The OC Blog Back Issues Our Mission Contact Us Masthead
Sudsy Wants You to Join the Oregon Commentator
 

Archive for October, 2007

“Tasers really hurt,” says Register-Guard

October 30th, 2007 by CJ Ciaramella

The Register-Guard ran a story today about the use of newly introduced tasers in Lane County Jail, and the news (surprisingly) wasn’t all that bad. According to the RG, officers have drawn their tasers 96 times since they were introduced in June 2006 and only used them 19 times. This is probably thanks to the strict regulations governing taser use in the jail, as well as a training program that requires officers to be tased.

However, all is not well. The RG also reports that the Eugene Police Department will soon be arming some of its officers with tasers. While the devices’ use in a highly structured environment like a jail works well, their track record on the street is notorious. Arm a few hothead police officers with non-lethal weapons, send them out with minimal oversight and anything can happen.

But here’s the most curious part of the article:

Former jail Capt. Kevin Williams was instrumental in arming corrections deputies with the Tasers.

Williams, now director of campus security at the University of Oregon, spent 20 years with the Los Angeles Police Department, which arms its jail guards with Tasers. He suggested that Lane County Sheriff Russ Burger do the same.

Uh-oh. (more…)

Harbaugh gets some nice P-R

October 30th, 2007 by Ossie

Forgot to post this very untimely story in last Friday’s Emerald about Econ professor Bill Harbaugh getting the brush off by University Administration.

While Martinez said he didn’t necessarily agree with an approach of not talking or asking questions, he said the University has a responsibility to move forward with what has already been decided. Community involvement has been emphasized from the beginning, he said.

“I think it’s been essential, probably at every phase of the process,” Martinez said.

Of course you may have heard about this from the OC blog when it happened in June.

Daily Emerald Loves Police

October 29th, 2007 by Jake

The Daily Emerald, in their infinite wisdom, continues to push for more police on campus. In an editorial today, the Emerald cites that the University of Oregon only has one EPD officer per 5,000 students. According to the Emerald, Oregon has the lowest ratio of officers to students when compared to schools of similar size.

While the Emerald complains about a lack of police, they fail to mention why we need more officers on campus. No stats are given about a rise in crime, and the editorial does not mention any recent emergency where DPS failed to respond.

DPS can barely keep itself together, and adding more officers to mess things up isn’t going to help. The Emerald should attack DPS for being inefficient and mismanaged before it starts calling for more officers.

Boo Taylor’s

October 28th, 2007 by Jake

So it’s the Saturday before Halloween.  Me and my roommates, completely costumed, tried to get into Taylors.  But, because Taylors is the worst bar ever, they were charging a $5 cover.  First, lame.  Second, we just beat USC.  Come on.  Give the drinking public a break.

The other thing that happend was I tried to give out new issues, but no one wanted them.  I guess they are Taylor’s regulars–my bad.  One guy said “I don’t support a military state.”  All I could think was; “yo, neither do we.”  The Oregon Commentator does not support a military state.

Good night, and good luck.

Important Message for UO Student Ticket Holders

October 26th, 2007 by Ossie

Yell “O!” Drink. Fornicate.

Our football team deserves our diehard and relentless support, but we need to do it in a way that is merciless and makes for an intrepid reflection for the University of Oregon.

– Bring your Duck ID card and ticket to get into the game, unless you want to be harrased by slump-busters of Crowd Management. Remember, when stubbing friends in, immediately walk out the gate once you have a stamp, lick the entire thing, and press firm and swiftly to the inside of your friends’ wrist.

– Respect all attendees, unless they are wearing enemy colors, in which case barking, insults about their mother and tasteful gestures representing what the Ducks will do to the Trojans on Rich Brooks Field are a few of many ways to show your appreciation for their presence. Families with children attend these games too, so set a good example by cursing loudly and drinking heavily.

– Enjoy the game without alcohol or other drugs, but have one hell of a grand time with them. If you see a disrespectful Trojan fan, please use a near by object to knock him upside the head. Fans behaving inappropriately may be removed from the stadium, lose future ticket privileges, be given a municipal citation, and/or face student conduct charges. But, if throwing a full Dr. Peppers into the visitors section helps the Ducks, go for it and you will be commended for taking one for the team and properly given due justice in the eyes of Puddles.

A message from the OC Editor In Chief.

Go Ducks.

The Singing Revolution

October 25th, 2007 by CJ Ciaramella

Most people have probably never heard of the tiny, Eastern European country of Estonia. It’s one of those postage stamp pieces of land that you might memorize for a geography test and then never think of again. However, it was the site of one of the more remarkable events of the 20th century.

In 1987, after nearly 50 years of brutal occupation by first the Soviets, then the Nazis and then the Soviets again, Estonia decided it wanted to be free. The people fought for their freedom not with guns or riots, but with songs. The most unique aspect of Estonia is that everybody sings. The country has more choral singers and ensembles per capita than anywhere else on earth. The Soviets had banned the traditional folksongs, but when it came time to protest, thousands of people flooded the streets brazenly singing. Thus began the Singing Revolution. (more…)

Yay ASUO Senate

October 25th, 2007 by Sean Jin

Here’s the update on the ASUO Senate’s latest meeting that nobody cares about.

Big things to note:

The appointment of a new PFC-at-Large, Meili Yu. Congrats to her. It was quite obvious during her confirmation that the non-fiscally responsible senators were already trying to pressure her into being…liberal with money. As always, the resumes for ASUO appointees look great, but the real question is how well they will stand against pressure from the various political sides. My hope would be that Meili isn’t so easily pressured into just handing out money to student groups when they whine for it.

(more…)

OC stymied in Best of Eugene

October 25th, 2007 by Ossie

Not that we had an acceptance speech already written or anything. Though it is always a little disgruntling to discover that OSPIRG was voted best student group. Coming in second was LGBTQA – apparently the environment is in and being gay is out – followed by a Alpha Phi Omega. It’s an outrage that OSPIRG would finish ahead of the lovely and caring ladies at Alpha Phi, known around many circles as the best looking sorority on campus.

There was also an award for best Blog, which obviously involved some form of voting fraud since the OC blog didn’t even make the top three. Instead it was Mr. Random’s Blog of Randomness, Jeffrey Morgenthaler, and The Crema placing top three. I provided the links in case anyone is curious, but don’t waste your time.

Balko on Reality

October 25th, 2007 by Timothy

As an update to the item that CJ Posted below, over at H&R Radley Balko weighs in on the Jena Reality Check article. I haven’t been following the case, other than to note that it is definitely bad to beat a guy that severely, but I think this seems relevant.

Jena Six reality check

October 24th, 2007 by CJ Ciaramella

In light of all the recent hullabaloo on campus about the Jena Six, I found this CSM article, titled “Media myths about the Jena 6”, very interesting. It lays out 12 of the most commonly misreported “facts” about the case.

The author lives in Jena and has reported on the situation from the beginning, which presumably gives him some credence. Of course, you could also argue that this gives him an inherent bias, such as when he claims “Jena is a wonderful place to live for both whites and blacks.” Sure, it might not be as racist as the media have portrayed it, but I’m still not planning my vacation getaway to Jena, Louisiana.

In any case, I think the Jena Six debacle will probably go down in future years as a textbook example of how the media latch on to and distort stories. Race violence is top priority news these days, right behind “missing white woman” and “Britney Spears is crazy.”

Here’s the ODE write-up of the recent rally in support of the Jena Six. See how many of the “media myths” you can spot before it turns into a Diego Hernandez and Ty Schwoeffermann quote-athon. Also, OC Publisher Guy Simmons had a run in with some crazy Jena Six supporters a while back (with wacky results). Finally, props to Hit & Run for the find.

Are you down with old school?

October 24th, 2007 by Ossie

The Oregon Commentator goes newsprint. (Just for one issue.)

Twenty-four year ago today, the first issue of the Oregon Commentator was released. As the current staff swaggers into the OC’s 25th year of existence, we present a re-creation of its original issue; from the original “Radical moderation” to the updated “Radical immoderation.”

For those who don’t care what we have to say and just want to see the pretty pictures we put into our magazines, do not fret. The Man Issue will be released in print no later than Monday, November 4.

Paval Goberman, not your next U.S. Senator

October 23rd, 2007 by Ossie

The Commentator received an e-mail from Pavel Goberman, author of Get Energized! The release outlines his platform for his candidacy for U.S. Senate, as a democrat. His vague promises jump all over the place, but he seems to be banking on his persona as

honest, incorruptible (do not accept “contribution, donations”), with faith, integrity and highest moral principles and promise to support the Constitution and work for the People (how many politicians are saying that?). I have an education and successfully managed business, and had an award for this.

His website outlines Goberman the man, a health guru and quasi life coach – it’s like Chuck Norris, Richard Simmons and Dr. Phil somehow conceived a child. He claims to have written a request to President George W., asking to appoint him as a Counselor On Physical Fitness and Health, or Advisor to the President, “and I promised to save our nation at least $30 billion on the health care.” On his site, Goberman attacks the Livestrong Foundation, the American Cancer Association, the Oregon Health Science University and many more.

Got to give it to ole Gober, he has some tenacity. He was in The Red Tank Army and he called the Washington County Democrats “a gang of parasites, not convicted yet criminals in Democratic Party,” because they did not give him an opportunity to talk at a July 25 meeting, where Steve Novick was a featured speaker.

“Vote for me is investing in your-self, state and country.”

Emerald to Roberts, “Pay Up”

October 22nd, 2007 by Ossie

Kudos to the Ol’ Dirty Editorial Board for taking the position that the ignorance (or theft) shown by former Con Court justice Jereme Roberts, who “forgot” to repay a stipend he was given while not a student, is unacceptable.

The Green Tape Notebook – made up of the ASUO Constitution, rules and governing documents of all ASUO bodies – states that court justices must be current students. This is the very document justices are charged with upholding. If even one member serving on the court is unaware of such a basic rule, it is a sign that something is severely wrong.

Sen. Nate Gulley was disgruntled that the Emerald printed a story last week bringing to light that Roberts had yet to pay back the money. Those polecats in the Emerald had this to say:

A common joke among reporters is that if your story makes a politician angry, you’ve done your job. It is not our job to be friends with elected officials; it is our job to tell the truth. And the truth is, it is unacceptable for this debt to go unpaid.

University of Investment

October 19th, 2007 by Ossie

The University will be adding a Securities Analysis Center to its business school that will bring the investment industry closer to the students. The center, which will open Fall 2008, is funded by a $2.5 donation split between six alumni and investment industry leaders – three CEOs, two founders and former presidents and one current president.

“There are three things that will make our program unique,” said Lundquist College of Business Dean James Bean. “One, a balance between finance and accounting courses; two, students will learn about a wide variety of investment vehicles, not just stocks and bonds; and three, our program will take advantage of the UO’s close ties to Pacific Rim countries by highlighting the investment landscape in Asian countries.”

If you want a head start on the program, buy this.

Eugene Weekly letter roundup: historical perspective edition

October 19th, 2007 by CJ Ciaramella

Well, it’s that day of the week again, and there’s a brand new Eugene Weekly on the streets filled to bursting with bizarre rants from Lane County’s finest. I’ve titled this roundup the “historical perspective edition” because several of the letters use the oh-so popular rhetorical device of comparing modern situations to the past … with disastrous results. But before we get to that, let’s start out with Bernard Knickerson’s two-sentence opus:

Every citizen who pays taxes and all the soldiers who follow orders are accomplices to vast and various crimes against humanity. Are all of them either criminals or slaves?

Knickerson has cleverly managed to distill Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience into two, asinine sentences, throwing out all of the sweeping, Romantic language and rhetorical force. I believe in the J-School we call that “AP Style.” More written trainwrecks after the jump. (more…)