opinions
editorial opinion
Don't waste time
One man's garbage is another man's
treasure so goes the adage but Penn
sylvania legislators seem to disagree now
that the time has come to decide where they
will store the low-level radioactive waste
from neighboring states.
Three-and-a-half years ago, Pennsylva
nia entered into the Appalachian Compact,
an agreement with Maryland, Delaware
and West Virginia that provided for the
disposal of low-level radioactive waste from
each state in a single location.
Under the guidelines of a federal man
date, Pennsylvania was designated as the
initial location for the disposal facility be
cause it is the largest producer of low-level
waste among those states. Thus far, no site
has been agreed upon.
Before the disposal facility can be con
structed, the site must be licensed and
regulated by the Department of Enviro
mental Resources and approved by the
Conservation Committee of the House of
Representatives. At this moment it appears
that legislators are dragging their collec
tive feet on the issue.
The committee is still debating measures
for preventing non-compact states from
dumping their waste at the site and the
WHATEvEP. HAPPENED To CAD oeT - A6T - E gyro
-- n o L I t 44 , moirrif wArEieitio , you) , giutome V
reader opinion
Anti-American
It appears that the list of qualifications
necessary to become a Collegian editor in
cludes an almost total ignorance of history
and a virulent anti-American, anti-Reagan
ideology. Your editorial opinion published
Oct. 22 was so full of inaccuracies and errors,
that it truly stuns the mind.
First of all, the Reagan administration has
not "paraded U.S. forces through foreign
waters forcing the Ayatollah Khomeni to play
his hand. - The U.S. Navy has maintained a
constant force in the Persian Gulf since 1949
The Persian Gulf. and surrounding land
area, have long been considered a vital area
to our national interest and to that of our
allies. This was the basis of the Carter Doc
trine in the late 19705.
The U.S. naval forces are not in "foreign
waters," but are maintaining the open pas
sage of petroleum through international wa
ters in accordance with international waters.
Your unfavorable comparison of the pre
sent Persion Gulf situation to the Korean and
Veitnam wars shows an ignorance of both the
history of those conflicts. and of the present
conditions under the communist rule of North
Korea and Vietnam.
Today, while South Korea makes slow
progress toward participatory democracy
and has a booming economy, North Korea
and Vietnam stand as probably the two most
oppressive and totalitarian states in the
world.
The Reagan administration invaded Gre
nada to save American lives from harm.
Today there is democracy in Grenada, where
once there was a Stalinistic dictatorship. The
Reagan administration retaliated against
Libya after the cowardly murder of Ameri
can citizens. Libya, after years of promoting
terrorism, now stands quiet.
Anyone with an elementary-school intellect
most recent plan still has significant flaws,
according to the testimony given at a recent
hearing here in State College.
A federal mandate says that all states
must enact legislation establishing a low
level radioactive waste disposal program
by Jan. 1, 1988 and establish operational
sites by 1993.
If Pennsylvania misses the Jan. 1 dead
line, which seems likely, then the producers
of the waste will have to pay $l2 million to
dispose of waste in states that already have
sites. The producers will lose access to
those disposal sites at the end of 1988, and be
left with nowhere to put their low-level
radioactive waste.
Priorities appear to be somewhat skewed
in the decision-making process. As time
runs out, the committee is still trying to
determine policies that will apply to a site
they haven't even determined the location
of yet.
It is unlikely that any community in the
commonwealth will voluntarily offer a site
for waste disposal, but a decision must be
made in order to prevent the consequences
of a missed deadline. The committee must
take public input seriously and then make a
decision on the site quickly.
should be able to see that America's vital
interests concern "free international waters"
in the Persian Gulf.
I am glad that the Collegian is willing to let
any petty dictator, such as Khomeni, run the
United States out of international waters. The
Collegian once again stands at the forefront
of unthinking anti-Americanism.
No warning
Be careful when you go outside today or
you might accidentally break a law. Who
knows, maybe it will be illegal to carry back
packs on one shoulder. And when Mr. Police
Officer stops you, don't expect a warning.
Why should the police set a precedent by
giving you a warning when they can write you
a ticket or citation? After all. warnings don't
create any revenue for the borough.
If the above scenario sounds improbable,
read on: Yesterday. I was riding my skate
board down Calder Way. A police cruiser
turned up the street and stopped me. The
officer explained to me that riding a skate
board in State College is now illegal. I tried to
explain to the officer that I had been riding
my skateboard to class for the entire semes
ter without being bothered. Unfortunately. he
was too busy writing a ticket to hear me.
Naturally. the next logical step was to take
the matter up with the District Magistrate. I
explained what the circumstances were when
I got the ticket. He then told me that the
Centre Daily Times has been running almost
two articles per week describing the new
laws on bicycles and skateboards.
I told him that I was really happy for the
Centre Daily Times, but that I don't sub
scribe to it. He then told me that there are a
Edward C. Ewing
junior-political science
lot of laws on record that he doesn't know
about which would be illegal for him to break.
Sure . . the only difference is that it
probably wouldn't cost him a cent if he did
break them. The students of Penn State, on
the other hand, should expect no mercy.
I realize that ignorance is no excuse when it
comes to laws. But is it too much to ask that a
person receives a warning when the situation
warrants it? State College police carry their
citation books around like demigods wielding
Thor's Hammer.
The judiciousless administration of the
laws by the police exacts a toll on both the
image of the police, and more importantly,
the students' bank accounts. So for every day
henceforth, be sure you run down to the police
station and make sure you aren't about to
break any new laws. Especially since you
can't expect any consideration from the po
'lice.
Clark Updike
senior-engineering science
Central America
On Oct. 22, we had the chance to witness
Rick Wetzel's commitment to the U.S. back
ing of the - freedom fighters" in Nicaragua.
He also informs us that his stomach "turned"
when he read about President Arias' recep
tion of the Noble Peace Prize.
One could comment laconically "too bad"
about his feelings if they would not reflect
such a widespread Western ( American? )
understanding of politics. The criticism that
is being held against Arias' peace plan is that
it has not brought any improvements yet.
This is the least valid argument because this
ambitious plan is trying to bring democracy
to countries that are used to the alternation of
dictatorships and their overthrow.
First, it shows complete ignorance of these
How the Dud Index works at
smokey drinking establishments
I had a revelation recently, one
that you may find hard to believe.
especially coming from a man
known for his lack of fun. I call it
my Dud Index. Well, I'm a changed
man. If my word isn't good enough,
let me tell you about how it hap
pened.
It was a rather usual day for me,
a Thursday I think it was. I was
watching an enthralling episode of
Superior Court, depressing myself
with cynicism, feeling powerless to
achieve a deeper sense of con
sciousness on this shallow planet.
In short, I was feeling sorry for
myself.
At that moment, my phone rang.
An omen? "John, how'd you like to
join us for a few beers down at one
of the local fun-filled, poorly lit,
chokingly smokey drinking estab
lishments? It'll be rockin'. We have
fake i.d."
Sure enough, it was an old friend
with whom I hadn't spoken since
one of the Phi Psi's a few years
back, when a bunch of us classier
guys got crazy and dressed up.
- Well, I'd like to," I said, "but the
world is such an unhappy place and
it seems that all I can do lately is
ponder how to make it better. I
think I should stay home and work
on it some more."
"Maybe you need a break. Why
don't you join us for a while? It's
been so long since you've seen us
wasted so bad that we pee in potted
plants and our tongues swell to
three times their normal size.
Come on, it'll be fun."
I don't know what it was, but a
light shone in my eyes, a vision of a
tall frosty one appeared, and I felt
compelled, as if possessed, to say
yes.
I hadn't tasted alcohol in over
two years, so the first sips of beer
were rather pungent. By the time I
sipped my way to a second bottle,
however, I was feeling a little light
headed and, for lack of a better
word, fun.
The bar was smokey and loud
with the sounds of Huey, Bryan and
an, Collegian
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 1987
1987 Collegian Inc.
Editor
Chris Raymond
Business Manager
Glenn B. Rougier
The Daily Collegian's 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.
Complaints: News and editorial complaints should be presented
to the editor. Business and advertising complaints should be
efforts, when a democratic nation like the
United States is supporting a civil war in
Nicaragua, and undermines its sovereignity.
Secondly, the United States hindered the
Sandinista government from the beginning to
develop a democratic and just society, by
arming the opponents, the supporters of the
former dictator Somoza. Therefore Wetzel is
wrong when he claims that there was no real
improvement in the people's lives. What
about efforts to improve medical care, food
supply (i.e. daily milk for school kids >, and
the abolishment of a century-long
dictatorship? What about the commitment of
the Nicaraguans to the Sandinistas?
This was of course years ago, when there
was no civil war. But this is not a criteria to
judge the improvements or worsening of
living conditions. The Sandinistas were chal
lenged to defend their legitimate government
against underground rebels before they even
had a chance to start a peaceful way to
democracy.
If the two superpowers, and the United
States in this case, would finally dare to
acknowledge the sovereignity of the less
developed countries. and would not fight an
ideological war at the expense of the rest of
the world. then we will probably witness that
the peace plan for Latin America becomes
reality.
Sodomy law
In response to the headline article of
Wednesday. Oct. 14, 1987. "Thousands pro
test sodomy law," it is apparent that there
are intolerable discrepancies.
It is bad enough that in truth, the police
wore rubber gloves to make arrests at the
Supreme Court. This fact in your report is not
Bon Jovi, as any worthwhile bar
would be. Game 4 of the World
Series was on the TV and over the
ironic beauty of "Happy to be
Stuck with You," I heard an argu
ment that would have put a smile
on the face of Socrates himself.
,k
*
a ;
"Listen, Dick," said the first
man to his co-drinker, confusing
me as to whether he was calling
him by nickname or body part.
"what is it about you that insists on
being so superficial as to demean
this nectar of the gods as merely
'Less Filling'? Damn it, man, this
stuff Tastes Great!"
- Aw, please, Ralph," said Dick's
intellectual mirror, confusing me
as to whether he was calling him by
name or by what he was about to
do, "it tastes okay, but who are you
kidding? The very fact that you can
drink four cases of it over the
course of one game illustrates my
point brilliantly you can do that
precisely because it is Less
Filling."
- Tastes Great."
"Less Filling."
"TASTES GREAT."
"LESS FILLING."
Compelling is the only word to
describe this meeting of the minds.
I was spellbound. Riveted. Nau
seated. And then it hit me; how
could I have been so ignorant and
naive? This is what it's all about.
I was working on my 17th broos
kie by now and loving it. I lit up a
Marlboro, barfed on the shoes of a
fellow guzzler who was so banzaied
that he didn't even notice, and I
finally felt as though I fit in. I
belonged.
My friends and I were talking
presented to the business manager. If a complaint is not
satisfactorily resolved, grievances may be filed with the Accura
cy and Fair Play Committee of Collegian Inc Information on
filing grievances is available from Gerry Lynn Hamilton. exec
utive secretary, Collegian Inc
Letters Policy: The Daily Collegian encourages comments on
news coverage. editorial policy and University affairs. Letters
must be typewritten. double-spaced and no longer than one and
one-half pages. Forums must also be typewritten. double-spaced
and no longer than three pages.
Students' letters should include semester standing, 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. Letters should be signed by no more than two people.
Names may be withheld on request.
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 guarantee publication of all the
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Daily Collegian: 126 Carnegie Building. All authors must be
present with picture identification either University ID or
photo drivers liscense
Britta K. Martini
graduate-political science
The Daily Collegia
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 1987
commodities and how it is such a
great line of work because there
are so many good-looking chicks. I
was pretty well oiled and found a
break in the discussion of Citicorp
versus E.F.Hutton to thank my
friend for inviting me to get blitzed
with him and whoever the hell else
was sitting at our table. I loved
these guys.
"You know." I garbled. "this is
tne first time I've ever had FUN.
And you know what else? I owe it
all to you."
i
y ~-~ ~~~t
"Don't thank me. Brode. It's the
beer."
"Yeah, I guess it's not who
you're with that matters, as long as
there's enough beer to get every
one trashed. Beer is so important.
It's even better at bringing people
together than Jesse Jackson."
Who?"
To our right, a group of beer
mates were reading from The Cat
in the Hat, by Dr. Seuss. These
representatives of Penn State's in
telligentsia were apparently cele
brating the Cat's 30th birthday with
a commemorative drinking game,
for every rhyme was punctuated
by the celebratory "Chug-Chug-
Chug" of its participants. I looked
on with envy as Thing Two and
Thing One gave such pleasure once
again to these exemplary adults.
Damn. To think that I've wasted
almost a quarter-century dwelling
on such burdensome issues as rac
ism, sexism, and homophobia.
Those things mean nothing when
you're out having fun destroying
public property and not getting
caught.
Beer is my god, and the bars of
the world its temples. Join me:
"Our Beverage, which art in 12-
packs. . . "
John Brodeur is a graduate stu
dent majoring in counselor educa
tion and is a columnist for The
Daily Collegian. He reads his own
column every other Tuesday with a
beer in hand and another chilling in
the fridge.
a journalism problem but a statement about
the ludicrous paranoia of the Washington.
D.C. police faced with a non-violent protest.
This is an issue in and of itself.
The problematic issue which is evidenced
in your article, however, is the second to last
paragraph. The entire article reports events
of a demonstration against an anti-sodomy
law. Why then, is there inserted a totally
unrelated paragraph about how there is no•
cure for AIDS? Is this an attempt by the
media to sensationalize an otherwise unexcit
ing event a demonstration? Is this yet
another example of an attempt to pigeonhole
the AIDS disease exclusively with homosex
uals?
Let me point out, for anyone who would like
to believe otherwise. that the entire week of
demonstration in Washington, D.C. was not
an AIDS issue. It was a civil rights issue.
Information regarding AIDS or a lack of a
known medical cure for it has no business in a
report about a civil rights protest.
I cannot know if The Daily Collegian has
edited out any of Ms. Cassata's original re
port which might have somehow attempted to
relate the two issues. or if The Daily Colle
gian simply condones this poor journalism of
confusing two clear-cut issues.
I am not expressing any personal opinions
about political denomstartions, AIDS, homo
sexualiyty or sodomy. I am, however, irate
over the inclusion of this unnecessary infor
mation which, in this case, makes an erro
neous connection between public health and
civil rights issues.
Editor's note The article the letter writer
is referring to was written by Associated
Press Staff Writer Donna Cassata. Cassata is
not a member of The Daily Collegian.
E. Ann Sandberg
graduate-theatre