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Letters Readei DEAR MR. BEEBE: In response to John Gash's column in the March 31 Gamecock I am writing this letter. It is true that a terribly confusing, sickening and shocking situation has arisen with the trial of Lt. Calley. However, I dispute Mr. Gash's statements concerning the Indo Chinese conflict and American sentiment. In his third paragraph Mr. Gash states, "Both Nixon and Johnson should be tried as traitors to this country for wasting so many, many American lives in the hell that we call Indochina. Let us never again treat America to the fanaticism of Nixon's so-called patriotism". I would remind Mr. Gash that there are those of us who believe in the United States and that the freedoms we have been given are worth defending. As for those who say these freedoms are token or meaningless I point to Mr. Gash's column. It is a perfect example of freedom of press and speech and would have earned him a long prison term in a lot of countries, and perhaps even death. Too many people believe the United States owes them freedom and security with no strings at tached. This is only partially true. We reap the rewards of our democratic system until we are 18 and then some, ONLY SOME of us are required to defend our system. No one, NOT EVEN PRESIDENT NIXON. desires war but until man can exist without strife and con flicts war will exist. And war in volves death. Many have died to give me the right to write this letter and Mr. Gash the right to write his column. In paragraph six Mr. Gash negates the "RED" threat. It seems he has conveniently forgotten the lessons of history in Hungary, Cuba, and more recently Czechoslovakia. I make no attempt to "whitewash" the United States and I am the first to admit it has its faults. I do not believe in the old adage, "My country, right or wrong". But until someone can show me a better system that has worked or will work with men. running it I will strive to protect and strengthen our present system. Tha includes criticizing it when it needs it and working to correct its faults. I value my freedom and the freedom of the people I love enough that if I am asked to fight for my country to stop aggression I will fight. Even if it might mean my death. Perhaps there are many people who would call this a sickening show of patriotism but they should remember that as long as there are people who believe as I do then people will be able to lead their lives as they feel they should. Perhaps by my fighting to defend our country Mr. Gash and others will not have to. JEFFREY ALLEN D efends C oncert Committee *DEAR MR.- IBEEBE: I wish to clear'up few ch4arges r believ McCausland in his feud with Mr. Jerry Calabrese. I do not wish to enter the "IFC- Judas" debate, however several comments were made by McCausland which were derogatory to the Concert Com mittee. McCausland said that (1) he wanted Santana or the Who, (2) he tried to work with the concert committee but in vain and (3) the concert committee has not brought any good concerts this past year. Anyone with any small knowledge of the music world knows that Santana has an ill drummer and couldn't play any dates this year, and the Who simply were not going to be in the country until this summer. When McCausland asked us to sponsor a concert we said fine but these two groups were impossible to get. McCausland replied that he wanted these groups and that if we couldn't get them that he would Uind someone who could. We told McCausland that we would be glod to sponsor a group or groups for the IFC but his requests would have to be more realistic. We never saw McCausland again. McCausland charges that we have not brought any good en tertainment or for that matter any entertainment at all here this year. The following list of groups comprises what has been here this year and what is contracted to come this spring: Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band; Mountain; Ten Wheel Drive; Kenny Rogers and the First Edition; McKendree Spring; Moes Dillard & the Tier Town Display; The New York Rock Ensemble; Mason Proffit; Dreams; Ike and Tina Turner and the Revue; Delaney and Bonnie and Friends; Sugarloaf. CONCERr COMMIrTEE PRiESIDENT ope to cold turkey? I;ARt .\R. IHEEI':E: As is becoming apparent in the opening lines of a number of letters to the Gamecock, many students are increasingly reluctant to descend to the bathos that is our student newspaper. I am forced, however, to hold my nose and take the plunge. I was completely undone by a column in the March a1st issue in which Harry Hope offered his views on "Dope and Narcs." Firkt of all Mr. Hope's use of the ponderous Old Testament style seems to be a camouflage for a utter lack of any consistent literary skill, either real or imagined. This erosion of any -journalistic style Mr. Hope ever ,es mA possessed is probably attributable to the subject at hand.. .dope. !n my approach to the second consideration of this column, its content, I must emphasize two points The first is that I. too, feel it is an unfortunate comment on our time that many young people are being relentlessly pursued by police action. I feel. however, there is some Justification in some cases. Secondly, I ask the reader to be honest in dealing with what lollows. In my argument I will not conjure up any deep social, moral, political or philosophical view. I will simply cite examples. I have seen the dope movie so many times I'm sick of it! I have seen pretty, energetic young women turn into lethargic wastes with their free laughter replaced by a sullen introspection that is psychotic in its intensity. I have seen young men with quick minds and strong bodies become physical wrecks who lack the courage to lace even the less appalling aspects of life. I have seen this involving supposedly benign drugs that I have used myself. Finally, there is the horror of the pitiful spectacle of personal friends, gifted artists, musicians and promising students shattered past the point of no return by heroin. Human beings reduced b3 a chemical to a condition whereir they have been robbed of the optior of suicide. That ultimate decisior allowed man withdrawn by an D A DELICATE1 Hot & Cold S - Discount Price Beer & Wines - Canned Meats - Wholesale Part Sandwiches - Party Supplies SMILLER S 6.50cAsE tax i. /I Private PARTY available for Functions. We cater con Beer, Sandwi< Dips, Chips, I mericai overwhelming desire to get another "hit." I realize that not everyone who tampers with drugs will tall into any of the more permanent traps this indulgence affords, and happily most do not. So. Mr. Hope, do your dope. I wish lew people in this world ill, however, I will be forced to sniile some day if I ever hear of you having to kick a $75-a-day habit cold turkey. 'DAVID WV. VANDIVERi King rally DEAIl MR. BEEBE: A rally to commemorate the third anniversary of the assasination of Dr. Martin Luther King will be held on Sunday, April 4. 1971. at the State Capitol. The rally is sponsored by the Richland County Citizens' Committee and will begin at 5:00 p.m. Feollowing the ceremonies at the Capitol, a procession will march to Zion Baptist Chruch on Washington Street where a program will be held. Dr. Ben jamin Payton, president of IBenedict College, and Mrs. Vic toria DeLee, United Citizens' Party Candidate from the 1st R K 0 0 BOWERY SON andwiches HAP ; on (4 64 0Z. PITCHER 1.25_ FRIDA BLACK PN LABEL - IN 5.75 CASE tax i. ROOM MO? Social :hes, Ice, I Pickles Thel rl cause" ('ongressional District, will be among the speakers. Dr. King advocated a unification of blacks and whites to eliminate racism. war, poverty and all other dissociaters of mankind. It is only lit Iing that those who feel as he did should unite on Sunday to honor him. The members of the Association of Afro-American Students, collectively and individually supporting the principles that Dr. King represented, endorse the commemorative rally at the Capitol and urge the participation of all students--black and white. .1OSEILYN EDDINGS BEI"I'V WILLIAMS MOE JEFFRIES GAMECOCK THE GAMECOCK Is published tri-weekly during the fall and spring semesters and weekly during the summer semesters with the exception of University holidays ar#d exam-periods. Change of address forms, subscription requests and other mail items should be sent to Drawer A, USC, Columbia, S. C. 29208. Subscription rates are $7 per year or $3 per fall and spring semesters and $1 for both summer sessions, Bulk copies are $6 per 100. THE GAMECOCK this year received $39,000 from the student activity fund, en titling full-time students to a subscription to the paper. Offices of THE GAMECOCK are in Rooms 308 and 310 of the Russell House on the University campus. Phones are 777-8178, 777-4249 and 777-4220. Second class postage paid at Columbia, S. C. Although TH GAMECOCK is published by students of the University of South Carolina, the opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the University, the student body or the staff. Editor-in-Chief ......... Charles Beebe Advertising Manager . . David LundWren T 'S LOUNGE PY HOUR!! B p.m. DAILY) FROSTY MUG S20c Y & SATURDAY April 2-3) Featu ring ~WOOD MOOR [he best in. oul & Rock DAY (April 5) ECIATION NIGHT) Featuring Narty Gro Band