Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / March 15, 1977, edition 1 / Page 8
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3 Tha Daily Tar Heel Tuesday, March 15, 1977 Greg Porter Editor e Joni Peters, Managing Editor Ed Rankin, Associate Editor Lou Bilionis, Associate Editor Laura Seism, University Editor Elliott Potter, City & State Editor Chuck Alston, National Editor Jack Greenspan, Features Editor Jeanne Newsom, Arts Editor Gene -Upchurch, Spom Editor- Rouse Wilson, Photography Editor Face facts on pot laws The mere possession of an ounce of marijuana in North Carolina is a felony, with maximum penalties of six months imprisonment and fines not to exceed $500. Over 500 young North Carolinians are now serving time in the state's prisons for minor possession of pot. Atty. Gen. Rufus L. Edmisten recommended to the Senate Law Enforcement and Crime Control Committee that the sentence of 500 of those imprisoned for marijuana be commuted. He wants "to get some of those young people out of prison and make room for the rapists, murderers and other dangerous criminals." We agree with the attorney general's suggestion that pot smokers should be separated trom hardened criminals, but we also believe that separation should be made legal through the decriminalization of marijuana. It seems that Edmisten only wants to make room in the jails. UI don't favor decriminalization," Edminsten said, "until we have more evidence on it." More evidence. How much evidence does North Carolina need before it can take the steps that the federal government, Oregon, Alaska, California, Maine, Minnesota, eoloraao, unio ana one ounce could cost six months and South Dakota are now taking? $500. The aforementioned states have decriminalized marijuana possession, instituting minor fines similar to those for traffic violations and clearing the pot user's record of any conviction. In Washington, a House committee opened hearings Monday on decriminalization at the federal level. Even the White House, though adamant in its stand against legalization, has taken steps to endorse decriminalization. Dr. Peter Bourne, the President's choice to direct the White House Office of Drug Abuse Policy, told the committee that "criminal penalties that brand otherwise law-abiding people for life are neither an effective nor an appropriate deterrent." The 79th annual convention of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Congress, held during November 1976, passed a resolution backing decriminalization of marijuana. Either eight states, the White House and the PTA are hasty and poor judges of evidence, or Rufus Edmisten and North Carolina are dodging the issue and a confrontation. We believe the latter , is the. case. Evidence, despite what Edmisten contends, is plentiful. Numerous arguments against decriminalization have been heard and they have been debunked. For example: When the first moves were made to liberalize Oregon's marijuana laws in 1973, skeptics warned that pot use would spiral. They also predicted large influxes of pot smokers into states allowing minor possession. As a soon-to-be-released federal report maintains, "Neither of these patterns has occurred or is occurring." In the eight decriminalized states, use and possession have not increased significantly and no influx of users has been observed. In fact, when Oregon decriminalized pot, consumption at one point had declined two per cent. During the late '60s and early '70s, arguments frequently revolved around the potential health hazards of marijuana use. Now, no signs whatsoever substantiate the contention that pot is damaging to the human body and its organs. The federal report, which was funded by the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, noted that "the preponderance of evidence shows that marijuana is not physically addictive, and infrequent or moderate use probably does not pose an immediate substantial health hazard to the individual." A "preponderance of evidence" doesn't seem to satisfy North Carolina and its attorney general. But then again, nothing may satisfy them. And hundreds more could suffer years of imprisonment, fines and criminal records for the possession of a mere ounce of pot. Until the General Assembly, the governor, law enforcement agencies and the attorney general face the facts, North Carolina will continue its belief in the preposterous, outdated arguments against the decriminalization of marijuana. We believe the time has come to face the facts. The Daily publishes Monday through Friday during the academic year. Offices are at the Student Union Building, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514. Telephone numbers: 933-0245, 0246, 0252. News: Keith Hollar, assistant editor; Jeff Cohen, Jeff Collins, Chris Fuller, Mary Gardner, Russell Gardner, Toni Gilbert, Tony Gunn, Nancy Hartis, Charlene Havnaer, J aci Hughes, Will Jones, Mark Lazenby, Peter Masterman, Vernon Mays, Karen Millers, Linda Morris, Beth Parsons, Chip Pearsall, Mary Anne Rhyne, Leslie Seism, David Stacks, Elizabeth Swaringen, Patti Tush, Merton Vance, Mike Wade and Tom Watkins. News Desk: Ben Cornelius, assistant managing editor. Copy editors: Richard Barron, Beth Blake, Vicki Daniels, Robert Feke, Chip Highsmith, Newell Highsmith, Jay Jennings, Frank Moore, Katherine Oakley, Karen Oates, Evelyn Sahr, Karen Southern, Melinda Stovall, Merri Beth Tice, Larry Tupler and Ken Williamson. Campus Calendar: Tenley Ayers. Editorial assistant: Steve Perry. Sports: Lee Pace, assistant editor; Kevin Barris, Dede Biles, Skip Foreman, Tod Hughes, David Kirk, Pete Mitchell, Joe Morgan, Ken Roberts, David Squires,Grant Vosburgh, Will Wilson and Isabel Worthy. Arts and Entertainment: Bob Brueckner, Chip Ensslin, Marianne Hansen, Jeff Hoffman, Kim Jenkins, Bill Kruck, Libby Lewis, Larry Shore and Phred Vultee. Kaleidoscope: Melissa Swicegood. Graphic Arts: Cartoonists: Allen Edwards and Lee Poole. Photographers: Bruce Clarke, Allen Jernigan and Bill Russ. Business: Verna Taylor, business manager. Lisa Bradley, Steve Crowell, Debbie Rogers and Nancy Sylvia. Subscription managers: Dan Smigrod and David Rights. Advertising: Philip Atkins, manager; Dan Collins, sales manager; Carol Bedsole, Ann Clarke, Julie Coston, Cynthia Lesley, Anne Sherrill and Melanie Stokes. Composition Editor: Reid Tuvim. Circulation Managers: Tim Bryan, Kevin Campbell, Pat Dixon and Bert Felt. DTH Composing Room Managed by UNC Printing Mary Ellen Seate, supervisor. Jeffrey Loomii and Robert Streeter, typesetters. Ad layout: Evelyn Sahr. Composition: Mike Austin, Ada Boone, Wendell Clapp, Marcia Decker, Judy Dunn, M ilton Fields, Carolyn Kuhn and Steve Quakenbush. The Daily Tat Heel is printed by Hinton Enterprises in Mebane, N.C. laity Star Mni 84th Year of Editorial Freedom J Staff photo by Allen Jernigan Tar Heel Nonunion worker got lapel pin To the editor: 1 read with interest the article on the textile industry. I know from personal experience what the people were talking about. My father worked for Burlington Industries at the same factory from 1927-75. He was, before he retired, the second longest working employee at that factory. But, he was never promoted to foreman in his department, although he worked in that department for most of his career. H is plant does not have a union. He always voted against it. I guess he didn't want to put up with the union heavies. For that. I can't blame him. But one thing is obvious if the plant had been unionized, he would have received his well-deserved promotion. The only thing he got when he retired was a lapel pin with two miniscule diamonds in it with 48 years imprinted on it. Therefore, 1 think the right-to-work law in North Carolina should be rescinded. Robert Allen Grad Student in Slavic Languages Granville election clarified To the editor: At the risk of appearing bitter about my recent defeat for the District 7 Campus Governing Council seat, I wish to clarify statements by Craig Brown, chairman of the Elections Board, in a Daily Tar Heel endorsement of Diane Schafer. From February 7 to February 21, Craig Brown and were in virtual daily contact regarding corrections of my first campaign letter. During those two weeks I came to respect Craig , for his rationality and impartiality, and 1 still believe that he has done an excellent job as Elections Board chairman. In the DTH endorsement of Diane Schafer. Craig said, "I don't think... the second Wirwicz campaign letter was done in good faith." I do not understand how he could make such a statement. He and I went over the letter sentence-by-sentence several times and spent about four hours discussing the corrections that we both realized had to be made, trying to insure that such mistakes were not repeated. I believe the fact that I immediately suspended circulation of the first letter when the misstatements were shown to me, the fact that I attended voluntarily a meeting of the Elections Board, and the hours that 1 spent with him correcting the letter tend to disprove Craig's contention that the second letter was not done in good faith and his implication that I somehow acted suspiciously and immorally throughout the campaign. Additionally. Craig said in the DTH endorsement that while I admitted at a meeting of the Elections Board that there were misstatements in my first letter, "...you didn't see that admission in his second letter." 1 take issue with that statement and quote from my second campaign letter: "My first campaign letter contained some misstatements about Diane Schafer's CGC record, misstatements that have been corrected in this new letter." Such an "admission" is as clear and as direct as I know how to make a statement, and I regret that Craig "didn't see that in the second clarifying the above statements, I want to thank all those persons who The New Frontier orange-picking By JOEL CHERNOFF I received a letter from my friend Rags a couple of weeks ago which 1 have been negligent in reporting. He's still at Cape Canaveral trying to become the first person to go to Mars. The letter reads as follows: "Dear Joel, "Greetings from chilly Florida, home of the frozen orange. I am undergoing basic training and am surviving despite my age. However, I am having problems relating to the other recruits. We just can't get our heads together. Like I started cheering when Jimmy-boy pardoned the draft evaders, and we got into this heavy rap about patriotism. Some of the minds here are so narrow. . . "1 must take some of the blame, though. Like when 1 started a 'Ho Chi Minn' chant when we talked about that fascist Ky. "Some of the guys here are decent. 1 met Billy Joe MacKenzie, an Alabaman, while watching Star Trek reruns. He and 1 get together and play music Billy Joe on his banjo and me on the bagpipes. "Also getting hassled by the brass. They don't understand how I got accepted. After all, why would NASA want a 43-year old freak? Colonel Sutton is trying to get rid of me. For example, he said that only faggots play bagpipes. So 1 said what's wrong with faggots? "If I ever have my doubts about remaining at NASA, it's when we have drill. I find myself seriously considering hitching to Anchorage to start an orange grove. Want to come? "Got to run. Rags." I have been entertaining Rags's semi facetious closing suggestion more and more often since I received his letter. Let's face it: school is a drag. I mean, what the hell am I doing here? When I spend my time in class paying more attention to the purr of the ventilation system than to a professor's drone, I begin to wonder if I'm wasting my money. Do I really need to spend $4,000 plus per year to "discover" myself? Can't I do the same thing in Greenwich Village or Saginaw, Michigan or Anchorage? And get paid for it? . Am I advancing myself towards any clearcut goals? None that I know about. After all, I'm not going to law school. What about prophecy? Prophecy, I've realized, is something that happens and can't be forced out or instilled. I can no more expect to train myself to be a prophet than a garbage disposal. supported my candidacy and my efforts to improve the quality of representation for Granville residents. As a result of these elections, I believe that our elected CGC representative will be more attentive to our desires and will consult us before casting votes on controversial issues. If such changes occur as 1 believe they will, then every moment and every dollar spent during the campaign will have been wisely and profitably expended Thanks. Brian Wirwiqz 1301 Granville West" Ripe sculpture To the editor: In regard to Mr. Guggenheim's letter (March 3), I am the "anonymous artist" who hung "Dinner Bag I" in the recent undergraduate exhibtion. I protest: 1 was not anonymous. My piece was tagged, with a title, my name, and "not for sale." I also object to the inference that 1 am "less pretentious and no doubt less intellectual." I am a highly pretentious and intellectual artist. What could be more pretentious than commenting on aesthetic issues about which I have little experience by hanging the remains of my lunch in an art exhibit? Perhaps hanging my thoughts in a newspaper. Although my sculpture was in good taste at the time I created it, it is now undoubtedly quite ripe. Paul D. Brown 23 Valley Park Drive Letters don't make valid art To the editor: ' The author Tom Robbins observed that Norman Rockwell ruined bare canvas by covering it with his sentimental notions. Recent letters concerning the burned sculpture likewise- go against blank newsprint. Must visual art these days have pages and pages of attached explanation to make it valid art? Rodney A. Craven 4216 Garrett Drive Durham, N.C. Use those walks To the editor: As many of the students, faculty and staff hjave by now noticed, spring break was a busy time for the University groundsmen. They worked hard to prepare the campus for the planting of grass seed. Of course, the seed will encounter many difficulties: flocks of ravenous birds and excessive rain, just to name two. The efforts of our diligent groundsmen will be in vain for sure, however, unless everyone stops walking on the grass. UNC has plenty of brick walks too many, in fact. Use them. Take that extra step. Let's make an effort to keep our campus one of the prettiest in the country. Maury York " - 405 Coolidge St. Art, Ayn Rand style To the editor: I have been reading over the recent After much thought (the timespan of eating three Sugar Daddys), I couldn't come up with any reasons why I should stay in school. Rather than rely upon my subjective analysis, however, I decided to consult my advisor. Dr. Bludman. Dr. Bludman was very understanding. "1 am very understanding," said Dr. Bludman. "Do you remember that girl who wanted to be a prophet but was discouraged when I recalled the fate of Joan of Arc? Well, she has since dropped out of school, married, converted to Catholicism and is very happily pregnant." "I don't think that that's the answer for me. Dr. Bludman." "No, I suppose not. You would make a lousy Catholic," he chuckled. "That's a joke." He continued, "I think that you should remain in school, Joel." "Why?" Thcgood doctor was perplexed. "Well, for one thing, what else are you going to do?" It was my turn to be perplexed. "I don't know." Dr. Bludman suddenly had a good idea. wrangling about what art is, and am reminded of a similar controversy which began twenty years ago. In March 1957, Ayn Rand finished writing Atlas Shrugged. Published later in that same year, it received almost unanimously scathing reviews. Today, there are those who do not yet recognize it as a work of art. There is adifference.however, between the two situations. Atlas Shrugged is still around, whereas. I am willing to bet, the "ashes" will soon be forgotten and turn to dust. And there is a reason for this, which goes beyond a bout of irrational drunkenness. In 1957, for all the critics could foretell. At lax Shrugged would follow the same course, to be forgotten in a season. I was pleased to discover recently that Ayn Rand's works in paperback have sold 13 million copies. For those who are looking for greatness and are told that is impossible because it isn't statistically probable, for those who are looking for a different kind of art, based on thought and not bowel movements, for those who are looking for the reasons behind art Don't be left with the bill Editor's Note: This advice is prepared by Student Legal Services' which maintains an office in Suite C of the Carolina Union. All UNC students may obtain free legal advice at this office. Many student tenants in Chapel Hill are only slightly acquainted before they sign a lease together. Most apartments in the area require a joint lease which makes anyone who signs the lease liable to the landlord for the entire amount of the rent in the event a roomate skips out. If a roomate squabble occurs, and both roommates have signed the lease but one wrongfully departs, the landlord need not chase after the departing tenant. Instead, he may legally require that you, the remaining tenant, pay all the rent. Another typical student situation occurs each summer in Chapel Hill. The student tenant wants to leave for a three month vacation and moves a friend in the apartment. Some leases allow this subletting arrangement but others forbid it. Student tenants should know that they remain liable to the landlord for any rent or damages done by the sub-tenant, and that often such an arrangement may give rise to an eviction action by the landlord. ADVICE FOR THE DAY: 1) Make arrangements with your roommate (preferably in writing) about any early departures from the lease, and 2) Know your sub-tenant and your lease. Do not sublet to someone who is irresponsible and make certain that your landlord approves of the arrangement. . "I have a good idea. Why don't you go to University Counseling and see what they say?" - Weighing my alternatives, I decided that Dr. Bludman's suggestion was a five pounder. Mrs. Mensch at the counseling center gave me a test booklet and answer sheet and 1 enthusiastically completed the form. "Come back in a week and we'll have you unscrambled," she said. A week later, I returned. "You realize, of course," Mrs. Mensch explained, "that this test correlates your preferences in performing tasks and leisure activities with the collective preferences of adults organized by their occupations. You had an extraordinarily high correlation with a few groups which indicates that you and people in these groups have many common interests." "Which groups?" "You scored highest with two groups: nuclear physicists and peanut farmers. Have you ever thought of entering either profession? Or both?" "No, this comes as a complete surprise." I vm UNH for 48 years and artists, 1 recommend to you Atlas rt 1 J A I" A snruggea ana yn iau. Martin Lee Wilkinson Finish disputed To the editor. In reply to Mark Carter, Hunter Davis, Hayes Holderness and Frank Jolley's letter of March 2, I would like to disclaim their assertion that Jim Connelly won the 50-yard backstroke event. I (having been personally involved in the outcome of this race) kept close track of all times turned in in this event and can say that my time was 27.3 seconds and the nearest competitor came in with a 27.6. If these gentlemen will check the scorer's sheet they will find the results to be as I have described them. While respect these gentlemen's attempt to correct the Tar Heel, I must ask that they be sure that the Tar Heel needs correcting first. Waller Blackwell 302 Winston in Alaska replied. "It does to many students," she said. "For example, we had a boy here last week whose interests correlated with those of plumbers' helpers." ' "Pardon me?" "Hardware store salesmen." "Are there any occupations which I should avoid?" "Absolutely. For instance, your interests are definitely disharmonious with politicians. You know, looking at the results, I wonder if you should be at Chapel Hill. Have you ever considered transferring to State?" I blanched. "Are there any other groups with which I have a high correlation?" "Yes, there is a third. Orange picker. I don't remember that one popping up before." I shook Mrs. Mensch's hand vigorously and thanked her for her assistance. Alaska or bust? Joel Chernoff is a junior history major from Great Neck, N.Y.
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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March 15, 1977, edition 1
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