Page 2
Viewpoint
The Battalion
Texas A&M University
Thursday
October 27 f 1977
Top of the News/Vn
sa 1
Public education — for better — or worse?
Over the last few years we’ve been hearing more and more about the
incapability of high school graduates to perform in today’s job market. Frus
trated cries have bounced from the walls of college freshman English classes
to the doors of the nation’s employment offices, and yet a comprehensive and
workable solution to the problem has not been found.
The public school system brought education to the masses; a system, its
proponents said, that would be cheap compared to the social benefits of an
educated society.
There is little doubt that public schooling has been good for the country.
But suddenly we discover this schooling becoming more expensive, both
in administrative costs and in what society is getting back for its money.
The fact that so many high school graduates today lack even the slightest
Iproficiency in reading and writing is mandate enough for some drastic im-
Iprovement before the added expense of public schooling turns to the waste
lof a valuable resource — human intellect.
| Some schools have tried to put a check on diminishing proficiency levels
by raising the minimum graduation standard from “D” to “C”.
I This measure could work for individual school systems that take it se
riously. But the magic lies not in the letter “D” or “C”, but in the proficiency
levels that denote those grades.
Who’s to say that “D” level work in one area is not some other adminis
tration’s “C” level work? What standards is there that defines “D” from “C”
work, or for that matter “D” from “A” work?
Raising a graduation standard by letter or grade is only efiective when the
levels of proficiency are raised as well.
A “C” graduate who cannot read or write is no more qualified to meet the
demands of society than a “D” graduate with the same shortcomings.
The answer lies with today’s administrators and educators. They can turn
substandard public education into a sound societal investment by not being
afraid to hold onto students needing more training and graduating only those
worthy of the degree. It boils down to an individual commitment on the part
of those staffing our public school system. Granted, this is an idealistic
approach, but it could be a comprehensive solution.
For what public schooling costs today, the graduate’s degree should not
have to be cheapened by a bad reputation.
JA.
Arabs, Israelis preparing for new war
United Press International
BEIRUT, Lebanon — The Arabs are
convinced that Israel has no interest in
meaningful peace negotiations and have
begun to prepare themselves for the can
cellation or failure of the Geneva confer
ence.
Syria and the Palestinian Liberation Or
ganization already have warned of the
dangers of a new war.
Unable to accept either American or
Arab visions of peace, Israel also is prepar
ing for the possibility of renewed fighting.
Feeling increasingly isolated by unac
customed pressure fiom the United States
— however slight it may be so far — polit
ical forces in Israel have begun to come
together against perceived external
threats.
In this context comes the decision by
Yigael Yadin’s Democratic Movement for
Change to join Prime Minister .Menahem
Begin s ruling coalition.
In one stroke, Israel has been given a
stronger government and a deputy prime
minister who could take over the reins of
power in an emergency from Begin, who
has a heart condition.
Tetters to the editor
The Soviet Union is slowly swinging
into the Middle East picture more and
more and the PLO is playing a leading role
in trying to patch up parochial inter-Arab
quarrels such as those between Syria and
Iraq and between Egypt and Libya.
The Arabs are demanding total with
drawal fiom all tenitories Israel seized in
C ommentary
the 1967 Six-Day war, as well as estab
lishment of a Palestinian state in the West
Bank and Gaza Strip.
This is flatly rejected by Israel, along
with any suggestion that the PLO should
be represented at Geneva talks.
The Israelis, however, have agreed to
.talk to West Bank Palestinians who are.npt
PLO members — as long as they are 1 iden
tified with an Arab delegation.
This, in turn, is rejected by the Arabs,
who insist on separate PLO representa
tion.
As for the conditions set by the Israelis
for a peace agreement — full diplomatic,
trade and cultural ties — this also is re
jected by the Arabs, who say that three
decades of enmity cannot suddenly be
converted into full friendship and coopera
tion, and that the change must come in
stages.
So even if a Geneva conference is con
vened, chances are there will be little
common ground for discussion and the
best that can be hoped for is long, drawn-
out, inconclusive talks whose only advan
tage would be that a war of words is better
than a ground war.
Both Israel and the Arabs appear to
have reached this conclusion and have set
about their military preparations even as
they go through the gestures of trying to
hammer out procedural issues for a
Geneva conference.
“Israel is facing its most difficult situa
tion since 1948,” Yadin said as he joined
forces with Begin.
Syria’s daily newspaper Tishrin called
an Israeli military strike a “foregone con
clusion.” The Saudi daily Okaz recently
accused Israel of “pushing the Middle East
towards a fifth Arab-Israeli war.”
Even the conservative Saudis are pes
simistic about the chances for peace.
“It so happens that the Israelis do not
seem to be interested in going to Geneva
to conclude a peace agreement there,”
said Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud
al-Faisal on a visit to Paris.
“For this reason, we believe the chances
are very small (of reconvening Geneva be
fore the end of the year).”
The Arabs are making a concerted effort
to unify their positions and objectives. On
Nov. 12, Arab foreign ministers will meet
in Tunis to chart a common strategy. The
feeling is that if current peace intiatives
fail, war will become practically inevita
ble.
This is why the United States has
pressed ahead with efforts to iron out pro
cedural problems for Geneva, particularly
that of Palestinian representation. This is
in the face of a palpable lack of enthusiasm
by either side to make any further conces
sions.
Something has to give in the Middle
East.
It could be a diplomatic breakthrough.
Or it could be a war.
Empty corps dorms contradict room shortage
Editor:
I applied for Texas A&M University a
year before my graduation from high
school. All of the necessary forms were
filled out and my housing deposit hope
fully reserved a dorm. Before the fall of my
freshman year, I was informed that I was
number 900 on the waiting list. Franti
cally, the search for an apartment began. I
am presently classified as a sophomore
living off-campus. I realize TAMU is
rapidly growing and housing is a definite
problem. However, I do not understand
the reason behind an empty corp dorm. If
there are not enough corp members to fill
these dorms, then why can’t the people on
the waiting list be given an opportunity to
move in? Or is it being saved in case Pres
ident Carter brings back the draft?
—Lisa Taylor, ’80
Wishbone does it all
Editor:
The criticism made of Bellard’s
wishbone last week in the Batt inspires me
to write and disagree with those claiming
that the offense should be discarded.
The major opposition to the wishbone is
that it is defensible. As the Aggies have
been playing it, it is a very true statement.
But the Veer, wishbone, I, T-set, are all
defensible if left to simple tactics. Our of
fense is too simple, defenses know plays
before we know them. The answer: vari
ety.
We saw a commendable start at Baylor
and Rice: the offense ran the ball to the
left, not their favorite right side. Best of all
we broke Aggie tradition and passed on
first down — with fantastic results!
Our offense needs the edge on defenses
— keep them guessing — vary the hand-
offs (Woo mustn’t get them all). My day
will be made when I see Dickey in motion
— damn, won’t the defenses back up!
They have to respect his speed. Also send
Dickey, whoever, long, throw the bomb,
defenses will have to double team him and
so loosening their defense so we can move.
But hey, when in motion in the flanker
position you have the Veer — variety, ah!
The wishbone can do it all.
—-W. R. Neal ‘77
A win is a win
Editor:
I would like to address this letter to Paul
Arnett and David Boggan. These two
sportswriters apparently believe in the
word “if’ more than they believe in facts.
The two articles I am referring to appeared
in the Batt this afternoon (Monday,
Oct. 24). They seem to dwell on what
might of happened instead of what did. I
don’t mind that as much as they seem to
overlook what might of happened if A&M
hadn’t of fumbled on the one yard line or if
the referrees hadn’t made two bad pass
interference calls which helped Rice
socre. The Aggie football team played a
respectful game and I don t think they
need to apologize to anybody. The Aggies
won and it doesn’t matter by how much or
what if because the what ifs didn’t happen.
I don’t know how long you two have
been Aggies but I suspect it hasn’t been
too long. I was raised an Aggie and I can
remember when we would have been
happy just to win a game regardless of the
score. Instead of complaining about us not
scoring enough you ought to be con
gratulating the team on a win but I guess
you’re just use to winning all the time. As
my daddy use to say “A one point win is as
good as a 100 point win because it all goes
in the same column.”
—Roy Holcomb ’77
God in government
Editor:
It appears to me that Mr. Mullin (see
“Lowering Heaven” editorial 10/24/77)
Slouch
has let his religion get in the way of the
truth. The Declaration of Independence
refers to “...the Laws of Nature and Na
ture’s God,” and not to a Christian God as
Mr. Mullin implies. This is due to the be
liefs of the founding fathers, who were
mainly Deists. In regard to God as a unify
ing factor in the construction of America, I
wonder if Mr. Mullin has read The Treaty
of Peace Between the United States oj
America and Tripoli (November 4,1796)?
Article eleven states “As the government
of the United States of America is not in
any sense founded on the Christian Reli
gion.”
During the Eisenhower Administration
the words “under God” were added to the
Pledge of Allegiance and according to
Leon Lindheim’s Facts and Fictions about
Coins, the words “In God We Trust” were
not made mandatory until July 11, 1955.
Although this motto had appeared on cer
tain coins as early as 1864, its presence can
hardly be called unifying. In fact, the only
unity I can see in the motto is one between
money and religion. I feel that we should,
add three words to the motto on our
money, making it “There is Money In
by Jim Earle
God, We Trust. Although this would not
be acceptable, at least it would be truthful.
—Raymond J. Grimaila, ’81
What’s the truth?
Editor:
This is in response to Mr. Mulffn’s letter
(Lowering Heaven) of Oct. 24 e/mcerning
the campaign of Madalyn O’Hair to re
move the words “In God We Trust” from
U.S. currency.
First, I must question the validity of the -
phrase in this technological age. God is no
longer the dominant force in our society.
This truth evidenced by the generallly
apathetic attitude toward religion which
has prevailed throughout the latter part of
this century. How many of us really con
sider God to be the driving force in our
lives and can say so with any degree of
credibility?
I further discount Mr. Mullin s conten
tion that God was “the key factor to
America’s becoming the greatest
freeworld power.” Certainly England is
not deviod of God-fearing citizens. In fact,
the intense religious fervor of the Britons
and their intolerance was a factor in col
onists migration to America. But despite
their beliefs, England never rose to prom
inence enjoyed by the U.S. This is be
cause it was limited democracy with em
phasis on peoples’ rights which catalyzed
our rise to greatness. The freedom to wor
ship God in our own ways must by the
same token guarantee the right to deny
the existence of $ame. Why not take these
words off the currency and let the choice
lie in the minds of the individuals? Why
must we assume that ALL Americans trust
in God?
Clearly, the “unifying factor” in
America was and is freedom of choice. In
many ways Ms. O’Hair represents this
spirit in her rugged individualism in the
face of harrassment by religious zealots.
Men like Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams,
and John Hancock are demigods in our
eyes, but they were considered to be little
more than rabble rousing radicals in their
day.
I do not by any means embrace the be
liefs held by Ms. O’Hair. Yet I am not
afraid to admit that she has a point.
—Lament Hall ‘81
Editor’s note: Mr. Hall, you say you
don’t embrace Ms. O’Hair’s beliefs, but
you write like an atheist. Whether or not
that may be the case, do not disregard the
number of people who do believe and
“trust in” God. Beware the ivory tower
mentality that convinces you that no one
believes in God just because you don’t.
Campus
Battalion wins AP award
The Battalion has been awarded an honor rating of “First Class ” by
the Associated Collegiate Press. The award was based on issues pub
lished during the spring, 1977 semester. Judges were professional
newsmen chosen by the organization. This year’s award marks the
second year in a row that the Battalion received the rating.
Local
Briscoe denounces KKK patrol '
Governor Dolph Briscoe Wednesday denounced the proposed pa
trolling of the Texas-Mexico border by the Ku Klux Klan. “There has
never been any place for the KKK in Texas, and never will be,”
Briscoe said. “There is no place for any organization which preaches
hatred and racial divisiveness.” Briscoe was in College Station along
with Texas House Speaker Bill Clayton to attend a reception honor
ing State Represntative Bill PresnaJ.
State
City manager not reinstated
A former Kingsville city manager dismissed more than three years
ago for insubordination lost his appeal for reinstatement Wednesday
in the Texas Supreme Court. J. E. Keaton, who was dismissed by the
Kingsville City Commission because he said he would not abide by a
settlement is a municipal employment discrimination case, first filed
libel and slander suit against the city and its commissioners, then
changed the suit to seek only reinstatement. The Supreme Court
agreed with lower court decisions upholding the city’s action in dis
missing Keaton.
Hospital loses $35,100 suit
A Sherman, Tex., hospital which failed to check an employes ref
erences before he was hired must pay a patient, William M. Davis,
$35,100 in damages because the employe attempted to improperly
remove a catheter from Davis, the Texas Supreme Court ruled Wed
nesday. The court upheld lower court decisions that the hospital was
negligent in failing to check the employment history of Leslie C.
Looman, who was expelled from the Navy Medical Corps School after
one month of training. Evidence in the case showed Looman at
tempted to remove the catheter from Davis’ bladder without first
deflating the balloon which held it in place.
Nation
Enterprise makes last free flight
The space shuttle Enterprise dropped from the back of its jumbo
jet mothership Wednesday in its last free flight, falling at a rate of
more than 11,000 feet per minute to a landing on a concrete runway
and a royal welcome in Base, Calif. Prince Charles of Great Britain
was waiting near the landing site when the Enterprise came in like a
dive bomber. The test was to make sure the stubby glider could land
on concrete, and to verify its ability to brake within 5,000 feet.
No decision on gas-guzzling cars
A House and Senate conference committee has discovered once
again the hardest features of an energy policy are the ones dealing
with the automobile. Negotiators could not find a ready compromise
on whether to outlaw altogether the worst gas-guzzling cars. Part of
the energy conservation bill before the conference would double the
penalty for cars that fail to meet certain federal standards for gasoline
mileage. The same bill has the outright ban of any 1980 model getting
fewer than 16 miles to the gallon. And the energy tax bill the House
passed has a tax on cars based on their gas mileage. The Senate is
debating the tax bill this week.
Adair fights U.S. oil well fire
Famed oil well firefighter Red Adair arrived at the government-
owned Elk Hills oil reserve in California early Wednesday and im
mediately began preparing to try to douse a runaway oil fire in which
tiiee men died. An underground explosion at the rig owned hy the
Department of Energy on the reserve killed workers in a basket atop
the rig Tuesday afternoon. Flames billowed 50 to 150 feet in the air.
Theie was no official word on what caused the explosion and fire.
. World
Iraq blamed in murder attempt
Syria has accused radical Iraq of masterminding an assassination
attempt on Syrian foreign minister that instead killed a top official o
the United Arab Emirates. A gunman fired on the officials Tuesday
from a balcony at the Abu Dhabi airport. Officials said the burst from
the submachine gun was aimed at Syrian Foreign Minister Abde
Halim Khaddam but instead killed Emirates Foreign Minister Sait
Bin Said al Ghobash. Khaddam had been on a tour of Persian Gun
states urging Arab opposition to a U.S.-Israeli agreement on resum
ing the Geneva Middle East talks.
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Weather
Partly cloudy and continued mild today and tomorrow with
southerly winds four mph. High both days mid-80’s.
tonight mid-60’s. No rain.
The Battalion
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