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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 27, 1981)
opinion t glenn boettcher even editors get the blues We loved the music. Jackson was good, Chris Williamson even better. But the press conference for the Eugene anti-nuke benefit — the second of three “Water for Life” concerts being held in the Northwest — was far more interesting. Browne, Williamson and the rest of the con cert entrourage — including musicians Floyd Westerman, Jackie Robbins and Bonnie Raitt and activist John Trudell — wasted no time in advising that the media change their list of questions. Don’t ask us where the money goes, they said. That's always the first question you media people ask, complained Trudell, a veteran of the occupa tion of Alcatraz in the late 1960s. Why don’t you ask us about the issues, like nuclear power and water for life? They had a point. So one journalist asked about the radioactive waste dumped in the San Francisco Bay, and someone offered a tentative answer. Just what does a journalist ask a well-known musician who’s joined “The Cause?” Whether the cause is fighting nuclear power, nuclear arms or repression, it’s a tough choice. Unless the musician is both articulate and informed — a combination only Williamson seemed to have — it’s useless to ask questions that require technical or verbal expertise. The journalist settles instead for the mu sician’s opinion on this or that. The opinion may be less informed than mine or yours, but the reputation makes a difference. What Jackson Browne’s says about “Water .yours Burglaries It has come to our attention that several social action organizations in the Eugene-Springfield area have been the victims of burglaries in the past few weeks. There is evidence that the break-ins might be politically motivated, since valuables were left untouched while files were rifled We are writing to warn community organizations that someone may be col lecting information. We urge people to be aware of this activity and to take what precautions they can to protect them selves. Particularly, lists of members and con tributors should be protected by keeping them in a locked container. If this isn't feasible, duplicates of all valuable documents, including lists, should be kept in a separate location to prevent loss. Don’t be paranoid. Don’t stop your work. Just be aware. Contact this office if you have questions. Susan Buckles Co-President of National Lawyers Guild Jenny Stoik Sweet, considerate, incredibly talent ed, and happy-go-lucky are qualities which come to mind when I think of Jenny Stoik She always had a smile on her face In the jazz lab band and in the combos she played in, her light-hearted spirit and superb trumpet brought her to the atten tion of the audience as someone special. Creative, hard-working and caring of her friends' problems and needs, Jenny Stoik was an outstanding musician and human being. All of us who knew her were shocked and grieved with the news of her death was reported by the Eugene police Tuesday morning. We will remember Jenny for the fine person that she was and we will miss her very much Michael Martin Sophomore, music Feminist issue Abortion is a feminist issue, and until men can take equal responsibility in birth control, it should remian one. A deter mination of whether it is “right” to abort a fetus necessitiates an obvious value judgment regarding that fetus’ humanity or potential for humanity, a moral deci sion often dictated by one’s religions affiliation. In some religious doctrine, it is “wrong” to abort that potential with the use of birth control; carried further, as by many fundamentalist Christian groups, it is wrong to have sexual intercourse un less it is to conceive! Men do not carry the burden of fulfilling such moral ob ligations. Abortion is not an alternate form of birth control. It is a painful process made more so by moralistic censure. An intel ligent woman does not rely on men in birth control. The IUD and the pill are the methods providing the most control to a woman and both have serious draw backs to their health. The diaphragm, condoms and foam all require some degree of cooperation from the man, if only for aesthetic reasons. The only other really effective means of control are abstinence, sterilization or sexual satisfaction exclusive of men. Abortion will continue to take place, regardless of its legality. The recent past seems like the dark ages when con sidering the suffering and deaths caused by illegal abortions. Thus, paternalistic concern might best be expressed by investment in coat-hanger production. Rebecca Harris Secretary, dance Don’t cut sports As a fee-paying student, I was shocked to hear of the Athletic Department’s decision to drop some “minor’’ sports in order to make up for a $375,000 deficit they are suffering. The decision to “cut" any sport should be the last choice con sidered to alleviate the problem. Just last year the Athletic Department cried “deficit" and managed to persuade the students to vote in a mandatory $15 per ' hold real still,sam„. hl just knocks ash off his cigar. - for Life" is worth a press conference to the local media and worth thousands of dollars to local environmental and Native American groups. And it’s worth time. Enough time in the "Water for Life” benefit concerts to expose a Jackson Browne-hungry audience to a variety of music from a variety of musicians, all of whom are committed to the anti-nuke movement. Although Browne and his colleagues admit ted the paradox of having to use their music to tell people about their cause, their frustration with the role was obvious — the same frustration the journalists at the press conference must have felt. Just what does a journalist ask, if not the specifics about which groups will receive how much money? The real questions about nuclear power and "Water for Life" must be asked of those who have more to offer than opinions. term athletic fee. Not only did this fee provide “free” tickets to all sporting events, it was also termed to eliminate the deficit and prevent any “cutting’’ of any sports in the near future. Almost a year later, four sports are being “con sidered” for a drop from any Athletic Department funding. The sports, both mens’ and womens’ swimming and gym nastics programs, represent only $197,00 in the shadow of the Athletic Department’s multi-million dollar budget. To drop these sports does not only eliminate the athletic and educational experiences of the athletes involved, but will destroy the majority of national recognition the University receives for these and other outstanding sports pro grams. Furthermore, it appears that the Athle tic Department would rather sacrifice its coaches and athletes than attempt any fundraising other than the solicitation of funds. To my knowledge, the majority of coaches are opposed to the elimination of any sports, and have suggested, un successfully, methods of eliminating the deficit to Athletic Director John Caine. In fact, it appears that Caine had already made the decision earlier in the week which left the coaches 24 hours in preparation time to defend their sport based on criteria set by Caine. Most importantly is the fact that the affected athletes have had no input into their own destiny. Athletics is a part of their "whole" education and many of these scholar-athletes may have to end their college career as a result of these cuts. Though the athlete may transfer, most will not be eligible for funding from the recruiting school for one year. Though what the coaches have proposed as an alternative may not be the solution, it is at least a thoughtful step in the right direction. It is clear that any decision to eliminate any sport from the program should not be made with such haste and without considering every alternative available. Finally it seems ironic that an institution such as the athletic department which advocates academic achievement through sports, can justifiably eliminate this opportunity from their athlete students. Craig Marlin Senior, physical education fetters policy The Emerald will accept and try to print all letters containing fair comment on ideas and topics of interest to the University 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.
