Newspaper Page Text
P»gr 4
Thf- lied and Black. Thursday. October 19. 1978
‘Perceptions
r
With rising fuel costs, public
ti ausit systems are deiinitely
going to have to be expanded and
improved. But a decision by the
Athens City Council Tuesday
night to cut back on the transit
routes is a wise one.
The transit system has been
operating under a deficit of
$'.25,000—an enormous debt for
Athens to handle. Of course,
nearly all city transit systems
operate under a deficit but the
problem here seemed to be “too
much too quick.”
Bus woes
When the bus system first
started in Athens—nearly three
years ago—routes were planned
for the entire city operating on
the assumption that the citizens
of Athens and, more importantly,
the students, would come to
depend on the buses as their
chief source of transportation.
Unfortunately that never came
to be. Students kept driving their
cars to campus and Athenians
never warmed to the idea of a
bus ride to work every day. A
recent ridership survey, under
taken by the city, revealed that
"N
y
some buses were running with
just one person riding all day.
Clearly cutbacks had to be made
in some areas and the Council
moved to do so.
The cutbacks, amounting to a
20 percent reduction in bus
hours, is going to save the city
an estimated $100,000 yearly.
Ideally after amassing these
savings and taking it a little
slower the transit systems will
begin to build riders again and
possibly expand their routes. For
now however, a cutback is the
answer to the Athens bus woes.
.
Love on the 50 yard line
v y
What would provoke a normal,
well adjusted Marietta couple to
get married in front of 65,000
Why. the memories
of course. At least that’s the
r given by Derrick Day,
the groom-to-be at this week’s
homecoming game.
Derrick isn't going to be the
only one with memories. It’s
likely to be a long time before
anyone in the southeast forgets
that the University married a
couple during a football game
half-time with a 300 piece band
playing soft music in the
background.
The whole idea stems from
Roger Dancz, the band director
who decided he wanted to jazz up
the homecoming events this
year. You all remember Dancz.
He’s the one that dressed the
bandmembers in Halloween
costumes last year and had them
dance around the field.
This year’s plans should top
even that. With all the publicity
from Athens, Atlanta and even
nationwide media Dancz should
get all the attention he’s striving
for.
We hate to pass judgement
before we actually see the affair,
but we have to admit the idea is
an original one. Where else can a
man make a pass at his wife in
front of 65,000 people and not
have her call foul?
Letters
Test-tube babies -
an ethical process?
Suzanne Oliver
This past July, Louise Brown, a beauti
ful baby girl was bom, opening the door
to what could be called an ethical night
mare. There was nothing unusual about
the birth itself, and she was perfectly
healthy What was unusual was her con
ception. It took place outside her
mother’s body in a test tube. It was the
first successful procedure of its kind.
.Suzanne Oliver is a senior in the School
of Arts and Sciences.
The question, "Where does life begin?”
is brought immediately to mind. If life
begins at the moment of conception then
how do we rationalize destroying
fertilized eggs after they are conceived in
the lab? It’s not something that should be
done lightly. The embryo is potential
human life and while its rights do not
equal those of the mother, it does
accumulate rights as it becomes human.
There are a number of risks involved in
this procedure, most of them to Louise.
The scientists involved freely admitted
that Then why did they go ahead? Any
number of deformities could occur in a
situation like this. They have occured in
the past. In normal fertilization, only
strong sperm can make it all the way to
the Fallopian tube to meet the
descending egg. In a laboratory, strong
and weak sperm have an equal chance,
which could cause hard-to-spot genetic
irregularities.
Also, because human genetic detective
work is still in a fairly early stage, it will
be almost impossible to link any of these
defects that might emerge in Louise or in
babies like her, to the form of conception.
Louise and babies like her have a right
to have this taken in due consideration. If
and when these risks, both inside and
outside the test tube are resolved, then
Ihe process can be continued in humans.
Another problem is that this process
can still only be called experimental.
Scientists still don’t know why the uterus
sometimes rejects the egg fertilized in the
lab Since it has not been established
when the embryo becomes human, we
may be experimenting with human life.
No matter how great the cause may be,
we do not have the right to do that. Who
can say what will happen to Louise either
physically or mentally as she grows
older? She does have the right to be
protected. Conceiving her in a test tube
may not yet be the right way to do that.
There should be experimentation
however, and there has been: on birds,
frogs, and other lower forms of life.
Perhaps the next step should have been
apes instead of humans. The risks should
be as low a factor as possible before any
thought is given to using a human being
Are we interfering with nature by doing
this? Look at the right-to-die arguments.
If we do not have the right to prolong life,
then we do not have the right to initiate
it. Since a justice is served by letting
those who are too oid and sick to get well,
perhaps a similar justice is done by
letting children remain unborn that
would come into an otherwise crowded
world.
Auother question that needs to be
answered is the motives of those
involved. The idea of helping women to
conceive who otherwise would not, is an
admirable idea. However, the ethics
involved must be carefully examined.
With the costs of the technique as high as
they are. it would be unfair to encourage
all couples Instead, adoption should
remain the basic means of getting a child
when there is an inability to conceive.
When all these questions are answered,
then it will be time to make some
restrictions as to the use of the proce
dure These would involve: who can do
the procedure, where it can be done, the
costs involved, the risks involved, and the
motives of the individuals involved.
Louise and all children like her have
the right to come into this world
protected and loved. They also have the
right not to be used in any way. Isn’t that
what we’re doing now?
Don’t depend on Athens police for protection’
To lh«* * Editor:
On the evening of October 6. 1978. my
t ir was parked at the laundromat of the
Callaway Hardens Apartments. My
friend and ! walked past it to meet
another friend in her apartment 50 yards
away Cpon returning to my car. we
found an unidentified male trying to
break in Obviously he had seen my
girlfriend s bag on the floor When he saw
us approaching h* ran into the laundro
mat. We immediately called the Athens
city police and gave an accurate
description of the events that had taken
place, and of the person in question It
was 9:15 at this time, and by 10-45 the
police had not shown up While waiting
we went into the laundromat several
times to make sure that the thief was still
there, which he was. Evidently he slipped
out the back and will never be seen
again
So this letter is to warn the university
students and Athens residents not ter
depend on the Athens city police to
protect your property, belongings, or
your life You may be sadly disappointed.
GWEN I). WALDROP
To Ihe Editor:
There has been much question as to a
few of this year’s Homecoming Activi
ties Because this is the first year that
Tired of financial aid hassle
Jill Rader Hayes
i always get the feeling that I am being
punished for receiving financial aid
Filling out the numerous confusing
forms that reveal your family s economic
history is just the beginning
First, there is the frustrating and time-
consuming chore of picking up your long
awaited check
As usual. I stood in the line designated
for the first letter of my last name at the
business office this quarter Waiting with
all those people, my mind wandered to
scenes at Ellis Island with my ancestors.
This time our bags were full of books, but
we had gathered for one purpose: to pick
up that essential to-survival check Half
of the banks in Athens stood ready to
charge our accounts for insufficient
funds.
Jill Rader Hays is a staff writer
for The Red and Black
Over an hour passed before I received
my check. With it tucked safely in my
pocket. I sought the man in charge of
check dispersal
*T want to make a complaint about the
H line Every quarter I wait in line two
and three times longer than people that
have a more advantageous last name,” I
blur’ed.
i here’s nothing I can do,” the man
answered, flashing a large smile. “All of
the girls receive the same number of
checks to process, so no line should be
longer than the others.”
“In reality.’’ I pointed to my line which
was twisting far into the other room,
“that does not seem to be the case.” 1
said
“Why don’t you get married so that
your name will begin with another
ietter,” the man suggested
‘‘I did get married That’s why my
name begins with ’h\” I answered
“Well, then why don’t you get
divorced," the man asked
“I did get divorced, but my lawyer
persuaded me to keep my last name for
my child's sake." I replied.
“Next time, you’ll just have to get here
earlier," he suggested
“I got here at 8:30 this morning." I
said
“There’s really nothing I can do." he
again stated, repeating that smile.
Moving onward. I dashed to the
financial aid office to obtain information
about the work study program in which I
was to participate
I was denied access to any job
descriptions, information about estab
lished on-the-job procedures, or informa
tion about how I would be paid
"Come back next week," the secretary
constantly repeated
I returned the following week to find a
sign posted on the door. "Come back next
week.’’
I again approached the secretary. "I’ve
already found a job Aren’t there some
forms that my supervisor can fill out
before next week' , ’’ I begged.
“No papers can be filled out ahead of
time Come back next week,” she said.
The following week I returned to find
over 50 warm bodies crowding the
narrow hall which had grown so familiar
to me. There was another sign. "Come
back tomorrow.”
I came back the next morning to find
20 persons already in line I waited 90
minutes to enter the now sacred office
The woman in charge asked where I
wanted to work. "I already have a job,"
I informed her "Then why didn’t you fill
out papers ahead of time.” she snapped.
Biting my lip. I told her the story of the
unyielding secretary
Finally. I trudged to payroll to drop off
tax exempt .on cards and to personnel to
pledge my allegiance to the United States
and to swear that I am not a member of
the Communist Party
Isn’t the beginning of each quarter
hectic enough without adding this
insanity?
It is not my intention to magnify the
bad or rude temperament of the super
visors involved in these proceedings I
have dealt with these people under
situations of less duress and they were
helpful, pleasant human beings
I am trying to point out that there must
be more efficient and less frustrating
alternatives to these procedures Please
financial aid administrators—Help!
the All-Campus Homecoming Committee
(ACHC) has been in existence, it is
understandable that problems will arise.
Many of the activities that are going on
are being co-sponsored by the ACHC and
another organization. We have worked
since early Spring Quarter on coordinat
ing these and hope that they are enjoyed
by the student body as a whole! We
w’ould also like to. at this time, invite any
student interested in planning next year’s
Homecoming to get involved with the
ACHC. This year is a beginning and
improvements will be best made with a
variety of participation.
Thursday. October 19, Shrimp-Bever
age-Pep Rally, Featuring: Cheerleaders.
Derbies, Buzz Saw, Boogie Band.
"Unknown Event,” Fireworks ($2.00
dinner tickets on sale in Student
Activities Business Office in Memorial
Hall.)
Friday, October 20. Parade at 4:30 p.m.
Begins on Milledge at Baxter and goes
south to Five Points. Left on Lumpkin to
Stegeman Parking lot. 40 unit parade,
Red Coat Band. Dean Tate as Grand
Marshall, 3.000 balloons, and more. 9:00,
October 20, Cabaret-Disco in Memorial
Hall Ballroom, Free to Students.
Saturday, October 21, PRE-GAME
SHOW. Crowning of Miss Homecoming*
and announcement of competition win
ners for each event! Awarding of Overall
trophy.
Halftime will bring the Red Coat Band’s
special production—A Wedding We will
use the pre-game show.
LISA BUSSIIAUS
CHAIRPERSON
RITA MALOOF
ASSISTANT CHAIRPERSON
JENNIFER DRECHSEL
PUBLIC RELATIONS
and ‘Blacli
Staff
Mu«c H.v IXogooma
fwnlhr editor Tom Cotnry
lifwral Manager Ed Stamper
\d%rriiMe* manager Chart** Huaarll
t opy editor* l<«n KHley Tammy Savage
Hike Kflhrm KUine Elmer
< aaen »4n« Brian O Shea
( tty editor Vmme Papudrro
I ratarn roller Kuu (irm
katertammeui editor Kohby Byrd
Span* editor Steve Burge**
Photo editor Donna Mine*)
\mhum campus editor* Skip Hulelt Bill Krueger
\**i*tant rM> editor* Kathy Stanford Nila Birmingham
*»*l*l»ni feature* editor Dan Fouls
\**i«4ant sport* editor Warren Kan
l**i*tain photo editor Hal Bronk*
Editorial assistant. < jerry Komarto
Xdterming salesperson* Mai Hate. Duma Heavey Donna Kaichford Duug SouUr Le*lie Whitlow
t la**ified ad terming manager Susan Turner
I'rodaction Manager Neal Kuntanaky
Ike Ked and Black undent ne*»*paper «l ike l niter*** *1 i.eorgta \lhens i* puMt*hed Tuesday tkcongk
krtda* with Ike exception «l examination period* and Holiday* Second ila»* povtage i* paid M UWnt HoM
ttfficr Ultra* f.eorgia JtCai
Opinion* expressed m The Ked and Black other than unxigned editorial* are Ike opinions of the artier* of
«igned i otumn* or cartooni*t* and are not nerexxanly those of the t niter sit y \dminiuratwn the Board of
Kegeot* or The Bed and Hlarh
Mate national and international new* in The Ked and Black H from the a ire* at lotted Hre**
Inter national
The entire rontent* of The Hed and Blark are ropyright 1*1*. The Bed and Black newspaper AM right*
resrrted
Ncih%« ruHion rale i* It; an per tear
Letters policy
letter* aill he prmted a* «pa< e permit' Ike Hed and Blark reaerve* ike right to
and liheton* material letter* mn*i
hr typed. double spared Nag apace line
tarlnde Ike name addre** and telephone number at Ike artterUi We can am It yn
x a I id reason
..he limited to M line*.
he addressed To Ike editor The Ked aod Blark ia» Journalism Aiken*. Oeorgia
When submitting column* follow letter paltry ugh length held to |gg Ifam
edit letter* for length
nr name in print lor a
Contacts
Seas «vntrihotiou* are airepted ky telephone <it2-Mtl» M the editorial office*
I msecs It* of l.eorgta Inquiries r—reratog adsertismg should he made at the kuatue**
t orrespoudeuce should he addressed tu the appropriate editor at m Jour
(•eurgla. Mheos t.eurgia W*n:
office* <StMllli
Huiidmg l niser*tty of
