Page 4-Saturday, May 10, 1980--The Michigan Daily

I

Carter comes
out from hiding
S INCE THE hostages were seized last Novem-
ber, President Carter has hidden behind the
facade of foreign crises to avoid confronting the
urgent questions the voters need answered. His
decision to dump the Rose Garden strategy he
adopted six months ago is long overdue.
When his vigil began, it was vital that Carter
remain in Washington where he could closely
monitor the situations in Iran and Afghanistan. As
president, he was justified in sending his time and
energy on solutions to these crises.
But what began as a good reason soon turned into
a flimsy excuse. Staying in Washington proved
politically popular and Carter continued to chain
himself to the White House gates long after the
crises has turned to status quo.
The president still insisted he would maintain his
personal vigil for'the hostages on April 23, just one
day before the aborted rescue attempt. And a week
later, with all the questions that had plagued him
for months still unresolved,Carter decided to come
out in the open again, claiming some of his respon-
sibilities "have been alleviated to some degree."
Perhaps Sen. Edward Kennedy's recent im-
provements in the primaries prompted Carter's
belated decision to return to the political arena. Or
perhaps it was the unpopular sentiment generated
by his failed resuce attempt. Whatever his reasons
for returning, Carter will now have a chance to give
the voters the answers and information he has been
denying them for six months.
The people need to hear debates between the
candidates. They need to be able to question Car-
ter.'And most important, the people need answers
on the domestic crises-inflation, unemployment
and energy-that they have had to face alone since
Carter locked himself in the Rose Garden.
Congratulations
to Regent Power
T HE UNIVERSITY can be proud of Regent
Sarah Power and her new position as deputy
assistant secretary of state for human rights and
social affairs. Her previous record as a UNESCO
representative and University regent make her a
wise choice for the post.
Power has been an asset to the Board of Regents
for five years. During her tenure she has strongly
supported the rights of women and minorities.
Fortunately, Power will still be able to keep her
position as regent once she resumes her new role.
The two posts may even compliment each other; no
doubt the experience and recognition she gains in
her new internationally-reaching job will add to her
role as regent.

a

POPE JOHN PAUL II has not proved to offer much of a change from the Catholic church's long
history of politically regressive action.
The Dri'nan dismissal:
No hope for the pope
The orgy of accolades that When Drinan cast a, vote against
surrounded Pope John Paul II's By Joshua Peck funding for the B-1 bomber or in
visit to the U.S. last- year ob- human rights violations that bur- favor of a food stamp bill, he was,
scured a painful truth about His den that part of the world. He with a flick of his wrist, doing
Holiness. Despite hosannas to the has, of course remained stalwor- more good for humanity than he
contrary, John Paul is every bit tly reactionary about "women's would in years of ministering to a
as backward as occupants of the issues" such as women entering Bay State congregation.
Chair of Peter have almost the priesthood and abortion The good works of Mother
always been, rights (which Drinan supports). Theresa in Calcutta were
The latest instance of His Holiness has an advantage recognized just a few months ago
regressive edict to come forth that no other dabbler in political by award of the Nobel Prize. But
from Rome is the Pope's direc- affairs can boast: When he is if the award committee was in-
tive to Rep. John Drinan of called upon to explain a stance he tent on singling out the clergy of
Massachusetts, a Jesuit priest, to has taken on some matter, he the Roman Catholic Church, why
leave Congress after five need not point to the desires of the not Drinan, or better, the
honorable terms of office. world's Catholics. He scarcely is Berrigan brothers?
DRINAN'S TEN years on obligated to explain a decision It is an incontestable fact of
Capitol Hill have been taken up through rational means at all. 20th Century existence that social
with many a valiant endeavor, However outrageous a move he and economic change is effected
some of which were quite un may make, he can simply roll his principally via political
popular with his constituents and eyes heavenward, and call God initiative. While often the
with the nation as a whole. He his inspiration for whatever in- wrangling of national gover-
spoke out against the Vietnam justice he chooses to commit nments serves no one's interests
War before it was fashionable to next. but those of the heads of state,
do so; he recognized the Sixteen months ago, John Paul many confrontations, both
seriousness of the dissident made his feelings known about military and political, ultimately
problem in the Soviet Union early his subordinates' involvement in benefit the masses.
on; and, perhaps most crucial to politics clear: He said: "You are John Paul has not made clear
the nation's interests, he was one priests and members of religious specifically what his objections
of the first to call for the im- orders; you are neither social, to Father Drinan's political in-
peachment of President Nixon. political leaders nor fun- volvement are-perhaps he's not
Why, then, must the country ctionaries of a temporal power." at all concerned with the general
suffer the loss of such a valuable But if there is one benefit that principle of clergy in working
legislator? Because his "spiritual religion can offer, it is that it can politics, but rather takes um-
father" says so, that's why. provide servants to the public for brage only at Drinan's particular
Some liberal commentators the ultimate betterment of all political philosophy. Whatever
have been mumbling that they humankind. There was a time in his perverse reasoning, the pope
feel betrayed by this latest papal human history when the only has done the people of this
bull, as they had hoped and avenue open to the Church to bet- nation-of all creeds-a great
believed that the new pope was ter the human lot was charity; by disservice. He ought to be
more progressive than his feeding a few of the hungry or rebuked in a similarly
predecessors. They have been clothing a handful of the naked, ecumenical fashion. Help us out,
fointhmser veJohnPau men and women of God could at Catholic friends. How does one go
a conservative. He has been least help to alleviate human suf- about impeaching a pope?
cautious on many issues that call fering in some small way. _____________
for aggressive action, quiet on THE WORLD is a more com-
others that warranted comment. pe structur place now, o Peck is the Dailys fall
He visited Latin America, amr though the Church remains mer- '-editbial directo{ l a
totally overlooked the many cilessly mired in the Dark Ages. hard core atheist.