Gun control column doesn’t earn respect
The May 8 issue of the Emerald had a column (“Gun control is a matter of respect“) that should be an embarrassment to the paper, and it ironically uses the word “respect” — in big letters — in the title. It’s the kind of writing that keeps the Emerald from garnering much respect.
Written by Rebecca Newell, the piece, which was in some twisted way about “gun control,” is simply an ineffective piece of writing — the kind we writing teachers are always asking students to keep working on as we offer them the help they need. Why didn’t someone at the Emerald do the same for this one?
At the core, there are three major problems. First, the writer contradicts herself, saying on the one hand she is against gun control and on the other that she wants to limit gun sales to minors and to have background checks on weapon sales, including, supposedly, sales at gun shows. Both of these limits involve legislated control and restriction, a.k.a. “gun control.”
Second, her entire argument is based on one extended anecdote and three clichŽs.
Finally, she doesn’t seem to understand the Second Amendment to the Constitution.
In a world ever more dominated by the superficial and profoundly affected by uncritical thinking, we like to think that a university might offer an antidote. Remember that the Emerald is the face of the University to many people; with full-page essays like this, it’s not looking good.
Jeff Harrison
Ph.D. Class of ’95
instructor
Lane Community College
Newspaper union thanks its supporters
I would like to thank the community for its solid support of the Eugene Newspaper Guild and other newspaper workers as we work to reach fair contracts with The Register-Guard. I would especially like to thank the local Jobs for Justice Chapter (the Eugene Springfield Solidarity Network) and also the Teamsters for their help in creating a successful rally attended by nearly 300 people.
The May 1 rally included people representing unions from all over the region, from the OPEU to AFSCME, from carpenters to postal carriers to teachers, as well as ministers and members of social justice groups. Newspaper workers received a powerful message that the community cares about what happens at their daily newspaper and that our community cares about workers being treated with fairness and respect.
We are glad The Register-Guard has started writing stories about its labor issues. This indicates that the company heard community concerns expressed at the rally. We hope the company also will consider another message the community sent at the rally: Get rid of that union-busting attorney from Nashville, L. Michael Zinser, and sit down to bargain so we can reach a fair contract.
The Guild remains hopeful that bargaining can move forward in a more positive manner. Our next bargaining date is May 22-23.
The community support has been crucial, and we thank everyone who came to the rally or sent e-mails and letters of support to the publisher.
Kim Gilbert
vice president
Eugene Newspaper Guild
