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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 16, 1981)
voi rs Concert flack Does it really matter that much that Jackson Browne is coming to the University? For the past week, the mere fact that tickets for the concert were going on sale has been blasted at us repeatedly by every media source in the area, including, and most particularly the Emerald. The most distressing factor has been that the publicity Browne’s receiv ing has been in the form of “news” rather than advertising. Not only is the man coming here for a “No-nukes” (sic) concert, but he's not a particularly good songwritersinger. Dylan did all Browne has done (and more) better, 15 ydars ago. Why anyone who drones “Coca-a-ine, runnin' all ’roun’ my brain” is looked up to as an expert and worldly authority on nuclear power plants is beyond my ken. Some anthem. Perhaps if the people going to see Browne would be listening to something with some social significance (or bearing on reality) I might not feel as outraged over the matter as I am. I plan on sitting down and reading a good novel on the night of the 23rd. Maybe Nerves by Les ter del Rey would be appropriate. It would certainly be more worthwhile. Long live Frank Zappa. Darrel Plant Sophomore, computer science Support EPUD In regard to Arlene Best’s letter of Feb. 5, “Voters better think.’’ I agree. Think ing voters will support EPUD when they realize: • The sale of electricity by EPUD, not taxes, will repay the $72.5 million reven ue bond and still offer lower rates than PP&L. • Even though EPUD will initially get 100 percent of its needed power from BPA, the board intends to substitute BPA power with lower-cost hydro to assure continuing cheaper power for its cus tomers. This is becuase once-very cheap BPA power will become increas ingly more expensive as more nuclear and coal energy is melded into its base. • Will EPUD pay the same taxes as PP&L pays? EPUD is required be Oregon law (ORS 261.050)to pay the same taxes as PP&L does. Banking firms, bonding specialists and a certified engineering firm stand behind an ultimate 42 percent drop in rates for EPUD because public power has inherent advantages includ ing tax-exempt, low-interest bonds, no dividends to stockholders and no high priced executives’ salaries to pay. Three thousand consumer-owned utilities in the U S. have demonstrated lower oper ating costs. I attend EPUD board meetings and am impressed with the work I see happening there. Where have you been, Mrs. Best? C.W. Litson Pleasant Hill Freedom to listen After attending Victor Tomseth’s speech Feb. 9, it became extremely clear that a few people here at the University do not realize that along with the freedom of speech and expression comes the responsibility to allow others their freedom of speech. Victor Tomseth, a former hostage of Iran, came to our campus to allow us to hear about his experience in Iran and answer any questions we might have regarding his ordeal or his anticipated future between Iran and the United States. Unfortunately, not everyone al lowed him to get his point of view across by continuous verbal attacks along with demonstrations. There were many intel ligent questions that could have been answered had it not been for the incon siderate few who continually attacked anything Mr. Tomseth tried to say. I would hope that future guests of the University will be treated with more re spect than shown Victor Tomseth and that the few who cannot or will not con duct themselves in a more civilized man y! REALLY HATE TO RA/SE MY PRICES, BUT / HA l/E TO PAY JUST SO MUCH EoP CPUPE O/L THESE PAYS'" ~ ner not attend such events. This would allow others their freedom of speech and expression, along with their freedom to listen. Mike Henningsen Freshman, business administration Lack of foresight I went to Victor Tomseth’s presenta tion at the EMU hoping that searching but rational questions would breach the wall of diplomatic duplicity. It was not to be. Tomseth’s sympathizers lacked either the initiative or the perspiacity for such questioning. It supports my suspicion that admirers of recent U S. foreign policy are better-equipped to assess football games than global policies. Anyway, Tomseth’s detractors domin ated. My expectation the Iranians would stay away was naive. Regarding them selves as bearers of the true gospel they have to shout it from the housetops at every opportunity. They remind me so much of their equally self-righteous an tagonists, the Zionists. The RCYB was incapable of leaving well enough alone. If their brains equat ed their vocal chords, they would be formidable. They believe a true revolu tionary should be better at four-letter words than at thinking. Yet, I am less sore at these two groups than I am at the EMU Cultural Forum. Why did the latter not forsee the need for a tough moderator with the ability to keep the debate on a reasonable level? Why weren't microphones placed on the floor for the use of questions? Did the possibility of a donnybrook never occur to the Cultural Form? A.E. Brettauer Eugene Attend conference I found Terry SoRelle’s report on his fact-finding tour to El Salvador (Feb. 9 Emerald) particularly informative. There are several points he brought up that deserve emphasis. The first is that U S. military aid and training are having a "very tragic impact on the civilian population." Last year this resulted in 10,000 people being murdered by the military junta that the U S. supports with its military and economic aid. As SoRelle points out, U S. military aid can only prolong the conflict. It is imperative that the U.S. cease all military and economic assistance to the current military regime now. SoRelle also stressed that the new administration s de-emphasis on human rights will have a direct effect on the Latin American people. By ignoring human rights violations, our government will be supporting and promoting con tinued mass repression in Latin America by sending aid to military dictatorships. I encourage all those interested in how our government’s policies affect the human condition in Latin America to attend a conference at the University on Feb. 19 and 20. Entitled "Human Rights in Crisis: Latin America,” the conference will bring together U.S. state department officials, Latin American dignitaries and religious community leaders, and repre sentatives from the media to discuss the current situation and prospects for the future. This wide range of perspectives will provide a rare opportunity to deepen our understanding of the critical situation in Latin America. Kristy Fassler Eugene Good old days? To the “gang of four" who’ve been holding us hostage in the EMU. During the late '60s it was accepted protocol that anyone wishing to toun gelash, verbally encounter, harangue, or otherwise address us imperialist lackey running-dog flunkies of the blood-suck ing multi-corporate power structure did so from the brick and cement free speech platform outside the building. This convention of outdoor rhetoric helped us all to separate the fair-weather fanatics from the rain-or-shine radicals and further served to elucidate the question on whose line of bull was most least relevant and etcetera. Unfortunately, relandscaping of the EMU front lawn (courtyard now) has left the free speech platform as the endpiece on a funnelway to the Erb front door. Too close to the path of the “20-after masses,” too much like a tollbooth for political right-mindedness, the platform has been rendered obsolete by redesign. (Like wheelchair access in the Fishbowl, not part of the artist's vision nor the committee’s priorities.) So what can we do? Personally, I'd rather sit inside, look through a window and watch your lips move, popping out side for an occasional juicy epithet_a little short-order polemics_to satisfy my hunger for the “good old days.” So much for my needs. More importantly, I hope to see your right to publicly express your opinions preserved, since that is part of keeping it a free country for us all. But couldn’t we recognize a little pro tocol, or at least respect for the right to peaceably assemble and enjoy silence? How about we keep the building and you take the courtyard? Show us what you’re made of. Barry Stranahan Senior, telecommunications 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.
