Byline: The Register-Guard

U.S. consumers are responsible

Bush bashers send a lot more letters to Mailbag than supporters of our very good president, even though polls show strong support for Bush.

The main causes of high unemployment are losses of the strong manufacturing

facilities our nation once had. We were the largest producer of steel, autos, machine tools, lumber, construction machinery, TVs, etc. Now there are no iron smelters; only a few steel mills using scrap steel function in the U.S. No machine tool builders are left, nor TV manufacturers; probably half of car sales are for foreign makes. Oregon was a major lumber producer, but misguided environmentalists stopped the cutting of old growth trees that are ripe and have many more board feet of lumber than second-growth.

Too many citizens don't know the wealth of a nation is built on manufacturing and the exploitation of resources. Service jobs are essential but don't generate products; they just move money around.

Reports estimate that China will have strong growth in both its economy and exports this year. One can hardly buy anything today that doesn't have a "Made in China" sticker. Many U.S. manufacturers are sourcing parts in China or other foreign countries because it's the only way they can compete. These are realities of $25-an-hour wages vs. 85 cents an hour; no one wants U.S. workers working for starvation wages, but all of us could help by buying U.S.-made products even if they cost more.

The presidents are not responsible for our economy; we consumers are!

LOUIS JOHNSON

Eugene

Homosexuality a genetic trait

Joan Chipman (letters, July 10) has an interesting point of view - incorrect, but interesting. First of all, I would like to know where she learned that same-gender sex was unhealthy. I'd like to know which civilizations were brought down by this act. I'd also like to know where she gets the idea that homosexuals make up only a small portion of our population. Recent studies indicate that the actual number is from 10 percent to 15 percent. At its lowest number, out of a population of 270 million people, that is 27 million homosexuals.

There is also a major difference between sodomy and bigamy or polygamy. Sodomy is a sexual act done in the privacy of one's home. Bigamy and polygamy are legal arrangements through marriage that must be registered with the government. There is no right to privacy in those two instances.

Lastly, there is the issue of choice. Recent studies on the human brain indicate that homosexuality is a genetic trait. Ignoring this trait would be like ignoring the urge for companionship. That would be truly unhealthy. Should homosexuals deny their basic rights to live a happy, healthy life? What business is it of anyone else's?

GLEN SPENCER

Eugene

Put casino in Eugene

I found the July 7 Register-Guard editorial about the casino most interesting.

Do I recall that Eugene (and probably The Register-Guard) didn't want a casino in the Eugene-Springfield area when the tribes were wanting to locate their gaming facility over there? It's interesting how easy it is to pontificate when there is no not-in-my-back-yard situation to deal with!

Maybe the newspaper ought to reconsider the placement and invite the tribes back to the Eugene area, because it would be much more environmentally sound - think of the gas that could be saved, and the resulting reduction in global warming if all those people who might come to Florence could stay right there in the Eugene area to deal with their gambling addictions.

Gee - I think there is some undeveloped land right there by The Register-Guard on Chad Drive.

LOU WILLCOX

Florence

Designers' names immaterial

So local architect Otto Poticha (letters, July 10) feels that Eugene residents don't appreciate architecture, and that The Register-Guard is partly to blame for not naming the architects when reporting on projects such as bus stations. Poticha says he has written the newspaper 25 times in 40 years about it. Perhaps it is time to take the hint.

Most people appreciate a nice building but don't really care to know who designed it. We don't need to know who designed the nice car in our driveway, the refrigerator in the kitchen or the PC on our desk. The people who designed those things are talented and hard working, no doubt, and get their recognition from their peers and professional organizations.

It's time to get over it.

RANDY KOLB

Eugene

Economic education vital

An Associated Press article in the July 5 Register-Guard acknowledges that many students lack basic business knowledge in high schools today. That comes as no surprise to those of us who have instructed business development at the community college level or offered our services as volunteer consultants to teach financial and economic matters in the classroom.

Especially during these times of budgetary constraints, it is imperative that business and professional organizations, community groups and professional retirees work together with agencies such as Junior Achievement, the Lane Business Education Compact and others to help fill the gap.

These solutions are not only vital to our children, but vital to our economic well-being which is dependent on financially astute individuals. We must continue to raise the level of dialogue to that which recognizes that a good education and a healthy economy are interconnected and inseparable.

MITZI COLBATH

Eugene

Save 'Ask-a-Nurse' program

We are sorry to learn that Sacred Heart Medical Center is considering discontinuing its "Ask-a-Nurse" program. We have used it on many occasions.

It seems to be a very popular program, yet there has been no public outcry on the possibility of losing it.

In order to keep this valuable program in operation, we need to let Sacred Heart officials know that we appreciate these services and would like them to continue.

FRAN and BOB EVANS

Eugene

Liberals don't trust decent man

I think I've finally determined the reason that low-wattage liberals can't stand George Bush. They don't recognize and wouldn't trust a decent and honest man. They judge everyone by their hero, the truth-challenged and discredited Bill Clinton.

An average of a couple of Mailbag letters a day call the president a liar for telling the world that Saddam Hussein was a threat to everyone. That's like telling the world that the Willamette Valley is a bad place for allergy sufferers to be in June. It should be obvious to anyone with an IQ above room temperature.

I still see some dull tool driving around town with a bumper sticker announcing that 250,000 Iraqi babies would die if we did the world a favor and removed Saddam. Brilliant! It's much more likely that 250,000 babies were saved by our humane act.

It is uplifting to know that the liberals will get to enjoy George Bush for another five years. I look forward to their hand-wringing and shrill complaining.

JAMES T. BRYANT

Eugene

Crews give up their holiday

This is a letter of appreciation to the crews who responded to our request for help on the evening of July 4 when a blue heron tangled with a power line, broke a wing and could not get free.

It was about 9 p.m. when family members leaving a reunion on Meadowview Road spotted the injured bird, and we placed a call to Emerald People's Utility District, our power provider, to ask if there was anything it could do. The dispatcher told us that he was not sure he could find anyone to respond on this holiday night but would try.

A half hour later, an EPUD repairman approached with his service vehicle, but his face fell when he saw that the struggling bird was on the Pacific Power & Light line - he couldn't touch it with his equipment. He volunteered to report it to PP&L, but could not guarantee any help. We kept watching from our homes as it got dark, and then saw the PP&L rigs arrive.

They worked until after 11 p.m. to get the bird down. They then had the courtesy to contact the family and let us know that they had been unable to save the bird but that it had been euthanized. When family members returned to the area the next day for more reunion, having come from six states, they were relieved to hear of the compassion of the power company crews. Many said they suspected there would have been a different outcome in their home areas. Our family wants to give credit to the crews who gave up part of their holiday. It was much appreciated.

MARY JACOBS

Junction City

Hayden a good fit for East Lane

I have written to the Lane County Board of Commissioners asking it to appoint Cedric Hayden to the open position on the board, and I urge my friends from Blue River to Dexter, Cottage Grove, Fox Hollow, Lorane and all points in between to do the same.

I have known Hayden and his family for many years, and he has become a close personal friend. We are flying buddies (we are both pilots), and work together on various local projects as volunteers.

I have great confidence in Hayden, and his ability and willingness to work for us. I believe the things that he has done in life have trained him well for this particular job.

I believe Hayden would be an excellent commissioner. I hope the commissioners choose Cedric Hayden to fill the East Lane seat on the county board.

PAUL BRUINGTON

Dexter