North Carolina Newspapers

Thursday, January 4 1968 Page 2 Letter To The Editor mlg ar IfEd mm 75 Yesrs of Editorial Freedom Bill Amlong, Editor Don Walton, Business Manager Years May .Bet Semester Remains Well now, is ' everybody all rested from Christmas vacation and ready to start a new year? Or, should we say, ready to finish an old semester? For while the year may have changed from one to the next over Gard ner s R iinning: -JHLU The news is out: The Honorable James Gardner, Fourth District Congressman and hamburger enterpreneur will seek the Republican nomination for governor of this state. The Vnews" is only the official announcement; most Republicans in high places knew many weeks ago that Gardner would run. Gardner's primary opponent, Charlotte businessman John Stickley, called Gardner's decision a "mixed blessing". Well, that's his, opinion but we wonder what the ingredients of the blessing are that are "mixed." - The blessing seems to be mainly that Gardner will not be running for his Congressional seat a seat that he could no doubt have kept. At the same time, his chances of taking the governorship are slim. The only problem is, they're not slim enough. The New York Times recently called this year's gubernatorial race in this state "marginal," which must mean that it could be a tossup. Gardner's entry into the race, therefore, can't be taken lightly, even though he must be considered an underdog to Stickley except in the rural east. THERE'S BEEN a lot written in recent years about the emergence of the "two-party" system in the South. A- primary between two Republicans in this state obviously bears out that trend. It will indeed be interesting to see the young, popular Gardner running against a much older Stickley. When it's all over with, though, we wonder what it will mean. Gardner is popular in the East, dui ine nepuDucan votes are m me Piedmont and Western parts of the state. His only hope would seem to lie in getting Eastern Democrats to change their' registration to Republican before the May primary. And even if he could ac complish that, it's not likely that Gardner voters in the East would equal the Republicans in the West who favor Stickley. Polls taken by Gardner in dicated he is popular everywhere. Polls taken by Stickley indicate he is popular everywhere except in the East. So you can believe whoever's poll you want to. Actually, when one speculates about the Republican primary, it's like trying to stay awake to avoid a bad dream. Because whoever wins the Republican nomination, the voters of the state will be faced with a choice in November between the Republican and either Bob Scott or Mel Broughton, the two Demo Tatic primary contenders. And the people of this state deserve a better choice than that. H HIT Don Campbell, Associate Editor Lytt Stamps, Managing Editor Hunter George, News Editor Brant Wansley, Advertising Manager Change break, the semester didn't. Which means that students have to return from the holidays to face that ever-so-grim spectre of exams. A lot of . colleges and universities, however, don't work it this way: they have their first semester finals over and done with before Christmas vacation begins. That way of working things even if an F or two could really raunch up a few students Christmas spirit makes for generally a lot more worry-free holiday than does Carolina's system. For while students from those other schools go home with all the worst behind them, the Carolina student totes his textbooks along with. him to study for exams, and maybe to wrap up a term paper or two. The studying and term paper ing, of course, have usually fallen into the realm of things-that-might-have-been by the time the holidays end, however. And so, back to Carolina everybody comes not a bit more learned after the Christmas non study break, but just suffering fromia combination of. New Year's Day hangover plus didn't-study guilt pangs. There are, however, good things, to say for the semester system, as opposed to either the tri - mester system or the quarter system. We supposed there are good things to say for it, anyway. Why else would we have it? HZ6 Million Dex! : A million dex! That's right: o-n-e- m-i-1-1- : i-o-n d-ex. .V g Why, that's enough to get $: jS this entire student body: S through exams, and to even jji: have enough left over to scat : jiji ter knee-deep over Polk Place ijij so exam-punchy students jjjj jij: could scamper barefoot jjjj jjij through them. jjjj It's kind of an Alice-in- jjjj Amphetamineland dream. But dreams get smah- S ?! ed- So do doors. $ : Like the ones that South :': jij Carolina lawmen bulled S jiji through at a Cowpens, S-C, jiji jij truck stop to find 45 con- ijij jiji tainers full of Benzedrine, jiji : Dexedrine and other assorted i :? PeP pills. A million of them, $j jij the cops said. A whole g jiji million. li ijij Needless to say, that is one jiji jiji million dex that won't be ped- ijij i died to anybody this exam jiji jj period ijjj jiji Oh well, it's probably just jS ijij as well: who'd have the jg jiji money to buy them anyway, j ijij right after Chrsitmas shop- jij; Png? S So, there doesn't seem to S jjjj be much to say except, "Pass s jjjj the black coffee, ma'am. It's jij ii:i going to be a long, long 3 g night." jjj The M To The Editor: 1 wouM like tj comment on Xadr Fcrganv's "AS ARAB VIEW OF THE MIDDLE EAST SITUATION" which ap peared ca your editorial page of Dec. 12. Mr. Fergany speaks of an atmosphere of "bias and misinformation" which the American people have Awards the Arab world in their support of Israel, and he has taken it upon himself to give us, the U.X.C. community, the "true" facts as he sees them. Rather than grace his half truths, distortions, and vagarisms by refuting them; I should like to state a few points which should speak for themselves con- - , cerning the 'Middle East situation to day. 1 1. Israel is a tiny country surrounded by a vast, hostile Arab world. On that tiny piece of land, which was barren before her inception, she has established farms as a result ox her irrigation pro jects, built industries, Universities, and hospitals, etc. etc. etc. She has con tinuously expressed her desire to live in peace with the Arab world and share her technical knowledge so that their barren lands could become fertile. 2 Yes, the Arab refugee problem is a very sad situation. Israel realizes this and is trying to help by tassimilating as many refugees as she can within her tiny -borders, as well as through monetary aid. 3. The Arab leaders, on the other hand, have fed their poor hungry, il literate masses, a diet of "hate and -Destroy Israel" for so long that they are willing to spend billions of dollars to buy arms from Russia and train vast armies rather than to irrigate their land and feed : and educate their people. It is, therefore, the Arab attitude toward the presence of Israel and not : Israel herself which has impeded the assimilation of the refugees, prevented the progress of the Arab states, and pro- ; pagated the tense Middle East situation which exists today. . Sincerely yours, (Mrs.) Florence B. Glou To The Editor: 'After reaidinig Mr. Ferganjy's remarks in the 'December 12 issue of The Daily Tar Heel, I .tend to agree that the situa tion' in the Miidldie East is inideed not bet ter. However, ir? Ms Je(t4er,wMch to his credit was 'obviously well- researched, I feel ttoaai !he " not wniy Imisconstrues" his data, but he also- displays a gross misunidersiianidmg of Jewish ideology. To commence, 'Mr. Fergany cited ex amples cf problems sudh as the 300,000 new Arab refugees in the Middle Bast and the recent naval skirmish, in the Suez : Canal as a idescription! of the "beHter" Middle Eastfs. Perhaps it would be wise to remember that both of these grave situa tions resulted from a war provoked by :. . the Arab .nations'. If it had net been for the byeckadmg of the Gulf of Aquaba, ithis itroublesome situation might not have become a reality. , to 'light of the current and continued Arab arms buiild-up and resistance to direct negotiation with Israel, one would have to support Mr. Fergany's Shesis that the situation in iStie Middle East ds not im proving. Judging from ithis present stream of events, smother aimed conflict could indeed become an eventuality. However, if the Arabs would at least recognition the legality-, of the Israeli "state and come to the conference table with Israel, perhaps a lasting concept cooperation and peace could be in tiated. Mr. Fergany's statement that Ziondstn is a Fascist ideology is based on a baldly misinterpreted concept of Judaism. From the earliest traces of Jewish hdstiory Jews have considered themselves chosen in Hie sense that it was their responsibility to spread the idea of monotheism. This responsibility is a part of a proud heri tage which inspired Zionism, the move ment for a national Jewish homeland. s Jh v i it '71: Ti Easti vuuiie The idea of a chosen, dominant people striving lor an expanding slat (which is a hat Mr. Fergany seemingly implied) has no place in the Zionist movement or in Jewish doctrine. Mr. Fergany's letter contains several other thoughts, many of which are not well defined. Foremost among these are his disagreement with American foreign policy in the Middle East and his barb at American politics ("Jewish Vote Myth"). However, I will not elaborate on these as I feel that the other areas I have men tioned define my views well enough. In closing, I would like to leave Mr. Fergany with one thought: Would it not be better for two proud peoples to expand their efforts toward cooperation and inter-dependence in a land dear to both of them, than to engage in constant hostilities? Sinderely, Tom Bauer 922 Morrison To The Editor: Mr. Fergany's interesting Letter To The Editor, (Daily Tar Heel Tuesday, December 12) is an example of how to in fluence people by presenting half truths. Since half truths are more dangerous than untruths, his letter must be answered. I am Israeli born in Iraq, who left that country as an aftermath of a Nazi revolu tion led by Kashid Ali in 1942. The revolu tion was fallowed by a program against the Jews and I need not add that in nocent men, women and children were massacred. Therefore I would have appreciated very much to find in Mr. Fergany's letter any sign of a constructive suggestion towards a solution of the Arab-Israeli conflict. However no such endeavour was noted in Mr. Fergany's communication. Instead he accuses the United States of being partial and selects those "facts' from the past which can serve his purpose of presenting a picture in black and white of a very complex situation in . which both sides have their share of responsibilities. ' and justified rights. Mr. Fergany's way of shedding light on "basic-aspects cf theVproblem" do not seem to me to contribute anything. I . really do not see any point in arguing along this line. What for instance is the point of com plaining about the results of a war L., without mentioning who has provoked it? What about Nasser's declaration and broadcasts from Radio Caire, Damascus, Amman to do away with Israel? What about the political and military moves that preceded the June-war? Does Mr. Fergany think: people have so short a memory as to have forgotten all that? - He proposes a "free and scientific ex change of facts", then he accuses the United States of being partial to the Israeli side; Another war between Israel and the Arabs is predicted .in which a few million dollars and, maybe, some American lives could be dost". Just I what doe 3 Mr. Fergany have in mind? s Does he want to provoke a ; conflict between non-Jews and Jews in America? What evidence has he to prove that , American soldiers are going to fight on Israel's side? Is it because he believes the Russians are going to fight on the side of the Arabs? And why shouldn't the . Jews in America help the Jews in Israel? 1 Why may the Moslems in Asia and Africa support their co-religionists and the Jews ; should behave differently? Such arguments regarding this com , plex problem really serve no purpose. . Why not for a change ponder reasonably about haw to meet the human needs of both sides? Fortunately some Arab leaders, including Habib Bouriba, have already recognized the necessity of a 1 political solution as a first step towards stability and peace in the Middle East. :( Sincerely yours, Nissim Shimoni 509 Pritchard Ave. ;-unt ... 777) ; ' Km To The Editor: I read with inisrrci: and cismay 2r. Fcrgary's letter which appeared in The Dailv far Heel cn December 12. 1 read it with interest becau-e it intend to ex press a legitimate Arab view cf the Mt--East situation which is sincerely fe.t by the writer; with dismay, however, because it contained familiar mistatements cf facts which require cor rection. mis-statement: "The Zionists drove nearly a million Arabs . from -heir homes." fact: There would net have been a single Arab refugee if the Arabs had accepted the 1947 U.N. Resolution which proposed the creation cf separate Ar3b and Jewish states. The Arab Higher Committee called cn the Arab population to leave en masse. . The London Economist on October 2, 1$43, stated that "fee reason given was that upen ihe final withdrawal cf the British the combined armies of the Arab states would invade Palestine and drive the Jews into the seas." mis-statement: "The evil deeds com mitted by the Zionist Jews against (the Palestinian Arab were comparable to the crimes corpenitted1 against the Jews by the Nazis.' fact: It is shocking to hear this crude lie repesisd. Whereas there was co choice except Che gas chamber for the Jews who were in the hands of the Nazis, cirs can hardly state that the Arabs who did leave wculd have been systematically exterminated if they had remained. It is interesting to cote ithe fact iJhat Israel has not mistreated its 300,000 Arab citizens who probably have the highest siazidszri of iivfcg that Arabs enjoy enywhef e. Granted that there is a legitimate Arab rationalism, there exists at the same time a genuine Jewish rationalism. Both must be recognized by each other. ' As long as an Arab caiaonialism feas as its aim the destruction of the almo-i twenty year old state of Israel Chore will be co peace anid justice for both Jaws end Arabs in the Micidle Bast. I too consider iflhe plight of the Arab refugees a deep human tragedy, but I also would consider 'the extermination of the state of Isarel at least an equally profound catastrophe. That is why I would agree that resolution idf the refugee problem da a matter that must be taken up seriously as a part of direct negotiation between Israel and the Arab states which would lead hopefully to a permanent peace settlement. .Sincerely.yjours, t 'Rabbi Howard Rablnowiiz " ' Director, B'nai B'rith ICllel Foun dation Miss Peters Explains Her WRC Stand To The Editor: I would Hke to comment on the im plications resulting from the misrepresentation of what I said at WRC, Tuesday night, December 12, (Editorial: "Women's Closing Hours: Why They're Important?"). First, let me say that I am not against any specific rule change, such as doing away with senior women's closing hours. My comments were taken out of the context of what I said, and, consequently, the essence of my meaning was totally misrepresented. Perhaps if the editor had been present to hear my remarks in their entirety, he would not have misconstrued my meaning. What I am against is a prospective policy change based largely on a liberal point of view without taking into con sideration the views of the administration or those of a more conservative nature. I stated that I was not representing Kappa Delta sorority in my remarks. I was simply presenting a point of view I thought that the Council ought to take in to consideration in discussing this im portant issue. Although there has been an abundance of Cliche9 about personal responsibility -f-i fi . if, Jr- fe.i; J ) f lit- I -V -IS . . jL.it and freedom, there have been few substantial reasons for doing away wiuh senior women's closing hours and few confrontations with ether points of view to test the validity of this liberal stand. Doing away with senior hours just because UXC-G or other universities . have; just because this seems inevitable; cr just because of personal dislike of this rule are not adequate reasons for doing so Rather, the long-term effectiveness of the ndes of all the units oi authority from the family on up should be taken into consideration in relation to the total scheme of things. For it is in the small,; transitional units of our experiences that we internalize the values and beliefs with which we view the largest units of which we are a part, such as our government. History has shown us that the wisdom of a particular decision to change a policy has often been faulty by not open mindedly confronting one point of view with ethers; by .not viewing both the positive and negative effects of such a change in order to predict the value of this change not only with respect to those who will be directly affected in the present, but also to those in the future. Furthermore, the value of tradition lies in the fact that throughout time in decision-making, one point of view has been confronted with others. This process has usually resulted in new ideas and policies founded on reason and sound judgment. We should consider these ideas in formulating our policy concerning sen ior women's hours. I challenge each girl to take all view points into consideration and to decide for herself the stand she should take on this major issue. Then, the final vote will reflect thoughtful consideration and the final policy, sound and wise judgment. I invite anyone who has an opinion on this issue to coma to WRC on Tuesday, January 9. Sincerely, Carol Anne Peters Women's Residence Council Another Reply To Mr. Byerly To The Editor: . I wish to reply to Professor Byerly's letter Dec. 13) because I think -discussion of the issue of responsibility to one's country may be the most positive effect 4 of the anti-draft movement. Professor Byerly seems to assume-that responsibility to one's country means the obligation to accept the leadership of the President and Congress if they speak for the will of the majority and to follow the edict9 of duly constituted authority. I think we need to ask, "What is the reason wa follow the authority of this government and not another?" The usual reason, unfortunately, is that we were born in this country and accept it as our homeland. Another, perhaps more mature, reason is that we believe in the ends of the society which the government represents and thus accept authority as a satisfactory means by which the ends of the society can be achieved. Societies as large as nations tend to have two categories of ends, immediate political and social ends both explicit and implicit and essential or long-range ends. Often the two conflict; sight of the im mediate goal (e.g., McCarthy's ideal of an America free of communism) blinds the nation to its more fundamental purposes (the right to freedom of thought and ex pression). Often even the majority opts for the immediate goal. When this hap pens, true responsibility to one's country becomes the courage and insight to perceive and defend the essential purpose of the society. With specific reference to the draft law, we must distinguish the short-term goal victory in Viet Nam from the long range goals defense of the fundamental nature of American society and the establishment of a world-wide peace. On each count, some modification (perhaps .not elimination, though coherent arguments for elimination can be raised) cf the draft iaw is necessary. The provisions cf the current draft law (made more, not less restrictive in June, 1967) allow a man to follow the dictates of hi3 conscience and abstain from mak ing war only if he is opposed to all war and if that opposition is the result of re ligious training. The law denies freedom .of conscience to the many in 1967 who 2) do not accept religious vlaues but base their decisions on philosophical defini tions of man 2) cannot, in the light of sci entific discoveries and philosophical refinements, accept any absolute laws of action but prefer to decide about a specific situation on the merits of that situation seen in relation to one's system - of values. But because they see no eternal and omniscient god, they find it difficult to accept absolute statements of value. I understand freedom to mean the opportunity society gives the individual to determine his mode of action in a particular situation, a determination that is usually the result of relating the con fhcting demands of the situation to some general system of values. Responsibility to America, then, means trying to make America redefine her central com mitment to freedom of conscience in terms of contemporary realities. Charles Altieri 203 Bingham