Emerald free to reflect varied opinions
In response to Devlin Croal’s open letter of critique (“Decision to run offensive cartoon misguided,” ODE, Oct. 10), I propose the idea that a newspaper that doesn’t create controversy from time to time is not worth reading. What is the value in reading what everyone agrees with? I concede that the Emerald’s primary purpose is to inform and reflect the University population, but to charge the Emerald with Mr. Croal’s values of ethical integrity does not allow the paper to reflect divergent views. This paper is reflective of the many views that work to create it. The Oregon Daily Emerald is not the keeper of one’s singular mores but instead holds appeal in various ways to its many readers.
The nature of a university is to be exposed to alternative views and have the freedom to decide what you will receive and what you will reject, while respecting the rights of others to have varied perspectives. There will always be a veritable butt to every joke, and no joke is by all means funny to everyone. This is not to say we have the right to stipulate that one’s own personal opinions ought to be reflected in the newspaper he or she reads when that paper is meant to be a reflection of a multitude of opinions.
Brian Tuohy
University senior
 
An open letter to journalists of Eugene
Shame! Does the University administration have the Emerald editorial board so badly whipped? That is certainly how it appears. Since when did the University publication take a stand against student protest? Since when was objective journalism so flagrantly violated?
Brian Bogart has produced clear evidence of the weapons research that the Emerald editors “hope” isn’t being conducted. He has much of that evidence available at his location across from Johnson Hall, open and available to journalists and the general public alike. Instead of comfortably sitting in an institution that conducts deadly weapons research, Brian is trying to change the University he cares about. The field work that Bogart is doing is far more valuable and educational than reading texts and taking tests on a subject he is already an expert on (with multiple college degrees). But the Emerald editorial board, the body in charge of dispensing our school’s public information, would rather we all sit blind and happy in our ivory tower. Wow. Great journalism.
The University of Oregon has the opportunity to be a great school, a leader in a new progressive movement. Brian Bogart’s new organization, centered on strikeforpeace.org, has some very interesting new ideas and a lot of very well-substantiated information. I have one message for the University administration and the Emerald: The students are angry with the University’s, state’s and country’s priorities, and as our public servants, we demand that you provide a fair forum for our dissent.
Julian Michels
University student