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U.S. has lost world resnRrt By Steve Riddell The United States was once the strongest nation in the world. Its economic and military power dominated the globe. The dollar was the most important currency in the international monetary system. Nations looked to the U.S. for support -- and leadership. But today experts contend that Russia has more military firepower than the U.S. The American economy is faltering as inflation runs rampant. The dollar is no longer the benchmark in the international banking world During the last 10 years, the U.S. has slowly been slipping from its position of strength. America is losing its clout ? very quickly. The deterioration of American power can be traced back to the Vietnam War. but it has never been so apparent as during the Carter administration. WHEN THE U.S. DISCOVERED the Soviet combat brigade in Cuba. Carter said the presence of the unit was "not acceptable." but when the Soviets refused to budge on the issue. Carter meekly accepted their position. Carter did not take a firm stance with the Soviets, and in backing down, showed them that the U.S. was not prepared to stand up to them. The President's inability to deal effectively with the Soviets cost America some of its international power and prestige. When the hostages were taken in the attack on the American Embassy in Iran Nov. 4. the Carter administration was very slow in responding to the situation. Outside of repeated denunciations of the militants' actions, the president did little. Carter made several threats and issued a few ultimatums, but he never made any firm decisions on a course of action. AMERICA CANNOT REGAIN its position of strength if the nation consistently backs down when an international challenge comes up. The U.S. is setting a dangerous precedent of appeasement toward the Soviets and. unfortunately, many other countries are letting the Russians do as they please. One must remember just 40 years ago when a worldwide policy of appeasement toward Nazi Germany led to World War II. When the Russians invaded Afghanistan, nations around the world were outraged in much the same way as they were when the Nazis invaded Czechoslovakia prior to World War II. The U.S. and many other countries denounced the aggression, but did nothing concrete to check the Soviets or force them out of that country. Appeasement does not work. /\inenca is noi oniy losing its clout in dealing with the Soviets. The nation is losing power and prestige among its allies. When Carter announced that he wanted U.S. athletes to boycott the Summer Olympics in Moscow, he expected U.S. allies to take similar action and join the U.S. in a major boycott. But many of the allies balked at a boycott, and those who eventually followed America's lead had to be persuaded by the Carter administration. EVEN U.S. ATHLETES were not solidly behind the boycott. The U.S. Olympic Committee forced Carter to offer future financial support to the organization before it voted to back his plan. And even after the committee voted to support the measure, several angry athletes responded by filing suits against the U.S. government. The U.S. has to be firm and united when dealing in international affairs. When America is slow to respond to international problems and is shaky and uncertain in taking action, it makes other nations question the country's strength. The tragic rescue fiasco in Iran represents the first firm action taken by the Carter administrations!,thehostages were taken. Even though the attempt failed miserably, the U.S. proved it was willing to take the initiative :inH finoll\? miUo i mm.n ?^ ^ ? *? ? ^ UI1U 1UIU1IJ mum CI inuvv iu U IX I III* I K)bl<igCS. If the U.S. plans to regain its clout in international dealings, it must be prepared to take firm action and not back down when faced with a challenge. America's leaders cannoi be afraid to be tough. The U.S. can win back international respect only if it follows a firm course and is not diverted from that course by intimidating forces i nis issue 01 me uamecock has been put out by the 1980-81 staff under the direction of editor-in-chief Steve Riddell. * gamecock Op iriion Founded " 90S ???????? To"' T'in 5 . EJ'TO' r Ci?' m Bnan Ojncan Cop? Des? 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The (<imrcotk Drawer A. USC V - J Columbia. S C 29206 Lett SG worsens p< To the Editor: 1 Parking at USC has always been a problem. Now i student senators want to increase this problem by 1 having special parking privileges while on official i business. ; This seems quite strange for this day and era with iiciiluiicti gas prouiems. AuiomoDiies snouia De lett at s home. I It would be better if students drove to school and * parked in fire zones, on curbs or in driveways. This i would make more funds available for the expansion of the university's parking system because all money i obtained from parking tickets goes directly to 1 parking expansion. i Aren't you (SG officers) in office for the benefit of your fellow students? If you must drive, park in Bates 1 West or the parking lot across from McMaster i College and ride the Shuttlecock. I If you can't get into that (riding the Shuttlecock), < run. walk or ride a bicycle. A few weeks ago the sponsors of Health Week said those activities are good for your metabolic rate and lessen the chance of I i 5 7~ I Zftuaentcrec I JSCs succe to McGuir* [ To the Editor: The April 11 issue of the Gamecock had an art growing popularity of USC. A letter followed credi Holderman for much of this success. I would like to put things into perspective by pointi I day Frank McGuire came to USC in March, 1964, Care the road to success. Frank McGuire coming to Carolina at that time is raui wear tsryani agreeing 10 coacn at laano b brought instant recognition, fame and a sense of University ? qualities severely lacking before this l ning tradition he created and sustained steamrolled national prominence and notoriety. McGuire built a winning tradition and gained r University and the state of South Carolina. He was tl instigator through which this University emerged a member of the institutions of higher education. He had help along the way, but it is safe to say that t :A: 1 41? f??? ~ ? aiin p<jbiiiuii in uie universuy 01 boum Carolina, an complishments, each have their roots in Frank J McC We can never fully do justice and give credit to McG if we can continue the precedent set by McGuire a qualities associated with him as a coach and as a m< thanks enough. Ja journa o era irkinn trnnhlp ieart disease. Danny Baker said senators should be treated as lormal people. I could not agree with him more. Besides, what makes them special? Senators were lot elected by a true majority of votes, because many students did not vote in the SG elections. Baker said it is like a status symbol to have a special parking decal. I'm sure he is right. Student government is nothing but a status symbol to some senators because they come up with some wild ideas at times. Instead of looking out for yourself, I think senators should spend more time looking for ways to help enow students while walking to that important SG neeting. Get better parking foi the students, make money or student activities, 'ielp the Gamecock get more noney and aid other student activities that are dying from Student Allocation Commission bills. USC organizations are having real problems. Willy Davis business administration sophomore jTT I Greeks are IftS individuals To the Editor: 1 feel it is my duty to respond to the gutless person who withheld his name, although I would have done tho (Hiniy h.'irl I ufriHnn cunh a false piece of material. When joining a fraternity, the icle about the ',ot!?m , linc ?' pledgaship is ting President dividualism. If an individuals wants and needsare threatened, he always has the liberty to excuse ng out that the himself from fraternity activities. >lina started on No problem The "prime example" of a Sigma Nu pledge doing "belly comparable to flops" in a pool of vomit provided tate. McGuire by his brother is outrageously pride to the slanderous. Also, if anyone pertime. The win- formed excretion functions in a into a wave of women's dorm at UNC, it was due to an extremely weak bladder. esDect for thp Seriously, are you referring to the le catalvst he generation of the '40s? ,s a prominent sJma N.? ? " y?Ung Sigma Nu lounge was an unfortunate accident. It could have he prominence happened anywhere, at anytime, d its manv an. to anyone. luire. * The other issues involved in that lf letter have been discussed many uire. However, times before and need not be exnimt tne mentioned again. The IGNORANT in, mat will oe remain IGNORANT. , r ... David Crigler mes J. Corbelt history senior ism reshman former Sigma Nu commander