The Right Direction for Responsible Gun Ownership
I was enraged by several children once when I was 8, and used my father’s gun to terrify them. Luckily, I didn’t shoot. Unfortunately, the unregulated proliferation of guns combined with emotional turmoil has led America to bleed from within because of gun deaths. Proponents and opponents of guns have an equally shared responsibility to engage in the healing of our nation.
Oregon is bleeding at a faster rate of states with gun-buying laws, creating delays between anger and gun violence. Measure 114 is a law that could curb impulsive shooting. Did you know that over 80% of all firearm deaths are suicides?
Since M114 would not apply to current gun owners and only applies to guns purchased after it came into effect, it may seem weak. Still, states that have enacted similar purchase permit laws have documented decreases in mass shootings (56%), suicides (33%), and homicides (28%). It’s even more amazing that 77% of gun owners in these states agree with the law.
I urge everyone to educate themselves on the Lift Every Voice Oregon website. The M114 will not eliminate all gun violence. Still, it’s in the right direction to shift the moral conversation about responsible gun ownership.
David Hazen, Eugene
Graduate standards set by classroom achievement
As a retired public school teacher of 38 years, I say “yes” to accountability and ambition, but “no” to the overuse of discredited standardized tests.
Andrew Kallock in his Guest View, “Kids Deserve Responsibility, Ambition” (October 2) twists high school graduation rules when he writes, “… [Oregon] The Department of Education recently called for a permanent end to the requirement that students must demonstrate basic reading, writing and math skills to graduate…”
No, that’s not correct. Our state is not removing the requirement for proficiency in the “essential skills” of reading, writing, and math – it is removing the mandate that a supplemental standardized test be used to measure these skills. Quoting the new law: “Prohibit the State Board of Education from requiring for the high school diploma that the student demonstrate proficiency in any area of academic content if the student has passed the credit requirements. ”
This means that when a student masters their high school English and math classes, they can graduate, as tens of thousands of us have done for decades. Adding an additional measure of evidence – a standardized test – beyond student performance in their classes is no longer necessary.
Colleen Hunter, Springfield
Demand more than reading from students
I am disappointed that you have provided Andrew Kalloch space to make ill-motivated comments regarding our schools (“Children Deserve Responsibility, Ambition,” October 2). Mr. Kalloch has to spend a few days observing a teacher in a primary school to see why what he wrote is so absurd.
For example, he said we should “require 100% of students to be able to read at grade level in middle school.”
Why have such “low expectations” and stop reading?
Why not make the same request for mathematics too? I taught in Silicon Valley for over a decade, and my students’ parents usually wanted their kids to master math first.
And physical education? Shouldn’t we also require all students to be physically fit in middle school?
Shouldn’t all children also be proficient in science, writing, public speaking and history?
Obviously, all of these topics (and many more that I have omitted) are important. My students need all of this.
Unfortunately, too many district administrators would disagree. They share Mr. Kalloch’s short-sighted “only reading matters” mentality, so students are leaving fifth grade without the essential skills and knowledge they need to succeed in science, writing, and more. to college.
Mikell Harshbarger, Eugene
Run, Betsy, run
I’m voting for Betsy Johnson in the next Oregon gubernatorial race. Why? Because I yearn for a governor who is dedicated to healing the hyper-partisanship we have suffered from lately. Whether in government, business, or our own homes, the best way to affect meaningful change has long been this: We need to actively listen to each other, even when (especially when) we don’t. we don’t agree. We must remain genuinely curious and open to ideas that challenge our assumptions. We need to find common ground where we can compromise (or, as Betsy puts it, become “equal opportunity pissing offers”).
Until we can restore a climate in which this can happen, other issues pale in comparison – even those that are personally dear to me. It’s not the easiest way, that’s for sure, but it’s the right way to improve. Can Betsy Johnson bridge our divides, as only she has resolved to do? I do not know. It’s a big challenge. But I know that none of the other candidates seem up to the task. Neither of them even wants to be, obsessed with party allegiance. Run, Betsy, run.
Wendy J. Cook, Eugene
Representation in Congress is not an entry-level job
Alek Skarlatos is running to be the representative for the 4th congressional district.
Alek is famous because he and three other people disarmed a gunman on a train to Paris and took part in “Dancing with the Stars”. He has a high school diploma, but no university degree. Its websites do not mention any profession. He has never held public office. He trained and served in the Army National Guard. He demonstrated his lack of character by recovering $65,000 in leftover campaign funds that he donated to start the 15:17 Trust for Veterans.
His opponent Val Hoyle has a bachelor’s degree and 25 years of national and international marketing experience. Val has served as a state representative and is currently the Oregon Commissioner of Labor. As a State Representative, Val was instrumental in locating an Oregon State Psychiatric Hospital in Junction City, providing jobs and growth to Junction City and badly needed support. psychiatric treatment for Lane County. As labor commissioner, Val supported raising the minimum wage and expanding job training and apprenticeships.
Congressman is not an entry-level job suitable for someone with minimal education and lack of Skarlatos experience. Val Hoyle has the education and experience to represent the 4th congressional district.
Karen Beasley, Eugene
Show respect for the unknown
Marianne and I donate for free to St Vinnies, BRING Recycling, etc. From time to time, we end up with bric-a-brac that we leave on the street with a “free” sign, and the bric-a-brac disappears in a mega-second!
So, we got this real cheesy plastic flower wreath and left it on the street with a few flowers falling down with no “free” sign. The first day, he is still there. Great, he should have been redeemed.
On the second day, someone glued flowers back onto the main body of the wreath. On the third day, someone affectionately leans the wreath against the tree…umm. On the fourth day, I manage to put up a free sign and the crown evaporates muy rapido!
We finally realized that plastic flower arrangements usually mark a place where a death has occurred.
They were good people who showed their respect for the deceased. Just gotta love Eugene!
Skip Berlin, Eugene
Isaacson would be a good fit for Ward 7
I live in Ward 7 and voted against the Syrett recall. Residents of Ward 7 should have something to say about who replaces her. I recommend Daniel Isaacson. His work on the planning commission makes him well qualified to be a city councillor. From his Facebook page and personal communications, I see he has a deep knowledge base on affordable housing, which is my main issue. His ideas on what to do about housing make sense to me. The city council needs someone with his expertise.
Lynn Porter, Eugene
Letters should be 200 words or less and sent with the author’s name, address and daytime phone number via email to rgletters@registerguard.com. Letters may be edited for length and clarity, and may be published in any medium. We regret that due to the volume of correspondence, we cannot respond to every letter.
