Newspaper Page Text
PitfC 4
The Red and Black. Tuesday. April IK. 1972
KEN WILLIS
Nixon right on Vietnam
THE OPINIONS OF THE RED AND BLACK
Organization or spirit ?
The general conference ol fhe
Methodist Church, which started in
Atlanta yesterday, oilers us
Georgians an unusual opportunity
to view first-hand the workings ol a
religious giant
The conference, held every lour
years and this year representing
more than 11 million members
from 86 nations, opened its
two-week session with an
Letters policy
Letters to the editor should
• Be typed, double spaced,
on a 60-space line,
• Be brief, to the point.
• Include name, address and
phone number of contributor
Names will be withheld for
good reason upon request, but
must bear the above
information Letters are
subiect to editing for style and
libel laws as well as for space
limitations.
Mail letters to The Red and
Black, 130 Journalism
building, University of
Georgia, Athens, Ga. 30601,
orbring by 130 Journalism
building.
admonishment to deal first with
problems ol minority groups rather
than with "tinkering and oiling"
their own machinery.
Spokesmen lor the Black
Methodists for Church Renewal
called lor an all out fight to correct
social injustice, to give blacks and
other minorities more representa
lion in church and society
Rev. Gilberi H. Caldwell, one ol
their spokesmen, said, "It is so easy
to be deceived into believing that
because you see more black people
in places where you have not seen
them previously, this is an
indication ol progress. This is not
so Individual successes have no
effect on the masses "
The Black churchmen are
apparently worried that a proposal
to restructure the Methodist
Church will dominate the
conference instead ol the social
issues.
We, along with them, hope that
the Methodists will not become so
involved with the bulky machinery
that mtames organized religion that
they virtually ignore social
problems.
The remedies to social
problems, including racial pre|u
dice, begin with the human spirit —
nol human laws. And the church
deals with the human spirit,
supposedly Let's hope they do in
the next two weeks Let's hope that
they don’t let church politics
dominate them. Let's hope that
they score big tor humanity and
little lor organization.
Richard Nixon asked for it, and now
millions ot dollars later he's getting
H Tough luck, I figure sometimes. But
then, in my softest moments, I take pity
on our chief executive, and feel
compelled to come to his defense.
And that's not
easy to do on a
college campus,
where the political
activists (“activists”
is rclativel want us
to get out of the
Vietnam War now
because we have no
business there in the
first place, where the
political activists want ecology and racial
equality now, and where the political
activists arc quick to latch onto anything
new or anybody that represents anything
new, and where those political activists
are extremely vocal.
These activists, and some not so
active, are not satisfied with Nixon and
consequently are supporting candidates
that can and will do less for their causes
than a re-elected Nixon.
Let's start with Nixon's (and just
Nixon's) handling of the Vietnam war, a
good topic for any marathon discussion.
With approximately three and a half years
gone since Nixon took office, various
groups are upset that all of our boys and
equipment have not been withdrawn
from Vietnam. They apparently give little
credit to him for the substantial
reduction of U.S. troop strength.
The question of whether we should be
there or not should be answered by
Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and
Johnson, who have made a complex set
of agreements since the beginning of our
involvement. The fact is that we are there
and now have an obligation to the South
Vietnamese regime. So, when Nixon came
into office in 1968, he was faced with a
very clear mandate to get the United
States military out of Vietnam.
If he had withdrawn the troops and
equipment immediately a practical
impossibility he probably would have
assured the defeat of a government we
had agreed to support. Ilow would this
have stood with other governments we
have agreed to upport, no matter what
their views on the war? Would you
respect me if you had told me something
in confidence and I later printed what
you said, regardless of that confidence,
because I decided you were wrong? Once
an agreement is made, it must be
respected by both sides and not
disregarded because of public opinion.
Now. when one party to an agreement
decides that they have made a mistake
and our country apparently felt in 1168
that having U.S. soldiers in Vietnam was a
mistake they have a responsibility to
convince the other parties of their new
position and to help them adjust to that
new position. So Nixon has apparently
done, on the four-year timetable that
governs American politics.
Let's suppose we had withdrawn
immediately. What would have happened
at home? Some of our largest industries
would have been crushed and thousands
of returning soldiers would have been out
of jobs. Is that any reason to perpetuate a
war’, you ask. Ask the thousands who
would have gone hungry
Here were Nixon's alternatives:
Withdraw immediately and satisfy the
loudest or withdraw gradually and
ultimately satisfy the aims of the loudest,
while maintaining the confidence of our
other Allies and the relative health of our
economy. He stood firm and took the
road that would satisfy most goals.
Criticized by the left-of-middle for his
war policies, Nixon has come under fire
from the nght-of-middle for talking with
the Red ( hinese and Russians. China is a
country that must be recognized if we are
ever to exist as a world community And
ixon, despite his stereotyped political
image, apparently had enough idealism
and practical sense about him to want
this peaceful world community and to
know that he had to talk to the Chinese
to begin to achieve it. Now, who can
argue that we shouldn't have a world
community?
Richard Nixon is a man who has been
given little mercy by the activists who
want to get out of Vietnam. But, it is
Nixon who has tried to undo what the
Democrats have done, and it is the
Democrats who are getting the support of
the activists. Kind of a paradox, isn't it?
"“I"" ■■■» siercoiypeu political the activists. Kind ot a
1HKK. (MllBRffiKiisli
Bright lights don t prevent oil types of rape'
10 THE EDITOR
Restore relevance to our campuses'
among the general populace concerning He is loo busy telling us whai he feel. we I. mu -a—-. a ... .. ...
In my opinion, it is a sad fact that
colleges and universities of today are.
overall, extremely irrelevant Today's
employment situation, notwithstanding
general economic trends, is indicative of
an educational system that places far too
much emphasis upon the acquisition of
diplomas and very little upon the
development of individual skills and
proficiencies which would help us to
assert and display our worth as members
of a productive society
Mr Kent's article of April 14. **AU
win means good yeai ahead." raised some
thought-provoking points It would seem
that a university from Mr Kent’s point of
view, should be an autonomous
community, concerning itself only with
its corporate necessities and, conse
quently completely unrelated to our
society in general If this were the case. I
might indulge in Mr Kent’s felicity over
the results of the SATA, elections and
join in praising our "new meal plan
system'' and our "instantaneous closed
circuit TV system" Unfortunately there
is a world beyond the campus, a world
where pain and hunger, social inequities
and minority discriminations are realities
rather than passing topics of dormitory
banter It is a world wherein we as
students will someday be called upon to
assume responsible roles
l f an increase in recognition of the
homosexual's nghls on campus could
help lead to an increased sensitivity
among the general populace concerning
the validity of the homosexual's
individual preferences and those of other
minority groups as well, then I submit
that, contrary to Mr Kent's beliefs, our
campus should encourage homosexual
dances on the same level of toleration as
the heterosexual ones. Moreover, if Mr
Kent s so-called ‘student radicalism*
strives to promote issues whose relevance
extends beyond the bounds of our
campus, then I would consider it a great
compliment to be labeled a student
'radical *
Conceivably, men and women, blacks
and whites. heterosexuals and
homosexuals, social majorities and social
minorities, can still look at each other as
fellow humans, each with lus own sacred
nghts of being, and we as a collective
society can nse above the social
grievances that entangle our lives, and
focus our energies upon those issues
which threaten the existance of us all By
restoring relevance to our campuses we
can add momentum to the mkixI
revolution of our world.
STFVE NIK ION
Objective ?
TO THE EDITOR
Tills is written in i.ply u. another one
ot IMnl Kent's ulira-coniervative columns
He is too busy telling us what he feels wi
nced, want, and have to have for
existence to be objective. What is wrong
with the VVAW? Is he a veteran? I have
never had a VVAW pamphlet pushed
down my throat.
lie implies that student radicalism will
not result in responsible student
government. lie’s wrong. They
(C oalition) would have listened to any
and all advice and gripes concerning issues
and taken the most viable stand. Radical
student government, regardless of any
claims to the contrary, resulted in the
free bus system and the most
representative government to date I
know, because my brother Mike was
pnmanly responsible.
Why do we not need homosexual
dances? They at least serve a purpose of
part ot this campus Babbling over
abortion, marijuana, etc., may be
considered useless by Phil Kent, but it’s
high time that student sentiment on this
campus were made known
NICK CURRY
In my opinion, what wc don’t need
here at UCIA are more articles like this
one and others written by Kent
STEVE WILLOUGHBY
Discourtesy
TO THE EDITOR
II is nol my intention to debate the
qualities, good or bad. of the President of
the United States It is my intention to
decry the discourtesy apparent in the
ch-ap shots taken at Mr. Nixon by a
would-be newspaperman. Robert Fried-
man, in The Red and Black on Apr 12
1972.
Undoubtedly, my use of the Vice
President's phrase "the impudent snobs"
will bring much castigatory comment
down upon my head, hut when I consider
the small caliber of the minds that would
delend those cheap shots I can afford not
to worry about it.
Impudent snobs appears to be a highly
appropriate term to be applied to those
who would speak of the President in such
a disgustingly puerile manner. This kind
of writing is far beneath what should
appear in a newspaper that may be
deemed to be the voice of the University
of Georgia The tenor of the whole
column, aside from obvious personal
attacks on the President, was infantile
and demonstrated a lack of understanding
of reality.
The whole purpose of the column
appeared to be aimed at deriding and
sneering at the President from the
sanctuary of “Freedom of the Press". Let
me go on record as saying that I strongly
disapprove One further point. It must be
apparent that even from so perverted a
viewpoint as Friedman's that the
President of the United States is an
elective office. Mr. Nixon was elected t
a sizeable portion of the electorate of th
country and, as such, speaks for many <
the people of the United States. What
your mandate, Mr. Friedman? Who <
what comprises your constituency? Ho
were you elected to be the spokesman fr
anything?
Yes, you have the rights of any citiz
of the United States and that incluij
making disparaging remarks about t
President. However,-for your sake, t
sake of the newspaper whose space y
abused, and for the respect due to t
office of the President and the man w
holds that office I suggest that you apt
a little of the intelligence that got y
admitted to the University of Georgia
any columns that you may feel impell
to write in the future. If you are unal
to call upon that intelligence you coul
as a last resort, try courtesy.
JOHN H KUNi
Dean McBee s counter-plan
IXItiib ukd and mlack
Ken Willis, editor
Joe Belew
Business manager
Carol Roberts
Managing editor
MiLc For an. advertising director; Claudia Townsend, news feature editor; Jon
Ham and Mark Nickelson. associate news editors; Cindy Luke and Susan
arker. associate feature editors; Bob Gillette, sports editor; Allvn Roland,
copy editor; Ann Hutchinson, wire editor; Steve Woodlord. production
manager; Tom Hill, photographic editor; Andrew Haindton. art editor.
I
The Red end Black, student
nrtttpepet of the I'nueraty of GrnrgM.
A then*. U published on Tuesday,
Mrdnewtay. Thursday *nd t nday.
eseept <iunn« nimiiuuon *nd holiday
periods and iKond-claii postair ta paid
at the Athens fo.t Office. Athena.
<>eur||a 30*01
opinion* rtprrase.i , n The Red and
Hla< k other than the unowned editonala.
are the opinions ol the writers of ««ned
lolumiu at cartoonists, and are not
"eeesaaniy thoae of the Uniwervty
adm.n,stratlon. the hoard of Regents or
• he Red and Black hlate. national and
international news in The Red and Black
“ from the wires ol I'nited Press
iMernatutnal.
Newt contributions will be accepted
by telep’.one <342-3441) at the editorial
office in 130 Journalism Building.
L'niwernty of Georgia Inquiries
concerning ad\ ertiung should be made at
the business numbers <342-3414 and
342-3413) at room 21 of the Beechwood
Office Building. Bes-chwood Shopping
Center. Athens All correspondence
dtould be addressed to the appropriate
editor at 130 Journalism Building.
Cmvrruiy of Georgia. Athens. Ga .
30*01
Th* Red and Black s national
ads erasing representetlse is NaUonal
hducaUonal Advertising Service Inc..
3*0 Le sing ion Ave.. New York 10017
Subscription rate is |7 per year
When the Georgia House passed by
10b to 51 the bill which lowered the age
of majority to 18 yean, the state of
Georgia legally acknowledged the ability
to make all major decisions affecting their
personal lives, of all
citizens over the age
ol 18, There are
those at this
institution who
would seek lo deny
this right and lake
upon themselves a
k»Ic which nol even
parents may assume.
I very year dur
ing February and March, the Student
Senate constden revisions in the
regulations governing student life al the
University. The changes as adopted by
the Senate arc then sent to the Faculty
Committee on Student Affairs and then
to the University Council for approval.
Usually the Senate serves as a rubber
stamp for administrative policy but this
year something strange happened and the
Senate decided to vole for the nghts of
the students on a key policy
It all began in February when Mary J
Jemigan ot the Department of Student
Judicial Affairs began to contact vanous
campus administrators and outline a
proposal for changes in housing
regulations for 'he coming year. It is not
dear just why Student Judicial Affairs is
involved in proposals and advisings
concerning housing regulations, but that
“ Y*‘ another story The point is that Ms.
Jemigan had began her work on
regulation revision even before the Senate-
Committee on Housing had ever met
When in mid-February the commiltcc did
meet to draw up a proposal only two
people actively participated in the
procedures; they were Danny Amos who
lives off campus and Anne Benefield.
These two individuals along with Ms.
Jemigan. according lo the latter, were
responsible for Ihc document which bore
the seal of Ihc Committee on Housing
This committee has seven people listed as
members but the report was the work of
the two. plus Ms Jemigan.
Two of the other members of the
committee have stated that they were
never informed of the initial planning
sesions in which ihc so-called committee
report was formulated. The essential
points of the so-called committee* report
are these a) “Visits to the residetn's
room may be made after 10:00 a.m. and
before 2.00 a.m.," b) "Appropriate to
student demand, a hall or halls will exist
with no room visitation privileges and
with lobby visitation restricted to after
10 00 a.m. and before 2:00 am.," c)
“Appropriate to student demand, a hall
will exist in which the hours for room
and lobby visitation privileges will be
determined by secret ballot vote of the
residents."
A proposal similar to this was
submitted to the Residence Hall
Association for study and suggestions
The above proposal was rejected and a
more liberal proposal suggested to the
committee representative. Sen. Benefield
She informed the member of RIIA that
their suggestions were not acceptable and
lhal Ihc committee report would be
submitted to the Senate for approval
without including the RHA suggestions.
The members of RHA then determined to
pray to the Senate to hear their open
house proposal It is significant to point
out at this time that neither Ms. Jemigan
nor the Senate committe had sampled the
residence hall population to determine
their position on the issue of open house;
RHA had done so during fall quarter and
thus was more able to gauge the
sentiment of the residents.
RHA proposed the following to
replace the committee proposals:
“Appropriate to student demand, a hall
or halls may exist with neither room or
lobby visitation privileges. In all other
halls open house hours will be determined
by the residents of the individual halls."
This proposal was placed before the
Senate at its Mar. 1 meeting as motion
3-1-72-20 by Sen. Steve Patrick and was
passed to the credit of the SF.nate.
This setback was naturally quite
unpleasant to the forces of the ubiquitous
Dean of Student Affairs Suthcm Sims and
one would expect some type of couter
plan. Well, it was not long in coming, this
week. I have received extremely reliable
information that the “Division of Student
control plans to submit to the Faculty
Committee on Student Affairs, in direct
opposition to the express wishes of the
student population and the lawful
decisions of their duly elected
representatives, a proposal which contains
those very points which were rejected by
the Senate on Mar. I.
I his proposal would limit natation to
residents rooms to the period of ti
between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. '
Student Senate proposal would allow
students to determine their own he
while the administration proposal wo
remove that right from students’ har
The Division of Student Affairs wo
also keep the sophomore reside:
requirement against the wishes of
students and their elected representatb
It is most unfortunate that Stud
Affaire administrators would so devilis
affempt to undermine the will of
student population but hits in fact can
proven. In a conversation with Dean Si
on Mar 3, the Dean stated that it i
unfair to make a statement at this ti
since it might prejudice the Committe
Student Affairs.
The best interest of the students a
the University will be served by clear
this mailer up as soon as possible
therefore suggest that a meeting of t
Faculty Committee on Student Affairs
called for the fourth week of this mor
to consider this matter and other matt
which may require its attention. I furtl
suggest that the University Council mi
in open session the following week
conclude the process These bodies hi
an unusual habit of meeting only onci
quarter and usually at the end of I
quarter when students are either bi
with exams or conveniently gone. I i
assured by Dean Sims, who belongs
both, that this is pure coincidence, bu
am sure that a number of students woi
be much happier if they met more ofti
more openly and more conveniently
►