The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, September 28, 1983, Page 7, Image 8
U.S. should invoke
War Powers Act
Sunday brought an announcement that a ceasefire
accord had been gained in Lebanon. This
agreement, if it takes full effect, will bring to ar
end four weeks of heavy fighting that began wher
anti-government Moslem militia men took control
of the streets of West Beirut.
This outbreak spread to the Shuf Mountains
wnen me Israelis withdrew their forces.
The Lebanese Army, the Christian Phalangist
militia and Syrian backed Druse fought to fill the
vacuum. Though this is a possible step towards
peace in Lebanon, there will be no change in the
disposition of 1,600 American Marines in
T
j^cuauuii.
Does this mean an end to the War Powers Act
fight between Congress and the White House?
Supposedly, the three branches of governemenl
have clear-cut duties and responsibilities. However,
as history has shown, the judicial and legislative
branches are shadowed by executive supremacy in
times of military conflict. During such times, the
president has almost absolute authority in the
deployment of U.S. Armed Forces.
This has led to questions of abuses of power b>
various presidents, especially during the Vietnam
years. Therefore, in 1973 congress passed the Wai
Powers Act. Though the resolution has never beer
invoked, it has the potential of forcing the presi
dent to report to Congress and gives Congress the
opportunity to act as decision-maker in times ol
conflict. With a growing U.S. military presence ir
the Middle East, many people are questioning
whether it's time to put this act to the test.
The Marines are in Lebanon as part of <
peacekeeping force from Italy, France an(
r-? 1 t n? i . . 4 a r i
tingiana. since late /\ugusi, rour marines navi
been killed by Syrian-backed Moslem factions
Regardless of the supposed 4 'cease-fire*' man;
Democratic and Republican congressmen fear ai
increase in the number of casualties.
Therefore, much to Reagan's dismay, certaii
members of Congress have been calling for the ap
plication of the War Powers Act. Should the thi
aci go into eneci, mc presiueiu musi icn ^ungics
when American armed forces are sent into hostili
situations, armed for combat, or for the deploy
ment of additional troops.
Within 60 days, the American forces must b
withdrawn unless Congress enacts special legisla
tion allowing them to remain. The law allows th?
? - j? ?. : :e
president a ju-uay cxiciimuii u uc wains.
Considering that four Americans have been kill
ed, why hasn't the War Powers Act gone into ef
feet? Because President Ronald Reagan contend
that these deaths were an unfortunate accident an
that they are neither prepared for combat nor in
hostile situation.
The American people must have the opportunit
through their elected representatives to review th
situation and act if our Middle East policy is to b
r i C f.il
dUWVV/JOl Ulf
I r~Gomccock
Editor in Chief
Johnny Boggs
Copy Desk Chief Curt Cottle Copy Editor Mark Armstrong
News Editor Chris Handal Copy Editor Beverly Simmons
Asst. News Editor David Hill Copy Editor Leigh Jones
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r-i riomarnn f!nnu Frlitnr Mark Farmnr
tm. CUIlUf uuiiu uumcoun uuf [
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I The Gamecock welcomes letters and guest editorials. All letters and guest
editorials must be typewritten, triple spaced on a 65 space-line.
Letters should be no longer than 300 words and guest editorials should be limited
to one newsworthy subject no longer than four typed pages. Letters and guesl
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.
Li
1
QpiniQN
M -
J " Lei
. Pedestrians' rights dis
e To the Editor: signal is regardc
On Sept. 19,1 and one of my friends hurtle through
narrowly escaped injury while crossing belief that a wis
y Sumter Street between the life sciences foot knows bett
1 building and the Thomas Cooper turf of the reckli
Library. The endless r<
j An automobile going north on the the university's
four-lane street rushed to and through buildings prove*
a marked crosswalk crowded with streets is no ]
s pedestrians at the height of lunch drivers of Colui
S hour. Because my friend hit the enough, our fell
e speeding car with his hand in a reflex- necessary to wa
ive act of anger and self defence, the serious injuries
driver pulled into a nearby parking conditions. The <
space and immediately accosted my Greene Street in
e friend for daring to touch his fractured is pro(
automobile. problem exists hi
e A meeting with the driver at USC's
South Main Street security office The hit and
shortly thereafter failed to produce Sumter Street tw
" satisfactory results because of one or daylight is even
more reasons it would be unproductive the uncountable
S to bring up now. accounts of neai
d The simple fact is the complete from my friends
a disregard of Columbia motorists for proving the obv
fVio rinhtc r?f rian? Hailv en- hevnnd anv nere
HIV 116'"" ?' J J J
dangers the life and health of USC Concrete step
y students. Motorists in Columbia seem now. We do not
e to conduct themselves under the theory study. Action mi
e that, crosswalks and traffic signals the legal and \
notwithstanding, the pavement is which the accidc
theirs alone. They routinely wait for and political cc
the lights to change with their vehicles sufficiently mon
blocking the pedestrian walkways, rev- safety of USC's
ving their engines at the justifiably Columbia City C
agitated pedestrians. to close Greene S
fic lights, speed
A CROSSWALK with no traffic ^ the crosswalks a
English major disagrei
To the Editor:
As an avid reader of the Gamecock for quite some time,
have always perused each edition with a critical eye. Unt
recently the subjects of my personal critique have always bee
the sort of mistakes that mark any amateur publication. I hav
yet to discover any serious breech of trust or abuse of joui
nalistic privilege on the part of the editors.
However, once in a while the editors tall victim to one o
their own devices, this one, the opinion page. Such was th
case in the Friday's paper when Chris Lane apparently felt i
his duty to take the Gamecock to task over a recent editorial
Lane castigates the Gamecock for an editorial that appeare
in the Wednesday edition, dealing with the increasingl
anemic saga of "Ronnie" and the Horseshoe residents. Mi
Lane accuses the Gamecock of making false and libelou
allegations about tjie residents of the Horseshoe.
IN FACT, Mr. Lane apparently has convinced himself thi
f ft ^/ rnt QlAtt water suw\ t
t. - / OM ro?R WAV TO BATES. J
/ a /THESES No BRAIWflae UEHf ?r^TrtE/;
f * \O?JLY A OQCAT NEWA
\V^?. 0 ^
terS :::::::::
regarded, student says
:d as an invitation to USC STUDENT Government
the streets with the should begin a vigorous program of
;e person traveling on louuymg auu agnaiiou 10 eonipei me
er than to invade the city of Columbia to take these steps. If
ess motorist. economic considerations are foremost "
epairs being made to in the minds of Columbia politicians,
walls, bus stops and perhaps a boycott of area business will
> that- being off the better balance the scales.
protection from the Individual students should be aware
nbia, including sadly that in a collision between a motor
ow students. It is not vehicle and a pedestrian, most of the
it any longer for the important legal presumptions are arto
result from these rayed in the walker's favor. If soaccident
a year ago on meone sustains a real injury, they
which a girl's hip was should consult with a lawyer im^f
enough that a real mediately, after collecting the names
ere. of persons present at the scene of the
accident.
run I witnessed on The State Bar Association will refer
'O years ago in broad students to competent attorneys free of
more proof. To add charge, and in many instances, the
number of personal lawyer's initial consultation is free. Do
r misses I have heard yourself and your fellow students a
to this list would be favor by finding out if you have a case,
ious and well known I am sure a few large personal injury
?itv. iudements will co a lone wav to modi
?s need to be taken fying the terrible behavior of many
need a committee or a Columbia area motorists.
ist be taken to change As a parting word to those motorists
>hysical lancscape in who have driven carefully, I thank
mts occur. Economic you. As a warning to your reckless
>nsiderations may be counterparts, the days in which USC
e important than the students will sit by while the streets are
students to justify the made into a battle zone by your indif^ounciFs
decision not ference are coming to an end.
Itreet, but adding trafbumps
and repainting William Hamilton III
re not. Law student
es with letter to editor
% \.
the editors of the Gamecock are actively plotting against him,
I as he states with "...absurd and well planned accusations..."
?1 He even goes so far as to accuse the Gamecock of "...libel and
n defamation of character of Horseshoe residents..."
e His points of complaint deal with bits and pieces of the
editorial and not complete sentences.
\
More importantly, in attempts to make his point, he fails to
f take into consideration the broadness of the statements that
e seem to upset him so. The editorial hvquestion was not aimed
11 specifically at him, but at those persons'r^sponsible for the in'
cidents mentioned.
d Just as a cautionary note, Mr. Lane, 1 would like to point
y out the bold print at the top of the page, just iit*case you're
r- considering attacking me along with the Gamecock; a seven
,s letter word meaning "belief" or "judgment," and it hifckbeen
at the top of the page all year.
Mark Staffer
lt English Mnior