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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 3, 1974)
Page 2 THE BATTALION TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1974 Listen up Editor: Traditions plague A&M’ A&M is plagued with traditions and rituals left over from archaic times. It is usually possible with a little effort to ignore these mindless, juvenile antics. Eventually, though, one gets dis gusted and irritated by all the chil dish goings-on. I fail to glimpse the sense in the all-importance that is put on how well a group of 11 men can butt heads and manipulate a small volume of air wrapped in the skin of a pig. It seems like a colossal waste of time and money. Speaking of waste, I noticed in the Batt that $1,000 made from stu dents was incinerated by the Bon fire. I am also having a hard time grasping the idea that “our school is best. ” A large part of the animosity between schools is generated by competition between football teams and has nothing whatsoever to do with real things like academic stan dards, quality of teaching, etc. I am aware that this letter will upset and anger someone but I hope they can extricate themselves from the quagmire and dead logs of tradi tion long enough to understand that I shoidd say what I feel. Douglas E. Garey ’76 The other side Editor: This is addressed to A&M: I’m glad I’m graduating Dec. 14; I'm proud to be an Aggie. Traveling this past weekend really made me love you more. I went back to Texas Tech to seek help in cleaning up transcript. They didn’t care—they didn’t even catch my name. I was only asking for the help and consideration I would have received from you. Maybe you don’t realize it but Tm behind you now more than ever. I don’t have a sticker on my car; I didn’t buy a senior ring; I only went to two games. It’s not lack of pride but lack of money and football fever. I know you care if I live or die, succeed or fail. You’ll help me make it anyway you can; you’ll stand by me. I’m special to you; I’m an Aggie and a human being. You re growing. Your face is changing; your traditions are chang ing but your feelings for your stu dents have not. Please don’t. It doesn’t matter if you win a game but if you win the hearts of Aggies. You have mine. With the Code of Honor you trust me—I need maturity to handle that—but you know I’m young and bound to trip. You’ll help me cor rect my mistakes and give me a chance to start again. There’s not always a complete understanding between us. Some times you make me so mad I could scream. I know you have looked at me with reservation many a time. That’s the way it is between two who love and care about each other. What I really want to say is that I’m glad to be back home. Two years ago you accepted me when I hadn’t met all the standards. Where woidd I be if you hadn’t cared? I’m proud to be an Aggie; I feel you’re proud of me. Michael Barleby-Treut Mauritz Spending orgy Editor: Battalion Staff Writer Jim Peters deserves commendation for his ex cellent investigative reporting on the cost of decorating the MSC. The Tuesday article, “Rudder In terior Costs Told, ” laid the incredi ble facts out for all to see. The in terior designer’s classic comments made me want to laugh, but I couldn’t. This guy was paid a third of a million dollars to squander someone’s money on overpriced frills. In Thursday’s piece we found out that a lot of that money is coming and will continue to come out of the pockets of the student body. The orgy of spending that began with the malls and walls goes on. The Board of Directors had better pull their heads out of the shag car pet and get some fiscal responsibil ity! Bill Thompson 75 (with few, if any, redeeming val ues). Obviously these issues are ludicrous as compared to a prayer before football games, even though the football season is over. Besides these silly issues there are a few other minor problems that take less precedence than a simple prayer, such as parking space and our out standing campus police, the ticket problem as most people who spent the night in front of G. Rollie know, and the outstanding aesthetic value that the cowhide benches offer in the MSC. Of course every student on cam pus can be content with the know ledge that whatever the student government decides on the prayer issue will be served to Jack K. Wil liams and the administration until they are forced to capitulate before the mandate of the student body. William W. Jackson John R. Williams SG ‘praised’ W-1 challenged Editor: After reading the various and inane comments about the student government’s proposal for silent prayers before the football games, we felt obligated to write this cor respondence to commend our stu dent government on concerning themselves with such important matters. After all, at this time the ad ministration has only taken away a traditional holiday and is going to build a half-a-million dollar wall Editor: Once again we have heard the usual B.S. concerning W-1. This time it comes from their military adviser, Lt. Holzmann. Her speech was a great display of propaganda, outranked only by the Nazi Party in the 1930’s. As far as women “doing every thing the men do,” I couldn’t agree more with John Vanore (Challenge issued to W-1; Listen Up, Nov. 19). The waggies do as little as possible. Where’s their weekly spirit sign? The Aggie forum “Free Batt” requires more steps By LARRY ARNOLD From the economic reply in the Nov. 20 Battalion (Batt columnist spares no one), I understand that Mike Perrin wants a professional newspaper totally independent of student government and the ad ministration. If so, he should take the following steps immediately. 1. Move the offices off campus and pay rent and utilities for the space the university now furnishes. 2. Divest the publication of its name and tremendous amount of goodwill that comes of being a pub lication of A&M. 3. Remind the advertisers that support the Battalion that the newspaper is not in any way con nected with the administration or the student body. 4. Pay taxes like any other self supporting (profit) business. 5. Eliminate all volunteer (free) student help. Of course these procedures may trim the present profit margin a lit tle, but they would at least free the newspaper of forced student con tribution, with one exception. If Perrin is an economics major he should realize the ads he is so proud of are paid for by money students spend buying the advertised pro ducts. Now let’s talk about “profes sionalism” and the other three prob lems mentioned. The student organizations are “hasseling” the Batt because it doesn’t print enough campus news. Now it seems to me that local news is the main reason for local news papers. If the Houston Chronicle didn’t print Houston news the citi zens of that city could just as easily read a paper from Austin, or even Washington, D.C. The only reason ever printed in the Batt for the shor tage of campus news was lack of space due to expanded advertising. I for one did not pay student fees through student government to The Slouch Jim Earle ‘This is his idea of a big celebration! Battalion for expanded advertising and two day old political cartoons. (The Oliphant cartoon next to Mr. Perrin’s column appeared in the Npv. IS Eagle.) The A&M administration exer cises no more control over The Batt than the owners of any “profes sional" newspaper. Has Perrin any examples of “real newspapers where the staff elects the editor? Any real newspaper large enough to have a staff, that is. It seems to me that if the student ne.vvspapej- is of A&M and for A&M it should be by A&M. (Pardon me, Mr. Lincoln.) The “sloppy technique” and “slow and inefficient news gathering methods’’ seem to indicate a job to be done by the paper’s editor. If he can’t handle it a stronger, not weaker, Student Publications Board is indicated. I would also like to make two comments on statements made by Perrin. First, I think he is partially correct in stating that Steve Eberhard probably is not represen tative of the 21,000 A&M students. He does, however, represent a sixth of that number that bothered to vote in student elections, and since the other students evidently don’t care, I see no reason to worry about their opinion. Second, how can Perrin write an entire column based mainly on the proposition that the Student Gov ernment collects and disburses in voluntary student fees and then state that Student Government is doomed to amateurism because it cannot tax. Another “inadequacy” of Student Government Perrin cites is lack of the power of imprisonment, which of course it does and should lack. Student Government does have other negative sanctions available, however, and some of them as they apply to The Battalion, are be moaned in Perrin’s column. Perrin’s position seems to be that The Battalion should have all the privileges and prestige of being the student newspaper at Texas A&M but should not be held responsible to the university. Perhaps he has forgotten that a better word for no responsibility is irresponsibility. And students mulling over this issue should remember that with free newspapers, like everything else, you get what you pay for. Arnold is a graduate student in Building Design. Cbe Battalion Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editor on request. Address: The Battalion. Room 217, Services Building. College or of the writer of the article and are not necessarily those of station, Texas 77843. the universitlj administration or the Board of Directors. The The Associated Press is entitled exclusively to the use for reproduction of all Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting enterprise operated news dispatches credited to it or not otherwise credited in the paper and local by students as a university and community newspaper. news of spontaneous origin published herein. Right of reproduction of all T . ». . > . j . . i i ±1 other matter herein are also reserved. Editorial policy IS determined by the editor. Second-Class postage paid at College Station, Texas. LETTERS POUCY ~77~ 7. 7; Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and are Assistant Editor Will Anderson subject to beingcut to that length or less if longer. The editorial Managing Editor LaTonya Perrin staff reserves the right to edit such letters and does not guaran- Sports Editor * Mark Weaver tee to publish any letter. Each letter must be signed, shine the Photo Editor Alan Killingsworth address of the writer and list a telephone number for verified- Copy Editors Cynthia Maciel, tion, Carson Campbell News Editor Roxie Hearn, Address correspondence to Listen Up, The Battalion, Room T. c. Gallucci 217, Services Building, College Station, Texas 77843. Campus editor Steve Bales , „ , , ,, e. City Editor Rod Speer Members of the Student Publications Board are: Jim Lindsey, chairman; Dr. c • l a ^ *. r? *. r T -. r„m Adair, Dr. h: A. All.anese, Dr. H. E. Hier.lt, w. c. Harrison, Steve Special Assignment Reporters Teresa Coslett, Eberhard, Don Hegi, and John Nash, Jr. Mary Russo, Jim Crawley, Paul McGrath, Tony . Gallucci,Gerald Olivier, Steve Gray, Jack Hodges, Judy Represented nationally by National Educational Advertising Services. Inc., B a Sg e d, Barbara West New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. General Assignment Reporters Dave Johnson, Kanaya Mahendra, Jim Peters, David White, Cindy Taber, t MEMBER Roxie Hearn, Debi Holliday, Rose Mary Traverse, Ron Ams- The Associated Press, Texas Press Association l e r, Robert Cessna, Richard Henderson, Daralyn Greene, Z ”7! ,,. , 7 Scott Reynolds, Sandra Chandler, Jim Sullivan, Leroy Dettl- The Battalion, a student newspaper at Texas A&M, is published in College . Station, Texas, daily except Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and holiday periods, ® September through Ktav, and once a week during summer school . ; Photographers Douglas Winship, MajJ subscriptions are $5.00 per semester; $9.50 per schtxtl vear; S10.50 per David Kimmel, Jack Holm, Glen Johnson, Chris Svatek, lull year. All subscriptions subject to 5^ sales tax. Advertising rdte furnished^ Gary Baldasari, Rodger Mallison, Steve Krauss Seiko DX: the Christinas time, anytime gift. Thanks to automation, Seiko can turn out watches faster, with greater accuracy, at a lower price. Handsome, new shape, self-winding, instant- set day/date calendar, water tested to 98.2 ft. No. 54311 M—17J, stainless steel, iridescent blue dial. Also in yellow with iridescent gilt dial. Embrey’s Jewelry Lay Away Now For a Good Selection Northgate College Station 9:00-5:30 Mon-Sat UJELL, MARGE. I'M OFF TO THE SKATIN6 L COMPETITION^ Jr WAITI NO PEEKINO TILL I GET IT WRAPPED!' When was the last time you saw W-1 running as a unit around the quad or taking a “tour of the campus?” Never, nor will you see it for some time either. the Corps before W-1 came along say that the waggies don’t belong. The lieutenant said the men in the Corps were for W-1; who has she talked to? I have spoken to everyone from senior to fish and the reply I consistently get is, “It’s not right. They shouldn’t be allowed in. Even the fish who didn’t know If the lieutenant will look back through copies of’The Battalion, sju* will find approximately five letters opposing W-1 and none really for it. Surely her statement was made out of ignorance of the situation and not propagandizing. Soon we will get the big news; W-1 will be taking over our home. Dorm 1, next vear. II von as the outfits of Dorm 1 how theyfej about being moved to possitlt Dorm 10 or even squeezed ij|( othei dot ms, like sardines, yomtj dabjj! find that most are against ita an alternative solution; putthejiilj in with Corps staff! Girls, if you want recognitm, join the Corps We ll be waiting a y-^ Incidently, I also challengeywt quad me like Vanore. Come me il vou have the hair! Keith HairelK irk it i CaiEjlElGjlCaiBltaifSnoiCjlBlBig h] Come help celebrate our Grand Opening All cou lent.” Adai off-c Patt nded k-kk G G- G G G 5 Experience the totally different decor, the unique atmosphere of the newest El Chico Restaurant. Come enjoy true Mexican food, plus the fun and excitement of a real Mexican Fiesta! • Live Mexican Mariachis • Free cigars and candy Wednesday through Friday December 4-6 £! Cities Mexican food with “Mamas Touch" Manor East Shopping Center Highway 6 and Texas Avenue ellbllsj |Lgjl3|LgRf3jL3[ls) lLs3lioitoHgfI_£)lmi£>|LgH3|u|lsj|lg/ la Ita ILetIDIIs / lalLanjltoRsJlLgflal 3 A UJ16 ?HW 60U6HTA U)IG? THAT'S A 6KEAT (PEA, SIR! NO, I PROMISE NOT TO LAU6H. NO, I PROMISE... I REALLY P0„ I PROMISE . .YES, I REALLY PROMISE ...YES, I PROMISE NOT TO LAU6H...YESSIR, I REALLY REALLY PROMISE... Writ! 12 6000 LOCK,SIR . I'M SUKE YOU'LL IMPRESS THE JUP6E5...THEY'RE PROBABLY ALL GOOP SKATERS THEMSELVES, AREN'T THEY? ACTUALLY, MARGE, SOME OP THEM PONT KNOO HOW TO SKATE AT ALI—LdhUCH IS SOMETHING I'VE NEVER UNDERSTOOD... THE LOORLO IS FILL6P WITH UNMARRIEP MARRIAGE COUNSELOR, SIR... HAVE A 6000TRIP! Northg: tollegt