Editorial opinion
Going too far
Richard Nixon has forced the
country into a constitutional and
moral crisis.
By his refusal to turn over White
House tapes and memoranda con
cerning Watergate, Nixon has
seriously weakened the integrity
of his administration.
The weekend departures of At
torney General Elliot L. Richard
son, Deputy Attorney General
William D. Ruckelshaus and
Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox
is just a further episode in Nixon’s
continuing betrayal of his Novem
ber mandate.
Richardson has been confirmed
attorney general after promising
the Senate that he would not in
terfere with investigations on
Watergate. Richardson resigned
Saturday rather than fire Cox.
Cox’s instructions had been to
bring criminal proceedings
whenever the evidence called for
it. Nixon ordered Cox fired when
the special prosecutor’s in
vestigations began touching on
men too close to the President.
Recently, Cox's staff brought to
light financial deals between Nixon
and his friends Bebe Rebozo and
Collegian
PATRICIA J. STEWART
Editor
Successor to the Free Lance, est. 1887
Member of the Associated Press
Charter member of the Pennsylvania
Collegiate Media Association
Editorial policy is determined by the Editor.
Opinions expressed by the editors and staff of The Daily Collegian are not
necessarily those of the University administration, faculty or students.
Letters to the Editor of The Daily
a paranoid
Nixon
TO THE EDITOR: The firing of Watergate Special Prosecutor
Archibald Cox and Deputy Attorney General William
Ruckelshaus with the accompanying resignation of Attorney
General Elliot Richardson is more than this man can take.
Richard Nixon, by this action, has shown an utter contempt for
the American people. He has used his delegated power in an
arrogant, brazen and irresponsible manner. He has done,
legally, in one fell stroke what Mitchell, Dean, Magruder, et al.
attempted to do illegally castrate the Watergate
investigation.
Richard Nixon, by his handling of the Watergate case, has
exposed himself as a vicious and petty man, a paranoid who
acts out of pique and pride, all the while perverting the very
same ideals he sent thousand to die for. He has spit upon the
graves of those men who believed so strongly in America that
they willingly made 'the ultimate sacrifice for her.
Because I was deliberately misled through lies and trickery
m the last election, I voted for Richard Nixon. I am especially
incensed in view of what he has done since the election that I
voted for this haughty hypocrite.
These are extreme words but this is an extreme situation.
Mr. Nixon has taken off the gloves and hit America below the
belt. It is time for the people to take off the gloves in the battle
of the people, law and justice vs. Richard Nixon.
It is abvious, if it wasn’t painfully so before, that Richard
Nixon deserves to lead the American people no longer.
Impeachment is the only answer. If the American system of
justice is to mean anything, Nixon must be removed from
office by the Constitutional- mechanisms set up for that
purpose. Contrary to what he may believe, we must
demonstrate that the law of the United States is bigger than
any one man even President Richard M. Nixon.
I would like to join Senator Ervin in his recent challenge to
Mr. Nixon when he said, "As long as I have a mind to think, a
tongue to speak and a heart to love my country i I shall deny
that the Constitution confers on any President the arbitrary
power to turn George Washington's America into Caesar's
Rome."
Impeachment now
TO THE EDITOR: Regarding the President’s actions over the
weekend, need I say more than please write to Senators Scott
and Schweiker encouraging them to support impeachment
proceedings. One line will suffice and our letters count. When
the people take the time, energy and expense to write their
representatives, those representatives begin to perk up.
Address your letters to the U.S. Senate or House,
Washington 25, D.C.~
Still Republican
TO THE EDITOR: I just got an opportunity to read the Oct. 15
issue of The Daily Collegian. Glancing over the “Letters to the
Editor" section, I noticed a letter entitled “Once a Republican."
Being a staunch Republican myself, I decided to read it.
This letter proceeded to talk about the corruption of our
executive branch, especially the recent resignation of Vice
President Agnew f The writer asks how citizens can sit back
and say, “Everyone does it" and more or less "condone
thievery.” In his closing paragraph the writer states, “I was
once a proud Republican, but I can no longer support the
Republican party. I feel shame as well as disgust, abhorrence
and disgrace. The Republicans have failed us, they have
cheated us. It’s time for a change.”
I can only say that I was very angered after reading that
paragraph. How can someone be so naive as to condemn
millions of Republicans and label them as “having failed" due
to the actions of a few? I am sure that I am not the only
Republican that also feels the “shame and disgust, abhorrence
and disgrace” at what we have seen.
I was a Republican, too, and I am proud to say that I still am.
When a system shows evidence of corruption, one certainly
doesn’t help by leaving! That's the time to hang in there and
get rid of this “corruption" for the sake of the whole party! The
two-f>arty system is vital to America’s democracy. It is our duty
as American citizens to keep them alive.
I believe students who are loyal to the Democratic party will
understand my position. America has a strong Democratic
party only because millions of citizens retained their allegiance
in the face of adversity and scandal on many occasions. It is to
Howard Hughes which smack of
political favoritism.
Though elected on a “law and
order” platform, Nixon has called
the plays before in criminal
proceedings. He prejudged
Charles .Manson as a murderer
before he was tried in a court of
law. And before the court "martial
Rad rendered its verdict, Nixon
stated he would personally review
any court decision regarding that
all-American boy, Lt. William
Calley.
But now Nixon is playing for
somewhat higher stakes, his
political survival.
Nixon’s administration is racked
with scandals and favoritism. In a
final defense he has struck out
against another possible
humiliation: having his private con
versations heard in public. But if
the content of the tapes and
papers is so harmless and in
nocent, why has Nixon plunged
this country into its worst con
stitutional crises in history?
Richard Nixon has defaced the
Presidency by his total lack of
regard for the due process of law.
After a federal appeals court
upheld a lower court’s order to
L. Pius Galle
10th-political science
Bill Crew
9th-history
' turn over those tapes and
relevant to Cox’s invest
Nixon unilaterally and iji
tionally imposed a “compi
screening of the tapes and
and the compilation of a si
to be given to the Ervin con
It was a compromise not|
upon by Sen. Sam Ervin orj
When Cox persisted]
- demands and hinted that Iji
seek a contempt of court]
against Nixon, the Piji
demanded that Richards
Cox. I
When Richardson quit instead of
complying with whabhe saw as an
immoral order, the President or
dered Ruckelshaus _to fire Cox.
Ruckelshaus also refused and as a
result was fired.
Solicitor General Robert H. Bork
was asked by a desperate Nixon
to fire Cox. He did, in an act that, if
it does not constitute ja legal
wrongdoing, at. least is proof of
Nixon's total lack of morality and
ethics. - |
Nixon had better take notice of a
phrase currently being bandied
about in the House of Represen
tatives: “No president is above the
law.”
Members of the University community
who wish to file formal grievances over
any 'content of The Daily Collegian
should address correspondence to the
JOHN J. TODD
Business Manager
Collegian’s Committee on Accuracy and
Fair Play in care of the executive
secretary of Collegian, Inc., publisher of
The Daily Collegian.
Grievances may be sent to Curtis
Reeve, c-o The Daily Collegian, Box 467,
State College, Pa. 16801.
their benefit and the that a strong and clean
Democratic party exist. It is to my benefit and the country’s
that a and clean Republican party exist.
So here’s to a cleaner and better two-party system!
Debbie Truax
Secretary of Penn State College Republicans
One thing clear
TO THE EDITOR: I’m writing this letter in response to one
which appeared in the Oct. 16 issue of The Dally Collegian.
The writer, too ashamed to give his or her name, is
dissatisfied that Penn State students should be happy that a
criminal is no longer Vice President of the United States.
This person's shallow perception of current events is further
exemplified when he or she stated that Nixon is responsible for
the 18-year-old vote, ending the Vietnam War and ending
campus unrest.
Nixon was not the force behind the 18-year-old vote. It was
conceived in and passed by Congress.
Nixon’s prolongation of the war (by four years and 40 per
cent more casualties) is now being seen for the nationalistic,
glory-seeking maneuver it was: pouring in American blood and
money to perpetuate the police state of General Thieu and his
elite fascist clique of corrupt subordinates.
But Nixon did end campus unrest. We all saw this when we
witnessed his gentle methods at Kent and Jackson!
We may talk of amnesty from time to time. Onelhlng,
however, remains irrefutable: there will be no amnesty in hell
for Richard Milhous Nixon.
Get rid of the drivel
TO THE EDITOR: Please take the Looney Tunes and other
useless drivel off the editorial page and replace them with
something useful like the entries and results for Penn National
Racefrack and Pennsylvania lottery numbers.
I also think we can do without the D and D comic strip on
page" 3 of the Oct. 15 issue.
Enough is enough
TO THE EDITOR: Enough is enough. Though I found it
difficult to stomach the initial article concerning the
everlasting male-female situation at PSU, and didn’t quite
agree with some of the coeds’ retorts to this article, I find the
whole issue has become a probe into the question: Who is
hurting whom more?
So in come a flood of personal experiences and sexual ego
building statements.
I am sure that we can all sympathize with a person, male or
female, who has been hurt. I'm not so sure that I can
sympathize with someone who is stereotype “the
classic bitchy coed who can afford to be choosy" or “the
classic horny male who wants only one thing."
Instead of getting steamed up because we have come across
one of the above characters, why not realize that there also are
people around who will fit our needs or desires. Let's not crawl
into a “pity-me-please" shell because our prides have been
tampered with. Let’s quit playing defensive games.
Her own fault
TO THE EDITOR: I have been following with mounting interest
the reaction that has followed the Oct. 5 article, “PSU coeds:
try love.” I feel that it is time that I say something, too.
It was to my utter disgust when I read the article by the
“Superbitch.” I ask her: is she bragging or complaining? If she
is a bitch, then it is her own fault and not that of some
unsuspecting male who was lured into her trap. Also, what
kind of respect does she have? If I were a girl, respect would be
first on my list of desirable qualities. Quite obviously,
“Superbitch” does not know the meaning of the word
“respect."
I can agree with the Oct. 10 article, “PSU chicks,” where it
tells of the exodus to smaller campuses in search of decent
women, not frivolous girls. And my sympathies to the poor
soul (“He110...” Oct. 16) who received the silent treatment. He’s
lucky he met one nice girl. It seems that we should all turn
ligation,
jncondi
iromise"
f papers
iummary
rnmittee.
| agreed
iby Cox.
in his
te might
j citation
jesident
son fire
Grievance
policy
Kerry G. Hixenbaugh
7th-anthropology and history
Mike Petrash
13th-accountlng
Michele Wyman
4th-Engllsh
papers
Mid&ast: just the facts
In the Oct. 19 issue of The Daily
Collegian, Gary Potter attempted to
explore the Middle East situation
without getting emotional. He
succeeded in doing so by omitting all
facts from his account.
The article champions the claim that
the Mideast conflict: is colored with
propaganda and prejudice. In keeping
with those guidelines, the article adds a
few prejudices and false claims of its
own.
Among the mlfcofijjeptions that Mr.
Potter learned iji hj»*“H6w and Why
Wonderbook of Mideastern Analysis” is
the notion that when: Israel was' born,
she kicked out millions of Arabs. The
Israeli declaration of independence
asked all the people of Palestine to
remain in their homes and to work
together in establishing a new nation.
The government was not responsible
fos the self-imposed Arab exile, nor
should it be required to make reparations
to those who left. No double standard
exists; Jewish families who left the
surrounding Arab countries to enter
Israel were not compensated for what
they left behind, either.
The Arabs who left Israel entered one
of seven Arab nations' whose combined
to Jesus (“My Relationship" Oct. 11) and the world would be a
better place to live in.
Don’t women have feelings for men? Or do they get their
jollies by giving males the silent treatment or by telling them
that they are chauvinist pigs and ought to be considerate of the
poor woman^
If you women want to be equal to us, you’d better be able to
take.it as we dish it out. But if it’s respect you want, some of
us males would be weil-advised to be careful. Naturally, when
you claim to be equal, we treat you that way.
So, take another look.
Peace in our hearts
TO THE EDITOR: The time has come to admit to ourselves that
the dispute between hurt egos and broken hearts has gone too
far. Peace should rein in our hearts instead of hatred and
contempt. In the everchanging world in which we live, there
seems to be one thing that we have in common each other.
Without each other we are nothing, alone and lifeles's. As the
poet, Robert Bower, put it:
I tied loneliness In a large knot
and
gradually
hung myself
UCC rides again
TO THE EDITOR: Once again the shatters of Penn slate strike
syithout mercy. Due to the inexcusable lack of foresight by the
University Concert Committee Ticket Selling Company, many
students were ripped off several hours of waiting l for their
tickets to the Edgar Winter Concert.
While several students spent the entire night in sleeping
bags out in front of the HUB, the majority of the crowd arrived
about 5:30 a.m. With about 200 students lined in front of one
door and 20 in front of the other, the head honcho of the ticket
sale decided a little excitement was in order. Without even
looking outside, he opened the door .where there were only 20
students and stood back to watch the' remaining herd
stampede on over.
What a laugh to see the ones who spent the entire night
there get trampled while pinned to the sidewalk 1 in their
sleeping bags! Although chairs had been set up and numbered
tickets handed out later, this injustice could have been avoided
by a little simple planning (like a sign on one door and handing
out the numbered tickets as you come in). Let’s hope that
there’s a little more organization exhibited the night of the
concert. We can live without another Jefferson Airplane.
Kevin Henry
Bth-law enforcement and corrections
Up to our knees
TO THE EDITOR: Notice any added extras on campus lately?
Well, look beyond the fallen leaves for there exists our problem
littering! Penn State campus needs more waste paper
receptacles. Littering must stop before this waste problem
gets entirely out of hand.
Democrats
TO THE EDITOR: Your article on the front page of the Oct. 8
issue, “Local Democrats divided,” does not accurately depict
the situation in the Democratic Party in State College and
Centre County.
I have lived in this area for 17 years and have been active in
local politics since 1964, including my four years at Penn
State. Throughout this' time, I have admired those on the
Centre County Democratic Committee for their efforts to grow
in all areas of the county. Their commitment speaks for itself.
When the chairman of the State College Democratic
Committee, John Mattern, says his group has received no
funds from the county because County Democrats are “used
to being a second-rate party and don’t want to rock the boat”
he is being irresponsible. It was agreed earlier this year that TO THE EDITOR: Sob, sob
each borough and area committee would have to raise funds
independently for its local candidates.
By JACK JACKSON
Collegian Columnist
Donald Aravich
7th-law enforcement and corrections
united
population is nearly 100 million. These
nations, rich in oil, surely have the
financial resources to provide food and
housing for a portion of the two million
displaced persons who entered their
lands, but they refuse to d<£ so. The
Arabs who remained in Israel are housed
and their children attend Israeli-built
schools. They work alongside Israelis
and are represented in the Kenesset.
The article asks why Israel refuses to
agree with a United Nations peace
settlement. On the other hand, the Arabs
disagree with the U.N.’s establishment
of the state of Israel. They have had 25
years to align themselves to U.N.
decision, but so far they have failed. The
United States protects that U.N.
decision by supporting Israel rather than
letting Arab oilmen blackmail U.S. for a
favorable foreign policy.
Israel as a nation will remain a
political, not a religious entity. It was the
Moslem scholars in Cairo that declared
the Egyptian aggression a “jihad” or holy
war. Since Mr. Potter assumes that
everywhere but in Israel do religious
differences fail to cause strain, he failed
to mention another international
community where religion and politics
have bearing on human lives: Northern
Ireland.
The Arabs first brought superpower
presence into the area by turning to the
Name Withheld
Larry Shannon
7th-psychology
Members of a Speech 200 class
Communist bloc for aid. The Soviet
Union gave them armaments not to
defend against supposed Israeli
aggression, but to “push the Zionists
into the sea." Unfortunately most
Bedouins lack FAA licenses, so the
Soviets entered the Middle East both as
Army-Navy store suppliers and air and
ground advisors.
The Israelis are expected to defend
themselves through the wishes of other
nations in the U.N. If the Arabs have
valid grievances they should be expected
to achieve settlements through the same
channels the Israelis are forced to use.
The article also accuses Israel of using
napalm and of assassinating Arab
leaders. No such allegations have been
documented.
Over the last 25 years, the Arabs
waged a horrible war, murdering children
on school busses, sniping at villages,
and murdering travelers in international
airports. These actions have no bearing
on the military attitude of the area. They
are actions of terror simply for the sake
of terror.
Israel protects those Arabs who
remained inside her boundaries. They
have no need to "return home” as Potter
suggests. Potter also suggests that
people keep their minds open to the
Middle East situation. Perhaps Mr.
Potter might try the same.
Collegian
Mr. Mattern, as chairman of the Borough committee, well
understood this responsibility. His comments serve as a
reflection on him, not the county committee. Our committee
people from all areas of Centre County support the
strengthening of the Democratic Party and the active
participation of the Penn State student body. They understand
that, in orderforthis to be done, all elements of the party must
work together and not call each other names. It is unfortunate
that Mr. Mattern does not understand this need as well.
State College is a vital part of the Centre County Democratic
Committee. But it does not comprise the whole. When officers
of the Borough committee assume an arrogant attitude toward
those in the rest of the county, they only stifle the growth of
our party. Democrats in this area can and should speak for
people in all walks of life students, farmers, businessmen,
not just the first. ’
That is our collective challenge. I hope Mr. Mattern will
accept it as well as his counterparts in other areas of the
county have.
Sitting up front
TO THE EDITOR: In response to Michael J. Tucker’s forum
entitled “Sit in the back," I must strongly disagree with his
philosophy of “sitting in the back." it is certainly true that the
Silent Majority of which Mr. Tucker considers himself a
member "sits in the back." However, Mr. Tucker, by identifying
himself with the Silent Majority’s perception of life, is in effect
endorsing an ignorant majority.
Mr. Tucker asserts that life has not been very entertaining for
those people sitting in the back these days. He should.realize
that life would be even less entertaining if everyone sat in the
back. The Watergate and Agnew stories would have never been
developed to the present extent if everyone believed in Tucker’s
philosophy.
In opposition to Tucker, it is my contention that it is the
people sitting in the back who have narrow views. The people
“sitting in the front,” those people who are involved, have a
more open view of life. By sitting in the front, they understand
life much better because they are less ignorant than the Silent
Majority.
Whether “the system” is right or wong is not the question.
Inevitably, the system will change. The people in the front
rows will be responsible for the changes. These changes may
or may not be to Mr. Tucker's or my liking. Thus, everything
may not be all right, although Tucker suggests the opposite.
Tucker condemns the socialists without realizing that the
socialists, by sitting in the front, are facing the reality of
change. By sitting in the front they are trying to influence the
inevitable changes that continuously occur.,
I extend my thanks to Mr. Tucker for writing. It is good to see
he is not really sitting in the back.
Oh, Mr. Tucker, the next time I,go to a concert I’ll sit in the
back. Thanks for the tip.
Wet behind the ears
TO THE EDITOR: In my opinion the Oct. 12 article entitled
“The making of a Bitch" displayed a great amount of honesty
and admissions that took courage to make. I very much
disagree with the censorious letter of Gerald Ray (1 st-liberal
arts), who in spite of his sophisticated vocabulary conveys a
view which reveals him “as still wet behind the ears."
If he cannot conceive that a male would call her frigid after
six days of sex I can. It’s also happened to me. I also feel
that no criticism is due for the use of her words "rag” and
"bitch." They are common enough Penn State male talk and no
connotations are inferred outside of this' context.
I hold as revolting Mr. Ray’s statement that a decent level of
respect cannot be maintained after six consecutive nights of
sex. He obviously has fallen victim to belief in the social code
of his parents without experiencing the situation himself.
My advice to him is to dry off a bit
up the pen again.
PSU coeds
Thomas Gentzel
National Vice President
College Young Democrats of America
Ron Richael
10th-socio!ogy
before so quickly taking
Name Withheld
etc., etc.
Choke, choke
Fred Ramsey
State College resident