March/April 2003 NW Newsmakers
Letters to the Editor
[An important message from Dennis Kucinich]
Dear Friend,
In response to tens of thousands of emails and countless phone calls,
letters and personal appeals, I am moving forward to take the first
step towards a candidacy for the Democratic nomination for President
of the United States.
In the past year I have had the opportunity to meet with many of you
in dozens of cities across our nation. The heart of America is yearning
for dramatic, transformational change which can reconnect us with the
vision of our nation's Founders, to be the light of the world.
In the next few months I will be returning to visit the neighborhoods
of America. If the response continues to be strong, if the financial
support is there, the encouragement and the participation continues,
I will schedule a formal announcement of candidacy sometime in June.
I need to hear from you and I welcome your suggestions. And most of
all, I need your help.
Best wishes,
Dennis
[Ed.note: You can visit his website http://thespiritoffreedom.com/
to see where he stands on the issues]
"Mom" says grow up!
Just for the record, I'm not a Communist, a Marxist, an America-hater,
or a terrorist. I'm a voting mother with two children (and a son-in-law
and several dearly loved friends) in the military, and owner of my own
business. I am opposed to war with Iraq.
Some people in the US have decided that we need not be subject to same
laws that govern the rest of the world. We have refused to sign or observe
treaties we had previously agreed to. We have refused to be ruled
by the decisions of a world court. Because of our illegal detention
of aliens, we are in violation of the same human rights laws we
have forced on other countries. We are now refusing to follow the counsel
of the nations in the UN, which we have a treaty obligation to follow.
In short, we have begun acting as though we have the right to hold
ourselves above the law. When individuals do that, they are called criminals.
What do you think the rest of the world is calling the US?
And before we decide that no one else's opinion matters, I would like
to step into my "mom" role, and remind you of what your mother
always said: Other people's opinions do matter. A lost reputation can
never be recovered. You're known by the company you keep. Do unto others
as you would have them do unto you.
Now, boys, quit waving your swords, shake hands and work out your problems
like grown-ups.
Peggy Coquet
Camas, WA
Renewable Energy
Many believe Oregon has the potential to lead the nation
as an example of sustainability and prosperity. My role as an eco-social
engineer has led me to believe the SINGLE largest challenge to
making this happen is educating the public on what’s available
in the fields of RE technologies, recycling and the "REAL"
cost of using energy derived from fossil fuels. There are NUMEROUS grants
and tax incentives available; and, the State of Oregon allows customers
to sell excess electricity back to the local utility at competitive
rates. Mr. Sun Solar Inc., for whom I am a consultant, will be
opening a renewable energy showcase at 3838 Macadam (near
Johns Landing) in Portland where people can come see the workings
of renewables, get consultations, and purchase products. They
can be contacted at (503) 222-2468 www.mrsunsolar.com
Robert Shields, Eco-Social Engineer
Troutdale, OR
specialmaggic@yahoo.com
Today's Beliefs, Tomorrow
Maybe an anthropologist several hundred years from now will soberly
say:
"Once, humanity, in its early adolescence, considered itself separate
and apart, like a schizophrenic patient in a psychiatric ward constantly
hitting and maiming himself! They failed to see how We Are All One -
wiggling fingers belonging to The Same Hand, cells within The Same Great
Body. People held collective beliefs that there's scarcity instead of
abundance, that some human beings are better than others based on race,
gender, social and economic status, that peace is merely an absence
of war, and that, at times, it's appropriate for human beings to resolve
severe differences by killing each other!!"
I think that it's truly up to us to collectively change our belief
system. If we do, there's nothing that we can't accomplish!
Kevin Marley
Portland, OR
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