Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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I TVQ ibe WHQ/1-W ? i v/^/ 1/ i v v/ vy wc v/ f 1/ The great American free enterprise system has mortally wounded, if not killed, the Christmas spirit. The Thanksgiving table has not even oeen cleared, and everywhere Christmas decorations say "shop early for Christmas. Celebrate Christmas; buy my product." Santa is not even going to have time to digest all that turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie since he has to be at Columbia Mall Friday ana Saturday. Christmas is fast becoming only a commercial holiday. In today's America, Christian children think of presents first, then Christ's birthday. Of course we are not blaming the children; they have learned Christmas is a time for them. The point here, however, is not the moral of Christmas, but that the hunger for the almighty dollar is destroying some of the nicest traditions in our society. Who can do without that major staple of life ? money? No one, but some cannoi see pasi uonar signs. We're not getting as philosophical as "money is the root of all evil," but merchandizers at times do go overboard. Christmas decorations could be seen as early as October. That's overboard. No doubt Christmas has become the biggest commercial time of the year. It's no longer a doll, some candy and a bike when she gets older. Keeping up with the Joneses is as real during Christmas as it is witn the number of cars and boats in the driveway. Perhaps it's always been that way. However if merchandizers can make millions on Farah Fawcett dolls, they should realize they will get their profits whether they start their Christmas drive in October or after Thanksgiving. People are going to spend their money. This premature Christmas spirit affects not only PViricfmQC if oIca noi icnc rT,V* n Mirnrri rtviAtf Vv^v uiu iouiiuo. iv uiovt v-uuov-o X ilanrvogi vin^ lU UC dllllUM overlooked. It's not conscious, but people are caught up in the "I can't wait for Christmas" feelings, and so, Thanksgiving takes the back seat. It also puts a damper on Christmas because people have been waiting for it for so long that the truest feelings are only "finally" or "I'm glad it's over." So in the long run. the rush for the millions of bucks, which marketers will squeeze from Americans in these inflation conscious days, Kills some of the very reasons for celebrating two of our most traditional holidays. A call tor action would probably do little good since merchandizes are afraid of their competitors getting the buck that belongs to them. Consumers can merely express disgust of early decorations and refuse to buy until after Thanksgiving. For such simple protest to do any good it would have to be done on an enormous scale. Such unity is unlikely, but for one's own satisfaction it couldn't hurt. The Farah Fawcett dolls are going fast, but there's plenty for everyone. UL [ Letter JL/U1 UV/IIUUI To the Editor: I would like to comment in regard to the Phil Goodman letter of Nov. 17 concerning the Bates House-Bates West party in the South Building Dining Hall. In regard to the Garber-Evans incident, Mr. Garber distorted the Goodman w To the Editor: Mr. Goodman's letter Nov. 17 reassures me that he is not aware of the fact that a mistake has been made. So, in order to clarify my point, I'm addressing the issue again. Excuse me Mr. Goodman and Mr. Garber, but your story needs to be straightened out. I hope the two of you did not get the positions that you hold by deliberately distorting the truth as you did in the Gamecock on Friday. My anger, as you called it, was a product of Mr. Garber's attitude toward the assessment of the damages done. Mr. Garber, after being told of the damages, stated that he did not feel in any way responsible. I advised him that attention would be brought to the students by way of the Gamecock. Mr. Garber at this point was not behaving rationally for he put forth the idea that we go outside and settle the matter there. As before, when Mr. Garber said that dorm government would provide security for the party, he bit off more than he could chew. Your leadership abilities should be questioned. Number one, you should not take on responsibilities that you either can not or will not ji ^ K n ?Ga _ V ~ to the says trutl truth. We, the bartenders and volunteers, were analyzing the disaster after the party to tell Mr. Garber of the damages done. This is when he termed the party a success, and proceeded to state to Mr. Evans "Let's eo outside and settle this now." Mr. Evans, in turn, acknowledged this childish as mistaken uphold; number two, you should not try to cover up your mistakes by making threats to me or to anyone else who intends to expose you; and number three, you should iiui aisiori me trutn in order to save face. I admit that I made several mistakes that night also; number one, accepting an invitation to provide help at the party at the request of the assistant manager, without pay, number two, to think, that after such a distasteful affair, See PARTY, page 15 At last a1 To the Editor: This is a kudo for J. Greer, whose letter earlier this month about savin# acorns fnr Rmiirrplc hac somehow drawn scorn. With publication of the Greer letter, a pertinent issue had at last found its way into print. Why, indeed, while so many pens lay inert during the big, boring broo-ha over Russell House renovation last month, have no many now attacked J. Greer's very simple and humane appeal9 1 myself do not step on acorns and would like to editor | 1 distorted challenge by standing up. By then, Mr. Garber backed down, but did not apologize for making such an uncalled for statement. I saw nothing to settle, but obviously Mr. Garber did. Mr. Goodman failed to mention that Mr. Evans was a volunteer bartender as were two other people. I, nor the management, consider him an illegal outsider. Also, Mr. Evans was not escorted from the bar. As I recall, his fiancee, who was a hired bartender, wanted to leave. I do feel it verv phivnlrnnc fr?r ftio ? - ^ ? wUkF * VI VIJ Bates residents to pay the $1,100 damages even though they would have been forced to anyway. None of the damages would have occurred if Bates House Student Government would have seen it fit and legal to hire security guards during the party as previously was promised the management. Lorean Clark Mad Italian bartender real issue help the squirrels out. On the other Hortrl I ~ J iiuiiu, i tuuiuil I give it UHIIII1 II >' workers in Russell House have to set up offices on the roof. I suspect that most of the scorn j comes from those who cannot handle the flat, unrhetorical in nocence of Greer's plea. These days, they think, our concerns j ought to be grave, serious, imitative of those of "the real world," and above all, connected with something political. Hence, we ninp hwmiRP Hnn'f get football tickets, can't find See ACORNS, page 15 Qamecock Founded 1908 Mark J. Lundgren Editor In Chief Don Fobes Copy Desk Chief Jim Phillips News Editor Barry J. Glenn Entertainment Editor Mike Huni Sports Editor ivavc Graphics Editor Sharon Pippin Wire Editor Judy Sims Editorial Page Editor Janice Wood Graduate Assistant Jan Easterling Asst. News Editor Brett Friedlander Asst. Sports Editor SKot Garrick Asst. Entertainment Ed. Jill Griffin Advertising Manager Fran George Production Manager Jon Clemmensen . General Manager Sam McKee Business Manager The Gamecock welcomes letters from its readers. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must be signed with the writer's correct name. Pseudonyms or other alias-is are not acceptable, but the writer's name will be withheld if requested and cir cumstances warrant. Please include the teiepnone number and mailing address where you can be reached to assist us in verifying the identity of the writer. Also, include class standing and major. We reserve the right to edit all letters for space limitations, but not for content. Please ad dress letters to: Campus Opinion, The Gamecock, Drawer A, USC, Columbia, S.C. 2*208 Opinions expressed In the Gamecock are those. If signed, of the writer and, If un signed, of the tenlor editorial staff.