The Daily Tar Heel from Chapel Hill, North Carolina • Page 12

12The Daily Tar HeelFriday, March 23, 1990 Elections are PART 2: A modest proposal mm it's a do-eat-dog campaign fyuklyukl) 98th year of editorial freedom Jessica Lanning and Kelly Thompson, Editors knows his way around Suite kh0W5 how to shake hands JENNY dONINGER, University Editor Wing, Forum Editor Tew, City Editor MYRNA MlLLER, Features Editor Jamie Rosenberg, Sports Editor EVAN ElLE, Photography Editor Steve Wilson, News Editor MELANIE BLACK, Layout Editor JASON KELLY, University Editor LyneTTE BLAIR, Opinion Editor STACI Cox, State and National Editor CHERYL ALLEN, Features Editor LISA REICHLE, Omnibus Editor PETE CORSON, Cartoon Editor JoAnn RODAK, News Editor ERIK DALE Fleppo, Design Coordinator Next week; don't just vote for My Gene Vavis ialpdcn. Vote tor the one James Claude Benton, Ombudsman Elections, continued Time to revise vague BSM campaign laws won't erase campaign isn't out to pad his resume Vote for Monet the dalmatian. Because by this point, issues Qren'i even worth a milkbone. ABBESS5 FORURfl The weak threads that have held the Black Student Movement (BSM) elections together over the years have finally unraveled. On March 8, members of the BSM cast their vote for one of two presidential candidates: Sabrina Evans or Dana Lumsden.

Unfortunately, the result did not yield a decisive victory for either one. Instead, the elections only produced a two-vote discrepancy, acfcusations of misconduct and reports that the final decision may be left up to the Student Supreme Court if things get even more complicated. The saddest part is that all of this was avoidable. Insufficient rules and regulations allowed these problems to develop. The central committee of the BSM must revise its constitution and elections regulations so this type of embarrassment doesn't occur again.

One major problem involved the candidates receiving rosters of BSM membership at different times in the campaign. Lumsden, who got a copy of the roster after Evans, said this delay put him at a disadvantage. He claims he didn't get to do as much door-to-door campaigning, which put him at a definite disadvantage. With a final tally of 78-75 and two discrepant votes, the delay certainly could have affected the outcome of the election. Although the central committee threw out eight of Lumsden' complaints, it agreed this one was valid.

And rightly so. The BSM has an unwritten policy that rosters are for membership purposes and special projects. They are not available for duplication for the general public. If the rosters were going to be given to candidates, they should have been available to them both at the same time. Evans, a central committee member, and other BSM members were unaware of the policy because it is not documented.

But even though Lumsden 's getting the roster later than Evans was definitely unfair, it was not Evans' fault. How can someone be expected to abide by a policy when it is unknown and unwritten? Even membership in the BSM became an issue in the election because of vague rules and regulations. At first, potential members were told they had to join the BSM by Feb. 15 to be eligible to vote in the election. Then a quick administrative decision changed the rule, allowing members to join up to 24 hours before the election and still vote in it.

Evans got this information an hour before Lumsden. No one will ever know if this gave her an added edge, but regardless, the lack of consistency on the part of the organization is simply inexcusable. At the very least, vague rules confuse candidates and complicate their campaigns. At the worst, these inconsistencies could be used unfairly to influence the outcome of the election. As if all this weren't enough, other minor problems surfaced because no guidelines were set concerning the candidates' conduct.

Campaigning near polishes and organizational ties are trivial campaign matters, yet they have helped bog down the process because they were not dealt with beforehand. Both candidates are obviously upset by all that has happened. Lumsden wants a reelection; Evans thinks the results should stand. She contends she won the first election by a majority, despite the two invalid votes. The BSM will decide at a forum on Monday night which solution is best.

There doesn't really seem to be a good choice. Both candidates plan to go to the Student Supreme Court if their position'isn't favored. Consequently, the central committee has decided to shorten the process by allowing the case to go ahead to the supreme court, if possible. This action should be commended. After all, the organization admits that it is responsible for the flaws in the campaign process.

It is shameful, however, that the election had to fall apart before something was done. Two candidates who put in a lot of time and effort are now finding themselves trapped in a campaign that is taking a lot longer than necessary. After all is'said and done, the new president of the BSM should have one main goal: to establish firm rules that the organization and its candidates can go by. While this campaign was the first of its kind for the BSM, it should also be the last. Lynette Blair Baha'i beliefs can't coexist with Christ To the editors: In response to the March 21 feature on the Baha'i Faith Faith followers discuss peace through I feel it necessary to clarify to others the contradictory beliefs offered by this organization.

The Baha'i Faith claims to accept the teachings of Jesus Christ, Mohammed and Buddha as well as other religious figures. However, if the Baha'is truly accept such a conglomeration of teachings and beliefs, they must be aware (if they have truly studied these teachings) that these teachings cannot coexist. Jesus Christ clearly states in the Bible in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Unl ike the other bel iefs the aha is claim to accept, Jesus Christ states that he is the only way to salvation. This passage alone negates the possibility for such a set of beliefs that the Baha'is accept to be truly compatible in their coexistence.

Although some might accuse Christianity of being close-minded in cancelling out other religions, I would like to advise such people to take a look at Matthew which says "For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it." Such broad-minded thinking that seeks to encompass all forms of religion is in reality the that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it" (Matt. Don't get me wrong here, I agree with some of the issues the Baha'i Faith supports such as peace, love, an end to racism, I just feel it is of utmost importance to stress that true peace and love only has one source Jesus Christ. In dying on the cross for the sins of mankind, he oaid the ultimate sacrifice the lack of diversity in its membership and leadership. In its statement of purpose to the chancellor and the University, the Race Relations Week committee stated, "We realize that communication, education and interaction are the only ways to end stereotypes and This sentiment is often neglected in the U.S., where homogeneity is stressed as a social norm a homogeneity that is dangerous because it promotes sameness, not equality. True interaction and respect among all races and cultures can only be achieved through actively educating ourselves about our differences as well as those things which bring us together.

This is the most crucial issue in youth services and social activism. It is essential to bring together peoples of all races, creeds and sexual preferences if this movement is to succeed. Without an honest attempt to empower all people, there is a dangerous possibility for the movement to be stigmatized as paternalistic or elitist and thus fail in its mission. This year we are committed to improving relations with minority students on campus: to put ourselves in a new environment, and to welcome you into ours. This is a public challenge to ourselves, and we invite your ongoing input and criticism to keep us accountable.

Furthermore, we invite you to join us. Over 30 committees at the Campus are seeking new co-chairs for the upcoming year. The positions require no experience, simply a desire to help and to learn. Applications are available at the and are due Monday, March 26. The upcoming year will be an instrumental one for the Campus in determining its future and that of the social and volunteer issues to which it is dedicated.

By uniting students of all races, colors, creeds and backgrounds, we will all be taking a bold step towards the realization of our goals. RICHIE HARRILL Sophomore Political Science SHILPISOMAYA Sophomore EconomicsInternational Studies price; sometimes publisher price increases beat the arrival of a new print run preprinted at the higher price. The store then retickets the book to reflect the higher invoice price. In both of the above cases the store must charge the higher price, or take a loss, for the publisher will not change the cost to the store. 3.

Finally, by the store raising the price of the stock in hand of a title in response to receiving a new shipment of that title invoiced at a higher list price. This is standard retail practice and affects only a small number of books. Remember, too, that we tie the buyback price for used books to the current list price. While a price increase will mean that the student will pay more, it also means that heshe will receive more at buyback. I would like to note that in our tradebook department, The Bull's Head Bookshop, we, years ago, made the decision not to raise a book's price in response to scenario 3.

And we encourage our customers to check the price on multiple copies of the same title. There may be a bargain to be found. JOHN JONES Assistant Manager for Books and Computers Student Stores Campus continues service to community Editors' note: The authors are co-presidents of the Campus Y. The Campus is the largest student organization at UNC. Historically, the has served as a catalyst for social activism and change.

The programming of its 34 committees has significant impact on the University, the community and across the country. This ranges from the high-profile work of Human Rights Week and SEAC to dealing directly with the elderly, illiterate and homeless of our community. At the same time, the Campus is faced with many problems. Over the past year the has been challenged from inside and out to confront the problems of its role as an activist organization and (final speaker for the Baha'i lecture series on world peace) is quoted to have said "We are the leaves of one tree and the fruit of one branch." In John 15: 1 -8, Jesus Christ says "I am the true vinc.you are the from me you can do nothing." I would urge those involved in or considering the Baha'i Faith to truly examine all of the teachings this faith claims to accept and decide for yourselves whether these beliefs can coexist. It is my deep desire that such an inquiry would lead you to the one ultimate truth that Jesus Christ is the only way, and through the simple act of believing in him "you shall not perish but have eternal life" (John CHRISTY TELL Freshman Chemistry Student Stores prices not profit-gouging To the editor: I write in response to Ms! Dena Abbott' letter printed in the March 22 DTH stores cheats to make larger I am sorry that she feels cheated by how we price textbooks and hope that perhaps this letter will clarify that pricing.

On the surface it would seem that the store marked up the title above the preprinted price in order to make an excess profit. But that is not the reason for the price increase of the book she bought. Student Stores charges the list price for the book at the time of sale. The store does not price a title above the current publisher's list price as reflected in the latest invoice, or price paid by Student Stores, for the book. There are three ways that a preprinted textbook price gets changed: 1.

By the publisher, before filling our order. Frequently, for various reasons, a publisher will raise the price of the book. Then the publisher will slap a higher price over the preprinted price, ship at the higher price and invoice us at the higher price. 2. By the publisher shipping books preprinted at a lower price while invoicing at a new higher Freedom of choice Church obstructs politics with religion that he was going to go to hell for his pro-choice beliefs, and his archbishop agreed exhibiting his steadfast and eter nal love for all mankind.

Jesus Christ also promised to those who would believe in him that he would give them his peace, a peace that is "not as the world gives" (John In a slight perversion of the Holy Scriptures, Sarah Pereira Compassion can't solve unwanted pregnancies Michelle Hughes If someone asked you to find Guam on a map, would you have any idea where to look? You will soon. Guam, an American territory, landed in the American political scene with a resounding thud Monday by passing the most restrictive abortion law in America abortion is now legal only when the mother's life is in danger. But the issue in this case has less to do with the morality of abortion than with church involvement in the political process. The people of Guam, 90 percent of whom are Catholic, pay a great deal of attention to the opinions of the Catholic Church in their political beliefs. This is their right; if a duly elected legislature enacts the will of the people, the origins of that will are irrelevant.

In this case, however, the archbishop of Guam drastically over-stepped his bounds by threatening to excommunicate any legislator who voted against the bill. This is blatant obstruction of the political process. It assumes that legislators are morally bound to force their own personal beliefs on other individuals, and is contrary to the spirit of American democracy and the separation of church and state. While the archbishop is and should be free to say anything or threaten anyone, he should realize that he is forcing these politicians to choose between good government and their church, and many have already refused to choose the church. This is not an isolated case; several churches have held political leaders hostage with their religious beliefs in the past.

A bishop in New York told Mario Cuomo And a priest in San Diego refused to give a pro-choice candidate communion but she won anyway when the community was outraged by his action. The Catholic Church is not alone; a Mormon woman in Virginia was also ex-communicated for her religious beliefs. It is interesting, though, that the Catholic Church has singled out the abortion issue when millions of other American Catholics regularly violate church teachings on birth control. Would church leaders excommunicate Geraldine Ferraro or Edward Kennedy for using contraceptives? Their willingness to throw their weight around on one sin while ignoring one that is committed much more often is curious. It would appear that church elders are more interested in forcing politicians to go along with their own personal beliefs on abortion than in asking Americans to adhere strictly to all church doctrine.

No one is questioning the church's right to free speech, or its right to participate in the political process. Good works are an integral part of any church's teachings; the positive effects on communities across the country are witness to this, and it includes political participation. The church should not, however, hold politicians hostage with their religious beliefs. In doing so, they are obstructing the political process and alienating all Americans who believe in freedom to choose not abortion, but their own political beliefs. Kimberly Edens return to work? Is he going to support her financially so that she can adequately feed, clothe and care for the child? if the mother gives the child up for adoption can he adequately support a woman who has undergone intense emotional trauma? In a nation that suffers from notably deficient child care, high family poverty rates and high infant mortality rates can he ensure with absolute certainty that the child will be placed in a healthy non-abusive environment or that it will receive proper nutrition and health care? These are just a few examples of what women experiencing an unwanted or pregnancy will need and ultimately will confront.

I have not even taken into consideration women who are married and have the financial burden of a family, the special and intensified problems of poor, minority women, very young girls or rape victims. There is no doubt that the virtues of "Love, compassion and sympathetic concern for women" are crucially needed in this country but let us not fool ourselves into thinking that an ideally simple change in attitude is going to solve the problem of unwanted pregnancies. The solution predominantly lies in the growing education of women about birth control and their increased economic, social and political strength. "Support" for a woman facing an unwanted or difficult pregnancy entails much more than simply holding her hand and telling her that she is doing the right thing. Michelle Hughes is a graduate student in English from Carrboro.

In his letter "Pro-life advocate respects human rights" (March 19 DTH), George W. Startz makes two statements which I found rather ironic considering the relative position of women in pur society today. Mr. Startz, as a male anti-choice advocate, documents his deep concern for the human rights of pregnant women by claiming that "If a female friend requested my help and support during a difficult pregnancy, I would only be too happy to assist her in whatever way I could." He then closes his letter with the ideal solution for all unwanted or difficult pregnancies experienced by women. He states that "love, compassion and sympathetic concern for women experiencing problematic pregnancies, combined with an understanding and non-judgmental attitude, are the true solutions." We, however, do not live in an ideal and benevolent society where such general attitudinal changes as proposed by Mr.

Startz would profoundly affect women's lives. We live in a society which denies women economic, political and social power. Does the "compassion" and "understanding" which Mr. Startz envisions necessarily entail a change in women's economic and political status? This is a crucial question. Consider, for example, the population of poor, minority and unwed women who are extremely marginalized in our society now.

Do we truly believe that "love, compassion and sympathetic concern" is going to significantly alleviate the severe emotional, psychological, financial and social problems that their unwanted pregnancy will incur? No woman will deny that our society needs to demonstrate more "understanding" and "compassion" toward the needs of all women, pregnant or not pregnant, but to claim that the solution to abortion lies in an attitudinal change only is naive and simplistic. Perhaps Mr. Startz should consider the implications of his words on a more practical level. To be more specific, let us assume a friend of Mr. Startz becomes pregnant.

He is concerned for her welfare and is willing to support her, but exactly what does this support encompass? Will Mr. Startz be willing to find and pay for proper pre-natal care? If the woman is not married can he protect her from the devastating social stigma which still surrounds an unwed mother or an "illegitimate child" today? Can he adequately provide the psychological and emotional support for a woman who is experiencing financial and social insecurity because of an unwanted child? Is he willing to physically care for her if she experiences serious and potentially fatal health risks? (Contrary to what Mr. Startz states in his letter, there are many potentially harmful and dangerous health risks caused by pregnancy, such as diabetes). If the woman finds the experience overwhelming is he going to pay for the counseling she'll need to confront the responsibility of being a single mother? After the child is born is he going to find and pay for day care so the mother can Editorial Policy The Daily Tar Heel's board opinion editorials are voted on by the board, which is composed of the co-editors, opinion editor, forum editor and three editorial writers. The opinions reflect the board's majority opinion.

Signed editorials do not necessarily reflect the entire board's opinion..