Newspaper Page Text
Mike Riley
Are We Our Own Worst Crisis?
Since the conclusion of World War 11, America
has over heated, over illuminated, and over
driven its natural resources Conservationists
warned repeatedly that some day this excessive
use and abuse would lead to problems of enor
mous proportions. America now finds itself in
the middle of the most severe energy crisis in its
history. Thus far, the conservationists have
refrained from saying, “I told you so.”
The excessive life style that so many
Americans have grown accustomed is on the
verge of becoming a thing of the past. The old
cliche. ”1 walked 20 miles through the snow to
get to school.” may soon experience a rebirth
within the generation some 50 years removed
trom the great depression. Now that the energy
crisis is here, and no longer a mere warning
\oiced in the wilderness of unconcern, it will
indeed be interesting to see how the American
}>eople and their society adjust to the situation.
Since an energy crisis is anew thing to the
American way of life some indication of what we
may have in store can best be depicted by
examining our European neighbors.
Western Europe has had an energy crisis for
some time now. Yet the European countries have
continued to function on a normal basis.
However, some personal sacrifices have been
required of the European people.
For those that have been to Europe, par
ticularly in the winter months, it is easy to see
how the Europeans conserve heating fuel. The
thermostat is always set well below 70 degrees
There are times when one wonders if the heat is
on at all Instead of increasing the heat flow,
warmer clothing is worn indoors
Gasoline prices in Europe are high, averaging
SI per gallon throughout the continent. In
Michael Ray
Say It Again , Sam
At some point in life, almost everyone becomes
obsessed with an idea or thought It can strike at
a moment's notice and recur for years and
years. My own obsession began innocently
enough
Late one summer night, I retired to my
t>edroom after watching Gary Cooper shoot it out
with the bad guys on a late, late show. As I
prepared myself for an evening of repose, it
suddenly hit me. By changing one letter of the
movie's title, I could completely alter the story.
1 rushed to a nearby steno pad and jotted down
my new title. However, I did not stop there. I
wrote down a synopsis of my new movie, much
like the ones used in “TV Guide.” This is what it
eventually looked like.
HIGH SOON—The sad story of a pathetic wino
and the depression period he goes through before
his next high.
Admittedly, my first effort lacked a great deal
of sophistication. But my obsession was great,
and I spent the better part of that night writing
more and more jumbled movie titles. Here are a
tew examples of my night’s work.
B-A-S-ll —A sensational courtroom scene
highlights this movie about the trial of the in
famous hammer murderer
HATCH 22— A long-awaited documentary
about the famous egg laying contest held an
nually in Tenafly, New Jersey.
TIIK LONGEST GAY—'The poignant, gripping
biography of the world’s tallest homosexual,
Johnnie Wayne.
SAT ON A HOT TIN HOOF—Excellent thriller
m which the authorities try to solve the
mysterious death of a millionaire banker. Their
only clue-the strange burns on the victim's
derriere. Chill Wills.
ViKSKiKOtMiIVX
Steve Liner t r**l
New* Editor Bu*ine** Manager
Craphie* * tommy Smith
Sport* Linda Lee
(iary Abbey
Th- *I->T t.MtKt.lt> i- wkl> during final
and aralHn* ai t-armlllnn. *in ihr aadrnl" f tan fiaorpia
(jdlege. Sul*M-r|HHn rr ataifabfr ul a *rar: and rann. ar*-
atailabtn upon m|iK*.
f tpinion* rtprrwni in .ijord anirlo arr llw*- of *!■ aulhoi-.. I napwd
rdilnriak- arr iho-r of Ihr majority of Ihr Uaff mrmbrr* on ihr rdiloriul
hoard. In nrilhrr indanrr arr ihr, lo br lakrn a. rrprr-nlinf lh.no- of ihr
xud ha at. ai lar : r. ihr farolo. ihr -laff. .a- ihr admin Miration of ihi
roUrge.
Box 10005 Phoieß3l-UI I r\t. I I I A
s
'
France, for example, it cost well over $lO to fill a
Volkswagen. Needless to say. at those prices few
Frenchmen ride to the corner drug store,
SAY IT AGAIN. SAM—The touching, true life
story of a young married couple and the
situations that arise when it is discovered that
the wife is gradually losing her hearing.
BOLDFINGER—A recently released porno
flick about a young radical who travels to the
City Hall each day and makes obscene gestures.
These are just a few of the many titles that I
rew rote. That was two years ago But even now.
whenever I see a movie, I immediately try to
juggle the title. It is a curse which I am destined
to carry throughout life.
Here are a few recent efforts:
THE CHASTE TANGO IN PARIS—A
beautifully-made, impressionistic film that
depicts the exhaustive, two and one-half hour
tango performed by a middle-aged French
couple. Watch for the classic finale as the man
bows from the waist, wipes his brow with a
handkerchief and says, “Frankly madame, I
could use a dram.”
BANG THE MUM. SLOWLY—Adequate
horror flick with a madman loose in a florist
shop.
THE EAST DETAIL—A terrible, low-budget
movie that reeks with racist overtones. The
basic plot—Why is an all black army outfit
chosen to march 20 miles in the Arctic Circle to
retrieve a colonel s lost toddy glass?
IIE ATE GATSBY—In the finest tradition of
the old Frankenstein meets Wolfman movies,
Jay Gatsbv is saved by miracle surgery. The
story goes from there as Gatsby encounters a
horrible creature from New Mexico, and the two
battle for the possession of the world. Plot is a bit
thin, but nice shock ending.
THE STAYS WE WERE—A bizarre comment
on the present morality is the theme of this film
about the suicide of a brassiere tycoon.
HASH WEDNESDAY—An existential movie
tilled with beautiful performances and imagery.
The plot revolves around a lonely Arizona cafe
where life has become drab and predictable.
Excellent surgical footage depicts Joe the Cook
using his knife to transform hamburger meat
into a ravishing sirloin steak. Could be a bit gory
for the squeamish.
SILLY HACK—Remake of the old Joan
Crawford movie, “Strait Jacket.” The new
version interprets the story as a comedy, played
strictly for laughs.
There were others—Slaughterhouse-Hive,
Super Pie, The Wrench Connection—but those
are too numerous to mention. I am doomed to lie
awake at night with these things rolling through
my mind.
How about—“ Five Easy Leases” or “Tarzan
of the Grapes” 0r....
Instead, bicycles and walking are primary
modes of transportation in most of Europe
Eventually Americans will be forced into the
same situation.
Rapid transit systems ar used extensively
throughout most of urban Europe. Regardless
how inconvenient this may sound, riding a tram
is usually much cheaper than driving.
Electrical applainces are held to a bare
minimum in European homes Many household
“necessities” of the American housewife are
still considered luxuries to the European
homemaker. A “diswasher. ’ to a European
family, is not an appliance but rather one or
more members of the family, instead of using a
vacuum cleaner, a carpet sweeper, broom, and
mop suffice. Most neighborhoods have nearby,
coin-operated, laundry facilities, few middle
class homes contain a washer or dryer.
As inconvenient as all this may sound th
average European leads a pleasant existence.
There is really very little difference in the life
style lound in Europe and America except for the
fact that the Eroupean is less mobile than the
American. Due to this lack of mobility the tempo
at which the European lives is considerably
slower than that of the American. With this in
mind let us ponder the effect of a slower routine
and its influence on the American way of life
Many Americans suffer from ulcers, high
blood pressure, and stress from the hectic pace
ot everyday life. The American family has un
dergone drastic change, which has been con
tributed, in part, to increased individual
mobility. Even at play the American wears
himself out In a sense the life style is centered
around one word, “Go”.
Enter the energy crisis. Individual mobility is
hindered and as a result Americans are forced to
slow down The American people literally ran
out of gas.
Many have prophesied detrimental,
catastrophic effects that the energy crisis will
bring about. The economy will fold, thousands
will he jobless, and so on. However, there is no
need for such pessimism. Out of the gloom of
disaster comes an optimistic possibility.
The American people will slow down In this
they will have no choice. In so doing they may
take a closer look at the world in which they have
l>een speeding through and learn to appreciate
and conserve the natural beauty that has
managed to survive the assault of man. If this
comes about-then the energy crisis will have
l>een worth every inconvenience. The ironic side
to the situation is the fact that it took a fuel
shortage, rather than man’s concern, to bring
about a more moderate and enjoyable life style.
But of course, that is typically human.
Letters To
The Editor
The Editors:
Asa recent graduate of West
Georgia College I was disturbed
by the direction in which this
institution was headed at the time
of my departure.
The current college ad
ministration and other more
realistic individuals on the
campus are to be commended for
their crackdown on those so
called “students” and
“professors” who were here, and
in a lot of cases are still here, for
the sole purpose of enjoyment
and-or disruption.
The idea that intelligence and
liberalism are synonymous is not
only ridiculous but narrow
minded. We still, however, are
misfortunate in that we have both
students and faculty who preach
this fallacy. And the frightening
fact is that a lot of people believe
anything that they are told and
are unwilling to investigate the
many sides of any given
THE WIST GEORGIAN JUNE J 1*74
argument
Returning to my alma mater
lor summer study toward my
MEd degree, this studen*
realizes that there will be those
who find this letter as hard t<
swallow as I have found their
words repulsive
A return to responsible pursuit
of education is apparent at
West Georgia College. The next
move is to call a halt to
“assembly line education” as it
exists, not only at WGC but
throughout the entire country.
I am in complete agreement
with the position advocated by
Allen Gunter in the most recent
issue f “The West Georgian ".
Changes are hopefully in store for
our educational systems as they
exist today...such changes are
going to be necessary for the
survival of our colleges and
universities.
Name Withheld
5