The Clarion May 2, 1995 Page 3
A Nation That Destroys Its Soil, Destroys Itself
Guest Commentary
by Aymi Franklin
Massive participation in the first
Earth Day in 1970 helped our Congress
and President Nixon to enact sweeping
environmental laws, including the
National Environmental Policy Act, the
Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water
Act.
Since then, hundreds of millions
of citizens from around the world have
taken part in Earth Day events, particu
larly during the 20th Armiversary cele
bration in 1990. The event helped force
the media, political, and business lead
ers to pay attention to a wide range of
environmental problems and inspired
citizens to make lifestyle changes to
help solve them.
On April 22, the 25th anniversary
of Earth Day was celebrated. Yet, the
House of Representatives and most state
legislatures want to enact bills that may
roll back 25 years of environmental
progress. They hope to win the "War
on the Environment" by concealing their
bombs inside the Contract with Ameri
ca.
If most Americans remain un
aware that their air, water, and lands
are in danger, that’s understandable-the
Contract with America never directly
mentions the environment. That, too, is
understandable. Recent polls show that
a majority of Americans not only want
tougher environmental protection, but
are willing to pay for them.
Yet, the Contract contains four
radical proposals that could roll back
decades of hard won victories on behalf
of public lands, public health, and
public safety. It is in truth a "Polluters
Bill of Rights".
The proposals that make up this
polluter’s bill of Rights would diminish
our basic environmental protection in
four ways: 1) They would reverse the
principle that polluters should pay to
clean up their own mess and would shift
the burden and costs to the taxpayer.
2) They would allow state and local
governments to shirk their responsibility
to protect their citizens and ensure for
them a safe and healthy environment,
unless the federal government paid for
the clean-up.
3) They would allow polluters to play
Russian Roulette with a new form of
"risk assessment" that proposes that
chemicals should be innocent until
proven guilty-even if we are being ex
posed to them without consent or know
ledge. 4) They would remove cnicial
restraints on corporate misconduct by
making it more difficult for citizens to
take corporations to court and by limit
ing corporate wrongdoing.
Of course, this Polluter’s Bill of
Rights is well hidden in the euphemisms
and rhetoric of the Contract with Amer
ica. But sections 8 and 9 of the Con
tract contain extremely radical forms of
each of these principals. It is difficult
to believe that given the strong public
support for environmental protection,
Congress would seriously consider such
proposals.
Over the past 25 years the United
States has developed an environmental
protection system that is among the best
in the world. And we must celebrate
days such as Earth Day, because it is a
reminder to be thankful for natural
beauty. Franklin D, Roosevelt once
said, "The nation that destroys its soil,
destroys itself."
Spring Formal-A Night To Remember
Chirs Theokas
Clarion Staff Writer
April 22 came and went for most
people. It was a balmy Saturday night,
the night was relatively clear, the air
sweet. There was a lazy feel to the
night as a whole, not much to do, and
no one to do it with. Unless you went
to the formal at the Silvermont, because
those people were dancing all night
long.
From nine p.m. to one in the
morning, there was music, laughter,
good food, good friends, loved ones,
and loud music. Luminaries guided you
from your car under the branches of
rLARION
— —
Jennifer Barbee
Editor
Ben Voegele
Sports Editor
Lara S. Sweet
Assistant Editor
Sejan Yun
Photo Editor
Jon Ostendorff
Assistant Editor
Jennifer De"^ Saegher Chris Theokas
Staff Assistant Production Assistant
Rhuemma C. Miller
Advisor
newly green trees to the steps of the
mansion, where Lyle Alexis took up the
tickets, and even sold a few more.
Everything was like a whirlwind from
the moment you stepped in the door to
the moment the last slow song was
played. Adcock’s photography was
there taking pictures on the grand steps
of the Silvermont. To your right there
was food, meatballs, punch, petit-fours,
vegetables, and fruit. There were two
dance floors, although one was used for
gawking, while the other was actually
danced upon.
The DJ took requests, and, as
Timothy Higgins commented, "There
were some fast-paced songs, but there
were also...slow songs that I enjoyed
dancing to." There was no smoke
curling up from the floor at this dance
though. The atmosphere was romantic
enough without it. The lights were low,
and the mood had already been set by
the decorations around the mansion, and
by the dancers on the floor.
And one a.m. finally came, and
the evening was over. The night had
been long for some, not long enough
for others. Couples left together, arm
in arm, walking down the path that was
lighted by the luminaries. It truly had
been "Some Enchanted Evening."
Summer music program
is planned for July
Special to the Clarion
from the B.C. News Bureau
Brevard College will host a fresh
and creative program called "Music in
the Mountains" from July 2-8.
The total cost for the entire week-
long program is only $325.00 per
person. This includes all meals, lodg
ing, tickets, transportation, and other
fun perks. Optional tickets to the
Biltmore Estate are available at an
additional $25.00.
Mornings will include engaging
classes which will be taught by Laura
McDowell, a member of the Brevard
College faculty, and Shirley Swain, who
is ^spciat^ with^ the Brevard M^usjc
Center. Joy Rising, who brings a
myriad of tour experience, will serve as
the week’s hostess.
During the afternoons, field trips
will be planned to local sites such as the
Pisgah National Forest, Looking Glass
Falls, Cradle of Forestry, and the shops
of downtown Brevard.
The week’s package will also
include all tickets for the evening
performances at the Brevard Music
Center.
"Music in the Mountains" is
designed for everyone. No prior
musical background is necessary.
For more information, call David
Huskins, Director of Alumni Affairs, at
(704) 884-8202, ,