Opinion: Page 339

We’ll bend a knee with Colin Kaepernick

Slant

• We’ll bend a knee with Colin Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback stirring up the conservative sports world with his visual statement against racism in America. He’s kneeling, not standing for the “Star Spangled Banner” and taking frightening flak for it. Bravo to his coach Chip Kelly, well known to Eugeneans, who affirmed free speech in America, as did President Obama and some other sports stars like Megan Rapinoe, the great soccer player. Makes no sense, but we were pleased to see the 49ers win last Thursday. Continue reading →

INSPIRING STORY

Letters

INSPIRING STORY What a great article on a great man, someone I’ve never met but long admired [“Citizen Terry,” 8/25]. Someday when I am done working I will show up on his doorstep offering to help. Truly inspiring. Made my day, and these can be disheartening days.  Thanks, Rick Levin! Amy Isler Gibson, Eugene   NOT SO THRIFTY  Continue reading →

It’s the season for senior photos

Slant

• It’s the season for senior photos. South Eugene High School senior Jillian Henry headed over to Mount Pisgah for some shots of her in the wild. She got more than she bargained for when a naked man and his dog photobombed her shots. She posted them on Twitter with the comment “Love my senior pics.” The images have been retweeted more then 25,000 times and gotten more than 70,000 likes, and the story has been picked up at Jezebel, Buzzfeed, The Oregonian and in the UK. Way to start your senior year with a bang!  Continue reading →

My Date with Kate

Or how I influenced the course of Oregon history

Viewpoint

When the Oregon legislative session of 2015 opened, Eugene Weekly embarked upon the bold experiment of establishing a delivery route in Salem. Each Thursday I traveled there, my first stop was the Capitol, where crowds in costumes and uniforms campaigned colorfully for their causes. The Salem experience was thoroughly enjoyable. As the final month began, I wondered how I could top the fun, and decided to meet Kate Brown. Continue reading →

Letters to the Editor 8-25-2016

DIG THAT HOLE

Letters

DIG THAT HOLE John Zerzan is pointing out that voting for Clinton is a vote for “no change.” Yup, we’ve got a world of problems that won’t be addressed. “When you find yourself in a hole, the first thing you do is stop digging.”   Trump will bring change, no doubt, like setting off dynamite in that hole you dug while fixing your leach field. Gregg Ferry, Corvallis    WILEY GRIFFON  Continue reading →

Thumbs up for President Obama’s Justice Department’s decision to end the management of federal prisons by private groups

Slant

• Thumbs up for President Obama’s Justice Department’s decision to end the management of federal prisons by private groups. How did we ever start that in the first place? The drive for profit was certain to fuel the drive for more prisoners serving more time. We understand that Oregon has no privately run prisons. Thumbs up for that, too. Continue reading →

Choose Your Battle

No candidate will save you, but some votes are better than others

Viewpoint

I’m not a fan of HRC.  But I’m no Bernie-for-the-revolution person either.  No election will bring us the revolution we need. Even electing Jill Stein or Sanders would do the same as electing the “Hope” and “Change” of Obama.  The ball is still in our court.  And Hillary Clinton is not the same as Trump. I much rather fight the Clinton administration than the Trump administration.  Continue reading →

Spirit of the Law

How Much Does Standardized Testing Really Cost Us?

Viewpoint

There is the letter of the law, then there’s the spirit. Rep. Lew Frederick, the Oregon House’s only African American legislator, was the guiding force behind two new Oregon laws: HB 2655 (the testing opt-out bill of rights) and HB 2713 (the testing cost audit bill).  The spirit behind the two new laws is clear: To honestly examine the costs, both financial and otherwise, of the standardized testing that dominates Oregon education and to allow parents and students to make their own informed decisions about what kind of education is best for them.  Continue reading →