THE PILOT, PAGE TWO
A Man in Decker?
Who is the only male on campus living in a girls’ dorm
with the complete approval of Miss Kiser? lif you live in
Decker, you have probably already met him. He is Timothy
Ray Easter, who rooms with his friend, Donna Easter. Now,
before you jump to the wrong conclusion, Timothy is a ven
triloquist’s dummy! Donna uses him in her ventriloquist
act. She became interested in ventriloquism after seeing a
television program. At age 10, she taught herself this art by
using a record with instructions. She and Timothy, who was
especially made in Iowa, have been partners for 5 years.
Donna has used her act in several shows, including a
beauty contest and the Freshman Talent Show here at
Gardner-Webb, where she tied for second place. She has par
ticipated actively in revivals and on FOCUS trips, where
she and Timothy are a big attraction. In fact, Donna says
that she got Timothy to use primarily in church. She would
like to someday perform at Disneyworld. After talking to
Donna and Timothy, I feel sure that Gardner-Webb stu
dents will have a great source of entertainment in this act.
Letters to the Editor
A recent incident brought to my attention two mis
conceptions which I fear some students may harbor
concerning the use of the Ubrary and the nature of privacy.
While in the library doing research, I was approached by a
student who, with no apologies for the interruption, asked
me a series of questions about myself and about my attitude
toward the value or harm of religious doubt. While I have
strong feelings about the latter, feelings which I would be
glad to share with anyone I can tie down and make listen to
my wisdom, the library is not one of those places which
should be used for such communication. Nor is the library a
place where a survey of anyone’s attitude about any subject
should take place. If you are in the library searching for in
formation—use a book. If you are taking a survey—use
another building. Neither scholars nor librarians are in the
library to answer questions which have to do with things
other than research problems; they should not be treated as
a captive random sampling.
Nor should it be expected that a survey-taker has the
right to every piece of information he or she desires. Though
Gardner-Webb is a Baptist college, the religious affiliation
of its members is still a matter of privacy. My choice not to
answer a question about my religion should be met with con
sideration, not with the querulous statement that “every
one else told me what they were.” If a student would like to
discuss matters of a religious nature with a faculty member,
then it seems that such matters should be treated with the
same seriousness and respect as any important subject, not
bandied about in an off-hand manner in an unsuitable place.
If, on the other hand, a response to a religious question is
only valuable if the person being questioned is of a particu
lar affiliation, then that fact should be made clear before
questioning commences; the assumption should not be
made that all who use the library, or walk the campus, are of
the same persuasion. Difference should not be met with dis
belief, and the desire for privacy with further question.
Surveys can indeed provide a telling overview; the matter
of an answer can be differently interpreted depending upon
the beliefs of the person questioned. I do not dispute these
facts. But I do resent, very much, the disruption of scholar
ly activity in the place provided for it so that I can be asked
questions which are not the business of the questioner, or
give answers whose worth is rejected.
Michele Barale
O O O
The College as an institution has a right and an obligation
to promote any policy or procedure which will protect and
insure its best interests. Few would argue that point. How
ever, the question arises, “Are there any limits to this?
Should the best interests of the college as an institution
transcend all other interests, including student rights?”
This question underlies the purpose and intent of the leg
islation which is now before the Student Senate. At present,
college officials conducting a room search with a warrant
can do so in the absence of either of the occupants of the
room being searched. The proposed change, if it is incor
porated into the bylaws of the SGA Constitution, would re
quire that the search of a room with a warrant be conducted
in the presence of at least one of the occupants of the room.
The executive Council of the SGA, in proposing this change,
is seeking to promote the best interests and rights of the
students without infringing upon the rights of the college it
self, which are more than adequately protected in Article
XI, Section C, Paragraph b of the bylaws of the SGA Con
stitution.
Again, I ask, “Should the best interests of the college as
an institution transcend all other interests, including
student rights?” I , for one, think not! Rather, the push
should be towards promoting and protecting the best inter
ests of all concerned. I feel that the proposed legislation pre
sently before the Student Senate is a step in this direction.
Fred Glennon
Donna Easter and friend
Timothy Ray Easter.
Record
Reviews
A1 Stewart is not your
average “I love her and she
loves me” musician. His
“Year of the Cat” and
“Time Passages” albums
are rich with literary illu
sions and historical refer
ences. Although they were
released two years apart,
both “volumes” of A1 Ste
wart are an experience in in
tellectual enjoyment.
There’s more to “Year of
the Cat” than meets the ear
of a casual listener. A good
dictionary is as vital to this
album as a set of good head
phones. More than once, tid
bits of information have to
be researched in order to
clarify a typical Stewart
reference. “Lord Grenville”
is definitely in this category.
“On the Border” (my favo
rite) is unforgettable, evok
ing a spirit of distant places
affected by universal
change. The most unique cut
from the album is “One
Stage Before.” Appropriate
ly haunting, (I see those
half-familiar faces in the sec
ond row/Ghost-like with the
footlights in their eyes/But
where or when we met like
this last time I just don’t
know/it’s like a chord that
rings and never dies/For in
finity), the lyrics comple
ment the erie music. Both al
bums have fascinating
covers. “Year of the Cat”
stresses the feline theme
even to the point of cat fea
tures etched into the choco
lates. “Time Passages” is a
lesson in intriguing photo
graphic images.
Of the two, “Time Pass
ages” is superior—further
proof of the progressing ex
cellence of A1 Stewart. “The
Palace of Versailles” is
reminiscent of “Lord Gren
ville” in its historical impli
cations. A stately cut, it is
of the same ghostly feeling
as “One Stage Before.”
Peter White’s lead guitar
solo on “End of the Day is
incredibly mellow (one point
about the keyboards: every
one who plays is named
“Peter” and indeed, the key
boards are the Rock of this
album).
These albums are not just
poetic—the alto sax and
string arrangements are
proof of their musical merit.
However, the most pleasur
able way to approach A1 Ste
wart is to READ his albums
first. A1 Stewart IS Poetry
of the “rock” genre.
Debbie Drayer
Randy Waters Reviews:
Movies: The North Avenue
Express Syndrome
Whatever happened to Donald Duck?
Do you go to a movie to be entertained, to escape, or to be
thriUed? Do you go to see a favorite actor or actress? Proba
bly one or more or these reasons have prompted you to pay
the $3.00 charge, find yoiir seat, and wait for the lights to
dim.
The latest from Walt Disney Studios, The North Avenue
Irregulars, promises no more than simply entertainment
and escape. It is the typical Disney brand of insanity with a
happy ending for all but the bad guys. It goes something
like this: a youthful minister engages several dizzy house
wives to help him rid their fair community of an illegal
gambling ring.
There are several outdated, embarrassing cliches that
make this film seem like it was written back in the late six
ties. For example, the “hip” preacher who rides a motor
bike, who enlists a rock band to spice up the church services,
and who also turns a TV devotion spot into a political tirade
against local corruption; all of these ideas are more than
just a little dated.
Of course there is the insane car chase finale that has
everyone speeding and cracking up their cars. Any minute
you expect to see Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, and Goofey swoop
down in the Love Bug to join in the chase.
Hurray for family entertainment and kid’s movies and all
that, but surely the Disney people could be just a little more
creative and up to date. Besides, there wasn’t even a Donald
Duck cartoon for the over-21 crowd.
Turkey Sits On Pot Smokers
Alan Parker’s Midnight Express, starring Brad Davis, is
a powerful, graphic cinema experience that pulls you into
the character and the action completely.
The story is a true story about Billy Hayes, a 20 year old
American, who is busted in Turkey for trying to smuggle
hashish out of the country. The film shows his devastating
experience with the Turkish kangaroo court, the horrors of
prison, and the cruelty of his jailers.
Two factors pull the viewer into the film: Brad Davis’
superb acting and the sensitive work by the cameramen. For
instance, the close-ups of Billy sweating at the customs
counter, the tenderness of the visits with Billy by his father,
and the powerful scenes showing his transient, almost des
perate, moments of interaction with fellow prisoners, all
combine effectively to make you feel the sense of lost
hiunanity and lost hope.
'Turkish prisons are shown as breeding grounds for
squalor, filth, corruption, and insanity. There are no Bible-
carrying ministers or qualified, compassionate counselors to
keep watch over the prisoner’s mental, physical, and spirit
ual condition. The prisoners have only themselves and each
other. Trust is almost nonexistent. It is an “us against
them” world.
Midnight Express is a very raw, graphic work, but the
courage and fight for survival by Billy will overwhelm you.
Fonda Puts the Squeeze on Lemmon
While you may be kicked in the groin by Midnight Ex
press, there is a kind of hit over the head waiting for you in
The China Syndrome. There is this constant MESSAGE
(nuclear power can be dangerous, so wake up America!) that
very nearly spoils the otherwise fine film. The film is a
superbly suspenseful adventure story that will make you
forget all about your popcorn.
Jane Fonda and Jack Lemmon both manage to carry off
their almost stereotypical roles successfully. Fonda is very
believable as the eager, ambitious TV newsperson on the
way up; Lemmon is equally good as the nuclear engineer
who changes sides when he realizes that he has had the wool
pulled over his eyes.
Regardless of your feelings about nuclear energy. The
China Syndrome is a fine, well-acted movie worth the admis
sion price. Ten years from now, if research continues, Fonda
and Lemmon may star in a film exposing the newly discov
ered dangers of solar energy.
The Pilot
Editor Kay Ford
Sports Editor Max Pettyjohn
Layout Managers Lynne Becker,
Karen Jones, Randy Waters
Staff Debbie Drayer,
Tommy W atts
Photographer Phil Potter
Published by students of Gardner-Webb College,
Boiling Springs, North Carolina 28017. The office of
the PILOT is located in the Charles I. Dover Student
Center, Room 112.
The opinions expressed in this student newspaper do
not necessarily represent the views of the GWC
faculty, administration, or student body. Responsible
comments to issues presented in the PILOT are pos
sible by writing, Editor: The PILOT, c/o Faculty Box
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