PAGE 2 ROTC Prof and Student Counter Editorial . . . . . . This does not mean that you are war managers. On the contrary the Soldier, above all people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. But always in our ears ring the ominous words of PLATO, that wisest of philosophers; Only the dead have seen the end of war." After reading the Behrens Collegian and speaking with certain students there seems to be a misunderstanding as to what ROTC is and what the U.S. Army does. We in the ROTC depart ment take it personally when we are accused of being war mongers, pro-war advocates, baby killers of hawks. We take it personally, especially when it is based on cliche and ignorance. For those who are interested in the facts, the President of the United States is the Supreme Commander of the United States Armed Forces. The President and Congress (all given their offices by the voting public) determine American foreign policies and commitments and order the military forces of America to war when they deem it necessary. It was not the American Army that got America involved in Vietnam, it was an American president. It was not the U.S. Army that got America involved in World War H, it was a president and Congress . One of the wonders of American democracy is the idea Student Claims God Is Displeased With U.S. Dear Editor: I remember as a young boy how prpud,Lwas of our - country. I would read my little history book and marvel at the prosperity and greatness of America. I couldn't figure out, though, why America was so great and yet so young. It grew from a handful of colonies to the most powerful nation on the face of the earth. This country was founded - men - who - dedicated it to God and He was pleased that our forefathers had honored Him in this way. Be opened up the gates of Heaven and poured forth a mighty blessing on us. America soon became the world's number one food-producer _ and great in ventions and discoveries made everyday life much simpler. Our military power became so im pressive that our enemies began to shake in their boots at the mention of the United States. But why are they laughing at us now? It's simple. God is displeased with the United States because as a nation we have turned away from Him. The Bible says that, "God's wrath is revealed coming down from heaven upon all the sin and evil of men whose evil ways prevents the truth from being known." God punishes them because what man can know about God is plain to them. God Himself made it plain to them. Ever since God created the world, His invisible qualities, both His eternal power and His divine nature, have been clearly seen. Men can perceive them in the things that God has made LIBERTY - flazil• WEST ME PLAZA • 9 7.1 i $TaT& JTREE T TI4V AD WORTH sx.4o c)FF NV REG PRICE 1.8 1 OR THE itr bSTocK• EVIRES *lBO of "Civilian Control of the Military." If you study American government you will realize that concept exists. The mission of the U.S. Army is to "Support and defend the con stitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic." We can not hide or attempt to hide from the idea that to do that mission it may mean war and killing. So therefore the Army must be trained to do that job. To think that war is avoidable and that man will live in perfect harmony with each other is a beautiful ideal. To think that the rest of the world will lay down their weapons and live in peace is a noble myth. Man has fought with each other since the beginning of time and man has not as yet evolved to the point where warfare will never exist. The "War" in northern. Ireland is a "War" between Protestant and Catholic; the "Wars" fought in the middle east were "wars" between Jew and Arab; Shiite Moslems are killing Sunni Moslems in Iran; Rhodesian and South African Whites are killing Rhodesian and South African Blacks and America has been the scene of "wars" between dif fering factions since before the American Revolution. When the people of the world can end prejudice, form the perfect government, end greed, agree on a common religion, have (creation). So they have no ex cuse at all! They know God, but they do - not give Him the honor that belongs to Him, nor do they thank Him. Instead, their thoughts have become complete nonsense and their empty minds are filled with darkness. "And seeking to become wise they have become fools." (Romans 1:18- 22). The highest court in our land has made two decisions which have greatly angered God. It has ruled that a baby in its mother's womb is not alive, and that prayer must be eliminated from our classrooms. Since these decisions, God's wrath has been poured out upon this country in many ways. Crime has increased at an alarming rate of 330 per cent. One half of our marriages: today end in divorce. For the first time in our history, we have lost a war and we are no longer the world's leading military power. Foreign banks laugh at our dollar which once was highly respected. Homosexuality, drugs, alcohol and VD problems are ap proaching epidemic proportions and some are pushing to have the "In God We Trust" motto removed from our currency. It is time that each of us restored our relationship with God. The Bible says if we "Draw near to God, He will draw near to us." (James 4:8). Let's do it! We can be-reconciled to God and can have peace with Him through the Lord Jesus Christ. God is so holy Continued on page .3 economic equality and learn to love one another we will, at that point, hopefully end all war or ideas of war. My purpose in writing the last editorial (Collegian 20 March, 1980) was to get Behrend Students thinking about draft registration because draft registration will affect all of you. A-draft, not registration, affected me during my college days. This is an election year and one of our rights is that privilege to vote for a candidate of our choice who we hope will help us keep our per sonal rights, keep us com fortable and keep us out of war. Not to use that voting right is an A participant's view. . Since none of the student body were around during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, we cannot but shudder to think where we would be today if, in stead of retaliating and becoming a participant in WWII: we had sent an army of negotiators to Tokyo. How naive can Mr. Englert be to think that any nation can remain strong and free by teaching peace and negotiation and by not having a strong military? How effective have all the negotiations been in freeing the US hostages in Tehran? Negotiations, the mutual discussion and arrangement of the terms of an agreement, is rarely effective if Campus professor for a return to activism To the Editor: An article in your April 3 issue concerning the ROTC included these sentences: "There's been a big change on College campuses in the last 10 to 12 years. The turbulence of the '6o's is all but gone and it's been replaced by a calmer, more serious student attitude." Casual statements like these need to be challenged. The student movements of the 1960's involved highly serious confrontations with issues on many levels of our experience, issues of personal integrity, social justice and international peace. The demonstrations and, even riots that took place on campuses attracted some light headed rabble-rousers and protesters-for-protest's sake, but at the core of them was a conviction shared by many people of the student generation that changes in American life could and should be made. And student action produced results. The Black Civil Rights Movement would not have moved as far or as fast as it did if students had not worked and died for it. More young people would have died uselessly in Vietnam if students had not demonstrated against the war. The degree of personal and sexual freedom that is almost conventional today was established by students who were prepared to defy convention in the '6o's. More women would be suffering job discrimination today if the '6o's students had no atmosphere of liberalism in which the women's movement injustice to yourself, your family, to your beliefs and to America. To write an article in a college newspaper that is not based on facts and strictly emotion is an injustice to college students. If you have questions about Economics you should go to an economics professor. If you have a question about math, you should go to a math professor. If you have an English question you should go to an English professor. If you have any questions about The Army or ROTC why not ask an ROTC professor. I encourage everyone to take a ROTC course and base any decisions for or it is only one-sided. Random House defines a warmonger as "a person who advocates, wants, or tries to precipitate war." To say that the ROTC program is one of war mongering is just plain stupid. Think for a minute. Who will be among the first to go? The ROTC cadre themselves! I think I can understand Mr. Englert's not wanting to go to war, but thank goodness they and other young Americans are willing to go, with pride, and fight to defend the ideals upon which this great democracy has been established. About the helicopters - Mr. Englert seems to be under the impression that they are strictly began. to deny the revolution's necessity We're all familiar with these -- -and significance. With the accomplishments, but we may reappearance of the draft on the not like to acknowledge that they horizon today, perhaps students simply would not have happened will begin to realize again that without the kind of action that change can happen if they make students in the '6o's took. In the it happen, and add to the '6o's aftermath of every revolution, achievements some of their own even a partial one like that of the '6o's, there is always a tendency Letter Critical Of COBCSG Article Dear Editor In response to your recent First, it should be understood article on Thursday, April 3, 1980 that there was prior notice as to concerning the Faculty Senate when and how the elections were Elections for the branch cam- to be held. A newsletter dated puses of Penn State, lam writing February 15, 1980 with in to clear up some misun- Continued on page 3 lithrtutt c:olltgiau Gene Grygo Editor Melvyn Anderson Business Manager Paul Elbel Lonnie Gilbert Bill Hegman Advisor: Dr. Michael Small Typist: Melanie Nutter Mailing Address - Behrend College, Station Road, Erie, Pa 16563 Office - Student Offices, Reed Union Building Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday Phone 898-1511 Ext. 238 Opinions expressed by the editors and staff of the Behrend Collegian are not necessarily those of the University Ad ministration, faculty, or the student body. against the military on personal observations, not 1960 era Radicalism. One of the jobs of an American Soldier is to defend your rights under the Con stitution and Not be the beating block for youthful frustration. Maybe if we could educate the world on the evils of war, on the grotesqueness of killing and the misery of combat, my job will be discontinued and our tax money can go for better government projects. I will willingly hit the unemployment line for the benefit of world-wide peace. Cpt. R. Schneider Army ROTC instruments of war. Surely he has seen the good they have done in saving the lives of the seriously injured and of those caught up in natural disasters. mind your own business, and let the ROTC take care of theirs. But keep in mind: someday they may be a large part in saving the freedom we all feel is so precious. natural disasters. Mr. Englert, I think you should just go and enjoy your own life, mind your own business, and let the ROTC take care of theirs. But keep in mind: someday they may be a large part in saving the freedom we all feel is so precious. Janine Callen - ROTC student calls John F. McDiarmid derstandings Member of The Press Association Joe Englert Assistant Editor Russ Miller Photography Editor Mary Miseta Sports Editor Behrend Collegian Sue Bentz Tom Pyne Pat Sedlak Barb Bogdan
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers