Opinion THE CLACKAMAS PRINT May 24,1989 Page 3 Maturity is students duty Words evolve for reasons There are certain things that come with being a college student Responsibility and maturity both easily qualify as some of those things. You could say it’s a college student’s responsibility to be mature. I’m bringing this up because last week some thing really incredible happened to me. I believe it was Monday when a guy, whom I remember from grade school, came up to me, called me by name and insulted me. It wasn’t a necessarily strong nor harsh remark. I wasn’t particularly hurt by this remark. What I don’t understand is what pos sessed this person, whose name I can’t remember, to do this? I never talked to this person, but somehow he felt the need to throw out an insult. I. Then, the answer came to me. Matur ity. More accurately, a lack of maturity. Wouldn’t you expect something more from a 20 to 21-year-old? Let’s look at the facts. I’ve never spo ken to him. He’s never spoken to me. I haven’t seen him in about 8-10years. I can’t remember his name, however, he can^ap- parently remember mine. Need I say more about maturity? that they would put the vote off until next Tuesday. How long is this really going to take. And now it’s time for another episode of "As the Valdez Spills." Believe it or not, the cleanup efforts in Alaska have come to a (temporary?) halt. Meanwhile, the state of Alaska is charg ing former Valdez Captain Joseph Hazel wood on three counts of second degree criminal mischief. The questions remain: Will we ever see a clean Alaska coast? Will we ever see a repaired Exxon Valdez? Will this mess ever end? This week’s GE Award (Genuine Excellence) goes to Assistant Dean of the Industrial Division Kit Youngren, who wins the Cheers’ Norm Peterson look-a-like contest Words come into use in our language for many reasons. Take the word lynch, meaning to hang someone without proper trial. Captain William Lynch, was a mem ber of a vigilance committee in Pennsylva nia, Virginia in 1780 when- the lawless practice of lynching was practiced under his auspices. Then there was gerrymander, derived from Elbridge Geny, Vice president of the United States from 1813-1814, who redis tricted Essex County, Massachusetts, to obtain a majority in as many districts as possible. Gerry + salamander (the shape of Essex County) = gerrymander. These word-coinages have a ghoulish, macabre connotation, evoking mob-like insanity images such as described in “Les Miserable” or sleazy, dirty-tricks machina- . tions in the world of politics which seems to spawn several examples in almost every Administration of our fair Government. Not one has been without such a blemish in , the 200 years of our existence as a Repub lic. In recent years, a plethora of phrases and expressions have erupted in the wake of events and happenings of one nature or the other. .Many are derived from the street crimes headlining the news. We now have “crack-houses” and “pot-heads”, and “mainliners.” The word I have in mind is a positive one. A word to use whenever an image of The Laugh Clinic* Joseph Patrick Lee all the best is to be conjured. A short succinct expression like “Have a nice day” to put a verbal pat on the back of a friend or even a stranger, for that matter. It costs nothing, and the dividends pour in from all directions. The other day this word came to me while I was talking to my good and dear friend, Lila. Lila is petite, pretty, intelli gent, brightly intellectual, articulate. She is wonderful to enjoy a walk with, have a meal with, seriously discuss important is sues with, laugh and be joyful with. In a word, an ideal companion. In keeping with custom, “Lila” should be part of the word and immediately bring to mind all those aforementioned attrib utes. So now, whenever I wish to describe, quickly a person who measures up to my Lila, I describe the person, event, the weather, the day in general, and a myriad of other phenomena as “Delilaful.” You may have to meet my Lila to agree with my notion of the meaning of “delilaful” but I am sure you would agree with me. I suggest you look among your inven tory of friends and acquaintances and expe riences, you’ll find a use for this wonderful adjective. It beats the hell out of “lynch” and “gerrymander” and those other “cruddy,” “scuzzy” “toe-jammy” words, doesn’t it? It’s about time that the Clackamas President’s Council voted on the campus smoking issue. The President’s Council is a group of administrators, including College President John Keyser, Assistant to the President David Dickson, and Acting Dean DfCollege Services and Planning Gary Dir- fim. The smoking issue was scheduled for a zote in the May 16 council meeting. At yesterday’s meeting, the council decided Student Opinions How do you feel International Week went? I didn’t participate due to. classes. - Dale Coleman I thought International Week went very well. - Dena Swartort I thought International Week went very well. The food and ac tivities were great - Kelly Rearch Photos and quotes compiled by Jillian Porter I really enjoyed the food and activities, but it seemed a little disorganized from thestandpoint of one’s being able to attend- conflicting with classes, etc. It’s too bad we couldn’t just shut down classes for a couple of hours so everyone could attend! - Ellissa McGarry