Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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In defense of SCPIRG MR. FARRELL: We are writing in response to two highly emotional letters which criticized the SCPIRG proposal and..a.ppeared in the GAMECOCK Iast week. The style of both letters was to obscure rather than enlighten the public understanding of SCPIRG's proposal and, while certainly the SCPIRG proposal is not perfect, we believe that a majority of students find the Public Interest Group idea wor t hwhile and worth a try. We cannot refuse to try a new idea just because something could go wrong. Let us correct the gen tlemen who criticized SCPIRG in specific terms: 1.) The SCPIRG proposal, as THE PARODY 3-Piece Stereo Rac pact AM FM and FM M 40 watts(I.P.P.) Deluxe BSR "I Changer 4 Speaker Audio S closures Dust Cover include Symphonic 3-piece $94.0 8 Track Stereo Solid state all t Walnut Finish $59.9 CONSOLE STEREO S MAPLE BUNK BEDS $390 4 PIECE BEDROOM GP. $890 5 PIECE DINE1TE $445 ODD CHEST $23" SINGLE BEDS 1 8 TRACK TAPlE $3* COLUM UN CLAIM El OPEN9 1 .Letters written on the petition that will be circulated, states that the Local SCPIRG Board will be elected by the entire student body of USC contributing to SCPIRG. Thus, we propose only that the democratic method - open to all views and all students - run SCPIRG. Those of us who are organizing SCPIRG cannot take it over. "Outside forces" (never named by anyone) cannot take it over. The students of USC will elect those who run SC PIRG's Local Board and the Local Boards at every college in turn elect representatives (based on population) to the State Board of SCPIRG. Thus, those who oppose the SCPIRG organization mistrust the students and mistrust democracy. We, however, have fait h in the democratic process and in the student's ability to par ticipate in it. 2.) The Public Interest Group idea is Ralph Nader's idea. But that's as much as Mr. Nader has to lio Phono Com ultiplex Radio Aini'' Record ystem in 2 En d tape player with 2 speakers ransister 5 CASSETTE [APE PLAYER $25"0 INNE SS RI $25"0 RDNoubhie or single HOLLYWOOD BED .F RAM ES $900 ODD DRESSERS with mirror$40 ODD UPFDLSTERED CHAIRS $200" POLLYHIDE OR FABRIC sOFAs $50" CARTRIDGE'S BIA 3 FREIGHT tothe do with it. SCPIRG will be an in dependent, student run, South Carolina, non-profit corporation - owned and operated by the students of our state. There will be no interference by Ralph Nader or any other group. This has been made clear by all of SCPIRG's publication efforts. If we have failed to reach everyone it is only because we are a volunteer student group with limited resources. 3.) SCPIRG will be non-partisan. If it is not it will lose its tax-exempt status. Whether or not it will lobby for public interest issues is, of course, up to the elected representatives of the students. We who hope to see SCPIRG established, hope that the Local SCPIRG Board, elected by the students, will decide for itself whether or not it will lobby. If a majority of students wish SCPIRG t o lobby for cheaper book prices, or for better parking, or for cleaner air, or for better prices in apart ments, or for better regulation in the auto repair business - then SCPIRG will lobby in the students' interests. It is up to the students to decide through their vote. We think SCPIRG is an ex periment in students trying to work together for positive change. It is a risk. It may not work. But it has worked in other states and there are hundreds of SC students working to establish SCPIRG at colleges from the College of Body Suit .99 editor Charleston to Winthrop, Clemson, Furman, to Converse, and ter other schools. There are always those wh< predict the worst and claim a nem idea cannot work. We believ differently. We have some faith ir students, in government, in the system - and in our ability to work constructively within that system. Sincerely, ROBERT ROSEN ROBERT WARREN GEDNEY HOWE JULLIANE STILL WALTER ERHARD'I Christmas in quarts (Editor's note: We received with this letter a cover letter showing concern that these people were not given a chance to respond in the same issue. It is not a policy of the GAMECOCK to inform those criticised before the letter is printed. We do not and will not make exceptions to this policy. MR. FARRELL: Christmas is not a savior or a Kris Kringle "Ho-ho-ho." Stars never shine brighter and seldom does snow make a white Christmas merry. Children are indoctrinated in the world of "give me" or "1 USE ~VUR CONVNit want." Christmas cheer comes in half pints, fifths, quarts and egg nog. The Messiah is an endurance rather than an experience and Santa Claus is a Communist. The twelve days of Christmas are now only ten more shopping days and the reindeer is in danger of ex tinction due to exploitation by red suited elves. Mary was no virgin; she just got knocked up by someone she didn't know or couldn't see in the dark. The Wisemen and shepherds were in hashish stupors. Christmas trees are fire hazards and January bills are the result of out doing the rest of the neigh borhood. Dicken's Scrooge is now a hero and Tiny Tim should have been put in a home for cripples where he could receive "proper care." Christmas 1971 is not love but pessimism or another list of 'don't's." Mary had a baby boy yesterday but no one knows or even cares unless it'll help their ego trips; but Mary loves her son and Joseph is willing to accept him as his .own regardless. A few in the neigh borhood drop by to "ooh" and "ah" and exclaim how much he looks like his father. Man does not see the star in his eyes or the humility of the Godhead as an infant. His lullaby is Peace but only the words remain for this Christmas love, peace, and the brotherhood of man are as strange as the Superstar who came to proclaim them. ELAINE BRELAND Pucker Perfect' 9U.BOdy Suits suits og r fts~ 8.99 Shimmerin ,iltedSkirts 7.99 min.