The Cadet. VMI Newspaper. February 19, 1988 - New Page 1 ...

Page 2, The VMI Cadet, February 19,1988
Spirit Of The
Games
By Ned Cox
It happens once every four years. The ultimate in sporting
events. It is something every young athlete dreams
about from the first fall on the slope to the first goal in
hockey. This magical event is, of course, the Olympics.
For two and a half weeks, the world's eyes will be keying
on Canada as fifty-seven nations participate in the various
events that have come to be known as the Winter Olympics.
Normally, Americans are held captive by television
screens as they watch anticipating American athletes winning
gold mealds. Unfortunately, Winter Olympics XV
does not offer this hope for the United States. For the first
time since the Winter Olympics began, the U.S. could
come home without a gold medal. With the exception of
skating, any medal we win will be fortunate. In this first
week of competition, the U.S. has experienced nothing but
heartache. American athletes have only won one medal, a
bronze, and this fortune seems to be the best friend of the
U.S. team right now. Figure skating seems to be the one
event where the U.S. has managed to field a strong team;
other than that, U.S. hopes of medals, much less gold, are
little to none.
In the past week, several cadets have complained that the
Olympics "suck" because the United States is not doing
well. Those who support this statement seem to have lost
the real meaning of the Olympics and all that they represent.
The Olympics were originated by the Greeks as a
form of celebration. This celebration consisted of festivals
as well as athletic competitions; it was a time when all the
state functions halted and observed the ritual.
Although the modern Olympics have become solely athletic,
the basic principle that existed in ancient Greece
should hold true today. The basic belief behind the Olympic
games is one of good will and pure competition - nothing
else.
As all people watching the Olympics know, it really is irrelevant
whether or not the United States gets the most medals.
That would be nice, but that's not what the Olympic
games are about. The games are a time for the whole world
to put everything on hold and watch phenomenal' athletes
perform feats of magic. It should be a time to share in people's
triumphs, and to feel for people's agonies. But most
important, it is a time to get caught up in the spirit of the
games. After all, that is what the Olympics are about.
Whoever wins or loses is not important, it is simply the
thrill and beauty of competition that matters.
Letter To The Editors
By Adam C. Volant
Approximately two weeks
ago I was asked by The Cadet
staff to write an article about diis
year: die trials, tribulations, victories
and endless frustrations. It
seems difficult at best to attempt
to paraphrase all of Uiis into any
concise article, and even more,
remaining objective about Uiese
events and trying to report them
is even more difficult.
The most accurate way to describe
this year is with facts; statistics
which evidence what has
really gone on and dispell the
stoop tabloid version.
Rats
—402 matriculate
—350 plus remain
—die highest drop out rate during
the past cadre period in recent
years.
—the highest rat grades in more
than twenty years
—the best PFT scores in recent
years
—over 12,000 rat tours assigned
to date for the Rat Council
—over 400 cards answered to
the General Committee
There have been numerous
changes this year which have ef-
fected die Corps. The oddity is
that despite all die bitching and
knashing of teedi over the revision
of die dement system, die
Corps as a whole is receiving
less demerits now then in years
past. There has also been a vast
decrease in die number of cadets
widi penalty tours—even while
the numer of PT details has been
diminishing gready. Even so,
diere have been problems , widi
academic probation and conduct
probation which will probably
exist as long as diere are cadets
witfi lots of demerits or bad
grades.
This year has shown a noticeable
boost in social activities
to which die Corps is invited
(Mary Baldwin, Soudiem Sem,
Hollins, et. al.). As a matter of
fact, on a few lucky occasions
diere have been two or more
social ftinctions in the same
week. This is a radical departure
from die harm expected by the
remaining Cadets in barracks
raised in the Colonel Everywhere
era. And needless to say,
there has always been Zollman's
which has gained rallying support
from the nearby ladies.
This year there has been an
underlying feeling of discontent
wiUi the administration; an outside
suggestion says that as long
as diere is a Corps of Cadets in
barracks these problems will
exist. As always, it becomes
difficult to work widiin die
parameters of the system; in a
sense we spend the first year
here trying to leam die system,
and die remaining years trying to
interpret and argue the system.
Perhaps in the end our frustrations
will be solved, or maybe
somewhere amidst the challenge
we face at VMI this discontent is
part of the bigger plan. Nobody
said it would be easy. Even after
Rat year. What can be noted
along the stubborn padi is diat
the complaints, arguing,
protests, and endless griping
exist only because, amidst it all,
the Corps really does appreciate
(in whatever way, shape or
form) this VMI experience and
as a whole, and we want those
who follow to gain as we have.
And whether they do, as well as
numerous other questions, remains
unanswered as yet.
Applications are now being accepted for positions
on the 1988-89 Cadet. For details stop by
Tom Bruffy
Managing Editor
the cadet room weeknights.
ailie aiabet
1987-1988
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
Kim Dedrick Typist
David Martin News and Features Editor
Ned Cox Sports Editor
Jim Cox National Affairs Desk
John Golden Copy Editor
Kenny Robinson Photography Editor
Steve Chiles Photography Editor
Mike Corson Circulation
Rick Blocker Circulation
Kevin Alvis Ad Manager
Walt Coleman Ad Manager
Curran Bowen
Editor-in-Chief
Hugh McMenamin
Business Manager
Chris Baumstark
Associate Editor
Eric Buchanan Staff Writer
Buddy Schmeling Staff Writer
Paul Kubin Staff Writer
Jim Ring Staff Writer
Tim Spence Staff Writer
Lloyd Bell Staff Writer
Joe Lane Staff Writer
Mike Burton Staff Writer
Mike Vitulano staff Writer
Dusty Crone Layout
Chris Kraenzle Layout
Sean Bischoff Cartoonist
The VMI Cadet, student newspaper of the Virginia Military Institute, Is published every Friday
during the academic year except during Corps Trips, holidays and exam periods, in the offices of
The News-Gazette of Lexington, Va. A yearly subscription Is $13.00 on post and $15.00 mailed off
post. The VMI Cadet was entered as Second Class matter September 19, 1944, at the Post Office In
Lexington, Va., under the Act of March 3, 1879. The VMI Cadet offices are located In the VMI barracks,
and the mailing address is: Box 7, VMI, Lexington, Va. 24450.
postal numberUSP6S4-880