Letters to the editor for Thursday, Jan. 20: Masks at basketball games, police overreach, and Julie Fahey

Be wary of police overreach

Unfortunately, it must first be said that when criminals use legitimate protests as cover to throw self-centered tantrums, injuring others or damaging their property, they deserve to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, as they are here in Eugene and Portland. Their actions not only injure fellow citizens but also undermine the validity of that protest and thereby disrespect legitimate protestors.

But I’m confused by Greg Williams of Noti when he first presents the historical validity of our right to protest, then questions that right when it overrides minor municipal ordinances about where people can assemble (Letters, Jan 17).

America has long, founding tradition that places the right to protest above petty legal excuses to prevent it. The most famous example being the Boston Tea Party. When Americans peacefully protest and the police use such petty excuses to interfere, or initiate violent interactions with the protestors, then it is the police who are creating a dangerous situation, sometimes as cover to then label the protest a “riot” in order to stop it.

What’s ludicrous — and dangerous to our liberties — is for us as a community to allow such overreach and lawlessness by the police to go unchallenged.

Peter Straton, Eugene

Flagrant foul

Both head coaches of the Arizona and UConn women's teams flagrantly violated Oregon's (and the UO's) mask policy. Neither head coach Adia Barnes, head coach Geno Auriemma, nor UConn's associate head coach Cris Dailey wore masks at any time during the women's basketball games.

Apparently, no one told them this is the state mandate and the UO's mandate. Their flagrant violation, despite efforts by the student section to shame them into compliance, is irresponsible and an embarrassment to their institutions. And they endanger all of us with possible infection.

Since the UO has had players and coaches miss games due to COVID-19 infections, and since the UO's teams have had games canceled due to other teams' infections, it is shameful to see the blatant flaunting of their disrespect for our fans and our team.

I hope the UO Athletic Department will speak to future visiting coaches about our requirements. If the student section can abide by the rules (and Monday's game certainly demonstrated that), then opponents' coaches can comply as well.

Carol Carver, Eugene

Fahey the right choice for majority leader

Congratulations to State Representative Julie Fahey, who has been elected by her peers as the next majority leader for the Oregon House Democratic Caucus. Fahey’s district includes west Eugene, Bethel and Junction City, but all of Lane County stands to benefit from her leadership in this new position.

Since her first election in 2016, Fahey has made a name for herself in Salem as the Legislature’s preeminent champion in housing affordability issues, for which she was recognized when she was appointed chair of the House Committee on Housing. She has fought for everyday Oregonians by introducing bills to protect access to reproductive health care, strengthen workers’ rights and protect democratic elections in our state.

The high cost and limited availability of housing is the most pressing issue in Lane County, and I feel we are fortunate to have a housing champion like Fahey stepping into this important role. She knows the issue, she knows our community, and she knows how to follow through. Kudos to Oregon Democrats for getting It right!

Chris Wig, Springfield

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Radiating news

It was with some sadness that I read about the coming shrinkage of circulation by cutting off Saturday delivery. What if you are like me and are not going to read a flat screen for the newspaper? I watched in horror as the culture in Portland took a nosedive when The Oregonian basically died.

What amazes me is these changes are made because of a supposed move to digital. That is a ruse, as the only move to digital besides people with their noses in their phones 24/7 is at the corporate level, where profit is king and people are being literally pushed into doing everything “online,” as if that is a good thing. It is not, and on many levels is harmful. Take a gaussmeter and stick it in front of your computer. It will be pinned, demonstrating a harmful and powerful electromagnetic field. Try it!

Stephen Kimberley, Eugene

End of an era

Jan. 13 confirmed what I had long seen coming: Our community will no longer have a daily newspaper. This is very sad. Before long, we pesky print lovers will be gone and you won't have to be concerned with us any more (not that you were ever terribly concerned).

More: The Register-Guard to end Saturday delivery, will offer enhanced e-Editions

I wonder how long we can expect to get six-day a week publication?

Jane Dods, Eugene

Leave it in the ground

Thirty-three percent of Americans are “alarmed” about global warming, while another 25% are “concerned,” according to Climate Communication from Yale University. It’s time our leaders were equally engaged.

We can no longer afford elected officials — at any level, of any party — who don’t recognize and act upon the urgency of climate change. We need to end our dependence on fossil fuels, leaving what remains in the ground right where it is and transitioning as rapidly as possible to alternative fuels. A price on carbon pollution, coupled with a dividend returning that fee to households and thus offsetting price increases while adding incentives to develop and invest in clean energy sources, is among the most rapid, straightforward and fair ways to achieve a reduction in carbon emissions on the scale required.

Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and all of Oregon’s leaders — including those hoping to be our next governor — must make climate action a top priority in this new year.

Amalia Gladhart, Eugene

The life-changing magic of tidying up

Nice job by the Oregon Department of Transportation by placing large boulders on the ground under the Interstate 5 underpass on Gateway Street. This will prevent the homeless campers, trailers and other vehicles from parking there. At any given time there have been three to four motorhomes with all the junk being left behind when they are asked to move on by ODOT. It’s a more tidy area now! Hopefully the bridge crew will do more of this proactive measure in other areas.

Jim Pilling, Eugene

Accounts receivable

The anniversary of the Capital Riot has come and gone, but the horror of the terrorist attack on American democracy will never fade. Every time I see an American flag it reminds me of flags used to beat the D.C. police officers. The vision of Sen. Josh Hawley raising his outstretched arm toward the vicious crowd reminded me of the Nazi salute.

It's not just another day for the families of the police officers who died or the two officers who committed suicide. According to Rep. Andrew Clyde, he thinks the insurrection was a "normal tourist visit," as the rioters were defecating in the hallways and destroying the interior of our precious Capitol building. Yep, a normal tourist visit as the mob was chanting, "Hang Mike Pence.”

All the Republicans who think this was just another day, think about this: Repairs will cost taxpayers more than $30 million. I want my money back, so I'm sending an invoice to Amy Kremer, the head of "Women for America First," who pulled the permit for the terrorist event. Then invoice Hawley, Donald Trump, Mike Lindell, etc. Hit those who supported this so-called tourist event where it hurts — their bank accounts!

Frank Harper, Springfield

Come on down to Laurelwood

As a lifetime golfer, I sympathized with Charles Butler’s piece about the closing of RiverRidge golf course (Your Turn, Jan. 9). But, Charles, no more teardrops. Mere blocks from your place of employment, the University of Oregon, is beautiful, historic Laurelwood Golf Course.

Butler: The end of long walks spoiled at RiverRidge.

Nestled at the top of Columbia Street since 1929, this nine-hole gem has, in recent years, been cut and polished to such a high degree that its course superintendent, Will Benson, was acclaimed the Golf Course Superintendent of the Year by the Oregon Golf Association. Benson and co-operator Nick Sams, who runs The Pub at Laurelwood, have put their hearts and souls (to say nothing of their money) into creating a truly rewarding golf and family experience.

So, Charles, grab Leah and Ben and tell them their golfing days are not over. Laurelwood is a warm, welcoming facility with the emphasis on fun. You will all have a great time!

Dennis Sanfilippo, Eugene

A ludicrous state of affairs

In 1689, Parliament created a Bill of Rights to curb the excesses of a domineering, decree-writing monarch and to re-establish their authority.

A hundred years later, skeptical opponents of our new Constitution demanded a Bill of Rights to curb the excesses of a potentially domineering central government. The very first amendment prohibits Congress from denying “… the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

Section 4.707 of the Eugene Municipal Code prohibits blocking pedestrian or vehicular entrances to public or private property without a permit.

Section 4.725 (c) prohibits obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic on a public way. Subsection (e) prohibits congregating with other persons in a public place and refusing to comply with a lawful order of the police to disperse.

We now have groups of upset individuals who do just that, causing the police to respond, disobey their lawful orders to disperse and cause damage to private and public property. The rioters caused them to respond in the first place — no riot, no police — but somehow the police are at fault and get sued.

I don’t think Rod Serling’s “Twilight Zone” could top this extraordinarily ludicrous state of affairs.

Greg Williams, Noti

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Letters: Masks at games, police overreach and Fahey