Page 2 Trash, apples and hormones by Hal D. Coffey News Editor Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. visited Behrend as part of his latest political campaign. Actually, this Kennedy is an environmental attorney from White Plains, N.Y., and he came i to Behrend to debate ! conservative, retired senator, | Steve Symms. The two debated environ mental issues in Erie Hall on Thursday, April 7 at 8 p.m. At a press conference that day, the two talked about President Clinton’s record, their stance on environmental legislation, and the latest study about hormones in milk. First off, Kennedy spoke about his view of Clinton. “The ideas that the administration have embraced are good, but the amount of capital committed is still unclear,” Kennedy said. He said that too much political capital has been placed behind health care and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). There was something Kennedy pointed out that Clinton has done as an honest attempt at recycling. “He (Clinton) issued an executive order that 25% of all paper used in Congress and the White House be recycled paper,” Kennedy said. Symms said Clinton’s administration has been very aggressive towards environ mental issues. However, he was critical of methods some environmental organizations are using to influence the While House. "They use a lot of emotional scare tactics to influence the administation,” Symms said. Symms has his own opinion on how environmental election, but for who? Guess well have to wait until the Friday announcement bv Aitml Bm n*ltafPntlwrfin Photoanohw Former Senator Steve Symms and environmental attorney RobertF. Kennedy, Jr. field questions from News Editor Hal D. Coffey at last Thursday's press conference. legislation should be. Agency) now says it (alar) beings." "More government won’t should never have been on the “The Endangered Species Act make a better environment. The market," Kennedy said. should have more incentives solution to pollution is design," Kennedy believes that more than stoppages and harsh Symms said. “The wealthier Americans would rather have penalties for businesses," people become, the more less pretty, better-for-you apples. Symms said. “By giving environmentally conscious they An interesting point in the businesses incentives like tax will become." press conference occurred when breaks and subsidies rather than Symms then went on to use an example to explain some of the scare tactics used by environmentalists. “The scare tactics of the alar controversy hurt apple business too much," Symms said. He said the average American would have to eat nearly a ton of apples to receive the harmful dosages of alar. Kennedy disagreed and stated that children were more susceptible to the alar's harmfulness. “That’s why the EPA (Environmental Protection Symms used several analogies to state that most environmentalist policies are anti-capitalist in nature. Kennedy interupted Symms and said, “Are you trying to say that I’m a communist sir, because that’s not true." The incident ended with both men releasing a little chuckle. The next topic dealt with Symms’ home state region of die Northwest Symms said he voted against the Endangered Species Act because “it hurt the truly endangered species, human Decision by Hal D. Coffey News Editor After two full days of voting, the Student Government Association elections are well ahead of last year’s pace for total voters, co-chairperson of the election committee of SGA, Lourdes Tirado said. Tirado sighted three mqor reasons for the increase in turnout: more publicity, better campaigns, and die attendance at the first debate. “The elections were more publicized this year than last, candidates campaigns have been more effective,” Undo said, “and the first debate brought people penalties, the intent of the legislation would be carried out." Kennedy said he didn’t believe that businesses would adhere to the act on their own without the threat of penalties. Another topic was the use of newly developed hormones in milk. These hormones stimulate increased dairy production in cows. Kennedy said he didn’t want the hormones in the milk he drinks. As for the general population, “It should be given as a choice to the public,” Kennedy said. out to meet candidates and hear their platforms.” Seth Bruggeman, co chairperson with Tirado, was surprised with the turnout. “Due to the lack of students interested in being candidates, I presumed turnout would be low," Bruggeman said. “I have seen otherwise." Tirado estimates the vote count as of Wednesday morning at 250, about 9% of the eligible voters. This almost surpasses last year’s 11% total turnout With today being the last day of voting, the chairpeople both encourage those who have not yet voted to vote. Thursday, April 14,1994 “The milk should be labeled so people can decide if they want the hormone in their milk or not." Symms believes these hormones are part of a sound science. “If after all of the tests it is discovered to be a safe product, then it wil lower cost for production and be doubly beneficial," Symms said. “This way we will be able to get the product to more people.” Finally, Kennedy was asked what he thought of recycling programs like the one Penn State has. “The cost of recycling should be put on the packaging companies, like in Europe,” Kennedy said. “Federal laws must be made to create more of a demand for recycled materials." Symms summed up the atmosphere of the debate by saying, “People are here to see Kennedy. He’s the draw. I’m just here to give him some sound opposition.” Kennedy is a clinical professor and supervising attorney at the Environmental Litigation Clinic at Pace University Law School in New York. He serves as senior staff attorney for the Hudson River Fishermen's Association and senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council Idaho fruit ranch owner Steve Symms was a political unknown when he won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1972 on a platform of more freedom and less government. In 1980 and 1986 he won hard fought elections for a seat in the U.S. Senate. After his retirement in 1993, Symms formed his own political consulting firm with offices in Alexandria, Va. and Boise, Idaho. ‘94 “The president of SGA makes decisions and financial allocations which affect students directly,” Bruggeman said. Tirado’s advice for how people should vote is, “Forget about popularity, and think who could do more and represent Behrend the best” The ballots contain two contested elections this year: SGA president-vice-president (Sam Epps-Betsy Saner vs. Hugh Rosenblum-Matt Cissne) and for Student Organization Council president (Ray Graham vs. Paul Lorio). All other positions are
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