Po. e Two Editorial Opinion The 'Militant'; Take It For What It's Worth Recently, a group of spirited students came to Behrend College selling a newsweekly called "The Militant." I was seriously con sidering buying a subscription because I felt it would be in teresting to get another point of- view. After reading the paper, I came to the conclusion that "The Militant" contained many discrepancies and must be kept in context. This, of course, is not to imply that other papers do not contain discrepancies and should be believed outright. I am merely stating that in my opinion, "The Militant" - presents' its biased point of view through news stories much more so than a national newspaper such as the "New York Times." Directly under the banner on the first page are the words "A Socialist Newsweekly, Published In The Interest Of The Working People." I certainly would not deny that the paper is Socialist, but to call "The Militant" a newsweekly is severely stret ching the word news. I read two volumes of this paper and found very few actual news stories. What I did find were many opinionated reports laced with doubtful facts and strongly biased Letter To The Editor Why Make Noise About Noise Dear Editor It- is amazing how adaptable Behrend students, and I guess -everyone, is. Perhaps I should say it is amazing how much people put up with because they get used to it. To prove it, let me use noise as an example. How would you feel if I said Behrend is one of the quietest places around this area? Parts of it are, but even these parts are noisy at times. In particular we have the gorge which at times approaches the kind of quiet level which is most pleasant. Now you are probably won dering why I picked noise as an intolerable problem which is tolerated. After all, we all know what noise can do to us. (Don't 36thrtub Tolitgian Mfg Press Assnriathm of emmtuntorito campuses Managing Editor Georgoan Gaydosh Sports Editor Dave Loiewski Photographers: - Michael Mark, Robin Andersen — Business Manager: Marty Pattyn Business Staff: Bruce Pizzini Advertising Manager: Scott Rudzinski Circulation Manger: Jayne Switala Cartoonist: Jack King, Unni Wyller, Kevin Jandreau Artist: Marsha Thorson Staff: Sue Skiba, Debbie Ries, Bud Ore, Gary Schonthaler, Jim Concelman, Lynn Alexander, Jeffrey Matson, Muriel Hykes, Cindy Arnold, Stephanie Zappa, Leann Sherman. Layout Staff: Patti Sewell, Karen Burton, Gail Atts, Cindy Richards Typists: Lisa Evans, Betsy Sterling, Jeanne Murray Lee Weimberg Ad Staff: Doug Julius, Gay Marie Catania, Darlee Anderson Circulation Staff: Suzanne Walker Mailing Address- Behrend Campus, Station Road, Erie, Pa. 16510 Office- Student Offices, Reed Union Building Office Hours: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday Phone: 899-3101 Ext. 238: Opinions expressed by the editors. and staff of the Behrend Collegian are not necessarily those of the University Administration, faculty, or the student body. Published every Thursday throughout the Fall, Winter, and Spring Terms, with exclusions for holidays and term breaks. The editorials appearing in this newspaper will be opinionated and therefore subject to criticism. All letters that are typewritten of 200 words or less, and submitted to the newspaper staff will be printed with the exception of those that are repetitions or - in poor taste. The staff reserves the right to correct by Jim Concelman Staff Writer diction. Regarding the last part, "Published In The Interest Of The Working People", I consider myself to be one of the working people, yet I would be ashamed to admit that "The Militant" is in my interest. To illustrate my point I have chosen the first paragraphs of an editorial and a supposed news story. Read both and then at tempt to guess which one is the editorial. The first article: "For the fourth time in the last 25 years full-scale war has broken out between tbd Arabs 'and - the Israelis. The imperialist rules of the United States who have ar med and financed the Zionist state of Israel have alerted the U.S. Sixth Fleet and moved Marines closer to the battle zone." The second article: "One of Israel's main aims has been to push back attempts of the Arab peoples to attain national liberation. To achieve this, Israel has carried out a permanent campaign of military aggression and terrorism, with the support of the U.S. and other imperialist we? We know that if you listen to like a buzzing light,a refrigerator rock music it will eventually going off and on, or any thousands cause ear daniage). Why worry, of noises which just seem to all you have to do is avoid the annoy you. problem. 7- What to do? You - can't avoid the So it appears that we don't buzzing and the slamming noises really have a noise problem after--can you? You could make some all. Except why do you always noise about it, but why not just seem to be dragging in the tolerate it? After all, it can only morning? You slept well, you affect your school work, health, think, but you didn't. All it takes and peace of mind. is some one to slam the door and your deep sleep is suddenly, a shallow restless sleep: Even if you do get a good night's sleep, by the end of the day you feel like you're dragging again. Would you believe that noise could be the culprit again? It is a proven fact that noise can lead to fatigue. Especially-a noise Member of . Editor-in-Chief Lynne Phillips Editorial Policy or delete portions of all letters for publication purposes. All letters must be signed, but names will be withheld upon request. Term standing, major, and hometown must be included. Signed columns represent the view of the author only and do not reflect the Editorial policy of the Behrend Collegian. , News Editor Linda Johnson Behrend Collegian powers who benefit from the exploitation of the Arab masses." And the winner is... Number 1. They sound remarkably alike, yet the second paragraph has no indication that it is an editorial. Bias can be found -in any newspaper to some extent. For instance, by having a larger story on a teacher strike than a bank robbery. If this is the case,- "The Militant" is completely blind in one eye. In the two volumes of it that I read, a - total of 48 pages, the Arab-Israeli war got three major stories, the Chilean coup got 17. "The Militant" was kind- enough to report on the campaigns of 8 Socialists, 0 Democrats, 0 Republicans, 0 Independants, and 0 others. Ten various strikes around the world read like the National League East baseball standings and about 15 other topics such as Watergate and Coinmunism were covered. Doesn't anyone do anything else in this world? What it boils down to is that the only real bit of unbiased, un prejudiced, truthful fact in "The Millitant" is the name of the paper. Dave Cota Get The Garbage Out Of The Gorge Dear Editor: Why is the sewage from this college being dumped into the Gorge? Why hasn't the sewage disposal plant been operating? Every drop of water which goes into the Gorge is further polluting and destroying our environment. Anyone who takes a walk in the Gorge can easily see (and 5me11...) this. Why hasn't some action, been taken to clean it up? Why is this polluting allowed to continue? Let's get it together and clean it up before it's gone forever. - Concerned Students Try Outs For `The Drunkard" Oct. 29, 30 Nov. 1 at the Studio Behrend For Rent by Jeff Matson Staff Writer Throughout my school years I was repeatedly told that it was my parents who were paying for my education, and now I am told it is I who is paying for the teachers and everything else. But for some strange reason I don't feel very much in control of what I've bought. That's because I found out that I haven't bought anything from the college. As a student, I am only renting space here. The whole thing is a lot like going to Avis to rent a car. You pick out what you want, if they have it they will rentit to you at a fixed rate for a certain amount of time under certain conditions. It's the same with going to - =college. You aren't buying anyone's services with your tuition, you are renting a seat in a classroom. The professor's job does not rely on your-being there. If the college doesn't rent the space to you they can find someone else. This I believe is a major source of frustration for many college students who would like to change things within the college struc; tore. You can't go up to Avis, rent one of their cars, and then go out and jack up the back end, put.on flame decals, and install a quad system_ Likewise you are powerless when it comes to Do You CARE To Join? There may be some apathy on this campus concerning trivial issues, but I believe that those who contend there isn't much caring, haven't met the right people, or else they were too blinded by self-pity to see them. There definitely isn't enough concern for other people's feelings but there's a lot more than the cynics would have one believe. Granted, many students are. still conditioned (from elementary and high school. peer pressure) to conform and to "play it cool." However, here at college there is less pressure to act like the others so the shyer philanthropists among the group who were repressed before are now free to show their love for mankind, and many are doing just that. Different people all - act in various ways to help.. For example, students have sub mitted names to Father Pat of those students who have shown ability for leading and a gift of concern for their peers. These people who were selected by the students would be leaders of the group, someone to offer assistance. Although probably not more than ten names were choosing books, course to be offered, or the hiring and firing of teachers. You, like a tenant, can suggest that certain things be done, and the college, like a landlord, can act if it wishes. _ There may be a few benefits to this kind of system. Like at Avis you are offered a selection of well-tested models (or majors) and you are always ffee to choose another model. But in other ways it isn't all that good. If college was for sale and not just for rent-anyone could buy the education that they wanted. But colleges don't let just anyone buy their seats; just as Avis will only rent cars to those they feel will be able to "pay and will return the cars undamaged. and in, some cases you cannot / gven ,get , the right make of car from your agency. I asked Penn State for a University Park special, thpy gave me a Budget Behrend deluxe; kindof like going to Avis for a Cadillac and getting a Volkswagen. Seriously, I like Behrend (so far) but the point is the same, colleges are inherently out of the hands of its students. I don't know if this is right or wrong, who really knows what is best for students? Are you a satisfied tenant? Getting enough miles foi• your money? Well, you know how to break your lease, but I'd like to know how to go about changing it. by Muriel Hykes Staff Writer turned in from what I saw, many more people were considered for the positions by others who were reluctant to volunteer somebody for a job they didn't want or couldn't handle (not wanting to burden another if they're not the type to say "no" is a form of caring in itself). The "chosen" people will help lead the group and possibly counsel on a one-to one basis as well. I may be considered a hopeless optimist by a number of cynics, but I believe that most of the students who ran for_ Student Government did,so because they had a sincere interest in the welfare of the student and notin their owngratification. Yes, Virginia, there are"ports in a storm," people who "dare to care." They perform their wonders in different ways, even in such a small but important way as a friendly smile to make your life a little brighter. Note: If -there's someone you'd like to volunteer for the "caring" group, or if you're interested, Father Pat welcomes everyone to attend the next meeting regard less of denomination. Contact Candy Bosch in 145 Perry for information. October 25, 1973
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