Pages Bureaucracy at PSU "sucks canal water" Bureaucracy. A word that stirs a fire in the bowels of one’s soul. A word that frustrates even the most patient of people. This word has started more riots, beatings, protests, and violence than some wars! Okay, maybe this is exaggerating the point a little, but it still sucks canal water. What exactly are we talking about when we say "bureaucracy?” Well, I can’t give you an exact definition from a dictionary (basically because I can’t find one), so I’ll give you my definiton. Bureaucracy is when the few in charge lose touch with the people who put them in charge. This results in policies that look and sound fantastic on paper, but are pretty useless in the real world. So what we are looking at here is a basic lack of communication. You may be reading the article and thinking, "Hey, why is this guy writing about bureaucracy? It doesn't have anything to do with me.” Wrong. Guess again, Einstein. You’re in the thick of a whole mish mash of bureaucracy. First and foremost, the United States govern ment is one of the biggest bureaucratic Ton worst dining bailfoods critiqssod tty Mark "Muddly” Roseberry 10. hamburger soup- 1 like my hamburger solid and on a bun - how about you? i. pizza bagel- Two separate meals that just don’t go together well 8. broccoliquiche- Real men don’t eat this and neither do presidents. Read m; lips - I’m not gonna eat this! 7. mushroom quiche- 1 hate this! It is disgusting, foul, noxious, and ... by the way. . .what is it? 6. spinach frittata - According to Webster, a "frit” is fused material used it making glass. Makes you think, huh? 5. bated snapper- Yo! Snapper head! Eat this and tell me what you think (il your throat doesn't rot first). 4. chicken velvet- I like velvet but I’m in love with VELOUR (so go see him Nov. 8 -11). 3. Canadian cheese- From WHERE? I didn’t know they made cheese up there. Probably a genetic experiment gone awty. 2. cheddar rice loaf - Don’t eat this! However, if you wait on it for about a month, you can use it as a door stop. 1. RATATOUILLB - I never eat anything that has "RAT” in it, let aloro something I can't spell without help from a professor. It has it all...unfortunatety. Penn State Hazleton institutions in the world. Just by living, you are in a bureaucracy. Secondly, if you are reading the paper, you probably are involved with PSU in some way. The Pennsylvania State University runs a close second to the United States government. Think about it. When was the last time you saw a high-ranking PSU offical here at humble Hazleton? (Hint: we’re still waiting) Now let's bring it down to a local level Would you know who to go to with a complaint about a teacher or academic problem? Neither would I. 1 start look ing in one place and they transfer me to someone else. This new person tells me I should talk to the person I started out calling anyway. Then they all tell me they can’t help me. This happens to me not only with faculty but also with student organizations. Now, don’t get me wrong. I don't totally blame the situation on the chosen few. If people sit on their rear ends and complain about how bad things are getting instead of trying to correct the situation, they’re just as bad (if not worse) than the "chosen ones.” At this point, you may ask me, “How do we solve this problem? What can I do to help?" The answer is real tough, now. Are you ready? COMMUNI CATE. Thaf 8 today’s secret word. We’ve lost touch. We need to talk to each other, get involved, and take part in each others' lives. By interacting with others we can overcome basic problems in communication and get rid of the bureaucratic tangle that has dominated our society for so long. Well, that about sums up nty opinion. You may not agree with me, but, hey, that’s what our country is all about So don’t sweat it Write a letter to the editor. Tell us what you think. After all, we don’t want to exclude you - that would make us bureaucratic. by Tony Kraemer TIME IBIENNT WEILOIUIP SIHOW November#,9, fS, ff S.OOpm fn tfre Commons BUY your tickets today!!! Call 450-3134 for info or reservations. ($2.00 student $4.00 adult) October, 1990