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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (June 22, 1987)
Editorial Goetz acquittal symbolic of Americans fear of crime When Bernhard Goetz shot four teenagers in a crowded New York subway in l‘IH4, he was dubbed the “subway vigilante" and became a hero to many who feared or were victims of muggings. Goetz also law.a me a sym bol lor not only the increas ing fear of crime in America, but the right for pimple to protect themselves He was described as a small, quiet man who defended himself in the lei e ol danger. His case and subsequent murder acquittal last Tues day parallels this view of American society. The jury recognized the underlying tear Americans have ol being victims ol crime and granted Goetz the right to defend himself. Although the case may sound simple enough - a man attacked by tour black teenagers shoots them in sell defense it has deeper ramifications. The path for more vigilante justice has l»eon cleared, and unless stronger measures are taken. (loot/, will not be alone in his notoriety. Goetz was convicted only of carrying a gun. The sentence lias a maximum ol seven years in prison anti a minimum that requires no prison time. Under the cir cumstances, Goetz should have received a heavier sentence. liven though the facts almul what really happened between Goetz and the four teenagers may never be clear. Goetz had several op tions that would have prevented any injuries. Most importantly, he did not have to aim to kill If he had fired over their heads, the same scare-tactic effect could have been achieved Hv firing directly at the boys, he hurt them and en dangered the lives of everyone in the subway. Goetz also did not have to shoot all four Ihivs. lie pull ed his gun and shot in self defense Hut self-defense ended when he was no longer in danger. It is impossible to know what was going through Goetz's mind when he pull Cutting library expansion hasty, unnecessary action Funds for the Univeslty library expansion project wen* cut from the budget Iasi week by the Oregon legislature's |oin( budget Committee because the project could not be completed in the next two years. The cut makes room for a more expensive production center for Oregon Public Broadcasting. Although both projects are worthwhile, cutting the library expansion is a grave mistake. The library is the backltonc of education for the University and the communi ty. By postponing the expansion the legislature is delaying learning and hampering reseach for students. legislators agreed the project should t>e top priority when they convene again in I'lHtl But the two year delay is unnecessary. The project for the Oregon Public Brodcasting will exceed the budget and require them to dip into extra funds. Sen. Mike Thorne said the proposal was cut so the lunds i mild he allocated to projects that could do the most im mediate good But the library is an important aspect of higher education that should not he ignored simply because it will not lie finished in two years. All projects funded by the budget are integral to a higher quality of education. The University library should not he ignored, however We understand the reasoning for cutting the project hut we do not believe it is necessary. Cover photo by Shu-Shing Chen Models: Dominic O’Dierno, Al Busteed, Curt Kimball ed the trigger. But we do know he deliberately shot four people and risked the lives of others. By letting him off with an insignificant slap on the hand the jury judged crime in America — not Goetz. It shifted the responsibility of protecting the public from the police and the judicial system to the people themselves. We do have the right to de* fend ourselves, but Goetz's case was an extreme. It should not be bailed as pro tection for the people because it is, instead, a new and widely accepted form of crime. ASK WOTWMTN|bUCAN Vo PCRtXMQcm&, ^VWNtXJRCONHfc CANP3F0RW~" Letters Disgusted On (tine 2. I'W7 nil ad was I>l.i< nil in lint Kmerald personals depicting us and stunt! very hla tanl klu Klux klan symbolism. We ilu mil lake this lightly. We wmild like In thank the kmerald lur llit'ir ex|>edienl and sincere 11mipt'intinn in admilling their error in printing the ad. The periaitratore of suc h a disgusting and offensive ai t are l*hil Levinson. former ASIK) I'resident nil candidate ("The I'eople's Choice"): and Charles Carter, his campaign manager. Any hardships they incur as a result of this disi Insure are well deserved and cannot begin to make up lor the unhappiness, pain, and disgust experienced by us, our staff, and the countless other students they offended with such racist insensitivity. We do not view this .is a mere practical |oke. and have already commenced legal action on this matter. Our commitment to the ideal that such rai isl and malicious acts and people can Oregon Daily Emerald Tho Oregon Daily Emerald is published Tuesday and Ihuisday during (he summer by the Oregon Daily Emetald Publishing Co at the University ol Oregon Eugene Oregon 97403 Daily publication will resume with the tall term The Emerald operates independently ol the University with ollices on the third lloor ol the Erb Memorial Union and is a membet ol the Associated Press The Emerald is private property The unlawtul removal or use ol papers is prosecutable by law General Stall Advertising Director Susan Theten Production Manager Michele Ross Classified Advertising Alyson Simmons Assistant to the Publisher Jean Ownbey Editor Managing Sport* Editor News Editor Editorial Page Editor Photo Editor Associate Editors Student Govt Student Activities Higher Ed Administration General Assignment Entertainment Community Stanley Nelson Lucinda Dillon Eden Godby Angela Mum; Shu Shmg Chen Carolyn Lemberson MiHe Drummond Aaron Knon Stephen Maher Advertising: Janeile Heitmann Production: Sandra Dallet / Ad Coordinator Kelly Alevandre. Lisa Haggerty Eliot Knight Diana Moy Angela Mum; Ingrid White Serena Williams News and Editorial Display Advertising Classified Advertising Letter Perfect Graphics Production Circulation and Business 686 SSI t 686 3712 686 4343 686 SSI 1 686 4381 686 5511 nol lie tolerated nr excused by III*' University community nr society at large. is unfaltering. Kasev Brooks ASl IO president Karen Caffnev ASIJO vice president Guidance I am involved in the Counc il Ini Minority Kducatinn Mentor Program I agree with Carla Cary that iH'ing in college ran lie a traumatic experience, tiring a freshman. I know that the Ireshman year is always a very difficult year because it is hard In lie thousands nf miles away from home, away from friends end finally l>eing independent. In addition, it is nut easy tn be a member ol an ethnic group I found the Mentor Program In be very beneficial to me in making the adjustment to col lege1 lile My mentor, liunny Nosier, is an advisor from Academic Advising. She really does know the University rc*c|uirements. the classes, the professors, and most importantly, the tIniversi I>. Sh« li«is given mo much in sight into requirements. < lasses and study habits. 1 believe that the Mentor Pro gram is very useful in helping one to survive in < ollege As the word about the benefits ol the Mentor Program gets out there will In* more men tors and mentees joining the program. I believe that the pro gram will gain more members hv next fall. Kent K. Ilori Business/sociology freshman Unwarranted To kasey Brooks. Karen Galf ney and the Oregon Daily Emerald staff: About the ad that appeared in the |une 2 edition of the Oregon Daily Emerald . . I accept responsihlity. And. in addition. I apologize for an action that was essentially caustic, unskillful, and unwarranted. Phil Levinson Student Letters Policy The Emerald will attempt to print all letters con taining 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. Letters to the editor should be turned into the Emerald office. Suite 300. EMU.
