Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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GLENDA MILLER INTERIM EDITOR HOLLY GATLING ART FRANK INTERIM MNG. ED AD MANAGER EDITORIALS Freed Angela The decision by the California Supreme Court to abolish the death penalty has already had one immediate effect and will probably have another more long range outcome. The more immediate result is that Angela Davis, the black militant accused of conspiracy, kidnaping and murder, has been freed from custody on $102,500 bail. Now, we don't admit to have the answer to whether she actually is guilty of all those things, but we do know that it is about time they let her out of jail. After all, if William Calley, a convicted murderer, can be allowed by presidential decree to stay in his house and receive visitors, then Ms. Davis, who some suspect is more a political prisoner than criminal and who has not been convicted of anything, certainly deserves the right to be free. The more long range effect of the ruling hopefully will be the abolition of the death penalty nationwide. There has been a moratorium on the death penalty for about four years apparently because the states are waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of the death penalty. This moratorium should be turned into a suspension of all penalties of death. Not only is the death penalty cruel and unusual punishment, but it is also not the deterrent that many have hoped it would be. Just write J. Edgar in Washington, D.C., and ask him about which direction the crime rate is taking. Of course we're not saying that the crime rate wouldn't rise without the death penalty, but we are saying that if the prisons would worry more about rehabilitation than punishment then the high rate of the convict going back out to society and committing another crime probably could be lessened. We wonder how Mr. Nixon will react when he gets back and finds out that the radical Ms. Davis is out free. He'll probably appoint Calley attorney general. SAND WHEN THE TARTARS THREATENED 70) COVQUER' CHINA, EMPE ROR SH- HWANG--TI D.EC/DED~ OH I ALM4OST FMt90T C/NA PRC?PER1 EXTENDS FROM 20 10 4O') NOVRrH LATTUE AND 7N'E LWKCH/N BASIN IN SINK/ANG- /5 '/00 F1" BELOW SEA LEVEL. AND CHARE 0CAN LAST MOVIE WAS IN iq4, ANYWAV, 1H-E EMtPEROR D'ECDE). . . .,ONEWSDAY II ~ ~' Di University analysih Pills as pe By CHARLES FELLENBAUM Columnist The drug problem here is quite serious, but it is, admittedly, much bigger than the University. Many people seem to ignore this. However, the question that everyone from Solicitor Foard to President Jones is asking is, "What can we do about it?" Un fortunately there is no simple answer. A most important first step in solving a problem such as this is to find out what caused it. There are many reasons. Our society has become a drug oriented one. Television ad vertisements bombard the viewer with their pitch for him to buy aspirin, laxatives, cold capsules and non-prescription stimulants and depressants, leaving him with the impression that all problems can be solved by taking a pill. On college campuses, smoking grass or taking acid has become the "in" thing to do, just like wearing long hair, blue jeans and army jackets. Drug use has become a symbol of the counterculture, another way for much of today's youth to thumb their noses at the establishment. Although amphetamines are usually found anywhere people wait till the last minute to finish work, they become a study crutch, a symbol of the monumental failure of the education vtw.em. Citizen Sanity In suppor By STAN SEARS Columnist "Who are you voting for?" "I don't know. Who's running?" "Harold Stassen." "For what?" "Now don't go confusing me. There's a big election coming up this fall. Are you going to be apolitical and neglect your duty to vote?" "No. I'll just wait and see who's running." "You mean you aren't sup porting McGovern?" "Not particularly." I'll bet you didn't even support McCarthy in '68." "Damn straight! No way you'll catch me supporting some Pied Piper playing one song."~ "He was not a "Pied Piper'." "Sure he was. All he sang was end the war, end the war." "Gene McCarthy was a sincere candidate." "Sure, he was sincere in leading you on. You probably believe Muskie, too. He's real honest. Wouldn't catch me trusting him." "I don't blame you. I wouldn't trust that polack either." "All right! I don't care for harps. So count out McGovern and McCarthy. Besides, McGovern wants all those drug addicts running around smoking their evil weeds and stuff. That's bad on pollution. Can you imagine having to walk around to breathe it everywhere you go?" "Well, at least it gives him two issues." "Yeah, two reasons not to vote for him." The McGovei 'wdrker, sens ing defeat, walked away; Sanity is soon approached by' another worker. roblem so Obviously we can't destroy the television industry, shoot everyone under 30, or tear down the yniversities. The problem must be dealt with in a very personal, human way. We must realize that drug abuse, like alcoholism, is a disease. There are attempts being made now to treat the symptoms, but they will never be successful unless the ENTIRE COMMUNITY BECOMES INVOLVED. Not just concerned, but involved. All citizens, including students, must give much more of their time and money if they really want a solution. The crisis center at Maudy's Bosom, and its satellite centers, is funded by a federal grant, and furnished by local donations. Outside money is a help, but it will not always be available, nor is it the only answer. Many more people must volunteer their services to act as counselors at the present centers, and the number of centers must be increased drastically. Heroin use is increasing here, and it is the most harmful and frightening aspect of the problem. Methadone clinics should be set up now, before it gets worse. Heroin addicts should also be free from prosecution if they opt for treat ment. Perhaps a TIP (turn in a pusher) program could also be started. t of Harol "Young man, have you decided about who you're voting for?" "I'm supporting Harold Stassen." "Now get serious. Our country is in trouble. Really, brother, this is a trying time. We need a man "proud as a punch" to be our leader." "You mean..." "Yes, of course..." "Buffalo Bob." "No!" "Howdy Doody?" "Of course not!" "I know it's an animated character. Let's see, oh, Bob Hope, John Wayne, wait a second. Hubert Humphrey!" "Right on!" "Didn't he say he wasn't proud to be an American or something back at Chicago? I wouldn't vote for him." "No, that's your television people. They always twist the news around." "Well I remember his speech at the Convention back in '64. He and LBJ sure screwed us afterward." "Well, we all make mistakes sometime." "I won't make the mistake of supporting him again." As the Humphrey worker strutted away, nose in the air, another worker approached. "Hey, want to support a win ner?" "Depends." "Well, it's a secret underground movement. He's a winner, guaranteed. The ballots are held back until the end. This guy never loses an election. He's got the courts set and everything." "You must be working for Kennedy." - - -. -. "Shhh, -keep 'It-'quiel. He's un ' announced. We're not going to tell anyone. So, don't telinyone Ivers This idea, which originated in Florida, has been quite successful. A widely published police telephone number is answered on 24-hour basis. And a significant monetary reward is given to the anonymous caller if his tip results in an arrest. Of course there is wide disagreement about which drugs should be illegal. A recent government study indicated that OCCASIONAL use of marijuana is not harmful, and the law will have to recognize that over 10 million people have tried it. And as idealistic as it may sound, especially in South Carolina, the 18-year-old vote can have a significant impact on legislatures that consider the question. Obviously, if marijuana is legalized, it will have to be controlled, but this seems to be a viable alternative to the present situation. Instead of saying "marijuana is o.k." and ignoring the law, legalization advocates should say, "the laws are wrong, we are the system, and we will change it." All of these suggestions can be debated by both sides, but they are at least possibilities that should be seriously considered. The time for debate is over, however, and unless immediate action is taken, drug abuse will have reached proportions that will make it impossible for anyone to ever control. d Stassen that he's running. Just be sure to get the people out to vote for him." "Okay, I'll keep the secret." The Kennedy worker sneaked away from Sanity, confident his secret was being kept. Sanity continued walking toward his home. He wasn't sure if he would be annoyed again. He tiptoed around corners, after checking to be sure he wouldn't be accosted again. It wasn't that Sanity was apolitical. He just didn't care to be pestered by clowns out working for the candidates. Every four years they emerged to annoy him with new tricks. As Sanity pulled out the key to his apartment, a bearded man in a tuxedo appeared from between the molecules in the air. "Good afternoon. I am here to do tricks for you." "What the hell do you want?" "That was going to be my next question. What you like to see me do. I can end wars, poverty, riots, inflation, or whatever you like. I am the President's Miracle Worker." "OH WOW!" Sanity- added, "Can you give me a raise and prevent inflation at the same time?" "Of course. That's a simple matter. I thought you'd have something a little more challenging for someone with my credentials." "Well, how good are you at dissappearing and making others do the same?" "The best of course." "Well then how about making it so that you and the rest of those Presidential candidate workers stay the hell away." "If you desire. But.remember who ended the war and poverty and inflation ar 'p.f! '' the magician disappeared.*