opinions
The best Christmas gift of all
For some folks, Christmas in State
,Col
lege is symbolized by the towering 25-foot
tree that graces the Train Station Restau
rant. With its softly glowing lights, numer
ous ornazilents and fragrant bows, the tree
helps provide a pleasant, warm atmosphere
for the restaurant's patrons.
But this picturesque scene could turn into
a disaster if 'a spark from a careless smok
er's cigarette set the tree on fire. Creating a
chimney effect, the fire could roar upward,
drawing all the air out of the room and
baking the people in it.
Clearly, situations like that should be
prevented. But just how they should be
prevented has been the question between
downtown businessmen and the Centre Re
gion Code Enforcement Office.
James D. Quigley, Centre Region code
administrator, recently issued warnings to
State College businesses that did not comply ,
with Centre Region fire codes. After a 10-
day waiting period, violators who have not
yet complied with regulations would be
fined between $lOO to $3OO a day.
And what an uproar ensued. Businessmen
stormed the State College Municipal Coun
cil's chambers, asking the council to issue
an ordinance allowing them to keep their
Christmas trees.
I The businessmen's indignation is under
standable. After all, they, had put the time,
money and effort into decorating their es
tablishments, for the holiday season. Al
though the code enforcement office hadn't
'issued warnings for the past five years, it
Partial payments
Some students have a hard time coming
up with the cash to cover one term. And
when the University switches to a semester
calendar next year, the amount students ,
pay at one time will nearly double.
Although some students may be able to
make the payments, others might have
problems meeting the estimated $1,200 for
Fall Semester 1983.
Because of the short summer, many stu
(dents might not have their grants, loans
and/or scholarships ready by August. Also,
an eight-week summer severely lithits the
amount of money that can be earned.
With a short summer and a new calendar
possibly, leaving some families unprepared,
the University needs some .kind of deferred
payment process for at least the first year of
semesters.
But deferred payments are not without
problems.
They might cause some financial prob
lems for the University. Along with an
increased uncollectible rate, the University
could face other expenses with a deferment
plan.
George Lovette, associate senior vice
president for finance and operations, said a
reduced cash flow would force the UniVersi
ty to borrow money and thus pay interest.
ow will we cope without 'Doonesbury?'
Garry B. Trudeau starts his own vacation Jan. 3
Garry B. Trudeau's "Doonesbury" is
good, every day. Usually, it is excellent.
And quite often, it is incredible.
Most people know this, but now is the time
to reiterate it. "Doonesbury" will not be
with us come Jan. 3, 1983. Trudeau, 34, plans
to take a sabbatical from the strip, which he
has been creating since 1970 for daily syndi
cation and does not plan to return until
the fall of 1984. "I need a breather," Tru
deausaid in a press release, "Investigative
cartooning is a young man's game."
"For almost 15 years, the main charac
ters have been trapped in a time warp, and
so find themselves carrying the colors and
scars of two separate generations," he said.
"It was unfair to stretch their formative
years to embrace both Vietnam and preppy.
"My characters are understandably con
fused and out of sorts. It's time to give them
some $2O haircuts, graduate them and move
them out into the larger world of grown-up
OH, MARK WOULD YOU
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SAY HELLO TO My
BRIDGE GUESTS. I
SURE,
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cceAveß, MRS. WASHER
ANO MRS. PROFROOV.
suddenly decided to do so, without inform
ing businessmen of the change in policy.
The businessmen were not prepared to
deal with the sudden enforcement; Quig
ley's office should have given them a prior
written notice as to what guidelines they
would be expected to follow.
But, as most members of the council saw,
the answer was not to exempt the Christmas
trees from the fire code. With more combus
tible, brittle decoration around than at any
other time of year, the code should be
stringently enforced to protect citizens'
welfare.
However, enforcing the code doesn't nec
essarily mean that all the ChriStmas trees
have to be taken down. Instead, it means
that the trees must not be fire hazards.
For the Train Station, that means, spray
ing a fire retardant on the tree. For other
businesses, that means making sure the
trees do not block exits, entrances or aisles
and that they are not decorated with flam- t
mable items. Other factors, including how
much total floor space the tree covers and
whether it protrudes from one floor to'
another, also need to be considered.
Poor . James Quigley. He didn't mean to be
the grinch who stole State College's
Christmas. He was merely doing his job.
And in doing so, he found lots of lumps of
coal in area businesses' stockings. If the
ensuing hue and outcry enhanced patrons'
safety, Quigley should be thanked for giving
one of the nicest Christmas gifts of all.
Students who do not use the plan might have
to pay for the increased administrative
costs, he said, but this could be avoided if
students pay a fee for the privilege.
The University could offset the costs of
procesSing deferred payments with a par
tial payment, simple interest on the balance
and a late fee.
Undergraduate Student Government Vice
President Lee Facetti mentioned an exam
ple of a system that works at last week's
Student Advisory Board meeting. He out
lined the University of Pittsburgh's- system
where students may pay one-third of the
semester's tuition provided they pay' the
balance with 1 percent interest and a $2O fee
within two months.
The University should,be able to adopt a
similar plan without any major problems.
University President John W. Oswald said
at the SAB meeting that he hopes the Uni
versity will be able to offer a deferred
payment plan by March or April.
Oswald's staff should heed what Facetti
said at the SAB meeting. He aptly reminded
Oswald that some students might not be
able to afford the tuition payments without a
deferment plan, and this might prevent
them from coming to the University. Semes
ters aren't worth that.
concerns. The trip from draft beer and
mixers to cocaine and herpes is a long one,
and it's time they got a start on it.
"This is simply a lull in the action,"
Trudeau said, and reminiscent of the cryp
tic remarks found in the strip's last panels,
added, "It is not, repeat not, a mid-life
crisis."
His need for a break is understandable.
Being good every single day can be exhaust
ing. He deserves a rest. But how are we
going to deal with it?
Has the fact set in yet? Do you realize that
when you come back from holiday break,
pick up the Collegian, glance at the front
page, and turn to the comics page to do the
crossword puzzle and read "Doonesbury,"
that "Doonesbury" will not be there?
We will not be able to open the paper
hoping to find a cartoon this good:
(Scene: the kitchen of Walden commune;
H/, 6/RI.S.
MY NAME'S MARK
I' SMOKE
MARIJUANA.
Michael Doonesbury and Mark Slackmeyer
sitting at tab/e, B.D. standing.)
8.D.: I feel good today. Know why I feel
good today?
Michael: I bet we're going to find out.
8.D.: I feel good because I woke up this
morning and it suddenly hit me there's an
excellent chance our next president is going
to be Ronald Reagan!
It's the beginning of .a new age, gen
tlemen, it's a whole new ball game, you
better make plans. (B.D. leaves.)
Mark: I already have. I've decided to
shoot myself.
Michael: Good choice. Hand guns should
be cheap and plentiful.
Trudeau treads on ground that no other
cartoonist touches. He has taken the trail
blazed by Walt Kelly's "Pogo" and Al
Capp's "Li'l Abner," and made it into a
superhighway. His influence led President
Gerald Ford to say "There are only three
reader opinion
0 Christmas tree
To the merchants of downtown State College and anyone
else involved with the recent Christmas tree dilemma, an
idea one 'that will almost entirely eliminate fire haZ
ards, will allow store owners to put their trees up early if
they wish, will later help to beautify the State College area
and will keep with the tradition of giving at Christmas.
The idea is a simple one. Cut trees tend to dry out
quickly, thus losing their beauty and creating a fire
hazard. Therefore, instead of purchasing a cut tree, the
store owners should purchase a live tree.
In this way, the fear 'of creating a fire hazard is greatly
reduced. Also a merchant may set the tree up as early as
he wishes and enjoy the same green beauty he purchased
well after Christmas 1982 as a memory.
After the holidays there arises the question of what to do
with the tree. Here, the age-old tradition of giving comes
into play. After the holidays, each merchant will donate
the tree to some place where its beauty will be admired
and appreciated long after its man-made ornamentation
has been removed (i.e., parks, schools, hospitals, county
homes for the aged.)
Surely this is much better for a tree which symbolizes
life and beauty than the idea of throwing its dying remains
into the scrap hLp.
The newspaper could carry an article stating where
each tree was donated and by whom. A merchant, if he
d t a l l; Collegian
Friday, Dec. 17,1982
Phil Gutis
Editor
The Daily Collegidn'i editorial opinion is determined by
its Board of Opinion, with the editor holding final
responsibility. Opinions expressed on the editorial
pages are not necessarily those of The Daily Collegian,
Collegian Inc. or The. Pennsylvania State University.
Collegian Inc., publishers of The Daily Collegian and
related publications, is a separate corporate institution
from Penn State.
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major vehicles to keep us informed as to
what is going on in Washington: the electro
nic media, the print media and Tloones
bury,' and not necessarily in that order."
(Scene: a front view of the White House.)
President Nixon: What is it, John?
John Mitchell: Mr. President, Mr. Duc
Tho is on the phone for you, sir. ..
Nixon: Hello, Le? . . .What can I do for
you? . .. Yes, I'm sorry about the aid, but
Congress has to act on that . . No, we
haven't gone back on our pledge . .. Yes, I
know about your schools and hospitals .. .
But . . . but . . .
LOOK, DUC THO, I NEVER PROMISED
YOU A ROSE GARDEN!
Hee, hee, hee!
Mitchell: Ha, ha, ha! Very good, sir!
But what makes Trudeau so precious is
his commentary on the rest of life, his
ability to crystalize feelings and this he John Allison is a 13th-term journalism and
does better than anyone in the business. A English major and a columnist for The
personal favorite: Daily Collegian.
wishes, may have a plaque, carrying the name of his
establishment, placed with,the tree.
Publicity is a must in this world of free enterprise, but
think how much cheerier it will be and how much more
impact it will have when it has been obtained by doing
something good for State College.
I hope you will give my proposal some consideration
Bradley E. Lehn, sth-Russian
Dec. 15
The MX debate
Where do you fit in the MX missile debate? Do you think
we should spend more on a weapon we don't need, or do
you think we need to catch up to the Soviet Union
militarily? Or should we work at eliminating war altogeth
er?
Let us hear your opinions on one of the most crucial
issues of our decade. On Tuesday, Dec. 21, The Daily
Collegian will devote its Op-ed page ,to the MX missile
question. Submit letters (two-pages typed) and forums
(three-to-four pages typed) to the editorial editors, 126
Carnegie, no later than Dec. 17.
Letters Policy: The Daily Collegian encourages • com
ments 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 verification of the letter.
Paul Rudoy
The Collegian reserves the right to edit letters for
length, and to reject letters if they are libelous or do not
conform to standards of good taste. Because of the
numbers of letters received, the Collegian cannot guar
antee publicatio'n of all the letters it receives.
Mail letters to: The Daily Collegian; 126 Carnegie
Building; University Park, Pa. 16802. Names may be
withheld on request. Letters may also be selected for
publication in The Weekly Collegian.
The Daily Collegian ,
(Scene: Mark Slackmeyer's house; Mr.
Slackmeyer is sitting in his chair, reading
paper; Mark returns from,college.)
Mark: Hi Dad! Your son's home!
Mr. Slackmeyer: (Face in paper) Son?
What son? . . . I have no son.
(Puts paper down) All I have is a parasitic
offspring who, year after year, manages to
pass courses just in time for me to shell out
yet another four thousand dollars.
Mark: (Sigh)
Mr. Slaekmeyer: (Face in paper)
_Son?
Me? No, .. . no, I have no son.
Trudeau has created an indelible mural of
our times, and his sabbatical will leave a
gap. Without his daily work, life will tend
toward the bleak. It will be like having a
girlfriend or boyfriend leave for a year and
a half.
It's going to be lousy.
Friday, Dec. 17
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reader opinion
Repulsive 'force
While I can let the "Ms. Fracassa" pass, I
can't let Douglas Klamp's article pass with
out comment
If the arms race were using up so much of
the earth's resources, defense would crowd
out the private sector, and the defense budget
would take a much bigger chunk of the Gross
National Product than it does today. This
appears to be the case now only because a
severe recession is blocking the private mar
kets from supplying hurting non-defense in
dustries. I also don't accept this neo-
Malthusean view that the earth is running out
of resources or will in the forseeable future.
The more we explore this planet, the more
mineral and energy, sources we find (deep
within the earth's crust, oceanic mining, tar
sands, geo-pressured gas, etc.). We have no
problems supplying food, the population rate
is cresting, and pollution is lower now than it
was 20 years ago. Continued advances in
technology make for better outlooks in all
these areas.
Klamp states that perpetuating a system
revolving around selfishness breeds hatred,
naivete, and distrust with no hope of long-
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term peace. I agree, because he describes the
Soviet system, a system that deceives, bul
lies, and represses its people and satellite
nations; they are used as a means of policy
and not ends. This is the system I accused of
inhumanity. If the Soviet leadership uses its
own people as a means, it shouldn't be a
surprise that they use other nations as a
means as well.
On the other hand, we frequently yield to
our allies' requests and criticisms, and at
least try to aid Third World countries in
developing their untapped human and natural
resources to our mutual advantage. The Sovi
ets and proxies always use force to gain
access to these resources and always leave
these countries in worse condition than be
fore. They are the ones who turn north-south
problems into east-west conflicts, not us.
Klamp also states that we are as "tough
and-unyielding as ever." When was "ever"?
They buckled their economy building arms
while our defense budget went the other'way;
we saw their rape of the Third World as
"forces of change," and offers to scrap major
weapons like the B-i bomber were met with
"we are not pacifists, nor are we philanthro
pists." His statement simply doesn't wash
with the past decade. ,
As a free people, force or its use repulses
us. The Soviet system couldn't survive with
out force; it accomplishes their ends at home
and abroad. We know they are impressed by
force and becaome adventurous when a lack
of force exists. We also know our deterrent
force has kept Europe at peace for the longest
time stretch since the fall of Rome. The freeze
is short sighted in that it doesn't "freeze" this
sufficient deterrent capability, but allows it to
erode in the future.
The only way we will make the Soviets
realize any mutual advantages is to show
them that every attempt at force outside their
sphere will be futile. In this, unfortunately,
we have no choice.
K. Michael Fracassa, graduate-business ad
ministration
Dec. 16
Judgmental
Jean S. Guertler, I am offended, as you are,
at the "Christian" men's imposition of values
on anyone (like me) except themselves. You,
however, are as judgmental as they in your
condemnation of a fellow group of human
J 0 D
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beings: male heterosexuals.
Why do you judge us before you even know
us?
We, all human beings, deserve a "fair
shake," and I resent being lumped together
into a male stereotype as much as you resent
being lumped into your respective stereotype.
I am not offended at your clear attempt (in
your Dec. 15 letter to The Daily Collegian) to
tell us that our social constructs "doom" the
race to heterosexualism and reproduction ad
infinitum. Heterosexuality is not as bad as
you would have it, though it seems I would be
hard pressed to convince you of that. Consider
it an alternative lifestyle if you will.
I admit that it would be difficult for me to
see life from your point of view, as it would for
you to see life from mine; but please do not
condemn me and all other male heterosexuals
for sonlething'we cannot help being male,
and our own choice of sexual lifestyle.
Timothy J. Kelly, Bth-computer science
Dec. 15
Disappointed
I have just attended the Jack Anderson
speech. Reflecting back upon the evening, I
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The Daily Collegian Friday, Dec. 17, 1982-11
must say that I'm disappointed
, This reason is centered on what he was
saying which was nothing. When I left for
the speech, my expectations were high they
were almost low when I returned. I felt
entertained, not informed. Some of my feel
ings come from the way the speech was given.
He performed, held and exaggerated every
pose for the newspaper photographers. In
fact, he was posing for them. He nimbly
recited jokes (that were quite good) and then
waited for the obligatory applause. I realize
that this is the way of politicians, but I was
always under the impression that Jack An
derson was a political columnist. For some
one who has the reputation of getting to the
bottom-line truth, he was sure slinging the
lard.
Maybe I expected too much from his
speech. Maybe a personification of his col
umn, a streamlined expose on the ins and outs
of Washington, D.C.
I realize his facade is polished and "Wash
ington style," but from the speech I heard, he
might as well be a government handout.
Felicia Rosen, 6th-journalism
Dec. 15