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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 4, 1978)
Viewpoint The Battalion Wednesday Texas A&M University January 4, 1978 Charming comics, competing comedians When Charlie Chaplin died Christmas Day, an era died with him. He and Groucho Marx, who died last summer, were the last of their species, the film comic. Oh, I know, I know. There’s still Woody Allen. But somehow it’s not the same. The great film comics like Chaplin, Marx, W. C. Fields and Harold Lloyd have gone the way of dinosaurs and Edsels. As my little brother used to say, they’ve gone bye- bye. So be it. Their films seem doomed to wander the Late Show circuit. But their films are classics, if only because they brought sanity to a time filled with insanity. And they did it with chaos. Groucho was the fire-breathing scoundrel whose spir ited monologues started anywhere, got nowhere and were damn proud of it. “Pick a card, any card. You can keep it. I’ve got fifty-one more.” Chaplin, on the other hand, was a silent imp. Other than background music, and some sound effects, his movies were without sound. Anything he had to say could be gathered with a wink, a frown, or that silly, shuffling walk that became his trademark. He was the Little Tramp upon whom the world heaved its wrath. Yet he weathered all with a combina tion of remarkable preserverance and hilarious incom petence. Groucho was East. Chaplin was West. And ne’er the twain shall meet. For off-screen, their personalities mixed like hot grease and cold water. Professional jealousy ran amok between the two. Take their tennis match at the 1933 opening of the Beverly Hills Tennis Club for instance. Chaplin showed up with one racket and a keen sense of competiveness. Groucho brought twelve rackets, one suitcase and a keen sense of what would make Chaplin blow his stack. When Chaplin asked what in God’s name was in the suitcase, Groucho replied that tennis players proficient enough to carry a suitcase were rarely foolish enough to divulge its contents. But after two rounds of solumn tennis, Groucho de cided enough was enough. He opened the suitcase, pulled forth a picnic lunch and proceeded to spread it about the playing area, even sharing a sandwich or two with spectators. Chaplin was incredulous. “I didn’t come here to be your straight man,” he screamed. That’s what he thought. In everything, Groucho was the free spirit and Chap lin was the workaholic. Maybe that’s why we know Groucho by his first name and Chaplin by his last. David S. Broder Congressional ‘lions’ taming Carter WASHINGTON—Much has been said, most of it critical, about President Carter’s handling of Congress. Less has been said—and more is justified—about Con gress’ handling of the President. The en d-of-th e-session assessments proceed on the assumption that in the cir cus that is Washington, Congress is the lion act. The President’s job, as the lion- tamer, is to turn those brawling “cats” into a disciplined troupe of performers. This year, that analogy is doubly in error. It is in error, first, because these “cats” in Congress have become increasingly immume to whip-cracking. If they heed anyone, it is not the President (who trailed them at the polls on election day), but their own leaders. Second, the tricks that had to be learned for (he show to be a success were not things Carter could teach Congress, but Congress could teach Carter. The mem bers of Congress collectively had thousands more years of working experi ence in the federal government than did the President. Of all the congressional leaders. House Speaker Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, D- Mass., came closest to realizing that the burdens of both discipline and tutelage were his, not Carter’s, and he proceeded accordingly. There were some lapses of leadership even on O’Neill’s part, particularly when it comes to issues of accute personal and political sensitivity like abortion and election-law revision. But, for the most part, O’Neill functioned well both as tutor to the Presi dent and disciplinarian for the House “L- ions.” The record of legislative accom plishment in the House made both the House and the President look good. The same cannot be said for the prideful Senate. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W. Va., chosen as majority leader not by Jimmy Carter but by the Senate Democrats, earned a reputation at the White HJouse for remarkable constancy. Unfortunately, it was not constancy of support, of advo cacy, or even of conciliation for which he was noted. Rather, the White Hoiuse came to expect from Byrd a one-note warning of dire catastrophe lurking around the legislative bend. But the blame does not rest on Byrd’s shouldears alone. The Senate speaks with many voices. Some of them, sad to say, were tinged with bitternesas that Carter, and not one of them, was in the White House in 1977. Neither by word nor by deed did the Senate lions give the President the cues he needed to have a successful administra tion. At the very outset, they indulged their personal pique by rejecting the nomina tion of Ted Sorensen for CIA director and very nearly sabotaging the choice of Paul Warnke for arms-control negotiator. While doing this, they smilingly encouraged Carter’s penchant for cronyism by approving the choice of Grif fin Bell and Pete Flaherty to head the Jus tice Department and Bert Lance as budget director. The message that this is a double standard government was under-lined when senators reacted like Tammany Hall aldermen when Carter threatened to cut off some of their favorite dam projects, but cheered like school-boys the naive rhetoric of his early “human rights” crusade. The lesson these actions conveyed was that the Senate would ignore or indulge misjudgments of great magnitude by the novice President, but fight him on every thing petty and parochial. It was the Senate which forced Carter’s first fateful policy flip-flop: the abandon ment of the tax-rebate portion of the eco nomic stimulus package—a step which looks more dubious with each passing month of frozen unemployment statistics. It was the Senate which screamed—and not without justification—at the adminis- traton’s failure to consult its “experts” in framing the energy program. And it was the Senate which demon strated, over the last eight months, that it lacked the will, the skill or the “expertise” to compose its own differences on the energy issues. Neither in committee, nor on the Senate floor, nor in the conference with the House was the Senate ever able to face up to the hard choices that must be made to achieve a national energy policy. If Carter is faulted deservedly for the internal contradictions of his own energy proposal, how much greater fault does the Senate bear for being unable, at any point, to resolve those contradictions into any kind of serious counterproposal? Carter and his aides bear full responsi bility for the many errors of judgement and tactics they made in dealing with Congress. But they were acknowledged novices. The Senate has no such excuse. (c) 1977, The Washington Post Com pany Dick West A mountain by any other name... By DICK WEST United Press International WASHINGTON-Among the prices we pay for longevity is a high degree of vul nerability to attacks of deja vu, the feeling of having been there before. I had such a seizure the other day when the U.S. Board on Geographic Names an nounced it was postponing action on re quests to change the name of Mt. McKinley back to its original Indian name, Denali. The requests came from Alaska, where the Indians are located. The opposition came mainly from Ohio, President McKin ley’s home state. The board has put the matter aside until Congress disposes of a pending resolution to keep the present name. In 1931, which is where the deja vu comes in, a huge dam on the Colorado River was named for President Hoover, during whose term the project was au thorized. But after Hoover left office in 1933, the Interior Department began calling it Boul der Dam. In 1948, Congress approved legislation renaming it Hoover Dam, and there it stands today. In the interim, however, there have been attempts to name it Boul der Dam again. It was, I believe, newscaster David Brinkley who suggested a reasonable way to end the dispute - why not ask Hoover to change his name to Herbert Boulder? Nothing ever came of the proposal and no solution that simple can even be consid ered with respect to Mt. McKinley. Our 25th president has been long since dead and there are no provisions for post humously changing his name to William Denali. But perhaps a trade-off could be arranged. One possibility would be to remove McKinley’s name from the Alaskan peak and rename the highest peak in Ohio in his honor. But since Campbell Hill, the highest peak in Ohio, is only 1,550 feet above sea Letters to the editor level, that compromise might not be ac ceptable to McKinley’s admirers. So another suitable landmark must be found. Mt. Everest, for instance. Whereas Mt. McKinley is merely the highest summit in North America, Mt. Everest is the tallest on earth. The step-up in elevation should make the switch palata ble to the McKinley lobby. More important, Mt. Everest is located in Nepal, which is a long way off. If the Nepalese object to changing its name to Mt. McKinley, who cares? I say we in the United States are entitled to call Mt. Everest anything we want to. For that matter, the Nepalese themselves have another name for it. They call it Sagarmatha. Failing that, there is one other possible compromise. Change the name of Mt. McKinley to Mt. Hoover; change the name of Campbell Hill to Boulder Hill; change the name of Hoover Dam to Denali Dam, and build a new dam on the Ohio River, naming it after McKinley. Teague bids constituents farewell Editor’s note: Congressman Olin E. “Tiger” Teague of Texas’ 6th Congres sional District, has announced he will not seek re-election after completing his cur rent term in the House. The following is an open letter from Teague to his con stituents in the 6th District. People of the 6th District: This year I not only want to wish you a wonderful Christmas and New Year, I also want to share my plans with you. I have been your congressman for 31 years. I cannot conceive of a more reward ing career than that of serving as represen tative of you, the people of the 6th District of Texas. You have been wonderful to me and my family and I hope I have deserved the kindness, understanding and support you have given me over the years. I have given the job of representing you all the energy and ability at my command. However, my health is such that' I do not befieve I can continue to serve you beyond my present term with the same energy and effort of previous years. I am making this announcement now so that all those who aspire to be your representative will have ample time to prepare their cam paigns and you will have ample time to make your decision. I hope my successor, whoever he or she might be, will inspire the same land of affectionate cooperation you have give me. The people of the 6th District deserve only the best and this is my wish for you. God bless you all. Olin E. Teague Congressman 6th District of Texas Inmate wants penpals Editor: Perhaps my request is unusual but I am. a lonely 28-year-old brother who is incar-, Jcerated in the Florida penal system. My request is could you please publish this letter in your editorial section so that the beautiful brothers and sisters of your college that would like could correspond with me, should they desire to do so? I am free and liberal minded in my pat terns of thought, even though I confess to , having made an error with choosing the I path of my life. I still have creative ideas and would love to share my feelings with any interested parties. I thank you for your time and concern! James D. Phillips, 051896, P.O. Box 221, Raiford, Florida, 32083 Writing the editor The Battalion welcomes let ters to the editor on any subject. However, to be acceptable for publication these letters must meet certain criteria. They should: V Not exceed 300 words or 1800 characters in length. V B e neatly typed whenever possible. Hand-written letters are acceptable. V Include the author’s name, address and telephone number for verification. Names will be withheld on request. Letters to the editor are I printed as a service to our ' readers. Publication of a letter is never guaranteed. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit let ters to remove grammatical er rors and to avoid litigation. Address letters to the editor to: Letters to the Editor The Battalion Room 216 Reed McDonald Building College Station, Texas 77843 -J Top of the News State Police searching for two abductors Police are searching for two men who abducted and stabbed nurs ing assistant Richard Carrera, 22, in a ransom demand from Luthera Hospital. Carrera was listed in stable condition Tuesday at the hospi tal after being found in Northwest Bexar County Monday. A man telephoned the hospital demanding $1,000 ransom for Carrera and alleged that the hospital “killed my father three months ago and I’m going to get even.” Several threatening telephone calls from two men were received during the extortion attempt and police said the ab ductors never made arrangements for payment of the ransom. DeBakey recovering from burns Heart surgeon Michael E. DeBakey remained hospitalized in good condition Tuesday recovering from smoke inhalation and superficial bums suffered during a New Year’s Eve fire at his home. Hospital officials said DeBakey would be able to go home in a few days. He was taken to Methodist Hospital about 10 p.m. Saturday following a house fire, attributed to fireplace sparks igniting a rug which in turn ignited a Christmas tree. No one else was injured. State rests case in Hughes’ trial Assistant Attorney General Rich Harrison, hoping to prove for inheritance tax purposes that the late Howard Hughes was a Texas resident, rested the states’ case Tuesday. Harrison told Probate Judge Pat Gregory early in the afternoon the state had concluded its case with the presentation of final documents linking the reclusive tycoon to Texas. Frank Davis, attorney for Hughes’ survivors who dispute Texas’ claim, began his case shortly after Harrison finished. Davis wants to prove Nevada to be Hughes’ residence, but only must prove that Texas was not to win his case. State officials sworn in Tuesday Four new Criminal Appeals Court judges and one Railroad Com mission member took office Tuesday and officials said the occasion signaled a new day for one of the state’s most influential regulatory agencies and a chance to accelerate the process of criminal justice. John Poemer, 44, was sworn in as the newest member of the Railroad Commission. The new judges are Carl E.F. Dally of Houston, Tom G. Davis of Vernon, Jim Vollers of Beaumont and W.C. Davis of Bryan. Briscoe participated in both swearing-in ceremonies. Nation Hurricane hearing defies court A congressional hearing on the status of a hurricane protection project for Lake Ponchartrain will be held Thursday in New Orleans despite a federal court order temporarily halting the project. Chair man Harold T. Johnson, D-Calif., said information gathered "t *’k“ hearing will be useful to the Army Corps of Engineers in its re' the project and in further work on an environmental impact ment. Last Friday, a federal court in New Orleans issued an i tion restraining the Corps of Engineers from proceeding wi project pending completion of the environmental statement. Bone picked on meat label Negotiations reportedly are underway between the meat industry and a consumer organization to find an agreeable name for a food product containing ground bone. Agriculture Department sources report a compromise reached by the industry and the Consumer federation of America could modify the government's proposal that the product be called Tissue from Ground Bone. The American Meat Institute says a food product containing “tissue from ground bone” on its label wouldn’t sell. It likes the name Mechanically Deboned Meat — or better yet — Beef Food Product. Labor leaders denied appeal Two Lake Charles, La., labor leaders, convicted of extorting $5,000 from a businessman to ensure peaceful labor relations, Tues day lost their appeal. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Oct. 8, 1976, convictions of Donald Lovett and Harlan Duhon on federal extortion statutes. The appeals court said the trial, conducted by Distrct Judge Nauman Scott of Alexandria in Monroe on a change of venue request, was fair. World Freak storms hit Britain Freak storms buffeted Britain Tuesday, blowing roofs off buildings and causing chaos on the roads. A whirlwind ripped through New market, in Suffolk, severely damaging more than 100 houses. Au thorities said several elderly people were being treated for shock. Savage gales hit other parts of England. Weather Mostly cloudy today, tomorrow and Thursday with east to southeasterly winds at 10-15 mph. High today upper 60’s. Low tonight upper 40’s. High on Thursday near 70. Chance of rain by Saturday & Sunday. Si P* Cf Sada show mak Mid. the i But Men woul Sa their total lug ■ml tie. C £ tfab ion f 5 <H Jrts C~ n moi P "V pvoul K he ise ] irim Day leal |el, “P airn Sa ‘Am sraf 'ale: ore ft It Gl FBI fugit mun They dent Ai tryin Was lived Taco reste state wen firm< man, fit tried a Mi field Satu throi Ar was after Bun< was: “V area spok port: here to m Bi deg] Car] Micl Ai earli cour days the { lost i throi “Ii weig sheri lot c days feeli; fast.’ Ai only he j 5-foc and; had ; —Af had fixtu 18-ir into men Sh r epc Cole migl HitS tion drov and whi c “Ii man The Battalion 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 by students as a university and com munity newspaper. Editorial policy is determined by the editor. j Student Publications Board: Bob G. Rogers, Chair' ; Joe Arredondo; Dr. Gary Halter, Dr. John W. Ht Robert Harvey; Dr. Charles McCandless; Dr. Clinto Phillips; Rebel Rice. Director of Student Publicat' Donald C. Johnson. 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 216. MEMBER Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congress Editor Jamie A Managing Editor Mary Alice Wood’ Editorial Director Lee Roy Leschp Sports Editor Paul A I News Editors Marie Homeyer, Carol M City Editor Rusty Cj I Campus Editor Kim < Copy Editor Beth Cal Reporters Glenna Wit Liz Newlin, David Boggan, Mark PaW Photographer Ken Cartoonist Doug ^ I Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas Tfl United Press International is entitled exclusively use for reproduction of all news dispatches credited Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein resf Second-Class postage paid at College Station, TX 71