SXSW 2011 Music: Wednesday

You know what I would like? I’d like for St. Patrick’s Day not to fall during SXSW. I overheard my first “Where’s your green?” conversation before noon. Sixth Street doesn’t need this. Drunken music fans + drunken, green-garbed college kids = double the mayhem. I expect to see piles of green, and I don’t mean shiny green leprechaun money. Continue reading 

SXSW Film: ‘How to Die in Oregon’

How to Die in Oregon isn’t an easy film to watch. Peter D. Richardson’s documentary focuses not on the legal or philosophical issues and ramifications of Oregon’s Death with Dignity act, but on the personal stories of people who have chosen to use the option the act gives them. Or, to be more specific, they’ve chosen the possibility, the measure of control afforded by having in hand a prescription for life-ending medication. The result isn’t a balanced, political film, but it isn’t trying to be. Continue reading 

City Votes to Pursue May Measure for Schools

The Eugene City Council voted 8-0 tonight to continue discussion of a May ballot measure on an income tax for schools. The council plans to discuss details of the measure on Feb. 14 and take a final vote. The 4J school board may vote on whether to support the additional city funding and how much on Feb. 9. Several councilors appeared to indicate they may ultimately oppose referring a school funding measure to a May ballot vote, but a majority of four councilors and the Mayor spoke in favor of a May ballot measure. Continue reading 

What happens when everyone is armed?

“When everyone is carrying a firearm, nobody is going to be a victim,” Arizona State Rep. Jack Harper told the Arizona Republic in the wake of the mass shooting of a congresswoman, 9 year-old girl, judge and others in his state. Here’s a look at what happens when “everyone is carrying a firearm”: Continue reading