opinion
A time bomb called
Philippine Islands
Two years have passed since a banner reading “Long
live President Reagan, Long Live President Marcos” was
spread across the Rose Garden at the White House. Side by
side underneath the banner stood Pres. Ronald Reagan and.
Pres. Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines. The two heads of
state shook hands and smiled as news cameras recorded the
historic moment.
Why was this moment historic? Because when violence
completely engulfs the Philippines and the eventual over
throw of the Marcos dictatorship occurs, Americans will
need to look back on that fateful day in the Rose Garden.
They will then have a chance to understand how a country
like the Philippines, once strong in its praise for American
ideals, could turn so anti-American.
Already we see signs of this change. Protesters in the
Philippines who once shouted for an end to the Marcos dic
tatorship, now shout for an end to the “U.S.-Marcos dic
tatorship.” So far Reagan has remained silent on the Philip
pines problem. In so doing, it is clear that he plans to “stay
the course” in his support for this brutal dictator.
In Iran, continued support for the corrupt and
repressive regime of the Shah resulted in fanatic anti
Americanism and complete political chaos in the region.
The United States supported the Shah because, in the words
of )eane Kirkpatrick, U.S. ambassador to the U.N., “It is bet
ter to support a dictatorship that is anti-communist than one
that is pro-communist.” This kind of thinking, shared by
Reagan, has succeeded in doing one thing: creating enemies
of the American people.
Today the Philippines is a time bomb waiting to ex
plode. Since the assassination of opposition leader Benigno
Aquino in August 1983, there have been constant, massive
street demostrations calling for an end to Marcos’ rule.
Filipinos realize that without U.S. support the dictator
ship of Marcos would come to an end. There is a growing
anger among Filipinos that the United States, which claims
to stand for freedom and democracy, has, through it’s conti
nuing support of Marcos, become an enemy of democracy in
the Philippines.
This anger is now reaching the boiling point. Last Fri
day violent clashes between anti-Marcos demonstrators and
police occurred once again in the streets of Manila.
The taking of hostages in Iran and the deaths of
Americans in Lebanon are tragedies few Americans want to
see repeated. It’s time for the United States to end it’s sup
Voter registration a
good idea for students
On Monday students at the University will have a
chance to become part of National Student Voter Registra
tion Day. Throughout the nation students will organize to
make the student vote a vital part of America’s political
process.
There are a lot of important reasons why students
should go out and register to vote Monday. Of particular
concern to students are issues of educational funding and
financial aid. Under the Reagan administration both have
taken heavy budget cuts.
Other important issues include the nuclear freeze
resolution, draft registration, the not-so-covert U.S.-backed
“contra war’’ against Nicaragua, the Equal Rights Amend
ment, abortion, and toxic waste clean-up. The list goes on.
The 1984 election will be critical for what lies ahead in
this country. Students must go out and vote for the kind of
future they want to see for themselves and for their children.
As University Pres. Paul Olum said in a statement issued to
students and faculty last week, “The success of our
democracy depends on informed citizens exercising their
privilege to vote.” He is completely right.
The ASUO and OSPIRG also agree with Olum. Both
organizations are dedicated to informing students of hap
penings at the local and national levels that affect student
life and society as a whole. Students who are not yet
registered to vote will be able to do so at special tables set up
by the ASUO and OSPIRG at key points around the campus
Monday.
We encourage students to make their vote count this
year by registering. By organizing voter registration and by
getting out to the polls Nov. 6, students can help put
America back on it’s feet. It’s time we made a difference.
Register Monday.
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Sorority games
I was walking up 15th Street
towards the University, when I
observed two women
decorating what appeared to be
an army tent on the lawn of a
sorority. The women were
wearing khaki skirts, and their
house was festooned with
camouflage netting. It looked
like a bizarre mock-up of a war
camp, complete with USO girls.
I asked one of the women if
they were puposely decorating
with a militaristic theme. She
replied that they were
celebrating the 40's. 1 am
outraged, and so should anyone
with any sensibility. WW1I is a
horrifying part of the world’s
history. It is an insult to the
millions sacrificed in that war
to make-pretend sorority games
around a theme of death and
brutality.
The military theme in itself is
vulgar. How distressing to think
tnat iiuciugcm yuuug wuttlen
“rushing” this sorority could
be attracted to such a foolish use
of symbols of war.
Per Dahlin
Graduate, English
Spaced out
Space exploration offers us a
bright future. The space shuttle
program is an essential step in
research — which will benefit
us on earth — and eventual
mining and colonization will
bring back rewards far in excess
of what we are now allocating.
President Reagan deserves
praise for his support of the
space program and scientific
advancement.
r
Did you know that if an ultra
liberal senator from Minnesota
named Walter Mondale would
have had his way in 1971 we
wouldn’t have a space shuttle
program? He voted against the
program but fortunantly his
side lost their battle to
eliminate funds, (American
Sentinal, Jan. 23, 1983). Now
Mondale opposes establishing
an orbating space station which
Reagan strongly supports for
reseach into science, energy
production, and other worthy
purposes, (Discover, Sept. 84).
To ignore the possibilities of
space not only means scientific
stagnation but elliminates the
only source for future genera
tions of unlimited resources.
Mondale’s shortsighted ap
proach to issues reminds one of
the Vikings who ignored North
America when they had the
perfect oppotunity to colonize
it. They lost a continent and
we’ll lose much more if we
make ihe same mistake.
President Reagan is commit
ted to the advancement of
America and the entire human
race while Mondale, apparent
ly, is only committed to what
will give him power. He has
changed little since the 70’s.
Who would you rather have in
the White House?
Michael Cross
History, Political Science
Please help
I need some help from the
College Republicans. I’ve been
trying desperately to get a
message to the Reagan cam
paign staff, but 1 haven't been
able to reach them. I went to the
library and looked through the
Washington, D.C. directory
under “H” for Hollywood, and
“S” for special effects, but I
couldn’t find any listing.
All I wish to communicate is
that there seems to be an over
sight in the President’s cam
paign scheduling. Somehow
Mr. Reagan never gets to go into
any of our nations numerous
ghettos or barrios — with bible
and flags waving — to tell the
people that everything in
America is peaches and cream,
maiiks to the Kaagan au
ministration.
So, do any of you think you
could pass the word along? I’m
sure the President would
receive quite a reception.
Roscoe Caron
Eugene
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