Letters to the editor: Brown Jackson, Zoom discrimination and natural gas

Personal attacks on an opponent

Two telltale signs of a self-defeated argument are: personal attacks on one’s argumentative opponent, such as questioning their intelligence, and raising doubt about their motives. Ron Breaden employs both in his criticism of the recent opinion piece by Michael Gerson on the Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmation hearings (Letters, April 4).

Such arguments are self-defeated because they are, in effect, a change of subject, an implicit admission by the author that they have no valid counter-argument on the substance of the topic.

To which of Gerson’s points does Breaden object? Was it his observation that the Republicans abandoned their job — assessing the judicial qualifications of the nominee — and, instead, turned the hearings into a platform on which to thump their culture-war chests? Was it Gerson’s observation that such Trumpist antics have become disconnected from the man and now have a life of their own in the Republican Party? Was it (Republican) Gerson’s warning that such shallowness and cynicism, applied to an essential governance process, are yet more milestones on the downward spiral of the Republican Party’s demise?

We’ll never know because Breaden offered no actual counter-argument to the substance of Gerson’s opinion piece.

Peter Straton, Eugene

Education free from political bias

I was pleased to read the excellent, albeit very long, story regarding effective, honest teaching in our schools (April 13). Apparently, there are a number of teachers in Oregon, and briefly noted in other states, who have found accurate and effective ways to teach students especially regarding undeserved privilege, discrimination, race and slavery. Many states suffer the misfortune of having politicians who want to define curriculum based on political bias, whether their own or that of their constituents. Teachers should not teach from any bias, theirs, ours or others.

If educators leave out parts or otherwise alter the reality of how history really was and how any group of people were affected, they are doing students a disfavor. Many students are truly inquisitive and want and expect a good education. But they rightfully expect it to be based on accurate truth past or present, however satisfying or painful those truths may be.

Many thanks to our teachers who seek to teach students a true picture of history, thereby helping them build a better life. In doing so, our teachers practice admirably the lofty profession they have chosen.

Dennis Lees, Eugene

Zoom discrimination led to skewed representation

The City Council met to hear testimony about allowing Northwest Natural to extend services to new construction. I entered the Zoom site just after 7 p.m., but was too late to contribute because of the format. This is a system fault and puts those who are not as technologically savvy at a disadvantage.

Had I been a council member listening to the “testimony,” I, too, would have believed that everyone in Eugene wants forced electrification. These voices took up the majority of the time preventing others from offering alternative positions.

I agree with Brittany Quick-Warner when she said the format was a poor way to determine what the average person wants. A poll indicated that more than two-thirds of the people favor NW Natural’s extension. People I talked with — friends, associates and members of the business community — want NW Natural to proceed! Because not everyone was skilled enough, these opinions were rarely heard.

Issues as impactful as this should be decided by a vote of the people. The approximately 30 people who testified out of Eugene’s population of nearly 200,000 is not representative. This issue should be placed on the ballot so the electorate has the opportunity to choose.

Shannon Roseta, Eugene

No such thing as renewable natural gas

In his opinion piece, Jim Ball cites his background for purposes of credibility, but fails to explain what he means by the following quoted passage in his column: "NW Natural is committed to providing an increasing percentage of renewable gas in the pipeline."

"Renewable energy" is a term popular within the natural gas industry to argue in favor of continued use of natural gas even though the industry knows this is a false narrative.

Let's face it: There is no such thing as renewable natural gas. It is still a gas that has to be burned in order to produce energy. Natural gas or other carbon derivatives will continue to be required at levels harmful to the environment until truly clean sources of energy can be produced in quantities large enough to protect and serve the demands from an overpopulated, poorly educated world.

Kenneth Jones, Eugene

Give Victoria Doyle a shot at SCC

I was living in Cottage Grove during the time Victoria Doyle was on the budget committee and an elected councilor.

I often saw her asking people about different issues and staying connected with community activities. You could tell she felt a deep sense of obligation to the people who lived there and she took her responsibility on the council seriously. She was a friend to the business community and made it a priority to look out for the interests of the small businesses, which are what make up a good portion of the economy.

Victoria has the experience to tackle the housing issues in Springfield; she has a heart for making sure infrastructure is managed and making first responders a top priority. I can't think of anyone I would rather have representing my interests in government. Springfield deserves someone like Victoria so please vote Victoria Doyle for Springfield City Council!

Veronica Lind, Lorane

New tricks of the trade

During a recent environmental event promoting Eugene’s electrification efforts, I observed a brief interaction between one of our demonstrators and a driver waiting in traffic at a stoplight. Afterward I asked her about the exchange. The driver, an electrician, said that his job depended on electricity, and that electricity depended on fossil fuels. He contended that we climate activists were supporting changes that threatened his livelihood.

The electrician might have been surprised to learn that, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Oregon now gets 68% of its electricity from renewable (non-fossil fuel) sources. Oregonians’ decreasing reliance on fossil fuels is but one example of how the threat of climate change is powering an energy renaissance.

The shared threat to everyone’s “livelihood” is climate change, yet even that threat is not without opportunity. In 2020, Oregon set ambitious goals and began taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is projected that over the next several decades these measures will create 10,000 new jobs and increase revenue by $2.5 billion.

Electricians and workers in related trades who are willing to learn some new “tricks of the trade” will be among those most in demand.

Thomas Boyd, Eugene

The moral high ground

America went looking to use the moral high ground over Russia in Ukraine, but found it lying badly wounded near Baghdad, where nearly 20 years ago we did something eerily similar, that was also based on lies. We’re finding out, too, that hypocrisy doesn’t biodegrade that conveniently.

What’s happening in Ukraine is tragic, and our best bad option probably is to give Ukrainians all the weapons they need to fight NATO’s proxy war with Russia. As it appears the only alternative would be to watch the Ukrainian people get destroyed, their homes and infrastructure obliterated. The risk in that strategy is if Russia keeps losing then it’s possible the war would expand outside of Ukraine. Putin knows he won’t survive if Russia fails in this mission.

Another sad fact is the formula for shifting the Russian people’s support of Putin’s war now may entail delivering thousands more dead Russian soldiers back home to their families. It’s a horrible mess for all involved, whatever the final outcome.

Bob Hoitt, Springfield

Why aren’t we saving Ukraine?

Dear President, you're taking too long not giving Ukraine all it needs. It needs it now. What's going on with you? Isn't it worth the time to save Ukraine, a country of 44 million?

Here you are, wanting a $5 trillion package for our luxuries while you give Ukraine so much less. Only $13.6 billion? For every $1 you gave to Ukraine, you kept $367 for your package. That isn't even a sacrifice.

Congress and the people want you to do everything possible. If you gave Ukraine half a trillion dollars, the war would be over. You know that. We know that. So why isn't it happening?

I wish our troops would've been first to stand inside that Ukraine border right away. It would've meant something.

Bill Northrup, Eugene

A sign for the teachers

While out sightseeing in our beautiful state, I frequently see signs indicating that a section of the highway is a memorial to various military or police people who have served our nation or died while on duty. It recently occurred to me that our K-12 teachers — and especially the middle school cohort — are also heroes, and they should be similarly honored. Please join me in asking the state Legislature to take up this idea.

Marcia Veach, Springfield

Consider energy efficiency

The guest view "Dual-fuel, hybrid-energy way of future" by Jim Ball was a welcome contribution to this important issue of "electrical power vs. natural gas." Unfortunately, this "hot topic" is often discussed in a predictably polarized way.

More:Dual-fuel, hybrid-energy the way of the future

Ball's solution/approach is reasoned, informed and pragmatic, which is a welcome change. Fundamental transformation in the way we produce and use power is better served when we take the time to implement policies that take into account the financial cost to all stakeholders.

Efficiency, even under extreme weather conditions, is also essential to consider, as well as environmental impact, obviously. Thank you, Jim Ball, for your contribution!

Sue Kilber, Eugene

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Eugene residents weigh in on Brown Jackson, Zoom and natural gas