Foundation, not University,

footed bill
In the Emerald editorial of Oct. 30, the Emerald writes, “It seems wrong somehow that it is OK for the University to foot the bill for luxuries such as catering for office parties, while students at the University are forced to pay for the most basic items, such as Scantrons and even class schedules” (“Let ethics regulate decisions,” ODE, 10/30).
There is a factual error in this sentence. The University of Oregon Foundation “footed the bill” in question. The Foundation is a completely separate entity from the University. The Foundation is supported by private donations. The University is supported by public money, tuition, research grants, etc. The Foundation and the University have entirely different functions, legal obligations and financial structures.
It is crucial to draw the distinction between the Foundation and the University — and that difference is relevant to the “ethics” involved. The University did not “foot the bill.” The Foundation did.

Peter B. Gilkey

University professor

mathematics

Cover photo was offensive
The Emerald cover photo on Nov. 2 is totally unacceptable (“She’s a ‘Virgin Virgin,” ODE, 11/2). I thought the Emerald was considered a sophisticated paper, representing the students of the University and not a representation of trashy images.
The cover photo is condescending not only to those who believe in Jesus and Mary and have them in their hearts as sacred figures, but also to women in general. What kind of double messages are we giving to our University students? Women and men?
It seems the Madonna/slut image is alive and well here! A confusing picture of mixed messages where “no” could be “yes” sexual connotations. No wonder the rapes and sexual abuse on campuses are soaring today.
It seems we are trying to free the women in Afghanistan from the Taliban ruling of burkas and no identity, but at the same time here at home we are no different in our views about women. Even the University Bookstore is selling bubble baths and hand lotions intended for the virgin/slut woman (depending on her mood that day). Please check it out if you have a chance.
I hope more people become aware of how serious this issue is and don’t take it lightly.

Irini Papantoniou

Eugene

Afghanistan is another Hiroshima
Due to U.S. bombing, dust storms blowing through Afghanistan will contain micron-sized particles of radioactive uranium oxide. Uranium-238 is used in Tomahawk cruise missiles to provide weight and stability and in anti-tank missiles and armor-piercing bombs.
Radioactive dust causes cancer from breathing or ingesting it and causes congenital defects in newborn babies, as in Iraq, Yugoslavia and children of Gulf War veterans.
After the bombing of Yugoslavia, many NATO soldiers in Kosovo started developing leukemia. This story appeared briefly in Europe and on the back pages of U.S. newspapers. Then it disappeared.
If significant U.S. ground forces are used in Afghanistan, there will be Afghan syndrome like Persian Gulf syndrome or Agent Orange illness. As usual, the U.S. military is dropping food . What nauseating hypocrisy! Feed them, then make their country a radioactive hellhole, giving them cancer and deformed babies.
This is the fourth atomic war. U.S. media couldn’t cover up Hiroshima and Nagasaki because these were chain reaction explosions of uranium-235 and plutonium-239. However, they’re doing a magnificent job covering up slow-motion “Hiroshimas” that are Iraq, Yugoslavia and now Afghanistan. None amongst the military and terrorism experts on CNN and Fox has even mentioned depleted uranium or uranium -238. This has gone from media manipulation to colossal evil. If widely known to the world’s people, it would show that the U.S. government and ruling class are far greater terrorists than Osama bin Laden.

Gary Sudborough

Bellflower, Calif.

U.S. must overthrow Iran’s rulers
The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times have reported mass demonstrations in Iran over the past few weeks against the ruling theocracy. Hundreds of thousands of Iranians have participated in these protests against the ruling mullahs that have repressed them for 22 years.
This is a very positive sign and could mean a real step forward in the “War on Terrorism.” Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism (according to a U.S. State Department report) and is a birthplace of the radical Islamic movement.
The U.S. government should do everything in its power to support this revolt and the overthrow of the brutal theocratic regime in Iran.

Tony Biz

Oakland, Calif.

Restaurant reviewer

reveals real rankings
I know there’s world-shaking news to worry about, and I’ve tried to keep perspective, but all tragedies are ultimately personal and I need your help, viz., publishing this letter, to avert a personal/professional cataclysm.
Source of my Armageddon was John Liebhardt’s piece about me (and Dinah) in your restaurant guide. When he asked to interview me, I asked myself, what can it hurt? Post-publication, the answer appeared: I lost all credibility as a restaurant reviewer, my friends have deserted me, my own family hates me. Only you can help now.
Liebhardt made one teeny mistake: He asked me for my top restaurants. I dithered (admitted) but gave my list, 10 or so. He followed up by asking about good places, often overlooked. I listed a few. In print, Liebhardt led up to the tops — but printed the second list. Result? I can’t go out to dinner in my favorite places.
For the (corrected) record, my top restaurants for Eugene, in no particular order (each is fine for something it does exceptionally well), would include: Marche, Zenon, Adam’s Place, Bamboo, Locomotive, Beppe & Gianni’s, Ambrosia, Excelsior, Soriah, Ring of Fire, SweetWaters, Oregon Electric Station and a bunch more.
Thanks for setting the record straight, If you print this, maybe I can sleep inside the house again.

Lance Sparks

Class of ’76

Respect different opinions of war
Gone are the days when people respected other people’s opinions, whether they agreed with them or not. In response to Mr. Williams’ rather harsh response (“We must annihilate states that breed terrorists,” ODE, 11/01) to my letter, I strongly feel the need to defend myself.
First of all, my intention when presenting the question of the U.S. response to the attacks was supposed to be to get people to think a little bit harder about the extremity of the method. It was meant to be food for thought. I don’t support terrorism in any way, shape or form. I think it’s the worst of all evils and it should be done away with.
But I don’t believe that we should stoop to the level of “shoot-em-up, no-holds-barred” barbarianism. For me, being a “friend of peace” means that I believe we should handle this in a more civilized way — as in by working through the system.
There’s really no need for back-biting here. I respect Williams’ opinion that something needs to be done to end terrorism, but there’s really no need to personally attack me for questioning the method that Bush chose.

Sarah Hatstat

junior

English