iatly
Opinions of The Daily Tar Heel are expressed on its editorial page. All
unsigned editorials axe the opinions of the editor. Letters and columns
represent only the opinions of the individual contributors.
Harry Bryan, Editor
Saturday, October 30, 1971
The Daily
Awards of
It's A High Frying Flag Award:
to the U.S. Court .of Appeals, which
last week upheld the six-month
sentence of an eighteen-year-old
youth for "desecrating the
American flag." The youth
committed the atrocity of cutting a
V-sliaped peace sign in a miniature
flag. A small sentence for a small
Hag.
The Slanted View Award: to
U.S. Senators, who have threatened
to cut down funding of countries
voting against the U.S. resolution to
keep Taiwan in the United Nations.
The Put Off Until Tomorrow
What You Can't Do Today Award:
to the 77 women, who took part in
testing the "morning-after"
pregnancy prevention pill with 100
per cent success. Of the pill, that is.
The Boy Did You Get A Wrong
Number Award: to Committee of
Concerned Athletes chairman Bill
Richardson, whose telephone
number is listed in the new
78 Years of Editorial Freedom
i
Harry Bryan, Editor
Mike Parnell Managing Ed.
Doug Hall News Editor
Lou Bonds Associate Ed.
Lana Starnes .... Associate Ed.
Mark Whicker Sports Ed.
Ken Ripley Feature Editor
Jim Taylor Night Editor
Bob Wilson Business Mgr.
Paddi Hughes Adv. Mgr.
Letters to the
Prescribed distribution of grades is iinimstified
To the editor:
Why are we here? We students are here
to obtain an education, a specialized
preparation for our ultimate goals in life.
The faculty and administration are here,
not to give away that education, but to
make every effort, to provide every
possibility, that we might achieve it. Then
is there any justification whatever for a
prescribed grade distribution to which a
graduate instructor, helpless to
authoritarian powers above him, and the
students must be subjected? Such a
prescription denies the possibility of
success to an undetermined number of
students.
Based on a normal curve, a required
grade distribution for a class assumes that
the class is truly representative of a
universal population. The class in
question, however, is not. It is a course in
educational history, and it is limited to
persons who are education majors.
Immediately any "normality" of the class
population is destroyed. 1 am not
convinced that the performance of my
section will duplicate a non-majors'
section without statistically significant
deviation.
I do not overlook the possibility that
the required curve may not be "normal."
It was, in fact, not described as such; it
was only noted that there exists a
prescribed distribution of the final grades
for that class. If the department gods
have taken into consideration the obvious
and subtle differences between classes,
upon what do they base their curves?
And if their rationale seems sound. I am
unimpressed.
ufar ifeel
Tar Heel
the Week
directory as "co Football Office."
The Put On The B lakes Award:
to Chapel Hill Police Chief W.D.
Blake, who announced police will
begin issuing citations instead of
warnings to bicycle riders violating
state traffic ordinances. Ride on.
Chief.
The Eat, Drink And Pray To
Mary Award: to Chapel Hill
Aldermen, who revoked a city
ordinance prohibiting the sale of
beer on Sundays.
The Great Bumpkin Award: to
N.C. Governor Bob Scott, who
changed the date of Halloween
from Sunday to today. Having
almost succeeded in restructuring
our Universities, Governor Bob is
undertaking restructuring the entire
calendar year.
The Community Chess Award:
to the Chicago Board of Education,
which ordered Susan Soloman, 15,
dropped from her high school chess
team because of a rule barring
women from interscholastic
competition.
The Sweet Sixteen, Never Been
Kissed Award: to Virginia State
Attorney General Andrew P. Miller
who said Thursday a 16-year-old
girl does not need her parents'
consent to undergo sterilization
surgery.
The Free Howie Carr Award: to
DTH columnist, assistant sports
editor and sometimes martyr Howie
Carr, who filled in the biography
section of a Hearst contest entry
blank thusly: "I was born January
17, 1952, of poor but honest Irish
immigrants in the teeming slums of
Brooklyn. You grow up quickly in
the junkie-infested tenements, and I
was no exception."
Howie ended with: 'i was a
choirboy at St. Ignatius of the
Prolonged Suffering and Gooey
Death" and "my social life has been
more or less restricted to the
Omega Delta house where I am
currently serving as Pig Night social
chairman." - Howard Louis Carr.
editor
In the sense broader than that of
fulfilling a requirement, I am in the
course to learn. Everyone there is there to
learn what he can, not to compete against
the others. If the course is taught well, if
the students work well and learn all that
is defined as objectives for the course,
nothing should prevent them from their
rightful grades. Yet there is a blocking
force, and it does one of two things. It
proves we have been lied to all along: Not
everyone, only a given percentage of a
group relative to itself, may receive an
education. Or it requires that teachers
teach poorly, such that some of the
students through confusion, faulty
instruction and personal prejudice do not
attain their proper level of success. Why
are w e here?
I humbly submit this short piece as an
outraged attack upon an abomination,
and in defense of my instructor, my
impressions of what educatin should be.
and my personal liberty to pursue and to
succeed at what I have begun.
Name withheld by request
'Fiddler' show
was enjoyable
To the editor:
Having just read, with some interest
and p owing disgust, the remarks of a Mr.
Saltman concerning last weekend's
offering of "I iddlor on the Roof." I am
convinced thjt something in the man's
childhood experience must have created a
Ken Ripley
oiil Food: don't flaunt
It seems axiomatic that most of us Lxt
to show off, but I seriously doubt if Jesus
would ever say, "If you've got it. flaur.t
it."
Christians believe that God is real, that
He is active Li the lives of men, 2nd that
Jesus Chnst can make a significant
difference in people's lives. Christians
believe that the Bible is not just a book
we use on Sunday to talk about
something that affects only our
"religious" instincts. To a Christian, the
Bible offers relevant insights into human
nature that affect all we re, do and say.
And Christians, beir.f. human and
caring about those peopl; around them,
like to talk about their faith. And where
Christians once were silent, afraid to talk
about Jesus Christ, mort Christians on
campus today are no longer afraid to
share a God so meaningful to them.
Christianity, so long driven underground
on campus, is surfacing again as an
intelligent and viable alternative to the
way we now live.
Christians should be free and willing to
talk about their faith. "Always be
prepared to make a defense to any one
Bob Lenski
New
Still another environmental battlefield
appears to be taking shape in North
Carolina this time in an unspoiled
section of the Outer Banks. If I didn't
know better, I would say the whole thing
is to absurd to worry about.
Can you imagine building a 17-mile
state highway, possibly four lanes wide,
along a virtually uninhabited beach, to
provide access for a village of 17 people?
Can you imagine wasting SI. 7 million of
the taxpayers' money (excluding the cost
of purchasing the right of way) to build
such a road, when only a few of the
villagers even want the access and when
others came to the village specifically for
UoKere cure you
H'
3
certain bitterness ... a bitterness that he
has chosen to spew forth, blatantly, onto
the heads of the innocent cast of the
production.
Saltzman's remarks were not the first
unfavorable utterances I had seen in the
paper. An earlier review had pointed out
certain strengths and weaknesses, which,
while I disagreed with some of the
negative musings, still seemed to be
basically fair, honest and objectively
stated.
But Mr. Saltzman has jumped into this
thing feet first - as opposed to head first
- and the inevitable result is that his
letter sounds more like a sw ift kick than a
rational observation. He seems to lodge a
one man vendetta against alleged
atrocities of the stage . . . it's almost as if
he took the entire effort as a personal
affront. One gets the image of the cast
meeting secretly backstage prior to the
opening curtain, gleefully plotting to
offend all theatre goers, Saltzman in
particular.
I attended the same Sunday evening
performance that Saltzman found so
distasteful, and oddly enough I was
thoroughly entertained. I thought the
cast showed considerable joy in their
steps and motion, and I laughed right out
loud at several of Sid Rancer's Fines. I
even stood, along with scores of other
theatre goers, and applauded at the end
of the performance.
Of course. I do not pretend to be
Chapel Hill's authority on dramatic art.
orchestral direction, or the Tora. but even
such a novice as myself can see that what
Saltzman lacks in discretion he makes up
TseaMy,
a ho calls ou to account for the hope
that is in you." Peter urged, "yet do it
with gentleness and reverence."
He might have added cr.e other
qualification use a httle common sense.
The writ
:f Ecdesiaites d:d note,
however. "3 time to keep silence, and a
time to speak."
Sometimes it isn't easy to tell, for any
of us. We don't have to be a Christian to
put our feet in our collective mouths. We
like to show off what we know, and
clashes are often deadened by the student
who has to tell all he knows in one class
penod.
The problem for a Christian is to
temper enthusiasm with "self-control."
We can get so earned away about talking
about Jesus that we "flaunt" our faith.
"I've got a so-called Christian in one of
my classes." I was told a few days ago.
"who has to bring up Chnst and look up
Bible quotes to read to the class every
time the prof says something. Too much
is too much. The class hates it. I'm a
Christian, and I hate it."
Too much is too much. If Christianity
higl
coastline
its isolation?
You probably can't. It takes a rare
imagination to anticipate what our
modern highwaymen, and other
despoilers of nature, will attempt next.
Because we have permitted them to
perpetrate such atrocities in the past,
they have begun to believe they can get
away with anything. And they'll be right
- unless the public begins to assert itself.
If, after reading this article, you are
disturbed, take a few minutes to write
Governor Scott, and state Attorney
General Robert Morgan (Attorney
General's Office, Raleigh, N.C), the
official directly concerned with the
cmtsxJ
T9o at poUcdecJ
4
B.Huey
for in vehemence.
Saltzman gave his address as being 106
Ackland Art Center. He did not make it
clear whether he lives there or simply
works there. In any event, I'm sure that
such cultural surroundings qualify him as
critic. But, even coming from the bowels
of Ackland Art Center, tahe letter still
seems unfair.
Perhaps my difference in opinion
comes from the variance of perspective.
After all, I stayed through the entire
performance and Saltzman writes that he
"walked out."
I suppose it remains to conjecture
whether Saltzman's opinions are shared
by the majority of those attending the
performance. I doubt it.
But to show that I'm not bitter, I'd
like to extend best wishes for continued
mastery in dramatic criticism to 10o
Ackland Art Center.
Mitch Simpson
300 S. Columbia St.
Rent increase
not necessary
To the editor:
Mr. Kepner:
As to sour latest whim of intelligence,
allow me" to congratulate sou. I agree, a
rent increase is warranted.
I assume that this rent increase will be
used to augment the existing colonies of
ants that now abound in dormitory
rooms. Or perhaps the rent increase will
relevant, it w-JI be so w-.th.rut our
trying to force it. If Christ is real ;n the
Christian's hfe. ha life should reflect it
Christians should "aUays be prepared to
make a defense lor explanation " for
whit makes them tick, but we don't need
to wear sandwich boards that sav, "I am a
Christian."
True faith dee not depend on words
to show itself, and Jesus spoke bluntly
about those w h
their
faith
without delivering.
"Not everyone who says to me. 'Lord.
Lord.' shall enter the kingdom of
heaven." Jesus said, "but he who does the
will of my Father who is in heaven."
"Beware of practicing sour piety
before men in order to be seen by them."
Jesus exhorted. Christians were not to
show off their righteousness but to be
righteous. "Little children." John wrote.
"Let us not love m word or speech but m
deed and in truth."
Jesus did not proclaim his own
relationship with God except to glorify
God. He did not trumpet his own virtues
to gain attention. Jesus was a "preacher."
but he did not drac God into even.
iivav absur
possible illegality of this supposed!)
"public works" project.
The road our Highway Commission is
considering would run north from the
tiny town of Duck (8 mi. north of Kitty
Hawk) to the microscopic town of
Corolla. Today, only four-wheel drive
vehicles and boats can reach Corolla's 17
inhabitants, which has prompted area
Highway Commissioner Joe W. Nowell,
Jr. to tell the Raleigh News and Observer,
"I think we owe these people an access in
and out." Others, voicing similar
sentiments, carefully ignore the fact that
Corolla's residents, as a group, are neutral
on the subject.
Twenty-five thousand dollars of state
money is currently being spent to survey
for a 200-foot (four lane) right of way
along the ocean side of the bank which,
ecologically, is the wrong side. A number
of people appear eager to see such a road
built, but oddly, only a couple of them
Live in Corolla.
The traditional legal justification for
public spending on roads is to provide
access for residents. Obviously there are
other considerations involved here. They
are:
1. The finances of three beach front
property owners. They control more than
two-thirds of the land through which the
proposed road would go. and can expect
its value to increase 100-fold should the
highway be built at your expense.
2. The enrichment of Currituck
County. The county commissioners
scarcely care what kind of ecologically
unsound development takes place along
their beach, as long as the state finances it
and it increases the county's property tax
revenues.
3. The perpetuation of the highway
industry. The highwaymen realize that an
increasing number of North Carolinians
are coming to the conclusion the state
will soon have highways enough.
Self-interest leads them to oppose the
public interest.
State Highway Commission Chairman
Lauch Faircloth recently said there are no
plans for proceeding with construction
following the survey. Yet on September
go into building new and better
dormitories which will be necessary in the
future due to overcrowding, for
overcrowding has become so much a part
of college life here at UNC. After all, if
people survive tiger cages, then crowded
dormitory rooms must be considered a
luxury, and of course it follows that
students do not need closet space,
dressers or desks that were promised
them. O yes, wc were given a bed.
Mr. Kepner, I do not know whether
you have ever had to live in old
dormitory rooms with concrete beams
making the ceiling only five feet high.
Perhaps ou have never seen the one inch
accumulation of dirt that lies under our
beds. But we live here, m these miserable
conditions, and now you find that our
rent is not enough. Please tell us wh3t
you have done with the mone that
students in overcrowded rooms have paid.
Or have vou forgotten that a refund is
due to us?
I hereby challenge vou to live in our
room for a period of one week, and at the
end to declare, with a clear conscience,
that a room rent increase is necessary and
just.
Carlos A. Sujrez
409 Manly
Individual must
decide morals
To the editor:
This letter is
in
reply to Mr.
reli
gion
vr.te-.ee to "mike" God relevant-he
spoke to the subject and "when" God
was relevant, he said so. Jesus shared his
message He did not Haunt it.
And Jesus did not just talk about G1
His hfe reflected God. He did not ;um
say, "Forgive." He forgave. He did not
just sav. "Be perfect." He was He did not
rust say. "Lay down sour life for
our brother." He did. and it is because
of what he did -not jut what he
said-lhat Christianity exists today for ail
Christians today, the "ambassadors for
Christ." are looked it not only for what
they sa but for what they are. And what
are people to think when the se
Christians flaunting" their faith,
speaking without sensitivity . advertising
their lord without vommg through w.:h
the evidence1 Re.ection is a terr .K io
feeling. especially when we've asked f r
it.
"He who hears ou hears me," Jesus
said, "and he who rcects vou re.e.t-i me.
h
se
v, the tmmiSMo
n's public lnforma!
office released this statement : 'The r vute
is now being surveyed and as oon a that
is completed, about Dec. 1. a pub';,
hearing will be held in the area and the
purchase of right of way can start It
could go to contract next year, h:cli'A.n
engineers said."
Regardless , t t h o
Hi
Commission's true intentions, there are a
number of people who are determined t
see the road built. If even a doen people
who read this will express their
determination that the road not he
built -at least not with their money :t
could lead to something.
Attorney Genera! RoK-rl M -reaii i
the man to write. In September l,'f,). in
connection with a propos.il t build a
highway to pnv.:tel own -.! !; fl
Island, he stated, "It docs not appear to
be a general policy of the Highway
Commission to build highw.iys thiourh
lands owned by an mdivid.i.d or
corporation for the purpose of develop: ne
lands." He suggested t fiat the leejlify !'
such a highway would be "question-.iMe."
Let's be certain that he. and "ther
officials, make public pronouncements ;
this highway as well.
Letters to
the editor
The Daily Tar Heel accepts
letters to the editor, provided they
are typed on a 60-spaie line and
limited lo a maximum of 300
words. All letters mast be signed
and the address and phone number
of the writer mast Ik. included.
I he paper reserves the right to
edit all letters lor lifnlous
statements and good taste.
Address letters to Associate
Editor. The Daily Tar Heel, in care
of the Student Union.
Weatherly's article, "Dratt :
unjustifiable."
When a person cannot do wlut be
thinks is right, when a pers- rt : .: t
blindly follow a strength iu.h
government is, it is indeed a pity
At present, the government cor-v! :
refusal to be inducted by the dra!t t e a
.crime. Then let it be a crime t
government; and to the individual
has seriously considered the lustitua'.. '
in the government's demand to ill. l-;t '
be a physical price that must be pa:i : '
retaining moral values.
In Mr. Weatherly's article, there i
statement, "A person cannot deiJe ' '
himself the morality of our iav.
choose which to obe and whuh
break." A person must. It is up t
individual to decide whether break;: -
governmental law is necessary to a. i
breaking a mora! law.
Amnesty will txr decided K t' -government.
Individuals, no matter wr.
the "majority rules," must follow th. .
moral laws, their so-called "reason-,
conscience." When a person can:: '.
decide for himself, when he must meet
the demands of a strength with -:
judging its morality, he is net a:,
individual.
It is the individual who kills and :
killed. Let the individual decide whether
the physical benefits are worth t'
physical cost. Let the individual de;J--whether
the moral cost Is worth
physical benefits.
James Feagin
240 Morrison