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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 30, 1981)
opinion_ I ken sands even editors get the blues Dear Mom: Sorry if I sound like a hypochondriac, but I think I'm dying. Specifically I’m sick with this year’s Asiatic virus — the Bangkok Flu. Generally though, I’m sick of the hostages. I’m sick of Ted Koppel and Frank Reynolds and that pointy-headed peanut freak who alternatingly takes credit and blame for the whole mess. If I see another yellow ribbon I’ll throw up. I’m sick of school too. After 3V2 years of lectures I can’t stand the bullshit, so I don’t go to class. I just tell the instructors I’ve been sick. I was really sick of the fog, but it’s gone now and I’m sick of the rain. And I can't understand why anyone would wear open-toed Birkenstock’s when it’s raining. Don’t they get their feet wet? Joggers are always wet. Whenever I run, my feet and knees hurt and I get a backache. The only time I run is to the bathroom or the kitchen. I really miss your cooking too, Mom. Yeah, I know you’re a lousy cook, but at least the food is always cheap and hot. The food in the EMU is barely better than dorm food, and you’ve heard about that hog slop. The food here is so cheap because the University’s broke. Everyone’s broke around here. They don’t even mail our report cards to us because it costs too much. Pardon me while I blow my nose. I’m really glad the Super Bowl is finally over too. Now I won’t have to hear another word about Jim Plunkett’s “Cinderella season." And I won't be reminded anymore that the social dropouts (Raiders) are the best football players. I don’t want to talk about the social deviate in the White House, because this is a serious letter. I used to be really sick of those morons complaining about Peanuts, but they’re off my back now. Peanuts is in the classified section now, and Lucy still is pulling the football away before Charlie Brown kicks it. I think those people also belong to the Boring Student Groups who continually demand we cover their social events. I’m not really sick of them though — there’s something to be said for comic relief. More than anything else I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. And I don’t really mean to sound so pathetically cynical. I’ll write again when I feel better. Your sick son, Ken P S. Please send lots of money for incredible medical expenses. vours Not convinced Steve Hanselman's attempt to ration alize, as it were, the prophecies of war in Ezekiel 38 and 39 was valiant; but I am still not convinced. Although there are a number of problems with his interpreta tion, I will mention only a few Ezekiel said nothing about post-war refineries but only that “those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go forth and make fires of the weapons and burn them... and they will make fires of them for seven years so that they will make fires of the weapons” (Ezek. 39 9-10). I realize that quoting the text is of little avail, for Mr Hanselman insists on changing Ezekiel’s perfectly clear statement on the fate of the bows and arrows and other such weapons in order to fit his own pre-set notions, neither reason nor common sense will persuade him to examine the source as it stands. The present geopolitical situation Mr. Hanselman described has no profound significance in relation to this war pas sage. So Gog and Magog represent an alliance of nations situated north, south, east and west of Israel — what else is new? The enemies from these areas were a threat to ancient Israel as well as to modern Israel. What is most unconvincing, however, is the assigning of only those parts of the prophecy which don't fit reality into that handy category of "symbolism.” If the weapons are symbolic, a possibility which Mr. Hanselman has conceded, why cannot the entire war scenario — battles, alliances, victorious feating on the bodies and blood of the vanquished (Ezek. 39. 17-21) - also be symbolic, referring to the Zeitgeist of Ezekiel’s own time? Could it be that Ezekiel actually was speaking only “to a man of his own day’’ (wouldn’t women have been af fected in some way also?) and that is is those who came after Ezekiel who could not understand him? Might not this ex plain all the strange, varied and con voluted interpretations applied to Ezekiel’s prophecies? Susan E. Plass GTF, History War for change Everywhere across the country people are being subjected to a conspiracy to take their nickels, dimes and quarters. In every little town and city, in all those old-time gas stations and big hotels, there is a machine waiting to rip you off Usually these mechanical monsters only take a nickel or dime extra in exchange for that candy bar or Coke, but lately these machines have been getting cocky and taking your quarters and not even giving you your purchase. Or if they feel generous they might spit out some warm water in place of your desired coffee. This is an outrage; how can these things be allowed to do this to their inventors. It’s obviously an attempt by these metal maniacs to nickel and dime us to death. And no matter how much kicking, swearing and shaking the ma chine the victim does; it won't help, that greedy tyrant just takes it stoically and jingles its accumulated rewards. Usually the person just gives up in frustration and disgust and walks away, not even bothering to put up a sign labeling the machine as a thief and swallower of change, leaving the beast to victimize other poor souls. Obviously we've created a monster and we are faced with a national dilem ma JSqprt'ttJere^will be np nickels, dimes or quarters left in circulation add oi/r economy will collapse, while those metal fiends grow fat with their immorally gained profits. We must act, and act now. The war for change has begun. Man must conquer machine. Alan Wright Junior, Journalism Bad policy It is indeed unfortunate that instances occur in which someone may libelously use another’s name to publically express sentiments for which they are not willing to face the consequences themselves. The Emerald’s new policy requiring tele phone numbers to be attached to all letters received will do nothing to al leviate this problem, however. The per son using the name of another could as easily have done so, provided his own phone number, and then “confirmed” his assumed identity when called. The policy of required phone numbers •JtHHgWBCts IT TfctL 10 BE A KETURNfcE? AND WWAT IS IT UKE TO BE ABIE TO TtaE A WALK ALONE? AND WHAT VMS T€ flRST THINGS 5AJD10 WUR RELATES? AND HO/ DO XXJIELAftW IRAN? AND VMT IS 'tWR REACTION TO SING HCWI?' does discriminate against the right to public expression of those either too poor, or for other reasons disinclined, to own a telephone. To maintain this requirement is to further entrench the elitist attitude which already appears to govern much of the Emerald’s content, including its selection of which letters are published. Furthermore, this policy cannot fulfill its ostensible purpose and should therefore be abandoned. Hiawatha j Graduate, Philosophy Music i Oi i •:rr*j• ^ nsonemfl i Political fantasy As usual, the front page of Friday’s Emerald is anti-Reagan headlined: "Profs agree: Reagan years bode ill." Surely not all “profs” agree? When will the ODE present some fair press coverage? Athough I have a great amount of respect for biased and closed-minded Klonoski, his political views are greatly tainted by his long-term association with the vanishing Democratic Party. As far as Szymanski, a former SDS member, he cah hardly be considered representative of unbiased political analysis. Obviously both actors stand for a philosophy that the ODE endorses. However, the Reagan landslide confirms that the public no longer endorses such giveaway liberal politics that brought FDR into popularity, brought us stagger ing unemployment and inflation, and has led America into its current position as "court jester” in world politics. This is reflected further in the increased per centage of Republican voter registration figures, increased Republican control of both houses of Congress, and the rejec tion of all aspects of government inter vention in people's daily lives. One could conclude that Klonoski and Szymanski are not firmly based in the political reality of the 1980s. Klonoski loves to relate all political evils to Nixon’s Watergate. I wish he would worry more about why congress men, mostly Democrats, entrusted with the goals of representative government take bribes. Klonoski, why beat a dead horse? Whether the liberal community likes it or not, the conservatives have arrived. Hopefully, with the help of all Americans, we can begin to rebuild this great country by using free enterprise and giving back to the people the right pur sue their dreams without the interference of government. Steven Fogelson Law student
