I heard Mike Pence say that ending abortion would return America to “an era in which all human life is (once again) cherished and respected.”
But that is not the reality for many unwanted children born to unprepared, unstable parents. Many arrive in foster care with challenging issues as a result of their chaotic start in life. Some of them don’t get out of there until age 18, when they are sent out, unconnected, into an uncaring world — with no place to belong.
As a young, broke, traveling hippie, I would often eat at missions and other free food venues; it made living off street music more realistic. A recurring topic among the mostly homeless folks was their lifelong searches for their birth parents. Middle-aged men, mostly, who had never found their way in life or their place in the world.
Pence also said, “A society can be judged by how it deals with its most vulnerable.” I suggest that those who are passionately against abortion could be equally passionate about cherishing, respecting and supporting the very vulnerable children who don’t fit in to their oversimplified narrative.
Rick Moser
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
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