Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Spool Last Friday afternoon on the Russell House Patio we witnessed an eyeball-to-eye ball, screaming confrontation between two students with differing opinions. It was supposed to be a Student Govern ment Speak Out. It seemed more like a Spook Out. As this year has moved into winter we have noticed with regret an evident disin tegration of what was designed to be an opportunity for student expression of opin ion. All too often, it now resembles chaos. If Speak Out is to be of any value to the USC campus, it must be an orderly process. This is not only the responsibility of those who designate "who talks now" but of those who seek to express an opinion. A microphone must be provided so that speakers need not scream to make their views known. But of far more vital consequence is the attitude of the student body toward opin ions delivered. Most don't care. Irresponsibility The price of vandalism may be high for concert- and dance-goers this year. Student Union Director David W. Phillips said this week more than $200 in publicity for Union events has already been stolen this year. "It's unfortunate, but it may cost the students a free concert by spring if the thefts continue," Phillips said. For example, publicity banners and post ers for the recent Smoky Robinson and the Miracles concert were stolen each time the announcements went up-stolen four times at a cost of about $100. After an event, it matters none if stu dents want posters to decorate rooms. But if they are stolen before an event, the spon soring group must replace them with addi tional costly material. And so we ask restraint. Must the entire student body suffer because of the irre sponsible actions of a few? Nightmare There are many reasons for writing an editorial. We make this comment because of a dream-a nightmare, actually. We can only hope it does not prove a premonition. Hie was young-about nine or 10 years old -and he had all the enthusiasm and careless life that belongs to those years. '"ie's always hanging around campus," a ghostly figure told us as we slept. "No body knows who he is or where he's from. He's a nice kid, though-friendly as hell." We were standing in front of Russell House, talking with a group of student poli ticians about nothing important. The kid saw our group from across the street, waved to a friend and darted toward us. He almost made it. But a speeding truck couldn't stop in time. We would not describe the way his body looked, lying on the pavement. It wasn't * * * It wasn't a nice dream. InoT car t the iahtf him truL Out And a lamentably large number cannot accept a view which disagrees with their own. If a student takes the Speak-Out podium to advocate peace in Vietnam, he will likely be jeered as a traitor, a hippie, a "queer." Admittedly, the problem is not unique at Carolina. The anti-dissent creed is all too common in every aspect of American life. But where can an enlightened society originate if not in an "educated, informed" University community? Speak Out offers the opportunity to change what must be changed. Sadly, the University is not living up to that challenge. Any person who takes the stand to "Speak Out" must be prepared to do so in telligently-with facts to back up his opin ion. He who listens must be prepared to ac knowledge those facts and, if warranted, alter his views to accommodate his newly acquired information. We would ask those who cry patriotism to examine their beliefs and question whether the tenets are truly patriotic. Can anyone intelligently believe that the status quo at the University or in the United States is the best goal that can be achieved? Let us emphasize, we are not pushing a peace march. We are not saying all stu dents should wear flowers in their hair. We love America. We do not believe it is "corny" in any respect to feel a tingle along the spine when the flag waves or the na tional anthem is sung. But blind love, blind patriotism-and and blind dissention-are not the means to display concern. If any student wishes to deliver irrepar able harm to his University or to his coun try, we would advise that he accept without question the resolutions of the "powers that be." Conversely, if any student wishes to add impetus to growth and evolvement of his society, we would urge him to question-to ask not only "who" and "how," but also "why." Or Reality But it was a dream-fortunately. How long will it remain so? Must there really be a death-of a student, an educator, a child-before the Green Street safety hazard is attacked with concentration? Student Senate passed a bill Wednesday asking that the flashing yellow caution lights be replaced with red lights and that metal strips be placed in the street to warn pedestrians of approach inig motorists. As a temporary measure, this would be progress. However, it will not reduce the hazard to safety. The University has been trying for some time to have the street closed, but the City of Columbia has consistently refused. D)epressing the street has been suggested as the alternative. But, again, we must ask "When ?" Perhaps a tragedy n'ill prove the only stimulant strong enough to awaken long sleeping mi nds and indu tce real act ion and caution. Until then, we would issue one trite re minder-pedestrian right-of-way means lit tle on a slab in the local morgue. ei Vale O Deth.. to te lft f hi --wil haha ea frmeenI r. , , \WiV.\UDIA. i.' d "\'C : "'C .Y.' CN. \ ; !F. " ^^ o,en . . .. - '"Cx '; "' .nc _ ... .r.. ..w yy ave.:. a... . m ..+ " " ;2. Editorials Commentary i Our Man Hoppe Heaven Scene: The Pearly Gates. St. P e t e r, nervously swinging his keys, is surrounded by a host of heavenly cherubs. * * * St. Peter: Ahem. You're prob ably wondering why I called you all here this morning. Well, as you know, b a b i e s conic from Heaven. But it seems we're hav ing a population explosion on the planet Earth-that's the tiny one out there on the fringes of Galaxy .MCXXII. I) e in a n d has tripled and, frankly, we can't keep up. So it's my duty to inform you cherubs .. . F i r a t Cherub (clapping his palm to his forehead): We've been drafted! St. Peter (hastily) : No, no! The Front Office feels any draft would be most unheavenly. In stead, I've been instructed to ask for volunteers. Pir t. Cherub: How long a hitch do we have to serve before we get to come home? St. Peter: One lifetime. But I should a d v i s e you that your e h a n c es of ever returning to Ileaven are slim. Many are called, but few are chosen. Second Cherub (suspiciously) What's the duty like? St. Peter (with a sigh) : You are entitled to a long and search ing look before volunteering. T h i r d Cherub (as all peer curiously down t h r o u g h the gates) : Oh, I can't bear it. look, there! People! Burning! They're afire! St. Peter (glumly) : Napalm. Christians are dropping it on heathens. Fourth Cherub: But that, over there. It's so beautiful it ties your stomach in a knot. St. Peter: Yes, two deer stand ing on a green hillside above the sea in the autunni haze. Fifth Cherub: T ho s e huge ovens. 'I'hey reek of evil. St. P c t e r: Incinerators. Six million mortals were burned in those. Sixth Cherub: Z o w i e! 'Ihat blinding flash of light! St. Peter: Two mortals making love. But you must not talk of that. Seuenth Cherub: Those tears, that unhearable, wrenching pain. What causes that? St. Peter: The word, "Fare well." There's a baker's dozen in a lifetime. Eighth Cherub: And that glow that lights the sky? S't. Peter: Oh, that's Charlotte llawkins looking into her grand 'laughter's face. Or do0 you mean that flare over the jungle? That's so) men (can see better to kill each other. Now, if you'll look over here.. The Cherubs (together) : We dlon't want to see. any muore! St. Peter ( frowvning) : But it's myls duty to show you famine, I. tilence, thermonuclear e x p I o Th/e Cherubs (together) : No e it arrss? ly Look / more, no more. Enough is enough. St. Peter (shaking his head): Sometimes, I think the Front Office . . . But let's get this nonsense over with. You all un derstand the choice? You can spend eternity here s i n g i n g hymns of ecstasy at the foot of the Heavenly Throne - or you can volunteer for a lifetime of pain and sorrow and boredom re lieved only by a few moments of joy. All right. All those in favor of mortality will p 1 e a a e say, "Aye." And, lo, the chorus of ayes shook the very stars and rever berated even through the farthest vaults of Heaven. (Our Man Hoppe is syndicated nationally by Chronicle Features Syndicate, San Francisco, Calif.) In Defense Dear Miss Carroll: I would like to disagree paper concerning "Our Man After three paragraphs of he finally gets to his point. Letters To The Editor I)car Miss Carroll: I am writing to express con cern at the selection procedure for the forthcoming Student Union talent show. I attended both nights of the audition and saw almost every act. The greatest number of con testants were folk-style guitar players who attempted the slick city "folk" sound. It seems, however, that the true country sound is strictly out. I have seen country players from the Carolinas applauded with great enthusiasm in Eu rope-yet here on our campus a performer got up and played a $30) Mlartin Guitar like a nas ter but was unable to get through the tryouts. He also tells me that he was turned down last year. It seems to me that the selec tors take their standards from the commercial values they' see on television. TONY SHIANN I>ea r Miss Ca rroll: On behalf of D)r. 0. F. Schu ette, chairman of the Faculty Com mittee on National M1erit Scholars Day, and Larry Steph eats, IBlue Key National Merit chairman, I extend our grati t-u(le to all those who helped to make Merit Scholars D)ay a suc cess. S p e e i a 1 thanks should be granted to The Gamecock for its helpful publicity, to the Student Union who set up the facilities, and especially to those gracious hostesses who did so mttuch to make our guests feel welcomeod at C ar ol i n a :Sarah IBryant, Kathy G;eorge, IBarbara Hluitt, Anne S t e p hi e n s and Standy Tlhomas. Bilue K ey mtembers, hostesses. and Carolina pirofessors had the great chance to talk personally with these young scholars and to learn of their impressions of the Un iversit y. While many a. piredl to attendl the "'Ivy Cob leges,'' they were also most imi pressed with hu rgeon ing Caro Iina and intended to serioush consider USC in their future. Mierit Scholars were most inv piressedl with the enl ighten ing addtress by'~ IDr. Richardl L. W ker of the IDepartment of Inte national Stutdies on our. "'Chtang ing Worbl." Thank you. D)ON H UI T l'resident, Buea Key t Earth HOPPE Of Hoppe vith the letter in last week's Hoppe." the writer's personal history, 'Mr. Hoppe's picture is really not very attractive and is definitely oversized." So what? What has this got to do with the quality of his writing? And as for loppe's "sick" sar casm, this has helped me be come much more aware of what's going on in our nation than any cut and dried newspaper article ever could. It is this sarcasm that makes one sit down and think about what lies behind "some govern ment commission to determine human worth, that evil Ronald Reagan or the old familiar 'get out of Vietnam' theme." It was said in this letter that "the only thing funny about "Our Man Hoppe" is that it is so unfunny. This could not be less true. The fact is that the most un funny thing about the article is that such serious matters can be so funny. With the aid of lloppe's bril Iian sarcasm and sagacity, the most serious aspects of our mod ern worId become ridiculously funny situations. If one wants to read a strictly funny article just for a laugh, he should re strict himself to "Terrible Torn and IT'he Boys." If, on the other hand, one wants to be intellectually stimu latedl by a lively and informative column, ''Our Mian Hloppe" is what he is looking for. For these reasons I would like to say that when the writer of that letter said, "WeI''re had enough of his leftwing tripe," he should have been speaking only for himself. RHIONDA CAUL,TON Founded Jan. 30. 1908 with Robert Elliot cock is published by and for the students of during the college year except during holidi The opinions expressed hereti, do not necec tion, the faculty ocr the studen~it bodiy as a i offtcecs of The Gamecock are in Ioomo 30 campus. Phones are 765-*4249 (Editor- in-(hi and 765-8178 (Newsroom). The Gamecock is re'presented ncationcally sice, Inc. The pcublication, is a membecr of ('oliegiate P'ress Association. Sub,scription, ri ED)ITOR-II Ginny ( ASSOC'IATF Don C'au BUSINESS MANAGER Mary W. McMillan ASST. MANAG;ING EDIlTOR. NEWSM EDITO(R ............ SPOurS EDlITOR ............ EDITORIAl2 ASSISTANT'S. A SST. N lEWS EDlITOlHS . Mcna4 ASSTl.S SPORT'S EDITO'r(S.... FACUI,TY E:DITOR ........ SOCIA I, AFF lA IRS ED)ITOR . E~XCH A NGF: EIT'OR ..... CHIEF" REPORTER ......... ADVERTISING, MANAGERl~ OFFlICEl MANAGEIR ...... CIRCULIATION M A NA In Marines,t Tadpoles Dear Miss Carroll: Why is it that the most audi ble opponents of the war in Vietnam advance the most ridiculous arguments for their cause? I refer you to the column en titled "Our Man Hoppe" in your Nov. 10 issue. He would have his readers view the war as a "big American soldier" with his "arm extended, fist clenched," having just punched a "smaller,$ unarmed, helpless" Viet Cong in the face. "That's the way the war is," says Mr. Hoppe. He feels sorry for the American GI's, not be cause they are being needlessly killed, but because they are growing "callous." I say to Mr. Hoppe: "Tell it to the Marines." More specifically, tell it to some of the Marines at Con Thien or like areas. Thos, men are everything but "cal lous." When are the opponents of the war in Vietnam going to make our hearts bleed for the needless shedding of A merican blood ? Obviously, Mr. Hoppe has lit tle or no intention of doing so. Therefore, I wish to express any objection to part of my money paying to have his col umn in The Gamecock. I realize that our finances are limited, hut couldn't we find something a little more worth reading ? WILLIAM R. I)OWEIY Dear Miss Carroll: I thoroughly agree with the student who expressed his op position to the "Our Man Hoppe" column in last week's Gamecock. Anyone as articulate and trenchant as Arthur Hoppe must be on the extreme left. Who else but a hard-core revolution ary could find fault with Ameri can society ? Who else but a hard-core heathen could write nasty and irreverent remarks about the act ing governor of California? How can The Game cock staff have LETERS h e e n so de ceived as to in clude a column in our v'ery own newspaper that makes references to such far left ideals as c omip as sio n, brotherhood andI (I shudder at the thought of the wordI) peace! Carolina students are almost sub1merged undler a flood of subh left-wing pulications as The State and The Colutmbia Recordl. We have only ou r noble Gam rock left to cling to, but-Go'd save us--we find its virgin pages scarredl by such left-wing gar bage as ''Our Man Hloppe." If the Carolina Community is to be held afloat in the risi ig waters of left-wing extremism, Arthur IHoppe's; column must go! As a rep)lac'ement I woul sug gest a column on tadpole-rais ing by George Wallace. Better still, dlelete all editorials andl "lnly publish letters by Y. A. F. membhers. THEl iODORiE HI. KElLLEY coCIf Gonzales as the first editor, The Game the University of South Carolina weekly ye and examinations. xariiy refiect the views or the administra 'hole. of the Russell Ilouse on the University ef), 765-4220 (Business and Advertising) 'y National Ediucatio,nal Advertising Scr associlated (oliegiate I'ress and the K. 4'. tes are $4 per year. !-CII IEF arroll ED)ITORI chman MANAG;ING EDITOR Carol Mullinax ................. Sally Zalkin .......... Mary Jane Benston ..................Carl Stepp olhn Carbaugh, Margaret Niceley ault, Lyn Johnson, Gre'ta Medlin . . . . Hleyward Addy, Jay Bender -......Jimmy Wannamake'r . 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