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.