Editorial
Precautions assure
fair election results
As the elections draw to a close this evening, questions
about the ballot counting arise. List year controversy
developed because 50-60 percent of the ballot counters were
affiliated with SPA. The potential for two SPA members to
Im* paired to count ballots and to manipulate the process was
apparent to Doug C.reen. former vice president of the Stu
dent Senate. He compared the situation to Ferdinand Mar
cos' efforts in the Philippines elections.
Fortunately the Flection Hoard has taken several precau
tions to prevent any similar controversy from arising this
year. Two new safety measures have been added to the coun
ting process.
Although the people counting the ballots have not been
selected yet. each member of the board will submit a list of
potential counters These individuals will be screened by
the Itoard today and must be approved by a consensus. The
ln»ard members are looking for people with no political
affiliation.
Once the counting starts, the counters will tally the
ballots then place them in a bag. The bag will be sealed and
marked with the number of the ballot box the ballots came
from anil the names of the people who counted the ballots.
This will allow officials to pinpoint any errors if a challenge
arises.
Aside from these two new procedures, the candidates
are allowed to send one representative into the counting
room. The Oregon Commentator and the Oregon Daily
Emerald also will have representatives there. These
representatives can act as watchdogs and prevent any
cheating
The Elections Board has taken strong precautions
against any wrong-doings in this year’s elections. This
vear's ballot counting should be clean and fair.
Rapist's release reflection
of prison reform problems
Lawrence Singleton is being released from jail after ser
ving only seven years ot his 14-year-and-four-month
sentence He will live in Antioch. Halit Considering his
crime, however, the people of Antioch are justified in their
tears
After picking up a 15-year-old hitchhiker. Singleton
brutally raped the girl, cut off her arms below the elbows
ami left her to die beside the road. He was convicted of the
crime, but is being released earlv for good behavior and
community service
Singleton will receive psychiatric counseling and is for
bidden from drinking alcohol But the police of Antioch are
now worried about vigilante action against Singleton. The
problem with this man's release lies not only in the chance
he wilt rape again, but the fact he was let out after serving
less than halt ot his sentence.
Granted. America's penal system is far from perfect,
(ails are overcrowded already and something needs to be
done But releasing a criminal who has committed such a
brutal and vicious crime as this one. is unjustifiable
Our penal system must be enforced to provide a sense of
safety to society. Releasing violent criminals after only
seven years is not the answer
“it’s a counterespionage technique... first you whisper about SDI so they
turn up their earphones...”
Letters
Playground slap
1 want to comment on th«? ir
responsibility demonstrated bv
Kimberly Sargent in her letter to
the editor (ODE. April 14
Sargent's portrayal of the CSRL
coalition is not only completely
inaccurate: it is underhanded
and rude!
I'd like to think, that the ma
jority of students regardless of
their political beliefs or affilia
tions w ould never resort to such
degrading and irresponsible
political tactics
CSRL is a coalition of a very
diverse group of students It
does not accredit itself with any
political ideologies or biases
The group's central bond is
simply its responsible approach
to student government CSRL is
not reactionary and is nowhere
close to being “extremely right
wing.' as Sargent asserts
Let's get serious Miss
Sargent! Play the game fair or
C.ET QIT’ l also sincerely hope
that Sargent's slanderous tactics
are not representative of other
SPA members
Miss Sargent take your
playground politics elsewhere
and please get some class!
Cory Wynne
Student senator
Oregon Daily
Emerald
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Hysteria
Ms “"argent congratulations.
Your attempt to discredit and
im :fe paranoia about ('SKI. was
verv creative (ODE. April 14).
'tou have proved \ourself to be
j master of falsehood and
fabrication Perhaps i can help
vou remove \our blinders.
< SRL is not affiliated with
am- political ideology. Our
members encompass the
political spectrum, and we
share a common belief that
Suite 4 is an improper vehicle
for partisan personal politics.
Never have we advocated
slashing or “eliminating”
student programs We en
courage diversity of all kinds,
and believe that funding deci
sions should never be based on
politn s Narrow-mindedness
cannot be tolerated from any
political viewpoint
While Sargent accurately
pointed out that l was a
cheerleader she conveniently
failed to mention that I am a law
student who graduated with a
double maior in international
studies and French. Magna
Cum Laude. Phi Beta kappa
My numerous activities includ
ed Mortar Board ASP AC and
vice president of Pi Beta Phi
sorority
My running mate. Karen Gaff
ney. to name just one qualifica
tion. is currently EMU Board
chairwoman and has dealt with
a budget of over $:} 5 million I
would certainly call that
experience
To labei us right wuig was
about as far off target as you can
aim But then it seems to me
you were aiming blinded with
misinformed hysteria All of our
candidates have a commitment
to responsive leadership This
can only be accomplished by
eliminating personal politics as
a substitute for student
government
For innovative representa
tion. vote Brooks. Gaffnev and
CSRL
kasev Brooks
VSl O presidential candidate
Just wondering
We. the editorial staff of the
Oregon Commentator, wonder
how much time and effort the
Emerald devoted to due process
before making its ASUC)
presidential endorsement.
The Frichette/Cooper agenda
is not “stale,” as the editorial
claims.
Among Frichette’s goals are
making Saferide more self
sufficient by renting the vans to
groups for daytime use. making
the ASUO publication, The
Record, an independent student
paper, and most important,
changing the tone of the ASUO
Executive* to be more casual anil
accommodating.
In addition, we feel that
F r i c h e 11 e' s e m p h a s i s o n
substance abuse training is well
advised. Substance abuse is a
national epidemic, and one that
greatly affects the campus com
munity. The Creeks are address
ing the problem, and being vice
president ot the Interfraternity
Council. F r i c h e 11 e is
knowledgeable about the
policies the Greek system has
implemented. We are sorry the
Emerald finds this issue
"uninspiring.’*
We also are surprised the
Emerald criticized kasey
Brooks for having ties with the
Athletic Department. How is
this a conflict of interest — or
more so than Sarah Lachkar's
ties to SPA? U»t us remind the
Emerald and all concerned that
the Athletic Department’s
budget is determined by the In
cidental Fee Committee, or by
popular vote — not bv the
ASCO president
Both Frichette and Brooks are
highly qualified candidates.
I he choice is not an easv one.
We hope those truly concerned
about student government will
take the time to become familiar
with the candidates and issues
before making their decisions.
Duane Dungannon
Oregon Commentator