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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 13, 1986)
Editorial The ‘paper curtain' is American folly Since 1952. the MoCarnm-Walter Act he* formed the basts for current U S uamigration laws Enacted during the height of the Gold War and passed by Congress over Presi dent Truman's veto, this law sets down 33 reasons why cer tain individuals may be denied entry to American shores While these reasons woe originally designed to protect the public, many of them are discriminatory and many in dividuals are often barred from entering the United States for political reasons as a means to limit public debate Soy of the more questionable reasons exclude aliens who: are deemed by the State Department to be "feeble minded. ’ have a physical delect., or disability, those coming to the United Stales to engage in immoral sex acts fhomosexuality falls under this category), anarchists and communists Moreover, many political “undesirables" fall under the ubiquitous heading of those who "might engage in activities prejudicial to the public interest or endanger the welfare, safety, or security erf the United States." In 1983 Hispanic writer Hortens la Ailende was exclud ed from coming to the United States under this provision She had been invited by several universities to speak out against oppression of I he Chilean dictatorship — but her ap plication for a visa coincidentally came at a tune when the United States was considering resuming arms sales to that nation Every administration since Eisenhower s has used the provisions set forth in the Mot tartan-Walter Act to exclude certain individuals because of their political beliefs But the Reagan administration, which considers its own foreign policy interests a criterion for entry to the United /states, tops the list in exclusions designed to limit public debate, especially that concerning its Central American policies This conflicts with the original congressional intent, which was to bar entry of espionage agents, saboteurs, and active revolutionaries. I>ast year alone. 27 people were denied entry to the United States on the basis of ideological considerations Dozens of spokespersons opposing the administration's policies have been denied entry to the United States since 1981. preventing them from keeping speaking engagements, testifying at congressional hearings or lecturing at universities. Under the current administration Efran Mondragon, a contra defector. Nicaraguan Intenor Minister Tomas Borge. and even the right-wing El Salvadoran Roberto d'Aubuisson have been denied entry because of their conflicting views. Other excludable* include such famed Nobel laureates - as Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes. English novelist Craham Greene. South African dissident poet Dennis Brutus, and Spanish filmmaker Luis Bunuel, The State Department maintains perhaps the largest blacklist in the world, containing some 40.000 names — in effect supporting a "paper curtain’* around the United States. Hodding Carter 111. former assistant secretary of state under fimmy Carter, summed up this practice well. **.. the Russians have made it hard for Nobel laureates to get out of the Soviet Union. We have made it hard for Nobel laureates to get into the United States ” Much to its discredit, the United States is the only Western democracy that excludes foreign citizens on ideological grounds This is a disturbing paradox — once in side our borders, freedom of expression is not only tolerated but encouraged. Go Mi Wm prmmamnt wav* had anothar auccaastul Star War* *aat...” Letters A thank you I would like to thank the water* of lone t county lor their generous support an Ns*. 4 I would like to thank the hun dreds of volunteers who helped out tm rm campaign I am con vinced thesr grass roots effort* of canvassing, putting up law nsign* and pbonmg voters were the deciding factors in this race. I look forward to serv ing you in Congress beginning the find of the year My c ongressional office will open in mid-|anuar> It wifi be staffed by people dedicated to solving your pro blems with the federal bureaucracy You con count on me to make regular visits hack to Oregon and hold frequent town meetings throughout the District In addition. I will have an active staff who will travel to all the amas of the District to help constituents Again, thank you for the honor of electing me as your next U S Representative I will work hard to fulfill your trust. Peter Drfazie Represent at i ve-elect 4th Congressional District Angry letter I am glad that my angry letter on Oct 31 has inspired such passionate responses from sup porters of the “ALF.” My pur Oregon Daily Emerald Til* Oregon OaUy EwM >* puHUM Monday through Friday accept during «i«n and vacation* try the Oregon Darty Emerald Pubtiahmg Co * w Unrvarsrty of Oregon Eugene Oagon 97403 Tha Emerald operates independently of the University with offices on tha thud hoot of tha Ere Memorial Union and <a a rnambar of tha Associated Pres* Tha EmeraM >a private property Tha unlaertul removal or use of paparc •• prosecutable Oy laa Oaairal Staff Advertismg Of actor Susan Thaian Production Manager Oana Faasfar Classified Advertising Afyaon Sermons Assistant to tha Publisher Jean Ownbey Advertising Salas: John Bo tar < Safas Manager Teresa Acosta. Paul Anderson Ann Cola. Brant Coffins Baryt Israel. Janette Haitmann Laura Qotdsiem. Pater LaFieo'. Catharine LH|a. Joseph Men/si Joan Wiidarmutn Meats and Editorial 6MSS1I Otepiey Advertising and Business MS 1712 Piss smart Advertising m tytt Circulation MAS5U Lucinda Onion Managing Editor Nun EOito> Spectrum EdMor Spectrum Aiatlint Ednor Button* Page Editor Editorial Pag* AtMUM Editor Sport* Editor Photo Editor Graphic Owgn Editor Ntght Editor Mena*! ttr»*r* Gum* Condon jt»pf>»n Mtfitr jama* Young Michaai Drummond Cap! L ynn u>rr*in* Rath Chn* Monad Community Joiayn* Moutz Highar Education i Administration Urwarvty AH am StuOant Gouammant Studam Actnmia* Ganard A**«gnmant Chn* Monad Stan Nat*on Sarah Kitchen Tomua Dalun Oannts Fernanda* Rapartar*. Sean Axmaaat Mary Court i» Karan Creighton, Gary Henley. Carolyn Lampeiaon John Me Barron Photographer* Shanyn Btoragran ShuShrog Chan. Maria Corvaliit Oanal Haantt. BoOOe Lo. Jama* Mara*. r\ -1*1*11 aa.-i. — —i ik ,,... Ulr mHw’vT Mtcrup fliiwni Pi o due baa Michel* Rosa i Ad Coordinator Kahy Alexandra Elizabeth A*n*r Romm Nicola Aahton. Sandra Banana. Jana! Emery. Manual Flora*, Shannon Gaither Jam** Kenny. Donna Laait* Cum* Lon. Roaa Martin KaHi Mason Mix* McGraa. Rob Mila* Angelina Muniz. Kara Obarst. Aim Pale June Paul Jenmler Pater ton Knsttn San burg Mil* Tjoimn. X Kang Xia pose was to flush out their views for public display by in sulting them Here, I present the same points with fewer emo tional trappings The implied threat ("You will end up in a cage ") amplified by the editor's heading “Beware.” is simply a dramatic way to state the fact that society will put vandals in (ail. A jail term can accomplish something if it makes the (ailed look silly. A (ail term for vandalism does nothing to stop cruelty to animals, it merely degrades the cause. We see these actions: a microscope is smashed, a mess is made, and blind white rabbits are dumped by the road in winter. This violence and stupidity, justified by carefully guarded ignorance, has the same effect on the community as the tantrum of a destructive child It accomplishes nothing toward the goal of halting ex periments with animals. "ALF " ers. with violence as their banner, now have the moral stature of muggers My argument is the opposite erf “leave it to the experts ': become an expert in order to halt what you see as “cruel and unnecessary" research If you want to have any effect, use coherent argument as your tool. A 250-word letter is not the proper place for a discussion of biology Science is not "mysti que ” It is accessible to anyone who wishes to take the time to study it. Scientists are human beings, with pets and concerns )ust like everyone else. Correction Our editorial of Nov. 11 concerning the science buildings' ground breaking erroneously reported that $100 million had been contributed from private sources to the protect. Federal and private sources have contributed over $100 million to the state education system in general since June of 1985. including funds for the science buildings. We apologize for any misunderstanding we may have caused Actually, there are more im portant causes. Mark Grimes Molecular biology New religion If anyone doubted that science is our new religion, the Emerald has verified it. The editorial of Oct. 30 admonishes that “sometimes the point of research is not clear to laymen." (i.e., non-clergy) and assures us that “there is no un necessary animal research go ing on at the University.” Haven’t we heard almost identical phrases before in a religious context? Every distur bing part of life has at some time been rationalized as "part of God's plan,” which we carfnot understand (but “we will understand it belter by and by.” according to the hymn). Now vivisection is justified in a like manner. Notice: The purposes of the deities (animal researchers) are so arcane that laymen (even university students) cannot fathom them; the work is so "critical” that no one dare question it (to wonder about the suffering imposed on helpless creatures); the temple (laboratory) is so sacred that outsiders are not permitted to observe or tell what goes on inside. Truly, Jehovah has been sup planted by the Holy Animal Researchers, and the Emerald editors are their priests. lillian Stanley Eugene Stryper The Nov. ll article "Subliminal messages sway thoughts" made a good point, but it also made a common mistake. The Christian band mentioned is not "Stripper,” but rather "Stryper." The name refers to Isaiah 53:5. which says "By His stripes (39 lashes on the back) we are healed." By the way. why did the editors include quotations around the word Christian? It's not a slang word Madrane Reeser freshman. English
