Editorial Opinion
Recently, some State College businessmen
have made it known that they want more of a
say in the decisions made by Municipal Council.
In fact, Downtown Business Association
chairman Robert Shirk has gone so far as to say
that council has “a one-sided imbalance”
because it is currently composed of University
staff and ordinary residents.
Shirk says he would not mind seeing a few
members of the business community elected to
council so that the odds would be a little more
favorable when local businesses have dealings
with council.
The business community does have a good
point. Even though the present council mem
bers have been fair in dealing with their at
large constituency, it certainly would not hurt
to have a bit more diversity on council to ensure
that all local interests are represented.
However, electing a business-oriented
council member still would not even things out
entirely. A really well-balanced council would
also include a spokesman for that silent
majority which also sometimes complains of
not having enough say in what goes on in the
muncipality the students.
Council President Ingrid P. Holtzman says
that other than residency, the only necessary
qualifications for a council seat are in-
Sweet charity
I am opposed to the striptease fund-raiser proposed by Dave
Karo and Schuylkill House. Mr. Karo, surely you can think of
alternative ways to obtain money without capitalizing on
women in the process. Calling your “project” chauvinistic is
being quite charitable, for in my opinion, it shows your total
lack of respect for all women. Furthermore, such “projects”
help to perpetuate the very stereotypic roles we women are
trying to free ourselves from.
You were also quoted as saying that you’re “planning to
Time for GOP vets to move on
One hundred seventy' years ago
yesterday a man was born whose life
changed the course of American history,
and gave hope to all tile homely)
ungainly tall and large-footed members,.:
of our populace. The problem with men
like Abraham Lincoln is that they
become larger than life, and their ac
complishments lose something in the
translation. But perhaps more than any
other American, Lincoln deserves the
demigod status bestowed on him.
Last weekend the party of Lincoln met
in a mini-convention at Easton, Md., to
chart the future course of the party.
Perhaps the most startling piece of news
was the decision to abandon bipar
tisanship in foreign policy. The im
mediate effects of this decision could be
the destruction of the upcoming SALT II
agreement with the Soviety Union. The
convention also showcased some of the
men who aspire to lead the Republican
legions against Teddy Kennedy next
year.
Since New Hampshire voters will go to
the polls 54 weeks from tomorrow to kick
off the 1980 presidential campaign, it
might be fun to take a look at the men
who hope to keep up New Hampshire’s
record of never having selected a can
didate who didn’t eventually win the
nomination.
Rep. Philip Crane (111.)
started off the fun last August.
The 47-year-old Crane has the hair of
Jack Kennedy, the square jaw of Dudley
Doright, and the political morals of
Adam Smith. Crane is perhaps the most
brilliant man in Congress, the author of
several books, and an acceptable public
speaker. If New Hampshire were
decided on looks, he’d win hands down.
But it will be contested on economic
issues, of which Crane has a firm con
servative grasp.
John Connally, the former governor of
Texas, secretary of the Treasury, and
current political whore and milk fund
bribe recipient, represents a candidacy
that, if successful, could make the
Republican party extinct. Connally two
weeks ago called for the federal
government to do all in its power to save
New York City from going under. In
1971, he fought Richard Nixon’s family
assistance plan as too liberal. The dif
ference? The bankers would be hurt if
New York goes under, while only poor
families living in slums would be hurt
without FAP. Compassionate guy, that
big John.
Benjamin Hernandez is a longtime
GOP fundraiser who suddenly decided it
might be more fun to be in front of the
scenes rather, than behind them. Her
nandez will probably be the best
financed candidate, and on top of that,
he’ll draw strong ethnic support from
the eleven hispanics in the Republican
party.
These are the only announced GOP
candidates to date. Although all of them
are more photogenic than Lincoln, none
has the vision, the wisdom, the foresight
of the man from Illinois (Lincoln, that
Our turn
is). There are other undeclared can
didates, including Senate Minority
Leader Howard Baker of Tennessee,
• former CIA director George Bush,' Sem
' Charles "Mathias (MdJ, LbweirWeick’ef
(Conn.), and others still in deliberations.
The man most say is the front runner
now is a lot better looking than Lincoln,
and probably a better public speaker.
I’m speaking of the former governor of
California, Ronald Reagan.
In one of the crassest displays of
ignorance in political annals, the
Republican party passed over Reagan
for the nomination in 1976.
The tragic part is that Reagan does not
embody the “what could be” of the
Republican future, but rather the “what
might have been” of the past. Had he
been nominated three years ago, it’s
highly likely he’d be president now.
Reagan would have torn Carter to
shreds in the debates, cut into the
Confederacy in at least Texas and
Mississippi, and held the west. That
would have made him president, and
brought to bear in Washington the
prudent fiscal policies with which he
rescued the state of California from
disaster 10 years earlier.
But, as I said, that is all in the past.
Though he is possessed of the body of a
man half his age, there’s just something
wrong with nominating a man 70 years
old who isn’t a World War II hero.
There’s something wrong with
nominating a man who has already lost
three national campaigns. Also,
Governor Regan has in the last three
years shown signs of adopting some
tenets of the welfare state in exchange
for the political support needed to attain
Crane
AYAT&UAH pONAUAW REAGAINt PLANNING- HIS RETURN
FROM EXILE *4 CALIFORNIA,
telligence, common sense, the ability to get
along with people, the ability to appreciate
various viewpoints, and the time to attend
meetings and to become informed about local
issues.
Out of the more than 32,000 students enrolled
at the University, it’s a good bet that at least
one could be found to fit these specifications.
And from 1974 through 1977, one did. Dean
Phillips, who was at the time an undergraduate
at the University, ensured that the student
viewpoint was given its due consideration, and
kept council thinking about things like rent
controls and human rights ordinances.
Phillips also proved through his active role in
the senior citizens housing project that a
student council member also could be
responsive to the needs of the community as a
whole.
We’d like to see a qualified student run for
one of the four council seats up for grabs this
year. We strongly encourage the Un
dergraduate Student Government and other
student organizations to look for such a can
didate and to combine forces and work towards
getting that candidate elected.
then,
/
Maybe
balanced
Letters to the Editor
have a male stripper next term if the girl goes over big.” If this
is an attempt at equity, your idea falls short. First of all, using
a stripper of either sex is cheapening and degrading. Secondly,
and certainly as important, the historical implications of using
a female stripper will evoke a totally different reaction than
will a male counterpart. The latter show would most likely be
viewed as a novelty or joke. Somehow, I believe that neither
you nor your floor-mates will think of the "half-decent looking
coed who must be able to dance while she takes off her
clothes” as a joke. If that is your intent, (which I
wholeheartedly doubt), lam not laughing. Christine Marmo
lOth-horticulture
the White House.
It is time for the front runner to step
aside and v gjye his blessing and his
bUrgeoningwar’chest to a younger GOP 1
leader. The future of the Republican
party is the Heinzes, the Kemps, the
Danforths, and the Thornburghs not
the Fords, Reagans and Connallys.
Connally, Reagan, Ford, have
presided over an era of government
expansion in the best tradition of the
democratic liberal ideal.
They have acquiesed to the lead of the
paternal socialist democrats, who have
seen fit to drive our country to the brink
of economic disaster to redistribute
income on a scheme more geared to
solidifying their position in the annals of
humanitarian history than feeding the
poor of South Philadelphia, Watts and
the like.
This is all academic, because the
Democrats have too many registrations
to be beaten next year. But should they
err, and nominate the incumbent rather
than Edmund G. Brown or Edward M.
Kennedy, who would be tougher can
didates, the GOP has a chance.
In order not to blow that chance,
Republicans should remember what
were perhaps Lincoln’s greatest words:
“That government by the people, for the
people, of the people, shall not perish
from the earth.”
The Democrats have seen fit to
replace the word “people” with “ruling
Washington elites” in the previous
statements. Should the Republicans
nominate Reagan, Ford, or Connally,
that might not change.
Brian Golden is an eighth term
broadcast journalism major.
the council
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truly
A little viciousness
I am responding to Patrick Kiger’s column of last Friday.
First, I want to commend your commitment to “the un
fortunate starving millions.” You have seen through Josh’s
hypocrisy, realizing that a person with political influence is in
no position to alleviate the hunger problem. On the other hand,
I’m sure you have made great personal sacrifices to help feed
these people.
It is also touching that you have chosen to deify Sid Vicious
because of his great sincerity. But we shouldn’t stop there.
Surely Jim Jones and all the sincere people at Jonestown,
Guyana, should be praised also. If only there were more sin
cere people like that around today. People who realize that
“The whole shithouse is crumbling and it all doesn’t matter.”
We could blanket this world with lethal radiation and all of our
problems would be solved, even hunger.
I could continue to point out flaws in your comparison of Sid
and Josh, but nothing would be gained.because the whole thing
is so obviously absurd. Instead I will concentrate on one point
that you made, which I agree with. Josh and Sid did see a
common need. A hunger common to all men, no matter what
society on earth they come from. That need was instilled in us
by the God Who created us all. That need is to have fellowship
with God, and it is the only purpose of our existence. That
hunger can only be satisfied by the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ
the Son of God.
There is a price however. "Jesus Christ asks that you follow
His plan for changing the world, and that entails getting in
volved. We can no longer sit around and criticize the world
with all its problems. We must allow Christ into our lives so
that he can change us from within our hearts, because there is
a little bit of Sid Vicious in us all.
Exceptions
There is no doubt that Mark Jackson’s article on Abortion
was well written and moving. However, Mr. Jackson seemed
to have given little or no thought to one of his closing
statements. Mr. Jackson said, “There are no circumstances,
with the possible exception of rape, which justify this decision
(abortion).” This statement, while liberal for some anti
abortionists, is simplistic and hopefully based on ignorance.
I would like to suggest that Mr. Jackson consider the
following situations: A woman finds out that the fetus she is
Yes, more self-help
Too much, I think, has been written on
how to survive your teen years, your
middle : aged years, your declining
years, your married years and prac
tically all your years except your years
as an undergraduate at college.
Surely, not even pre-pubescence can
be as traumatic as your four lonely
years defying all your better instincts
telling you to settle down, make money
and maybe raise a family. And how
much worse can marital problems be
after living with a complete stranger
your roommate and listening to his or
her totally unsolvable dilemmas day
after day? Middle-age and retirement
almost seem to be a welcome relief after
going non-stop with studies and ex
tracurricular activities day after day,
weekend after weekend, term after
term.
And summer vacation? Don’t make
me laugh. How many students really
spend three months on a beach
somewhere instead of trying to hold
down two or even three jobs during their
“off-season?” The treadmill, the
anxiety, the work-load, the conflicts and
the perpetual lack of something solid
other than grades for feedback all adds
up to what could be the most trying
times of your life.
Still, few if any students realize that
these complaints are not theirs alone,
but rather common to all. Herein, then,
are some helpful tips to make these
years all the less insufferable, and, I
hope, all the more bearable:
Avoid looking at unemployment
statistics whenever possible. They are
invariably depressing and are
sometimes much worse than they ap
pear to be. If you feel compelled to read
James McCullough
lOth-QBA
Feb. 12
them, always remember that no matter
how bad they are, they are always far
better than the statistics for people who
didn’t go to college.
Don’t try to be “wild and crazy.”
Only one person in the world has ever
made any money being “wild and
crazy,” and he’s on the decline even
now. At best, when you do something
nutso, people will laugh at you and never
speak to you again. At worst, they will
speak to you again, but will be im
mediately disenchanted with you the
first time you act your normal, serious
self.
Never let on that you know
something. If your friends think you’re a
good student, they’ll constantly bother
you to help them with their assignments
and studies. If they think you’re
emotionally stable, they’ll constantly
bother you with their personal problems.
If they think your college career is
running smoothly, they’ll constantly
bother you to help them choose their
schedule for next term. Act like an idiot
and they’ll just leave you alone.
Take courage from your less-than
spectacular grades. Chances are you’ll
never have to know half of what you
were supposed to have learned, and
what you do have to know can’t be
learned in a classroom.
If you’re falling way behind in your
work, rationalize it to yourself as “a
period of emotional reassessment.”
It is far better to neglect your
carrying has developed a teratoma (a malignant growth).
Would she not be justified in requesting an abortion?
Similarily, a woman is told that the strain of childbirth might
kill her because of her own health situation; should
forced to bear the child?
There are also the cases of parents who discover that thdr
children are dying from genetic diseases. Each day these
parents must wait for that inevitable telephone call. Often
these parents live through this horror actually hoping that
their child will die. The guilty feelings and the psychological
scars remain long after the child, and long after the SS,(M)O a
month hospital bills have placed the family in serious
economic trouble. The one bright spot for . many of these
families is the knowledge that some of these genetic defeats
can be detected in the fetus before birth. Mr. Jackson, would
you deny a woman the right to prevent the birth o'f a
genetically dead fetus? 1
These are just a few of the situations which I believe Mr.
Jackson did not consider in his article. Unfortunately, I have
'.talked to several “anti-abortionists” who,would not.permit
- -‘abortion even under these circumstances. -
' Mr ; ;'Jackson was right in calling for more understanding
between both sides of this controversial issue. I would suggest
that he personally visit the Genetic Disease Clinics and; the
Child Abuse Clinics of hospitals. I also suggest that he check
the adoption statistics for the various religious groups in
Pennsylvania. And finally, I suggest that he help in opening a
dialogue between the opposing sides at Penn State. Howeverfif
he is going to attempt this worthwhile endeavor, he should
become more knowledgeable about the subject. . <
Ronald E. Yasbin
Assistant Professor of microbiology
Feb. 12
Dave Skidmore Judy Stimson
Editor v Business Manager
BOAIU) OF EDITORS: Editorial Editor, Bob Frick; Assistant Editorial Edi&s.
Patty Rhule, Jim Zarroli; Nous Editor, Mike Mentrek; Assistant News Edilois.
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Vicki Mentrek
HEAT COORDINATORS: Consumer-Business, Lynn Osgood; Faculty-
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Tammy Walro; Student Go\ eminent, Bruce Becker ”
for undergrads
studies without guilt rather than neglect
them and constantly worry about ,v..
Worrying is a self-fulfilling prophesy:
“If everyone thinks there is going to be a
recession, then there will be a
recession.”
Don’t live in a dorm for more than
two years. !
The sexual revolution on campus $
over. Even Playboy doesn’t do a
“Campus Action” chart anymore. You;
gloomy sex-life is actually quite good
when you consider everyone alwaysilie
about such things anyway. I
Don’t waste your time trying to
explain to your parents “the way things
really are at college.” Parents
notoriously have preconceived notions
about what goes on here and they-are
always inflexible in their judgments.
Take heart in the knowledge that even
their wildest notion is not nearly as Ijad,
or as good, as things “really are.” j
Near ly everyone fouls up really ta.)"
at one time or another; even college
students. Always keep in mind that there
are two things in your favor no matter
what: changing your major and using'
the late drop option. -
Nobody is 100 percent sure about
what he’s doing, at college or anywheriijj
else. Everyone would rather be a drop
out.
Avoid descriptive panaceas and
cliches when making a decision. Drugs
are not the answer, and rules were iiot
made to be broken. And it is not Tar
better to have loved and lost than nejrer
to have loved at all, just to name one>of
the more dangerous assumptions maiie
by students under pressure. •!
Bob Carville is an llth-term jour
nalism major. ■;
*
’