1990_03 The Daily Collegian March 1990

              Page 2    Monday, Marty 5,1990
The Daily Collegian
ZD
o
pun io no
Really worth it?
Questioning the validity of awards
Donnell Alexander
Is Ghandi bust a bust?
Dear Editor.
I was elated to hear that the
current Associated Student's
Senate voted to allocate $15,000
from capital reserves to the
Construction of a statue honoring
Ghandi   rather   than   waste   the
funds on some useless expenditure,
like more wateiKJbuntains, pay
phones, lights, or benches.
Wondering   where   you   drink.
call, see. or sit on campus.
Ron Wells
Penbera defends stance on Leary
Dear Editor.
I wonder if those individuals
writing letters regarding my
alleged position on Leary's visit
will have the courage to retract
what they have written once they
call Thje'Eee. editor, Ms. Beverly
Kees, or the gee. reporter. Ann
Dudley, or Dean Corcoran and
discover that I actually defended
Leary's right to speak?
Everything that has been
written about my position Is
irrelevant and specious because it
starts with an unfounded
assumption. The Irony of this
situation is that as far back as the
Vietnam War years, as President
of my class at Rutgers and a
plaintiff against the State oath,
and continuously since then on
behalf of senior citizens, at-risk
children and disarmament, I have
advocated free and open debate. I
have made my share of sacrifices,
and I don't appreciate being
criticized by people who know
nothing of me.
I realize that there are some on
this campus less committed to the
principles of free enterprise than,
for example, the people of Eastern
Europe who yearn for it and have
paid dearly for reforms. Don't
Believe for a minute the
stereotypes about business-types.
Your views and "news" should not
be predisposed. You should not be
denied the truth about the extent
and seriousness of drug abuse.
Most of what you read about the
subject, and especially all this
tangential letter writing stuff, and
people having a cow over what he
or she said. Is worthless in terms
of solving the problems.
Even if an apology cannot be
solicited. I know from talking to
many fine reporters and editors
that, at least, they know that my
concerns were genuine. Overtime,
as more students and faculty
actually live ihe consequencs of
drugs, there will be more people
who will adopt my attitude
towards Leary and all others who
glorify drug use.
Sincerely,
t
■ I
Joseph J, Penbera Ph. D.. Dean
School of Business and
Administrative Sciences
P.S.: I still think Leary was a
poor value and that his message is
utter nonsense.
P.P.S: Contrary to what Leary.
said. I am not 50, but barely over
40 and earned my first
directorship at the ripe old age of
23. I am not "hardened" by age,
but. in fact, missed his speech
because I was coaching Little
League. And. like everyone else. I
am part of some "Establishment";
however. I choose to ..define our
society in terms of its values and
principles instead of offering
generalities. Specifically. 11% of
all kids are on drugs; 40% say they
can get them easily; 50% of urban
deaths are drug related: 70% of
people in prisons were on drugs at
one pointer another. Did you also
know that Columbians don't
export crack and ice: These come
from inside our country. Think
about it.        -   *
This weekend I went lo a
universityjoumalism convention
and changed my mind about the
meaning of awards.
There's a huge gap between what
[ feel now and what used to be the
truth.
I can remember one occasion
when I felt like I had done a good
job as college paperperson and was
Justly rewarded. It wasn't at a
convention and there was no
plaque.
Last spring I introduced myself
to a girl that I'd seen around
campus. She was attracUve. I
wanted to date her and we
exchanged names.
The girl a few days later told me
she knew who 1 was. even though
we hadn't met. After we had
introduced ourselves she
remembered why my name had
sounded so familiar.
She wenl back t'o her dorm
room, looked through her things
and found what she was looking
for.
It was a slory that id written.
My story had touched her and she C
kept it. .'
'We dated once. The whole thing
went nowhere, but I think ofthe
girl. Krista. when I think of warm
fuzzies in college journalism.
I used to tell stories like this
when talking about what the
campus press meant to me.
Awards and contests were not
what It was all about.
This weekend I attended a state
u niveisityjournalisiyonve ntion
and fdftnd out. afteryears of
denying any fondness whatsoever
for competitions, that I do indeed
need them; like a pig needs slop,
like Pat Buchanan needs
scapegoats, like the cast members
of "thirrysomething" need hugs.
Until the past few days. I'd
always been extremely proud of
the fact that none ofthe few
collegejoumalism awards IVe
worrare still in my possession.
Every one of them have been lost
in a frenzied post-awards banquet
search forvarious forms of
Column stated questionable facts
Dear Editor,
I am writing In concern Dan
Waterhouse's opinion article
about alcoholism (Mar. 1 issue).
The use and abuse of alcohol (or
any drug) ts a serious problem that
faces our campus, and should be
dealt with as such. That is why I
am so disappointed with Dan's
article.
Dan, where did you get your
facts? Who told you the dorms are
known as "Party Central?"  I have
lived for two years in the dorms.
Sometimes the food isn't too good,
but the partying Is kept well under
control by Charlie Miller and his
competent staff.
Also, what did you mean by.
"People dont wander around
campus with open beer cans,
slamming, as much as they used
to."? Neither I nor anyone I have
consulted has ever seen , such
activities.
See LETTERS, page 4
intoxication. Everyone.
Basic urges for physical pleasu re
superceded any sort of pride based
on recognition resulting in my
leaving any and all hardware In
various barsand hotel rooms
around the state.
I had always worn this fact as
one would wear a badge b' honor.
See. man, I didn't dojoumalism
for any awards or plaques or a
place on a list. None of that stuff,
you know what I mean? I did it for
the people, for truth, the honor of
the profession and all that stuff
Bob Greene rattles on about.
That is, again, until this
weekend, when I leamedjust how
much of a fraud IVe been.
I was lying in bed at*a Long
Beach Ramada Inn an hour and a
half before the big awards dinner,
but there was to be no sleep forme.
All I could think was that the
Daily Collegian had to win awards
for the semester I was in charge. Il
just had to.
1 fidgeted. I worried. I got up and
drank consecutive glasses of rum
and coke while standing before the
bathroom mirror.
But during that time in bed, I
decided that without the blessing
of the judges. I was a little less
significant thanl would be with it.
Right there, right then. I needed
them.
So 1 went to dinner, expectations
sky high and blood pressure right
upthere.too. Waiting for a group
of newspaper people to grant me
some validity.
Didn't happen. The paper got
some awards, but not the ones I
needed to feel better about myself.
Needed.
Afterwards. Iwatchedjustabout
everyone get really-drunk, the
winners as a means of celebration
and the losers because they didn't
want to face their profound'
disappointment in both
themselves and the contest        Q*
institution in which they placed
so much faith.
I stopped drinking a little after
dinner, convinced that all those
sancUoned judges cant be wrong.
Forgetting wasn't the point.
Hopefully, all this will blow
over in a few days.
FOR THE RECORD
Errors in the Daily Collegian can be brought to our attention by
calling 278-2487 or writing to us at the Keats Campus Building.
California State University. Fresno, Fresno, CA, 93740-0042.
THE DAILY COLLEGIAN
Ediior in Chief..... Elnc Bumey
Managing Edilor.—Amy HonphUI
Mem Edilor Johanna Munoz
Copy Editor—Zarina Zumbro
Sporu Ediior .Morey Holzmtn
AiiinantW[heSporuEdiior....DairinJooo
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Pboo Ediior Teny PSorai
SuffAitiiL., -OfirLevy
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