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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 1987)
Editorial Gorbachev interview a new perspective Monday night NBC, aired an interview between anchor man Tom Brokaw and Mikhail Gorbachev, the leader of the Soviet Union. The interview was the first of its kind and comes seven days before Gorbachev visits the United States to sign an arms control agreement This interview emphasizes how Gorbachev is beating President Ronald Reagan at his own media game by using the press to present his views and show himself in a positive light. Throughout the discussion Gorbachev explained his policies on the Strategic Defense Initiative and the Soviet Union's involvement in Afganastan from his ideology — not an American interpretation. This offered viewers a unique opportunity to comprehend the reasons behind some Soviet actions and ultimately to begin to understand the country. Since he became the leader of the Soviet Union, Gor bachev has been trying to improve policies within his coun try and relations with the United States. His policy of glasnost, or openness, has allowed journalists and others in to the country to view and report on Soviet life. This opportunity gives Americans the chance to unders tand a country stereotypically portrayed as cold and evil. The media has played an important and vital role in over coming those stereotypes. Gorbachev knows how the American media operates and has used it to open the Soviet Union to different points of view as well as explain the history of the Soviet Union. Gorbachev said this was a necessary first step towards understanding his country. Hy perm it mg an interview with a major American net work, Gorbachev is continuing his glasnost policy. He was able to promote his country's views to millions of Americans because the discussion was shown during prime time. There has been some criticism about Soviet officials' reasons for choosing NBC. however. Some say ABC was not selected because of its miniseries "Amerika'' and CBS was not selected because the kremlin did not approve of Dan Rather. Bmkaw’ may be the softest of the three network anchors, but Gorbachev lias the power to select his medium just as Reagan can select his for a press conference. He is using the same tool American politicians do. Because the interview was only one hour, Brokaw's questions covered a wide range of topics. Lack of time also limited the depth of discussion on issues. Nonetheless, the interview is an important step toward understanding the Soviet Union and promoting the upcom ing arms control agreement. Unfortunately some are not as enthusiastic about arms control agreement or Gorbachev's visit to the United States. Republican senators threatened to walk out if Gorbachev was allowed to speak before them. Consequently, he will not speak in the Senate. This is our congressmen's loss as they could gain a bet ter understanding of the Soviet Union before making foreign policy decisions. Without Gorbachev's viewpoint, they miss out on the perspective of another world leader. Gorbachev has demonstrated his ability to manipulate the media and promote his views. This gives Americans the opportunity to leurn about the Soviet Union and a better ability to work toward future agreements. This interview was a part of this understanding and should not be taken as propaganda. Oregon Daily Emerald P.O. Bat H$t. hutror ttrvgon V740I The Oregon Daily Emerald it published Monday through Friday except during etam week and vacations by Ihe Oregon Dally Emerald Publishing Co al the University of Oregon. Eugene. Oregon The Emerald operates independently ot the University with offices on the third door ot the Erb Memorial Union and is a member ot the Associated Press The Emerald is private property The unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable by law General Staff Advertising Director Susan Thelen Production Manager Michele Ross Classified Manager Kelli Mason Assistant to the Publisher Jean Ownbey Advertising Sales Rick Mart; Sales Manager Ten Boring. Gary DeLossa. Tom Leech. Catherine Lilia Rick Mart;. Laura McKinney, Joann Nelson. Julie Paul. Barbara Rogers. Scott Thorkildson. Joan Wildermuth News and Editorial 6864$ t 1 Display Advertising and Business 686 3712 Classified Advertising 686 4343 Letter Perfect Graphics MS 5511 Production 686 4381 Circulation 686-SStt Editor Managing Editor News Editor Editorial Page Editors Sporls Editor Photo Editor Graphic Design Editor Special issues Editor Entertainment Sports Segment Editor Night Editor Stanley Nelson Scott Maben Carolyn Lamberson Angela Munu Steven Hoenlach Aaron Knox Shu Shmg Chen Lorraine Rath Kelly Kortekaas H C Hutto Andrew LaMar Associate Editors Community Stephen Mahei Higher Education Administration Michael Drummond Student Government Activities Will Holbert Features Kelly Korlekaas Reporters Betsy Clayton. Paula Green. Frale de Gujman Craig Harris. Gary Henley. Andrew LaMar. Jell Morgan. In grid Petersen. Cam! Swanson, Kelvin Wee Photographers: Sherlyn Biorkgren. Chnstophe Chabaudie, Andy Crtpe. Clift Et/et John Glustlna, Bobbie Lo. Gregor Okorn Andre Ranieri. Ted Shepler. Michael Templeton, Dan Wheeler Production: Sandra Oaller / Ad Coordinator Kelly Alexandre. Ronwin Nicole Ashton, Virginia Baniaga. Laura Carhart. Eva Cohen, Stephanie Drynan, Dolores Fer rero. Shannon Gaither. Lisa Haggerty. Stephanie Holland Deirdre Kelly. Eliot Knight. Chris Knox, Jung Lee. Bobbie Lo. James Mason, Ross Martin, Angela Muniz, Ted Shepler. Linda Sperling, Lisa Svanevik, Ingrid White Kelly Williams Serena Williams. X Kang Xie Letters Reponsibility With regard to the "Scarlet Loiter" editorial (ODE, Nov. 17). perhaps it would be emlrar rassing for Bateman to have friends over who would be greeted at his door with a hand shake and a glimpse into his personal life, via the sign. However, parts of the issue were apparently edited out of the editorial. For instance, Halenran does not drive his license was suspended for drunk driving. So much for signs on his car. The "unusual condition" of the parole is. after all, for an unusual person. Richard Hateman likes to have sex with small children. He's already boen to prison fur his unusual tastes; the therapy he received there obviously didn't help While signs may not solve “Bateman's problem." it will save his future victims the tragedy of being exposed to "cruel and unusual" punish ment which Bateman claims to la* "victim" of. The editorial says Bateman will be judged by his communi ty "without the benefit of an ex planation." I don't believe he could produce an explanation that would justify forcing sex on 5-year-old boys and girls. The editorial also states that it is a "desperate action" when society must face the "burden of trial and judgment." lawyers, judges and juries are all parts of society. We are guaranteed trial by peers. Socie ty includes peers, too. Most of society does not sex ually abuse children, and won't face this punishment Bateman has proved to society that he is incapable of controlling himself and has forced us to take responsibility for him Scott |an/en English Lyrics I am writing in response to a letter by Kush Abrams and Bon nie Plant that appeared in the Emerald Nov. 16. They directed some harsh / criticism toward The Guardians of American Morality and the band's poster-making tactics, as well as its lyrical content. 1 agree that the posters were not in good taste, but I believe con demning members of the Guar dians as songwriters is not the thing to do. Because one writes the lyric, "go home and beat the wife and children." it does not mean one advocates violence against women and children. Lyric writing, like poetry and other forms of creative writing utilizes many literary devices such as satire, sarcasm and irony to make a point. Lyrics may merely tell a story which may or may not lx- as real as life truly is. It is true there are men that do go home and beat their wives and children, (as well as wives that beat their children and husbands), but because a hand sings about this (even in the first person) does not absolutely indicate the band’s members support and encourage it. Nor does it make them victimizers of women. So please do not take one line of a song out of context to con demn several individuals representing a hand as wife and child abusers, or even sup porters of this inhumane practice. Don't get me wrong, as 1 too abhor pornography that is degrading and violent toward women, but 1 truly believe this has nothing to do with the lyrical aspect of the Guardians. Perhaps their posters are tasteless, but that is where it should end. Adem Tepedelen loumaiism Problem solved Mow gratifying to find that the University has finally solv ed the perennial problem of the marching hand's practices on the field disturbing those study ing in the library' The solution is admirable in its novelty as well as its effec tiveness: They have simply eliminated all study space in the library! Hiawatha Graduate, music
