Letters to the editor: Trump incompetent in COVID response? Not so fast

Trump incompetent? Not so fast

The article on COVID-19 deaths leaves much to be desired on the accuracy scale. It was nothing more than a hit piece on former President Donald Trump.  

One glaring example was Dr. John Swartzberg's assertion that Trump was incompetent and in over his head. Nothing could be further from the truth. Were it not for his organizational skills, work ethic and ability to motivate people, we certainly would not have had a vaccine so soon.  

For example, he invoked the defense production act, had the Army Corps of Engineers turn the Javits Center into a temporary hospital, sent a hospital ship to the West Coast and sent another to New York harbor. Additionally, he is largely responsible for the development of a vaccine at warp speed.  

Any questions? 

Raymond Moreno, Eugene 

Remember energy independence?

What is with our energy policy? We have dipped into our strategic oil reserves twice because President Biden said it would help lower prices.  

These reserves are for emergencies. Now our reserves are at a 20-year low and gas prices are up. So, what do we do next? The Biden administration canceled pending oil and gas leases in Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico. The more Biden chooses to cut American energy production the higher our gas prices go. With inflation at a 40-year high, it’s costing American families more to buy food and household goods. Almost everything we buy has to be trucked at some point, and diesel is over $2 a gallon more than it was just a year ago. This is a huge factor in the high prices.  

Remember when, a couple years ago, America was energy independent? Remember this when you vote.    

Jerry McCall, Eugene  

Fighting the climate crisis a question of privilege 

When it comes to taking personal, positive steps to help combat climate change, my wife and I are among the privileged who can do things that not only help the climate but also save us money.  

We could afford to put solar panels on our house, which benefits us by reducing our electric bill by more than 50%. We were able to purchase an electric car, which saves us from paying over $4.50 a gallon for gasoline. Unfortunately, many people in our country struggle to make ends meet and cannot afford any of the things that would help alleviate climate change or save them money. 

While EWEB does offer some sliding-scale incentives for things like upgrading insulation and windows, they are still out of reach for many low-income households. We must come up with ways to make these things available to families who don’t have the financial means. This would not only help stabilize our climate but also give financial relief to people who really need it. 

If we are going to solve this existential climate crisis, we need to include and support all Americans to be part of the solution! 

Tom Partridge, Creswell 

Kilcullen was all in

On April 22, 2011, at age 43, Eugene police officer Chris Kilcullen was shot and killed in the line of duty during a motor vehicle pursuit. He left as he lived life: all-in.  

If you were lucky enough to spend just five minutes with Chris Kilcullen, you’d realize he was one of the keepers. Policing was his calling and while he would’ve likely done the job for free, we got our money’s worth with Officer Kilcullen.   

Remember him that way next time you pass his modest "End of Watch" memorial on Highway 126 in Springfield. And when you think about police officers, try not to put them all in the same basket. Cops are human beings, flawed and different in subtle ways but no matter their day job, they are just working people coming from — or headed back — home.  

Scott McKee, Eugene 

Shirking personal responsibility 

Of all the things we could learn by having a library card, we can eliminate learning personal responsibility and maturity. It's a sad commentary on the management of the libraries when they encourage irresponsibility for the sake of maintaining an outmoded institution. 

Robert Bodensteiner, Springfield 

Still alive, still walking

I was saddened to learn of Kenny Moore's passing recently. It brought to mind an event both Kenny and I took part in 40 years ago — the Great Hawaiian Footrace of 1982. The only way we could both take part in the same race was that there were two divisions — serious runners and  adventurers.   

Needless to say I was in the second category (non-competitive).  But we all had to run 500,000 meters (312 miles) around the islands of Oahu and Maui — an average of about 15 miles a day for almost three weeks. We camped out at local campgrounds at night and were fed catered breakfasts and dinners plus snacks along the course. It was an amazing never-to-be forgotten adventure and I was thrilled to be able to run in a race with such an accomplished runner as Kenny.   

At the time I was living in L.A., but in 1991, I relocated to the fabulous running mecca of Eugene where, at 86, I'm still a competitive walker and will keep going into the sunset.  Jane Dods, Eugene  

Griner, serve the time

For those of you who follow pro women's basketball you know about Brittany Griner and the trouble she is in. She is in jail in Russia for trying to smuggle a marijuana-based product out of the country. A big NO-NO.   

In this country, I do not understand why the majority of her followers are calling for her release and that now includes the U.S. government.   

Just because she is a star does not mean she should get special privileges. If you or I committed the crime she has, you would not hear a word about it in the news media, and you would serve the 10-year sentence in prison. 

My verdict: She knew she was committing a crime. She did the crime, now serve the time. 

John Zacharias, Eugene 

Pay back your loans

With his plan to forgive student loan debt, Joe Biden is about to make fools out of a lot of us. 

You’re a fool if, as a parent, you denied yourself nice cars and fancy vacations in order to pay for your kids’ educations. Should have gone ahead and splurged. 

You’re a fool if you worked while going to college. Should have slept in and partied hearty. Your friends who did will have their debt forgiven. 

And, most assuredly, you’re a fool if you joined the military in part to help with college costs. A missing limb? PTSD? Could have stayed home, run up debt and have Joe make it vaporize. 

I understand the president’s position. It’s no doubt tough to see other young people struggling with such heavy financial burdens when your own son ran around the world collecting millions only because his last name is Biden. 

Bruce Mackey, Eugene 

Downtown Eugene is a prison camp 

It seems that many Eugene residents don't "feel safe" going downtown unless the area is blanketed with law enforcement armed with mace, tasers and guns. This deployment of the Eugene Police Department makes the city a de facto prison camp where cops function as guards over inmates whose "crime" is homelessness. It is repression. 

As Eugene prepares to host the World Athletics Championship, the current approach is reminiscent of the runup to the 2012 Beijing Olympic Games where poor people were swept aside to create a phony, comfortable place for hordes of well-heeled visitors. 

Unquestionably, Eugene has a humanitarian crisis in need of radical action. Upstanding locals should lead, follow or get out of the way. 

Matthew Sproul, Bandon