Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Nov. 17, 1982, edition 1 / Page 6
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6The Daily Tar HeelWr-Mnosriav. November 17. 1982 Sttp? flailg Star Jfe 90 A .year of editorial freedom John Drescher, Editor Ann Peters. Munm? eJiw KEN MlNGIS. Associate Editor . Rachel Perry. University Editor ' Lucy Hood, dty Editor JlM WRINN. Stow and National Editor S.L.Price, Sports Editor Laura Seifert. n e.v.t Linda Robertson. Associate Editor ELAINE MCCLATCHEY. Projects Editor SUSAN HUDSON, Features Editor LEAH TALLEY, Arts Editor Teresa Curry, Weekend Editor t AL STEELE, Photography Editor Sanction shut-off . When President Ronald Reagan announced Saturday that he was lift ing the economic sanctions he had imposed on the sale of U.S. technology for the Soviet natural gas pipeline, he was admitting what had been obvious for months they weren't working. Rather than putting any appreciable pressure on the Soviet Union, the sanctions had instead created a rift between the United States and Western Europe. If there is one lesson to be learned from the pipeline mistake, it is that the United States cannot operate an effective foreign policy without considering its allies. The ban on the sale of pipeline equipment by Aiwrican companies was announced in December 1981 after martial law was imposed in Poland. During the summer, the sanctions were expanded to include foreign com panies licensed to sell American technology. But because the sanctions -were unpopular with European allies, the president's actions were doomed to fail from the start. When the ban was first enacted, the president said he wanted to pressure the Soviet Union and Poland into relaxing. the martial law crackdown begun in Poland late last year. When Reagan's actions failed to have any effect, the president switched emphasis and declared that the sanctions would help stop the flow of money into the Soviet Union that could be used for an arms build-up. But the United States could not, by itself, pressure the Soviet Union into any concessions. ! The president also failed to take into account the economic need for the pipeline in Europe. Like the United States, Europe is mired in an economic recession; the pipeline will mean jobs and a source of energy to Western European countries. But at the same time he was asking U.S. allies to make economic sacrifices, the president was agreeing" to sell American grain to the Soviets. Had the president dropped the sanctions then, he could have blunted' the justified criticism of the United States by its allies. c V' r Reagan's actions make'itdifficultito tell what U.S. foreign policy is except that it is not good. The beginning of the reign of Soviet leader Yuri Andropov gave the president a good opportunity to show some goodwill toward the Soviet Union and try to encourage more steady, practical rela tions. Instead the president skipped Leonid Brezhnev's funeral and took the same Cold Warrior position against the Soviet Union. The economic sanctions against the pipeline were just a few of the Reagan administra tion's many foreign policy blunders. The damage to U.S. relations with its allies has already been done. Now it's up to the Reagan administration to concentrate on building up allied trust in U.S. economic and foreign policies. With an economic summit scheduled for next summer between the United States and its allies, Reagan cannot afford to ignore their economic interests any longer. Video games and virginity By ALAN CHAPPLE You might say that I lost my video game virginity last weekend, when after 22 years of existence, I finally fed a quarter into a Zaxxon machine. As expected, that first quarter went fast between the beers in my system and the fact that I never had played, losing quickly was a foregone conclu sion. But with my second two bits I came closer to getting my money's worth, flying the plane over the walls ; and around forcefields to blow up oil storage tanks and annihilate buildings. I was discovering that video games indeed could be fun. Millions of 'Americans have caught "Pac-Man fever," a recent craze that has boosted video games to being more than just a favorite leisure pastime. For some people, getting an Asteroid's fix is a psychotic obsession. Because of this "disease" and its possibly harmful ef fects, videomania has erupted in con troversy. Teenagers and young adults by far the greatest segment of . those who play video games talk of the fun, chal lenge and mental relief gained by zap ping the inanimate spaceships and aliens ; from the playing screen. But parents have taken a much different approach: They are concerned that the video games their children play for recreation actually cause detrimental side-effects. The outcry against video games dur ing the last year has intensified to the point that many municipalities, have enacted laws either banning or, at least, restricting the proliferation of the games. Besides the effects on their children, parents also oppose the games because they tend to attract "unde sireables," who bring noise, litter and drunken and rowdy behavior to residen tial areas. U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop said last week that video games can be addictive and harmful to young people. "Everything is zap the enemy. There's nothing constructive to the games," Koop said. He added that symptoms brought on by the games in cluded tension and sleeplessness. Other medical authorities have reported that video machines can disturb brainwaves and cause learning afflictions, especially among children. Despite the parental and medical out cry against the games, other authorities have cited gains from using video games. The U.S. armed forces use the games as a tool to increase the hand-eye coor- dination among air force fighter pilots and army tank gunners. Some private schools have found that certain games are effective in helping learning-disabled students improve basic, motor skills. Even nursing homes have adopted their use for physical therapy. But the folks who most opposed the recent wave of video game protest even greater than those people who play them are the manufacturers (especially . Pac-Man makers, whose game ate near ly $1 million worth of quarters in its . first 15 months). A spokeswoman for Mattel Elec tronics, which makes Intellivision home video systems, said there is no evidence of a cause-effect relationship between the games and health problems. Other manufacturer representatives agree. "Most of the top-selling games are non violent and involve sports, science fic tion and fantasy themes," said Jack Wayman, an Electronic Industries Association spokesman. The controversy swirling around video game machines has many issues: " health hazards, addiction and the amaz ingly high cost to the player, who drops quarter after quarter into the machine without thinking about it. But like anything else, until there are documented facts pointing out the abominations . of the machines, the games must go on. And at the same time, those with the "fever" at least should remember to save a quarter for a call to the family doctor. My third quarter was better than the first two. I was getting the knack of the game, destroying everything in sight and getting all my frustrations out of my system. I was having such a good time, aj "ter my third 25-cent piece, I reached iito my pocket to get a fourth. Then, some- .jJK A cj rm ',Ji ' i "v i S t thing occurred to me: "Why? Why do I want to feed another quarter into this machine?" Sure, I had enjoyed several moments of challenge against the machine, and no, I was not thinking of what noble cause could have used my efforts or money. Actually, I had just decided DTHFU WxtO that instead of playing this video-one-armed-bandit, I would prefer to eat and go out during the next week. Alan Chappie, a senior journalism ma jor from Leesburg, Va., is an editorial assistant for The Daily Tar Heel. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR .L. should be 'ashamed' The contender Suar key Leonard could have made S 15 million had he decided to box Marvin Hosier, But he got out of the game to save his sight. Dulc Koo Kims manager will keep the $20,000 his fighter would have taken home had he rorvived Saturday's lightweight title bout. Doctors at the Desert Springs Hospital in Las Vegas said Tuesday they would probacy cut off the life-support system of the 23-year-old South Korean, Vnoclccd out in the 14th round by Ray "Boom-Boom" Mancini of Yountcwn, Ghkx Kim has no known relatives. His father left when Tic v-as very young, ns mother is dead, and his manager speaks no r.n;V;h. 7Vs "happened before, ar.d ea:h should not be so shocking in a sport hich, srrlrped of trappings could pass for simple crime. Outside the c.rele er ; teeisea srvx.t boxing xs a shady world populated v viruc: sperare rnen end the iolent, desperate men who live off w - - es er rrd v.h it, and anxc4e who hears Muham- s": 7atxlaj is r..edwlh The most rvgnant scene in the brutally c:I 7 " ar.n; aT k a. Kected Jake LaMotta reduced to doing preisC p-svehlng hlmsdf for a performance by o . CI: i a federal basing commission, more ccrorohs, stricter regulation '' of pro- and sIk ties, they go watch men pound i gaIa:ors hack each ether to bits in the Col- Z ;; Caesar's Palace, Perhaps the last thing Duk Bcvm landed a left-right to his head, was -s ere - o rising to its feet, screaming for blood. To the editor: Boy am I glad Valerie Lynn Moore is taking a stand against nasty column writers like that oV S.L. Price. Moore's "Column misportrays New Mexico" (DTH, Nov. 16) was so true. New Mexico is a lovely, beautiful state and Price had the nerve to pick on it for its alleged faults. (In all truthfulness I've never been to New Mexico before; my cousin once sent me a postcard when he was passing through, but what a beautiful postcard it was.) Any idiot knows New Mexico has no prisons because, after all, New Mexico is loaded with such law-abiding, friendly citizens there's no need for prisons. Even if there were prisons, the riots would pro bably be started by the damn Yankees who had to be shipped to the Southwest because the Northern prisons are over flowing with rapists and murderers. Price must have gotten his facts wrong when he accused the New Mexico basket ban team of doing all those illegal things. How could any team with the nickname the "Lobos" (isn't that cute?) do such horrible things? It's a known that fact only California teams puD such indecent stunts Eke that because they play in polluted, big, gross cities with no natural beauty what soever. Why don't you leave well enough alone, Price? Stop rocking the boat. Nothing's wrong with New Mexico so quit making up lies. When all you beautiful people go to New Mexico for the Final Four, you'll see the real loveliness of this state. And by the way, spend lots of money because the city of Albuquerque is planning on making a bundle on this extravaganza; but if anyone is deserving of your money it's the clean, wholesome people of New Mexico. Check out Mildred's Massage Parlor, for in stance. Millie's a real doll Tim Mooney Carrboro Price not unfair To the editor I am writing in response to Valerie Lynn Moore's letter concerning! S.L. Price's "Out of control in New Mexico" DTH, Nov. 11). In her letter, she immediately points out the problems of the entire prison system of America and not just New Mexico's. She then proceeds to correct Price for not in cluding the National Collegiate Athletic Association violations of California schools. Obviously, Moore feels that Price should not have written such an anti-New Mexico article. But, as she admits, she did not understand the article and missed the entire point. - Price used these two incidents to high light the corruption of college sports. The examples of violence in the prison underline the outlandish behavior of the University of New Mexico basketball pro gram. Certainly Price's column was not distasteful or unfair toward the state of New Mexico. I don't feel that he, in any way, was attacking the culture of the state. He used these particular incidents to make a point. The point being that college sports are headed in the wrong direction. I am sure that he agrees with Moore that New Mexico is a beautiful place to Eve, as do I. However, I think that Price would agree with me that it is Moore who lacks the in sight and expertise. The article was written in a manner that makes the reader think and not have the writer do it for him. Come on Moore, you're a senior. Let's hope you learn to think a little for yourself before May. I have spent some time in New Mexico and enjoyed it thoroughly. However, that does not change the corrup tion found in college athletics. I thank you, Price, for your column and I hope that you, Moore, get an education. Jon Schmidt Chapel Hill "Selective spokesman To the editon' Although not a member of one of the traditional peace churches, I must object to the extremely one-sided account in "Draft sign up has merits" (JDTH, Nov. 5). Enten EDer, the first to be convicted for refusing to register, and Mark Schmucker, the latest, are among many members of the peace churches who refuse as a matter of religious conviction to cooperate in any way with the business of war. They so inform the government and are willing to face the consequences. They do not believe that "registration is in the best interests of the nation." They are already conscientious objectors, not only to serv ing themselves but to the whole war making philosophy. Their ancestors in the tradition gave witness and suffered the consequences; it is to them thatwowe the current legality of conscientious objection. The DTH could provide a forum for discussion of this real issue which affects so many of us, rather than acting as a spokesman for the Selective Service System and the U.S. Department of Justice. James Stasheff Professor of mathematics Who needs 'em? To the editon This letter is written in response to Alan Chappie's ' recent column regarding the legalization of marijuana, "Pot smoking should be legal" (DTH, Nov. 3). Chappie's argument, asserting that mari juana is just another way of achieving one's "pursuit of happiness," is totally ab surd. Maybe marijuana isn't any worse than alcohol, but who needs 10 million more "alcoholics" in today's society? Chappie fails to realize that the last thing this coun try needs is a large percentage of its population on drugs' of one form or another. Scott McMahan Jerry Whitaker 614 Ehringhaus , as Bccc Ignorance by degree ti:D Dzily iar Hael .-rss U?sa;'$ I'stkk Dsris, Lei Der.bar Deaa Foust 1 .J Kx izxzss: Scoc 5. Alsa Chsrp 1 Cup WZsoa iVrNw rL:?r: Gdcxh Asaycsh ; i. . 7- ' k .tw Hcs-it. Ka-ea Kcusly, Cssne Marx, Eric Nelson, Hekfi , -v. -s-- -j, rv-v r ,z- Ion SchinK, Kcy Snsnocs, John Tociinson, Kari " ' , V. re-vet a-i VtsrU r&Hxii. - ... v . " - Cor xv, Ti-n&.- Dvs. Aihky Dsrsncne, Para Duncan, Charlie -. r. -1 S.-e Gr.Ta, by HZari, Lixy Hc&aa, Charlotte Hobxs, Dane ' I". k,-. :.-a, kra kX."v Kiu Koscccke, Paula Lrcoari, Lisbcth Irvine, - l V-i-, V-lx, Kjfc Vtinhai Sham Mcintosh. Gary Meek, K area Moore, ..-" ' V s , Mcv -.TTiery. Kira Nkrrssxv. Rosemary Osbora. I lekii Owm, KCndee . P . .vk, Ps-tktU Prrsv , Lisa PuT.cn. Scott Rails, Sarah Raper, Mike 1.:--JcfT SUt, Susaa Sxs, Don Sokxoan. Mark Stinnefnrd. Sutn By DA VID SIMON Editor's note: This column is reprinted by permission of the University of Maryland Diarnondback. In my chosen trade, it takes the common man very little to learn the routine. Add one cup hot water to one table spoon instant college student, place the mixture in close proximity to a newspaper office, and allow two weeks to solidify into a working journalist Alas, if the student happens to be a journalism.major, then it takes a full month. In the campus journalism col lege, you see, they teach you to type about 30 words a minute, reduce and enlarge a photograph, and lay out a - i its own manipulations. And when I went to work for the Baltimore Sun six months ago, I told my editors, rather timidly, that I might be interested in changing my course of study. I was encouraged, and told, in no uncertain terms, that my employers could care less whether I knew the four theories of the press, or whether I could explain the role of the "gatekeeper" in a modern mass com munication model. "You're there to get an education," said one editor. 'There's no need to waste college studying what you're going to learn anyway." Instead, they asked, what did I know about economics? What are the current trends in urban planning? How systematic are the current methods of studying crim inology? Where has the New Deal failed and where has it succeeded? Who is this guy Shakespeare, and why does eTTor ?'Jay sucr wor Jcrful trJrgj aboul hi? V - competent, but downright boring to talk to. And I won't limit 'the criticism to others. I, for one, can't answer all those questions that editors want to know, and I could kick myself for wasting so much time with professors who wanted me to pay membership dues to the Society of Pro . fessional Journalists and recite, the Associated Press stylebook from memory. While the technological revolution has certainly made detailed and limited curricula a necessity, the willingness of educators to allow such changes at the expense of both classical and eclectic learning amounts to little more than cowardice. If it takes five years to teach a physics student his profession, as well as a meaningful understanding of social, psychological and artistic endeavors, then stand up and say so. To do otherwise is to devalue the University diploma. , our-idf the Uivitv , no orjt s fnoI. They Vno vr. s -Srh: , they said, we ilvzSt .ssre wliPfyou'r Whinjio ?
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Nov. 17, 1982, edition 1
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