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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 21, 1987)
Editorial First step taken in air traffic problem In an attempt to make flying safer, the Federal Aviation Administration has designed a computer system that can map airplanes flying throughout the nation on a single screen. This new system is only a first step, however, in solving the safety problems caused by congested skies. The FAA hopes the computer system will alleviate traf fic problems and relieve overburdened air traffic controllers. These both are major factors in many airplane accidents. The Civil Aeronautics Board used to regulate who could enter the business and what fares and routes could 1m; set. When it was dismantled in 1978, the door was opened to new air companies and price wars. As a result more people began to fly. The air traffic controllers' strike in 1981 exagerated the problems created by the increased number of planes in the air. Since that time, only a limited number of qualified con trollers have remained while the air business continues to boom. A new computer system is only a simple answer to these tensions. Granted, if air traffic controllers an; able to set; all planes in the air over a long-range flight plan, then potential accidents and delays can 1m; prevented. But other regulations and restrictions need to be established The FAA realizes heavy summer traffic will have to subside before traffic controllers can become comfor table to the system. It also is developing more advanced pro grams for the system. However, the F'AA should not rely solely on these new computers, it has acknowledged a problem and is working to solve it. With more time and effort the FAA can develop a program for safer and less crowded skies. Sexual harassment forum opens door to solutions There will be a long overdue forum dealing wilh the University's sexual harassment policies today. The forum will cover the issues of sexual harassment and what actions can he taken to file complaints. This forum should prove to be very beneficial for all those who participate. Organizers hope to encourage public input by holding the forum, accepting letters and meeting with people in the community. The forum will address pro blems in the Unviersity's harassment policy and suggest solutions. Hut despite the benefits of the forum, the University should not have waited so long to face these issues. Sexual harassment has been a problem at the University and in the community for some time. Forums such as this bring pro blems to the surface. By delaying discussion, we are avoiding the subject. We encourage people to attend the forum and to recognize the problem of sexual harassment. The system can only be changed if people are willing to act. WFARLANE POINDEXTER REAGAN Letters Rape cases It seems that whenever peo ple discuss abortion as a solu tion to an unwanted pregnancy, the question "What if the woman was raped?” comes up. Even those who feel abortion is wrong seem to stumble over the issue when rain; is the cause of the pregnancy; after the emo tional trauma of being rafted, wouldn't quickly ending the pregnancy help in the woman's healing process? Wouldn't an abortion make things easier for her? Not necessarily, lackie iiakker was rafted and was one of the very few women who conse quently became pregnant (less than one percent of rapes result in pregnancy). She chose abor tion under pressure from her family who thought it would alleviate her problems. It in stead created more problems. "Contrary to what everyone had told me. the abortion was much harder to deal with than the rape.. .The damage done is much more severe than people realize. Physically of course, a little child is ripped away from its mother s womb. But emo tionally. I'm convinced there is already a bonding between Oregon Daily Emerald Th« Oregon Dally Emerald is published Monday through Friday except dunng exam week and vacations by the Oregon Dally Emerald Publishing Co , at the University of Oregon. Eugene. Oregon, 97403 The Emerald operates independently ot the University with offices on the third floor of the Erb Memonal Union and is a member ot the Associated Press The Emerald Is private property The unlawful removal or use ot papers Is prosecutable by law General Stall Advertising Director Susan Theten Production Manager Michele Ross Classified Manager Alyson Simmons Assistant to the Publisher jean Ownbey Advertising Sales: Peter LaFleur / Sales Manager Teresa Acosta. Janette Heitmann. Catherine lilja. Rick Marti, Joseph Mennl. Joan Wildermuth Advertising Apprentices: Ter! Bonng Heather Mull Bar bara Rogers. Julie Paul News and Editorial 6M-SS11 Display Advertising and Business SM-3712 Classified Advertising 6M-4343 letter Perfect Graphics 6M-SS11 Production 6M-43S' Circulation MSS511 Editor M waging Editor News Editor Spectrum Editor Spectrum AMlstant Editor Editorial Page Editors Sports Editor Photo Editor Spectrum Photo Editor Graphics Editor Night Editor Associate Editors Community Politics Higher Education l Administration University Allans Student Government Student Activities General Assignment General Assignment Michelle Branca Lucinda Dillon Michael Rivers Stephen Maher Tim Chauran Michael Drummond Angela Muniz Dennis Fernandes Maria Corvallis John Giustina Lorraine Rath Stephen Maher Janet Paulson B J Thomsen Chns Norred Laurie Schwartz Carolyn Lam Person Sarah Kitchen Alicia Gano Scott Malien Reporters Jackie Barry Mary Courtis, Gary Henley Will Holbert Photographers: Sheriyn Btorkyren. Shu Shmg Chen Der rei Hewitt. Tim Jones. Bobbie Lo. Dan Wheeler Production: Michele Ross i Ad Coordinator Sopdwteors: Sandra Bevans. ShuShmg Chen, Eliot Knight, Angela Muniz, Ingrid White Technicians: Kelly Alenandre. Ronwin Nicole Ashton Virginia Bamaga. Samantha Bartwtta. Sara Briscoe Janet Emery. Judith Gatz. Lisa Haggerty, Linda Jones. Jung Lee. Donna Leslie Bobbie Lo. Kelli Mason. Mike McGraw Rob Miles, Diana Moy. Julie Paul. Serena Williams mother and child, and it's as if part of your own soul is torn away.” Kay Zibolsky also was raped, and also became pregnant. While abortion appeared to be a convenient way out, she chose adoption for her baby and now says. "... I'm at peace knowing I chose what was best for her — not necessarily what was easiest for me." (Both cases from the summer 1986 issue of Americans Against Abortion Magazine.) Tranquility versus turmoil: In cases of rapt*, abortion does not always lesson the trauma incur red. it can produce more. And if abortion is not a painless solu tion for rape victims, is it for women in less extreme cir cumstances? Is it really an answer at all? Holly Halverson Vida. Ore. Born gay I have a hard time believing some people are 'born” homosexual, l-et me explain why. To be born homosexual, a biological determinant would naturally bo present. This would likely be identifiable by scientists. To date, no hormonal difference has been identified. In other words, no study has ever been replicated to show homosexuality was due to hormones. Cienetics doesn't play any fac tor either. If it did. the gene(s) responsible for homosexuality would have disappeared long ago thanks to natural selection. A fundamental law of nature is that any trait which interferes with reproduction is lethal to those who share that trait. If genes had anything to do with homosexual orientation then all possessing that gene would have had so few children that the trait wouldn't have lasted long People who have come out to homosexuality are the living proof that bioiogy isn't a crucial factor. One can change from a homosexual orientation to be heterosexual but biological characteristics will remain the same. As long as the debate over homosexuality, the law and public health continues, let’s not cloud the issues by speaking as if anyone is born homosexual — in the same way one is born white or female. This is a social issue and not an issue of innate pre dispositions. Brenda Robison Springfield Epidemics Mr. Paulson (ODE. May t>). I thought you should know that Thomas [efferson did not sup port homosexual rights. Jeffer son didn't want homosexuals engaging in sodomy ex ecuted. . .just castrated. (Fami ly Research Inst, news letter, April, 1987). Private actions that hurt the whole society must be dealt with The AIDS epidemic is proof that what two or more guys do in private can hurt us all. If our society lets diseases run rampant, and our collective biological health deteriorates, we will all suffer one way or another. AIDS will kill more Americans by the year 2000 than we've lost in every war The economic cost may bankrupt our society. If being a society that allows disease-spreading activities to continue is worth that price, then maybe our demise may be deserved. Personally, I’ll g ve my back ing to solutions that will benefit my children and preserve my nation That's why I'm against the practices that are con tributing to the problem, and not the solution. Gina Norens Eugene
