Editorial opinion
It's the principle... Carter
NBC interviewed Its 1,978,635 th voter this morning, a trigger-happy president, It is the prospect of a trigger-happy
discovering once again that most Americans can't makeup vice president succeeding him. Dole alone Is reason enough to
their minds about the candidates. It looks as if the networks, vote for Carter and Mondale.
which have been interviewing reluctant voters since the New ' Still, I will not be happy voting for Carter. Not because of his
Hampshire primary, will not have reached all 210 million of us . religion; or his choice of interviewers, or any other gaffe he has
by today, although Tom Pettit gave it the old network try. made, but rather because I sense he lacks a vision of America
Although lam not one of the uncommitted (I have been a which transcends single Issues or controversies.
less-than-wholehearted supporter of Carter from the first), I
must admit that voting will be an 'unpleasant duty this year. I
expect I will close my eyes, hold my nose and pull the lever as
quickly as possible. Then I will gather with frien'ds for a
"consoling election night party," as one of them described it,
and drown my sorrows
For me there is no choice I will not help return Gerald
Ford to the White House. Ford is no Mr. Nice GU) , and no
amount of media Image-making will convince me that the man
who brought us the Mayaguez can be trusted for four more
years. In the White House, even benign - mediocrity is In
tolerable and Ford's' predilection for secret wars and secret
agency investigations is anything but benign.
More Important In my decision Is my utter contempt for
Ford's running mate. If there is anything more frightening than
Letters to the Editor
Irresponsibility
, TO THE EDITOR: On November 2, we Pennsylvanians will
send, people to Washington to represent our Interests. One
such person has already represented us for 13 years
Representative Albert Johnson. Here is a short report on what
he has done on matters concerning the environment over the
years:
1) Voted against the appropriation of more funds for solar
energy research; .
2) Voted against the establishment of fuel efficiency
standards for American autos and appliances;
• 3) Voted to limit the liability of nuclear plants in case of
accident (s,lightly alarming when you realize that Pennsylvania
has 11 plants in operation, under construction, or planned); '
4) Opposed protecting parts of 'the upper Allegheny River
under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
These, and many other examples of Johnson's en
vironmental irresponsibility exist. Is this truly a representation
of our interests? It is an important matter the natural en
vironment is not' only something luxurious and beautiful to
look at, but a vital part of the flow of life. I do not like to live a
game of seeing how long we can survive while the health of our
environment is flailing and falling. Some people seem to think
that it is dispensable, and can be passed over if personal
(monetary?) interests prevail. We have a hand in seeing that the
above does not continue to occur or does by voting.
Communication
TO THE EDITOR: Michael Imsick has done It again! After his
first column extolling' the virtues of students who disregard
walkways and go where they please, I wondered what would
be next. ,
The triviality of your editorial page reached a new high In last
Thursday's Collegian when Mr. Imsick ridiculed the Catholic
Folk Mass. The thing that * irritated me was Imsick's total laqk
of knowledge of what the Mass is about. What the Mass is not
about is a folk-rock concert (though many Bob Dylan tunes
have been adapted for church use).
Mr. Imsick's argument about the dullness of Mass is typical
of those who go to be entertained. "I don't get anything out of
it, what's the point?" is the standard line. Again, the Mass is
not meant to be entertainment. It's morning. It is a worship
service where people both individually and as a groUp com
municate with God in the highest form.
Perhaps had Michael Imsick studied the readings and
thought about their meaning before the Mass, Instead of
waiting for Judy Collins to take the stage, he would have seen
the relevande of the service. A student who goes to class
unprepared and expects the Instructor to educate him without
putting in any effort himself will not profit from the experience.
So it Is with Mass. Students, believe it or not, do pray at other
times during the week; the Mass is the culmination of those
prayers, together with the physical reqeption of Christ.
On your honor
TO .THE EDITOR: I was rather surprised at your editorial of
Monday, Oct. 25 in which you bemoaned the deficiencies of
the honors programs at Penn State. You seem to think that the
more academically-minded students deserve more con
-sideration than is being shown them now. As you put it, "Only
a few students find honor at Penn State."
The Collegian is in a position to aid these students btit It
doesn't. I have been told by a member of your staff that the
forensic team's activities are "not important enough to print."
The Collegian rarely covers exhibits at Zoller Gallery or recitals
at Music Building recital hall. I have never read'anythlng in the
Your choke
Elisabeth Hildebrand
Boaisburg resident
Brian Golden
2nd-broadcast Journalism
u=:zi
Kathleen
N 4.'‹ Pavelko
•
What Carter 'has Is some ideas and good intentions with
which I happen to agree, but behind these specifics there is , no
general understanding of Americans as a people and the
United States as a nation. •
It Is not enough to favor alternative energy development,
Collegian concerning the activities of the Lion's Paw or the
honorary fraternities and sororities on campus. University
Readers gets little attention, as do the lectures sponsored by
Phi Alpha Theta.
You called honors students "our main defense against
classification as a football school." The Collegian; with Its
rather limited coverage In the area of academia, is,one of our
main reasons for such classification.
USG defense
TO THE EDITOR: As the USG Senator who sponsored a
resolution this past Monday night to enable . the Judiciary
committee to Investigate the discipline system, I today feel
compelled to defend myself and the committee even before we
have collected a single datum.
The editor of the Collegian terms the investigation "an
exercise in futility;" she says of the committee, "It may only
be doing students a disservice in the longrun;" whereas she
acknowledges the system itself as•being "not perfect."
Actually, since we have been working .diligently for about
three days as I write this, such criticisms may be a bit
premature, though• not out out of character for the editor. Ms.
McCauley is paranoid about student awareness to such a
degree that she must put it dofivn long before it starts.
The last paragraph of Thursday's editorial says of we
"disciplinary reformers": "They are probably not willing to
accept the consequences that go along with it" ("the real
world"). This is the same editor who told us to "take it easy" on
the alcohol issue and give up trying to bring the University into
the twentieth century, and the same editor who accused Tony
Carona of selling out in taking a staff position while the UPI
charged the administration with "backing down."
Sheila told us not to vote in the USG elections last spring,
and not to participate In tuition rallies. If the editor has a place
for suggestions, might I suggest a follow-up story on Ray
Weber's appeal for justice? -
Bag the bus,
TO THE EDITOR: As a service to the State College community,
I would like to recount the following incident. Early last August
I had to make a round trip to the Philadelphia area by way of
our town's only commercial transportation . services the
Greyhound bus lines.
Never having traveled long distances by bus, I was aghast at
the irresponsibility that was exhibited in the baggage transfer
at the Harrisburg change-over. If I hadn't been watching from
inside, the bus would have departed without my suitcase. My
expressed anxiety was reacted to with nonchalance. I was
instructed to load my own baggage. This was on the way to
Philadelphia
On the return trip, I was by no means so lucky. When I got
off the bus in State College, I was one of three passengers
whose luggage had felled to make the relatively short trip. This
I could not believe. All of my clothing and some valuable
photography equipment were contained•in the suitcase.
The attitude I encountered at the State College Greyhound'
Office was 'patronizing and unconcerned. They accepted no
responsibility whatsoever and refused to make any telephone
calls in an effort to find the baggage. Indeed, I was informed
that any communication between bus stations would have to
'be made by letter.
Well, here it is almost three months later and I have just
received reimbursement for their mistake. However, the check
amounted to only one-half of the total value of the contents
because photography equipment is one item that I am only
now informed is not covered by their Insurance.
Will this unfortunate series of events preclude any future
dealings I have with Greyhound? How can.it? I am a student
without a car or even•the wherewithal to fly home. My only
About half of all voters are
'coming down with a severe case
of the election day blues— a 24-
hour bug that makes them feel as if
they have no t choice.
Many voters may feel that not
voting registers their total distaste
for the choices on the ballot. But
their negative vote of disapproval
for all candidates becomes lost
among the non•votes of those who
merely stay home because of
apathy and complacency.
Less than half of the nation
cares enough to come out to the
Polls; less than half of that 50 per
cent is the margin that elects . our
leaders; this is an unfortunate
comment on public interest.
As young Americans, most of
our accurate memory of politics is
tainted by Watergate and Vietnam.
We may feel as if all politicians are
alike and that nothing we do can
make a difference. But we must
try.
Tom Heltzenrater
USG Senator, South Halle
I come from 'a broken home. My
mother is a left of center Democrat and
my father Is a practical, issue-oriented
real live Republican. The two 'minds
meeting in an after-dinner political
discussion are not unlike Godzilla ex
changing ideas with the entire Japanese
Navy over coffee lots of fireworks hut
very little communication.
Yet somewhere along campaign trail
'76 I became convinced that all my
formative years spent digesting my
evening meal around such phrases as
"Humphrey will end the war" and "Don't
blame me, I voted for McGovern" were
beginning to pay off In return for oc
casional indigestion. •
Watching the behavior of the two
candidates for president has not put me
on unfamiliar ground. Thanks to the
openness of my parents I at least have a
sense of history and a sense of per
spective that sorts out the issue from the
non-issue, the good point from the
cheap shot.
Perhaps it is good that days begin
to get shorter the week before Nov. 2.
Mud throwing and cheap shots tend to
replace -constructive debates on plat
forms and philosophies. In general, the
last week of a campaign does no real
good in informing the potential voter, it
merely serves as a catch-all for worried
gets a lukewarm
social programs or a sound fiscal policy. Even if all of these
could be achieved, America would still lack the unifying,
healing force that can come only from a national political
figure the president.
I have no Illusions that Carter will be a great leader. if he
becomes only an honest administrator my vote will have been
justified.
But it seems to me that Americans and the office of the
presidency itself demand more than a mere caretaker. "We
need a leader" sounds like a trite campaign slogan, yet a single
person able to articulate our common beliefs and goals is the
most important national need today.
Doris Kearns, in her fine new book called "Lyndon Johnson
and the American Dream" describes the consensus Americans
,felt in the first three years of Johnson's presidency. After the
first anguish over the assassination had passed, Johnson truly
led the country by •identifying ,national goals. Equality' of
opportunity and the eradication of poverty became banners
under which all of us could Join. Tragically, it was Johnson
himself, the politician of consensus, who destroyed, In
Vietnam, our national solidarity.
alternative is to do business with an outfit that, in a ,very short likes this fact. However, to provide more financial aid to Et,
time, I have come to despise. A competitive, mewls of travel , specific group of students, black students, is a blatant form of*
would certainly check the arrogance which Greyhound's reverse discrimination. This is" just as bad as the
monopoly has seemed to foster in our town. . discrimination everyone agrees is wrong. Financial aid should
Jeffrey T. Leonardo be increased totally, not for one particular group of students
graduate-counselor education Just to raise the level of enrollment to a "quota level."
It is'my understanding that Penn State was established as a
"reasonable cost" school of higher education provided for The
use by any and all students who 'meet the educational
requirements that the University has set. For those financially
in need, there are many forms' of. , financial aid available
regardless of race, creed, color; or national origin. This also
means that financial aid is not increased according to race,
creed, color or national origin. If this financial aid is provided
on the basis, then it would appear to me that blacks and other
minority students have elected not to attend Penn State, which
is their right. ' ilI
If more financial aid was ghien to blacks specifically,
you would in essence be taking that choice away from them.
Would you consider that fair? In summary, as was noted in the
editorial opinion, "It is time to accomodate black students by
providing"the things all students need.", '
Foot in mouth
Barbara Watkins
sth-Journalism
TO THE EDITOR: I write this letter In reference to a Jerry
Schwartz article which appeared in the Collegian Oct. 27. Jerry
spins a tale of being "accosted" in the name of hoof and mouth
disease. It seems that many of Jerry's articles start , out by
belittling his subjects. He then goes on to say that he does not
mean ,to ridicule them. There seems to be a bit of in
consistency there Jerry.
If In order to get your readers' attention you need t 6 be
"cynical," then maybe you ought to re-evaluate your writing
talents.
In reverse
TO THE EDITOR: Recently, much has been said about the low
levels of Minority enrollment at. Penn State. I have a few
comments on the issue related to an editorial opinion
the Daily Collegian on Oct. 26:
I believe everyone recognizes that there are too 'few minority
students enrolled at the University. However, some points
must be noted. Mention was made In the editorial that in the
opinion of some black students, a basic reason for the
situation was the Inadequacy of financial aid to blacks. This is
sheer madnes's, for financial aid is inadequate totally. ,
We all recognize, that for too long, blacks were
discriminated against and to some degree still are. No one
Little gained in final ,blitz
Last gasp
Carter's chances of defining a national consensus are slim
Carter and' the party hierarchy have
spent more time and money in this last
week , than at any other period in the
campaign trying to convince the crowds
that staying at home in this election is as
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Letters can not be returned. " -
Michael Morgenstern
10th-rehabilitative education
POVE s 1 ....I'M DONE Eer'ry, „,7 ",
/ ,
campaign managers to spend gargan
tuan sums of money on a closing media
blitz that will tend to distort ,both can
didates' stands on the issues doing no
one any good. ,: •
In the campaign's last days, both the
Ford and Carter machines have been
concentrating on the same vote-heavy
territory: New Ydrk, NeW Jersey, and
Pennsylvania, all now • leaning slightly to
Carter. Both candidates face hectic,
grueling schedules. Ford, for example,
has hit nine states in one five-day stretch
and will not return to Washington until
after he has cast his ballot in Grand
Rapids today. ,
: '.
ij4litit
1 S :S 4 ; ''''''V44,•.t." ,
j ' Is l
4 ,: ' 1
indeed. A southerner whose most innovative Idea Is to
reorganize the federal bureaucracy Is not the Inspiration we
need. . •.
We need a person of deeply-held principle, someone capable,
of looking beyond (and above) day-to-day crises to see ar
greater whole the future of America.
The Nixon-Ford 'administrations were characterized by
"situational responses and ethics," as the political scientists
would describe it: dealing _ with each domestic and foreign
probleM as it arose, without a consistent policy about how
every problem should be handled.
Too many years of this crisis management have left use
without a sense of self. Americans do not know what America
stands for or believes in, if Indeed she believes In anything at
all. . ,
What disturbs me,about Carter, is that I sense he doesn't
I
know eithei. ,
Although we can survive withoUt a leader (albeit not in
defi ni tely),, we cannot prosper or advance. Despite my grim
doubts about Carter's ability to lead, I will still register mlp ;.
confidence in his potential leadership by voting for him today:
Ford offers no hope at all.
SHEILA McCAULEY
Editor - ,
The Daily Collegian is published by Collegian, Inc., a
private, non-profit corporation which bears legal and financial
responsibility for' the newspaper. The Board of Director's of
Collegian, Inc., is the controlling body of the corporation. #
campaigns
good - as voting for President Ford. In a
working clasS neighborhood "in Tampa,
Florida, Carter cried, "There are In
dications that over half the American
people are not going to votel They are
saying, 'l'm a coward. I'm afraid of the
future. I'm giving up on my nation.' If we
don't participate, the Republicans will be
there four more years." In this respect,
the last week of this year's election had
the potential to do some good rather
than serve to further confuse the already
confused.
So, there will people moved to vote
today; swayed and courted into the
voting booth on the basis of some
television gimmickry or last-minute
campaign acrobatics. If you happen to
find yourself as registered and in front of
the voting booth today, make your, vote
count by taking 'five minutes to get a•
general idea where each candidate,
stands on the Issues that matter most ta .
you. Being politically aware is a matter
of personal responsibility. The college
student 'who votes without informing
himself is the same as the student who
tries to take an exam without studying
dumb. P
Doug
Root
But the college student who does nc4
vote at all is ,to be pitied, for he is
Ignorant, and there is nothing with less
potential than the ignorant student.
vote
at;z,CollOgian
Alex N. Berenblltt
7th-promotions management 0
NADINE KINSEY
Business Manager