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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 13, 1987)
Increase in SDI testing is de-stablizing move President Reagan's proposal for unlimited testing of the “Star Wars” defense system is a grave mistake. It not only will damage relations with the Soviet Union, it will bring the U.S. closer to a nuclear war. On Monday Reagan proposed to advance the pattern of tests currently being used for Star Wars. Under the Anti Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty of 1972, no tests or deploy ment of new ABM systems can occur. This proposal jeopar dizes the treaty and moves the arms race to a new level. The idea of a third generation of nuclear weapons was prompted by the development of the Strategic Defense In itiative (SDI). It moves the United States away from the con cept of mutually assured distinction (MAD) and places us in an offensive postion. It promotes overconfidence: the feeling that ‘we don’t have to worry about a Soviet attack because we’ll be able to stop it.’ This feeling of superiority may sound comforting, but it actually brings us closer to a nuclear war — instead of pro tecting us from one. Reagan is so sure of his SDI system that he refuses to negotiate it with the Soviet Union. He has pro mised to give the system to the Soviets as soon as it has been developed fully. But Gorbachev’s fears that this won’t hap pen are justified. All talks between the two countries have come to a halt because of SDI. At the Reykjavik summit meeting last Oc tober Reagan and Gorbachev agreed to reductions in land and sea-based missiles and intercontinental ballistic missiles as well as removing weapons in Europe and Asia. However, disagreements over SDI halted the signing of a for mal agreement to these terms. Gorbachev left the summit meeting saying no agreement would be reached in the future unless SDI were included. The United States gave up an important opportunity for im proved relations with the Soviet Union. According to Mat thew Bunn of the Arms Control Association, “We should have snapped them (the proposals) up because it would have meant a major increase in U.S. national security.” Unfor tunately Reagan’s single-minded desires destroyed any chance of a peaceful agreement with the Soviets in the near future. Pravda has called SDI “a destructive mine under the en tire process of arms limitation and reduction. ...” This is a very accurate assessment of the program. In 1985 the Soviet Union declared a unilateral moritorium on underground nuclear testing. The moratorium stemmed from a test ban treaty banning all nuclear testing, existing since Reagan took office. The treaty has not been signed simply because it would prevent any further testing and development of Star Wars. It is obvious the Soviets are willing to cooperate with the United States and limit nuclear weapons. The com prehensive test ban is the only viable way this can be achiev ed. The ban would prevent new, third-generation weapons from being developed and force us to rely on the weapons we already have. The concept of mutually-assured destruc tion has worked in the past. With a ban, tensions between the two countries would decrease. The fear of bigger and better weapons being developed would be eliminated. Reagan has taken Star Wars too far. If he really wants to promote relations with the Soviets, then he would agree to a test ban or weapons limitation. But he has not. Instead he is providing the United States with a system for nuclear war. DO YOU SUFFER FROM THE RAIN AND ITCHING OF 3W0UBI HEMORRHOIDAL TISSUEFy •I Letters Einstein Brian Frary’s letter (ODE, Fob. 5) reminds one that many people misquote Einstein, at tempting to identify him with their religious cause. Einstein's religion was based on the awe and wonder of cosmic discoveries and understanding, and Jewish philosopher Spinoza was his concept of "God" (Nature). Einstein wrote in 1929, "...knowing why Nature is thus and not otherwise. Here lies the highest satisfaction of a scientific person. .. that is, as it were, the religious basis of scientific effort." He had little regard for clergy who "had become interested in the accumulation and preserva tion of political and economic power, and they maintained their sway over the masses through a combination of superstitions, fear and ‘divine ly sanctioned' dogma." "Chur ches are and have always been greedy for power,” he wrote, "and worked in company with other powerful political groups, mostly groups with reactionary tendencies, to keep people in ignorance and to exploit them. ..." Reference: Einstein in America by Jamie Sayen (Crown. 1985), Chapter 10. Oregon Daily 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 University 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 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 Her mann, Laura Goldstein. Catherine Lilja, Rick Martz, Joseph Menzel. Peter Miller, Joan Wildermuth News and Editorial 686-5511 Display Advertising and Business 686-3712 Graphic Services 686-5511 Classified Advertising 686-4343 Production 686-4381 Circulation 686-5511 Editor Managing Editor News Editor Spectrum Editor Spectrum Assistant Editor Editorial Page Editors Sports Editor Photo Editor Spectrum Photo Editor Graphics Editor Night Editor Associate Editors Community Politics Higher Education / Administration University Affairs Student Government Student Activities General Assignment General Assignment General Assignment Michelle Brence Lucinda Dillon Michael Rivers Stephen Maher Stanley Nelson Michael Drummond Angie Muniz Capl Lynn Michael Wilhelm John Giustina Lorraine Rath Michael Rivers Jolayne Houtz Nick Reed Chris Norred B.J. Thomsen Carolyn Lamberson Sarah Kitchen Karen Creighton Dennis Fernandes Scott Maben Reporters: Sean Axmaker, Mary Courtis, Gary Henley, Janet Paulson Photographers: Sherlyn Bjorkgren, ShuShing Chen, Maria 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 Einstein believed religions bas ed on anthropomorphic, scrip tural “God” failed to lead humankind through knowledge and cooperation to a world of justice, morality, brotherhood and peace. Students should remember the purpose of their education is to develop independent skills in thinking and decision-making. Prudence suggests they test the merit and veracity of beliefs that may need re-evaluation. The University provides scholars and experts ready to help, plus important library resources. The opportunity will never be more favorable. Consider: Pastors have always herded sheep for their fleece, as sacrificial offerings, and for the wealth (power) they represented. Bert Tryba Eugene Fiction Creative journalism reached a new high with the printing of a letter to the editor bearing my name (ODE, Feb. 11). While I did write a letter to the editor outlining my adventures with the ASUO regarding legal ser vices, the published version of that letter was altered. 1 did not write that Steve Nelson “insisted an ASUO legal representative on campus created a conflict of in terest. ..." Mr. Nelson did not say this. Moreover, I was never told by anyone at the ASUO that a legal services booklet would be provided “in exchange for a student fee." I appreciate the need for cor 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. rective and space editing by the Emerald, but I object to the placement of fiction in my letters. Scott Elliott Law Fishy Mr. Hytrek’s observations deserve some comment (ODE, Feb. 9). “Fisheries management is not an exact science." True. “All sides must cooperate if we want to preserve the severe ly depleted salmon runs in our present society.” A commen dable conclusion. Expediently, the press and media coverage leave out the commercial ocean fisheries. Whose side? In all forms of entity disagree ment, truth is the first sacrifice.... Or could it be some corporation predicts a profitable market for radioactive fish? Leroy George Former student Mistake In the Feb. 6 Emerald, I mis quoted pro-life feminist Rosemary Bottcher. The quote should have read: “Pro-abortion feminists re sent the discrimination against a whole class of humans because they happen to be female, yet they themselves discriminate against a whole class of humans because they happen to be very young. They resent that the value of a woman is determined by whether some man wants her, yet they declare that the value of an unborn child is determined by whether some woman wants him. They resent that women have been ' owned" by their husbands, yet insist that the unborn are “owned" by their mothers.. I apologize to Ms. Bottcher and to the readers of the Emerald for any confusion 1 may have caused. Jeff Hoyt Accounting
