Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 24, 1972)
Editorials Nixon's peace without honor By the time you read this the war in Vietnam may be over. Reports from Washington, Saigon, Paris and Hanoi all indicate a settlement of the dispute is imminent. Should that settlement come, the Vietnamese civil war, already into its second quarter century, will come to an end—at least for the time being. Countless questions remain unan swered, most concerning the fate of the current South Vietnamese leadership. But “concerned” Americans can take heart in the fact that most American prisoners of war will be home before Christmas. It will take some time for Americans to digest the fact that peace—uneasy as it may be—has finally come to Southeast Asia. The effects of protest, civil distur bance and public outrage will remain for some time. But for the first time in a decade, Americans might turn their energy from war to peace. For the Vietnamese, the shift from war will come hard. The habits of 25 years are not easily shaken, and too few Viet namese even know what peace means. The world may rejoice at the set tlement. But because this is a political year, Americans must temper their joy with reason. And in their rush to praise Americans must not forget that the responsibility for much of this war rests squarely on our shoulders. We permitted American involvement while we rejected earlier chances for peace. And in the last four years alone ground combat by both sides and the most vicious air war in history has claimed the lives of over 1.5 million combatants. The number of civilians killed has not been reliably estimated. The war has been prolonged by American leaders beyond the point of honor. And yet President Nixon will call this the “peace with honor” he has sought. In all probability, Nixon will ride the agreement back into office. But he cannot claim credit for the peace when he must bear responsibility for four years of war. Nixon’s supporters will decry adverse reaction to the settlement as predictable, and perhaps it is. But four years ago when war critics said “just wait... he’ll end the war two weeks before the next election,” how many sloughed the possibility off as being just too incredible? In point of fact, it is a cheap political trick that has cost millions of lives. But Nixon has ever been the predict able politician. With few exceptions, he has offered few surprises in his political career. This eleventh hour peace is not much of a surprise. What is more, in light of the last four years, it is not very honourable. Embattled frisbee The Navy has announced aban donment of efforts to convert the Frisbee into a weapon of war. Apparently over $375,000 was spent over a four year period in experiments aimed at converting the “freaks’ friend” into a soaring flare for nighttime warfare. Navy scientists spent months throwing Frisbees off Hurricane Mesa in Utah—studying the disc’s flight patterns. Results of the unsuccessful tests, according to Associated Press, were reported in a paper “Adaptation of the Frisbee Flight Principle to the Delivery of Special Ordnance.” Had the tests proved successful one can only speculate on the lucrative defense contract Whamo Toys might have been able to negotiate. Letters... (Continued from Page 6) Eugene for the past ten years knows that teachers, students, housewives, ministers and many others have donated their time and talent to planning this project. The implication that the Association is merely a tool of some power structure is absurd. The Emerald cites environmental worries over the chosen site. The down town site was chosen with the present and future mass transit developments of Eugene in mind. With the Center centrally located, it becomes easily accessible to more people (including University students)—not just by car, but by mass transit, bicycle, or even on foot. Sticking the Center out by the freeway would make it almost imperative for Eugene citizens (and out-of-town conventioneers) to use their cars. A community-oriented Center belongs where the people can use it best, not out in the country. The Emerald suggests the LCAA has ignored the University’s needs and those of Lane Community College. Quite the contrary, LCAA did indeed confer with University representatives, and fully expects University groups to use the Center for a wide variety of programs. And Lane Community College? The project coordinator of the LCAA is Ed Ragozzino, who is head of the Peforming Arts department at LCC. Would the Emerald have Mr. Ragozzino write a letter to himself concerning LCC’s use of the Center? As for the proposed domed stadium by Autzen Stadium, nothing could make the LCAA happier. Contrary to what the Emerald thinks, there will be virtually no conflict of interest between the two. With the Auditorium effectively accomodating small and medium-size activities and the stadium handling the very large crowds, Eugene residents will have their cake and eat it, too. The Emerald complains the Auditorium will cause a huge rise in ticket prices because it seats only 2,800. Vet the largest auditorium in Eugene now seats only 2.000—so the Center actually offers in creased seating for local groups. Studies showed, by the way, that the average seating capacity of major auditoriums built in the U.S. during the past ten years was 2,300. If the demand for some events exceeds the 2.800 level, extra per tormanceo can be scheduled And MacCourt (bless its heart), with its bizarre seating and horrendous acoustics, costs a whopping $1,200 to rent for a single performance. And as University students are aware, fire regulations have eliminated most student-sponsored con certs there. The Emerald finishes by taking a snide pot-shot at the convention business planned for the Center. What the Emerald seems to ignore is the revenue generated from convention rentals is the very means by which local rates (and ticket prices) will be kept at a reasonable level. Without this convention “subsidy,” the people of Eugene would pay for a deficit operation each year. Is that what we want? Clearly, it is the Emerald, and not the LCAA, that should start again—this time with an eye toward the facts. The LCAA has done its homework. Scott Barkhurst Journalism A rejoinder I voted for Bill Wyatt last Spring because I thought he would be a leader, because I thought he would be a strong advocate for student interests, and because I thought he was concerned. Now, I’m not sure. I criticize Bill for two things: 1) being uninformed, and 2) being a weak advocate (if an advocate at all) for student in terests. These issues, contrary to Bill’s thinking, are not unrelated. 1) I do not criticize Bill for saying “I don't know” when he doesn’t know; I do criticize him for not knowing. When he goes, as ASUO president, to a life-death hearing on child care in Oregon, I expect him, as my representative, to know where he stands on child care, and to know what the effects of a $2.3 million cut in child care funds would be. And I expect him to tell the hearing officer(s) where he stands. 2) Students, and all voters, are ultimately going to vote the way they feel is right. Politicians, also, are ultimately going to vote the way they feel. However, in ignoring this year’s elections, Bill is rejecting any possibility of influencing either voters or politicians. It is because people (and supposed student leaders) like Bill Wyatt that people like Richard Nixon say “things are quiet on campus.” I say, “Damn, Bill!” because I can’t see how someone who, six months ago, was seemingly cognizant of the responsibilities of student government, is now apparently quite willing to stand by the side of the road, while child care services in Oregon are decimated, and people like Richard Nixon and John Dellenback cruise their steamrollers unperturbedly into office. Somebody said that they thought Bill Wyatt had political ambitions (they said they thought he was using his office to build up a rapport with state legislators, rather than to represent student in terests). I’d almost believe it. David Sonnenfeld Independent Studies Comment on suspension The suspension of LeFrancis Arnold and Keith Davis gives great hope to those who favor Guilty until proven innocent. Jim Sanders 45H-6X-K7X0 McGovern deadly As a pragmatist, President Nixon is unconcerned with principles or long-range effects. Caught in the swirl of modem politics, he constantly shifts his position trying to adjust to the pressures of the immediate moment. From statist politics on the left to freedom on the right, Nixon is somewhere in the middle, struggling to stay afloat and on top and never mind the principles. He is not an attractive can didate for President of the United States. But the person who values his freedom and who recognizes that man has a right to his own life and happiness, is well advised to commit his vote to Richard Nixon. Where Nixon is not concerned with prin ciples, McGovern is, and his principles are based upon the morality of altruism—an ethical code which, fully implemented, would destroy what’s left of individual rights. Altruism holds that, to be moral, a man must sacrifice his life to some purpose higher than himself. It is altruism which lies at the base of McGovern’s schemes for a guaranteed annual incotne, a redistribution of this nation’s wealth. In these schemes, the workers and producers are asked to give up the income they have worked and struggled to earn, so that those who haven’t produced can survive without eflort. Because McGovern is consciously committed to an evil ethical code, he is by far the more dangerous of the two can didates. Although Nixon is disgusting, McGovern is deadly, and should be treated accordingly. Mary Kearney 3385 Harris Eugene, Oregon 97405 Supports Morse One of the most famous and respected men in the United States will be on campus Wednesday — Wayne Morse. He will be in the dorms for lunch and then will speak at a Morse Rally in the EMU Ballroom at 12:30 p.m. I support Senator Morse for the courageous and truthful man that he is. I believe this country desperately needs his voice of courage back in the U.S. Senate. But people who aren’t sure about who they are going to vote for in two weeks have a responsibility to hear Wayne Morse talk about the issues. Those people who have questions about his stands should come and ask him. And those who already support Wuyne Morse should be at the rally on Wednesday to show him and the press that the University is Morse Country, and that we want him back in the U.S. Senate to fight for us! Leslie White Junior Education Dane 7