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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 26, 1990)
EDITORIAL No obvious reason for Gulf conflict The newest reason President Bush has given for the Unites States’ presence in the Persian Gulf is by far his most creative. The latest rhetoric used to justify military action against Iraq is the threat of the Arab country's develop ment of a nuclear arsenal. While giving our boys in the Gulf a pep talk and sharing some turkey with them. Bush told them they were not only there to push Sad dam Hussein and his forces out of Kuwait, but also to end his quest for nuclear weapons. Another flip-flop on Bush's part about the real rea sons behind our presence in the Gulf shows how wor ried the President is about a lack of support to back his threatening words toward Hussein. Since the lesson of Vietnam, the public isn't will ing to buy the simple good-guy. bad-guy reasons that have justified most “wars” until now. Red-baiting or its equivalents no longer work with a public that is still recovering from the wounds of an unpopular war. It was easy for Roosevelt to get support for World War 11. not only because he actually went to Congress and got permission, but also because the enemy was clear and present. Germany and japan had been mak ing displays of "naked aggression” for several years before the United States finally took action. It wasn't until one of these enemies attacked and American lives were lost that the United States felt it was necessary to intervene. Then was clearly an enemy, and the goals of the military effort ware perfectly clear as wall. The mason Bush Is having trouble getting the full fledged support ha needs and wants Is because the Anflffbui iwMir- doit not vat foe! thnttend! ^QjXMJg >OU ARE HERE f® ® i awhepe f »<X« r*»«ANPH0€ SPHERE J**1® «.«■• « £ *»"* ® A AWHBE ® PH0JE I —_— -——-1 Thatcher gone, but not her influence Even though her popularity has been slipping during the past year. Margaret Thatcher nonetheless stunned the world last Friday by resigning as prime minister of Great Britain. Thatcher has been credited with revital izing England's position in the world during her 11-year reign. But in the past month, two of her Cabi net members resigned because of differences of opinion with Thatcher. Former cabinet member, Michael Heseltine, has been Thatcher’s chief opponent in the Conserva tive Party leadership. Although Thatcher expressed reserva tions about the single European market be ginning in 1992. it was the inception of a poll tax that eventually turned up the heat against her. The tax, which is officially called the “community charge,” is uniform for every one over the age of 18. The rate, set by the municipal government, replaced the more progressive property tax. Heseltine said he would reform the poll lax by basing it on income, therefore garner ing support from the Labor Party, the main opposition to the Conservative Party - But Heseltine is really more like Thatch er than he will admit. And the biggest change will be more external than internal. Thatcher was a forceful prime minister, and was sometimes rather brash in her approach to England's problems. Thatcher will be remembered for win ning the war in the Falkland Islands against Argentina in 1983, and for siding with for mer President Ronald Reagan on just about every issue confronting the two countries. She made England a world power again. Great Britain is better off for having Thatcher as Prime Minister, but in these tense times England needs someone with a little more finesse and a lot less heavy-hand ed strategies. Thatcher seemed invincible for most of her term. But nothing lasts forever. Not even Margaret Thatcher. LETTERS Up service Now lei me see if I've not this straight: The University guarantees "free speech” to the CIA to re cruit future employees who will commit assassinations and other acts of terrorism in for eign countries. The University does not wish to guarantee free speech to the Stanford Univer sity Marching Hand Imi ause the band's presentation hurt the feelings of some of the specta tors. Furthermore, the University has refused to rent Autzen Sta diuni to the Grateful Dead, sc as not to give the appearance ol condoning even a small amount of drug use by a mostly peaceful crowd. Hut the Uni versitv is not witling to take any serious steps to stop vio lence and vandalism by Duck football fans, because the fan's drug of choice alcohol i> legal Or is it just that wealthy alumni and their sons can gei away with anything? Could it l>e that despite all the talk of a "University for e\ ervbodvOregon is still a uni versitv for hardly anybody' Could all the lip service to di versity merely lie a cover lor an institution that exists only to meet the needs of rich, white, conservative, heterosexual men? Since I am not a University student or employee, and since I don’t even like the Grateful Dead, maybe tins slate of affairs is not my concern. Hut as an Oregon taxpayer. I have to say I'm distressed that my money is helping to pay for it Betsy Brown Eugene Be nice In response to the letter "Flag Flop.” (Ol)E. Nov 15): Never mind the old adage "if you can't say something nic e "I think this is more ap propriate. If you can't say something intelligent, don't say anything at all! I didn't realize the the Uni versity had six h an abundance of mart lung, colorguard. drill writing and coordination ex perts I do feel fortunate how ever. that these experts can make their opinions known so that the entire community tan Itencfit from their years of expe rience and invaluable exper tise Not only is the colorguard talented and well-rehearsed, but they support the school in a positive way. The colorguard deserves the same support from the school. Oh. by the way. I can't wait to see all the experts at spring tryouts to show every one how it's done l.uke Spencer Eugene All connected In response to Frank Lim baugh's letter [ODE. Nov. 14): The University provides an open forum for all ideas not just the ones you endorse. Cen sorship does not resolve con flict it intensifies it You stated, "an animal is not an 'individual,' an animal is an animal." How profound! For your in formation. an individual is a single thing or being — not a humosapien, .is you implied The question is not. “Can a slug drive a car or can a cat build a 50-story building?" The question is, "can they suffer?” And quite i learlv the answer is yes. Animal rights does not re quire that non-humans lx* awarded the right to vote, or freedom of religion No it is much mom simple than that. All we ask is that all the inhabi tants of the earth be treated with dignity and respect. "Whatever befalls the beasts of the Earth, befalls the chil dren of the Earth. All things are connected." — Chief Seattle Todd Hausman SETA Bad apples It is ironic how hypocritical the letters to the editor can be. I'll explain my case. It seems in vogue lately to either rip on the greeks for reserving seats, or to backlash at the University for tunning the Dead from Autzen Stadium. I do not condone "seat sav ing" even though I am one who could benefit from such prac tices My friends and I prefer going to the game as a group. I am amazed by the fact that peo pie will so readily judge every one in the greek system based on a select few. That is discrim ination at its best. Along this line. 1 would like to say that in contrast to Jonathan Schildbach's letter {ODE, Nov. 14). I realize that 1 am out of high school, and that regard less of what Marc Smith {ODE. Nov. 14) might think, I have an identity of my own. In the same manner, many students are upset that the Uni versity banned the Dead be cause of the isolated incidents involving a few "bad apples." The argument is that the entire group should not be judged by the actions of the few. I agree with this. These same people then judge the greek system based on a few “bad apples.” Wake up and see the hypocrisy. Jeffrey Chase Management/Marketing LETTERS POLICY The Oregon Daily Emerald will attempt to print all letters containing comments on topics of interest to the University community. Comments must be factually accurate and refrain from personal attacks on the char acter of others.