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6The Daily Tar Heel Thursday. November 15 . 1984 Jl'FF HlUAY. I J,t..r Joil BroaI)way.,v(jv'i; Mf" Mark Stinniford. w i:Ju.,r Bi:n Pirkowski. a m. :r Ki:i.i.Y Simmons. Vntunuy Editor VANC 1-: TRF.FF.THEN. State and National Edttm Mfj anik Wells, aty Edttor Stuart Tonkinson. News Editor Frank Kennedy. Sports liditor Jeff Grove. Art i Editor Sharon Sheridan, Features Editor JEFF NEUVILLE. Photography Editor latlg READER MAIL Defeating the majority the new campus fad 92 nd year of editorial freedom So long election, hello deficit When stuck between a rock and a hard place, it simply becomes a question of priorities. The hard place, in this case, is the looming federal deficit; the rock is the recent campaign. President Reagan does not want to raise taxes that would go against his philosophy of less tax and less govern ment. Besides, he promised not to do it. But the president found out the other day that the deficit is worse than first thought and that gasp! economic growth alone won't solve the problem. So what's he going to do? That's where the priorities come in. After a meeting of Reagan's top economic and political advisers this week, the consensus seems to be he should seek deep domestic spending cuts. That consensus has more than a little to do with Reagan's determination not to propose a tax increase or "submit a budget that would cause us to acquiesce in a tax increase." Budget Director David Stockman reported in a Cabinet meeting Tuesday that the fiscal 1985 deficit, which in August the administration had said would be about $175 billion, will likely reach $210 billion partially because of the recent slowdown in the economy. Sources said Reagan was "taken aback" by the news and that a new sense of urgency has been aroused among the president's aides. Apparently, this atmosphere has persuaded the aides to favor drastic spending cuts, despite the likelihood Congress would reject them. But the administration has yet to come up with large enough cuts to offset the increases in defense and make any real dent in the deficit. So even if Congress did OK the cuts, the probability of a major effect on the deficit is still low. Chances are the administration, which has just begun to struggle with the next budget, will go ahead and push for the cuts probably to come in school aid, nutrition programs, health care and several other areas knowing full well they won't get what they want. Then Reagan can blame Congress for the deficit, and even rationalize a tax increase with a sort of "devil made me do it" justification. But that isn't too likely, given Rea gan's commitment to reducing the size of government, coupled with his "man date" from the people. It comes down to a fight between Reagan and his opposition in Congress, and the outcome doesn't look promising. Reagan will oppose tax increases, Congress will oppose deep spending cuts and the deficit will continue on its less-than-merry way. Yet given the latest deficit news, we hope the realization that economic growth isn't an endall solution will sink in and inspire a compromise one leaning toward real solutions and away from government paralysis. To the editor: Seven months ago I served my first day on the Campus Governing Council. That day was the infamous budget appropriations meeting, a day-long affair. On that day 1 learned what breaking quorum meant, since it occurred during that meeting. Since that day, I have seen several similar events in other organizations. As an example, the editor of a local newspaper gathered all his editors and had them vote on the paper's "endorsement" in the presidential election. After the vote came in 9 to 6 in favor of Ronald Reagan, this editor "decided (he) couldn't stomach the (endorse ment)." The offended editor, acting "like the Three Stooges times (a third)," decided it was his paper. So he ran off and, despite the clear majority, had the paper "endorse" the minority of the editors' opinions. Thus, I learned of ways to defeat the majority on special issues by following the examples set by other prominent campus figures. The Nicaragua bill is a very special issue. When the CGC issues a resolution, they are speaking for the entire student body. I personally know of many students who disap prove of this bill. I tried to break quorum not simply because I dis approved of the bill, but because I thought we should not even be voting on it. The CGC needs to retain the respect of the students. If the CGC goes off addressing world affairs and issuing resolutions our students don't agree with, how can it expect the students or admin istration to listen to it? How closely will they listen when the CGC addresses issues it was elected to decide on namely, campus issues? Leave the international editorials to the back page of the DTH. In the words of one college newspaper editor, "For the reasons stated in the editorial above, I, as (a representative) responsible for the OK, RONNIE, QHCZ M0R5, BUT 7HI5 TIME mHFSBUNd. overall content of the (CGC's legislation), (could) not in con science permit the (CGC) to endorse (the Nicaragua bill). And so, I have attached my name to (District 17's) view." John Nicholson CGC Representative District 17 P.S.: Thanks to Jeff Hiday for all the quotes. Having a big beef with sausage ingredients If not divorce, separation? It used to be, not long ago, that a walk through the offices of The Daily Tar Heel was like a walk through the smoky murkiness of an opium den. Not because of on-going drug-induced activities, mind you, but because a significant handful of editors here just couldn't bring themselves to type or edit copy without benefit of a cigarette. Now they are gone, and those of us who are left are of a more pious, smokeless inclination. We might miss making occasional fun of our smokes tack friends, but it is their absence that allows us, in good conscience, to take up the crusade against smoking. (Actually, one former DTH associate editor, known for generating great clouds of smoke as he composed at the typewriter, called us recently from the newspaper where he works in Florida. We couldn't resist asking how many smokes he'd consumed in the course of the 10-minute conversation, and were impressed when he answered "Two," a considerable improvement over what we remembered.) Today is the day to stop even if only for 24 hours. The Great American Smokeout, as with every third Thursday of November for the past seven years, began this morning at 12:01 and con tinues until midnight tonight. The event is sponsored by the American Cancer A Great American our Society, which reckons that as many as a third of the nation's 55 million smokers will try not to smoke today. Of those, past Cancer Society studies show, as many as five million will successfully abstain all day, and perhaps half of those will manage to put away their cigarettes and lighters for an additional day or two. Hotline numbers abound if tobacco titillation starts to get the better of you. Today, call the Cancer Society at 1-900-210-KWIT for encouragement or tips on how to quit. And if you're interested in additional help, call the Cancer Society here in Orange County, at 942-1953, for information about the quit-smoking program "FreshStart," which begins the Monday after Thanksgiving Break. Through careful hiring (just kidding, now), we've all but eliminated nicotine in the office. Even the sports nuts keep their chaws at home. But, alas, we realize that we reside in an ivory tower, so all we ask is that you put away the cigarettes for a day. Who knows, you might discover more tasty diversions. The Bottom Line Apparently not satisfied with wonders such as the New Jersey Turnpike, chemical factories, Brendan Byrne Arena, Hoboken and the Boss, the Garden State has its eye on an attraction that could crown its reputation as a tourist mecca. New Jersey wants the Statue of Liberty. No, it doesn't want to move the Lady. It just wants to redraw boundary lines to suit the state, taking a cue from Democratic legislators. Jersey City Mayor Gerald McCann says a tourist can stand on the New Jersey shore and see the statue, so it's only fair that Liberty Island be a part of the state. He's also hoping to claim Ellis Island, fabled docking point for European immigrants. If you see it, it's yours an attitude much like that taken by the Germans toward Belgium in two world wars. McCann and New Jersey Democratic Rep. Frank Guarina are among those who have filed suit to have a federal judge declare that Liberty Island and Ellis Island are part of New Jersey. It's more than just a matter of pride; New York collects $50,000 annually in state and city taxes from the islands, and the amount is expected to increase when the Statue of Liberty's renovation is completed in 1986. "I would like to see it so that by 1986, the statue's 100th anniversary, the rest of the country and the world knows that the Statue of Liberty is New Jersey." Makes sense. Jersey has already got the Giants, the Jets and the Cosmos. First it was Susan B. Anthony . . . Things aren't very merry in Merry Olde England. It has nothing to do with the Falklands, though. And U.K. import Wham is No. 1 here in the States with "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go." So what could be going wrong? They're trying to trash the pound note. The pound note. As British as teatime. Or the changing of the guard. Or Liverpool. (Ah, Liverpool . . .) Certain sticky-wickets, it seems, want to replace the note with a coin come January. Chancellor of the Exchequer Nigel Lawson, a stuffed shirt in London circles, said use of the durable coins would save the treasury an estimated $3.75 million annually in printing and replacement costs. The Iron Lady herself, Margaret Thatcher, has stood up to Parliamentary attacks against the "horrid little button," as Sir Brandon Rhys termed it. For shame, Maggie! Listen to your people. What's a few dollars more so long as they're happy? The pound note is a tradition; every loyal Briton keeps the Queen's picture in their wallet. A battle royal appears likely to ensue. In the words of Conservative parliamentarian Peter Bruindels: "We shall battle on until we have convinced the chancellor of the error of his ways in promoting this univer sally detested coin." Sleep well, Maggie. And that's the bottom line. To the editor: Here's some food for thought: The readers of this paper have had the formidable task of digesting unsavory topics in the past. Begging their indulgence, I feel I must voice my concern over an issue that often goes unnoticed at this liberal arts college. Having viewed the Movie Chan nel's epic production Motel Hell, I was astonished to learn the tech nique used for the making of sausage. I have always enjoyed the smoke-flavored taste of sausage, but I attributed its appeal to secret herbs and spices. Imagine my shock when I realized what really goes into sausage. Surely I could not have been misled this easily. Doesn't the FDA have standards in pork production? OK, I cannot plead complete ignorance. I realized that preserva tives are commonly used by the major pork manufacturers. In the competitive sausage industry, it seems necessary to cut corners in turning out an affordable product. Still, it must be a breach of the public trust when, as the movie unequivocally states, pork produc ers willingly supplement their saus age with human additives. I can think of no other industry where this could take place. It seems illogical that human lives would be sacrificed in the procurement of quality sausage. But when one remembers succulent morning sausage, the whole process seems worth it. Now I am not saying that this flagrant abuse of human life is acceptable. That is the point of the movie. I am just saying that I like the taste of sausage too much to give it up. Maybe there is something wrong with me. I have thought of taking a Bioethics class in the future, but I undoubtedly will stop by Hardees first for my sausage and egg biscuit. Bernie Wolfe Chapel Hill Is Elton not good enough for 'DTH? To the editor: For those who didn't get tickets to Elton John's concert last Friday, he put on a great show as generous and energetic as any of his fans could have asked for. Just ask anyone who attended. His voice was clear and steady, despite a recent bout with the flu, and his piano playing was nearly flawless. Elton played a good cross-section of his works, including old classics such as "Candle in the Wind," an extended and physically energetic version of "Bennie and the Jets," new hits like "Sad Songs," and a frenzied encore performance of "Saturday Night's All Right for Fighting." Unfortunately, DTH readers saw not one word concerning the show, one of Elton's last on his final major American tour. The DTH chose instead to review a concert by Judy Collins in Greensboro the same night. Honestly, guys, who is more relevant to the college community Judy Collins or Elton John, the flayboyant superstar whose seem ingly endless string of chart hits, seven consecutive number one albums, and record-breaking con cert tours made him the most popular recording artist of the 70s? After asking around for awhile, I found only three people who had even heard of Judy Collins none of whom attended her concert on Friday. I'm sure there were many Carolina students at the Elton John show. I can personally think of about 15 people that went, including DTH photography editor Jeff Neu ville. If Jeff went and took pictures, presumably for the DTH, why wasn't there a review of the show? My purpose here is not to belittle Judy Collins or her contribution to popular music, nor is my point that her concert didn't merit coverage in the D TH. Judging from Jeff Grove's review ("Judy Collins brings magic to Greensboro," Nov. 12), it was a great show, especially for all the Judy Collins groupies who must have attended. I just don't see how the DTH can give Judy the better part of a page and not give Elton a single line. Phil Ponder Graham What's so funny about my hometown? To the editor: I am sick and tired of people using my home town in their witty remarks, just because it seems small and insignificant. Fuquay-Varina is a great little town and should not be used as a "catch-all" for jokes. I have lived there all my life and IVe always had to listen to people from other towns make fun of us. Peter D. Weiss says, "They (the pit preachers) should pack their bags and move to Fuquay-Varina and give our ears a rest." What about the ears of Fuquay-Varina? Do people make fun of us because of our name? If so, what kind of a name is Weiss anyway? If Weiss wants a place to send these loud mouth preachers then why not consider that cow-infested campus in west Raleigh, and leave Fuquay Varina alone for a change! Gary Davis Hinton James Enough Jed! To the editor: I suggest that the DTH refrain from printing anymore copies of the now-famous photograph of the students and the "Reverend Jed" as it could be very damaging to the image of the University. In fact, the picture makes the entire student body look like a bunch of morons. It certainly must have been fun for a group of freshmen to get their pictures in the paper. But can you imagine the reaction of a member of the Legislature who is just about to vote on an appropriations bill, or an alumnus who has just been asked to donate to the Student Activities Center, who is con fronted by that picture? Not everyone has been exposed to the reverend, so the photograph could be seriously misinterpreted. I personally found the Reve rend very funny, much funnier than most of the sitcoms on television. How about getting him to do a spot on Village Cable? Robert Andrews Carrboro Vets deserve understanding, not blame By PEGGY GREGSON I cannot speak for most Americans, but I can speak for myself concerning Veterans' Day. Prior to the summer of 1984, I saw Veterans' Day as just another insignificant day off from school or work. Since this past June, I have become informed. I have had the special experience of meeting a man, a former Green Beret, who volunteered for three tours in 'Nam. Because so many other young Americans were sacrificing their lives, he thought he was doing the right thing fighting communism, the bad guy, gook or Charlie. Whatever the name, it was the same "evil" that men were encouraged to fight. This Green Beret at 18 was not a warmonger he had never even owned or fired a gun. He was just a nice guy brought up in a nice Irish Catholic family. The war stories he has shared with me could fill several volumes, but my point is not to share horror stories but to present the problem of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (otherwise known as PTSD) which affects many of the men who returned after fighting in Vietnam. This disorder covers such symptoms as flashbacks, survival guilt, drug and alcohol addiction, isolation, lack of friends, depression, rage and anger, and many other symptoms that signify that although the vet has left 'Nam, he has never really "come home". The other symptoms include "conditioned responses from the field" for example, this former soldier and I went to an amusement park, and as we talked, someone threw a firecracker. I looked down to see my friend crouching near the ground with eyes closed and face perspiring. The firecracker sounded like a gunshot and he had assumed the defense position learned in the military. The message is simple PTSD is a delayed response to the phychological stress of Vietnam, the remedy is not. Try to imagine the following situation: you are 17 or 18 years old and Mom signed so you could serve your country (or maybe you just wanted out of the house). You go from civilization with all its comforts of water, lights, electricity and clean sheets, to the jungle with leeches and malaria and the Viet Cong. You end up sleeping in the mud, blood, dirt, and the guts of your buddies. Then you go back to the "real world", have to make the transition from the life of M-16s to the life of McDonald's and within a short time are expected to adjust to asking, "May I have a Big Mac, please?" Insanity? No, just reality. For the Vietnam vet, existence has been interrupted by a conflict that most of us have probably never experienced; that of life and ft fv J i 1 S. 131 a CLt? A I ! I .UM JW II .! L H I cLPt -if QrXTlN(;zr 1 K-J IV ! o 4 -Is 1 TOillTMA, i i I ' U IV' 07 1 death. Finally, when the vet came home, he was taced with and confused by the open hostility of the American public. He was alienated by the very people who represented his last hope for help and support. With these circumstances, it is hard to imagine anyone returning unscathed from Vietnam. The Veterans Administration in recent years has studied, defined, and is continuing research on PTSD. The transition for the vet is a move towards a more positive direction back into Amerijn society. Remember that as an Amer ican yc. can help not by making judgments, but by becoming informed and finding out why the war was such a waste. If this bothers you in any way, then keep in mind two stories my friend told me. "I heard my buddy yell 'INCOMING!' and I turned my head in the direction of his voice. Half his head has been blown away and his brains are spilling out." Remember vets experience guilt from not only survival, but of decision making. "Jt was myself and 7 other guys, the NVA were on our trail we lost them and ducked inside a house. This 15 year old girl started screaming. I stuck a gun to her head and threatened to kill her to get her to shut up. But I was afraid that the family or the girl wouldn't understand that the enemy was close, or afraid that this family was NVA sympathizers, so I cut her finger off." Instead of trying to find fault, look and search for forgiveness. Forgive America for sending troops to Vietnam. Forgive America for turning her back on the boys who fought. Forgive America for making victims out of children and for forcing young boys to turn into old men. The blame no longer rests on the shoulder of the Vietnam vet. Blame is no longer the issue understanding is. The next time you meet a vet, listen and learn. Remember that he is a victim who needs to heal. With love, we can forgive. As that Green Beret once told me "You never forget, you never want to forget." Peggy Gregson, a graduate student in Public Health-Nutrition, is from Kenvil, N.J..
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Nov. 15, 1984, edition 1
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