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Damnable Space Concerns

The ODE had to trim my guest commentary, and the way in which they did it makes me sound like a clown. Also, their headline is stupid. Here is the Whole thing:

In rejecting the Mission Statement of the Oregon Commentator, the PFC demonstrates its complete inability to reason clearly, apply consistent standards or judge groups in a view-point neutral manner. Whats more, the PFC attempts to place itself above the law in deciding what is or is not protected political speech.

Such action, especially in light of the motion to cut all incidental-fee funding to the Oregon Daily Emerald, bespeaks a grave disrespect for the Marketplace of Ideas that is meant to be academia. It seems that the PFC has chosen two groups notoriously critical of the ASUO to de-fund and attempt to silence. Whose fault is it that student leaders wasted student fees to have a big blowout in Bend? Certainly not the Emeralds or the Commentators.

Both publications provide very important coverage of ASUO shenanigans, and try to make the ASUO accountable not only to the 4.6% of the student body who put them in office (4.6% being slightly more than half of 9% which is about the voter turnout in ASUO elections last year), but also to the entirety of the student body. The Emerald does this through often solid reporting and the occasional scathing editorial, while the Commentator provides analysis, in depth reporting and, yes, biting (often callous) humor. Both are vital to the free exchange of ideas and, in their own way, seek to expose the major failings of the ASUO as an institution. Trying to stifle such important media outlets because what they say puts the lie to all of the ASUOs lofty rhetoric is shameful, childish and, moreover, pathetic.

Are the members of the ASUO really so weak that they cannot take a little criticism from the outside? The same sort of behavior from State or Federal government would undoubtedly incense the ASUO minicrats, but the suggestion that they should be held to the same standard of openness and accountability will have the denizens of Suite Four screaming protect the fee faster than you can print a handbill. As limited public figures, members of the ASUO set themselves up to be targets of mocking scrutiny; its unconscionable that they would try to silence their critics for being mean. I guess Barbara Boxer isnt the only one who cries when she cant get her way.

In 2002 the PFC, led by the inclinations of Joe Streckert, tabled the Commentators budget due to the content of the Mission Statement. In the early 1990s the IFC, a predecessor to the PFC, attempted to de-fund the Commentator for unpopular content. Just last year Eddy Morales made the same spurious claim about the Emeralds readership, based on the same meaningless survey. The PFCs habit of abusing the two most important publications on the UO campus must come to an end.

The Commentators budget hearing is February 1st, and I know the forces of censorial darkness will be out in droves. If you think the University should be a place of open debate; that everyone, not just the orthodox politically correct left, should be able to express his or her opinion here; I strongly encourage you to attend and show support. If the PFC is allowed to get away with this, the campus environment will be damaged beyond repair.

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