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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 28, 1987)
ditorial SDI negotiations should be practiced When Mikhail Gorbachev announced F-'riday he would not set a date for a summit meeting with President Reagan, the Strategic Defense Initiative once again prevented an arms control agreement between the two countries. Secretary of State George Schultz and Soviet foreign minister Eduard Shevardnadze have been negotiating a trea ty that would reduce long-range missiles and abolish medium and short-range missiles. Hut Gorbachev's announcement has now put the pressure on Reagan to resolve the SDI issue. If Reagan does not agree to limitations on the development of space weapons, a agreement may never be reached. Although Gorbachev’s refusal to arrange a summit meeting comes as a surprise to the United States, it is justified Hy developing SDI we are moving to a new level of nuclear weapons — one that eliminates the current theory of mutually assured destruction. Completing SDI would place the Soviet Union in the awkward, and potentially dangerous position of second guessing the U.S. Obviously SDI is a threat to the Soviet Union. It gives the U.S. a feeling of superiority and invincibility. Because of this situation, the Soviets have a choice bet ween negotiating with the U.S., or developing their own version of "Star Wars.” And because SDI only promotes the idea of nuclear war. an arms control agreement is of the ut most importance. Instead of continuing to stockpile missiles on earth, and continuing the defensive MAD theory, the U.S. is spending more money to design an offensive program. Reagan is determined to allot more defense funds for SDI. even though Congress has objected to the excessive spending. However, the Iran-Contra scandal and decreasing popularity have forced Reagan to consider an arms agree ment. Now it seems he must reconsider his position on SDI if he is to reach an agreement with the Soviet Union and map the benefits of signing a treaty. Unfortunately Reagan has had a hard-line. pro-SDl stance in the past. He refused to negotiate the space defense program w'ith the Soviets during the Iceland summit last year, and the Soviets eventually walked out of the meeting. In response to (iorbachev’s announcement. Schultz said that while the U.S. is prepared to discuss SDI with the Soviets "we are not willing, and I don’t think we ever will lie willing, to throw in the towel on learning how to defend ourselves." This comment reflects the hard-line approach the ad ministration has always held. But it will have to change if an agreement is to be reached. Because the SDI program is not completed, it is impor tant to consider the immediate ramifications it is having on relations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The Soviets are taking strides to slow the arms race. Regardless of their motives, the United States should not balk at their proposals. SDI has not been proven effective and only increases tensions between the two countries. Reagan should listen to Gorbachev's proposals. They can prove to be beneficial for peace. y t&tsy r*r+s% CANT *IAK'm WKjTf MS AT CAMP 0**tp ; Letters Consider acts 1 must take issue with some of the information given by Mr Mornarich (ODE, Oct. 19). Much of the problem with AIDS, besides the disease itself, is the propagation of misinformation. Mr Mornarich stated that the Supreme Court stand on the Hardwick decision was that "sodomy among consenting adults , was unconstitu tional" The ruling in the case was actually that the U S. Con stitution did not prohibit a state from declaring sodomy a crime He also seems to believe that sodomy is "one of the major causes of AIDS." Again, he is sadly mistaken. The cause of AIDS is a virus, not an act. Mr Mornarich also says that if he had a girlfriend that he tru ly loved, he will not engage in sodomy with her. Perhaps he should not engage in any form of sex with his girlfriend Many viral diseases can be transmit ted in this fashion, including herpes, syphilis and the com mon cold. Perhaps he should not enter the medical profession because he might handle blood that con tained the AIDS virus, get it into Oregon Daily Emerald The Oregon Dally Emerald la published Monday through Friday except during exam week and vacations by the Oregon Dally Emerald Publishing Co . at the University of Oregon, Eugene. Oregon. 07403 The Emerald oparates independently of 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 property The unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable by law General Staff Advertising Director Susan Thelen Production Manager Michele Ross Classified Manager Kelli Mason Assistant to the Publisher Jean Own bey Advertising Sales: Ten Boring. Gary DeLossa. Tom Leech. Catherine Lilia. Rick Mart;. Laura McKinney. Heather Mull. Joann Nelson. Julie Paul. Barbara Rogers. Scott Thorkildson. Joan WHdermuth News and Editorial 6M5511 Display Advertising and Business US-3712 Classified Advertising SM4343 Latter Perfect Graphics MS 5511 Production BSA43S1 Circulation SM 5511 Editor Managing Editor News Editor Editorial Paga Editors Sports Editor Photo Editor Graphic Oasign Editor Special Issues Editor Enterlainment/Sports Segment Editor Night Editor Stanley Nelson Scott Maben Eden God bey Angela Muni//Steven Hoenlach Aaron Knos Shu-Shlng Chen Lorraine Rath Kelly Kortekaaa H C Hutto Andrew LaMar Associate Editors Community Stephen Maher Higher Education/ Administration Michael Drummond Student Government Activities Carolyn Lamberson General Assignment /Entertainment Will Holbert Reporters: Betsy Clayton Paula Green. Frale de Gu/man. Craig Hants. Gary Henley. Andrew LaMar. Jett Morgan. In grid Petersen. Cami Swanson. Kelvin Wee Photographers: Sherlyn Biorkgren, Maria Corvallis. Andy Crtpe Dusty Et/el. Derrel Hewitt. John Giusllna. Bobbie Lo. Ross Martin, Andre Ranierl. Dan Wheeler. Michael Wilhelm Production: Sandra Daller / Ad Coordinator Kelly Alesandre. Ronwln Nicole Ashton. Virginia Baniaga. Laura Carhart. Ellen Cross, Eva Cohen, Stephanie Drynan Dolores Ferreo. Shannon Gaither. Lisa Haggerty. Stephanie Holland. Deirdre Kelly. Eliot Knight Chris Knos, Jung Lee. Bobbie Lo. Ross Martin. James Mason Angie Muni/. Ted Shepler. Linda Sperling. Lisa Svanevik. Ingrid White. Mike Wilhelm. Kelly Williams, Serena Williams. X Kang Xle a scrape on his hand, and become an AIDS victim. And perhaps he should not receive a blood transfusion because those screening pro cedures are imperfect. And perhaps, if he uses intravenous drugs, he should not use dirty needles because that is another manner in which the disease may be transmitted; not created Also, let me caution him that it is possible to acquire AIDS from his partner in vaginal intercourse. Russ Gilman Freshman Time for war It's time for our nation to start a war against them Iranians! It's in our best interest, don't you think? Just consider what it will do for the GNP (the guiding in dicator that leads us all to pro sperity and happiness). Why think how the steel industry and ship building industry will sail through the next recession when we have to replace our naval vessels after Iranian attack The oil companies should re joice that we are in conflict. A little scrimmage could boost the price of oil and put the life back into a dying domestic oil industry. Surely the medical supplies industry should support further action in the Middle East; wounded men will create a de mand for more products. And we all know that an increased demand will lead to greater pro fits for American corporations. The casket builders and mor tuaries across the nation should also support a decisive attack. Business will be better than ever, providing our troops ever make it back. Yes. it's time for a war It will be good for the American economy, fust remember: What's good for the economy is good for the people! Allan Hancock PPPM The facts In reply to Jeff Mornarich's letter, a few facts need to be clarified (ODE, Oct. 19). While your dictionary may define sodomy as only “anal copulation.“ the accepted legal definition in most states in cludes both ana! and oral sex. In fact, when Michael Hardwick was arrested 10 years ago, he was in the privacy of his own bedroom engaged in the latter activity. I seriously doubt that the Supreme Court has begun breaking legal precedent by considering issues extraneous to the case at the time of initiation. Another erroneous statement you made dealt with the transmission of AIDS. The facts are, that other than blood-to blood contact, one of the most efficient means of transmission of the virus is through vaginal intercourse So eliminating anal sex would have little effect on the spread of AIDS. Anal sex does not "create” AIDS. It is spread by a variety of means, among them some of your favorites But the main problem with your argument is a typical one expressed by the straight com munity, and your insinuation regarding your personal sexual practices shows your tenuous touch with reality: Abstinence is not a practical solution! You may be willing to abstain as a means of protecting yourself (although it does not sound like it), but for the vast majority of us. whether straight or gay. it simply is not a viable alternative. We handed out free condoms to random people to make a point: We all need to take AIDS seriously. letters like yours do a grave disservice to the straight community by continuing to mislead people as to who is at risk; we all are Tim Hughes Co-director, Gay and Lesbian Alliance
