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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (March 10, 1987)
Soviet arms offer a significant sign In the wake of the first underground nuclear test by the Soviet Union in 18 months, Mikhail Gorbachev has initiated an arms argreement to limit medium-range missiles in Europe. This is yet another sign that the Soviet Union is willing to reduce nuclear weapons and cooperate with the United States. This proposal and the potential ramifications on foreign policy should not be ignored. Although President Reagan has cautiously welcomed the proposal, he is now caught in a conflict of interests. In the backlash of the Iran scandal. Reagan needs the public support an arms agreement can generate. However, if Reagan accepts Gorbachev’s offer, he will be backing down on his administration's harsh arms control stance. But Reagan’s reputation has been severely damaged, and he realizes this. He has not hesitated to arrange a special summit in Geneva later this month. The agreement excludes Reagan’s pet project — the Strategic Defense Initiative — which pre-empted an agree ment in Iceland last year. This was a good move on the Soviet’s part because it makes it easier for Reagan to accept. Gorbachev has stated he wants to make an arms deal with the United States before Reagan leaves office. Kenneth Adelman, director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, notes that this move “shows that the Russians have not given up on President Reagan." We should not throw away this opportunity. The only obstacles to the agreement are the issues of verification and shorter-range missiles. But these problems can be easily solved. The satellites and testing equipment we have now are capable of detecting Soviet missiles. Also, the Soviets have agreed to some sort of verification process. If they are will ing to propose an arms agreement that will take away some of their control in Europe, then the United States should be able to reach a verification agreement. This proposal also has benefits for Europe and could strengthen the United State’s position with NATO. Different interpretations of the Antiballistic Missle Treaty have recently strained the Reagan Administration's relations with Europe. NATO has welcomed Gorbachev’s proposal as a “substantial step forward.” France is the only member voicing concern over the potential nuclear pullout. They feel Europe will become un necessarily vulnerable to Soviet missiles. It is important to remember that this proposal is only a first step — but a significant step. In the overall realm of the nuclear arsenals on either side, the elimination of medium range missiles will make little difference. But Gorbachev’s proposal is a symbol and a chance for future agreements. Reagan should follow up on this proposal in full force. Not only does it give him the opportunity to win back public opinion, it also marks the first step in arms reduction. Richard Perle, assistant defense secretary for internation security policy, realizes the full ramifications of the Soviet plan. ”... it is a constructive step that should open the way to concluding remaining issues leading ultimately to a treaty.” aOB£Prg JESUS SVES. ORM INVESTS. ORAL DOLLAR J /O ^ d ORAL ROBERTS 5AY5 THAT UNLESS HE RKEIVES 45 MILLION DOLLARS EN THE END Of MARCH HE WILL DIE. TO HELP S»E HIM-. | © CUP OUT THE DOLLAR ABO/E. © SEND IT TO ORAL. (D REMEMBER, ORAL HAS HOMES IN TULSA, PALM SPRINGS, AND BEVERLY HILLS, SO BE SURE TO SPECIFY WHERE YOU THINK HE SHOULD STICK THE MONEY. More to it I was distressed to read your recent article "Religion and College Life" heralded with the headline, "The Return of Religion" in the Emerald’s Spectrum (Feb. 26). The topic is important and the writer certainly explored the topic from the viewpoint of the Christian religious fundamen talist. What about the signifi cant liberal expression of Chris tianity which is found on our campus and personified by the Campus Interfaith Ministry and its head, Tom Heger? What of the life of the more than 1,000 Jewish students on our campus, the majority of whom come from liberal and modernist branches of Judaism? I read nothing about the strong and dedicated Moslem presence on our campus or ex pressions of the Native Americans and Buddhists. I realize that your reporter is a student and has other primary priorities vis-a-vis time, like study for courses. But if this is the best that can be done, then either it needs to be deleted from your paper 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 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, Beryl Israel, Janelle Heitmann, Laura Goldstein, Catherine Lllja, Rick Martz. Joseph Menzel, Peter Miller, Joan Wildermuth News and Editorial 666 5511 Display Advertising and Business 666-3712 Classified Advertising 686-4343 Letter Perfect Graphics 666-5511 Production 686 4361 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 Michelle Brence Lucinda Dillon Michael Rivers Stephen Maher Stanley Nelson Michael Drummond Angie Muniz Capi Lynn Michael Wilhelm John Giustina Lorraine Rath Lucinda.Dillon Associate Editors Community Politics Higher Education / Administration University Affairs Student Government Student Activities General Assignment General Assignment General Assignment 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, Shu-Shing Chen, Maria Corvallis. Derrel Hewitt, Bobbie Lo. Dan Wheeler Production: Michele Ross / Ad Coordinator Kelly Alexandre. Ronwin Nicole Ashton, Virginia Bamaga, Samantha Barbitta, Sandra Bevans, Sara Briscoe, Shu Shing Chen, Janet Emery, Judith Gatz, Lisa Haggerty, Donna Leslie, Curtis Lott, Steve Lundgren, Kelli Mason! Mike McGraw. Rob Miles, Angela Muniz, Julie Paul, Ingrid White, Serena Williams, X Kang Xie altogether or be one from a series that really uncovers the full picture. 1 suspect, from the writing of the article and my lengthy con versation with the reporter on the phone, that he had a pre judice and bias about this sub ject before he ever undertook the writing of the article and merely tried to validate his own point of view with opinions of others who agreed with his assessment. That’s not reporting, that’s propaganda. 1 challenge you to complete the project. The writer’s separation of life and social activism from religion is unconscionable. Rabbi Hanan Sills President of Religious Directors Association of the University of Oregon We miss you Two weeks ago, somebody very special was taken from us in a tragic car accident on Highway 20 out toward the coast. This special person gave warmth and love to all those whom she touched, and in her life she touched many people. . . . she was one of the few people in the world who has that talent. Katie O’Connor. . .we miss you and we love you dearly. Lloyd Walzer Eugene A classic There seems to be some con fusion by Students for a Pro gressive Agenda voice and In cidental Fee Committee member Bob Baldwin concern ing what 1 meant by the phrase “classic Baldwin” (ODE, Mar. 4). “Classic Baldwin” is: — Accusing a person of being a racist because he will only sup port a 9 percent increase in the Black Student Union's budget instead of 28 percent is “classic Baldwin." — Calling a person a racist because he supported an $800 increase rather than $1300 in APASU's budget is also “classic Baldwin." — Taking an intellectual discussion over Plessy vs. Furguson and then turning it in to a statement of discrimination is absurd, a deliberate misrepresentation of my opi nion, and is "classic Baldwin.” — Turning a casual statement about the “terrible” situation in Forsyth County, Ga. into a state ment of support for “separate but equal’ (which is not my opi nion) is “classic Baldwin." Under the Baldwin-Nixon McCarthy form of politics, one does not look at the logic of an opponent’s personal integrity with indiscriminate, unfounded accusations based on lies, fabrications and absurdities. Character assassination is SPA and Baldwin’s game, and that is what 1 meant by “classic Baldwin.” Baldwin and SPA hope that you will only remember Baldwin’s letter. I hope that you will look deeper for the truth of my opinion. People who truly know me personally know I am not a racist, and for Baldwin to say different is simply untrue. Anyone really interested in my opinions can contact me during my office hours at X3749. Ron Munion Incidental Fee Committee EMU Board Platitudes Blake Hastings: platitudes are convenient, but being a very pragmatic historian, I would ap preciate some explication regar ding your observations (ODE, March 5) on the “modern social scene.” Taylor Spence History
