North Carolina Newspapers

10The Daily Tar HeeTuesday, April 23, 1991 K A WTIHG PERIOD RK HANPGUN5: ftihnt- The Reagan Experience. . year of editorial freedom Jennifer Stephanie Johnston, University Editor CULLEN D. FERGUSON, Editorial Page Editor Mark Anderson, Sports Editor Christina NlFONG, 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 AMY SeELEY, News Editor Kathy Michel, Photography Editor Christy Conroy, Layout Editor Johanna Henderson, Managing Editor matiim Name game ignores budget woes What is in a name? William Shakespeare probably would have said that a name is not really of great significance. Apparently, some Carolina alumni would disagree. Sen. Dennis Winner, a UNC alumnus, introduced a bill last week in the General Assembly proposing that the University's name be changed from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to the Uni versity of North Carolina. His efforts are obviously the product of a sincere concern for the University, but if Sen. Winner and other alumni truly wish to do something to help their alma mater and this state, they can begin by forgetting inconsequential titles and letting their representatives know that the recent educational budget cutting is unacceptable. The Raleigh News and Observer reported Wednesday that thousands of alumni have "chafed for years" because of this school's official name, with which we have been so wrongfully burdened for 28 years. In 1963, the Women's College became the Univer sity of North Carolina at Greensboro, the campus in Raleigh became North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina became the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Thomas Lambeth, the former president of the alumni associa tion, said he doubts anyone is as "dis tressed" about this alarming situation as he is. However, alumni seem not to be experi encing such "discomfort" as a result of the impending $59 million budget cuts. A re cent survey of 450 University alumni who have been out of school from five to 20 years indicated that they are relatively sat isfied with the services currently offered here. They are happy with the quality of instruction and the level of student-faculty interaction. After listening to some alumni, one might perceive that everything is busi ness as usual at the University and that our lone imperfection is our overly-cumbersome name. Alumni ignorance of the consequences of state budget cuts is in many cases excus able newspapers across the state have failed to alert them. Finding ways to edu cate them seems to be the responsibility of students and faculty. But Lambeth and Sen. Winner are thoroughly aware of the looming budget ax. They have the power and the respect to rally other alumni and to convince legislators that these cuts will affect the University more than a name change ever could. Perhaps they could de lay their crusade to restore the University ' s pre-1963 name until this budget crisis is over. It's time for everyone who feels a shred of concern for the University, education or the state of North Carolina to join together and "save UNC-CH." A rose by any other name might still smell as sweet, but the University's budget woes, no matter what this institution is called, will still bode as ill for students, faculty and staff. Time to legalize hemp In the immortal words of reggae per former Peter Tosh, "Legalize it." The debate over legalizing marijuana has raged for quite some time, and it is time for the U.S. government to take it seri ously. Prohibition of alcohol did not work, and prohibition of marijuana today is no more successful. All it has done is create a network of people buying and selling mari juana illegally, and it has cut into the valu able time the courts and police have to spend on more serious criminal offenses. The solution to this problem is to legal ize the cultivation, possession and use of marijuana. Last week's survey of local opinions about legalization indicate that this view is not only that of a fringe minor ity. Support for the legalization of cannabis hemp, or marijuana, for medical and indus trial purposes was overwhelming, and 70 percent of those who voted even supported its legalization for recreational use. The people surveyed weren't all "liberal UNC students," either. The survey included a number of non-students, and their sup port of legalization was as high or higher than that of some students. Their support of medical use was 93 percent, the highest of any group. For recreational use it was 66 percent, only slightly lower than the aver age. Obviously there is some support of legalization in the general populace. Although most people first think of marijuana's recreational uses, legalization activists can give medical and industrial uses for hemp. Hemp can be used to manu facture fuel, fiber and paper, and a number of other products. In fact, during World War II the government actually supported the production of hemp for military uses. lite i IBP inteii Hemp also has been used to treat people suffering from cancer and AIDS. Both of these diseases have nausea and weight loss among their numerous symptoms, and marijuana has been shown to reduce nau sea and increase the appetite. There is no reason to restrict efforts to ease the suffer ing of people with little or no hope of recovery simply because of the puritanical mind-set of some legislators. Some people oppose the legalization of marijuana because it is a "harmful drug," while failing to recognize that alcohol and tobacco are also harmful drugs. Many people have injured themselves or died from drinking too much alcohol, but people do not die from overdosing on the much milder drug marijuana. Marijuana, like alcohol, should not be used before driving, but unlike alcohol, marijuana cannot cause instant death from ingestion alone. Its injurious effects are more like cigarettes because they take time to develop. As long as tobacco and alcohol are legal, it is inconsistent for the govern ment to outlaw marijuana while it allows the production, sale and use of other drugs that are equally, or even more, dangerous. Legalization would not be simple. There would first have to be increased informa tion about the effects of marijuana, and hemp would most likely end up restricted in a manner similar to the restriction of alcohol today. But coupled with improved education, the benefits of legalization would outweigh the costs. Government officials would be wise to consider legalizing mari juana. If they did, they would find that the War on Drugs will continue to fail as long as it includes Cannabis Hemp. Business and advertising: Kevin Schwartz, director; Bob Bates, advertising director, Leslie Humphrey, classified ad manager. Business staff: Allison Ashworth, manager, Kimberty 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, Scott Blankenship. Laura Richards and Thi Vu, assistants. Display advertising: Lavonne Leinster, advertising manager Heather Bannister, Chris Berry. Kelly Bohart, Chad Boswell, Carrie Grady. Ashleigh Heath. Carole Hedgepeth, VTcki Isley, Trish Parrott and Dawn Rogers, account representatives;Km Blass. creative directonMWXon 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; Ginger Meek, features; Kenny Monteith, graphics; Emilie Van Poucke and Kenyatta Upchurch. newsLayton Croft. Mondy Lamb, Omnibus; Jim Holm and Sarah King, photocell Amato, Stewart Chisam and Warren Hynes, sports; Dacia Toll, state and national; Jennifer Dunlap and Steve Politi, university. Newselerks: Kevin Brennan and Amy Dew Editorial writers: Liz Byrd, Staci Cox, Andr6 Hauser, Jen Pilla and Nancy Wykle. University: Marcie Bailey. Birch DeVault. Soyia Ellison, Ashley Fogle, Adam Ford, Brian Golson, Aimee Hobbs, Burke Koonce, Mara Lee, Matthew Mielke, Gillian Murphy, Jennifer Mueller, Cathy Oberle. Shannon O'Grady. Heather Phibbs, Shea Riggsbee. 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. Hemdon, Nancy Johnson, Julie Malveaux, Amber Nimocks, Nicole Peradotto, Nicole Perez and Dawn Spiggle. State and National: Jennifer Davis. Karen Dietrich. Steve Doyle, David Etchison, Anna Griffin, Doug Hatch, West Lockhart, Eric Lusk, Pete Simpkinson, Sabrina Smith and Kyle York Spencer. Arts: Isabel Barbuk, Kitt Bockley, Tere Clippard, Grant Halverson, Jason James, Anne Michaud, Greg Miller, Susie Rickard and Jeff Trussed. Features: Sarah Barrett, Eric Bolash, Priti Chituis, Tiffany Cook, Karen Crutchfield, M.C. Dagenhart, Pia Doersam. April Draughn, Matthew Hoyt. Thomas King. Scott Maxwell. Mary Moore Parham, Ari Rapport, Colleen Rodite, Kay Stallworth. Beth Tatum 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;E.van Eile. senior photographer,Y&vn Chignell, Jonathan Grubbs, Brian Jones, Keith Nelson, Linus Parker, Debbie Stengel and Susan Tebbens. Layout: Melanie Black, Shawn Fuller, Christy Hall, Rama Kayyali and Robin Lentz. Copy Editors: Lisa Lindsay, JoAnn Rodak 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, 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, Greg Miller and Lisa Reichle, assistants. Distribution: RDS Carriers. Printing: Village Printing. The Daily Tar Heei 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 8:30a.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 mall address: CBt 5210 box 49, Carolina Union U.S. Mall address: P.O. Box 3257, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-3257 Graduation brings cure to bout with writer's block T T ell, here it is, my last column, and I've already done something to benefit hu- V manity. My sister is leaving Clemson and transferring to another school. She told me that several of her friends are doing the same thing. I like to think that my anti-Clemson comments throughout the year had something to do with it. Maybe if enough people leave that ugly orange waste of space they have the nerve to call an institute of higher learning, it will close down for good and the ACC will be a better place for all. This column symbolizes the end of my weekly bout of writer's block. Every Sunday night, I've been pacing the floor, pulling at my hair, and thinking, "Funny! I need something funny!" Once, in a fit of desperation, I started sorting through the stuff on my dresser: "Sham poo what's funny about shampoo? Moistur izer, perfume, contact lenses! Deodorant! Some thing funny about deodorant!" Seventy-two failed attempts at a column later, I realized that there is nothing funny about deodorant. My roommate will no longer have to hear, "Melissa, will you read this and tell me if it's funny?" I'll no longer have to watch my friend Chris read my column and say, "Yeah, it's cute, but your other one was better," or the columnist' s four most dreaded words: "I don't get it." I have enjoyed it, though. And before I escape UNC before the budget cuts destroy what's left of it, there are lots of people I need to thank. I'd like to thank all my former roommates and suitemates for not hunting me down and shooting me for the stuff I've written about them. jenn Layton Used to Work Here The same goes for all the Ehringhaus resi dents I've ragged on so much. By the way, folks, most of the present desk staff will have either graduated or taken other jobs by next year, so you'll have almost a whole new staff to harass in the fall. Be creative, people. "Do you have change" is getting old. Next year, when you see a new deskie in Ehringhaus, go up and ask him or her something new. Broaden the limits of stupidity. Freak them out. Initiate them. You can't call yourself a true deskie until some dazed person comes up to you and says, "Excuse me, could you tell me my phone num ber?" Thanks to Kelly Thompson and Jessica Lanning for hiring me in the first place and to Jennifer Wing for keeping me on. I'd also like to thank Jennifer for calling me up one after noon at work and saying, "Jenn, we're running a housing supplement this week. Could you have two columns ready for us by then?" Sure. No sweat. That weekend, my scalp gave birth to seven gray hairs, and I named them all after Jennifer. I want to thank Chris Lemont Brown for featuring me on his midnight talk show. Chris, I will pay you an enormous amount of cash to burn that tape. I'll even provide the matches if you'll provide me a safe passage out of town. I want to thank everyone who called me or wrote letters to the editor with both good and bad reviews. Thanks to the wonderful VJs on MTV who have raved about me and my column. Well, actually, they haven't gotten around to it yet, but I'm sure they've meant to, and it's the thought that counts. Rock on, guys. I bid a fond farewell to my fellow desk staffers, including Dave the troublemaker and my boss, Margaret. Margaret is a graduate student studying nutrition. It's done her a lot of good. For about a week, she was cooking for herself and wondering why all her food tasted funny. Then she discovered that her refrigera tor had broken down. Yeah, I'll sure miss Margaret "Sherlock Holmes" Farrell. Thank you to Ian Williams, the god of the Wednesday column, for making me laugh for three years and inspiring me to give it a shot. Speaking of gods, I would like to end this final column with a prayer to the almighty, number one, very special Tar Heel men's bas ketball team. Let us bow our heads and pray: Our Tar Heels, who art with Dean Smith, (Hallowed be his name!) Thy season done, thy Final Four he won . In the Southern part of Heaven. You gave us this year our ACC win When on Dook you trespassed, As you slaughter those who trespass against us. You lead us not into dull seasons, But deliver us to victory. For thine is the Dean Dome, the great shots, The glory is yours. Now and forever. GO TAR HEELS!!!!! Jenn Layton is a graduating senior English major from Ontario, Canada. J4 Dilute ignorance with knowledge, awareness To the editor I'd like to commend the DTH for their effort in promoting Les bian and Gay Awareness Week. However, there have been a few flaws in the paper's attempt to be "politically correct." Some prob lems seem to have arisen from the concept of Blue Jeans Day (gee, is that something new?), as well as from the question of what homo sexuality is and how it is defined. It doesn't shock me that there has been another wave of students this year condemning Blue Jeans Day (i.e. letters to the editor, Tuesday's political cartoon, etc.) Yes, fellow Tar Heels, I am certain that the CGLA is aware that blue jeans are commonly worn by many Carolina students, regardless of their political views of sexuality. Heck, ignorantly walked to cam pus wearing blue jeans Monday without any idea that it was Blue Jeans Day. But, when I realized what day it was, I became rather happy that my daily attire (which 99 percent of the time entails loose fitting blue jeans and some sort of shirt) made a statement. This state ment is part of what is confusing some people. I was not saying, "I am a lesbian;" I was saying, "I support gay and lesbian rights." I guess I naively believe that every one deserves to be treated with a level of equality, regardless of race, religion, or whom they love. Some students feel that they were tricked. "Oh no! I acciden tally wore blue jeans. Now every one will think I'm gay!" Well, imagine living with that feeling everyday of your life! Are we now starting to understand why the CGLA chose blue jeans? Yes, per haps it was a bit underhanded but only if you discriminate against homosexuals. Only persons who are afraid of homosexuals, have some intrinsic dislike for homo sexuals (without even knowing who they are), or fear being classi fied as homosexual (notice my avoidance of the term HOMOPHOBE) have this un healthy aversion to Blue Jeans Day. But ignorance isn't confined to Blue Jeans Day, nor is it confined to those who discriminate against homosexuals. In the DTH editorial ("Pain of struggle should be shared," April 16) the edit board tries to be "PC" in its treatment of homosexuality. In the past, I, too, fell into the trap. The editorial dis cusses sexual orientation and how we shouldn't discriminate against homosexuals, since they had no choice in the matter after all who would choose to be homo sexual if society and Jesse Helms condemned their very existence? This is a bit of a flaw in the stance on "equality for all." Perhaps there is no choice in the decisionof whether or not one will be a homosexual. But is that the point? What if there was a choice and the person still chose to date a member of their same sex? Are we then justified in discriminating against that person? For some people, I am sure that it is an orien tation, but some people make an active choice to be a homosexual or even a heterosexual. This should not make their rights any less im portant. One can convert to Juda ism, but that wouldn't justify any acts of anti-semitism against them. I think that another problem is that people do not understand what homosexuality is. When is a per son considered to be homosexual? After herhis first sexual encoun ter? Feeling? Homosexuality means that a person has feelings for or an attraction to members of their same sex. This definition leaves room for a bit of misunder standing. I have very strong feel ings toward my close friends both males and females. Am I bi sexual? When I suggested this to one of my friends, she said, "Well, you've never had sex with any of your female friends." But sex is not a prerequisite to sexuality. If it is, then how can a virgin claim that he or she is het erosexual? Get a grip folks, love is love, and it is very real and special. And physical attraction is a pri vate, personal decision. (Think about all of the ribbing from your friends the day after you took off your beer goggles. Did it embar rass or frustrate you?) The CGLA has one week out of the year in which they try to make this campus aware of various as pects of homosexuality. Keep an open mind, learn (without any pre judgments) and then form your opinions. There is nothing wrong with being attracted to members of the opposite sex, and there is noth ing wrong with 10 percent (or more) of the population being at tracted to members of the same sex. If it doesn't do any harm to you, then why lash out? The CGLA is not trying to force homosexual ity on us, they just want to dilute a bit of the ignorance with some knowledge and understanding. MINDY DAWN FRIEDMAN Senior English Education Cuts cheapen meaning of University's name To the editor FINALLY ... SUCCESS! After countless discussions, numerous protests, and months of writing, our state legislators have taken positive action in the "name" of our University. Or have they? I came across an article in the DTH ("Bill proposed to restore Univer sity name," April 19) that I found disturbing. Amidst massive budget cuts resulting in cancellation of classes, closing of computer facilities, re duced library hours and teacher layoffs I was upset to learn that our legislators have time to con cern themselves with the question of whether or not to change the University's name, instead of con centrating on more pressing issues. Sen. Dennis Winner, D-Bun-combe, an alumnus, has sponsored a bill to change "the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to the University of North Carolina." Such action by our legislators in Raleigh shows their unmindfulness in regards to the severity and grav ity of the present situation facing the UNC system. Sen. Winner comments on how important history is to him. "I have a great sense of tradition," he said, and "I was hoping we could get the historical name before the Bicen tennial." Apparently, the senator seems to have NO understanding of history or tradition, if he and others allow what is happening to this University to continue. And besides, that name might not mat ter by 1996 and what will the Uni versity have to celebrate at its 200th anniversary ... only its accomplish ment of destroying in five years what it took 200 to build. To our alumni, the change is "an emotional issue ... It's something that means a great deal" to them, making me also wonder if they. just like the senator, truly have an understanding of what tradition and history are all about, if they allow the University to be slowly razed to the ground. And after all, what's in a name that has nothing behind it? And what will a new name mean after this present round of devastating budget cuts? Not much, and legis lators should be concerning them selves with how to limit, or if pos sible, repair the damage doneto the University, before our campus name changes instead to the Uni versity of No Classes (U.N.C.y! CHRIS BATTISTA Sophomore International Studies 'Clown' cartoonist : : should look in mirror : 9 1 To the editor: - In the April 22 edition of the DTH, Alex DeGrand once again drew an offensive cartoon. In his latest work, DeGrand pokes fun at a future campus publication that he feels will be humorous because of its blatant political bias. ; I would like to point out to Alex that we already have a campus publication with an almost humor ous political bias. It is called the DTH. ; ; Secondly, DeGrand character izes the staffers of the future pur lication as ludicrous clowns and eccentrics who close-mindedly hold their views and harshly criti cize anyone who disagrees with them. Once again I would like to point out that we already have one of these clowns working for a cam pus publication. His name is Alex DeGrand. Alex, look in the mirror and stop the hypocrisy. ANDREW SANTANIELLO Junior History Letters policy D Sign and date letters. No more than two signatures, please. B Letters should be no longer than 400 words. D Letters must be typed. B Include year in school, ma jor, phone number and hometown. B If you have a title that is rel evant to your letter's subject, please include it. BThe DTH edits letters for space, clarity and vulgarity. 1