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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 26, 1977)
Page 2 Viewpoint The Battalion Texas A&M University Wednesday October 26 9 1977 Carter’s troubles exaggerated — for now By DAVID S. BRODER WASHINGTON — It is a rare privilege for a beat-up veteran of the Potomac bat tles to be able to view Washington with the eyes of a stranger. Coming back to this city after fovir weeks in Asia — most of it without any news from home — is about as close as one can come to getting a fresh eyed perspective on its problems. If one is to believe the conventional wisdom of this city, the past month has been an almost unmitigated disaster for Jimmy Carter. “The thing is in shambles,” one is told, not just by the ever-present critics of the administration, but by mem bers of the White House staff as well. If you ask what has gone wrong, you hear a recital that ranges from the mis managed Lance affair to the bungled battle over the energy bill and the quick-switch Middle East diplomacy, which has alien ated the American Jewish community without brining the elusive peace agree ment visibly closer. The same people who talked last sum mer as if Jimmy Carter could walk on water now are just as convinced he is drowning. Maybe. But to the returned traveler, who has not lived through the past month’s misadventures, it looks like a classic case of over reaction. Objectively, it is hard to see why there should be so much hand-wringing. Yes, the President lost a loyal friend and aide in Bert Lance’s forced resignation. But he also ended a running story that was stead ily depleting the administration’s moral credit. Yes, the tactics used to end the Senate filibuster on the energy bill were unneces sarily crude. But both Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill predict that the final bill which will emerge from confer ence next month is likely to contain enough of what the President recom mended to justify a claim of success. As for the Middle Eastern peace effort, which was never more than an outside bet for complete success, there still seems, as this is written, at least a 50-50 chance that the administration can nudge the reluctant parties into talks at Geneva. Then, why the hangdog looks and gloomy forebodings at the White House itself? Mainly beacuse these problems — whether temporary or long-term — have confirmed what many of the insiders al ready knew about the serious, unresolved shortcomings of Carter’s approach to his job. The ctiticisms being shouted now are no different than those catalogued in this space last June. Then, I attempted to summarize the serious concerns of several people I was able to describe only as “im portant friends and well-wishers of the President and frequent visitors to the White House.” Those same problems now have been recognized by many who work in the White House every day. They include: Carter’s failure to sort out his priorities and make them clear, even to his close associates; his inability to match his day- to-day tactics to his broad, philosophical principles of government; his unwilling ness to delegate sufficient decision-making * WELL ,LET'S SEE... SECONP AHV 114 .... LOOKS UKE. authority so that he can spend his time leading the government, rather than try ing to administer it on an hour-by-hour basis, and his refusal to name an overall staff coordinator with a sure feel for both political realities and policy substance. One reason for discouragement on the White House staff is that the public, which last June was quite beguiled by Carter, has begun to discover that these shortcomings in Carter’s approach to his job doom many of his promises to failure. The second reason for gloom is that there is as yet no firm indication — only a few presidential hints — that Carter him self is concerned enough about the situa tion to rethink his concept of the job and to reconstruct his White House staff accord ingly. Gas price controls not answer By PETER D. HUDDLESTON Editor’s note: The following commentary is in response to an editorial from the Wheeling, West Virginia “Intelligencer” which the Battalion carried Oct. 20, 1977. That editorial bemoaned a Senate deci sion to remove price controls on natural gas, suggesting that maintaining controls while allowing prices to rise would be a better compromise. In reference to the article, “Gas Com promise Best” there are several ideas set forth which seem to be a less than Ameri can approach. The article states, “ . . .something which has life and death consequences for con sumers should not be without controls.” This statement is clearly in opposition to the rules of supply and demand no matter what the commodity might be. It has been known for many years that the world’s re serves of natural gas ( and oil) are not keep ing pace with our growing rate of con sumption. Also, the energy companies, in an effort to supply energy to the American Letters to the editor people, have begun to drill in areas of marginal economic operation. One must realize that Americans have thrived on our own economic system 200 years, we have survived times of prosper- Readers’ Forum ity and poverty yet we still have the high est standard living and lowest energy costs in the world. The article quotes President Carter as saying what we need is “legislation that provides adequate production incentives while protecting the interests of American consumers.” Do we really need some one to watch out for us? It seems that Americans have always been quick to speak their mind and force fully assert their opinion. If we decide that we are being ripped off by the gas com panies there are two alternatives which may be taken. The first only requires that we cease to use so much energy — a household temperature of 60° is not un bearable when faced with an exorbitant gas bill — infact the average temperature of homes in England is about 62°. The other alternative is to use an alter nate energy source such as coal, nuclear power or solar power. If such steps are taken, gas companies will certainly keep their product competitive in the energy markets. We must not depend on government control to curb energy costs unless we are also ready for government intervention in all phases of our economy. All that is re quired is that we show the same strength of character that Americans have shown for the past 200 years to help get through this energy crisis. Peter Huddleston is a sophomore petro leum engineering major. This commentary contains his opinions and not necessarily those of this newspaper. A...HEHHEH ..passing situation...EH.FEUAG?" These concerns about the fundamental direction of events are not misplaced. But, ironically, some of those who see the basic problem quite clearly are still helping the President camouflage it behind the au tumn offensive for “victory” on the energy and Middle Eastern fronts. Somehow be has convinced himself that if he can just “win” the energy bill he wants and get a Geneval conference started before Christmas, everything will be all right. It won’t. The fact of the matter is that in the remaining weeks of 1977, about all the President can reasonably hope to do is sal vage whatever is salvageable from an agenda that was ill-considered in con ception and far too ambitious in scope. But by pressing as hard as he is just now on both the energy and Middle Eastern fronts, he risks damaging even that salvage operation. The time for reconstruction — for sig naling a new and more coherent approach to governing — will not come before next January at the earliest. Then, in the Se nate of the Union message and in his own first budget. Carter will have a real oppor tunity to show he has got his priorities straight. If he does that, the gloom of October will seem as exaggerated as it probably is. And if he doesn’t — well, he still has three years to reelection. (c) 1977, The Washington Post Com pany V Correction A letter in yesterday’s Battalion was inadvertently published without its author’s name. The letter, “Was O’Hair thrown to the Christians?” was written by Tommy Peacock. The Battalion regrets the error. Library coin changing policy needs revision The last good Aggie Editor: This is inresponse to C. Bradford’s letter that appeared in the Thursday, Oct. 20 edition of the Battalion. It’s bad enough that “occasionally, the change machine runs out of coins, or gets too full of bills” but that after you discover this fact you have to go stand in line and wait who knows how long and only during the day! What about at night? What about weekends? What if you didn’t “plan to copy mate rial and suddenly found an article you wanted copied and didn’t have the change? Are you supposed to bring your own Xerox machine? Or maybe just tear the article out? Maybe with the tremendous loss of ma terial the library might consider it benefi cial and more economical to let the circula tion desk or some other personnel handle the change matters on weekends and nights, patrons would then be satisfied and then we wouldn’t spend so much money on replacements and could spend the ex cess on developing collections, and enlarg ing our assets. —Darlene Maliawco Former library employee Floors dangerous Editor: The finished concrete floors in the new Agronomy & Entomology building are made to shine like glass and bust your . (fill in the word yourself). I can’t believe they actually polish this stuff, as if it weren’t already slick enough. It’s discouraging to walk for ten minutes and then discover you haven’t moved. Seriously, these floors are very danger ous. I am surprised that someone hasn’t really hurt themselves by slipping down. I Slouch by Jim Earle have come close many times and have seen others do so. I guess I’m gonna have to shed my leather soled boots and get a pair of spiderman shoes so I can get around without embarrassing myself. As it is now, I must take tiny little steps and hang on to the wall. Have you ever tried hanging on to a wall? Maybe I’ve exaggerated a little but not much! There must be some solution to this problem. I’m sure the University does not want to spend any more money on this building for something like carpeting; so I won’t ask for that. But perhaps there is some sort of rubber base substance that can be mopped on the floor to prevent someone from not only injuring their ego, but their tail end as well. —Bobby Lane Traffic again Editor: During the past month, the traffic prob lem on campus has seemed to be the popu lar subject for letters to the editor. These letters accused pedestrians, drivers, and bicyclists of carelessness, discourtesy, and general wrongdoings, but the problem has continued to grow. I have been accused of being a speed demon while driving through campus. By way of retort, I could name incidents in which bicyclists fail to stop at intersections or persons step into a street without look ing both ways, but that is not my point. Instead of accusations, may I suggest cooperation between driver, bicyclist, and pedestrian? If all Aggies work together, maybe we can alleviate the traffic prob lem, or at least its attendant antagonisms. —Bill White ’79 One mans poison. . . Editor: I was very much pleased with the op portunity to hear the Philharmonia Hun- garica and I must take issue with your comments that the orchestra played some of the pieces “darkly and hesitantly” and that one piece “sagged sadly and became morbid in some spots.” Whether these references were to the compostitions or to the quality of the per formance, I am not sure. Considering how complex music can be, how can we be so certain that both the music and the per formance were not possibly a reflection of some deeper emotions that these persons who have been displaced from their home lands must have. —Curtis McKallip Editor: For days now, I have followed the “run ning feud” in the Battalion about who is or isn’t a good Ag. It has been enjoyable to read the responses. However, the con troversy has hit too close to home and I must protest. In regards to “Byron the Good Aggie’s” letter (Oct. 20), I realize that he wasn’t serious about left-handers not being true Aggies and that they don’t even belong on the A&M campus. I happen to be left- handed and I also happen to consider my self a Good Aggie, (e.g. - I go to Silver Taps, I survive midnight yell practises, I stand at all A&M football games, the rear bumper of my car is held on by Aggie stickers and I even make it to class most of the time.) Except for not being in the Corps, I can see no other way that I am not a true Aggie. Even though this letter is written with out malice, I do resent being called a “mutant, being told that I’m a two per cen ter and that I should go to that junior col lege in Austin. Come on, Byron, give us lefties a break. Do you realize just how much ability and agility is required to be a left-hander on tbis campus? Almost every class I have has a tiny right handed desk. In order to get lecture notes and look at the T.A. at the same time, left-handers have to twist nearly 90 degrees to be able to write any thing fairly legible and still be able to see the T.A. Speaking for myself, I don’t want official recognition for being left-handed. I’d just like a little consideration. I chose Texas A&M University because of the traditions, the quality of the education and because, years from now, I want to be able to tell people that I graduated from the best darn University in the United States of America! I am a Left-handed True Aggie and proud of it. In conclusion, I would like to say that anybody who puts out the effort to be a part of this school and respects the tra ditions of A&M is a Good Aggie. —Donna Wilson ’80 Editor’s note: Now that everyone has had their say on what’s a “good Aggie, we say ENOUGH. There will be no more “good Aggie” letters to the editor published by this editorial director. Top of the News Campus Women may apply for aid Women doing graduate work at Texas A&M University may now apply for fellowships financed hy the American Association of Univer- sity Women. The deadline for filing applications in Washington i s Dec. 15 Interested women should contact the local Educational Foundation Programs chairman, Mary Evelyn Tielking, at 846-6673 for details concerning eligibility requirements and guidelines. Local City Council agenda set The College Station City Council will meet Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.to/ hold a public hearing on rezoning three tracts on the northeast corner of Live Oak St. and Texas Ave. The council also will consider ap proval of final plans for the police station and a warehouse, reconsider authorization of the mayor to vote on steering committee items on urban transportation and discuss the Capital Improvements Program. Davis Airlines sold to Rio Rio Aii-ways of Killeen has bought Davis Airlines ofBryan-College Station. Guy A. Davis, founder, owner and president of Davis, will become vice president sales and planning for Rio. All of Davis’ em ployees will be offered employment with Rio. The acquisition of Davis by Rio must be approved by the Texas Aeronautics Commis sion. State Let’s keep Christ in Christmas More than 2,000 Goose Creek Independent School District resi dents in Baytown packed a school board meeting Monday to support keeping Christ in the system’s Christmas this year. The district superintendent prohibited the use of the name of Jesus Christ after a federal court suit was filed on behalf of a Jewish mother who com- plained of school prayers and Bible readings in violation of the Con stitution. Because of complaints about the system’s ban, the hoard met to study the matter. Hill says Hughes was a Texan Harris County Probate Judge Pat Gregory forbade lawyers from publicly discussing evidence in the Howard Hughes estate case scheduled for trial Nov 14. This trial will determine whether Hughes legally was a Texas resident when he died. Texas Attorney General John Hill intends to prove Hughes was a Texan when he died and, therefore, his estate taxes must be paid to the State of Texas. Hughes relatives and estate administrators contend he was a resident of Nevada. Nation Tucker accused of funds misuse Frank Tucker, district attorney who prosecuted singer Claudine Longet, said Tuesday he learned of his own criminal indictment for misuse of public funds while watching television. The grand jury accused Tucker of misusing funds from Garfield and Pitkin counties in Colorado, two of the three counties in his 9th Judicial District. Tucker said there is no tnrth to any of the accusations. Puerto Ricans take over statue An unarmed group of Puerto Rican nationalists Tuesday took over the Statue of Liberty, ousting hundreds of tourists and a movie crew. The demonstrators demanded that they be allowed to hold a news conference, but police barred reporters from going to the island. I he group said they represented the New York Committee to Free the Five and the Supporters of the Puerto Rican Independence Move ment. (The Puerto Rican Five was a group of terrorists who shot five U.S. Congressman in 1954. College freshman kills family Michael Swihart, 18, was charged Tuesday with the murder ol his parents and two brothers. Swihart is a freshman at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Brunswick, Ohio, Police Chief said Swihart admit ted killing his family. They were beaten with a baseball bat and then burned beyond recognition when Swihart set fire to their home. World Kaddam escapes assassination A gunman killed a United Arab Emirates cabinet member Tuesday in an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate the Syrian foreign minister at Abu Dhabe airport. The assassin seized seven hostages and forced them into a plane on the airfield before surrendering to police about 90 minutes later. Syrian Foreign Minister Abdel Halim Kaddam es caped injury, but this was the second attempt on his life in less than a year. Sadat wants Israeli withdrawal President Anwar Sadat says Egypt will cut Israel down to size unless it withdraws from all occupied Arab lands and accepts Palesti- , nic ! n i C r^ r J lan , ' , rhe comments were in a speech delivered on Sadat s behalf Monday by State Minister Hamed Mahmoud at a rally in Suez CHy. \\ estern observers said they believed the speech was aimed at m 1 } 8 P ressure on th e United States and Israel to accelerate the Middle East peace contacts. German leaders protected r™? 6 mac je exte nsive security arrangements to protect top West Germany political and business leaders Tuesday at the funeral of industrialist Hanns-Martin Schleyer. He had been shot three times in * hea “ by his kidnapers, members of the Baader-Meinhof terrorist feaders ^ S rou P vowed to avenge the deaths of their imprisoned W6 (it hat* Fair and mild today and tomorrow with light and variable winds. High today mid 80’s. Low tonight mid 50’s. No P re cipitation. 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Pa Kno 3731 E. 2S To ) IVICl' " Op,mans expressed in The Battalion arc those of the editor or of,he ,enter of,he article and are no, neeeLrih, those of he University administration or the Board of Be- Lints, rite Battalion is a non-profit, self-supportinp enterpn.se operated by students as a university and co.n- inunity naespaper. kditorial policy is determined by the LETTERS POLICY Letters to the editor .should not exceed 300 words anil are subject to be,up cut to that lenpth or less if lower Th editorial staff reserves, he ripht edit such l/ttersand dws no, puarantee to publish any letter. Each letter n,n , w,iu - Address correspondence to U tters /„ ,1. . r /•. RipivscnUtl nationally hy National Ed,Ration ,I A(lv tisinn Services, Inc., New York Cits ' Angeles. ^ ' The Battalion nished on request. Address: Tlic Reed McDonald Buildin);. 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