What Eugene thinks of Washington's new laws
EUGENE, Ore. -- In the 2012 election, Washington voters passed both the legalization of marijuana and gay marriage. Here in Oregon, the measure that would legalize marijuana was rejected in November, and a law allowing gay marriage wasn't on the ballot.
In spite of our neighbors to the north beating us to the punch, many Eugene residents say that Oregon won't be far behind.
While no one that KVAL reporter Carley Gomez spoke to will be heading across the border to take advantage of the new law, most agree with it.
"I think it's long over due. It's a great precedence that the state of Washington has passed that and I wish that all of the other states in the u.s. would do that also." said Planet Glassberg.
"I just don't understand why it didn't pass here in Oregon," said Eugene resident, Denver Hamlin. "It seems like there's a lot more hippie types and pot heads here than there are in Washington."
"Maybe if we spent less time putting people in jail for marijuana crimes we'd have more money to deal with other problems, like the meth and heroin problems that are affecting our community." said John Morrell.
KVAL did encounter some people who were against Washington's decision to pass the measures.
"I think it's truly unfortunate that we have states that are passing laws that are contrary to federal laws." said Neal Zoumboukos.
Washingtonians also redefined marriage by passing a law that allows homosexual marriage, one that Oregon voters have rejected in the past.
"I have a lot of gay friends and I think you should be able to marry who you want … that's brilliant." said Ciara Cuddihy-Hernandez
"Marriage is a religious institution. Civil unions are a civil institution. What we've really approved up there is a civil union." Zoumboukos said.
"I just think it's unfair people who are gay aren't allowed to marry. It's a fundamental human institution that ought to be available to everybody." said David Force.
Many people that KVAL spoke to said that it's just a matter of time before Oregon's laws change. Whether that's true or not will ultimately be decided by the voters.
I thin they just everybody to smoke pot and forget ...dumb them down, keep them ignorant...make the rich pay for it. I have no prob wih civil unions, to me marriage is not some political punching bag, it's sacred.
 @PEANUT Pot doesn't "dumb you down." =/ And we've already done away with the "separate but equal" arguments. They're not valid. In your mind, do atheists get to be married?Â
Neal Zoumboukos, you sound like a grade A ignoramus. "Marriage" is a cultural universal that pre-dates recorded history. Christians didn't come up with it, and they don't get to have a monopoly on it. Marriage is not specifically a religious institution, nor a civil one. Nor is it specific to age, gender, or number of participants. You can have a marriage as a part of a religious institution, or you have have a marriage completely void of religion. Like it or not, in this nation MARRIAGE is first and foremost a civil institution, and any religious bits have nothing to do with the government since we're not a theocracy. Our government has deem marriage a basic civil right (Loving v. Virginia) and as such it must be equally allowed for all independently eligible individuals, per the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. And it also sounds like you need to be doing some research about the proper role of our government, particularly the federal level. They have NO BUSINESS regulating drugs unless it has to do with interstate commerce. Educate yourself for christ sake.
@PleaseBeSmart With all due respect I have not and never have seen the word marriage in the 14th Amendment. It has everything to do with citizenship irregardless of race. Marriage by virtue of common sense is for the purpose of procreation and the nurturing of offspring. I do agree with you that religion has nothing to do with it, but you have to agree that it takes a sperm and an egg to procreate. Two people of the same sex can't do that without unnatural help.
 @souptonuts Sorry, you've misunderstood what I've said. The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment provides that "no state shall ... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws" and the same applies for the federal level through the 5th Amendment Due Process Clause. Now, that wouldn't mean anything to all this on its own, but we determined in Loving v. Virginia that marriage is a "basic civil right." To apply our marriage laws equally to all citizens would mean that any person who is independently eligible to marry must be allowed to marry any other person who is independently eligible to marry. And yes, I of course agree that 2 individuals of the same gender cannot procreate through sex. Procreation, or even the possibility of it, isn't a requirement of marriage though.
@PleaseBeSmart Well said.Â
Everything I wanted to comment on was covered in a wise post by you. Mr. Zoumboukos might be more at home in a more conservative state?
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@XLRG @PleaseBeSmart XLRG there was a time when Oregon was a conservative state, had money, was well ran, had a surplus in nearly every department of goverment. The schools were amongst the best in the world, the wildlife was really beyond belief and I could go on because I was born here over 70 years ago. Then came the misfits who had destroyed everything they had where they came from, just had to change Oregon, ruin the schools, trash the Government, get society started on a path of destruction and perversion. If you think I am a mad, homophobe, bigoted person, that is your right and I would die for you to keep your right, but what about my rights as a native. Why do I have to see my beautiful state ruined. My paradise that I intend to die in. I have ridden, and hiked most of Oregon in my time, and there is literally no place I have been in this world that can match it's majesty.  Please, Please go away.
 @souptonuts Ah, understandable. Though I wouldn't say many of those things are lost forever. Probably for a long while though. And thank you, btw. Have a good day to you too.
@PleaseBeSmart I never have and never will ask for extra rights. I was merely expressing what I feel has been lost forever, and it makes my heart ache for my state and the good people that will not enjoy the solitude and congeniality that I have enjoyed all these years. You are obviously a sensible person and I appreciate that. Have a good day.
 @souptonuts Yes, Oregon used to be much more conservative, and I would likely agree with you about all the fiscal issues. Being a native grants you no extra rights though.
 @RelaxThereIsNoGod Those are wildly inappropriate comments. =/Â
@RelaxThereIsNoGod You are a hateful and ignorant person. I have never said a bad word about women or blacks. I don't hate gay people, I just don't agree with their lifestyle. You are a hateful person with no regard for society as a whole. You are a hateful person that does not understand or know anything about what Oregon was like. You are a hateful person that does not understand the purpose for taxes, how they should be used or who is paying their fair share. I know a lot of liberals that are good and not hateful people, but you certainly are not one of them. Go Away and the sooner the better.
 @souptonuts Lax regulations on the fishing and timber industry resulted in a collapse of both industries, and a collapse of the ecosystems that nurtured all of our wonderful species of animals that once roamed Oregon.  You imply that some hippies drove up here and then boom, there went our jobs and our schools.  Yet you never talk about what our taxes were like 40 to 60 years ago. Back the top earners paid their fair share in taxes, which resulted in surpluses. You also never mentioned the No Child Left Behind act which has completely decimated our education system.
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My grandfather is older than you, and thankfully an Atheist and a liberal, so I know that not all of your generation are completely mentally retarded. I don't plan on leaving, but I will enjoy when your generation finally dies off and let's the rest of us move forward, instead of pining for the good old days when Blacks,Gays  and Women knew their place.
 @souptonuts  @XLRG  @PleaseBeSmart Thank you Souptonuts,, you took the very words out of my mouth..well said indeed!
 @XLRG I frequently find myself out of place in this state when it comes to fiscal politics, as I'm libertarian. There's really no state I'd feel completely at home in with my views, but I'll take Oregon over Texas any day. =D And thank you for the compliment!Â