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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 27, 1981)
opinion va irs Angering comments I certainly hope the comments by Nancy Whitely, John Kaiser and Tooraj Fooladi in the Jan. 20 Emerald article concerning the return of the U S. hos tages in no way reflect the position of this paper. Both Ms. Whitely and Mr. Kaiser were disappointed the hostages were being released. They would have liked to see them tried as criminals. I absolutely cannot understand how they could feel this way. I am extremely angered by their comments. You seem to forget, Mr. Kaiser, that the CIA is a U S. government agency and whether the hostages were or were not working for the CIA is immaterial. The fact remains that the hostages were taken illegally by people that obviously have no respect for international law. I also find it hard to believe, Mr. Kaiser, that either you or Mr. Fooladi possess enough factual information to determine whether or not the hostages were CIA spies. It is extremely irresponsible of you to think you do. The Emerald also somewhat distorted student reaction to the hostage release in that article by implying that many University students would like to have seen the hostages tried Of the five peo ple interviewed, three said they would have liked to see the hostages tried. I am sure this proportion is not indicative of student opinion. I could be wrong, but I doubt it. In view of Ms. Whitely, Mr. Kaiser and Mr. Fooladi's comments, Bart Jones’ quote in the same article was heartwarming. He said "I'm mad because I wanted to see Reagan blow the hell out of Iran.” If it were up to me, maybe I still would! Brad Fowler Junior, Journalism Another side I must disagree with Martin Heiser and Kelly Hogan's definition of "perspec tive." Putting an issue “into perspective" is not looking at only one side of it. So to present another side What would you decide? The father was an illegitimate child whose first marriage was sterile, his second was a shotgun affair and his present one an incestuous union to his cousin. The first two children of the marriage both died in infancy The mother is now pregnant with her third child but is willing to have an abortion if you determine that she should. What would you decide for her? If you chose abortion congratulations, you've just r murdered Hitler! So much for perspec tive The most pressing problem in the world today is overpopulation. The dou bling rate for global population is now approximately 37 years. If anyone ac tually believes that we will double global output and perfect a fair and humanitar ian means of distributing food in that time, then they are dangerously ignorant. The present number of malnourished people in the world is estimated to be 500 million. The number of people, mostly children, who literally starve to death each year is in the tens of millions (source - Worldwatch Inst ). The Bible has been used to perpetuate terrible atrocities in the past: witch burn ing, torture, slavery and in the present: persecution of homosexuals and sub jugation of women. But the most dan gerous threat to our civilization in the next century will be certain fundamen talists’ (and devotees of other dogmatic religions) continued rejection of the necessity of making abortion and all forms of contraception universally available and socially acceptable. Clark Porter Sophomore, environmental studies Enough’s enough Okay folks. Enough is enough. I know that we, as college students, love to crusade for various causes and take shots at others. But recently there has been many negative comments directed towards the quality and control of the Daily Emerald Sure, the paper has on occasion mis quoted some people and overlooked some facets of a story. But let those among us who are perfect in every way throw the first typewriter, or reporter out of the window If you think that you can do better, then join the Emerald staff and do something about it! Now, I do not know anyone on the Emerald staff, nor am I affiliated with the paper in any way, shape or form. But having been an editorial page editor of a paper before, I know the challenge of pleasing everyone and doing a good job at the same time This paper is a very important voice of the student body and the alternative of having no paper at all is hardly appealing. Many of the people on the Emerald staff are students also, and they are trying very hard to make the paper as good as it can possibly be. One parting comment. Sure Sparrow is not as good as Peanuts. But aren't most of us in school so that we can take new T ideas and innovations into our chosen fields? How are we going to do that if we are so closed minded that we cannot even give a new comic strip a chance? How do you think Peanuts or Doones bury got started in the first place? At least Peanuts is back and we don't have to hear those petty arguments anymore. Instead of unloading on the Emerald, in lieu of offering constructive help or cri ticism, get in there and see if you can do better. I am sure that the Emerald staff would welcome every perfect writer out there who can do everything flawlessly. Mark Wolfe, Junior, recreation and park management Coming home I am replying to David Wellsfry’s letter of Jan. 23 (“Flag or mat?’’) concerning Ron Phillip’s statement on Inauguration Day. Perhaps you have never carried the dead body of your best friend off the battlefield while the Marine sergeant yells at you to hurry. Perhaps you have never experienced death or war. Many of those who have are too psy chologically numbed to do much or feel much. Many vets attempt to fit back into society in a “normal" way. They carry on the facade that “nothing has happened" and only their friends and intimates know, directly or indirectly, of their suf fering. Ron Phillips is unusual in that he faces his own pain and calls the rest of us to see what part we have played in it. The Vietnam veterans are unique in that they came home neither victors nor heroes. Yet we still ask them to carry for all society the burden of the effects of war while we “live our lives." It is they who daily confront, cons ciously or not, the effects of war. In response, it is we who ask to merely evade the responsibility for the society as a whole concerning killing and dying. Before we condemn these people for "crazy” behavior, we should realize what we ask them to do: both in going to war and also in coming back home. Linda Kanzinger, German literature Hidden charge It's no secret that the University has a knack for dreaming up ways to squeeze ' now ah we mm ans m is m cm i' $$$ out of students, however, the latest revenue scheme has gone beyond rea son or fairness. I’m referring to the new parking meters in front of Mac Court, as well as the insane charge of $4 for meter violations. For a nickle an hour, the old meters gave students a maximum of five hours. The new meters run twenty cents an hour for a maximum of only two hours, a 300 percent increase. This means a cost of about $45 to $75 PER TERM for a full time student, and this doesn’t include meter violations, which will also cost 300 percent more then last year. The problem is compounded if you’re a P.E major, because they are required to take Professional Activity courses that last two hours. This almost guarantees a parking ticket, unless of course, they can dress down, attend class, shower, get dressed and get back to their car before the time expires on the new two-hour meters. No big deal, just an additional $4 fee, for the student or another $4 in revenue for the University, depending on how you want to look at it. Of course, one could spend $18 (Fall 1979 price) and get a parking sticker. However, the University would be the last to admit that they don’t have near en ough pre-paid parking spaces and that having a sticker does not guarantee getting a space to park. The 300 percent increase in meter costs and violations is damn right criminal, but the two hour limit in an area used heavily by P.E. majors and athletics is the worst offense of all. Makes you wonder what they will come up with next. Parking meters for bicycles? Better yet, how about a sidewalk fee based on the distance you have to walk between classes? Jim Trenary Senior, physical education Fees, church I am surprised and somewhat taken aback by the actions of Susan Harris of the IFC and her husband, Dan Harris. I was under the impression, perhaps wrongly, that Mrs. Harris ran for the IFC position under the platform that students should have a voice in how their money is spent — all students. Her actions are blatantly inconsistent with her "cam paign promises,” so to speak. I have no doubt that each member of the IFC represents some interest group, but the Harris’ have crossed the line of repre sentation into misuse of office. Let me clarify the fact that these are not anti-Mormon sentiments. I have been a member of the LDS church all my life, and the heritage and culture is ingrained in me as much, if not more so, than most members But I have too much respect for my friends of different faiths (and no faith) to condone partiality toward any sect, including my own. I hope the Harris’ realize that they are indeed introducing people to Mormon religion, and leaving them with contempt and restraint. Carolyn Myrick Senior, psychology fetters policy The Emerald will accept and try to print all letters containing fair comment on ideas and topics of interest to the Univer sity community. Letters must be typewritten and no longer than 250 words. Letters must be signed, the author’s field of study or faculty status noted and must include address and phone number for verification.
