ASUO forecast

calls for no change
I am fully disillusioned by the results of this recent primary elections.
The two worst tickets are now in the final fray, while the other “good” candidates are eliminated. Why are these two tickets inferior? Lets look at the worst out of the two. (Sean) Ritchie and (Jason) Babkes have no viable platforms! In fact, I don’t know anybody who is aware of what their policies are. Their campaign made me extremely nauseous, especially when they employed little children to pander for votes. I won’t even delve into that full-page advertisement on the back of last week’s Emerald, no how much money they wasted. This ticket is dangerous for the ASUO because of their unawareness of the issues on campus. However, we will not have to worry about this, because they certainly won’t win the general election.
The real winners will be Pilliod and Buzbee, unfortunately. They are experienced and seem to be aware of the issues on campus, but they will have the stigma of their predecessors, Brooklyn and Nair. Their administration has been by far the worst in recent memory, especially on public relations and the apparent gender bias in their office. Pilliod and Buzbee, who support this administration, say they will not make too many changes in the ASUO, which could only make me skeptical of their future at the ASUO. When government is bad, it shouldn’t remain the same! Next year the ASUO Executive will remain the status quo, as always.

Steven Lockfield

sophomore

history

United Way supports

Bush’s call for volunteers
President George W. Bush, in his State of the Union address on Jan. 29, called upon every American to commit at least two years during a lifetime to volunteer service, to prepare for and respond to emergencies, rebuild communities, mentor children and extend the compassion of our country to the rest of the world.
The United Way of Lane County is delighted by the president’s remarks. As Lane County’s leading advocate for and authority on volunteering and part of the Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network, together we have been dedicated to engaging more people more effectively in volunteer service for more than 100 years.
Our first-hand experience suggests that the “new culture of responsibility” described in the president’s speech can and must engage citizens and organizations at all points in the community and from all walks of life who are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others.
United Way’s Volunteer Connection maintains a large database of volunteer opportunities in local nonprofit organizations that includes a wide variety of ways to get involved: from mentoring a child to maintaining nature trails, fund-raising to gardening, providing meals on wheels to helping fix computers, and many more.
By calling 741-6000 or visiting www.unitedwaylane.org/volunteer, potential volunteers can learn more about local volunteer opportunities or ideas to match various interests and schedules.

Ellie Dumdi and Chris Pryor, co-chairs

United Way Volunteer Connection

Steering Committee

Arctic Refuge

more than a chunk of ice
In post-Sept. 11 America, it is easy for the media to overlook another one of America’s landmarks that is under siege, and like the World Trade Center, may soon be destroyed.
In the far northeast corner of Alaska lies the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — 19 million acres of beautiful pristine wilderness currently free of roads and industrial development. Within weeks, the Senate will debate on energy legislation, and Sen. Frank Murkowski, R-Ala., will offer an amendment to the Senate energy bill that would open the refuge up to oil and gas drilling.
Despite its name, the Arctic refuge is not a big chunk of ice. In the spring it is green, and it is a year-round home to caribou, polar bears, and thousands of other animals, some of which are endangered. The refuge is sacred land to the native Gwich’in people, the “people of the caribou.” Drilling in the Arctic would harm not only animals and habitat, but the Gwich’in culture as well.
The estimated six months worth of oil in the refuge would not reach us for about 10 years. Rather than using up the last of our natural resources, we Americans should focus on a cleaner, smarter, more efficient energy future. No other place in the United States is like the Arctic refuge. We simply cannot afford to lose it.

Vivian qVassall

freshman

pre-journalism