editorial
ASUO is successful
with political forum
It is not surprising that things have been hectic in the
ASUO office lately. With the Nov. 6 elections just a few
weeks away, ASUO Pres. Julie Davis'and her staff have been
working double-time to make sure that students have a
chance to learn about the important issues in the 1984
elections.
The result of their labors is the creation of one of the best
organized and most widely represented political forums to
be held at the University in recent years.
The ASUO feels it is extremely important that students
have a chance to learn about key political issues facing
Oregon, the nation and the world and to take this
knowledge to the voting booth. We agree.
Political analysts across the country have claimed that
the 1984 elections will be the most polarized since 1968.
Because of this, and because of the many diverse issues con
fronting voters, the ASUO has prepared a series of debates,
forum discussions and key-note speakers that will cover a
full range of topics.
On Monday, a four day symposium will begin that
focuses on the themes of Justice, the Environment, the
World and the State. The event promises to be both infor
mative and exciting.
Although Walter Mondale, the Democratic candidate
for President, has temporarily postponed his speaking
engagement that was set for Monday in the EMU courtyard,
there are other important events scheduled for next week.
Highlights will include appearances by consumer ad
vocate Ralph Nader, nuclear disarmament advocate Dr.
Helen Caldicott, Sen. Mark Hatfield, and Congressman Jim
Weaver. Additional debates and panel discussions will
cover topics ranging from the revolution in Nicaragua to the
question of radioactive waste disposal in Oregon.
The ASUO has done an exellent job of creating an op
portunity for students of all political backgrounds to learn
about what’s at stake in the 1984 elections. Students should
take advantage of this opportunity, and make it count by
voting on Nov. 6.
Vice Pres, debate good
but lacked confrontation
The one and only 1984 vice presidential candidates’ debate
on Thursday left political analysts scrambling to determine
its impact on the national election. Whether the debate will
make a big difference on how people vote remains to be
seen. Still, it offered a candid look at the candidates.
Vice Pres. George Bush’s emotions were all over the
place. In an effort to show the leadership and command that
Reagan lacked while debating Mondale, Bush raised his
voice and dramatized points at awkward moments. In con
trast, Ferraro presented herself in a firm but calm manner.
The disrespect that Bush showed toward Ferraro was
both rude and unnecessary. Not once during the debate did
he refer to her as Congresswoman Ferraro. Instead she was
“Mrs. Ferraro,” even though she respectfully referred to
him as Vice President Bush.
Despite the publicity surrounding the debate, neither
candidate emerged with what could be called a clear victory.
But Ferraro showed herself to be in command of her facts,
while Bush often resorted to theatrics to get his message
across.
In his attack on the the Nicaraguan government, Bush
criticized the Sandinistas for exporting weapons to the
rebels in El Salvador, and for not making moves towards
democracy. It amounted to a lot of loud words with very lit
tle substance. He offered no facts to back up his statement
about weapons exports to El Salvador, and ignored the fact
that Nicaragua will hold open elections next month.
Americans watching the debate did not see the kind of
confrontation they may have expected. But what they did
see was a theatrical Bush speaking about glory days to come,
and a firm Ferraro speaking about the realities of the present.
Page 2A
letters
War glory
I cannot do otherwise than
agree with Matthew Ruane’s
sarcastic letter on “poor taste”
at a sorority (ODE Oct.l). Yes
Ruane, you are sanctimonious,
as well as a supremacist. You
try to ridicule by satire Miss
Dahlin’s honest dismay at the
prospect of someone glorifying
one of the most devastating
wars the world has ever known.
The only piercing truth that
your satire has uncovered is the
callous attitude which you, and
others, have displayed towards
one of the darkest eras of our
history. It never ceases to amaze
me that people can accept,
much less glorify, any ideas that
war is anything other than utter
ly destructive, horrifying, and
absolutely devastatng to the
most precious of all things - life.
I am sure the sorority that in
itially set up the tent and
camouflage had no intention of
the glorification of war;
however it is obvious that they
did — without much thought
— choose poorly the theme of
the 1940’s era with an emphasis
on militarism. They were using
a theme for celebration that was
more aptly suited for grave
reflection on those events
which lead to the deaths of
millions, in atrocities
perpetrated by the Nazi regime,
and in the bombing of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
In the comfortable life style
that we Americans are ac
customed to, we often forget the
horrible realities of war. I ap
plaud Miss Dahlin’s concern for
a problem which she mildly
termed ‘‘bad taste.” To the
sorority, next time just try using
the Andrews Sisters.
Bob Powelf
as Major
Missing facts
It is sad to realize that one of
the main sources of information
about South Africa comes from
editorial columns that present a
totally pessimistic outlook, fail
ing to mention a few important
facts.
Nowhere is it mentioned that
the recent riots in South Africa
were mainly black tribal wars.
The police were brought in only
to stop the blacks killing each
other. It isn’t mentioned that
95% of the blacks are illiterate,
and, if given the right to vote,
by virtue of their majority,
would take over the country and
then have to learn to write their
names.
The fact that they cannot read
or write is a disgrace and should
never have been allowed to hap
pen. But it has, and the world,
especially America, should
realize that change cannot occur
overnight. The American
democratic system cannot work
in every country and other
countries and their systems
should not be judged according
to American ideals and values.
The action many Americans
would like Reagan to take is
divestment and boycotts. Yet
few people realize that by
withdrawing funds and loans,
the first people to lose their jobs
and starve are the blacks.
How many Americans realize
that a large majority of blacks
fear black rule? They fear the
chaos, poverty, and violence
evident in most other African
countries.
It cannot be denied that the
system is wrong and has to
change. Yet changes are occurr
ing and must be recognized,
however gradual they may be.
Demanding change tomorrow is
as destructive as allowing the
system to remain.
Helen Morrison
A South African
Warped logic?
With the hoopla of the com
ing election we are seeing a new
amenity in the prison system.
Prisoners are systematically be
ing given the right to vote. In
most states this enfranchise
ment is extended to those
whose convictions are on ap
peal. The Oregon prisoners
with final convictions can vote.
The Democrats are going full
steam to register as many as
200,000 prisoners. This drive is
organized by the Committee to
Abolish Slavery (CAPS), a
group claiming that imprison
ment should fall under the same
legal definition as slavery.
Let it always be understood
that the instrument of law
serves to rightfully punish those
found guilty under its stan
dards. To convert a prison cell
into a voting booth will elicit a
not so unexpected response;
they will not bite the hand that
feeds them.
It angers me to think of the
warped logic that goes behind
this political ploy. Votes are be
ing obtained for the selfish aims
of two former prosecutors, Mon
dale and Ferraro, who
themselves have struggled with
our enervated legal system.
They have consistently shown
Continued on Page 3
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emerald
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Friday, October 12, 1984