Newspaper Page Text
I»au«* »
The Red and Black. Wednesday. March 10. 1970
BUDDY WALLER
Watch your step, Enchilada
Take another look
The University Union regularly
does commendable things for the
University students and commu
nity. Occasionally, it falls flat on
its face, as it did this past week
The Union co-sponsored the
third annual Athens Mardi Gras
with the Athens Jaycees and,
from start to finish, the affair
was poorly organized, inade
quately publicized and sparsely
attended.
First of all, whoever planned
the dates got everything all
wrong. Mardi Gras is supposed
to end the day before Lent begins
on Ash Wednesday. Of course,
March 3 was Ash Wednesday and
the festivities dragged on until
Saturday night. Tacky.
Having Mardi Gras in a town
like Athens is somewhat puzzling
anyway. It is basically a French
Catholic holiday, originated and
in its greatest splendor in New
Orleans and, maybe, Mobile.
French Catholics in Athens are a
small minority indeed and there
fore, such a holiday is totally
without substance.
The Cajun Queen beauty con
test last Thursday night charged
50 cents a head for people to see
stale humor by the master of
ceremonies and a glee club
serenade which was nice but
totally out of line with the Mardi
Gras theme.
And the “parade” last Satur
day afternoon was the perfect
topping to an inane week. There
were TWO floats, one of which
was disqualified. Most of the line
of vehicles consisted of vans and
pickups full of fraternity types
guzzling and yelling a lot. No one
even faintly resembled a Cajun
or had a Bayou accent or looked
like he even knew what Mardi
Gras was all about.
The Union shelled out $825.96
in sponsorship of the activities,
$231.96 of which it recovered
through admission charges, etc.
A lot of student money ($594)
was spent for activities which
were not presented well and
generated virtually no student
interest.
We urge the Union to drop
sponsorship of the Mardi Gras in
the future and adhere to its
customarily sensible program
ming policies.
Uncork the champagne! Let the con
fetti fly! Strike up the band! This time,
at least, the nice guys finished first.
The forced resignation of Provost S.W.
Pelletier (and forced it was, despite
feeble and prepost
erous attempts to
depict it as Pelle
tier's voluntary de
sire to return to a
career of scientific
research i has left
critics of University
President Fred C.
Davison's admini
stration giddy with delight
Upon hearing of the resignation, one
faculty member, a vociferous critic of the
Davison administration, waltzed through
the halls singing "Ding! Dong! The Witch
is Dead!”
Out of "Christian humility"—a phrase
that has come to haunt Pelletier in recent
weeks and a virtue which he conspicu
ously lacked—the celebrants refrained
from ringing the Chapel bell in jubilation
at the news
Pelletier was a man quite literally
despised by students, faculty members
and alumni alike.
Not just his hiring, tenure and promo
tion policies, which did. in fact, weigh
heavily against University graduates, but
Ruddy Waller is a staff writer for The
Red and Black
his brusque, abrasive personality made
him the focal point of the recent
firestorm of campus discontent.
i One delicious irony apparently lost on
Pelletier and the rest of the Davison
clique is found in their proclamations of
devotion to obtaining and promoting
instructors of the "highest academic-
quality" while giving candidates with
University degrees short shrift. If Uni
versity graduates are not the most highly
qualified, what does that say about the
University under the Davison admini
stration? i
More and more, as the present uproar
against the administration and the admi
nistration's eoncommitant series of out
rages and self-justifications proceed a-
pace. the entire situation becomes in
creasingly analogous to Watergate.
Pelletier, frequently labeled "the hat
chet man" of the University, has re
signed in disgrace and under the cloud of
financial scandal.
The allegations of profiteering and
conflict of interest raised in 197f by
Pelletier’s ownership of common stock in
the Story Chemical Company have never
been completely refuted.
Thus, the provost neatly fits the role of
Spiro Agnew .
Davison, of course, plays the part of
Richard M. Nixon—loathing the press,
highly secretive, utterly Machiavellian,
surrounding himself with yes-men. exhi
biting all the sincerity of Bert Parks
As Sam Ervin, the obvious choice is the
legendary Dean of Men Emeritus Wil
liam Tate Like Ervin, Tate has exposed
the dangers of concentrating all power in
a single mortal being and we have seen
how a policy of vengence and intimida
tion will backfire with venomous fury
increased a hundredfold on its instiga
tors.
How easy it is to picture Tate, equally
as colorful and courtly as Ervin, quoting
to Pelletier the same Biblical injunction
with which Ervin admonished the Nix-
onians—Galatians 6:7: "Be not deceived;
God is not mocked: for whatsoever a
man soweth. that shall he also reap.”
Pelletier sowed the seeds of poison and
now he himself must partake of its bitter
fruit
Tate, however, fulfilled a role some
what alien to Watergate—that of clair
voyant. At the Demosthenian Society's
Feb 20 all night debates. Tate, in his
traditional midnight address, said, “I’ll
be here long after the provost is gone."
How prophetic that statement proved to
be
While serving as the chief spokesman
for those who viewed with horror
Pelletier s control of the infernal work
ings of the University. Tate was ably
assisted by several others who deserve
the gratitude of all members of this
academic community.
Athens Newspapers Publisher Robert
Chambers led an editorial attack ag..n-st
nd fe:
the provost, aptly and fearlessly labeling
him a "cancer" on the University, and
the misuses of his powers
State Sen Beverly Langford (D-Cal-
houn) of the Senate Higher Education
Committee lent his voice to the outcry
against the provost, saying flatly "Pelle
tier must go "
Several members of the state legisla
ture. in fact, began clamoring with Gov.
George Busbee and Davison to rid the
campus of this man.
Certainly, such alumni, along with such
distinguished campus figures as Dr
Calvin Brown and Tale, played a crucial
role in the resignation
As in Watergate, a seemingly invinci
ble (but in reality squishy soft from its
rotting from within I administration has
had one of its key figures driven from
office in disgrace.
Pelletier has shown no shame or
sorrow at his performance Thai would
be too much to expect.
He will not leave the University
altogether Instead, he will become one of
the undead, a spectral presence, as he
returns to the chemistry department.
What is the lesson of the Pelletier
resignation’
Simply put. it is that students, faculty
members, alumni and friends of the
University can have a decisive voice in
the direction of this institution-even in
spite of all the contrary forces the
Davison administration can muster.
Again, as with Watergate, the people
have seen that, given the selfless efforts
of dedicated, tireless individuals, the
system does work.
The spotlight now focuses upon Presi-*
dent Davison The Big Enchilada. His
conduct will Ik- scrupulously examined
for the near future.
One more misstep, one more blunder,
one more outrage on his part and the last
of the dominoes the biggest one of
all- will topple.
PETE FOLEY
Not solid gold
-rmanent desfi
Closer to home
The Florida primary is the
biggest and most important in
between primary in the hectic
Presidential race.
Four years ago, fiery George
Wallace preyed upon the frus
trations of bussed-to-death family
raising parents and captured 42
per cent of the vote in a 12
candidate ballot. This launching
pad gave him enough momentum
to gather more delegates to the
Democratic National Convention
than anyone except Scoop Jack-
son and George McGovern.
California, a good showing a
gainst • Wallace in Florida is
imperative.
Evaluate!
Wallace is again strong in the
campaign and is again the
favorite to capture the just
completed primary. But up from
the shadows this year is former
Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter,
who gained early momentum in
Iowa and New Hampshire.
If Carter, or any other coming
aspirant, is to continue momen
tum into New York, Illinois, and
The Student Government Asso
ciation (SGA) is again sponsor
ing a faculty-course evaluation
form. The forms should have
been passed out to all undergra
duate classes by the end of this
week (excepting honors, profes
sional and physical education)
and results will be compiled,
supposedly, into a booklet by the
end of summer quarter. Such
efforts have proven futile in the
past, but such a booklet could
provide useful information not
available in the University bul
letin. We urge all students and
instructors to cooperate fully
with the evaluation procedure.
rp
III-] RED AND BLACK
Steve Bums, Editor
Lynn Plankenhorn, Mike Millions,
Executive editor Business manager
.loyia Anthony and Sandi Martin, news editors; Helen Hege and Patricia
Templeton, associate news editors; Matt Federspiel, sports editor; Lila
Moore, feature editor; Melita Easters, copy editor; Jim Galloway, city
editor; Robert Alexander, state editor; Terri Van House, LOOKOUT editor;
Bob Lyon, chief photographer; Mark Prevail, wire editor; Randy Burroughs
and Mike Lester, art directors; Jane McAlister, production manager
Thr Brd and Black, student newspaper o’, the
l ni\ersit> id Georgia. Athens, is published
Tuesday. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,
except during examination and holiday periods;
weekly during the summer months. Second-
class postage is paid at the Athens Post Office.
Athens. Oeorgia :mwoi.
Opinions expressed in The Bed and Black,
other than the unsigned editorials, are the
opinions of the writers of signed columns ar
cartoonists and are not necessarily those of the
Ihixersity administration, the Kourd of Ke
gents or The Bed and Black. Stale, national
and international news in Thr Bed and Black is
from the wires of United Press International.
News contributions will be accepted by
telephone <>42-M4lt at the editorial office in the
Journalism Building. University of (ieorgia.
Inquiries concerning advertising should be
made at the husinrss number IMHIHK
All correspondence should be addressed to
thr appropiiate editor at 1109 Journalism
Building. University of (ieorgia, Athens (ieor
gia
The Bed and Black's national advertisMlg
representative is National Education Adverti
sing Service Inc.. 3H l.rxinglon. New York.
N N IU0I7.
Subscription rate is SIS per year.
I don't give a damn what Thomas
Carlyle said Silence is not golden.
Silence is at best, dangerous.
In the past several years I’ve witnessed
the temporary and permanent destruc
tion that silence has
caused in those close
to me.
When will it end?
When will people
wise up? When will
we realize that the
human mind is a g* TX
highly explosive 1 §
thing; it can take - ■“ “
just so much and then it must burst...in
the forms of social withdrawal, nervous
breakdown or, the ultimate particle:
suicide.
Rarely does the pattern change.
A person goes about his daily activities
in a seemingly normal manner. He
makes no real effort to converse with his
peers. People just assume that he is quiet
and shy by nature.
Pete Foley is a sports writer for The Red
and Black
Next, he begins to appear rundown. His
face is pale. His eyes seem to gaze at
something far off in the distance. He
looks haggard. His "friends" figure it’s
the flu or just poor sleeping habits. Still,
he says nothing.
Nervousness Sets‘in. His hands move
unsteadily. He shakes involuntarily. He
stutters often while constructing his
spoken sentences slowly and methodical
ly. He finds it difficult to remember
simple things.
"Don’t hassle him, man, leave him
alone. He’s got things on his mind," his
“friends" say.
Then it happens.
You hear it took four people to hold
him down while he was being strapped
onto a stretcher. He doesn't remember
anybody or anything, not even his own
name.
'• : >- (
J V
* * . . »<
leflers^lellers
Or, worst of all. perhaps you read his
obituary in the morning's paper
If you’re lucky enough Vo hear that he’s
still alive, you call his family, then rush
to the hospital. All the while you ask
yourself. "Why, why, why?"
“He seemed fine," you say. "He did
look kinda beat but otherwise, normal.”
’Being tall has its points'
TO THE EDITOR:
Concerning Lila Moore's tgood name)
article "Tall tales" (a misleading title to
me. got my hopes up for nothing):
bitchy letters from disappointed readers
(and fellow writers)
JOSE SINCLAIR
I can’t really tell if she’s trying to write
a humorous column < I hope not—sorry i or
is really complaining about prejudices
and injustice to tall persons Please save
us from "Tall Lib" (Stilts Lib? Legs
Lib?). I merely assume she’s joking, in
which case, being an even six feet, which
doesn't matter since I’m male. 1 have
these points of my own to add:
1) You could always go out to
California and be a fruit picker—I
suggest cherries and oranges
2) Only hang around guys 5’9‘s" or
taller so vouTl still be “looking up."
Since that's about the national average,
that would right away eliminate about
half of us
3) Change your looks so you won't have
a pretty face to further impede your
career as a writer
'Students
unbelievable'
TO THE EDITOR:
The student body at the University is
the damndest thing I have ever seen!
Last week at the University's Blood
Drive we were counting on a collection of
1600 pints, but hoping to at least equal the
1800-plus units we ended up with last
year During the four-pay drive last
week, over 2500 students presented
themselves from whom 2341 pints of
blood were collected, • ,
The students here at Georgia not only
'GEORGE WASHINGTON WAG THE FATHER.
■Bk
Of OUR COUNTS- NO ONE SEEMS TO
KNOW WHO THE MOTHER WAS. SOI
GUESS ALL CITIZENS ARE ILLEGfTlMATEI '
4) Be thankful you're not a Watusi also
5) Remember ("fall people can't be
astronauts or stewardesses") that short
people can’t be models, basketball play
ers. step over fences, reach the best
apples, or see the show at concerts or
movies (and you forgot that tall people
can’t be jockeys, can’t get through half
the holes and openings at Disneyland,
drive VW’s, sneak away unnoticed at
parties, or be acrobatic in bed
6) Spend more time reading better
writers and polishing your own skills—
the Last Resort review was terribly
written, and the new sound system is
WORSE but that's another story Then
you won't have to put up with getting
Letters
policy
Letters to the editor should:
Names will be withheld for good
• Be typed, double spaced, on a
reason upon request, but must bear
60-space line.
the above information.
• Bo brief, to the point
• Include name, address and phone
Letters are subject to editing for
number of contributor.
style and libel laws as well as for
Be original, rather than duplicates
space limitations.
of letters to other persons or publi-
Mail letters to The Red and Black,
cations
309 Journalism building.
Again, you ask yourself why. and
you’ll probably never understand. ,
But the answer is very simple
He neglected a simple but essential
element of human life He didn’t talk And
you didn't talk to him Friend, its your
fault just as much as his.
Tjje mind is a fascinating thing. It has
it's own little tendencies to store away
that which you prefer not to remember.
Have you ever noticed how slowly you
drive after you or a friend of yours have
been in an automobile accident? Have
you also noticed how it takes only a few
short weeks for you to return to your old
driving habits? You do this because the
shock of the wreck has been carefully
shuffled into oblivion by you mind
However, the mind also has a tendency
not to find an appropriate place to store
away certain thoughts or memories, thus
leaving them up front and foremost in the
head
The mind is trying fo tell it’s person
that these thoughts do not fit into the
delicate framework of the mind Here is
where people go wrong.
By imprisoning these thoughts and
memories and not releasing them, the
person initiates the conflict of mind vs. r
person And the mind seldom loses.
Talk to a friend, someone you can
confide in. You needn’t "spill you guts" if
you prefer not to buf do talk about that
which is taxing your mind Unleash your
problems. Don’t keep them penned up
inside
If you want to talk to somebody about
problems but nobody is at hand, call a
local mental health divison. Mental
health does not mean mental sickness.
You should consult a professional about
mental health as you would a physician
about physical health if you can't treat
your ailment alone. Call a crisis line.
Just do something.
There are as many outlets as there are
people. Some like to write poetry as a
means of unburdening their minds Some
like to go outside and jog a few miles ,
Some find solace in the ever-available
listening ear of God.
Communicate, people, communicate.
As a friend, don’t overlook or write off
symptoms of anxiety in your mates.
Reach out to them as you would have
them reach out to you
I need you. You need me. Friends, we
all need each other
FRED BROWN
broke their own record of holding the
largest blood collection campaign in the
state of Georgia, but now one of the
largest collegiate blood drives in the
nation.
I am on the staff of the Department of
Student Activities working with the
University Union, but I also seive on the
Executive Committee of the Regional
Red Cross, and I am constantly being
asked by Red Cross blood drive recruit
ers from all over the country, "What’s
with the students at the University of
Georgia that makes them turn out like
this for a bloodmobile?” I can only
answer by saying "because they are the
greatest bunch of folks in the world!"
To all of you who gave one of the most
precious of gifts—on behalf of the
University Union, the American Red
Cross and most importantly, the thous
ands of people in need whom you have
helped—please accept a sincere and
heartfelt "Thank you!”
i