The North Texas Daily (Denton, Tex.), Vol. 69, No. 3, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 5, 1985 Page: 2 of 8
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Commentary
The North Texas Dally
Thursday, September 5, 1985
Page 2
Editorials
Bike path blues
Perhaps the most eloquent statement that can be made
about NT’s bike path can be made without words. Just
look at it. Almost no one is on the bike path. There are
so many unsafe spots on the path, many cyclists have
chosen not to use it.
It has now been a year since cyclists were banned
from riding on the inner campus and were relegated to
circle the perimeter of campus. Officials said the new
paths would make it safer for everyone. Yet the bike
path has proved to be unsafe for cyclists. This isn’t fair.
There are several reasons to ride a bike to campus.
It’s easier to find a parking space. It’s cheaper. For some,
a bike is the only available means of transportation. Each
cyclist does a lot of people a favor by being one less
person who needs to find a place to park his car.
Cyclists already had to forfeit their privilege of zipping
through the inner campus to class so pedestrians don’t
have to fear for the safety of their lives. Look what they
got in return—an unsafe bike path that is too wide to
hoot. Life in the fat lane!
The Denton City Council and NT worked together to
devise a path that would be safe and effective and they
generally did a good job. But there are a few things that
need improvement.
The path itself is eight feet wide and is divided into
two four-foot lanes to allow traffic to travel both ways.
This is a good idea, but it generally isn't necessary.
There is just not enough traffic traveling in opposite
directions at the same time to warrant such a wide lane.
The situation could be improved by simply cutting the
path down to size.
It’s not that it’s inconventient to have a wide path to
travel on, but problems arise, particularly around Mulbeny
Street near the Art Building. The path is so wide and
the street is so narrow that there really isn’t enough room
for two cars to travel safely down the street or a cyclist
to travel safely down the bike path.
Also, parts of the bike path, where the street merges
with the curb, are quite dangerous. It is hard to manuever
a bicycle on a non-level surface. Cyclists who ride on
the inside lane of the bike path have to face this problem
daily. Repaving certain parts of the path is a good idea.
Other treacherous and highly hazardous enemies to a
cyclist are potholes and loose sand and gravel. It is hard
to brake in sand or gravel without skidding. Cyclists
shouldn’t have to be bothered with the threat of being
thrown off their bicycles because of this problem. The
bike path should be swept off, particularly around areas
of recent construction, where the problem seems to be
the worst.
Someone must come to the aid of cyclists and the
bike path itself. It started out as a good idea, but the
problems are beginning to outnumber those who choose
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to use it.
An undeserved stigma
Do we have it too easy?
Texas' sodomy law, which was reinstated by the 5th
Circuit Court of Appeals Aug. 26. gave 700,000 Texans
criminal status overnight. The law, known as Section
21.06 of the Texas Penal Code in effect makes homosexual
conduct a crime by prohibiting "deviate sexual inter-
course" between persons of the same sex. Under this
law, homosexual sex is a Class C misdemeanor, punish-
able by a fine of up to $200.
Apparently the logie behind the law is that it will
discourage homosexuality, which in turn will reduce the
alarming spread of AIDS, which up to now has been
mainly contracted by homosexual men.
It is clear that homosexuality cannot be legislated out
of existence. It is obvious that Section 21.06 will be
used as a tool to discriminate against gays in areas such
as employment. Understandably, employers are reluctant
to hire criminals. Under Section 21.06, that's what gays
are—criminals.
Spokesmen for the gay community have pointed out
that Section 21.06 could actually increase the spread of
AIDS, For example, gay men. fearful of exposing their
sexual orientation to society because it could ruin their
careers, might start to prefer anonymous sexual encounters.
It is this "one-night stand” atmosphere that contributes
to the spreading of AIDS.
The whole mentality of a law like Section 21.06 shows
society’s tendency to make gays the scapegoat for the
AIDS threat. Although the fact that AIDS primarily strikes
gays has been widely publicized, gays are not responsible
for the disease. AIDS originated in a heterosexual
community in Zaire. The fact that AIDS is now striking
virtually every demographic group in the United States,
including heterosexuals and even children, shows that
this disease is no longer a "gay problem.”
The nine judges who justified their votes in the 9-7
decision pointed out "the strong objection to homosexual
conduct, which has prevailed in Western culture for the
past seven centuries." However, we should remember
that it is this same Western culture that has endorsed
such institutions as slavery and the idea that women are
inferior to men.
The idea that the government can outlaw a human
condition is just as regressive as other outmoded institu-
tions like slavery. Section 21.06 puts an undeserved stigma
over the heads of otherwise law-abiding citizens.
1 I 'his summer, I was able to visit and
X study about communist countries.
What 1 learned made me wonder if Amer-
icans have it too easy. Do we have any-
thing we would be willing to stand up
for at all costs?
If a citizen of a communist country
believes anything that is contrary to the
beliefs of his government, he must either
hide the fact or be willing to face the
consequences. Sometimes this person can
be overlooked; unless he tries to spread
this belief around.
For example, in Russia and Rumania,
the government claims to provide religious
freedom. The catch is the government
maintains the right to decide who preaches,
what is taught and how often church
meetings can be held. Also, ministers arc-
forced to report on everyone who attends
and especially on those who talk about it
a lot.
Communists are against any type ol
religion in the first place because their
entire system is based on atheism
They teach that "religion is the opiate
of the people,” and that any type of
religious literature is "pornography "
At first, communist leaders played the
oid wolves in sheep's clothing game:
Chana
Vowell
"Communism is an extension of Chris-
tianity. You cooperate with us and we
can ail be friends.’' The name of that tune-
changed real fast.
Some pastors became communist and
others were quickly arrested. Hut a large-
number cooperated on the surface and
continued their regular teaching when the
communists weren't looking.
Even though the government gets more
and more cruel towards these Christians,
the churches are growing and people art-
continuing to buck the system. I was told
that some Christians will join the com-
munist secret police in order to be able
to inform church members of police ac-
tivity'. However, often the tamilies of these
new secret police members will disown
them because they don't know the real
reason behind the uniform.
The government uses the same tactic
by having their own informers in the
churches. Since even a family member
may be an informer, many people don't
realize they're under suspicion until they're
arrested.
This summer, 1 was able to learn about
an organization in which the main purpose
was to smuggle Christian literature into
communist countries. Funds are provided
by American churches to purchase litera
ture, provide vehicles and pay full-time
workers w-ho pack the literature and set
up meetings with communist citizens who
will distribute materials. Some of these
workers also make trips across communist
borders with the literature. If caught, they
could be arrested and possibly wind up
in prison.
Maybe, as an American, it is hard to
relate to this type of situation. How many
times do we state an opinion knowing that
our life could be at stake?
This generation is often referred to as
"the Me Generation. " We are told through
TV ads, magazines and music that we
can have it all.
ITial Romanian pastor didn't have much
by American standards, but he did have
something that he felt was worth living
and dying for. I say he's pretty lucky.
The ones that count
Bob's Goodtimes bar, 'St. Elmo's Fire' provide chance for reflection on the value of good friends
Dob's Goodtimes—a hangout for all kinds.
L/Any night the parking lot is fairly full of
cars. From the nicest, newest Chevrolet and
foreign job to the oldest, most bcat-up Fords
and Chryslcrs.
In downtown Arlington, the bar docs not look
sleazy or dumpy. Instead, it looks rather re-
spectable. Once in awhile, the police decide to
raid Bob's to check for minors. Otherwise, the
people inside seem normal and there just to
have a good time—thus the name.
An old man comes in once in awhile. He is
about 96 years old and has no front teeth He
brings a pool cue with him and talks to everyone
he can find who will listen.
One night the lights went out and he spent
the entire time singing to himself He has no
cares in the world. He doesn’t mind that the
ties he wears went out with Vietnam. The hat
on his head might look like a flower pot, but
he couldn’t care less.
I never really was a drinker until this past
year—especially after a bout with some tequila
one night on a trip. Since then. I have found it
to be a fantastic relaxer.
With my co-workers, we became acquainted
with Bob's and found it to be a thriving after-
work adventure.
After the first night, when a man was picked
Rob
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I
up for public intoxication just after he walked
out the door, I wondered if this was that great
a place As the summer went on, I found it
really is not that bad.
who you are with than where you are at that
counts.
To further illustrate, 1 watched "St. Elmo's
Fire” at the movie theater. Having just graduated
and found myself out on the world's cold and
lonely doorstep, I was afraid. Scared of what
lay ahead waiting to devour me if 1 made the
wrong move.
Luckily, I was planning to go back to school.
But again, all I could think of was the future.
1 was too close to being on my own.
So I grabbed onto my co-workers—fellow
supervisors at my place of work—and we ran
around together.
I WOULDN’T exactly call it a religious
experience, but I have been "educated" to the
bar life.
It really is not the bar itself. I went to a
place called Skippy's just down the road. It
smells and looks like the inside of a men's
restroom at a titty bar and has a bunch of people
inside who could double for 60s rejects who
still nold onto the hippie lifestyle. Yet the place
had a certain atmosphere because 1 was with
good friends.
Bob’s used to look like this—then it burned
down and they fixed the place. I find it much
easier to fathom than Skippy's.
Anyway, the point is that it is obviously more
WITH THE END of summer, I find myself
somewhat depressed. People have to say good-
bye to the vacation period of life and hello to
the "schooltime of the year." After you graduate
and don’t have to worry so much I suppose it
is vastly different.
But at this time in our lives, school is a major
difference, and that makes the end of summer
even more drastic.
Being from Arlington, spending half my time
here and half there makes it hard to keep
friendships intact. You can lose touch and that
is something 1, for one, never want to happen.
There are seven of us that arc good friends.
Much like the pack of folks that grew together
in "St. Elmo’s Fire."
Bob's is our St. Elmo's and our work is our
life. That is what brought us together and what
eventually will separate us
Each of us can identify with some part of
each of the movie's characters, though most
have probably not tried to sec us in that same
position.
As school approached, our adventures ot
traveling together, drinking each other under
the table and telling stories we would never
tell anyone else became more apparent The
fun and frolic was going to have to end and
take new form.
New and different problems would arise and
so would new friends.
We are still working together and will still
go out and have a good time. (July nine months
separate us from having that same time to
ourselves again. After all, we are not gone-
forever—just temporarily in limbo
others to take their place. Now, as I find myself
getting closer to another degree. I see that those
people are the ones 1 will be working with even
more. They mean that much more to me and
have an even more special place in my heart.
Though all my good friends at school have
an impact that I shall always adore, it is those
at home that really hold me together.
Bob's It had no significance the first time I
went. I have been to many other bars. I had
many other friends.
This time they just seem to be the ones that
count.
AT CHRISTMAS, we plan to have an in
termediate rejoining as we travel to Vermont
and the ski slopes to enjoy each other s com
pany.
As a freshman, I never had that kind ol tec-ling
toward my old friends I knew I would find
PERHAPS ALL THOSE feelings in "St.
Elmo's Fire" are relevant to everyone. Maybe
that is why it had such impact on me and that
is why 1 went back to see it a second time
Maybe that is why I shudder every time I hear
the title song
Whatever the reason may be, it is a feeling
that everyone at one time or another will ex
perience. If you never understood the movie,
or never had a feeling of loss when you had to
go off for a while, you will.
Sailors dealt with Si Elmo's fire in the sky
as a method to survive. They held a faith that
something or someone would always be there-
to help—I found that to be tiue. Very true.
The North Texas Daily
69th Year
North Texas State University
Southwestern Journalism Congress
Denton. Texas
PACEMAKER 6 TIMES
ALL-AMERICAN 77 TIMES
Chana Vowell, entertainment editor
Rob lunde, entertainment writer
Ken Currin, sports editor
Pepper Hastings, sports writer
Joey Richards, sports writer
Michael Wetchensky, sports writer
Debra McGuire, staft wnter
Amber Smith, staff writer
Marc McDonald, staff writer
Jef Ray, cartoonist
David Howard, cartoonist
Richard Calooy, cartoonist
Randy Keelin, cartoonist
Joseph Kent, illustrator
Alicia Kuhlman, ad representative
Olga Pundyk, ad representative
Jennifer Wunderlich, ad representative
Kelly Marshall, ad representative
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The North Texas Daily (Denton, Tex.), Vol. 69, No. 3, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 5, 1985, newspaper, September 5, 1985; Denton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth722832/m1/2/: accessed May 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.