From the desk of the editor...
hat Really Matters?
As I sit at my computer terminal on this late Tuesday evening,
while my body subsists on nothing but Domino's and caffeine, the things
that come to mind are sometimes almost frightening. Like, did you know
that "Enola Gay" spelled backwards is "Yag Alone"?
I dit zss. This came about in conversation while my editorial staff
(read: the fools I talked into staying here with me all night for free pizzaand
Coke) and I tried to determine what should be the topic of my editorial
piece for this issue.
There were several subjects suggested, ranging from relationships
(and how we just don't have them) to Aaron West (not to be confused with
Adam West) and the graffiti found on this campus (look for that story in
next week's issue - yes, next week!) to the turmoil surrounding SGA lately
I chose none of these topics. At least, I don't think I did. I don't
thin/ I've picked anything yet. We just can't seem to pick any one thing
that we feel is most important. Actually, Joy hasn't added her input yet,
because she won't get off the phone with Corn Boy.
I digress again. Sorry about that, I think I dozed off.
What I have realized by now, however, is that no matter how many
issues we may address in each paper, it doesn't really seem to matter. Life
goes on, injustices continue, and nothing we print seems to change
anything.
Or does it? I mean, students and faculty dive for the paper when it
comes out, and we have received thanks and congratulations on a quality
product. Some, however, say we don't do our homework (and I'm not just
talking about the teachers whose classes we've skipped).
We've learned from this semester, as well. My reporters have
discovered how to do in-depth reporting, how to hunt down someone who
doesn't want to talk, how to call faculty members at home and get away
with it, and how to force your way into places where you're not wanted.
God, what a rush
Now, as I prepare to end my term at PSH, I look back on the last
two years and realize that maybe there are some things that do matter, like
the friends (and enemies) I've made, and the fact that, no matter what, I've
left my little mark here, by losing my mind and allowing myself to be
railroaded into being editor this semester. And though that time is coming
to an end, the memories, and the close relationships we've established in
this dingy little office will never fade.
Oh, and there is one more thing that matters: Red Dog, and lots of
it.
Letters to
CONGRATS to the Cap
Editor,
I would like to congratulate you on a
fine paper! lam glad that it looked so well and
it conveyed the messages that the students
needed to know. It also represented the ideals
of the student body here at Penn State
Harrisburg and you and your staff should be
commended for their efforts as a whole.
You have my support and if you ever
need anything in the way of quotes or help,
please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Duane Brooks, Junior, MIS
Condom-nation
Editor,
Religious right political hacks like
columnist Cal Thomas try to portray use of
condoms and safer sex as a liberal-left political
plot.
Yet Surgeon General Antonia C.
Novello, appointed by Republican President
George Bush, issued a statement published in
the June 9, 1993 issue of the Journal of
American Medical Association strongly
supporting condom use for prevention of HIV
transmission. Similar statements were issued
by her predecessor, Surgeon General C. Everett
Koop, who was appointed by Republican
President Ronald Reagan.
Novello claims that 20 percent, 40
percent, or 80 percent of all new HIV
seroconversions in the United States will be
avoided if 25 percent, 50 percent, or 100
percent, respectively, of persons use condoms
consistently and correctly.
As to the question of pores in
condoms, which has replaced the medieval
question about how many angels can stand on
the head of a pin in the minds of modem day
religious zealots, she cites a National Institutes
of Health study which found no holes even at
2,000 times magnification.
Acknowledging that holes can occur,
she refers to quality control testing by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration which has found
an average condom waterleak rate of 0.3
the Editor
percent. If the failure rate of a batch of
condoms exceeds four per 1,000, the condoms
are recalled and barred from sale. This is a far
cry from the 33 percent failure rate hysteria
mongers like Thomas proclaim.
She says that there are further
obstacles to passage of HIV even through a
microscopic hole. A free virus, which is
nonmotile, would pass through a hole only if
it were associated with a cell that moves or if
it were moved by hydrostatic pressure through
a hole.
However, monocytes and
lymphocytes that may carry HIV are too large
to pass through microscopic holes detected by
simulating free HIV in fluid under pressure
found that most condoms leaked no fluid at all
and that, " Even the worst performing condom
reduced estimated viral exposure 10,000 fold."
The statement cites condom
effectiveness during actual use evidenced by
contraceptive failure rates ranging from one
per 100 to 16 per 100 users per year. She
illustrates the importance of proper condom
use by results from a British study of married,
more experienced users with condom-user
failure rates for pregnancy as low as six per
1,000 users per year.
C.M. Roland's concerns about the
bather performance of latex rubber featured in
the June 1993 issue of Rubber World were
rebutted by an article by M.D. Morris and T.D.
Pendle in the very same issue.
Morris and Pendle attribute condom
failures mainly to misuse rather than any
inherent defect in the product. Leaching in
water, which is part of the normal condom
production process, effectively makes the
porous structure in the latex disappear, they
claim. They also refer to the two rubber layers
of a condom saying that, " the possibility of a
hole being made through both layers, or of a
hole in each layer being perfectly aligned
seems extremely remote."
They say that their contention is
further borne out by the tensile strength of
condoms under high elongation and direct
experimentation with the HIV virus.
Jim Senyszyn, Highland Park, NJ
Just Do It!
Ali Pirinccioglu
Guest Columnist
There seems to be a blatant disinterest expressed by the
students of this school in regards to the clubs and organizations of
Penn State-Harrisburg. I don't see a single reason why a student
can't get involved with even just one club.
There are many seasons to explain my stance on this issue.
The first major complaint I hear from students who live on my floor
is that they do not have enough time. This is not true. Even if you
work full time and have 15 credits, you will still find the time
necessary to be a member of a club. With the experience that I have
with clubs, I have seen that even 1 hour a week is sometimes
enough. The clubs on campus do not want to bog you down and
take all your time. All that is wanted is a little of your free time. And
everyone has free time. I don't know a single person, and I never
have, who has not had an hour or two free every week of the year.
Another thing that students don't have a right to complain
about is the lack of clubs. There are over 20 clubs on this campus
that cater to any interest you might express. Whether you are
interested in skiing, DJ'ing on the air, or want to become a member
of an honorary fraternity, the chances are being provided to you.
Outside of the fact that you will learn and gain the experience of
being in a specific club, chances are that you will also make friends
who have some similar interests that you possess. And if all this
does not please you, and if you think you already know enough
people at this school, then consider how it will look on your resume.
Companies always look to see if you participated in any extracur
ricular activities.
Going on my own experiences I have attained at this
campus, I strongly believe that joining at least one club should be
made mandatory by this school's administration. Now, don't get
me wrong. I am not trying to lecture you or attack you if you are
not in a club.
My only reason for believing in this is that I personally
know how beneficial being in a club is. I feel that what I have
learned from being in the clubs that I am in is very important. Those
who have not been in a club have a tough time understanding it, but
believe me. These clubs are one of the few things that we students
own and run on this campus. Help out and keep it going, or we can
lose it all. It could be one of the best experiences you leave this
school with.
Searching...
for adopted male born in 2/71. You may be
my brother! Contact my search group at:
Searching
P.O. Box 7446
Harrisburg, PA 17113-0446
or call (717) 939-0138.
he Court having heard testimony on April 18, 1995 declare the Student Government Elections null and void. Ballots will not
- counted and will be destroyed. A new election is to be held on April 24 and April 25, 1995. Said election is not to occur until
meeting with the Election Screening Committee and all candidates for office is held. The purpose of this meeting is to educate
nd clarify the electoral process and procedures for the Election Screening Committee and the candidates. Said meeting is to be
cheduled forthwith by the President of the Student Government Association and the Election Screening Committee.
easoniUg: Electioneer - to canvas votes for, or otherwise work for the success of a candidate or political party in an election.
ectioneering is in violation of the Student Government Bylaws. Procedures were not observed by the election committee as well as
e candidates. Testimony indicated that misunderstanding about the electoral process existed prior to the election, during the election,
nd after the election by the Election Screening Committee and the candidates. The Election Screening Committee and the Candidates
id not:
onduct the electoral process as outlined in the bylaws. In specific: No candidate shall have the right to electioneer within a 20feet
adius of the poll. This includes campaign posters.
Dear
Nittang...
Dear Nittany,
I have this problem. I have too much work
to do and not enough time to do it How can I get
everything done and still have a life?
—Study 24 Hollis a Day
Dear Study 24 Hours a Day,
Join the dub, unfortunately it's that busy
time of the year. If you feel overwhelmed with wait,
you may ay budgeting your time. Set realistic goals for
getting your school work done and also find time to
relax and kick back with your friends. Without a
healthy balance of both, your work won't be satisfac
tory and you won't be happy.
Dear Niftany,
I think my roommate is homosexual, I some
times see him walking around with his best Sunday
dress on, and a wicker hat with the tag still attached like
Minnie Pearle. I've lived with him for two semesters
now and it really does n' t bother me that much anymore,
but I think it's starting to rub off on me. I find nothing
wrong with painting my toenails and dying my hair
pink What should I do? --Buffalo
Bill
Dear Buffalo Bill,
If it feels good and doesn't dash with your
pumps-I say go for it !!!!
"Dear Nittany" is a new regular
column in the Capital Times. You
can write to "Dear Nittany", by
leaving a letter in the mailbox,
located in the Student Activities
Office, or in our office, located at
Student Court Decision
WRITERS, COPY EDITORS, AND COLUMNISTS
Joe Cawley
Angie Groft
Danielle Hollister
Joy Maatman
Frank Nieto
Graphics done by Chris McCorkel and Stephen Pandich
The Capital Times is published by the students of Penn State Harrisburg. You
may reach The Capital Times at Penn State Harrisburg, Olmstead Building, W-341, 777
W. Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA 17057 or by calling (717) 944-4970, or by fax at
(717) 948-6008.
All materials -- articles, photos and artwork -- are property of The Capital Times.
No parts of this paper may be reprinted without permission.
Concerns regarding the content of any issue should be directed to the editor.
Opinions expressed are those of the author and are not representative of the college
administration, faculty or student body.
The Cry of a Fan
Jeff Wittmaier
Guest Columnist
Well, baseball is back, but with a huge cloud hanging over it.
The players got their injunction and the owners decided not to lock out
the players. So the season is set to start on April 26 with each team
playing 144 games. But who is to say that the players won't strike again
or that the owners won't lock them out later on. This thing still needs to
be settled at the bargaining table and until that happens, I find it hard to
put all of my heart into a season that may not be finished again.
Onto better things in baseball: the Hall of Fame Comittee voted
to induct Mike Schmidt, the greatest third baseman ever (forgeet about
Brooks Robinson) into the Hall in his first year of eligibility. Schmidt
is probably the best player to ever put on a Phillies uniform. Schmidt
played his entire career with the Phillies from 1973-1989. He finished
his carter with 548 home runs, won 10 gold gloves and led the National
League in home nips eight times. Schmidt was named the Most
Valuable Player of the National League three times, 1980, 1981 and
1986. He also led the Phillies to their only World Championship in 1980.
Also, the veterans' committee finally came to its senses and voted in
Richie Ashburn are going into the Hall in the same year, since they
represent the two most recognizable Phillie players over the last half
century. Ashburn was a great center fielder for the Phillies from 1948-
1959. For Ashbum, the honor is long overdue. He batted .308 for his
career, collected two batting titles and was one of the best center fielders
of his time.
Congratulations to UCLA and Coach Jim Harrick, who can
finally get the monkey and the ghost of John Wooden off his back as
UCLA captured the 1995 NCAA Men's Basketball National Champi
onship. UCLA's win came in a classic championship game. They lost
their point guard and spark plug in Tyus Edney for the virtually the entire
game, but they still f..)tind a way to beat Arkansas, thanks largely to Ed
O'Bannon, the tournaments most oustanding player, scored3o points
and grabbedl7 rebounds, and Freshman sensation Toby Bailey with 26
points.
In regards to my predictions in the last paper on the NCAA
basketball tournament, I did not pick a winner, simply beacuse I did not
want to look like an idiot if I picked one and they lost in the first round.
I will now reveal who I picked to win it all since everybody by now
already knows UCLA won it all. I went with Kentucky to beat Maryland
in the Championship game. I came close, but no cigar. You may ask;
Why Maryland? Simple, that is where I went to school for my first two
years, so I guess a little bit of bias did come into play there. I was also
somewhat biased in picking Joe Smith of Maryland to win Player of the
Year honors, but hey I was right. Super Joe Soph Smith became only the
fifth Sophomore ever to win the Ban/Naismith College Player of the
year award, so I guess a little bias pays off every once in a while.
How could I mention basketball without mentioning the return
to basketball of "his Airness" Michael Jordan. Jordan finally came to his
senses and returned to the game that he loves. the NBA is much better
off now with Jordan back int he league as its feature player, rather than
absorbing itself in Shaquille O'Neal who is more absorbed in himself
than with the game. Jordan blasted back onto the scene scoring 55 points
in his fifth game back, the highest single game point total for a player this
season. the 55 points came against the New York Knicks at Madison
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
CATHY NOLAN
ASSISTANT EDITOR
JEFF WITTMAIER
AMY L. FLEAGLE
ADVERTISING MANAGER
TINA SHEARER
BUSINESS MANAGER
ALI PIRINCCIOGLU
ADVISOR
BETH HALLER
Priscilla Page
Brad Schlegel
Jeff Stinnard
Tisha Witman