Newspaper Page Text
2
THE WEST GEORGIAN WEDNESDAY AUGUST 12,1991
Opinion
Are You Ready?
Well, its that time of year and all of
the debate is over now The time has
finally come when everyone, pro and
con alike, must admit that football at
West Georgia is a reality And it wasn't
an easy thing to accomplish
Rarely has an issue divided the cam
pus into two such different schools of
thought. Asbestos, the duck pond, in
creased tuition and massive waves of
vandalism all took a back seat in the
past year so that the "rear' issue could
be discussed Of course, that issue was
the possible formation of a football pro
gram at West Georgia Everyone seem
ed to have an opinion and nobody seem
ed too reluctant to speak out, either for
or against
Yet, now that is all history. Practices
have begun Coaches have been chosen.
Space and money have been provided
Football is here, whether you like it or
not And that is where the point of this
editorial lies. This coming quarter will
be the debut of the West Georgia
Braves football team. Is the campus go
ing to be ready for it?
Lock 'Em Up
Do you automatically lock your doors
every time you leave your dorm room
or get out of your car? Do you leave
valuables, such as a radio, camera,
jewelry or your books, in your room or
car unattended with the doors unlock
ed'’ If you do, you should use a little
more common sense
According to the latest Public Safety
statistics, out of 59 reported burglaries
in dorms during the 1960/81 fiscal year,
50of them, 84 7 percent, were in unlock
ed rooms More than that may have
gone unreported or unnoticed Almost
$5,000 worth of property was stolen
from automobiles during the same
period Many of those cars were unlock
ed
Perhaps some of the property stolen
from unlocked rooms and cars would
The West Georgian welcomes letters
from its readers on topics of general
and campus interest Letters criticizing
or praising editorial stands or opinions
are also welcomed Letters must be
signed by the author, typed and must
include a valid mailing address or
telephone number for verification In
certain instances, names will be
withheld upon request. Unsigned letters
will not be considered for publication
Letters to the editor should not exceed
300 words and are subject to editing for
Note to Advertisers
The acceptance of advertising material appearing in the West Georgian does
not constitute approval of the messages therein The West Georgian does not
have a judgmental or discriminating advertising policy Freedom of Informa
tion requires that some sensitive material be made available in the interest of
serving the student body NOTE TO ADVERTISERS. Deadline for all advertis
ing copy is 3 pm. on Friday Rates are as follows: 5-60 column inches per issue
sl 25 an inch; 60-100 column inches per issue sl 20 an inch; 100-200 column
inches per issue sl 10 an inch. Contact Mark McCloud Monday thru Friday
from2p m.—sp.m
THE WEST GEORGIAN
EDITOR Mark McCloud
MANAGING EDITOR Debbie Godbee
NEWS EDITORS Jeff Styles,
Ellen Wilson
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Hal Partridge
SPORTS EDITOR Mike Mead
ART EDITOR Alan Kuykendall
STAFF WRITERS Bob Haynie. Derwin Smith
COPY EDITOR Jenny Szimanski
ADVERTISING MANAGER Mark McCloud
STAFF ACCOUNTANT Judy Wells
PHOTO EDITOR David Edwards
PHOTOGRAPHER John Steed
ADVISER Lisa McNeroey
The West Georgian is published every other Wednesday during the summer
quarter. Office hours are 2-5 pm each weekday.
Subscriptions are $5 per year Please send name and address along with
payment to: Subscription Dept., The West Georgian, Student Center, Car
rollton, Ga. 30118.
Editorial policies and unsigned editorials reflect the consensus of the
Editorial Board of the West Georgian. The board will consist of the editor,
managing editor and five editors selected by them. The Board is also responsi
ble for amending policy when the need arises.
We think that the students and faculty
of this institution should put prejudices
and hard feelings aside and support the
football team as best it can.
At this point in time the program
could do one of two things for this cam
pus It could provide a point of focus for
student pride and involvement and add
spirit to our collective attitude. (We are
overdue to become something more
than just a “suitcase college", and are
not known for an abundance of school
spirit.) Or, it could become the bat
tie ground between sports lovers and
those who believe that athletics should
not be given a place in an institution of
academic study, therefore becoming a
handicap for our school instead of an
asset Only time will tell.
Football should be given a fair
chance and there is no way the sport
can be successful without the support of
the students at this college The pro
gram could very well turn out to be the
flag that we can all rally around, chang
ing us from a school of weekday
students to a family of proud West
Georgia Braves
have been taken away. But more likely,
some lazy thief would have gone on to
look for simpler prey Most thieves are
not locksmiths; if they were they might
be able to make a legal dollar And they
don’t like to waste the precious time it
takes to jimmy a lock or break a win
dow They like to get it over with fast
and make off with the goods before
anyone has a chance to catch them
A locked door is a great deterrent to
thieves If you keep valuables in your
room or car, lock up when you leave,
even if it means carrying your key to
the shower in your mouth
Why let your property be easy money
for a thief when with the push of a but
ton or the turn of a key, you could
discourage him? It’s so simple
Letter Policy
style, clarity, libel and length
The West Georgian also welcomes
guest editorials They should not ex
ceed 300 words and must be submitted
two weeks before desired publication
date All guest opinions are subject to
approval by the editorial board.
Letters and guest editorials should be
addressed as follows: Editor, The West
Georgian, Student Center, West
Georgia College, Carrollton, Ga 30118.
w s
ii
The Difference is Wbrth Knowing'
By Mark McCloud
• * m
We all complain about the rip-offs,
the cheats, the dishonest people we see
everyday. But all too often we simply
look the other way, fearing the con
sequences of becoming involved
That's what makes it easy for those
with larceny in their hearts to continue
their errant ways, seeking bigger and
larger prey That’s what makes it easy
for many to cheat just a little here and
there without giving much thought. It's
catching You simply justify it to
yourself by saying, “Well, everybody
else does it.” People cheat on their in
come taxes, politicians cheat on tax
payers, people cheat on each other,
and, of course, we’ve all read and heard
about the welfare, and round and round
it goes Once you’ve gotten away with it
the first time, it’s much easier the time
after that.
We consumers often groan about the
inflation spiral and sit here wondering
where it's going to end Every industry
in the country has cheats on the payroll
who siphon off the profits using some
very ingenious methods which, in turn,
leads to higher prices for all of us In
addition to the internal cheats, there is
also the external type sometimes
called shoplifters
I fzON£ "L" |
AHOKO’IK&IOa.I- I —jfll
In Other Words'—
By Hal Partridge
I came to West Georgia tour months
ago with a busted lip and a broken
heart. The lip has healed but the heart
is still in ill repair 1 don't understand
its not working properly: I fuel it with
some of the best alcohol in town.
Perhaps the reason for its nonproduc
tive convalescence is the fact that she
condoned his violent methods when I
was there on an intended peaceful mis
sion Six months before she would have
used a two-by-four on anyone who
might threaten me perniciously This is
the thought that really hurt In other
words, the collision my lip had with his
fist hurt nothing like the pounding my
heart took when she didn' even show
concern
So. what was my alternative, what
was the miracle that would save me
from a lifetime of solitary pain? Ah yes.
West Georgia College. A “real college”
with real education, elucidation, enter
tainment. experience. A "real campus”
replete with pretty, intelligent girls,
understanding and full of willing, em
pathetic devotion.
Hah!
Alton, you were right. Relationships
do not matter down here. It makes me
wonder why you have been faithful. But
then, you don't try one way or the other,
do you?
Alton, you know what I like... Give me
a girl with enough adventure in her
spirit to run beside me on excursions
that serve the ole purpose of finding a
new, unknown pleasure. Give me a girl
with self discipline, but not so much so
to let postponable responsibilities get in
the way of these excursions. Give me a
girl who is naive enough not to be as
cynical as me. Give me a girl with some
artistic understanding or knowledge; it
doesn't matter what, as long as she can
comprehend art. Give me a girl with
something special about her eyes
sadness, happiness, it just really
doesn't matter, just so long as they are
special. Give me a girl whose gentle
swaying can cast moonbeams by the
Monkey See, Monkey Do
A few weeks ago, I witnessed large
scale cheating on an exam Not the
sneak a quick peek at a neighbor's un
covered paper, I’m talking about open
discussions of exam questions, “Let's
all compare answers”. I wrestled with
my conscience, torn between the
knowledge that while we look down
upon dishonesty and cheating, we don’t
exactly hold “the informer" in high
esteem. To complicate matters, the
teacher was absent and the graduate
assistant who was administering the
test, did not feel the need to be present
As I left the classroom a woman student
asked how I had done on the test Wit
tongue in cheek I said: “I don't kn0w...1
didn't have any help from my friends.”
She replied casually, ‘‘What did you ex
pect if he’s not even going to be there?”
While ! was sitting on the proverbial
fence trying to figure out what to do, I
turned over in mind all of the events as
they took place and tried to place the
ultimate responsibility for what hap
pened. Unfortunately for me, I guess, I
do have a cear understanding of the dif
ference between right and wrong. Arm
ed with this, I reluctantly went to the
professor and explained the situation.
While I wasn't expecting congra tula
side Give me this woman, this one and
only, or excuse me just give me a
girl for the night! I can be as superficial
and fleeting as the rest; all the good
ones are taken anyway. Alton.
I think I’ve just sparked another
thought. The one that always persists...
Julie.
Very often when I think about her, my
eyes will become cloudy. Very often
still then, these clouds will release
streams about my cheeks She was the
best —and the worst, at one time. She
made me feel my most profound emo
tions ever. I loved her —and I hated
her, at one time. The hate derived from
what she did at the end. But time does
heal wounds sometimes, and now, all
the hate is gone.
In September I gave her up for col
lege and writing. Not really then, the
break-up started before then, but my
aspirations were part of it. Then, by
March, I was almost ready to give up
college for her. She had other plans,
though. I suppose what she had found
was more secure than living with a
poor, student-writer-romantic
dreamer. Girls usually either opt for
love or security in a relationship.
Within the span of two years, she found
both at separate'times. But her new
found security will not last it’s
ephermeral.
I worry about her. The road she is on
leads toa foggy valley that blinds vision
it’s a rut for which is no way out. She
could go to college, but she won’t. Her
future looks bleak. She'll end up in 10 or
20 years, like one of her aunts, struggl
ing to survive. I told her once that so
many people get caught in these ruts
and end up deflated like a limp balloon.
The only thing that keeps them going is
that slight gust of wind their employers
give them in the form of their meagre
paychecks. She doesn’t listen now. She
just listens to the clink of the coins in
her waitress tray. But that paltry sum
will become even less sufficient when
she is older and needs more but can’t
tions, ! neither was prepared for his
response. He accused me of lying, of be
ing an opportunist, and claimed 1 was a
“bad" student, the old “blame-the
victim routine” He assured as he knew
some students “socially”. Now really
Surely you don’t expect that people
questioned in a social atmosphere are
going to incriminate themselves by ad
mitting to such behavior do you? I’m
not that stupid.
Next, 1 went to the department chair
man who seemed more concerned
about the problem than the professor
did, but who, in the end said he felt that
nothing could be done.
After three visits to the dean. I learn
ed that another witness had come for
ward to corroborate my story. But I
found I was still at square one The
dean’s only offer of a solution was for
me to name and point out every person
cheating. Since in the first place, I
could not identify all of them and in the
second place, I did not intend for this to
become a crusade, I gave up. This is
what they probably wanted me to do all
along. It doesn't solve anything, of
course, but I suppose if yov ignore a
problem long enough, you can at least
convince yourself that you never really
Disillusionment
get it.
She came into my life as softly and as
beautifully as a cloud floating across a
blue sky like a cloud that takes on the
image of a maiden in a flowing white
gown from a dream It was my dream.
So many times I envisioned her that
way.
Sometimes I would get a bit high and
we would sit on the gold sofa and I
would ramble on and on. She would
smile and urge me to go on. She has a
comely smile —one that when her lips
part, all of her teeth would show as full
as a string of pearls.
She is a beautiful girl. She has green
eyes that can sparkle like emeralds
when she is happy, or, without a word,
can tell you when she is sad. Hers tend
to get a bit cloudy too when she is sad.
She has a cute little button nose, upturn
ed somewhat, that used to be the
penultimate place I would kiss as I
made my rounds about her forehead,
cheeks and chin. The paper I’m writing
on feels soggy again. Then her lips. Her
lips are very kis&able extremely so.
They have just that right softness and
resilency that gives you back as much
as you give in. Her body is slight; she is
short, barely five feet, but she knows
what to do with what she’s got, and
what she’s got...Hah! lain’tgot!
I'm reminded of something I wrote
about her shortly before we broke-up. I
don’t remember verbatim, but it goes
something like this: She is like a puppy
She is seeking and learning things in a
world newly opened to her. She is de
fiant. She will fight anything that
stands in her way. She will run willfully
and bump her nose on obstacles that
are too big for her to budge. Bat she
will just sneeze it off, and run
haphazardly to find new obstacles to
challenge.
I goes something like that. Maybe ex
actly, I’m not sure. At any rate, she has
>-hang*t and so has her world, and the
obstacles get bigger every day.
had one in the first place
This is not the first time that I lve
been aware of cheating on campus. 1
realize it happens at the biggest anc
best of universities. I was tempted to
dismiss the problem with the thought
that, “oh well, they are only hurting
themselves,” particularly since after
leaving school and entering the real
world, they would have to continue the
endless cheating habit in order to cover
up the fact that they had cheated
themselves of the knowledge they need
to earn a livelihood
It if were entirely true that the cheat
only hurts himself, I probably wouldn't
even bother with the mess; but like a
rock dropped in a pond, the ripples are
felt over a wide area. It infects other
students with the disease of taking the
easy way out. Employers who discover
that graduates are missing knowledge
supposedly accured from a college
education won’t be very anxious to hire
any more of those graduates. Knowing
that cheating is tolerated on campus
does nothing to enhance my feeling of
pride in this school. But what really
gets me is the fact that I ultimately had
to pay for the cheater's better grade
And so will you.
You see, Julie sometimes ignores the
reality around her She will misinter
pret the truth just to see things the way
she thinks they are or should be. She
disguises the truth to make it look like
something else the way she wants it
to be, whether it makes her suffer,
benefit or feel good; that is the way it’s
supposed to be —to her. Hell, I live in a
movie with a soundtrack of romantic
music playing in the background, and
she lives in a storybook that only has
permanent happiness on the last page
—but there is always another
storybook being written with more
trials of the heart to go through, and I'll
always star in anothe movie with more
trials of the heart to go through.
My upside-down aviator glasses are
looking back at me now, and I’m look
ing back at myself. I’m in a corner. No!
I’m on a road, just like her, but it’s a
two-way street. Sometimes you have to
give up everything to get everything.
But the everything I gave up, I want
back —with a passion And the
everything I have now, I want with a
passion I’m on that two-way street,
and chains bind about the wrists, and
they’re latched to two fast-moving
vehicles of the future that are traveling
in opposite directions and my shoulders
want to snap and break away, and let
my body fall limp on the ground! Hie
pain would be worth it, the pain that
won’t let go right now.
Perhaps this story is just a catharsis,
a purging of all the emotional bullshit
that has built up a backlog of obsessive
thoughts that I have not rid myself of as
yet, for in reality, I know I am now on
my road, forever to encounter new
worlds, and she is on her road, forever
to abuse and to be abused by the world
in which she is lost. Perhaps this is a
message to others to try to realize the
ramifications of the moves they make
in their own personal affairs, before the
mistakes begin to be felt. Whatever the
case, for me, I know that this is, in
reality, the end of what once was.