VOTERS' WILL IGNORED

In the wake of much troubling recent news, many of us have found new
appreciation for our community and sense of unity. This week we pause to
gratefully acknowledge those who sacrificed to preserve our freedoms and
democracy. It is in this context that I found three news items in the Nov.
11 Register-Guard alarming.

On Nov. 6, Attorney General John Ashcroft directed the Drug Enforcement
Administration to seek the termination of prescription licences of doctors
who prescribe federally controlled drugs in assisted suicides. The
directive is clearly targeted at the Oregon law, debated and passed
overwhelmingly, which is designed to provide terminally ill patients with a
choice in the circumstances of their own death.

This past week our community voted again to support construction of the
West Eugene Parkway. Eugene City Councilor Betty Taylor declared that in
spite of the majority vote, the results did not represent the will of
Eugene because ballots were returned by just 43 percent of registered voters.

In late October the office of the Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Center was
raided and closed by federal agents. The center was established after
California voters overwhelmingly approved a medical marijuana initiative.
Working with local government officials, the center provided marijuana to
patients medically certified to use it for easing pain and nausea from
cancer, AIDS and other serious diseases.

As we acknowledge this week the sacrifices our neighbors and relatives have
made for our democracy, we are reminded that it is not just foreign
ideologues who would arrogantly challenge it.

Tom Connolly

Eugene