Community Voices Weekly: Tuesday's takeaways

Happy Sunday, Lookout Eugene-Springfield,

Three weeks ago, we published 43 letters to the editor and guest columns. Two weeks ago we published 38.

Last week? Nine. It’s almost as if an election has come and gone.

But it’s been nice seeing more of a mix of topics return to the Community Voices section. Last week, we published letters and columns about:

I’ve got more letters coming in, too (the Farmers Market letter has already garnered responses we’ll be publishing soon). But I’d love to know what’s on your mind regarding life in Lane County.

Let me know at lte@lookoutlocal.com

The Editorial Board on the election

I know, I just mentioned how nice it’s been to read about issues other than the May 19 primary election. But indulge me one last time.

The Lookout Eugene-Springfield Editorial Board detailed three takeaways from Tuesday’s election. From likely newcomers on the board of commissioners and circuit court, to economic worries dooming ballot measures, to a turnout surge, there were plenty of surprises — not to mention interesting general election races to look forward to in November.

Again, I know, I just asked you for letters about topics other than the election. But if you have any thoughts to share about last week’s results, you know where to send them: lte@lookoutlocal.com

‘Why are all the white people bad?’

A guest column submission with an eye-catching first sentence recently came to my email inbox.

“Mr. Oommen, why are all the white people bad?”

What followed was a compelling reflection from Pacific University assistant professor of education Thomas Anil Oommen on teaching about racial justice — a message that he says is more relevant following last month’s Supreme Court ruling that significantly narrowed the power of the national Voting Rights Act to challenge discriminatory congressional maps.

When Fox News has nothing to say

I’m a political junkie and a news junkie. So for years now, I’ve played this little game: If something is happening in national politics that’s unquestionably bad for Republicans’ electoral prospects, will Fox News cover it?

When news reports broke on Monday that the Trump administration had set up a $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” to compensate “victims” of Biden administration prosecutions — including Jan. 6 rioters — I immediately headed to Fox’s website.

Where I saw nothing. Until 24 hours later, when a little-heard Fox News podcast called “Media Buzzmeter” dedicated a whole 4 minutes to the topic. If you want to hear what the host had to say, click this link and listen from roughly the 3:15 mark to the 7:20 mark.

But if you actually want a well-reasoned analysis, read this New York Times column about it instead.

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