The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, April 28, 1980, Page Page 6, Image 6
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.
*
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I the senior ednonai staff 'ji Column. 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