Commentator thieves

can’t tolerate free speech
There has understandably been some confusion revolving around the Commentator’s most recent issue in which we preemptively parodied material from another campus magazine. It is important for the campus to know that the Commentator did not steal or plagiarize material from the Voice, despite a common impression to the contrary.
The only knowledge the Commentator had about the upcoming Voice issue were the titles of articles that were posted on a public Web page. Despite allegations by the Voice, that publication has no copyright on hangover cures or spring break hot spots. The Commentator attached its own parody material to those titles and did nothing wrong. The Voice’s response has been one of hysterics and it is ridiculous that they have filed a nuisance grievance against all Commentator staff members.
There is a greater concern surrounding our last issue, and that is the dumping of issues by campus members who were too cowardly to engage in a war of ideas. Instead, these individuals chose to trash over 1,500 Commentator copies. While, thankfully, the issue can still be seen online and there is another print run on its way, such petty acts shouldn’t be tolerated here. Such action sets a poor precedent for the free exchange of ideas at the University and further illustrates that some consider being offended grounds to interfere in the constitutionally protected speech of those with whom they disagree. It’s sad the Voice and other narrow-minded individuals would try to silence our speech. Thankfully, they will not succeed.

Bret Jacobson

publisher

Oregon Commentator

Put an end to University athletics “arms race”
I understand that there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a $90 million Autzen Stadium project this spring. Would it be appropriate to stuff both of Frohnmayer’s skyboxes with food for the hunger crisis like the LTD’s “Stuff the Bus” campaign? Will Frohnmayer invite the Nike representatives who are part of the panel studying the state’s hunger crisis? Will Frohnmayer give a speech where he cancels the McArthur Court II idea and redirect the funds to slow spiraling tuition costs or to preserve the 105 homes the University owns and rents to diverse, low-income families?
I doubt it. They’ll continue their pattern of evicting families, bulldozing their homes and lying about it. Mac Court II at the fairgrounds is a proposal that shows just how arrogant and over-reaching University administrators and overly cooperative members of our City Council have gotten. Congratulations to the mindful faculty members who have chosen to rise up against the “arms race” in sports spending that threatens the University’s future.

Zachary Vishanoff

Eugene

Wyden must end

support of filibuster
A question for Sen. Wyden: Why are you supporting the only filibuster of a federal circuit court judge in U.S. history? By filibustering Miguel Estrada, you are denying the Senate the opportunity to simply vote on this man’s nomination. If you do not approve of him, then vote no.
Estrada has bipartisan support. Four democratic Senators support his nomination.
Estrada has the support of many, if not most, Hispanic organizations across the country, including The Hispanic Bar Association, The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and LULAC — the largest, mainstream, bipartisan Hispanic organization.
Estrada was ranked “well qualified,” the highest distinction, by unanimous vote of a bipartisan ABA panel.
Estrada presents the highest recommendations from a broad range of legal professionals; both Republicans and Democrats from the Justice Department recommend him in the most glowing terms.
Sen. Wyden, you claim to “not know enough about his judicial views and philosophy” on the one hand, and then claim that his views are “out of touch with mainstream Americans.” These are contradictory views; you cannot hold both.
At his judiciary committee hearing last fall, Estrada answered more than 100 questions. President Clinton’s three previous nominations to the same court answered less than half that many combined.
Sen. Wyden, you are not representing my views in your support of this filibuster. Furthermore, you are failing the Hispanic community by applying a double standard to Miguel Estrada.
End your support of the filibuster. He has earned that courtesy and we, your constituents, deserve it!

Dennis Paul

Salem

Soldiers don’t make

decision of war or peace
As a fellow ROTC cadet and proud member of the Oregon Army National Guard, I would like to express my thanks to Zachary White for “Citizens should be grateful of military’s protections” (ODE, Mar 11). Like White, I too have been the victim of slanderous comments while wearing my uniform around campus. At first, these comments came as a surprise to me, but now I have grown to expect them — which I find disappointing. On a campus infamous for advocating free speech and open-mindedness, I would expect my pro-military views to be respected. However, as I and so many other military-affiliated students have undoubtedly learned, this is too much to ask.
In closing, allow me to remind the gentleman who insulted White, and others like him, that no one joins the military to kill innocent men, women and children. We join to defend the freedoms of our country, and do our part in protecting its citizens.
While I do not ask anyone to thank me for being in the military, I do ask for a degree of respect from them. With that, next time you feel the need to make insulting remarks to someone dressed in uniform remind yourself of two things: First, the decision to go to war is not that of any one individual solider. And second, keep in mind that soldiers such as myself only have to do our jobs when politicians fail to do theirs in keeping the peace.

Paul Sherwin

freshman

journalism