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
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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