editorial
Right-wing senators
are violating a trust
The right-wing of the Republican Party is at it again. It
was announced earlier this week that three conservative,
Republican senators — Jeremiah Denton, R-Ala.; Orrin
Hatch, R-Utah; and John East, R-N.C. — recently sent a ques
tionnaire to a nominee for a federal judgeship. The can
didate, Joseph P. Rodriguez of New Jersey, was asked to
state his opinion on 22 issues, including the death penalty,
school prayer, the right to bear arms, the equal rights
amendment, affirmative action and busing. Rodriguez was
also asked to list his membership in political organizations
as well as itemize all political contributions he has made
during the past 10 years.
The three senators, who are members of the Senate
Judiciary Committee — the committee that initially ap
proves appointments to the federal judicial system — plan to
use Rodriguez’s reponses as a litmus test, by which they will
determine his qualifications for the federal appointment.
The questionnaire comes at a time when there are 115 vacant
federal judgeships.
Although senators have in the past tried to determine
the political orientation of potential federal judicial ap
pointees, there has rarely ever been such a blatant attempt to
appoint judges who espouse a specific political philosophy.
A judge should be both flexible and impartial in interpreting
legal questions. But the Republican triumvirate wishes to
ensure that no federal judge will be appointed who strays
from the tenets of the 1980 and 1984 Republican Party
Platforms.
Denton and East made a similar attempt in 1981 to
establish a litmus for a judicial appointment, during Sandra
Day O’Connor’s confirmation hearings for her appointment
to the Supreme Court. But rather than respond to their ques
tioning she said, “Such a statement by me as to how I might
resolve a particular issue or what I might do in a future court
action might make it necessary for me to disqualify myself.”
If the sanctity of the judicial system is to be preserved,
efforts such as that being undertaken by the three
Republican senators should be rejected by their colleagues.
The qualifications of a judge should not be determined by
his or her club memberships or political affiliations. Rather,
the quality of a judge should be determined by his or her
knowledge of legal precedent, current law, judicial pro
cedure, and the ability to fairly hear cases with far reaching
implications. A judgeship should not be a political appoint
ment, but instead it should be an appointment that is based
solely on merit.
New frat policy is a plus
for the Eugene community
In response to a number of incidences involving frater
nity members, the University’s Greek system will initiate a
new program this weekend. The program will require
University students to show identification before they will
be admitted to Greek functions. Anyone who wishes to at
tend a function will be required to register on a guest list.
The Greek policy is an attempt by members of the Interfrater
nity Council to acknowledge the responsibility that frater
nities have for the actions of guests who attend their parties.
Fraternity and sorority members should be applauded
for their acceptance of this social responsibility. As
members of the Eugene community they should continue to
ensure that their members and guests will obey the law and
protect the rights of those who live within their
neighborhoods.
Oregon doily
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letters
For Munion
When Edmund Burke said
“All that is necessary for evil to
triumph is that good men do
nothing,’’ I doubt he was
specifically referring to the
University campus elections.
But even so, it is gratifying to
see good men running for of
fices in our own little
government.
In particular, I am pleased to
see Ron Munion throwing his
hat in the ring for a position on
SUAB.
Having known Ron pretty
well the past year, I can attest to
his leadership and organiza
tional abilities. Whenever
something needs to be done,
Ron is always there to create
order from chaos and unity from
strife.
He subscribes to the theory of
leadership that says “don’t just
give orders — real leaders have
to work harder than anyone
else”. He is always the first one
on a job and the last one off.
A well-rounded person, Ron
has the insight and ability need
ed to work with people from
every background. He listens
and understands problems and
suggests solutions without be
ing judgmental.
In short, I think he’s the kind
of man we need to have on
SUAB. When election day
comes and it is your turn to
vote, remember the words of
Edmund Burke and cast your
ballot for Ron Munion — he can
do the job.
Clint Raster
Journalism
For Bilyeu
I am writing this letter to
draw attention to an error made
somewhere in the ASUO elec
tions publicity.
My name is Becky Bilyeu and
I am not only running for a posi
tion on ASPAC, 1 am also runn
ing as an SPA endorsed, write
in for the journalism seat on
SUAB. My name has only ap
peared once in the Emerald, and
it was under the ASPAC list.
However, I am most definitely
interested in the SUAB posi
tion. and would like to draw the
attention of my journalism
peers to no. 6 on the ballot,
(note I am running as a write
in).
At the moment, SUAB (Stu
dent University Advisory
Board) has a low self-concept
and often talks about abolishing
itself. This move is unnecessary
and very harmful to the
students here at the University.
I feel SUAB has definite
potential and power that
shouldn’t be wasted. With the
right people who are willing to
push and work hard, SUAB can
accomplish a lot.
Some major issues I’m con
cerned with are campus safety,
a need for more creative cluster
options — such as women’s and
minority studies, and basic
physical needs of the campus —
such as more bike racks and
ramps on the sidewalks.
I know as a pre-journalism
major I still have a lot to learn
about the School of Journalism,
but on the whole I feel I have a
lot to offer the students at the
University, if I am elected.
Becky Bilyeu
Pre-Journalism
Outrageous
I am outraged that Ron Mun
ion would lie to the students in
his letter (ODE April 11). Ron
alleges that I appear in a photo
at a military protest. 1 was not at
the rally and have never attend
ed any of these protests.
Ron either did not care to get
his facts correct in his attempt
to slander me or does not know
what I look like (which seems
odd since we have had classes
together). I must say that I am
disappointed in Ron for his lack
of concern for proper
information.
I had previously given him
credit for having some integrity
and political intelligence, but 1
see that was a mistake. In his at
tempt to slander me and spout
off his rendition of my lack of
concern for students’ rights to
alternative lifestyles, Ron clear
ly demonstrates his desire to
convey information to suit his
needs, not the students.
I believe this demonstration
of deception and ignorance on
Ron’s part is clearly an indica
tion of the type of SUAB
representative he would be. By
feeding false information to
students cloaked in his pseudo
humanitarian concerns is very
indicative of Ron’s style.
I believe his concern for
students and alternative
lifestyles runs about as deep as a
creek in the summer.
I challenge Ron to a discus
sion on alternative lifestyles
and general student rights for
the campus to see, allowing
them to make their choice in
determining who is the real stu
dent representative.
Donna Lawrence
Candidate for SUAB no. 4
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