opinions editorial opinion Fretting about When should college students start to worry about being shipped off to war? When a small Oriental country bombs their country's naval bases in Hawaii? You bet. When their country sends "military advisers" to help a Central American country fight off left-wing insurgents? Well, not yet. HoW about when one of their coun try's strongest allies starts bombing small South American islands in an attempt to regain possession of them . . . and their country has clearly sided with that ally . . . and all efforts at negotiating a peaceful settlement have failed? No, no. No need to become paranoid now. The United States has only pledged material support and has not given up on negotiations. The dispute over the Falkland Islands has been going on for around 150 years, so the skirmishes are not completely unex pected. The British troops May be able to handle • the Argentines with little trouble. Yes sir, just a few more bomb-er-roos like Saturday night's reader opinion Support the freeze We believe that the. faculty, administration and students should provide leadership for fellow citizens in analyzing the great issues of our time. Nuclear war surpasses all others in its potential impact on every aspect of life. We support the S.J. 153, the Hatfield-Kennedy bipartisan resolution to "freeze" the production and deployment of nucle ar weapons. This resolution differs from other proposals by politicians and technocrats in its simplicity, its feasibility for verification, and the chances fora positive response from the Soviet Union. We urge all our colleagues to write their Senators to support this position, which our Congressman W. F. Clinger has already endorsed. From the College of Human Development Frederick R. Eisele, associate professor Walter E. Freeman, professor tarry D. Gramm, associate professor Peter B. Meyer, associate professor Abram P. Snyder, associate professor Raymond D. Studer, Jr. professor Ted R. Valiance, professor Carl E. Young, assistant professor April 28 Exercise courtesy A few things to think about regarding the bicycle-on-the sidewalk controversy. First, I am angry at Police Services who is saying that if I want to ride my bicycle from downtown Pugh Street to the Forum, I have to go all the way down to Burrowes or all the way up to Shortlidge, as well as negotiate that steep hill on Shortlidge, to get on to campus. " I know the law prohibiting vehicles from sidewalks already exists. But until recently, there appeared to be no reason to rigorously enforce it. If Police Services is going to enforce it, they should rigorously enforce it. This means that all vehicular traffic is banned. from sidewalks —bicycles, Pushman carts, University maintenance trucks. The law is not so selective, operating for some (cyclists) and not for otheri (mainte nance?). If bicycles are ticketed, so should maintenance vehicles. (And what of motorized wheelchairs?) Second, I am angry at cyclists who make enforcement of such rules necessary: the cyclists who think the sidewalks are raceways and who verbally abuse pedestrians who get in their way. The issue For the casual, semi-interested observer, the issue that pitted two unlikely groups against each other last week was nothing short of ludicrous. Opinions were formed and voiced instantaneously. Harmless enough. Everyone has opinions. Yet the controversy began when the . opinion of one group encroached upon the opinion of the other. It followed like this: George Cave, president of Trans-Species Un limited, came looking for me Wednesday. The Phi Delta Theta fraternity live salamander swallow (a traditional part of its annual Bowery Ball; was to begin that evening and keeping to his group's position of protecting the rights of animals, he planned to have it stopped. This wotil.a be accomplished with the help of a search ~ .z.- e rant and the State College Police. Trans-Species believed swallowing salaman ders alive violated the Commonwealth's cruelty to animals law while promoting the abusing of live animals for entertainment. He asked if I would cover the intended bust. Later that night, Cave called. The search warrant was denied. Both the police and the University, to whom Trans-Species com plained, were told by the fraternity they "do not eat salamanders." The fraternity also said a sign would be posted: "Please Don't Eat 'Mand ers." Cave was unconvinced. Several female members of Trans-Species went to the party and he asked if I too would go. A photographer . and I did. - When we got to the fraternity, we told two the Falklands? and maybe those Argentines will scoot right out of the Falklands. Wouldn't that be nice? Then the draft-age college students could sit back and concern themselves with some more pressing needs,, like get ting jobs. Nonsense. The war in the Falklands shouldn't be expected to fade away quickly. But college students can't allow themselves to selfishly become paranoid over every skirmish an ally gets into. After all, Israel, which re ceives an awesome amount of mili tary aid from the United States, has virtually been at war for years, and no American troops have been called into battle. So, all you draft-age kids, sit back and . . . and do something worthwhile, but don't fret about the Falklands just yet. Also, take comfort in the lack of coverage of events in El Salvador. (Remember that place?) Since the invasion of the Falklands, the media have cut back on the grim stories of turmoil in El Salvador so every thing must be OK. Right. I walk on campus. I also ride my bicycle on campus. I often have used the sidewalks for both (I admit, it, guilty.) But whether walking or riding, on the sidewalk or on the road, any type of collision is likely to hurt me as much as someone else. It should be good sense to exercise common courtesy when cycling. Cyclists, the shoe is on the other foot when we are on the road. If we had treated pedestrians with the same courtesy that we would like from motorists, we still might have use of the sidewalks. Remember the pedestrian you nearly ran down the next time a car runs you off the road. Norris M. Tollefson, graduate-chemistry April 30 Off the sidewalks In response to Diane Bader's letter to the editor that ap peared in ,the April 26 issue of The Daily Collegian, I say "Hurrah for the police!" And to you Diane, I point out that in Pennsylvania, it is against the law to ride your bike on the sidewalk. As a legitimate biker (one who rides on the road) and as a pedestrian, I'm glad to see that the police are doing something about the problem of cyclists on the sidewalks. I do not enjoy taking my life into my hands as I walk to class having to dodge speeding bikers who do not know what sidewalks are for. Yes, sidewalks really are for walking, and if you do not believe this, try reading your Penn State Student Handbook under "Bicycle Regulations." You will find out that bicycles may be ridden only where automobiles are allowed.' Riders must walk their bicycles at all other places "specifically, . . . paths, walkways, malls, or any other pedestrian-used ways." By the way, as for driving your car on the sidewalk, Diane, I might expect you to actually do such a thing. And may I assume that you would prefer that pedestrians walk in the street? Carol McAfeel, 13th-forest science April 29 What lies ahead? You want to know what will happen at Pennsylvania State University if President Reagan's budget goes through? I'm beginning to believe I'm a prime example: the $1,700 I receive in loans and grantg hardly cover my expenses here. So, no problem, I'll get a job and pay the rest myself . . . except for one thing nobody in State College seems to be hiring! I have a diversified background of jobs and the businesses of or non-issue pledges attending the door that we were from the Collegian. We explained our purpose, dis played our press passes, and were greeted with surprising enthusiasm. With the help of an acquaintance who was also a brother, we de scended into the basement. There we found the familiar clusters of broth ers and guests, a saw-dust covered floor, and the homemade pond full of salamanders. The sign was in place. However, it wasn't long before I saw someone reach into his cup, dangle a squirming salamander over his open mouth and drop it in. He chased it with a long swallow from the same cup. No one really paid much attention. In fact, no one eating the salamanders and there were quite a few drew much attention until several started posing for the camera and answering my questions. "It tickles a little, but you really can't taste anything," someone said. egMO5- "I can feel it kicking," said one woman, rubbing her stomach. "It's a tradition," was the rallying call of the evening. It seemed that as long as those we talked to and photographed, brothers included, thought we were there for promotional purposes, every thing was fine. That all changed when some brothers realized we were there to check out the complaints by Trans-Species. For more than an hour, the photographer and I were cornered by as many as 10 brothers determined to intimidate us from doing any thing with the information collected and the photographs taken. The various stages of ine briation of those bearing down on us made the situation quite uncomfortable. It seemed like each rational comment was drowned out by irrational threats to smash the photographer's camera, take my notes and ultimately get even with us if anything appeared In the paper. A threat to kill me was also voiced. Eventually, the intensity fizzled as the argu ments and threats failed to produce the desired results. The photographer and I left the house unscathed. (When contacted yesterday, fraternity mem ber John Kauffman, who acted as the house spokesman throughout the week, declined to comment on Wednesday night's activity.) Thursday morning, one fraternity member and a little sister asked the Collegian editor to block anything for publication about what hap- State College fit those classifications. So why don't I have a job, despite searching since Winter Term? There are two possible reasons: one, either the economy is in such bad shape that no one is buying anything; or two, it really is who you know that gets you a job. The first can be rejected by simply walking downtown on a Saturday afternoon. I've yet to reject the second possibility, considering the amount of job applications I've submitted to various places of business. In any small college town, this kind of scene will be common. You really want to know what will happen? NO GRANTS + NO JOBS = DRASTIC DECLINE OF COLLEGE ENROLLMENT. Thom NieS, 6th-Computer science April 30 Guilty as charged? To hell with eloquency. The person in charge of Pattee Library's photocopiers should be shot. Point blank. A visit to the scene of the crime the library —will reveal more than enough evidence to support• the verdict. Not that you'll be able to photocopy any of that evidence! James DiDonato, 12th-management April 30 Sorry, fellas Oh! We're so sorry. University Concert Committee Chairman Tom Swerzenski says that if "the student population isn't willing to support their organization, they won't be able to bring in that many concerts." Never mind the support for J. Geils. Or Dylan. Or the Pretenders. Gosh, fellas, if we had known that this was so important to you, we would have dropped everything and gone. Never mind the Regatta. And never mind that (gasp!) we don't like Parker's music. Just don't get mad, OK? Are we still buddies? Say if Parker had played three times, that would have made an audience of 3,600 600 more than you needed. Would that have helped? Just asking. Chris Nelson, 9th-foreign service Joe Embler, 9th-Russian April 30 of munching 'manders . lii i k .r , •'''''::- -.--- % .. 4 ., i , , •._ 1 4 -...... „........ ..., pened the night before. They said the photogra pher and I had no authority to be there. They said they might sue. That afternoon, the issue, the original issue, moved to where it should have started: to a face-to-face meeting between three members each from Trans-Species and Phi Delta Theta. In stark contrast to the previous evening's confrontation, both sides offered arguments and. counter-arguments rationally and intelli gently. For the fraternity members, it was the first time they were hearing Trans-Species' actual complaint. Central to the complaint was that salaman ders were being eaten alive. Cave said that legally consitituted cruelty to animals. Kauf fman, a biology student, questioned where one draws the line. Fishermen use salamanders for bait. Is sticking them with a hook more humane that swallowing them alive? The arguments, worked through in detail, came to a full circle when Kauffman suggested having the salamanders killed before any were eaten. Trans-Species found the compromise acceptable. Member Sylvia Carson said, "It brought them within the framework of the law." A five-point agreement was drawn up and later signed by Cave and fraternity president Randy Thompson. Still, neither side was completely satisfied with the results. Kauffman said it was his opinion that Trans-Species had no right to single out the fraternity's activity and judge it right or The Daily Collegian *7 4 gi l l; Collegian Monday May 3,1982 Phil Gutis Editor Sharon Taylor Managing Editor John Allison Editorial Editor The Daily Collegian's editorial opinion is determined by its five-member Board of Opinion, with the editor holding final responsibility. Opinions expressed on this page are not necessarily those of Collegian Inc. or The Pennsylvania State University. Letters Policy: The Daily Collegian encourages comments on news coverage, editorial policy and University affairs. Letters should be typewritten, double-spaced, signed by no more than two people and not longer than 30 lines. Students' letters should include the term, major and campus of the writer. Letters from alumni should include the major and year of graduation of the writer. All writers should provide their address and phone number for verifica tion of the letter. The Collegian reserves the right to edit letters for length, and to reject letters if they are libelous or do not conform tp standards of good taste. Because of the numbers of letters received, the Collegian cannot guarantee publication of all the letters it receives. Mail letters to: The Daily Collegian; 126 Carnegie Build- er' ing; University Park, Pa. 16802. Names may be withheld on request. Letters may also be selected for publication in The Weekly Collegian. About the Collegian: The Daily Collegian and The Weekly Collegian are published by Collegian Inc., an independent, non-profit corporation with a board of directors composed of students, faculty and professionals. Students of The Pennsylvania State University write and edit both papers and solicit advertising material for them. The Daily Colle gian is published Monday through Friday and distributed at the University Park campus. The Weekly Collegian is mailed to Commonwealth campus students, parents of students, alumni and other subscribers who want to keep abreast of University news. wrong. "I have no qualms with other people's opin ions," Kauffman said. "However, there is a difference between an opinion and passing judgment. I have trouble understanding how someone else has any additional insight into seeing that their opinion is more important, or that it's correct." Under the cruelty to animals law, Cave said Trans-Species was indeed correct in pursuing its opinion even if it crossed into the private realm of a fraternity house. The law is broad and imprecise enough to support Cave's claim in an argument. Whether or not it would hold up in court is another question. State College Police Lt. Jack Orndorf said, "As far as I know, salamanders are not protected by law." Orndorf could be underestimating that law, but regardless, the legality of salamander swal lowing won't be decided this year. And essen tially, it seems that nothing was really changed. Salamanders were eaten at Phi Delta Theta until its Bowery Ball ended Saturday, the only difference being they didn't squirm when swal lowed. It's my guess that the entire issue, or as some people are apt to see It, non-issue, is still left open for interpretation and naturally, further opinions. Justin Catanoso is a 12th-term journalism ma jor and a columnist for The Daily Collegian. Monday, May 3 oiki C)1982 Collegian Inc Paul Rudoy Business Manager Judy Smith Asst. Business Manager Michael Conklin Office Manager reader opinion Offensive ad Jews and Eastern Europeans: (Pictures of wooded lakes and mountains). Tired of the war? Join us for a scenic, war-long vacation in beautiful Dakau, Germany! For only 97 cents, you can join hundreds of thousands of your delighted fellow tourists for rest and relaxa tion. (Small print): Sponsored by the Nazi Party, with the spiritual backing of Adolph Hitler, esq. This is my response to The Daily Collegian's printing of the ad for a Moonie vacation in Denver. I'm sure the Collegian will find this ad as • tasteful as the one it ran.. Before I'm attacked verbally, let me state that I am a member of a prominent Jewish line, and some of my relatives died in Nazi concentration camps. I consider the Moonies and groups like them (of which there are no others presently) to be a present danger. Bill Riesser Industrial engineering instructor April 30 For Mother's Day Candy is fattening, flowers don't last Give Mom laughter and she'll have a blast! "I KNOW IT'S HERE SOMEWHERE..." by Fran Davids $2.95 at bookstores or call 238-9496 • • DON'T LEAVE COLLEGE WITHOUT IT: A professionally typeset and printed resume! Stand out from the crowd in today's lob market. Employers are looking for those who present the Image of a professional. You spend thousands of dollars on an education don't overlook this crucial item! 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Enclosed is check money order for $9.95 (Includes tax and I handling.) I Address I City/State NATIOIIIAL 2369 AIRPORT HWY. RESUME TOLEDO, OHIO 43609 7 SERVICE (419) 385 . -418 , • - News needs accuracy, 'context' Newspaperman Joseph Pulitzer had simple advice for reporters: "Accuracy, Accuracy, Accuracy." His dictum is crucial, but insuffi cient. Readers need more than accuracy. They need "context" the supportive and related information that makes a fact make sense. In several recent stories in The Daily Colle gian, both accuracy and context were lacking. On Monday, April 26, the Collegian headlined a front-page story: "About $22,000 Raised at Sy. Barash Regatta." ' Nowhere in the story was Sy Barash identi fied. Readers therefore were not reminded of Barash's long career as a businessman in State College or his death from cancer. (Hence, the dedication of Regatta proceeds to the American Cancer Society.) Nor could readers know that University Trustee Mimi Ungar Coppersmith is Barash's widow. Her comments on the event's success over the past eight years would have been enlightening. . An example of inaccuracy in the same arti cle: the reporter noted that the funds raised at the Regatta "will be given to University Asso ciate Professor of Biological Chemistry Freder ick C. Weedier (sic the name is Wedler) and Associate Professof of Microbiology Robert Schlegel in the form of grants." "The article made it sound as if they were HORIZONS 82 U RSDAY MAY 6 HEALTH ALTERNATIVES DAY • Exhibits • Workshops • Displays • Info Tables THURSDAY 10-4 pm HUB LOUNGES R• 077 Sponsors: Eco-Action-USG-Colloquy carrying the proceeds of the Regatta to my office in bags," Wedler said. Wedler and Schlegel have been awarded Faculty Research Grants by the American Cancer Society; the Barash Regatta is just one of many events and organizations that contrib ute to the Cancer Society. There is no direct relationship between the Regatta and Wedler or Schlegel. Another question: Grants for what? A more complex issue of lack of context appeared in the Collegian on Friday, April 23, in an article headlined "Bill Would Toughen Pe nalties for Drunk Driving." , •,::=.' i* ', , "' . . -.47;i. ~,, \ :'*- ',, .1 The article reported on one of several state Senate bills to impose heavy fines and mandato ry jail sentences for convicted drunk drivers. The reporter quoted Bernard Chatman of the Pennsylvania State Police, who said the prob lem will not end as long as there are "bars and grills and wheels," adding that " 'greed for the green' is a big factor in drunk driving because bartenders usually serve a person until he falls off the stool and then watch as he leaves the tavern to drive home." The story did not give a bartender's response to this accusation, nor did it quote any represen tative of the Pennsylvania Tavern Owners Association. Under existing law, bartenders are liable for both administrative and criminal penalties if they serve alcohol to an intoxicated person. Under the Dram Shop Act, bartenders and owners can be sued for wrongful death or held liable for injuries caused by their intoxi cated patron. In addition, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board can fine or revoke the licenses of bar owners who sell alcohol to intoxicated patrons. The fines range from $l5O to $5OO (first offense) to suspensions of license for three or more days (third or further offenses). 54- . The article left to the final paragraph what should have been developed as a major point: that the more severe the penalties for drunk driving, the less likely the judge and jury are to convict. Don Owens, executive director of the state House of Representatives Liquor Control Com- UNDERGRADUATES Come hear about Study Abroad IN AUSTRALIA Monday, May 3, 7:30 p.m., in Room 316-317, The HUB The Australian Studies Center cordially invites you to learn about study abroad at the Australian National University. Your attendance and in terest entails no obligation. Refreshments will be The Daily Collegian Monday, May 3, 1982-1 mittee, tells me that the state's maximum penalty for drunk driving, one year in prison and a $2,500 fine, has never been imposed. The drunk driving story was in other respects accurate and was ,an important story by any standard. What was lacking balance in the reference to bartenders and the context pro vided by an understanding of the penalties' question prevented the reader from under- standing fully the implications of the story. As Owens put it, "Some laws are written for political purposes or to respond to outside pressures. They aren't meant to be enforced and can't be enforced." • Impressions of a Readers' Representative after two weeks on the job: I've received several calls and letters from readers with specific complaints or comments about recent articles. I've also received several calls from Collegian readers of long standing. One said he had been "waiting 20 years for someone to tell this to." He then proceeded to list what he said was a catalogue of Collegian errors, some of them 10 or more years old. It was a useful demonstration of the fact that readers really read this newspaper, and they have very good memories. Kathleen A. Pavelko speaks for the readers of The Daily Collegian and comments regularly on the newspaper's journalistic performance. An Invitation to served.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers