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Anti-war film recalls Wayne Morse legacy.


Byline: Susan Palmer The Register-Guard

Ever wonder why so many landmarks in Eugene bear Wayne Morse's name?

There's the new federal courthouse, the Free Speech Plaza at the old county courthouse, the commons area at the University of Oregon's law school, the ranch on the south side of town - all honoring the senator who represented Oregon for 24 years, from 1945 to 1969.

A new anti-war documentary showing in Eugene on Friday gives a taste of the passionate rhetoric that characterized Morse's stance against war.

"War Made Easy," by media critic Norman Solomon Norman Solomon (1951- ) is an American journalist, media critic and antiwar activist. A longtime associate of the media watch group Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR), Solomon is also the founder and executive director of the Institute for Public Accuracy, a national , argues that President Bush isn't the first U.S. leader to obscure the facts in taking the country into conflict. With actor Sean Penn narrating, Solomon reminds viewers of other presidents' actions, such as Lyndon Johnson's escalation of the Vietnam War Vietnam War, conflict in Southeast Asia, primarily fought in South Vietnam between government forces aided by the United States and guerrilla forces aided by North Vietnam. , based on confusing information about attacks on the U.S. Navy in the Gulf of Tonkin The Gulf of Tonkin, in Vietnamese: Vịnh Bắc Bộ or in Chinese: Beibu Wan is an arm of the South China Sea. Covering an area of 126,250 km², the gulf borders Vietnam on the northwest, west and southwest. .

Morse was one of only two senators who voted against the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

(Aug. 5, 1964) Resolution by the U.S. Congress authorizing Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson to use “all necessary measures” to repel armed attacks against U.S. forces in Vietnam. It was drafted in response to the alleged shelling of two U.S.
, which permitted the president to send more troops to Vietnam.

The film shows a "Face the Nation" TV clip from May 1964 in which Morse reacts to a reporter's assertion that only the president has the power to determine foreign policy.

Morse flatly rejects the notion in an eloquent speech, saying: "Why, you're a man of little faith in democracy if you make that kind of comment. I have complete faith in the ability of the American people An American people may be:
  • any nation or ethnic group of the Americas
  • see Demographics of North America
  • see Demographics of South America
 to follow the facts if you'll give them. And my charge against my government is we're not giving the American people the facts."

Viktor Stathakis, chairman of the board of directors of the Wayne Morse Wayne Lyman Morse (October 20, 1900 – July 22, 1974) was a United States Senator from Oregon from 1945 until 1969. In 1953, he made a filibuster for 22 hours and 26 minutes protesting the Tidelands Oil legislation, which at the time was the longest one-person filibuster in  Youth Program, has seen the film and says it will remind people of Morse's legacy and of his passion for civic discourse.

"I hope we can translate that, get the message out especially to young people to reach out and get involved in the decisions that will affect their lives," he said.

WAR MADE EASY

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Room 150, Columbia Hall, at the University of Oregon The University of Oregon is a public university located in Eugene, Oregon. The university was founded in 1876, graduating its first class two years later. The University of Oregon is one of 60 members of the Association of American Universities. , 13th Avenue and University Street

More information: warmadeeasy.bravenew theaters.com/screening/ show/9631-eugen
COPYRIGHT 2007 The Register Guard
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2007, Gale Group. All rights reserved.

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Title Annotation:General News
Publication:The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR)
Date:Jul 26, 2007
Words:362
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