PAGE 6 — THE DECREE — MARCH 3,1994
Truth must prevail over propaganda
By ALAN P. FELTON
Journalism is a rough and nasty
habit that is comparable only to
alcoholism or other severe drug
addictions. In fact, any credible
reporter knows that writing is a
compulsion that takes the best
years of life and reduces them
into a whirl of anonymous sources
and missed deadlines.
However, the truth is waiting
out there somewhere, and since I
know writing, alcoholism, and
drug addiction first hand, I plan
to hunt down that truth and make
it my own.
Truth does not matter to every
one as it does to a journalist. For
example, in the last issue of The
Decree a column was published
that supported the planned
changes for the college. The au
thor of this piece was an appren
tice politician who worried less
about the truth than his status with
the powers-that-be on campus. In
fact, in his eagerness to please
and defend those persons in the
college administration planning
these changes, the article’s au
thor spread several pieces of
misinformation.
For example, the study of lib
eral arts does not breed paranoia
as he reported. This laughable as
sertion was hopefully jeered by
everyone who values the educa
tion they have received at Wes
leyan. Also, the McCarthy era was
a time of actual lawlessness and
political terror committed by
some of our nation’s leaders, not
just a phantom scare among a few
paranoid freaks. Amazingly, I
learned that fact from a history
professor at this liberal arts col
lege during one of his informative
lectures.
The author of the column in
question also wrote that the col
lege president and the academic
dean were not omnipotent and
changes must be approved by the
Wesleyan community. As some
one who is “privy to a lot of
things” on campus, it is surpris
ing ^at the writer of the previous
column is so ignorant to the real
workings of the college’s admin
istration.
Departmental budgets, expen
ditures that do not cause the col
lege to go into debt, and a host of
other decisions, including the
implementation of the Wesleyan
Final Solution (Advantage), are
all choices that can be made by
the college president and dean
without the approval of anyone
else.
If any reader does not believe
this, stay around the campus over
the summer and observe the
changes that take place while few
student and faculty are present to
voice any opposition. This back
door method is becoming the
norm for carrying out adminis-
trative goals, and, as a defender
Make Plans Now...
It is back, and it will be better than ever before! The
Campus Activities Board is planning a trip to Busch
Gardens, and we would like to extend an invitation to
you to join us for a fun-filled day in Virginia! We will
be traveling by bus to Busch Gardens on Saturday,
April 16.
There will be only 46 tickets available, so you will
need to go ahead and get your name on the sign-up
list if you are interested! As of now, it looks like the
cost to students will be either $14 or $15!
If you have questions, or would like to go ahead
and reserve your spot, call Sue McCormack at 5227!
Opinion
of truth and honesty, I am con
cerned.
The writer of the column un
der discussion also spoke of
“Wesleyan-little.” This seems to
be a creation of the author’s
imagination, because all I see are
concerned faculty and students
who desire to voice opposition to
changes with which they do not
agree. Surely free discussion of
ideas is not outlawed under the
new directives of active learning.
Who is paranoid now?
However, I do see several stu
dents who are willing to defend
their mentors’ decisions regard
less of their contents, probably in
return for influential letters of rec
ommendation to the swine pool
of corporate America, or perhaps
more disturbingly, they are afraid
any opposition will be placed on
their permanent record. Horror of
Horrors! They, of course, would
be labeled as troublemakers for
this opinion and thrown from the
roof of the Hardees corporate
headquarters.
WeU, as they say in the mov
ies, “That’s all folks.” I suppose
it is time to move on in search of
the truth and try to avoid contact
with my bookie since I lost
heavily on the Super Bowl. After
all, you cannot discover the truth
without some sacrifice.
CAB CORNER
March Madness...
•••
So you’re just back from Spring
Break, all refreshed and excited about
finishing out the semester! Well, be
sure you mark your calendar so you
don’t miss out on the madness going
on in March!
Wednesday, March 16: Carl Rosen! Just us in the SAC for a night of
music which will resemble Billy Joel and Elton John! Carl’s performance will
begin at 9:30 p.m.
Friday, March 18: Join CAB and the College Republicans as we spon
sor a night of Spades. All levels of Spades players are invited to stop in for
a great time!
Saturday, March 19: Saturday Night Cinema presents ‘The Firm.” Start
ing time is 9:30 p.m., and it will be shown in Doc’s.
Tuesday, March 22: Comedian, and such a hilarious guy, Carey Long
will be performing in Doc’s at 9:30 p.m. Don’t miss this funny guy!
Friday, March 25: Sega Night in the SAC! Come try your hand at
beating Sonic Hedgehog! Sega will begin at 9 p.m.
Saturday, March 26: Saturday Night Cinema presents “Ground Hog
Day.” Starting time is 9:30 p.m., and the movie will be shown in Doc’s!
Ladies and Gentlemen...
Tonight, I’d like to introduce Mr. Carl Rosen!
The house lights dim and the first chords are played as the audi
ence erupts into applause for they recognize the show’s opening
number, “Candle in the Wind.” Not a sound emits from the crowd as
thesound from the famous song by Elton John permeates the air!
Even though many say that Carl sounds just like Elton John and
even Billy Joel, Carl has his own style! Carl has released four major
recordings, one of which has a tune which was aired on the CBS
Soap, “The Guiding Light.” Likewise, Carl has also shared a stage with
several big names: Chicago, Joe Piscopo, Bachman Tumer Over
drive, Rita Coolidge, and Arlo Guthrie, just to name a few.
So with no further hesitation, be sure you join CAB and Sigma Pi as
we proudly present Carl Rosen in concert on Wednesday, March 16,
at 9:30 p.m. in the SAC!