| Summary: | • '•>••>* .Opinion Page 6 Concordian, November^ 1983 Viewpoint Beirut isn't that far away anymore "Blast ravages Marine command station" "Reagan vows to keep Marines in Lebanon11 "Reagan: We were just in time" "Cubans still resisting in Grenada" During the past two weeks I have woken up and saw those headlines staring at me. I'm not quite sure what to make of the whole ordeal. Marines, Lebanon, Grenada. They're objects I've heard about, read about, but have never thought about. It is so easy in this world, as sheltered as we "are, to distance ourselves from foreign affairs. To many people, Beirut is a far away place —with unknown names and faces. Something happened last week that caused many people to discover a new side to reality. The threat of war became real. In Beirut over 200 Marines lost their lives because a truck, loaded with Letters explosives, ran directly into a building. There was no explanation as to why this happened. It just did. Grenada was invaded to protect countries "from Communism. Debate in Congress continues &n how long should the Marines be stationed in Grenada. The threat is there. Beirut had the largest amount of men die in ac-tion since the Vietnam War. People are beginning to talk about the possiblities of war. They discuss how it would affect them.* It seems so different now. As children we watched war in cartoons and didn't ever give it a second thought. We grew up feeling very safe — nothing could ever happen to destroy our world. These past two weeks brought about a change in many lives. An awareness of destruction could be seen. People were concerned. They weren't able to say "Oh, it's only in the Mid-East. I don't have to worry." The events that happened in Beirut were very shocking. But the effect it had here in the U.S. was definately beneficial. People began to care about affairs outside of their own little world. People had to deal with a new reality. With reality so near, do not be quick to tuck it away. Instead, be aware of what's going on around you — outside of your life. It may be necessary for your own survival. Jo Senate adequately represented students on salary issue To the editor While we all are probably near-ing salary overload, I do believe .it time to clarify misperceptions of how senate approached the compensation issue. First of all, salaries arp necessary for the continued ex-cellence of student programs at Concordia, but they cannot be a priority of the senate in funding-programs and activities should come first. The leaders of student organiza-tions have been aware since last spring that the potential for salary cuts existed. The pro-posal accepted by the senate had been discussed with the leaders earlier in the week prior to the meeting to gather a response. Senators were not able to cantact everyone involv-ed and yet, that is not possible either. As a second issue, alt senate meetings were open to the stu-dent body, consistent with the idea of open meetings. However, it was not the bylaws intent to have all committee meetings publicly announced. Forums were not feeslble when considering that in past years, there have been more senators at these meetings than anyone els.e'. ^ , -i'V **4 It was not our Intent to steamroll this proposal through. We attempted to solicit opi-nions from a wide range of groups-students, organizations and faculty. We received little response despite good coverage in the Concordian. Considering that salaries are a no-win situation (if cuts are made, senate is unpopular, if salaries stay-the same, senate is unpopular), I believe that the senators did more than an "ade-quate" job of representing their constituency. Greg Ulland Senate Chairperson' Women's Center needs understanding, not a label To the editor Radical. The word by itself seemingly carries negative con-notations today. Any organiza-tion or group that Is marked "radical" is construed as being reactionary, hostile, militant, and violent. Webster's New Collegiate Dic-tionary defines the word "radical" as (3) a marked but considerable departure from the usual or traditional: EX-TREME. . t: - Webster's dictionary offers an objective, unbiased conception of the misunderstood word, but everyone, of course, has developed their individual definition of the notions sur-rounding it. At some point, the term "radical," was attached to Con-cordia's Women's Center, and it has remained imprinted there like a scar. When one conjures a picture of a Women's Center many perceive it as a radical group, exclusive in nature, a den where women gather to "cut-down" men. Or when one con-siders a Women's Center one decides that the group consists of "Women-libbers" and feminists; two more ter-minologies riddled with misconceptions and false generalizations. Perhaps women's groups are stereotyped in this negative light because of the initial public manner in which the women's groups demanded at-tention, i.e. the national and in-ternational protest, public rallies, strikes and other demonstrative measures. In-ferably, they wanted attention. Since that time, the Women's Movement has matured and pro-spered; achieving recognition and accomplishing some ad-mirable ends. At Concordia, the Women's Center programs meetings with guest lecturers to help create awareness of issues outside our own college environment. This awakening of important concerns will aid in helping women and men to bet-ter cope when they are con-fronted with unique problems found on the job, within the family, and between marriage partners. . ,_ Women's Center have emerged to help facilitate, support and nurture the needs of both women and men today. A group of this nature is relevant today in order to educate both sexes, to create a greater awareness of the concerns and issues that ef-fect both men and women, and to rally for support from one another so as to realize our in-dividual effectiveness and potential. Perhaps we need to realize that men and women are very dif-ferent, not just physically, but in their modes of thinking, value, emotins, reactions ana methods. Together we need to understand our differences, and then possibly, we may conclude that neither gender is better than the other. They are just dif-ferent. Arlene Jorgensen Editor's note: This letter is a condensed ver-sion of the column 'My Place' published in October's A Women's Place. IConcordian The Concordian is the official newspaper of Concordia College, published weekly by students for the Concordia College community. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the college, administration, faculty or student body. Letters to the editor should be typed, double-spaced, and are to be submitted by 5 p,m. Monday prior to publication on Friday. Unsigned letters will be printed only upon prior discussion with the editor. Letters must be limited to 300 words. The editor reserves the right to edit all material submitted for publication. The advertising d$*dlln$ la 5 p.m. Monday prior to Friday's publication. The Concordian offices are located in the Knutson Student Life Center; 299-3826, 299-3827. The Concordian is printed by Lakes Publishing In Hawley, Minn. Editor JoAnn Berndt Associate editor Jeremy Gray News editors Nate Jackson Dirk Meuleners Aris and features editor Caren Roberts Sports editor ThorTolo Production manager Paul Rensted Photo editor *. Kris Stacy Graphics Dan Llnd Eric Neshelm Advertising manager Brynn Hausmann Business manager -. Eric Johnson Adviser Dorothy Collins Publisher Paul J. Dovre Pago Dolgnsrs: Chris Foss, Kim Krohn, Dirk Meuleners, Laurie Nygaard. Staff: Cindy Bogatzkl, Faye Brunner, Cindy Carlson, Beck! Cllne, Angle Evavold, Kevin Home, Connl Job, Jim Knudsen, Peter Lund, Klrsten Nesheim, Lisa Reese, Cheryl Roskopf, Mike Wentworth. - ••.• < 0iV
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