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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 3, 1987)
Editorial There is a need for a non-military ROTC Father Theodore Hesburgh, president of the University of Notre Dame, has a good idea that has yet to receive the publicity it deserves. He has called for the implementation of a non-military counterpart to the Regional Officer Train ing Corps on college campuses throughout the country. An undeniable concern for peace dating some 35 years and his perception that America’s college students have become complacent about international affairs compelled Hesburgh to advocate a “parallel choice” for our nation's students. His plan would not replace the military's ROTC’ pro gram, but rather serve as an alternative path for those students who “want to be all that they can be" without hav ing to join the armed forces. Hesburgh's conception would incorporate some of the same aspects as the ROTC. The program, if ever adopted, would provide full four-year scholarships in return for a stu dent’s pledge to serve four years in the Peace Corps. Graduates would also be required to serve as regional or local leaders in the Peace Corps or in some other American aid organization. Entrance requirements would remain just as stiff, and undergraduates would study the language, culture, social and political condition of the places they wished to serve. Rather than serve time on ships, airforce bases or military training camps, the peace program’s graduates would spend their summer months working with the urban and rural poor at home and abroad. After graduation, overseas returnees would receive the same free graduate studies benefits as those returning from military service. Hesburgh believes the cost of the program could be in corporated into the Peace Corps budget and the remainder into the federal student aid program. Yet implementaion of his plan faces a long, uphill battle. The continual cuts in stu dent aid and inconsistent federal funding of the Peace Corps stand in the way of making Hesburgh’s dream become reality. Peace Corps officials concur. Deedie Runkel, a Peace Corps public affairs officer based in Washington, D.C., said that the idea would take a great deal of work with Congress because of the sheer size of the program and the years it would take to iron out all the details. For this very reason, the Peace Corps is hesitant to push the plan through Con gress at present, although it wholeheartedly embraces the concept. The idea of a “peaceful ROTC’” has too much merit to be ignored. Not only would such a program offer American col lege students a viable, peaceful alternative for global and self discovery, it would send a positive message worldwide that the United States is sincere about its commitment to in ternational understanding and the betterment of the human condition — admittedly, a lofty ambition. Moreover, the Peace Corp leadership plan would be the first of its kind, perhaps setting a universal precedent for similar programs in other post-industrial nations. In order for this to occur, however, the United States would have to place world peace on a higher federal priority than it is cur rently doing, which sadly is a doubtful prospect at best. d “R«*d ths suspact his rights ovar and ovsr again... till ha confassss.” Letters Justice Siias Bissell is not a terrorist but a peaceful, caring person. It would be ludicrous, if it were not so tragic, that he should be charged as a criminal by the same government that has built enough bombs to kill every liv ing thing on earth many times over, and has already killed so many people in such terrible ways. I know first-hand about the Weather Underground as my own son was a member of that group. During his growing-up years he was a gentle, responsi ble, caring young person, with high moral standards and a belief in non-violence. He is that kind of person to day During the 60s he became involved in anti-war activities because of his mounting sorrow, then despair over the violence we were committing in Southeast Asia. For many years the Students for a Democratic Society (from which the Weather Underground evolved) con ducted non-violent protests against the Vietnam war. When their peaceful protests met only with the escalation of the war. their frustration finally culminated in actions that were intended to destroy property, not lives. Oregon Daily Emerald The Oregon Dally Emerald Is published Monday through Friday except during exam week and vacations by the Oreaon Daily Emerald Publishing Co., at the University or Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, 97403. The Emerald operates independently of the University with offices on the third floor of the Erb Memorial Union and is a member of the Associated Press. The Emerald Is private properly. The unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable by law General Staff Advertising Director Susan Thelen Production Manager Wayne Michael Lottinville Classified Advertising Alyson Simmons Assistant to the Publisher Jean Ownbey Advertising Sales: Peter LaFleur / Sales Manager Teresa Acosta. Brent Collins. Beryl Israel, Janelle Heit mann, Laura Goldstein, Catherine Lllja. Rick Martz, Joseph Menzel, Peter Miller. Joan Wildermuth News and Editorial 686-5511 Display Advertising and Business 666-3712 Classified Advertising 686-4343 Production 666-4381 Circulation 666-5511 Editor Managing Editor News Editor Spectrum Editor Editorial Page Editors Sports Editor Photo Editor Assistant Photo Editor Graphic Editor Night Editor Associate Editors Community Higher Education I Administration University Affairs Student Government General Assignment Michelle Brence Lucinda Dillon Michael Rivers Stephen Maher James Young Michael Drummond Capi Lynn Michael Wilhelm John Giustina Lorraine Rath Lucinda Dillon Jolayne Houtz Chris Norred Stan Nelson Sarah Kitchen Dennis Fernandes Reporters: Sean Axmaker, Mary Courtis. Karen Creighton, Gary Henley. Carolyn Lamberson. Scott Maben. Janet Paulson, B J. Thomsen Photographers: Sherlyn Bjorkgren, Shu-Shing Chen, Marta Corvallis, Derrel Hewitt, Bobbie Lo. Dan Wheeler Production: Michele Ross / Ad Coordinator Kelly Alexandre, Elizabeth Asher, Ronwin Nicole Ashton, Virginia Bamaga, Sandra Bevans, Sara Briscoe. Shu Shing Chen, Janet Emery, Lisa Haggerty, Donna Leslie, Curtis Lott, Kelli Mason, Mike McGraw, Rob Miles! Angelina Muniz, Julie Paul, Ingrid White, X Kang Xie. My son remained underground for 11 years, and when he surfaced to face the charges against him. he was sentenced to 18 months of com munity service, a fine and three years probation by a wise federal judge in New Jersey. Like Bissell. my son is a peaceful, productive member of his community. A prision sentence would benefit no one, least of all the taxpayer. Silas Bissell has already achieved his own rehabilitation and con tributed his own community service. Mildred O’Donnell Springfield Hang-up In response In Blake Sliter's lelter |()I)K. )an. give it a rest! I've been reading your gross generalizations about a group of students for the past year. It's obvious that you have a real strange hang up when it comes to the Creek system. What is this fascination all about? II you despise them so much, win don't you just ignore them? Do they really have a significant impact on your life? In four years at this school as a non-Greek. I have met a lot of good people in the Creek system. In the same time I have met some that I don't care for. So what! There is good and bad in any group. Generalizing is too easy. We are supposed to be getting educated here. Blake buddy! Why don't you put a li tle more thought into things you write? Save letters to the Kmerald for more significant social issues. The Creek system does not need you as a critic: or a con sumer advocate. I suggest that you spend more time trying to do some good and less time writing overly critical letters about a group of people that you have a personal vendetta against. Have you considered getting professional help to deal with your severe paranoia? Maybe you should look into it. |ay Dyer Rhetoric and communication Closer look Concerning Mr. Sliter's con tinued deluge of rhetorical anti Creek excreta (ODE, )an. 28): As a former Greek. I concur that the system has inherent problems (apathy, stereotypical images of preoccupation with physical gratifications). However, his character assassination of lambda Chi Alpha goes beyond the pale. While it is true that sexual liaison is more easily facilitated if initiated (pardon the pun) at a fraternity function or, Sliter’s favorite, a SWIMMING POOL, it is just .is true that the same thing goes on (goes down?) at any bar. apartment, co-op. dorm or party with more than two members of the opposite sex. It's really just a matter of where you'd like to pick someone up. as any cerebral dwarf could discern. Those associated with Lamb da Chi Alpha are each deserved of being seen as individuals — as are any of us. Vet Sliter. from atop his holy mountain, lightn ing playing about his greying countenance, looks down and finds them wanting. To those who would emulate Sliter’s spewing of paranoic ejaculate. I urge a closer look and an open mind. To Sliter. 1 would remind you. sir. that it’s a certain kind of fool who likes to hear the sound of his own name. Gordon Spencer Myers Student Letters Policy The Emerald will attempt to print all letters containing fair comment on topics of interest to the University community. Letters to the editor must be limited to 250 words, typed, signed and the identification of the writer must be verified when the letter is turned in. The Emerald reserves the right to edit any letter for length or style. Let ters to the editor should be turn ed into the Emerald office. Suite 300. EMU.
