12The Daily Tar HeelFriday, April 15, 1988
Readers' For em
V6th ciir of editorial freedom
Ka 1 it i Pi t P.r Manaifiy Editor
Kartn Hi i i . U i I ' Utter
Matt Uivi ns. .i..,,, u,tl,r
KlMBFRLY EDENS. Vmterstty 11 Jit or
Sharon Ki-rschiu.i., xuc w Sutwnui vjitor
MIKE RERARDINO, Xr.f :.ifr
Kelly Rhodes. Arts Editor
MANDY SPENCE, Design Editor
I AN 1. 1 II S. idltnt
Jon Rim. .uuKinK Editor
Kaarin Tisi i . w u . Uitnr
Amy Hamii ion. . i. Editor
KRISTIN ( iARONI R. luturuti Editor
Wil l. LlNC.O. City Editor
LEIC.H ANN McDONALL), Features Editor
CATHY McHUGH. Omnibus Editor
DAVID MlNTON. Photography Editor
The super body president myth
The student body president isn't a
Superman. Its a shame the University
administration tends to treat him like
one.
The Chancellor Search Committee
had one student member: former
Student Body President Brian Bailey.
Another search committee, this one for
a new vice chancellor for business and
finance, also has one student member:
current Student Body President Kevin
Martin.
Since student body presidents are
elected by campus, it's reasonable to
expect them to represent student
concerns. But the make-up of the
search committees is a good example
of a disturbing tendency among the
University povvers-that-be to assume
that the student body president can
represent all student concerns in all
situations.
For instance, consider the role of
the student body president as an ex
officio member of the Board of
Trustees. When considering an issue,
the trustees can turn to Kevin Martin,
ask him what he thinks, listen to his
opinion and proceed. Later, if other
students happen to complain about a
decision, the board can say in all
honesty that student opinion was
solicited.
But one student's opinion some
times on an issue he has little knowl
edge of is not enough. If University
administrators want to demonstrate a
sincere commitment to student invol
vement, they must do more than place
the student body president on every
board or search committee.
There are other student organiza
tions, such as Student Congress, the
Graduate and Professional Students
Federat ion, the Black Student Move
ment and the Carolina Athletic Asso
ciation, which should be used as a
source for student representation.
Student Congress Speaker Neil
Riemann expressed student frustra
tion well when he said: "From the
congress' point of view, the change that
needs to happen is that the chancellor
has to listen to congress. Any time you
rely on one person, you get a very
constrained view of what the issues
are."
And many student leaders not
just Riemann have expressed a
desire to improve communication
between students and administrators.
Officials should take advantage of
such willingness to get involved in the
University's decision-making process.
While the student body president
can help student opinions to be heard,
only a Superman could be expected
to be an authority on all student issues.
And I haven't seen Kevin Martin
duck into Suite C, rip off his shirt and
display a big red "SBP" on his chest
lately. Have you? Jean Lutes
Look, you can see his lips moving
Just whose lap is President Reagan
sitting on today? The question is a
valid one to ask of the ventriloquist's
dummy who now holds the position
of chief executive of the United States.
According to a recent book, the
Reagan dummy was trotted out of his
trunk on several occasions to appear
on stage with former press secretary
Larry Speakes.
In "Speaking Out," Speakes
revealed that he had fabricated state
ments on his own initiative for release
to the press, improperly attributing
them to the president.
Only two specific incidents are
detailed in Speakes' book: one in 1983,
after the crash of KAL Flight 007, and
another in 1985 following the Geneva
Summit. Speakes passed off his own
comments and the comments of other
officials to the press as those of the
president. This was apparently an
effort to keep the president from
appearing uninformed or ill-prepared
in the eyes of the world community.
In the bright spotlight of global
attention, no one saw Speakes' lips
moving in the background. Reagan
was the perfect dummy. Did anyone
check to see if Speakes could drink
a glass of water during the Washington
Summit?
In Reagan's defense, the office of
president is extraordinarily complex.
Today's political environment requires
the president to be superhuman.
Ronald Reagan is not Superman, and
delegating authority becomes a neces
sary part of the job.
This is especially true in today's
atmosphere of constant media atten
tion, in which image has become the
only reality, style more important than
substance. Public officials are expected
to give flawless performances on a
daily basis. Such performances require
prompters presidential aides and
cabinet members are necessary to keep
up the act.
However, these prompters must
function solely as supporting actors.
When the understudies begin to take
center stage, unnoticed by the star and
the audience, the director has lost
control assuming he had it in the
first place.
The American people did not elect
Larry Speakes or Oliver North; yet
both of these men have written
unauthorized new scenes for "Presi
dent Teddy Ruxpin." The plot has
thickened unexpectedly.
The Reagan years are, thankfully,
drawing to a close. Soon it will be time
to choose a new star. Looking at the
current field of presidential aspirants,
it would be wise to consider who would
best stand on their own using their
aides, but not being controlled by
them.
Unless voters ask these questions,
they run the risk of becoming the real
dummies. Bill Yelverton
The Daily Tar Heel
Editorial Writers: Kelly Clark. Stuart Hathaway and Bill Yelverton.
Editorial Assistants: Laura Pearlman and Becky Riddick.
Assistant Managing Editors: Hannah Drum. Barbara l.inn, Felisa Neuringer, Laura Pearlman and Clay Thorp.
Assistant Design Editors: Teresa Kriegsman and Joe McCall.
Design Assistants: Ashley Campbell. Michelle Deal. Alissa Cirice, Shannon Gaddis and Laura Ross.
News: Jenny Cloninger and Justin McGuire, assistant university editors. Amy Winslow, assistant stale and national
editor. Laura DiG.ano, assistant city editor. Kari Barlow, Jeanna Baxter. Crystal Bell, Laura Bennett. James Benton
I ammy Blackard, Patnc.a Brown, Brenda Campbell, Lacy Churchill, Staci Cox, Robin Curtis. Jackie Douglas Carrie
Dove, Laura Francs, Enc Gnbbin, Amy Grubbs, William Hildebolt, Kyle Hudson. R.L. Ingle, Helen Jones Patrice
Jones Chris Landgraff, Barbara Linn, Laura Mayfield, Brian McCollum, Rebecca Nesbit, Helle Nielsen Susan
Udenk.rehen. Laura Peay, Beth Rhea, Mark Shaver, Christopher Sontchi, William Taggart and Amy Weisner Peter
l.ineberry, Lisa Poole and Juliellen Sarver, wire editors.
Sports: Patton McDowell. Jim Muse and Chris Spencer, assistant sports editors. James Surowiecki. senior writer
Kober I ) Arruda, C hns Chapman, Steve Giles, Dave Glenn, Dave Hall, Clav Hodges, Ginger Jonas, Brendan Mathews
Keith I arsons, Andy Podolsky and Langston Wert.
Features: Jo Lee Credle, Myrna Miller, Jim Mock, Corin Ortlam. Leigh Pressley, Carole Southern. Ellen Thornton
Linda van den Berg, Julie Woods and Holly Young.
Arts: James Burrus senior writer. Scott Cowen. Stephanie Dean. Kim Donehower, Fliabeth Ellen. David Hester
Julie Ulson and Michael Spirtas.
m SWF t hriS,'e Blm' Ham'ltHn' Janet Jarman- To"y Mansfield. Fliabeth Morrah. Jell Shuler and
Cop, Editors: Cara Bonnett Frank Bragg. Carrie Burgin, Yvette Cook. Julia Coon. Whitnev Cork, loni Creech.
Bert Hackney. Beth Harding, Danny Hornleck, Anne Isenhower and Nick Montgomery.
Cartoonists: Bill Cokas, Jell Christian and (ireg Humphreys.
Campus Calendar: Mindelle Rosenberg and David Starnes.
Business and Advertising: Anne Fulcher, director: Patricia Glance, advertising director; Joan Worth, advertising
coordinator Chr.ssy Mennitt .advertising manager; Sheila Baker, business manager; Rita Galloway, accounts receivable
cerk; Sarah Hoskms. Amy McGuirt. Maureen Mclntyre. Stacy Montlord, Tina Perry. Lesley Renwrick, Amanda
l.lley and Joyc Wiley, display adverting representatives; Leisa Hawley, creative director; Dan Raasch. marketing
dim-tor; Diane Quatrcxasas, M.chelle Harr.s and Denisc Ncely, sales assistants; Diane Cheek Stephanie Chesson
and Lisa Poole, classified advertising representatives; and Jell Carlson and Kris Carlson, secretaries.
Subscriptions: I ucker Stevens, manager; Cody McKinncy, assistant.
Distribution: David I conopouly. manager; Cindy Cowan and Billy Owens, assistants.
Production: Bill Leslie and Stacy Wynn. Genevieve Halkett. Leslie Humphrey. Stephanie Locklear and I ammy Sheldon.
production assistants.
Printing: I he Chapel Hill Newspaper.
It's not trendy to oppose genocide
El
ditorials and articles concerning the
character and direction of student
activism have increasingly appeared
in the DTH and other student publications.
Not surprisingly, the majority of these have
been aimed at a perceived lack of concern
for "others' " rights and the "trendy"
character of the actions and the activists
themselves. Both individual students and
DTH writers have lashed out at the
insensitivity and the "alienating" nature of
certain groups' actions on the student body
and the community. Furthermore, certain
activists have been portrayed as individual
automatons running around looking for
whatever "cause" they can find, to satisfy
a seemingly insatiable desire for publicity
and attention. The end result is a picture
of campus activism as a non-serious,
immature, irresponsible and spontaneous
exercise in "playing politics."
Speaking for those who stand accused,
we are all relieved that those on the
sidelines have such a perceptive insight into
our intentions and intellectual capabilities.
I, for one, am grateful that my personal
involvement in groups such as the CIA
Action Committee and Action Against
Apartheid has finally been explained to me.
Now I can see clearly that my motivations
for wanting the CIA disbarred from
campus, CIA criminal activities exposed
and apartheid and its wars on neighboring
countries revealed are nothing more than
a combination of self-serving, socially
irresponsible and disrupting desires.
Not only are the intentions and mot
ivations of participants in the above
mentioned groups attacked, but also the
character of the actions they use to express
themselves. God forbid that we should
"violate" the First Amendment rights of
the CIA or disturb the tranquility of
campus life with our "noise" and occupa
tion of classroom buildings; nor should we
dare to challenge the moral backbone of
University officials and other students who
Dale McKinley
Guest Writer
shrug off the genocidal character of
apartheid and of CIA covert activities, lest
we "alienate" them. We are told our
protests must be kept within the bounds
of "responsible" action, and that our
actions should be aimed at "practicable"
solutions to the problems addressed. Keep
to these guidelines, and everyone will at
least tolerate us; step out of these boun
daries in our actions, and we become
"terrorists" who have gone way too far.
In either case we lose, because even if we
keep within the boundaries of "responsi
ble" action, we will be accused of grabbing
a "trendy" issue that has little significance
beyond the fact that we are engaging in
protesting "something."
The essential point behind all of this
criticism seems to be that activism should
operate within the parameters of the status
quo. If this advice is followed, then
everyone will be happy, activists will be
taken "seriously" and members of the
student body and the community won't be
disturbed from their all-consuming day-today
activities. If only we would concentrate
our energy and efforts on issues that are
"closer to home" and that most people
could agree with, tailoring our actions to
fit into the broad spectrum of public
opinion then maybe student activism
could be given a legitimate place on the
mantle of this society. Conciliatory,
cooperative, non-ideological; these are the
passwords for "responsible" and legitimate
activism. Confrontation, challenge; these
are the no-nos! Possibly, there is room for
a little confrontation and challenge, but
we have to be nice about it, something
analagous to being allowed to rock the boat
but certainly not to put a hole in it.
Confronting the illegitimate activities of
a "respected" government institution and
the campus's ties with it, or challenging
the students and the community to aid in
the liberation of a people halfway around
the world are not issues that can be
approached from a polite, non-disruptive
or toothless type of activism. Education
on the issues means nothing without
concerted direct action aimed at those who,
by their idleness or through conscious
choice, help to perpetuate the genocidal
practices of the CIA and the system of
apartheid. If we were to engage in the
"responsible" type of activism that we are
told is the only way to be "successful," we
would be denying the very existence of the
system that contributes to those genocidal
practices. Indeed, the only thing that we
would be successful in would be the
assurance that our actions and motivations
would be accepted by the very people and
institutions that are direct or indirect
partners of the CIA and the apartheid
system. We could then truly say that we
are trend followers and self-servers, for
what could be more self-serving than to
gratify ourselves in the knowledge that our
actions and motivations are accepted by
the people and institutions that are part
and parcel of what we are fighting against?
In the process, we would reduce the
struggle and suffering of the victims of the
CIA and of apartheid to mere appendages
of our more noteworthy "responsible"
activism, in which we could take great
pride.
Despite the name-calling, the harass
ment, the red-baiting and the charges
leveled from all sides, we will continue to
challenge and confront through education
and direct action. Amandla! Vencera!
Dale McKinley is a doctoral candidate
in the political science department from
Gweru, Zimbabwe.
Protesters
belong on p. 3
To the editor:
I picked up Thursday's DTH
and all I could do was let out
a big sigh. I had just seen Dale
McKinley's name in the DTH
for the millionth time, and
there was the 250th front-page
photo of our resident profes
sional activist.
While I realize that campus
protests are news, why must the
DTH play up the myriad pro
tests on campus? Surely on
some days there are more
newsworthy items that deserve
coverage. I hate to see my
campus newspaper turn into a
vehicle to promote the liberal
actions of the Berkeley-esque
activ ists at UNC.
No, I don't like apartheid.
Yes. I think the CIA should be
permitted to conduct inter
views on campus. Obviously,
Dale, you don't want to work
for the "terrorism-filled" CIA.
But why not let those students
who do go through the inter
view process?
I am merely asking for a little
news judgment once in a while.
At the editor's budget meeting,
a little thought might put one
of the McKinley stories on an
inside page, rather than always
assuming that it is automati
cally page-one material. A
weak news day, however, might
shoot down that idea.
ANDY TRINCIA
Senior
Journalism
BnfSSlt? ts lib'
Southerners
misunderstood
To the editor:
In response to Barbara
Linn's column "Beaufort,
North Carolina is my oyster."
(April 11) I would like to
express my disappointment in
her assessment of Beaufort, an
area known by many as a classy
town by the sea.
Linn, an international stu
dies major, states in her article
that she prides herself in
expanding her horizons. It
seems to me that doing so
would be fairly difficult with a
closed mind.
Though Linn, a Northerner
from Chalfont, Pa., is big
enough to credit Beaufort with
the label of a "community," she
might as well have called it a
Southern "hick-town."
Linn made it quite clear in
her article that pick-up trucks
and friendly neighbors seemed
to her a quite amusing South
ern tradition.
It is frustrating for me to see
yet another example of North
ern disrespect for something
(anything) Southern. I, myself,
am a native Northerner. When
I moved to the South six years
ago, I was ridiculed at times just
short of being called a "damn
Yankee."
The Civil War is over. Peo
ple, Northerners as well as
Southerners, need to show
they've learned from their
education show some
respect for people of different
backgrounds. I'm sure Linn's
friend, an eastern North Carol
ina native, would appreciate it.
VERONICA GONTRAM
Sophomore
Journalism
The DTH reserves the
right to edit letters for space,
clarity and vulgarity.
Duke, divestment and dining hauls
"I've never known a trace of a scandal
coming out of UNC at Chapel Hill, and
we Duke fellows watch closely."
Chancellor-designate Paul Hardin discuss
ing his role as UNC's next chancellor.
Hardin, a graduate of Duke University,
was making an oblique reference to his
resignation in 1974 from the presidency of
Southern Methodist University, which
came about when he blew the whistle on
SMU's athletic program.
"The weekend's been a blur. I've had
so much fun, but I have no recollection
of what I've done. " Sophomore Angela
Hall, summing up the weekend triumvirate
of Burnout, Springfest and Carolina Beach
Blast.
" think you have it at every campus
in the United States. People like to take
the most direct way. We like to discourage
this. " Eugene Swecker, associate vice
chancellor of facilities management,
discussing the persistent growth of dirt
paths where students cut across the grass
instead of using the existing brick paths.
" When I see what happens to kids who
are being thrown away by the system, I
feel it in my soul and in my heart. I don 't
think legislators feel it." - Joel Segal, the
coordinator of the North Carolina Child
Care and Neglect Project, talking about
the project's successful fund-raising drive.
Week in Quotes
"Some of the campus groups have
adopted this as their pet issue. Mozam
bique has replaced South Africa right
now. " Jeff House, a spokesman for
Kansas Sen. Robert Dole, commenting on
student opposition to the Mozambican
rebels.
"' either group sees the need to talk
about the situation further, they should
come through the proper channels. We (the
board members) are willing to discuss it
with them. " Bob Eubanks, chairman
of the board of trustees, on the board's
willingness to discuss divestment guidelines
with campus anti-apartheid groups.
" Willie M. children are not retarded, but
they are anti-social and combative. They
could potentially be arsonists. " Attor
ney Michael Levine on the concerns of
Dogwood Acres subdivision residents
about the relocation of a center that houses
troubled teens the Janus Tree House
into their neighborhood.
"A number of people who have been
sponsored by the 'old boys club ' that has
existed in the South Building will slowly
be replaced by persons who are more of
Mr. Hardin 's point of view and have fresh
viewpoints on their positions. He's going
to be bringing in a new team. " Speech
communications professor Paul Brandes,
on the appointment of Chancellor Paul
Hardin.
" You go through a period of about two
weeks where everyone's talking about drug
prevention. But after he's buried and
everyone has stopped crying, the drug use
goes on. " Nevaina Graves, a freshman
from Asheville, on how the death of UNC
senior David Mantey will affect campus
drug use. Mantey may have been on
psychedelic mushrooms when he fell from
Granville Towers.
"This is our dining hall. Don't push me
out of my dining hall. This is police
brutality." Activist Dale McKinley,
protesting as University police officers
shoved him out of Lenoir dining hall.
McKinley and several other students were
engaged in a theatrical protest of the CIA.
" was unhappy with the Klingons and
how they were presented. It was like ' Why
do they do what they do? Because they're
evil. ' I cannot believe that humanity is
divided up like that, between good and
evil. " -- Gene Roddenberry, creator of
"Star Trek," addressing science fiction fans
and trekkies in Hanes Art Center Tuesday
night.
i