EDITORIAL U.S. lagging behind in world resolution If the Bush administration is so interested in saving the world, it should reconsider its refusal to participate in a global effort to deal with atmospheric warming. The United States was the only industrialized na tion to reject cuts in the production of greenhouse gas es during a recent international negotiation meeting. The session was the third of five leading up to next June's "Earth Summit” convention, where world lead ers will meet to sign a treaty designed to limit carbon dioxide emissions, the main gas believed to cause glo bal wanning. Of course. U.S. reasoning wax over-solid: Not yet convinced global warming is an actual phenomena, we'd better not act at this early stage. Why is it that Bush and the gang don't see that waiting to make sure the Earth is on an irreversible col lision course before taking necessary actions won't work? It is indeed hard to see when one’s head is buried in the sand. Administration officials reasoned the costs of greenhouse gas reduction to U.S. industry would be too grout to incur without absolute substantiation Hush always was a careful guy. After all. he made sure we would probably be attacked or the world pro!) ably wanted our protection before continuing to spend millions of deficit dollars on the world's largest mili tary defense force. Too bad the sense of urgency dissipates when it comes to diverting an increasingly evident planetary emergency — most of which is due to U.S consump tion and the subsequent waste produced Average global levels of carbon dioxide in the at mosphere rose 2(i percent between IKtiO and tfIKli Should it continue to rise at present rates, atmospheric temperatures will increase by about *t degrees Fahren heit over the next 50 years. The rise is enough to change world precipitation and temperature patterns, to trigger floods through the melting of mountain glaciers and polar ice sheets, and to cause massive droughts, just to mention a few of the consequences we'd have to look forward to. But that's all in 50 years. Why worry now? And besides, the administration explained, be cause the United States depends the most on individ ualized transportation and coal-produced electricity, it would unfairly bear the largest share of the burden. Well, the administration was right, lust because we re the biggest offenders, why should we have to clean up our mess? This logic makes perfect sense to those wearing an increasingly fashionable American accessory: blinders And to make sure they fit tight, a predictable global warining-isn't-rcally-happcning. and-even-ifit-is-, it's no-big-deal report was recently released by a National Academy of Sciences panel. The panel's findings acknowledge a possible slow warming of the Earth, but the panel believes it's noth ing to hinder our economic activity. In fact, the report stated, through our continued industrialization we may find the answer to global warming. Here again is the myopic reasoning that got us here in the first place: By continuing our bad habits, we'll find a way to stop our bad habits. Of course, this makes absolutely no sense. Every one knows the only way to change things is to change things, don’t they? Maybe somebody should tell Bush. But he's undoubtedly banking on Americans' will ingness to swallow what they are fed — and the scary part is many will. It's easier to stay in a rut and hope for the best rather than rally for change. Harsh reality has a way of slapping us in the face though, ready or not. The American mind, for so long centered in industrialization and economic growth, must now risk expansion. Our blinders will protect us for only so long. The time for change has come, and America must not shirk its international responsibility. The United States loves to sit itself on a pedestal, never shy to play the role of savior. Our refusal to par ticipate in the resolution of a global problem we helped cause shows how shallow our words can be. It's time we got off our pedestal and joined the world in an effort to save itself. /aakLs you PEEL KJNDA s*all, doesn't it? ^O"'1 "fv>i you Kbjoyj we SWOUlO JAl/e 1 - SAW5 POSrtftiTV ro S£E _J LETTERS Nice try In mailing Kussrll McGloth lin's response [ODE. Sept. 27) In the Sept. 2f> edition of Oscar tin’ l-'n'shmun I can only laugh Hnd say, •Nil e try." Every time the greeks come under lire, the sumo examples of community service and the same whines of stereotyping spew forth The "complete hypocrisy" McGIothlin speaks about is ac tually in the fai t that even after they participate in "seminars regarding issues such as rape, alcohol/drug abuse and dis crimination," the greeks contin ue to call independents "GDIs” and throw "social functions" to drink and "score." True, sometimes h had apple ruins the groek reputation, hut tiiey are responsible for their social image when they put their letters on (the ID) that they paid for So greeks, don't justify your existence with flailing George Bush-esi]ue spots ll ol self right I-— eousness Actions sponk louder than words, especially when vou are wearing your letters. Christopher Fossetl Student Lonely I am a lonely man serving a 10-year prison sentence for bur glary, and I have no friends. I desperately need some new friends to help me incorporate a new lifestyle. I have many interests und there is nothing I would enjoy more than to hoar from some one who can relate to what it is like to he lonely. Some of you might think this is just another letter where some criminal type is trying to t on somebody. I have no desire to con anyone. All 1 want is your friendship and letters, so please give me a chance to prove myself by writing. Hill Santa «1018501A Iowa Men's Reformatory P.O. Box B Anamosa. Iowa 52205-0010 No respect This is in response to the let ters of Russell McGlothlin and Jamie Dakum [ODE, Sept. 27) First off, if you don't like Oscar the I'rvshman, then do not read it Your life will be a lot less stressful. Second off, what greek sys tem do you belong to? While stereotypes are never 100 per cent true, I do believe that there is a direct link between greek activities and greek stereotypes 1 will admit that 1 was sur prised to hear of the efforts be ing made to improve the greek system. Maybe that was be cause 1 have neither seen nor hoard any difference in behav ior. 1 am sorry, but I do not rec ognize the system you describe. While there are greek indi viduals and even a few fraterni ties and sororities that 1 respect, 1 still see the system that spawned it’s own stereotype Scott Shea Student -1 CO/vsiyMCR CONE/Q£NtE TOOh AnoT^LR DP op ,n SEPTEMBER. UNLESS CONSUMERS START SPENDING, THE RECOV£RV /S /\ danger. OKAV, OKAY, ill