Ducks do need new arena
So, George Beres thinks the the University of Oregon doesn't need a new basketball arena. As one who has season tickets for Duck basketball, I beg to differ. Below are my reasons: First of all, Mac Court was built for a totally different generation. The building was constructed in 1928. There is limited leg room and the place is not fan friendly. Secondly, there is only one men's room for three stories and getting to the rest room at halftime is a real pain. Also, no elevators are available. Last of all, Mac Court is a firetrap. If that place ever were to catch fire during a game, thousands would be killed. In order for the UO to remain competitive in the Pac 10 conference, a new arena is a must.
There is one other fact that Beres forgets about and that is the absolutely known fact that a winning athletic program brings in more students who are not athletes.
Even though I will probably be priced out of the new arena, it absolutely must be built.
Daniel Wolfe
Springfield
Springfield students have spoken! Are we listening?
During Springfield's Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, students, once again, opened our eyes to the kind of world they want to live in and to the deficits that still surround (bankrupt) us today.
In honor of Dr. King, students submitted essays, poems, artwork and speeches. Some expressed their desire for that 'Beloved Community' which Dr. King so passionately spoke of. He gave us a joyful and elevated image to reach for. Some students shared their pain of being set apart by poverty or by racism. Some experienced the power of speaking out for themselves, for others and for the environment. A few challenged readers by including the questions: "Where are the voices?" "Who will speak out?"
After reading several essays and poems, I realized that some of the students wrote with the hope that 'someone' would hear their pleas and 'fix' things. Others wrote with more urgency for the suffering to stop.
How will our community respond to their concerns and experiences of discrimination, inequality, hunger, poverty, and their desire for a healthy environment and for peace not war?
Can we shed our party loyalties, corporate loyalties and whatever else separates us and work together to finally make Dr. King's Dream a reality? Let's unite as Springfielders, join with others who are already working on some of these issues and be prepared to help many more students and families as the economy continues its downtrend.
Please do not remain in denial or require more study, more proof, and more pain - or wait for certain winds to change - before helping to set the course that will alleviate poverty and lead to the equality and peace which Dr. King sought 40 years ago and which our children are still seeking now.
Elaine Hayes
Springfield
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