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Page 4—Smoke Signals, Wednesday, January 31, 1973
Violence
By RICHARD JACKSON
If one can read a paper or if one owns a television or
radio, he knows that crime in the United States and
indeed in the world has reached a peak never before
equaled in the history of amnkind.
Robberies, rapes, and murders are commonplace
occurences in our society today.
Law and order, common decency, and moral values
are a thing of the past. The person with the inquisitive
mind must ask,“Why?” Why is America subjected to
these displays of disrespect to our government, to law
and order, and to human life itself. The answer or an
swers are not simple. There are many varied reasons to
explain this rise in disrespect for human laws and life.
Primarily, parents today do not demand respect from
their children, thus making it impossible for their
children to respect anything or anyone else. Young
ptople are encouraged to “do their own thing” no
matter what it entails. Consequently, if someone
commits a crime, he cannot be punished because he is a
victim of his environment.
Gory, bloody murders and violence are glorified in the
movies and on television. However, the writer feels the
biggest reason for the rise in crime is the weakening of
our judicial system here in the United States. Recently
the Supreme Court ruled capital punishment un
constitutional, thus removing the fear of eventual death
from prospective murderers. Since the death penalty for
murders has been removed, the value of a human life
has decreased even more than the already unbelievable
level.
Armed robberies now have turned into robbery and
murder. The criminal with a gun in his hand has no fear
of death, even if apprehended by the police and tried in
court: Why shouldn’t he kill all witnesses to his crime?
Killing the witnesses greatly improves his chances of
never being caught by the police. Until our judicial
system decides to crack down on murderers, rapists, hi
jackers, and other menaces to our society, the crime
rate will continue to soar.
Less than 100 years ago law authorities in the western
states publically executed offenders of the law. This
stand deterred many potential murderers from actually
committing the crime. Even though many students will
point an accusing finger in my direction and call me
Hitler, Jr. I advocate public executions, perhaps firing
squads, to those persons convicted of murder in the
United States. A few public executions will make
potential killers think a long time before killing anyone.
It’ the only way to end this epidemic of violence.
—Richard Jackson
Editor’s Note: Any response to this article, pro or con,
will gladly be published.
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EDITOR — Richard Jackson
ASSOCIATE EDITOR — Steve Bowman
SPORTS EDITOR — John Stanford
— STAFF —
Linwood Lewis
Courtney Boogs
Buddy Tunstall
Harvey Wadman
Lynn Deaner
Karen Humberstone
Mary Vann
PHOTOGRAPHER — Lyne Dennis
Barry Bradberry
Jan Pitchford
Edgar Pittman
David Brooks
Jim Moore
Steve Bennett
UKII)(;iN(; THE GAl*
ciTizeiJ
national
PUBUC
Days of Wine and Roses
Chowan College, a two year higher educational in
stitution, is being faced with the problem of not
progressing at a rate synonomous with that of its major
supportive clientel. I consider that it is important for our
school to supply the needs and demands of a growing
population, liberalized society, and independent youth.
The college does realize this to be a fact, but may tend to
ignore the problem, hoping that it will pass; that
possibly a new enlightened solution will mysteriously
appear. (Not very likely.)
What then? The student body will decrease, teachers’
jobs will be seriously jeopardized, faculty and staff will
inevitably face lower wages. Will the school lean on its
heritage claiming the situation wiUpass? (Possibly.)
I realize that Chowan College could be a haven to all
young people who have not yet decided what trade,
profession, or even what type situation they care to live
in. Here at Chowan they can reside in an atmosphere of
responsibility and independence, while still being
supported by an ulterior source.
Will this old and established institution loosen its ties
with the past and see the need for placing the respon
sibility on the individual, who will benefit from his own
mistakes? A person who knows nothing of responsibility
will not seek it. Ah ... that we could be children always.
A person cannot conceive of responsibility unless it is
placed directly upon him.
Who then, is to suffer for the incapacity of an in
dividual to judge right from wrong?
—David Talton
War is Over,
What Now?
The apparent ending of the
horrible Vietnam disaster leaves
America with a very interesting
problem. What will America’s
young and upstart revolutionarys
protest against now? Since 1964,
ttie cry has been “Stop the war
now”, “Hell no, we won’t go” and
other spicy slogans. Many young
people, some innocent, have been
killed or maimed in protest on
college campuses and city
streets. Hundreds of songs have
been written about the war and
the young American’s distaste tor
it. The war has become a national
discussion topic and political hot
bed. Now that it is over, what
cause will America’s young
devote their time and efforts.
Realizing that the jH'oblem is one
of immense importance, the
writer would like to suggest a few
issues to take the place of the now
defunct Vietnam conflict.
One issue which would interest
almost everyone would be
lengthening the 24 hour day to 30
hours. The increase of 6 hours in
the day would give the energetic
business man of today more time
for sleep after staying up late
figuring payrolls. It would give
the college student that much
needed extra time to study for
exams. The working man who
works 10 hours a day would still
have 10 hours for recreation and
10 hours for sleep. The 30 hour
day seems to be to everyone’s
advantage. With countless
protests burning of clocks,
calendars and watches the young
revolutionarys could bring the
problem to the forefront of the
national scene. Once the cause
had received national attention it
could then move into the grass
roots of our population and
persuade all Americans to
support the 30 hour day. With the
masses crying for the 30 hour
day, President Nixon would be
forced to make an appointment
with the Greek God Atlas. With
Henry Kissinger at his side,
President Nixon could then
convince Atlas to turn the earth
just a little slower, thus, giving us
our 30 hour day.
This idea is just one of many
which young revolutionarys
could devote their efforts. Now
that an issue has been proposed,
the writer can rest at ease that
the protests will not have to end
just because the Vietnamese War
has ended.
—Richard Jackson
Bald Tires Cause
Accidents
Motor Sports Club Reactivated
That’s right, fellow
Chowanites, you now have
another way to enjoy your
automobiles besides just getting
you home on weekend. If you’re
skillful, you may also win some
cash prizes.
The Chowan Motor Sports Club
has been reactivated for the third
year and has been enjoying its
greatest success since the club
was founded three years ago.
According to the club’s sponsor.
Bob Mulder of the Englisn
Department, the largest average
turn-out of any past event was
only twelve to fifteen par
ticipants, which is fewer than
half of the drivers in our first
rally.
The car club has sponsored two
events in the past semester. With
extensive advertising of the rally,
thirty-two cars participated in
the first and twenty-seven cars in
the second event.
Everyone had fun even though
many were new to the sport. We
had a few that did not finish the
rally because they gave up or
were busy sight-seeing in
Elizabeth City but all in all
contestants had a good time
driving in the contest and getting
away from the campus fir a
while. (Elizabeth City was not
scheduled for the first event.)
The club is growing in mem
bership as well as in participation
for club events. Before the end of
last semester, officers were
elected to head the club’s ac
tivities. Hunter Gish was elected
president; Mike Boulia, vice-
president; Kenny Forti,
treasurer; and Mike Davis,
secretary. Bill Rushing was
appointed club reporter.
The club holds meetings every
other Tuesday night in Room 211
of Marks Hall. All interested
students, whether they have cars
on campus or not, are invited to
become a part of the club. Times
for meetings and rally events are
usually posted in Marks Hall.
Applications
Now Available
Students who need financial aid
for 1973-74 should get their ap
plications from Mrs. Beverly
Marks (Mr. Collins’ secretary)
this week. The Parents’ Con
fidential Statement must be filed
by the parents of all students who
seek financial aid.
In the future, work supervisors
are to turn in time cards by 12:00
noon on the 2nd of each month.
Workers are to pick up their
checks from Mrs. Marks on the
6th of each month.
If you have any questions about
financial aid, contact Mr. Collins,