opinions Parking woes need a long-term solution Ever have the fear you'll get ticketed for "cruising" in downtown State College when actually you're just looking for a parking space? Downtown parking is just as scarce as a Pitt fan in Lion Country. To ease parking problems, owners who build or add to a facility ,in the downtown area are required to provide one parking space for every 800 square feet in their buildings or outdoor sales areas. However, a proposed parking ordinance amendment would permit owners to pay a $3,300 fee for each on-site space they should provide. This fee would be used toward new parking facilities such as a possible parking garage between Garner and Heister streets. Although this amendment makes it appear that the borough is planning ahead, ,it isn't more than a quick-fix that benefits property owners. It would be some time before enough money is raised to make definite plans for new parking facilities. It seems the State College Planning Commission had that in mind when it made the provision that the money would be returned if no facilities are added within seven years. That would leave the town without both a new garage and on-site parking. The Fraser Street Parking Garage cost $4.2 million. Having each owner contribute $3,300 per space wouldn't put much of a dent in that kind of price for another garage. The means of losing on-site parking just wouldn't have enough impact now to justify that end. A Centre Regional Planning Commission report stated peak-hour demand at the Fraser and Pugh garages aver aged 88 and.Bl percent capacity, respectively, in one week. Another report concluded that planning for a new parking facility should begin when peak demand reaches 85 per tent capacity. Clearly, the downtown parking problem cannot wait. The borough needs a long-term solution with greater potential to ease parking woes. Giving owners the option of taking away on-site parking is not that solution. Russian roulette Playing games with atomic energy may result in another Chernobyl Last May, while listening to the radio, a news flash interrupted a rambling block of the Grateful Dead to inform listeners that "the • worst nuclear disaster in history" had occured in the Soviet Union. A friend of mine, who had never been an avid supporter of the Soviets, simply smirked and re marked, "well, I'm glad it hap pened to them instead of us." For a brief moment I agreed with him. Scenes from The Day After flooded my mind evoking waves of cold sweat. I remem bered seeing the horrors of nucle ar radiation. Once zapped, victims lose their hair, start puking con stantly, become plagued with a nasty case of the runs and then die agonizing deaths. After I had calmed down and my initial wave of selfishness had subsided, my thoughts turned to the victims of this catastrophe, the people who live near the power plant in Chernobyl. People who woke up one morning with their whole lives ahead of them and went to bed unsure if they would ever again see the light of day. • To date, medical experts have predicted that 100,000 of those peo ple will die due to the radiation generated from the meltdown at Chernobyl. A handful have al ready perished, the remaining thousands were not so lucky; they are destined to suffer. Waiting for the unseen cancers to grow and wondering if their unborn children are going to resemble human be ings. Could a situation like the Cher nobyl accident in the United States? The obvious answer is yes, it could have easily happened to "us" instead of "them." Since 1960 more than a dozen serious accidents have occurred in U.S. atomic power plants. The most serious of which happened right here in Pennsylvania, not 100 - miles from Happy Valley, at Three Mile Island in Middletown. The Nuclear Regulatory Commis sion later reported that TMI "came within an hour of cata strophic meltdown." Unfortunately, TMI is not the only nuclear power plant that should be of immediate concern to us. Pennsylvania has seven atom ic plants in operation and is second only to Illinois. If any of these reactors were to meltdown it would not take long for Penn State students to get much more than there recommended daily allow ance of radiation. Of course atomic energy advo cates and officials would like us to forget about the close calls of the 6 11 L b 641(k" past and the present dangers of nuclear power. They insist that plants are perfectly safe. Just remember the fellows who claim this are also the ones that get to wear those nifty radiation suits. Your average, American doesn't have access to one of those suits, and although Levi's are tough, they do little to protect one from nuclear radiation. One nuclear official attempted to down-play the danger of a melt down by stating that "safety regu lations may be adjusted to reflect a calmer view of what would hap pen in a meltdown." I would have a great deal of trouble calmly viewing the deaths of thousands of innocent people. For years nuclear advocates have been using tactics to calm the American public. Names such as Peach Bottom and Limmerick remind one more of a picnic area or a sprawling horse ranch than a potentially deadly power plant. These pleasantly named plants are usually nestled in extremely rural areas where traffic by the general public is limited or vir tually non-existent. I'm confident that we'll never find nuclear cool ing towers flanking the White House, although I'm sure that officials walking in the shadows of those towers would think twice about nuclear safety. Robert Gale, an American doc tor who went to the aid of the victims of Chernobyl states: "This was an accident not an act of God, but an act of man." Gale is emphasizing that man is solely responsible for controlling nuclear energy and making it completely safe. Accidents such as the tragedy at Chernobyl and the near catastro phe at TMI indicate that humans are incapable of handling this re sponsibility. The United States cannot afford to play Russian rou lette with atomic energy. Even tually we are bound to lose and when we do, it will be at the expense of thousands of innocent lives. Scott Westcott is a junior major ing in English and a columnist for The Daily Collegian. His column regularly appears every other Tuesday. On-site parking should be provided to make businesses or apartments more attractive to customers. In addition, apartmentS with on-site parking lessen competition for parking spaces between tenants and downtown employees and shoppers. Apartment owners who decide to pay the borough's fee will most likely get the money from their most vulnerable source students. Tenants may end up being double charged once for the rent increase and again for monthly parking fees. We hope that when the State College Municipal Council decides how to deal with the parking problem, it keeps the best interests of all constituents in mind and finds feasible long-term solutions. ... and not sour grapes There's no such thing as a free lunch. So why do some downtown State College property owners think there is such a thing as a free garage? Twenty-two State College property owners filed suit to challenge the borough's business tax that helps pay for the $4.2 million Fraser Street Parking Garage. The properties are part of the Business Improvement - District, which is financing part of the construction. The borough is charging those in the district a mere 7.18 percent of the construction cost over a period of five years. These owners agreed to help pay for the garage "in good faith," Councilman Dan Chaffee said. Now they are saying the garage will not benefit them or their businesses. Why didn't they decide this before pledging to help finance the garage? The borough built the garage at the request of the business community to help alleviate parking problems. It should not have to foot the entire bill because those who requested the garage now decided they don't want it. CWPWI4 . mMsitNtrs. , reader opinion Defense My, what a curiously defensive air Recently, The Daily Collegian pub has pevaded The Daily Collegian lished two articles concerning John opinion pages recently in regards to U.S. Rep. Bill Clinger. Not that Cling- Stockwell, the highest-ranking for er has done or said anything that mer CIA case officer to go public with might cause him or his supporters to his knowledge. be defensive. The review article seemed to down- One student's letter makes positive play the validity of his statements. reference to Clinger's "support" for Everything that he talked about has students by dredging up H.R. 4243, a been documented in one or more of bill that Clinger introduced last the books that he mentioned. These Spring that would if passed are books which the CIA has censored through the committee, not tabled or for false accusation. What remains is crushed by vote exempt certain what the CIA could not prove incor financial aid programs from being rect before legal witness. We have a cut by Gramm-Rudman. list of these books at Colloquy. The truth about this bill is that it is The second article was published Clinger's voter-conscious (Penn Wednesday and it expressed the State/State College is a key area) ClA's response. The CIA said certain attempt to reconcile himself with allegations were false, but would not disgruntled students after he helped say which ones. I expected this as not pass Gramm-Rudman, which drasti- responding would be an almost ad cally cut Guaranteed Student Loans. mission of guilt, but all they can say Clinger has nothing to lose by this is "we didn't do it." flip-flop. He voted with his party on They can easily deny torturing peo- Gramm-Rudman and then was able pie and controlling heroin supplies, to make himself look innocent by ti even though ma cum jor ented. global organiza- would submitting H.R. 4243, which he knew ons have do Who would not pass, nor cause waves. believe that an American agency • Whoever thinks that Clinger actual- could do these things? Only commies ly lobbied for and wanted H.R. 4243 and terrorists are capable of that is• passed is naive to the way politics are the American belief. And that is pre nften conducted. cisely how they get away with it. Joshua First Read these books. Find out why junior-political science/Spanish your government does these things. I A SUGI VE A GESTIC %... •\. • • \ It's your future ir.DrOAC4OOII.I I I 4 Ord 'lin What do you think? The Daily Collegian welcomes (up to three typed pages; double letters from students, faculty, spaced) to the Collegian in 126 staff and area residents concern- Cafnegie Building. ing issues and topics of interest to Students' letters should include the Collegian's readership. With the semester and major of each the semester at the half-way point, writer. many important issues confront The opinion editors reserves the the community. right to edit letters for length and Authors must present letters to to reject letters if they are libelous the editor (no more than 1 1 / 2 or do not conform to standards of pages, double-spaced) or forums good taste. \ \ \ Find out why fathers and brothers went to Vietnam. Find out why we have so many weapons. Find out why most scientists say Star Wars is unat tainable. Find out why we are going to Nicaragua. It's your future. Frank Innamarato senior-computer science Best of luck • I am sincerely excited about the prospects of Paul Fritz's cocoa re search. If there is or "could be" a better than satisfactory substitute for cocoa, chocolate lovers around the world would rejoice. It appears to me that Paul Fritz is not trying to make a "better Hershey Bar" as suggested by Karen Gill. (If that is even possible!) I think the cocoa research is trying to help the chocolate bar remain affordable. This is something that benefits the consumer. Cocoa beans are a very expensive commodity only grown in certain areas near the equator. If they were to remain the only way to make chocolate, there is a good possibility that the price would be come outrageous. I wish Fritz the best of luck with his cocoa research. As for a "new cocoa" vs. "cocoa classic" controversy, I think that cocoa already is a classic. Katie Freisen Senior-Business Logistics The Daily Collegian Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1986 :;\ .... . .. • '''' Iceland tioN pREVEtrt REELER Buni% • 4 \ •• • •••:••• • ••4‘x\ • •••, . • s; • \‘`. te daily Collegian Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1986 • ©1986 Collegian Inc. Anita C. Huslin Editor William G. Landis Jr.. Business Manager The Daily Collegian's editorial opin ion is determined by its Board of Opinion, with the editor holding final responsibility. Opinions ex pressed 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 publica tions, is a separate corporate insti tution from Penn State. About the Collegian: The Daily Collegian and The Weekly Collegian are published 1:4 Collegian Inc., an independent, non profit corporation with a board of direc tors composed of students, faculty and professionals. Students of The Pennsyl vania State University write and edit both papers and solicit advertising material for them. The Daily Collegian is published Mon day, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday dur ing the summer, and Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday during the semester. It Is distributed on 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. 9 \ \'Xs\ ' 1:11111C1 opinions Extinction? I've noticed a recent trend in The Daily Collegian that distrubs me. It began with Sam Mistrano's "Good earth" on Sept. 19, where Mistrano argued the benefits "if we humans just nuke ourselves out of here, or at least down to manageable propor tions." I dismissed this as the ravings of a freshman, but then on Sept. 25, I read Nan Arens' column, "A Toxic Dias ter: Cy Bacteria's Bright Idea." Arens, a senior majoring in Earth Science and Technical Writing, uses early bacteria's production of oxygen as a metaphor for the modern prob lem of toxic wastes. "Look, some of You won't make it," the toxic .waste producer tells the bacteria facing extinction. That's un fortunate. But the rest of you will evolve and adapt. I am rather fond of the human race. We have our Hitlers, our Bothas and our microbiology lab instructors, but extinction of the species is not the right solution. And if anyone out there truly thinks the human species would "evolve and adapt" in beneficial ways after a nuclear war, please see "The Day After," "Threads" and read the arti cles written by highly respected sci entists who say these movies depict scenarios not half as grim as the likely reality Then, when we're all convinced that nuclear weapons would end intel ligent life on this planet, perhaps we can stop planning what to do when thay are deployed and start destroy ing them before they destroy us. Mary McLean sophomore-biochemistry SYMPHONIC PENN STATE WIND vvENSEMBLE IN CONCERT WEDNESDAY OCT. 8 IN SCHWAB AUD. FREE ADMISSION WORKS BY: NIXON,PERSICHETTI,BENSON CURSE OF THE STARVING CLASS Presented by The Pennsylvania State University Resident Theatre Company The Pavilion Theatre October 3,4, 7-11, 14-18 Curtain Times BPM Student Preview October 1 Tickets available at the Playhouse Ticket Office or by calling (814) 865-1884. Some audience members may find situations and language offensive. See you there This concerns a letter by Colleen Rickenbaugh on the pseudo-apathy of Penn State women toward pornogra phy. My heart is enriched when I come across an article of concern on pornography. As a member of the USG Depart ment of Women's Concerns, I have united with other students men and women and struggled against the horrible pornography that is shown on campus. You might be interested in learning that the department's efforts last Spring helped get USG out of the former Movie Co-Op, thus putting an end to student government support of pornography. I agree that pornographic films not only strip a woman of her integrity, but also exploit her. I have been concerned with the recent showings of Debbie Does Dallas and agree that these films should not be shown on a campus that supposedly promotes education and equality. We are not silently supporting these films. During Panhel's 'Women's Awareness Week" (Nov. 3 to Nov. 7), the department and the Center for Women Students are co-sponsoring a series of pornography education workshops similar to those we spon sored in the spring. We need more people like you. Come to one of our meetings: The department is also involved in educational programs on sexual ha yassment, domestic violence and rape prevention. We meet every Wednesday at 8 p.m. in 120 Boucke Building, the Lounge of the Center for Women Students. I look forward to seeing you there. BY SAM SHEPARD Erika Silverstein senior-telecommunications Religion: We must question My life, Jesus and tequila, I'm satisfied and I can't deny it. The Minutemen. In my dreams come visions of nocturnal tennis matches with Jesus. We're playing a friendly match down at the local municipal building in my hometown. He's wearing a loincloth, and ironi cally enough, has a wicked serve. It is one set apiece in the third, and Jesus appears to be taking the upper hand. Being the pest I am, I annoy others by relating my strange dreams to them. People actually listened to me this time, though, sensing the eternal consequences of associating with a de viant like me. Almost everyone expressed hope that Jesus would win the match. I countered this with: well the next time they were down at the bars and I was with them, they can just pray for a beer since it would be a hockey game in hell before I buy one. (I relate religion with sports since I've never been all to good at either of them). Even my mother hoped that Jesus would win, even though defeating Jesus in tennis would certainly lead to a high paying job somewhere. Maybe AC/DC would hire me. This pressure on Jesus to win surreal tennis matches surely must stem from His most recent Americanization. America is No. 1, and by gum, it's leading messiah better be too. This brings thoughts of Jesus high-living his apostles after healing the blind, Jesus singing upbeat songs and endorsements of light beer with Jesus surrounded by beefy ex-jocks. Jesus here. You know, after 40 days in the desert you work up a right powerful thirst. But you don't want to get filled up before taking on the prince of darkness. THINKING ABOUT LAW SCHOOL? On Thursday, October 9th, Professor Edward Haughney of the Dickinson School of Law will be on campus from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. If you would like an appointment with Professor Haughney to discuss law at Dickinson, please contact the Department of Political Science inlo7Burrowes Bldg., 865-7515, Monday through Friday, 100-5:00 p.m. Match the Stephen King Book (title and page number) to the Quotations on the Contest Entry Form 2nd, 3rd, 4th Place Winners each Practice mental hygiene - read Collegian Sports! Literary Horrors A contest Tema Statesoolt(§tore Win A Dinner for two At NITTANY LION A Stephen King Novel Penn StatesooMtore Owned & Operated by the Penn State University on campus Contest Ends on October 31st ..• the motives of people who use Jesus ,r i -•.,,,- , r.,j ae,.00,04:5? -- '"7 --- ' Ar I 4. 4, :* • ,„ * ,r,:, Jesus could stand some work on His current market image. Sure, He's established some terrific brand loyalty among many of us, but there are still too many of us willing to try any brand-X religon that comes down the pike. At least He won't be shifting his production to Korea any time soon. I hear things like this from loud television men driving for votes and loud men on street corners driving me crazy. They tell me that Jesus is loving and ever so merciful and that I am going to burn in hell forever if I don't believe it. Jesus is on nautilus these days. He's collabo rating with Sly Stallone to film the upcoming blockbuster, Rambo and Jesus Send to Hell the Commie Druggie Porno Countries. Coming to a Banana Republic in your hemisphere. It is 'my prediction that the second coming will occur soon. Don King will purchase the exclusive rights. It will make the 1984 Olympics look like the Podunh County Bowling and Beans Fest. A stadium will be constructed on what was once the state of Oregon with 250 million seats so every American can be there. Admission will be $l,OOO apeice, with half going to appease the deficit. Heavens Angels will stand guard to kick ~-- Come to the for details VISIT HARNER FARM Open Sunday 1-5 Intersection of West College & Whitehall Roa ou can win! of their choice The Daily Collegian Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1986-7 out the gate crashers. For the opening act, every pop star alive will sing a song called Jesus, Well Gosh You're So Awesome, written by Sting and Phil Collins. Next, Evil Knevil and a cow will jump over the moon in a Harley. Naturally, it will not work. Jesus will emerge from a wall of light and other really neat things coreographed by Steven Spiel berg. (God would do it for free but the unions won't let him). It will be good. Jesus will feed everyone off of two plates of nachos and four boxes of stale popcorn, make the usual speeches, and then all will leave with their I Heart Jesus T-shirts in tow. (For $2O each). Next Jesus will go on his world tour. Don King will line up other dieties for Jesus to match up with. After trouncing Buddah and kicking Krish na's ass all over India, Jesus will meet the ultimate test, Allah and the Islamic Holy War for better television. Don King will purchase a moon of Saturn from Donald Trump and shuttle us all up there, after numerous blessings of the 0-Rings of course. Call it wild speculation if you will. Stranger things have happened. They're happening right now in fact. The strange thing about it is that no one notices. No one questions anybody about ultimate motives when the tool is religon. Maybe we should. Brian Schafer is a senior majoring in Health Planning Administration and a columnist for The Daily Collegian. His column appears every other Wednesday. INN Receive
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