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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 6, 1982)
EDITORIAL/OPINION Kulongoski addresses concerns 'Freedom of the press' T w e n ty-five years ago the Soviet U n io n suc cessfully launched its first space satellite— Sput nik. S putnik opened the way fo r instantaneous com m unications. It also widened the com m uni cations gap between the developed nations and the T h ird W o rld and heightened the controversy over the “ New In fo rm a tio n O rd e r.” Discussions in the Movement o f N on-A ligned N ations and U N E S C O use the term “ c u ltu ra l im perialism ” to describe the control by m ultina tio n a l news agencies over the news a va ila b le w ith in the T h ird W o rld nations and about the T hird W o rld nations. N inety per cent o f the w o rld news dissemin ated by the press, radio and television in A frica , L a tin A m e rica and A sia (n o t in clu d in g C h ina and Japan) comes fro m New Y o rk , Lon don or Paris. The people o f the T h ird W o rld receive the m ajor part o f their news screened through west ern sources: “ They see their faces reflected from afar in m irrors that de fo rm .” (U N ESC O D irect o r G eneral A .M . M ’ B o w .) The people o f the U.S. and Western Europe do not receive T h ird W o rld re a lity. A lth o u g h T h ird W o rld nations make up tw o -th ird s o f the w o rld ’ s p o p u la tio n they receive little a tte n tio n fro m the news ser vices, except fo r wars and disasters. O nly 20 per cent o f the correspondents o f the fo u r m a jo r w ire services are in L a tin A m erica, A fric a and the M iddle East combined. The United States is the strongest opponent o f the “ New W orld In fo rm a tio n and C om m unica tion O rder” proposed by U N ES C O . U N E S C O asks fo r elim ination o f inequality, elim ination o f negative aspects o f in fo rm a tio n m on o p o ly, as sistance to underdeveloped nations, respect fo r (Continued fro m page I column 6) cu ltu ra l id e n tity. The U .S . interprets these de mands as a challenge to the free enterprise sys tem (news services are p rim a rily businesses) and to “ freedom o f the press.” Proponents o f the New O rder see in fo rm a tio n as a social function — a fundam ental hum an rig h t— not m erchan dise. “ O u r people liv e s u b m itte d to an u n c o n trolled invasion o f news which inculcates distant values that threaten our national identity. Such a fallacious concept o f freedom o f in fo rm a tio n , leaving absolute decision-m aking power about the in fo rm a tio n given to people in the hands o f tra n s n a tio n a l news enterprises can o n ly be termed unjust. The international press only col lects in fo rm a tio n that undermines the image o f our peo ple .. . ignoring our struggles, our efforts and just claims fo r a system o f international ju s tice,” said form er Venezuelan president Carlos Andres Perez. In the meantime, the m onopoly on in fo rm a tion goes on. Satellites that circle the earth trans m it messages dire ctly in to people’ s homes and th e ir governm ents are powerless to intercede. S atellite s can d isco ve r m in e ra l deposits u n know n to the natio ns in vo lve d . In te rn a tio n a l bankers can obtain economic in form ation faster than the governments involved. A n d transm is sion o f in fo rm a tio n is controlled, in large part, by a h a n d fu l o f tra n s n a tio n a l c o rp o ra tio n s — IT T , IB M , R C A , General Electric, CBS and a few Japanese firm s. W hile the transnationals c o n tro l the flo w o f in fo rm a tio n th ro u g h o u t the w o rld , the U .S . gove rn m e n t argues a b o u t " fre e d o m o f the press.” W i? (U Dew- W ö flO C H « PEU&UpWAfc - S-Sq / w Nicaraguan cartooniat'a view of US praaa campaign: Uncla Sam - Hara w a present proof of tha arma purchaaad by Nicaragua, w ith which w a ahow th at tha country la turning into a menace to tha ragion. Nicaraguan: *Turning into a what?' Letters to the Editor Opposes aid to ei Salvador Curious To the editor: To the editor: I am a freshman in college, who voted for the first time in the M ay primary. Recently, I have taken a special interest in the M etropolitan Service District. What's strange, though, is that I can’t find a single substantial achievement (besides m aking a lot o f people angry) that would justify the money it ’s been spending. It is probably obvious to most people that M e tro is being very po o rly managed, but what have we got to show for it? I ’m curious. I would like to clarify my position on El Salvador. Lanita Duke’s article in your pub lication o f September 14, correctly represented me on all issues except El Salvador. The message which her article gives is inaccurate: It is the process o f placing the initiative on the County ballot which seemed in consistent w ith both County policy and legal o p in io n . The C irc u it Court has since placed the initiative on the November 2 ballot. I want to make clear my position in opposition to U.S. involvement in El Salvador. I have a strong record o f support o f human rights, and I deeply believe that our money does not belong in El Salvador. Thank you, otherwise, for a good job o f reporting the facts. Dennis Buchanan County Commissioner Advertise in the Observer Thomas G. Karter, Jr. Receive your Observer by m ail— Subscribe todayl Only $10°° per year. Mail to: Portland Observer Box 3137 Portiend, Oregon 97208 Name Hit My Mom and Dad read the Portland Observer — why not you? Subscribe todayl Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association Address City____ .State. Portland Observer h atio nm The P o rtla n d Observer (U S P S 959-6801 it published every Thursday by Exie Publishing Company, Inc., 2201 North Killings- worth, Portland, Oregon 97217, Post Office Box 3137, Portland, Oregon 97208. Second class postage paid at Portland, Oregon | « l iW t MEMBER N e W p A per Association - Founded 1SSS Subscriptions: 110 00 per year in the Tri-County area Poet- m aster: Send address changes to the Portland Observer, P.O. Box 3137, Portland, Oregon 97206. A l McGilberry, Editor/Publisher A! Williams, Advertising Manager 283-2486 National Advertising Representative Amalgamated Publishers. Inc. New York have taken those positions because I have believed they are quite simply right. Both as a candidate and as Governor 1 want to hear the con cerns of blacks and other minorities. On October 12th I w ill be meeting with the members o f the Portland black community at the King facil ity and I w ill continue such gather ings as Governor. Governor Atiyeh has told the Ob server he favors the new federalism once the economy reverses and Ore gon can a ffo rd it. What does Rea gan 's new federalism program mean to you? H ow w ill it a ffe ct the state ‘s services and resources and specifically how would it ctffect m i norities and the disadvantaged in Oregon? The program that Reagan has proposed as ‘ new federalism* has been appropriately called a ‘ new feudalism .’ To me it sounds very much like a return to the ‘ states’ rights* arguments o f the past that were used as an excuse fo r any number o f types o f discrimination, p a rtic u la rly against the poor and minorities. One o f the Reagan pro posals in the health care area would impose an intolerable $220 m illion burden on Oregon. I f enacted the new federalism would undoubtedly reduce the level o f essential govern ment services because even with the best efforts the state could not make up that d e fic it in federal funds. Those cuts would have their most adverse impact on Oregon’s minori ties and disadvantaged. As Govern or I will be a strong opponent o f the misguided new federalism effort. Please addresss the Jollowing ed ucational concerns often heard in the Northeast community: low aca demic achievement, inadequate edu cation o f teachers in human rights, basic skills, subject urea and content certification standards, lack o f vo cational career counseling and edu cation and lack o f m onitoring the use o f special funds? O bviously many o f those con cerns are matters o f local ju risd ic tion and under the stale Department o f Education. They are, however, all influenced by the general level of education funding for basic school support provided by the state and as Governor I w ill work to increase (hat level o f support so (hat local communities can increase educa- tional q u a lity. I urge all citizens, and particularly m inority citizens, to be active in their local education al systems and work to make those systems reflect their concerns und values. School fin an cin g is a serious problem in Oregon. What changes do you propose? The most key change that must come about is to reverse the de crease in the level o f basic school support that is provided by the state. As Governor I will appoint u special blue ribbon citizen task force to study the entire Oregon (ax struc ture. That task force will be directed to find ways to stabilize the Oregon property tax system, while m ain taining its responsiveness to citizens' desires to control the level o f local services. Please state your position on the racial harassment b ill passed by the last legislature that is currently under review by the courts. I support the concept o f the racial harassment bill, and strong criminal penalties for racial harassment. As Governor I will work with the legis lature for a racial harassment b ill that will pass constitutional tests if the current statute is found to be un constitutional. Do you fa v o r an income lax? How does the sales tax d iffe r fro m the income tax in its impact on low and moderate income people? 1 do not favor an Oregon sales tax, and I am particularly opposed to the recommendation of the Gov e rn or’ s Economic Development Task Force for the highest sales tax on the west coast. I oppose a sales tax because it is a regressive lax that takes a greater portion o f low and middle income citizens' disposable income than it does from the rich. A progressive income tax is preferable because it is taxation based on abil ity Io pay. What is your position on the 1.5 per cent pro pe rty tax lim ita tio n measure? What is the real effect likely to be on state and local gov ernment and on low and moderate income people should b allot Mea sure 3 pass on November 2nd? I am completely opposed to Bal lot Measure 3 as an ill-founded property tax relief attempt. I have sponsored and supported the home owners and renters property (ax re lief program in the legislature, and I have voted against the cuts in it recommended by the Oovernor. If passed. Ballot Measure 3 would stop economic development because local communities would not be able to provide the services demanded by business und industries. It would take away local citizens* rights to determine the level o f local services. As services ssould be cut, those cuts would most dramatically impact low and moderate income citizens. Gov. Atiyeh has proposed rein statement o f the death penalty in Oregon. What is yo ur position on this proposal and why? How can in equities in the crim inal justice sys tem be addressed at the state level? I am opposed to the death pen alty. Studies have shown that it is not a deterrent to murder, and that its application has been dispropor tionate on blacks, the poor and mi norities I have proposed an Oregon economic development program that will help solve the problems of crime in oui state by getting the economy moving again I have also recommended a c rim in a l justice program that focuses on swift and certain justice I w ill continue to strongly support the work o f public defenders in providing legal services to those without the means for pri vate counsel, and I am open to any recommendations that w ill make our crim inal justice system more equitable. In conclusion, whv do you want to be Governor o f Oregon? le t me firs t say, that I am running because I am concerned about every citizen o f our state. Oregon is not a state o f only whites and middle class households. Our state is made up o f many citizens from varying racial backgrounds, with various financial and profes sional situations, und with varying goals and aspirations I believe it is a Governor's job to recognize that di versity, and to lead Oregon to pro vide the environment where every ci tizen is able to develop his or her po tential to the most I believe I have an understanding ot that diversity, and I w ill implement programs to improve our economy, to enhance our educational system, and to better and more fairly manage slate government. It is to do those things for all the people o f Oregon that I am a candidate for Governor. Debnam seeks House seat (Continued from page ! column 6) would have an adverse effect on economic development. Observer: How would you keep in touch with your constituents? Debnam: I would hold a public- fo ru m — a Town H all meeting — twice a month during the legislative session and once a month during the interim to seek public opinion and provide in fo rm a tio n . As a repre sentative o f the district I w ill value the in form a tion , judgements and ideas provided by the voters. I also pledge to keep the voters informed —to let the community know when hearings will be held, when bills will be discussed—to help the public make themselves heard in Salem. The legislative position should be used to build, not to dismantle; to make positive input, and take posi tions, not to react. We need to learn to interact and be part o f the process o f government; this w ill be one o f my major roles. I w ill invite the legislature to the Town Hall meetings so they can re ceive the d is tric t’ s opinions firs t hand; 1 w ill attempt to build bridges, form w orking relation- whips with other legislators o f both parties. My phone number is listed and I will be available. Observer: You are running as a Republican in a community that is traditionally Democratic. How do you answer those who question your party affiliation? Debnam: Richard Parker, who wrote, “ Myth o f the Middle Class,” wrote in the Oregonian recently that the House Democratic Caucus’ plan for the economy—“ balanced bud get, tax breaks for business, aband- donment o f fu ll employment as a party p la tfo rm ” —could just as easily have been issued by the Re publican Party. In many ways the Democrats are becoming more like Republicans and vice-versa. Neither party has done anything for District 18. Dis trict 18 is unique in the state—al though it shares many characteris tics with other communities it has a character o f its own. Now it is not a question o f party a ffilia tion , but o f compassion and belief in the human sp irit. I have both. 1 am my own man. I w ill listen, will ask questions, will seek advice, will communicate with all segments o f the community, w ill make deci sions based on what I believe is com munity need and my own conscience and integrity. Observer: How do you d iffe r from Ed Leek, the Democratic nominee? Debnam: I am sensitive to the citi zenry o f District 18, the special and unique character o f the d istrict. I am a “ people person” — ! enjoy being with people. I am w illin g to spend my time among the people. I am w illing to talk with all the people o f the dis tric t-b la c k , white southeast Asian —all. I will talk with groups that are active in the community. I believe Mr. Leek has a narrow viewpoint— his ideas are his own. I have a broader base and a greater w illing ness to work with all people. I am not a “ loner.” Since race has become an issue— this district is seen throughout the state as a “ m in o rity ” or “ black” d istrict I w ill address that issue also. I helieve a black person going to Salem from this district will have opportunities that arc unique; I think the House and the House lead ership are ready for a black person in Salem. I believe the people in Dis trict 18 will provide the backing for a legislator they feel is one of them and represents them, whether they arc black or white. I don’t believe Mr. Leek can rep resent the black com m unity — not because he is white but because he has not b u ilt, or has broken o ff, those channels o f communication and respect that are necessary. He has demonstrated that although he lives and works in the black commu nity, and has been active to a great degree, he does not have that under standing o f and sensitivity to the black citizen. Observer: What is your own rec ord o f involvement in the commu nity? Debnam: During the pas, four years I have spent much time out o f town in connection with my busi ness prom otion ot music groups including Pleasure, management consulting and public relations. I have kept aware of the issues, have attended occasional meetings, bu, have not been active. But, I am not new to political ac tivism While attending high school in California, I worked in the Rum ford Ac, (fa ir housing) campaign. W hile attending Cleveland High School in P ortland I was in the NAACP and Urban League youth groups. During the early model cities days I worked at the Neigh borhood Service Center and was in volved in many o f the meetings to draw up Model Cities Programs. I participated in Y M C A NE youth leadership programs while Edgar Mitchell was director. I was active in the BSU at Pacific University and worked to link the black students at the university to the Portland community. I also was active in the Portland Black Caucus, chaired hy Lee Brown. Aftci the Black Caucus disbanded I channeled my energies into busi ness and began doing a lot o f travel ling. My travel, plus the fact that I lived in North Carolina, Baltimore and C a lifo rn ia before coming to Portland, broadened my perspec tives and understanding.
