FEBRUARY 1988 U. THE NATIONAL COLLEGE NEWSPAPER 7
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God plays campaign manager for no man
By Stephen Buckley
The Chronicle
Duke U., NC
Amid hand-clapping, foot-stomping
and flag-waving, the Rev. Jesse Jackson
formally announced his presidential
candidacy Oct. 10.
That puts two ministers in the race.
The week before Jackson's announce- ':
ment, Republican candidate Pat
Robertson, the former televangelist,
was in New York asking an audience to
give him a chance to "restore the indust-
rial might of America through moral
strength."
Technically, Robertson is no longer a
' minister: he resigned as president of the D
Christian Broadcasting Network and
gave up his Southern Baptist ordina-
tion before making his candidacy offi-
cial. And although "Rev." still precedes
Jackson's name, the civil rights leader
has been involved with political issues
for more than two decades.
Yet, in the minds of most Americans,
these men are tightly linked to their
religious roles. They are still considered
Ipreachers. -
Therein lies the problem. If Jackson - -
and Robertson originally believed God -
wanted them to serve as ministers, "OE I I
whatmakes them think He changed His
mind?
Neither man has ever held political DAVID ESPURVOA 111, SOUTHWEST TEXAS STATE U, U
office. Jackson supporters shrug off this
fact, noting the minister's role as a degree from Yale, and his father was a the job, or these men are liste
preeminent civil rights leader and his veteran Washington lawmaker. different dieties.
fforts as a diplomat in recent years. But Jackson and Robertson cannot The presumption of these n
His supporters take us back to 1984 erase the fact that neither has had a a foul taste in the mouth
when Jackson brought captured Amer' stitch of experience as an elected offi- obviously see God as a tool f
ican Navy pilot Robert Goodman home cial. If a man has never represented a gain. Each would like us to b
from Syria. They talk about how Jack- district, or a city or state, how can he has endorsed him. The Lo
son negotiated with Fidel Castro to free expect the American public to trust him shepherd; all they need now
48 American and Cuban prisoners. with an entire country? This does not mean Ja
Jackson fans say just because Jesse has Although Jackson has been more Robertson are evil men. The
never been elected to political office politicianthan preacher in recent years, they love this nation and be
he has not attempted to downplay his political plans would stre
religious position. At the Rainbow They seem to want the bestfo
Robertson and Jackson Coalition convention, where he official- and that is commendable.
have each claimed to be ly became a presidential candidate, he should not squelch their pol
God's choice in the '88 conducted the event like an old- ions.
presidential election. Either fashioned revival meeting right down to There is nothing wrong wi
God likes both men so much the gospel music. Speakers were wanting "peace, jobs and j
He can't decide who greeted with shouts of "Amen" and with Robertson encouraging?
should get the job, or these "Hallelujuh;" Jackson was repeatedly to return to "fundament
men are listening to two hailed as "God's servant." values." But something is a
after trying to effect change
different dieties. Robertson probably will not hide his ters for most of their adult l
religious background either. Conserva- men suddenly feel "called" t
loes not mean he cannot deal with tive Christians make up a good chunk of dents.
world leaders. And, the supporters add, his support base, and he will no doubt Chances are, neither man
Jackson ran for president in 1984. want to continue to identify with them. is correct. Although pundits
As for Robertson, by hosting the After gaining his fame as a religious ters admit Jackson and Rob
Christian Broadcasting Network's broadcaster, it would be unwise for haveanimpactonthe'88elec
popular program, "700 Club," he Robertson to pretend his faith has not say both candidates are pi
molded religion with politics for at least had a profound impact on his political longshots.
10 years. He was never shy about let- philosophy. Nevertheless, Jackson and
ting his audience know he believes com- Robertson and Jackson have each are probably in the race to
munism is an ungodly system and the claimed to be God's choice in the '88 the next year, it will be most i
Soviet Union is an evil empire. Robert- presidential election. That presents a to watch them try to convinc
on has been a vocal proponent of problem. Either God likes both men so they are viable candidates a
prayer in schools. He also has a law much He can't decide who should get preachers who would be kin,
UNIVERSITY STAR
ning to two
men leaves
, for both
or political
elieve God
rd is their
are votes.
ckson and
y both say
lieve their
ngthen it.
r America,
Ministers
itical opin-
th Jackson
ustice," or
Americans
tal moral
miss when,
e as minis-
ives, these
o be presi-
's "calling"
and polls-
ertson will
tions, they
residential
Robertson
stay. Over
nteresting
e America
nd not just
g.
What does society
want? Knowlege or
college degrees?
By Igor Greenwald
The Hoya
Georgetown U., DC
It seems to me that the college experi-
ence is really a rite of passage. It's kind
of like giving the class bully your lunch
money on the way to grammar school.
Except, that is, that with my parent's
60-plus grand in its pocket, Georgetown
can really go wild on the gravy.
Is the modern college education really
worth the price we pay for it?
We can all make up our own minds
about this question. Unfortunately,
however, those of us who find it a waste
of cash and effort cannot act in any way
upon that judgment.
A formal university education was
once considered a luxury for those peo-
ple who were not destined to work. Now,
however, it has become a requirement
for those who must find a career. What
is required here is not knowledge; con-
trary to popular belief, no magic fount of
enlightenment flows at the Registrar's
Office.
No, gainful employment requires so
many credits and a framed receipt for
payment of a mid-sized fortune to an
education factory.
The college industry no longer pre-
tends to be training its students for the
job market. That is hard to do now when
medieval literature majors go to work
for Citibank alongside their business
school colleagues. Instead, colleges reg-
urgitate the standard fare on their glit-
zy, colorized brochures: the importance
of a liberal arts education.
I happen to agree with this premise,
but I do not believe that the university
is the best place to get it. First, finding a
link between credit hours and a liberal
education can be daunting. And, while
lectures and exams may be great for
teaching biochemistry, they do not help
create Renaissance Men and Women.
At best, for my $12,000 a year, George-
town provides me with a useful read -
ing list.
Since universities, with the obvious
exception of technical fields, provide no
professional training, they serve as one
way to "broaden our intellectual hori-
zons," to quote the brochures and tour
guides. But they are hardly the only
way. So, what does society want: know-
ledge or degrees?
If you don't already know the answer,
walk to the nearest bank. Explain to the
personnel manager that you have read
the complete works of Smith, Keynes
and Friedman. Then, recite from mem-
ory U.S. banking laws. Ask if he will
hire you, and count the number of
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