The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, October 26, 1983, Page 9, Image 9
Marines should
move, but where?
Death is all the media seems to report these days,
and it is easy to become insensitive to it. However,
when it hits so close to home, as it did this past
weekend, Americans stand up and take note. Not
since Vietnam, has such carnage been inflicted
upon U.S. citizens as the death total rises to about
190 Marines and sailors killed in Lebanon.
As President RnnalH Rpaaan cniH 5\iinH;iv
4 'There are no words to properly express our
outrage and I think the outrage of all Americans at
the despicable act..." As tragic as this incident is,
one first must consider the fact that the presence of
the Marines in Lebanon fulfills their set purpose: to
protect U.S. interests abroad.
Historically, the Marines have been stationed
where the risks are highest. True as this may be, the
question on everyone's mind is "What can be done
to atone for the brutality of the act?"
The 5,000 American, French and Italian troops
make up a peacekeeping force whose presence in
Lebanon is to keep the peace between the weak
Lebanese government and various private sectarian
militias. Most of these sects are supported by Syria,
who is advised by the Soviet Union.
Syria is strategically matched by Israel, which
humbled the Syrians on its march to Beirut last
year, but has since retreated to avoid the kind of
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Thanks to Reagan and good old U.S. internationalism,
we clearly cannot pull out of Lebanon.
But if we are to stay, security measures must be
tightened. It's time the military stopped considering
our presence in Lebanon as a temporary vacation
and treated it as the war zone that it is.
Reagan has ordered Marine commandant Gen.
P.X. Kelly to go to Beirut to determine what security
measures can be taken to improve protection of
^ the Marines in Lebanon. Kelly will probably ad
dress this situation in one ot tnree ways.
First, he could move the troops to higher ground,
lessening the possibility of being surrounded. Fortunately,
there is high ground east of the airport
where the Marines are now stationed and west of
the Mediterranean.
Normally, combat commanders try to position
themselves on high ground. However, this would
put them in the middle of all opposition forces.
A second possibility is moving the majority of
the troops to ships just off the coast. However,
even then it would be difficult for the men remain
ing ashore to head off any attacks and would allow
more room for blood baths to occur among the
citizens of Lebanon.
A third and less likely possiDimy is 10 siriKe
back. This however would have ideological
ramifications, as our whole reason for being in
Lebanon is to keep the peace and not to disturb it.
A decision must be reached soon. The United
States can no longer be held hostage to the whims
of other governments.
* i Gomecoc k?~?
j Editor in Chief
li Johnnv Boons i
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 .. Ellen McCarthy Copy Editor Alan Seim
Ent. f ditor Julie Jameson Copy Editor Mark Farmer
Asst. Ent. Editor Joan Kirchner j
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 Hatcholl
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Asst. Photo Editor Joe Jackson Graduate Asst Wanda M.Hito
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. Newsroom 777 7181 Advertising 777 4249
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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 guest
editorials MUST be signed with thp writer's name, telephone number, mailing ad
dress, class standing or faculty position and major. Psoudonyms are unacceptable,
but the writer's name may be withheld upon request if the ciicumstances warrant.
I I 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. I
a.
3?| ||l|feif p|j
SAGA
Gamecock ignores Der
To the Editor: Derby Days is ;
Frankly, we are more than a little tion among the s
confused about what the Gamecock Bronze Derby,
does on campus. Ever since we have trophy on campu
been freshmen, the Gamecock has Days raised sever
been ignoring some campus activities, for emotionally h
especially those of certain at the Wallace Vill
organizations. for other charities
The most recent example is the total The Gamecock
lack of exposure given to Sigma Chi's the week's actr
Derby Days. greeks and non-gr
USC's chapter of Sigma Chi was attend, but found
founded on Nov. 9, 1929, so it is hard- organizations th
ly a new organization that could be soliciting funds
overlooked. Sigma Chi has sponsored than charity.
Derby Days since 1947, and by now it In short, the Ga
is a traditional and historic event. nored a part c
Intolerant attitudes ti
To the Editor:
As I read Vicki Harrell's letter of Oct. 21 ("Student says
homosexuals sexually blatant"), I became deeply concerned
?- both about her subjective, ignorant biases and generalizations,
and for the fact that her personal views reflect sentiments
felt by many unaware individiuals in our society.
Her generalizations include the suggestion that "homosexuals
and their actions seem very pushy and boorish in their
drive to be recognized and put up on a pedestal for
their...(usually) loose moral lives...(and that) homosexuals are
confused people who...(later) become callous to what is
normal."
First, 1 recognize these statements are only personal views
expressed by one person. 1 question, however, the basis for
these opinions.
Generalizations made about any group must be based on
sound scientific data in order to be accepted as even possibly
true. When the group being generalized about is a
misunderstood minority, however, then an individual can
quite easily bypass science to base his or her views on personal
religious beliefs.
(JSC's Gay Student Association has not made any attempts
to put anyone "on a pedestal" for his or her loose moral life.
Neither are we, as a group, any more blatant about our sexuality
than any other organization on this campus or any other
group within our society.
What we, as gay people, do voice loudly is the fact that we
are proud of ourselves with the understanding and acceptance
of our gay identities despite a fearful, ignorant society that
| tells us we must be saved and/or cured.
uiLVv*1 ij >!! ? 11 11 w.wwy '< 5
prop,
AlAZE
by Days, students say
a weeklong competi- heritage and missed an ideal chance to
ororities to win the help raise needed funds for worthy
the oldest rotating charities.
s. This year, Derby
al thousand dollars We think it is about time the
andicapped children Gamecock lived up to its responsibility
age for Children and as a campus newspaper. An apology to
the brothers of Sigma Chi and the
made no mention of sisters of the wonderful sororoties
cities, which both would, in our opinion, also be very
eeks were invited to much in order.
plenty of room for Tommy Godding
at were probably Business junior
for purposes other Jeffrey Black
Journalism junior
mecock, as usual, ig- David Lasch
>f this university's Journalism junior
ouble gay association
Furthermore, we have organized and demanded this
homophobic society provide us with the same rights as the
heterosexual majority.
Finally, if Harrell wants to find in the Bible the "answers"
to her questions about homosexuality, perhaps she should first
read what Jesus Christ had to say about this issue. He said
nothing.
We are everywhere, and wc are proud.
Anthony Price
Psychology tonior
Play review biased,
assistant librarian says
To the Editor:
A judge with a preconceived bias of a case is expected to
step down and let another judge hear the case. From John
Vaughan's review of "Suddenly Last Summer," it is quite obvious
that either he doesn't like Russell Green the man and/or
that he does not like Green the director.
Given this knowledge, it would seem reasonable that
Vaughan would not be able to view any play directed by Green
objectively and he should, as it were, "remove himself from
the bench."
Perhaps in the future, a different member of the Gamecock
staff should "hear the case."
Jean Rhyne
Thomas Cooper assistant reference librarian