• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1990-09-06_Vol56_No04_04

Volume 56 Number 4 Voices The Western Carolinian Page 4 Thursday, September 6, 1990 Letters to the Editor /■ John Marshall Dennis Editor-in-Chief The Real Cost of Tuna There's been a great deal of concern on the part of many people these days over the plight of the dolphin. As we have all read and learned in the last few months, the tuna industry has for utilized large drag nets for years to catch tuna, thus increasing their catch and lowering their costs. That's the name of the game in modern agriculture. It comes as little or no surprise, then, that in the process, dolphins, which favor swimming atop schools of tuna, are caught and drowned in the nets in astonishing numbers. And nothing has been done about it until recently. Why do we care all of a sudden? For years, the same people who now scan the shelves for "dolphin safe" tuna enjoyed that cheap staple of the casserole generation without guilt. We grew up on tuna. Even vegetarians eat tuna, right? Fourteen years ago, the Humane Society of the United States initiated a boycott on tuna. My mother jumped on the bandwagon with very few others, and tuna was dropped from our daily diet. She informed us about the plight of the dolphins, and we were glad to participate. We were sick of tuna anyway. And geez, when it became a moral issue, well, you know. She also told us that it was possible to buy albacore tuna, which utilizes an alternative fishing method that is safe to dolphins. But unfortunately, albacore is twice the price. What's the point in eating tuna in the first place if it's not cheap? Despite the fact that my mother has these liberal tendencies, she was born during the Depression and has an acute sense of economy. Tuna was slipped back on the table with a defeated sigh after several months, or several years ( I can't remember), of participation in the tuna boycott. It's hard to get Americans to boycott anything, especially a cheap staple. But the casserole generation has grown up. A combination of things has encouraged us to participate in the dolphin-safe label promotion, such as the realization across our generation, with increasing momentum , that our planet is getting smaller and smaller while we are getting larger and larger. Recycling has recently become an all-Amcrican effort because of our new acceptance of some hard realities and should play a major part in the focus of upcoming political races. Dolphins, we are beginning to realize, will be a comparatively large global sacrifice if we continue to let the tuna production industry, and other businesses like it, operate without regulations on what they extract from the sea. And despite the fact that dolphins are scientifically important because of their communication abilities and are instinctively protective of humans, we like them. They're cute. That's okay. Perhaps the most important reason for our concern is Bud and Hipper. We watched them communicating and playing while we grew up. We wanted to be Bud, we wanted Rover to be Flipper. Now, despite the absurd associations, we are creating exciting economic and political policy. I'm proud of the casserole generation. We've grown up. We're starting to reject the greedy attitudes of the last ten years. We're educating ourselves, we're trying. Look out, we're on a roll. (I just crack myself up sometimes.) Remember to look for dolphin safe labels on your grocery shelves (available since July) and for God's sake, don't buy anything else. Then, when you feel homesick, get out the CorningWare and make a batch of tuna-noodle casserole. Enjoy! Emily Gill History of Islam faith explains Hussein's position You may have noticed recently how Saddam Hussein seems unable to acknowledge the world-wide condemnation of his country' s recent actions in Kuwait. It is as if the United States is alone in its supposed hegemony against the Middle East. But of course we know differently, as most of the world is standing solidly with the U.S. in its efforts to contain Iraq. There are many complicated reasons for Iraq's position against the U.S. During the first century, the Christians formulated the idea that the Church and the State are two separate entities. At this point in time, the two were seen either as separate, joined, subordinate or dominate depending upon the environment to which they were subject. In Tocqueville's Democracy in America it is stated,"...when a religion chooses Bill Andrew Columnist to rely on the interests of this world, it becomes almost as fragile as all earthly powers." Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was both a prophet and a soldier. The struggle to defend Islam from the Infidels started from the very first. Muslims believe that the batUe between good and evil is a real and tangible thing in which they must participate to serve God. They have a slightly different conception of the dualism that exists between good and evil. The supreme goodness of God is constantly in conflict with the supreme evil of the Devil. It is God who is manifested through the House of Islam and the Devil who is manifested through the House of Unbelief. It is not difficult to venture a guess that we (U.S.) are seen within this House of Unbelief, and therefore in the army against God. It is the dangerous "interest of this world" Tocqueville spoke of that most threatens the House of Islam and the Muslim identity. It was, of course, the Europeans who first brought West- em ideas into Islam. Europe, along with Christianity, found itself on the defensive against Islam due in part to their geographical location and beliefs. Islam feared both the Christians and the Jews because these people represented monotheistic religions, putting them in direct competition with Allah and the Muslim faith. So for the first 1,000 years, Islam slowly encroached upon Europe, taking Portugal, Spain and some of France in the southwest and moving as far as Vi enna in the southeast. But then Catholics and Protestants began to see the danger of having Church and State as one and separated at least to the point where the holocaust between them was halted. This uneasy truce between the factions of Christendom allowed them to turn the tide and put the Muslims on the defensive, where they have been for the past 300 years. This battle has continued for the past 14 centuries and is now embodied in the conflict between Iraq and the United States. Iraq is at the forefront because Hussein wants to unite the Muslim world behind the might of the Iraqi army and the oil of the Middle East. All of this is aimed at the U.S. because we have inherited the leadership of the West. It is our exportation of ideas and values, not armies, that have been most damaging to the Muslim faith. Physical Plant deserves Madison Memorial restoration credit; Oakes too late * As a full time student and part time employee of the greenhouse/landscaping crew at W.C.U., I would like to respond to an article written by Jeffrey L. Oakes and printed in the final spring issue of the Western Carolinian. The article criticizes the lack of care given the Madison Memorial in recent years. As a tribute to the founder of this institution, Mr. Oakes felt the memorial should be given better care. I agree 0 with him on that point. He also gives telephone numbers of Chancellor Myron Coulter and Wayne Fox of the physical plant, for students to call and voice their opinion's themselves. However, if Mr. Oakes had made a few phone calls himself before writing that article, he might have been informed that plans were already being made to revitalize the memorial garden. Plans were finished by Roger Turk, the greenhouse grounds supervisor, on February 12. The article was published April 23, 1990. During the summer session, stone work was completed by James Bumgarncr and the landscaping by the greenhouse crew. Due to deterioration the pool had to be replaced, but the integrity of the original design still exists. The garden has a mixture of ferns, native rhododendron, birch, azalea, and dogwood, along with a variety of perennials native to this area. Theoriginal design had these same plants. It is a pleasant place to sit, study, or just enjoy being outdoors. By this time I expect Mr. Oakes has seen the changes, but I hope he does not think he can take credit for it having been done. In the future, if Mr. Oakes plans to continue with a career in journalism, he should consider research of his own before writing an article criticizing the work of others. -Kathleen Dudek ^ T/te 'Western Carolinian Western Carolina University The Old Student Union P.O. Box 66 Cullowhee, NC 28723 John Marshall Dennis Editor-in-Chief Associate Editors Jeffrey L. Oakes- Copy Editor Lisa Majors - News Caron Collier - People & Entertainment / Features Tony Bolick- Sports Douglas R Pease - Design & Layout Photographer Jonathan Fondow Typesetters Emily Gill Business Manager Kendra A. Blackwell Design & Layout Stephanie Messer Writers David Lange Emily Gill Michelle Mathis Advertising Sales & Design & Layout LeslieWeaver V. Advisor Mr. John Moore J This statement is illuminated by the unusual actions of the Middle East against the U.S. in the recent past. During the formation of Israel, it was the Soviet Union, not the U.S., that aided the young nation with arms from Czechoslovakia. In 1956, it was the U.S. that forcefully intervened against Israeli, French and British forces in Egypt to cause their withdrawl. Yet during this same period, it was to the Soviets that Syria, Egypt, Iraq and others turned for arms and economic assistance. The reason for this becomes clear once you understand that the Soviets had little to tempt the Muslims with concerning ideas such as freedom, equality, democracy, Christianity and capitalism. The Romans, Turks, French, British, Germans, Italians and more have all sent conquering armies, but the Muslims have seen the armies come and go. So it is not the armies of the United States that the Middle East fears but the enduring ideas. Ideas that are the unseen enemy against the House of Islam. For the U.S. involvement to become truly productive and lasting, there must be a better understanding as to the underlying causes of this conflict. Saddam Hussein is only the most recent manifestation of an ancient problem; it is unlikely that he will be the last. The Western Carolinian welcomes editorial input from students, faculty, and staff on matters of public interest. Please send corespondence to: Voices PO Box 66 Cullowhee, NC 28723-0066 All submissions will be considered, but the Carolinian reserves the right to edit contributions for length or unsuitable or offensive material. The Carolinian is not responsible for opinions of writers expressed. Student On The Street How do you feel about the implementation of random drug testing for WCU atheletes? Name: Kim Peele Hometown: High Point Major: Textiles Year: Freshman It takes away the person's privacy. I'm not for drugs in any way, but a person does have a right to privacy. Name: Lille Tidwcll Hometown: Jacksonville Major: Biology Prc-med Year: Senior Drug tests should be announced to WCU athletes. However, athletes should be given drug tests frequently as a safeguard to themselves, their team, and the institution. Name: Clara Arrowood Hometown: Johnson City, TN Major: Nursing Year: Sophomore I don't think drug testing should be unannounced. Random drug testing is okay in certain situations (ie: certain jobs, etc.) and should always be at the consent of the ones taking the test. Athletes are role models for younger generations and should allow testing. Name: Shawn Embrey Hometown: Charlotte Major: Criminal Justice Year: Freshman Unannounced drug testing should be implemented for the safety and fairness to all athletes. ^= Name: John Barrett Hometown: Franklin Major: Natural Resources Mgt. Year: Senior It's sad if athletes can't hold the trust of their coaches or the administration, however, implementing a random drug testing program doesn't necessarily mean there is a problem. I feel that some drug testing program whether random or not should be used to keep drug usage to a minimum. Name: Sid Rappe Hometown: Charlotte Major: Undecided Year: Sophomore I believe that there shouldn't be random drug testing for athletes. I feel that it is unfair to the athletes and a waste of time.

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: 1990-09-06
  • Date digitized: 2019-09-30
• Extent
  • Dimension: 22.75" x 14.25"
  • Pages: 10 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_1990-09-06_Vol56_No04
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library