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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1987)
Editorial AIDS discrimination bill needs approval A bill that would ban discrimination against in dividuals afflicted with the AIDS virus was denounced by the Reagan administration on Sept. 21. clearly demonstrating its unenlightened attitude toward dealing with AIDS victims. By opposing this bill, the administration is essentially saying discrimination against AIDS-afflicted individuals is morally permissible, a stance that is consistent with conser vative resentment toward homosexuals and other members of the high-risk community, such as drug addicts and Hai tian immigrants. The bill, introduced by Rep. Henry A. Waxman. D (Taltf.. and supported by Sen. Edward Kennedy. D-Mass., would guarantee that results from an AIDS test would re main confidential Dr. Otis R. Bowen, the U.S. secretary of health and human services, announced the administration's opposition to the bill, claiming that confidentiality is not needed, as people may decide not to be tested if they fear public disclosure of the results. Controlling the otten-tatal disease, however, depends on tasting people who are potentially afflicted. Not enacting this bill will create a disincentive against being tested because individuals might fear unauthorized disclosure of the results, prompting potential carriers of the virus to go underground. As the AIDS carriers are forced underground, the virus will be also, thus remaining undiscovered, untreated, and hence unabated. In order to facilitate voluntary testing of as many poten tially afflicted people as possible — a strategy that will help curb the spread of the disease as well as treat those already affected by the virus — the Reagan administration should af firm. rather than oppose, the bill. The anti-discrimination bill also would forbid discrimination against "an otherwise qualified individual in employment, housing, public accommodations, or govern ment services" on the basis of affliction or alledged afflic tion with the AIDS virus. Cases in which an individual with the AIDS virus has been discriminated against have surfaced increasingly throughout the United States in the work place, the housing market and the public schools. Moreover, this discrimina tion has been founded on fear; fear that has been perpetuated by a lack of information and education on the disease. By opposing this anti-discrimination bill, the administra tion not only will escalate the degree of AIDS-related discrimination, but also will affirm the fear that feeds such discrimination. Howen also argued that such anu-aiscrtnunanon measures should l>e implemented on the local as opposed to national level; however. AIDS related discrimination is a na tional problem demanding a national solution. Although this bill is only a drop in the bucket in the fight against AIDS and the social problems the disease entails, it will help overcome the threat that AIDS poses to the national population. The nation not only needs a nationally enforced anti discrimination law. but also a stepped-up. nationally fund ed educational program to inform people of the facts about AIDS for the purpose of overcoming misinformation and fear. m i * Y'm “The Contras need enough additional money to attack here, here, here... here, here, here and... here in case the peace process fails." Letters Peace Corp When we talk of the develop ing countries around the world, what images come to mind? The bloated stomachs of malnourished children in Africa? Archaic transportation and communication systems? The lack of basic human resources such as schools and health clinics? Rampant diseases such as polio, malaria and leprosy? Well, lot me tell you from first hand experience that these scenes are all true. Since my return from a two year experience in the Peace Corp in 1985, I have devoted countless hours to bringing my experience back home. As a returned volunteer I have a responsibility to inform the American public of some of the harsh realities that I en countered in the Republic of Niger, West Africa In the heart of Sahel, this country (the size of Oregon and California) is ravaged by disease, famine and drought. Hut this is nothing new. What is new is the hope that the present situation is curable. Presently, there are aid agencies working along side the host country nationals making pro Oregon Daily Emerald The Oregon Daily Emerald is published Monday through Friday encepl during e«arn week and vacations by the Oregon Daily 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 Memorial Union and is a member of the Associated Press The Emerald is private properly The unlawful removal or use ot papers is prosecutable by law General Staff Advertising Director Susan Thelen Production Manager Michele Ross Classified Manager Kelli Mason Advertising Sales: Ten Bonng Cary Delossa. Tom Leech. Catherine Lll|a. Rick Mart/. Laura McKinney. Heather Mull. Joann Nelson. Julie Paul Barbara Rogers. Scott Thorkildson, Joan Wildermuth Assistant to the ‘ubiisher Jean Ownbey News and Editorial Display Advertising and Business 684 5511 666-3712 MB 4343 Advertising Letter Perfect Graphic* Production Circulation 666 4361 6*6 5511 6*6 5511 Editor Stanley Nelson Managing Editor Scott Maben News Editor Eden Godbey Editorial Page Editors Angela Mum* Steven Hoenlsch Sports Editor Aaron Kno» Pholo Editor ShuShing Chen Graphic Design Editor Lorraine Rath Special Issues Editor Kelly KorteHaas Entertainment Sports Segment Editor HC Hutto Night Editor Eden Godbey Associate Editors Community Stephen Maher Higher Education/Administration Michael Drummond Student Government 'Activities Carolyn Lamberson General Assignment/Entertainment Will Holbert Reporters: Craig Harris. Gary Henley. Andrew LaMar. Jeff Morgan. Ingrid Petersen. Cami Swanson. Kelvin Wee Photographers Shertyn Biorkgren Maria Corvallis. Andy Crlpe. Dusty Et*el. Derrel Hewitt. John Giustlna. Bobbie Lo. Ross Martin. Andre Ranierl. Dan Wheeler. Michael Wilhelm Production: Sandra Dalier / Ad Coordinator Kelly Alexandre. Ronwin Nicole Ashton. Virginia Bamaga. Stephanie Orynan, Dolores Ferreo. Shannon Gaither. Lisa Haggerty. Stephanie Holland Dierdre Kelly, Eliot Knight. Jung Lee Bobbie Lo, James Mason, Angle Muni*. Ted Shepler. Lisa Svanevik Ingrid White. Kelli Williams. Serena Williams. X Kang Xie gress in deterring those menac ing inflictions. And one of those agencies is the Peace Corps. No, the Peace Corps doesn’t solve problems of the grand scale. Hut in small tidbit ways the Peace Corps does aid the most needy of the developing countries. I urge all juniors, seniors and graduate students to contact my office to explore the possibilities of how you can make a difference. The application process often takes as long as nine months before an overseas assignment can be arranged so its never too early to begin. And for the freshman and sophomores, now's a good time to begin gathering information. lake Du Dell Peace (iorp Coordinator Hendricka Hall, Room 129 Fine mess Stan L a u r eI, recently overheard chatting with his old chum. I.t. Col. Oliver "Nor theH" Hardy: “Yer know. Ollie. my wife Hetty once told me that honesty is the best politics. Well, all 1 can say is: Here's another nice moss YOU'VE gotten us into!" Col. Ollie merely shook his head and said. "MMMPH!” Neil N. Wahlert Music Wising up In its editorial about Law School Dean Maurice Holland's testimony in the Bork hearings (ODE. Sept 30). the Kmerald suggests that, despite adding the disclaimer that he is "ap pearing on his own behalf and not on the behalf of the Univer sity." Holland should not have appeared before the Senate. The Emerald's reasoning is that the dean's support for Bork will be reflected on the law school, which the Emerald claims does not support Bork Get wise, guys. Nearly every individual testifying in the hearings is, or has been, a member of a major organiza tion. Their individual remarks are a much needed input to the Senate Judiciary Committee. This does not mean that the en tire organization of which the individual is a member is associated with the individual's testimony. Did the Kmerald consult each and every member of its own staff before writing this silly editorial? The Emerald doesn't even bother with a disclaimer. Am 1 to conclude that this opi nion is maintained by all members of its talented staff? Well. I don't. If the Student Bar Association is unhappy with the dean's testimony and wants to cir culate petitions to make its own voice heard, that's great. That is the reasonable course of action Duane Dungannon Journalism Diversity Your editorial suggestion that Dean ! olland of the l.aw School acted improperly in personally testi! t in support of the Bork nomination should not go un challet i‘d (OMR, Sept. 30). It is puss that personal statements will be taken as representative. That is true not only when Dean Holland speaks in favor of the Bork nomination, but also when my colleagues and I speak against the nomina tion. when i nor Dean Bell spoke on rat when Presi dent Olum speaks on nuclear weapons. But consider the cost to the quality of public debate, and to the quality of institutional leadership, if we silence those voices out of fear of misattribution. Anyone listening closely to the many voices of the Universi ty will get an impression of tolerant diversity. That is as it should lx;. fames M. O'Fallon Professor of Law / s 14111*7
