Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Alternative to ROTC on campus MR FARRELL: ROTC exists on campus, and now the school paper has sup ported it and condemned those persons who have felt outrage at its presence and tried to express their feelings. I think it's about time that several points be raised that are relevant to the question of the military's relation to the university. In the rather simple-minded editorial presented by the Gamecock, the main argument seemed to be that either we shelter ROTC or all military officers will come from military academies. As with all other industries, the military is ready and willing to train its leaders after they have completed a college education. Officer candidate school has always trained large numbers of officers and will continue to do so. By delaying military participation a young man is truly able to have a time of expanding horizons and questioning before he makes his final choice about the military. As it is now when a man joins ROTC immediately after graduating from high school, he has made a choice that severely limits questioning and possible YOUR PET Give in to your affection for ot acrylic thats machine washabk Brown, Gold & White. S, M, L, BRIT 1337lMain - (Opni a GEA Am er Letten change. As a reserve officer he gives up his right as a civilain to free speech and expression and must conform to military regulations affecting an officer. If he decides that he wishes to change programs he can be forced into two years of menial labor or thrown in jail. I do not feel that an academic course that restricts speech and can lead to jail or the army if one wants to drop it has a place on a college campus. But perhaps the most often voiced reason for toleration of ROTC is that everyone should have a free choice to decide what they want to do with their lives. As an ex-member of ROTC I know that this is the most deadly and deceptive argument of all. If any person on campus wants to know the true status of this "free choice" issue he has only to ask two or three ROTC students why they are enrolled. The monetary, social and political pressures that force an 18 year-old guy into ROTC are in sideous and powerful. Many fresh man have realized that since the 2-S deferment no longer exists the only way they will avoid the draft is participation in ROTC. I ask that every student on campus question himself as to how he feels about the military. Realize that the fine upright USC students who graduated two years ago in ROTC are the ones who are now dropping the bombs that are killing TURTLE tr ribbed turtleneck tops. Orlon . Available in colors of Navy, XL. $9 FON' Duitdi Sware )CK CHARGE sa6w). to thE more than 300 people every day in Laos, Cambodia, North and South Vietnam. Go to an Air Force ROTC class and watch one of the needless films of a sleek U.S. plane dropping a 600 ft. lane of napalm or see the beauty of a Navy shelling of mainland Nam. Perhaps if these men had had a chance for a college education before they had begun the in tensive indoctrination that ROTC is they would have chosen a dif ferent course. I have experienced these things and have also felt the pressures that force a man into this mold. There is an alternative the ROTC on campus and we should fight to make the university and the country take it. Off ROTC. PETE BROWN 'Not late to return to God' MR. FARRELL: In a recent editorial, The Rag stated that it disagreed with your policy on abortion. It stated that life begins at conception and that it is wrong to kill the unborn fetus. I, however, do not take such a liberal stand. What about all the eggs that pass out of women's bodies each month? If God had not meant for these ovules to become babies, why would he have put them there? I believe every ovule possible should be turned into a baby. As soon as a young girl becomes a woman she should find a husband and start fulfilling God's will as soon as she had a child, she should immediately conceive. Fortunately, someone in government sees things as I do. Rep. William Bartell , (D-Col.), has introduced a bill into the House that will initiate this policy, called the Compulsory Marriage Bill. A billion compulsory pregnancies should be on the way soon. It is not too late to return to God. RON GURLIT F R Buy a sandwich and THE DOWNS 625 Main or This of for coup Before or Virgini, editor Senate doings 6* interesting MR. FARRELL: In the past few weeks the Student Senate has passed some very in teresting bills. One of these is an amendment to the Constitution to do away with the elected office of SGA Secretary; however, the Senate does not have complete authority in this matter. An amendment to the Constitution requires a student referendum. Students, beware, for the power you now control can be taken away from you. Your right to vote in SGA elections is one of the few places that you still have a voice. You as an individual can't say much about what goes on on this campus, but you can elect people to represent you and voice your opinions. Don't vote away your power to fill an office in SGA. You could find that you had opened Pandora's Box; without the power to elect your officers, how can you insure that that Box can be closed? Vote to keep the SGA Secretary an elective office. Another recent and interesting event is the veto by Harry Walker of the amendment to the class officers bill. This bill was passed last spring, but through various political maneuvers elections were never held. Have you asked lately whatever happened to your class officers? The amendment which was passed this semester provided for electing officers for this year's classes. It passed by only a slim margin of 17 to 16. Mr. Walker has vetoed your class officers for this year. Why? Class officers don't cost SGA any money. Remember t he class officers you used to have. In 1969, the freshman class sponsored a mixer and Caroiina Cares. Freshmen can't control SGA. But, with their own class officers, they can participate in the University, and show their concern for each other and this Com munity. If, when you are a fresh man, you elect your own leaders, then you have time to find out if I hey are capable, you have time to :EE get a free draught TAIR PLAZA Enter off Devine fer is les only after the a Game get to know them. Why wait until you are a junior or a senior to discover the leadership in your class? What can you do if you are concerned? Take a few minutes of your time to find out who your Senators are, then write them, question them, call them and tell them what you think. They are speaking for you; they have enough time to listen to you. Most of us do want to represent your feelings. I encourage each of you to think before you vote to do away with the office of SGA Secretary. If you want class officers, say so. TONY G. DANIELS SENATOR, DISTRICT 7 (TOWERS) Defending cheerleading once again MR. FARRELL: Referring to the letter Mr. Brock wrote to you concerning the cheerleading at the football game, I would like to direct a question to him and others who share the same attitude. Just what is your definition of the word cheerleader? After saying,-and I quote, "I am simply suggesting that they try following, more and leading less..." it is evident that he con tradicts the symbolic and literal meaning of the word, thus presenting no valid criticism at all. Also, I would like to know the criteria he used to base his statements on since, "I attended my first football game at Carolina last weekend (I am in my fourth vear here.)' 'Ibis is my fourth year here also, and the cheerleade.-s have stimulated school spirit more this year than in previous years. I would hate to see this enthusiasm stifled and the cheerleaders "in timidated" by letters like Mark S. Brock's NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST PERFECT CH OICE ALSO 5280 TO 300o Choose Keepsake with confidence, knowing the engagement diamond is flawless, of fine color and precise cut. 09AMONO RINGS 900F JEWELERS 1221 Taylor St. Rosewooa Sh. Cnt. Welcomes Student Credit.. Watch a.Jeweiry R.e.a..r