Newspapers / Gardner-Webb University Student Newspaper / Jan. 23, 1992, edition 1 / Page 2
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The Pilot, page 2 The Troubles in Northern Ireland By Phil Drake UNIVERSITY from page 1 of Georgia, now Gardner-Webb would never compare with these schools." Other student concern lies in what type of changes university status might bring about. Tim Sendrey is seriously concerned about losing the college’s personal atmos phere in favor of university features such as fraternities. "If fraternities come here, I’m leaving," he said. "I came here because GWC doesn’t have frats. They’re nothing but trouble." Despite individual concerns, most stu dents are interested in knowing the facts. Kevin Walter said, "The students are nerv ous that this might ruin the school instead of improving it. Unfortunately this is happen ing because all we hear is small rumors and no real facts or figures. Until the students are informed or reassured, they will not ac cept the change to a university too well." Many would appreciate knowing that the ad ministration is interested in student opinion, he added. Knowing that the administration is listen ing is important to the faculty as well, Par- tain said. "As vice-chair of the faculty, I am encouraged that the administration is taking council with the faculty. I would hope that the president will move toward change of name only after having considered all of the arguments—pros and cons." White said the Board of Trustees will be making a decision whether or not to pursue the title change at this year’s state conven tion, during the next few months. He added, "It will be very helpful to have the support of faculty, alumni and students.'' As we move closer to decision-making time, it will be important to keep lines of communication open concerning the pos sible change. We, at The Pilot would like to give you a chance to make your opinion known. Kevin Walter contributed to this story. Please Clm and Return through Campus Mail. Staff Writer While on my flight back to England for Christmas, I overheard a number of Americans talking about the situation in Northern Ireland. Their solution was simple, withdraw the British forces encamped in the territory and give the Irish people back the whole of their country. Fortunately there were some Irish people on the plane who could see the pitfalls of the plan, even they had come to recognise that the solution to the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland could never be that simple, and they, like myself, were horrified at the oversimplification of what has become one of the most bloody stalemates in Irish history. It seems to me that Americans who support the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from this province have no idea of the fragility of the situation and do not understand that this can only lead to further bloodshed. One only needs to look at America’s diplomacy in Vietnam, Cuba, or Nicaragua; the record speaks for itself. Irish people have the right to be upset with their English cousins over the Irish Sea. For hundreds of years the English have pillages, massacred, looted and laid waste to most of Ireland, and in 1969 the recent round of violence began on "Bloody Sunday" after sporadic years of violence earlier in the century. This recent round of violence has now lasted 22 years and has claimed over 1000 lives, a large number of these were civilian deaths. Even these figures are not enough to halt the violence and the situation shows no sign of improvement. For those of you who are unaware of the situation in Northern Ireland, it is basically an argument over the sovereignty of the area, but it also very much involves religious issues. There are the Republicans (predominantly Catholic) who believe that they should be joined with the Irish Republic, and the Loyalists (mainly Protestant) who believe in the preservation of the Act of Union, which made Northern Ireland part of the British Isles. Both groups have very well regimented para-military organisations. For the Unionists there is the infamous I.R.A. or Irish Republican Army, and for the Loyalists there is the U.D.R. or Ulster Defence Regiment. Let me make it quite clear that not all political activists here support violence, and many try vainly to work for a peaceful end to the Province’s problems. The British Army also has done little to endear itself to the Irish people. Its list of misdemeanors include detention without trial, various forms of torture outlawed by the Geneva Convention, using dead batteries instead of rubber bullets for dispersing crowds and for allegedly operating a "shoot to kill" policy along with the R.U.C. or Royal Ulster Constabulary (the police force in Northern Ireland). This policy was to shoot terrorist suspects on sight, whether or not they were armed or capable of causing injury. John Stalker, head of Greater Manchester police, conducted an inquiry into these allegations but resigned when he was obstructed by his superiors both on the mainland and in Northern Ireland from completing his varying lines of questioning. Over the years, people have alleged that the British government keeps the conflict going instead of resolving it because it gains popularity by being seen to be taking a firm stand against what is seen as Irish aggression. I carmot speculate about this because no evidence has been made available, but what I can be sure of is that whatever validity any side’s arguments have, the conflict is destroying communities which had been developing long before the violence began to be felt in any part of Northern Ireland. REPUBLICS from page 1 and I hope in my motherland, because we have very many good things." Still, he said, each repubhc must make its own way. "Each state must think about his future and what he wants. If he wants good life, if he wants democracy, if he wants market economy, he must decide and he must work for it." Travelling with Strokanov were Serge Stepanov (interpreter), Vladimir Lobyntsev, Vladimir Greediushko, and Mikhail Rojkov. Hosting the group during their stay in Athens was William Allen, director of the International Ecological Exchange Program. The non-profit organization is working to promote international coopera tion in solving global environmental problems. Allen, a GWC graduate, is the son of Dr. Garland Allen, who is retired from the religion and social science departments. Thanks Wilson Brooks. You’re a jewel. Return to: The Pilot Campus Box 120 I am: (circle one) Resident Commuter Faculty Staff Other (Circle choice) I support/do not support the idea of Gardner-Webb becoming a university. Comments/explanation: Printed by Shelby Printing Don’t Miss the Victorian Rose Bridal Fair Sunday, January 26 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. 108 West Warren Street 482-9360 Door prizes total $2,000 PILOT EDITORIAL POLICY The Pilot's policy for letters to the Editor requires that all let ters be signed by the writer(s). Names may be withheld only with consent of The Pilot's editorial board. The Pilot reserves the right not to publish articles which are defamatory in nature. Views expressed in editorials are not necessarily those of The Pilot. We also reserve the right to edit letters for brevity and clarity. Letters from students, faculty, and staff of Gardner-Webb College are welcome. Please place letters in campus mail addressed to The Pilot. PILOT ADVERTISING POLICY The Pilot reserves the right to refuse any advertisement deemed detrimental to the Christian nature of this institution. Rates are $3 per column inch. For further Information, please contact The Pilot at 434-2361, ext. 417 or 427.
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