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•The West Geocgtan-Wednesday, January 15,1992
4
""West Georgian
MEMBER - Georgia College Press Association
and the Society of Professional Journalists
Serving West Georgia College
and the Carrollton community
for four decades
Pratt Austin-Trucks, Editor
Stuart Churchwell, Advertising Manager
Call your Congressman
If you want your Congressman to hear your complaints about
the recession or especially the budget freeze that West Georgia
College is suffering as a result of the state funding situation, please
listen to the "Wes Minter Show" on WSB-Radio (AM 750) Friday
night from 8 p.m. to midnight. House Minority Whip Newt
Gingrich (R-Ga.), the current representative from this district and a
former WGC professor, will be the guest host. The call-in
numbers are (404)872-0750 for people in the Atlanta calling zone
and (800)972-8255 for all other callers. If you harbor a gripe,
make it known; he’s up for re-election this year.
Smokers have free will
The United States Supreme Court is currently reviewing the
case about whether tobacco companies can be held liable for the
deaths or illnesses of smokers despite the Surgeon General's
warnings that are printed on all cigarette advertisements and
packages.
The family of a New Jersey woman who succumbed to lung
cancer due to heavy cigarette smoking is arguing that the Federal
and Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act of 1965 does not
protect tobacco giants such as Phillip Morris and R.J. Reynolds
from lawsuits about "false or misleading advertising" ( Atlanta
Constitution, January 14, 1992).
The lawyer representing the tobacco companies argued that a
ruling in favor of the Cipollone family would open the door to
state-to-state action and would also "disrupt uniformity" of
regulation that Congress originally wanted to impose. A melange
of ridiculous lawsuits could result if the tobacco industry loses.
The Court deadlocked at 4-4 in October prior to Clarence
Thomas' confirmation. Thomas nows holds the decisive vote; he
is also one of three smokers on the Court.
The lawsuit should be rejected because the free will of smokers
to endanger their health should be taken into account. The tobacco
industry cannot be responsible for decisions made freely by adults
who can read the warnings about health risks engendered by
cigarette smoking. If the Cipollones win, the next lawsuit could
involve the effects of editors' opinions on our readership...
the West Georgian
Editorial Staff Mallard Holliday, Managing Editor
Edie Massengale, News Editor
Rob Goldsmith, Sports Editor
Jennifer Trinko, Arts & Entertainment Editor
Chief Photographer.. Naomi Grunwald
Production Mgr Gabriel Reedy
Circulation Jennifer Trinko
Business Mgr Dan Dunn
Advisor Lane Hudson
The West Georgian is published weekly fall, winter and spring quarters
during class sessions. The summer schedule is bi-weekly during class
sessions. Questions or comments should be directed to THE WEST
GEORGIAN, Student Center, Room 109, West Georgia College,
Carrollton, GA 30118. Volume 34 No. 13
OiMribuMd by Tribun* Madia Sarvicas
Bush loses his dinner plus some credibility
President Bush collapsed last
Wednesday during a state dinner.
Needless to say, everyone there
was immediately on their feet at
his Side. Bush was taken to an
ambulance waiting outside but
passed it to get into his limousine
instead.
Bush was in Tokyo for the U.
S. trade talks which have been
very stressful. However, if Bush
was not completely healthy then
he should not have undertaken the
trip. Maybe he had to go to
Tokyo, but maybe he did not
necessarily have to go to that
dinner. I would think our
President would have stayed home
if he were ill.
However, he did not and
apparently suffered the
consequences by collapsing at
dinner. Of course, it may have
all been planned. According to
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
THE WEST GEORGIAN welcomes letters on topics of general interest. Editors reserve
the right to edit all letters for clarity, length, and to comply with all libel laws. All letters
must be signed and must include a phone number for verification. (Phone numbers will
not be printed.) Letters printed express the opinion of the writer and not that of THE
WEST GEORGIAN.
Perspectives
the Atlanta Journal , Bush
jokingly said,"l just wanted to get
a little attention." His personal
physician told reporters that Bush
only suffered with a small bout
with the flu.
Staff Columnist
Melissa Guske
Vice President Dan Quayle
was notified within minutes that
Bush was ill, but Quayle went on
with his own plans after he was
told that Bush would recover.
"Bush is sick, and I don't feel
so well myself," especially if
Quayle becomes President.
(Quotation is a take-off from the
title of a book by Lewis Grizzard
entitled Elvis is dead and I don't
feel so well myself). Well, at
least we don't have to worry about
Quayle as President because Bush
is fine.
"When the President gets sick,
the nation gets nervous." (Atlanta
Journal ) This is oh so true.
Only, why did the President who
had complained of 'weariness'
decide to go to the dinner anyway?
Some things in life are
certainly more important than
others, but life and health
themselves are nothing to ignore
because if it wasn't for them, you
would have nothing.