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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (June 3, 1982)
emerald platform SPA criminal element freed on technicality ft seems the incriminations and recrim inations that filled the air during and following the April Associated Students of the University of Oregon (ASUO) elections have been stilled by the decision Tuesday from the ASUO Constitution Committee that found the Students for a Progressive Agenda (SPA) not guilty on the three charges leveled by the ASUO Elections Court. The above paragraph is a longer sentence than the SPA deserved for its allegedly foul elec tions deeds. SPA was '‘cleared” of the “crimes” because Jeffrey Houston, a former ASUO pres idential candidate, failed to file a respondent's brief or appear at the hearing. Houston’s lack of action rendered the entire matter "moot.” "This ruling of mootness,” the constitution committee opined, "saves the Student Body from a poorly reasoned opinion and a dangerous precedent.” it is genuinely comforting to know the "Student Body" was saved from cracking up on the shoals of dangerous precedent. Karsten Rasmussen, committee chair, added his two cents to the pot. “If it's moot, it can have no precedential value.” Moot moot moot . . all this mootly mootness came not a mootment too soon. What were these nefarious acts that earned SPA such reprobation? First, they were found guilty of poster viola tions. This begs the question: How does one violate a poster? Please don’t write in and tell us. Second, they were found guilty of using ASUO-funded materials SPA “criminals” appar ently were sitting in the SEARCH offices envision ing their campaign tactics. Lastly, SPA “gangsters" were found guilty of “‘attempted intimidation” of another ASUO presidential candidate. That, so the grapevine reveals, was a beery exchange late at night in a favored campus “watering-hole.” It is more than apt that drunken banter becomes convoluted into “attempted intimidation.” Drinking makes many ah hem activities only attempted Surely, these were dastardly deeds commit ted by desperate politically-thirsty candidates But did they deserve the Elections Court verdict to remove and bar all SPA candidates from office — or 25 hours of community service? Naw, we don’t think so The Elections Court was criticized for over looking SPA’s willingness to comply with Elec tions Director Gus Palmitessas interpretations of the elections rules. A point in fact the Emerald can attest to — Palmitessa s conduct was as straight as a serpent on oiled glass. The Emerald is disappointed the SPA was cleared of its heinous crimes — we were just clearing our throats to chant: Free the SPA Free the SPA letters Vicious propaganda The article in the Emerald June 2, “Woman Regrets Abortion" is vicious propaganda by an outfit which the Emerald, in a previous edition, described as a religious cult. The same day this article was printed was the showing of a video tape in the EMU by Pro-Life organ ization against abortion Who is sponsoring this propaganda on campus? Why isn’t the opposite viewpoint shown and written about: the human necessity for some abortions? The Emerald also devotes considerable space to meetings of religious groups. Considering the Federal and State Laws regarding separation of church and state, this is an imposition on the citizenry. There are appropriate channels for such propoganda and notices in the religious section of the local commercial newspapers. Most important; the Emerald should not show one side of a very controversial subject without showing the other at the same time Helene Johnston Greduate student ISIP Heads will roll I would like to clarify a typo in my letter printed on May 28 The line “heads will not roll" originally read “heads will roll”. I want it to be clear both that appropriate action has been taken and that there was not question at any time that such action would be taken Jim Rowell GTF, math Reviewer reviled Normally I would hesitate to impugn the credibility of a film reviewer because I disagree with him In the case of Matt Meyer and his review of “Conan the Barbarian,” however, I not only disagree with him but think he’s incompetent, and the latter suggestion is very germane indeed Is it really necessary for me to point out that Meyer richly deserves to be disappointed if he expects every adventure movie made since June 81 to be comparable to "Raiders of the Lost Ark ” The transcendental foolishness of that approach either to movie-watching or movie-reviewing speaks for itself What I really object to is that Meyer a) is obviously unaware that all movies, even those in ostensibly the same genre, do not spring from the same mold, and b) was not paying attention to the film he so ineptly castigates. 1) “Conan” was conceived and in produc tion well before "Raiders” was ever released, and it is based on a cycle of stories which is fifty years old and has changed little in transition from print to film 2) Somehow I can't honestly expect much in the way of scintillating dialogue or poetic declamations when a film's protagonaist is fighting like hell to kill and keep from being killed 3) Nick Allder was not uniquely responsible for all the special effects cited by Meyer (nor did Meyer detail what was wrong with most of them); his dislike of them is not enough to warrant censure. 4) So James Earl Jones played a larger-than life villain? I do hope you aren't going to tell me that "Raiders'1 villains were subtle and lifelike That very larger-than-life quality is what has informed much of the greatest literature (not that I include "Conan", mind you) from Homer on down 5)The Hitchcock-esque scene Meyer mentions, where director John Milius appears briefly as a lizard-on-a-stick vendor, was filmed — but never made it to the final print Meyer does not specify what is wrong with this, either; Milius is not the first to emulate Hitchcock in this regard But how in the hell can he carp about a scene that, as far as the audience is concerned, does not even exist? I don't deny for a moment that I liked "Conan the Barbarian” very much Nor do I deny for a moment that it has many flaws, some of them serious; wonder of wonders, Meyer even mentioned one or two of them But I would prefer that you have a film reviewer who has just a touch of real perception, just a hint of critical and analytical ability with regard to films (and their intended audiences — “Conan" was not intended for those who loved "Ordinary People,” for example) Perhaps she or he, whoever they are, could use those abilities in print with some trace of intelligence Meyer's feeble en deavors in this area are usually irritating and embar rassing Michael E. Stamm Graduata Secretary, Engllah Twentieth century Regarding Ron Hunt's article about abortion: Which century is the Mars Hill Forum in? This is the twentieth Mary Flinders Eugene 97403 The Oregon Dally Emerald Is published Monday through Friday except during finals week and vacations by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co News €86-5511 Advertising / Business 686-3712 Classifieds 686-4343 Production 686-4381 Editor Sally Hodgkinson managing Editor Gabriel Boehmer Naan Editor Harry Esteve Assistant Naars Editor John Healy Photo Editor Bob Baker Graphics Editor Michael Schafbuch Editorial Page Editor Con FernalO Sports Editor Steve Spatz Associata Sports Editor Jett Dickerson Entertainment Editor Matt Meyer Night Editor Deboie Howletl Attoclale Editor* ASUO Dane Claussen Community Marian Green Department* end School* Debbie Howlett Feature* Sandy Johnstone Higher Education Ann Portal Politic* / Environment Hon Hunt General Staff Advertising Director Darlene Gore detained Advertising Sally Oljar Production Manager Ann Peterson Controller Jean Ownbey
