University of Virginia Library

Letters To The Editor

Student Upset Over Plans For Pentagon March

If the University of Virginia
is not "affiliated with" the ludicrous
and disgusting "roll to Washington,
DC this Saturday in protest
of the Vietnam war" then why
is a Virginia banner to be carried
in the march and, above all, why
is the sale of tickets for this traitorous
undertaking allowed within
the offices of the University? Newcomb
Hall, as a part of the University
of Virginia, or any offices
of this institution has no business
being utilized for such purposes.

Each time a public demonstration
occurs which protests the
War, aid and comfort are given
to the enemies of freedom everywhere.
Each time these demonstrations
receive public recognition,
the morale of our troops is
lessened. Indirectly, these happenings
are responsible for the death
of many Americans. The ignorant
cowards who take part in these
so-called "peace movements"
might as well pull the trigger of
weapons aimed at the peace keeping
forces of the United States.
There are no other words but
"traitor," "turncoat," "coward,"
and, indeed, "moron" which describe
such people.

I speak as an outraged veteran
of Vietnam and deeply disappointed
student of the University
of Virginia. I cannot, in any way,
understand why such traitorous
practices can be allowed on or
near the once dignified and respectful
grounds of the University.
God help this institution if such
practices are permitted and, indeed,
God help this country if
cowards and traitors are allowed to
dictate policy!

Asks War Support

I have been following, with great
dismay, the printed and verbal
discussions related to our position
in the "conflict" in Viet Nam.
It is very difficult for me to believe
that the majority of what is said
has been given much thought, is
based on actual knowledge of the
situation, or in the interest of
anyone except our enemies (hot
or cold).

Let me preface my thoughts
with this statement: having
participated in a small segment of
our operations in that area for a
year I can honestly say that I'm
not in complete agreement with
many of our decisions concerning
our efforts there. Nor do I claim
to be an expert by any means on
any phase of the operations. But
I do feel very strongly that more
constructive criticism and moral
support for the people still there
and bearing the brunt of the struggle
is vital.

It is very easy to sit here, 11,000
miles removed, and "spout" so to
speak-it is something else again
to offer criticisms and proposals.
Very few people, even those who
have spent some time in Viet
Nam, realize the magnitude and
multiplicity of our problems there.
Hawks and Doves are a part of
our heritage, and most of our important
decisions in the past have
been accompanied by long periods
of debate, but for anyone to say
or believe that we can solve this
problem with a series of either/
or, simple solutions, displays a
great lack of knowledge of the
situation. The segments or fractions
of people who finally wield
enough pressure to come up with
some sensible solutions, will not
rise from the streets after riots,
or after a weekend protest bus
trip to Washington, or from the
steps after a sit-in at an induction
center.

They will be the people who have
lived with this thing daily, listened
to the few chords of constructive
criticism, and have in their
possession the tool of experience.
The dirt-balls, even with all their
beads, beards, and drums can't
convince men that they are the
people to decide whether or not
I have to go back and fight a
war. If they (and I direct this at
the majority of the voices of dissension)
are sincerely concerned,
beyond self-interest, they would
still be in school, the service, or
in some other responsible fashion
obtaining the information, education,
experience to come up with
some sensible solutions. I'm all
for love and flowers and irresponsibility-but
they don't pave
the road to decision and leadership.

"Why should I fight a war I
don't believe in?" How many times
I've heard this-and how many
times will people have to be reminded
that to live in this country,
and bask in its freedoms requires
also some responsibilities. Some
of the bravest people in battle have
been those who didn't even know
how to load a rifle.

One of our greatest assets has
been our desire to solve our problems
in the best and most expedient
way-it has also been, at times,
a liability. This conflict is a new
experience for us-the history
books provide a framework for
some of our decisions, but by no
means the answers. This is a great
challenge for us- and our lights
have always shone brightest in the
face of the greater challenges, so
let's hear criticisms, proposals, and
ideas, but let's not hear a lack of
support for those fighting presently,
or the fact that this is
our problem to solve in the best
fashion-not via getting more
votes for the next election, or irresponsible
and lopsided attacks,
weekend marches, sit-ins, or riots.
We have a responsibility to support,
until we come up with something
better, the decisions of our
democratic machine-in spite of the
fact that it may need a little oiling.

Poster Contest

The purpose of this letter is to
announce the cheerleader's annual
poster and display contest to the
student body. Like last year, the
contest will be held on Openings
Weekend.

In order to encourage independent
groups to participate this
year, we have split the contest
into two divisions, a fraternity
division and an independent division.
At the time of the writing
of this letter, we have scheduled a
first prize for each division and a
grand prize of 150 fifty-yard line
reserved seats in the student section
at the Virginia-UNC game.
The grand prize will be awarded
to the best entry from either
division. We are in the process of
contacting many of the local merchants
with the hope that they will
donate additional prizes. With a
favorable response, we should
have at least a first, second, and
third prize for each division.

There are no rules to the contest,
however entries should be
based on promoting spirit for the
UNC-Virginia game. Entries will
be judged on originality, artistic
content, and the amount of work
put in. Anyone having any questions
please contact any of the
cheerleaders.

Challenge Issued

This letter is response to Preston
H. Edwards, College 2, Oct. 19,
, Herbert H. Hoover, do hereby
challenge Preston H. Edwards
(in all his majestic splendor etc.)
to a contest to determine which
of us shows more "individual
maturity, self discipline, and good
taste."

I can see it now:

There I am, the sun over my
left shoulder, no tie, chukka boots,
and my Fruit of the Loom T-shirt
with a larger tear under my right
arm pit. But I'm standing tall,
grimacing, sneering, mature.

And then-then from out of the
Rotunda like a new-borne babe
comes-Ta Ta Ta Ta Ta Taaaaaa:
Preston Man. He skips forward.
I am taken aback, almost losing
my composure.

There I am out on the Lawn
and here he comes down the steps
of the Big Top. We're 25 feet
apart. We stare. We grimace.
We sneer. We put our noses in the
air. We think of Plato.

But he's getting me. Yes. He
is. I'm weakening-I just haven't
got the self-discipline. I go down
on one knee. He approaches me
and places a hand upon my right
shoulder. A hush falls over the
Lawn as thousands are watching.
Everyone can tell that he has come
to the University for both
"an education and a plane
of living." I am truly humble and
tremblingly await his spoken word.

He turns, faces the people, and
says in a loud baritone voice:
"Goo, Goo." (But he said it with
heart).

OH! OH! I retract my challenge.
The thought of encountering him
gives me cramps. I'm too young
to die.

Honor System

Re: letter of James J. Nugent
regretting the "unwarranted advantage"
taken of the honor system.
We are in our first year at
the University and thus novices to
the honor system here. Perhaps
that is why we fail to see where a
distinction can be made, in ANY
aspect of a student's life, if this
honor system is to be meaningful.
Honorable conduct cannot mean
"that which is not in accordance
with standards but is not detected"
for honor must pervade every
action. In the University's Explanation
of the Honor System exceptions
are taken for "breaches
of administrative regulations,
failure to pay honest debts, and
breaches of civil contracts," which
are under other "arms of authority
at the University." But can these
be excepted from an honor code?
We think not, for such transgressions
imply deviations from
honorable conduct.

It has been said that the increasing
influx of graduate students
from other schools has
tended to reduce the effectiveness
of this honor system. If this be
so, perhaps it is because they do
not find the respect and support
of the system in the undergraduates
who are supposedly steeped
in its tradition. But more likely,
the weakness is in the system itself
as one which will allow exceptions.

This in itself is contradictory.
Either the honor system is completely
inclusive, or there is no
honor system at all. To say that
it pertains to one phase of conduct,
but not to another is to disprove
its practicality altogether. The
honor code is explained: "Each
student should realize that no matter
where he is or what time of
the year it is, he still represents
the University and is bound by
the Honor System." If a code of
conduct which places responsibility
on a student to act honorably
cannot be pertinent to any
situation, then it cannot justifiably
be entitled an "Honor System."