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Protestors orotected only by Constitution Although most people took delight in the opportunity to meet their president, there were a few who found Tuesday's visit of President Ronald Reagan a time to stage various protests, thus communicating their displeasure over some of his policies. One assemblage held a quiet counter-protest at the Russell House during the convocation, while another bunch chanted with disrespect during the president's speech. Such occurrences could not take place in the Soviet Union. In this country, the Constitution provides an ampnHmpnt oivino its riti7Pnc "FrppHnm nf Speech." Therefore, regardless of how derisive their comments were, those students were doing no more than taking advantage of their inherent rights. However, shortly after Reagan's speech, a small group of vigilantes had the audacity to take the law into their own hands and staged an attack on the protestors. At first, the attack merely consisted of some name calling, however, the erection of a "Red Flap" hv an unknown nprcnn in thp rrnwH was said to be the main factor that triggered the scuffle. This issue is serious for three reasons. Firstly, because shortly before the outbreak occurred, a plea was said to have been met with no response from the police. Many eyewitnesses even reported seeing the police watch as the disorder broke out. Therefore, one can only assume that by their indolence, somehow the police tacitly approved. In this respect, the police failed by neglecting to stop an insurrection and by overlooking the protection of these citizens' rights. Finally, the group of attackers was supposedly composed of a few military figures. One male was actually pictured in uniform, while others were marked by their military-style haircut. No matter how noble their intentions were, these people are highly trained to act rationally in a highpressure situation. As protectors of this country, we look up to them with quiet respect. However, when such characters lower themselves to such levels, one begins to question how deserving they nt-a Aiir rpcnpr>t C41 V \Jl UUi I Vjpwi. Because the outbreak was small, many will overlook it as being unimportant. However, this incident illustrates how America has changed. Ten or 15 years ago, such protests would have been approved by the majority of students at most universities. The fact that the protestors of today are met with such ire points out exactly how conservative America has become. Everyone respects the surge of patriotic beliefs to attack another group. One questions how American "values" have evolved? Gomecoc k Editor in Chief Johnny Boggs Copy Desk Chief Curt Cottle Copy Editor Mark Armstrong News Editor Chris Handal Copy Editor Beverly Simmons I Asst. News Editor David Hill Copy Editor Leigh Jones I Asst. News Editor Susan Muir Copy Editor Alan Seim I Opinion Page Editor . Ellen McCarthy Copy Editor Mark Farmer Ent. Editor Julie Jameson Graphics Editor Beth Harrisnn Asst. Ent. Editor Joan Kirchner General Manager Ron Emler I Sports Editor Jeff Rogers Ad Manager Linda S. Haines Asst. Sports Editor Andrew Miller Business Manager Jean Hatchell Wire Editor Leslie Dunson Production Mgr Mark McEwan Photo Editor Mary Ann Hollis Graduate Asst Wanda M. Hite Asst. Photo Editor Joe Jackson Adviser Mark Ethridge Jr. Newsroom 777 7181 Advertising 77/4249 Business Office 777 3888 Production 777 2833 ?' ' ' ?-** ' r?lc? All Inttorc anH nimct I Itw banwcocK welcomes letters <inu yucsi Duuunau. u..u u?w?. I editorials must be typewritten, triple spaced on a 65 space line. I Letters should be no longer than 300 words and guest editorials should be limited I to one newsworthy subject no longer than four typed pages. Letters and guest | editorials MUST be signed with the writer's name, telephone number, mailing ad dress, class standing or faculty position and major. Pseudonyms are unacceptable, but the writer's name may be withheld upon request if the circumstances warrant. We reserve the right to edit guest editorials and letters. Address letters and columns to: Opinion Page Editor, Gamecock, Drawer A. USC, Columbia, S.C. 29208. Opinio' s '' Ck Law student s I am getting a bit tired of the whole subject, but I feel I must respond to your Wednesday editorial criticizing those of us who protested President Konald Keagan s visit. It was suggested that protestors are "juvenile" and that we give the school a bad name. 1 was surprised to find that protest requires justification in any American university today. Protest ? even illmannered demonstrations of strong radical sentiment ? have been crucial to American political life since English Concert reviei To the editor: Being a journalism major and knowing some of the fine qualifications of being a journalist, I was taught that before writing and printing an article, I am to provide concrete facts coming from research. An article in Wednesday's Gamecock was not fully researched. It was an entertainment article on the Gladys Knight and the Pips concert that took place Sunday. The reporter who covered the story (Dorothy Gray) Hid not research her storv to its fullest capacity, which led to a misinterpretation by the readers. Some examples of her lack of research were a slight mix-up of a song George Kashif sang. The two titles she listed are a part of the same song, entitled "Lover Turn Me On." Another mistake on Gray's part pertained to the group the Manhattans. Protest an imp To the Editor: On Sept. 19, a group of students met i Cooper Library to discuss plans for a p< on the occasion of President Ronald group was soon surrounded by a seco who proceeded to heckle and harass th< Petty comments were made personal particularly original student was heard Russia!" 1 have very strong respect for the ofl dent, but equally strong is my resp< documents of this country ? documer right to freedom of expression. People who harass peaceful demonstr the name of partriotism, but work tow* sion of rights guaranteed by the U.S. C This contradiction is caused either b evil nature and a desire to destroy the I tion. I suspect that the former is the hecklers should go into the library anc son. Our founding documents say we h but the responsibility to express disagr< Again, I deeply respect the office of | right to non-abusive demonstration, an kT IN LetterS upports protes tea was dumped into the harbors at Charleston and Boston. You suggest that the ballot box is the appropriate place to register protest. I agree that is the basic way, but I also think that in formed choices can only be made by an electorate which has been exposed to conflicting views. When any incumbent president wants us to hear his views, he has access not only to large audiences but also to world-wide communications media. For those of us with less power ? but whose voices should also count ? inaccurate, I HAPPEN to know all about the group personally since I'm the daughter ot one. uray claims tne eldest Manhattan was from Sumter. How did she know he's the oldest? He isn't. She also said two members were from North Carolina, one from Sumter and the other from New York. It was never mentioned at the show that any were from New York. The member she claimed was from New York was mentioned on stage as oeing from Macon, Ga. Gray named some of the hit songs the group sang. One that she said was one of the group's hits was "You and Me Go a Long Way Back," but that was a hit by a group called Bloodstone. The Manhattans just happened to sing it at the show. She then wrote about the group's choreography and overall show being "low keyed and mellow," as comortant part of p to non-abusive c n front of the Thomas heckling and hare ~cm;iui utiuuiLMi ciuuii aa mv, j;iuuuv,i wi Reagan's visit. This nd group of students ^ demonstrators. ???????? appearance, etc. One to say, "Go back to SPORTS fice of the U.S. presiict for the founding its that guarantee the fjlv ators claim to do so in ird the goal of represConstitution. y pure stupidity or an /yfl|||if\ foundations of the na- ( case. Therefore, the 1 read Thomas Jeffer- Tak\ RP ave not only the right, cement. WE AT THIS < president. I respect the UOURMALISTIC F d, of course, the right | ? ^Ok t tors freedoms ? in a democracy, the only option may be to make a sign or assert our rights of citizenship before university officials. 1 strongly disagree with the statement that such activity gives the university a bad name. To my mind, those who attempted to cut off free expression of protest by ripping up protestor's signs were the ones who "misrepresented" the character of my university. Harriet Johnson Law Student _ - 1 - siuaeni says pared to the Temptations, Spinners and Kool and the Gang. If Gray knew anything about the Manhattans, she would know they arc known for the mellow, low-key love ballads. THE MANHATTANS, Temptations, Spinners and Kool and the Gang are four different groups with four different styles. I speak on behalf of a lot of students at the university, so in the future we would appreciate it if your journalists, \i/lipn r^nArtinnr ini/^ctinotp thpir infnr. ""VII ivpwjllllfe, 111 * lllVil UIIVl mation and know what they're writing about ahead of time before printing an article. Reporting as such could lead to a misinterpretation of things, and we have enough chaos in the world now. If we can't believe or trust journalists, who can we trust? Robyn Lovett Journalism senior olitscal change ninter demonstration. But petty, ignorant ssment does not gain my respect. I despise it small-minded, dangerous filth. John Duffy Jr. French senior "NEWS" weather | _... '^6 1 o?? **><> S#^i"*jB&S&si Mi iMMH^ ? *<1 U+wvpAO** Syxl?c at* ASSURED, Ml 55 ST&JSTfm, THAT TAT10W ARE COJCERMED WITH I mmcm.m, MOT looks, . .iMSJif1 '|