Gas price increase felt all over the globe
By Ed Hatfield
Cento Assistant Opinions Editor
The more observant among us will have likely noticed that the college seal, which has for nine years now kept watch over the steps of Old Centre, was replaced last week by a decidedly less attractive arrangement of gravel and sand. The change was not due to the misguided zeal of a campus beautification initiative, but rather to a group of malevolent vandals.
At present, little is known about the guilty parties. Last Sunday morning, while the rest of Danville lay peacefully asleep, Public Safety officials received an anonymous telephone call informing them that the seal was missing. The officers made haste to the scene of the crime, though their thorough inspection yielded few clues. It is believed that the persons responsible acted under the cloak of night, escaping notice, before slinking back to whatever den they emerged from.
The case it seems is shaping out to be a classic whodunit, with few leads to follow. According to Associate Director of Public Safety Gary Bugg, the prime suspects are a group of fraternity men from Miami University in Ohio. The students, members of the Deke fraternity, were seen on campus the Saturday prior to the seal’s disappearance and were suspected of having been honing their craft when they were apprehended while lifting traffic signs from an undisclosed site in town on the same afternoon.
Conversation around campus in the wake of the robbery indicates that students are in doubt regarding where blame should lie. While many believe the Miami of Ohio students to be responsible, others suspect our meddlesome rivals from Boston, for pilfering the seal in a last ditch effort to avenge their infamous defeat of 1921. Some cynics on campus even suggested that the guilty person(s) may walk among us. At any rate, what one can be sure of is that the seal is indeed missing and, as evidenced by the recent replacement, is not likely to resurface.
Indeed, student opinion on the issue is diverse. While some students reacted to the news with an indifferent shrug of the shoulders, others demanded that a bounty be offered for the heads of the guilty parties. The opinions of the administration, however, are more uniform. In a statement made on the ninth of March, President Roush reiterated the value of the seal, materially and symbolically, saying further, “I have a very low tolerance for theft and vandalism, and it is my hope that someone will step forward and help us reclaim this important college property.”
The chances of reclaiming the seal, however, are few. Despite a comprehensive investigation, there is little evidence with which to work. At week’s end, the case will likely be turned over to local authorities.
The events of the past two weeks have prompted many to entertain suggestions that more might be done by the college community at large to prevent future theft. Whether this means the establishment of a neighborhood watch, or battalions of lightly armed student vigilante groups, is anybody’s guess. In the coming months, student representatives will meet with college administration to decide what measures, if any, should be taken. Back to Top...
By Shelley Nickel
Special to the Cento
Bowl for Kids Sake, an annual fundraiser sponsored by Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Bluegrass, was held Saturday, March 11 at Danville’s Bowl-a-rama. Each year local groups, businesses, and organizations get teams together to enjoy an afternoon of free bowling, pizza, and prizes in order to help support the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. Teams gather pledges and the money collected supports the program throughout the year.
Centre organizations were well represented at this year’s event. Teams from Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Delta Pi, Sigma Chi, Phi Kappa Tau, and the Bonner Leader’s Program attended and everyone seemed to have a lot of fun. After all, who wouldn’t have fun when free bowling, rented shoes, and all the pizza you can eat are involved!
Centre’s support of this fundraiser is important because several Centre students have little brothers or sisters in Danville through the program. Being a mentor to a child in Danville allows Centre students to provide a valuable service to the community and makes an important difference in child’s life. If you would like more information on how to become involved in Big Brothers/Big Sisters (it only requires a few hours a week), contact Shelley Nickel at 8771 or Libby Suttles at 236-2999. Back to Top...
By Melinda Weathers
Special to the Cento
We all have been besieged by the events that have occurred in the past year, which were inspired by racial hatred. In this democratic country called America, a black man my still be dragged to death in Texas, Jewish men, women and children may still be fired upon in hatred, a black child is made an easy target at Columbine, and white children are afraid to cross the path of their black classmates.
The Martin Luther King Unity Breakfast in Birmingham, Alabama in January 1998 introduced the Birmingham Pledge in order to combat the racial discrimination they faced in the past and that their children must face tomorrow. The Birmingham Pledge is a personal renunciation of racism. More than 50,000 signed copies of the Pledge have been gathered from all around the world and are being officially recorded at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
In a journey towards a hate-free millennium, we must remove not only thoughts and feelings of prejudice based on race, but also that based on gender, sexual orientation and a host of other factors that cause prejudice. The Diversity Student Union in cooperation with the Diversity Education Office presents the Birmingham Pledge Drive 2000 in our effort to educate and eliminate the ideas of prejudice on Centre’s campus.
Our goal is to have 20% of Centre students, faculty and staff to sign the Birmingham Pledge by the end of spring 2000. Information has been sent to all organizations regarding this endeavor. Every other Tuesday, beginning March 22 through May 2, during lunch and dinner, a table will be set up in Cowan for you to come and sign this pledge. Speak with your organization about participating in this venture as we move into the next millennium. Let us all strive daily to eliminate prejudice from our thoughts and actions and discourage racial prejudice by others at every opportunity. Sign It. Live It.
If you have any questions, please contact either Jennifer Hodge ’02, ext. 6232 or call Melinda Weathers ’02 at ext. 6478.Back to Top...
Gas price increase felt all over the globe
By Thom Kelly
Cento News Writer
The Lundberg Survey, which monitors gas prices across the US, reported that the average national price of a gallon of self-serve regular gas from Feb. 25 to March 10 was $1.54, up 12.11 cents per gallon during the two week period.
“That speed of change is a record breaker,” says Trilby Lundberg, who heads the survey.
Prices are higher in the West, where gasoline has been in shorter supply because of refinery problems last year. The most expensive gasoline was in San Francisco, where a gallon of self-serve regular averaged $1.83. The cheapest average price was in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where motorists paid $1.39 for a gallon of self-serve regular, up 9.79 cents from the average price two weeks ago.
In contrast to what seems to be a skyrocketing price of fuel, gasoline is cheaper in today’s dollars than in 1980. Consumers can take some comfort that, when adjusted for inflation, the average overall price is still lower than the record set two decades ago. However, the increase in price has come at record-breaking speed.
Some industry experts are saying the cost of gasoline in the US has yet to peak and is not expected to dip until summer at the earliest. The high price of crude oil and its short supply are driving these increases.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which meets later this month, is expected to announce it will boost oil production. Market analysts cautioned that even more crude in the world’s oil pipelines will not cut gasoline prices right away.
The International Energy Agency reported last week that the US and the world’s other richest countries have depleted their oil inventories to the lowest levels in four years.
OPEC is worried about the recent price volatility, and analysts now expect the group to ease some of the production cuts that it made in 1998 and 1999.
However, Lundberg warned, consumers should not look for an immediate dip in gas prices, because demand will be rising due to warmer weather.
“Even if the outcome of the March 27 OPEC meeting brings more oil supplies to the market, U.S. gasoline prices may hover around current levels or rise in the next few weeks,” she said.
Although U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson has refused to say how much added production will be necessary to reduce prices, he’s noted that the world currently uses two million more barrels of oil per day than is being produced, drawing down inventories.
Richardson predicts OPEC will increase production of petroleum and, over the spring and summer, gasoline prices will stabilize. That assessment is in contrast to the Energy Department’s own recent analysis that forecast rising gas prices with national average prices of $1.80 this summer, and $2 gas in some places, even if OPEC countries substantially increase production.
The OPEC producers cut production by 4.3 million barrels a day in early 1999 to prop up prices that had plummeted to below $11 a barrel. Since then a world oil glut has turned into shortages and the price has gone as high as $34 a barrel. The sudden shift from an oversupply to scarcity has resulted in the dramatic price increases.
Last month, Richardson started a world tour of major oil-producing countries to urge them to increase output. Travelling to countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Mexico, Venezuela, and Norway, he discussed with government officials and oil producers the need for stability in the oil market. Overall in America, gasoline is still not as expensive as it is elsewhere. For example, gas sells for an average of $2 a gallon in Mexico, $3.46 a gallon in Japan, $4.50 in France and $5 a gallon in Britain.Back to Top...
By Tiffany Reisz
Special to the Cento
Three Christian campus groups (Chi Alpha, The Baptist Student Union, and The Centre Christian Fellowship) came together on Feb. 8, after months of prayer and weeks of work for The first annual Centre College Praise Concert.
Scott Guttery ’01 of CCF and Stacy Minton ’00 of BSU helped to organize the concert. We three shared a vision of a concert that would praise the name and nature of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Emily Cash ’00 of CCF opened the concert with an acoustic set. Many came to the concert to hear Emily, and special guest Josh Elliot ’01. They were followed by Laura Hellebusch ’03, Jody Pearcy ’03, Patrick Noltemeyer ’01 and John Froelich ’01. BSU’s contribution to the concert came next –the band PROGOD.
Based at First Baptist Church in Danville, the band’s lineup included Jason Ball ’03, Hannah Yetter ‘03, Neil Cuvar ’03, Nick Hust ’03, Jordan Smallwood ’03, and Jamie Ward, youth minister of First Baptist. They electrified the audience with hard rock versions of popular praise songs.
The featured artist from Cornerstone Assembly of God in Danville, the band everyotherday, had the audience on their feet. Their lineup includes Kris Carey (15), Kirsten Lane (15), Joshua Sparks (18), and Charlie Griffitts (18).
Near the end of the concert Jason Ball of PROGOD came forward and offered an invitation to the audience. He said of the experience: “People got saved, and that’s what matters. I’m glad all the bands sounded as good as they did...and the Holy Spirit moved as it did. Centre students were down on their faces at the alter praying...and getting their lives right with God. But even if just one person was given a chance to take that saving step of faith, it was all worth it. As for me....I was playing for an audience of one...Jesus Christ.”Back to Top...
By Nick Tomecek
Staff writer for the Kentucky Kernel
UK army ROTC cadets “legally killed” the enemy using M-16 rifles on a computerized simulation as part of a day-long training event at the Wendell H. Ford training Center in Muhlenberg County. The event introduced cadets that are not fully committed to the program to the kind of experiences involved in ROTC at UK.
Cadets flew to the Wendell H. Ford Training Center in three UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, provided by the Kentucky Army National Guard.
Twenty-nine cadets participated in the event. The simulation demonstrated how to select targets in a real life battle setting and to work as a team to accomplish a mission.
The event also helped to dispense the negative connotations about the military.
“We don’t train killers. Some of them will be working in hospitals and they just like the adventure of the military,” Rankin said.
The training for the freshmen and sophomore cadets was also used as a motivator to keep them involved in the program and possibly stick around for the opportunity for scholarships with the signing of a contract for a two-year or a four-year commitment after college.
Seniors used the opportunity to practice their leadership skills.
“When I first got here it was nearly impossible for me to stand up in front of a group. Now I’m a senior and I’m leading a group like this,” said cadet McAllister, a Centre College student.
Teamwork and leadership exist in the ROTC program as the sole teaching points for cadets interested in a career in the military and fields outside of the military, like medicine and communications.
“This is the same leadership they can take anywhere they want,” Walters said.
The day ended, leaving cadets of all ranks with more knowledge and experience than they had before. They marched in step towards the meeting place of the helicopters singing, “Hi Ho lock and load. The engines are runnin’ we’re ready to go.”Back to Top...
Ethnic tensions and crime cripple Kosovo
By Scott Spence
Special to the Cento
After the conclusion of the NATO air offensive against Serbian ethnic cleansing in its Kosovo region, it was widely assumed by many there that some semblance of order would be installed by NATO ground forces and UN civilian authorities. From the beginning the job of reconstructing the country and rebuilding ethnic harmony would be difficult, but recent events have proven to all observers that this task could take many years if it is completed at all.
On March 4, French peacekeepers were heckled and jeered at by ethnic Serbs as they attempted to help Kosovar Albanian refugees move into their abandoned homes in the town of Mitrovica. Since the conclusion of the conflict, the city had become a symbol of Kosovo’s division with Serbs living in the north section and Albanians living in the south. As per the agreement to end the conflict, refugees were supposed to be relocated back to their residences, but this has caused tension. This tension about relocation finally boiled over two days later, when a simple traffic accident between a Serb and an Albanian eventually turned into a citywide riot in which forty were injured, according to the Associated Press. Starting in city’s Serb neighborhoods, the conflict eventually involved the Albanian residents as well as French peacekeepers. As of press time, the situation has still not been conclusively resolved.
The riot in Mitrovica is symptomatic of a general breakdown in law and order in Kosovo. The combination of plentiful armaments, ethnic tensions, and lack of a functioning government had led some to compare the region to America’s Wild West. For example, a Washington Post reporter tells of a dispute between residents over parking ended only when one person blew up the other’s car with a rocket launched grenade. Citizens of Kosovo state that this is only natural though considering what the region has gone through. To quote Albanian newspaper editor Veton Survoi, would other countries “have much tolerance if they had no heat, water or electricity for seven months?”Back to Top...
CHARGE breaks shroud of silence
by Tara Metts
Cento News Editor
On Thursday, March 16, CHARGE (Centre Helping to Achieve Respect and Gender Equality) held a protest against the Taliban in Afghanistan. The Taliban is an extremist militia that seized control of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan on Sept. 27, 1996. Upon taking control, the group instituted a system of gender apartheid that basically placed the women of Afghanistan under house arrest, and stripped them of their human rights. According to The Feminist Majority Foundation, “When they took control in 1996, the Taliban initially imposed strict edicts that:
• Banished women from the work force
• Closed schools to girls and expelled women from universities
• Prohibited women from leaving their homes unless accompanied by a close male relative
• Ordered the publicly visible windows of women’s houses painted black and forced women to wear the burqa–which completely shrouds the body, leaving only a small mesh-covered opening through which to see
• Prohibited women and girls from being examined by male physicians while at the same time, prohibited most female doctors and nurses from working (currently there are a few, selected female doctors allowed to operate in segregated wards).”
The Taliban has been internationally condemned, but even after such condemnation, they have made few changes. In some cities, a few home schools for girls have opened, but only under the fear of being beaten or killed for accidentally showing an ankle from underneath the burqa. The sanctions on health care have left the women helpless against disease and injury, causing many more deaths. Prohibiting women from working has forced women out onto the street to beg for food and money to feed their children. The Feminist Majority Foundation reports that, “ninety-seven percent of Afghan women surveyed by Physicians for Human Rights exhibit signs of major depression and many women have attempted suicide by swallowing household cleaners, rather than continuing to live under these conditions.”
Throughout the 1980s, the United States funded the insurgent militia forces called the mujahideen (soldiers of God) through a CIA covert operation. After the Soviets’ withdrawal in 1989, factions of the mujahideen fell into a civil war and in 1994, the most extreme group of the mujahideen, the Taliban, emerged. Also Pakistan and Saudi Arabia support the Taliban, supplying military aid and personnel. This campaign is designed to keep the United Nations and the U.S. from recognizing the Taliban as a legitimate government, which will ultimately lead to a decrease in the power of the Taliban. As Betsy Dahms ’03, a member of CHARGE stated, “Hopefully by raising campus awareness and general awareness we will get the government to stop sending aid.”
The protest began with some background on the Taliban provided by a video titled Shroud of Silence that was shown in the Warehouse Wednesday evening. The protest was in full effect on Thursday with displays and information during lunch in Cowan. There were about 15 women dressed in shrouds, standing in silence around the dining area with placards containing various statements such as, “I am a doctor and I am unable to practice medicine.” A table was set up with fact sheets and swatches of fabric that students could pick up. There were also three petitions for students to sign that will be sent to President Clinton, Secretary of State Madeline Albright and Secretary General of the UN, Kofi Annan. The petitions are asking our government not to recognize the Taliban as a legitimate government, not to support those who do recognize the Taliban, such as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, and not to allow U.S. corporations to set up businesses in Afghanistan. A list of email addresses and phone numbers are available as well, for students who would like to write personal letters or place phone calls concerning this issue.
The idea for the protest was originally proposed by Kelly Rice ’00 at a CHARGE meeting. Rice had learned about the situation in Afghanistan from Dr. Rick Axtell. Rice then brainstormed with several members of CHARGE and they developed the idea for the campaign. They researched the subject and tried to think of a way to make the protest visible on campus. CHARGE was formed to improve gender relations on campus, but the organization saw this campaign as an opportunity to expand their influence and try to make a difference in a global feminist project. Rice projected one of the goals of the protest, saying, “We can become so wrapped-up in the relatively petty problems we face at Centre. It is important to look around the world, to look at Afghanistan, they are unable to do anything. But there are things we can do to help them get their lives back to the way they used to be.”
For additional information on the Taliban go to www.feminist.org/afghan/intro.html Back to Top...