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
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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