opinions editorial opinion ■ . - ■ ■ Hall of Shame? There’s a cancer growing on major league sports, and it’s spreading more with each coming season. But in this case, drugs won’t treat the problem they are the problem In recent weeks, some of baseball’s finest players including former stars Willie Stargell and Willie Mays and current stars Keith Hernandez and Joaquin Andujar have been accused in drug-tfnfficking trials for allegedly using cocaine and other illegal substances. Many of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 1979 World Series squad, including Dave Parker, Dale Berra and John Milner, have also been linked to cocaine use. And the list seems to go on. What kind of example does this set for the little league players who grow up idolizing these players, or those high school and college players who are close to signing contracts with major league clubs? Will their careers be cut short by overzealous cocaine dealers looking to make an easy buck? How could such behavior be allowed to mar the tradition associated closely to the all-American ideal? Life must have been simpler in the days of the Lou Gehrigs, Babe Ruths and Joe DiMaggios; the game had more romance and playing was its own reward. Pete Rose reminisced not long ago that he played baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies for $12,000 a year at first and loved it every bit as much then as he does now. But something must have happened along the way. Television brought the game into the public’s living room and poured millions of dollars into big city teams to broadcast games. The Curt Flood case more than 15 years ago, where for the first time players were allowed to declare free agency, paved the way for players to name their price to the highest bidder. And greedy owners, ever more eager for winners, paid millions of dollars to these players. That’s the trage dy of it. It seems too many athletes are playing reader opinion It's murder As the dates of three people’s deaths at Rockview cannot be wiped out of the criminal mind unless we Correctional Institution near, we all must realize that execute all murderers and so quickly after conviction, capital punishment does not do what it is supposed to do. But mandatory capital punishment is unconstitutional as Therefore, it should be abolished and these and others’ cruel and unusual punishment. , lives should be spared. General deterence is also questioned by the Supreme Executions are more premeditated than most murders. Court’s 1976 conclusion of 25 years of research that there And killing is no way to show that killing is wrong. is no conclusive evidence that shows the death penalty Granted, these people have committed serious crimes deters violent crime, and society must protect itself against these people. We Since 1972, 62 percent of the people on death row have must protect ourselves, our families and our children. But been unskilled, service or domestic workers; and 60 is this the best method? Is this a just method. It is called percent were unemployed at the time of their crimes, the criminal justice system. . Since 1930 90 percent (405) of the men executed for rape One argument for executing people who commmit were black. In Texas, blacks who kill whites are 87 violent (i.e. capital) crimes is that it teaches others if percent more likely to receive a death sentence than those they kill or rape, they themselves will be killed. This with black victims. . . . , . . concept of general deterence assumes that violent crimi- Is this criminal justice? Or institutional racism and nals clearly rationalize and weigh the consequences systemic oppression of the poor? ■ before doing grave violence. Most people who murder do I repeat: Because the death penalty does not do what it not see past their actions they are so caught up in passion, purports to do, because it is the most extreme pumsh or drugs or alcohol, according to Amnesty International, ment, it must be abolished. We must stop our state a world-wide movement working for human rights. They (ourselves?) from killing and calling it justice, also said that when the crime is premeditated, the Edward A. Dougherty, jumor-English for headlines and multi-million dollar con tracts. And, with all the accusations and charges flying around and planting seeds of doubt in everyone’s mind, playing for the love of the game seems to be a part of ancient history a part of the old hall of fame. What is lacking in the professional athlete that would make him take drugs? What outside pressures are too overwhelming for him to handle without believing artificial stimulants are the answer? Isn’t the natural high that comes with playing with the best athletes of the game enough? Obviously, it isn’t. Heroes like Stargell, the 1979 co-National League Most Valuable Player who powered the Pirates to two World Championships, and Parker are now looked upon as crimi nals, not heroes, by the little leaguers. What does Yogi Berra think about all this? What would have happened to the baseball tradition had Yogi, Jackie Robin son or Mickey Mantle succumbed to outside pressures and used artificial stimulants? They didn’t need any dope-induced high to play the game; they played with heart and guts and sometimes played with pain. No tears should be shed for the players who are charged with drug-trafficking. They were the lucky athletes who suc ceeded in a job where others failed. They traveled to the largest cities, ate at the finest restaurants, and stayed at the nicest . hotels. They lived in a world that less skilled athletes can only dream of. Sadly enough, however, this dream world is becoming a nightmare as players abuse themselves and the reputation of their sport. The cancer that is spreading over major league sports must be treated. The tradi tions of baseball and football must be as respected as they were when players gave it their “all” for the love of the game not for the money; not for the headlines; but solely for the love of the game. The tradition of any major league sport should not be marred with the tragedy and shame of drugs. individual rarely believes he or she will be apprehended let alone executed. This sense of I-will-get-away-with-it ■■ ■ Cathy Reese; Marketing Manager: Roland Deal, Jr.; tha C™ rf|> 11 b Office Manager: Wendy Metzger; Assistant Office Man .j 0 | ager: Amy Norris; Layout Coordinator: Corinne Salameh. Gall L. Johnson Editor Business Manager The Daily Collegian’s editorial opinion is determined by its Board of Opinion, with the editor holding final responsibility. 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Meyers The Daily Collegian Friday, Oct. 4, 1985 Star y just With? 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. 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 number of letters received, the Collegian cannot guar antee publication of all the letters it receives. Mail letters to: The Daily Collegian; 126 Carnegie Build ing; University Park, Pa. 16802. Names may be withheld on request. Letters may also be selected for publication in The Weekly Collegian. Complaints: News and editorial complaints should be presented to the editor. Business and advertising com plaints should be presented to the business manager. If a complaint is not satisfactorily resolved, grievances may be filed with the Accuracy and Fair Play Committee of Collegian Inc. Information on filing grievances is available from Gerry Lynn Hamilton, executive secretary, Collegian Inc. 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 profession als. Students of The Pennsylvania State University write and edit both papers and solicit advertising material for them. opinions SPRINGSTEIN: The man, the myth, the voice liver, lover, poet . . . all-around great guy “00-00-oo'-ooh. Wooooh-ooh-oooh” Springstein, “I’m on Fire.” “Aaaaaagh. Aaaaaaagh-aaarrgh” Springstein, “Jungleland.” "O-o-000-ooooooooo; O wo-wo-wo-wooooooooh’ ’ “Born to Run." (Hey, is that spelling right?) ■ Cf ; - )« W 'flu’s* %i There are three things in the world that I hate: denim, house wines, and The Boss. I’ll explain denim in a future column; house wines are self-explanatory; The Boss? Three reasons: his lyrics and / or subject matter, his voice, and his fans. Two song lyrics strike me as particularly needy. The first, from “Hungry Heart,” is a classic. “Don’t make no difference what reader opinion lx'. ictnmnn/ these pe°P le receive allow their employers to sell you I* « 1 7 their products and services at a cheaper rate than would As a former service employee, I wish to comment on a normally be possible, much neglected business courtesy in this town. That is The price of a tip should be included in the amount you it is customary, in the U.S., to tip people who provide a intend to pay for a product or service. If you can’t afford service to you’. This includes: newspaper deliverers, the tip, you can’t afford the service. waiters and waitresses, bellhops, bartenders, haircutters Tom Hyland, senior-environmental engineering and and delivery people. These people work for subminimal forestry wages and rely on tips to make a living. The low wages Sept. 2G I i arge Pizza ipecial For nly $4.50 1 1 L J : ree Delivery 37-2466 The Undergraduate Student Government has the following positions available: • Member of the Business Board of Directors • Chairperson of the Business Board of Directors Applications in 203 HUB Completed applications due in USG office by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9 The Undergraduate Student Government nobody says / Ain’t nobody likes to be alone.” Come again, Bruce? Is he speaking Old English, or is it a Nihilistic treatise? Is it a game to see if I can decipher what the hell he’s trying to say? If so, you win, Bruce. The second lyric is from his current mega-hit, “Glory Days.” In it, he states that a high schooler “could throw that speedball by ya ...” What the hell is a speedball? I think he means fastball, unless he was trying to pass judgment on the recent scan dal in Pittsburgh. I guess when you are from New Jersey, you talk more about cars than sports. HJOOOh, wo- Springstein, When in doubt, sing (I use the term loosely) about cars, motorcycles, or some form of transmission. What a message —the human tragedy in the form of two- or four wheeled chariot of doom and love. When in further doubt, talk about water of some sort, especially a river. Usually driv ing across it to get beer. Usually with a little girl (his term) you have either just picked up or dropped. His women: mud-splattered, tough-talking women in greasy clothing who sleep with you on the first date. Where does he find these women? Remember: The Boss is from New Jersey. ¥&c no" M ° n ei .eC^V^ 0 , rtuq°° r r P* ’*»' :ftSB I guess while we’re talking lyrics, I’ll make a standing offer: the first coherent essay I receive on the meaning of “Blinded by the Night” (2500 words or less, please) wins $lO. I doubt I’ll have to come up with the money. The second reason for my intense hatred is his voice. (Wait, should his be His?) Great musicians and singers use their voices as another instrument. Bruce’s voice is an instrument; somewhere between a tuba and an out-of-tune, off-the-wall, com pletely ultra-punk xylophone. Two in stances come to mind here as well. His lilting, haunting subtlety in “Born in the USA” is a virtuoso performance in scream therapy. It is among the greatest screech-songs of all time, next to “Money Changes Everything” and anything by Ju das Priest. In “We are the World,” Bruce gave Cyndi Lauper and Tina Turner a run for their money for worst performance. Springsteen’s amazing, up-all-night, three packs-a-day rendition with Stevie Wonder rivalled Tina Turner’s self-conscious moan ing and Lauper’s putting three syllables in “change.’ The argument was this: “He’s trying so hard, he really feels the lyrics.” 37-2466 FREE DELIVERY Yeah, just like any Holiday Inn lounge lizard feels the lyrics to “Feelings.” The third reason is the easiest, most apparent one. With Springsteen, fan indeed seems short for fanatic. I went by a Ticke tron-turned-Shantytown once when tickets were on sale (actually, it was a week prior) for one of his concerts. Some of his faithful were talking about prior concerts. I wonder if they talk about anything else. Anyway, they were actually bragging about how much they paid for their last concert. “Yeah, man, I remember I paid 50 bucks for five straight nights in Billings. They were mid-level, and I could hardly see him, and the sound kind of sucked, but it was a great show, man.” “I was there, man! I paid 75 a night for upper-level rears. There was some Grateful Dead dude sitting in front of me, and I couldn’t see Bruce at all. I think I saw Clarence, though. It was pretty awesome, man.” “I don’t think Clarence went on that tour, man.” Just then a third bedenimed, unshaven, bandannaed youth enters the conversation. "Clarence went on that tour, but he passed What do you think? This Fall there are many hot issues facing Happy Valley. If you would like to speak out and voice your opinions to faculty, staff or stfidents, write a letter to the edi tor with your gripe. The Daily Collegian's opinion editor Terry Mutchler and assis tant opinion editor Doug Popovich WE OFFER MORE OF WHAT YOU NEED THESIS COPYING - We’ll make high SHRINK WRAP - Objects are wrapped with quality, collated copies of your thesis. a thin transparent film. (Great for (Cardboard document boxes available protecting, preserving or mailing to protect your thesis). items.) , SELF-SERVE COPIERS - Two easy' to use CONFETTI - Our famous confetti is only copiers at only 4c per sheet. SS® P er ba 9- ( While supplies last) INTERVIEW REQUEST FORMS - You won’t be able to tell them from the original “FOR ALL YOUR PHOTOCOPYING NEEDS” 139 S. Allegheny St. 436 E. College Ave. Bellefonte - 355-3788 State College - 238-5484 Saturday & Sunday Only! Danks will be Open Saturday 10-5 & Sunday 12-5. DEPARTMENT STORES DOWNTOWN STATE COLLEGE: Shop Thurs., Fri. 10- 9, Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5, other days 10-5:30. FREE parking Thurs. evening. NITTANY MALL: Shop Mon. thru Sat. 10-9, Sundays. BELLEFONTE: Shop Tues., Thurs 10-9, Wed. 10-1, other days 10-5. "Are you sure, man? I’ll bet you, dude.” welcome the opinions of students, faculty, staff, alumni and area residents about issues concerning the readership of The Daily Colle gian. All letters must be double spaced typed, and include the au thor’s name, phone number, se- The Daily Collegian Friday, Oct. 4, 1985—11 on four cities, man: Miami, San Fran, Pittsburgh, and Billings. Where’d you catch him?" "Shit. Billings.” The third clone continues: “I caught the whole tour, man. Worked for free. Bruce paid for the whole thing, but I had to get my meals and rooms. I slept on the trucks and I ate other people’s trash.” He paused. The other two watched him in awe. “It was the greatest thing that ever happened to me in my life, man. The Boss is a genius. And kind, too.” These are the types of people who think that clean jeans and a Peterbilt hat constitute semi-formal wear. (As op posed to dirty jeans and a Skoal Bandits hat for every day.) I couldn’t take it any more —I went in and bought a George Clinton album. I realize I’m writing to a huge, faceless mass with baseball caps in each back pock et. But if I could reach just one person, just one soul aching for musical redemption, I’ve succeeded. Thanks, dudes. Dion Holland is almost a junior and a columnist for The Daily Collegian. His col umn appears every other Friday. mester and major. Also, the author must be present with ID when submitting the letter. So when you have a gripe or concern, don’t take it out on your roommates, let the whole Univer sity know what you think write a letter-to-the-editor. Take an additional 10% off any* Anniversary Celebration Sale items on the last two days of our sale. Two Days Only - Saturday, October sth and Sunday, October 6th! Don’t miss the savings on everything you want for Fail and Winter at Danks. Look for the special signs throughout our stores.
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