America: the land where we’re constantly fighting an 18th-century piece of paper.
The Springfield City Council has been doing a little back-and-forth action with the First Amendment the last few weeks ever since a law was proposed “to ban drivers from giving money to panhandlers while on public roadways,” as reported by the Register Guard on March 7. Those who are against the ban see it as a violation of Americans’ right to freedom of speech, since that’s what panhandling is often considered as.
If the City passes this regulation, then law enforcement is allowed to give out a $50 fine to all the (evil) drivers they see, willingly donating money and/or “property,” (aka granola bars and such) to the needy. All of this (immoral) activity would be categorized under the “Unlawful Transfer on Vehicular Portion of the Right of Way.” I guess the city code for “Operation: Let’s Try to Get Rid of the Homeless Population” was taken?
I see both good and bad with the ordinance, since I’ve seen and heard both positive and negative things when it comes to trying to help those on the streets. My problem, though, is that it’s a passive-aggressive approach to the homeless issue we have in the Eugene-Springfield area. This policy is just a roundabout way of stopping people from giving out donations because people who want to “clean up” the city see it as a “hazard.” Also, if Springfield passes this, I doubt Eugene would follow suit. So, wouldn’t all the panhandlers just move a little west where they have a chance of making some dough?
The government can be so illogical. I should just run for some seat in some city and bring some of my je ne sais quoi. My inspiration will be Claire Underwood and I’ll slowly make my way towards the… I’m not one for spoilers, so I’ll leave it at that.
The Underwoods made a bangin’ return on March 4 in the fourth season of House of Cards on Netflix. The 13 episodes are full of all the drama and backstabbing that the previous seasons graced us with, but I was, yet again, disappointed in the presence of one specific character who has yet to win me over: Dough Stamper. What I have been enjoying, so far, is how relevant the show has been to current events. With it being an election year IRL and all the controversy popping up here and there with the contender(s), the online series is echoing similar (but, exaggerated) sentiments.
If we’re talking IRL, let’s just say: Hill continues to thrill, while Bern makes me want to turn into a fern. And then there’s Trump, who doesn’t deserve anything to be rhymed with his name, just as he doesn’t deserve any more recognition, publicity or the ability to speak. The “man” is (frighteningly) winning his way through the primaries because of all the absurdity he stands for, as comedian Louis C.K. warns us all about in a perfectly-worded email from March 5 that was published by Variety.
His first few lines say it all:
P.S. Please stop it with voting for Trump. It was funny for a little while. But the guy is Hitler. And by that I mean that we are being Germany in the ‘30s. Do you think they saw the shit coming? Hitler was just some hilarious and refreshing dude with a weird comb over who would say anything at all.
So, enough, Trump supporters. The joke is dead, as is my faith in you people. If bigotry is what you seek in a leader, then there are other countries to move to—I’m happy to give recommendations.
Some people who won’t be needing my help, not now and not ever, for that matter, are the women of two UO sports that I know nothing about. Balls were tossed and caught in nets; girls were tossed and caught by, well, other girls, which means: Lacrosse and acrobatics and tumbling are a go!
After a 16-6 win on March 5, the UO LAX ladies experienced an unfortunate loss to High Point, 12-7, two days later. But these athletes are holding their netted sticks high for their next game on March 9 against George Mason. Get it, girls.
The acrobatics and tumbling team missed The Bachelor: The Women Tell All on Monday night as they were blowing the lid off of Matthew Knight Arena. I’m not sure how A&T scoring goes, but I do know the team got first place in every event at the meet on March 7. Instead of roses, these ladies achieved some of their best scores this season.