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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 19, 1978)
( » — editorial ———— Morrisette’s the one Since Lane County has been divided into five districts a plethora of candidates have filed for the offices. Three of the positions are open for the primary election, and 34 candidates have filed. The only one within the Emerald readership area is the Springfield post, and there, one candidate for stands out as the most promising. Bill Morrisette, a long-time political activist from Springfield, is a worthy candidate for the position. Mor risette has good specific ideas about what to do as a commissioner, and we have no doubt he will be effective in carrying out his ideas. His opponents, Pat Randall, Frank Elliott, Vance Freeman and Gregory Myers, simply can’t beat Morrisette in terms of knowledge and drive for the position. Elliott, who was a commissioner for 14 years before being edged out by Jerry Rust, has the best experience for the position, but we think Elliott presents a conservative faction of the candidates. His ideas are not enough in tune with our own to advocate his candidacy, in spite of his experience. Freeman, a former Springfield mayor, also would bring a conservative viewpoint to the commission. Springfield has typicaHy dragged its feet when it comes to cooperation with Eugene and Lane County, and we feel cooperation is one of the most important parts of the county commissioners qualifications. Why be concerned about conservatism in this district? Partly because the districting of the county will create three “conservative” districts (East Lane, West Lane and Spring field) and two “liberal” districts (North Eugene and South Eugene). This will create some problems for the board, since there will probably be a 3-2 split in a typical board makeup. Pat Randall, a long-time labor lobbyist and political activist, may make a good commissioner but, again, we agree with him only on some issues. Randall, no doubt, will continue to be active in county and state politics, and we have no quarrel with that at all. Gregory Myers, although he is extremely sincere, doesn’t have enough knowledge of the issues to be effec tive as a commissioner. Morrisette is undoubtedly the best motivated and the most qualified candidate for the job. V. Letters Pompous parody Jean Jacoby’s May 15 letter to the editor which caricaturized those favoring ballot measure #51 was a distortion of the issue which avoided any logical argu ment by reverting to mere pomp ous parody. This “straw men" ploy is quickly short-circuited by a con sideration of the real issue: the important difference between dis crimination and discretion —a de finitional confusion at the heart of the matter. Discrimination illiminates an in dividual on the basis of an uncho sen and neutral attribute (i.e., race, age, sex) unrelated to indi vidual performance. Discretion exercises moral pre ference concerning an attitude (i.e., homosexuality) which entails a distinct behavioral pattern in congruous with an employer’s criteria over and above race, age and sex. Example: Hiring a white, black, young or old babysitter does not violate my moral discre tion. Hiring a homosexual does, because it is an act against my criteria for individual performance: I do not want a homsexual to influ ence my child. I feel it to be an infringement on my moral discretion if I must hazard fines or imprisonment to exercise my criteria of judgment. I should not by law be able to dis criminate, but, when a distinct be havioral pattern is involved I should be given the right to exer cise moral discretion. If ballot measure #51 fails I will not have this right. Vote yes on #51. Douglas Groothuis Junior, Philosophy Reed for Labor May 23, 1978 vote John Reed for Oregon State Labor Commis sioner and help circulate his “Workers’ Compensation Law Changes” petition today. Reed’s election will give us a fighting State Labor Commis sioner, neither controled by the AFL-CIO or Associated Oregon Industries, and Reed’s petition will make insurance company's pay you justified job injury benefits, rather than spin you around with legal tricks. # Like many job-injured (partial paralysis) workers’; I need state workers compensation insurance monies and social security monies to meet increased living costs due to my disabilities. Although social security already offsets amounts payed you down to 80 percent of your past wages; new Oregon laws will allow state insurance companies to reserve this proceedure and take an off set to bring you down to 66 and two-thirds percent of your past wages. Reed's petition will stop all state insurance companies “off sets.” If you have ever spent nights worrying about bills; workers compensation hearings; insur ance company compensation cut-offs; continual insurance liSSf' opinion Iran a nuclear garbage dump? Submitted by Shagerd Shariati Muslim Student Association Persian Student Group The Iranian people appear to be facing an inde finite confrontation with the Shah and His undi minished U.S. backing. The Shah has no hesitation in the application of massive force; the popular op position led by Imam Khomeini is equally determined to push the matters toward their inevitable ultimate climax, that is total rejection of the Shah, and his American and Zionist patrons. At the same time, Shah’s other partners such as Soviet Union and its puppet satelit£ countries continue to discredit this heroic struggle of our people as a “Chinese Instiga tion”, While China herself shamelessly supports Shah’s dictorial regime. A regime that regards the recent uprising as the most intense and serious one to threaten its system, since the CIA restored the Shah to the peacock throne in 1953. Meanwhile the Shah is diversifying his policy of total capitulation to the west. According to Iran Times, April 21, 1978 , Abbas Khalatbari, Shah’s Foreign Minister announced the complete agree ment between the Iranian and Austrian government for the dumping of Austria’s nuclear waste products into the central part of Iran. Considering the amount of risk involved in shipment and burial process and the long lifespan of these highly dangerous material tnai exceeas y ecu o: rn ivj u »»««• resulting from the contamination of clean air with these deadly poisoneous material one can begin to see the extend of this treason and crime. President Carter “The Champion of human rights"! Following his recent trip to Iran, after praising the Shah for his "good conduct" in human rights issue, announced the sale of six nuclear reactors to Iran which brings the totai number of these reactors purchased from Europe and U.S. to 17. It is also said that the U.S. government is negotiating with the Shah’s regime to dump its share of the nuclear waste material into central Iran! As though the disposal of the jet fighters, helicopters, tanks, machine gunes and torture equipments to crush the people s just rebellion is not sufficient that now Iran has to be turned into the nuclear garbage dump of the west! The real irony lies on the fact that while Iran being the second largest oil producing country in the world, has to import nuclear reactors in order to solve its so called “energy needs!" which in reality is no thing but to help out the western countries inevitable financial crisis! We ask all concerned and just people to raise their voices, condemning all these inhumane actions which transcends all geographical bound aries. Down To the Shah! Long live the uncompromis ing struggle of Iranian people led by the Great Mu jahid Imam Khomeini. company demanded medical ex aminations; and soon to be al lowed compensation reductions or “off-sets.” You need John Reed as Oregon State labor commis sioner and need to circulate his workers compensation law changes petition today. Marvin Price 3177 W. 13th, Eugene For Bylund Four years ago, I worked to help elect Ken Bylund as Assessor for Lane County. I have never been sorry that I did so. As a candidate then, Ken pledged to make the Department of Assessment and Taxation more open and respon sive to taxpayers. He also pledged to make sure that all categories of property were fairly appraised, and to end the advantages en joyed by big business. Ken has demonstrably fulfilled these prom ises. Property tax and appraisal notices now come with clear ex planations, with encouraging notices regarding the appeal pro cess, and with information about exemptions and deferrals. Ken published a special booklet for senior citizens about programs of interest to them. And the staff at the Assessor’s Office gives the public courteous attention. Under the Bylund administra tion, business interests are re valued as often as residential properties, and Ken has collected large amounts of back taxes owed by businesses. By expect ing commercial and industrial property to pay its fair share, Ken has worked to relieve the burden on the homeowner, the renter, and the small farmer. Special interests haven’t ap preciated Ken, but the rest of us should. I am firmly convinced of Ken Bylund’s commitment to the people of Lane County, and will be voting May 23 for his re-election. Marion Barnes 1417 Friendly Str., Eugene #51 support Eugene monthly meeting of the Religious Society of Friends sup ports the gay rights ammendment adopted by the Eugene City Council. We oppose measure 51 which will appear on the ballot May 23 and recommend a “no” vote. The meeting does not discrimi nate because of sexual prefer ence. This is in keeping with the historical testimony of Quakers on issues of human rights. Gery Hubbe, Clerk Eugene Friends Meeting For Miller After hearing the candidates for City Council, Ward 4 at a recent neighborhood meeting, I had no doubt in my mind that Gretchen Miller would be the superior choice for anyone, but particularly for the student and average citi zen concerned with such prob lems as growth, pollution, traffic congestion, and rising property taxes. Her intelligent responses to the questions asked demon strated a thorough and balanced grasp of community issues. She has already pledged active support for increasing bus service and bicycle paths, which should be of particular interest to stu dents, who may soon lose many of their parking privileges in the Uni versity area. Obviously Gretchen Miller is committed to furthering Eugene’s livability. Her previous involvement in the Laurel Hill Neighbors Association indicates her interest in working with local groups and individuals. As a graduate of the U. of O. law school, she is also sensitive to student and university problems. I think that on City Council she would be unusually accessible and willing to listen to individual concerns. Her legal training and experi ence have provided her with a good background for dealing with city government, and serving on the Council should create no con flict of interest with her profes sional commitments. I hope the majority of voters in Ward 4 will join me on May 23 and vote Gretchen Miller for City Council. Mama Broekhoff 1844 Kona Street, Eugene
