EDITORIAL Measure’s passage lends deadly weapon Having won its first major showdown in Spring field, the OCA is aimin' to cleanup Springfield like it’s never been cleaned up before. Don’t took now, but the sun is settin’ on the school and public libraries. Given the go-ahead to officially parade its message of prejudice via the rucent passage of its anti-gay-and lesbian rights measure, the Oregon Citizens Alliance will now scour the town's libraries for any sign of ho mosexuality. The initiative forbids Springfield to "encourage, promote or facilitate homosexuality," classifying it as "abnormal, wrong, unnatural and perverse.” It’s scary enough that the majority of the town agrees with this assumption, as shown by its passing vote. Worse, the OCA now has the option to go to sources of information and dictate what will be offered to the public. No organization deserves that right. Sources offer ing information, such as libraries, should not be limit ed by guidelines set by special interest groups. Infor mation relevunt to the general public should be avail able in these institutions —- not a pared-down pool of knowledge defined by a certain few. But wait — didn’t the public at large have its say at the voting booth? Didn't they just say no to homosexu ality? Yes — but. the mere fact that information exists about homosexuality is reason enough to preserve its availability. By appearing in the realm of information sources, it proves it’s relevant to a segment of the pub lic. even if it’s the minority of the town’s population. And so it deserves availability. Fortunately, the Oregon Library Association acted to preserve its right to offer u variety of information last April by passing a resolution against the OCA’s meas ure. The association voiced a fear of censorship — a valid concern, since that’s exactly what would happen should the OCA actually begin to push for the removal of books it finds offensive. In response to a question asked at the Lane County Press Club's January meeting, regarding the OCA's stance on removing "wrong" literature. OCA Director Lon Mabon said, "I'm not advocating the removal of any books from any libraries." On further questioning. Mabon admitted removal could happen as u result of the measure’s passage, and said he would be dismayed should this happen. Sure, the man has the prerogative to change his mind, or forget what he said, or whatever else may have happened between then and now. The alarming fact is he. along with the organization he heads up. have been handed a dangerous weapon with the meas ure’s approval. Guns don't belong in children’s bands. CORRECTION In u May 27 article on psychology research, L)r Robert Weiss’ numo was misspelled. The Lmomld regrets thti error. 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Garni Koappmg. k«*> rut Mew Bt*»uC Gbtal Worming CW.V N CADQGt LETTERS Responsibility The ApriI 30lh rully at lhu University following the releuse of Kodney King's abusers was purposeful and Justified, the violence following It was not Frustrations erupted when the obvious wrongdoing the LA police officers committed, cap tured on tape, was simply brushed aside, once again prov ing that discrimination and crime are still sanctioned by our national legal system. The release of King's abusers sparked one of the most power ful and angry rallies to come across this campus in recent years I agreed with the major ity of what was said ut the rally, yet my support of the rally end ed when it turned violent and unlawful The destruction of federal property was senseless and served no purpose but to physically vent the frustrations that had already vocally made their point. Brian Hoop, a student sena tor, was recorded on tape de stroying federal property dur ing this rally Hoop was filmed brooking the law, just as Rod ney King's abusers were. I con sider Hoop a brave person for relieliing against a legal system in error, yet I do not respect him for breaking the law. I believe I have developed a good sense lor what is just and right I believe the Kodney King protests wore legitimate. I be lieve tfie violence was not. I be lieve violence serves no pur pose but to create more vio lence. Kodney King's abusers must be made responsible for their recorded abuse. Brian Hoop must be responsible for nis Seth Walker Student Senator Mask Up Those protesters are so smart. What better way to protest Bri an Hoop's unjust imprisonment by the forces of evil and hypo crisy than by wearing a mask, lust in case7 Now you can all feel safe from reprisals if world events force you to resort to violence. You are no longer just dissatisfied college students; now you get to In; part id punts in a long and distinguished ter rorist tradition. When you want to smash the system, you coin feel like real revolutionaries in your brand-new anonymity. Unfortunately, not everyone has their own mask I propose you contact the local branch of the KKK and see if you can't borrow some of those noul white hoods they use. If the hoods are good enough for their hate crimes, they're good enough for yours. Although your goals art; slightly different from theirs, I'm sure you can still learn a lot from those guys. After all, they're the American authorities on random anony mous violent®. When you've learned every thing you can from them, you can go international. You can study the practices of the hi Salvador death squads until you've really got your own brand of self-righteous violence down Then, when you've crushed or intimidated every one who disagrees with you. the world will be free of hate and sab? for diversity. Lane* LeFever Anthropology/English Worldwide When you believe in a cause, you must decide how strongly you fool for it. The sign of true dedication is when you con sciously decide to not druw the line The consequences of your actions are often a stronger statement than the actions themselves. The furthest you can go for a cause, short of be ing liillod, is being arrested. This is civil disobedience. If Brian Hoop feels strongly enough about the issue of civil liberties and the fair treatment of minorities, then he should hope that he is given the strongest sentence possible. Does the punishment fit the crime? Absolutely not, but it does fit the statement that needs to be made. Nelson Man dela brought more attention to South Africa when he was in jail than any other lime in his life. Hoop is no Mandela — he is not even a political prisoner. He was involved In the destruc tion of federal property. If you feel strongly about the issues, I would suggest some thing a little less destructive than what Hoop chose, but I would urge you to try getting arrested. Thoroau was asked onco, "Why aren't you in iail?” To which he responded, "Why aren't you in jail?" You do not need to dostroy property to bu put in jail. Blocking the entrance of the federal building will get you there. If protesters swamp the system, if the media cun start quoting numbers of political prisoners in the United States, then the cause will be heard around the world. John Thomas Field Student Change Breaking glass is not going to get anything accomplished. All 1 saw were u bunch of self righteous children looking for a reason to throw a temper tan trum. Now 1 am forced to watch my tax dollars and student fees used to clean up their mess. If you really want to make a change in this world, start with your selves. Stop being violent. It is u short-torm, shortcut solu tion to a very long-term prob lem. People on this campus protest wur and violence, claiming there are bettor ways to solve our problems. Yet, when it suits lhojr nueds. those same people justify their use of violence as the only means of achieving change. They want the violence against homosexuals, minor ities and women to stop, and to accomplish this they them selves advocate and perpoluate violunco as some kind of an swer. They are hypocrites. Change youiself before you try to change the world. Wendy Chamberlain Anthropology