Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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GLENDA MILLER INTERIM EDITOR HOLLY GATLING ART FRANK INTERIM MNG. ED. AD MANAGER EDITORIALS Drug problem The drug problem-is real, as Wednesday's special issue of the Gamecock pointed out. It must be remembered, however, that USC has not been singled out for this problem alone. Drugs are everywhere in this state, this nation and this world. The use of drugs in most places 's Illegal except where prescribed by a licensed doctor. Why do students take drugs - In particular am phetamines? Many say it is due to the pressure - pressure from parents to make good grades, pressure from peers to be "one of the IN crowd." In recent years groups have begun advocating the legalization of marijuana. One of their arguments is that pot is no worse than alcohol - if not better. Maybe pot is better than alcohol, but on the other hand, why should another vice be unleashed on a society which cannot handle the problems it has now? Pot, as with the other drugs, is a copout, and as such it is not solving anything. When you come down, your problems are still there waiting. The same with amphetamines. Sure you may have passed that test today but what about tomorrow and the day after that? Also what have you actually learned that will help you in the future? One partial solution for this University would be to eliminate grades. Students would take everything for a satisfactory-unsatisfactory mark. That way the pressure for grades would be eliminated. Students woulc; have to work on their own more and in essence they would probably learn more. Also this system would separate those who were really interested in an education from those who simply wanted to goof-off or avoid the draft. Don't cut THAT nude.. she's in the comFo'ial' University analysi Politicos: BY CHARLES FELLENBAUM Columnist There is a plaque hanging in the homes of many Americans on which is written a statement of the late President John Kennedy. It reads: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." Kennedy was not its author; it appeared in an article written over 50 years ago by the Lebanese philosopher and theologian, Kahlil Gibran. Perhaps this is an appropriate time to reflect about these wise words in a slightly different vien. We should all ask ourselves, what can we do for our university and state, not what USC . or South Carolina can give to us. Students can riot, newspaper columnists-including this one-can criticize, and outsiders can try to impose on us what they mistakenly feel is the right and proper thing. But criticism for its own sake is neither helpful nor welcome, and Gibran's words are an excellent guide for us all. They were ex tracted from original, following question: "Are you a politician asking what your country can do for you or a zealous one asking what you can do for your country? If you are the first, then you are a parasite; if Citizen Sanity The sai BY STAN SEARS Columnist Citizen Sanity drove up to a building that resembled a tavern. Walking inside, he found a jail cell, court, police station, and post office. "Hey. This must be one of those places I've read about. I thought they only existed in history books and commercials." "What are you looking at?" a voice rang out. A short creature with a Bob Hope-Hubert Humphrey head and a Mahatma Ghandi-body peered at him, creeping closer. "Are you insane or crazy? What are you doing dressed in those strange wierdo clothes? I got a good mind to zap you with my fuel injected-fi respitting-toenail splitting, multi-purpose eyeball ear-rocket." The- creature edged forward like a matador, teasing the bull. He seemed to be waving the red cape, "Onward, Toro, I'll slice your ears off." Sanity tilted his head in bewilderment. "He's a crazy s-- -- - b----. But he's cool," thought Sanity. "Hey man. You were right the first time. Well, almost: I'm Citizen Sanity. I was driving by and your pad looked like a bar. All I wanted was a little Jack Daniels and water. Just something to quench my thirst." "Young man, you are revolting. You are insulting me and the others of society in general. In dulge in your evil sinfulness in another galaxy or something." Another pair of creatures resembling the first entered the room. They were all dressed the same. Sanity wondered if he was seeing triple or having a bad trip. "Hey, this is strange. Are all you S oasis or the second, then you are an oasis in a desert. Think about it South Carolina politicians. Which are you? Do you allow yourselves to be overcome with emotion, do you do the merely politically expedient thing? Or are you one of those rare people who considers what is best for everyone, and acts accordingly? Gibran had words for others too, and perhaps they are relevant. He asked, "Are you a newspaperman who sells his idea and his principle in the slave market , who lives on the misery of people like a buzzard which descends only upon a decaying carcass? "Or are you a teacher on the platform of the city gathering experience from life and presenting it to the people as sermons you have learned? "If you are the first, then you are a sore and an ulcer. If you are the second, then you are a balsam and a medicine." Gibran's words need not have been addressed to particular professions, because they contain elements of truth for all of us. They represent--to me anyway-an ideal way of living and working. Although serious problems confront us, serious and intelligent men are working on their solutions. Students, faculty, ad ministrators and staff need to work iing of Sa cats related? I'll bet you're all brothers." The trio were standing together. Sanity couldn't tell the difference now. "Obviously he needs in struction," a voice echoed from a Hubert Humphrey-Bob Hope face. "Zap!" "Zap!" Sanity was pinned to the floor. Paperweights shaped like Bela Lugosi heads pinned his arms and ankles to the floor. The faces stared at Sanity as if to say, "I want to suck your blood." "You have insulted us. Repent sinner! You have insulted the morals of our world." "You have intruded upon righteousness. What are your sex habits like? Are you married or do you engage in sodomy?" "I'll bet he even smokes the heathen weed!" "Shhhh! Don't mention that. We might be forced to execute you," the other two cautioned. ''Where the hell am I,"~ questioned Sanity. "Quiet yourself, alien. Your manners are out of place in God's country." "We ought to train him, perhaps he can become pure In his ways. No, one second thought: there is no hope." "Certainly not! Someone of his ill-mannered character doesn't belong amongst us pure people." "Sorry , alien. You just don't make it." "You're cute, but you got to go." Sanity lay on the floor, astonished at the events. parasite. together to make USC a strong institution. It will require, above all, patience; it will require guts; will require calm thinking and acting. A unified show of strength will enable us to weather any storm, and emerge unharmed from any battle. If we are successful-and we will be--no serious cracks can appear in the foundations. Unity is a very desirable thing, but it seems to be an elusive quality that probably cannot be blamed on anyone. The ad ministrators sit in their offices, and seem alienated from the rest of the community. Faculty members are in their own little world, and students in theirs; all go their separate ways. However we have seen that there are some faculty members who can deal with students at many levels, but who are also excellent in their academic field. But most seem content to post office hours and complain why students never come in to seem them. They should be willing to discuss things other than "why weren't you in class today?" and deal with students as younger humans with the same hopes and fears that they have. Students should be willing to listen to the ideas of our faculty. An exchange of ideas might help bring this unity we need. nity "Now what right do you have to legislate morals? Like which god died and left you boss?" "Quiet your mouth, you filthy heathen." "I might be a filthy heathen. But at least I'm not a self-righteous s "How dare you accuse us of being self-righteous!" ""Let's zap him now!" The pre-Nutrament figures began percolating. As metal spears began to emerge from their eyes, lightning flashed across the room. "Whoooosh! Pow! Whammo!" The creatures fell dead. The paperweights that were holding Sanity down shrivelled up into coffin-shaped boxes. "Thanks a lot, Supergod," shouted Sanity at the sky. Sanity drove away into the sunset. "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." Mat thew 5:10-11 Prologue: "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:22_o