The Red and Black (Athens, Ga.) 1893-current, March 28, 1972, Image 4

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Newspaper Page TextPag* 4 The Red and Black, Tuesday, March 28. 1972 THE OPINIONS OF THE RED AND BLACK Refreshing news University professor Stephen Maloney's "very serious" interest in running for the U.S. Congress from Georgia's Tenth District is refreshing news. Dr. Maloney, declaring that he is tired of Rep. Robert G. Stephens’ failure to represent the voters in the Athens and Augusta area, is trying to organize a Republican campaign in what appears to be a Republican year for the nation. That he is providing Rep. Stephens oompetiton is good. But that he has chosen busing as the main issue in his early statements is bad. He, like Stephens, appears to be falling into that poular school of weak-kneed politicians who are kicking busing around, but who are providing no alternatives. As we have noted before, busing is not popular. But we're still waiting for someone to come up with a better idea to integrate the schools and society. Maybe Dr. Maloney can, if he'll try. On other issues, such as legalization of marijuana, the professor has views that are more palatable. He regards present legal restrictions as too severe, but doesn't want it legalized until there is more evidence that it is not too harmful. This opinion is more in keeping with our view and possibly that of most of the students here. Generally, his stands are moderate. And combined with a strong Presidential ticket and substantiation of his charges of laxity against Rep. Stephens, Dr. Maloney stands a fair chance of winning. Congratulations Xi Lambda Chapter's charter with the national Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity didn't come easily. This past weekend's official installation for the chapter followed a struggle with the Administration and the Interfraternity Council. But, the battle made them stronger and more aggressive, and now they can use this strength to better serve themselves and others. We hope they will make continuing efforts not to use their power for purely selfish aims, but instead to strive for fair play in campus affairs and to help individuals become stronger. Congratulations and good luck. PHIL KENT Keep hands off Good old B. F. Skinner! That rascal is at it again - this time plugging his controversial book “Beyond Freedom and Dignity,** running around the country appearing on television, and attending various symposia. To say the least, he has succeeded in shaking up the whole field of behavioral research. You don’t have to be an expert in psychology ( 1 must admit to only taking PSY 101) to really understand what Skinner is doing - and what others are doing to get back at Skinner. B. F.’s latest book, which I had a chance to read over the break, is really a shocker. You’ve got to see it to believe it. And when you sec the gushing reviews given the book by the likes of “Time’’ magazine, the “New York Times,” and -that ilk, you’ll really start to wonder where we’re headed. The major thesis of "Beyond Freedom and Dignity” is that man is a simple product of his environment (where have we heard that before?) So, taking it from there, B. F. underlines that we must do awa> with our ideas of personal and moral responsibility and yield to the simple laws of reward and punishment. What better way to do this than through a controlled environment, B F. says. It may well be that Skinner’s chief hang-up is his theory that all human behavior is a series of responses to external stimuli. The free will, or the human soul, or what ever you want to call it doesn’t fit into what Skinner describes as “worn-out” systems of philosophy and religion. B. F. Skinner is not a voice in the wilderness he has many powerful forces backing him. Forces like American Psychological Association President Kenneth Clark, who according to Columnut Paul Scott made one of the most shocking proposals to date. Clark actually proposed drugging various political leaders, allegedly to remove "war-like” impulses. Of course, the media barons of our “free press” are down-playing this (maybe they think Americans aren’t ready for this type of "progress” just yet.) While Skinner, Clark, and others lead this new assault against freedom, organized big money lurks ever-presently behind them. According to recent wire reports, Congressman Cornelius Gallagher (D-NJ.) has exposed the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) for its grant of $283,000 to Skinner running to 1974 - to pursue his activities. Advocates of individual freedom - thankfully are building their opposition. Recently, Dr. Thomas Szasz, Professor of Psychiatry at the Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York, courageously attacke.the social engineers and dreamers in his profession. Interviewed recently in “Twin Circle,” Dr. Szasz underlined. “I consider one of the gravest dangers to a free society - psychiatry in the hands of the government.’’ Tell it like it is, Dr. Szasz B. F. Skinner or anybody else who would aspire to be a "World Controller” are in trouble if more and more Americans become informed. The last thing we need is the “Brave New World” that Huxley wrote about. So why is Skinner coming on so strong? Yes, 1 know, a lot of people get really snowed when the words “contingencies” or “reinforcement” are bandied around - that s life, I guess But let’s get away from the big words and ask ourselves if we want the nightmare of government in the behavioral research field. No one wants it, except those who want to see our Republic perish. It is gratifying to know, however, that in their own little or big ways, more and more people arc working to sec that ideas like Skinner’s never take root. THE HEI) AND I SLACK Ken Willis, editor Joe Belew Business manager Carol Roberts Managing editor Mike Foran. advertising director; Claudia Townsend, news feature editor; Jon Ham and Mark Nickelson, associate news editors; Cindy Luke and Susan Parker, associate feature editors; Bob Gillette, sports editor; Allvn Roland, copy editor; Ann Hutchinson, wire editor; Steve Woodford, production manager; Tom Hill, photographic editor; Andrew Hamilton, art editor. The Red and Black. student newspaper of the University of Georgia. Athena, is published on Tuesday. Wednesday. Thursday and Friday, except during elamination and holiday periods and second-class postage is paid at the Athens Post Office. Athena. Georgia 30601. Opinions expressed in The Red and Black, other than the unngned editorials, are the opinions of the writers of signed columns or cartoonists, and are not neeesaanly those ol the University administration, the Board of RegenU or The Red and BU<~k State, national and international news m The Red and Black * from the wire* q f United Press International. News contributions will be accepted by telephone (542-3441) at the editonal office in 130 Journalism Building. University of Georgia. Inquiries concerning advertising should be made at the business numbers (542-3414 and 542-3415) at room 21 of the Beechwood Office Building. Beechwood Shopping Center. Athens. AU correspondence should be addressed to the appropriate editor at 130 Journalism Building. University of Georgia. Athena. Ga . 30601 The Red and Black's national adverUstng representative |« NaUonal Educational Advertising Service Inc.. .160 Lexington Ave.. New York 10017. Subscription rate i» $7 per year CAROL ROBERTS And whot is your number? Well, girls, it may be time to call your local draft board and find out what your lottery number is. But don’t start worrying yet. The equal rights amendment has passed Congress, and it now goes to the states for ratifica tion. Nobody seems to know if the amendment means we women can be drafted, but the Senate did soundly defeat a bill that would stipulate that women could not be drafted. So it’s still up in the air. It'll be a long time before the U.S. government tries drafting women. Let’s face it, they’re too steeped in traditional attitudes about protecting women to try that one right now. But maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea. With the increased privileges women will eventually gain from the passage of the amendment, there should and will inevitably be an increased responsibility. Which, whether we like it or not, should include the draft. Why do I have any nght to live in this country and pursue a career, without the responsibility of serving my time, when my male friends must interrupt their careers for a stint in the service? (I I don't. And if I expect to have equal education, pay and career opportunities with men, then I should also be willing to have the same handicaps as they do. It’s not a pleasant idea. I don’t want to go to Vietnam and take a chance on being shot in combat. But neither do a lot of men. I don’t have to worry about it right now, but many male students do. Is that fair? The point is, there might be a lot of advantages for men, women and the country alike if women are included in the armed services. More women in the Army would mean it would need fewer men. And if women were threatened with the draft, 1 suspect many of them would volunteer even more than are volunteering today. There are many educational and career opportunities in the services, and women just might start taking advantage of them. Take this point to its farthest conclusion, and you’ll see that, with more women volunteering and an equal number of men volunteering, the armed services might have enough people to satisfy their needs. Therefore, drafting women might eventually result in the volunteer army which is still somewhat of a dream right now. There’s one drawback to all this, though. The Army will probably put its women draftees into jobs such as clerks, cooks and information officers, and leave the fighting to the men. Thus, when a man gets drafted he’ll be much more likely to go right into combat than to have a chance at the less risky jobs. And that would undermine the goal of equal responsibility between the sexes. The inevitable conclusion is that women would have to go into combat, too. It’s a radical idea, but it’s being done right now in places such as Vietnam and Israel. And if it has to be done, I think it should. Nixon avoids rash actions' TO THE EDITOR Like Mr. Granum, I have given much thought to the three issues on which he takes President Nixon to task. However, I have come, contrary to Granum, to the conclusion that the President ha? led us away from the rash actions which our “public hysteria” (Granum’s words) demands. I should like to review Mr. Granum’s charges in the order in which he presents them. After the Calley court-martial and conviction, “public hysteria” dictated Galley’s immediate freedom. Had President Nixon yielded to public demand, Lt. Calley would be free today. Instead, the President, in effect, asked us to think, and by so doing he let our "public hysteria” subside. I don’t know whether Lt. Calley is guilty, but if he is he should not be freed. The President acted in moderation, not to the demand of the impulsive public. With regard to the Manson trial, the President stated his own opinion, which is his right as an American citizen. Perhaps he should not have commented so quickly, owing to his high position, but in no sense did he follow “public hystena.” Executive and judicial powers remain well-separated. The busing issue is still fresh on our minds but Mr. Granum has forgotten that “public hysteria” demanded a Constitutional amendment to prohibit busing. The Constitution is our highest earthly law and to impulsively tamper with it can endanger our freedom. Instead of supporting a Constitutional amendment. President Nixon acted in moderation by suggesting Congressional legislation which comes beneath the Constitution, not a part of it. Once again the President did not follow public opinion. Regarding the Vietnam issue, the major issue on which President Nixon was elected in 1968. he has followed public opinion. Yet Mr Granum docs not object to the President’s following “public hysteria” in gettin us out of Vietnam. And President Nixon is working on solving the problem of unemployment. Think how many unemployed aerospace workers will benefit from the space shuttle. Think how many farmers can now operate in the black as a result of food prices not being frozen (food prices have contributed less to inflation than any other commonly used commodity). And think how much public money is being saved in the farm subsidy program as a result of the $55,000 payment limitation. Mr. Granum does not accuse President Nixon of following “public hysteria” on the issue of rights for 18-21 year olds, either. I agree with President Nixon’s positions on the issues which Mr. Granum mentions as well as on the ones which I have added. President Nixon has given us unity which we did not have when he took office. He is truly leading us together, as he promised, not only in the United States but all over our world. Richard M. Nixon is giving us leadership from a position in which he stands alone while the Rex Granums criticize from the safety of singlemindedness. GARY D NICHOLS Connection ? TO THE EDITOR Let me first state that 1 am not defending the Greek system. I am in one sorority, and that is all I am qualified to speak for. I wish to comment on Carol Roberts’ article on soioiiiic* and libbers. She said that competition between sororities has undermined sisterhood. It is, in fact, that competiton which as promoted sisterhood. Girls within a sorority must work together to prepare for and participate in competition with other sororities, and that working together under pressure is what bnngs them close, thus developing sisterhood. No one ever claimed there was sisterhood between soronties. It exists on the individual level, but group sisterhood lies only within each sorority. Secondly, most sororities no longer use “snob appeal,” mainly because it doesn't work Rushees don’t fall for mush and gush and platitudes. Sororities were forced to come down to earth, to paint a more realistic picture, to admit that there’s hypocrisy, pettiness, and meaningless busy work, but that there’s also something that makes it all worthwhile, and that is sisterhood. The sororities who refused to change suffered; the others adapted to survive. Last of all, I fail to see the connection between sororities and libbers. Yes, both goals are labeled “sisterhood,” but if I can have meaningful friendships within my sorority (which is our definition of sisterhood), then 1 have no need to burn bras or attack the male sex. Besides, society did not create competition between women; human nature did. SARAH SUE INGRAM Tri Delta Sorority Cyclists TO THE EDITOR I would like to second the comments of Professor William Williams on the use of “two wheelers” on campus. I myself have been riding a bicycle to and from campus for over ten years, and lately I have been doing it every non-rainy day. My one-way distance is 3to miles, up and down hill, which takes me about 15 minutes portal-to-portal. Besides all the obvious advantages which have been specified in Professor Williams’ letter and in many other places, bike riding oxygenates the body and the brain so that work comes easier. The overwhelming disadvantage is not “cold” weather - the first thing non-bike riders assume - but other vehicular traffic. (Providing one is dressed properly, he is never cold riding a bike. There is too much activity and thermal excitation of the body.) The automobile, however, makes a real sport out of the hobby. In order to minimize the danger from automobiles, I have found it practicable to plan a careful “back street” route to and from my office. 1 also time my exits from the house or office so that I avoid congested moments, e.g., when classes are changing. An individual can ony do so much in this regard, (arcful planning by University and Gity officials could help matters considerably. For example, care could be banned from the campus entirely, except for the physically handicapped. Otherwise, certain streets could be set off specifically for two-wheel traffic, and special lanes could be added to other streets that would distinguish auto lanes from bicycle lanes. The same thing could be done on the city’s streets. The University of California at Davis has this system. It works well and accommodates 18,000 bikes (they claim). One thing is certain; The general appearance of the campus is immeasurably improved. Even if bicycle riding were as safe as, say, walking, 1 doubt that it would catch on with people much beyond the student level. The compulsion to kid oneself is too strong among the populace of voting age and beyond. However, for those who really would like to start, I can truthfully say, ‘Try it; you’ll like it,’ - if you give it a chance and do not chicken out after one or two huffs and puffs. A few weeks of initiation and you will think no more about a few miles on a bike than you would that extra piece of cake or that big fat cigar. RICHARD H T1MBERLAKE, JR. Professor of Finance Letters policy Letters to the editor should: •Be typed, double space, 60 space line. •Be brief, to the point. •Include name, address and phone number of contributor. Names will be witheld for good reason upon request, but must bear the above information. Letters are subject to editing for st ,-le and libel laws as well as for soacc- limitations.

Georgia Historic Newspapers

The Red and Black (Athens, Ga.) 1893-current, March 28, 1972, Image 4