Nader addresses local issues at dinner
Campus Times
February 7, 1997
Consumer advocate Ralph Nader, a Presidential candidate for the Green
Party in 1996, spoke at the President's Dinner. Nader's speech touched on
many of the problems that exist in society, like television being used as
a tool to separate children from their parents. He also described TV programs
as "cartoon parents," or "electronic child molestors."
by Lori Cruz
Editorial Director
"Empowering Local Communities" was the theme of the evening
at this year's President's Dinner at which attorney Herbert Hafif was honored
with the 1997 University of La Verne President's Award.
Hafif, an attorney and philanthropist, received the award because he
"exemplifies the mission and the values of the University," said
Public Relations Director Deborah Mandabach.
Along with being a strong supporter of the University and education,
Hafif founded the Hafif Family Foundation that supports a wide range of
organizations.
President Stephen Morgan honored Hafif as a man "who has done something
about some of the injustices that people have suffered not because of their
own faults but because of the ignorance of society of addressing some of
those challenges."
He added that "none of us should rest easily as long as one in
four children are going to bed hungry tonight."
Author, former presidential candidate (with the Green Party in the 1996
election) and advocate, Ralph Nader spoke about citizen involvement, community
empowerment and local activism in his hour long keynote address.
Nader asked the question why are there so many acknowledged problems
at the local level and why are they not solved. He offered a few solutions
but criticized many groups including corporate leaders, the media and the
courts for their positions and inactiveness within the community.
"What this calls for is a recognition that we have to systematically
began improving our democracy and our democratic institutions," Nader
said.
Nader equated the problems of the communities to "wallowing in
charity because we are so depleted in justice." Nader, an attorney,
spoke of the need for citizens to have unlimited access to "justice"
via civil court cases. He chastised those who want to restrict civil lawsuits
however frivolous they may be.
"The only room for any kind of justice whether by individual or
class is the courtroom," Nader said.
Nader condemned the Supreme Court for requesting a raise in pay (which
he claimed is $133,000), yet he pitied trial attorneys for not having enough
cases to file.
Nader said that communities need to be made stronger by the development
of more institutions and used the phrase, "without people, nothing
is possible, without institutions nothing is lasting."
He said it is time to "face reality" and urged citizens to
keep on alert to avoid the euphemisms that plague the communities.
"Words like reform or reinventing or downsizing... are dismantling
our democracy in one area after another,"he said.
Nader added that Hafif's work personifies that one "grows out of
a community and gives back to the community."
The second annual dinner netted more than $75,000 for the University,
in comparison to last year's event, which brought in $30,000. Mandabach
said she is "so pleased" that the dinner was able to net so much
in only its second year.
More than 600 community and University leaders and staff attended the
dinner at the Red Lion Inn at the Ontario Airport last Thursday.
Roger Barkley, a member of the ULV's Board of Trustees, its Executive
Committee and the President's Advisory Council, was the master of ceremonies.