Thursday Oct. 21, 1982 / Kaleidoscope / 2
letters
Death Row” receives criticism
editorial
Crisis reporting lacks
specific guidelines
The Tylenol incident caused much fear in the hearts of consumers about
the use of medicine and over-the-counter drugs. Many people are afraid to
take a simple aspirin, much less a prescription drug. The Food and Drug
Administration is also worried that the media coverage of the incident may
cause unstable minds to see the case as a cue to do more horrible crimes.
The FDA is especially worried about the approaching Halloween season
when the mentally disturbed have a holiday causing harm to children who
are trick-or-treating.
The media coverage may have caused some people to have thoughts of
harming others or may even have given them dangerous suggestions. The
information released about the Tylenol case was, however, vital to everyone
who heard it. Without the announcement many people may have lost their
lives.
The worries of the FDA are not unfounded. They were correct in thinking
that the Tylenol case would prompt other similar cases. Shortly after the
reports of the incident in Chicago there were also reports of evil doings in
California.
The media has a difficult dilemma to resolve. The information was needed
to alarm the public and make them discontinue the use of the product until
further investigation and testing was done. On the other hand, it did cause
more harm in a state many miles away from where the original incident oc
curred.
There is no question as to whether the story should have been reported.
The problem lies in reporting how the medicine was tampered with. There
were detailed reports of how the capsules were taken apart and refilled with
the poison. This was like giving step-by-step instructions to everyone or
anyone who wanted to try it himself.
It is certain that many people wanted to know how the individuals
tampered with the medicine but it was not necessary to report it. There will
always be people who will get suggestions from any type of story • The
media must be aware of the implications.
The steps taken by the FDA include sealed bottles and packages, stricter
processing standards, and careful monitoring of employees. The media
should also have some steps or regulations to follow on the subject of crisis
reporting.
Library no solace for serious students
I am responding to your “Death
Row” editorial in the October 14
Kaleidoscope. I should begin by
noting that whether or not to
dignify such a mush-minded collec
tion of misinformation and hastily
drawn conclusions with a response
required considerable thought.
Much of the freedom we may en
joy as Americans is dependent,
either directly or indirectly, upon
the “almost unlimited series of ap
peals” that our legal system has pro
vided for us historically. Whether or
not one wishes to indulge oneself
this freedom is beside the point. [If
not, the list of countries which do
not provide their citizenry with this
fundamental protection is ex
ceedingly long.]
“It is startling to think that a con
victed murderer might be given the
chance to kill again.” It certainly is.
And perhaps equally startling is the
fact that less than 2% of paroled
murderers ever do kill again. Parole
boards know this and, although a
freed murderer repeating his [or her]
crime is a horrifying thought, it is
insignificant when compared to the
alternative proposed by Hardee:
treating perpetrators of violent
crimes “in the same manner that the
victims were treated.” This is one of
the basest, most reprehensible
caricatures of justice imaginable.
This “eye for an eye” mentality
threatens the very essence of human
dignity, indicates a perverse [or non
existent] morality, and shakes the
very foundations of social con
sciousness in a “civilized” world.
Capital punishment as a “deter
rent to crime” is a tempting con
sideration but one which
psychologists have indicated in one
experiment after another holds no
water. Negative reinforcement,
typified by “spare the rod and spoil
the child,” is about as viable as a
geocentric solar system.
And besides, whether murderers
generally consider what their
punishment may or may not entail is
highly debatable. Raising the
educational level and lowering
poverty in a population is much
more likely to meet with success.
“What kind of a legal system is
this?” One which limps along and at
times loses itself in its own red tape.
But one which works better than
most of the options and, without a
doubt, is light-years ahead of the
primitive proposition suggested by
Hardee.
Even though appearances might
indicate otherwise, I do not intend
this reply as a personal attack
against Hardee, as she is apparently
just repeating what she has heard
others say.
This is rather an outcry against
any group who would turn their
private sentiment into public policy
- especially when these sentiments
begin with such shaky premises.
Doug Brittain
By Jennifer Blalock
How different the world is in 1982
than in yesteryear. Cars were big
ger, people resided in houses instead
of condominiums, and students were
studious. And, of course, aiding the
serious scholar was the local library
where he or she could utilize the
peace and quiet among thousands of
comforting books. Everyone must
remember Mrs. Whipple, the
librarian in elementary and high
school who checked out the books
and “ssshhh”-ed the talkers. It is
odd that at an institution of higher
learning, such as UNCA, the library
cannot be this way.
It is not that Ramsey Library is a
bad library. It definitely holds a
wealth of knowledge. The selection
of magazines is excellent. Students
can find books on almost any sub
ject imaginable. The library also
sponsors great exhibits, such as the
Southern Appalachian writers ex
hibit on display now.
For many semesters I sought
j^fuge there in hopes of catching up
on some assigned reading. It was
quiet, warm, and friendly. However.
the library has evolved from this
standard to a place where every
visitor is, among other things,
suspected of thievery.
It is a pity that the actions of a
few dishonest people have penalized
every honest person on campus.
Having one's bag searched is rather
demeaning, after all.
And for some reason, there is now
an annoying turnstile at the exit
door with a noise contributing to the
din in the library.
Many students are carrying on
normal-toned conversations without
a thought that their neighbors are
trying to study. As if this is not
loud enough, the librarians and their
student associates also talk to each
other from across the room and
across the library.
Personal problems and conversa
tions are being clearly advertised
while serious students are trying to
delve into their assignments.
Library tours for students in
bibliography classes are essen^ ’
but perhaps should be conducted in
a low tone of voice.
The “friendly neighborhood
librarian” seems no longer in ex
istence. Upon several occasions I
have attempted to enlist the aid of
an available library employee only
to receive a short answer and a sour
face. Times are hard but a smiling
face can really change a person’s day
for the better. For example. Dr.
Devine’s smile is very pleasant to
see.
Perhaps someday soon, Ramsey
will return to that great ancient
standard. Until it does, I will either
study in my cold car, or I will opt for
the carol on the top floor in the fur
thermost corner of the library.
Allison Decker Whitt, Editor
Dana Murdock, Associate Editor
Kerri Pace,
Entertainment Editor
Tina Wolfe,
Features Editor
Keith Flynn
Sports Editor
Kaleidoscope
David Pickett,
Photography Editor
Marla Hardee,
Advertising Manager
Marty Cherrix,
Catherine Mitchell, Advisor Business Manager
Staff writers: Marty Cherrix, Carol Whitener, Marla Hardee, Karen
Klumb, Elise Henshaw, Tim Riddle, Lora Watson, Kari Howard, Hal
Case, Suzanne Booker, and Jennifer Blalock. Staff artist: Hai-Kang
Hsu.
Unless otherwise indicated, the opinions expressed in the editorials, editorial cartoons,
columns and news stories in the Kaleidoscope do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint
of the staff advisor, UNCA's Student Government, administration or faculty. Opinions
may or may not agree with those of the Kaleidoscope. Kaleidoscope's content is the
responsibility of the editorial board. ,