Page 2
Viewpoint
The Battalion Monday
Texas A&M University October 24, 1977
Bakke case threatens Constitution
By BILL IRWIN
Editor’s note: This is the first of two
Reader’s Forum commentaries exploring
the Allen Bakke “reverse discrimination”
case pending before the United States
Supreme Court.
The recent century has seen rulings by
the Supreme Court that have affected
nearly every man, woman and child in the
United States. Indeed, many times the
power of these men seems so omnipotent
that their supposed co-rulers — the legis
lative and presidental branches — seem
punitive in comparison.
Now these new “Gods” of our society
are preparing to ponder a case that supris-
ingly has received far less news coverage
than it really merits — a case so staggering
in its consquences that every student with
thoughts of graduate school in mind, or
even a person applying for a job or desir
ing a promotion should pay close heed to
its serious ramifications.
The important case at stake involves set
tling the question of whether it is constitu
tional to preferentially admit a certain
amount of minority students over a white
student (Allen Bakke) at a California medi
cal school, in order to equalize competi
tive educational opportunities. In other
words, are quotas based on race a justifi
able medical school admissions policy?
The question is truly troubling and sen
sitive. Superficially, the decision should
be obvious: any preference based on race
is of course unconstitutional — the Civil
War settled that question. However the
medical school seeks to justify its policy by
arguing that “professional schools must not
be blind to race if the nation is to remedy
past discrimination.” By that I would as
sume they mean that in order to achieve
racial equality in education, the majority
(whites) must relinquish their Constitu
tional right to “Equal Protection” and in
all fairness allow the preferential admis
sion of minority students. This sup
posedly, will atone for past discriminitory
acts Committed by the white populance
Readers’ Forum
against the minority such as (again I’m as
suming) segragation of education. Beside
being inherently wrong, this position by
its very nature injects even more discrimi
nation into the already volatile confronta
tion.
This added discrimination can be ex
plained by a quick historical examination.
The famous 1954 Brown vs Board of Edu
cation ruling by the Supreme Court out
lawed segragation of education because it
was obvious that segragation invidiously
stigmatized black children as “unfit.” (The
White folks schools were usually superior
to Black schools and the children made as
sociations to intelligence and social posi
tion accordingly.)
But doesn’t the Reverse Discrimination
issue produce exactly the same result?
Who is to say that Allan Bakke won’t be
stigmatized as “unfit” if the Supreme
Court decides that he can’t enter medical
school — even though his grades were
higher than all of the accepted minority
students?
In other words, his accomplishments, as
high as they are, are not good enough, and
on this basis and by virtue of his race he is
to be rejected. Futhermore, we see that
even the minority student’s position is
slandered. He begins to realize his accom
plishments are not good enough and that
he will need special help from the Gov
ernment to enter medical school.
So on both sides accomplishments,
merit and integrity are subverted. No one
is able to compete for the good in ques
tion. Therefore on both sides discrimina
tion results. Clearly, the Supreme Court
must reverse its liberal trend and for once
decide in favor of the majority.
The only aspect of the school’s policy
that is obviously justifiable is that admis
sion of minorities on a quota basis clearly
will alleviate the tragic shortage of doctors
in minority communities. This factor, and
this factor alone should persuade the Su
preme Court in favor of minority quotas.
But the Constitution was written ex
pressly and explicitly for everyone. Who
are we to stretch this immortalized docu
ment to read that its “Equal Protection”
clause inay be ignored for the wants of the
few? Certainly the end is noble but that
does not justify the means.
The fair, logical and Constitutional an
swer is restructuring of admissions tests to
evaluate an applicant’s knowledge of
minority language, customs and culture,
which will then definitively predict who
will and who won’t practice sufficiently in
a minority community. This knowledge
then, will be used as a criterion for admis
sion. Granted, this type of test will not
only be difficult to compose, but will also
be biased towards students raised in a
minority community and I can already
visualize civil lawsuits to that effect.
However the Constitutionality of the
case is settled because knowledge and not
race will determine who qualifies.
Everyone had the opportunity to gain that
knowledge and the fact that minority ap
plicants have had better access, in no way
abrogates another person’s civil rights.
Discrimination against the majority is
just as unconstitutional as it is against the
minority. Any kind of classification that
gives preference to race is not “Equal Pro
tection” under the Constitution and in
reality, places a stigma on both the re
jected majority student and the accepted
minority student. We have reached a
point in American history where almost
every form of minority race discrimination
has been eliminated.
Let us hope the Supreme Court does
not attempt to disturb this status quo by
ruling in favor of preferential admissions.
I sincerely hope that no one misinter
prets the third paragraph to read that
minority students are inferior to white
students concerning intelligence. It so
happened that in this particular case,
Allen Bakke had higher test scores than all
of the sixteen accepted minority students.
Whether or not the standardized tests
both Bakke and the minority students
were evaluated on are indicative of intelli
gence, is another argument in itself. Re
cently, it has been the opinion of many
distinguished educators and civil rights
groups that standardized tests are defi
nitely prejudiced.
Bill Irwin is a sophomore biology major.
Carter learning value of doing nothing
realize conditions are getting desperate
By DICK WEST
United Press International
WASHINGTON — President Carter is
said to attribute his recent skid in the
popularity polls to his attempts to do
something about controversial, long-
neglected problems.
He may be right.
Certainly, there are many people who
look upon problem-solvers with suspicion,
if not downright disfavor.
“Sweeping problems under the rug is as
American as apple pie,One public opin
ion expert told me. “This country was built
on the principle that if you dilly-dally long
enough, the problem may eventually go
away.
Letters to the editor
“Any president who actually comes to
grips with one or more problems is court
ing political disaster.
You mean people got sore about Car
ter’s attack on the oil industry?” I said.
The Lighter Side
“Heavens no! If there is anything more
Athene aft than apple pie and sweeping
problems under the rug, it’s bad-mouthing
the oil industry:” ' - ”' r ' '
Then it must have been Carter’s propo
sals for dealing with the energy problem
that hurt his popularity.
The pollster shook his head.
“Not the proposals themselves. The
reaction would have been the same to an
entirely different set of proposals. His big
mistake was proposing anything at all.
What should he have done?”
When a problem reaches the crisis
stage, as the energy shortage has done, the
first duty of a president is to impress the
people with the seriousness of the situa
tion.
"A sense of urgency doesn’t spring from
measures to encourage conservation, as
Carter has proposed, or from measures to
encourage fuel development, as the Sen
ate has approved.
“WhaY Ciifter should* do ’to* show ‘peOpld
he is on top of the situation is appoint a
presidential commission to study the prob
lem. ’
I said, "Isn’t that pretty drastic?”
It’s a bold step, yes. But it’s the only
way to shake people up and make them
"If you look at the record you will find
that Carter’s strongest point is symbolism.
As long as he stuck to symbolic activities,
his popularity was soaring. It was when he
switched to concrete programs that he
began to slip.
“Now, appointing a presidential com
mission is our traditional symbol of a na
tional crisis. It tells the people the presi
dent is zeroing.in on the problems, but.it
doesn’t get theyn agitated oyjer proposed
solutions that are bound to ;Ke ’cbntrover-
. , „ ■ * y i
sun.
I said, "What happens to the problem
after the commission makes its final re
port?”
If the timing is right, that will be near
the end of his second term and he can
dump it in the next president’s lap.”
day
Jogger’s life getting tougher every
Editor:
All right. I’ll admit it. I’m one of them.
There are a lot of us here, and new people
are coming to our side in encouraging
numbers.
We are joggers.
And by nature, we don’t mean to bother
or offend anyone, as most of us are basi
cally happy and contented individuals.
Sure, most all of us have probably in
timidated you a little bit as you drive by in
your cars. Maybe we stepped off a curb or
crossed the street when you were coming
our way. Perhaps we ran around a hole or
a mud puddle and temporarily violated
your street space. For this and other
transgressions of the road, we apologize.
M ost all of us understand that even
though the car may not always have the
right-of-way, it always has the right-of-
weight. We try to stay out of your path at
all costs, because we know you will always
win in an intersection shoot-out.
We also realize that you are proud of
your big cars, and the power they give
you. A new fast and sleek auto is certainly
a better toy than an old pair of rundown
jogging shoes.
Since you are the biggest and have the
neatest toys of anyone, we will concede to
you the status of “Big Kid on the Block,
and promise never to bother you again.
Now that you can sit back and bask in
your importance, we have a favor to ask:
Please stop swerving your car towards us
and stop throwing your beer cans at us.
You can go ahead and yell, point, and
laugh at us just like you always do, because
this doesn’t hurt us and it makes you look
silly. Fine with us.
We hope that with your new title, you
will no longer feel you have to prove your
selves by swerving very close to us and
then laughing wildly while we turn around
to jog home to change our shorts. We also
hope that you find a better place to put
your beer cans than in the middle of our
backs.
—Gregg Propps
Lowering heaven
Editor:
Madalyn O’Hair has been trying to have
the words, “In God We Trust,” removed
from American currency. Apparently the
woman feels left out because the slogan
does not include her. I find it ironic that
Ms. O’Hair still enjoys the use of the
American dollar, even though God’s name
is printed on it. I would like to suggest that
Ms. O’Hair try using pesos or shillings
next time she does her smart weekly
shopping. At least these forms of currency
don’t have that certain, unmentionable
name on them.
Of course, it is well known that Ms.
O’Hair has every right to raise havoc about
these four words which have been a unify
ing motto for so long. Certainly, Ms.
O’Hair should try to destroy the key factor
to America’s becoming the greatest free-
world power. The factor I am speaking of
is our proud nation being started on the
basis of freedom of religion to worship God
in our own ways. If Ms. O’Hair does not
agree that God is a unifying factor in the
construction of America, then why does
God’s name appear in the Declaration of
Independence, the pledge and, of course,
our currency?
Ms. O’Hair is not only trying to raise
Hell, she is trying to lower Heaven.
—Mark Mullin ‘81
Yell practice equality
Editor:
This letter concerns the yell practice
Thursday night. The yell leader told the
participants that they were the cream of
the crop; the foundation of Aggieland.
Slouch
Some of that foundation almost didn’t get
to participate in Thursday’s yell practice.
When a group of students I was in ar
rived at the yell practice, all of the
provided area was being reserved for the
corps. This group has attended every yell
practice this year. After being asked to
move several times we finally found a
place to stand. Even then, the nearby CTs
were unhappy with our location.
Come on corps, lighten up. The corps is
the cornerstone of spirit but there is alot of
foundation left. Let all of the foundation
participate.
—C.S. ‘79, L.H. ‘78, R.K. ‘80, J.H. ‘81,
K.H. 79
Bus driver terrible
Editor:
Believe it or not, I am not writing in
complaint of the lack of punctuality of the
shuttle buses. I am, however, concerned
with the choice of shuttle bus employees.
As a result of being a full-time student at
Texas A&M, I have encountered quite a
variety of bus drivers. Some have been ex
ceptionally friendly and willing to help
when the need arises. Others, however,
have proven to be somewhat less than
amiable. One driver, in particular, is ter
ribly ill-tempered. I have failed to mount
the bus once without detecting a scowl on
by Jim Earle
her face.
Once, when picking up a student at a
bus stop, the driver almost demanded to
see her pass. When the girl replied that
she didn’t have it (she left her purse at
home), the bus driver tartly replied that
she couldn’t ride without a pass. Even
though she couldn’t have made an excep
tion, the woman could have displayed a bit
more courtesy.
In addition, she lacks patience. One af
ternoon, she was picking up students at
our apartment complex. After all the stu
dents mounted the bus, many seats were
empty. Although the driver saw a few
more students hurrying toward the bus,
she drove away. The students wouldn’t
have taken a minute to get there so it
seemed that the driver left deliberately.
I realize that everyone can’t be con
stantly cheerful, but this person never ap
pears to be nice. One who is so ill-
humored should never work with the pub
lic. Why does she remain an employee
when she perpetually exhibits such dis-
courteousness? A polite and cheerful bus
driver is so much more pleasant for weary
students. Thank you.
—Karen Duran
Bonfire unique
The Student Body:
Listen up Ags! It’s that time of year
again when all Aggies come together to
show their burning desire to Beat the Hell
out of t.u. and the undying spirit that is
Texas A&M.
Let’s face it Ags, A&M is a unique Uni
versity in all facets of its outreach. We re
attending the greatest institution in the
United States. Bonfire is a unique “facet”
of Texas A&M. It is one of the most impor
tant and meaningful of our many great tra
ditions. All Aggies are encouraged to par
ticipate in its construction.
The future of Bonfire has been under
fire in the past couple of years and by
working to prevent injuries and for safety
in general, these critics will have nothing
on which to base their arguments and the
future of Bonfire have will be greater than
ever.
I encourage all Ags to actively partici
pate in the building of Bonfire. It’s your
Bonfire! So together let’s work to make
this the greatest Bonfire A&M has ever
witnessed!
BEAT THE HELL OUT OF t.u.!!
—Joe Reagan
Head Yell Leader
EAO-LC
oc.— z.-*, 7 7
“HE’S THE CAPTAIN OF LEGGETT HALL TEAM THAT WON THE
AGGIE BLOOD DRIVE CONTEST!”
Top of the NewsBon
Campus
One-month book loans available
Retired Texas A&M faculty members may now get one-month loan
privileges in University Libraries. Circulation Librarian Head Emma
Perry said the extended loan priviledge can be activated when the
retiree applies for a new library card, renews an old card or renews a
checkout.
m y<
By JEAN
Too much fi
lildren, and vs
n d them in j
ochen, juvenil
re Station Pol
“Too many ol
ouble have tc
much free
ored with i
They re lookir
oo
New master s degrees approved
New master’s degree programs in building construction and an
thropology were authorized Friday for Texas A&M University by the
Coordinating Board, Texas College and University System. Dr. j. M.
Prescott, Texas A&M’s vice president for academic affairs, said the
new master of science degree in building construction will enable the
university to serve a direct need for the building industry. "An
thropology is a discipline that we entered only recently but quite
successfully,” Dr. Prescott observed in commenting on the second
addition, a master of arts degree.
Rocben hand
ises involving
eery month.
“Some kids ji
me, but they
lid.
Theft is one i
rimes committ
lough some
[nough money
ley have take
this is not th
iple.
State
No encounters on the border
Members of a Mexiean-Ameriean group Sunday said in Crystal
City they had no encounters with illegal aliens or Klu Klux Klan
patrols during their first-night vigil along a 60-mile section of the
Texas-Mexico border. Arturo Gonzalez, a leader of the Barrio Club
and former mayor of Crystal City, said the group would be watchine
the border in reaction to plans by the Klan to stop incoming illegal
aliens. Klan Grand Dragon Dave Duke had said his organization
would arm and watch the border for incoming aliens in Texas, New
Mexico, Arizona and California.
Many of thos
e from low in
f them are gir
Assault is ar
kids, but Rc
the crimes
schoolboy figb
In some eas
hinks it would
hem punch it
Former official criticizes Carter
William P. Clements Jr., a former high government defense offi
cial, has called President Carter’s recent attack on the petroleum
industry thoughtless, vindictive and dangerous. Clements resigned
in January after four years as deputy defense secretary to resume
chairmanship of the world’s largest oil and gas drilling firm, the
Dallas-based SFDCO. In an interview Saturday with the Dallas
Times Herald, Clements said Carter’s definition of the oil industryas
potential perpetrators “of the biggest ripoffin history” could also hurl
the economy and alienate foreign allies.
About 90 pet
ettle their c
iochen said. 1
if them go otr
not filed, h
Rocben has
:er since Jan.
inly three chi
erred to the
vhich then se
drools or half
Processing j
ime consumin
“Juvenile lav
brent from ad
Special prec
Prince visits Armstrong ranch
Prince Charles played polo, viewed a cattle roundup and relaxed in
private on the ranch of the former U.S. Ambassador to Great Britian
Sunday. The stay at the Tobin and Anne Armstrong ranch, 40 miles
south of Kingsville, marked a break from the official schedule fob
■' lowed by the heir to the British throne on his goodwill tour ot the
U.S. Mrs. Armstrong was ambassador to Britain from 1976 to 1977.
The Prince was to resume his public visit Monday with a tour of the
Johnson Space Center at Houston.
Nation
"Anti-terrorists’ train in Texas
• • • • 4
Retired Lt. Col. Tom Hamrick of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., said in Wash
ington that an elite American anti-terrorist strike force reportedly has
staged at least two simulated commando raids in remote areas of West
lexas as part of its training to combat terrorism at home and abroad.
1 he former army colonel said one of the staged military exercises
involved the storming of a desert compound near Ft. Bliss where
three American diplomats had been taken prisoner. “Terrorists had
ringed the area with explosives and barbed wire.
J GREA
‘Farmers strike to stir attention
•• • • • 4
Agriculture Secretary Bob Bergland Sunday said a threatene
strike by farmers is only an attempt to call national attention to then
serious economic problems. Field reports indicate winter wheat no"
is being planted on fallowed land as usual, Bergland said in an inter;
view with U.S. News & World Report. He said warnings of a “strike
by farmers in the Midwest and other areas appear to be just ■
threat—an attempt to call attention to the seriousness of the agricu
tural economic situation, particularly regarding producers who h‘ ive
had three and four years of financial losses in livestock and now a drop
in grain prices.”
World
London airline begins
British Caledonian Aiiways, Britain’s leading, independent airline,
today officially inaugurates Europe’s first daily nonstop service be
tween London and Houston. The airline said bookings for the service
already exceeded 2,500 for November and December. Prinef
Charles, heir to the British throne, will unveil a plaque at Houstons
Intercontinental Airport this afternoon to inaugurate the daily serv-
Weather
ent
Mostly cloudy and warm today and tomorrow. 50 per c
tonight G Sti nn erC ; t 1 shovvers * High both days mid 80 s. Low
tonight lower 60 s. Light variable winds.
The Battalion
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LETTERS POLICY
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not guarantee to publish any letter. Each letter must b,
s,lined, show the address of the water and list a telepln ,
number for verification.
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