Influence your future:

Take the time to vote
As State Director of Students for Stein, I have the privilege of seeing the students of Oregon rally behind a true leader, Beverly Stein, and dispel the stereotypes of our age group. The tide of political apathy among students has been well documented, however it is encouraging to see so many students across the state, especially here at the University, be so enthusiastic about not just Beverly Stein, but politics in general. We still need to do more.
Voting is a right that should be exercised even in its simplest form; from the city council member who decides the new roads that will be built to the president of the United States who decides the diplomatic routes to be taken domestically and abroad. It cannot remain the policy of so many to remain neutral for lack of knowledge on the issues or candidates; after all, the purpose of life is to better ourselves by learning new things about subjects that we knew next-to-nothing about in depth.
We have a good cast of candidates to choose from for our next governor. Making a choice and casting your vote is an essential part of your citizenship in this country. Your choice will determine the type of health care you will receive, jobs that will be available, environment that you will live in and the tuition costs you will pay in the next four years. Take five minutes to change the future of history and vote.

Dan P. Isaacson

senior

political science
 

Plunge right in,

make your vote
Oregonians may love the rain, but this year has been extra rainy. The State Legislature has been getting very wet trying to balance the shortcomings of Oregon’s budget.
The kindergarten through grade 12 budget has taken the brunt of the storm. Remarkably, the Oregon State Legislature has rummaged through the closet and found a makeshift umbrella to shelter K-12. If passed in the Oregon primary elections, Ballot Measure 13 will transform the current Education Endowment Fund into an Education Stability Fund, immediately transferring $220 million of the principal to school districts.
The balance of the Stability Fund, or “rainy day fund,” will be increased by approximately $50 million every year, but the legislature can expend the principal during economic downturns, once approved by three-fifths of all legislators.
Oregon legislators have sent this measure to the voters of Oregon and, as student voters, we must vote on the importance of education in our state. Along with voting on other measures and for various candidates, it is imperative for students to remember to vote on this measure and to turn in their ballots by the end of the primaries on May 21.
Today, as student voters, we have been asked to put on our galoshes, step into the mud puddle and support this umbrella or bring it down. Don’t be afraid of a little rain — vote!

Michael Sherman

junior

political science
 

EPD should not control

media ‘credibility’
In response to Aaron Breniman’s op-ed in Thursday’s Emerald (“Alternative media’s tactics on EPD’s new access policy hurts their cause”), I feel that he is missing an important issue. By participating in the Eugene Police Department’s media credentialing, it affirms EPD’s illegitimate right to restrict, deny and control access to the media.
This is an extreme conflict of interest. When EPD gets to pick who can report their doings, this is a slap in the face to democracy. Breniman goes on to say “(these policies) aim to ensure that information is available — from a credible source — to the public.” Why does the EPD get to choose who is “credible”?
Were the alternative media present at the June 1, 1997, police torture of treesitters “credible”? Amnesty International seemed to think so, but I think if EPD were allowed to restrict access as effectively as they want to do with these policies, EPD would have kept them far away.

Randy Newnham

senior

linguistics
 

Kulongoski most qualified

for nomination
Because I will vote in the Democratic primary election, I am elated to see such a strong field of Democrats running for governor. I will have no trouble voting for any of the three best candidates in the general election — Ted Kulongoski, Jim Hill or Bev Stein — whichever one wins the primary.
I believe that is an important statement, because I have been known to vote for Republicans. My preference, however, and the one I will vote for in the primary, is Ted Kulongoski.
There is too little in the issues separating the three Democrats to make the choice on that basis. I believe Kulongoski leads the way because he brings the longest record of public service, the widest range of experience and a proven record of excellence to the office of governor.

Wayne Miller

Class of ’72

Springfield
 

Get a life, give it up
Isn’t it time we lighten up on the team mascot/nickname issue? I know many people with American Indian blood flowing in their veins, including my own family. I haven’t heard one of them say teams that have names such as the Braves or Indians demean their heritage.
There aren’t a whole lot of teams named the “weenies” or “sissies.” Teams that undertook naming their teams the Braves, Indians or whatever did so because of their respect for the American Indian fighting spirit, not to demean them. The Fighting Ducks doesn’t exactly engender fear in the heart of an opponent; it’s a credit to the men and women who participated under our nickname that they play much tougher than their name implies.
Speaking of the Ducks, maybe we should change our mascot and nickname. Since Phil Knight seems to call much of the shots concerning these issues, maybe we should become the Oregon “Knights” and get somebody to put on a suit of armor and charge around the field waving a sword.
In a world that is rapidly going in the wrong direction, this issue of mascots is a pretty lame excuse for a crusade. We could focus on American Indians who are battling to change the way they are perceived and the whole Indian reservation system that’s a total failure, the millions that are starving to death or the wars being waged in more than 50 countries.
Get a life, folks …

Gordon Melby

staff