opinions
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The real thing • •
.
The problem behind the W-4 is that Con- They should do what Coca-Cola did when
gress is demanding this more exact esti- the public rebelled against its "new Coke" a
mate as drastic revisions of the tax code couple of years ago. They should ditch the
take effect. . . . That makes about as much . new W-4 entirely, reinstitute the 80 percent
sense as, well, serving a soft drink in a withholding estimate and restore some
plate. thing as close as possible to the "classic"
Instead of pursuing this doomed enter- two-page withholding form that served the
prise, Congress, Treasury Secretary James public well enough for so many years.
Baker and the IRS should cut their losses. . The Dispatch, Union, New Jersey
Overboard , , •
No. Bin the American Bill of Rights is a than four tons of cocaine, jumped $5.5
provision against holding a prisoner under million bond. . . . Law is properly rooted in
"excessive bail." Even discounting the dol- tradition and precedent. But it must stay
lar's diminished value over 200 years, all of current with reality. When dealing with
our founding fathers would agree that a $5.5 criminals to whom a few million dollars is a
million bond would be excessive. laugh, maybe it should think of, billion-dol-
A few weeks ago, a Colombian national, lar bails.
facing trial in Florida for importing more The Tulsa Tribune
. . .
•
Overstepping bounds
U.S. District Judge W. Brevard Hand has The textbooks were questioned, in part,
far, far overstepped the bounds of judicial for the valid reason that they made little or
authority in banning 45 textbooks from no mention of the role of religion, or several
general use in the public schools of Ala- religions, in
.the formation and continuity of
bama. this nation. • .
Hand's ruling defines as religion a set of . But that is a matter for the people and
non-religious practices and beliefs that are their public school establishments at the
poorly defined, even by avowed practition- state and local level to take up. It is not a
ers, as secular humanism. place for a judge to interject his own beliefs
His is not a sensible definition, and it or assert that the irreligious practices of
seems certain to be struck down as if by others constitute a religion.
lightning by a higher court. The Knoxville Journal, Knoxville, Tenn
Being blunt • . . • .
Let's be blunt about this. The decision by turned, it could wreak havoc for educators
U.S. District Judge W. Brevard Hand to ' everywhere in the meantime. . . . He has
purge Alabama public schools of textbooks offered temporary encouragement to liti
alleged to promote "secular humanism" is gious book-banners from coast to coast.
bizarre, yet unsurprising. The judge's ec- Their cases ultimately will fail. But until
centric ideas on freedom of religion have they do, the shadow of legal action will
become notorious. harass and intimidate countless schools.
While his decision surely will be over- The Atlanta Constitution
y
ti i l l e Collegian Managing Editor Bob King
Lori
Opinion Editor Terry Mutchler Spossey
Accounting Manager K.
da C. McClure
Assistant Opinion Editor Jim Higgins Office Manager Curt Sayers
Editorial Writers Assistant Office Manager Kelly Moffat
Friday April 17, 1987 Donna Saber, Kathy Casey, . Sales Manager Joe Palastro
.01987 Collegian Inc. Christine Negiey Layout Coordinator Annie Corson
News Editors Marketing Manager
Phil Galewitz, James Stewart Dante Orazzi 111
Chris Raymond CopylWire Editors Assistant Marketing Manager
Editor Susan Kearney, Theresa Pancoast Kristy Burgess
Glenn B. Rougier ' Eric Schmidt, Damon Chappie
Town Editor Christine Metzger Complaints: News and editorial corn-
Assistant Town Editor . plaints should be presented to the editor.
Jane Kopacki Business and advertising complaints
The Daily Collegian's editorial opin- Campus Editor Nancy Funk should be presented to the business
ion is determined by its Board of Assistant Campus Editor manager. If a complaint is not satisfacto-
Carolyn Sorisio rily resolved, grievances may be filed
Opinion, with the editor holding Sports Editor Matt Herb with the Accuracy and Fair Play Commit
final responsibility. Opinions ex- Assistant Sports Editors tee of Collegian Inc. Information on filing
pressed on the editorial pages are Rob Biertempfel, Bob Williams grievances is available from. Gerry Lynn
not necessarily those of The Daily • • Stacey Jacobson Hamilton, executive secretary, Collegian
Collegian, Collegian Inc. or The Arts Editor Beth Brestensky • Inc.
Pennsylvania State University. Assistant Arts Editor Ron Swegman
Collegian Inc., publishers of The Science Editor Kathi Dodson Letters Policy: The Daily Collegian en-
Graphics Editor Tony Ciccareili courages comments on news coverage,
Daily Collegian and related publica- Photo Editor Cristy Rickard editorial policy and University affairs.
tions, is a separate corporate insti- Letters must be typewritten, double-
Assistant Photo Editor Dan Oleski
double
tution from Penn State. spaced and no longer than one and one
. Board of Managers half pages. Forums must also be type
written, double-spaced and no longer
Board of Editors Assistant Business Manager than three pages.
True Gert
Armchair advice for all of those mystified readers and even the anonymous believers
The Daily Collegian presents "Dear
Gert," the woman with all the answers.
Well, almost all the answers. She still
doesn't know how people cannot like jazz,
how Reagan and Nixon got elected, since no
one will admit to voting for them, or how to
spell "onomatopoeia." So now you know
what not to ask her.
Questions for Gert can be sent to the
Collegian care of Angela Vietto, who really
needed the week off to finish an important
and time consuming project. (She's helping
with a study on the effects of taped presi
dential speeches on rats it is hoped the
researchers will soon develop a mind-numb
ing weapon more effective than chemical
warfare. But she'll be back next week.)
Dear Gert,
I know your column is mainly for advice,
Cvvi cb
4i°
• • •
but you seem so intelligent, I hope you won't
mind if we ask you something just for
general information. My friends and I have
really been debating this question, so we
thought we would ask you. What exactly is, it
that USG does? Do they really do anything,
or do they just talk a lot about what they
need to do and how hard everything is?
Mystified in McElwain
Dear Mystified,
Good question. I suppose we shouldn't be
too hard on them, since their hands are
basically tied in those same ropes that tie
them to the University, but I do find it
amusing that everyone worries so much
about who's elected, since I can't think of
any significant way any of them could affect
my life. Maybe a philosophy course is in
order. Sorry, I don't really know all the
mysteries of the universe,
Dear Gert,
I have a nasty problem, and I thought
maybe you could help me with it. I know
God exists, and I want to tell everyone about
it. 4 keep writing these letters to The Colle
gian, but they don't seem to be changing
anybody's mind. What should I do next?
Believer in Brumbaugh
Dear Believer,
First of all, keep God out of the opinion
page. There's about as much point in writ-
ing letters-to-the-editor debating the exis
tence of God as there is in writing letters-to
the-editor about whether or not the refriger
ator light stays on when you shut the door,
or about how boneless chickens walk.
If you still feel the need to convince people
of your beliefs, I guess the best idea is to
stand out on the street and scream your
head off. It's a time-honored tradition, and I
don't think anyone has come up with any
thing else as effective. It doesn't change
anyone's mind, but it'll make you feel like
you're doing something, and if you do it long
enough, you'll probably start to feel like a
martyr.
Dear Gert,
I'm in a real jam. I've examined all the
facts, and concluded that God does not
exist. I've also determined that belief in
God can be dangerous to your health, so I
feel the need to enlighten the world. I've
tried writing letters to The Collegian, but
they don't seem to be changing anybody's
mind. How can I make these fools wake up?
Scientific in Shunk
Dear Scientific,
Keep God out of the opinion page. It's an
old argument, sort of like the meaning of
life. I might think that the meaning of life
can be discovered by staring at the sky for
hours and hours and thinking about how you
r. P
1
, I
WE 2 le LOOk'ING- C=OQ A FEW GOOD MEN.
reader opinion
Saving lives
A million thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who
worked to make the American Cancer Society's Daffodil
Days such a success. This delightful event will net
approximately $20,000 toward American Cancer Society
programs of research, education and patient services.
Deserving of special thanks are the folks at: Federal
Express, Hickey Beverage, Nastase Beverage, students
and staff from Penn's Valley, Bald Eagle, State College
and Bellefonte schools, Sally and Jed Doyle, Mary Beth
Carlin, the brothers of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity,
Dottie Weaverling, Marty Donoughue, Doris Raup, Diana
and Paul Dietrich, The Senior Citizens of Centre Hall,
State College, Snow Shoe and Bellefonte, Jim Farwell, the
Centre Daily Times, Margaret Burris, Jane Moore,
Barbara Vandermark, all of our wonderful delivery
volunteers, and those of you who bought or sold our
beautiful golden daffodils.
It is worth remembering during' April, Cancer Control
Month, that the daffodil is the American Cancer Society's
symbol of hope the hope of wiping out cancer in our
lifetime.
This can only be accomplished through the continuation
of our research and education programs which are
supported by events such as Daffodil Days and and the
April Residential Crusade
We deeply appreciate Centre County's tremendous
response and involvement in our on-going cancer control
efforts. Together we will save lives!
Irene Gelman
, President
Centre County Unit, American Cancer Society
end?
The
Affirmitive Action has been a recent topic of debate; as
well it should be. It is my belief that the courts are getting
carried away with the implimentation of Affirmitive
Action in the work force.
In a recent decision, the court declared public agencies
could promote a qualified woman over a more qualified
can never know what another person really
is. But I don't think I could convince some
'one of that who believes that the meaning of
life is using chemicals to make the light
brighter and the colors more colored, or
waking up next to a different person every
morning in search of that perfect half-min
ute, or five BMWs and a build-it-yourself log
cabin with easy access to a mall. So I don't
try.
And I think your case is about as hopeless.
I don't really know what to tell you, either.
If you really think religion can be harmful
to your health, maybe you should take your
findings to the surgeon general. I suppose
you could try street preaching. Maybe you
could make it a street debate. Or just read
about all the lonely atheists and agnostics of
history. This could probably make you feel
very dignified and intellectual, and possibly
convince you to be satisfied with just believ
ing what you believe.
Dear Gert,
I've got,a problem, I don't know if you can
help or not, but I thought it couldn't hurt to
try. I've been really depressed lately, and
sometimes I start to think how easy it would
be if I just didn't have to wake up tomorrow.
My problems aren't exactly trivial, I don't
think it's not like I'm failing a class or my
boyfriend left me or anything. It's so much
more than anything like that. And it's not
The Daily Collegian
Friday, April 17, 1987
EMEI
white man even if the agency had not previously engaged
in sex discrimination:
Affirmitive Action was originally brought about to
abolish discrimination, yet the discrimination now occurs
against white males of society. This is not right.
Affirmitive Action began so minorities such as Blacks
and Hispanics could receive preference in an employ
ment opportunity over a White person. Now, females may
legally receive promotions over White males.
Where does it end?
Soon, older people are going to be able to aquire a job
over a younger person. Next, the Gay Community may
demand that homosexuals be given Affirmative Action.
In any case, young, white males, like myself, have a
reason to be concerned.
Mish mush
Re: John Orr's Column of 4/16/87
Kreem uv Weet, the Divinity of Mush, has commanded
me, his oracle, to commend you, John Orr, on your recent
column. Thou hast fufilled Kreem's Commandments:
1. Thou Shalt Beg the Question!
2. Thou Shalt . Oversimplify What Thou Refuseth to
Understand!
3. Thou Shalt Hyperbolically Rely on Hyperbole!
4. Thou Shalt Belabor the Dead Horse!
5. Last, you have especially pleased Kreem's son,
Scaircroe, by fufilling the Greatest Mush Command
ment: Thou Shalt Love and Utilize Thy Brothers, The
Straw Men!
Blessed be thou, John Orr, for thou has wasted much of
thy readers' time and many trees that furnish newsprint.
Well done! May thou dwell in Kreem's House of Sofistree
all the days of thy life.
From a manuscript discovered
near the Carnegie Building by:
just one thing, either. It's that my mother
drinks, it's that my father beats her. It's
that people kill other people and get away
with it, and 14-year-old girls kill old women
for 10 dollars to buy drugs. And when I try to
talk to people, they just tell me to cheer up.
And there are even people who think it's all
a big joke, and that if I want to kill myself I
ought to, since it'll just be one less person in
the world. Maybe they're right. Maybe it
doesn't matter. What do you think?
Dear Anonymous,
I think that first of all, they're wrong. It's
not a joke. It does matter. I also think that
life is hard, but the jokers who would have
you believe that there's nothing but death
and destruction are wrong too. I think you
need to get professional help. I think you
need to find a way to see that there's more
than what you think to life before you make
any kind of final decision. And I think you
need to remember that people who would ~
tell you that killing yourself is a joke proba
bly don't deserve to be alive anyway, but
you don't see them committing suicide, do
you?
Angela Vietto is a sophomore majoring in
English and is a columnist for The Daily
Collegian. Her column appears every Fri
day.
1, 11
tZuzs..s9,
Charles Gray
freshman-liberal arts
Randall Beeler
graduate-English
Anonymous
"SU astronauts say their dream is still alive
By BRAD GIBSON
Collegian Staff Writer
For some, the dream of exploring space with
complete safety disappeared in a fireball 74
seconds into the space shuttle Challenger's
final mission. But two University alumni, both
shuttle astronauts, still believe in that dream.
Paul Joseph Weitz Jr., deputy director of the
Johnson Space Center and a member of the
crew that spent 28 days in Skylab in 1973, and
Col. Guion Stewart "Guy" Bluford Jr., a
mission specialist for the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration, believe the U.S.
space program has infinite bounds.
Neither man could describe his desire to fly
in the shuttle. But the desire is there, and it is
shared by many of the astronauts in the
program.
"We could have found 10 crews to fly a week
after the accident," said Weitz, a 1954 graduate
with a bachelor's degree in aerospace
engineering.
The future
Before the Challenger exploded, NASA had
planned to increase U.S. space technology. One
such program was a permanent, multipurpose
space station.
Program planners hoped to stimulate new
technologies, enhance space-based operational
capabilities and help maintain the United
States' leadership in space during the 19905.
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Before the accident, the estimated date of
deployment was the early 19905.
Though NASA has suffered significant
setbacks, both alumni are still optimistic about
NASA's future, which, Bluford said, has two
main priorities.
The main goal is to get the shuttle flying
again, said the 1964 aerospace engineering
graduate. The second part is to develop a space
station.
"If we don't have a shuttle in the air there's
no reason for a space station and the space
'station program will die," Weitz said.
The shuttle will also continue to provide
support for the Defense Department, though
the department is moving away from relying
on NASA, Bluford said.
In a recent Congressional report, the Defense
Department concerned about relying on the
shuttle as the primary means of placing
satellites in orbit cited other means of
achieving orbit, such as using expendable
rockets and Titan II missiles. The department
planned to launch four additional expendable
vehicles per year, the report said.
The shuttle's future is not meant to be used
for commercial services, Weitz said, adding
that NASA is cutting public services to entice
the private sector to develop a separate shuttle
program as a privately owned business.
However, Weitz said he doesn't think cutting
public services is the right way to go about
building a private program.
The shuttle will be defense- and science-
oriented, Weitz said. Scientists want to use the
space station for astronomy and biological
experiments.
Costs of the program
The accident on Jan. 28, 1986, stirred doubt
about the costs of the space program, both
financially and in terms of human life.
Weitz said reducing NASA's budget,,an idea
debated in Washington, would be a mistake.
NASA has an $8 billion budget, or 0.8 percent
of the national debt, he said, adding: "Most of
the money doesn't go towards the shuttle.
Ninety-two percent is used to pay wages."
About 100,000 contract workers receive
wages for working on the shuttle, and NASA
employs 25,000 workers. Cutting the budget
would put many people out of work, Weitz said.
The U.S. Senate proposed a bill in March 1986
that would allow NASA to accept donations for
constructing a new orbiter, which would cost
about $2.4 billion. NASA is now not permitted to
accept donations for a specific program.
The accident also prompted a re-evaluation
of NASA's goals. Before the disaster, the
government estimated that NASA could make
26 to 32 fully loaded shuttle launches per year in
the early 19905.
A 32-launch schedule would include up to 10
launches for the planned space station, six to
seven civilian launches, five for the Strategic
Defense Initiative if deployed, and 11 for the
Defense Department.
The second half of the 1990 s would bring a
greater number of launches, the report said
"The First National Bank of Centre Hall will pay 1
me $lO if its computers make a mistake?
,e First National Bank of Centre
provide our customers with the best po
service for their convenience. But we're
human, too, and sometimes we make a mi
that may tie up a customer's account for awhile.
during the time it takes to solve the problem, thk
subjected to some unnecessary and downright annoying inconvenience. So to ease the situation a little, the L
National Bank of Centre Hall will make you an offer you won't want to refuse: If you bounce a check and our
records show that the mistake is yours, then you have to pay the current overdraft fee just like at any other
bank. But if the mistake is ours, we pay you $lO for your trouble, and you can forget about the overdraft fee we
pick that up, too.
Now that's a deal you won't find at other banks. But then the First National Batik of Centre Hall isn't like other
banks. Our customers come first not our computers.
People jg g s p ri,NATIONAL BANK
1 111 1911
MEMBER
FDIC
Since the accident, NASA has not done a lot,
Weitz said, adding that NASA is "marking
time."
NASA had to endure the Rogers Commission
and a congressional investigation. NASA also
needed to find a focus and make decisions that
could not be made overnight, he said.
However, Weitz said, NASA has "changed its
way of doing things" and is instituting a
functional safety process for both the space
vehicles and ground crews.
The Rogers Commission recommended that
NASA implement an office of Safety,
Reliability and Quality Assurance that would
be independent of other NASA functional and
program responsibilities. •
"NASA had gotten complacent. We had
relaxed in that area (of safety)," Weitz said,
predicting that the mechanism for identifying
the risks will be better next time.
Risk assessment, the process of analyzing
danger, is always being studied, but all the
information necessary might not be available,
he said. The assessment is part of the flying
game, Weitz said.
Bluford and Weitz both said they are anxious
to fly again. The next mission is scheduled for
February 1988 with the shuttle Discovery.
The possibility of an accident always existed,
but Weitz said, "You don't consciously think
about it.
"Do you worry about driving from
Philadelphia to State College? Do you worry
about swimming?" he asked.
X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
TO AN INFORMAL DISCUSSION
WITH
DR. HENRY P. ABDOLL
Head, Liaison Department
University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
IDR ,
. MERLIN C. MEHL
Professor of Physics
University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
XMONDAY, APRIL 20; 1987 7:30 P.M. X
x
Paul Robeson Cultural Center
§
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx x
ou can't argue
machine and w
can you?"
Yes, you can
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