Newspaper Page Text
PAGE FOUR
West gkmgiax
Use HOWELL
Managing r.auor
/ GENE HORNE
Bttdnws Manager
News Editor Mary Zingleman
Features Editor Linda Hanson
Sports Editor Bill Harper
Staff Photographers Edgar Tirado. Mark Stone
Quotations From
Chairman Bill
On this page, we are printing without comment a
statement by Bill Driver, the Student Government
Association Finance Committee Chairman. He has
taken this paper, and particularly its editor, to task for
what he considers “editorialising” in the news columns.
We are as willing to print the views of those who
criticise us as we are willing to print the views of
those who praise us perhaps a little more so. For, we
feel that one in a position of authority must never allow
himself to become so enhanced with his own greatness
that he cannot accept criticism and change his postures
if such a change is warrented.
In a sense of fairplay, we are not going to take a
combative role concerning the thoughts of our friend,
Chairman Bill, though obviously we have
dissagreements. We will allow his words to stand or fall
on their own merit. We appreciate his concern for the
journalistic endeavors on this campus. We look forward
to our confrontations -as well as our confromity, if such
a position is called for - in the future.
White Man's Candidate
Our sensibilities have recently been apalled and of
fended by the performance of one of the men who seeks
to fill the shoes of the late Senator Richard B. Russell.
We are referring to the radio and television ad
vertisements of the white supremist candidate for the
United States Senate, J. B. Stoner of Marietta.
His attempt at political education and elucidation is
simply to spew forth the timeworn concepts of racial
superiority and religious prejudice. His eloquence
consists of stating irrational and unwarranted concepts
which he thens tries to dignify (?) with rather heavy
handed sexual overtones. His contempt for other people
- including the voters, it seems, is obious.
An example of his thinking: “the main reason why
niggers want integration is because that niggers want
our white women.”
If Stoner was not so serious about his crusade, and if
there were not many people in this state and nation who
accept his words as true, then watching him run a
political campaign of this sort would be somewhat,
humorous if one had a morbid sense of humor.
An Atlanta television station, which is prohibited by
law from censoring paid political advertisements by
duly qualified candidates, runs a disclaimer before and
after presenting the campaign statements. We can
readily understand why.
We would hope that all Gerogians would issue a
disclaimer at the polls to this type of twisted thinking.
We thought that the system of segregation based on
the unfortunate concept of racial superiority had been
duly laid to rest. We are sorry to see this ghost from our
oast rear its angry and bitter head, to once again spread
this venomous doctrine abroad in our state and nation.
We feel that there must exist a better platform on
which to seek public office than the espousal of bigotry
and bias based on race or religion.
We hope the voters of Georgia see through this shallow
thinking and choose another of the many candidates in
the race. With seventeen other people in the race - in
cluding liberals, and conservatives, old and young,
Democrats and Republicans - surely there can be found
an agreeable candidate without resorting to warmed -
over political garbage such as the rantings of J. B.
Stoner.
We fear for the future if they do not.
THE WEST GEORGIAN
0k
mm
Faced with mounting criticism,
some of we “deadweight elites”
in Student Government have
become more than a little
disgusted with Lee Howell’s
brand of journalism. His sen
seless tirade against the Student
Government Association
represents the most irresponsible
journalism the West Georgian
has displayed in my three years
here at West Georgia.
Mr. Howell’s vendetta surfaced
publicly in the July 21 issue. The
“Power Play” phrased headline
reflected a complete lack of
objectivity by a person so
directly involved in the
publications controversy. Rick
Waites’ so-called power play was
no less “retaliatory” or
threatening than the Publications
Board’s move to “streamline” its
membership and to exclude the
Student Government
representatives. Further, it
certainly does not surprise this
observer to note Mr. Howell’s
failure to report the manner in
which the Publications Board
considered and adopted its
“revised” Constitution.
OVER THE PROTESTS
Over the protests and
dissenting votes of Rick Waites
and myself, the new Constitution
was presented and quickly
passed during the last meeting of
Spring Quarter, ignoring any
semblance of parlimentary
procedure, which neither the old
or “revised” versions even
provide for. More importantly,
though Howell frequently refers
to former Student Government
members of the Board, he fails to
mention that neither Rick nor
myself have ever missed a
Publications Baord meeting, and
he certainly never explains why
student representatives are in
capable of serving among the
“elite” of the Publications board.
These points I mention,
because they appeared as news
reporting, not in the editorial
column. It seems Mr. Howell
reserves the right to be as biased
and inaccurate in his editorials as
he chooses; however, his
reference to an SGA “slush fund”
cannot be supported by facts.
While the editorial suggests
subtle misuse of refrigerastor
program funds, it fails to report
that nine days earlier, on July 12,
a financial statement was
released disclosing recent ex
penditures of those funds. I am
enclosing a copy of that report
with this article, and I trust that
Mr. Howell, in a true spirit of
what he terms “dialogue and
negotiations,” will publish it.
(See Box page 5.)
CANNOT IGNORE
FACTS
And while we are considering
dialogue, I would challenge Mr.
Howell to deny the important
third paragraph of the infamous
“Waites memorandum.” Though
Mr. Howell may not accept the
concepts of fiscal and
representative responsibility, he
cannot ignore the fact that only
Student Government took any
initiative in “reviewing,
criticizing, and recommending
VIEWPOINT
Bill Driver
Incidentally,Mr, Howell
Bill Driver, Finance Committee Chairman of the Student Govern
ment Association, express his viewpoint on the recent PMteatioii>
board controversy. In order to be fair, his article is published unedited
and without comment.
improvements” in the Chieftain
yearbook.
Mr. Howell doesn’t tell you that
the Publications Board actually
waived it annual review of the
Chieftain, completely ignoring
student opinion. He doesn’t tell
you that much of the blame for
the Chieftain's failure can be
placed squarely upon the
shoulders of a Publications Board
that was non-receptive to the
input of its “deadweight” student
representatives.
-|4viewpoiNTf4-
It would seem that not only
should Dr. Pafford be more
selective in appointing a
Chairman of the Publications
Board, but that the Board should
exercise greater care in its
selection of advisors to those
publications.
MORE OF THE
SAME
The July 28 West Georgian
contained more of the same.
Cleverly quoting himself as the
“proposed victim of a would-be
hatchet job,” Howell used the
headline article to continue his
Bruce Rogers
For Complaints. • •
“The Consumer Relations Board is beginning an intensive drive for
information from students at West Georgia,” reports Chairman
George Mays, a junior from Carrollton.
Statements of personal ex
periences with businesses in
Carrollton (on campus or off) are
being sought as a basis for in
vestigation by the Board. Such
statements will be held in
strictest confidence by the Board
unless written permission is
granted by the individual.
Reports by the Board will be
presented in terms of statistics
and personal investigations by
members of the Board, rather
than citing individuals who have
given information to the Board.
Everyone must realize the
necessity that the Consumer
Relations Board try to function
with a minimum of prejudice.
Praise of an establishment will
be given at least as much weight
as complaints. A business will be
given an opportunity to present
its case to members of the Board.
Businesses that prove to be of
high caliber will receive offical
recognition by the Board and thus
indirectly by the students at
WGC. The Board will attempt to
alleviate many of the misun
derstandings between the people
of Carrollton and the students at
WGC. Both Carrollton and the
students will benefit.
Present plans include the
publication of a statistical break
down of student experiences,
both good and bad. with in-
AUGUST 4, 1972
personal crusade against Student
Government. While Howell
asserts that Dr. Pafford’s
memorandum “reprimands”
Waites, he fails to portray so
vividly the significant failure of
the Publications Board to run
roughshod over student interests.
Instead, Howell attempts to
drive a wedge between Dr.
Pafford and Student Government
by quoting an off-the-cuff remark
of an SGA official. Clearly, that
type of unnecessary reporting
does nothing to further that spirit
of “Dialogue and negotiation”
Howell speaks so hopefully of.
I would conclude this comment
in much the same manner Howell
has ended his editorials the past
two weeks.
DEFINITE QUESTIONS
We in the Student Government
feel that definite questions exist
concerning the current Editor-in
chief of the West Georgian.
We are concerned that the West
Georgian has becoem the per
sonal plaything of a journalist
dedicated to the “noble” defense
of publication autonomy and
disregard for student opinion.
We are convinced, with many
other members of this college
community, that perhaps the
wrong decision was made by the
Publications Board in ilk
selection of the present Editor,
and— if it was maybe we
should be seeking some ways to
change it.
dividual businesses. Sample
forms are being circulated about
the campus soliciting statements
by students. Although “forms”
are not necessary, they can be
obtained through the SGA office.
Students are strongly urged to
send their comments to the
Consumer Relations Board via
the SGA office.
Students interested in law
especially consumer affairs anc
''public law, can gain worthwhile
experience with the Consumer
Relations Board. It is commor
knowledge that West Georgia has
many committees that simply
exist, but this cannot and will not
be the case with the Consumer
Relations Board. Far from some
vague quasi-administrative
function, this Board has a clear
and definite purpose. To exist,
the Consumer Relations Board
will have to act! This is a chance
to become involved in what has
become a highly respected oc
cupation due to the efforts of
consumer crusaders such as
Ralph Nader. If you are in
terested in this, contact the SGA
office. The next called meeting
for the Board will be Tuesday
(August 8) in front of the library
at 8 o’clock. From there the
members will move to a con
ference room.