Letters to the editor for Tuesday, Sept. 28: Climate action, UO vaccines and reproductive rights
Action over words
Over the years, I've heard a lot of talk from Mayor Lucy Vinis and city councilors, statements about the urgency of the climate crisis, commitments to environmental justice, equity-focused solutions and speeches about the power of youth activism. Yet when it comes to concrete policy, things get awfully quiet.
We may finally be getting unstuck. I have been heartened by some unexpected leaders on the issue of fossil gas lately. Councilors Greg Evans, Jennifer Yeh and Matt Keating push for commonsense climate policy that our progressive community overwhelmingly supports and that our planet undeniably needs: No new fossil fuel buildings. Eugene can join cities like Sacramento, Oakland and Santa Barbara and lead the way toward a greener world.
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To get it done, we need our council climate champions to stay steadfast and keep moving climate priorities forward in 2022. Climate is a winning issue in this town, and there is an appetite for Eugene to come out in front of Portland on climate policy one of these days. But to do that, Keating might just need to consider a run for mayor in 2024.
Actions speak louder than words, and citizens of Eugene, especially young people, need to see action.
Betzi Hitz, Eugene
Let’s go, UO, get with other colleges regarding vaccine
With fall classes beginning, it’s time for the University of Oregon to get rid of the policy of allowing “philosophical” exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccine. This will add an important layer of protection for UO students and staff (as well as the broader community), and it will lend legitimacy to the current vaccine requirement. The University of California and California State University systems, Washington State University and even the University of Washington have all done so.
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Closer to home, Lane Community College just indicated at its most recent board meeting that it will no longer allow philosophical exemptions. The University of Oregon has dropped the ball in terms of having a meaningful vaccination requirement but can still get it right by removing philosophical exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccine. Let’s go, Ducks!
Joshua Hamill, Eugene
Protection women’s health from political hostility
The political is personal, and abortion is the most personal thing someone can deal with. I have been fortunate enough to live in two states, Oregon and Colorado, that have some of the best reproductive laws on their books. I was able to access birth control for free at age 16, and I haven’t paid for it since. Everyone, regardless of circumstance, deserves that same level of care.
Sadly, 2021 has been the most hostile year for reproductive rights since Roe v. Wade was decided, despite the fact that nearly 1 in 4 women will have an abortion in their lifetime and that 79% of Americans support abortion rights. We cannot stand by as these politicians continue to try to control our own decisions about our bodies and our lives.
That’s why we need the Women’s Health Protection Act, to help protect the right to an abortion from state-based bans and restrictions. I want to thank congressman Peter DeFazio, who voted for this critical legislation.
Reproductive rights have been treated like a chess game, and historically the players never have to deal with the consequences of their moves. Thank you, congressman, for recognizing the people beyond the politics.
Molly Newhard, Eugene
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