• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1982-02-25_Vol46_No21_03

Editorial 3 February 25.1982/ Western Carolinian r Viewpoint bv Jim Buchanan The Carolinian is happy to introduce this week a point/counterpoint series of editorials on national affairs. We hope this will stimulate response from the students on how they feel about current political affairs. Many, if not all, Americans want a strong national defense. These are indeed dangerous times. with all the unrest in the world and the alarming buildup of Soviet military power. However, the massive military buildup called for by President Reagan is totally unreasonable. The country is gearing up for war as never before in the most massive peacetime buildup in the history of the United States. All of this spending on "defense" seems to be focused on nuclear weaponry and delivery systems, despite the fact that there have been more than enough warheads to destroy the entire world for several years now. Part of the folly ot Reagan's plan is that the taxpayers will be financing unbeleibably costly weapon systems, while the same money could be channeled to strenghten conventional forces much more than the Reagan budget calls tor. Ihese forces need to be strengthened the most, since we are much more likely to be inv olved in a conventional war than a nuclear war A few major strategic buildups- such as the deployment of the relatively inexpensive cruise missle- could easily help make our national defense si in the world without the costly deficits and overruns that wi surely saddle this country if Reagan's programs are implemented. Massive cost overruns are commonplace on military arms. All too often, arms sales are arranged in Congress to go not to the most deserving company with the best equipment, but to the company with the best lobbyists I he cutting of fat from existing programs would also save manv dollars Ihe area that could most stand improvement in the Reagan Administration is Reagan's foreign policy (living arms to such unstable countries as II Salvadoi and Jordan benefits no one is this country except the arms dealers who sell them. "Soviets Dominate Strategic Scales 59 by Lee Cheek President Reagan, even before- assuming that title, was an advocate of a strong national defense. This basic Reagan tenet has followed the President to his present job and has been manifested in the President's pleas for increased defense spending. This is a basic increase from the amount suggested by President Carter. One must realize that this is basically public policy issue - in essence the intended increase still has to be decided upon and as in all political issues will experience some compromises. This article will deal with why we need to increase defense spending instead of a thorough analysis of how the proposed money is to be spent since that information is still in "limbo." Many Americans are coming to the logical conclusion that wc have- no alternative except to develop and carry out an overall defense plan. Within the last twenty years we have experienced the most drastic change- in the world military balance that the world has ever seen. Since the early I960's our position as the oerwhelming military leader in the world has steadily deteriorated. To some this is a joyous occasion and one that all Americans should be proud of... Such an outlook is one of severe naivte! Increasing Soviet superiority means quite simply more international stability and a greater potential for conflict. We, as Americans, must face the realities - the Soviets dominate the strategic scales. The Soviets' recent propensity for expansionism (through their many surrogates also!) is possibly one of the greatest threats to world peace. In conventional forces there is no comparison, the Soviets have a distinct advantage and arc widening this "gap" at a very last pace. Most sources estimate that under the Carter administration this unbalance rose 25-50 percent. Arms control was the basis lor which we assumed such a policy. Because ol this false sense of security, we entered into a period of great restraint. The problem is a great one! I he defense budget that is presently being considered is by most estimates a very large one; however, one must realize the immediacy of the issue. Our national security is at stake - the defense budget is a much needed accourment. Note: Contrary to popular belief, the Soviets do not spend 50P of their budget on botanical gardens and amusement parks. Irwin's Answer by Doug Irwin Here is something that will make everyone sleep even better at night. In a time when the threat of extinction by nuclear war or accident is major, more dark news is not welcome. Since we are hostages in this atomic revolution though, we should know the facts. The threat of Russia and impending nuclear war is known by all. but many do not realize the threat of accidental nuclear war. That is. when someone accidentally pushes a button that activates a warhead which is aimed directly at the Kremlin. For the well being of the U.S. and the world, the military has a program set up (Personnal Reliability Program) for people who have access to nuclear weapons. The people who are in the program have to show a certain amount of emotional stability and have not experienced drug or alcohol problems. A 1979 government hearing made some surprising, if not jolting facts come to light. In 1975, 5,128 personnal were removed from access to nuclear weapons because of violations of the PR P. With over 100,000 included in the program, that is a 4 percent annual rate. Most of the problems involved were alcohol and drug abuse; mostly marijuana. Now. everyone has their one personal choice whether they want to take drugs, but having a group of potheads sitting around with access to nuclear weapons at their fingertips is not what I would call very cool. It would be quite unfortunate to have human error destroy one side of the globe, but what would be worse is a computer malfunction. As they are involved in almost every facet of life today, so they are with nuclear weapons. As the list of countries with nuclear capabilities grows, and as the arsenals of the US and Russia grow , so does the danger of an accident. This problem will not just go away either. The one hope this world has is the growing anti-nuclear movement—and it has gained another voice: Dying of high doses of radiation is not a quick death; it is a slow, painful death. Not just of human life, but also of the world. C ommon Sense by Larry Hardin /*j| R That we have been, and still are. social creatures is a fact long established by those individuals that look closer at our interactions as human beings. One of the byproducts of being social animals is conformity. Our ideas concerning conformity are at times sharply inconsistent. As an example John F. Kennedy wrote in his book, "Profiles in Courage." that he felt praise was due to those politicians who had the courage to resist and refuse the pressure of conformity. He praised those that were not voting along party lines, those that were not good team players. As one of my instructors has pointed out. it is those that are deviates that have been the great men of their day and time. Of course their opinions were not given much value at the time, but history has proved them out time and time again. When we look for concrete examples of this, the first deviant that comes to mind is Jesus. The authorities in his day and time were quite disapproving of his behavior; yet, when we examine just what-his deviant behavior was and its meaning to people this far down the line, we find quite a lot of approval. Throughout history, one can see it was the deviants who have changed the very course of history itself. It has been those individuals that sought their own way and lived their own lives according to their, principles and beliefs that impress us the most. We honor them and. for many, we model alter them. The point is that it is okay for people to be themselves, even when being who you are is not approv ed by those around you. Conforming to group or peer pressure is hard to resist, being the social beings that we are. but is not impossible. If you believe something, or have a different opinion, do not be pressured to say something against your beliefs. Make up your own mind and stand your ground. Being a deviant docs not always have negative connotations. look at those we admire, and if you look closely you are apt to find a very deviant individual who was not admired for his ideas or behavior by those around at the time. Besides, deviant behavior can be. and usually is, a lot more fun and exciting than filing in line with the rest of the sheep. Should Cullowhee Be Incorporated? by Charles Sosnik lt is time once again to consider that tireless question of whether Cullowhee should become incorporated. Various interest groups have tried for years to incorporate our fair town, but to no avail. We are entering a time of growth unprecedented in the history of Western North Carolina. The control of growth that incorporation will give the citizens of Cullowhee will benefit the total community. Incorporation will allow for zoning laws which will keep our iand unspoiled and provide for needed business developmant in a planned atmosphere. In addition to the business development aspect of the incorporation question, a question of a better standard of living is at stake as well. City services could be provided at a nominal cost. A much needed garbage collection could become a reality as well as the improvement of Cullowhee's fire and police protection services. Community churches will benefit from an increased population as well as an influx of revenue into the area. Growth is inevitable in Cullowhee, whether we as the citizens of Cullowhee choose to incorporate or not. The choice is ours. We can stand by as the neighboring communities of Sylva. Waynesville, and Franklin benefit from the profits of this state's western expansion or we can incorporate and benefit ourselves through a carefully planned expansion of our own area. ?s»*s (§sr.PErasS&jfcT^6s 8^ Western Carolinian EDITOR IN CHIEF Jim Buchanan BUSINESS MANAGER Tim Thompson ASSOCIATE EDITOR Larry Hardin NEWS EDITOR Doug Irwin SPORTS EDITOR Russ Randolph DESIGN EDITOR Craig McCausland PRODUCTION MANAGERS.. Cathy McDaniel Jennifer Passalacqua AD MANAGER Jim Stewart AD SALESMAN Craig Smith PHOTO EDITOR Doug Cavanah AD DESIGN DIRECTOR Lindsay Carter AD DESIGN Chris Wilkins, Gil Shuler PRODUCTION Gene Bass, Cindy Enoch Chuck Arney, Jenny Hall PHOTOGRAPHERS Rick McDaniel Mark Haskett WRITERS Laura Hunt, Sam Fain Greg Ryder, Monica Henson, Leah Geanopulos, Rose Pritchard Charles Sosnik. Darrell Beck SPORTS WRITERS Steve Crawrord Karen 4she /1KR7IRVED \CLASS RINGS.INC March 22, 23 Mon. - Tues, After Spring Break Class Rings has the styles just for us

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1982-02-25
  • Date digitized: 2019-01-29
• Extent
  • Dimension: 15" x 11.5"
  • Pages: 14 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1982-02-25_Vol46_No21
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library