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Viewpoint The Battalion Texas A&M University Tuesday December 6, 1977 Rhodesians pave way for peace It may be only a new delaying tactic, but the announcement by Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith that he is willing to accept the principle of one-man, one-vote provides a basis for hoping that a peaceful transistion to black power is possi ble. The Smith announcement undercuts the latest British-American plan for Rhodesia that calls upon him to “surrender” power to Britain to make way for black majority rule. The growing differences among the more radi cal nationalist factions outside Rhodesia and the five African states supporting them in their guer rilla war apparently encouraged Smith to endorse majority rule as a way to get domestic nationalist leaders to the conference table. The Smith gesture was not made without res ervations. He said he will seek guarantees for an impartial judiciary and special representation for minority groups. What role the British and American govern ments may play in the Rhodesian negotiations is unclear. The British-American plan calls for free elections within six months of the time Smith sur renders to the British and prior to the advent of the country’s independence under black-majority rule before the end of 1978. Hundreds of white Rhodesians have already abandoned hope for a peaceful transition to black rule and have emigrated to safer lands. The guer rilla war has taken a heavy toll among both white and black Rhodesians, but until now Smith has held fast to a system of qualified suffrage in which the white minority could exercise its control. If Smith is serious about entering into negotia tions with relatively moderate black leaders in Rhodesia, the embattled country may be able to find a way out of its dilemma without undergoing a bloody revolution. Americans surely will join Smith in hoping he can “get this one off the ground.” Dallas Times Herald No man a hero to his speechwriter President suffering ‘writer’s dyspepsia’ v By DAVID S. BRODER WASHINGTON — So far as is known, the medical texts carry no entry for the disease called Speechwriters’ Dyspepesia or Ghost Gout. But judging from some re cent case studies, it might be a timely topic for a National Institutes of Health grant. Here, for example,is the view of one speechwriter: “The most significant and evident fault in the White House is the lack of coordination and planning. One conclusion towers above all others: No one is really running the place. No significant planning is under way and no goals are evident, except solving immediate prob lems on a hit-and-run basis. And here is another: “There is a growing popular perception of presidential incom petence. The efficient engineer...appears to be disorganized and disoriented - in command but not necessarily in control.” The first quoted paragraph was from the journal of John J. Casserly, writing in 1975 about the White House under Jerry Ford, where he worked as a speechwriter. The second is a commentary on the presidency of Jimmy Carter by Robert Shrum, who served briefly as a speechwriter in the Carter campaign. Reading Shrum’s article, “Another Bummer President?,” in the current issue of New Times magazine and Casserly’s newly published Colorado Associated University Press book, “The Ford White House: The Diary of a Speechwriter, ” you are forced to one of two conclusions. Either the presidency is inherently not as logical and orderly an office as speechwriters would like, or Jimmy Carter is making many of the same mistakes that undermined his predecessor’s political standing. The first possiblility should not be dis missed. Casserly and Shrum are both es sentially journalists of notably independent judgment; neither is an organization man. Shrum survived for months in the chaos of the 1972 George McGovern campaign, but could not abide what he considered Carter’s equivocations and lingered only long enough to make a splash by resigning. Casserly lasted 15 months in the Ford White House, but his journal makes it clear that it was a disillusioning experience almost from the start. What both were seeking, in vain, in the presidents for whom and of whom they write, was a clear sense of purpose and direction. Casserly never quite got over the shock of being told to write a speech for the president without any clue as to what substantive message Ford wanted to convey. Shrum complains that “Carter never developed a coherent theme” on his most recent cross-country speaking trip and, instead, delivered what he says one reporter called extemporaneous “gib berish. This reporter has heard descriptions of the speechwriting process in the Carter Nweef*'*' White House that sound every bit as fran tic, incoherent and irrational as the picture that Casserly draws of the Ford White House. It is hard for an outsider to judge the fairness or the significance of such com plaints. One thing does seem clear, how ever: Neither Ford in his time nor Carter today gives the process of public com munication as much attention as their speechwriters think it deserves. Casserly was critical of Ford for making too many speeches as president, and re sisting any effort to make those speeches either substantive or eloquent. Shrum says Carter is making too few speeches, and is failing to inspire or inform in those he does make. It may be just my own prejudice as a writer of words, but I think that on this point, at least, Casserly and Shrum have touched on something important. Leader ship from the Oval Office is largely depen dent on the mobilization of public opinion. Ford was rarely able to be a persuasive advocate for himself or his policies, and, on the record thus far in his presidency, one would have to say that Carter is show ing a similiar weakness. Both speechwriters argue that the fail ure in rhetoric reflects a more basic failure to define political and policy goals. That conclusion may be more questionable, but the similarity of the criticisms is striking. It was said, in a different era, that no man is a hero to his valet. Maybe no president is a hero to his speechwriter. (c) 1977, The Washington Post Com pany Letters to the editor Quarterback Walker shouldn’t feel humiliated Senior friends pay Editor: I was very sorry to see that David Walker felt humiliated after the Houston game. I believe David is a fine quarter back and I don’t take anything away from him after his slow start Saturday. It is he who has made the Aggie offen sive click the last year and a half. He has a fine record and should be proud of it, as all of us should be. Considering the fine ef forts he has given us in the past, I feel Walker deserves to start the USC game. If the offensive is sluggish again, maybe a change will prove necessary. But as long as Walker can do the job, and I feel he can, he deserves the chance to play. I think all Aggies appreciate Walker’s past efforts. Our offensive has consistently put points on the board this year. It’s our defense which came up short. Good luck David — Beat the hell out of USC. —Bob Rogerson gies would be 7 and 4. Coach Bellard finally began to see. He replaced him with Mosley — The Aggies are 8 and 3. We love Coach Bellard, God bless his soul. Please play Mosley at quarterback in the Bluebonnet Bowl. Not trying to do your job — You are the boss. Go ahead and play Walker — The Ag gies will have another loss. -55 Years an Aggie Fan (name withheld on request) Good & bad days Some love him... Editor: Some comments you made which were printed in Monday’s Battalion inspired me to write this letter. Frankly, I’m shocked at your attitude concerning Saturday’s game. So you took a hit and weren’t moving as quick as you usually do. That’s under standable. Mosley had a lucky day. But then, what did he have to lose? Even if he performed poorly, people could accept that from a freshman. There wasn’t near as much pressure on Mosley as there was on you. And what do you mean people are “blaming” you for the entire season? If they aren’t already, they should be con gratulating you! We have had a very good, winning season. I doubt very seriously that Mosley could have done as well as you if he were quarterbacking all the time, especially in the tougher games. Re member, it wasn’t Mosley that got us in vited to the Bluebonnet Bowl. But what’s this B.S. about “playing my last down as an Aggie? You have one more game to win for us — A Bowl game, on TV again — in which you can redeem your self. But David, you have to get your at titude straight first. You, as well as every other Ag, ought to be proud of everything you have done for us and especially proud to be an Aggie. To be rather trite, it’s no use crying over spilt milk. Look to the fu ture — show us what you can do in the Bluebonnet Bowl! —Name withheld on request Editor: After reading Mark Patterson’s article in Monday’s Batt, this is probably one of many letters expressing thoughts about David Walker’s post-game statements. Humiliated; yes, possibly. Walker wasn’t playing as effectively as in the past so he was replaced by Mosley. Everyone fault, I wouldn’t begin to count how many times I’ve heard people at the last several games say “Turn the page Bellard.” The quarterback does what Bellard tells him to do. Therefore, many people including my self blame the coach’s conservatism for the somewhat disappointing season and not you or anybody else on the team. After all, Mr. Walker, you do what you’ve been instructed to do. I sincerely hope Mr. Walker has changed his views about the statement, “I think I’ve played my last down as an Ag gie. ” The Ags have one more big game to go and they will need the “Sweet Re venge” we deserve. In my opinion, any one with the attitude as expressed by the above statement has no place on any team, especially one which is going to beat the ever livin’, ever lastin’ hell out of U.S.C. —Douglas T. Gates, ‘78 Editor: In response to the article about the dis tribution of football tickets and who they are going to. Well juniors, it pays to have friends that are seniors. —A.J. Post, ‘81 Abortion murder Editor: The result of the recent Women’s Con ference held in Houston is the subject of my letter. How can people be so selfish and uncaring? Anyone in favor of abortion is in favor of murder — so what’s left? Gagers need fans has their good days and bad days and Saturday wasn’t one of Walker’s good ones, while it was one of Mosley’s. Maybe Mr. Walker forgot how humiliated David Shipman may have been last year when he was pulled and replaced by Walker in not one game, but two (Houston and Texas Tech). Mosley’s play warrants praise, not statements like “they pulled me for a freshman.” We all must swallow our pride at times, like last week, so concede Mr. Walker, that Mike Mosley was more effec tive than you on this particular Saturday. As far as blaming the entire season on you, Mr. Walker, and that it was all your Editor: I would like to express my surprise at the attendance for Texas A&M basketball games. Through the first three games, there has been an average of slightly over 4,000 people per game. We are supposed to be a spirited, sports-minded school of 30,000. I can’t figure it out. First of all, these games are free to all students. Secondly, the Southwest Conference is a rapidly de veloping force. Third, Shelby Metcalfs Aggies play a very exciting brand of bas ketball. In case you have not noticed, they are undefeated. Last, but not least, they are your team representing your school. So get out and back the Aggie cagers. You don’t know what you’re missing. —Name withheld on request What’s happened to the medical profes sion’s hypocratic oath? I thought doctors were supposed to save lives, not take them. Anyone who would take a tiny baby’s life before he even has a chance to breathe has to be a murderer. My Catholic faith has a lot to do with my feelings. But it seems to me that any human being, no matter what religion, if any, knows that a baby is alive from the moment of his conception. And no one should have the right to take that life from him. To Mrs. Madalyn Murray O’Hair who says that “.. .women (should) have freedom of choice: What if your mother had de cided she wanted her “freedom?” Where would you be now?” —Becky Adamietz Band stands taller (/fWfif iwmaQ)8ibtifee®nv!iywioittMeL- N0...mNOT EMBARRASSED Bf MYBRPTKE AT ALL... ...and some dont Editor: David Walker is good, this we all know. Had he stayed in Saturday — The Ag- Editor: With the close of regular season foot ball, I join with thousands of other Aggies in praise of our excellent football team. With the same good Ags, I offer equal praise to the band. Every time some other school brings out their pretty dancing boys with two-bit cotton balls pasted on their heads, I watch their flag-toting, baton twirling neophytes prance about on Kyle Field and there is a knowing smile on my face. When the men of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band step onto the field, there is a yell in my throat and a tear in my eye. I am just a single Aggie standing in Kyle Field', but along with every other Aggie present, I stand a little taller, knowing we will not be humiliated at halftime by sequined ballerinas tooting the theme from Star Wars. —Sam N. Beecroft, ’79 Top of the News 1 Local Rape seminar to be held in C.S. State Official named in eagle shooting A key government witness testified Monday he flew a helicopter over the hills of Real County while hunters shot as many as 100 golden eagles with shotguns on three separate excursions between 1975 and 1977. Gerald Heintzelman, who was granted immunity, was the first witness against Real County Commissioner Lanny Lein- weber, 41, ranch foreman Norman Pape, 45, and Andrew Allen, 30, a former government trapper and hunter from Uvalde. Heintzelman said Allen and Pape killed several eagles on the flights, partly fi nanced by the Real County Commissioners Court. Nation UMW strike — couldn't be averted United Mine Workers President Arnold Miller said Monday his union’s 130,000 members would strike at midnight, with no chance of a last-minute settlement. Arriving at Monday’s negotiating session in Washington, D.C., Miller said the situation was “not too good— we re not getting any closer.” He said there was no chance a strike could be averted. After bargaining Sunday over a number of crucial non-wage issues, both sides arrived shortly before 10 a.m. and were in joint sessions with chief federal mediator Wayne Horvitz through out the day. Antiviral drugs may be omen Hughes' pen to get the ink test Nation soon to face hard choices The nation may have to make some hard choices in the next five years as to which goals - full employment, a balanced budget or new government programs - it wants most, the head of the Congressional Budget Office said Monday. Alice Rivlin told the Congress’ Joint Economic committee that only under the “most optimistic” economic assumptions could all those goals be achieved at once. In order to begin making such choices, she said. Congress should begin setting federal budget targets several years ahead. World From paratrooper to emperor Former French paratrooper Jean Bedel Bokassa was crowned em peror of the Central African Empire in a $30 million extravaganza Sunday, dazzling a country in which the average person earns $155 a year. The coronation, during which Bokassa walked on rose petals flown in from France, cost a fourth of the country’s earnings from all exports. Some 2,000 guests attended a mammoth banquet ordered by the 56-year-old Bokassa, crowned emperor in a sports stadium before attending High Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral. Weather Fair and cool today and tomorrow with northerly winds 15-25 mph. High today upper 50s. Low tonight mid-30s. High tomorrow upper 60s. The Battalion 10 A rape seminar will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. The seminar, sponsored by the Collge Station Police Department, will be at the College Station City Hall in the City Council Chamber. Two films, one on passive resistance and the other an interview with rape victims, will be followed by a question and answer session. There is no charge for the two-hour seminar. londa eting c anizatii irove t nsol scl tbout ool Be ce Ffr „ Wil Is Elen pt a ci he nev it ease e, dire mbers. lie offi sidenl sident; and The development of two antiviral drugs could herald a newclassof drugs to eliminate presently untreatable viral diseases, an editiorial in this week’s edition of the Journal of the American Medical Associa tion said. Journal Editor Dr. William R. Barclay said the two drugs already developed show it’s possible to create medicines to destroy viruses selectively - without damaging human tissue. “If we should enjoy the same success in developing additional antiviral agents in the future as we have in developing antibacterial agents in the past, then we will have conquered most of the diseases that shorten the normal life span,” Barclay said. The authenticity of the Mormon will - allegedly written by Howard Hughes - has boiled down to analysis of the ink in a cheap ballpoint pen that experts say Hughes used in several memos shortly before his death. Attorney Harold Rhoden earlier told the jurors in the Las Vegas case that there is plenty of evidence proving the will is authen tic. But the testimony by ink experts is the strongest proof, he said. tfter a he cor ini m on [lificers s in Pa PE)isr A&M er. harle: icaster, and E e: or By D( ’wo gr Kted N area ii Hope late Tal chosen City, appe; i Bob he “Sj n Wayl neviev quin,’ versity state Ider T1 he “Sp :hool e mlar ai mber mlarizi Linda he sinj ipetitic limina r seho ect to ’ be four Straw! alist-p formec lissa E g and domy j luded domy. )ther ai Kn IWl L. Ml HE 1801 ! (Across 3pen M< mn. 1-6 Free At V Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editor or of the writer of the article and are not necessarily those of the University administration or the Board of Re gents. The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting enterprise operated hy students as a university and com munity newspaper. Editorial policy is determined hy the editor. LETTERS POLICY Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and are 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. Represented nationally by National Educational Adver tising Services, Inc., New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. The Battalion is published Monday through Friday from September through May except during exam and holiday periods and the summer, when it is published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per semester; $33.25 per school year; $35.00 per full year. Advertising rates fur nished on request. Address: The'Battalion, Room* 1 Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas United Press International is entitled ex clusively to^ use for reproduction of all news dispatcher credited to ■ Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein resent Second-Class postage paid at College Station, IX 77& MEMBER Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congress Editor Jamie Aitte Managing Editor Mary Alice Woodb^ Editorial Director Lee Roy Leschpff i Sports Editor Paul An*' News Editors Marie Homeyer, Carol City Editor Rusty Campus Editor . . .t kimh* Copy Editor Beth Cak* Reporters Clenna Whitk 1 Liz Newlin, David Boggan, Mark Patted Photographer Ken Cartoonist DougCnk*-' Student Publications Board: Bob G. Rogers, Chair#' Joe Arredondo; Dr. Gary Halter, Dr. John W. Hi** Robert Harvey; Dr. Charles McCandless, Dr. Clintc* ■■ Phillips; Rebel Rice. Director of Student Publiciti^ Donald C. Johnson. * ►h *