Inbox

[April 29th, 2009]

YOU CAN’T PLEASE EVERYONE…

[Re: Rogue of the Week, WW, April 22, 2009:] OK, I’m not for Sam Adams in any particular way, but do we all agree that Memorial Coliseum ISN’T a historic building that needs to be saved? (How many of you have photos of it?) And that the Rose Quarter is the logical spot for the baseball park? (It already has the transportation infrastructure.) That being said, the guy is breaking way too many eggs with this approach. Then again, most people opposed (and still oppose) the MAX despite all the good it does. There’s something to be said for pushing initiatives through despite the peanut gallery.

“Danny”
via wweek.com

…But there IS a right WAY and a wrong way TO DO THINGS

[In response to “Danny”:] In a general sense, that is true. Conversely, it is also true that there is something to be said for thinking critically about one’s claims of moral courage and independence when they are undertaking something dangerous, foolish or selfish. Particularly when others are going to bear the cost. Consider Bush boasting of his willingness to be unpopular. Well, he was unpopular for some very good reasons. There is a point where independence from the will of constituents ceases to be evidence of principle and instead takes on the character of predatory betrayal.

Even if there is an argument to be made for imploding Memorial Coliseum, you don’t want somebody as reckless and as dishonest as Sam Adams pushing the button. The debate is deformed at birth by the contaminating power of his continued presence.

“tw”
via wweek.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: You’ll notice a couple of changes in this week’s news section. The Weekly Fix that was on Page 6 is dead (and unlamented). And you’ll also notice a new fixture this week on page 18, Hey, Neighbor!, that lets you answer the age-old question, “What the hell are your neighbors doing?” Love the changes? Hate the changes? Let us know online at wweek.com/columns/askeditor.

CORRECTION: Last week’s story “Animal Harm” erred in describing one experiment at Oregon Health Science University and also what the school spends a portion of federal grant money on. Researchers are planning to give lead to rats to test whether low levels of the metal cause ADHD. And a portion of federal grant money is spent for operations, but not salaries at the school. WW regrets the errors.