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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 26, 1985)
editorial Reagan’s budget is a big deficit builder President Ronald Reagan’s nationally televised Wednesday-night speech was a classic example of political deception. Reagan made a plea to the American electorate, asking for its support of his controversial $52 billion deficit reduction plan. The Reagan budget package calls for drastic reductions in mass transit aid, revenue sharing, student financial aid and other social sector programs. The president charges that through their opposition, opponents of his “bipartisan” plan have perpetuated record deficit levels. But the president neglected to tell voters that his 1981 and 1982 tax reform bills in conjunction with his $1 trillion, four-year defense program have been the major cause of our massive $1.7 trillion national debt. Reagan has never presented a balanced budget to Con gress. He has consistently sent deficit-ridden budget pro posals to the House and Senate. But through a combination of masterful political maneuvering, overly optimistic revenue forecasts and a unique ability to gain public sup port, Reagan has been able to sell Congress on many of his most controversial budget proposals. As a master of political deception, he has been able to convince both Congress and the public that he is the true advocate of a balanced budget. But as is the case with any “B” actor, the Reagan act has worn thin. Many congressional members recognize the hypocrisy of a man who claims to be an opponent of big government but continues to give outlandish increases to the federal government’s most bloated agency: the defense department. They see the effects that Reagan’s massive tax reductions have had on the federal deficit. And they recognize the role that his huge agriculture subsidy program has played in ex acerbating the deficit. Reagan is one of the biggest spenders in the history of the United States government. He has never demonstrated the ability to place fiscal restraints on his pet programs. While he may claim otherwise, Ronald Reagan is the main cause of our record $200 billion national deficit. Wet T-shirt contests degrade all involved Is a wet T-shirt contest an act that degrades women or just a form of free expression? Organizers of Thursday’s demonstration against a wet T-shirt contest at the Heaven’s Gate Bar and Lounge in Springfield believe they do. They see it as a degrading act that perpetuates the stereotype of women as simply providing pleasure for men. But the manager of the bar describes it as “fun.” He says that women are voluntarily taking part in the 11-week-old con test, and that is their right. Who is correct? Certainly, men and women should have the right to par ticipate in such contests. They should have control of their bodies. Nevertheless, the implications of such contests go much deeper than the issue of personal choice. Wet T-shirt contests perpetuate the image of the “dumb blonde” and the attitude that women exist simply for male pleasure. Men who attend such contests focus on the contes tant’s breasts rather than any other qualities she may possess. For many men, the fact that some women voluntari ly display their bodies perpetuates the myth that women en joy being exploited as sex objects. While participants in the Springfield bar’s contest should have the right to par ticipate, they — and their audiences — must understand the effects of what they are doing. Their participation degrades both themselves and those who watch. 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 Susan Thelen 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, Manuel Flores, 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, Karen' Stallwood, Tim Swillinger, Colleen Tremaine, Hank Trotter. Production Manager Classified Advertising Controller Russell Steele Vince Adams Jean Ownbey 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, Dave Berns Brian Erb Brent De La Paz Sheila Landry Kim Carlson Michael Duncan Michele Matassa 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 688-5511 Display Advertising and Business 688-3712 Classified Advertising 686-4343 Production 688-4381 Circulation 686-5511 letters IVs our choice Since the Emerald considers itself a newspaper that is both aware and representative of stu dent’s views, it should reflect such views. However, the Emerald has failed on both counts, and has insulted the student body they claim to represent. The "account” in question is a blatantly sexist advertisement for a "wet T-shirt contest.” The ad’s boldest type is its biggest insult by referring to women as girls. This "appeal” shows the underlying attitude of the “contest” organizers’ implicit lack of respect for women. The fact that there is an event whose focus is to ogle, hoot at and "judge” women’s breasts is nothing short of pornography. There is no defense to argue in favor of celebrating the objec tification of women: not aesthetically, morally, or economically. If this particular establishment must stoop to such debase levels to stay alive, they deserve to go under. This is where the Emerald plays a part. By promoting this advertise ment, the Emerald is perpetuating disrespectful at titudes towards women. Por nography is the theory, and rape is the practice. If the Emerald shows concern enough to run a three-part series on the latter, why does it choose to turn a blind eye to the former? Hov. conscientious is our campus newspaper, gatekeepers of "free speech,” to sexism? About as conscientious as our university, institution of “enlightenment,” is to racism. Both choose to invest student money towards oppressive attitudes. Students at UC-Berkeley demanded divestment; students at Stanford refused Playboy. What will our students and campus newspaper at Oregon choose to do? Raymond Scully )anis Sellers Eugene Act quickly Tuesday, Congress will have decided Reagan’s $14 million request to overthrow the popularly elected government of Nicaragua. The funds will support the “Contras,” led from Honduras by Col. Bermudas and Capt. Lopez. These Contra leaders told The New York Times that they and other high Contra officers are former National Guardsmen. Somoza’s Guard is notorious worldwide for its reign of terror, but Reagan has said these but chers are the “moral equal of our founding fathers.” The administration declared it's waging an “all-out press on this (funding) issue.” Indeed, Reagan has lied about Nicaragua; falsely alarming that the USSR was sending MiG jet fighters (exposed as untrue), obscurring the contras’ ties to Somoza, and Saturday claiming Soviet personnel were fighting on front lines against the Contras. This “all-out press” is in tended to win support for Reagan’s war hopes. Last week, the “Times" reported that the administration told Congress that “direct ap plication of U.S. military force. . . must realistically be recognized as an eventual op tion,” meaning sending you and me to kill and die to reinstate the butchering Na tional Guard in Nicaragua. It’s time to say — again — “Hell no, we won’t go!” A few years ago, Reagan call ed the Vietnam war a “noble cause” and “a war which our government refused to win.” Now he wants his personal shot at winning one. This letter isn't aimed at the unqestioning worshippers of every Reagan fantasy — it is a plea for those already outraged to act. before the U.S. backed bloodshed runs thicker and stickier in Nicaragua. Douglas Pyle Mid-Valley Link A tribute Not many people remember, but 10 years ago, April 23, a flame of talent was extinguish ed. I'm referring to Pete Ham, the lead guitarist, singer and song writer for the rock group Badfinger. Pete and his band were one of the early discoveries of the Beatles' Apple Company when Paul McCartney opened up the company to any budding artist. Of all the requests that came pouring in, Badfinger's was one of the few that was accepted. And as it turned out, they were to be the only artists to produce consistent top ten hits for the label. Pete Ham wrote such songs as “No Matter What,” “Day After Day,” and "Baby Blue." However, success did not come easy for the group. They found themselves overshadow ed by the Beatles and even labeled as the Beatles "B band.” One of their albums, “No Dice," has been called "the best album the Beatles never made” by Rolling Stone in reference to the similar style Badfinger used. In an attempt to lose this label, Badfiner left Apple in 1973 to join with Warner Bros. Their albums, while full of superlative rock songs failed miserably. In 1975 the group found itself in debt following some crooked dealings by their manager. Pete Ham became disgusted with the music business and hanged himself. Any of you who remember Badfinger and Pete’s songs know what a lose his death meant. I feel that neither he nor his music got recognition he deserved. I’ve attempted to remedy this situation, however slightly with this letter. Donald Nichols History ‘ A AAil nc mon
