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
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