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Show PAGE 4- - THE THUNDERBIRD MONDAY 1ANUARY 5, 1987 SUPPORT OF ALERT IS CRUCIAL TO SUSC departments on campus have been screaming about their programs being trimmed or cut. Although this is understandable; we must realize that we are only a small piece of the whole picture of higher education in this state. At this time and under the economically depressed situation we find some things have to go. The educational muscles of the state are just now being flexed in efficiency. By trimming the weakest departments of one school, those departments can be strengthened in another. It is not a matter of losing educational opportunities, but them such by programs to colleges more giving enhancing capable of making those programs excellent rather than just adequate. What is the use of pouring money into emphasis degrees that are found as major degrees elsewhere in the state? What is easy is seldom excellent and as such excellence must be fought for. In order to have the best, sacrifices must be made. SUSC is a strong school. When challenges such as budget cuts come, such schools are only made stronger. In wake of the dramatic challenges that higher education is faced with. Gov. Norman Bangerter is proposing a substantial tax increase to help offset the expense of his goals for Utah's education. Entitled ALERT, the governor's goals for education include managing growth and improving our quality. The budget bill will be presented to the legislature on Jan. 12 for its careful deliberation and deciding vote. Such a program means help for an ailing library and the retention of an unequaled faculty and staff. However, the governor needs help. Tax increases are far less than favorable to the general populace. This is especially true of tax increases for education; for a large portion of the taxpayers dollars are already going into education. Now we realize that Bangerter is not currently at the peak of popularity. It appears as though he slapped higher education in the face and then asked for a handout. Perhaps this is true. Nevertheless, he is in power and the best way to achieve positive advances in the quality of our education is to support him. As the old cliche goes, two wrongs never make a right. This sounds a bit simplistic, but the fact is, as it is to childhood squabbles, the golden rule is also applicable to politics. If we support the tax increase and the ALERT program we may 'everse the trend that has weakened higher education over the past several years. So, in order to support this bill, give a ;ew moments of your time and let you- legislators know you care about your education. If you don't let them know before the 12th of January they're going to buckle under the pressure from the tired taxpayer who does give a damn about a tax increase geared to the support of "some yuppie's education." For months CjPUT vfOU aren't AND VIEWS OF SOUTHERN UTAH STATE tW7 Another fine mess we've gotten into 'Access' is a recurring column through which members of the campus community may express themselves on issues of interest andor concern. KRIS JOHNSON is a junior psychology major and senior staff writer for 'The Thunderbird.' couldn't help but feel sorry for President Reagan when he appeared on live TV Friday night during the Fiesta Bowl and talked to some of the sports commentators about when he, too, used to be a commentator back irt the Dark Ages. Listening to him talk about his radio days almost made me forget about how he secretly sought to ransom hostages by authorizing the sales of arms to Iran. How many presidents do you know that will stop the Fiesta Bowl just so they could talk about when they were a young and vibrant commentator? really don't blame Reagan for trying to sweet talk the nation into understanding his side of the Contragate affair. Hell, if the whole nation was pissed off at me, would probably interrupt football games to talk to them too and let let them know that I'm really not that bad of a guy. The fact is, Reagan betrayed the American people's trust when he secretly tried to free hostages by sending weapons to Iran. According to the 1 986 Cox News Service, the President has lied to us on four counts: 1 . He said he was not trying to ransom hostages by ironic that three hostages Iran. to arms (It's sending were released merely days after the deliveries of arms to Iran.) It was President Reagan's obsession with the hostages that caused the entire fiasco. 2. He said the amount of arms was 'insignificant though it clearly was enough to prolong the Gulf war and increase Iran's chances of winning it. 3. He said the arms shipments caused Iran to retreat I COLLEGE U CEDAR CITY, UTAH I VOLUME 81, NUMBER Editor Deisy Kramer Associate Editor Ann Hollmger Copy Editor Greg Prince Photo Editor Richard Engleman Sports Editor Greg Miles 12 Entertainment Editor Paige White Senior Staff Writer Kris Johnson Production Manager Gavin McNeil Advertising Representative Kellie Jensen Faculty Adviser Larry Baker The Thundvrbird is published each Monday of the academic year by and for the student body ot Southern Utah State College and is not affiliated in any manner with the College's department ol communication The views and opinions expressed in The Thunderbird are the opinions of the publication's individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions ot the institution, faculty, staff or student body in general The unsigned editorial directly above is the opinion of The Thunderbird a a single entity Letters to the editor must be typed and inc lude the name and phone number Only the name will be printed Names will not be withheld under any circumstanc es and the editor reserves editing privileges Letters must be submitted b noon Friday torinclusion in the tollowmg week s edition The Thunderbird editorial and advertising offices in 5USC Library 103 Mail at SUSC Box Cedar City, UT c80 7758 938-4- To 4MJrMhil I NEWS EXCITED now, - THE STUDENT ARE from terrorism. His secretary of state and others say the opposite. 4. He said his policy of shipping arms was correct and would have suceeded except for premature press disclosure, when actually the Iranians were toying with us by reneging on virtually every bargain they made. The one major item that the Cox News Service failed to mention is the secrecy that has been involved. It is this very clandestine nature of the administration that has caused its recent downfall. The American people deserve to know the truth about this shabby affair. It does not matter at this point what President Reagan knew about the arms deal with Iran. My major concern is that he did not want the American public to know. applaud Attorney General Edwin Meese for bringing Contragate out into the open and disclosing the Contra connection in accordance with the diversion of funds from the arms deal, eventhough the blame was put on the men at the bottom of the administration's totem pole. It was only five weeks ago that Reagan first told the nation, "I was not fully informed on the nature of the activities," in connection with his secret decision to ship arms to Iran. It is that single area of self professed ignorance that has been one of the hottest issues of this whole mess. Even if he didn't know about the diversion of funds to the Contra's, he should have known about it. think the President gave his men more than they could chew and now he's the one choking instead ot them. President Reagan told Time magazine in an interview that the whole arms scandal boils down to irresponsibility on the part of the press. Poor Ronnie, the United States press is having a I (continued on page 5) |