Newspapers / St. Andrews University Student … / Nov. 29, 1989, edition 1 / Page 5
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On Campus The Wall continued from pg. 1 1971, this restriction was lifted. And now the wall is being tom down. What ef fects will this have on our future? What political changes have made this possible? How much of a surprise is this change? Per haps only time will tell, but it is never too soon to make predictions. junior Donia Henderson was surprised at the an nouncement. Henderson traveled by train through East Germany on her way to West Berlin in winter of 1987-88, and conversed with several Germans (from both sides) about the divi- son of both Berlin and Ger many. Those she spoke with gave her the impression most people had given up hope that the Wall would ever come down. Many she tallced to feel a loss in the separation of Germany as a country. The BerlinWall isa physical manifestation of this separation that is like a sore thumb that sticks out and reminds all not only of oppression but also of the separation of a country. One student stated, "It's weird because you are in the same city, but the Eastern side is so different from the West ern side. They almost feel like two separate countries." Berlin is an occupied city on both sides. There is no for mal agreement in existence that gives the West claim to West Berlin. West Berlin is occupied by Western forces, but it is legally part of East Germany. The removal of the Wall leads to a problem in that now the city could become more unified, more like one city. If it does, what is the role of the occupying forces? An agreement of some kind must now be reached. Berlin has been in a kind of political limbo for 40 years and now that the Wall is comoing down, this limbo must be redefined. Generally, reactions from students are the same. How do Americans feel about the opening up of East Ger many? Surprised and elated. These are the feel ings expressed by scholars across America. Professor Tom Williams said that he sees this as the possible end of the Cold War. The Cold 'war is the result of NATOs policy of containment of Communism. The idea was that if Communism was kept under control (the West limiting Communist expansion) and no aid was sent to the Communist states, that these states would collapse on their own. Communist countries would then reform to more acceptable (at least to the West) forms of government. The opening of Eastern, Block countries, therefore, is the result of failure of Com munism. Professor Neal Bushoven, however, dis agrees with this last point. He claims that if one looks at the dissent of the people in these countries, the com plaints are about corruption in government. The open ing of Communist countries is an attempt at reform and not a a turn to capitalism. Bushoven also feels that while the opening of East Germany has occurred quickly, it should have not Students March in Rally Mary Griggs On Sunday, November 12, four mem^rs of the St. Andrews community trav eled to Washington, D.C. for assembly supporting a woman's right to privacy. The Pro-Choice forces gath- ei^infromtofthe Lincoln Memorial and filled up the ’’'311 in a year-end attempt to encourage legislators to Mow the majority of fn'erican people who be- “eve in choice. Official estimates placed ^ size of the crowd at ,000. The group was ^^posed mainly of college A members of , Organization J There were also vari^ representing cl, groups for those who attended were Dana Kuebler, Mary Griggs, Rethel Matthews, and Vir ginia Griggs. This group carried with them petitions that had been sign^ by 284 members of the St. Andrews community. The petitions were turned over to the or ganizers of the assembly. The slogan of this ga^er- ing was "Mobilize for Women's Lives." The four hour program Ivad many state and federal legislators sp>eak on the subject of what appears to be the biggest single issue of the 1990 elec tion campaigns. There were also singers like Pete Seager and Helen Reddy, who en couraged crowd response. The anti-choice faction, with signs like "Satan is Pro- Choice," were outnumbered 200 to one. There were more police officers separating the two groups of pro testors, than there were anti choice demonstrators. The majority of that crowd was composed of elementary school children and older white males. The message that this as sembly and last April s March sends to the nation, is that women and men are ready and willing to spend time, energy and money in ensuring that women have the right to choose whether or not they will bear chil dren. Many activities are being planned at the state and local levels to encour age the majority who sup port a woman's right to have a safe leeal aborHop come as a surprise. Revolts against authority, especially when corrupt, are common all over the world, not just in Commuiust countries. It is still too early to say whether of Communismwill ever occur. It must be kept in mind that Communism, So cialism and Capitalism are economic forms. The re forms that are taking place in the jEastem> Block are governmental. People are demanding more equitable forms of government. Typi cally, Communist states have been controlled by rul ers who do not represent a majority. The majority is now throwing out the mi nority in a move to a more Democratic form of govern ment. The opening of Eastern Europe presents a serious problem to the west and East. Policies for the past 40 years have been centered around the idea that each side must defend itself against the other. Commu nist countries are going to answer to their people's demands for human rights. education, food, hous ing, etc. Such a large amount has been spent on defense on both "sides" that these human rights have been ignored. Bushoven and Wil liams both feel that the past week's events are going to have to lead in a re-evalu ation of national budgets. How can America justify defense spending in such great amounts wWle human rights are ignored? This has been a difficult question, but now that the "threat" in Eu rope is being removed, it becomes more evident that spending must be redistrib uted. Other issues that are im portant to ask about now are questionssuch as, what will this do to the East German economy? What about the prospect of a unified Ger many? How will this affect America politicallly and economically? These issues are ones that will only be answerd in time. It is impor tant that Americans under stand this situaion as it could affect every asfxxt of life, education, defense spending, social programs, and much, much more. ¥)ifre smart enough to know the (Merence, between perestroika weenp asnost. And you’re smoking? U.S. DepjrtnwnI o( Health & Human Services
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Nov. 29, 1989, edition 1
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