Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Dec. 5, 1991, edition 1 / Page 3
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Perspectives The Blue Banner Thurs., Dec. 5,1991 3 Sounding Board Send Mail To: The Blue Banner 208 Carmichael Hall UNCAVX::BANNER Thorne And Young Draw Fire From Readers Wendell Thorne and “Magic” There’s a big pot been stirring lately inside Wendell’s head. We can tell, Wendell, and though I know you as a person, I got to tell you, my friend, there’s something eating at your soul that has nothing to do with “Magic” Johnson’s pay checks or with the Ka mikaze CodeoEHonor. I know you’re trying to wake iq> some of the deader heads around here to the world’s woe through some sort of shock treatment, and I admire you for trying, but there’s something sick about trying to cure a head cold witha guillotine. Gullibility comes from a lack of information, so who’s fault is it that we’re gullible (besides the government, I mean, and besides ourselves)? You guessed it: the media’s. Recently, I think, it’s coming to everyone‘s attention how important it is for all of us to pay attention, to care, to work at saving this fast-sinking ship we live orL Wendell Thome, you're is doing his part, but the negativity isn’t helping. Cynicism has no place in a society that wants to save the world from annihilation. Sure, our sports stars got lots of cash, and they probably areif*r doing anything useful with it other than buying cars and trains and yachts and horses and all the stuff they cve^^lanled, but you, Wendell, want to be a lawyer. Hmmmm..... AIDS is one problem among the chaos of myriad other ones. The list is grow ing every second, also. As a colum nist, your job is to inform and to stir up controversy. I see no problem with ridicule and witticisms about the falla cies and blunders of our faculty and student body. It keeps us honest I also don’t see any problem with valid argu ments about how silly our Supreme Court and Congress can get, or how stupid our President sometimes seems. But slandering, downgrading, and us ing shoddy analogies like “brain washed Japanese warriors” and vague assassination plots in order to talk bad about a guy who millions of people actually love, who want to cry when they think how is life is no longer so “magic,” well, I think you’re crossing a line — one that no longer dwells on journalism, and certainly rests com fortably with egotistical soapbox standing. It isn’t even a recognizable soapbox. Sure, Magic Johnson has a lot of money. Does that bother you because you don’t think he deserves it, or because you don’t have it yourself? My point? Yes, I know I’m known for my lack of them, but this time, I got one. Nothing constructive ever arose out of simple, utter bitching and moan ing about how bad everything is. Talk ing is not the same as doing, Wendell. I think you like to talk too much. Talking is fine, but it’s not all there is to do. Perhaps I should have told you all this eye-to-eye, and I’m sure you would have preferred that, but I think when you start talking about other people via die media, it damn-sure makes you feir game. Use your talent, open your shutters, look inside the window from the outside, and remember that “Magic” is able to deal with his HIV being on millions of American minds afterall these years we’ve known him. After all, he told us about it There is something to be admired in that Nick Morgan Junior, Literature More On Thorne To Wendell Thome: If the world is such an awful bad place, why don’t you leave it, or at least this little chunk we call Asheville? Boston seems like a good idea (I hear they are looking for a few good ballplayers). All you did was tell us the negative aspects of Magic Johnson’s decision. What do you think he should have done? Considering the circumstances, I think his choice was admirable. Mark Burdette Senior, History What's So Funny? "Young's Guide to Political Termi nology" in the November 21 issue was sophomoric and vacuous. In addition, Rob Young's attempts to poke fun at environmental and social issues is in appropriate at this point in history, in my opinion, because of the profound ignorance and apathy of society — and many of our "leaders" - regarding these important concerns. Statements can be humorous when both speaker and listener/reader are cognizant of the discrepancy between statement and reality; but they are stupid, and can be dangerous, when that discrepancy is not perceived. According to Young, "Social Jus tice: A term used by... feminists, mi norities and homosexuals,... usually means the extension of privilege to the... groups." Two of the "privileges" gays wish to obtainare protectionfrom discrimination in employment and housing. Many people do not realize that federal law does not extend these "privileges" to gay men and lesbians. Young's definition of "Homophobe" " "All persons who are not homo sexual" " attempts to drive a wedge between gays and non-gays. I also know of some homosexual homophobes, and I personally know a growing number of non-g&y people who are not homophobic. The term "homophobe” is correctly used to denote people who hate gay men and lesbians, including those who would deny us the rights enjoyed by all other Americans, for example, to peacefully pursue our own business, or even just to live. People who ver bally abuse gays and lesbians, who attack them, and, in some cases, mur der them, are "homophobes." The Justice Department found that more hate crimes may be committed against gays and lesbians than against any other minority in the U.S., and for the past four years North Carolina has led the U.S. in the number of hate crimes reported. Gay teens' perception of society's homophobia is certainly one factor which drives them disproportionate numbers to suicide. Gay and lesbian teens account for up to 30% of youth suicides annually. Is anyone still laughing? Charlotte L. Goedsche Assistant Professor, German More On Young I would like to make a few points in response to Rob Young's article con cerning political terminology in the last issue of The Blue Banner. I don’t know what unfortunate world you might inhabit, Mr. Young, but the one I live in has some serious problems - issues, if you will - that need to be dealt with. Webstefs defines "issue" as, "amatter the decisionof which is of special or public importance." I pray to my gender-nuetral God that you never become an important issue. Sev eral issues did, however, come to mind after I read your article. Social justice is only a dream for huge portions of the American popu lation, whereas sexism, racism, and homophobia are all too real. When I speak about social justice, I am not talking about extending special privi leges, I am talking about allowing minorities their basic human rights. You are a member of the most power ful minority in America: white, straight males. I doubt very seriously whether you have come face to face with any real discrimination or hate-induced violence. I hope you never do, al though it might serve to help you get your foot inthe door of reality. Don't get me wrong, though. Not all menare sexist Not all white people are racist. and not all straight people are homophobic. Your article, however, reflects all three of these ills. Anyone who would mock these problems is a part of the problem. Your opinions, takenon an individual basis, are rather laughable. I si^pose what is threaten ing about your type is that you seem to run in packs. If the intent of being socially con scious is to kill diversity and render one incapable of original thought, then I am most certainly against it I, how ever, do not believe that this is the intent at all. Most people begin to realize, at least by the time they reach college that being socially aware and sensitized is imperative iof we are to continue to have a world to live in. Most educated people do not consider being socially conscious merely an option. 'There are, however, certain rubes out there (albeit with thin ve neers of sophistication) who would do well to prick up their pointy little ears and try to get something of value out of their college educations. You can be Mr. Young Republican all you want to, Rob, but it won't get you anywhere until you learn to ex press yourself in a more mannerly fashion. Evensomepeople who might possibly share your views on social issues are going to shy away from your boorish, heavy-handed literary at tempts at coherence. I will, in closing, make no appeal to Relativism as I, unlike "freshmen and lazy intellectu als," do not think all value systems deserve equal merit. If your article reflects your values, then I think your values suck. • DIAMONDS • GOLD • PRECIOUS GEMS • ICE •STERLING SILVER Guaranteed Lowest Prices! Downtown Asheville 259-9299 From Wendell's Window Wendell W.Thorne Columnist This Ain't Mayberry... Twenty-five years ago, if you mentioned the name “Sheriff Taylor,” anywhere in the Carolina’s, folks conjured to mind the mild-mannered marshal of Mayberry. Andy had that television way with everybody he came into contact with. He was honest and fair, with an analytical and intuitive mind - just what anybody would want in a lawman. You never saw Andy, for instance, order Barney undercover so that he could coerce Otis into buying that pint of com liquor from those sisters. And, sure, sometimes a stranger would find a comfortable patch of earth upon which to squat for a day or so, and Andy would go out there to ask the vagrant to move along. But he didn’t ever automatically assume that the visitor had beneath- board intentions. Now there is a new Sheriff Taylor, and he rules the roost in Anderson, South Carolina, home of the Gamecock Swastika Manufacturing Plant, and David Duke’s second favorite place on earth. This new Sheriff Taylor doesn’t walk easily down main street, nodding his head to the ladies or chatting for a minute with the local barber. He doesn’t seem to believe in that archaic stuff like fairness, honesty, and the U.S. Constitution. No, he says, as long as the criminals don’t play by the rules, neither will he. 'This may come as a surprise to some, but I know of few criminals who, number one, “play,” and number two, observe any rules. It seems to me that one of the first things they should teach you in the police academy is that the law enforcers exist because criminals disobey the law. But I’m getting off the subject. I’ve complained before about the treatment that the Bill Of Rights has been subject to by our neighbors to the South. Illegal roadblocks and random search and seizure of automobiles is the normal procedure in Anderson County. In fact, any lawman or woman inthe county can stop any citizen walking along the streets for any reason (or for no reason) and request to see identification. Use your best Gestapo accent and say, “Your papers, please?” and you’ve got the right idea. 'The latest crime committed by the Anderson County Sheriff's’s department is the double sting. This is accomplished by first making a fake narcotics purchase from a known dealer. After he is arrested and you have the kilo of cocaine, you then pass yourself off as a dealer to some other unsuspecting citizen, one who, under other circumstances, may not have been in the market, so to speak. When he tries to cement the deal, seventeen officers, some imdercover, others wearing the required windbreaker bearing the letters" ACSD" on the back, burstonto the scene and the perpetrator, the victim of entrapment all the way, is taken into custody. Some say that it is necessary to break some laws in order to enforce others. Is it okay, for instance, for an officer to use excessive speed in order to chase down a suspect? It’s a good question, especially at times when there is no clear and present danger to either the officer, by the suspect, or any member of the public. I’m not sure if I agree with breaking laws to enforce others, because it requires an officer in the field to make certain) udgements that he or she may or may not be capable of making. Hypothetically speaking, if a person was seen in a, oh I don’t know, say an electrical contractor’s yard after hours, and let’s say that an off- duty policeofficerwas patrolling as security guaidfor the business’s owner and saw the suspect, but couldn’t get to him because of the, the, oh, how about a high fence? Yeah, and so this cop pulls out his .38 rev...no, no, his .357 Magnum and blows adonut sized hole in the suspects thigh in order to stop him, is that okay, hypothetically speaking? And I know we keep bringing it up, but certainly four officers beating the snot out of Rodney King doesn’t seem a fitting way to issue a speeding ticket But in Anderson, it’s the Constitution that is broken inaneffort to enforce, in particular, drug laws. That’s not right. But until some South Carolinian stands up and says something about it. Sheriff Taylor, this time without Goober, Gomer, and Aunt Bea’s apple pie, will get away with what can only be seen as spitting on the fourth amendment and perverting justice. Your Goldbricking Boss Is On The Lam? Ask Mr Smartguy... Dear Mr. Smarmy, We hope you will settle an argu ment here. My co-worker says you can gain more weight than you actu ally eat In other words, if I eat a pound of food today, I could actu ally gain a pound and a half. Please settle this, so we can get back to work. W.I., Skokie, IL DearW.L: Well, somehow, they forgot to add Mr. Smartguy to the guest list at the recent Arab-Israeli summit That’s a loss for world peace, but a boon for you, W.I. Mr. Smartguy will instead have to settle for bringing some peace to your worlq>lace. You can’t gain more weight than you take in, period. Remember the old edict from Physics 101: “Matter can neither be created or destroyed” (well, actually, Mr. Smartguy can create matter, but he only does that on special occasions, like the office Christmas party). By the way, Mr. Smartguy is includ ing fluids here as part of your overall intake, and thus, your overall pound age. Besides, W.I., you really have no good business eating a pound of any thing while you’re on your employer’s time. Dear Mr. Smarmy, Could a person get drunk by eat ing food cooked in wine, if he ate enough? This is a dumb question, but I am in a bet. I love Mr. Smarmy. T.T., Columbus, GA Dear T.T.: Hey, ease up yourself, T.T. Remem ber, the only “dumb ” question is the one you just asked. Uh, well, maybe that’s not the way the saying goes, but you get the point... Truth is, cooking food causes the alcohol in wine to evaporate, leaving behind only the flavor of that particu lar vintage. So eat that casserole until you gag, T.T., secure in the knowl edge that you’ll stay sober down to the very last burp. Dear Mr. Smartguy, I work as a secretary in a depart ment at a small university. My prob lem is about what I know about one of the teachers in the department. She teaches class three days a week. On one of the other days, she has gotten in the habit of coming to school at 9 a.m., opening the door of her office, then disappearing until 4 p.m. I accidently saw her get in her car and leave the campus on one of these mornings when she had told me she was just going to the next buUding. I think she is doing this to make it appear she is on campus working, when in fact she is some where else doing I don’t know what My problem is what to tell the de partment chairman when he calls to talk top her on those days. I don’t want to lie, but I don’t want to get involved in the middle of depart ment politics, either. Since this is a fairly small campus, it is hard enough to avoid politics as it is. What would you do if you were me? Identity withheld by request Dear Anonymous: If Mr. Smartguy were you, he’d wear more pastels, and he’d probably do something new with his hair—maybe crop it a little closer on the sides to accentuate his high cheekbones. But that’s not why you wrote, is it? Well, you don’t have to lie. When the department head calls for that instruc tor, tell the truth — that you don’t know where she is. Ensure that isn’t a lie by not looking to see where she goes on those days. You could help ease the situation a little by letting that teacher know the department head was looking for her. Document every phone call and visit on one of those pink message pads, and leave the stack of messages where she’s sure to find them. That should alert her to the fact she’s screwing up and about to get caught goldbricking. Beyond that, you’ve done your job. By the way, sometimes things appear one way, then turn out to be another. You’re really assuming a lot on very little information. Let it drop, and get back to work. Dear Mr. Smartguy, Tell me if I got this right. President Reagen slashed a ton of social pro grams with the complaint they were too expensive. He consistently fa vored the inter^ts of big business over the middle-class, resulting in a wider gulf between the very rich and the very poor. Then along comes George Bush, who wants to get us out of a reces sion and instill consumer confi dence hy doing nothing for the millions of unemployed Ameri- cai^ all while favoring a break on the capital gains tax for the very wealthy. Is that about accurate? T.L., Queens, NY DearT.L.: Yup. Send your questions about sex, health, and general well being to: Mr, Smartguy P.O. Box 2896 Chapel Hill, NC 27515-2896
University of North Carolina at Asheville Student Newspaper
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Dec. 5, 1991, edition 1
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