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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 4, 1982)
emerald platform The smell of plutonium, roar of the firestorm If politics is a circus — then it follows that in the political arena there are the ringmasters, the aerialists and — of course — the clowns. Often it seems that the clowns outnumber the ringmasters and aerialists. And lately the clowns have been elephants rather than donkeys Unfortunately, some of these clowns aren't talented enough to work as mimes. But fortunately, when these clowns speak their minds, what issues is usually too damn strange to be anything but funny, funny in an apocalyptic way. Such a circus act was staged last week in Richland, Washington, as the nuclear elite gathered for dedication ceremonies for the Fast Flux Test Facility on the Hanford nuclear reservation. The principal comic was Energy Secretary James Edwards — a substantial muckie muck in Pres Ronald Reagan’s traveling circus. Edwards, waxing eloquent, said that without nuclear weapons, Americans would "all be freezing in Siberia.” This line was only the "set-up” for the punch-line; “Thank God for nuclear weapons,” Edwards said That must have received a few here heres and a warm round of applause from the nuclear proponents at the Fast Flux Test Facility. Edwards condemned the efforts of anti-nuclear demonstrators, vowing the dissidents wouldn’t set the nation’s nuclear arms policy. He all but called them “nattering nabobs of negativism.” Remember that clownish remark from another tent show long out-of-town? letters Missing comix Boy, am I pissed off. How do you people at the Emerald expect me to keep up with current events when you only print Doonesbury and Bloom County every other day? I was able to handle one day without, but you've got to understand that these two comic strips are as essential to me and my politically-minded friends as a morning cup of coffee. Maybe even food. I’ve been able to supplement your frequent Doones bury-less-ness by finding it in my morning Oregonian Unfortunately, this more reliable paper does not carry Bloom County and, because of you people, it seems I must go through satire-withdrawal almost weekly I didn’t object when you cut Benb out and I withheld my complaints when Peanuts got the axe, but I’ll be damned if I'll keep quiet about these latest atrocities. Please print the “daily" comics daily T. Kyle Dodge Senior, international studies Your best friend Look at me. I’m a fag. When I’m not raping little boys, I’m cruising for scrumptious men to take back to my dorm room. I’m a fag because I can’t get women Bull. Look at me again. If you can’t stand to look at me, then look at your best friend. I’ve seen him sneaking behind your judgemental puristic eyes I’ve seen him searching for the love you deny exists Once found, I’ve seen you save him from fulfillment by evangelistically destroying his happiness. With your macho image and societal eyes, you’ve managed to keep an edifying relationship just beyond his grasp. Because you deny that the love he searches for is not as pure, right, and as lasting as the love which you need, because you do everything possible to stifle and smother the love you don’t understand, your friend plays a game. One day, your friend will see how you have forced him "I wonder,” Edwards went on, unhampered by any flashes of intelligence, “who is marching in Red Square asking for a nuclear freeze.” What kind of comments are these coming from a high-ranking member of the Reagan administration? Remarks of this type serve no useful purpose assuaging the American people concerned with nuclear weapons proliferation. They may instead cause the American position in nuclear arms limita tion talks with the Soviet Union to take a rather dangerous prat-fall. Edward’s slapstick routine for the pro-nuclear crowd on the Hanford nuclear reservation continued on the ranking of this country in regards to arms. The cost of being number one in the arms race is “not very high,” Edwards said glowingly. "It's just money But the cost of being number two is a tragedy. I don't think the mob in the streets should be setting the standards. ” Oddly enough, the “mob in the street" possesses greater foresight than this government clown. The "mob in the street” sees the arms race between the Soviet Union and the United States as resulting in the final confrontation. Funny, but Edward’s remarks were intended as serious statements. The cavalier disregard for the will of the ever-growing “mob in the street" and the recklessness of Edward's statements warrant cen sure by the Reagan administration. This man is the Secretary of Energy and as such is in a powerful governmental position — perhaps dismissal is more appropriate for this dangerous fool If nothing else, drop him into the Fast Flux Facility whatever that is. into a hideous world of lies and deception He will realize he no longer has to accept the loneliness and depression you offer him One day, the friend you thought you knew so well will tell you he's a faggot, a dirty queer, a sub-human. All of the filthy stereotypes you possess will be reflected upon his face. Oh, but wait What was he before he told you? Wasn't he your best friend; the person with whom you could share your most personal, painful and exciting feelings with, the one who helped you when you were down, the one you could share your darkest secrets with? Now that he's shared his with you, why is he any different? Dave Gutierrez Scouts honor On behalf of the 5,000 adults and Girl Scouts served by the Western Rivers Council, I would like to extend our thanks and appreciation for your support during our 1982 cookie sale. We could not have done it without you. Anne K. Quirk Public relations director Frisbee golf This is a letter in response to a letter titled "No Respect” you published April 30 I suspect my view will be the general student body view, especially after the rude letter from Don Walden It is spring time again and everbody is getting active People are playing softball, tennis, basketball (all in the proper place), and a game that deserves no respect This game is frisbee golf Frisbee golf is a game played all over the campus grounds The same areas where people like to sunbathe, study, and just plain walk without getting their heads whizzed off by a F.A.G (Frisbee Association of Golfers) player The solution is simple F.A.G. players, stay off our grassy areas and go to a ' real" fairway Brian D. Lewis Sophomore Campaign promise Your article on the childcare budget proposal review in the April 30 Emerald pertains to one of C.J Balfe's primary considerations as advocated in his platform during the campaign Surprisingly, there was no mention or reference to him in the article toward any action or intent of his to the issue which concerns the proposal to cut the budget (in opposition to his supposed plans to aid and continually develop it) Although not actually having assumed office, it has been tradition in the past for new presidents to assume involvement in school affairs from the onset of being elected If this typifies Balfe’s behavior, I imagine he'll be disappearing into obscurity again until the next election As usual, newly elected representatives soon forget their campaign promises Jonathan E. Case Junior, marketing The Oregon Dully Emerald It pubHthud Monday through Friday uxcupt during finals wuah and vacations by tha Oregon Dally Emerald Publishing Co. Nam 686-5511 Advertising/Business 686-3712 Classifieds 686-4343 Production 686-4381 Editor Sally Hodgkmson Managing Editor Gabriel Boehmer Newt Editor Harry Esteve Assistant News Editor John Healy Photo editor Bob Baker Editorial Page Editor Cort Fernald Sport* Editor Steve Spau Associate Sports Editor Jeff Dickerson Entertainment Editor Mall Meyer Night Editor Gabriel Boehmer Astocimim Editor*: ASUO Dane Claussen Community Marian Green Departments and Schools Debbie Howlelt Features Sandy Johnstone Higher Education Ann Portal Politics / Environment Ron Hunt Ganaral Start AdrerllMlng Director Darlene Gore ClaealHed Adrertlalng Sally Oljar Production Manager Ann Peterson Controller Jean Ownbey
