The Daily Collegian
Editorial Opinion
A different tune
PSU must remember education
in its quest for defense contracts
A tune popular with some Univer
sity administrators and faculty
members made its move on the
charts this year, up one notch from
number five to number four.
The song is titled “Defense Con
tracts” and the U.S. Department of
Defense plays the role of the D.J.,
deciding how much air time or in
this case, how much money each
institution receives.
The University netted about $54
million in defense money for its
research programs during the 1989-
90 academic year, according to
defense department figures. That’s
about $7 million more than last
year, bumping the University up
one place on the Top 10 list to fourth
nationwide in defense contracts.
Although Penn State’s ranking
impresses many faculty members
and students, it causes others to sing
the blues. The University must try
to achieve a harmony between both
groups by balancing research and
academics.
Those who question defense
research say that an over-emphasis
on research can take away from
classroom funding and teaching.
They also ask if the University’s
participation in weapons research
is contradictory to its inherent mis
sion to better humanity through
education.
On the other hand, research pro
ponents say most defense work at
the University is not “top secret”
and many projects benefit society,
bringing new commercial products
to the marketplace and creating
more jobs.
Some projects have multiple uses,
Quotable Quotes
Next year at this time, I wouldn't be surprised
to count 15 or 20 decisions that would have gone
the other way had Brennan still been on the
court. Northwestern University law professor
Lawrence Marshall on the future of the Supreme
Court.
It would have been good “Perry Mason” dra
ma, “L.A. Law" drama, but I’m not about “Per
ry Mason" drama. My spirits are high; my
defense is on course. District of Columbia
Mayor Marion Barry on why he didn’t testify at
his trial.
It’s said that if you can’t say something good always in control. Deputy press secretary
about a dead person, don’t say it. Well, I cons id- Alixe Glen on President Bush’s weekend sea out
er him dead. Supreme Court Justice Thur- ing.
Curiouser and curiouser
Alice awoke on the grassy banks of
a large river. She rubbed her eyes,
yawned, and blinked a few times to
force things into focus.
“It is such a bother when one can’t
see properly,” she muttered. “I wonder
where. . .oh,goodness! Hello!”
Sitting just a few feet from her head
and eyeing her in the most peculiar way
was a large bird with shockingly blond
hair.
My Opinion
i,
Jesse Fox
Mayshark
“Good morning,” Alice said. “Must
you stare? It’s hardly polite, you know.”
The bird didn’t say anything, so Alice
went on. “I don’t suppose you could tell
me where exactly I’ve gotten to I
seem to keep losing track. ”
Hie bird smiled, showing shiny white
teeth; “Why, you’re at the Great White
House, .of course. On the banks of the
Topomac. . . er, Pomonac, you know.
I’m important here.”
“Are you quite sure?” Alice asked. “I
don’t see a house at all.”
“Oh, sure,” the bird said. “Oh, sure.
There’s definitely a house here. I’m
important here. A proud son of the
Quails, you know their pride and joy,
their Danny boy.”
Alice stood up to get a better view, but
still couldn’t see a house. The grass
benefiting both the military and the
public sector. Meteorological equip
ment developed for the navy, for
instance, can be used by weather
stations. Likewise, laser cladding
developed here can be used to
refurbish worn train axles.
It is true that such research is
vital to the University in attracting
and keeping qualified faculty on the
forefront of emerging technologies.
Accepting research contracts also
assists the University in fulfilling its
dual educational mission offering
research opportunities to students
while at the same time maintaining
its academic prowess.
But there is a point at which the
University’s hunger for research
dollars should not outweigh other
concerns. Quality classroom educa
tion is essential to undergraduate
students, and should not be sacri
ficed because professors are devot
ing time to research projects.
Also, when dealing with the devel
opment of military technology,
researchers should consider care
fully the possible long-term effects
of each contract they accept.
Perhaps the University should be
content with its fourth-place rank
ing and begin recording new songs,
especially as events in the world
may reduce the need for America’s
military spending.
Obviously, the benefits of
research in a university setting can
be great. However, Penn State
should make sure it is not playing
the same song over and over again,
at the expense of equally important
tunes.
good Marshall on President George Bush, in an
interview broadcast on ABC’s “Primetime
Live.”
She complained she was freezing very much
last night, so I packed her a couple of pillows and
some silk covers and took it in to jail so she’s not
going to freeze tonight. Zsa Zsa Gabor’s hus
band Frederick von Anhalt on the celebrity’s
first night in jail.
I cannot tell you whether there was any fish
caught. Regardless, the president's boat was
went on for a few hundred yards, and
then stopped at a huge brick wall. Alice
was about to ask what was on the other
side of the wall, but before she could a
high-pitched voice cut her off.
“Danny? Danny? You’re not talking
to strangers are you?” The voice appar
ently was coming from a cluster of
large, leafy bushes a few yards away.
“You know how we feel about the secu
rity thing here.”
“Oh, gosh,” the bird said. “No, Uncle
George. Gosh, no. I was, um, interrogat
ing her.” He hopped across the lawn to
the bushes, and whispered something
to one of them. Alice, a little confused,
stood where she was. The bird came
hopping back.
“George wants to talk to you,” he
said. “Come on, hurry up. He’s impor
tant here.”
“Oh, all right,” Alice said, “but I
hardly see the sense in talking to a
bush.”
When she reached the well-pruned
shrubbery, she curtsied and introduced
herself.
“Oh, George,” the smaller of the
bushes said, “it’s a little girl. Oh, isn’t
she sweet?”
“Now, Bar,” the second bush replied
quickly, “let’s not jump to any kind of
conclusions that may or may not be
prudent to undertake at this time. We
need to approach this situation, as any
other, with caution and a certain degree
of willingness to accept whatever find
ings may be found.
“Now,” he said to Alice, “what, uh,
what kind of service may we be able to
supply you with, although I certainly
can’t guarantee anything based on the
fact that we don’t currently have much
to go on.”
“Goodness,” Alice said. “Does that
mean you can help me? I seem to have
Opinions
Reader Opinion
Fair coverage
Recent events such as the retirement of abor
tion-rights Brennan from the
Supreme Court and the legislative activities in
Louisiana demonstrate that abortion will remain
a prominent issue in American politics for quite
some time. The media coverage of these and
related events has also become an important
issue. A comprehensive 18-month study which
was recently published in the Los Angeles
Times, demonstrated that the major American
news media are biased in favor of abortion
rights. Reporter David Shaw examined the con
tent of network TV news programs, major news
papers and news magazines.
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gotten myself lost again. The bird there
said this was a house, but I certainly
don’t see one. There doesn’t seem to be
much here except that wall, which I
can’t see over at all.”
“Well, uh, hmm
replied
“We mortgaged the house, dear,” the
smaller bush piped up. “Had to, to pay
off Neil’s debts, you know. Of course,
there was some squawking about it
being public property and all, but what
else could we do? ”
“Oh, dear,” Alice said. “I’m afraid I
really don’t understand, and I must be
CB6GCT*IM*® fl9omTB * H,NE
daily Collegian
Monday, July 30,1990
©1990 Collegian Inc.
Editor
Ted M. Sickler
Business Manager
Ty D. Strohl
The Daily Collegian’s editorial opinion is deter
mined by its Board of Opinion, with the editor
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Board of Editors
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Opinion Editor
Jesse Fox Mayshark
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Stacy S. Niedecker
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Alice in Washington , D. C.
going. Would you know a way around
that wall?”
The bird, who had been fairly quiet to
this point, leaped in agitation. “Around
the wall? Oh, you don’t want to go there.
We never go there. We’re important
here. You shouldn’t go there.”
“Yes, do stay,” the smaller bush
agreed. “There will be a tea party soon
several important people.”
“Um,” the larger bush said. “Um,
well, now, I don’t think the, um, young
lady might be interested in this kind of
tea thing, do you Bar? It’s, um, not a
question of discrimination or anything
” the bush
Shaw found that “the news media consistently
use language and images that frame the entire
abortion debate in terms that implicitly favor
abortion-rights advocates. Abortion-rights advo
cates are often quoted more frequently and
characterized more favorably than abortion
opponents.” The study notes that “events and
issues favorable to abortion opponents are some
times ignored or given minimal attention by the
media. Many news organizations have given
more prominent play to stories on rallies and
electoral and legislative victories by abortion
rights advocates than to stories on rallies and
electoral and legislative victories by abortion
rights opponents.”
Abortion-rights advocates prefer to be known
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of the kind, but there is this kind of pri
vacy thing, and, urn...”
Alice, whose memories of her last tea
party were none too fond anyway, said
“It’s quite all right, really. If you could
just direct me past that wall, I really
would appreciate it. ”
“Good, good,” the larger bush said.
“Danny, could, um, you escort this very
prudent little girl to, um, the door? ”
The bird, obviously unpleased,
hopped across the lawn, muttering,
“Danny, do this, Danny, do that. Danny,
go visit an oil spill, that’s a good boy.
One day, he’ll see I’m important.”
Monday, July 30, 1990
JWY REFORM W SKIHH?
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as “pro-choice,” and abortion-rights opponents
prefer to be known as “pro-life.” While the term
“pro-choice” is commonly used by the media,
the term “pro-life” is rarely seen in print. In
order to provide balanced reporting and
fairness, the media should either utilize both
terms or neither term. Perhaps the opposing
sides could be described as “abortion-rights
advocates” and “abortion-rights opponents.”
It is hoped that our local media, including the
Centre Daily Times and The Daily Collegian,
can rise to the challenge and provide fair, bal
anced and accurate coverage of the abortion
issue.
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Alice grabbed a watercress sandwich
from a tray obviously meant for the
party, and followed.
The bird led Alice to a small door and
began to open its several large, threat
ening locks.
“Excuse me,” Alice said, “but would
you mind terribly telling me what is on
the other side? It is so much easier to
adjust to a situation if one knows what
to expect.”
“Oh, sure,” the bird said, “this is
where we keep the people.”
“The who?” Alice asked.
“You know, the people,” the bird
replied. “The ‘of the, by the, for the’
people. Now be careful they’re dan
gerous.” He swung the door open, shov
ed Alice through it, and then slammed
it shut behind her.
Alice gasped. She was in the middle
of a huge crowd of ragged beggars, all
asking each other for food, though it was
obvious none had any. One of them, who
had seen her come through the wall,
staggered over.
“So,” he said, “you were visiting my
servants, eh?”
“Your servants?” Alice asked. “I
don’t think so; I mean, they had a clean
lawn and. . .”
“Oh, sure,” he said, “they’re my ser
vants. They’re public servants, ya see.”
“But look,” Alice said, “if they’re
your servants. .. I mean, they’re hav
ing a party and you, um, not to be impo
lite, don’t even have clean clothes.
That’s not very logical, is it?”
“Nope,” the tramp replied. “It’s
democracy. Were you going to eat that
sandwich?”
Jesse Fox May shark, a senior major
ing in journalism, is opinions editor for
The Daily Collegian.
.-"■’sd
Michael Cawley
graduate-psychology