en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/504116 Comments by Sunscreen http://www.kval.com/news/offbeat/Suspect-on-the-loose-after-homeowner-is-robbed-at-gunpoint-161847615.html#IDComment399402265 Did you read the same article I did? This guy had just robbed someone at GUNPOINT. The police were wearing protective gear such as helmet and bulletproof vests because they knew he was armed, not because they like to dress up. This wasn't a traffic stop for jaywalking. Police didn't overreact. This guy could have been ready to go postal and kill a bunch of innocent people - such as kids playing in their backyards during summer break. What if this was your backyard? What if you were robbed at gunpoint in your own home? What would you like the police to do in this type of scenario? Stroll in with flip flops and offer him some tea? Your "police state' assertion is baseless, exaggerated, juvenile, and stereotyping. These officers put their lives on the line every day and would take a bullet to save thankless people like you on a daily basis. In a true example of their type of personal character, they would probably STILL be willing to save your sorry backside even after reading your completely disrespectful comment. I guess they have better character than me... Tue, 10 Jul 2012 23:30:41 +0000 http://www.kval.com/news/offbeat/Suspect-on-the-loose-after-homeowner-is-robbed-at-gunpoint-161847615.html#IDComment399402265 http://www.kval.com/news/local/Tasty-Tuesday-Wild-Duck-Cafe-150555415.html#IDComment356683121 I liked Villard Street Pub even though it was in an old converted McDonald's building. That building was leveled and this new building was created in its place with all new decor and updated menu. They went back to the "Wild Duck" name, but this place still has a good familiar feel to it. Good local beers, nice menu variety of pub grub and healthy items. I've been there a few times since it opened and service has always been attentive. My daughter loves the big giant duck statue. Tue, 8 May 2012 20:45:11 +0000 http://www.kval.com/news/local/Tasty-Tuesday-Wild-Duck-Cafe-150555415.html#IDComment356683121 http://www.kval.com/news/local/ESPN-article-highlights-smokin-Ducks-U-of-O-responds-147966765.html#IDComment342768678 Remember... these are KIDS. I don't know about you, but from the ages of 18 - 22 I spent my college years in a drunken haze and chasing women. I still managed to graduate with a B average and am now a much more mature, well-adjusted adult with a good career. But please keep in mind that some amount of substance use is common for the population, especially with the new freedom of being over 18 and out of the house for the first time in their lives. They may be held to slightly higher standards, but they shouldn't be held to unreasonable standards compared to their peers of the same age. Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:26:50 +0000 http://www.kval.com/news/local/ESPN-article-highlights-smokin-Ducks-U-of-O-responds-147966765.html#IDComment342768678 http://www.kval.com/outdoors/Global-warming-linked-to-decline-in-Pacific-oysters-147045265.html#IDComment337014632 The headline is backwards, isn't it? I'm no grammar expert, but it should read, "Decline in Pacific Oysters linked to global warming." The way it currently reads gave me the impression that Pacific Oysters CAUSED global warming. Now, there's a new theory! It turns out humans and industrial pollution aren't to blame... it's the oysters! Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:12:11 +0000 http://www.kval.com/outdoors/Global-warming-linked-to-decline-in-Pacific-oysters-147045265.html#IDComment337014632 http://www.kval.com/news/local/U-of-O-presidents-Richard-Lariviere-contract-wont-be-renewed-134378578.html#IDComment226204643 Finishing my thought... I'm writing the Governor to tell him how ashamed I am of the state taking this direction and stifling an honest debate and new thinking in finding a solution for broken education funding. Private funding? GASP!!! Richard Lariviere ONLY raised $750 MILLION in private donations for the school - in one year. And look no further than Stanford as an example of how dreadful privately funded education can be... (sarcasm!). Education funding is broken. Richard Lariviere was thinking about new ways to fix it by operating with more independence. The state feels threatened that the funding ideas didn't include relying on state government to fix it, thereby revealing how ineffective the state has become. Someone has to fix it, and if the state can't step up to fix it, then they should embrace new thinking. But instead they fire him. Shame on you, Governor Kitzhaber! Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:10:01 +0000 http://www.kval.com/news/local/U-of-O-presidents-Richard-Lariviere-contract-wont-be-renewed-134378578.html#IDComment226204643 http://www.kval.com/news/local/U-of-O-presidents-Richard-Lariviere-contract-wont-be-renewed-134378578.html#IDComment226197551 I saw some statistic that only a tiny amount of UO funding comes from the state - something like 8% or less. You can read between the lines here. This guy was exploring new ideas for private funding that the state government didn't like because it included taking the university funding completely private, instead of relying on a broken and non-existent state government. After all, if the state can't run a broken education system, then why should they let someone else with new ideas try fix it? So instead of embracing new ideas and entrepreneurial thought, the State Board (and Governor) feel threatened that we will figure out how useless the state really is and so they fire this guy. This is a cowardly move by the State Board, and the Governor. Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:50:57 +0000 http://www.kval.com/news/local/U-of-O-presidents-Richard-Lariviere-contract-wont-be-renewed-134378578.html#IDComment226197551 http://www.kval.com/news/local/134020828.html#IDComment223497451 I am also annoyed with the commercialization, but I personally enjoy the music. It reminds me of a more innocent time when people celebrated Christmas by being around family and taking comfort in the simple joys that can be found in good food, good companionship, and a warm home. Don't participate in the commercialization, but instead use the musical nostalgia as encouragement to celebrate this Christmas in a way that makes you and the people around you happy, regardless of what others are doing (or buying.) I've been trying for years to get my family (and my wife's family) to get together on Christmas and focus on food and enjoy the time with each other, just for the sake of being together (and not for proving one's worth with the value of a boxed present.) Years later, I still have an uphill battle. I've also had some strange looks from adult family members when I give them a card that says we've donated money to a local charity on their behalf, as if they are offended that they didn't receive some kind of junk present that will end up floating in the ocean before next Christmas is here... Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:47:33 +0000 http://www.kval.com/news/local/134020828.html#IDComment223497451 http://www.kval.com/news/local/133135413.html#IDComment216402732 Most safety issues in snow are caused by the driver, not the tires, and whether a tire is studded or studless won't help with bone-headed driving habits. Here's a dirty little secret... I have a 4x2 rear-wheel drive truck - yes, 2-wheel drive folks (gasp!). I got a set of studless snow tires last year and they worked great - actually even better than I expected. I went over Willamette Pass to Bend multiple times in various depths of snow, packed snow, and ice. No issues at all, good braking distance. Rule #1 = SLOW DOWN and allow space between cars! Regardless if you have fancy tires or 4-wheel drive... Rule #2 = Come prepared with good tires or chains Rule #3 = Even if you have a 4x4, drive like you don't. 4-wheel drive has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with ability to stop in snow/ice (this by itself would save a LOT of needless crashes. I've seen more wipeouts from over-confident 4x4 owners than I can count.) Thu, 3 Nov 2011 18:33:41 +0000 http://www.kval.com/news/local/133135413.html#IDComment216402732 http://www.kval.com/news/health/130817213.html#IDComment201467682 Yes that is a drug reference. Perception is reality. Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:52:15 +0000 http://www.kval.com/news/health/130817213.html#IDComment201467682 http://www.kval.com/news/local/130674423.html#IDComment200404883 I'm all for parks enriching communities and quality of life, but I would prefer to see something else instead of a skate park. A skate park is a niche type of thing that would be useful for an extremely small group of people that doesn't justify the expense and long-term maintenance. Also, I'm skeptical that skateboarders would be able to "drive out drunks and some crime" as the article suggests. If such an expense is to be allocated, I would like to see it centered around a more family-friendly activity. Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:31:37 +0000 http://www.kval.com/news/local/130674423.html#IDComment200404883 http://www.kval.com/news/local/126216878.html?#IDComment177790748 I hope the Eugene Police are actually serious about improving downtown this time. There have been other attempts that had no teeth, so the same de-evolution happens. This isn't Amsterdam. There are a lot of creepy people who hang out in downtown for no reason, and who aren't supporting local businesses. Tolerating that kind of thing isn't "diversity" - it's lunacy. The people who ruin downtown for everyone else aren't coming from a position of mutual respect, or community building, or fostering a friendly environment - they are people who need to be told to shape-up or ship-out, to go elsewhere, whether or not they are committing a crime. In order to build a nurturing community, you need to be tough sometimes, like a good parent... Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:22:22 +0000 http://www.kval.com/news/local/126216878.html?#IDComment177790748 http://www.kval.com/news/local/111559649.html#IDComment114720070 State employees are on a big time gravy train. Don't kid yourself. Welcome to what the rest of us have already been dealing with for several years. I work in private sector and haven't had any pay raise in 5 years. Meanwhile, my wife is a state employee who gets regular raises, 100% paid benefits, and the most outrageous retirement benefits I've ever seen. For example, she doesn't contribute a dime to retirement, yet the state contributes 6% plus another 6% of her pay (12%) to a retirement fund - none of that comes out of her paycheck. The only thing a private employer provides is 401K option, which is out-of-pocket for the employee. Not to mention that fact that no matter how awful or un-productive a state employee is, it is seemingly impossible to fire them. Instead, the state just hires another bottom-barrel under-achiever to add to the payroll. Thu, 9 Dec 2010 17:12:15 +0000 http://www.kval.com/news/local/111559649.html#IDComment114720070 http://www.kval.com/news/entertainment/103626839.html#IDComment100545864 The video is funnier than I expected. Funny to see Elmo running from a crazy girl who insists on playing dress up. Who knew that Elmo has such a fear of commitment? The dress wouldn't normally be a problem but she has some extra curves that make it too risque (for the toddler audience.) Ironically, and perhaps unfairly, the dress wouldn't be an issue if she wasn't so curvy on top. A similar dress on any other Hollywood stick frame girl and no one would've even noticed. Sad, but true. Thu, 23 Sep 2010 16:01:48 +0000 http://www.kval.com/news/entertainment/103626839.html#IDComment100545864 http://www.kval.com/news/local/103010569.html#IDComment99253135 How about making them do "community service" by cleaning up their own mess? Wouldn't that be better? It doesn't teach anyone anything by cleaning up after them all the time. Thu, 16 Sep 2010 22:11:16 +0000 http://www.kval.com/news/local/103010569.html#IDComment99253135 http://www.kval.com/sports/99561394.html#IDComment89791146 He made a mistake and didn't admit to it until it was too late. Now he is paying the consequences. Life lesson learned. Although I agree Eugene is still a small town without actual diversity, I'm more disturbed that you somehow think race is involved here. Masoli is a young person who hasn't yet realized that sometimes in life you can get in trouble just by being associated with other people. The "other' person involved with the fraternity theft was white. So where is the race card there? This wasn't a big deal because of race -- it was a big deal because he was a rising star and Heisman hopeful quarterback. The other guy (Embry) didn't make much news because he was already off the team. Perhaps you are more racist than you think you are. Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:37:56 +0000 http://www.kval.com/sports/99561394.html#IDComment89791146 http://www.kval.com/news/local/99282399.html#IDComment89178799 And by the way, Flandis had the balls to step forward, which is more than I can say about most of professional baseball players. Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:33:54 +0000 http://www.kval.com/news/local/99282399.html#IDComment89178799 http://www.kval.com/news/local/99282399.html#IDComment89178631 I'm confused. Why would people boo him? Isn't it a good thing that Flandis admitted that doping was commonplace? If he didn't step forward, how would we know about people cheating? Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:32:40 +0000 http://www.kval.com/news/local/99282399.html#IDComment89178631 http://springfield.kval.com/content/merchants-hook-improve-downtown-springfield#IDComment87729998 Hmm, really? I routinely take my family to several places in downtown Springfield and haven't encountered any of what you mention. My experience has been overwhelming positive, which is much more than I can say for downtown Eugene - where I go when I want to see bums, empty storefronts, fights, slashed tires, broken windows, and a constant stream of people who look like they just got release from the nearby jail or methadone clinic. But I'm sure Eugene would have time to think about how to improve itself it wasn't so busy building redundant and useless bike bridges... Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:16:01 +0000 http://springfield.kval.com/content/merchants-hook-improve-downtown-springfield#IDComment87729998 http://riverroadsantaclara.kval.com/content/did-you-smell-smell#IDComment87727363 That is the stench coming from downtown Eugene's city government... Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:58:45 +0000 http://riverroadsantaclara.kval.com/content/did-you-smell-smell#IDComment87727363 http://springfield.kval.com/content/merchants-hook-improve-downtown-springfield#IDComment87716358 I don't know why Springfield has such a stigma. In my opinion, downtown Springfield is already much safer and much more pleasant than downtown Eugene. Downtown Springfield has made very positive improvements in housing, restaurants, public safety, arts, education, community involvement, transportation, and parking. Meanwhile, downtown Eugene continues to be a haven for criminals and homeless, and drive away businesses as well as customers. I avoid downtown Eugene whenever possible because it just isn't fun or welcoming. Watch out Eugene... you have some very capable competition right across the river! Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:17:19 +0000 http://springfield.kval.com/content/merchants-hook-improve-downtown-springfield#IDComment87716358