I read the letter “Guns And Safety” in the Nov. 29 issue of the Weekly and felt compelled to respond to Josh Welch’s comments.
In my opinion, strident, inflammatory rhetoric such as Welch’s (guns as killing machines) serves to do nothing but further divide us in terms of gaining understandings regarding varying backgrounds and cultures around this country.
I am a committed Socialist-Democrat, but I have spent a number of years reading books, articles and talking with people who have grown up in totally different circumstances than mine. This has included discussions with gun owners, both on the left and the right. By reading, by asking questions and listening to folks who have grown up in entirely different circumstances then mine, I have gained insights and understandings about why others think and feel differently then I do.
None of this has changed my core values and instincts, but it has helped me not to judge nor condemn others so often who I don’t agree with and has been helping me learn a bit on the value of compromise.
I truly believe that until we can all start talking and listening to others viewpoints with empathy and compassion, we will never come close to being together as a people or as a nation. Let’s be careful about our tone and maybe we can start a semblance of healing.
N. Burton
Eugene
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
Comments are closed.