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Inconsideration
Considered
It is becoming increasingly evident that some students at Capitol Campus are
here, not to learn, but to impede the learning of others. Granted, these students
are a definite minority, but their insistence upon disturbing their fellow
classmates is deplorable.
The worst -- and clearly the most annoying -- of these distractions is the
incessant babbling of a few rambunctious students. These chatterers disturb not
only their colleagues but their instructors as well. While an occasional remark or
question to another student can be overlooked, this nonstop bantering can be
likened to Mount St. Helens. Once the eruption starts, it cannot be stopped.
The commotion caused by a few loquacious individuals cannot be blamed on
the instructors. These mentors are professionals, trained to educate and instill
knowledge in their pupils. They are not trained - or paid - to baby-sit. While
instructors can ask rowdy students to behave, their requests often fall on deaf
ears. After several Such admonitions, these warnings in themselves become as
much of a nuisance as the persons to whom they are directed.
Another novel pastime of these so-called students is the constant shuffling of
papers and other assorted paraphernalia back and forth. Though some of the
roving materials may pertain to school, it is not uncommon to observe magazines,
comic books, scribbled notes and other forms of amusement.
Often, though, this rustling is caused by students who are too irresponsible to
attend class regularly. Therefore, when they do decide to appear, much of their
time must be spent noisily seeking notes that they have missed. What do these
lackadaisical students expect to gain by habitually "blowing off class" and relying
on their more serious classmates?
Some students have perfect attendance records, based on the premise that
classes are an hour long. Apparently, these students are content to waltz in ten or
fifteen minutes after the class has begun. This practice is countered by others who
prefer to arrive on time and dismiss themselves whenever they see fit. Under
certain circumstances, the late arrivals and early departures can be understood.
But is there a circumstance in existence that warrants this daily routine?
Students should remember that inconsideration towards their classmates and
instructors does not belong in a college environment. If we are to be assured of
the best possible education, this juvenile behavior must be eliminated.
After all, the pedantic scholars far outnumber the disruptive ones, and we
should not permit our education to be destroyed by an immature minority.
cc. reader
Published biweekly by the students of The Capitol Campus of The
Pennsylvania State University in Middletown, Pennsylvania.
The C.C. Reader has the following four-fold purpose: [l] to keep students
informed about their campus community; [2] to provide editorial comment on
issues facing the campus community; [3] to serve as a forum for student poetry,
photographs, short stories, graphics, and other creative endeavors; [4] to serve as
a learning mechanism for all students interested in the journalistic process. This
includes reporting, editing, layout, typesetting, and paste-up.
Activities Editor -- Linda Lightner Photography Editor Mark W. Clauser
Sports Editor -- Kenneth Aducci Contributing Editor William J. Neil
Copy Editor -- Alice M. Coon Cartoonist -- Joe Horvath
Staff -- Dave Caruso, Kathy Kern, Ms. Soni Moore, Gary Pellett, Darrell Reider,
Kevin Spiegel, Keith N. Gantz
Faculty Advisors --
The opinions expressed in this paper are those of the author and are not
necessarily the opinions of the students, faculty, staff, or administration of The
Pennsylvania State University
The C.C. Reader welcomes letters from readers. Letters intended for
publication should indicate the writers college affiliation, if any. All letters must
be signed by the writer. Unsigned letters cannot be printed. However, a writer's
name may be withheld upon request. Letters should be legible (preferably
typewritten, double spaced); and any material that is libelous or does not conform
to the standards of good taste will be edited and/or rejected.
Pennsylvania State University
Capitol Campus
Middletown, PA 17057
Office - W-129
Phone -- (717) 944-4970
Editor-in-Chief
Harry H. Moyer
Assistant Editor
Susan M. Snell
Dr. Donald Alexander, Dr. Elizabeth Winston
Circulation 2,500
LETTERS POLICY
Thursday, November 20,1980
Editorial /Opinion
-- William J. Neil
Letters
to the Editor
Up In Smoke
Editor
In response to the article "Pot
Smokers," it was entirely too one-sided.
Ms. Moore could have done a lot more
research for her piece. There are re
search papers and medical journals in
the library.
Nothing was mentioned about the
relief from pain and nausea from chemo
therapy when THC is used in the
treatment of cancer patients. Nothing
was mentioned about THC's use in
treating glaucoma.
Most chemicals and chemical com
pounds used in everyday life produce
side effects. As college students, the
so-called "intelligentsia" and future
leaders of this country, let us objectively
look at more than one side of an issue.
Any tool, when used intelligently and
responsibly is beneficial. It is also com
mon sense that anything done to excess
is usually harmful.
Some Shah-dy Remarks
Editor
At first glance, I found the article
"Diary of a College Revolutionary" hum
orous. Upon reflection, I am saddened by
what I consider Captain S.C. Anon's
inappropriate use of satire.
Perhaps Mr. Anon would do well to
remember the involvement of the United
States in Iran; to remember that this
country put the Shah in Power in 1952,
after which we participated in nonwav
ering support of the Shah's regime.
Put yourself in the position of the
Iranians. On November 16, 1977, a small
group of Iranian students in Tehran was
peacefully protesting the unwarranted
arrests of critics of the Shah's regime
when one hundred police and SAVAK
agents surrounded the group. Suddenly,
they raised clubs and chains and began
screaming "Long live the Shah!" In
minutes a dozen students were battered
to death; the rest of the protestors were
chased through the streets of Tehran
where six more were beaten to death.
Those who neither escaped nor died
were thrown in SAVAK's torture cham
bers.
During the last 20 years of the Shah's
regime, it is estimated that SAVAK
agents methodically tortured, shot or
bludgeoned to death some 500,000 peo
ple. It is interesting to note that 400 of
SAVAK's key men were trained in
torture methods by the United States --
a fact acknowledged by Jesse Lee of the
CIA.
Throughout the Shah's rule, oil flow
ed continuously from Iran's oil wells into
tankers bound for U.S. ports. Iranians
connect the above facts and conclude
that the suffering of many of their
countrymen was largely due to the
United States' incessant need for oil.
Given this perspective, it is perfectly
logical for Iranians to be angry with our
country. Perhaps the taking of hostages
is an inappropriate way of expressing
that anger but it is far more acceptable
than the methods of torture used by
SAVAK to hold down the Iranian people
and keep the Shah in power.
I believe an attitude of "Let's kill the
Iranians because they took U.S. citizens
hostage" ignores the intricate issues of
the hostage question. Please don't mis
understand me, I want the hostages
released also; but as a result of the failed
rescue attempt, our only option for their
safe return is via diplomatic bargaining.
Keith N. Gantz
Toward that end, I find Mr. Anon's
article totally ineffectual.
Note: Facts listed in this letter were
taken from a speech by Merlin Schwartz
of Boston University and an article
written by Dr. J. G. Pitt.
Name withheld upon request
Editor
Student Court Justices and Campus
Police/Security: How carefully have you
read the Vehicle regulations that became
effective September 1, 1980? How can it
be possible to enforce regulations which
contradict themselves, discriminate
against the handicapped, or which are
blatantly false?
continued on page 3 ...
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