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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (March 8, 1985)
editorial Farmers are just tip of the iceberg President Ronald Reagan believes that, “someone must stand-up to those who say here is the key, there’s the treasury, just take as many of those hard-earned tax dollars as you want.” Reagan made that statement as he vetoed a farm-aid bill designed to help out Midwest farmers facing foreclosure. Apparently, Reagan sees himself as the “some one” who is willing to stand-up against federal over spending of “those hard earned tax dollars.” This is hard to accept, coming from a president whose administration has added a trillion dollars to the national deficit. The current farm crisis is not a budget issue, as Reagan has tried to make it and it certainly is not going to disappear, as administration officials hope. Some surveys put the number of small-scale farms being pushed out of business at more than 2000 a week. Reagan maintains that it is a much smaller number. The current farm crisis originates in several ongoing events. Land values during the last two years have declined dramatically. In some parts of the Midwest, land values have dropped by as much as 50 percent. Interest rates, fueled by the ever-growing national deficit, have remained high and crop prices, undermined by big harvests and declining ex port markets, have stayed low. This is the same economy that Reagan has assured us is standing strong due to the economic policies of his administration. The economy, however, is not standing strong. Farmers are one of the key indicators that show this. The federal deficit is far from balanced as Reagan promised. In fact, the deficit has soared since Reagan took office. We are walking on economic thin ice. The cry of the farmers cannot be ig nored, and the fact that they are faced with mounting debt only typifies what life in America has become for a majority of people. From college onward, we are taught to accept that being in debt is the normal condition in life. We are a debt ridden nation being led toward economic crisis by a debt ridden government. The farmers are just the tip of the iceberg. The signs of economic instability have been around for years. But during brief periods of economic upswing, we tend to forget the whole picture. In the past, war has pulled us out of economic decline. Are we heading that way again? Considering the current military build-up in this country, it wouldn’t come as a surprise. Gulls is reaping the harvest he has sown Political problems for Rep. Pat Gillis, R-Portland, are get ting worse. This comes as no surprise, considering that Gillis is responsible for putting himself in a political mess to start with. During his election campaign, he devised a political mailing that falsely appeared to be an endorsement from the National Association of Retired Persons. Further more, in his personal description in the Oregon Voters Guide, he stated that he had a masters degree when in fact he never attained one. He has since been indicted by a Marion County grand jury on a charge of lying about his educational background. Portland voters outraged by Gillis’ dishonest conduct have successfully gathered enough petition signatures and are asking for a recall election. We hope they get it. We also hope that the results of such a recall election will force Gillis out of the Legislature. The 24-year old representative ap parently had some bad training while preparing for a political career. He should have thought more carefully about his future goals before stepping into the realm of dishonest politics. He is now reaping the harvest he has sown. Oregon daily emerald The Oregon Daily Emerald is published Monday through Friday except during exam week and vacations by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co., at the University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, 97403. The Emerald operates independently of the Universi ty with offices on the third floor of the Erb Memorial Union and is a member of the Associated Press. General Staff Advertising Director Production Manager Classified Advertising Controller Susan Thelen Russell Steele Vince Adams Jean Ownbey Advertising Sales: Laura Buckley, Tim Clevenger, Jen nifer Fox, Marcia Leonard, Rick Martz, Nancy Nielsen Laurie Nobel, Roberta Oliver, Brett Pickman - Intern David Wood. Production: Kelly Cornyn, Stormi Dykes, Julie Freeman, Kathy Gallagher, Dean Guernsey, Susan Hawkins, Rob Kraft, Ross Martin, Karin McKercher, Lauri Neely Kelly Neff, Kara Oberst, Curt Penrod, Michele Ross, Alyson Simmons, Peg Solonika, Tim Swiilinger, Colleen Tre maine, Hank Trotter. Page 2A Editor Managing Editor News Editor Editorial Page Editor Photo Editor Sports Editor Sidelines Editor Friday Edition Editor Entertainment Editor Night Editor Associate Editors Administration Higher Education Politics ASUO Student Activities Community Features Michele Matassa Mike Sims Michael Kulaga Costas Christ Michael Clapp Brent De La Paz Sheila Landry Kim Carlson Michael Duncan Sheila Landry Jolayne Houtz Michael Hosmar Paul Ertelt Julie Shippen Diana Elliott Cynthia Whitfield Lori Steinhauer Reporters: Sean Axmaker, Dave Berns, Kirsten Bolin, Michelle Brence, Dave Carlson, Robert Collias, Thomas Henderson, Robin Joannides, Allan Lazo, Capi Lynn, Scott McFetridge, Stasia Scarborough. News and Editorial 686-5511 Display Advertising and Business 686-3712 Classified Advertising 686-4343 Production 686-4381 Circulation 686-5511 Farmers First letters Oppose funding As a Democrat, l whole heartedly support having op posing political views represented in the political arena. I think that having a quality conservative newspaper on campus would be a positive contribution to students’ political awareness. Although I do not support this conservative ideology, I do see the benefits of a balanced system. Unfortunately, the Oregon Commentator does not fulfill this need. As a result. I oppose the IFC's funding of the Commentator. Debra Liebowitz Vice-President University Democrats Cash crop? It seems as if the higher education advocates are com plaining about the budgets again. I can see no reason why our own campus takes part in this useless begging. The University has its own means to an end, a cash crop! The trees on this campus are worth money. With a logging operation working on campus, we could help make ends meet as well as expose visitors to Oregon’s famed timber in dustry. Thirteenth Ave. could be opened to log trucks and heavy equipment. A single FMC skidder could handle all of the logs on campus with ease, and the military treads wouldn’t tear up the lawns too bad, although we might have to replace a sidewalk or two. A few good fallers could sneak some logs out of Pioneer Cemetery, making it look like the wind blew them over. There’s some prime spots for log decks, too. Right between Chapman and Condon would be great, there’s plenty of room for a loader and trucks. Sure, some environmental types might oppose this opera tion. but so what? Why let a minority group ruin our educa tional quality? You’re probably saying to yourself, “sounds good, but what happens when we run out of trees?” Well, the money made from the logging operation could be invested in a non-taxable high profit product, like cocaine. The University could supply this high-demand item at competitive prices. Just think about the cash flow at the University coke gardens! The solution has to be presented, let’s take action. Bill Brewer Psychology Unethical Once again the vocal left have succeeded in their campaign of censorship. Claiming to speak on behalf of the University students, they have prevented a visit by CIA recruiters. It would be appreciated if these same self-appointed guardians of civil liberties would allow others the freedom to learn of viable career opportunities. They have no right to disallow the student body the chance to hear the views of those they may oppose, nor to claim to be students’ legitimate representatives as they do. Students for Ethics in Govern ment is the organization respon sible for the Tuesday, Feb. 26 kangaroo trial. Margie Boyd, organization member, was quoted as saying, “We do not believe that such an undemocratic agency should be granted the privilege of campus use.” This action was certainly not a showcase of democracy. The fundamental result of SEG’s ac tion was to deny to others their most basic freedoms: speech and assembly. Dangerous precedents are being set when one group is allowed to ban the CIA and the Marines and be given favorable coverage in the press. Yet, if some were to voice opposition to the Young Com munists or the Gay and Lesbian Alliance, they would be por trayed as fascists. A time will come when only one set of opinions will be available. No matter whether that opinion is yours, is that what you want? Dan Amos Political Science New mascot As a University of Oregon stu dent, I have been constantly in undated with quacks about my school mascot, the duck. I have ; had it up to here with quack at tacks. milk and quackers. and being up at the quack of dawn. They assume that all of this will roll off my back like water. I’m finding it difficult to maintain proper duckorum with this riduckulous symbol hanging around my neck. In short, I think we should say, ’duck this.' and get a new mascot. I have a modest proposal. After looking at other animal possibilities and a variety of in sect life indigenous to Oregon. 1 decided to try another tack. (The mighty Oregon Gypsy Moth just didn't sound right.) I thus stumbled upon the ideal team name — the University of Oregon UFO's. The “U of O UFO’s” just rolls off the tongue. We have a perfect group motivation state ment — KLAATU BERADA NIGTO! The school colors are appropriate for LGP’s (Little Green Persons). (Please note the symbiotic relationship between the average alien and the in digenous moss.) Our frisbee team, the ‘Flying Saucers,’ would finally garner the respect so long deserved, and who’s going to mess with a team that carries ‘orayguns’? The football team could be out fitted with detection devices hidden in their helmet antennae (colloquially known as ‘deely hoppers'). Our advanced technology and scientific [ research efforts, such as our research in marsh gas propul sion and hubcap airfoil aerodynamics, would finally be taken siriusly. I like to think that there always are... possibilities. I-et’s join together to make our university truly universal. Megan Snyder Crystal Smithwick Computer science English Fririav March ft IQRfi