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EDITORIAL
First Amendment applies to Promise Keepers too
■ OUR
OPINION: As an
institution that
encourages the
exploration of
ideas, the
University
should not
discriminate on
the basis of
speakers’
messages
CONTACT US
What do you think?
Write us a letter
expressing your opin
ion or E-mail us at
ode@oregon.uore
gon.edu
Letters to the editor
must be limited to no
more than 250
words, legible, signed
and the identification
of the writer must be
verified when the let
ter is submitted.
The Emerald reserves
the right to edit any
letter for length or
style.
The conservative-Christian
organization, The Promise
Keepers, should be
allowed to hold its men’s
conference at Autzen Stadium
despite the fact that portions of
their message disturb many peo
ple on campus and in the com
munity.
Opponents, including gay and
lesbian and women’s advocates,
say the group’s message and mis
sion is anti-woman and against
gays and lesbians. They call into
question the University’s decision
to rent the stadium to a group
they feel is discriminatory.
The Promise Keepers have
proved to the University they are
able to provide the financing to
cover rent and security for the
event. They are protected by the
First Amendment to voice their
message and should not be pro
hibited from renting University
facilities based solely on the con
tent of their message.
This situation highlights an
interesting trend on college cam
puses with regard to free speech.
Universities are traditionally
thought of as arenas for free
thought and exploration of new
ideas. People with views that may
be considered politically incor
rect are finding it more and more
difficult to voice their opinions.
No matter the logic and manner
of speech of these different voic
es, we cannot shut them up. As a
campus community we must
work to insure that all speech,
regardless of the content, be
unfettered. Doing so creates a
healthy debate that actually helps
bring important issues to the fore
front of campus discussion.
We are fortunate to live in a
country where a person can say
just about anything and still be
protected by the First Amend
ment. To silence even the most
threatening voice ultimately
silences our own.
This editorial reflects the opinion
of the Emerald editorial board.
I CANT BELIEVE THEY'RE LETTING
.THESE OTHER GROUPS SCHEDULE...
First Amendment
Practiced Here.
jb
AUTZEN
RENTAL
CHRIS HUTCHINSON/Emeraid
HISTORICAL
June 5,1996:
The Promise
Keepers signed a
contract with the
University to rent
Autzen Stadium
for its men’s
convention. The
group agreed to
pay $50,000 for
use of the
stadium.
July 10: The
Promise Keeper
Action Committee
presented the
University with a
petition
requesting that
funds raised at
the convention be
used for an anti
discrimination
conference.
July 19: The Pacifica
Forum presents
“Promise Keepers
Lifestyle: Implications
and Practices,” an
analysis and
description of the
Promise Keepers’
lifestyle. 11:45 a.m. -
1:15 p.m. Wesley
Center 1236 Kincaid
St.
August 2:
A vigil
organized by
the Promise
Keeper
Action
Committee
will take
place in the
Autzen
Stadium
parking lot.
August
2-3: The
Promise
Keepers
convention
will be held
at Autzen
Stadium.
The Oregon Daily Emerald is published daily Monday
through Friday during the school year and Tuesday and
Thursday during the summer by the Oregon Daily Emerald
Publishing Co. Inc., at the University of Oregon, Eugene,
Oregon. A member of the Associated Press, the Emerald
operates independently of the University with offices at Suite
300 of the Erb Memorial Union.
Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Emerald
editorial board; signed columns represent the opinion of the
columnist.
The Emerald is private property. The unlawful removal or
use of papers is prosecutable by law.
Editor-In-Chief: Steven Asbury
Associate Editors: Andrea DeYoung, Kristin Bailey
Editorial Editor Tiffany Smith
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Stop whining
To those who choose to be offended by
the onslaught of 40,000 Christian men
(Promise Keepers) to Autzen Stadium next
month: Stop whining!
Since when is every member of every
interest group entitled to an equal piece of
every pie? The problem with everyone try
ing to squelch every group that disagrees
with you is that eventually, nobody will
be allowed to openly speak, form an orga
nization, express an opinion, or live a cer
tain lifestyle. No matter who you are, or
what you believe, someone will always dis
agree, or be offended. If keeping everyone
happy is the prerequisite for whether we
can lawfully meet and express our opin
ions — goodbye diversity!
Imagine:
Jews couldn’t congregate in synagogues
on the Sabbath — they’d be
excluding/offending Christians, agnostics,
Hindus, Moslems.
500,000 black men couldn’t convene in
Washington, DC to recommit themselves
to their families and communities — they
would be excluding black women, and peo
pie of other races.
Gay Pride Week would have to be can
celed — they’d be excluding and/or offend
ing straight people.
Democrats and Republicans couldn’t
hold conventions — they’d be offending
each other, and excluding nonpartisans.
Duck fans couldn’t go to football games,
because they might offend Beaver fans or
anyone else who prefers another team.
Get the picture? Stop shooting yourselves
in the foot by trying to prevent freedom
of speech. Your own liberties are at stake.
Barbara J. Guardino
Student, Public Relations
Story one-sided
I found Monday’s article on the expand
ed bottle bill very limited and one-sided.
De Young presented the view of one small
grocer who does not agree with the pro
posed expansion. She never mentions even
one of the hundreds of businesses that con
sider the measure necessary and overdue.
Small grocers such as L&L Grocery, Sun
dance, and Oasis have stepped behind the
Oregon State Public Interest Research
Group in their efforts. OSPIRG is work
ing to expand the nickel deposit so it will
include drinks such as Snapple, iced tea
and bottled water. These supporters con
sider themselves to be responsible actors
in the business community and hope large
corporations will soon follow.
One hundred million cans and bottles
are ending up on Oregon’s roadsides and
landfills every year because they are not
covered by the nickel deposit. The expan
sion of this 1971 bill would not only pre
vent this litter, but would also require cor
porate responsibility for the non
recyclable, non-biodegradable products
they create. Recycling a product creates
nine times more jobs than landfilling.
Although the majority of Oregonians have
supported an expanded bottle bill, the Leg
islature has repeatedly failed to listen due
to the influence of big business like Coca
Cola, Pepsi and Phillip Morris. Now the
vote will be put in the hands of the people
this November. It is up to Oregonians to
take care of our state and its environment.
The expanded bottle bill is a critical step
in the preservation of Oregon’s beauty.
Mikola Liese
Education