EDITORIAL Jolin must face facts and pack her bags Oregon politics grow more Interesting every day. And though the characters we have elected are entertaining, they’re not getting any work done. If there was a poster child for being a disruptive ele ment, the unanimous choice would he Sen. Peg Jolin, who holds the distinction of being the first convicted felon to serve in the Oregon Senate. Jolin was convicted of lying to solicit contributions, but is appealing her conviction. Having added "convicted felon" to her resume, she was appointed as chairwoman of the Business, Housing and Consumer Affairs Com mittee. Who says crime doesn’t pay? Citizens of Cottage Crove, who Jolin now only mar ginally represents, have initiated a recall campaign after she refused to resign. The recall campaign stands a chance of success, espe cially because Senate ethics rules prohibit members from raising campaign contributions while the Legislature is in session. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans have proposed a con stitutional amendment that would prohibit felons from serving in the Legislature. House Majority Leader Greg Walden supported the amendment saying, "The Capitol and the state penitentiary may be on the same street, but there ought to be only one building where you have to serve with felons." Presumably, he means the penitentiary, but in Oregon politics you can never be too sure. Jolin, for her part, is trying to turn this into a parti san issue, which in a way it is. Jolin, a Democrat, gives her party a 1ft-14 majority in the Senate, a slim margin that could be lost if she were recalled and possibly replaced by a Republican. Jolin has accused Senate Republicans of being "extra ordinarily vicious." and are not allowing her “due process that is guaranteed to every citizen of this country." Jolin has apparently forgotten she already had her "due process" and was convicted, Although she is appealing, for now she is a convicted felon, a criminal, and should not be exempt from punishment because she is appeal ing her conviction. Perhaps even more Interesting is the reaction of Ore gonians to Jolin compared to San. Bob Packwood. Pack wood, who has been accused of sexual harassment, has not been convicted, or even charged, with any crime. Yet people feel obliged to demonstrate vigorously for his res ignation. At the same time, Jolin is virtually ignored by demon strators who claim to want integrity in government, such as those who protested Packwood. Yet Jolin is a convicted felon, with emphasis on "convicted." Could there be a partisan standard of conduct being applied here? It’s acceptable for a Democrat to serve, even though she’s a convicted felon, but it’s not all right for a Republican to serve, regardless of the fact he’s been convicted of nothing, Whatever the reason, Jolin's presence has prevented the Legislature from getting on with its business. All cynicism aside, the Senate is truly no place for a con victed felon. Period. Oregon Daily Emerald The Oregon Deity EmaraM ta pubsahed da*y Monday though Friday during the rcfod yaw wM Tuaaday and Thureday dunng N aurnmer by » Oregon. Eugana. Oregon The EmaraM operate* independently ol the Umveteny with olticaa al Suite 300 o< the Erb Memorial Unon wM n a member ot the Aeoocraled Praia The EmaraM it private property The unlawful removal or uia ol papart •» proaacutabla by fc P«! H»m» IdItof EdttorM (dnonn«au •vootamartto EdHor Ca#ay Andw*o« Mgm cdhor: MMn lunar Ataocial* Editor*. Tommy Batay. Stodanr GovammantrArtrv*#*. Oardyn Trapp*. Conmu n*y Coaoan PoM«g btgfm £ dura(iorvAdn>y*s)rai>ar> Nm Si alt Cnaalar Allan Mandy Baucum. Man Bandar to*lm Brown, Saran Q»t>. Dylan Cou*!#f Mag Dadc^i. Amy Dovanport, Amanda Faint*. Atoa Farran. Tam HunUmgar. ti*a Anaaia. 1>M Maun. Damian Mctaon. Slava Mma. Tiltmi kAtartar Tn»l* Horn Mama* SthuMar f ««n Shaw. Mkcnaa Snmt** Enc* Stud*rw*a. Manon Settlor, Uchato Thompaoo Aguua. Amy Vat Tuyi. Todd Warni JarquaMt* Wog* OanaraJ Martagar Judy Rwd Production Man agar Me*** Boaa Advancing: Tom L**ei>. Sharon Vai Sa»« M»naparj Shawn Batvan. Othc* Manager J«t* kola, faraaa iiam. Ph-tp Jonnton U. CXra Kanod. Jeramy Maaon. Van V OBytan II. GtCutn On. Rachael Ttu«. Ang* Wtndhavn. Brian Wmdhwm Oaaainad: i“*ggy McQmn. Manapw Bar'y Logan. Sliaron Sauna CXttrl button Nabatea Brook* Knst, Van Gordon Anthony Wynn Bukina**: K*ny Carbon*. Supwvraor tody Contto*y Production: Ingrid While, prodkredon Coordinator Ktiylin* Grangar. 0*« McCot*. Slacy Mien**: J*n™t#r Roland, Jannilar Srrudi. Anna Slaphenaon Nmrvoom Butin#** Ofltc# 34B-S31Z Display Advertising S46-3112 Classified Advertising 34*~*H3 SENATOR JOUN. VO 'you WAVt ANY IPCA How A FELONY CONVICTION IS GOhOCr Tb AfFEC-T YOUR CAttFR as a politician? CONGRATULATIONS' MDUV& KEN PR0MOTEP Xt> * ft>J>»T‘oN csf 1£APEP6HIF7__J Nbu MEAa SENATE PRESET I COMMENTARY KWAX needs community base by George Beres 'V^WAX. the University’s powerful radio voice, is a jL^Lmixed blessing, even for classical music buffs. The University public radio outlet is an island of classical music In a contemporary music country. Even as an oasis for the thirsty classical oar, KWAX is in danger of playing nothing but redundant classical Muzak that creates as much disappointment as satisfaction in listeners. The latest evidence was the station's Christmas announce ment that in 1993, it no longer would tarry one of the rare pro grams in its packaged repertory having an Oregon link. "St. Paul Sunday Morning," hosted by former Eugene Symphony con ductor Bill McGlaughlin. had to be dropped One can't argue with the rea son: The money isn't there to maintain network affiliation for the show But implications go beyond money. They suggest station management and the University are increasingly con tent to be part of the jungle of depersonalized network music. The skills of announcer Caitriona Bolster can only go so far. Her voice and understand ing of classical programming is the sole buffer between KWAX and complete personal sterility. Her value was reflected by her selection last year by Robed Conrad, of the Cleveland Orchestra, to be the National Public Radio "voice” for a national series of Mozart con certs. There's irony there. Because of Bolster's voice — albeit sup plied by satellite from a distant point back East — the packaged network series on Mozart had a local identity when broadcasted over KWAX, as once did the McGlaughlin program But the balance of the KWAX broadcast schedule depends on the music library and computer ized programming — good to listen to up to a point, but lack ing the personal character a self respecting radio station owes its audience. But when it comes to steering an intelligent course through classical programming. Holster is a minority of one on the KWAX staff and In the admin istration that oversees it. Those are tough financial times for KWAX. as elsewhere. The University's most attractive outreach into the community, it has to generate its own funds through listener support. Does a full schedule of network shows enhance these efforts? Doubtful. As canned programming dehy drates its image, it restricts its fundraising options There's no argument that classical music should be its focus, But the great problem with KWAX is its failure to exploit its location, to develop public affairs programs that tap expertise of the University's top professors. A one hour public affairs pro gram out of a weekly broadcast schedule of 108 hours would enable campus authorities to comment on relevant issues, giving KWAX some variety and national significance. For example. Jim Klonoski. in political science, and law school Dean Dave Frohnmayer could express lively insights into the Sen. Bob Packwood controversy, and on implica tions of ex-President George Bush's Christmas Eve pardon of figures in the Iran-Contra scan dal. Ron Wixman. of the geogra phy department, could give lis teners an understanding of Eastern Europe and the Balkans in ferment that he has long shared with the federal govern ment. John Baldwin, in Plan ning. Public Policy and Management, started the new year with another trip to Cher nobyl and could provide per spectives on how that peacetime nuclear tragedy might have potential parallels in the United States. Music Dean Anne Dhu Mcl.u cas is a potent new resource who could light up the airwaves with comments on a Eugene music scene currently in a state of major transition Many others on campus are qualified and articulate enough to reach out The gnat problem with KWAXIsits failure to exploit its location, to develop public affairs programs that tap expertise of the University’s top professors. and stimulate the community over the airwaves. The potential for good — and for a good sound — also tan be fed by experts in the communi ty who often share their insights on campus. Among them: Paul Slovick, head of the Decision Research think tank; Keza Uehnam. director of Eugene's Institute for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies: and a wide spectrum of internationally known athletic figures such as jogging guru Bill Bowerman. That programming could help foster significant new financial support from listeners. It also would fill another important role — meeting pub lic service responsibilities implicit in a campus having a radio frequency. That commit ment has received only lip ser vice at KWAX. "Read my lips" may have been the byword of a retiring president, but as a new admin istration is likely to graft fangs onto a Federal Communications Commission Bush and his pre decessor made toothless, KWAX may be forced to give higher priority than lip service to public affairs, as well as to music with a local identity. Better that the change come from enlightened self-interest and concern for the community than because the federal "big daddy" says so. George Acres is a classics columnist for Oregon Music News.