wonder why California is so often used as an example.)

Forty-five states have sales taxes, and 266 million of the 273 million people who live in this country reside in those states. It appears that the more than 3 million people who live in Oregon feel that they are smarter than these other folks. But the financial situation in this state really doesn't show that.

The cost of maintaining public services is going to increase. Where is that new money going to come from? Ah, some Oregonians say their property taxes are too high. How did they get that way? Every one of us would like to have a raise in income.

Public officials in Oregon are among the lowest paid in the country. The longer the problem exists, the worse it's going to get. You say it's the fault of the government? You're right, and you and I are the government. Maybe we need to stand up and take responsibility for maintaining Oregon.

R.E. DRISKILL Eugene

Bias alive and well

The front-page story on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission job discrimination settlement with Hynix (Register-Guard, April 25) should remind us of how the Oregon Legislature and the city of Eugene have condoned racist and sexist behavior by Hynix.

First, a California jury in 1999 found that the west Eugene factory, then part of the Hyundai conglomerate, had illegally discriminated against an employment recruiter because he kept referring woman for jobs at the Eugene factory after being told that the company didn't want to hire women or black workers. Now a federal antidiscrimination agency, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, has negotiated a settlement with Hynix to settle discrimination allegations. (Naturally it was all done in secret so that we, the citizens who reside where the alleged racist and sexist practices are occurring, won't know any of the details.)

Have any of these events given pause to the state Legislature or the city of Eugene? Not in the least! Legislation was pushed through by the state to protect the Hynix tax breaks. And the city of Eugene recently gave Hynix a new tax break.

That Hynix discriminates is nothing new. That the city of Eugene gives aid and comfort to these practices should be a cause for shame and outrage. Racism and sexism seems alive and well in Eugene.

GENE GOGOL Eugene

The safety factor

I don't like SUVs. I can't see over or around them. There are so many on the road and they are so big that I am in constant fear that I am going to be run over by one.

I hate to say this - but they probably get as good gas mileage as I get in my car. And could it be that child fatality rates are down this year because so many young mothers transport their kids to and from extracurricular activities, shopping centers, etc., in SUVs?

PETER YOUNG Florence

Ward needs a change

George Poling is the clear choice to represent the citizens of the Eugene City Council's new Ward 4. With both candidates being new to the political scene, I was not quite sure who to vote for. Rather than rely on the brochures each left on my porch, I decided to do some calling around to get a better understanding of both men.

Much to my surprise, I learned that Kevin Wells is being supported by both the Friends of Eugene and Citizens for Public Accountability. Each of these groups, as we all know, is a strong supporter of current Councilor David Kelly and the policies he supports. As soon as I heard this, I knew my vote would go to Poling.

I would hate to see the people of Ward 4 represented by someone who may turn out to be another Kelly. Wells may not be the next Kelly - but the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and I'm not willing to take the chance. If these groups are supporting Wells, then they certainly have his ear and the ramifications of getting another Kelly scare me.

If you look forward to another David Kelly on the council, then by all means vote for Kevin Wells.

On the other hand, if you look forward to some common sense and a new direction at City Hall, then please vote with me and my neighbors for George Poling.

GREG HOLLAND Eugene

Kahle for mayor

Keep the Don Kahle commentaries coming. In fact, Don Kahle for mayor!

MARILYN MILNE Eugene

CAPTION(S):

The Register-Guard welcomes letters on topics of general interest. Our length limit is 250 words; all letters are subject to condensation. Writers are limited to one letter per calendar month. Because of the volume of mail, not all letters can be printed. Letters must be signed with the writer's full name. An address and daytime telephone number are needed for verification purposes; this information will not be published or released. Mail letters to Mailbag, P.O. Box 10188, Eugene, OR 97440-2188 Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]