Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 14, 1999)
NEWSROOM: (541)346-5511 E-MAIL ode@oregon. iM»egon.edu ON-LINE EDITION: www.dailyemerald.com EDITOR IN CHIEF Ryan Frank EDITORIAL EDITORS Kameron Cole Stefanie Knowlton BATTING practice With TMt C u bans... yVNCHl* -TELL TO) WHMLVreU GIVE TOO A DISCOUNT ON YOUR NEXT SET OF NUCLEAR SECRETS? Letters to the Editor Protesters off base I would like to take a moment to offer my insights on the recent NATO bombing protests in front of Johnson Hall. Living in a world of idyllic pacifism, these students and professors engage in cowardly behav ior. The folly of their argument lies in the inability to be cognizant of evil. Rational discourse will not work with a Slobodan Milosevic. Diplomatic actions have been attempted, but to what avail? Those clois tered in the ivory tower world of academia cannot understand an approach that devi ates from their cerebral, theoretical orienta tion. I his conflict has had and will continue to have innocent victims. I’m very sad dened by this, but no direct engagement has ever been free from actions that have caused unintended consequences. Even history’s great example of nonviolence, Mo handas Gandhi, caused suffering. When he led a movement boycotting British cotton in India, it reverberated back to British society. The low-income workers in Manchester saw a decrease in cotton production. This lead to the malnourishment of children liv ing in Manchester. Although a noble man, Gandhi caused suffering for many. But in the end, history judged his action valid. Anyone who thinks the movement can re main ethically pure is living in a state of disillusionment. I hope these protesters learn that true courage is the ability to stand up against atrocities. Brian Fitzgerald Eugene Supportive senator I would like to express my frustration with the University. Michael Dixon was convicted of theft charges of University property last summer. Due to his being elected as a student senator for the busi ness school, the Emerald felt it was obligat ed to publicize stories. I can relatively un derstand its motives to inform the student objectively, but to ask Michael to step down is a blatant corruption of power, and the students and community members who voice equal support are obviously plagued with ignorance. We humans are not perfect, and the editorial asking Michael to step down acknowledges this and states “an unwritten code of honor de mands that we own up to those mistakes and accept the consequences that come with them.” He has done this. He has ad dressed you, the students, and has been sentenced as the court saw fit. Michael has demonstrated an amazing ability to lead and sacrifice his time for stu dents. It is so easy to judge, it is so easy criticize. It is hard to serve students who are so unaware of what civic activism is. It is so hard to balance work, activism and school. Michael has volunteered his time to the Black Student Union as public rela tions manager, the Student Senate and his fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma, as president. Michael has brought a new perspective to campus (that is greatly needed) and has committed himself to effecting change and serving, you, the student body. Some of the most active leaders come from a torrid past. We must learn to put the past behind and look at the positive future that is pos sible from people like Michael. If you are unsure of his honesty and commitment, talk to him — you will change your mind. Jamila Singleton Student Senator Lead on, Dixon I have read all the articles on Senator Dixon, including his responses, and al though what he has done I do not com mend, I find him admirable. Admirable not in the fact of what he has done, but for the fact he stays in office despite all the nega tives responses he is receiving (ODE, May 12). I know Dixon is sorry for his actions, but he is trying to prove to the students that he can be a good leader despite his mistake. He has admitted to the public that he has done wrong, and that is not an easy thing to do. I know personally that I would hide away from everyone once something like this was discovered about me, but Dixon has not been hiding. He is still planning community service events and is an active member in the BSU. I feel he deserves the chance to show his ability to lead us, and I know many agree with me on this, includ ing the current senators. You do not find the current senators telling him to resign, but they are encouraging him and have been throughout this entire ordeal. If people (ODE) really wanted the dirt on our elected officials, then maybe they should have done their background checks while they were still candidates and not elected officials. Then maybe people would not feel this way about the people serving them. After all, we did elect Dixon into of fice. Dixon, hang in there! You have my complete support! Tonya Thorsteinsson Biology
