12/LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ™,”T
Can anyone really 'buy American' today?
Editor:
The injuclion to "buy American" urged
on us by Christinalynn McCoy in the
Feb.lo issue, in response to your Jan. 20
editorial, sounds simplc--but attempting to
act on it is not easy.
Should many of us follow her advice,
our own economy could suffer further
damage-the opposite result from the one
McCoy intends.
How to determine what product is
American? An American corporate name is
now virtually meaningless as a guide to
either the source of the product's
component parts or the country where the
parts are assembled.
SGA president addresses
Editor:
Let's begin with a thank you. SGA
owes a debt of gratitude to the Capital
Times, especially Karen Putt and Terry
Wolf. The notoriety SGA received in print
and over the airwaves in February was
valuable media attention, and it was
sincerely appreciated.
Speaking of media, those in positions
of power over public opinion might take
time out of their extraordinarily busy
schedules (which seem reserved for
"mature" students) to gather basic facts
before riding into the intellectual sunset
on a dictatorial'jackass.
A broad perspective is the anticipated
SGA
intentions were misrepresented
whole. As a member of SGA I stand brought to my attention by the students,
behind WPSH, but what I read in the That is why we, SGA, are in office, to
editorials may just sway my feelings. It listen to the student body. Wolf appeared
seems to me that since this incident in front of SGA for a change in the
involved someone who works at the budget. The result was an advance so the
newspaper it was treated as earth-shattering station could keep operating, as well as a
news. review of the station's budget.
I think the people who are leading Maybe if Wolf had stayed at the
others in a mass media area should set an meeting, a few more things could have
example of self-control and stop acting been fixed, but throwing a temper tantrum
like children. and storming out did not help his case at
There seems to be "bad blood" between all.
certain individuals on both sides, and now I think this newspaper yells "Wolf'
it's being aired publicly. It surprises me before it thinks. Do us all a favor and get
that both Karen Putt ar j Terry Wolf aired the full story before tooting your horn
such problems in this way.
Yes, there was a problem with what
was budgeted for WPSH. This was
Editor:
I am writing in response to your
editorial in the Feb. 10 issue of the
Capital Times.
The first thing that struck me was your
one-sided view of the SGA. You declare
SGA is out to get clubs through threats
and withholding funding.
As a newspaper, you should get
information from both viewpoints before
declaring God's holy truth based on
anonymous tips. I would expect you to
get at least maybe some information
before yelling to the world that SGA is a
dictatorial jackass.
I find it a personal attack against the
individuals of SGA and not SGA as a
XGI dispels
Editor:
It is getting close to that time of the
semester when the XGIs go around
seeking donors for their semi-annual blood
drive.
I am taking the opportunity to seek
some donors and to dispel some rumors
that have descended upon my ears about
the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank.
Since I am always on the quest for
blood, I ask all my friends to please
donate.
I have heard an excuse that really isn't
all that true, but nonetheless, still ruins
the image of our blood drive.
The non-donors say they refuse to
Chevrolet Geos are made entirely
abroad, as are Mercury Tracers, whereas
many Toyotas are assembled in this
country (Corollas in California, Camrys
in Tennessee) by unionized American
autoworkers.
"Buying American" cars could shift
production to Mexico, Canada, Korea, and
yes, even Japan. Even "American" cars
assembled in this country often contain
high portions of parts made elsewhere--in
Japan, Germany and so on.
Reality isn't as simple as McCoy
would like it to be. The auto industry
like most industries today-is effectively
international. Zenith televisions are no
longer made in the U.S., either. The
environment of the educated, the
intellectual, the student and others
reaching toward truth and justice.
A letter to the Editor in the February
issue of the Capital Times said apathetic
students were not exclusive to PSH. Nor
are students over the age of 22.
"Older" students dot the country, and
non-traditional students account for 40-50
percent of total enrollment. Since Student
Government organizations continue across
the country, I tread dangerous ground in
assuming that all non-traditional students
rush home after classes as Wolf suggests
in his Feb. 10 "Wolfs Den.”
In response to comments made in the
last issue of the paper, I call attention to
blood donor myth
donate blood because the Central Blood
Bank turns around and sells it to the area
hospitals for profit. The Central Blood
Bank is a non-profit organization.
The only way someone gets charged for
blood is if they are not a donor. The
Central Blood Bank then gives the patient
an opportunity to Find donors to replace
the blood used, instead of paying a fee. So
actually, paying for the blood is a last
measure.
People that donate blood at our blood
drives are automatically put on a list
which excludes them from being charged
for blood. You may be charged for the
change of the blood but not for the blood.
When you need blood, tell the hospital
average consumer cannot possibly track
the source of all the parts of all the
products she buys.
Instead, she should follow your
editorial's advice: buy the best product
available for the price.
Americans have been doing this in
buying "foreign" cars; if McCoy thinks
this habit is irrational or trendy, she
should check the frequency-of-repair and
owner-satisfaction ratings in any consumer
automotive rating.
Only this fact has stimulated the
sluggish U.S. producers to improve their
products-as they have done noticeably
over the past five years or so.
But the "Big Three," and other U.S.
student apathy issue
the facts. For example, printed statements
from Putt were "Perhaps it's simply that
they (SGA) don't know what the clubs
do.” And quoting Wolf, "They don't know
what the hell we do, and they don't care."
Fact: SGA constitution and bylaws
approved by the student body state "SGA
is to control and direct activities of student
organizations in the best interest of the
student body."
Wolfs column also said "I remember
submitting a budget for WPSH that
included $24 for two Stanton d6807a
phono styli," and someone did not know
what it was. Putt wrote "I work with
insufficient equiment and budget, beg and
plead for every penny the paper receives."
you donated. They will ask you the name
of the organization and you will tell them
CHI GAMMA lOTA/Central Penn Blood
Bank.
They will contact us and we will verify
it. It is that simple to get so vital a
service free.
For further questions, please contact
Claire M. Hall. She is the vice-president
of the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank.
She may be reached by calling (717) 534-
1188, or write her at: Corporate
Office/Donor Center, 475 W. Governor
Road, Hershey, PA 17033-0434.
James Racz
Junior Senator, SGA
John F. Bedoya
XGI
producers, have to go further to match the
quality of design, manufacturing, and
service of products made (often in this
country) by Sony, Toyota, Matsushita, et
al.
Protectionism is not the answer; it
would only protect inefficient and
unresponsive companies from the
competition that stimulates them to
improve.
Until that happens, I'll continue to
drive my Toyota-happily, proudly, and
with not a single glitch in 48,000 miles.
Associate Professor of
Humanities and History
Fact: It is curious that Wolf is fixated
on a $24 question when SGA's concern
focussed on his budget request for
$13,000.
As for the Capital Times' insufficient
equipment, the issue was discussed with
SGA prior to Putt's editorship. The paper
was to submit a proposal in writing and
SGA promised to approach every source of
funding possible for the needed equipment
Not only was there an absence of begging
and pleading, a written proposal never
appeared.
Fact: The finance committee shall
prepare an annual budget for the allocation
of die student activity fund to be presented
to the senate for adoption, as outlined in
the bylaws.
Enough-the point should be clear. Fact
finding is an important part of media
coverage.
To continue, the lone resident of
"Wolfs Den" attempted to speak for
"older" students who do not have time for
high school stuff like SGA.
The PSU Student Government began
in 1906 when General James Beaver was
acting president of the college. Beaver
formed the Student Board, composed of six
upperclass students, because Beaver had
faith in the students wisdom and their
ability to govern themselves.
Since 1906, the PSU Student
Government Association has evolved from
its advisory role by upperclassmen to
representation throughout all classes and
colleges. A fact that may cause educated
members of society to recall some grade
school stuff like "Government of the
people, by the people, for the people,
etc..."
Perhaps it's time to answer Putt’s
editorial question of whether or not we
should punish student apathy.
Those who feel the answer is yes, can
punish the student body by disbanding
SGA. Other dictatorships were born in
similar fashion for identical reasons.
Those who feel student apathy is a
dangerous climate of discontent have an
opportunity to make a difference.
Raise your voices, lift your pens, let
your words be heard while time and
organizational platforms permit.
Comments, both positive and negative,
will be welcomed in Room 212, the
"Hillside Castle."
Louise Hoffman
Michael Hermick
President of SGA