Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Oct. 14, 1999, edition 1 / Page 2
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rt October 14,1999 OpilliOiiS yiewjyoint October 14, 1974, twenty-five years ago to the 5ay, a biweekly tabloid newspaper called The Pendulum appeared to the Elon College community for the first time. The paper was bom from a distinguished line of college newspa pers including The Elm College Weekly and The Maroon and Gold. Its penchant for stirring qp controversy can be traced back to tl^ late 1960s, and the short-lived Student Government sponsored publication Verkas. The Pendulum started as a smalls four page paper with a staff of 11 people and minimal facilities. In 25 ye^ it has treen the home for Over 1 CX)0 editors, photogr^hers and reporters. Layout is no longer done with X-Acto knives, rubber cement and a lot of patience^ but by a networic of ten computers. Itie newspaper is no longer limited to a readership of just students, but now can be read around the world via the Internet. The Pendulum has come a long way since October 14,1974, It is important as wereffect on a quarter-century of this newspaper and its duty to ^‘infotm the Hion College community^* that we remember that there has not always been a pq»r at Elon. Having a newsp^r at college is both a privilege and a ch^enge* We must strive everyday to live ap to the expectations that were laid down for us by our forebearers. Only by keeping ourselves ro^ to the spirit and drive of the past can we hope to have ^e p^)er grow strong in the twenty-fir$t century* Like the mighty oak^ the symbol of this great institution, Me PenduUm will continue to stand tall against all difficulties aod obstacles, provided it stay$ true to its'foundation and k given room to grow, Itis our desire to Ae see The Pendulum consistantly improve over the next two and a half decades, and hopefelly f^ beyond into the new imllennium* Elon College is dian^g to fulfiil itsi^st||cty. We are ej^)anding at incaredible rate widli new buildings, new stu^nt housing, a new stadium andanew ma$cot The Pendulum must be re^y to accept the realities of being as much a pact of the Blon College Vision as it is an observer. The Pendidum must never grow comptejnt and content with its successes* There will idways be new mountmns for it to elimb. We will stay true to oar origM missio:n statment We are here to be the newspaper of ElonCollege, We have been for the past twenty-five years and we will be for the next ♦ ne Fendutum Staff Drug legalization: Time to go that route? fjri Informing the Elon College Community Editor in Chief Carrie Lancos Senior Editor Chuck Buckley News Editor Alan Medeiros Opinions Editor Chris Rash Focus Editor Tammy Tripp A & E Editor Lisa McChristian Sports Editor Travis Suber Photo Editor Emily MacDonnell Business Manager Jenna Denton Office Manager Carolyn Lampila Online Director Jeff Sanders Adviser Byung Lee Reporters Reid Albright Melissa Anderson Patrick Collins Kristen Conn Samiha Khanna Johannah Lawrence Bill Monken Annie Reilly Jessica Rivelli Erica Stanley Mike Trainer Jason Tully Jessica Vitak Photographers Greg Boger Jessica Snow Meredith Vesely Columnists Brie Bittenbender Rich Blomquist Cameron DeJong Ethan Pell Advertising Becky Robmson Copy Editors Elizabeth Butler Christine Zon The purpose of The Pendulum shall be to inform and entertain the Elon College community. The Pendulum shall be a forum where all members of the college community are able to express their ideas and opinions. Address all correspondence to: The Pendulum 7012 Campus Box Elon College, N.C. 27244. Phone: (336) 584-2331 Fax: (336) 584-2467 E-mail: pendulum @ elon.edu Web page: http://www.elon.edu/ pendulum Drug decriminalization is one of the issues that the Libertarian Party is best known for. To the surprise of many, the issue is currently one of the hottest in the United States. Governor Gary Johnson of New Mexico opened the can of worms when he proclaimed that the war on drugs is a multi-billion dollar a year failure. He couldn’t be more correct in his proclamation. It is highly covered up, but so very obvious is the fact diat drug laws do more harm than good. The strict est interpretation of the Constitution gives us the right to do whatever we want with ourselves, so long as we are not taking the same right away from anyone else in any way. I choose not to use dmgs, in cluding marijuana, cocaine and heroin. However, ifl was a drug user and wasusingdrugsinmy own home, not hurting anyone else - should that be illegal? Sure, you can say thatl am harming myself and that in itself should make drugs illegal. But is it yourrightto tell me if it is okay to hurt myself or not? I own my own body; you do not own any part of me. So no, it is not your right to tell me what I can or can not do. With drugs being illegal, a black market exists. The black mar ket creates aproblem in that the drugs become higher priced. When drugs are available atahighprice, someone is getting rich. The monetary power of drugs creates huge drug lords, who corrupt our police department and the youth in our country. Many law enforcement per sonnel (cops, sheriffs, FBI, etc.) are paid a healthy sum to keep their mouth shut about where drugs are being pushed and used. Some of the youth in our country sell the drugs for the drug lords in schools. Cameron DeJong The Pendulum cdejong@elon.edu They both get a pretty good percentage of the money in retum for their “goodwill” towards the drug lords. Another reason drug usage is prevalent amongst teens is that it is natural for teenagers to walk on the wild side. Teenagers know they are doing something very illegal (and profitable) and that they love the challenge of getting away with it. Drug prohibition also increases crime. In order to pay the high price for the habit, drug users mug inno cent old ladies on the street. In many instances, they kill for money. They are addicted to the drugs and will pay for them by any means necessary. By legalizing drugs, we take the profit out. This eliminates the drug lords, the pushers in the schools, and the corrupt cops. Legalizing drugs would reinstate the right for people to do as they wish with them selves - without intrusion from the govemment. By legalizing drugs, we save billions of wasted tax dollars every year. 281,0(X)murderers, rapists and I robbers are cur rently roaming the streets thanks to the Drug War. “According to the Washington, DC - based Drug Policy Founda tion, federal and state prisons now contain 281,000 drug offenders,” said Libertarian Party National Director Steve Dasbach. “Meanwhile, murderers are pa roled after an average of 8.6 years behind bars, rapists after 5.2 years, and armed robbers after 3.6 years, according to die Justice Department. So if we pardoned those 281,000 drug offenders, we could instandy lock up 281,000 violent criminals without building one more jail cell - and Americans would be safer. I ask that you please contact me before criticizing my columns. In the limited space that is allowed, I am sometimes easily misunderstood. Please feel free to e-mail me. 'Bryan and Steve' debut HUI ■MiSI Bryan Skeen (r.) and Steve Snyder (center) chat with Nick Tashjian at their first morning show for WSOE 89.3 fm on Tuesday. “The Bryan and Steve Show” can be heard Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7-10 a.m.
Elon University Student Newspaper
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Oct. 14, 1999, edition 1
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