PSU Magazine Fall 2005

LETTERS The story behind the Galileo book purchase I would like to explain how a rare and valuable book came to the Millar Library's special collection ("A Rare Tome," PSU Magazine, spring 2005). ln 1962 a number of ltalo-Americans from the Portland area formed Cultura d'ltalia, a study group designed to promote Ital– ian studies al this institution. The member– ship, among others, included Alberto Ceregh– ino, Anne Chioui, Dolores Simonatti, Don Casciato, and h istory professor George Carbone. At this Lime, an extant copy of Galileo Gali.lei's famous scholarly pub– lication, Dialogo sopra l due massimi sistemi del Mundo, be ame available for a fair p1ice on the antiquities market. The Cultura d'Italia membership authorized Prof. Carbone Lo purchase the bo k at a cost of $2,500 for the library. The University librarian al that time, Dr. Jean Black-who spoke flu– ent Italian and had earned a doctoral degree in history-thoroughly supported this acquisition. Although the Roman Catholic hurch officialdom had suppressed the book shortly after its publication (in 1632), enough copies survived Lo ensure that at least one would become accessible at the Millar Library. Victor Dahl Professor Emeritus of History Forgotten team member In your news, "They Bowled Us Over" (spring 2005), l see that you left off your list of [the winning-1965 College Bowl team] alternates-the last and least of them , me. Even though it was the '60s, l can remember it because it 4 PSU MAGAZINE FALL 2005 was one of the high points or my Portland years. Doug Hawley '65 Lake Oswego Editor's note: Sorry Mr. Hawley. The arti– cle named the alternates who attended a special dinner. For the record, members of the 1965 first team were Robin Freeman, Larry Smith, Michael Smith, and Jim Westwood (captain). Alternate team members were Jim Cronin, Marv Foust, Doug Hawley, Al Kotz, and Jim Watt. The coach was Ben Padrow. Primaries in Washington l was horrified to see the inaccuracies contained in your sidebar story, "Primaries North and South of Oregon" (spring 2005) . While your author was correct about Washington having a closed pri– mary in 2004 for the first Lime since 1936, she was incorrect in stating that voters in 2005 are required Lo declare a party preference before voting in a partisan primary. The author was incorrect in stating that ov. Locke refined the initiative language, since any change to an ini tiativ requires a two-thi rds vote or the legislature to overturn. Gov. Locke did li ne-item veto a bill that was passed by the legis– lature creating a Lop-two primary, but this bill came before the initiative. Gov. Locke did not "refine" the initiative put forth by the Washington Lale Grange and passed by the people statewide. What is currently in effect is that for a partisan primary in Washington state, the top-Lwo vote getters advance to the general election. So, two Democrats, two Republicans, or two Libertarians could advance Lo the general election in certain areas-something that the par– ties are still suing the state and county auditors, such as myself, to overturn. l know this because I am the elected county auditor for Skamania County. J. Michael Garvison '99 Stevenson, Washington Keep primaries the same As described in the recent article "Party Down" (spring 2005), there is a move afoot to change Oregon's primaries Lo an open system, free from party affi lia– tion . The argument of the proponents or this change may be summarized thus: voters in closed primaries are on the political fringe, voters force candi– dates to adopt extreme views, moder– ate candidates are always preferable. Unfortunately, the advocates of open primaries offer no facts in sup– port of these views. Here's an alterna– tive viewpoint. Those who vote in closed primaries are simply those voters who care enough about an election to educate themselves about issues and candidates earlier than other voters. They may or may not hold moderate views. The two major parties historically have had different perspectives about a variety of issues. These perspectives draw voters who tend to share them . uch voters want to know where their candidates stand with regard Lo these issues. How many California voters knew Arnold Schwarzenegger's views on the issues before he was elected? The root cause or the frequent horn– locking in the legislature is that the major parties have discovered that the politics of division are very successful in gaining and manipulating the atten– tion or the electorate. Open primaries will have liule impact upon this. They appear likely to create more problems than they solve. Charles D. Bates '70 Sent by email PSU Magazine wants to hear from you. Send your comments to PSU Magazine, Office of Publications, Portland State University, PO Box 751, Portland , OR 97207-0751; or to email addre psumag@pdx.edu. We reserve the right to edit for space and clarity.