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.
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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
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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