Newspapers / Southeastern Community College Student … / March 1, 1977, edition 1 / Page 2
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AMNESTY (Three Views) Should Deserters Be Granted Amnesty i 7 In a recent survey of 30 people, amnesty should be granted to all deserters who fled to other countries because they refused to take an active part in wars of other countries for which they were not citizens. An example would be the Viet Nam War; which the United States was involved in for over ten years. On the other hand, hundreds of Americans feel that amnesty should not be granted to those who saw fit to flee the country when they were most needed by all America. Since everyone is entitled his own opinion, just who are we to say that pro or con is actually right? Let us explore reasons why some Americans feel that amnesty should be granted. In conversing with a fellow friend, it was bought out that if the poor and rich alike are treated equally, we know that all are human; therefore, where there is a human being, there exists some fear. Fear is within us all to some degree. Many felt that because of the war they would encounter or deals never experianced before, thus wondering how they would be able to cope with them. Can you blame them? On the other hand, they witnessed the con dition of hundreds of G.I.’s that returned from Viet Nam and the results were not very good in many cases. Of course, hun dreds of cases were good, so one never knows. Some good minds were destroyed and others totally confused. We ask why? Hundreds of families became divided and some G.I.’s were never found. Many hundreds of spouses were out of touch with reality; for the casualties were tremendously high throughout the wars. Lives that can never be replaced were taken in mere seconds. Yet on the other hand, many people felt that amnesty should not be granted; for the average G.I. did not show that love for his country and possess the bravery that all men are to be endowed with from the beginning of his life. In short, his country was not important enough to him that he should risk his life. The rich man could afford to send his son to Canada, but what about the poor man who could afford such luxuries? Is it fair that this G.I. was imprisoned for desertion and the rich man flee? Search your hearts, is this YES One of the most eye-catching political satire cartoons I have seen lately depicts two veterans mourning heads - in - arms, with the caption below reading: “What if all the young people all over the world refused to fight? There would be no more parades, no more uniforms, no more wars...” Most of the noise made since the end of American in volvement in Viet Nam has been directed toward the deserters and draft evaders. They have been cursed and shamed in most cases, but in a few cases more “liberal” leaders have advised blanket amnesty, or, in other words, that we just forget the whole thing. Isn’t it funny how fast we forget! The dead cer tainly are silent. Those left maimed don’t have much to say. Maybe the war in Viet Nam will be recorded in the history books as a war we jumped into a little too soon and stayed in a little too long. In any case the only ones guilty now seem to be not the political leaders of our country, not the peasants who “looked” like Viet Cong, not the Pentagon who smiled as the war machine gave them almost as much importance as anyone in the country; rather, it is the singular deserter or evader. It seems that resistance to the war cannot be attributed to cowardice. The initial deserters were volunteers serving their country. They went abroad to fight for the American dream but didn’t feel that wiping out peasant villages was part of that dream. They were the first to see what the rest of us only began to understand years later and what is now fading from our memory: the immorality of the Viet Nam war. Maybe we shouldn’t give the deserters medals, but couldn’t we let them live in peace and freedom in America? Rickey Inman what Americans call justice? If the G.I.’s that are draft dodgers in America are punished, then those returning should be punished also upon their to the United States. We speak of democracy, where is this an act of mercy or democracy being enforced? All Americans are entitled to their own opinions on the sub ject, but as one fellow American to another, are we in the final phase of the game when it comes to justice, to say is it fair or not? Think about it. Annie Coston NO Mok PaiKing Spaces In an interview with Dr. McCarter to find out why the parking inconvenience exists tiat we’ve sometimes endured, and what would be done about it, this data was given. Two major f?-tors of why there is a parking inconvenience at times are: number »ne, there was in increasment in enrollment here at S.C.C. From statistics, the •nrollment jumped from 1,549 students during the 1973 - 74 school year to just over > 150 during 1975-76. Out of this enrollment 60 percent of students are on campus at all imes, which is about 1,320. Another reason for parking inconvenience is that the parking lot on the west side of the campus is closed due to the construction of the new At the beginning of the school year we had 630 spaces for parking, and part of this number was lost due to construction. So with the increased enrollment, we needed tnd estimated 1,163 more parking spaces. . . , , ^ So to compromise with the loss of one parking lot, another parking lot was o^ned lirectly across from the parking lot loss due to construction. This parking lot con tains approximately 73 parking spaces. Mr. McCarter encourages students to use this *^And yet another parking lot is to be constmcted. This wiU be located behind the G- building. This parking lot will contain an estimated 130 spaces. So students, don’t park on the grass and destroy the campus. And don t park in places and get tickets; use the parking lots. JAMES “PERBIE” PIERCE For what reason did Carter complete his promise for a blanket pardon to all draft evaders? Was it to show the American people he kept all his promises or because he really believed that draft evaders had been wronged? All draft evaders knew that they were going to be called to service for the United States. They had two choices; 1) To obey the law that their country had set up; 2) To leave the country. If they chose to run and leave friends, family, and country they should be made to remain where they are. If there is another war more threatening to the American People, will there be anyone to fight? If you had to enter the war and knew that you could be one of the ones that died, wouldn’t you go to anotehr country, if in a ^ew years you would be pardoned ^d taken back into your home? (Another thought is would your home still be there). To say that the war was wrong is to say that the many men who died or came back crippled did this in vain. These men might have believed that it was wrong, ‘ yet they chose to support the country in times of need and conflict. The old saying of a friend in need is a friend indeed, says a lot in this instance. If you are going to l)e a fair weather American, why be an American at all? America was built on the blood and sweat of those who believed in it. I believe in America, although sometimes the leaders of America make mistakes. You, the people, have to make up your own minds. Consider the families who gave their sons or fathers willingly and in return never saw, touched, or felt love gain. Is it right to let Draft Evaders return to a country they never defended? What of the ones still missing? E>o you think these men need it thrown in their face, that the Americans have decided that it’s okay for the men who did not go, to come home while they are still over there, not able to return? The President should turn his efforts to getting these men back, not the ones who proved unworthy of the American Nationality. Every man has the ability of thinking and deciding. The draft evaders decided that to leave the country was more important that the United States. That is their decision and the one that should remain intact. So there is no need to return to a country you turned against. Jenniffer Beck Tips For Students Since I have been a studeijt at S.C.C. I have seen a lot of things that can be done if the students will stick, together. For example our lounge tables could be kept a lot cleaner. And we could help by putting our paper in the trash cans, and our ashes in the ash tray and not on the tables. I for one feel that just because we have people who clean up the lounge that is no reason to add to her or his job. If we practice good clean habits they will always be with us. So students, let’s work together in keeping our lounge at it’s best. Also there are a few other things that we can also look into, such as helping to keep our school yard and parking lots cleaner. In order to carry out this idea we must encourage others to put cups, juice cans, and other con tainers in the trash cans and not on the lawn or in the parking lots for someone to run over. So if you see any glass in one of the driving areas be a good student and remove the glass. The tires you save may be your own. Cathy G. Thurman
Southeastern Community College Student Newspaper
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March 1, 1977, edition 1
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