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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (March 11, 1985)
editorial Moratorium on PCB plan is a good idea In the late 1970s, the production of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was banned in the United States. The reason for this decision was that PCBs don’t break down in the environment and they have been suspected of causing cancer, liver damage, and numerous other health problems in humans. Oregonians should think carefully about permit ting a PCB incinerator to be built in their state. Construction of such a facility in Arlington could begin as early as next month. Chem-Security Systems Inc. is currently awaiting application approval from the state Department of En vironmental Quality. Unless political opposition succeeds in putting a two year moratorium on the project, Oregon will become the fourth state in the nation to become an incinera tion site for highly toxic PCBs. There are many reasons to oppose the PCB incinerator project. First, it will bring into Oregon approximately 20 times the volume of PCBs that now pass through the Arl ington hazardous waste landfill. Second, it would increase the amount of toxic chemicals transported on state highways. Trucks carrying PCBs would pass through Klamath Falls, Bend, and Redmond, with alternative routes bringing the toxic chemicals through Eugene and the Willamette Valley. A third reason arises from Chem-Security Systems Inc., which is a subsidiary company of Waste Management Inc. (the largest handler of toxic waste in the country). Waste Management Inc. has been cited for 120 records-keeping violations at 14 toxic waste disposal sites. They were fined $6.8 million by the Environmental Protec tion Agency for mishandling PCB oils at an Ohio landfill, and $1.05 million for unlawfully storing PCBs at an Alabama landfill. Whether or not to bring more PCBs into Oregon is a very serious issue. House Bill 2841, calling for a two year moratorium on the Arlington PCB incinerator project, deserves public support. The two-year moratorium will give the needed time to investigate alternatives to the PCB in cinerator idea. There are too many risks involved to go ahead with the plan for an PCB incinerator before all other alternatives have been explored. These risks include possi ble transportation accidents resulting in toxic PCB spills on Oregon roadways and possible increased PCB contamina tion of the environment through incinerator emissions. Also, the parent company of the project, Waste Management Inc., has a less than desirable record of handling toxic wastes. Oregonians should resist this current attempt to build a PCB incinerator in their state, and support a two year moratorium on the project. Threatening revenge no answer to growing tension The Rajneeshees have every reason to be angry over remarks made by Rep. Jim Weaver, in which the 4th District congressman seemed to insinuate that the Rajneeshees were responsible for an outbreak of salmonella in The Dalles. Weaver’s remarks were hardly responsible. But the Ra jneeshees have gone too far with their repeated threats that if any attacks on Rajneeshees lead to bloodshed, they will kill 15 Oregonians for every Rajneeshee killed. There are, no doubt, some people demented enough to at tack or even kill a Rajneeshee out of personal hatred. Any such individual or group, if such violence were to occur, must be promptly brought to justice by the law. But making statements of revenge, like the Rajneeshees have done, only begs the issue of violence. The Rajneeshees have every right to defend themselves. But threatening to kill en masse for revenge reflects a sickness of its own. letters Sick of it Like all college students. I’m frequently stereotyped as being a mild alcoholic. As a non drinker. I find this extremely frustrating and. frankly, I'm sick of it. My ire was stirred as I read the article, “Do I Ever Wanna Beer" (ODE, Feb. 22). which only adds to this stereotype. It read: "Where should you turn? Come on... it’s obvious if you’re 21...the Beer Gardens...” Well let me tell you. there are a number of students other than myself who enjoy many relax ing activies which don’t involve alcohol (even some who are 21). Why, there’s a nice bike ride to a serene park, socializing on the lawn of the EMU, a p^od run, a walk with a special friend, meditation, the movies...the list goes on and on. Please, from now on, let’s try not to stereotype college students, no matter the category, for diversi ty always exists and stereotyp ing only leads to the alienation of the minority group. Bruce Abedon Eugene0 Women’s rights This letter is a response to Paul Rimov and Bill Ketler’s comments on the EMU display of hard core pornograpy. I don’t believe that the display could “discredit their (WRRS) organization in an an tagnostic presentation of pornography...” In fact, it brought up a pro blem that exists in the world. By showing a display of por Oregon doily emerald The Oregon Daily Emerald is pu hed 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, Laurl Neely, Kelly Neff, Kara Oberst, Curt Penrod, Michele Ross, Alyson Simmons, Peg Solonika, Tim Swillinger, Colleen Tre maine, Hank Trotter. 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 Michael Clapp 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 689-3712 Classified Advertising 686-4343 Production 686-4381 Circulation 686-5511 nography, the Women’s Refer ral and Resource Service sug gested finding a solution to the problem by stopping it. It was clear that the display wanted to remind us that there is no such thing as women trying to spread their domination (because they never did). History shows that none of the women’s movements are based upon violence, aggression, or trying to dominate. They are fighting to free themselves. They want to be treated equally and right. It is a bitter fact that men would rather put a six-foot erection or a gun in women’s mouths to shut them up instead of letting them speak up and ask for their rights. Up until now it has been an effective way of shutting women up. For those who have missed the boat, WRRS was trying to prove that it is wrong to use or abuse women. I thought that they wanted us to know that •women are used for their bodies and sex more than all the other qualities that they have. I would like to say to Bill Ketler that women never dominated because they couldn't. But, if they do, they are entitled to some power too. I am surprised that you haven’t seen much male domination against women because in only three years in America. I have seen a sickening amount of male domination and violence against women. Ibraheem Wahab as One bullet It only takes one bullet to kill a person. I noticed your editorial (ODE, March 5) saying again that “handguns must be tightly controlled.” Aside from violating the constitutional freedom against infringement of the right to bear arms, control is also well-nigh impossible in this society. The assassination of Presi dent Lincoln in 1865 illustrates the fallacy of gun control. Lin coln was shot at close range with a single shot Derringer black powder pistol. It was a .41 caliber handgun with a two inch barrel and it used a lead ball about the size of the end of your little finger. It used about one-half teaspoon of black powder and the whole gun would fit on your open hand and easily in your pocket. I believe that anyone with 14 cents worth of mechanical ap titude could build such a weapon with a few hours of hard work. Lead and black powder are not very hard to ob tain and the powder can be made at home with a little chemical ingenuity. So, what do we have? One hundred and twenty years ago our president was killed by a handgun that is still easy to make and almost impossible to detect and stop. Can modem technology help stop guns? Or would it take a modern political system, like the extreme rightists and leftists found all over the world? David Goss Elementary Ed Greediness 1 am again amazed at the men tality (or greediness) of this University administration. I have been attending this school for four years and have given my share' to pay for the light bills, professors, and maintenance of the parking lots. Parking lots which I cannot even use! The evening of March 4, at 7:38 p.m., an Officer Kelley decided to inform me that 1 was parking in the lot by Old Taylor’s without a parking permit. I had no idea that park- | ing there without a permit was | not allowed until after 9 p.m. j That is ridiculous! The University administra tion claims to be concerned with the problem of rape on and around the campus area at night, yet if a female wants to go to the library in the evening she must fight for the measly park ing available “to the public” or pay a $5 fine to park in the park ing lot of the school she attends. I cannot justify buying a park ing permit when 1 live close enough to walk to school during the daylight hours. At night 1 feel better driving to campus, especially when I plan on stay ing late to study, but it is not particularly safe for me to have to wander around the Universi ty area at 11 p.m. (when the library closes) to where I am permitted to park without hav ing to pay a fine. Is this the earnest concern the administra tion has for its students? 1 con cede that until 6 p.m. would be fine, but 9 p.m.? Come on! Katie Knight Health Ed.