Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

Carter's plan makes sense Ayatollah Khomeini is calling it "a good omen" and a "victory for the American people" because he believes the United States will no longer dominate Iran. The American people should view President Carter's Monday announcement to break diplomatic relations with Iran as probably the first of many such actions to come. Today is Day 158. Since early November, 50 Americans have suffered an ordeal while the United States has sat patiently and played Iran's game. It's lime for the United States to stop playing. THK PRESIDENT has threatened further action unless there is "prompt release of the hostages." He has warned that unless efforts are made to release the 50 Americans "other actions may be necessary." i ot'c ho knorn; fhic nmmisp and that this is not nrimarilv a Dolitical move on his part. Although Iranian President Bani Sadr called an emergency meeting following Carter's announcement, the Iranian government still appears to be taking a rather nonchalant attitude toward the situation. SINCE THE HOSTAGES were taken, the American people have experienced one delay after another. The most recent announcement by Khomeini spurred Carter's decision. The 79-year-old revolutionary leader said the hostages will remain under the control of their militant captors until the new Iranian Parliament decides their fate. But such a decision may be months away. Elections have not been completed and no date is set for the parliament's meeting. Carter said in his televised announcement that the United States has shown "exceptional patience and restraint" in trying to solve the stalemate. This is an understatement. The break in diplomatic relations and cutoff in trade between the U.S. and Iran is only a first step. The American people should prepare themselves for more action, which at this time seems inevitable. HUMORS IIAVE circulated concerning a naval blockade of Iran. This should be a definite consideration if no other means succeed. Carter's plan to regain the hostages also includes another important point. All visas issued to Iranians for entry into the United States have been declared invalid. No visas will be issued or renewed "except for compelling and humanitarian reasons or where the national interest requires." About 60,000 Iranian students are now enrolled in U.S. schools. Almost 150,000 Iranians presently hold U.S. visas. THE FINAL POINT in Carter's plan is an inventory of outstanding claims of American citizens and corporations against the government of Iran. Carter has said it best, "The Iranian government can no longer escape full responsibility by hiding behind the militants at the embassy." Clamecock OpiniorT" Founded 1 908 Tom Travis > Editor in Chief Brian Duncan Copy Desk Chief f, t, @ Mark Platte . . . ., News Editor Brett Friedlander Sports Editor The (.ameimW welcomes letters from its James Rokosny Enter,amment Editor ' rea*!rs All letters must be typewritten and triple spaced on a 65 space line and should be a Robert Ariail Graphics Editor maximum of 300 words iane.G.bson Ed.tor,al Pane Editor l*lters must ** si*ned with lhe writer s correct name, telephone, mailing address. Cylinda Calvert Wire Editor. class standing and major. Pseudonyms are Ronda Tempieton Ass.stant News Editor unacceptable, but the writers name may be withheld by request if circumstances warrant. Steve Riddoll Assistant Sports Editor y/e reserve (he right to edit letters for space Jeffrey Chamey . Assistant Entertainment Ed. ' and style. Address letters to: Campus Opinion. The tiamecork. Drawer A. USC, Columbia. Carl Babcock Graduate Assistant ? q 29208 Anthony Gray Advertising Manager Bill Outlaw General Manager ? ^ f\l 1 i m M *.* William Tinsley Production Manager 11-1 L ? 7 Mark McEwan Assistant Prod. Man . 'n an *o increase reader input into A . . future issues, the (iamrcock offers a weekly Mark Ethridge Jr Adv,ser , _ . ^ Columns must be limited to one newsworthy Newsroom: 777-7181 subject and must be no more than four typed Advertising: 7 77 4249 pages. All columns must be typewritten and Business Office: 777 3888 > triple spaced on a 65 space line. All facts must Sole reproduction rights granted to the accurate. The editorial page editor Associated Press. All other material contained reserves the right to reject any column for any herein may not be reprinted without the reason and edtt for content, style and permission of the editor. accuracy. , Columns must be signed with correct name. Opinions expressed in the Gamecock are address, telephone, major and class standing those, if signed, of the writer and, if unsigned, | ar faculty position. Address columns to: Guest of the senior editorial staff J Column. The Gamecock. Drawer A. (JSC. ** - ^ .................. * /C'0biWib(o',.S.C;-2&tQ8.WVVvVW/toy/Aj :>V-|||a gT^^m^yf^rZ ii*vi i, d * ?? " J,vst.^^^*ssa? ABSC into pc WASHINGTON-Several months ago, the FBI's candid cameras caught seven House members and one senator allegedly taking bribes from undercover agents dressed as Arab sheiks. Now the investigation-code-named ABSCAM-is developing into a percrtrial Kottlo Knhnaori turn mnn OVS11C41 UUtl.1V MV/IVTWII tTT V 1I1VI1, One is Thomas Puccio, chief of the Justice Department's strike force in Brooklyn, who masterminded ABSCAM. He is a tough, intense, prematurely balding man who is regarded in lawenforcement circles as one of the best federal prosecutors in the country. His adversary in Rep. John Murphy, D-N.Y., a clean-cut handsome, dapper man. But he. too, is tough-a former Korean war hero who has fought his way to the top on Capitol Hill. Murphy has been accused in instructing an associate to take $50,000 from an undercover FBI agent. But the congressman has angrily denied any wrongdoing and has demanded to see the secret FBI videotapes, which he claims will vindicate him. And he hasn't stopped there. He has gone on the offensive. Sources told our associate Gary Cohn that Murohv has hired a nrivata detective to investigate the strike force chief. The private investigator has reported back to Murphy that Puccio is close to several newsmen, some of whom have written critical stories about the congressman. Murphy's attorney, Michael Tigar, has followed up with a sharp letter to Philip Heymann, head of the Justice Department's criminal division. The letter charges that Puccio has both personal and political motives to discredit Murphy. 1 The letter implies that Puccio was responsible for the ABSCAM news leaks, which portrayed Murphy as a criminal. The attorney demanded, therefore, that ' a*. ifiititfrfti f;iW? fflHH a iv^r i~kJL*l UC ;rsonal We happen to know something about those news leaks. Puccio had nothing to do with them.In fact, the premature disclosure of ABSCAM upset his whole investigative strategy. But the nrosecutor is learning that it can be rough to tangle with a powerful congressman like John Murphy. Military waste President Carter, in slashing government expenditures, has treated the Defense Department most sparingly. His budget cutters will challenge every detail of a $50,000 anti-poverty project, but they'll approve a $50 million Pentagon nrnnnsnl with fmu questions asked. Most Americans want the armed forces to have the weapons they need to defend the nation. But if the federal budget is to be balanced, some military fat must be cut. Here are some examples: Staggering amounts have been lavished on armaments that should never have been built. The Pentagon has rushed ahead with pet weapons projects before they have been proved. Contractors also like to load down weapons with frills and gadgets. This increases the profits, but all too often the electronic gadgetry is so complex that is constantly malfunctions. The armed forces have trouble keeping some of their fancy planes and tanks operating even under peacetime conditions. The bickering between the services also costs the taxpayers billions. Experts have figured more efficient ways, for example, I of deploying the controversial MX missiles. But this would shift them from the A?r Force to the Navy, so > the Air Force brass are fighting [ the move. I The White House decided to purchase some German-made Roland missiles to improve rrrmagfe.-. ' battle I that $1 billion could be saved by | upgrading existing missile j] systems. I Another $100 million could be \\ saved merely by utilizing empty | military transport aircraft, rather |j than chartering private planes. p Hawks-for-Reagan Republican presidential hopeful Ronald Reagan has added a retired general to his inner circle of advisers since firing campaign manager John Sears. The former officer is known for his advocacy of increased defense spending and a hard line toward the Soviets. He is retired Army Lieut. Gen. Daniel Graham, an expert on Soviet foreign policy, who has called for the use of military force to free the hostages in Iran. Census shredders Millions of Americans mailed their census forms back to the Census Bureu last week. But placing the forms in the mailbox might have spelled the end for some of the questionnaires. It seems the automated macmnes used at post on ices iena to shred the outsized envelopes, so postmasters were warned to sort the forms by hand. Fuddle factory There's little doubt that one reason for the high cost of food is the money and time that producers must spend to cope with federal red tape. Ttlftoo nnofn nf nmiMin nro ailWb LUOUI, W1 VWMW, B,v passed on the. consumers. Government analysts recently discovered that Uncle Sam has more than 1,300 separate regulations on the books governing the transportation of food. And all the regulations compel the transporters to comply with no fewer than 30,000 requirements. :