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Page 4 The Krd and Black. Thursday. March 29. 1979
Firing without reason
< _
Every strong organization
must have the freedom of hiring
and firing as a tool to strengthen
the organization. The University
is no exception. The University
does, however, in using this tool,
have the responsibility of ans
wering for its actions.
In another of an ever
increasing number of instances.
Ken Phillips, director of finan
cial aid at the University, has
been told that his contract will
not be renewed. He has not been
told the reason why
We don't know how Phillips
worked with all members of the
administration even though we
have heard many compliments
from students who have had
dealings with him. We do not
object to the actual firing but
rather to the method in which it
was handled. By giving no
reason the University adminis
tration has denied both Phillips
and the University community
an explanation Every respon
sible organization realizes that a
person should have a chance to
defend himself before losing a
job The University administra
tion has shirked this responsi
bility. however, in the dismissal.
This is not the first time that a
popular employee has been
relieved of his duties for no given
reason. Richard Press former
assistant director of the librar
ies. met the same fate when he
was told of his transfer and
subsequent firing. It was not
until Press appealed his case to
the Board of Regents that the
University administration was
forced to explain the action.
University Council is now
considering a proposal which
would require the University to
tell why a person receives a
transfer. They should extend this
proposal to include firings. A
person who has been dismissed
from a previous job generally
has a difficult time in finding a
new job. This can be further
complicated when a future
employer is not able to find out
the reason for a firing.
The Council should also
consider the proposal as a way of
insuring their member’s future.
To know that at any time a
person can be fired without a
reason is not conducive to a
productive, academic atmos
phere.
The University must have the
power to hire and fire but not
without proper explanation. Giv
ing no explanation leads many
people to believe that there may
be wrongdoing on the part of the
administration. They may be
right.
Athens supplies
movie plot
Bill Krueger
A major motion picture studio has
announced they will be releasing a film
within the next two months, and it should
be a real thriller The movie, which will
be released in approximately 100
theaters, is being billed as a "supcrthril-
ler." a ‘‘real shocker ”
Hill Krueger is a staff writer for The Ited
amt Black
The movie is expected to be more
terrifying than The Exorcist. more gory
than The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
and more suspenseful than Alfred Hitch-
c«H.*k's l*s\cho.
The movie's two heros. John Hunter
and Diane Newhurg. are relative
unknowns They still manage to add
terror to the already terrifying story.
As the movie opens our two heroes are
cranking up an automobile tor what we
presume to he an ordinary trip to the
grocer. They pull out of the driveway,
heading north for what will prove to lie
the trip of trips
The impending doom is spelled out
quickly, as a car nearly sideswipes them
as they pull out of the driveway John
and Diane are determined to get their
groceries, and cast this mishap off as a
mere coincidence We learn later that
this may not be so
They continue driving down the narrow
ureet well within the speed limit, as
countless cars speed past them Some of
the cars almost seem to tie trying to
sideswipe our heroes car. at times
forcing them off the side of the road and
perilously close to telephone poles which
are right next to the street
But our hereos are made of strong
stuff, and persist in their efforts to get to
the grocery store Still, despite their
courage, it is obvious they are beginning
to feel a bit uneasy about the trip
They continue driving, their car a bit
battered after the recent automobile
onslaught, talking to each other about
whether the trip is worth the trouble
These roads seem pretty bad I don't
know if we should continue." Diane says
"You ain't kidding These people around
here can't drive worth a damn The Jiffy
Mart Driving School obviously does a
booming business in this town." John
says
Their drive continues, with an
occasional car stopping in front of them
for no reason, people turning without
using turn signals, and running red
lights Police could be seen everywhere,
as they tried to hide to catch speeders,
nothing else, just speeders
They are passing under a green traffic
light, when a city firetruck comes
speeding through a red light, and tears
the back end of our heroes' car Both
John and Diane are hurt in the accident
(the firetruck is long gone by now *, but
they maintain their persistency and hitch
a ride to the grocer
The movie ends as our heroes are
arrestesd for hitchiking and for littering
the streets with their car
The name of the movie: The Streets of
\thens. \ Wild Hide.
We need
TALENTED
CARTOONISTS
If you have talent and can produce quality work
on a regular basis we want you The pay isn't much,
but it's something to put in your portfolio. Contact
Cathy Lewis, Room 309 Journalism Building
til Red and *BlacK.
Palestinian problem ignored
Seth Cohen
Americans have recently been caught
up in the euphoria of a “great historic
event,' i.e the signing of the
Israeli Egyptian treaty of peace. In fact,
the American press has been lauding
President Jimmy Carter, in the words of
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, as a
"miracle worker "
Seth Cohen is assistant city editor ol The
Ited and Black
But if one takes a look at the peace
treaty, it becomes obvious that the issue
causing the most trouble in the Middle
East, the Palestinian issue, is totally
ignored The word “Palestinian" is never
mentioned in the text of the treaty of
peace It is true that the Palestinian issue
is mentioned in a letter signed by Sadat
and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem
Begin However, the letter states that
only local autonomy can be achieved by
the Palestinians, nothing more And it is
already obvious that this is not enough
for the vast majority of Palestinians
living in the occupied areas of the Gaza
Strip and especially the W r est Bank.
These people want nothing short of an
independent Palestinian state, located on
the W r est Bank of the Jordan River Begin
has said many times this will never
occur. Thus the Palestinians, lead by the
Palestinian Liberation Organization, will
continue, and probably escalate its
terrorist activities.
Because of these terrorist activities.
Israel refuses to recognize the PLO’s
existence, and the PLO refuses to
recognize the existence of Israel Yet,
innocent Israelis are blown up by bombs
planted by the PLO. and innocent
Palestinians are killed by retaliatory
raids by Israel against PLO strongholds
Nevertheless, the two entities, the State
of Israel and the PLO do not officially
exist to each other
Adding to the problem is America's
insistence that the PLO recognize Israel's
right to exist before the U S. will open a
dialogue with them The PLO says it will
not recognize Israel's right to exist until
Israel grants the Palestinians the West
Bank as an independent nation Israel
will not even consider the possibility of
giving the Palestinians the West Bank
Thus, there is a vicious cycle and no
one talks to anyone. No party will
compromise; therefore the killing con
tinues. and tensions continue to mount
Adding to the problem is the recent
Iranian uprising. Their successful revolu
tion might spur the Palestinians i«.
attempt a revolution of their own.
possibly drawing Syria. Iraq, and other
radical nations into the conflict
However, this seems unlikely at the
present time, for without Egypt, the
radical Arab countries would not stand
much of a chance for victory
So what does the treaty actually
accomplish 0 On the positive side Egypt
and Israel will not be at war. Thev will
open their borders and become “friends "
The consequences of accomplishing this
feat without considering the Palestinians
could prove to be very unsettling For
one thing, there is not a single Arab
nation that has come out in favor of the
treaty. Egypt is expecting a boycott from
these nations, thus leaving itself heavily
dependent on the U.S. for all kinds of
support Israel is already heavily
dependent on the U.S.
It appears obvious to me. that without
a comprehensive settlement, there will
not be a lasting peace in the Middle East.
Of course, it is great the Israelis and
Egyptians have agreed not to fight
are more than two countries in the
Middle East The recently signed treaty
ignores this fact.
It seems high time that the Israelis, the
PLO. and the radical Arab nations
decided to quit playing games, realize the
longer they wait, the harder it will be to
achieve peace, and at least attempt to
have a dialogue with each other
But Begin will not sit down with a
““murderer.'’ (Yassir Arafat, head of the
PLO). so more Israelis are killed. Arafat
will not even recognize Israel's right to
exist, so more Palestinians are killed.
Both sides can say "we didn't give in."
What kind of accomplishment is that?
So. will the signing of the treaty of
peace really be a “great historic event 0 "
Only time can tell, but unless something
is done to alter the Palestinian situation,
there will be much unrest in the Middle
East For the very signing of the
bilateral treaty will encourage the
Palestinians and radical Arab nations to
continue their present activities, as they
feel they have been betrayed by a former
friend, and again treated unjustly by a
long time enemy.
Letters
‘Let the pedestrians’ walk be a safe one’
TO TIIE EDITOR:
I am a resident of an apartment that is
noted for being "Just a Walk Away"
from the University campus Sometimes
this walk is not easily made. In order to
reach the campus. I must walk across
the railroad tracks and then across East
Campus Road onto Hooper Street The
railroad tracks are no problem The
train, if present, slows and then rings the
hell continuously while passing the area
Crossing East Campus Road I walk
across the area designated as the
“ Pedestrian Crossing " Perhaps the
motorists do not realize that the
predestrians do have the right of way. or
perhaps the Chemistry test they just
failed is more prevalent in their minds
than what they are presently doing
behind the wheel
Pedestrians wait, eyeing the other side
of the street, hoping their timing is good
The stream of traffic rushes by and few
stop Maybe the motorist would deem it
important enough to stop if he were
aware of the increase of pedestrian-
motorist accidents on the University
campus Captain Nix of the University
Police reports statistics that of the school
year 1975-76 there were two pedestrian-
motorist collision accidents (one pedestrian
injured and one not injured); 1976-77.four
pedestrians wre involved, all receiving
injury; 1977-78. there were three such
cases, none being wi'hout injury
I would like to appeal to your sense of
community Stop, let the pedestrians'
walk be a safer one The statistics for the
school year 1978-79 are not yet complete
Hopefully, with your help, there will be a
decrease in pedestrian-motorist acci
dents Thank you for letting me be heard.
DEBORAH M BROCK
‘Have some
respect’
TO THE EDITOR:
I am a freshman at the University, a
fact I am indeed proud of I don't skulk
around with my head between my knees
or gawk at upper classmen. I am a
student and just as important as anyone
else on this campus I paid all my fees
and thereby feel I should have received
quite a few rights One thing I have
certainly not received however has been
respect
I was so excited when 1 found I had
been accepted at Georgia and started
receiving all the necessary forms and
applications in the mail Then I
discovered the dorm in which I was to
stay was to be co-ed After the initial
shock. I thought that it would be a good
way to meet more of the opposite sex if
nothing else Was I ever in for a
surprise'
I suppose anyone reading this is
thinking, "just another freshman, got a
lot to learn kid!” Well, maybe I do But
one thing I was taught long ago was
respect Respect for parents, brothers,
sisters, elders and peers Respect for
peers seems to he extinct at this
University, along with maturity. (Both
male and female.)
I came to the University for a better
education, not to make a fool of myself to
people who don't even know me Sure, I
like to have a good time occasionally, but
could someone tell me how they get kicks
yelling from his window, at 11 N and
12;00 at night, obscene things to residents
of Russell Hall? Look guys, they aren’t
interested in hearing what you have to
say and neither am 1! Don't you have
any respect for other residents on
Creswell Hall? Do you have any respect
for decent people, people who prefer to
not have to listen to such flagrant
displays of plain filth! If you weren't
taught better manners at home then you
should certainly make an effort to learn
some now!
No person, male or female, should have
to be subjected to such treatment But
what can be done when Graduate
Residents and Resident Assistants say
there is nothing they can do° Perhaps the
President of the University's Housing
Department would be interested in
knowing what kind of activities are
provided by those with a perverted sense
of humor for those who are trying to
sleep.
However, if the housing department is
uninterested, would campus police be of
any assistance'’
NAME WITHHELD
‘Invited to
open house’
TO TIIE EDITOR:
The influx of the Abolitionist Party is
producing new happenings The refer
endum to abolish Sludent Government is
scheduled for Thursday. April 5. as close
to April Fool's Day as possible All
students are urged lo vole "Yes'' on
April 5 lo do away with SGA
Another proposal of the Abolitionist
Party is an open house in the Student
Body President's office This will be the
first such Student Government open
house in history With abolishment taking
place next Thursday, this will also be the
last such get together Thus, the entire
Student Body is cordially invited to this
first and last open house in the
President's office in Memorial Hall
tomorrow, Friday, March Mat 4 00 pm
Beverages will be provided by the
Brewmasters
Referring to the Brewmasters. the date
of BEER DAY has been set for Friday.
April 20—all students are asked to bring
a beer or two to class on this day lo
support the cause of beer on campus. A
rally will be held at noon on Memorial
Plaza Festivities will include a
championship beer pour-off, a Brew-
master membership drive, and a new
type of wel beer-shirt contest. The
AMitionist Party has just begun—SGA is
dead!
.1 IIAROI.D Ml'I.IIERIN
Abolitionist Party
‘Get matters
under control’
TO TIIE EDITOR:
Now that we are all back from the
spring holiday and. I hope, resolved to do
better than we have been doing. 1 am
obliged to bring to your attention a
problem of English usage which 1 find
increasingly disturbing I refer to the
distinction between "lie" and "lay " In
The Red and Black for March 8. Robert
Holland, a staff writer, began an article
with this question directed at his
readers: “Looking forward to spring
break so you can find the nearest major
rock show, lay in the sun with thousands
of other fans, etc ?" Mr Holland should
have used ““lie."
Mr Holland is not alone in bis lapse,
for only a few weeks ago the writer of the
lead editorial in The Bed and lilack also
misused the two words I did not have
time to write you then, and hence I have
had to suffer this new affront
Matters are getting worse In the
Athens l)ail> News for March 22 (page)
25). a columnist named Erma Bombeck.
who presumably is paid for her writing,
describes her son's peccadilloes and
laments the waste of his “pure, organic,
honey herbal-scented shampoo that cost
$1 50 an ounce and lays on its side
without a cap running down the drain "
She should have said that the shampoo
lies on its side, of course
The distinction between “lie" and
“ lay" is a simple one that can be grasped
by most college freshmen, even though
they are bombarded by a having cream
commecial about a man's beard that "is
just laying there" "Lie" (not to be
confused, naturally, with the word
meaning "prevaricate") is intransitive,
"lay" is transitive and takes a direct
object Here is a paragraph that uses the
several forms of these two verbs die lay,
lain, lying; and lay, laid, laid, laying):
Joe College lay awake half the night
worrying about his exam, but having
taken it, he laid his books aside At the
beach, he lays his towel on the sand and
then lies on it Having lain long in the sun
and having laid his cares aside, he
resolves to do better next quarter He has
been laying up new stores of energy, for
he will not spend much time Iving by the
pool
I hope that your writers will value
these niceties, as I do The English
language is a splendid instrument of
thought which is capable of expressing
subtle nuances When fine distinctions of
language are ignored, however, our
thinking is less keen and our expression
of ideas is marred
JOHN DOWLING
Department of Bomance Languages
‘Dissent alive
and well’
TO TIIE EDITOR:
From time to time the world has heard
voices asserting the responsibility of the
individual to evaluate the commands of
his fellow men and their governmental
institutions in terms of the moral
commandments men must adhere to
Mostly these voices have belonged to
obscure radicals, such as Thoreau,
Gandhi, and Jesus of Nazareth. This last
one coined a catchy phrase along that
line: "Render unto Caesar those things
that are God's." But in the late I940's the
United States added a certain measure of
legal respectability to that idea when it
prosecuted members of a foreign
government and its military for obeying
lawful commands of their governmental
superiors, even thqugh they "should have
known it was wrong" to do those things
The particular teachings on this issue
of that radical, mideastern sect founded
by Jesus of Nazareth are of particular
interest to me. and to several other
students on campus, as we are all
members We worship a Deity that has
commanded "Thou shall not kill.” and
even further, that "(we) shall love (our)
enemies, and pray for those who
persecute (us).” Of course, our
government has guaranteed us the
freedom to follow these bizarre religious
beliefs, and even during the reign of
Selective Service the law recognized
acceptable means of serving one’s
country without bearing arms Some
times it happened that a man who felt he
had a legitimate claim to serve in one of
those alternate capacities was refused by
officials who could not relate lo the color
of his politics, or the cut of his hair; then
that man had to make a choice
But the point is, in a democracy, we
honor diversity of opinion Even the
opinions of those who do not see war as
inevitable, or useful
You see. Tom. dissent is alive and well
in America So is the concept that the
military service is not the only service
They are both lawful, constitutional, and
American ideas. So if you really think
that we are all going to pack up quietly
and steal away in the night, silencing the
voices of protest, and allowing you to
have your little wars in peace, you have
another think coming!
BRUCE CASTER