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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 13, 1981)
opinion I sally hodgkinson even editors get the blues What a week for the Revolutionary Commun ist Youth Brigade. The Revolution was getting stale. Chants about Madame Mao were getting old, Iranians were grabbing the best protesting slots in the EMU Main Lobby and the unenlightened kept walking by. Even "red, white, blue, shit on you” failed to rouse the ire of passing capitalists. What’s a professional protestor to do? Victor Tomseth’s speech was the perfect opportunity for the RCYB to do something stupid to get lots of attention. And they did. The yellow-ribbon burning will fire the RCYB for months: THE EMU 3 - SUPPORT THE REVOLUTION. Suppressed by the Eugene Police at a speech from a former hostage. What a glaring example of CIA oppression. Held hostage in Eugene, Ore., at the hand of imperialistic capi talists. Heck, this may be the spark that triggers The Revolution. And best of all, as the RCYB gleefully tells us in a rhetoric-laden flyer, the repercussions of the ribbon burning are going to be felt ‘round the world by oppressed people everywhere. “This is indeed a great victory for the people of the world," the flyer says. "The righteous burning of the yellow ribbon expresses the sentiment of millions — WE WONT BOW TO THIS CRAP.” Wow. The ribbon fiasco also preserves the “radical” tone of the University, the flyer claims. Whew. Now the rat comes out of the oats: Univer sity students aren’t a mix of radical, liberal and — dare it be said? — conservative. We’re all living for The Revolution. Boy, is that good news. Legislators who decide tuition levels are bound to be impressed by the ribbon burning, ranting and raving of the RCYB. And although none of the three RCYB members arrested are students, maybe some legislative comrades will warm to The Cause. "Heck, why raise tutiton only 30 percent,” they’ll say. “Let’s raise it 100 percent and free students from the oppressive ivory tower of the imperialistic University so they can go into full time work for The Revolution.” Good idea. What’s a degree and a job when you can have a Revolution? But things are cool in Johnson Hall, home of the oppressive University administrators. Acting University Pres. Paul Olum says he thinks the Legislature won’t stereotype all University students by the actions of a couple non-students. That’s OK. The Revolution is coming. “The lines are drawn and the challenge is issued,” the flyer says. “We call on many more to step forward and defend and expand these actions. “Money is needed.” yuub__ R-G turnaround Right on gentleman and ladies of the Emerald editorial staff! It is indeed most incredulously amazing how the Regis ter-Guard shifted on its stance in regards to the Northwest Energy Power Bill. When the support for Jim Weaver, the only one with enough guts to truly "que stion authority," was most desperately needed, the R-G was openly assailing him. Now that the truth comes to light exposing Alumax, the Washington Pub lic Power Supply System (WPPSS), and friends as direct threats to our quality of life, the need for vigilance in watchdog ging those who are entrusted with enacting the Power Bill becomes all the more vital. The directions we, as a collective whole, head our society in are are shaped by our actions and decisions of today. If we wish to have centralized energy production facilities beyond the grasp of local control, then we need do nothing today. However, if we are to have a world tomorrow that is free from the threat of radiation, acid rains, and/or a strip mined Western U S. geography (but to name a few of the dilemmas already glaring at us), we must become involved now. The Survival Center here at the University offers the opportunity to explore new frontiers not only in dealing with governmental agencies but also firsthand exposure to the world of energy. Come and join us! Better active today than radioactive tomorrow!!! Brian Niemeyer Senior, general science Milton responds I would like to register my displeasure regarding the version of my interview on recent political events in China that appeared in the Jan. 30 issue of the Emerald. Because of the complexity of Chinese political developments over the past two decades and the fact that very little of this political history is known or understood in the U.S., I had serious misgivings about participating in an interview which must necessarily produce an account that could be at best superficial and abbreviated. Unfortunately, the result was more serious than that. The fact that quotes were disconnected, out of context and "tailored,” apparently to achieve the most sensational effect, produced con fusion compounded plus downright inaccuracy. One salient example — I cautioned specifically against the use of mmam i mi the word “revolution” and suggested “continued political instability." The two terms are not synonymous, as any social science text or English dictionary will confirm. I am particularly horrified at finding myself quoted as a stereotypically arrogant American stating that a visiting scholar, Prof. Zhou Zenming, whom we are fortunate to have at this University, knows nothing about the politics of his own country. My disagreement with our distinguished visitor centers on one question, namely the wisdom of contin uing the cycle of vengeance which has marked Chinese politics over the past decade. I am well aware of the victimiza tion caused by the ultra-left (now sym bolized as “The Gang of Four”). Many of my own friends in China were unjustly attacked and I understand very well the reasons for Prof. Zhou’s anger. My statement to that effect was not included in the printed version of the interview. In the future, in the interest of good journalism and scholarship, I would recommend that the final written version of any interview be submitted to the person interviewed so that it might be checked for accuracy and intended meaning. For a more balanced version of my views on recent political developments in China, I refer those who m smm oometw might be interested to two articles I wrote recently for the Los Angeles Times (Dec. 3 and Jan. 29). David Milton Assistant professor, sociology Law clinic issue Mr. Jones’ recent action against the University Environmental Law Clinic in dicates his disregard for the American legal system. Because an issue which he supported could not withstand the rigors of law, he chose to utilize subversive pressure against his opponent — amounting to extortion. Thus, he com pounded his contempt for a basic American institution with immorality. Can the causes for justice and freedom stand still for such an affront? Definitely not. We must not. Every effort must be made to preserve the integrity of academic freedom. Sen. Kulongoski and Acting University Pres. Olum deserve our strongest support in their effort to preserve this basic freedom. Furthermore, his lumping together of civil rights activists and environmenta lists with Communists is apalling. As the Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro stated, “The rich say much about reform but label those who work for it as Commun ists." Perhaps the enemy doesn’t hide behind a red flag but a green dollar bill. Paul Bartel CSP Support EPUD Remember the promises? Chrysler Corporation, Exxon, PGE and PP&L? We have a choice Feb. 17. In January, PP&L said they would lower our rates, then immediately asked for a 20 percent increase. Think about it. Patrick D. Smith Pleasant Hill letters 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.
