Bk
Editorials
September 19, 1991
Page,
Viewpoint
Vandalism is violence
When an act of vandalism occurs, most reactions to it
are - "no one was hurt, so it is no big deal." That reaction
is improper because vandalism is a big deal. Vandalism is
a form of violence.
Vandalism is defined in the American Heritage
Dictidhaiy as "The willful ot malicious destruction of
public or private property." The key word here is
malicious, an intent to harm.
Last week Elon College's own vandals were at work
toppling artwork at the Fine Arts Center, stealing a statue
of a horse fix)m a local resident’s lawn and putting a
pillow in a microwave at Jordan Center.
The bust of Isabella Cannon was stolen and missing
for weeks in 1989. It was found in a rock quarry. The
year before swrie artwwk was found in Lake Mary Nell.
Last year vandalism in the library was the subject of a
front page article.
We all pay fcx* vandalism in increased tuition and a
lessening of freedom. It is expensive to hire a crane to
raise a 1500 pound piece of art back to its upright
position. It is expensive to hire divers to search Lake
Mary Nell. It is expensive to replace stolen or torn
magazines and books in the Hilary.
What is the answer? Should there be a curfew?
Should we perform full body searches as people leave the
library? Perhaps install the X-ray machines airports use to
keep guns off of planes? Should we lock students up in
their ^rm rooms?
Or should we change our reaction to acts of
vandalism. Instead of, "that’s cool," or "no big deal," our
reaction should be: "You’re in college now. You’re
considered an adult. You left high school behind, leave
the antics there as well."
Toppling artwork and stealing statues of hwses are
acts of high school students, not college students. It is
time to contribute to society not contribute to its
problems.
Vandalism is violence. If it is condoned, what else are
we condoning?
The Pendulum
Editor; Deborah Dark«e
Managiin Editor: Murray Olean
Sports Editor: Ted Toomer
EntortainiMnt Editor: Dee Dee Carowan
Roportora: Jennifer Atkina, Kriatin Blaaa, Jennifer Cowman, Jennifer
Hudaon, Patti l^iennan. Trida Talbert
Copy Editora: Bianca Brock .Smith, Charity Apple
Sports Ropottora: Rugera Harriaon, Keith Paraona
Coluaaniat: Jacki Roberta
Muaie Cohuudat: Kriaten Meyer
Photography Editor: Rob Whiteaide
Photosraphera: Maik Wheeler, Caaa O'Meara. TitTany Ballard, Brrtt
Holland
AdvortisiBC Director: Chriatine Rudiger
AdHaor: Brad Hanun
Office; 102 Williamaon Ave., Elon College, N.C., 27344. Newt:
584-2331. Advertiainr-584 2467.
The Ptndulum, fotmdul m 1974, is jmWisM ky Ekm CoOtf* stuiknts each 7>urs4iy
durmg rtpikr school ttrms. Tht Pnuhdum wtkmm your oj^nioHS, with irttm
limittdtoaiout 250 words, if poss^. Uttm must ht tifmd tmd » fkmt numhtr
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Professor stays until the fat lady sings
I have never cared much fw
either liver oi opera. For some
reason, they don't suit my tastes.
But when my new bride (some 18
years ago) cooked it for me, I did
my best to eat. And when I went
to the opera, I always saw it
through to the bitter end.
Perhaps I should not be
upset that some in the audience
on Monday night talked and
laughed while Dr. Pollitt from
UNC-CH spoke. Nor should I be
surprised that they left after about
thirty-five minutes. He was your
typical graduate school lecturer—
not dynamic, but knowledgeable,
if you were seeking knowledge.
I should not be upset, for
To The Editor
LETTERS
they were, after all, "watching
television.” We talk while we
watch TV; we change channels;
we get up and leave the room.
At home, this behavior is not
considered rude; however, in a
lecture hall or theatre, it is at
least an admission of ignorance
and at worst a wanton disregard
for the feelings of others.
I should not be upset that
Tuesday night twelve people left
at the same moment And I
guess I should not be surprised
that in less than one hour Mr.
DeCurtis’s overflowing theatre
had become less than half filled.
Some people leave the opera as
soon as they hear a note they
don’t like.
I’ve never learned to like
liver, but I have heard the fat lady
sing. And as the senior editor of
Rolling Stone said to those who
did remain, “even if you end up
not liking it, at least you know
what it is.”
Gerald M. Gibson
Assistant Professor of Joumalism
md Communications
Anybody remember Fresca?
An old favorite makes a comeback
IS
I always seem to like things
that don't last I was a big fan of
Men at Work, for instance. But
they broke up and I doubt that
they are ever coming back.
However, an old favorite of mine
is coming back.
Anybody remember a product
called Fresca? Well its back on
the market and it tastes just the
same. If you ever had a Fresca,
you either loved it or hated it
Are you ^11 clueless? The only
way I know ho«( Ip describe it is
Rob
Whiteside
by calling it a grapefruit/citrus
diet beverage, with a kicker o( an
aftertaste.
The Coca Coh company was
forced to pull it from the shelves
in the late 70's when reports of
saccharine causing cancer sprung
up.
The new format of this soda
classic is packed with the power
of nutrasweet and boasts a killer
new graphic layout on the bottle.
So try a Fresca. If you're sick of
Diet cola, it's a welcome change.
Anybody remember
Caddyshack? When Ted Knight
turns to the protagonist and
utters.’Hey Danny, how l)out a
Besca?* I didn't think so. >