Newspapers / Brevard College Student Newspaper / Sept. 26, 2008, edition 1 / Page 3
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September 26,2008 | The Clarion ■ ■ Page 3 Opinion You think your gas prices are liigh? by Radosav Babic Business Editor The current gas prices all around the country are forcing Americans to think twice before turning their car on. They now have to drive less than they did in over three decades, change their driving routines, and even more importantly squeeze their family budgets. Many Americans, especially those who have to drive long distances, will have to slow down on their household spending, or even think about switching to more fuel-efficient vehicles, because a big truck really isn’t “necessary.” Even though many of them seem to be desperate due to outrageously high prices, they should keep in mind that things aren’t as bad as they could be. Gas prices all over the world are much higher than they are in USA. For instance, one liter of gas in Montenegro, my homeland, is currently €1.25, which is equivalent to $1.83. Since 1 gallon equals 3.785 liters, the gas in Montenegro is actually almost $7. In many other European countries, such as Italy, Germany, France, Greece, or Spain, for instance, a gallon of gas could be as high as $9... now that is to be considered as “sky high.” The truth is that Europeans do not drive as much as Americans do. Walking or simply using public transportation (metro, bus, taxi) is rather common for us. However, gas prices are still way higher in many European countries than they are in United States, which does not allow me to be biased to the many complains I hear while in USA. Driving 50-60 miles one way in order to eat at your favorite restaurant may not be the wisest thing to do. There are many local restaurants that will satisfy your needs. Or simply driving someplace because “there is nothing else to do” may turn into a luxury to many. I understand that the infrastructure of many American towns or cities is somewhat different from the infrastructure of Europeans’ and that driving is more necessary here than it is overseas, however, I also believe that the consumption should be at a much lower point. High prices of gasoline are most likely to be considered a long-term problem this time; therefore consumers should change their habits and adjust to the given situation. One should understand that the high costs of petroleum could constantly be increasing, and are already extremely high, much higher than it is in your neighborhood, all around the globe. So, instead of complaining about high gas prices and trying to find a “guilty one,” you should think of the ways to adjust to the problem, such as switching to more efficient vehicles, or not using you car as a main source of transportation. That wouldn’t only benefit your budget, but would also be considered as an environmentally friendly act. Photo by M. Newton Cars wait in iine for gas at the Exxon station in Brevard. /\ gas shortage throughout the Southeast has hit Brevard especiaiiy hard this weei. Waiting to cue up "One Sliining Moment" by Joseph Chilton Editor in Chief The Brevard College football team is 1-2 and it looks like their chances of winning a national title are roughly on par with George W. Bush’s chances of pronouncing the word indefatigable. But anybody who cares about that is completely missing the point. College athletics have a plethora of values to a college campus. The least of these is winning. The most useful purpose of college athletics is to provide a sense of community and shared experience for students. Case and point: During my freshman year at Newberry College the school had a football team that finished the season with a 5-6 record. And yet my two fondest memories from that year stem from football games. I only remember the names of two professors I had that year I can count on one hand the number of people that I still talk to from that year. Yet I remember vividly the feeling of helping tear down a goalpost after the football team upset Division I Coastal Carolina. And I can also still replay in my head the game winning catch that our third string wide out made to give us a win over our arch-rival Presbyterian. Athletics can help build community, and can provide students with brief moments of euphoria that become seared in their memories far more than an Economics lecture. These moments are essential to the college experience. This weekend the Brevard College football team will have a chance to win it’s first ever South Atlantic Conference game. While it is unlikely that this win will lead to a top 25 ranking or a feature on SportsCenter, it has the potential to provide a memory for those in attendance that will become a cornerstone of future nostalgia for the undergrad experience. With this in mind, I urge students to throw records out the window in regards to this football season. It is almost ludicrous to expect an undefeated season from a team functioning on half of the scholarship allotment for Division II football programs. It is not so far fetched, however, to believe that this team can provide some moments that add to the overall experience of being a student. And it would be a shame to miss that.
Brevard College Student Newspaper
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