Page 2 THE BATTALION
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1977
Opinion/Commentary/Letters
Students can make a difference
Democracy is a process whereby
the persons within a political
environment are continually modi
fying that environment to reflect the
political will of the majority.
If our “democratic” society can
not expect the students attending
and graduating from our universi
ties to vote and become involved in
the political process, what can our
society expect of the majority who
are not “highly educated?”
We cannot much longer pretend
toward democracy if even our
college-educated are politically im
mature.
Those of you who say that you do
not register and vote here because
you really live and vote “back
home” are only deluding your
selves.
A political conciousness is not
something one puts on and casts off
like a set of clothes according to the
circumstances.
One makes it a habit to be politi
cally aware and involved in any
environment in which he is or he
loses that awareness and involve
ment.
You can be sure that all the local
landlords and businessmen will cast
their votes, and they will vote for
Slouch
by Jim Earle
“COULD YOU EXPLAIN ONE MORE TIME HOW THAT
HELMET PROTECTS A SKY DIVER IF SOMETHING
GOES WRONG?”
someone who will protect their
interests. But the student, as a tran
sient consumer in this community,
is at the mercy of those who would
take advantage of him.
It is a fact of life that those who
are weak and do not speak up are
exploited and taken advantage of.
Some argue that students should
not be on the council or should not
be strongly represented because
they are here only for a short time
while the permanent residents will
have to live with the decisions. This
argument ignores the fact that stu
dents are here, have been here for
one hundred years and will be here
for many years to come.
And all of these students have to
live with the decisions made by
local government.
You owe it to all present and fu
ture Texas A&M students to cast
your vote locally. If you are not
satisfied with the way local govern
ment is being run, it is your duty to
vote for someone whom you think
will change it.
And, if you are satisfied with the
way local government is being run,
it is your duty to let those who are
running it know that you do agree
with them.
The democratic process is effec
tive only as long as those who are
governed exercise their responsibil
ity to vote.
—Jerry Needham
Symbolic actions
mean little
The Battalion
Opinions expressed in Tlie Battalion are those oj the
editor or of the writer of the article and are not neces
sarily those of the University administration or the
Board of Regents. The Battalion is a non-profit, self-
stipporting enterprise operated hy students as a uni
versity and community newspaper. Editorial policy is
determined hy the editor.
LETTERS POLICY
Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 "words
and arc subject to being cut to that length or less if
longer. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit
such letters and does not guarantee to publish any
letter. Each letter must be signed, show the address of
the writer and list a telephone number for verification.
Address correspondence to Letters to the Editor,
The Battalion, Room 216, Reed McDonald Building,
College Station. Texas 77843.
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Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per semester; $33.25
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McDonald Building, College Station, Texas 77843.
United Press International is entitled exclusively to
the use for reproduction of all news dispatches cred
ited to it. Rights of reproduction of all other matter
herein reserved. Second-Class postage paid at College
Station, Texas.
MEMBER
Texas Press Association
Southwest Journalism Congress
Editor . . . Jerry Needham
Managing Editor James Aitken
Assignments Editor Rusty Cawley
Features Editor Lisa Junod
News Editor Debby Krenek
News Assistant Carol Meyer
Photography Director Kevin Venner
Sports Editor «Paul Arnett
Copy Editor Steve Reis
Reporters George Maselli, Paul
McGrath, Lynn Rossi, John Tynes, Lee Roy Leschper
Jr., Mary Hesalroad, Jan Bailey
Asst. Photo Editors Tracie Nordheim,
Mike Willy
Student Publications Board: Bob G. Rogers, Chair
man, Joe Arredondo, Tom Dawsey, Dr. Gary Halter,
Dr. John W. Hanna, Dr. Clinton A. Phillips, Jerri
Ward. Director of Student Publications: Gael L.
Cooper.
Editor:
While Mr. Carter is abandoning
the imperial presidency, I wonder if
he is drifting into the symbolic pres
idency.
I am aware of his short time in
office. But I put little faith in sym
bolism and more in promises and
actions. Mr. Carter has eliminated
some of the limousine staff, told the
Marine bugle corp to stay in their
barracks, and curtailed the playing
of “Hail to the Chief,” to name a
few.
But who is kidding who. These
earth-shakyig measures save the
government very little. But the
Democratic Congress has given it
self a $13,000 a member pay raise
without Mr. Carter’s vocal opposi
tion. Mr. Carter has promised fed
eral workers their jobs are not in
danger from reorganization, so the
government will at least stay as
large. And Mr. Carter is getting
ready for a giant federal health in
surance program which will enlarge
both the size of the government and
the federal deficit. Incredulously
the only true cutting action is in our
national defense.
Levis and a Heinz-57 dog are fine.
But when it comes to the real thing I
do not want a symbolic gesture
thrown at me. No matter how com
mon it is.
— Robert G. Oler, ’79
THE AGGIELAND ’77
CLASS PICTURE SCHEDULE
FOR THL SPRING SEMESTER
JUNIORS
FEBRUARY 14 — FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 21 — FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 28 — MARCH 4
MARCH 7 — MARCH 11
UNIVERSITY STUDIO
115 COLLEGE MAIN
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Midwest Video has
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Now available 12:30 A.M. to 7:00
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The F.C.C. has granted Midwest Video approval
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via satellite on Channel 4.
FOR INFORMATION
CALL 846-8876
Midwest Video Corp.
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CERTIFICATE NUMBER
(for official use only)
Election Pet #
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME (do not use husband's first name)
MIDDLE NAME
MAIDEN SURNAME IF MARRIED WOMAN
PERMANENT RESIDENCE ADDRESS
STREET & APT. » OR ROUTE #OR LOCATION (not P O Box)
CITY
ZIP
MAILING ADDRESS IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE:
STREET OR P O. BOX
CITY
STATE
ZIP
VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION
Mail or deliver application to your County Tax Assessor Collector 30
days prior to an election.
TYPE OR PRINT IN INK
SOCIAL
SECURITY
NO
SEX
(M/F).
OR COUNTY .
IF NATURALIZED.
COURT OR ITS
LOCATION
IF NOW
REGISTERED
IN ANOTHER
TEXAS
COUNTY
NAME OF COUNTY
LAST RESIDENCE ADDRESS IN COUNT!
CITY
I certify that the applicant is of legal age, is a citizen olthtto
States, has met all legal requirements, and holds legalresidtn
County I understand that the giving of false informationlopfi
registration of a voter is a felony.
SIGNATURE OF VOTER/AGENT
Agent must be a registered voter and must be only (Chtdi
applicable)
Husband Wife Mother Father
The disclosure of social security number is voluntary only, in
by authority of Section 45B. Texas Election Code,andwillbe.s*:
by election official to maintain the accuracy and integriiyd
registration records
Voter registration ends Wednesday
March 2 is the last day to register
to vote in the April 2 Bryan and Col
lege Station municipal elections.
Councilmen will be elected from
districts 1, 3 and 5 in College Sta
tion. In Bryan, three at-large coun
cilmen and a mayor will be elected.
This is the first year that the
single-member district or ward sys
tem has been used in College Sta
tion, and there may be some confu
sion about the system.
It is a good idea always to be reg
istered to vote, but you can use the
accompanying map to determine
whether the district you reside in is
voting for a councilman this year.
If you live in Bryan or in district
1, 3 or 5 in College Station, you are
eligible to vote this year and can
register by filling in the voter regis
tration application above and mail
ing to: Raymond Buchanan, Brazos
County Tax Assessor-Collector,
Brazos County Courthouse, Bryan
77801.
time you registered, you need to fill
in your new address on the back of
your voter registration card and
mail it to: Texas Voting System, 205
29th St., Bryan 77801.
L
If you have moved since the last
Those students registered else
where can change their registration
to Brazos County simply hy filling
out and turning in the voter registra
tion application form.
The candidates who have filed for
positions as of yesterday are as fol
lows:
In College Station, incuml
councilmen Gary Halter andls
Ringer have filed for districts]|
3, respectively. No one hadW
district 5. Anne Hazen is Ik
cumbent council member fro®
district.
In Bryan, Victor CaudilloJr.
incumbent Lloyd Joyce have!
for the position of mayor. Biel
Smith has filed for Placel.lt
Bryan Ill for Place 3 and (I
H eiman for Place 5. Smitl|
Bryan are incumbents.
CITY OF
COLLEGE STATION
WARD BOUNDARIES
SC ON A — a great educational experience
Editor:
Last week I experienced one of
the most thrilling times in my life. I
honestly believe that when every
thing was over, I, along with all the
other delegates to SCONA 22,
gained so much by participating in
such a great conference.
Meeting with students from all
over the United States, Mexico, and
Canada is an experience in itself,
but when one can take part in a dis
cussion and get right down to the
personal level, this is great. Repre
senting Texas A&M as a delegate is
the “icing on the cake.”
Those delegates from other places
could not stop marveling at our
beautiful campus and friendly
people. (Talk about pride, I had it!)
Even a fellow delegate from Cougar
High remarked, “You know, I just
had. the wrong idea of A&M. You
people really have something here.
It is this kind of good Will and
understanding that only a confer
ence like SCONA can promote, and
I think that s a big part of the “indi
vidual in society.”
Last, and especially, especially
not least, I would like to take this
opportunity to personally thank Van
Steed, Chairman of the SCONA
Commmittee; Mr. J Wayne Stark,
the M SC Director; and all the
committee chairmen, workers, on
down to the hosts and '
making SCONA 22 the unforf
hie experience it was. 1 alson
thank Dr. Joyce O’Rear,
Chairman of Round Table'
one man (and he knows who!
who helped me get involved!
great conference. At the samel
I encourage all students hereli
advantage of this great event
involved however you can;
wait until you’re a senior tobei
of this wonderful event.
— George E. (Eddie) Ogdee
Knowledge is yourbesl
protection.
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