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.