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OPINION

By Paul McGowan
Malaise!
Technically a "SOWHOCARES"
syndrome, this is a debilitating
condition we all suffer.
Example: The recent Winter
Olympics.
The United States, a super
power, leader in democracy and the
wealthiest nation, fielded one of the
largest and youngest teams.
"SOWHOCARES".
Physically we looked fine and our
"amateurs" gave it all they had.
Unfortunately they are "amateurs",
competing against nations whose
"amateurs" are frequently profes-
sionals.
"SOWHOCARES".
These nations spend millions of
dollars, marks, ruples or what have
you in support of their "amateurs".
While in this wealthy nation it
seems as if our "amateurs" must
hitchhike their way to immortality.
"SOWHOCARES".
I care. We should all care! It may
not be everyone's goal to be first in
everything, and that's well and
good, but when we send a represen- COC's 23-piece jazz band, directed by Stewart Fischer, won third-place ranking at recent California State University,
tative team in any field to compete Long Beach, jazz festival competition. Group won a second citation as best rhythm section. Guitarist Rick Zunigar was
we should afford it the same cited as one of the meet's outstanding soloists.
opportunities to train and excel as
its competitors enjoy.
Let's look at it from the stand-
point of our democracy. We are OPINION
embarking on 200 years of freedom.
But there are those who give us a
cheap shot whenever they can and By Carl Graves
what better way than to whip us in "The Making of a Criminal".
international sports competition. Act 1: Scene 1:
They then say, "That great nation Man is awakened from a sound
with all its resources, affluence and sleep by noise. His wife hears it at
freedom cannot compete." And they the same time.
are right as it stands now, parti- Wife: What was that? Do you
cularly in the prestigious Winter
think one of the children is down-
Olympic games. stairs?
Let's also look at it from the
Husband: I don't know? I'll check
standpoint of socialism vs. capital- their room.
ism. We have been and are actively
Husband returns, goes to a
engaged in a war, cold to be sure, dresser drawer and takes out his 22
but still war, and we are not looking caliber pistol.
so good. In this cold war the world Husband: The children are asleep
judges the United States via the but someone is moving around
Olympic Games. downstairs. You stay here. I'll be
The Olympic Games are "big
back as soon as I check it out.
business" and right now our oft- Husband goes downstairs while
referred to "business-controlled his wife waits apprehensively.
capitalistic country" is second best.
Suddenly there is a shot and then
All we need do to regain pre- another, followed by the sound of a COC's winners in the current Bank of America scholarship competition are
eminence in the athletic area of the slammed door. Footsteps are heard James Quillen, science-engineering; Catherine Herron, social science-
cold war is to give our athletes the running down the st-reet. Husband humanities, and Sarah Fink, vocational-technical. Three will compete for
same training facilities, the same returns to the bedroom. prizes up to $2,000 in up-coming competitions.
freedom from economic pressures
Husband: Did you call the police?
while training, and the same or- Wife: No, not yet. I was terrified.
ganized and disciplined national I didn't think of it. What happened? judge said: Under the Criminal that if a householder uses 'deadly
support enjoyed by most other Husband: I'll call them now. Justice Reform Act of 1975, we have force' to stop a night prowler from
athletes of the world. Act II: Scene 1: to prove that we couldn't have taking his personal property, the
Just an even break, that's all. Wife: How can they give you five gotten out without harming the householder will be violating federal
But too many Americans are
years in jail for defending your own people entering our home. law and thus become a criminal
afflicted with a malaise.
home? This is a hypothetical story. Yes, himself.
SO WHO CARES? Husband: You heard what the it sounds impossible - that it could "Only if the lives of the victim and
Judge said. We could have retreated take place in our country. But if his family are threatened directly
JOLEEN BOCK down the rear stairs and out the sections 541 through 544 of the by the intruder can deadly counter-
back. Criminal Justice Reform Act of 1975 action be taken. Otherwise the only
(Cont'd From Page 1) Wife: But how could we know are passed by Congress, the above permissible action is 'safe retreat'."
she toured the Far East, visiting how many h_urglars there were or story can become reality. Hasn't the criminal received
libraries in several countries. what they wanted? How can they If you don't believe this, check enough justice? Isn't it about time
Dr. Bock's articles on library take the word of the other one, the with your senator or congressman. the victim has at least a fighting
science and instructional resources one that got out, that they wouldn't The bill has already received ap- chance? Unless you are the one who
topics have been published in have harmed us? We didn't ask proval by the senate judiciary does the breaking in, I suggest you
numerous publications i~cluding them to come in. What could we do? committee. notify your congressman and
Library Journal, Journal of Micro- Just run and let them take every- The following is quoted from a senator of your feelings about
graphics, and the National Edu- thing? recent Herald Examiner editorial. portions of the Criminal Justice
cational Secretary. Husband: You heard what the "These sections specifically state Reform Act of 1975.