Viewpoint
The Battalion
Texas A&M University
Tuesday
February 7, 1978
Heeeeere’s Bert!
Television has an uncanny knack for transforming yesterday’s shady
characters into today’s celebrities. Such is the case with our ol’ friend, Bert
Lance.
Remember Bert? The Georgia banker who was one of Jimmy Carter’s first
appointees and also his first subordinate, as federal budget director, to leave
office under fire?
Well, Bert is back on TV’s silver screen, this time “answering” public
questions on economics instead of grand jury questions about his checking
accounts.
Bert debuted last night as a daily commentator for Atlanta’s No. 3 televi
sion station, WXIA, known in the Georgia capital for its Bamum & Bailey
style of self-promotion. His 90-minute commentaries are billed as working
man’s interpretation of the world’s financial, business and governmental
hijinks. The station’s promotional director has said of the commentaries: “It’s
not the kind of thing you have to hype too much. We want it to be more
tasteful than just ‘Heeeeere’s Bert.’”
Is he qualified? As Bert himself says, “If I’m no good, then I don’t deserve
to be there. But that’s a judgement the public will make, not the news
media.” WXIA thinks he’s qualified enough to pay him a $50,000 to $60,000
salary.
Bert, you could probably sell ice cubes to an Eskimo, too. L.R.L.
' SMITHED IN PCOKkEEPiNG, SIR....SUE* MO J05T fciOMCEP'lH?
The cocktail circuit hasn’t changed
By ARNOLD SAWISLAK
WASHINGTON — In Washington and
perhaps some other towns, there is a bar
that calls itself “The Office.” This is an ac
commodation to husbands who arrive
home late and are called upon to account
for their whereabouts.
Washington Window
That sounds like a rather weak reed for
thirsty and errant hubbies to lean on, but it
is no less substantial than the myth that
serious government business is transacted
at Washington cocktail parties.
For decades, Washington “society” has
enshrined the ritual of standing in some
noisy, overcrowded room from 5 to 7 nib
bling salty fish and smelly cheese washed
down with expensive booze.
The capital s hostesses tell each other
that they are making a vital contribution to
the national interest, if not the survival of
the free world, by giving desk-weary
statesmen and lawmakers the chance to
deal with each other in a relaxed environ
ment. What they really give them is a place
to get a couple of belts before dinner.
* WELL think about it.
In point of fact, Washington cocktail par
ties are much like the description of the
streets of Hollywood: about half the people
are hoping to see someone famous and the
rest are people hoping to be mistaken for
someone famous.
The conversation at such gatherings fre
quently consists of recitations from the gos
sip columns and sports pages of that day’s
newspapers. Should someone actually at
tempt to bring up serious business at
such an occasion, a likely response, as
James Perry recently reported in the Wall
Street Journal, is “get in touch with my
secretary and we 11 talk it over in the of
fice.”
Now we are being told that the reason
Jimmy Carter and the people who came to
Washington with him are having difficul
ties is that they don’t go to cocktail parties.
That is about as plausible as a suggestion
that all Idi Amin needs to become a re
spected world leader is a cram course in
table manners.
The Carter adminstration’s problems are
caused by 1) the tough national and interna
tional issues it must deal with, 2) the strong
influence wielded by special interests on
American government, 3) the heady
post-Watergate surge of independence in
Congress and 4) its own inexperience in
dealing with all of the above.
The Carterites have at least three more
years to learn how to get things done in
Washington. Lacking the advantage of ad
ministrations whose leaders often spent
years observing the process before assum
ing the power, it now appears the educa
tion will have to be absorbed on the job.
In any case, it is doubtful there is much
Carter or his people can learn standing
around an hors d’oeuvres tray in
Georgetown except to steer clear of the
deviled eggs.
Crime goes down the tube
By DICK WEST
Washington — According to the Na
tional Citizens Committee for Broadcast
ing, violence on television decreased nine
percent last fall. The latest FBI statistics,
however, show only a 3.9 percent decrease
in the violent crime rate.
The Lighter Side
if, as it appears, televised violence is
being brought under control more rapidly
than murder and mayhem in real life, then
here is a situation that fairly cries out for
further study.
The next logical step would be to deter
mine what factors help curb violence on the
tube, and then incorporate these measures
into anti-crime programs.
A study like that should be good for at
least a $200,000 grant from some federal
agency. Meanwhile, I’ve been doing a little
voluntary research just to satisfy my own
curiosity. I began by consulting an official
of the Law Enforcement Assistance Admin
istration, LEAA. He attributed the lower
violence rate on television to an increase in
the number of weekly police shows.
“The mere presence of all those cops on
the tube is itself a strong deterrent,” he
said.
“Don’t police shows themselves gener
ate a good deal of violence?” I asked.
“True enough,” he replied. “But they
help keep down the level of violence on
other types of shows. Take Thursday night,
for example.
“That evening you’ve got ‘Hawaii Five-
O’ on one network and Baretta’ and Bar
ney Miller’ on another. Plus you’ve got
Barnaby Jones, a private eye with a lot of
friends on the police force, and you’ve got
‘Fish,’ a retired cop.
“With that many men in blue around,
you’re not going to see much violence on,
say. The Waltons’ or The Price is Right,’
which appear on the same evening.
“The increased police visibility is partic
ularly important for a program like Wel
come Back, Kotter,’ which fairly teems
with potential juvenile delinquents.”
However, the LEAA official cautioned
that the report by the citizens committee
might be somewhat misleading.
“Their survey only covered prime time
network programs, he said. “We have rea
son to believe there are many acts of vio
lence in other times slots that go unre
ported. ”
In illustration of that point, he noted that
tensions always run high in daytime soap
operas.
“Yet if they reached the breaking point
and mayhem resulted, it wouldn’t show up
on the committee’s tabulation,” he pointed
out. /
Later, I talked with a Justice Depart
ment official who had a different explana
tion for the decline in televised violence.
The main deterrent, he said, may be
found in the fact that the judges in various
TV shows mete out longer sentences than
they once did.
It will, of course, take a much more ex
pensive study to identify and evaluate all of
the factors involved. But I’m sure you’ll
agree it will be grant money well spent.
Letters to the editor
Banks biting the hands that feed them
Editor:
I read an article in the Battalion,
1-25-78 which I believe demands the at
tention and concern of everyone con
nected with Texas A&M University.
The article informed the reader that
there are presently no banks in the Bryan,
College Station area giving loans thru the
Federally Insured Student Loan Programs.
The main reason given was that “The banks
could make more money using these funds
to make higher interest, short term loans.”
This despite the fact that the student loans
are federal insured.
Some information very relevant to this
issue needs to be added. There is one major
reason why this area has shown such re
cent, rapid growth, why banks have prolif
erated and prospered, why those same
banks are able to make high interest, short
term loans; that is the recent increase in the
student population and the attendent need
for increased services and staff that has re
sulted. The area owes its prosperity to the
students.
The article also mentions that students
should apply for such loans thru their
hometown bank, but one of the first per
sons with whom I discussed this article, a
resident of College Station for ten years,
spoke of his daughter’s inability to obtain
such a loan locally. There were three adver-
tisments for local banks in the Battalion,
158. They listed 8 members of the staff at
Texas A&M among their board of directors.
A great deal of student money (savings and
checking accounts) is used by local banks to
make those short term, high interest loans.
I have read and heard a great deal about
Aggie Spirit. Could it be anything better
than trying to help fellow Aggies who are
trying to help themselves? Could it be any
thing better than refusing to sit idly be
while Aggies are treated in less than an
equitable manner?
But what could be done? What power do
we have to influence local banks to
moderate their loan making practices.
(1) Let every student ask the loan offi
cer at the bank he -i-V
policy as regards Federally Insured Stu
dent Loans, and further, suggest it be
changed.
(2) Identify those members of the staff
at A&M who are members of the boards of
local banks and ask that they advocate and
change in that bank’s policy toward Feder
ally Insured Student Loans.
(3) The student government could
circulate a petition expressing student
support of the F.I.S.L. program and pres
ent it to local banks.
difficult for the more advanced classes, but
consistency on the lower levels would at
least put everyone on equal footing. Texas
A&M is growing school, but if our chemis
try department can still manage to maintain
a high level of standardization, why can’t
the math department? It’s a shame that a
person’s worth should be measured on such
a faulty scale, but if it has to be that way, at
least let’s make it fair.
— Patricia S. Young, ‘81
Ed. note: This is not a date solicitation sec
tion, but we thought this deserved publica
tion.
Give support
(4) Finally, would it be unreasonable
for students to withdraw their funds from
those banks which refuse to make funds
available to students.
Aggies, the spirit calls.
I never have, nor do I ever contemplate
making an application for a Federally In
sured Student Loan.
— J. Beaudette, ‘78
Shop by mail
Math inequalities
Editor:
I aim writing in response to a problem
which I am sure has plagued many more
students than just myself. In a world where
grades can make or break a person’s future,
it seems to me that such important marks
should be based on standard mea
surements of learning, not just the whims
or grading policies of different professors.
My main complaint on this subject lies with
the math department.
Math is required in many advanced
courses, so a basic understanding is essen
tial. However, if you happen to have a har
der professor than most, your “C” in cal
culus could be worth more than an “A” in
an easier class — but try to show that on
your G.P.R.! Such lack of learning
standardization is hardest on students ap
plying to medical or law schools where
grades are a deciding factor in gaining
entrance. Identical classes may have tests
made up of difficult problems, while others
may be multiple choice questions.
I realize such standardization would be
Editor:
Due to the absence of letters in our mail
box, we are sending out a plea to the male
population of that fine University, Texas
A&M. We would sincerely like to receive
letters from any available Aggies. Our
interests include: wildlife, art, camping,
the environment, cooking, candy and flow
ers (hint, hint), horses, poetry, medieval
literature, and collies. (And various and
sundry other topics — or if you’re in
terested in it, we’re interested in it.)
We know that you love to get letters too
and so it would be a mutually beneficial
relationship. While we’re not QUITE
Charlie’s Angels, we’re not Phyllis Dillers
either, and upon request we will mail you
our pictures (autographed).
Included in your first response we would
appreciate:
1. ) brief biographical sketch (20 words
or less, typewritten, double-spaced)
2. ) photograph (8 by 10 glossy)
3. ) CPA, classification, and major
4. ) summary of interests and hobbies
5. ) a critical essay on Carter’s energy
plan (bibliography included)
All of the above may be ommitted except
for #4, if you so desire.
Editor:
An open letter to all Aggies:
Come on now, what separates Aggies
from the run-of-the-mill fan? A spirit, a
kinsmanship! I thought that meant
through the good and lean of everything.
What am I getting at? The lack of this
kinsmanship when an athletic team is not
winning -- particularly, the lean season our
basketball team is having, but it holds true
for any of the sports. It doesn’t mean those
athletes are not playing as hard nor a coach
doing less. We in the stands are not
coaches nor players. Let us, as true Ag
gies, win or lose gracefully and show your
SUPPORT of the teams by ATTENDING
the games and keep that special spirit
alive... “Win, Lose or Draw, the Texas Ag
gies are Our Team!” Quit grousing and
cheer all the louder — Gigem Aggies!
— G. M. Brundidge
(^Writing the editor
We will anxiously await your letters.
PLEASE write soon.
— Anne Herget, Elaine Dye,
119 North Russell,
Baylor U., Waco Texas 76703
Letters to the editor are
printed as a service to our
readers. Publication of a letter is
not guaranteed. The editorial
staff reserves the right to edit let
ters to remove grammatical er
rors and to avoid litigation.
They should:
V Not exceed 300 words or
1800 characters in length.
V Be neatly typed whenever
possible. Hand-written letters
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V Include the author’s name,
address and telephone number
for verification. Names will be
withheld only in extreme cir
cumstances.
Top of the News
Soi
Campus
Degree application due Friday
A key date is near for Texas A&M University students who expecl
to receive degrees at May 5 and 6 commencement. The deadline to
apply for a degree is Friday and application is the student’s responsi
bility, says Registrar Robert Lacey. Graduate and undergraduate
students should first pay an $8 degree fee at the Fiscal Office in the
Richard Coke Building. The fee receipt must be presented to com
plete application. Graduate students apply at the Graduate College in
the Teague Center. Undergraduate students’ applications will be ac
cepted at Heaton Hall, the new headquarters for the Office of Admis
sions and Records.
State
Attempted eagle kill draws fine
The federal judge in San Antonio Monday fined three men a total of
$6,000 for conspiring to kill at least 70 federally protected golden
eagles from a helicopter at Leakey, Texas, but warned further killings
could lead to penitentiary terms. U.S. District Judge John Wood]:.,
saying the case was the most controversial he had dealt with in 32
years as a trial lawyer and eight years as a judge, advised ranchers not
to threaten continued violation of the conservation law but instead
attempt to change or repeal it. Wood noted he could have sentenced
each of the defendants to one year in prison and fined them $5,000 on
each of seven counts of indictment charging conspiracy, violations of
the Airborne Hunting Act and killing of the birds.
Largest cities may increase tax
The Treasury Department has estimated the nation’s 48 largest
cities might have to increase property taxes if President Carter’s jobs,
public works and anti-recession programs are not continued and eco
nomic conditions do not improve. The Treasury Department said the
general impact would be for the average property tax to increase 65
cents for each $100 of full market value in the ten largest cities of the
nation. The analysis indicated average property tax increases of 40
cents per $100 full market value for 28 cities with moderately strained
budgets including Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, and San Antonio.
Average tax increases of 24 cents per $100 full market value wene
estimated for ten cities with low budget strain, including Houston!
Nation
Strangler suspect sends letter
115
The mayor of Los Angeles, Tom Bradley, disclosed Monday he had
received a letter indicating the writer was the Hillside Strangler
suspected of the sex-killings of 12 young women and offering to
provide further information if given assurances for his safety. Bradley
said at a city hall news conference he wanted to assure any individual
connected with the case that he could surrender himself to the
mayor’s office with complete safety and would be provided with any
necessary protection. Disclosure of the receipt of the letter left in
question whether it was the work of someone actually involved in the
killings or just a crank communication. Bradley said he felt it impor
tant enough to make a public statement.
World
Israel must make next move
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat said Monday the Israeli position
on Mideast peace is hardening rather than softening and it is up to the
Jewish state to make the next move to reopen stalled peace talks. He
accused Israel of “a vicious cycle” of nitpicking in the negotiations. In
prepared remarks for a luncheon speech at the National Press Club,
Sadat said “efforts will have to be doubled if we are to re-affirm the
faith of many people in the area that peace is attainable.” Sadat, who
discussed the troubled talks with President Carter over the weekend,
today accused Israel of going back to “the vicious circle of arguing
over every single word or comma” in peace proposals.
Jet hijacker nabbed in Germany
A Czechoslovakia engineering specialist who claimed he had a
bomb in his briefcase hijacked a Czechoslovakia jetliner over East
Germany today and forced it to fly to West Germany, where he asked
for political asylum. A police spokesman said 24-year-old Ladislav
Molnar left the plane and surrendered to police as soon as it landed at
Frankfurt. There were no injuries in the incident and police said
Molnar did not carry a bomb.
Weather
Overcast skies today with rain and drizzle. Possibility of
freezing rain & sleet tonight. High today 36, low tonights
Winds from the east-northeast at 8-20 mph. Continued over
cast & cold through Wednesday with the possibility of rainS
sleet.
The Battalion
Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the
editor or of the writer of the article and are not necessarily
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gents. The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting
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munity newspaper. Editorial policy is determined by the
editor.
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Battalion, Room 216, Reed McDonald Building, College
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