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? I Pa^r ?'> ? Juno 12. li)8f> Opinion THE GAMffCOCK I Star War programs need peaceful test Main arguments ha\e been made about President Keaiian's Strategic Defense Initiative, or "Star W ars" missile defense system. I he Iii st is against committing weapons systems to outei space. Reagan has been tagged as wanting to open up the arms race in a direction never before pm sued. \nothcr argument deals with the practicality of the s\stem. I he defense deals only with land-based missiles ? not submarine-launched or cruise missiles dropped from airplanes. Hut probabh the best argument deals with the technology behind the system. Hchind all of the lasers and modern hardware planned b\ the Reagan administration lies the concept of aitilicial intelligence ? a theory that is olten mentioned Inn in no way close to becoming reality. \ recent issue ol I lie Allantie Monthh explored the development ol such sophisticated computer pi og i am s. h 10M ol how the United States and the Soviet I nion have allotted millions ol dollars towaids developing aitilicial intelligence lor military means, and how the Japanese government is supporting the same research toward commercial applications. While some business groups in this country are cuttcml\ tr\ing to develop artificial intelligence, the\ complain that a deep-pocketed defense department is lakine awa\ the hest researchers. I ikIci Stat Wars, the computer program needs to ha\e an extraordinary, short reaction time to track and dcstiov hundreds ol warheads. I Ins is why the s\siem needs artilicial intelligence so u can decide for itsell whether an attack is occurring. Mill > COIII 11SII1L' IV Mil I /1 11 11 SI III )l?l I I 111 v. 111 I1US s.ikI ii will iinn to St;u Wars onl\ in times ot crisis to decrease i Ik- chance ot i tie system making a mistake. \tlantie asked an interesting question. Why would an unstable system he turned on only in times of c I I s | s ' Ii seems the Japanese have a point, and the rest of us .Hi- mil I mt' i lu' e:irt is he fore I tie horse It makes sense to develop artificial intelligence for the commercial world before placing the fate of the entire world in its hands. I he magazine quoted several scientists who said attaining artificial intelligence would be a feat equaled to the production of the atomic bomb. I el's at least apply any revolutionary technologies to peace!ul purposes bclore using it for warfare. I nnlioii Ldieia jjunuy \11 loiters in the editor and guest editorials must he typewritten. triple-spaced on a 65-space line. I he lot il'is should ho no longer than lour typed pages. I.etiois ;idel guest editorials should ho limited to one newsworthy subject no longer than lour typed pages. I otters and guest editorials must he signed with the writer's name, telephone number, maling address, class standing or faculty position and major. The Gomecoch 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 news worthy subject no longer than lour typed pages letters and guest editorials MUST be signed with Editor in Chief the wnjefj name, telaphone number, mailing ad Iff f HOflPfa -I... ...n^,nn lazuli u nA.iliftn an^ mm ? IIIKNV Lias* aiaiMiiiiy ui IOUUIIJ Kw""um "" ,,,H Copy Desk Chief j0( Pseudonyms are unacceptable, but the writer's Andy Duncan name may be withheld upon request if the cir News Editor cumstances warrant Susan Painp We reserve the right to edit guest editorials and Entertainment Editor letters. lone Cantrell Address letters and columns to: Opinion Page Sports Editor Editor, Jh Gtmtcock, Drawer A, USC, Columbia, Gregy lasky S C. 29208. Photo Editor Joe Ricker oUM| Miuw Ad Manas* | Ron Emtof Doug TruaWood { Adviaar Grtfeata Assistant Bill Rogart Ron Buchanan Nawaraam Aivarttaiafl ! 777 7181 777 4249 Bualnaaa OHka Pra^iKtiaa 777 3888 777 2833 ^rjmttojp'Sibarfe M , ih< ^ V.v^^^^SYASSER SAYS HE' I NOT AFRAID TDD V wKjkx^ Intercs Student finds Westrr (icneral William Westmoreland strikes again. You know who I'nr talking about, the guy who tried to sue the "60 Minnies" in\estimative reporting program tor libel last year. In the Mas issue ol American Kil'lcman maga/inc. the retired I'.S. Anns general, lorinei commander of U.S. forces in Vietnam, wrote an article entitled, "Vietnam tribute." In the article. Westmoreland wrote. "I presume to speak for veterans... Hut I am particular^ proud ol speaking for the > K't II.Illl * I'll'l .III Iroin ihis presumptuous beginning, W estmoreland's article irritated me. I'm sorry, but considering Westmoreland's somewhat questionable performance as commander of U.S. forces in Vietnam, I think he is a poor one to pay "tribute" to the Vietnam veteran. Maybe it is a manifestation of guilt feelings. Anyway, I'm not so sure the thousands of Vietnam veterans would appreciate Westmoreland's assumption that lie could speak for them. Westmoreland's rhetoric got even worse, to the point that it sickened me. Me began by reflecting on the United States' "now defaulted commitment" to South Vietnam. All you Vietnam veterans will be happy to know that, according to Westmoreland. \our commitment "was clearly stated trom the beginning: to assist the Ciovernment of Vietnam and its armed forces to defeat externally directed and supported ( omnnimst subversion and aggression and attain an independent South Vietnam functioning in a secure environment." My, that is clearly stated isn't it'.' My only question is, what constitutes "subversion" and "agression." what does he mean by "assist" ami what exactly is a "secure environment?" Maybe Westmoreland should have tilled his article "l-.verything You Want to Know About the United States' Commitment in Vietnam m just 31 Words." Vietnam veterans, aren't you glad somebody I'inaly told you what you were lighting lor? Westmoreland adds, "Though we did not succeed in achicvinn /mir nnrnrKi* ii) Vi#Mnnm :i n^tinn wniilrt npvpr J have tried at all." I'm still trying to figure that one out. SAGA-type meal p Imallv. the administrative heavens have opened and the . - ? ? I ... I .. I. ? ,1... ,1.Iw.ll ?t llllOM 111,1 H M i MIKK'iiin \MIU t'tll iii I IK' v. <1111) hi > n111 nip; iui ii ut111 to base been scnl a signal. I he lood services administration here, led h> Matthew W. Sherrift have proposed a fiscal year budget that includes a 5-percent increase in hoard rates. Considering that hoard plans rose percent last year and 7 percent this year, a 5-percent increase is a positive sign. Under theproposed budget, vvluci goes before the University Hoard of Regents' finance committee when it meets at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory on Solomon's Island, Md. I today, the cost of a 19-meal plan would rise from SI,503 to SI,578 ? a S75 increase. The cost of the other meal plans would rise similarly, with the 15?meal plan costing $70 more I and the 10?meal plan up $66. While it may seem like a lot to students individually, a 5 percent increase is realistic. Food services, despite all the heat it has taken and continues to absorb for some of Sheriff's past policies and present practices, does have its own problems. ' ' L 1/ il/<kan nrvnli'i n<<Ar n /\|, I IlUJUipVllCIlt UVJC* UlCaK uuwii. rviiv.iii.ii nj^/iiaiivvi i/vv,v.m?iv uivi and out?dated. Staffing the dining halls, for the convenience of students, is not inexpensive. |j These are all things the regents' finance commitee should take into consideration when it votes on the package today. ? Middleman^ i f| I impus loreland irritating n..t rnallu ii.>L-?r nntiMfiimi riiiH tn v hlonH hnil. 1)111 WIU1I IK1IIY JS.VM I I I > UVI\V! I'V/U Iiwnif, t?nv4 in; i/.wv. ing was when Westmoreland maintained the United States did not go into Vietnam lor political reasons! "Historically there are lew exceptions to the rule that wars 011 foreign lands are fought for the purpose of acquiring those lands as part of a political 01 economic empire. Vietnam was one such exception," Westmoreland wrote. Westmoreland further wrote the United States' involvement was "one that had less 10 do vs11h the domino theory and a strategic interest for the United States than with the simple <>riiirii nl' a crmiio n ilinn Iwlnino nil .'iMtiriilo nation In reai'll a point where it had some reasonable chance to achieve and keep a degree of freedom ?ind human dignity." How do you like those beans? Just think, the United States did not have any political or strategic interests in Vietnam after all, according to Westmoreland. We had no fears about the spreading of communism. Our primary purpose was not to contain communism. We went into Vietnam out of the kindness of our hearts, just a strong nation hclpiiiR an aspiring nation. I'm not totally sure Westmoreland himself knew what we were, or were not, fighting for, because he contradicts himself later in the article. "It is also a fact that America held the line in Vietnam for ten years against inevitable, rapid expansion of Communism m Southeast Asia, thus providing a shield behind which the other countries of Southeast Asia...could politically mature and build self-confidence toward the resistance of future Communist pressures," Westmoreland wrote. One thing's for sure ? he's not a man of few words. The only point on which I agreed with Westmoreland is whiMi tic wrM11* fhat ihi* Vietnam vi'lr>ran< have heen ionnrpd and neglected by their nation. So as Westmoreland suggested, "let us pause, remember and pay tribute to the sacrifices of the Americans who gave their all for their freedom around the world throughout our nation's history." And just as equally deserving are the Vietnam veterans. The Post Ohio University Ian well received Hut the important thing is not that Sheriff is slowing up the rate ol increase, which it sell is l ine, f'lie important thing is that he has received a message from the students that service has to increase with board rates. Sheriff, who in the past ordered searches of students' bookbaus as thev left the four camnus dinine halls, now shows signs of bending. For example, a new meal card system will be made available for the first time this fall. Sheriff, who expects the finance committee to approve the package today and the full board to approve it at its June 14 meeting, said the point system is "for those people who like trcedom." Coming trom a man who had workers search bookbags for fruit and silverware, that's a good sign. Currently, dining hall workers are officially obliged to confiscate meal cards when they have reason to believe someone has presented another's card. The point system, though still requiring the owner of the card to present it in person, would allow someone to "feed a whole floor" of dormitory residents, if he chooses. It's an en couraging step in the right direction. The Qiamondbacfe University of Maryland "