Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 23, 1973)
: Page 2 College Station, Texas Tuesday, October 23, 1973 THE BATTALIC AI Current Events: A Plague Rather Than a Blessing By RUSS USNICK “May you live in interesting times . . an oriental blessing that could not be more fitting than it is today. Yet, I fear that the events of the past weeks will serve to solidify a growing feeling that this saying is a plague rather than a blessing. Many feel a real dissatisfaction with life in an “interest ing time.” Such a life situation is viewed as an unstable, uncomfortable state in which to reside. I challenge that view. The events of October, 1973 clearly push into the “interesting times” category. In the past two weeks, a major war has broken out, the Vice President has resigned, the Presi dent has fired three of his most competent aids to protect the magic tapes and several Middle East countries have cut oil supplies to this country. This list omits many things, including an unexplained rash of UFO sight ings. The point is, things are happening, and they are happening at a breakneck pace. The speed and fury of these events in- diices us to sit by with crossed fingers and hope for the best. This is the wrong response. If ever events required our participatioh in their resolution, they require it now. These require action on our part, whatever your viewpoint. If you don’t care, you are the real problem. ISSUE ONE: “War 2-C.” Somebody forgot to tell us that World War II ended. Nearly thirty years later, we are sitting on the verge of large scale involvement in the Middle East, only months since we terminated our massive involvement in the war in Vietnam. While a tentative ceasefire exists, the war is still ready to return to life and the U.S. has clearly indicated its willingness to involve com bat troops if things aren’t settled. At the same time, there is legislation pending in Congress to limit the ability of the President to involve ground forces in this manner. The U.S. clearly needs to return to the original wording of the Constitution which grants war-making powers to congress alone. ISSUE TWO: “The Tapes.” First, the President swore that there was nothing on the tapes of importance, but then went to court to prevent anyone from hearing them. When he lost, he appealed and again lost. He said he would appeal to the Supreme Court and let it decide, but then decided not to, because, as one aide said, he was afraid Batt Commentary An Educational Blow A plan by a business group — the Committee for Eco nomic Development — to double and triple the current tui tion costs at public colleges is a severe blow to the aspira tions of millions of middle income and low income families which have traditionally looked to low-cost public higher education for access to the system in the United States. Texas A&M has traditionally been in this bracket. Students and their parents should unite across the “generation gap” to throw state legislators and federal con gress-persons out of office who vote for tuition-doubling plans. A plan such as this could serve to bring back the campus disruptions of the Sixties not only among students, but also among their outraged parents. The CED plan calls for raising tuition at the average four-year public college by $540 per year and at the average two-year college by $213. Earlier this fall, disruptions oc curred at the University of Michigan, which is attempting to raise in-state tuition from $696 to $800 and out-of-state tuition from $2,260 to $2,600 per year. Even without the CED proposal, most students and their parents are being priced out of the higher education market, as tuition and other education costs have risen at roughly twice the rate of inflation. Inflation in education costs over the last five years has meant that a private col lege education is no longer a reality for most students from middle income families. On top of this, the CED plan would make education at public colleges, even two-year community colleges, extremely difficult financially, most likely involv ing heavy use of loans. The Battalion is totally opposed to the tuition-doubling plan, but supports the CED recommendation for large in creases in funding at the federal and state level of grants administered directly through students, rather than through institutions. The number one priority for educational funding should be to substantially increase monies for the federal Basic Opportunity Grant program (BOG). The National Student Lobby, of which A&M is a mem ber, endorses these ideas and supports adding $50 million to set up a federal State Student Incentive Grant Program to match increases in 24 state scholarship programs, and to provide incentive for the other 26 states to set up state scholarship programs. The NSL strongly supports programs which save money based on opening up post-secondary education to options of three-year bachelor’s degree (equivalent to 25 per cent cut in cost of college education), granting credit based on knowl edge acquired outside the classroom and the cooperation in the use and planning of facilities among neighboring col leges. Obviously, these ideas deserve serious consideration. Any raise in tuition to students would be immediately eaten up by cutbacks in financial support by state legisla tures and Congress and by increases in faculty salaries to meet inflation. The CED proposal serves no purpose other than to limit the number of students gaining degrees and therefore should be opposed by Texas legislators. he might lose before that court, too. He prom ised the Senate and the Special Prosecutor that he would not interfere in the investiga tion of the Watergate affair. But last week he ordered the Special Prosecutor, Archibald Cox, to quit trying to get the tapes. When Cox said the President had gone hack on their agreement and that he intended to continue to try to secure the tapes, Nixon determined to fire him. Robert Bork agreed to fire Cox and became acting Attorney General for his promise. It is interesting to note that Bork rose to his position because he was the only eastern law school professor that actively supported Nixon in his campaign. If the tapes are so blaah, why the vast effort to prevent them from being public. Principle is a good stand, but the President now faces possible impeach ment over those tapes. I wonder what they say , ISSUE THREE: “No Fuel.” This week end, Saudi Arabia and Libya cut off oil sup plies to the U.S. The energy situation for this winter already looked bleak and this can only heighten the problem. The state of Oregon has already shut off lighting for decorative purposes and is now considering turning off street lights and clos ing schools from Dec. 15 to Jan. 15. Gasoline is nearly impossible to buy in some parts of the country and farmers are having trouble buying fuel for machinery, leaving crops sit ting in the fields. The most conservative estimates predict a shortage of eight per cent of fuel needs this winter. More realistic predictions run from 12 to 20 per cent. Interesting times, indeed! A positive attitude toward interesting times and a belief that bureaucratic govern- ernment can still be influenced by those for whom that bureaucracy governs are critical First, write someone, anyone in the bu reaucracy and tell him not to allow U.S. troops to get involved in the Middle East, or anywhere else without the express vote of the U.S. Congress, as the Constitution dic tates. The situation in the Middle East can be resolved without U.S. combat troops and we certainly don’t need another Vietnam espe cially with the Soviet Union playing the other hand. Second, voice and defend your honest moral feeling about those tapes. As it stands, the President is clearly violating the direct order of a U.S. Federal Court. The Cox, Richardson and Ricklashaus affair smarts the worst sort of armed state tactics that deplore elsewhere in the world. Only aw and duly outraged populus can correct situation. MIAMI B1 Delegates to vention appr Finally, view the energy situation positive thing. Be creative, figure out m to put fun into your life without plug^ something into a socket. Encourage to do the same. Begin enjoying those tliii you have rather than being hooked on o suming. Find satisfaction through your® creativity and interaction with other rather than through gross consumption. pet; WANT One day . . . «C per word Minima Class $1.00 p< end DI 4 p.m. day I am often accused of being a pessiit; but I deny that charge vigorously. A pec, is only a pessimist when he feels totally^ erless. I believe the only thing lacking in U.S., October, 1973, is a firm and real be' that each of us can still guide the future our society. Where is your head? FO] TO COUPLE. TIALLY FURNIS ATTLE. REPL\ TALION. TAMU, ; TEXAS 77843. 3 bedroom furni; ible October 16. I llghway 30. Mob tuples only. Call Russ Usnick has been an instructor in TAMU English Dept, for the past threeyo andl^frxwni^fur He received his B.A. and M.A. in Commi! {^e'for'fishin*^ tions from the University of MissouriatEi sas City. mntry utmosphei 123*0934 or after Cbe Battalion Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of The Battalion, a student newspaper at Texas A&M, is ,h' editor or of the writer of the article and are no, necessarily those of the University administration or May, and once a week during summer school. the Board of Directors. The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting enterprise operated by students as a MEMBER University and Community newspaper. The Associated Press, Texas Press Association LETTERS POLICY UT 7 TT Z77 7 77 7~, . . Mail subscriptions are $3.50 per semester; $6 per school Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words year; $6.50 per full year. All subscriptions subject to 5% and are subject to being cut to that length or less if sales tax - Advertising rate furnished on request. Address: , ... ■ , . r, .i ■ i . . j-. The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College Station, longer. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit Texas 77843. such letters and does not guarantee to publish any letter. Each letter must be signed and show the address The Associated Press is entitled exclusively to the use for of the writer reproduction of all news dispatches credited to it or not ' ... ’ . , T ■ . otherwise credited in the paper and local news of spontaneous Address correspondence to Listen Up, The Battalion, origin published herein. Right of reproduction of all other Room 217, Services Building, College Station, Texas matter herein are also reserved. 77843 Second-Class postage paid at College Station, Texas. —— — — EDITOR MIKE RICE Members of the Student Publications Board are: Jim Mnnnp-inp- Editor rirpp- Lindsey, chairman; Dr. Tom Adair, Dr. R. A. Albanese, Dr. Managing .maitor Ureg MOSeS H. E. Hierth, W. C. Harrison, J. W. Griffith, L,. E. Kruse and News Editor T. C. GaliUCCl B. B. Sears. Photo Editor Rodger Mallison Represented nationally by National Educational Advertising v Services. Inc, New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. Ass t. Sports Editor Ted Bonskie 1 1 1 1 - 8 x 10 and 1 - 8 x 10 and 1 - 5 x 7 and 3 Billfold Size | 6 Billfold size $9.95 Terms 1 $19.95 Terms 1 1 All In Beautiful 1 Natural Color 1 Listen Up— Aggie Band Performance Revolting NEED U-Sl Editor: At the Texas Tech-A&M foot ball game, I witnessed one of the most revolting performances by a band I have ever witnessed. It did not occur during the game, or at halftime, but afterward. As the Tech band was giving its post game show, the Aggie band proceeded to blast its way into attention with the Aggie fight song. Louder and louder the two bands played until the Tech band finished. After finishing its num ber the members of the Tech band waited at attention until the Ag gie band had finished. Upon a halt by the Aggie band, the Tech band proceeded to con tinue its post game show. Not more than ten or fifteen measures deep into the number, the Aggies once more opened up with their blasting, forcing the Tech band to stop and wait for these char acters to stop. Being former bandsmen, my wife and I were appalled. It has been drilled into all bands, and directors, that when a unit is on the field, it has the spotlight. Whether it is a tradition of the group to interrupt other bands while they are on the field, or a gross mistake by some unthink ing blunderer, it was repulsive. The Aggie band did a fine half time show and the football team performed admirably, but the final impressions of the A&M stu dents and band were shattered for many people. This is the most uncourteous exhibition I have ever witnessed. I am sure that dis plays such as this may be respon sible for the poor reputation at tributed to your university’s sportsmanship. Never again will I respect the A&M Band as in the past. It is truly worthy of jokes. Dwight Fortson Lewisville Texas ★ ★ ★ Editor: It was within my power emend Trop Nevad’s letter Redaed T-tab (17 Oct.), but I thought it best (as your true friend), to let it stand, and then offer some friendly bits of advice: (1) The flippant tone in the education-factory analogy is dis tasteful, to say the least. It bor ders on an irreverent treatment of our own sacred, efficient, and soundly economic edu-system. (2) As he well knows, the con cept of individual treatment for individual proto-citizens was dis credited and non-facted long ago to to PORTRAIT SPECIAL Other Combination Packages At Our Special Low Prices! Do Your Christmas Shopping Early and Economically With Gift That Only You Can Give! Not to be used with any other A&M studio offer A&M STUDIO Passports and Weddings 303 Willow St — Bryan 822-6377 for appt. before & Q f ter 9708 moloneu VV^I 2708 moloney bryon.texQS 77301 823-7910 Our infants’ wear has arrived. We also carry toddler sizes. behind Denny’s! in both H-Tuos and H-Tron. He should leave that bit of foolish ness in archeologic America—bur ied in the uncivilized past, where it belongs. (3) The referees of the Ancient Worlds Archeological Society have assured me that his inter pretations of the American runes and manuscripts are sophistic misguesses at best; they would be better categorized as sopho- moric, ridiculous, and ignorant fictions. He admits that he knows nothing of the differences between the Dallasite Nashvillean, Cali fornian, and Newyorkese dialects of the era. Nor is he capable of appreciating the value of the Lindsey, Von Danniken, or Nixon- Dixon fragments. (4) His proper occupation is the preparation of America’s nat ural resources for consumption by Society. He should be experiment ing and reporting on better meth ods for processing those resources. He should not be pursuing the non-societal hobby of writing for popular and lurid publications. If Trop Nevad continues to voice quasi-heretical and anti-tra ditional fomentations in rag- sheets (however unread, ineffec tual, and uninfluential they may be), he will be in danger of los ing Exploring License LC6i:| and your Resource Processor! mit Ac219A. Fraternally yours, Forp Lufesu, Rewonkl At least the writer of the viewpoint column had com enough to pen his name to thoughts. Where’s yours? ★ ★ ★ Editor: Re: Mike Alford’s letter 4) on the Supreme Court’s tion decision. 2206 Fi Bry; Hobbie Houseware Coi Many, Six Sizes tc 82 --EVE He forgot to include Ja Pyron R. White’s disses opinion: “The Court ap values the convenience pregnant mother more tha: continued existence and ment of the life or potentii! which she carries.” OPEN 7:30 Mo PREMIUM 1 F60 x 15 G1 G60 x 15 G1 Includ Others at All tires m speed balanc< CHARGE. | How anyone, who has) looked carefully at photogd of an embryo, can call akf anything but murder is me. John Reylard Havolii Conoco, Gulflub FOR BEST RESULTS TRY BATTALION CLASSIFIE SPA! A.C., Chai 69 Alternators Starters from 14 Most anj Americ Foreign car Your 1 Fried ATTENTION AGGIES! “W BankAmerics Except Joe Fau] 220 E. 25 Giving Be 27 Yea For The Latest In MUSIC - NEWS - SPORTS Listen To Your Student Government Radio 107.5 On Your FM Dial Tenn Privai Switm Men’s Saunc Exerc 1201 t Colie Broadcast Time 4 p. m. to 2 a. m. 5 Days A Week on MIDWEST VIDEO CABLE NEWE « Large Li » W/D Co • Door to A/C and ] • Studios • Student For Your Great Connection Call: 846-8876 Midwest Video Cor|>> the professionals 3609 TEXAS AVE. -Private -Rec. ho -Picnic 1 -Ponds f -Paved -Undergr —Planned