The North Texas Daily (Denton, Tex.), Vol. 62, No. 72, Ed. 1 Friday, February 2, 1979 Page: 2 of 6
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: North Texas Daily / The Campus Chat and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the UNT Libraries Special Collections.
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Editorial
Carter mocks justice
with Patty Hearst pardon
Poor, poor Patty Hearst. If money
and power didn't talk, she might still
be in jail.
After all, the only crime Patty com-
mitted (according to the jury) was to
point a machine gun (at innocent
people) along with some other
members of a terrorist group while
robbing a bank.
President Carter pardoned Patty
because, he said, she has suffered
enough. Now she can leave prison
and marry one of her bodyguards
and start a new life.
Too bad Carter can’t have time to
look at all prison records and om-
nipotently decide who has and who
hasn’t suffered enough for crimes of
which thev’ve been convicted.
Somewhere along the lines, the
ideas of “equal in the eyes of the law”
and “justice for all” are being
mocked by Carter and his ad-
ministration.
Patty claims (as she did during her
trial) that she was brainwashed by the
Symbianese Liberation Army and
had no choice in her actions.
The jury, however, convicted Patty
on the grounds that she did have con-
trol of herself and need not have par-
ticipated in the bank robbery.
Patty was sentenced to seven years
in prison, and has served 22 months.
She would have been eligible for
parole July 11 and would have com-
pleted her term—including time off
for good behavior—by May 1982.
The sad thing is that there are still
middle-class and lower-class in-
dividuals in state and federal prisons
who are serving time for less serious
offenses than Miss Hearst’s.
Patty's supporters claim she has
been sensationalized and exploited by
the media, and that her privacy has
been invaded to the point that even
freedom “will not end the suffering
she will experience.”
Any criminal, no matter what
social standing, has put himself in the
public eye and is subject to media ex-
posure. When the criminal happens
to be someone as affluent as Patty
Hearst. the media coverage will
logically be widespread and muic
detailed than that of the average John
Doe.
Patty is a convicted criminal who
was judged in control of her actions
at the time of the bank robbery in
which she participated.
And any criminal thus charged is
responsible and must suffer the con-
sequences of his actions. Except the
Patty Hearsts who have enough in-
fluence and money to appeal to high
governmental authorities and hire the
most expensive, well-trained,
dramatic lawyers in the country.
(Shades of Cullen Davis?)
The big question brought to light
by Carter’s action is whether the
president (or any high-ranking
government official) should have the
right to grant executive clemency to
convicted criminals.
A striking case in point is the ac-
tion taken recently by former Tennes-
see Gov. Ray Blanton. Blanton, who
had the power of executive clemency
over Tennessee state prisoners, par-
doned or drastically reduced the
sentences of 52 Tennessee
prisoners—including 24 convicted
murderers. This was done prior to the
end of Blanton’s term as governor,
and some people are questioning
whether pay-offs were involved.
No matter what caused Blanton’s
actions, he has shown that a high-
ranking official with the power to
commute prison sentences can abuse
the privilege and subsequently put
the lives of others in danger by his ac-
tions.
That’s not to say that Carter has
abused the power of executive
clemency. But, Carter isn’t thinking
about other prisoners and their
families who will no doubt be bitter
about his decision to free Miss
Hearst.
Carter, by freeing Patty Hearst,
has proven that justice is not equal to
all citizens in the United States, and
that power and wealth constitute
“more equality."
'N
Commentary
The North Texas Daily
Page 2 Friday, February 2, 1979
Feedback
Reader praises ’good’taste
Jim Linebarger
Route 1
Argyle
Those of us here at North Texas who are concerned
about matters of taste are deeply indebted to Allan
Cook for his thoughtful Daily column of January 30.
Let’s hope his implied call to action—that something
really should be done about the clothes people wear on
this campus—will not be ignored by those who
recognize the gravity of the problem. After all, what
better way is there to judge a person than by his
clothes?
My only objection to Mr. Cook’s article is that at
times he seemed to be trying to treat the matter in a
humorous way. But everyone assures me that there
isn’t a whit of humor anywhere in the article, and that
I’m just reading things into it.
Hats off to Mr. Cook. (I’m speaking only
metaphorically, of course—no truly fashionable
person has worn a hat since 1948.) ! look forward to
many more of Mr. Cook’s columns, which are in
meniscivca instructive about what docs, and does not,
constitute good taste.
Managing editor kills hopes
Melinda Lusk
NT Box 7163
I can’t tell you how disappointed I am in Allan
Cook. When I heard that he had been appointed
managing editor, I thought, “Thank God! Maybe the
Daily will shape up and the quality of writing will
improve.”
But I was fooled. Allan certainly looks the part of a
managing editor, pipe and all, but his article on the
Worst Dressed people on campus sent my hopes—and
his credibility as a responsible writer—up in flames.
Allan, who cares? I’m here to get an education, not
to judge a fashion show. As long as these people are
reliable in their jobs, they could wear clown suits for all
I care.
Perhaps during the semester you'll regain your
senses, Allan. But, until then, your writing will rival
Kim Ernst’s cliche-ridden drivel for “Worst Daily Ar-
ticle.
Icy chills can cause spring fever
Winter weather has some good points
It's 8 a.m. and you’re running late for school. You
have just enough time to grab a cup of coffee and a
stale doughnut. You haphazardly gather books, papers
and pens while trying to put on your coat, gloves and
scarf. As you run out the door, the stinging cold wind
hits you. While you try to cover your face from the bit-
ter cold, you fail to notice that patch of ice in front of
you.
Bam! Books, papers and pens fly every which way,
and you’re sprawled over the cold concrete muttering,
along with a few other choice words, “I wish spring
would hurry up.”
If a poll were taken on which season is the most
favored, winter would probably be on the bottom of
the list.
People usually notice the disadvantages winter
brings much more than the disadvantages of the rest of
the seasons. They complain about scraping ice off
windshields, gripe about the cold weather, curse the icy
streets and worry about what to do on snowbound
weekends.
But then, it’s human nature to complain. However,
it seems that we complain so much about winter that
we fail to notice the season’s good points.
What good points? There are some, although they
may be hidden behind the ice and snow. The Bible says
there is a purpose for everything under heaven: Winter
is no exception.
Did you notice how fresh and crisp the air was after
the recent snowfall? Snow takes out much of the im-
purities that pollute the air, so what you inhaled then
was probably some of the cleanest air you’ve breathed
in a while.
This winter weather also helps to make for a more
beautiful spring. Dr. Don Smith, associate professor of
biology, said that some plants require cold weather to
make them flower more in the spring. Plants such as
lilacs, redbuds and wisteria do best in the type of
weather we’re having now. Dr. Smith said that a mild
winter or an extremely harsh, dry winter can be hard
on plants. The weather that we are now experiencing
keeps the plants dormant in the winter. Otherwise they
may blossom earlv only to be cut off by the next freeze.
What’s even better, if it snows or sleets hard enough,
school gets called off. We can always use a few days off
to break up the monotony of the semester.
Cold weather brings people closer together. Notice
how people tend to huddle closer together for body
heat? It’s just the type of weather to snuggle in front of
a fireplace sipping hot cocoa or wine, and . . . well . . .
However, if you’re still convinced that winter is not
your type of season and you think that you’d be better
off without it, you may be interested to know that one
of winter’s advantages is working on you right now:
You've come to appreciate spring and summer more.
Why else would you wish for the warm weather?
Sports fans have right
to know entire ’score’
Everybody's favorite television commentator,
Howard Cosell, no matter how controversial, obnox-
ious or whatever he is, has coined a phrase that many
members of the news media should take to heart: “Tell
it like it is.”
The most recent incident in which commentators
were blinded by the light was in the closing moments of
December’s Gator Bowl football game. As millions
watched former Ohio State Coach Woody Hayes
Richard
Day v
deliver a forearm shiver to the neck of Clemson
noseguard Charlie Bauman in one of the most vicious
sneak attacks since Pearl Harbor, ABC college football
commentators Keith Jackson and Ara Parseghian
seemed blissfullv unaware of what was happening.
There is no excuse for their see no evil, hear no evil,
speak no evil job, because ABC was bombarded with
phone calls from around the nation asking why the in-
cident was not covered as any other play would be and
why the two announcers said nothing of what hap-
pened. A replay of the interception by Bauman was
shown minutes later, but after he was tackled and the
melee started, everyone was in the dark.
Hayes, who was fired the next morning, struck
Bauman as the player jumped to his feet follow ing his
interception of an Ohio State pass. Hayes then
smashed an elbow into the face of an assistant coach
who tried to restrain him, then hit and grabbed the
facemask of Ohio State’s Ken Fritz. Moments later,
Hayes grabbed an official and had to be restrained
again from exchanging punches with Tom Cousineau,
his All-America linebacker. None of this was shown in
the ABC replay or commented on by the two an-
nouncers.
In the most famous instance of telling it like it really
is, Woodward and Bernstein held nothing back and
did not dwell on sacred cows, and became rich in the
process. This is the way journalism was meant to be; to
inform the people of everything that is news and tell
them the entire story. News is that which most interests
the most people at a certain time. Although people
have borrowed their Watergate findings for their own
benefit in movies and books, Woodward and Bernstein
changed the course of journalism.
In New Year's Day’s Rose Bowl football game, only
guest analyst O.J. Simpson would speak out in opposi-
tion of a referee’s call that eventually determined the
outcome of USC's victory over Michigan. On a con-
troversial fumble play, officials ruled that Charles
White had scored a touchdown even though he
fumbled going into the end zone.
The replay revealed that White had indeed fumbled,
just as Simpson had said before. The more experienced
commentators did not question the call at all, and
Simpson, who played at USC himself, pointed out that
his alma mater should not have been awarded the
touchdown. Officials are human, not perfect, even
though television commentators will lead us to believe
that they are. I he announcers are paid emrimuus
salaries to tell the viewing audience what happens.
They are not doing their jobs if they leave anything
out.
Cosell has often said that many jocks are in the
broadcast booth not for their journalistic skills, but for
their entertainment value. In Simpson’s case, he was
the only one paying enough attention to the action to
point out a costly mistake.
Journalists are supposed to he the watchdogs of
society and to report the news to the public. When a
postal worker steals enough stamps to buy himself a
pickup truck, the public should know .shout it. When a
newspaper reporter is jailed by a police chief because
the reporter writes that the chief was seen drunk, it
should be revealed to the public. Whether the news is
good, bad or indifferent, the people have the right to
know. This is not an absolute rule, but it should go
right up to the limits of presenting a clear and present
danger that could cause panic. But if injustices are al-
lowed to go unnoticed, what will come of our society?
r
The North Texas Daily
62nd Year North Texas Slate University Denton. Texas
Printed h\ the North Texas Stale t Inixersitv Printing Office
long terms, September through May and weekly (every Thursday)
during the summer session, June through August except during
review and examination periods and school vacations
Member of the
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SUE MORRISON, editor
(,EOR(,E BELL,
advertising manager
LETTERS FROM READERS The Daily welcomes letters trom
readers, but reserves the right to edit Letters must be signed Mail
to Box 5297. NT Station
SUBSCRIPTION RATE—$10 annually or $5 per long semester and
$2 per summer
Represented by Communications & Advertising Services to Stu-
dents
-\
Allan Cook, managing editor
Sara Jacobsmeyer, news
Celia Laska news
LI2 Winding, editorials
David Moore, editorials
Kim Ernst, entertainments
Andy Howell entertainments
Peggy Hendricks, news assistant
Dianne King news assistant
Vito Zavoina sports
Richard Day sports
Javier Rodrigue/ staff reporter
Joanna Bostwick. staff reporter
John Harrison, photographer
Stephen Crothers. photographer
Fdwln Morrla, photographer
Terry Haskar. photographer
Dave Qasmlre. ad rapreaentative
Mary Hogan, ad rapreaentative
Susan Tata, ad representative
V
The North Texas Daily, student newspaper of North Texas State
University, is published daily. Tuesday through Friday, during the
Editorial statements of The North Texas Dally are the product of an
editorials board and therefore represent The Daily's opinion These
opinions, however, do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Dai-
ly adviser or the North Texas Stato University Administration
Signed commentaries and reader’s letters reflect the opinion of the
Individual writer and should not be confused as representing The
Dally. Its' adviser or the North Texas State Administration
Box 5297. NT Station Denton Texas 76203
Telephone 788 2353 or 788-2406
Advertising office telephone 788-2240
Southwestern Journalism Congress
PACEMAKER 6 TIMES ALL-AMERICAN 64 TIMES
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Morrison, Sue. The North Texas Daily (Denton, Tex.), Vol. 62, No. 72, Ed. 1 Friday, February 2, 1979, newspaper, February 2, 1979; Denton, TX. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1002853/m1/2/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.