S Tha Daily Tar Haa! Friday rworribar 8. 197ft
letters to the editor
Lou Bilionis, Editor
Chuck Alston, Managing Editor
Don Woodard, Associate Editor
David McKinnon, Associate Editor .
Hfrnie Ra'nsbottom. University Editor
Mary Anne Rhyne, City Editor
Michael Wade, State and National Editor
Richard Barron. News Editor
Betsy Flagler, Features Editor
Mark Scandling, Arts Editor
Lee Pace, Sports Editor
Cilly Newman, Photography Editor
Hatly
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67i VeO- of editorial freedoni
An alarming tendency
TTze rigfcf of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers,
and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be
violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause,
supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place
to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution
Although the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on Tuesday was of an
apparently minor nature removing from passengers of automobiles
the right to challenge the admission of evidence against them which was
obtained in an illegal search it does highlight an alarming tendency of
the court's recent decisions.
In and of itself, the ruling could have a dramatic and unfortunate
effect on day-to-day enforcement of the law across the country. As
Associate Justice Byron White noted in an extremely stern dissenting
opinion for himself and three of his colleagues, Justices William J;
Brennan Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and John Paul Stevens, "Insofar as
the court's rationale is concerned, no passenger in an automobile,
without an ownership or possessory interest and regardless of his
relationship to the owner, may claim Fourth Amendment protection
against illegal stops and searches of the automobile in which he is
rightfully press at."
Woiui 0.;vit.na id enforcement officials have indicated that until
state Attorney General Rufus Edmisten outlines the practical effect of
the ruling on state law enforcement policy, the decision will have no
effect on arrest and search procedures in the state. But whenthat ruling
does come, its implications for passengers in cars could be tremendous.
As Justice White pointed out in dissent, "Insofar as passengers are
concerned, the court's opinion today declares an open season on
automobiles."
Tuesday's decision, though, is only a part of a much broader tendency
in the current court to discount personal freedoms, especially in criminal
proceedings, in favor . of the interests of police and other law
enforcement agencies. Those freedoms were only advanced to
individuals in state proceedings in this century, after much effort by
progressive jurists and a great deal of victimization of individuals at the
hands of the law; and it is unfortunate both for individual freedoms and
for the consistency of constitutional interpretation that these freedoms
are being eroded by the present court, and especially the rather
anomalous Nixon appointees.
Certainly this tendency was in evidence on Tuesday, when the five
justices decided to limit the scope of the 1960 ruling, Jones v. U.S.,
which for the first time extended the right of challenge to "anyone
legitimately on the premises where a search occurs." The inconsistency
represented by this decision was pointed up by Justice White in dissent
when he said, "If the Court is troubled by the practical impact of the
exclusionary rule, it should face the issue of that rule's continued
validity squarely instead of distorting other doctrines in an attempt to
reach what are perceived as the correct results in specific cases."
But ironically (and unfortunately), this regression in the court's
philosophy will probably be with us for some time to come, if only
because of the Court's tradition of consistent interpretation to which the
recent decision does violence.
To the editor:
(This is an open letter to the faculty and
administrators at UNC-CH.)
I fail to understand the reason for the
silence that has suddenly fallen on this
campus. Dean Hayden B. Renwick has
given strong and supported evidence of
the obvious racism that is being displayed
in the admissions office concerning
minorities and none of you has uttered a
response! It is indeed shocking to observe
the fear that our instructors evidently
feel. Are you so enthralled with your own
busy lives until none of you, either
singularly or collectively can support
Dean Renwick's efforts? 1 understand
how many of you wanted to wait for the
University to express its opinions;
however, as you can see, the University
insists on shirking the issues, saying only
enough to calm student dissension. I "
guess they knew, far better than the
students, that the faculty and fellow
administrators would pay no heed to the
issue.
Are your jobs so important that you're
willing to see a gross injustice prevail?
This question applies to only a few staff
members; those that are tenured are
really nauseous! You do not have to
worry about your jobs. Why have you not
spoken up? If you think this issue does
not concern you, then your degrees
represent only your book sense and
exclude any common sense you might
possess! I am sure many of you will want
your children to go to "liberal"
universities similar to UNC. Or do you
plan to send them away to schools which
are not as discriminatory in their
admissions policy? 1 hate to burst your
dream bubbles, but "One bad apple can
,poiUhe whole bunch." In other words,
other universities do exist which feel
they do not have to accept qualified
students, either; even 'though they
continue to admit less-qualified students,
both black and white. Yet, how will you
know which schools these are unless a
Dean Renwick also exists on these
campuses. Another thing you might
consider is this: Just what kind of
employer are you working for? UNC has
publicly announced that it is committed
to increasing black enrollment. Dean
Renwick has proved that this is not true;
yet, you, the employees, are willing to let
this be excused. It reminds me a lot of
Watergate. As you are demonstrating,
faculty and administrators, in a position
to demand an explanation and a
correction of this injustice, would rather
be puppets for the U niversity. covering
up such an important issue at the expense
of the students.
If any of you feels you need more
information, I'm sure Dean Renwick
could provide you with many interesting
facts. Yet, only a few have even taken the
time to talk with Dean Renwick about
this matter. Most of you have taken the
f other extreme; that is. Dean Renwick is
the "black plague" and you are obsessed
with the idea of having nothing at all to
do with him. Have you noticed lately that
Pean Renwick is not invited to the social
affairs given for administrators and
faculty members? This subtlety is very
surprising from you "professionals."
Just for the record. Dean Renwick still
works in South Building in the College of
Arts and Sciences as an assistant dean.
Dean Renwick, you have inspired one
student by your actions. 1 am quite
grateful that you stood up for students
like myself. It is very heart-warming to
know that someone will confront the
University when it is wrong. I would like
to recognize and commend your efforts.
Lip service is free! Action is needed and
it takes strong leaders to go against the
system in support of students, the
constituents who greatly contribute to the
functioning of that system. Dean
Renwick is one such leader. I wonder if
other administrators or faculty members
are "qualified" for this leadership
position, or are you just an extension of
the University's other 17 mistakes!
Roz Fuse
220 James
Mickey Mouse? .
To the editor:
To Diane Spaugh in response to her
letter to the DTH ("Military's equality
misleading," Dec. 6):
I can't believe anyone can be so blind
and narrow-minded as to believe what
you do about the military. "Mickey
Mouse" jobs for the women? The women
officers in the service today have more
benefits and responsibilities (and
pressures resulting from what they have
to be capable of handling) than you will
ever possibly have. They are not pouring
the coffee or shining the floors for
anyone. . Sure, there are "Shitty Little
Jobs" to be performed, but as any seaman
who has swabbed decks, chipped paint,
and cleaned latrines will attest, these
SLJs are not solely a woman's burden.
True, almost 100 percent of those who
died fighting for this country were men
with their "better" jobs, while women
"stayed behind" doing such 'Mickey
Mouse chores as saving lives in hospitals,
coordinating the massive movement of
supplies so those troops could fight, or
collecting intelligence so we could know
what was going on. (Meanwhile women
back home planted gardens and cleaned
house. True, there are no women in
combat duty now, but maybe one day
that will change. If it does, won't you join
us chauvinist pigs up front? Shells and
missiles don't discriminate.
Your really foolish statements
concerned "government-paid
prostitutes," "teaching the art of murder"
and "torture of basic training." It's true,
that drill instructors are not nice. They
don't pin your diapers on for you and
they don't tuck you in at night with a
goodnight kiss. The men and women
coming out of basic training and heading
into service may one day be actually
fighting a war, honey, and if they can't
handle the pressures of boot camp they
will never handle the pressures of battle.
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Fighting a war is a teamwork affair. If
one person screws up or breaks down
crying for mamma, he endangers the lives
of those around him.
No one is teaching anybody how to
murder. You told us how many girls were
in JROTC, now why don't you write back
and tell us how many of those girls
committed murder? Nowhere in the
civilian commurrity is weapon safety,
respect, and difficulty of access greater
than it is in the military.
As to your mentioning and believing
reports stating military women are
prostitutes I'm at a loss for words. I will
say this that statement you made really
shows low class and probably speaks
more against the validity of your beliefs
than anything I could say.
Finally, for the information of you
' readers yes, recruiters will usually
emphasize the advantages of military
' service and some may even tell a liel But
Diane won't slant the story any, will she?
Who could believe reports that military
women are prostitutes and murderers are
anything but true? Those of you who
might be considering joining the service
would be wise to talk to officers and
enlisted men, those that enjoyed the
service and those that didn't, to obtain a
realistic picture. The military is suited to
some people and not suited to others,
imposing sacrifices as well as providing
rewards. So check it out yourself, if you
are interested. You don't need to see
Chief Giles, you don't need to see me, and
you definitely don't need to see Diane
Spaugh, because she doesn't know what
she's talking about. w ,
Greg Huskey
508 Morrison
Solar sins
To the editor:
Re: Dave Parker's letter ("Conspiracy
afoot to hide solar dangers," DTH, Dec.
7): Good try Dave. You almost succeeded
in discrediting the only energy source that
can save this country from its sins: Jesse
Helms, Red Man chewing tobacco, etc.
However, if you knew your rear from a
hole in the ground, you would realize that
nobody wants to live on Venus or
Mercury because they are gaseous and
there is no sex there. That doesn't explain
why people go to law school, but that's
beside the point. Repent.
John Barrett
Law school
JPioueer 1 reaches Wemu$ mew fedem urged
The Week
By JO A N BRA FFORD
Spain, South Africa and Venezuela held
elections this week. In Spain, the election was
for a new constitution that would guarantee
democratic rights under parliamentary
monarchy. The first returns showed 85
percent of the voters favored the new
constitution.
The new constitution, Spain's eighth since
its first in 1812, is the first to be put up for
public ratification. Previously, kings, non
elected parliament or dictators mandated
them. The new document would allow the
king to continue as chief of state and head of
the armed Torces, but it would no longer
allow him to appoint premiers.
In South Africa, voters will elect a
constituent assembly to write a constitution.
This is the first election the black majority has
been involved in. Black voters ignored calls
for a boycott, terrorist bombings and border
attacks to cast their ballots.
Halfway through the week of constituent
assembly voting, about half of the 416,000
registered black and white voters had voted.
In Venezuela's presidential election, Luis
Herrera Campins of the Social Christian
Party defeated the candidate of the ruling
Democratic Action Party, Luis Pinerua
Ordaz. Of 6 million votes case, Herrera won
by 200,000.
Pioneer Venus I entered its oval-shaped
orbit around Venus at 7:56 a.m. Pacific
Standard Time Monday. At 8:16, it was
slowed by rockets to 29,650 mph.
NASA estimates that each orbit of the
planet will take 23 hours and 1 1 minutes. The
spacecraft will travel 240 miles above the
surface of Venus.
The purpose of the $225 million mission is
to chart the planet's surface in an effort to
determine the origins of the Earth's climate
and environment. The geologic structure of
Earth and Venus is similar, but the
atmosphere of Venus is suspected to be
almost totally carbon dioxide. Little water is
on Venus. The climate of both Venus and
Earth is controled by clouds, but there are
fewer local weather variations on Venus than
on Earth. . .
"What we are doing is giving the Venusian
climate a complete physical," Verner Suomi
of the University of Wisconsin said.
The attorney representing former San
Francisco city Supervisor Dan White,
charged with the murder of San Francisco
Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor
Harvey Milk, was granted a week's delay in
White's trial. The attorney, Douglas
Schmidt, told Municipal Court Judge R. J.
Reynolds that he was "without sufficient
information" to proceed.
White, 32, charged with two counts of first
degree murder "with special circumstances,"
could be sentenced to death in the gas
chamber if convicted.
Dianne Feistein, the first female mayor of
San Fancisco, was elected by the Board of
Supervisors to complete the 13 months left in
the term of Moscone.
Feinstein, the only nominee for the office,
was chosen 6-2 by the Board of Supervisors.
As mayor she will be responsible for 27,000
city workers and a $1 billion municipal
empire. Her salary is $55,596 annually.
Feinstein received a "routine, good-luck,
God-bless-you" call Tuesday from someone
who identified himself as President Carter. "I
don't think that was Jimmy .Carter," the
mayor said. She had met Carter and she said
the caller's accent sounded "a little stiff."
Soon after the first call, the real White
House did call to congratulate San
Francisco's new mayor. The call was from
Carter aide Jack Watson, who represented
Carter at the funerals of Moscone and Milk.
NBC's Saturday Night Live aired a skit
satirizing San Franciscans mourning the
assassinations of Moscone and Milk as a part
of its "Weekend U pdate" segment. They used
newsreel footage of masses of Chinese
soldiers, some identified as "dominant" San
Francisco homosexuals- and some as
"submissive" homosexuals, all in mourning.
NBC apologized to offended viewers after
local stations received complaints. Its
apology, issued Monday, read, "We regret
that anyone found the 'Weekend Update'
offensive or insensitive. That was certainly
not the intention of the piece. We apologize
to any viewers who were offended."
we can cope with in the manner they deserve,'
Burger wrote.
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Attacks on truckers in several states have
occured during a shutdown by the Fraternal
Association of Steel Haulers, which began
Nov. 11 to advertise demands for bargaining
independence, for higher rates and for unified
trucking regulations. Association
chairperson William J. Hill said FASH is not
behind the violence that has flared on the
highways in several states since the shutdown
began. Hill said the shutdown is 75 percent
effective. The steel and trucking industries
dispute his assessment.
Hill has not been successful in his attempts
to negotiate on behalf of independent steel
haulers with representatives of the federal
government and the Teamsters Union. Steel
producers report a slowdown in shipments at
some mills as a result of a truck shortage.
There have been no layoffs or production
cutbacks.
"They're falling from the sky like
raindrops," said L.P. Shearer, aviation safety
officer for the Federal Aviation Agency in
Columbia, S.C.
A singe 1-engine plane crashed on takeoff at
Union, S.C. early Tuesday morning. It was
the sixth South Carolina airplane crash in six
days. The crash was fatal to the pilot. Tray
Shelton of Union, the 10th victim of airplane
crashes in this period.
Three members of the Supreme Court
urged Congress to create a new federal
courta national court of appeals to help
with the Supreme Court's ever-growing
workload. Chief Justice Warren E. Burger
and Justices Byron R. White and Harry A.
Blackmun supported the formation of the
new court.
An act of Congress is needed to establish a
new federal court. The proposed national
court of appeals would have seven judges.
The Supreme Court could refer any case
within its appellate jurisdiction to the
. national court for cither a ruling on the merits
or a determination as to whether the appeals
court should review it.
"It is not a healthy situation when cases
deserving authoritative resolution must
remain unresolved because we are currently
accepting more cases for plenary view than
This is the latest joke making the rounds in
Cairo:
President Carter meets Israel's Prime
Minister Begin in Jerusalem. They goto pray
at the Wailing Wall.
Carter: Oh God, guide the Arabs and
Israelis to a permanent peace.
Begin: Amen.
Carter: Oh God, guide the Egyptians and
Israelis to real peace and coexistence, with
open borders and trade.
- Begin: Amen.
Carter: Oh God, guide the Israelis to
relinquish to the Arabs all the territory seized
since the 1967 Middle East War.
Begin: Ahem. Mind you, Mr. President,
you're only talking to a wall.
Another Egyptian joke, told in whispers,
reflects the uneasy relations between Egypt's
Moslem majority and the -influential
Christian minority. Sadat, the Moslem sheik
of the Al Azhar Mosque, and the Coptic
Christian pope are sailing in a boat on the
Nile.
In a moment of danger, the three men
decide one of them must jump overboard to
keep the boat afloat. Sadat, offers to jump.
The two holymen will not allow him to; they
say he must pursue peace. Sadat suggests that
he ask each of them a question. The one who
answers correctly can stay aboard. They
agree.
Sadat asks the sheik to name the country
that has I million martyrs.
"That's easy," the sheik says. "It's Algeria."
Algeria claims it lost a million people in its
war for independence from France.
"Excellent," Sadat says. Then he turns to
the pope and says, "Name the million
martyrs."
One joke from the Egyptian era of Nasser
had a bus passenger giving a deep, sad sigh.
Alarmed, a neighbor warned the sighing
man, "Stop, talking politics or I'm leaving."
Joan Br afford, an English education major
from Lexington, is a staff writer for the Daily
Tar Heel.