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Letters to the Editor: A 'Lion' of a show at Artattack Stride - don't shuffle - to see "Lion In Winter" now playing at the new Artattack Theater located in the former Cantwells building. Believe me, with the intimacy and finesse of the 45-seat theater, you appreciate every nuance of this sparkling and witty production. John Adams, Ashland In support of activities levy I am writing in support of the Ashland Youth Activities Levy. It is important for our schools to have drama, music, foreign language as well as a variety of athletics. This year Oregon schools have had to cut both their hours as well as programs. With these cuts, won't our children lose interest in their studies? Won't our state suffer if public schools are allowed to deteriorate? I so hope the levy passes in the May election. Our children are so important. I am now 84 years old. I can tell you that public schools are important. Please vote yes on the Youth Activities Levy. Marjorie Metropulos, Ashland King's list of the key elements of nonviolence Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote that the philosophy and practice of nonviolence has six basic elements: 1. Nonviolence is resistance to evil and oppression. It is a humane way to fight. 2. It does not seek to defeat or humiliate the opponent, but to win his/her friendship and understanding. 3. The non-violent method is an attack on the forces of evil rather than against persons doing the evil. It seeks to defeat the evil and not the persons doing the evil and injustice. 4. It is the willingness to accept suffering without retaliation. 5. A non-violent resister avoids both external physical and internal spiritual violence- not only refuses to shoot, but also to hate, an opponent. The ethic of real love is at the center of nonviolence. 6. The believer in nonviolence has a deep faith in the future, and the forces of the universe are seen to be on the side of justice. My thanks to Peace House for reminding me of this path to peace. Ara Johnson, Ashland Where will Bush get the idea for democracy? The very idea of "bringing democracy to Iraq" is hilarious. Do we really think we are examples of democracy? Our country is in the process of eroding our Bill of Rights in the rush to feel secure. As Bush himself says, he's "not interested in public opinion," jjails people without trial for "national security." We are not kidding anyone but ourselves. By the way, your headlines Friday, 3/21/03, "War Claims First Casualty" ignores the fact that we have been bombing Iraqi people for three days. Are they not casualties too? Beth Heller, Talent Guest forum: Standing in the power of Woman By Patricia Aulik Ashland Today I became a Woman in Black. Mind you, I love wearing back at times but this was special. I had seen the Women in Black two weeks in a row lining Main Street in downtown Ashland, where I live, and it was so awesome. I had to be one. America had invaded Iraq and I knew people were dying there. I had to make a stand. I got to my Friday job early so I could change into my black outfit and get to the Plaza my noon. Sure enough there they were, my sisters all in black filling up an entire block, shoulder to shoulder. I walked up the block to stand next to a woman who took up the little slab of concrete next to the big block. I wanted to give her company. Then two, three, four more women came, one with a big dog, with a black scarf around it s neck. Then two men arrived and stood behind us. That felt right. I looked down the block and thought, "Here we are. Women in black for peace. This feels real right." I saw women my age, 51, and much younger women. There were women much older and very young girls. Women came holding hands, some hugging, and some crying. But all were radiant with a calm and beauty unseen to me before. Now I am one to avoid traffic areas on foot due to the stink of exhaust fumes, but this was different. I stood in this grouping, at the end of the line and watched traffic go by, watched my town at lunch hour. Some people honked as they drove by, and many gave the peace sign. And as I stood I thought of my family, my fabulous son, my amazing mother and her upcoming 84th birthday. I realized I had on the gorgeous black scarf she bought me and the black leather jacket she got me this Christmas. My eyes teared up thinking of her and what a remarkable woman she is. I thought of my two sisters and how much I love them. I thought of my women friends, how smart and funny and wise they are, how they help me in the trials of my life, how I help them. I thought of the women who have hired me over the years to teach drumming in their schools and youth programs and a huge wave of gratitude came over me. I thought of my niece, my nephews my two brothers in law and how lucky I am to be so loved in my life. I thought of the women in Iraq, how scared they must be now, and how senseless loss in this "war" is! I thought too of those I have wronged and of the self-deprecation I have done to myself and I said in a whisper, "I release, I let go, I surrender, I forgive." In that moment I stood in the power of Woman, of women everywhere, with my heart full of love and wisdom and longing desperately for peace. Market survey Tracy Bungay Ashland On the same evening that we were alerted that a US military invasion may begin in 48 hours, a few of our elected Parks Commissioners decided Lithia Park is too precious to host the Farmers Market on its pavement 30 times a year. More than ever, we need the Market in a beautiful central location. We need it for more than food and we need it sooner than later. If the Market cannot find a suitable location, 80 growers and crafters have a slimmer chance at making a living, and families are denied direct access to locally grown organic food. Given the state of world affairs, the armory seems an ever more ludicrous location for the Market. If there were a reasonable alternative to the Market being at Lithia Park, then the need to protect the park from the weekly visits of organic farming supporters might be judicious, but there is no other available location that serves the residents of Ashland. Offering the ice rink parking lot as an alternative is ridiculous. It is half the size required for the Farmers Market. How does the ice rink location have less impact on the park? The impact on the Market would be great; 40 vendors would not be able to sell their already -planted crops and already - produced crafts inventory. The stated concerns are weak and can be addressed. The concern for quiet in the park seems simple enough. The park is huge. I doubt those seeking quiet seek it on the curb of Winburn Way. To alleviate the worry of more groups requesting permission to vend in the park, I suggest maintaining the current single exception and cancel the 4th of July vendors in favor of the Farmers Market. As for the parking issues, would it be so awful for city employees and others employed downtown to park further away one day a week and walk a few blocks? How about trying that new parking structure? How about riding the free bus? Having the Market downtown will encourage market customers to walk and not to drive. I would like to thank Parks Commissioners Diane Ama-rotico and Rich Rosenthal for supporting and listening to the vendors, Market management and the citizens of Ashland. I also thank Mayor DeBoer for his support. 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