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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 7, 1981)
ooinion Immorald majority Congratulations, ODE staff! Your Im morald issue was outrageously funny! I'm quite sure that the majority of the Immorald readers correctly considered this issue as an April Fool’s joke and , therefore, placed it in a proper perspec tive. As for the small (but nonetheless vocal) minority of angry Immorald readers, I ask, “Where is your sense of humor?” I consider the article on Pat Horton to be well written and very funny. Bill Manny's comments were made in jest and in the spirit of sarcasm. Bill didn't mean that Pat Horton would actually shoot someone — he merely wanted to show us that Mr. Horton’s ideas are slightly to the right of the norm. Yet, in Thursday’s Emerald, Mr. Horton was quite serious when he presented his plan for rendering rapists impotent Now, don’t misunderstand me; I have no sym pathy for rapists But it seems that Mr. Horton has inadvertently lent some credibility to Bill Manny’s satirical com ments. The Immorald should be read for what it is — a joke. There was no harmful intent or any hint of seriousness in the Immor ald articles. The writers were simply having a good time, and hoped that Immorald readers would do the same. I think it’s time to stop all the whimpering about foul language, poor taste and infantile journalistic quality. Let's give the Immomrald writers a fucking break! Frank Thompson Sophomore, Pre-business Legislative laugh? Portions of your supplement in the April 1 issue of the Daily Emerald were irresponsible and thoughtless attempts to entertain your readers. Immature is the only word that clearly describes the repeated use of profanity in your efforts to ridicule the integrity of State Repre sentative Max Rijken. I support your use of the First Amend ment, but it would be more beneficial to all parties concerned if it were used in a constructive manner. Even though the Emerald is a private organization, it’s unfortunate that the publication is so closely associated with the University of Oregon The majority of your articles are interesting and humor ous, but the childish motives of a few writers can easily ruin the reputation of the Emerald, as well as create an un favorable image of the University itself The supplement was intended to create a few laughs, but the cleverness of one or two members of your staff leaves much to be desired I only hope that the last laugh is not on the University of Oregon when the Higher Education budget is reviewed by the joint legislative Ways and Means Committee Rod M.Jones Junior, political science More Immoralds! Give us a fucking break; Don’t limit the Immorald to just April 1st!!! 3rd floor Adams Your fault If you have ever said that all politicians are corrupt, or if you have ever said that it wouldn’t do any good to get involved, or if you ever put on a bumper sticker say ing “Vote Against All Incumbents," then you are to blame for the latest nitwit taking a shot at the President. Maybe you like to say all politicians are schuysters because that is what every one else says. It sure is easier to parrot this sophistsry than it is to get involved in the time-consuming and hair-tearing process of self-government. But next time you trot out this lame excuse for your own apathy just remember that tilted people, like pitchers, have big ears. CRISIS M01/£ CLAP AL HAI6IMIRM mmm. / Keep in mind that you have helped to create “folk wisdom" that isolates our political leaders, that paints them as people not to be taken seriously, as people we can blame, and people we can take it out on. If your sole political activity is running down politicians and government then you shot at Ronald Reagan. You got John, and you got Robert, too. You helped pull the trigger on George Wal lace And your self-indulgent apathy is pulling the trigger on American self government. It is no coincidence that President Reagan was shot the day before only 7 percent of Lane County’s voters thought it would do any good to excercise their franchise. Smart aleck remarks, made by lazy people running off at the mouth, have encouraged the insane to take our phony cynicism to its logical conclusion. Peace. Timothy M. Travis 37046 Conley Road Springfield Great job, Immorald Since my days as a graduate student at the University of Oregon, I have ap preciated the April 1st edition of the Emerald. In a world where laughter and satire are in such short supply, it is extremely refreshing to see the Emerald take time out from the stressful news of the day to publish a completely satirical issue. Norman Cousins said laughter was a great cure for many of our ills. One reason this world is so sick is that it does not laugh enough. Mr. Horton might try laughing. It might improve his disposition. You all did a great job. If it helps, I will take legal action to force you to continue your annual satire. With fond affection for all fools and the fool within each of us. Thanks for making me laugh. Vernon Ho Learning Consultant R-G out to lunch By now the brouhaha over the “Im morald" has blown out to sea, but I have to say I agree with the Register-Guard editorial last Friday. It is bad taste to say Pat Horton promised to "shoot" Rich Brooks, even if it was true. What difference is it whether the word “shoot” is used for a joke or in a news item? It's still an unsavory reminder of the near-fatal shooting of President Reagan. All the media should voluntarily stop using that word until the President recovers. If they have to use something in a news story they can say “pumped full of lead,” instead. The use of “shoot” brings up my next point. Everyone knows that printing four-letter words gives people the modus operandi to act out hidden desires. In fact, studies show that more Americans saying “shit” is the leading cause of the ungodly sewage problems in our cities. Look at El Salvador - you never hear about sewage problems there. Another thing. I read yesterday where ABC has changed the name of a T V. series character from "Hinckley” to “Mr. H.” This is commendable. I am terribly upset over the poor taste of the Tele phone companies who have still done nothing about hundreds of Hinckleys printed in phone books all across the U S. These offensive books should be recalled so the Hinckleys can be blacked out. Plus, everyone named John Hinck ley should be rounded up and put in detention centers — for their own safety. I’m a little surprised Pat Horton hasn't done this already. And what about future parents who name their baby “John?” That's really bad taste. Getting back to the “Immorald.” Sure, some people say it’s paranoid to worry about what legislators in Salem are going to do to the U of O when it’s paper has such bad taste. But if we don’t have the same good taste as the legislators, what’s going to happen to us? A lot of people say that's Charlie-the Tuna journalism - doing everything to show Starkist he has good taste. Like the Register-Guard. I say they’re out to lunch. I don’t care if the ‘‘Immorald’’was funny. I want a school paper that puts out pleasant predictable pabulum every day — one I can read without waking before my first class. Especially on April Fools Day. John Mills Graduate, journalism Dylan, Christ For years I've been singing about the questions and people loved it, but now I’m singing about the answer and they refuse to listen: Bob Dylan (Rolling Stone magazine). Bob Dylan used to seek the answer “blowing in the wind,” but now he has found it hanging on the cross. Please don’t think I am another Christian who is exploiting a celebrity turned Christian, and attempting to get you to jump on the “Jesus bandwagon" simply because Dylan turned to Christ. At this University I have been told that I am nothing more than a 42-jointed, electro-chemical organism passing from oblivion to oblivion. I don't believe that. There is more. There must be more. Like Bob Dylan, I believe I have “found it” in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. What have you tried to fulfill your life — lots of friends, fame, money, sex, drugs .? At the end of it all, can you say with Dylan, "I don’t know which one is worse, doing your own thing or just being cool.’’ How would you answer Bob Dylan, the ultimate individual, when he asks in one of his songs, “Are you thinkin’ for your self, or just followin’ the pack?" Jesus says, “I am knowing at the door of your life waiting for you to let me in, if you do I will come in and have a rela tionship with you.” (Rev. 3:20 para.) He is waiting for you. Martin Heiser Sophomore, undeclared Olum’s nonsense I, for one, thought the Immorald was rather funny with only a couple of minor failures in taste. What has really been funny though — not to say downright unbelievable — is the righteous indigna tion displayed by our Lane County Dis trict Attorney. The true aim of the Im morald’s lampoons is confirmed by his imperious outburst. “We can all ap preciate college humor but...” Give me a fucking break. As for President Olum’s remarks, I can sympathize with his position and dismiss them. But any fool can cry “Profanity!” and cluck. His several characterizations of the Immorald are complete nonsense. John Wahlund Junior, geology Ignore hot air We want to thank the staff of the Im morald for their work in producing the April 1 issue. We think it insulted every one fairly, and want to assure the staff that despite the hot air coming from a few would-be emperors who feel uncomfor table being told they have no clothes, the majority of readers enjoyed the paper. Thanks for giving us a-break from school and the news. Doug Verner and seven co-signers
