Phil Knight has got a lot of nerve expecting to be consulted first, before the public University of the State of Oregon makes a policy decision concerning human rights. Perhaps he thinks this is really a private university - i.e., his. Well, I think what happens next may answer that question for both us and him. Does the UO stand firm now that Phil Knight is putting his money where his whining is?
Whoever it was (I believe it was the same Mr. Chaplin who embedded Nike's own propaganda links into his e-mail in support of his Nike apology) who claimed to have forwarded the last debate to Knight, if you really have a private e-mail address for him, and you want us to take you seriously, how about coughing the address up? I have something to say to him.
As for those of you who are Nike apologists, explain this: Nike claims they comply with our ethical and moral values and that their workers lives are enriched by the opportunity provided them by the great Knight. They know that their industry-controlled "monitoring" organization. FLA[W], is suspect at best back home, and a laughable insult to our intelligence at worst. Embracing the WRC and an independent monitoring group would be by far the most efficient way to lend legitimacy to their claims - but only if those claims are true. So, why are his feathers so ruffled? A stamp of approval from the WRC would be the PR coup-de-grace for Knight. He'd be the cock of the walk, strutting his funky stuff; he'd be the hero he thinks he is. If I were Phil Knight and the smart business man he presumably is -and- if the things I was claiming were the truth, I'd open my doors to the WRC because I'd have nothing to hide and a lot of good will to gain.
He says he has nothing to hide; his actions speak differently. They suggest he has a lot to hide. It's time for Phil Knight to stop talking the talk and start walking the walk.
As for me, I whole-heartedly support President Frohnmayer's decision which led, unfortunately, to Phil Knight's latest retaliatory action. My support for the UO's associating with the WRC is only strengthened by Knight's retaliation; it speaks volumes to the necessity of the WRC. Howard J. Grooters Human but Philip H. Knight Student of Law (choose one) [] Nike School of Law [] University of Oregon School of Law
Ref http://www.koin.com/news/stories/news-20000419-234458.html
From grooters@law.uoregon.edu
Thu Apr 20 15:09:00 2000 X-Sender: grooters@law.uoregon.edu
To: Peter B Gilkey
From: Howard Grooters grooters@law.uoregon.edu
Subject: Re: Students: Nike pulls funding from U of O...
If that is an appropriate place for it, then by all means. As far as I'm concerned, it's public material. My intent, beyond engaging my collegues at the law school, was to forward that message on to the university administration so as to state and make clear my position with regard to the latest development in this matter. Yes, I think that sounds fine. Howard Grooters At 09:58 AM 4/20/00 -0700, you wrote: "Do you wish me to post your letter on the UO Senate "letters page"?" Peter B Gilkey (UO Senate President 1999/2000)