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Show Page 4 Monday February 4, 1985 The Thunderbird Ofainwn Despite abrasiveness Watt has message James Watts appearance on the SUSC campus last week d aroused admiration, curiosity, and, in some, animosity. The of the Interiors reputation for being to controversial preceded him. His ability to be narrow-minde- d the point of being rude, did not. While in office, Watt managed to anger and alienate women, blacks, Easterners, environmentalists (whoever they are), Native Americans, Jews, the press, and the physically handicapped. While here on campus, he restricted his attacks to environmentalists and the press. Watt extolled his accomplishments in resource development and historical site preservation. His real accomplishment was revitalizing the democratic process. He brought the environmental movement back from the apathy into which it was sliding. There is nothing like a common enemy (real or perceived) to rally fragmented groups. One million signatures were gathered calling for his resignation. This was unprecedented in American political history. The Reagan administration chose to ignore the petitions. Every major environmental coalition in the country, including the conservative Republican National Wildlife Federation clamored for his ouster. The press did not cause his unpopularity, his actions did. Actions such as the dismantling of the Environmental Protection Agency, the opening of millions of acres of continental slope to oil leasing over the objections of nearly every coastal states governor, and the leasing of Montana coal lands at a fraction of their market value. Through it all, Watt stuck to his guns. What this country needs is more James Watts. This is not to say we need more of his brand of resource management. What we do need is more women and men in governing positions willing to speak their minds, and stand their ground when the storm breaks over their unpopular positions. What we need are more people involved in the political process who are willing to openly, and heatedly, argue their points of view. That involvement can and should begin here on campus, where there are, indeed, grumblers. They complain about how the student governments decisions affect their lives. Did these grumblers bother to vote in the last election? Do they know who their department senator is? Election campaigns for student government offices begin Feb. 13. In the ensuing weeks we will, undoubtedly, be subjected to more of the usual, mostly boring, campaign rhetoric. Let us hope someone will be open and controversial enough to spark an active dialogue, one which will get the student body stirred up enough to really care about the way they are governed. Yes sir, what this campus needs is a good James Watt. single-handedl- mk Former secretary Watt still insensitive Jim Knowlton Communications. Thunderbird. is He a is sophomore majoring in also a staff member of The James Watt resigned his post as Secretary of the Interior largely because of a monumentally insensitive remark he made while still in office. From the appearance of things, he has not learned his lesson. Watt attacked the head of the Small Business Development Center, Harry Swanson. Of Swanson, Watt issued the searing judgment: You students deserve a better professor than that. Watt then lashed out at Assistant Professor of Social Science James Vlasich, highlighted by Watts comment, Ive been treated like this by your kind before, and I dont like it. Admittedly, Swanson seemed to be looking for a confrontation, which he certainly got. However, in my opinion, the comment Watt made about Swansons competency as a professor was the cheapest of cheap shots. I think it is a disgrace that someone who asks an honest question, as Vlasich did, should be humiliated the way he was. And whats wrong with asking a question you already know the answer to? It is called a rhetorical question, and is used often and effectively in many instances. My beef is not with Watts sincerity in his beliefs; I dont know enough about his politics to seriously question them. I simply think it is possible to be honest without being beligerent. I was also stunned and angered that students could be swayed so completely by a quick wit and a few bold exclamations. The students actually cheered when Watt attacked our own professors. When discussion reaches the depths it reached on Thursday, the stormtroopers are the next logical step. Che Chunderbird 'll PI s S sn Ml ftMi HI KM H - ll i .1 U, in H VOLUME 79, NUMBER 17 Editor Lynn Nolan Associate Editor Lnnai Greenhnlgh Copy Editor Paul Husselhee Photo Editors James Howells Derek Miller Senior Staff Writer Ralph Sehnock Assistant to the Editors Annette Grooms Production Manager Tracy Girdwood Advertising Representatives Laura Wearing Brian Goemich Sports Editor Stewart Smith Entertainment Editor Doug Christensen Faculty Adviser Larry Baker The Thuntierhird is published each Monday of the academic year by and for the student body of Southern Utah State College. The views and opinions expressed in The 7 hunderhird are the opinions of the publication's individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the institution, faculty, staff or student bixJy in general. The unsigned editorial directly above is the opinion of The ThanderhirJ as a single entity. Letters to the editor must be typed and include the name, student number (if from a student) and phone number. Only the name will be primed. Names will not be withheld under any circumstances and the editor reserves the right to edit letters for length and to preclude libel. Letters must be submitted by ntxn Friday for inclusion in the following weeks edition. The Thunderbirc!: editorial and advertising offices at 529 West 200 South, Cedar City, UT 84720. Mail at SUSC Box 384, Cedar City, UT 84720 (801) 7758. Teachers unruly in Convo, not students To the editor: In the past, students have been accused of being unruly and discourteous to our Convocation speakers. Last Thursday it was some of our illustrious teachers who were unattentive and unruly. I believe that this happened because those teachers have violated a rule that students are accused of breaking all the time. That is the rule of not paying attention to the speaker and what he is saying. Mr. Watts theme was that journalists do not report the news, instead they are individuals with a cause. They use the media to present their cause and not necessarily the facts. Mr. Watt used his term of office as an example of this, and quoted to us facts that can be verified to back up his case. Mr. Watt reaffirmed to us a fact we have been told before, which is that the media reports what is wants to. What is printed is not gospel. Yet our two illustrious professors did just what Mr. Watt warned us not to do. One of these teachers s quoted a newspaper article, of which had nothing to do with Mr. Watt, and the last fifth was a general statement with no facts to back it up. Mr. Watt explained the situation and then our illustrious faculty member basically called him a liar because the paper implied something else. Our second Jllustrious professor four-fifth- (continued on page 5) |