The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, June 12, 1985, Page Page 6, Image 6
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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
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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
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?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 "