Jonathan Bellg’s letter to the Emerald (“Don’t run ads from the U.S. Army ROTC,” ODE, Jan. 23) “demands” that the Emerald not print ROTC ads because then the Emerald won’t print stories criticizing the U.S. Army. Well, thumbing through the Emerald I see ads for egg donors, adult shops selling “adult tapes,” a Japanese restaurant, a Buddhist center and a tobacco shop advertising hookahs. My God, if I was as myopic as Jonathan, what I could read in to that.
Local newspapers cover just about everything from God to sex. That’s freedom of press. Not every article, story or advertisement is pleasant. That’s life.
As far as his argument that his student fees are going to support the Emerald, well I guess you are supposed to print ads and articles attractive to Mr. Bellg. My student fees, a million years ago, went to support losing ball teams.
I am a seven-year veteran. I do not support Bush and I want our troops out of Iraq. Bellg wants articles that “provide a positive contribution to our society.” Well, I don’t know how positive our society would be with out the military. The self absorbed Bellg fails to accept that.
Colin Campbell
Eugene resident