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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 30, 1982)
emerald Amazon residents’ spray injunction valid The spraying of the herbicide “Round-up” by the Eugene School District has residents at the Amazon housing complex angry and concerned. The concern expressed by the Amazon residents is justified Herbicide use by the school district has long been the subject of controversy. The school district's use of the herbicide 2,4-D had Eugene residents up in arms. Only last summer a parent filed a class-ac tion suit against the district in an effort to stop the use of herbicides containing 2,4-D. The school district suspended spraying for the rest of the season after continued harassment of weed-control crews The use of herbicides for weed control by the school district was hotly contested in board meetings and hearings throughout last summer In the end the school board formulated a comprehensive weed control policy The use of 2,4-D was restricted in the policy. Instead of 2,4-D, the school district increased its use of the herbicide “Round-up '. “Round-up” (Glyphosate or N-Phosphon Onethyglycine), according to a school district representative, is the safest herbicide they've found It is used extensively as a lawn weed-killer. The ■aaw< 'I'M PREPARED TO 60TwE EtfRA MILE...' SAID THE PRESIDENT school district requires licensed applicators to apply the herbicide The district also has criteria for spray ing. They don’t spray lawns, nor on or near play ground areas The primary issue in the Amazon spraying in cident is the application of “Round-up.” The label cautions against spraying in winds gusting over five miles per hour. Apparently, the winds were from six to 10 miles per hour on the day of the spraying at South Eugene High School The label also warns not to "feed or forage for eight weeks after application,'' and not to plant crops within a year of application. There are chemicals mixed with "Round-up" to prevent drifting But Amazon residents believe the wind negated the anti-drift chemicals and caused chemical trespass If Round-up" blew over into the Amazon complex it would quarantine the yard and day-care areas from children for weeks and prevent crop-planting and gardens until the chemical dissipates But the health hazard to Amazon residents — young and old — is the major concern Amazon tenants are currently considering an immediate injunction against future spraying in the area In the wake of Monday's spraying six residents complained of nausea, diarrhea, headaches and throat irritation Blood tests were taken and are being analyzed The possibility of herbicide poisoning should be enough to cause the school district to halt future spraying until the results of the blood teste are known Amazon residents are also asking the school district to notify them in advance of spraying — or to change their method of herbicide application But no law suit, as previously reported, will be lodged The Emerald supports the Amazon residents injunction against future spraying of the South Eugene High School running track with "Round-up " Amazon residents are reacting from legitimate con cerns regarding their health and safety When it comes to herbicide use can caution be over-estimated? letters Night crime As you sit in class today, take a good look at the women in your classroom One in three will be raped in her lifetime By the time class is over, approximately 16 women will have been beaten in this country and 10 raped (FBI, 1981). These acts of violence are not isolated social problems Rape, domestic violence, pornography, incest and sexual harassment all function to maintain exclu sive male power by keeping women afraid Women Take Back the Night is a group confronting and struggling to end all forms of violence against women On Saturday, May 8, they are sponsoring a day of work shops at Harris Hall and a candlelight march and rally at night. We recognize that there are men who are also horrified by sexual violence against women and we encourage their support on street comers during the march Sexual violence infringes on every woman's human right to independence If you value your freedom. Eugene women, joins us on May 8 to take back the night Kay Kelly Junior, fine arts Mature publication While I normally do not pay much attention to Emerald editorials, your "For ces for Life'’ platform (20 April) was an exception that has provoked this response What made this editorial different was its Neanderthal manner of making its point; it sank beneath even the Emerald's unusually low standards of journalistic ethics In particular, I refer to your criticism of the Reagan administration's statements regarding nuclear policy Apparently you are incapable of realizing that your editorial opinions are not necessarily the only ones worthy of con sideration Labeling the administration’s statements as lies and likening them to Nazi propaganda techniques smacks of self righteousness born of ignorance and arrogance While I would expect such behavior from small children, I was sur prised to observe it coming from a sup posedly mature publication To whoever wrote the editorial, I can only say that, should you be so foolish as to attempt a career in journalism, it would behoove you to remember that calling those of differing opinions liars and comparing them to Nazis seldom impresses or persuades an adutt audience It is unfortunate that the editorial was unsigned; I would prefer to address its author by name But then again if I wrote it, I would've been ashamed to have signed it, too Todd Weber Senior, journalism editor's note: the editorials are unsigned because they represent the views of the Oregon Daily Emerald and its editorial board (C.F ) Pill misinformation Your article of March 12 entitled Pill Offers Alternative' contains misinformation which should be corrected for your readers It states that the pills (Calorex or Carbolite) have been prescribed to overweight persons for approximately ten years” by dietitians Members of tie Lane County Dietetic Association a group made up of the majority of registered dietitions in this area, have not prescribed such preparations at any time In addition, the long term effects of these products has not been scientifically determined Emilie York, R.D. Secretary, Lane County Dietetic Assoc. Newspaper forum The only thing skeptical about author Karl Grossman in Katherine Merrill's April 26 article is his ability for logical thought He says when researching nuclear power don't believe any source Yet the whole article is made up of his quotes from nuclear power sources Then he twists the quotes around until they're completely illogical He says " a nuclear power plant accident could result in 3400 deaths, killing everone within 15 miles " Does that assume 3400 people within 15 miles of the plant? What if no one is near the plant7 Do 3400 people still die7 Then he uses his journalistic background to expound upon the finer points of nuclear engineering It's really hard to study in the science library with all those journalism majors clamoring for more books on thermodynamics and materials science All this guy wants to do is sell books If he has to twist some facts and pervert a few minds in the process that's okay too It's too bad this newspaper gives him a forum to do so Douglas Sheldon GTF physics staff The Oregon Deny Emerald Is published Monday through Friday except during finals meek and vacations by the Oregon Deity Emerald Publishing Co. News 696-5511 Advertising /Business 696-3712 ClasaMods 696-4343 Production 696-4391 Editor Sally Hodgkmson Managing Editor Gabriel Boefimer New Editor Harry Esters Assistant Mean Editor John Healy Photo Editor Bob Baker Graphics Editor Max DeRungr Editorial Page Editor Cod Fernald Sports Editor Steve Spat? Associate Sports Editor Jet! Dickerson Entertainment Editor Matt Meyer Night Editor John healy 4mocM> Editor« ASUO Dane Claussen Community Marian Green Departments and Schools Debbie Howlett Feeturvt Caroline Petrich Higher Education Ann Portal Poddca / Environment Ron Hunt G anara/ Staff AdaarUstng Mnck Sandy Johnstone ClaasMIad Advertising Sally Ot/ar Production Manayor Ann Paterson Jean Ownbe/
