University of Kentucky - Kentuckian Yearbook (Lexington, KY)

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A Turbulent Transition t l£9 UNLEADED I UNLEADED By Pa Anderson If the beginning of the decade is an indication of things to come, the next 10 years will be an era of politics and controversy. There was talk of military intervention when militant Iranian students seized the U.S. embassy and 50 American hostages in Iran. The possibility of another Cold War interrupted detente when Russian troops moved into Afghanistan, threatening the security of the oil-rich Middle East. And at home, the problems of energy and inflation persisted as Americans moved into the '80s. While politicians negotiated, the average American struggled to make ends meet. Energy continued to be Rising gasoline prices contributed to inflation and students felt the pinch. Prices at a service station near campus rose to $1.16 per gallon in February 1980. the dominant cause for the increasing rate of inflation. Gasoline prices climbed dramatically as OPEC upped the price of crude oil and the United States refused all Iranian oil in response to the hostage situation. By mid-February, regular gasoline was selling for over $1.20 a gallon in most parts of the country. With the events in the Middle East, the value of the dollar dropped and the price of precious metals soared. Gold reached a record high $800 an ounce in January.

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Transition K. Stephens Somewhat isolated from the economic problems by a campus environment, the country's youth faced the return of a past threat as President Carter called for ihe reinstitution of registration for the draft. College campuses, strangely quiet since the early '70s, were once again the scenes of demonstrations and rallies. But it was a more peaceful demonstration from a generation that is unaccustomed to violence. Campus opponents to the draft began to organize in early February. Their organization, the Lexington Committee Against Registration and the Draft, like others around the country, moved to counteract Carter's proposal for registration before it could reach Congress. If you wait until it becomes a reality, it's too late. It's a hell of a lot harder to get something rescinded after it's passed, said Jim Pepper, a member of L- CARD. 3 The members of L-CARD encompassed a wide range of political beliefs. Frustration over the Iranian crisis resulted in anti-Iranian graffiti around campus. Hanging from the roof of Lafferty Hall, these signs attract the attention of passing students. Jimmy Carter’s mind isn’t going to be changed by 30 people protesting in front of the courthouse,” said Loel Meckel, a graduate student. Hoping to attract more campus support, the L-CARD maps out plans for a forum and rally in March. ' You've got people who oppose the draft because they don't want to go to war, those who oppose it because it infringes on personal freedom and those, like me, who oppose it because they are pacifists, said Pepper. Mark Koopman, a graduate student, is also opposed to the violence he feels is inherent with the draft. We feel that there are other alternatives to war to solve this country's problems, said Koopman. While Pepper and Koopman admitted that student concern was not overwhelming, both said that they could see the potential for mass demonstrations as the threat of draft becomes more imminent. As time gets shorter, emotions are going to become more intense. People are going to start getting really worried, scared, outraged, said Pepper. While not actually in support of the draft, there were others on campus who said they were willing to take up arms for the country. In the Jan. 30 issue of continued on page 5 - 0 1 1Z ILL kfU'Jf'AVO wiv im wj r 1WS1BBB11 Inadequate publicity plagued the first meetings of L- CARD. This small poster on the Student Center patio announces the committee’s second meeting. TRANSITION-3