Eugene Weekly

A TRAVESTY AND A WASTE The direction our public officials are taking is the worst mistake made since the 1970s Urban Renewal Renovation of downtown Eugene. The unfortunate direction on the table will outweigh the 40-year scars of urban renewal.  • Wasting the existing City Hall building, discarding at least $40 million of equity, spending $11 million to replace it with a smaller version. Total: $51 million. • Leasing space at $1.2 million a year for 10 years ($12 million) to support developers. Total: $63 million. Continue reading →

4J’S DOUBLE STANDARD The recent news about 4J’s superintendent leaving his post early and the ongoing negotiations between teachers and the district have brought in focus issues that have undermined the morale of Eugene teachers in recent years.  Continue reading →

AGGRESSIVE MALES The main reason for humans' existence on this planet is just like any other organism: procreate, raise the kids, die. Men and women are supposed to have as much sex as possible from about age 15 to 40 so that we fulfill our life cycle. Some males will get very aggressive during these sex-soaked years, especially if they are in a high-competition area like sports. Then throw some alcohol into the mix and now you have aggression coupled with inhibition.  Continue reading →

PRIVILEGE & RESPONSIBILITY Jim Stauffer [“Biological Disaster” letter, 6/5] offers a valuable male viewpoint on the issue of sexual miscommunication and victimization. I agree with his call for education of young people with a goal of helping them form respectful sexual relationships. But his criticism of me comes across as self-defensive.  Continue reading →

MULTIPLE CELEBRATIONS I just heard about the cancellation of the Eugene Celebration. What about this: Let’s have a Eugene Celebration from EWEB plaza to the North Polk Community Garden along the bike path. Two stages, one at each end. Maybe a third stage at Skinner Butte Park and a fourth close to the River House. Booths all along the bike path. And it could be free!  Maybe see if the outdoor concert folks are willing to help coordinate with the neighborhood associations in those areas. Could be more fun than it has been for years. Continue reading →

INHUMANE INDUSTRY Diana Huntington’s May 29 letter “Blood In The Water” is spot on. Anyone who claims to be an environmentalist and/or “animal lover” can no longer in good conscience continue to support the single industry responsible for such unspeakable levels of animal cruelty and major contributions toward the demise of the planet.  Continue reading →

THE POWER OF SEXISM The emergence of sexuality in the teen and early adult years is confusing for all of us. For women, the situation is complicated by their position on the victim end of sexism. Many young women, myself included, enter this period with a belief that men and women are equal, and that their wishes regarding their own bodies will be generally respected by others. It is a shock to find out that this is not true. Continue reading →

SPORTS VS. DECENCY I want to know why the three basketball players are not being prosecuted for rape. I find it unfathomable that their word would be taken over the victim’s. Could it be because they are men playing a sport at UO? Just as Josh Huff, UO wide receiver who, despite being clocked at 50 mph down 18th, and having a urine sample that came up positive was acquitted of all charges — and picked up at the jail by a former UO chief of staff. Continue reading →

MILLIONS HAVE BEEN LOST Is PAC money from out of state being fused into Lane County politics? How much of it is from the Koch Bros? What does your gut tell you? This money is filling the political coffers of commissioners Jay Bozievich, Sid Leiken and Faye Stewart and has bought their loyalty at the expense of Lane County citizens. These commissioners have already cost taxpayers millions of dollars; add to that: scandals, corporate welfare, gerrymandering, lack of government transparency and lawsuits. Continue reading →

GROSS DISREGARD Continue reading →