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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (July 23, 1985)
editorial AG decision problem’s magnitude Attorney General Edwin Meese's decision earlier this month to withhold a $625,000 grant to the National Coali tion Against Domestic Violence, a group that provides shelters for battered women, is more than an issue of money. It’s more than an issue of whether the group promotes "les bianism” as Mecse and his cohorts suggested following the decision. The decision reflects an attitude that has plagued domestic violence throughout history: denial. In addition to the obvious purpose of stripping credibility from shelters, the decision appears to be an at tempt to trivialize the issue of wife beating in general, by shuffling the crime, which permeates all levels of society, under the carpet. One need not delve too far into history to discover this country’s lack of seriousness regarding wife beating. Until June of this year, a civil lawsuit of a battered wife had never been heard in a federal court. It wasn’t until the late 1970s that police would arrest a man for beating his wife without the involvement of serious injury, or without actually witnessing the event. And even after a 1983 Police Federa tion study found that new acts of violence were less likely to occur following an arrest, police officers are still reluctant to get involved in a domestic dispute. In addition, a shelter for battered women wasn’t put in to operation in this country until 1964. Today, about 900 shelters are forced to turn women and their children away because they are unable to meet the growing demand for protection. Traditionally, it has been regarded as a man’s right to beat his wife. Society, for a large part, still places the brunt of responsibility on the wife, believing that if only she were a better wife, her husband wouldn't be provoked into beating her. Or that if it were really that bad. she would simply leave. Meese’s decision lends credibility to these notions. But far from hiding the problem, a lack of funds can on ly make abuse more prominent. The wheels of violence con tinue to grind, only at a more vicious pace. The results of a University of New Hampshire study revealed that men whose parents were violent towards each other were 10 times as likely to beat their wives as men raised by non violent parents. A study by the Battered Women Research Center in Col orado found that 81 percent of men who beat their wives were physically abused as children, and that women reported using physical discipline with their children eight times more often when living with an abuser than when liv ing in a non-violent situation. It has also been estimated that in 13 percent of the cases of wife abuse, the children are beaten as well. So when women are not able to escape the home and take their children with them, the home becomes a breeding ground for a new generation of beaters, and the problem intensifies. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence pro vides refuge for battered women and their children who have no where else to go. Meese’s decision is a damaging blow to an already alarming situation, not only because the resources are desperately needed, but because the decision provides people reluctant to face this problem one more reason to turn their backs. Every year an estimated 6 million wives are brutalized, a few thousand to death, by their husbands. The problem is not going to go away. AIDS research increase marks redefinition of virus The Reagan administration’s proposal to increase money allocated to AIDS research by 44 percent next year, marks the transition from thinking of AIDS as a homosexual problem to thinking of AIDS as a human problem. Although most of the people who have been struck down by the disease that destroys the immune system have been homosexual, the number of heterosexual people join ing the ranks of the afflicted is increasing. And perhaps this is why the administration has called for such a large increase. It is laudable that the administration decided that the problem merits increased funds, but it is sad that it took thousands of lives before the administration took significant action to stop the virus’ reign. Because a person can fail to show symptoms of the disease for years after contracting the virus, it already may be too late for thousands of people yet to display outward signs of infection. Pace 2 corns tokxjuve m* m presiknts lae&e intestine f 1 J1 £2pi <IuS commentaryr_■ • - • : Reagan, unlike most, can take medical treatment for granted ■M Because of his recent surgery. President Ronald Reagan is presently enjoying an immunity from criticism of his budget policies. Congressional leaders have refrained from questioning a number of the president's pro posals. and most Americans have showered Reagan and his wife, Nancy, with much love. Nevertheless, the wheels of government continue to turn, and Ronald Reagan is respon sible for the direction of our national government. The following letter to the president asks Reagan to recon sider many of his policy decisions: Mr. President: During the past 10 days, millions of Americans have prayed for your rapid recovery from cancer surgery. You have received an. outpouring of love and affection that very few receive in a lifetime. Your pain and anguish has been shared by many. But it is ironic that one of our most mean-spirited presidents has received such a national display of love. While you rested comfortably in a Maryland naval hospital, not having to fear the monetary cost of your surgery, millions feared that you would work for a further deduction of their health-care benefits. While you receive top-qualify medical treatment, millions of Americans, who caniiot afford health insurance, must settle for cut-rate care because they can not afford the costs incurred in a hospital. Yet, you oppose the creation of a national health in surance program While you remained in a hospital bed, you continued to receive your presidential salary, your pension as a former. California, governor, and your .Social Security benefits. Hut millions of Americans are out.of work and lacking an income because of your economic policies. Your lifestyle provides: you. with income security that very few Americans enjoy. Hut rather than trying to understand the plight of less-fortunate Americans, you continue . to peck away at programs established to eliminate many of the inequities in our system. You are fortunate', Mr. Presi dent. You’re life has .been a model of the true American suc cess story. Yet, for most, life has not been as good. Most Americans cannot de pend upon the federal govern ment to assume their medical costs, as you can. And a grow-* ing number are unable to meet'; >» their medical bills, • Many say it is in bad taste to- . * criticize you while you recover ' V from your surgery, but you are '■*. still the president... * it would bio irresponsible7or . yoiir critics to withhold criticism of any-of .your pro-/' . •• posals simply because you afa / . convalescing. • • « ■ • t Overall, you lead a’happy life. '• sheltered from the-cold reality .of day-to-day existence irj-this . • t nation. While you recover.from* your operation. please rAcitn- • ‘ aider .the ^effects of. your '■ policies. . ' You speak a good.speoch,.arid . > you ajyyays -flash thaf -whining. / ; Reagan- smile, but. in-.reality'. millions of Americans . have .■•• “seen little love or ..affection ... emanating from your heart. . . . . Enough is enough! We are tired of yoifr act- it’s time. for. you to tbinktjbout what you.'re doing.to America an/I the rest.of the world. • , • No one wishes-the president, poor health, hut it' is time he .. •' ; assumes responsibility fof the' real effects of his policies. ' By Dave Bems Oregon daily emerald The Oregon Daily Emerald is published on Tuesdays and Thursday during the summer session 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 The Emerald Is private property The unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable by law General Staff Advertising Director Production Manager Classified Advertising Assistant to the Publisher Susan Thelen Russell Steele Vince Adams Jean Ownbey Advertising Sales Tim Clevenger, Michael Gray. Nancy Nielsen, David Wood Production Vince Adams, Kelly Cornyn, Storm) Dykes, Kathy Gallagher, Kelly Neff, Michele Ross, Peg Solonika, Karen Stallwood, Colleen Tremaine, Hank Trotter. Editor Managing Editor. News Editor Editorial Page Editor Entertainment Editor Photo Editor Night Editor Julie Shippen Diana Elliott Michelle Brance Sheila Landry Karen Stallwood Diana Elliott Aeeoclata Editor* Administration Higher Education, Community Student Activities Features Kirsten Bolin Scott McFelrldge Julie Freeman Marty Schwarrbauer Reporters Sean Axmaker, Robert Collias. Allan Luo, Linda Hahn, Chris Hawn Photographers Steven Qtbbons, Jim Marks. Ross Martin, Hank Trotter News and Editorial 686 6511 Display Advertising and Business 666 3712 Classified Advertising 686 4343 Production 666 4381 Circulation 686-6611 Tunruiav lulv 2.1. 1HH5
