Viewpoint
Thursday
October 6, 1977
The Battalion
Texas A&M University
Hand on the balance
President Carter has a long row to hoe before reaching his campaign goal
of a balanced federal budget before his present term ends in January 1981.
Achieving that promise will be no easy task.
The last time the federal government balanced its books was in fiscal 1969,
when revenues exceeded expenditures by $3.2 billion.
Under a current resolution adopted by Congress this month, a ceiling of
$458.25 billion was placed on federal spending in the fiscal year beginning
Oct. 1.
Since revenues have been projected at $397 billion, it doesn t take a (GS)
maximum bureaucrat to figure out there is a $61.25 billion deficit (red)
difference between income and outgo.
Fiscal year 1978’s budget essentially is the handiwork of former President
Ford, inasmuch as work on it began during the final months of his adminis
tration.
It will not be possible to assess President Carter’s spending priorities until
the budgetary process for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 1978, is well
under way.
Whatever the methodology, the prospect of borrowing $60 billion is wor
risome. Federal borrowing to finance the deficit and service the national
debt only makes it more difficult for private borrowers to sell their own
securities.
If Carter plans to pay more than lip service to his campaign for a balanced
budget, his efforts are worthy of public support. If his ideas are nothing more
than self-serving political eyewash, the public ought not to let such uncanni
ness slide by without vociferous outcries of condemnation.
Lubbock Tex. Avalanche-Journal
The Kent memorial
Kent State University President Brage Golding’s recent proposal for a
memorial to everyone connected with the tragic shooting deaths of four
students in 1970 isn’t as outrageous as his critics have insisted.
Golding has suggested that the new Kent State University gymnasium be
dedicated to the “slain, the wounded National Guardsmen, the townspeople
and the university community.”
Whether the gymnasium could be the proper monument may be open to
debate, but there is merit in his proposition that a monument should be
all-encompassing.
The trauma of Kent State is shared by the entire nation. If a monument is
to have any meaning, it should be in recognition of the event and not in
memory of the slain students alone.
Wheeling W. Va. Intelligencer
Speaking simply?
We are in debt to NBC reporter Edwin Newman and to the Sacramento
Bee for alerting us to still another new series of misdemeanors against the
English language.
Newman, who has written books on the proper use of English, told a
gathering of radio and television news directors in San Francisco last week
that he might be fighting a lost cause. The language, he said, is still dull,
pompous, turgid, ponderous and overblown,” and he cited a number of
recent offenses.
The police chief in Madison, Wis., calls his jail “a total-incarceration facil
ity.” A mail-order catalog describes an ice-cream scoop as an “ice-cream
transfer spade.” A motel in Albany, N.Y., advertises its beds as “sleep sys
tems.” And the tags on many handbags describe the material as “man-made
vinyl.” The wild vinyl -— a subspecies of the vicuna? — apparently has
become extinct.
The Bee directs its attention to the rampant acronym, which we believe to
be the greatest of all threats to the intelligibility of the language. One of its
reporters found the following paragraph in the U.S. Department of Health,
Education and Welfare’s guidelines for development of a state health’s plan
in California:
“The SHPDA shall submit a Preliminary State Health Plan, containing
recommended revisions of the HSPs, to the SHCC for review. The SHCC
may require the SHPDA to revise the PS HP prior to its approval of the
SHP.”
GRRRR.
Los Angeles Times
Dear Mom: Your black Aggie is lonely
Dear Mama,
Well, you said you wanted your little
girl to be a Black Aggie and that’s what she
is. Here I am, Ma, I did it. The first one in
our whole family to go to college. I’m a
little older than the others, but here I am.
I could be somewhere else, but we
thought a degree from A&M would be
worth just so much more. So. here I am.
I’ve learned to do all the things every
Aggie learns to do—stand in endless lines,
wait for hours at the “Quack Shack” to get
medicine for my migraines. (I missed the
first four days of class because of those
headaches. I spent those four days stand
ing in lines that reached as far as the eye
could see. It seems as if every day when I
got into a line and finally reached the end
of it; it was for another purpose.) Ma, I
have my I.D., my schedule, my football
ticket and my books.
And I’m taking your advice about look
ing for a husband, someone nice who
would care about me. I’ve looked and
looked, but he isn’t here, Mtima. Most of
the black Americans on campus are
Jocks—here on athletic scholarships.
Readers’ forum
There’s nobody for an older black student.
I realize you are pinching pennies to keep
me in school and help me raise my own
children but those men aren’t here.
Okay, so some women go to college for a
“Mrs.” degree, but maybe we ll have to be
proud of a BA for this black coed.
A little good news and a little bad:
I went to a seminar and the guest
speaker was a black woman and she says
it’s okay to say “Imo, that it’s not just
black,people who talk that way. Mama, I
want to apologize for making you say “I am
going to.”
There was also a black poet on campus
that same day, imagine. And Mama, he is
well-known across the nation. Maybe my
daughter will read some of his poetry in
American Literature one day.
Okay, now for the bad. Did you read
about that man who won a Nobel Prize in
Physics? He has a theory about us being
genetically inferior to whites—as a race, a
whole race. Isn’t that sort of like what Hit
ler said about the Jews in Mein Kampf?
This man now, he says Blacks have an in
ferior gene and we pass it right along from
generation to generation. Well, he is going
to be on the A&M campus.
Mama, you always told me that I was as
good as anybody. And I believed you.
I went to the first football game. I did
not have a date. There is a tradition here at
A&M that every time the Aggies score,
your date is supposed to kiss you. Well, I
sure hope that someday I will be the kis-
see. But, Ma, do you know there are
nearly 30,000 students here and only 125
of them are black? Why do you think that
is? I am the only Black in every one of my
classes.
But I’m here, I did it. I’m an Aggie.
The truth is. Mama—well, do you think
maybe I could come home? Or maybe
transfer to a school with more blacks?
There’s gotta be a good school like that,
Ma. The truth is, I never realized how
lonesome I could be.
Your daughter,
Erma Jefferson
Jefferson is a 36-year-old junior political
science major.
Tetters to the editor
Dippers and chewers need to remember others
Editor:
I would like to call attention to those
students at Texas A&M who chew or dip
tobacco.
Recently I went to class and put my
books next to my desk, only to find that
someone’s spitoon had overturned on the
floor. It was both inconsiderate and dis
gusting.
Tobacco products of any kind are pro
hibited from the classrooms by school pol
icy. If this person had obeyed school regu
lations this would never have happened.
Persons should be able to choose
whether or not to chew or dip tobacco,
unless of course, it infringes upon the
rights and sensitivities of others. If you are
one of the persons who does indulge, you
will do us both a favor if you will be kind
enough to consider those who may be in
the place you just left. —Renee’ Pevoto
Class of ’80
Bikes dangerous
Editor:
The smell of burning rubber! The
screech of tires! The protestations of near
victims and casualties! Is it the Texas
World Speedway? No, we are on the Texas
A&M campus, overwhelmed with dis
courteous bicyclists.
Since school began, I have witnessed
five minor bicycle accidents on campus be
tween pedestrians and bicyclists. Each in
cident took place between classes, which
should point out the fact that bicycles
should be walked to and from classes while
on campus. We’ve all got to get to class,
but running into people only serves to
make them late.
I am not just an angry pedestrian spout
ing off. I too, ride my Schwinn to school,
but there is a difference. When the
sidewalks become crowded, I walk my
bike, and when I do ride, it is always at a
leisurely pace.
So, for those of you who are whipping
dangerously about, don’t be surprised if
nobody says “Howdy” to you! And please
walk your bikes between classes.
—Kayce Glasse ’78
Brown-baggers pay
Editor:
As has been the case since we have been
at A&M, we (graduate students and our
major professor) went to the MSC dining
area to eat. While our group was enjoying
their sack lunches and yogurt, soft drinks,
and candy bars purchased from the
cafeteria, we were approached by Mr.
C.K. Borchardt, Dining Center Manager,
and told we were not allowed to eat sack
lunches in the MSC dining area. In the
ensuing conversation, no sound reasoning
for the anti-sack lunch policy was given,
but we were told that the MSC dining area
is not part of the MSC, our building use
fees do not benefit the cafeteria, facilities
for “brown-baggers” are available sur
rounding the basement snack bar, and that
the next time we were caught eating sack
lunches in the MSC dining area, we would
be forcibly removed by security person
nel.
We question this “policy” on the princi
ple that the MSC was built for general use
by students and faculty. Similarly, the MSC
dining area should not be restricted only
to those persons eating food prepared in
the cafeteria. We had spent as much or
more money to purchase food items from
the cafeteria compared to other persons
sitting in the dining area, and we did not
occupy any more space. Suppose a TAMU
student or faculty member, who usually
brings a sack lunch, is asked to eat in the
MSC dining area with other students, fac
ulty, or campus visitors, only to be physi
cally ousted. This example demonstrates
the absurdity of this policy. In addition,
the facilities in the basement are ex
tremely limited (29 tables), and the carni
val atmosphere is distracting.
—Scott Lutz ’77 and Chris Grue ’77
Some Aggies rude
Editor:
Before attending A&M, I had heard
many testimonials about the “spirit of Ag-
gieland.”
I had the opportunity to experience this
feeling of brotherhood between students
when I came to A&M last fall. I’m not sure
“brotherhood” is the right word anymore.
I’ve observed so much rudeness and
disrespect lately that it’s hard to believe
this is the same campus it was last fall.
In one instance this rudeness was di
rected at a faculty member. Students
whistled at the instructor to get his atten
tion; others disrupted class so badly that
he had to ask them to leave. It is rude and
maddening to other students to have to sit
through such a class.
This is just one of the numerous in
stances I ve encountered. I believe both
faculty and fellow students deserve more
respect than this. C’mon, Ags, pull your
selves together.
—Tammy Long
Class of ’80
Slouch by Jim Earle
“I KNOW WE PROMISED BEER FOR BLOOD, BUT AT THE
SAME TIME?”
Top of the News
State
Texas gets discount air fares
Texas International Airlines announced Wednesday new discouj
air fares of nearly 60 percent to several cities in the state. “Peanuts’
fares offered on selected flights between Lubbock and Austin 1
. . - ^ v t . ■ -1 ^.4- 1 ^ I 17....
lares, onercu on ***& 10 i • i* i ^
Lubbock and Houston, take effect Nov. 13, the airline said. Fares!,
flights between Lubbock and Austin will be $25, and $40 lions ^
lugnrs ueiween —- A l . . T A ^
bock to Houston, depending on the time. Other cities m Texas togd
discount prices are Amarillo, Beaumont-Port Arthur and Wiehit
Falls.
Jury still out in policemens trial
The seven-woman, five-man jury deciding the fate of the hu
Houston ex-policemen charged with murdering a Mexican-Amerioi
prisoner deliberated through Wednesday without reaching a verdict
State District Judge James F. Warren had instructed the jury tk
they have five alternatives; acquittal, murder, involuntary man
slaughter, negligent homicide or assault. Defense lawyer Bob
nett said Texas law requires proof of intent to do serious harm for.
murder conviction. He said that one of the policemen, Terry Denson,
27, had testified he had no such intent and that Joe Campos Torre:
Jr., 23, had jumped or fell into Buffalo Bayou while trying to escape
Nation
Barring of Utah judge urged
The U.S. Justice Department has asked that a 78 -year-old
federal court judge be barred from handling further federal cases
The department sought the unprecedented action against ChiefDis
trict Court Judge Willis W. Ritter. In a petition, the justice depart
ment said Ritter mismanaged the local federal grand jury, failed!)
follow proper procedures, mismanaged his criminal trial calendar,
forced the government to consent to non-jury trials, was hostile
trying misdemeanors, ordinarily barred the government from niakinf
opening statements in criminal statements in criminal cases and had
shown contempt for appeals court judges. The department said that
Ritter has “brought the administration of justice to a standstill
much of Utah and has brought the judiciary into disrepute.”
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Reds can ‘kill’ our spy satellites ok
American spy satellites that watch the Soviet Union are now vul
nerable to attack from a Russian “killer satellite” and the United
States does not yet have the ability to retaliate. Defense Secretary
Harold Brown disclosed Tuesday that the Soviet weapon, previously
described as only partially successful, now has an “operational capa
bility” in the event of hostilities. A U.S. space weapon that would
knock out enemy satellites by homing in and colliding is in only
“preliminary exploration and design stage” under a contract recently
let by the Air Force, Brown said. President Carter earlier this
disclosed he had suggested a ban on anti-satellite weapons to tne
Russians, but Brown said the Soviet press had recently charged U.S
tests violated an agreement not to have anti-satellites.
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Officials confused over illness
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New Mexico state health officials are confused as to the cause of#
illness which struct 40 members of the El Paso Riverside High Schod
marching band and Rangerettes drill team. The high school student 1
were treated at hospitals in Alamogordo Sept. 16-17 for what au
thorities originally diagnosed as a mass case of food poisoning. Tk 'ergy pla
New Mexico state laboratory tested samples of food eaten by th ice29cer
students and no possible source of food poisoning was found. At ibic feet
official of the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Agencyij
Alamogordo, Fred Wood, said last week there was a “strong possibil
ity” the illness was caused by chemical poisoning from hair spray
World
Iceberg paddlewheel proposed
Saudi Arabia s Prince Mohamed Al Faisal proposed Tuesday
equipping huge Antarctic icebergs with giant paddle-wheels to briny
P arc bcd homeland. He proposed installing paddlewheels
w'ith huge arms that would propel 100-million-ton icebergs from th
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Antarctic to the Arabian peninsula or any arid nation. “The towinjlLs ^
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propulsion in the form of paddle wheels.” His plan called for p® lllt
aims to be attached to both sides of an iceberg, with powerpW villE
srtuated on its top. Faisal said that by equipping both sides will
pa c wwheels rather than placing the propulsion system at the rear
ne iceberg, the ice mass could be navigated with ease
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Ransom okay brings resignation
Justice Minister Hajime Fukuda resigned over Japan’s decision#
pay the Japanese Red Army hijackers $6 million in ransom and re
lease six prisoners to save the lives of 151 hostages aboard a Japan An
ix prisoners to save the lives of 151 hostages aboard a Japans
Lines seized last week. Foreign Ministry officials waived the rights
seek extradition of the hijackers and return of the ransom money f rn ®
gena, where the six-day hijack drama ended Monday. Algeria
iuesday through the national news agency there has been no fom^
extradition request for the guerrillas, who took over the Paris-*
l okyo jetliner with 151 other people aboard over India last VVednes
, u . u a anc other cabinet officers protested they were not con
suited about the decision.
Weather
Moslty lo partly cloudy today and tomorrow with SoutN
er 'y o r ds 8-12 m Ph- Continued mild with a high for to
mid-80s and tonight’s low mid-60s. 10 per cent chano
rain. ^
The Battalion
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ethtor or of the writer of,he article and are not neeeinl
those of the University administration or tlu Board of Rr
Kents. The Battalion is a non-profit. selfZpimr^a
enterprise operated hy students as a university Zd com
mun y newspaper. Editorial policy is determined by ,he
LETTERS POLICY
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editorial staff reserves tlu- rinh, to edit such letters and dss
not Knarantee to publish any letter. Each lencw amst U
" , " u - -m......
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