THE BATTALION Page 2 College Station, Texas Friday, April 26, 1968 CADET SLOUCH by Jim Earle Ml* “A new first—a machine that kicks back!” Bilingual Program Needed In Texas U. S. Commissioner of Education Harold Howe said Thursday that the American concept of education is still in the cowboy and Indian stage with “the good guys wear ing white hats and skins and speaking unaccented English.” Speaking in Austin, as reported by the Houston Chroni cle, Howe said typical American education equates Anglo- American origin and ways with virtue, goodness and even political purity. Only the Spanish-speaking Americans in the Southwest have sucessfully retained their rich heritage, despite the attempt at cultural assimilation through cultural disdain. “A distinctive Spanish-Indian-American culture sur vives in the U. S., but the cultural backgrounds of Spanish speaking children have produced a staggering amount of educational failure in the American school system,” Howe said. Eighty-nine per cent of children with Spanish sur names and Spanish as, the first learned language drop out of school before completing a regular 12-year program, Howe said. Howe felt that the notion of Anglo-Acultural superiority among children who come to school having spoken nothing but Spanish, yet are expected to speak English does a great disservice to both the children and the nation. The system is like a Texan traveling to France to further his education only to find that all the courses are taught in French. Without any adjustment made for him to learn the language the professor talks on as Texas Joe first faux pas and then drops out altogether. Recently a number of legislators including Texas Sena tor Ralph Yarborough have introduced legislation in Con gress which would provide for bilingual programs for Span ish-speaking children. As Howe says, this way a child could immediately be gin to learn in Spanish while studying English, instead of waiting until after he has learned English to begin his education. While schools in the East promote and sometimes re quire the study of another language in grade school, in Tex as some schools require that nothing but English be spoken. The nation of Anglo-English superioroty has seriously hurt a potentially golden opportunity for all Texas children to be fluent in two languages, while giving a great boost to Spanish speaking children who suffer under present educational conditions. A bilingual education program for Texas’ secondary schools could be one of the biggest steps forward for a state which otherwise has ranked low in educational excellence and teacher pay. Editor, The Battalion: In Thursday’s Battalion, fresh man Arnaldo Cantu justified ci vilian lack of attendance at Mus ter by attacking the Corps of Cadets and the military system used to build the Aggie Spirit. It is quite true that Muster is mandatory for all cadets, but the cadet is neither forced into join ing the Corps, nor is he forced to remain a member. Freshman Cantu further questions to find exactly what Aggie Spirit may be. Aggie Spirit is not a set of actions, such as building the Bon fire, attending Yell Practice, Sil ver Taps or Muster, rather it is the feelings which an Aggie has for his school. These outward signs are tangible evidence of the Aggie Spirit. He asks how many cadets would attend Muster if it were not mandatory. We would suggest that he examine the list of Aggie Musters around the world by former members of the Corps of Cadets. We believe this answers his question. We are not trying to indicate this person’s decision not to accept the military system at A&M which by necessity is mandatory in many ways. However, we do not feel that this freshman has the right to belittle our efforts to show our love for A&M and its traditions because we accepted the military tradition of A&M. We do not believe that this freshman is correct in his as sumption that most Corps mem bers were there because it was mandatory, if he wishes to prove it let him try. This is not meant to be an open attack on civilian students, it rather a denunciation of the assertions that Aggie Spir it is a mandatory farce. We hope the civilian students will become an active member of the Twelfth Man, as it would be beneficial to the Corps, civilian students and A&M. Class of 1970, Company A-l, Proud members of the military tradition upon which Texas A&M is built. ★ ★ ★ Editor, The Battalion: I am writing this letter in reference to Mr. McLennan’s let ter in Wednesday’s Battalion and his comparison of Corps and ci vilian attendance at Muster. I agree that civilian attendance at Muster was small, but from CIVILIAN (Continued From Page 1) and vibrant excitment ...” The Countdown 5 played at the Junior Ball here in March. In the spring of 1965, the group was selected as the most out standing all-around band at the Sharpstown Center talent con test, which featured groups from over the Gulf Coast area. In addition to their singing tal ents, the group has also formed a corporation and their own rec ord company. In the past year, they raised more than $5,000 for a local Heart Association. The Countdown 5 is currently the feature attraction at the Grass Menagerie, a nightclub in Galveston. CASH FOR USED BOOKS We Sell To TOO College Stores LOUPOT'S URGENT! Juniors and Sophomores May 3 is deadline for turning in proofs for 1968 Aggieland at the University Studio. THE BATTALION Opinions expressed in The Battalion o,re those of the student writers only. The Battalion is a non tax-supported non profit, self-supporting educational enter prise edited and operated by students as a university and community neivspaper. The Associated Press is en republication of all new disj otherwise credited in the paper origin published he! ;rein are •. d-Class postage put matter herein are Secon titled exclusively to the use for ed to it or not svs of spontanet ghts of republication of all oti credit patches the paper and local news of spontaneoi Rights of republication of all otb reserv paid ved. at College Station, Texas. Members of Lindsey, chairman ; Dr. Student Publications David Bo’ Board are: Jim College of Liberal rman ; Dr. David Bowers, College of JLuberal Arts; F. S. White, College of Engineering; Dr. Robert S. Titus, College of Veterinary Medicine; and Hal Taylor, Col lege of Agriculture. The Battalion, a student newspaper at Texas A&M is published in College Station, Texas daily except Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, and holiday periods, September through May, and once a week during summer school. Represented nationally by National Educational Advertising Services, Inc., New York City, Chicago, Francisco. Los Angeles and San MEMBER The Associated Press, Texas Press Association Mail subscriptions are $3.50 per semester; $6 per school year; $6.50 per full year. All subscriptions subject to 2% sales tax. Advertising rate furnished on request. Address: The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College, Station, Texas 77843. EDITOR CHARLES ROWTON Managing Editor John Fuller Features Editor Mike Plake Editorial Columnist Robert Solovey News Editors Steve Korenek, Jim Basinger Sports Editor Gary Sherer Asst. Sports Editor John Platzer Staff Writers Bob Palmer, Dave Mayes, , Tom Curl Photographer Mike Wright Sound Off where I was sitting it didn’t look like 98 percent of the people had uniforms on. I believe that Mr. McLennan’s patriotic flag waving for the Corps has obscured any common sense he might have had. According to Tuesday’s Bat talion, there were more than 5.500 people in attendance at Muster here. If two percent were civilians and guests, that would be 110 people, leaving supposedly about 4,390 in the Corps. Even if every room in the Duncan area was occupied, this would make a total of only approximately 3.500 cadets and if 200 was added to this to account for the day students in the Corps, this would bring the figure to only about 3,700. According to Mr. McLen nan’s “new math” there are al most 1,700 ghost cadets some where on campus. Mr. McLennan wrote of the great men the Corps has turned out in the past. I hope that the great men A&M turns out in the future will not be as biased and ignorant of the facts as Mr. Mc Lennan. It makes me sick to think that these people will be wearing the same ring as I will. Mike Hughes ’69 ★ ★ ★ Editor, The Battalion: Last night I received a copy of the “underground newspaper” Paranoia. I was, unfortunately, not in my room when the paper was delivered. Therefore, I will have to write their offices to register my opinion. Although I disagree strongly with some of the views expressed in the paper, I was favorably impressed with the fact that, with the exception of the article “I C hoeosMcCarthy,” there was no UNPAID campaigning. This, un fortunately, has not been the case in The Battalion. I have viewed with great displeasure the meta morphosis of Sound Off from a platform of student opinions to a method of cheap politicking. This trend was especially no ticeable in the April 23rd edition. In the April 23rd edition the letters to the editor section de generated into a contest to see who could get the most number of signers for a politically orient ed leter. I hope, in the future, the editor of The Battalion sees fit to elimi nate this trend and return Sound Off to its former status. Frank Kuppersmith ’70 Editor, The Battalion: I am writing in regard to the recent letter in “Sound Off” by John Thompson. Mr. Thompson stated that he wasn’t giving blood because of the “lure” used in getting people to donate blood, Perhaps Mr. Thompson has for gotten the real reason for donat ing blood, so that blood is avail able to those who are in need. Mr. Thompson seems to think that the methods are more im portant than the cause. The real reason for donating blood is the benefits given to those who are dying and are in need of blood. Perhaps if people didn’t think of themselves so much, there would have been blood available when his friends needed it. Dale Boyd ’71 The Church..For a Fuller Life..For You CALENDAR OF CHURCH SERVICES ST. THOMAS EPISCOPAL 906 Jersey Street, So. Side of Campus Rector: William R. Oxley Asst.—Rev. Wesley Seeliger 8:00. A.M. & 9:15 A.M. Sunday Services A&M CHURCH OF CHRIST 8:00 & 10:00 A.M. Worship 9 :00 A.M.—Bible Study '5 :15 P.M.—Young People’s Class 6 :00 P.M.—Worship 7 :lo P.M.—Aggie Class 9 :30 A.M.—Tues. - Ladies Bible Class 7 :15 P.M.—Wednesday - Bible Study UNIVERSITY LUTHERAN (Missouri Synod) 10.00 A.M.—Bible Class 11:00 A.M.—Morning Worship 7 :3Q P.M.—Wednesday Vesper UNITARIAN FELLOWSHIP 305 Old Highway 6, South 10 :00 A.M.—Church School 8 :00 P.M.—Adult Service A&M PRESBYTERIAN 7-9 A.M.—Sun. Breakfast - Stu. Ctr. 9:45 A.M.—Church School 11:00 A.M.—Morning Worship 6 :00 P.M.—Sun. Single Stu. Fellowship 7 :15 P.M.—Wed. Student Fellowship 6 :45 A.M.—Fri. Communion Service Wesley Foundation rvice CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 0:45 A.M.—Sunday School 10:45 A-M-—Morning Worship 6:30 P.M.—Young People’s Se: 7 :00 P.M.—Preaching Service CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SOCIETY 9 :30 A.M.—Sunday School 11:00 A.M.—Sunday Service 11:00 A.M.-2 P.M.—Tues. Reading Rm. 7:00-8:00 P.M.—Wed., Reading Room 8:00 P.M.—Wed, Evening Worship FIRST BAPTIST 9 :30 AM—-Sunday School 10:45 AM Morning Worship 6:10 PM—Training Union 7 :20 PM—Evening Worshij 6:30 PM—Choir Practice 7:30 P.M, jvl—.v. .......v.. .V.. .vjy. ;v. ■ ri\\.«