PATIENCE AND OTHER VIRTUES
While it is laudable that you chose to "come clean" by admitting that the reporting done by David Smigelski on Ballot Measure 51 may represent a conflict of interest ["Coming Clean" and "To Lie For," WW, Sept. 17, 1997], it is really nothing more than insubstantial sleight of hand on your part; an effort to divert your readers' attention away from the broader picture in order to persuade them from thinking more deeply about the issue or evaluating the motivations of Mr. Smigelski and Willamette Week in presenting the facts to the public. You state that writers at your paper are "encouraged to form opinions after [they] have done their reporting." This is amusing for two reasons. First, longtime readers of Willamette Week realize that the publication takes a provocative approach when it comes to news reporting which whets the thinking reader's interest, and the form of provocation often comes by way of the reporter's passion for the topic under examination. Second, it is obvious that Mr. Smigelski had formed his opinion before he composed a line of his story. To whatever degree his story is "truthful," it is colored by his personal perspective on the topic; it is thus less news reporting than it is editorializing. You should be honest enough to admit that. While the Dutch report cited in the story may not support the claims of Measure 51's backers, and the Oregonian poll indicates hostility towards the measure by its respondents, neither circumstance is compelling enough to prevent the electorate from revisiting its earlier decision; please remember we are talking about Life and Death, surely we are a thoughtful enough people to see the merit in searching our hearts and minds again. This is particularly important in light of the fact that Measure 16 passed three years ago by a bare majority, however you assess the financing and campaign strategy of the opposing camp. Your writer spent much time discussing the argument over the use of pills as an effective methodology for assisted suicide, as did the antagonists in the debate. We all know that this is sophistry masking the real conflict: the clash of values over the morality of suicide, which affects not just individuals seeking relief from the ofttimes painful nature of life, but the fabric of our culture. You point out that the publisher of The Oregonian "has made his opposition to assisted suicide clear," implying that this has bearing on the reporting of Mr. O'Keefe. You also found it necessary to remark upon the nature of Mr. O'Keefe's spiritual life, yet all this is nothing more than a looking-glass corollary to Willamette Week's own support of assisted suicide and the nature of Mr. Smigelski's future employment. Further, legislative maneuvering on the part of the politicians in Salem is neither unheard of, nor unethical, and I'm surprised at the failure of your reporter to include remarks reflecting the sense of outrage felt by more liberal members of the Legislature during the period in question; this was certainly a curious omission on his part. In my own community, support for Measure 51 runs high; I haven't seen so many red, black and white banners since the Blazers were in contention for the NBA Championship. Let's be patient; in a democracy it's most important that a sizable minority in vocal opposition be heard unless and until they can be "proven" on the fringe. I don't think that is the case with Measure 51. For those that can't wait, suicide can be achieved in several painless ways which require neither a physician, nor the imprimatur of the law. Edward J. Borges-Silva, Southwest 6th Avenue
EMPLOYMENT WANTED
In response to the "Sex, Cops and Videotape" article [WW, Sept. 17, 1997], this is a copy of the "job application" I mailed to Sgt. Ed Brumfield and Mayor Vera Katz: As a civic duty I apply for the position of free-lance agent to use public funds for the "services" of local Daughters of Venus to rid our city from the sins of pleasure. Unfortunately at the age of 75 I may not be able to meet all of the necessary "qualifications." Therefore in the interest of social service, I apply as an agent to catch car thieves and car jackers by driving a tax-purchased Corvette to park at various public places that the city will pay me to attend. Harold Trautman, Southeast Long Street
WYDEN'S TRUE COLORS
The only thing green about Ron Wyden's vote to reduce road-building subsidies for private companies is the mold on politics' oldest dodge ("Hitting the Roads," News Buzz, WW, Sept. 24, 1997). Wyden cast his yes vote only after the measure was assured to fail on a 50-50 vote. With Clinton making certain Al Gore would be unavailable to break the tie vote in the Senate, Wyden's last-minute decision was classic greenwash. The real story is Wyden's unwillingness to declare his position the day of the vote, or even as voting commenced. The reason: The timber industry lobby had given Wyden permission to vote yes only if the yes vote did not mean passage of the amendment to limit subsidies. As deceitful as Wyden's approach to public policy may be, the environmental community's failure to point out Wyden's hypocrisy is equally reprehensible. In fact, Wyden is taking full advantage of the greenwash to push for an amendment that would further weaken the Endangered Species Act. Larry Tuttle, director, Center for Environmental Equity |
