6 CAPTITAL TIMES, February 15,1991 Postal hike causes headaches In keeping pace with the annual Penn State tuition hike, the federal government has raised the price of a postage stamp from 25 cents to 29 cents. Well, maybe they aren't on the same annual pace as Penn State, but it sure seems like it. Just talking with some of my staff members, I've already heard some of the hassles this price jump has caused. One reporter received a roll full of 25 cent stamps for Christmas as encouragement to write friends and loved ones. A lot of good they do her now. The stamps are now practically useless unless she can get her hands on an equal amount of four cent stamps or decides to become wasteful and just slap two 25 cent stamps on each letter. Another reporter did indeed have to pay 50 cents to cover the 29 cents postage or face a late fee on his credit card bill. To avoid such waste, the government should have allowed some sort of grace period in which people could use their 25 cent stamps while they sold only 29 cent ones. Gradually phasing out the 25 cent stamp would have been a preferable alternative as compared to the Feb. 1 deadline raising the price to 29 cents. This small, annoying rate hike wouldn't be so bad if the mail service was better. Unlike delivery companies like UPS and Federal Express that have competition to keep them in line, the U. S. Postal Service not only lacks competition but also that drive to make a profit that makes so many outfits efficient Because my uncle is a U.S. mail carrier, I realize that every mailman does not sit on a bar stool all day ala Cheer's Cliff Claven. But when my roommates and I stick out-going mail in our mailbox, the mailman never takes it. Day after day, our mail would sit in our mailbox until I wised up and looked for one of those big blue things also called a mailbox. Thinking along the same vein as the postal hike, how long will it be until the price to use a public phone goes from a quarter to 29 cents. Then maybe we'll all have the opportunity to get rid of those unwanted pennies but will probably be fresh out when it comes time to get out of some sort of jam. By the time I'm old and gray the term spare change will be nearly obsolete because everything will cost over a dollar. I dread the day when the youth of America will have to pay more than a nickel for a piece of candy fish. Jon Tteck Editor -in-chief Letters to the editor Gulf War brings more reaction Letter to the Editor On January 16lh, the Pentagon triumphantly announced they had bombed Iraq. They were assured of victory. The tears streamed down my face as the final realization of war struck home. It wasn't until three days later we learned that we had not won the battle, in fact President Bush told us to "hunker down." It will be sweet and honorable to die for your country, was his unspoken message, but will it solve the problems of the Gulf? Did our president deliberate on the three main issues in this conflict? Those being the Isracl/Palcstinc problem, petroleum and our dcpcndance on rich Middle East resources, and lastly the great disparity between ethnic and economic wealth within all of the third world countries that compose the majority of the Middle East. It was obvious to me he did not offer any solutions for us, Iraq or the rest of the world. Instead, without using the checks and balances for which our country's EDITORIALS democracy is famous, Bush gave Saddam an ultimatum. As an afterthought he sought Congressional approval. Many legislators argued that smashing Iraq would not solve the real problems there. To muster support from the nation our President flooded the news with propaganda, which was greedily used by news stations that are influenced by ratings rather than real news reporting. Mr. Bush incited national idealism and American "machismo" by labeling Hussein a "Hitler." Funny, did we not act like Hitler when we interned thousands of Japanese Americans and proceeded to drop several nuclear bombs on Japanese civilian towns? We are not innocent of using blood and bombs to justify our means. "Why don't people realize Saddam usually docs what he says?" asked Middle East expert Judith Kipper. Hussein has been more predictable than Hitler ever was. Months ago he sought See Letters on 7 l¥flf X love hmeri rx- 9 * * }{uMOflPoS> '\(\CO/ *I A tjuvvi f «Jpp|C » v toSftri&vi (&f ? ® x Letters to the editor are always welcomed and encouraged. Submit your letter in Room W-341 or place it in oi mailbox in Room 212. Typed submissions are preferred. Please include your name...we cannot anonymous letters. A newspaper for the student body Capital Times Photography/Graphics Editor... John Rudy Staff Artist... Craig Smith Sports Editor... Eddie Miller Features Editor... Karen Putt Copy Editor... Nancy Strawhecker Advertising Manager... Rodney May Adviser... Dr. Peter Parisi Staff--Jeff‘ Berrigan, Pat Byers, Robert Caton, John Garvey, Mik Givlei Marcel, Victoria Phillips, Robin Price, Kathleen Rickabaugh, and Paula I he Capital 7 imes is pusblished by the students of Penn State Harrisburg. Concerns regar content of any issue should be directed to the editor in room W-341 of the Olmsted building calling 944-4970. Opinions expressed are those of the author and are not representative of college administration, faculty or student body. The Capital Times welcomes signed It readers. Unsigned letters cannot be printed; however, a writer's name may be withheld upt The Capital Times does not endorse its advertisers. «nnml Editor in chief... Jon Fleck News Editor... T.J. Brightman ©MOT
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