—Editorial opinion
Closed meetings are one
way of letting society's elite
hoard their decision-making
power from the people.
Halting canvassing is anoth
er way of placing blinders on
the minds of citizens.
Canvassing id' a solicitation
of opinions. It is a means for
disseminating information by
persons who cannot afford
paying for access to the mass
media.
Canvassing is a way of stim
ulating public thought, of
creating innovative ideas, of
letting the truth be found.
But the state superior court
has upheld the University's
policy that indirectly re
stricts canvassing in the dor
mitories.
SURE/V./CR/KY 13ATn-ES CF 1977:
it .1...: RE - m.lsloop, Rap-MODE.
India: Once again a democracy
By B. K. Chandrasekhar
graduate-solid state science
In March, India once again became a true democraby after
20 'months of autocratic rule. The government of Mrs. Indira
Gandhi was overwhelmingly rejected by the electorate, thui
ending the rule of the congress party which was in power since
1947. .
Mrs. Gandhi herself was defeated in the parliament election
by a socialist leader. In its semi-annual "Global Political
Assessment" report, the prestigious Columbia University's
Research Institute on International Change has recognized
the election in India as "the most important event of the
period."
The credit for this dramatic change undoubtedly goes to the
veteran freedom fighter Mr. Jayaprakash Narayan, popularly
known as J. P. It was under the leadership of J. P. ( who does
not belong to any political party) that the other leading
political
_parties joined hands forming the Janata party
( People's party), to oppose the government of Mrs. Gandhi.
The people sympathized with the new party because of the
unfortunate events that took place during emergency.
The opposition leaders were arrested along with thousands
of their supporters without trial in a court of law. The thum
ping victory of the Janata party resulted in the formation of a
new government under the leadership of Mararji Desai, a
former deputy prime minister under Mrs. Gandhi.
Desai is more than eighty-years-old, a disciplinarian and a
Letters to the Editor
Watch your budget
A budget for the state is just like a budget for a family; when
the expenditures exceed the income it is necessary to either
provide more money or cut expenses. It is easy to vote to make
the dollars match and it is easy to cut a budget on paper.
It is equally easy to vote for no taxes. But such a vote forgets
that the figures represent people and services and priorities.
Over the past few weeks the House has overwhelmingly
approved many amendments to the budget which would in
crease services and programs. I believe that when a legislator
votes for increased services and publicly supports these pro
grams, it is irresponsible to vote against the taxes to support
those programs
important that thee has been no state tax increase since 1971,
and there will be none in the 1978 since it is an election year,
which makes it all the more necessary to seriously consider
the ramifications of a no-tax vote this year.
Is there waste in our state government? Of course there is!
No one will pretend that in a $5 billion a year budget with more
than 100,000 employees that there is no waste and no
possibility of increased efficiency. It is for this reason that I
have so constantly supported sunset legislation which would
give the legislature a method by which it can regularly and
carefully evaluate all programs of agencies and departments.
I am a co-sponsor of several pieces of sunsetlegislation and I
believe we will have such laws before this session is over.
During the last 2 years we have cut hundreds of millimis of
dollars out of the administrative overhead of state govern
ment. The proposed budget cuts the Governor's request for,
state government operation by $BB million and leaves un
funded more than 4,000 vacancies in state government. I
believe that a moderate tax increase is necessary and I will
support one which funds the essential state government
services and distributes money on an equal basis to both
public schools and higher education institutions. To do less
this year, is, I believe, fiscally irresponsible!
Right to sex
In a recent letter a false and misleading statement was
made. I am getting quite disguested at the twisting of the
meaning of words, a practice that is far too common in today's
world.
The writer used the words, "the rights of the homosexual."
i:, t b i zi • ---------...:- ,
~..._....
.................„,
.......__
~
..........„
, ..,
University policy has each Therefore, too many dorms University's policy that in
dorm
. .
vote for whether or not decide to reject canvassing. directly inhibits canvassing, ~;
_ .. „
that it shall permit canvassing For the sake of convenience, are not giving up now that the ,.
. • -.L.....-:-- -.-- - --;---
. ..._. ,
within it. Too often, , dorm the dorm dwellers are shut- state superior court has decid- , _. _ .
.
dwellers sacrifice their Con- ting out persons who have im- ed against them. An appeal is ATTORNEY ; ...
,
stitutional responsibility of portant ideas to disseminate being made to the state Su- AT LAW ; 1
, „.
hearing all viewpoints on is- such as getting students to preme COurt.
•
;
EGE
sues by simply refusing to per- register to vote or circulating Meanwhile, students should -
MOUti4PI
I '' . LAWY
mit canvassers entrance into petitions to emphasize student
' ll 11 i' ,
, vote to permit canvassing .
" I i
their dorms, thus closing grievances. within the dorms. i i '.. I •
their minds to ideas. In a self-governing society, ; .;
ti ll .; .i 1 f • , ,. 4
It is convenient to not want every opinion must , be heard All canvassers - must re- , .•. . I !II A .:
.1 : 'VI i ifii il' ' •
one's privacy interrupted. in order that the wisest deceive permits from the area pc e I li t ,,, •,, i ;.
~, 1 ~: ;;.. :... , imrwi :1 r ii , ! I
Few persons relish having cisions are made. Freedom of coordinator before they begin. 1.,.....- . rat .. li .. J - :•1; , , ;II I•.•
11 • ,41;,1,., I ' 1 . iii
someone at their door calling speech should not be denied Plus, they are required to can- • .„, I, ,: ~ „;1 ! • 4 i .
1 •'"IC .
j1 , ,1 • V “ 1 11 ''
l t) ; ; , :: • , L . l• ;. ,1 :11 . , I ,
for world revolution or plead- anyone. vass only between 11 a.m. and 'i • f. , •,rull,' c ...P . l. ..1 ~
ing to save souls. Most stu- Denying canvassing inhibits 11 p.m. and to honor individual :i .:i
. ,
!,. ~ If:I' ! Id it' i . . I.'
1 I . 4 , Lil
. • 1 ' i i b ' d i •';
I li r ,. ~ 411;
dents are too busy studying, the free flow of information requests that they do not want ir. i c ;, o . -..
' `'. I • ' , f ; ';Ji ;:.
sleeping or partying to desire vital to a properly functioning to be disturbed. .. , ,i, ,
, „ it
i lilp, ,:1 i i , -,' !: ~
the temporary interruptions democracy. Protect our guarantee to AO .1
that could occur if canvassing Those former students, who free speech. Vote for can- •!N.l,' .!, • 11.1. I i t : .
~: ,1
.• . . -
is permitted. initiated the suit against the vassing. i .. - 1;.1 . ...,„•.. :::•'...-...---- - -• • •
- •
._ ••
- rus r.D. Pictu2,e-hoEstsl`r
Helen D. Wise
State Representative
77th District
-TtIFLE—
JREtsI ir
ik(EANOR%!
staunch follower of Mahatma Gandhi. He was chosen as he
was the only leader widely acceptable throughout the country.
Any other choice might have resulted in the disintegration of
the new Janata party.
The change in government has brought several changes in
the political life of the country, perhaps the most important of
them being a new sense of political awareness throughout the
country, including in rural areas. The middle class and the
intellectuals who were never in the mainstream of political
life before took active part during and after the emergency.
The new government immediately took steps to put back the
country. on a democratic path in a systematic way. Fun
damental rights and civil liberties have been restored. The
press has been made free and there is a move to change the
control of radio and TV from the government. These were
misused by the previous government for political gains. The
judiciary has again become independent of the executive.
The prime minister and his cabinet colleagues are known
for their simple living and austerity. A dialogue was initiated
with the opposition parties on various issues. Recently a
consensus was reached on the choice of the next president of
India. This indicates that the ruling party is not arrogant with
its powers.
The new government could not have come at a better time.
There was peaceful transfer of power, with Mrs. Gandhi
gracefully accepting the verdict of the people. There is no
tension along the borders, with both Pakistan and China
No one has a right to Sex. Sex is a gift and a privilege, conveyed
on, or to, one person by another with mutual consent. To claim
a right to sex is to claim that one person has a claim to another
person's body, without the other person's permission, consent,
or approval. This concept would be, to me, obnoxious.
I claim the privilege to say yes or no when I want to without
having someone else deny me that right, when it pertains to
sex on a personal basis.
Flush fund
When I consider needed long-range improvements in Old
Main, a new Provost "necessary" does not come to mind.
What a way for the new man to begin his image management
strategy. And in these times too!
Collegian
JEFFREY HAWKES
EDITOR
BOARD OF MANAGERS: National Ad Manager, Patty
Bartlett; Layout Coordinator, Terry Dolinar
Formal grievances may be sent to Gerry Hamilton, Collegian,
Inc., executive secretary, Box 467, State College, Pa. 16801.
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 ad
ministration, faculty or students.
Letters policy
The Daily Collegian encourages comments on news coverage, editorial policy
and campus and off-campus affairs. Letters should be typewritten, double
spaced, signed by no more than two persons and no longer than 30 lines. Stu
dents' letters should include the name, term and major of the writer.
Letters should be brought to the Collegian office, 126 Carnegie, in person so
proper identification of the writer can be made, although names will be with
held on request If letters are received by mail, the Collegian will contact the
signer for verification before publication. Letters cannot be returned.
Battle of globes
Bet you didn't know it, but there has
been a tremendous battle going on for
many years now between crafty
Globularists and crazy Flat Earth
Society members.
Keep in mind that both "crafty" and
"crazy" are subjective terms, colored
by personal prejudice.
The Society, presided over by Dr. Leo
Ferrari of St. Thomas University in
Canada, sent me some literature ex
pounding against "crafty Globularists"
who try to convince, all rational people
that the earth is round.
They quote George Bernard Shaw
The modern man who believes that the
earth is round is grossly credulous. Flat
earth men drive him to fury by confuting
him with the, greatest ease when he tries
to argue about it.
They say Common Sense (their capital
letters) shows that the "patent ab
surdities" of the round-earthers are
obvious.
Roy C. Buck
professor of sociology
SCOTT R. SESLER
BUSINESS MANAGER
For instance, if the earth really were
round, then half the' world would be
living upside down. Obviously, they
would'fall off.
And, if the earth were really a sphere,
then what keeps the oceans from
draining off, leaving the world one hell of
a muddy mess, they ask?
Gee, I don't kjlow . ,.
The flat earth hypothesis is only part
of a greater philosophy, it must be un
derstood. The aims of the Flat Earth
Society are 1) to restore man's faith in
common sense; 2) to combat the ob-
having their own internal problems. In fact, trade and
communication was established with these countries during
Mrs. Gandhi's rule. This has been further strengthened. The
country is self sufficient in fodd with an all-time record
reserve of eighteen million tons of food grains. The foreign
exchange reserves are in a comfortable position, thanks to the
expanded 'exports and a drop in imports.
There is no change in India's foreign policy of non
alignment. However, there is a slight shift away from
Moscow, with which the previous government had special
relations. Russia's concern was obvious as it sent Alexis
Gromyko to New Delhi for talks with Desai and the new
foreign minister Vajpayee to gauge the mood of the new
government. Even though the peace treaty with Moscow
continues to exist, it has no significance as the new govern
ment wants to have "genuine" non-alignment. The change in
government at New Delhi and Washington was welcomed in
both the countries.
However, there was some concern in India regarding
President Carter's views on nuclear fuel supply to other
countries. So far India has not signed the nuclear non
proliferation treaty. India insists that it will sign the treaty
provided there are no more nuclear explosions by any coun
try. Prime minister Desai has declared that India has no in
tention of making atomic weapons. Recently the nuclear
regulatory commission in this country has approved export to
India of more than two tons of special nuclear fuel, saying it
T. W. Haffley
Strange things coined at capital
HARRISBURG ( AP) Strange things
happen to the English language in the
heat of legislative battle.
Sometimes phrases are coined.
There was an excellent example
during the unsuccessful rush to get a
Budget passed before the July 1
deadline.
One day, Philadelphia representatives
blocked an attempt to pass a budget.
Rep. Ron Gamble, a first-term
legislator from Allegheny County,
jumped up and angrily said of the
Philadelphia delegation:
"They say either play ball with us or
we'll shove the bat up your armpit."
The Education Department felt that
its staff writers, who handle news
releases and reports, should - be better
writers. So it sent them to school.
3-
,g,..L
WE lAVE Akk*.)'Nl7 . . itilLit?
It) c : WN TrE ARMS
Rx.e..lllßolKik %I.T-TALAcS._
A •
•
• .•
. .
it‘
By WILLIAM WILLIAMS
Associated Press Writer
and flats rages
viously fallacious idea that the earth is
round; 3) 'to assert that all science is,
like all religion, essentially
metaphorical and that reality is
mystical and poetic.
Given the vein in which this tract is
written, I was not quite sure whether or
not to believe in the sincerity of the
author( s). After all, only five dollars will
bring me an Associate Membership, for
which I will get a certificate, tracts and
a newsletter. After three years, after
paying out six more dollars, after having
been screened and tested, I will become
a full-fledged member of the Flat Earth
Society.
The screening is to exclude any crafty
Globularists and any obvious - lunatics.
Now, what kind of lunatic would want to
join the Flat Earth Society?
Actually, I gave the matter some
thought. It is all to easy to fall into self
righteousness. Perhaps a touch of per
petual skepticism would do me good.
after 20
r
-%-•?-
;
For three days, Penn State journalism
professor Bill Dulaney pushed for im
provement. Before that he reviewed a
batch of department reports.
He said he found them "wordy, filled
with bureaucratic jargon, stuffily
phrased, loaded with complex, corn
pound sentences."
An office wag said perhaps the writers
were just reflecting what their bosses
were saying.
Delightful comments from that same
body flow from the man who's in charge,
Speaker K. Leroy Irvis.
During a recent debate, Irvis was
having a particular problem in stopping
the chatter on the floor.
One member who was trying to make
a speech said in exasperation:
"I'd like to have the attention of the
House before I make this motion."
To which Irvis replied: "The chair
- 11;?UTH N ADVERTI SiNG
was satisfied with safeguards to ensure the material would not
be used to make atomic weapons. The U. S. ambassador in
New Delhi, Dr. Goheen, stated that his government un
derstood India's position not to sign the non-proliferation
treaty. However some of the cabinet ministers strongly feel 1
that India has to go nuclear to protect itself from China.
However, the government faces many challenges. The
Janata, party is still not a coherent organization, with in
fighting among different groups. Unless this trend is checked,
it may result in the instability of the government. The massive
unemployment problem has to be tackled. Land reforms have -I
to be implemented to improve the lives of the farmers.
Ultimately what matters is whether the government has
succeeded in providing for the basic needs of the people. The
magnitude of the problems are such that no one expects a
change for the better soon. What is important is whether there
is an honest approach on the part of the administration in i
implementing the programs.
Considering the background of the developments, the
significance of what has happened in India is not just a victory
for J.P. and his supporters or a defeat for Mrs. Gandhi.•lt
represents the unquestionable faith of the Indian people in
democratic values and freedom. India has once again re- I
established its faith in the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi
Let it be a source of inspiration for all freedom-loving people
of the world.
Mt eoliA Stl), MUSS' frtEar
IM AN AVICr-ontaßE OF
MUTUAL TRO'br.
I•speculated a bit about what kind of
people. if sincere, would join this group.
Would it be people who have never been
more than 10 miles from their home?
Would it be people who just like to be
different? Or would it be people who are
just plain stubborn.. Haying never seen
the round•earth, having never held it in
their hand, would they refuse to believe
in it?
"Imagine it if you dare half the
world living upside-down, millions of
people being whirled around at 1,000
miles per hour, flashing through spaCe
at ' 67,000 miles per hour and through
intergalactic space at some 600,000 miles
per hour, not to mention all the spinning
supposedly going on. It is enough to
make one dizzy to the point of sickness.
No wonder therefgre that modern man is
so disoriented and confused . . . ." the
Society said in its folder.
I imagine it. Maybe I'm the one who's
crazy. I wonder.
years
oug
/ cg'EDl F)1 Lny.
would like to have the attention of the
House also."
He's not silver-tongued like Irvis. He's
blunt. But he's still widely quoted. The
man is John Durbin, the rotund, smiling
Harrisburg bar owner who is now a state
official.
Durbin is an assistant to the man he
talked into running for office
Treasurer Robert E. Casey.
Durbin was asked recently why Casey
rents a Cadillac as his official car in
stead of accepting a Dodge or Chevrolet
from the state fleet.
"We want to be like the governor,"
shouted Durbin in defense. Gov. Shapp's
state car is a Lincoln. Durbin said Casey
needed a big car because he travels a lot.
. .
,
"Why shoulan't he get a big car. He's w
in for four years . . . Nobody else had the
guts to get a big car."
~bI~IQAs