Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 11, 1985)
editorial Refection of freeze an unfortunate move Let’s not be foolish and pretend that all Soviet offers to achieve arms control are based upon some high humanitarian principle. They are not. Yet, the fact remains that we live in a world with enough nuclear weapons to destroy life on earth a hundred times over. Given this reality and the urgency of halting the arms race, it is indeed disap pointing that President Ronald Reagan immediately rejected the idea behind Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s unilateral freeze on the deployment of Soviet medium-range nuclear missiles. • . The reason given by the Reagan administration is that if the United States agrees to join the freeze, then the Soviets will be left with nuclear superiority. Sound familiar? That’s because this is the same reason Reagan has used since 1980 to justify a continuous nuclear weapons build-up. It could be argued that the Soviet announcement to freeze the deployment of medium-range SS-20 missiles at current levels is meaningless because they contain three warheads each compared to the single-warhead Pershing and Cruise missiles. But this does not take into account ad ditional missiles aimed at Russia from U.S. submarines and bombers in Europe, which in turn doesn’t take into account Soviet missiles in Asia, which doesn’t take into account British and French missiles aimed at Moscow and so on and so forth. It is clear that the Soviet freeze on medium-range missiles will not make Europe or the rest of the world any safer from a nuclear holocaust. But it will (at least temporari ly) halt the deployment of new medium-range missiles. In a world faced with a massive nuclear overkill capacity, a halt on the deployment of any nuclear missile should be viewed as a starting point out of the current nuclear madness we all live with. Yet, in its haste to reject the Soviet freeze in itiative, the Reagan administration missed this all-too important point. Reagan was too busy calling the Soviet move “propaganda” and “meaningless” to consider that maybe, just maybe, the United States ought to accept this freeze initiative and then challenge the Soviets to a more substantial reduction of nuclear weapons. Perhaps such a commitment towards world peace is too much to ask of Reagan. As a president, his political legacy is built upon promoting a nuclear weapons build-up: the MX, the Stealth Bomber, the B-l Bomber, the Pershing II and the Cruise represent just a few. In Reagan’s view, nuclear missiles are the real “Peacekeepers” on earth and the people who support a freeze on nuclear weapons, well, they’re just dupes of Soviet propaganda. Enlistment goes down and a draft comes up Not since 1979 has recruitment for the U.S. Armed Ser vices been so low. In fact, after a four year upward swing in military enlistment, things took a dive in 1984. It is enough of a dive to get the Department of Defense nervous. And when the D.O.D. gets nervous about declining enlistment it takes action. That’s right folks, the word is out: America needs a new military draft. Gen. Bernard W. Rogers, commander of American forces in Europe, and Lawrence J. Korb, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower, told Congress last week that a military draft is needed if America is going to be able to maintain a strong defense. The draft is especially urgent because low enlistment comes at a time when the Air Force, Navy and Marines have stated their need for more “man power” to operate new weapons. Where might those new weapons be used? One good guess is Central America. 'SB? I IMP You This WOULD WORK letters Wfflp* 35S AEREAW GORBACHEV WAN1S A SUMMIT." A lot of nerve Mr. Carlos Diaz must have a hell of a lot of nerve writing a degrading personal diatribe like the one published under the ti tle “AIDS strikes all” (ODE April 3). For those who didn’t read Mr. Diaz’s article, his personal at tack on a female writer contain ed the comment “The next time you decide to give a little head or go for a roll in the hay, you might consider the conse quences.” Hey, maybe Mr. Diaz gets off on such vile comments but unless one personally knows somebody’s sexual habits they have absolutely no right to imply anything about them, even if the strategy might have been an attempt to degrade somebody so they'll look better in comparison. Mr. Diaz, quite a few people have died from blood transfu sions from homosexuals. Homosexuals are nearly 1,000 times as likely as heterosexuals to have the AIDS virus (ATLV-3) in their blood. Some research shows that AIDS may even be transmitted by saliva. But that’s really not my gripe with the letter in question. I would encourage the Emerald to be more careful in screening letters for publica tion. But perhaps it’s best it was printed. After all, if people like Diaz must resort to such vulgar comments to make a point then readers will easily realize the author must not have much of an argument worth considering. Michael Cross History/Political Science Oregon doily _ . 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, Brett Pickman, Tim Swillinger, David Wood. Production: Kelly Cornyn, Stormi Dykes, Julie Freeman, Kathy Gallagher, Dean Guernsey, Susan Hawkins, Grant Keltner, Rob Kraft, Ross Martin, Karin McKercher, Lauri Neely, Kelly Neff, Kara Oberst, Curt Penrod, Michele Ross, Alyson Simmons, Peg Solonika, Tim Swillinger, Colleen Tremaine, Hank Trotter. i*kge 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, Dave Berns Brian Erb Brent De La Paz Sheila Landry Kim Carlson Michael Duncan Sheila Landry Jolayne Houtz Scott McFetridge Paul Ertelt Julie Shippen Diana Elliott Cynthia Whitfield Lori Steinhauer Reporters: Sean Axmaker, Kirsten Bolin, Michelle Brence, Dave Carlson, Robert Collias, Thomas Henderson, Robin Joannides, Allan Lazo, Capi Lynn. Photographers: Dean Guernsey, Kirk Hirota, Jim Marks, Ross Martin, Karen Stallwood, Hank Trotter. News and Editorial 686-5511 Display Advertising and Business 686-3712 Classified Advertising 686-4343 Production 686-4381 Circulation 686-5511 Look elsewhere Your April 3rd editorial, “University Will lose if Reagan Plan Wins,” expressed Representative Mario Biaggi’s, D-N.Y., fears that college and university administrators are not lobbying hard enough to defeat President Reagan’s pro posed cuts to student financial aid programs. The ad ministrators and students in volved in trying to counter President Reagan’s plan are lob bying the wrong people. We should begin to look away from government for financial support and look toward op tions such as big business and the individual to carry the load. Our society is innovative and has always been able to come up with a better idea and make changes when necessary. It’s time to call to arms our talents and find new ways for more members of our society to “earn" an education. This change, of course, will not happen overnight and in the meantime, don’t worry, our Government will still take care of us. Remember, the President had to ask for 48 MX missies to get 21. He got less than 50 percent of what he asked for. There will be taxpayer-supplied financial aid for a few more years. But, why not get out of the rut of ex pecting the government to give it to us and invent a new way to buy an education? Jabe Leahy Eugene For Munion I’m Ron Munion, a candidate for SUAB position 4 (political science/history/geography/ international studies). My goals are: to deal with the immediate problems of students, i.e., sup port a tuition freeze and better security on campus. And most important, there should be meaningful academic reforms to ensure that the diploma we receive means something in the job market. Now consider my opponent, Donna Lawrence. 1 know and like Donna, but I do not think that she truly believes in diver sity of thought. For example, on the front page of the ODE (Nov. 29, 1984), Donna is pictured holding hands with a group of students who, in the words of University President Paul Olum, “...violated the princi- . pie of freedom of speech,” with their action against the Marine recruiters. As pointed out in the ODE (Dec. 6, 1984), “...the distur bance (that Donna was involved in) violated Article 3 of the Code of Student Conduct. The article prohibits the intentional disruption, obstruction, or in terference ... of any activity provided or sponsored by the University.” Donna believed she was speaking up for injustice, but actually, she was restricting the freedom of choice of students who believe in an alternate life style. The University is a learning community where a diverse group of thoughts exist. With your help, the University will not become a place where academic freedom is restricted. That is why I’m asking you to vote for me, Ron Munion, for SUAB position 4. Ron Munion Political Science Endorsement? As the ASUO elections ap proach, candidates gather assorted endorsements from any and all organizations that they can convince or contrive (let me emphasize this). The campaign material that is distributed often exhibits the groups of organiza tions that have endorsed the various candidates. One such ticket for ASUO President, Kevin Lewis and Ryne Jackson, advertise that they have been endorsed by the Association of MBA Executives. Being an MBA student, I have never heurd of this campus organization. 1 belong to the MBA Association, which is the official representative body of MBA students and an ASUO recognized organization, and it has not made any endorsements at this time. So we must ask ourselves: Are these people lying by mak ing up endorsements? Are they trying to imply MBAA endorse ment? What good is an off campus (if it even is real) en dorsement for a campus election? Dennis Renton MBA Association ThifrSday, April1 It, 1985
