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
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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