Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Feb. 27, 1991, edition 1 / Page 8
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8The Daily Tar HeelWednesday, February 27, 1991 otttp SaiUj (Har year of editorial freedom Jennifer Stephanie Johnston, University Editor CULLEN D. FERGUSON, Editorial Page Editor Mark Anderson, Sports Editor Christina Nifong, Features Editor NATALIE SEKICKY, News Editor GRANT HALVERSON, Photography Editor Jeff Workman, Layout Editor AlEX De GRAND, Cartoon Editor WlNG, Editor MATTHEW ElSLEY, University Editor Peter F. Wallsten, City Editor WENDY BOUNDS, State and National Editor DEVON Hyde, Omnibus Editor JoANN RODAK, News Editor KATHY MICHEL, Photography Editor Christy Conroy, Layout Editor Johanna Henderson, Managing Editor War waged with ulterior motives The last two days of the Persian Gulf War have sent conflicting messages to people around the world about whether to celebrate the waning days of a terrible conflict or to bear down for continued fighting. The announcement Monday by Saddam Hussein that Iraqi troops were pulling out of Kuwait in accordance with a Soviet peace plan seemed to indicate an allied victory. Kuwaiti exiles and bomb-weary Baghdadis rejoiced in the streets while the last Iraqi soldiers trudged out of a devastated Kuwait City. But according to U.S. and British officials, the rejoicing is premature. Despite the fact that thousands of Iraqi troops appear to be retreating from occupied Kuwait and toward Iraq, the withdrawal does not mean anything to leaders of the multinational forces. And though President George Bush said at the outbreak of the war that the purpose of the conflict was to liberate Kuwait, it now seems that freeing the tiny country is not enough. President Bush and British Prime Min ister John Major's War Cabinet dismissed the Iraqi withdrawal Tuesday, claiming it was an attempt to regroup to fight again. They pledged to continue bombing the troops whether or not they appeared to be leaving Kuwait. As long as Iraqi soldiers will not actually lay down their weapons, they will not be spared, officials said. But if this policy is followed, world support for the war will diminish rapidly. The multi national forces cannot justify killing sol diers who are retreating, whether or not they are armed. If this war is being fought to free Kuwait from Iraqi occupation, that goal can only be achieved by allowing Iraqi troops to withdraw unmolested. The "shoot 'em in the back" mentality of the multinational forces cannot continue. Even if Hussein is, as President Bush said Tuesday, "trying to claim victory in the midst of a rout," world leaders should not be concerned that the Iraqi president is deceiving his people in an attempt , to salvage some dignity. Let Hussein have his victory as long as the people of Kuwait go free. If it wasn't obvious before, the ulterior motives behind this war are now becoming evident. The United States and other allied leaders never intended to let Iraq get out of the conflict with any kind of military or economic structure intact. U.N. demands for withdrawal from Kuwait provided a convenient ruse for multinational troops to dismantle a regime that had fallen out of favor with world leaders. Pulling the wool over the eyes of Ameri cans is unacceptable, and it is time for the United States and other countries to be honest with their citizens. Although the liberation ofKuwaitw a commendable goal, destabilizing Hussein's government and removing Iraq from its position as a leader among Arab nations is questionable. The U.S. government has been tugging on the patriotic heart strings of its people by claiming it has fought a war for freedom. Americans understand freedom and are willing to fight and die for it. But they may not be quite so willing to allow the deaths of any more people if it becomes clear that the liberation of Kuwait is merely a side issue. Norplant deserves praise Hallelujah! Norplant, the new birth-control implant for women, has arrived in the Triangle. Because birth-control options in the United States have been severely lim ited by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) restrictions, many women are en thusiastically supporting the proliferation of a device that will start bringing the U.S. up to date in contraceptive technology. Norplant has been available in Europe for several years but only reached the U.S. when a Philadelphia-based company re cently began marketing it. It consists of five silicone tubes, which are implanted above the elbow in the woman's arm and are effective for about five years. Simply explained, Norplant works wh m progest erone is gradually released into tlie woman's system, preventing her from ovulating. Norplant will make problems with present forms of birth control seem like old nightmares. The necessity of taking daily precautions, as with birth control pills, and the fear of condom or diaphragm tearing or failure will be nonexistent for Norplant users. But drawbacks to the new birth control include: the cost, which can reach up to $700 for its implantation; more bleeding during menstruation; and severe menstrual cramps. Also, the visible bumps the tubes make in the woman's arm may be consid ered a drawback as well. Local women can take this latest tech nological step in reproductive control through UNC Hospitals. Many doctors' offices and health organizations in the area have said they have received requests for information about Norplant, and some have begun to make waiting lists for women who wish to have the device implanted in an outpatient, minor-surgical procedure when it becomes available. Although Norplant has FDA approval, it will take time for organizations to become authorized and trained to implant it. Some groups in the United States have spoken out against Norplant, stating con cerns that testing has not been extensive enough and that it could endanger women. But the European version of Norplant ap parently has caused few problems, and the early complaints in the United States about the implants do not indicate that there are any serious side effects. The last great stride in birth control in this country was the introduction of the pill in the 1960s. Very little has been done since then to make new methods of birth control available here, especially in com parison to Europe. Women are still trying to deal with diaphragms, sponges and messy foams. Other methods, such as the intra uterine device (IUD), were very widely used before their dangers were discovered. No mess, no remembering and apparently little risk; women who are searching for better birth control and who can afford Norplant should say "Amen!" and get on the waiting lists. Business and advertising: Kevin Schwartz, director; Bob Bates, advertising director, Leslie Humphrey, classified ad manager. Business staff: Allison Ashworth, manage: Kimberly Moretz, assistant manager; G'ma Berardino, office assistant; Michelle Gray, Annice Hood and Becky Marquette, receptionists; Ken Murphy, subscriptions; Chrissy Davis, promotions manager. Classified advertising: Angela Spivey. assistant manager; Laura Richards and Thi Vu. assistants; Brandon Poe, production. Display advertising: Lavonne Leinster, advertising manager; Heather Bannister. Chris Berry, Kelly Bohart, Chad Boswell, Carrie Grady. Ashleigh Heath, Carole Hedgepeth, Vicki Isley.Trish Parrottand Dawn Rogers, account representatives; Kim Blass, creative director; Milton Artis. Laurie Davis, Maribeth Layton, Brooks Spradling and Stacy Turkel, sales assistants; Deborah Bumgarner, proofreader. Advertising production: Bill Leslie, manager; Anita Bentley, Chad Campbell, Greg Miller and Lorrie Pate, production assistants. Assistant editors: Mondy Lamb, arts coordinator; Jennifer Dickens, city; Kenny Monteith, graphics; Amy Seeley, news; Layton Croft, Mondy Lamb, Omnibus; Jim Holm and Sarah King, photo; Neil Amato, Stewart Chisam and warren Hynes, sports; Dacia Toll, state and national; Jennifer Dunlap and Steve Politi, university. Newsclerks: Kevin Brennan and Amy Dew Editorial writers: James Burroughs, Staci Cox, Jen Pilla and Nancy Wykle. University: Elizabeth Byrd and Laura Williams, senior writers; Marcie Bailey, Birch DeVault, April Draughn, Soyia Ellison, Ashley Fogle, Adam Ford. Brian Golson, Burke Koonce, Matthew Mielke, Gillian Murphy, Jennifer Mueller, Cathy Oberle, Shannon O'Grady, Heather Phibbs, Bonnie Rochman, JoAnn Rodak, Karen Schwartz, Billy Stockard, Sarah Suiter, Carrie Wells and Natarsha Witherspoon. City: Jennifer Brett, Kris Donahue, Laura-Leigh Gardner, Chris Goodson, Cheryl A. Herndon, Nancy Johnson, Julie Malveaux, Amber Nimocks, Nicole Peradotto, Nicole Perez, Erik Rogers and Dawn Spiggle. - State and National: Jennifer Davis, Karen Dietrich, Steve Doyle, David Etchison, Doug Hatch, Andre Hauser, West Lockhart, Eric Lusk, Pete Simpkinson, Kyle York Spencer and Dacia Toll. Arts: Isabel Barbuk. Kitt Bockley, Tere Clippard, Grant Halverson, Anne Michaud, Kirk Medlin, Greg Miller and Jeff Trussell. Features: Eric Bolash, Tiffany Cook, Karen Crutchf ield, M.C. Dagenhart, Pia Doersam. Matthew Hoyt, Mara Lee, Ginger Meek, Mary Moore Parrtam, Art Rapport Colleen Rodite. Kay Stallworth and Dawn Wilson. Sports: Kenny Abner, Jason Bates, A.J. Brown, Robert Brown, Eric David, Jay Exum, Doug Hoogervorst. Matt Johnson, David Kupstas, John Manuel, Amy McCaffrey, Bobby McCroskey, Doug McCurry, David Monroe and Bryan Strickland. Photography: David Minton, editor emeritus; Evan Eile and Joe Muhl, senior photographers; Kevin Burgess, Jonathan Grubbs, Brian Jones, Cheryl Kane, Keith Nelson, Linus Parker, Debbie Stengel and Susan Tebbens. Layout Melanie Black, Shawn Fuller. Christy Hall and Robin Lentz. Copy Editors: Lisa Lindsay and Steve Wilson, senior copy editors; Mitch Bixby, Stephanie Brodsky, Laura Clark, Hardy Floyd, Lorrin Freeman, Angela Hill. Aimee Hobbs. Sarah Kirkman, Mitch Kokai, Jennifer Kurfees, Amy McCarter, Susan Pearsall, Natalie Pool, Terri Potter, Chris Shuping, Angela Spivey, Kenyatta Upchurch, Emilie Van Poucke, Clare Weickert and Mike Workman. Cartoonists: Deena Deese, Chris DePree, David Estoye, Chris Kelly, Jeff Maxim, Jake McNally and Mike Sutton. Editorial Production: Stacy Wynn, manager; Kristen Jones and Greg Thacker, assistants. Distribution: RDS Carriers. Printing: Village Printing. The Daily Tar Heel is published by the DTH Publishing Corp.. a non-profit North Carolina corporation, Monday-Friday, according to the University calendar. Callers with questions about billing or display advertising should dial 962-1 1 63 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Classified ads can be reached at 962-0252. Editorial questions should be directed to 962-02450246. Office: Suite 104 Carolina Union Campus mail address: CB 5210 box 49. Carolina Union U.S. Mail address: P.O. Box 3257, Chapel Hill. NC 27515-3257 Ignorance proves racism still exists on campus To the editor: CAUTION BLACK STU DENTS: The following lias not been cleared by our spokesman, the BSM. Racism no longer exists! Police reports indicate a drop in hate crimes and lynch mobs (with the exception of a few innocent Ara bians), minorities have the right to vote and it is increasingly difficult for members of the KKK to occupy national office. America's come a long way, baby. So, why complain? One valid reason for complaint can be found in the Feb. 20 edition of The Daily Tar Heel ("Vandalism incidents wrongly labeled racism.") Mr. Moss' arguments, though brilliantly written, have some se rious problems. In the first para graph, he makes what I'm sure is an unconscious mistake. The al ternate term for blacks is African Americans and not Americanized Africans. The difference is impor tant because the first term refers to a group of Americans with distinct African culture (much like the term Italian American) while Ameri canized Africans connoted a group of Africans with a distinct Ameri can culture. Mr. Moss makes another error in the second paragraph of his letter. He writes, "If the moved product had been 'Shampoo for Whitey,' no fuss would have been made." The problem with this argument is that Rite Aid did not say 'The products were moved because ' whitey s' tend to steal." Instead, the store discriminated against blacks based on unfounded truths and stereotypes. Please let it be understood that I don't consider Jonathan Moss a r . I just find it alarmingly naive when people try to ignore what is a basic characteristic of American life. There are r s in this world and on this campus, regardless of whether or not we use the word. JAMYLE NEWLIN Freshman International Studies IRA's terrorist actions merit criticism To the editor: The cartoon "Irish SCUD" (Feb. 22) was inappropriate in its com parison to the Irish people in gen eral, however it was an appropriate comparison to the IRA. Today's IRA is a terrorist group that does not represent the majority of Ireland. In Carella and Sheehan's letter "Cartoon misrepresents Irish Re publican Army" (Feb. 25), they claim the Irish have been "trying to regain their independence." The use of violence by the IRA has been repeatedly condemned in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and will continue to be as long as they commit terrorist acts against civilians. The IRA's conception in the early 1900s was very pertinent to the times. Catholic workers in Northern Ireland were persecuted without representation of any kind. However, this situation has been drastically changed. If the British pulled out of Northern Ireland to day, the entire island would become a Third World nation, and the people of both Irelands understand this possible consequence. Who can deny that the IRA's intent was to kill innocent civilians in the London subway attack? Carella and Sheehan claim "the comparison of their response to Hussein's unprovoked missile at tacks on Israel and Saudi Arabia is ignorant." The purpose of both attacks was to kill civilians. The IRA repeatedly refuses to come to the negotiation table and continues terrorist attacks such as mistakenly bombing a school bus of Northern Irish children. I will agree that the majority of the world (especially the United States) is ignorant of the Irish situation. The IRA uses this igno rance in the metropolitan U.S. cities to paint a picture of a glorious cause in order to sway Americans of Irish descent to finance IRA terrorist acts. Terrorism is no way to solve any problem, especially if no other means of resolution is attempted. I too encourage Americans to learn about the conflict in Northern Ireland. It is often forgotten in world news. However, it must be said that the great majority of Irish citizens believe the IRA to be a radical terrorist group not repre sentative of the common Irishman. DONALD HARVEY Sophomore Pharmacy BSM's efforts to combat bigotry are misdirected To the editor: Out of all the organizations on campus, the one that has possibly gotten the most publicity, the B lack Student Movement, has been the most disappointing. I do not know what the BSM's stated goals are, but it has been made painfully obvious that a primary concern is attempting to prove that this insti tution and its students are inher ently racist. The BSM's representatives and supporters frequently use the term "institutionalized racism." What they are trying to accomplish by proving this is uncertain. Suppos ing they succeed, then what? If the University is inherently racist, then the BSM cannot solve this problem; it will require nothing short of tearing down the school and start ing anew. These allegations only breed resentment, not progress. It is only when blacks can stop separating themselves from the rest of the campus and starting work ing with others, not against them, that progress can be made. The methods by which the BSM attempts to show racism are flawed as well. Anything that hints at a racial origin is racism in the eyes of the BSM. Their concern with finding the real motives of an ac tion pales in comparison to their concern with making blacks look like the targets of racism. This became clear in the Rite Aid case, when the BSM hastily began a boycott without first stopping to find out that black hair care prod ucts are among the most shoplifted, a perfectly legitimate and "race neutral" reason for their placement. The goal of a community free from racism is an admirable one, but it must be approached ratio nally. If we bel ieve that an incident is racially motivated, then it must be investigated to the extent of our abilities. Recklessly jumping to conclusions is never a good policy. Furthermore, some concern must be shown for providing real solu tions to problems of race relations, rather than rejecting the commu nity as inherently racist. These are the points I believe the BSM are neglecting in its approach to rac ism on this campus. DAVID MEESTERS Freshman Psychology Fall orientation brings excitement, adventure To the editor: Can you imagine carrying a re frigerator up to the fourth floor of a residence hall on one of the hottest days of the year, parents whining, confused freshmen, and being bombarded by questions from all directions? This was Fall Orienta 'tion 1990, and we were there. However, the worst part of the week was when it came to an end. From now until March 8, appli cations will be available for fall 1991 orientation counselors. This position is a volunteer job that will start this spring and continue after summer vacation until spring reg istration. Starting in late March, OCs begin planning the activities for the fall orientation week. Or ganizing these programs requires m uch time and effort; arrangements must be made to coordinate social and academic programs within the University community. These can be mysterious, intriguing, stimu lating, mind-boggling, awe-inspiring, different, creative, fasci nating, whatever! It does not mat ter, so long as the important points of life at Carolina are stressed. ; For us, this opportunity broad ened our knowledge of the campus, its resources and its processes. We found many friendships, not just with our counselees, but with the other OCs as well. Our OC expe riences have encouraged us to con tinue our involvement with orien tation again this year. If this appeals to you, we urge you to attend one of the many interest sessions being held on campus this week and next. We look forward to another inter esting year of orientation; the good, the bad and the ugly. ROSS BERRIER Sophomore B iologyPre-Med JON PILLSBURY Junior Astronomy Death of Bob Sheldon is a loss of freedom, peace To the editor Unfortunately, another voice of freedom, justice and peace, like so many before, has been silenced. Bob Sheldon, as the operator of Internationalist Books, provided an invaluable service for many years by willing to stand against hegemonic oppression and to fa cilitate the diffusion of alternative information and points of view. Few have invested as much time and energy as he did with his passion to bring a voice of justice to a world for which he cared so much. But like all too many of the voices like his, he fell prey to a society at war with itself. His ab sence will be felt with great sorrow, but those of us fortunate enough to have had contact with him know that he is at last at peace and that he would want us all to continue our efforts to bring freedom of speech, freedom from oppression and peace to this country and the world. DAVID GHTRARDELLI Junior Geography Letter marred with illogical assumptions To the editor: I suppose the most effective re sponse to Shuronia Flood's exer cise in self-parody "Letter's writer knows nothing about racism" (Feb. 25) would be to simply invalidate it line by line. Shuronia's first point: "If there is a theft problem at Rite Aid then why not move all of the hair care products to the front of the store? Why single out the prod ucts of African Americans?" Call me crazy, but maybe, just maybe, that's because the products of Af rican Americans are the ones being stolen. It truly is a shame that Shuronia's next point about the Malcolm X poster made absolutely no sense because it had the potential for an incredibly rewarding slam. But it's not a total loss. There are plenty other goodies in this one. Next, Shuronia so insightfully points out that the Black Student Movement helps African Ameri cans stand taller and prouder. Now, I'm all for coppin' an attitude, but when Shuronia says, "No one hinders the white students from following suit and organizing," she is dead wrong. White groups, more commonly known as "hate groups," receive great public praise by being verbally and physically assaulted on talk shows. I wonder what the NAACP would have to say upon hearing of the newest social group at UNC, the UNC Young White Alliance (not to be confused with the UNC College Republicans). I also wonder what the student body would say if they asked for $70,000 from an ailing budget. Shuronia's last point I agree with. She says that if Rite Aid moved Shampoo for Whitey to the front of the store, she would pro test. I believe her. She would pro test that while Whitey's products are located at the front, African Americans have to walk to the back, reminiscent of when blacks had to sit in the back of the bus a few decades ago. While I found Shuronia's ar ticle to be flawed, there is no de nying that it was informative. Af ter all, she did point out that, indeed, the DTH is not "A Current Affair." KEITH GANZ Freshman Undecided Bible, Christianity teach true 'safe sex' To the editor: I would like to respond to the Feb. 22 editorial, "Chastity Pro grams Teach Safety." Abstinence is the only true method of safe sex. The American Civil Liberties Union is concerned this Droeram? will mix teaching safety concerns with religion. An author of a. pampnier. promoting aDsunence could not take credit for this idea since this concept i found in the Bible. An example : found in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20: "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body" but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body." God has created us, and He knows all of our thoughts, needs and dreams. He has given us guidelines because He desires the best for us. What could be more beautiful than a man and a woman who have waited their entire lives to give their virginity to their spouse, and on their wedding night give themselves totally to their lifetime partner? This is the rela tionship God desires for us. Many people will say it's too late forthem, but if you are unmar ried and sexually active, I hope that you will change your lifestyle. God is forgiving. He has promised to change our hearts and minds if we ask Him. True Christianity is not a religion but rather a relation ship with our creator, Jesus Christ. If you are not sexually active, I encourage you to stay that way until you are married. No one has ever regretted waiting, but many, many people have regretted not waiting. The Bible has stood the test of time and outlines the way to a happy and successful life. BRENT W. FUQUA 1990 M.A.T. graduate Winston-Salem DTH Editorial page looking for columnist . The Daily Tar Heel is look ing for a columnist who can write with an African-American perspective. Anybody who. is interested i must subm it a sample column to the Editorial Page Editor or the Editor by Monday. The columnist would be expected to write every other week. 4
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Feb. 27, 1991, edition 1
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