Letters in the Editor's Mailbag.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Spread holiday blessings

Like most people, I enjoy the holiday season - the lights, the presents, family and friends, the candle-lit dinners and the Christmas tree. I have recently reflected on how blessed I am. And I wonder how many others just like me are equally blessed. But perhaps more important, how many are not?

How many families will not eat? How many children will not open presents? How many people will not have the tree or the luxury of a warm fireplace? Then I realize that ours is a caring community that would like to make a difference and would like to make this community, state, country and world a better place to live.

We may not be able, at least right away, to save the children of Africa from disease and malnutrition or prevent a war halfway around the world in the Middle East, but we can help local families right here in Lane County.

It was once said that when more is given then a larger contribution is expected. It was also said that there is nothing stronger than the heart.

TOM BUSH Eugene

Another subsidy for cars

As if it weren't bad enough having to dodge all the cars running red lights and ignoring crosswalks on the newly reopened Broadway, now the Eugene City Council wants me to pay to subsidize those drivers. I don't even own a car, but I will be expected to pay a tax added to my utility bill so that others can drive.

This is the latest in a pattern of subsidizing car drivers. The reopening of Broadway, where I work, was precipitated in part by car drivers complaining about the lack of parking, despite many parking garages. "I don't want to pay," they whine. "Isn't there something in the constitution about my right to drive?" The reopening is now a running joke in our office - especially since it seems that drivers are in such a hurry to get past downtown that there are near-accidents every hour. These same selfish drivers are behind the road maintenance problem in the first place.

Hysterical headlines scream, "Gas prices soar 3 cents a gallon!" while people in other countries pay three times what we pay for the privilege of operating a car. People are opposed to a gas tax because they don't want to pay what it really costs to drive and are expecting the rest of us to subsidize their bad habits.

It's outrageous that the council would pass such an ordinance. I can tell you, it's not the pedestrians and bicyclists who are tearing up the roads, but we're footing the bill.

TRACY SCHARN Eugene

Many oppose linkage

I've appreciated past letter writers for their defense of free speech - especially now, when dissent against war is labeled unpatriotic. But the KUGN-AM radio issue is about something else.

I'm from a large Polish Catholic farm family in west Texas; most of my relatives are loyal fans of Rush Limbaugh. Every year we have a family reunion in the park in Amarillo. What if next year a big family reunion were held at the tables next to us, and the people there wore T-shirts saying horrible things about Polish people, Catholics and farmers? And what if they offered to pay all the costs of our picnic if we'd let them fly a banner over their tables with our family name written in huge letters?

My family, who are not Democrats like me and criticize political correctness with fervor, would adamantly refuse the offer, saying that those picnickers had the freedom of speech to fly whatever banners they liked. But our family would not take their money to give them publicity.

For a similar reason, many of us oppose the linkage between KUGN's talk shows, some of which (not all) viciously attack our friends, neighbors, students, colleagues and fellow human beings. Those hosts have the right to say anything they like (though I wish they understood how devastatingly cruel their speech is). But from my perspective, the University of Oregon, like my family, has no First Amendment obligation to take the money and let someone else advertise by using our name.

LINDA KINTZ Eugene

Most vets back president

Not all the reaction to the Dec. 10 "peace demonstration" in Florence was positive (Register-Guard, Dec. 11). I don't shout out of my car window, nor do I make "one-finger salutes" - nonetheless, I did not approve of the antics of the misguided folks who made a spectacle of themselves (and a very small one at that).

One sign proclaimed its young holder to be a "future vet." Future vet, my eye! Those who were carrying those signs have no idea what being a veteran entails. Frankly, I wouldn't want them beside me in a fight.

These people don't remember Pearl Harbor, but many of us do. We don't want an atomic attack to add to the pain of Sept. 11, 2001. I, and I expect a large majority of real veterans, back the president's plans for Iraq, whether those plans involve diplomacy or military action.

CALVIN W. HURD Florence

Stick with United

The Register-Guard should make up its mind about United Airlines.

The Dec. 11 lead editorial "Keeping United airborne: Area has a stake in airline's survival" states that "People in Eugene ... should hope that United can survive with its route structure largely intact."

Yet only the day before, the newspaper seemed to sabotage United's efforts by using the lead paragraph of its lead front-page story to advise readers, " ... if you're booking for the spring or summer of 2003, better play it safe and look to another carrier."

Encouraging traveling readers to remain faithful to United might help increase bookings and thus hasten the return of United's 737s to our airport.

ANN APPLEGARTH Eugene

Respond to well-wishers

Mike Horowitz (letters, Dec. 11) seems to miss the basic message of this season: Good will toward all men.

Sharing the spirit with everyone in the community shouldn't be perceived as an insult to his beliefs, but rather should be accepted with grace. As for how to respond to well-wishers, a simple smile and nod of the head acknowledges the thought without making a commitment to any one religious observance. Frankly, saying "thank you" is not inappropriate.

Horowitz shouldn't be so stiff necked - unless he carries a sign around proclaiming his affiliation, how can it be determined who he is? I am sad to think he has little tolerance for my holiday traditions; I think it would be nice if I were wished a happy Hanukkah by passers-by.

JOSIE SMITH Eugene

Living wage hurts most

I respect the motives of the assorted clergy who support payment of a living wage to city employees. It would indeed be wonderful if every worker in Eugene, regardless of skills, experience, responsibilities and the economic value of his or her work, could receive a wage sufficient to support a family. However, that will not happen if the living wage is paid to city workers, because those who don't work for the city and receive less than the living wage will actually be worse off.

Adoption of the living wage would require raising the city wage scale to ensure that all workers receive salaries commensurate with their skills, responsibilities and work experience. The city is not a profit-making institution. It receives income in the form of taxes, which would have to rise to pay the higher wages.

Most Eugene people working for less than the living wage are not city employees. They would be forced to help pay those higher taxes indirectly by absorbing rent increases and paying more for goods and services. The businesses they work for would be paying higher taxes, so living wage increases for them would be unlikely.

The living wage proposal is not good public policy. It would benefit a few but harm many more.

DICK TAYLOR Eugene

Where's the compassion?

The news out of Washington, D.C., this December tells us that 1) political appointees in administrative jobs (but not civil servants) are going to get a nice, fat Christmas bonus, but 2) the White House proposes a $300 million cut in the nation's biggest source of home heating aid - the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Tell me again about compassionate conservatism. All I hear is the sound of greed at the feeding trough!

WILBUR PATTERSON Florence

Take the high road

Mike Horowitz (letters, Dec. 11) conveys a new low of intolerance when he objects to a stranger pleasantly wishing him a "happy holiday." This politically correct, generic greeting is a basic expression of compassion and good will.

Saying "happy holidays" is not proselytizing or demanding that others share his or her beliefs. The person is enjoying the festivities of the winter season and hoping that others can share the happiness.

Even if you never celebrate a single holiday, religious or otherwise, why not appreciate this sentiment of good will? Taking the high road should not involve censoring another's joy. If someone wishes you a "happy holiday," the polite and generous response is to wish them a happy holiday in return.

Or if you're concerned about offending people like Horowitz, you might simply say, "Have a nice day!"

EMILY JEFFREY Eugene

Proving a negative

Let's see now: The president demands that Saddam Hussein prove that he does not have weapons of mass destruction. I have no use for Saddam and hope only the worst for him, but there is a small corner of my mind that cannot help but hope that he pulls this one off. Not only do I hope Iraq has no such weapons, but I also would love to see someone - even Saddam - prove a negative.

Many, many have tried; very, very few have ever done it. And under the rules of the challenge as set out by the president, I believe it is impossible to accomplish. Still, should Saddam do so it would, I am certain, perplex our president, who seems to have trouble proving a positive - that Saddam does have weapons of mass destruction.

Oh, well - however Saddam performs on this challenge, I'm certain such yes or no evidence as the president believes proves something or other will be forthcoming.

J. FRANK THIBEAU 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. Mail letters to Mailbag, P.O. Box 10188, Eugene, OR 97440-2188 Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]