An Open Letter To Governor Dukakis by Peter Weichlein Collegian Staff Writer Dear Mike, So sorry you didn't get elected. What a bummer. Must be pretty humiliating to be beaten by a guy like George Bush and his ever-so exciting sidekick, Danny Quayle. Well, there's always 1992. I would have written a lot earlier, but I knew how busy you were, hoping to be elected, pouting over what that bully said about you and trying to figure out whether being called a liberal is bad or not. So I figured I'd wait till after the election to get back in touch. For some reason I thought you'd probably find yourself with a lot of time on your hands after November 8. Now what? You could always govern Massachusetts again, probably not as exciting as running a country, but its a living. Or here's a thought Go into acting. Politics and acting are so closely tied together, it wouldn't be too hard. Host Demonstrates Bad Judgement by Jeffrey J. Lawson Contributing Writer On November 11, afternoon probably the world's most bigoted television viewers were treated to a person. The important difference, bizarre and unique display of however, between the shows is that bigotry-inspired violence. I am, of Donahue is much better at course, referring to Geraldo Rivera's executing the role of host. His show (aired on that date), in which dealings with the "bigots" were racial slurs spurred an all-out brawl more successful, more information that resulted in general garnering, and perhaps most pandemonium and a broken nose for importantly, far less hate-filled and Geraldo. Poor Geraldo; it didn't violent. have to happen. I am fully aware that there are The focus of Rivera’s show that those people who will strongly day was the concern over the disagree with me; those people seemingly rising tide of racism, contend that Geraldo is a great especially by youths, in today's investgaive host who succeeds at society. To drive the point home, "getting to the bottom of things." Geraldo invited three young "white I happen to agree, however I supremists" to comment on their believe that when you're dealing views. However , it soon became with such a sensitive subject as race apparent that Rivera’s plan was relations, you have a duty as host merely to use the men as catalysts to. be more of a mediator, than a for the arguments and controversy commentator. Both these men have that he seems to enjoy so much, the difficult job of "cutting through Many even seemed to feel that the the bull", while at the same time incident was staged; that this sort of allowing everyone the right to thing would be a great audience- speak their minds, even if their grabber. I don't think so. Even opinions are unorthodox or Geraldo has to realize the unpopular. Anyone who watched reverberations of such an 'event'. Geraldo that day knows that this That kind of situation, staged or was not the case. Geraldo wouldn't not, can easily spiral out of control, allow the guests to give their as Geraldo found out ' opinions, even to answer his own It is interesting to note that only charges. He screamed "Shut up!" at two days before the episode was them, and even went so far as to taped, Phil Donahue was on the air , n with the exact same subject. Continued on page 7 Letter to the Editor Writer Objects to Subjective Policy Dear editor, .. I, being on the staff of Tempus and a woman, feel that through the freedom of speech, I should let my feelings be known about a recent incident that happened in the Reed Building lobby. Tempus, Behrend's literary magazine, has been announcing to the public, through papers and posters, the beginning of the acceptance of submissions. AH posters had gone: through the regulatory University policy of having "PSU Approved" stamp slapped on them before being placed on the walls. One of the posters designed and made by a staff member was placed in the Reed Lobby near the mailboxes. This poster was meant to show literary creativity with its play on words. The day after this poster was hung, it was found missing. The artist of this poster asked various women of Women Today and everyone in Tempus about it. Obviously, no objections were raised, or the poster wouldn't have been chosen to represent Tempus. The editor, Darrell Freund, was asked to see an official of the University and was told the poster was taken off the wall by a University employee who found it offensive. Does this mean that whenever anyone finds something offensive on the walls of the school, they can tear it down? I know there are plenty of things people wouldn't like too see around school—for example, Christmas decorations in a public school can be, and are, found offensive to non-Christians—but people don't go on programs stripping the walls. I don’t believe anyone has the right to take down anything that has the "PSU Approved" stamp. The "PSU Approved" stamp is for the specific purpose that only what gets stamped can go up on the walls. If things get taken off the walls that have this mark, then isn't the stamp rather pointless? The poster was taken down because a University employee found it offensive and felt it was her duty to rid the walls of sexist advertisements. After the act was done, the University agreed with her. However, the University didn't say. anything about one of the girls' floors selling back rubs—setting up a stand in Reed lobby, letting the purchaser choose the female, and then setting a date. No one thought the Rent-A-Service, by first floor Perry girls, was sexist—" Hire someone to do your laundry, dishes, sweeping, wash your car...” I don't see how these events aren't offensive or sexist while a play on words is. I think Penn State Behrend should define the rules of the "PSU Approved" stamp to the workers who are doing the stamping and to the people who need something stamped. I also believe the University should give more thought to student affairs and once they make up then minds, stick to it. You have a well-known face and name and you would probably be a box office hit, maybe the leading man in a sequel to "About Last NighL" Why not? Of course Ron PETE'S PERSPECTIVE Reagan w iu be unemployed pretty soon. Wouldn't it be a riot for the two of you to team up together, the 1980 s answer to Laurel and Hardy. I love it You would take the country by storm and end up-being even more important than the president ■ Of course acting requires some sort of emotion, you'd have to take lessons, but you're a fast learner. Towards the end, it even looked like you and Lloyd might make it. It probably wasn't a confidence booster when Lloyd kept his old job, " just in case." But why did you guys loose? I voted for you, and so did a lot of other people. Granted, nobody really believed in you as the savior of this nation, Donahue's guest that day was an older "white supremist" who made his views very plain - he was Heather McKinley as the person to lead the world towards eternal peace, as the guy to clean up the environment, and the miracle worker to get rid of our deficit. But nobody who voted for George Bush thinks he's any of those persons either, and just voted for him as the lesser of two evils - the same reason people voted for you. So why did more people think George is less likely to screw up than you? You probably dont want to hear this, but I'll tell you anyway, so you won't forget come 1992. First of all, next time somebody calls you something as disturbing as liberal, don't pout for eight weeks and then ignore it. Maybe a little name calling now and then would have been a good idea, that’s what people expect from a future president Second, don’t' announce your plans for all kinds of fancy programs and never really talk about how you will finance them, because people will automatically think "taxes" and that’s a bad word. OPINION LOVE ROB Butch is Back by Rob Prindle "You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant Just walk right in, it’s around the back, just a half a mile from the railroad track...." Arlo Guthry's song "Alice's Restaurant" popped into my head this morning as I thought about Thanksgiving. I was listening to the classic song about growing up and dealing with the threat of going to Viet Nam as an old ftiend walked in. Butch, my buddy of oh so many years, didn't say a word as he sat down and listened to Arlo. The song finished and Butch had a tear in his eye. -I. asked my friend if something was wrong. He practically jumped out of his seat as he screamed "Yes, I'll say that something is wrong. I mean, I'm sitting here listening to you ask if there is something wrong. My god, don’t you realize that the world is crumbling?" I had to tell Butch that I was ignorant to the crumbling world of which he spoke. I reminded him that Thanksgiving vacation is right around the comer. I asked how he could think of the crummy shape of the world when vacation and then the end of the semester were so close at hand. "You poor uncomplicated person,” he replied as he looked disgusted. "Don't you watch the news? Don't you see what people are doing to each other? They are using religion to kill each other. Jew's killing Palestinians. Catholics and Protestants attacking each other. All jn the name of God. Do you know, Rob, I saw a bumper sticker on a pickup truck that said 'God, Guts and Guns.' What the heck is that supposed to mean? 'God' and 'Guns' in the same thought? Give me a break." I had to explain to Butch that he was being too critical. Nihilism is never the answer, I explained. God doesn't kill people, people kill people* I stated. Butch turned this weird shade of fuscia and shook violently as he told me; "I know that people kill people. What the heck do you think I am? A moron? What I was trying to say is that people will use any excuse to hurt other people. Nationality, skin color, sexual preference, the neighborhood they live in, the shape of their nose. Anything." He had a point I still reminded him that Thanksgiving was coming up. Surely, there is much to be thankful for. I asked Butch if he agreed. "Sure I agree," he began. "I know that living in America is the greatest privilege in the world. I know that we live in a country where most discrimination is socially unacceptable. I know that in .America a guy like me can write and think and say anything that I want. I know that we live in a land of excess. Anytime I have four bucks in my wallet, I can walk into Ponderosa and stuff my self full of their all-you can-eat salad and hot-stuff trough. And I can even enjoy this 'American excess' as long as I don't think much about all of the hungry people living on the streets." It was hard to argue with what Butch had just preached. I admit that I got a little upset when I realized he was right. To get back at him for ruining my day, I asked him a simple question. What was he doing to help any of this? It is easy to complain, but what was he doing to help? "Rob," he srnd, "I am doing the best thing that I know how to do. I’m not letting it drive me crazy and I'm not thinking that fm any better than the people who need help. I may be luckier than them, but even my luck is owed to the people who were here before me." "It's like that 'Alice's Restaurant song we were just listening to. If it weren't for all of those guys who went, and all of those guys who protested, and all of those people who died in all of those horrible ways, no one would ever know that it should never have happened. I know that what I've said is twisted logic to some degree. If you thinir about life too much, you get twisted. I am thankful for one thing, though. I'm thankful that even though things could get worse, they seem to be getting better. People are still dying and people are still using racial slurs and wars are still going on, but more amd more peolpe don't like it much. Games have to end some time." November 22, 1988 Once they think that, you'll never get elected. You see, George did that much smoother than you, he said he’d never raise taxes, which doesn't mean he won't find 200 other ways to get to our money. And thirdly, and most important, stop being so dam boring. Once in a while you could afford to smile, maybe even laugh or yell, or scream, or get worked up. Or something to prove there is. an actual, living being in that cheap suit of yours. Because people like someone in the White House who will show those Russians who's the boss. Someone who gets things dene, someone to scream when people screw up. A president for crying out loud, and lets face it, Mike, even though you might symbolize the American dream of second generation immigrant going to the White House, you still didn't look like much of a President. Give my love to Kitty. -Yours Truly, Pete Let’s Talk MAC Attack by Ray Sines Collegian Staff Writer The "cashless" society ~ A payment system where computers are replacing our present paper based payment system with "electronic blips" is rapidly closing in upon us. We are entering an era of electronic funds transfer systems (EFTS). Computers, via satellites, already enable electronic funds to be transferred almost instantaneously around the globe. August Beqwuai, in his book titled: "The Cashless Society EFTS at the Crossroads," predicted that by the 1990 s each home would be equipped with a computer terminal through which banking would be conducted. In actuality, most homes already have a capable computer to accomplish this task their telephone. Telephones with "touch tone" can access bank computers in many cities already. For example, customers of Signet Bank, in Arlington, Virginia have the capability of paying their telephone bills via their home telephone. They just dial the bank computer number, and at the signal they punch in their assigned code number. A computer-recorded voice-message will acknowledge the call and give them a list of items they may accomplish. Response is made by punching in the additional appropriate numbers. A receipt will appear in their mailbox approximately three days after the transaction has been made. Different money access card systems are uniting to make their electronic access areas larger and larger. Rudimentary "cashless" systems are making appearances at an almost exponential rate. Automated teller machines (ATMs), Point of Sale Systems and telephone billpaying services have become increasingly common nationwide. Editorial: Our O There is No Equality in Separation A measure introduced by Darron Henry, president of the Association of Black Collegians and affirmatively voted on by the SGA will require the creation of a new senate position - a minority senator who would be elected exclusively by minority students. Students in favor of the new senate position contend that the needs of minority students cannot adequately be met by an SGA that does not mandate the presence of a minority senator. Previously, senators have been allocated on the basis of one senator for every 200 students. The minority senate position would work differently. Not only would Behrend's 174 minority students be counted appropriately as either resident or commuter constituents, but they would also be granted a separate vote in a "minorities only” election. By this action, minority students will effectively be given two votes. We suggest that giving two votes to one group of students, to compensate for their minority status - is wrong both in theory and in practice. Separate but equal can never be equal. Minority students, like all other students deserve and are entitled to equal representation. But, giving one group of students effectively an extra vote, is no better than the discrimination civil rights fought so hard to escape. When blacks were forced to the back of bus, Martin Luther King Jr. fought for their right to sit where they wanted, not for the right to put blacks in front and the whites in back. Currently SGA representatives are elected by popular vote, by constituents representative of the student body as a whole. If we are to use the Constitution and hence the U.S. Congress as an example to follow, we find no precedent. In our democracy, legislators are elected on the basis of geography, not race. It seems highly unlikely that the U.S. Senate will ever choose to elect 100 senators, chosen geographically, and perhaps ten more chosen for their race. No we don't live in an ideal society, but that's not likely to change as long as we try to apply such imperfect solutions to our problems. The best we can do is to seek not to separate but to assimilate. Our society will never be free of prejudice so long as we seek to further separate ourselves, by making decisions driven by the guilt of wrong done in the past Homosexuals at University Park have also sought specific Senate representation, but were denied. Is their claim to discrimination any less valid.? Should they be given a separate vote. Who else is deserving of two votes? Tall people? Uelv people? Who is to decide? Quite simply, extra political power cannot be granted to one group without usurping the power of another. A bad decision, made to redress racial guilt and past injustices, is still that - a bad decisioa When one writes an editorial of this nature he tends to worry that he will be labelled as a racist. However, that fear has been lessened, for we can think of no more racist idea than the concept that minorities are the only ones who can adequately represent other minorities. We believe all individuals are entitled to an equal say in this or in any government. We also believe that students pushing for this amendment, seek only to be fairly represented. But ultimately, the minority senate position is not fair to anyone. Rubber checks and floating checks will soon be a thing of the past. "Today 43,500 cash registers accept ATM cards, up from 600 in 1984," according to USA Today (Oct. 20,1988). Mellon Bank has recently mailed, to all their ATM customers, a set of coupons which gives $l.OO discount when gas is purchased using an ATM card. Several fast food stores have also followed suit in installing ATM machines. In addition, McDonald’s and Burger King are testing ATM cards in many areas of the U.S. "Exxon, Mobil, Arco and Amoco take ATM cards at 10,000 stations," say USA Today. ATM machines are being put into the cash-only lines at grocery stores becasuse it takes only 1/5 of the time of writing checks. In addition, the store's money is deposited into their account at the moment the customer takes the groceries. "As more cash registers take ATM cards, purchases on them have soared from 54,000 a month in 1984 to 7.7 million in 1988," says POS News. Ironically, a world cashless society is prophesied to come to pass in the Scriptures. mion
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers