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Viewpoint The Battalion Friday Texas A&M University January 27, 1978 A war older than intervention Is it possible for people to forget how to live in peace? That seems to be the case with the Vietnamese and Cambodian Communists. What started as border disputes between the two Southeast Asian countries late last year has become full-scale war. Although reports vary widely, de pending on which side is providing the information, it is clear that thousands of soldiers and civilians have died on both sides. Most recently Cambodia’s national radio charged that several divisions of Communist Vietnamese armed with American artillery and tanks captured during the Vietnam War have launched attacks into eastern and northeastern Cambodia. Much has been made of this “new” war as the first open conflict between communist countries. It would be easy to label this as the newest war-by proxy between Communist China and Russia, especially since Vietnam re ceives most of its military aid from the Soviets and Cambodia gets military backing from the Red Chinese. The Russians even issued an official condem nation charging China with provoking the conflict. But the simple fact is, Cambodians, Vietnamese and their ancestors were fighting and killing each other while Europe was still in the Dark Ages. Before the birth of Christ, Moi and Thai tribesmen in what was until recently North Vietnam were haggling over land with the Chams of Champa (later South Vietnam) and the Khmers of Cambodia. Vietnam launched attacks on Champa and Cambodia on a regular basis from the 11th century until all of Southeast Asia was subjugated into a colony by France in 1883. As soon as France left Vietnam in 1954 the old foes went back to battling over what territory belonged to who. American aid and then troops in South Vietnam changed the form but not the meaning of that war, for people who had been fighting for 1,000 years. So this “new” conflict is nothing new at all. It’s still the Moi and Thai tribesman against the Kmers, fighting over things much more basic than FIGHTINC? ideologies. Cambodian Radio reported that the Vietnamese forces that first attacked the rice-producing border regions of Cambodia brought with them rice-harvesting machines. When you get right down to it, communist ideologies adopted in the last 40 years just don t mean as much as the tribal idologies of 20 centuries and the insistent ideology of an empty belly. l R £ Carter’s promises make his life tough By HELEN THOMAS United Press International WASHINGTON — President Carter is learning the hard way — that campaign promises are easier said than fulfilled. He also is learning that a president walks a tight rope in Washington, where he has stumbled a few times. In the case of former budget director Bert Lance, Carter was the last to realize that his Georgia friend’s days in the admin istration were numbered. It seems that nearly everyone else, at least Washington insiders, quickly read the handwriting on the wall. But Carter and his top aides thought that they could tough it out. Once the media and congressional spot light turned on the past financial activities of Lance, it became clear that the Georgia banker would not survive the revelations or the scrutiny. Still the chief executive was loath to turn away from his longtime friend and in some ways, benefactor. But is what Carter who set up the code of ethics, and drew the strong line against conflicts of interest. Others merely used his criteria to stress the discrepancies between the words and the deeds. Washington Window Carter also has faced some rude awaken ings and editorial chidings over his han dling of the firing of U.S. Attorney David Marston of Philadelphia. The Justice Department has cleared Car ter of any obstruction of justice in the firing after he made a statement saying that he did not become aware of Marston s investi gation of Rep. Joshua Eilberg, D-Pa., until Jan. 12. During a news conference on that day, he- revealed that he had accepted a telephone call from Eilberg who asked him to “expedite” Marston s replacement. Sources have revealed that Rep. Daniel Flood, D-Pa., also is under investigation for alleged financial irregularities involving a Philadelphia hospital. Under the circumstances, Carter has got to be aksing himself why he was not in formed of investigations involving mem bers of Congress. Attorney Griffin Bell, who also won a clear bill of health in the department inquiry, said he did not know of the investigation of Eilberg. Bell has indicated that he feels responsi ble for his lack of knowledge and failure to keep Carter better informed. In addition, the president’s pledge to make Justice De partment appointments essentially on merit has come back to haunt Carter as vintage politics comes into play. Few presidents have had their feet held to the fire as much as Carter when it comes to campaign promises. Perhaps it was be cause he offered a brave new world that the judgments are more severe and there is less tolerance for his failures. Little by little, Carter is beginning to see that the reasons some of his predecessors did not say to members of Congress, “Call me anytime,” is the fact that they might just do that. And when the calls which Carter so openly solicited come through, they often are pleadings for special interests. Carter also is being criticized for not being assertive enough with Congress. Some critics believe he is not willing to stick his neck out to get his programs through, including the energy package which still is a top priority. On that score, few expect him to change his style or to go into a hard sell. But there is little doubt that he is learning a lot about the pitfalls to avoid as president. Tetters to the editor Readers’ beefs: boredom, basketball, bye-byes Editor: What could be more boring than a Texas Aggie basketball game? A lazy afternoon fishing in the rain at Lake Sommerville? Or how about a dull (Paul Arnett: “No Fish tale to tell. The Batt, Wed., Jan. 25) first hand account of such a venture? Just face it, Paul, you bore us. So what if a lot of people would’ve picked A&M to lose to t.u.? There are still a good many of us who get excited anytime the Ags play. It’s sort of like reading your column in the Batt: We know it’ll be boring, but we endure it, nevertheless. Where else can one read a second-rate mish-mash consist ing of fish tales, visions of tea-sips and Mayberry R.F.D., all topped off by an entirely over-used quote from Gone With the Wind? But you claim that your “poor percent age” is the result of your recent trials and tribulations: An unreliable car, a girlfriend “moving on to bigger and better things” (Nowhere to go but up), your enthusiasm for sports writing in a “one-out-of-ten- from-the-field” slump. Come on, Paul, let’s be realistic. Isn’t 10 percent just a little bit bragadocious? Maybe you should try the “Aggie ap proach” to your sports “writing.”Try giving the Ags as much time as you gave the fish before you “check it in.” My letter writing was interrupted by the jangling of the phone. “Whatcha doin’?” An old friend inquired. “Trying to get enthused about Paul Ar nett’s sportswriting,” I replied. Art Maxwell II, ‘81 Bye, Shelby Editor: I’m sure many readers will wonder where I get off writing this letter because I admit I don’t know anything about coach ing a basketball team. No, my name isn’t Shelby Metcalf, although it is becoming very apparent that Shelby and I have something in common. He just won’t admit it. ' So far this season, Shelby has entertained us with numerous innova tions. The hocus-pocus substitution, the disappearing line-up and the “non- disciplinary” disciplinary action, to name but a few. Rumor has it that he is consider ing substituting fans (preferably Aggies) at random to increase student participation and, perhaps, interest in the game. This could be the beginning of a new tradition — “The Sixth Man! All speculation aside, I think it’s time to* * pin the tail on the donkey. Wednesday night’s game with TCU was, in a word, definitive. It was simply a situation where the team with the most talent and depth in the SWC squared off with the weakest team in the SWC (nation?) and fought it out for last place in the conference. Well, Metcalf worked his magic once more and succeeded where others might have failed. . . He wrested last place from the tenacious grip of the formidable Horned Frogs. I think it’s time for Mr. Metcalf to dis appear so we can get a coach who knows how to elicit response from his players and, more importantly, one who knows which end of the SWC standings is up. We’ve got the most talent, so why is it we don’t have a coach who is equal to the situ ation at hand? — Will Harte Graduate Student Finance Bye, Robert Editor: I am writing in regard to the Batt s arti cle on Robert Harvey. I feel he should be forced to resign from office. Although he was good at picking out loopholes in the regulations, he is in total violation of the “intent” of the rules. He took the job knowing the qualifica tions and responsibilities required. It is no excuse to imply that the duties of office were the reason for his grades. There are many people here who hold offices, have jobs, and other responsibilities who man age to make the grades. Texas A&M supposedly has standards and to have a Student Body President with below a 2.0 can not be tolerated. Besides, if he really can’t do both he needs to get with the education and forget the office. Jesse E. Reeves, ‘79 Help given Editor: Has the true “Spirit of Aggieland” man aged to elude the great majority of us here at Texas A&M? This is the fastest growing and the largest land grant university in the United States. Nationally we are highly respected academically as well as ath letically. There is not another place exactly like this anywhere else in the world. Yet, even though any of these reasons could justify my thinking that A&M is #1, none of them capture the spirit. It’s not how loud you yell or who can drink ttie most beer; rather the fellowship among the people, giving without expectation of reward. To answer my opening question, I say, hell no! The five of us that got to see the last half of the t.u. vs. A&M game Monday would like to say thanks to Ms. Miller of the Athletic Dept. When admittance was limited due to a fire ordinance on those of us fortunate enough to have a 7:00 class or other business, she took time out from the game to hunt down tickets to unused fac ulty seats. That’s what the “Spirit of Aggie land” is all about, fellowship. Tom Wilson, Management It’s cold anyway Editor: In regard to the algorithm made by Stephen Shiner and Eunice Mahler com paring the ranking of Panama’s Human Rights with the temperature. Rights with the temperature. (Batt. Jan. 24, 1978). I have just one short comment. When told the temperature is zero de grees outside wear a coat because no mat ter what scale you use, it’s still cold out side. —Spencer S. Shawhan, ‘81 Useless stolen goods Editor: Like Mr. Thompson’s letter in Wednes day’s Batt my remarks are also aimed at a “Good Ag.” Sometifhe last weekend my walkie- talkie was stolen from my room. This talkie is an amateur radio 2 meter FM trans ceiver. It is not a C.B. It’s actually com pletely worthless to anybody but me or another amateur operator (Hams). Even if you had another one just like it you couldn’t talk to it; It does not receive on the same frequency that it transmits on. It can only be used with another radio called a repeater. The Trustees of the only repea ter in the area know of my missing radio, as do most hams. Any of these people will instantly recognize someone using a stolen radio since hams, like C.B.ers, have our own language. I have also notified the University Police, C.S. Police and all local pawn shops and C.B. dealers. So face it, “Good Ag,” it’s worthless to you. You can’t use it and you can’t sell it. It’s no good to anyone but me. So please let me have it back. If it’s returned willingly I will take no action against you. The rest of you Aggies keep an eye and an ear open for it. It’s 14 inches tall with a two inch flexible rubber antenna on the top. It’s in a black plastic case and has a white touch tone pad (like a push-button telephone) on the front. I would greatly appreciate any help in retrieving my radio. Mike Wilson, ‘80 Slouch by Jim Earle ‘THE IDEA OF GRINDING STRAY DOGS INTO DOG FOOD IS AN INTERESTING CONCEPT, BUT GRIND ING PEOPLE INTO DOG FOOD WOULD PROBABLY BE AN EASIER CONCEPT TO SELL!” of the Campus Battalion lowers ad rates Recognized student organizations will be allowed to pay the lowest rate for Battalion advertising beginning Feb. 1, communications de partment chairman Bob Rogers said Thursday. Advertising rates will be $2 per column inch for most advertisers, but $1.50 for those who have bought 750 inches in one month, said director of student publi cations Don Johnson. Student organizations will be allowed the lower rate because of a new policy. “Were going to consider them adminis tratively as one group,” Rogers said. Johnson said that only groups affiliated with the Memorial Student Center were allowed the lower rate previbusly. State Torres federal court trial begins A policeman involved in arresting Joe Campos Torres last year testified Thursday he could not watch as fellow officers abused the Mexican-American for insolence following a barroom complaint. "It wasn’t what you policemen are supposed to do,” said Carless Elliott, who was a rookie when Torres, 23, was arrested in May. Elliott was among the first witnesses at the federal court trial of four fired policemen charged with violating Torres’ civil rights in his beating and subsequent drowning. Elliott, who first reported the incident, testified that Torres resisted arrest on a drunk complaint at the Club 21 on May 5. The officers took him to a secluded spot on the bayou and beat him, it was testified. Elliott said he was not sure how Torres went into the bayou because he had returned to his patrol car and was trying not to watch. Torres’ body was found in Buffalo Bayou May 8. Ship with explosives still missing Rescue planes Thursday stepped up search missions off the Texas coast for a missing 492-foot Liberan freighter carrying 6,00 pounds of explosives. The freighter Eva Maria reported in an SOS message it was sinking following an explosion in a cargo hold. Several hours after the message, a fishing vessel reported spotting debris about 130 miles south of the freighter’s last reported position. “A search plane had been diverted from the original search area to check it out,” said Coast Guard spokesman Bob Baeton. “They’re searching and re searching the same area, there’s nothing at all. The fact that we haven’t sighted anything could mean the ship has sunk or it could mean that she gave us the wrong position and we re looking in the wrong area.” Nation Ohio in “statewide emergency A blizzard packing winds of 75 miles an hour battered Ohio to “a standstill early today. Gov. James A. Rhodes declared a “statewide emergency,” hundreds of motorists were stranded and thousands of Ohioans were left without heat or electricity because of power out ages. Rhodes said he declared the emergency to enable him to ac tivate the Ohio National Guard throughout the state — if needed — instead of issuing individual orders. “The entire state of Ohio is at a standstill,” the Ohio Highway Patrol said in Columbus. Snowmobiles and four-wheeled vehicles were used to rescue the stranded motorists and also to remove people from homes that had lost their heat. Braniff on Dallas-London route President Carter signed a controversial order Thursday giving Braniff International a new Dallas-London air route, letting two other airlines have their first trans-Atlantic routes and naming 13 U.S. cities as gateways to Europe. Under the terms of the order, the changes in the international flight patterns can go into effect im mediately. Braniff, in a victory over Pan American World Airways, will be allowed to link Dallas-Fort Worth Airport with London. The airline is expected to start its London flights in early March. The Civil Seronautics Board chose Pan Am for the Dallas-London route in October, based on economic factors, but Carter reversed the CAB on foreign policy grounds and gave the route to Braniff. World First Russian flu case confirmed The first incidence of Russian flu in the United States has been confirmed in Cheyenne, Wyo. and the virus is expected to surface elsewhere soon, a team of doctors reported Thursday. “This vims probably has been seeding throughout the country,” said Dr. Robert B. Craven of the Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga. “I suspect there will be outbreaks in other parts of the country in the next couple of weeks. ” He predicted high incidence reports will be made by schools, colleges and some military bases where people live in close quarters. Dr. Timm A. Edell of the Colorado Department of Health said Colorado schools last week reported absenteeism be tween 30-40 percent. Tests are pending in Colorado, but the Russian flu is believed to be the villian, Dr. Edell said. It is unlikely a massive vaccine program will be undertaken because of limits on production capabilities, but traditionally, Dr. Craven said, such efforts have been aimed at the high-risk 65 years-and-over category. ( !e o' He nitte exas A st radii w iipc 1* Weather Considerable late night and early morning cloudiness. Partly cloudy and cool today and Saturday. High today mid-50's, low tonight upper-30’s. High tomorrow mid-50’s. Winds from the south-east at 6-13 mph. Cloudy and warmer Monday with a chance of rain. Sunny and cold on Tuesday. 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. 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 ~ “vices, Inc., New York City., Chicago and Los Angel 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 ftir- • nished on request. Address: The Battalion. Room 216,.• Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas ^ I United Press International is entitled exclusively^ E use for reproduction of all news dispatches credit 11 I Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein re^'j Second-Class postage paid at College Station, TX ™ I Y MEMBER Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congress Editor Jamie Managing Editor Mary Alice Wocoi Sports Editor PauL^l News Editors Marie Homeyer, Caning Assistant Managing Editor Glenna"| City Editor Karen Campus Editor Kiml!* Reporters Liz New!in,Dl Boggan, Mark Patterson, Lee Roy Leschper JrJi m Photographers Susan Webb, Ken Henf Cartoonist Doug Grill Student Publications Board: Bob G. Rogers, CbT Joe Arredondo: Dr. Gary Halter, Dr. John W. M Robert Harvey: Dr. Charles McCandlcss: Dr. CliTj Phillips: Rebel Rice. Director of Student PiilMI Donald C. Johnson.