Campus recycling not lacking

I am writing to express my concerns with regards to the article ``Maintenance crews recently trained in recycling [Oct. 5].'' Calvin has had a recycling program in place for many years now and has had the same basic system for recovery and disposal of recyclable materials. This system has been working very well for the entire life of the program. The recycling crew daily picks up several bins of paper and other recyclables from the academic and residence buildings. In fact, during the period from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2001 Calvin had recycled 12.43 tons more paper than during the same period in 2000. Add to that the increased amount of electronic correspondence (a factor that reduces the amount of paper in the waste stream) and it would appear that the recycling program is being more widely used and/or more efficient. It seems odd then that your article in its opening sentence reports that student workers do not know what to do with the recyclable materials they come across. I would suggest that the problem you are reporting is a localized one, and not one that is campus-wide. Another concern I have is that I was quoted as saying ``That is not supposed to happen'' with regard to the lack of student worker training. I said those words, yes, but it was in reference to hearing that recyclable materials were being thrown in the trash -- not because of any training issue. This is important to me because the use of the quote implies an attack on one of my co-workers who (for the record) is very competent at his job, is good to work with and cares about the recycling program. If I have a problem with a co-worker I will address it in person and in private -- not tell Chimes. Finally, I am disappointed by the way the article portrays the recycling program. It makes the program look unorganized and inefficient, which is not at all true. In order to have a successful program, the public who uses it must feel that their efforts to sort and separate materials are worth it. Your article is discouraging to those who take time to recycle properly, and does not encourage others to make the effort.

Henry Kingma

Recycling Coordinator

Last week's article ``Maintenance crews trained in recycling'' was an article that I believe misrepresented the maintenance staff at Calvin College. The article may have been correct in asserting that a particular maintenance crew had not up to that point, learned how to recycle, it had no right to generalize, and suggest that all maintenance crews were unaware of the recycling process. I have been working maintenance in the morning for over three years under the supervision of Ted Koopmans. One of the first things Koopmans taught, when I first went to work for him, was the in and outs of recycling, something he had been teaching students for years. To suggest that all maintenance crews were only recently trained in recycling is to insult the men and women who have put years of hard work into the upkeep of Calvin's campus.

Jacob Wachsmuth

Pacifism Legitimate

I wish to take this opportunity to respond to an article that was placed in last week's issue called, ``Dissent: Pacifism is untenable.'' I want to begin by saying that my words are mere musing, and that I don't claim to have a definitive stance on this issue, simply some questions. First, I want to respond to a few points mentioned. When looking at war in the Old Testament, we see a theme of God telling people to wage war. Those people were given direct commandments from God, as is mentioned in Mr. Talsma's article. Yes, if God says go destroy these people then it's our duty to obey. However, have any of us been told by God to go destroy these people? I'm not attempting to be facetious but with all the rhetoric that is being used, I have yet to hear that God wants these people dead.

Secondly, I want to say we that are temporal creatures, and have been given commandments by God in a temporal fashion. There was an old covenant, but it was replaced with a new covenant. Where the old emphasized justice, the new took it further and showed grace. In the new covenant we are called to forgive and show love: see Matt. 22, notice the lack of language that says kill those who do wrong to you. In Colossians 3:13, we even see the commandment, to ``forgive as I have forgiven you.'' Death was a part of Old Testament law as far as punishment goes, but under the New Testament the role that man played as a judge has been suspended, and we now are told to wait for God's judgment upon the world.

My third point is the role of grace and justice in society and on an international level. Personally, I have no idea, what that role is aside from the fact that I see a huge push for justice -- ``give them what they deserve.'' Yet when we approach God that is the exact thing we don't want, we want grace from Jesus Christ. And we are all sinners in need of grace. Now here is why I get befuddled: where do the concepts of justice and grace meet and where do they disagree? I feel, as individuals, the Bible gives us our commandments (if you desire more verses speaking of forgiveness and love write me and I'll supply a list). However, does this apply to organizations and institutions? If such a thing exists it's rarely seen, and never by me. So then I begin to wonder if it is feasible to have such an organization. Even in the rhetoric of this institution we see much talk about justice, but little of grace. So is it feasible that we can have an organization that uses this counter-cultural concept of grace? Hey all you professors, what's the answer? Is there an answer? Should we forget this concept of grace and forgiveness that we are commanded to do (as in Col 3:13)? Or do the facts change, since we are speaking about groups and not simply individuals? I'm curious, where do these concepts meet, and where do they not? Out of all these questions, my biggest is simply: what is the role of grace in today's society?

Josh Wall

We Quiver in fear, like little bunnies

I write on behalf of the weary and downtrodden professor to beg that we be allowed to forfeit the upcoming Faculty Fumblers football tournament, wherein we unanimously decree that our defeat has been predestined.

In my graduate work in Q at Claremont, I found that Mark 16:17 originally read ``and these are the signs of those who believe: they shall tread on geriatrics.'' This is surely a prediction of our doom.

I am writing this year in the stead of James Vanden Bosch, a not-so-beautiful man, who has withdrawn from public view after the psychosis caused by year after year of terrifying loss. He has not yet been able to teach a class without breaking into tears, terrified that a member of Les Jacques might come into his class and deliver yet another mighty defeat, armed with their gargantun intellects and bulging muscles.

Many other faculty continue to nurse wounds suffered during last year's blowout. I myself have lost nearly all my hair from anxiety of the thought of facing the almighty Les Jacques. Mark Williams has grown a beard for protection lest we drag his face through the mud yet again.

Moreover, the female members of the faculty are scared beyond their wit's end by the bastion of might laid in store for them. This is why, last year, only one female faculty member participated.

We are, of course, mere academics, inferior both in physical stamina and intellectual prowess to the mighty Les Jacques. Our artificial hips and arthritic bones are no match for the dexterous and youthful writers extraordinaire.

God rest our souls, and no doubt forthcoming, our bodies. Our destruction is sealed. Oh, that God might regard our helpless estate and spare us the utter humiliation of another crushing defeat at the hands of the omnipotent Les Jacques team.

With Fear and Trembling,

Professor Pomykala.

Better get the artificial hips greased up!

We at Chimes, certainly feel your pain (well, who are we kidding - we have all of our original body parts, including our hair...) But being good Calvinists, we know that every square inch of land cries out for God's soverity, including your sorry hineys, and as God's representatives we have a responsibility to `educate' you.

Much fine luvin'

Sports information missed

As I read through Chimes last Friday, I was once again impressed by the weekly newspaper that the Chimes staff is able to put together. The paper successfully covers a wide variety of engaging topics each week. Undoubtedly, this takes much research, time and effort. Your hard work and dedication are both commendable and appreciated.

Despite the many strengths of our campus paper, I was disappointed when I read the sports coverage for the previous week. I was frustrated that there was little coverage of the men's golf team and that the little information printed was incorrect. Chimes mistakenly reported that the men's golf team finished seventh in the ``MIAA Championships.'' It also incorrectly stated the team's upcoming schedule.

The fine gentlemen on the team work many hours each week in addition to their studies to represent Calvin College in intercollegiate competition. Their successes should not be overlooked or ignored by the campus newspaper.

It is my hope that this letter will cause the Chimes staff to reevaluate how and why it reports campus events. Such reevaluation will most definitely help to improve our already high-quality campus newspaper.

-Adam Kirk Derrickson

Class of 2002

Insurance numbers questioned

In last week's Chimes there was a ``Crime Prevention Tip'' to buy renters' insurance for $100 per month to get a $15,000 policy. Not only does that sound ridiculously high compared to what our family pays for insuring an entire household, even more surprising to me is that the writer of the article seems unaware that many students are probably automatically covered under their parents' homeowners policy.

Our family uses MEEMIC insurance, and as long as our children are full-time students, their possessions are covered up to a certain amount, whether they live on-campus or off.

-Irene Konyndyk

Editors Note: A GRPD representative suggested students invest in a renters' insurance policy for $100 a month. Further research indiciates a more reasonable quote of $100-$250 for a year of insurance. Students should also check for coverage under their parents' insurance.

Why haven't we learned?

To the student who desecrated an Anti-Racism Week advertisement, writing ``f-- that'' and ``we are'' in response to the satirical suggestion that ``White men are now a minority,'' and to anyone who shares that sentiment:

If the white man is the minority, why have all 43 U.S. presidents been white men? If the white man is the minority, why are over 30 percent of those receiving capital punishment black, whereas blacks comprise roughly 12 percent of the total population? If the white man is the minority, explain why he makes $8,000 more per year than the median black man, $10,000 more annually than the median Hispanic and twice as much as the median female. It appears to me that the so-called ``minority'' white male is incredibly privileged in our society.

Throughout U.S. history, the white male has controlled the nation's educational system and curriculum, leaving us with somewhat of a tainted vision. Why did our teachers sugarcoat white settlement of North America that regarded Native Americans as subhuman heathen and obstructions of manifest destiny? Why didn't they denounce more forcefully the white male's role in the predicament of emancipated blacks in the 19th century who, without capital, generally had no other option but to sharecrop with white farm owners, embedding them in poverty at the early stages of their freedom?

Why didn't we learn more about the Nazi-like displacement during World War II that removed Americans of Japanese origin from their homes and confiscated their property? Why didn't we hear more about the practices of voting registrars that prevented blacks from having a voice in politics? It seems to me that the truth has been concealed from us, and this truth could explain so much about the reasons for anti-racism efforts, ``equal opportunity'' legislation and the like.

It discourages me to know that some students at Calvin College are so indifferent, so apathetic and so ignorant towards the struggles, trials and lives of those different from them. I hope that this week, some of them learned (or unlearned) something about the racism that prevails in this country through the fabric of a system that serves the status quo.

-Brian Paff

Class of 2004

ESC responds to concerns

As representatives of the Environmental Stewardship Coalition, we feel that it is necessary to respond to the letter written by Jesse Bradley concerning the use of recycled paper on campus [Oct. 5]. We believe the article, written by Becca Morrison [Sept. 28], explained the issues quite well, but we would like to make a few clarifications.

First, the ``environmentally friendly'' logging companies have only adopted better standards because of pressure from environmental groups. Despite mounting pressure, these companies continue to use toxic chlorine-based chemicals which adversely affect the environment. Furthermore, the forests that are planted by logging companies are composed solely of trees that can be easily harvested and do not support ecosystem diversity, which is necessary to sustain life.

We applaud Jesse's efforts to recycle, but the depth of the issue is far greater than those simple actions. In order for the recycling industry to thrive, we must not only recycle, but complete the loop by purchasing recycled products, including office paper. If there is no demand for the product, there will be no effort to supply it, which undermines the recycling industry itself.

Finally, we understand Jesse's concern for the economic feasibility of paying twice as much for recycled paper. However, in our initial proposal, we provided the administration with a resource that could provide the college with recycled paper at an additional cost of only 45 percent. Also, we proposed a minimal fee (two cents per sheet) for printing which should have covered the additional cost as well as reduced the consumption of paper on campus.

While we continue to push this issue, we are appreciative of Calvin's efforts to promote the use of recycled paper on campus as well as its continued effort to support the recycling industry. 

-Peter Harkema & Benjamin Hoff

Environmental Stewardship Coalition