Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Gas rationing should be last alternative Not too many years ago, one of the prizes on the game show "Let's Make A Deal" was a substantial amount of gasoline ? straight from the pump. It definitely wasn't a zonk and the creators of the show thought it was a decent deal. The winning contestant wasn't overly enthused, unless of course, a shining new automobile came with the fuel. Oh for the "good ol' days..!' (JaSOlillP ill tllP rpf>pnt nuct nortoinlv uiocn't . [/uuk vvi WII'IJ noon t. VUIIOIUC1CU UIC UljUlU guiu it is today. Problem was it sold for too cheap in the first place. Gas would always be available and easily accessible. Or would it? In the mid-'70s. a panic arose with longer gas lines and talk of shortages, but the panic really didn't last for long. The price of gas saw a def inite increase, but the American people were just relieved to get out of the long and overbearing lines to the gas station. Only within the past year has the commodity skyrocketed in price, almost doubling from one year ago. The American people have witnessed a dramatic change and hopefully, awakening. The American people's initial shock has now turned more to reluctant T? .w. C ...U_ 1 I ? - * - av^vjuanvc. u a uu news iu nit: r^uiupcunb wnu nave utjcn paying nign fuel prices for quite some time. Automobile manufacturers are working to design more fuel-efficient vehicles and the Carter administration has imposed time limits for them to comply. This is a step in the right direction. Now, if only all politicians would set an example by shunning their gas-guzzling limos for more energy-saving autos, the American people might get a little inspired. After all, how many U.S. Senators do you see being chauffeu red in a Honda Civic? The newest proposal by the Carter administration is standby rationing. But is rationing really the answer? Probably not. It's necessary to have a national energy plan, but rationing should not be a major emphasis. The feeling of restriction that rationing imposes would cause an already low American moral to sink further. An example of thi?: can Kp pitpH hv lrtnlrino at ctaloc cnnh ac rDlifnrnio mhn morn ^v?aa ^ va?w* VJ wv uvMVVtJf MMV?I UU VUHIV& UlUj TT & IV/ YTVI V forced to use a rationing system last summer. Brutal fights in the gas lines were a common occurrence. Persons who drive up to the pumps to find them "Temporarily Out," will get the hint soon enough and probably learn a painful lesson. Conservation is the only answer. However, some progress in conserving has definitely been made. December's gasoline consumption was about 8 percent lower than December 1978, according to the Lundberg Letter, the industry's publication. Tourism officials from six Southern states have already gone on record by voicing their opposition to the standby rationing plan. The Carter administration's Dlan would involve the use of aasnlinp ratinninc* coupons and is expected to be submitted to Congress in a few weeks. Robert G. Liming, director of South Carolina's tourism division sponsored a resolution last week which was adopted by the Travel South Council's board of directors. The resolution calls the standby rationing plan as currently drafted "unjust and unworkable." Representatives from Alabama, Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky and Louisiana joined South Carolina in favoring the resolution. Georgia and Mississippi voted against it while North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee abstained. Providing tax incentives for those purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles is a better solution. DeveloDine a mass consprv?tinn n a mrvaion hmiiA?An v VU??|A415M, IIVWCVCl y is the most crucial. An emphasis on mass transit is also important. The American people must still be given the basic right to choose freely even when the times are tough ? and get tougher. Gasoline rationing is an alternative, but it should be the very last alternative. gamecock Opinion 1 908 ?1 Tom li.ivis Cdito'in Climf J ^ ^ ^ Bri.ni Dudi hh Copy Desk Chief Mh h.ici Ciondiiui News Muor The (iamecoi k welcomes letters fponi Us Bre? F?..?n.,,Hief Sports Ed,t?. readers. All letters must be typewritten and triple spaced on a 65-space line and should be a R?,k,?sfiv Entertainment Ednor maximum of 300 words Hohert Anai> Graphics Editor liters mUSt ^ Sif?nWl W'th ,He Writer'S correct name, telephone, mailing address. j.n.et Cuiison Editorial Paye Editor class standing and major. Pseudonyms are CyiiMiM Caivi'rt Wire Editor unacceptable, but the writer s name may be withheld by request if circumstances warrant Man- Piatte Assistant Ni'ws Editor yye reserve the right to edit letters (or space Steve Hiddirii Assistant Sports Editor andstyle. Address letters to. ( atnpus Opinion, The (iamecock. Drawer A. I'SC. Columbia. Ciiri B.iliiun t> Graduate Assistant g 29208 Anthony Gray Advertising Managfir Bill Outlaw General Manager rn Wh *? William I msley Production Manaqw t/IM/ 1 mark e thndgt- jr advisui In an effort to increase reader input into future issues, the Gamecock offers a weekly Newsroom 7 7/ 7181 guest column. Advertising: 7 77 4 249 Columns must be limited to one newsworthy BusinessOffice. 777 3888 subject and must be no more than four typed pages All columns must be typewritten and triple spaced on a 65?pace line. AH facts must Soli? reproduction rights granted to the be accurate. The editorial page editor Associated Press aii other material contained reserves the right to reject any column for any herein may not i?e reprinted without the reason and edit for space, content, style and permission of the editor. accuracy. Opinions expressed rr. the Gamecock arc ' W"h <WreCl name J ??><?. . .1 signed, of ih? wr,t<>r and. ,t I ^wpnone. major and class standlnR I ?f the s?..k,r smM . I ?" [acuity position Address columns to: Guest V / Column. The t?amrcerk. Drawer A. USC. ^ 1 ?? 1 ^ Columbia. S.C 2920ft. \ Gi 'active To the Editor : Mr. Fancher, whose letter a Gamecock last month, has bee unidentified people spilling drink because a person wears "khakies, an Izod shirt with or without a spoi not make him-her a Greek. All fraternities have designatec ctriftltr frtr rnu - ? ?? ivuj iui lucui. ineie lb 110 ar sections for non-Greeks; therefore, for a Greek to spill a drink on Mr. F was in their section. I suggest he ct1 make sure that he will not sit 1 Gamecock fans. As far as never ha\ on someone, Mr. Fancher, that's Neither is extremely definite. It would be a shame for Carolina 1 from attending the games" becaui would be lost. The support that the G Gamecocks during football season i enjoyed by most students. The Cockfest, make Homecoming floats attend all games and provide the Ga assured cheering section at every ga Q 11 1 OnODDlSJ To the Editor: 1 am writing this letter in response to Mr. Fancher's letter. Despite his four years at Carolina as stated in his letter, 1 believe he is not qualified to speak out intelligently about anything. Instead, he comes across as a snobbish bigot. I graduated in 1978, and was not aware of two standards of rules here. It's perfectly correct and yivpei iu annK aiconoi during football games if you are a nonGreek, but it seems to be taboo if you reside in the McBryde quad. Aren't alcoholic beverages forbidden to all in Williams-Brice Stadium? Shame on you Mr. Fancher. I guess the Horseshoe Living Experience makes a special rule for all you folks over there. Maybe someday the secret will come out to the general public as to how one spills a drink on oneself with proper drinking etiquette. Remember, pinkies out! Here's another interesting note about his letter. The fraternities and sororities at Carolina all receive block seats for all home ?Letters reeks at US< group of st The Greeks ar they too, like tno ppeared in the and worn on lilt* ?n a victim of they are also acti s on him. Just community. The docksiders, and ment, the Studei rts jacket," does Alumni Associate and various dean I block sections Senate at the Sta ea within these Mortor Board, C it would be hard American Colleg ancher unless he President's List, leek his ticket or Kappa; serve or u ? >icai uicsc ttviu Homecoming...), /ing spilt a drink Concert Choir ; ra hard to believe. Heart, Kidney, Li many other extrai to "exclude frats Because of th ?e a lot of spirit school and the reeks give to the positive image fo is beneficial and As far as Mr. F'ai Greeks put on feel better to see 1 i, paint banners, become a hermit I mecocks with an me. h bigotry ine games. Only members of the fraternities included should be sitting in those sections. Then how can Mr. Fancher be sitting next to fraternity people at the games? Apparently he is sitting in another person's seat, along with his contraband "belts" in his girl's purse. Caught you again Chris. I still can't believe that Mr. Fancher stooped so low as to put aown me way people dress. Is it wrong to appear presentable for a game? Just who does he think he is?! How many Greeks take potshots at the independents dress on this campus? We have better things to do. To point an accusing finger at someone making as ass out of himself at a football game, and then label him a Greek because he dresses fashionably, is ridiculous. Maybe all those numbers are taking their toll on you Chris. Mk *? " * mi. r aiiuiei UWl We De excluded from the football games. The fraternity block is the crux of the Carolina cheering section. The Athletic Department is well aware of the fact too. We are the people a. A ' * f,; c udents' e an active group of students. Yes, st redblooded American young men tn haira n rt/wl ???* -? 1 * w '>u<v a gwu nine ai panics UUI ve in service projects that serve the y are involved in student governnt Allocations Committee, Student on, work for President Holderman s, House of Representatives and the te House; awarded honors such as outstanding Seniors, Who's Who in ;es and Universities, Dean's List, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Beta t committees (ie. Carolina Cares, sing in USC's world renowned lise money for Hemophilia, Cancer, ing and Red Cross Associations and auricular activities. e Greek's active involvement in community, they are building a r the Universitv of South rnmiinn icher is concerned, if it makes him less of the Greeks, I suggest that he because we are everywhere! Lisa A. Maseng journalism senior xcus able who have attended Carolina games faith*..II.. ? " J * 1 loitmuiijr in kuuu umes ana oaa. We are the people who sponsor the Homecoming parade year after year. We are the people who give a damn about campus spirit. What right has he even to suggest that the Greeks be denied the tickets that we pay for with our activity fees? Personally, I hold nothing against another person because of the organization he belongs to. 1 believe the vast majority of the students on campus feel the same way. Maybe all the Chris Fanchers of Carolina can stay behind the walls of the Horseshoe, and they a.^' uaii iaxe meir narrow-minded bigotry with them. Bob Dries Class of '78 P.S. How many Greeks have you seen at your neighborhood disco lately?