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THE BLACKBIRD
Friday, Dec. 17, 1965
Editorial
Do Your Own Thinking!
“I don’t agree with what you say but I will defend
to the death your right to say it.”—Voltaire
Descending from a line of State Champions, More-
head Scholars, Merit Finalists and honor students,
our school is acclaimed statewide as a fine one.
Still, only a few of our students possess an ingre
dient vital for advancement — open-mindedness.
These are the people who are willing to listen to
both sides of an issue before becoming set on one.
This same group is willing to change ideas on an
issue when evidence indicates that they should. In
history, Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s most
respected thinkers, is said to have changed his
mind on many important issues without loss of
respect, for people knew he had considered both
sides and had firm basis for his convictions.
Why do students accept the opinions of parents,
friends, or papers for their own without colsely
examining them first? These students would not
allow a person to preside over their student or
ganization without first considering his merits, so
why do they allow someone to preside over their
minds?
This personal closed-mindedness is not as fatal to
freedom of opinion as is the condemning of those
with opposing view. Why do students think that
they have the right to believe what they like, but
those with opposing views do not? Why must teach
ers never mention unpopular views to avoid being
labeled a “Communist?” The answer to both is that
people are either afraid of opposition, eager to dis
play their great “partrotism,” or too narrow-minded
to listen to any view other than the popular one.
This all adds up to a situation which must be
called “unfortunate” for while gaining nothing by
disagreeing with each other, these people are losing
much by not sharing and considering ideas of others.
The simplest way to erase the problem of bigotry
^d~0To^e=lWri‘dedness is to think for yourself. You
don’t have to change your views—just consider the
rights, ideas, and freedom of all.
Tis The Season To Be Creative
The New Christmas Story, Or
An Ode To J. Whitcomb Riley
“ ‘Tis the season to be jolly”
and the National Honor Society
and the Good Sports Club are
doing their best to promote
that extra special feeling of
Christmals by decorating Christ
mas trees.
A beautiful 10 foot tree, de
corated by the Good Sports
Club at their annual Christmas
party, stands in the Senior en
trance to the auditorium. The
National Honor Society tree, in
the Student Lounge, is gayly
rimmed with handmade, old-
fasihioned decorations.
mmf.
m
*
My uncle was a candle.
My aunt was mistletoe,
And both of them were
covered up
By grandma, spray-on snow.
My dad was made of
styrofoam.
My mom—well, she was, too.
They stayed as one from
birth ’tU death
Stuck, by Elmer’s glue.
Ev’ry fam’ly has a bum,
At least, that’s what they say.
Our bad one, cousin “Plastic
Ball”
Gets hung each Christmas
Day.
While “BaU” swings on a
lower limb.
Aunt Angel’s up on Ihigh.
She watches all the “goin’s on”
Through little painted eyes.
My brother's down there on
tihe floor.
He’s cotton not so white.
Still, he’s workin’, doin’well—
He hides the stand from sight.
Well, that’s the fam’ly,
It’s complete, that is, except
for me.
I’m the biggest, strongest,
best.
I’m the Christmas tree.
Still, I wish I were like them.
Tliey’re the ones who’re seen.
I’m so jealous I could cry.
So envious. I’m green.
Soon’ll be our one big day
And then I’ll rule the home.
After that, well, it’s bad news.
It’s the end of this here po’m.
—By Chris Stanley
Re: The War In Vietnam
Christmas Is ,..
Christmas is a porch light on
and waiting so a 200-pound
Marine can run up the front
steps, swing open the door, and
pick up his 9&-pound mother
with her hair in a bun and a
tear in her eyes and the words,
“He’s home for Christmas; my
son is home for Christmas,”
ringing warmly deep inside.
Dear Editor:
I would like to commend the
Blackbird for publisihing the
panel discussion on the war in
Viet Nam in the November
issue of 'the paper. The article
was thought provoking, to say
the least, and the points brought
out by the participants showed
a great deal of thought on their
parts.
The reason I wrote this let
ter was also to enlarge upon
some of the views expressed in
the column and express a few
opinions of my own.
The first question read: What
right, if any, has the United
States in Viet Nam? It was
not stressed enough that if the
United States wasn’t In Viet
Nam, Southeast Asia would fall
to the Communists. As it is,
even though the United States
seems to be intent on a mere
stalemate, our country has suc
ceeded in bringing the Com
munist charge in SE Asia to
a temporary bait.
Steve Horne brought out an
excellent point when he said
tJiat he believed that with each
tie the United States lost pres
tige and, that after a few more
ties it would be standing alone.
One thought which kept com
ing out was the concern for
world opinion. I realize that
the days of Unites States isola
tion were permanently ended
at Pearl Harbor, but our coun
try has a mind of its own.
Our every action shouldn’t be
hindered by the opinions of the
uneducated masses of back
ward countries. Bobby Fuerst
said, . . as far as South
America goes, they would ra
ther we back out than fight.”
Do the people of South America
realize the fantastic power and
Accentuate The Positive
Eliminate The Negative
Usually Senior High students
are aware that their school is
one of the finest. This pin
nacle of excellence is heavily
influenced by that group of stu
dents who prod the others into
action. Due to the “action” peo
ple, student government works
more efficiently and smoothly.
However, more is demanded
from the student body. Without
commenting on those who sup
port their school, the pupils
who are slower to act are be
rated.
This negative attitude has ob
viously worked fairly weU. Un
fortunately, those students who
do their part begin to feel that
their effort is unnoticed. The
other students tire of the con
stant nagging.
When we have a clean-up
campaign, or start a subscrip
tion drive for the literary mag
azine, why not compliment
those who work hours after
school and plaster the walls
with posters?
One of the basic tenets of
getting along with people is to
make note of their achieve-
before mentioning their mis
takes.
We should definitely try the
positive approach. Of course
we will have a few students
who have no interest in being
a part of the school. On the
other hand, we have hundreds
of students actively working in
all phases, literary, sports, pub
licity, academic, amd others. We
have a good school—let’s say so!
llarkhtrJi
Member of Columbia Scholastic Press Association
EDITOR David Williamson
ADVERTISING MANAGER Ann Robertson
BUSINESS MANAGER Margaret Alford
CIRCULATION MANAGER Butch Thompson
1ST PAGE David WUliamson
2ND PAGE Betsy Shuff
3RD PAGE Margaret Alford
4TH PAGE Ann Robertson
5TH PAGE Mary Fond Dau^tridge
6TH PAGE Butch Thompson
7TH PAGE Lyji Joyner
8TH PAGE Vance Grady
9TH PAGE Chuck Coley
lOTH PAGE ...4,.,. George Clack
IITH PAGE Bruce Gurganus
12TH PAGE Lynda Harrell
STAFF MEMBERS — Dan Ballance, Bobbie Creech, Emi
Manabe, Arthur Marcus, Mack Pridgen, Pam Robinson,
bebbie Sloane, Roslyn Smith, Roger Stancil, Chris Stanley,
Kathy Viverette.
responsibility the U. S. has?
South Americans, Africans, Asi
atics, and so on don’t realize
that the U. S. has to take the
offensive against Communism,
and it is Communism we’re
fighting. lUie danger which this
“germ” presents to the world
is awful; the U. S., the great
bulwark of the free world, is
the only antitoxin.
Mack Pridgen
Junior
From The Desk
Of The Editor
The Christmas season offers
one many opportumlties for ad
vancement In school. One may
read two or three library books
for the second semester, study
for his exams or practice his
senior theme talk.
One May Play
Unfortunately, however, stu
dents would rather sleep until
twelve or one, play basketball
or shoot pool at the Goodie
Shop, and date every night.
Others Work
The season also provides a
chance to get ahead financially
before the New Year. Many
students may be found loafing
at downtown department stores
with the excuse that they are
working.
The Long Trip
I’m sure the most enjoyable
experience during the holidays
is going to grandmother’s house.
Everyone in the family gets up
early on Christmas Day for the
journey, hurrying to get dressed
and decide which of tlieir own
presents to take and trying to
find grandmother’s and grand
father’s under the piles of gift
wrappings left under the tree
the night before. The family
then gets into the car and
drives next door, over the new
bicycle and roller skates in the
driveway.
Why Decorate?
Christmas is a time for de
corating. I suppose that is tlie
reason mothers allow dirt in
the front hall and little kids
around glass ornaments. More
to the point, that is why people
are willing to work hours string
ing popcorn, hanging icicles,
and testing lights.