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Watt'c failnroc V V Uil u I UIIUI uu demand resignation A position like secretary of the interior is one that has a dual responsibility. First, the secretary must act as custodian and manager of 568 million acres of public lands and wilderness and 333 federal parks. His second, and equally important respon sibility, is to act as a i ^presentative of the president in both deed and policy. Interior Secretary James Watt has failed in both respects. There is no doubt that Watt supports the raping of this nation's natural bounty. His policies favor coal leasing and exploration ot public land. Although there is widespread demand for preservation of American parklands and wildlife for recreation, Watt has brought all progress of the national park system to a halt. In fact, he has moved to open these wildlife refuges to oil and gas leasing. As a result, the market has been flooded with federal coal leases at bargain basement prices even over the objections of Congress. Such policies have destroyed a long tradition of conserving our national heritage. OnrVi o tr\c> \\T aff'r rtrnnf ?c f Vin /irv* Ko rrorr 1 vuiajps ?? on a gi^aitai lauuit is nit tiuuauaosment he has brought the president with his often crude use of the English language. With respect to his most recent embarrassment, he referred to an advisory commission, formed to review his controversial coal leasing program: "I have a black, I have a woman, two Jews and a cripple . . In one sentence, Watt managed to insult a major percentage of the population. This is only the latest of many derisive remarks that have forced Watt into the limelight and to apologize. However, Watt's numerous apologies have become tiresome and meaningless. Obviously Watt hasn't learned that prejudices are to be held in private while he is in the public eye. Watt spoke his latest opinion publicly to 20C lobbyist members of the U.S. Chamber of Congress. Remarks like these not only hurt the public, but damaged any progress Reagan has made in his struggle to let women and minorities know he is sensitive to their concerns. Reagan, however, has overlooked this setback, and upon Watt's apology, has closed the case and put it behind him. What Reagan doesn't realize is that by allowing Watt to remain in office, he is implying an indifference to Watt's intemperance. In addition, with controversy so heated, one questions whether Wati can still be effective in his position. Reagan is being noble by backing the people h< feels are important for the maintenance of thii country. Watt should take heed at such loyalty anc follow the example by resigning. nrv?/^.?r?v? Watt rluimc tr* hp lnval to the nolicies o i HV/Ugll Ukt V1MA At AU W W j v,. .w I this administration, as the president's daughter Maureen Reagan, pointed out, if Watt were "trul; loyal to the president,'' he would resign. f Samecoc k Editor in Chief S 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 Opinion Page Editor .. Ellon McCarthy Copy Editor Alan Seim Ent. Editor Julie Jameson Copy Editor Mark Farmer Asst. Ent. Editor Joan Kirchner Sports Editor Jeff Rogers General Manager Ron Emler Asst. Sports Editor... Andrew Miller Ad Manager Linda S. Haines Wire Editor Leslie Dunson Business Manager Jean Hatchell Photo Editor Mary Ann Hollis Production Mgr Mark McEwan Asst. Photo Editor Joe Jackson Graduate Asst Wanda M. Hite Graphics Editor Beth Harrison Adviser Mark Ethridge Jr. I Newsroom 777 7181 Advertising 7774249 Business Office 777-3888 Production 777-2833 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 arid guest editorials should be limited 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 address, 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 tor. Opinion Page {ditor, Gamecock, Drawer A, USC, Columbia, S.C. 29208. OoinioN JT linn + mini ilrfl hn o onlrl rlc I luiu yuu it vvuuiu uc a iruiu uc beat Southern Cal." Missing comic strip a ri: To the Editor: ters to the editor that comp We have long held that the this superlative tabloid, we Gamecock is unsurpassed in ex- feel anger and shock at such cellence, and is probably the most in- sight and taste ? not t< novative newspaper on any college despair at the intellectual < campus in the Southeast. Having exists at USC. worked respectively for The Red and Therefore, it was with | Black at the University of Georgia and somewhat akin to uneasine The Archarios 2X USC Coastal, we feel noticed something amiss in the Gamecock is of unparalleled 19 issue. Without pausing tc magnificence and should serve as a tides such as "Alligator mea model for campus newspapers diet" or such editorial gems ' everywhere. honored to have Reagan * When we read the discriminating let- would like to note th ! Student says editorial, no ; To the Editor: childrer The editorial in the Sent. 23 issue of the Gamecock ("Presi- unused I dent speaks in contradictions") showed a lack of knowledge receive . on the issue of tuition tax credits for parents who choose to 3. Fi send their children to private schools. cripple The article states, "Tuition tax credits will do nothing to find it c 5 help public school . . . The dubious logic is that since the These c 5 parents have the right to send their children to whatever school tion. If j they choose, the government should assist them financial- still pa: ly . . .the credits will eventually cripple community support availab for public school as some parents find it easier to afford am una * private school." their ed The suKKested tax credit is not intended to "cripple" private lead to yr schools. The article clearly ignores the following facts: As I 1. Whether a parent indeed sends his child to private school, "dubio he pays taxes, which in turn are used to fund public education. Only 2. The more children who are enrolled in private school, the fects of less are available to attend public school. This does not "cripple" the system; however, it strengthens public education because the same amount of money is allocated for less Qturlont cmnnnrfc nrntPQl Wllllllllll 0Up|#UI IV |?1 V ?iW< To the Editor: ment of university j In response to an editorial on the in- Slanderous and tasteles fringement of rights of some students covered our beloved campu protesting President Ronald Reagan, I On Monday, I discov offer these statements. meeting in front of the libra Thank God we live in a nation where of the authors of this ?<'??' man hat rioht tn sneak his nearefullv attended the nr< mind. In the great words of the with many friends and as philosopher Voltaire, "Though I the same accord. might not agree with one word you When we could no longer say, I will fight to the death for your allegations on the universii right to say it." and Reagan, we faced our These words lie deeply rooted in the and peacefully confronted minds and hearts of every true our ideas. We were cha: American. However, when someone short remarks, verbal abu: acts and speaks in a way that confines castic statements on our a the rights of others, they must be the subjects presented. Th confronted. themselves above the cor On Sunday afternoon when I return- and supposedly lowered us ed to school, I was made aware of We then reacted by chalk several acts of vandalism and deface- to a debate. They would h ~ur. jou wee A . I a, ' - ' " ly down here if Carolina s sk, student savs lain about Breathed's "Bloom County" comic : can only strip was somehow overlooked during lack of in- paste-up. > mention Bearing in mind that accidents do desert that happen, we would strongly urge that such an error not occur again. While a feeling undoubtedly the Gamecock would surss that we vive on its other merits, we wouldn't the Sept. want to risk it, would We? \ praise ar- C*rt Landrum it good for Graduate Student i as "USC visit," we Tim Hawitt at Berke Graduate Student OTfc t Keagan, duoious i. Hence, children who attend private school pay for an public education, and those who attend public school this portion of money. nally, the statement, 44 . . .the credits will eventually community support for public schools as some parents ;asier to afford private schools," is completely absurd, redits would be much less than any private school tuia parent decides to enroll his child in private school, he ys for the public education. Yet more money will be le for those who cannot afford a private education. I ble to see how more money per child would 4'cripple" lucation. Common sense dictates more money should an improved system. Is this not our major objective? have pointed out, the president's logic is not as us" as the editorial suggests. the logic of those unwilling to view the complete efthe suggested tax credits deserve this term "dubious." Donna Connelly Business sophomore LOf HIU In VQBIUaiHdlll property. of this and soon departed. s graffiti Their group is made up of weak is. misfits, non-conformists and ered a rebellious youths waiting for some iry of some publicity. graffiti. 1 It is a sad occasion when a person or otest along a group of people abuse and misuse sociates of their constitutional rights by infringing on others. A peaceful, quiet stand their demonstration is one thing far from a ty, country boisterous and demeaning vandalism opponents spree. them with I regret any tempers that flew and stised with became somewhat violent, yet I am se and sar- ashamed of those vandals' actions and uthority of the Gamecock's endorsement of these iey uplifted people. I challenge anyone or any nmon man group to a real show of American freedom on the debate floor. ;nging them ave no part Names withheld by request