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I III Viewpoint The Battalion Tuesday Texas A&M University March 21, 1978 Talk is cheap, lives expensive Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words. Might makes right. You can come up with any number of adages to defend a cause. A prime example in the news lately is Israel. Earlier this month 35 Israelis were killed in an attack north of Tel Aviv. Palestinian guerrillas claimed responsibility for the killings. In a move openly described by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin as a press for vengence, Israeli forces swept into Lebanon last week, wiping out Palestinian strongholds and gaining control of the southern portion of the country. We do not presume at this point to argue the ideological differences between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The issue centers on these latest blood-trading confrontations and their effect on peace negotiations in the Mideast. It’s to be expected that tempers will flare due to the on-again off-again nature of peace talks. And a country does have its pride. But as slowly as the talks were moving, they were better attempts at a settlement than these military shows of might could ever be. The Palestinian attack at Tel Aviv was criticized around the world as a “brutal act of ter rorism.” The Israeli assault is no less acceptable. True enough, talk is cheap — compared to the price of war. J.A. Busing and the black community By MARK ELAM The issue of the forced busing of school children has been a battleground between conservatives and liberals since and even prior to the Coleman report of 1966. The intent of this article, however, is not to simply rehash what many consider to be an ideological debate, but rather to exam ine one all-important question which has been too often muddled by the rhetoric of ideology. That is: Has busing achieved its stated purpose? It is time to consider whether or not busing has either advanced educational achievement or improved race relations. One of the most convincing answers given to this question was presented on a recent edition of the PBS program Black Journal. For those who are unfamiliar with this program, it will suffice to say that it is a program run by blacks with the intention of discussing issues which affect the black community. The program in question was entitled “Does Busing Work?” The host and execu tive producer, Tony Brown, began the show by reaffirming what has been stated many times before in the busing dispute, that being that the majority of Americans are opposed to busing. Black Journal pres ented a recent Harris poll showing Jt^t Bl percent of the American public is opposed to busing, 85-9 percent among whites and 51-38 percent among blacks! Pitting a Black Journal poll of 100 black leaders against an Ebony magazine poll of 100 Most Influential Black Americans, it was concluded from the results (Ebony 93 per cent favoring busing, Black Journal 58 percent opposed to busing) that there exists a silent black majority whose opposi tion to busing is not being heard. Reader s Forum In its argument against busing, Black Journal points that the ~U.S. Civil Rights Commission in a report costing over one million dollars cannot substan tiate the success of busing...” They follow up this claim by drawing upon the results of a 10-year study of busing which was conducted in Riverside, Ca. The study, which was originally expected to docu ment the success of busing, proved to provide somewhat different results. In stead of the expected findings of a rise in competence and ambition among minority children as a result of busing, they found that busing incurred different and some times detrimental effects. For example, a noted change occurred in minority c^hil^- dren’s attitudes; they were found to have- experienceyl increased ,se^ as substantial increase in anxiety. Ironi cally, the tests showed that lower-income white children gained in self-esteem after the forced desegregation occurred. It was further concluded that children in each ethnic group became “more cliquish over the years and less accepting of those out side their own group. As far as achievement was concerned, the tests showed that minority children did not gain in achievement “either abso lutely or relative to national norms.” Forced contact with white children failed to have a positive effect on either achievement or attitude, and it was further concluded that busing not only fails to im prove interracial activities but serves to accelerate white flight. Executive producer Brown states that those who have propagated busing and massive infusions of money as means of improving education must recognize the obvious failure of these devices. Brown stresses the need to recognize that im proved teacher-student relationships coupled with a return to basic educational techniques are the means for achieving quality education of all. In reference to the much proclaimed Coleman report, we are reminded that Coleman’s data referred mainly to chil dren attending schools in their own neighbor,hood$.. Quoting from the Califor nia repoitv. Bmwn chums, it was arrogant on the part .vf thotjo yvht) favored busing to believe that macks either want or need to mimic white lifestyles in order to achieve. “It is really a legal treatise on the inherent inferiority of black people, black institu tions, and institutions run by blacks.” Black Journal rejects what it calls a “sys tem of pseudo-logic, in which all whites who do not agree with busing, as a solution to quality education, or who oppose bus ing are racist and whites who favor busing are the good guys." In busing, just as in the cases of minimum wage, quotas and other in stances of government intervention, it seems that the individuals who are hurt the worst are the very people modem lib erals claim to be helping. It would seem that even the most simple-minded would have discovered by now that the education of children is a familial task, not a gov ernmental one. It is time that these people reflect upon the unsuccessful policies they have pursued for years and apply some true sympathy along with a little common sense. If nothing more, they should at least adopt the more honest standard of Tony Brown and Black Journal. “It is not necessarily good or bad because it is black or white; it is good or bad because it does or does not work. Mark Elam is a junior political science major ajid pfesj/lent of the campus chapter of Young Americans for Freedom. Opin ions- expressed: injiitszcoiitMniaaathe au thor’s only, and not necessarily those of Hitting the campaign pocketbook By GENE BERNHARDT United Press International WASHINGTON — If there is a single legislative issue that exceeds the Panama Canal in the minds of lawmakers, it has to be a bill in the House to cut back financing of congressional election campaigns. The strong Republican feelings about the measure contrast with the public apathy that surrounds it. It’s an inside political story that the GOP wishes was as promi nent in the national mind as the canal con troversy. The bill reduces the current limits on contributions by a party to a candidate. It also reduces limits on contributions by political action committees to the parties. So far, it’s a party-line division of senti ment. All 147 Republicans signed a letter op posing it. The Democratic Steering and Commentary Policy Committee, a 24-member organiza tion of the leadership and key zone “whips ” from all section of the country, unanim ously endorsed the bill. Behind the bill, but not in it, is the issue of public financing of congressional elec tions, a proposal similar in theory to one in law now for presidential elections. More Democrats than Republicans want the public financing proposal, which led to the theory that the Democrats purposely made the campaign funding limits so oner ous to Republicans that the GOP would cave in on a compromise and buy public financing. Republicans, however, did not roll over as expected. They fought for public atten tion to their cause through a series of par liamentary moves that slowed the pace of work on even routine legislation on the House floor, stretching an expected two- hour session into six hours one day. House GOP Leader John Rhodes and the Republican whip, Bob Michel, said the bill threatened the survival of the Republi can Party and went beyond normal political assaults by one party against another. Democrats said it would affect their financing just as it would Republicans, but they justified the bill because Republicans had built a campaign war chest for the com ing November congressional elections that is four times the level of the Democrat treasury. The intensity of argument and promo tion that each side brought to its stand on the issue has been rarely matched in any other legislative fight. But then the politi cal security of the lawmakers was in danger and there are some things in Congress that take priority. Letters to the editor in need thanks Ags who gave Editor’s note: The following is a thank you note from the Howard Gaddis family, San Antonio, who have been recipients of Aggie donations for the medical care of their young son. Trey. Howard Gaddis is a 1976 Texas A&M graduate. Slouch Dear Friend & Fellow Aggies, We are sorry that we are unable to write a thank you note to each one of you that took the time to send your donation. We hope this letter will reflect our thanks and gratitude for your caring and sharing. by Jim Earle Our son is progressing veiy well. He is now seven months old and weighs 9.5 pounds. We did find out that he does have a severe hearing impairment. He does have a hearing aid now and we are praying that this will assist him. Please pray with us. “Thanks” doesn’t seem to say enough for all the generosity, inquisition, and prayers that we received from you. The donation meant a lot to us, but the letters meant so much more. It was a wonderful feeling to read your letter and know that we had so many friends who sincerely cared. We did receive $675.78 from the dona tions. We are using the donations for Trey’s hearing equipment and his many doctor’s visits. We hope in the future that we can help you when you are in need. God Bless you always. — Howard, Tricia and Trey Gaddis TM again Editor: It is obvious from Willis Hudson’s letter about the “religious nature” of TM, that he has little knowledge of the technique in volved. Yes, TM does have a religious ori gin and is a tool used by some eastern reli gions, but it is not a religion in itself. For example, some western religions sing hymns in their ceremonies. Are these hymns a religion when sung outside of the church? It does not make sense to talk of hymns or TM as being a religion because without the religious belief these tools lose their religious meanings. TM does not require a person to make any changes in their beliefs or lifestyle (ex cept setting aside 20 minutes twice a day to meditate). TM has not changed any of my beliefs in and about God. I do not know what beliefs are involved in Hin duism or any other eastern religion and they do not interest me in the least. I agree with Willis that TM “is not to any degree compatable with the truth of Chris tianity, And once again, TM is not a reli gion. — George E. Sofka, ’81 President, International Meditation Society Good profs Editor: When I transferred to A&M last fall, I expected large classes and little, if any, contact with my professors concerning as signments and the material they present. I am amazed at the individual attention I have received from my professors at the University. This may not be the case for many students, but my professors have been more than helpful to me. Some of thorp have gone so far as to have you call them at home if necessary. Granted, if everyone called their profes sors at home this would eventually be come a nuisance to them, but there are times when a student needs to get hold of a professor “right now” should he miss class or need some advice on an assign ment. It is a good feeling to know that most professors at this University are con cerned with their students and that help is available. I hope I continue to have the kind of professors I have had so far at A&M. It makes learning a lot more enjoy able. — Mark Beatty, ’79 “IF THEY EVER LEARN THAT WE RE NOT TOO ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT COMING BACK EITHER, NO ONE WOULD COME AFTER THE SPRING BREAK!’’ Top of the NewsS Campus Board payment due in nine days The third installment board payment for the 1978 Spring Semester is due on March 30. The amount is $143.05 for the 7-day Board Plan and $128 for the 5-day Board Plan. To avoid penalty, pay now eitherat the Fiscal Office in the Richard Coke Building or the Cashier’s Office in the main lobby of the Rudder Center. A&M libraries to hold sale National Library Week will be observed April 2-8 by Texas A&M University Libraries with a series of public-participation events. Be ginning at 10 a.m. April 3 at the University Library south entrance,a sale will include books, maps, posters, records and magazines. Dr. Harriette Andreadis, assistant professor of English, will present a program of animated films and discuss cinematic form on April 4 at 7:30 p.m. in University Library 226. Poetry and fiction readings are planned for April, along with the noon panel discussion, “The Roleof the Research Library in Meeting Research, Teaching and Commu nity Needs” in Room 226. Ig m State Radar detectors may be bannei 3 he director of the Department of Public Safety, Colonel Wilson E. Speir, recommended Monday legislation banning the use of radar detectors used to circumvent speed limit laws in Texas. An increasing number of drivers are making use of them, he said in a speech to the annual conference of the Texas Safety Association in Dallas. Speiralso suggested a mandatory 90-day license suspension for persons con victed of drunken driving. The present law calls for a one-year sus pension. 'Clovis Man evidence found Two archeologists have found evidence of the existence of “Clovis man, the earliest known inhabitant of North America, on a farm near Winchester, northwest of La Grange. Dr. Joseph Wilson, alinguistal Rice University, first discovered surface artifacts on his farm. Later he was joined in excavating the area by Dr. Joel Shiner, ati ar cheologist at Southern Methodist University. Some discoveries date 10,000 B.C. and the site shows signs of continous occupation since that time. C" Railroad blamed in high utilities Grc The residents of San Antonio for the past five years have been forced to pay the highest utility rates in the nation because of; unreliable natural gas supplier, Burlington-Northern Railroad, said attorney general candidate Mark White Monday. The railroad has attempted to increase its rates by 50 percent for transporting coal to Texas he said while campaigning in San Antonio. Uni ■apes ICente Regulations inflate medical costs c Dr. Denton A. Cooley blamed government regulations for higher medical costs in the United States. The real culprit has been federal regulation and the cost of compliance, Cooley said Sunday at a dedi cation ceremony at St. Joseph s Hospital in Denver. The Texas Head Institute in Houston is spending $1.8 million to comply with regu lations for Medicare and Medicaid, Cooley said. Private medical facilities provide cheaper and better care than government-controlled medicine, he contended. The cost of handling an open-heart surgery patient in government facilities in Holland is $16,()()(), but costs only $12,000, including transportation, if the patient is treated in Hous ton, Cooley said. Nation Flynt off critical list, improving Hustler magazine owner I^arry Flynt was removed from the critical list Monday at Atlanta’s Emory University Hospital. A hospital spokesman said Flynt, 35, was in serious condition after he spent stable night with continued pulmonary improvement and healingof his abdominal wounds. Flynt and his attorney, Gene Reeves, 47, were gunned down March 6 as they walked to the Gwinnett County Courthouse in Lawrenceville, Ga., during a break in Flynt’s trial on obscenity charges. Flynt, paralyzed from the mid-thighs down, lias undergone three operations since the shooting. His attorney, Reeves, remained hospitalized at Button Gwinnett Hospital. World Red Brigades threaten Moro Red Brigades ringleaders on trial in Turin, Italy for political ter rorism stormed out of the courtroom in chains Monday after openly threatening kidnapped former Premier Aldo Moro, himself facing a “people s trial’ at the hands of the defendants comrades. The 61- year-old Moro, five-time premier, president of the ruling Christian Democratic Party, was seized by Red Brigades commandos in Rome Thursday. Investigators believe the kidnappers rnay demand an ex change of the Turin defendants for Moro after he has been sentenced. Weather Mostly cloudy this morning becoming partly cloudy this af ternoon. High today low 80s, low tonight mid-50s. High to morrow low 80s. Winds from the south at 10-15 mph be coming northerly late today. 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 Regents. The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting enterprise oper ated by students as a university and community 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 Editin', The Battalion, Room 216, Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas 77843. McDonald Building, College Station, Texas United Press International is entitled excluJi' f ' use for reproduction of all news dispatches cred^ Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein'^ Second-Class postage paid at College Station, ^ 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 furnished on request. Address: The Battalion, Room 216, Reed MEMBER Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congress Editor Jiff*! Managing Editor Mary Alice Sports Editor P* 1 ! News Editors Marie Homeyer, Cart 1 , Assistant Managing Editor Glenn* 1 ' City Editor K** 5 ! Campus Editor fc* Reporters Liz Newlin, Mark Patterson, Lee Roy Leschpeu Welch, Jim Crawley, AnU Paige Beasley, Bot l; Photographers Susan Webb, Ken( ! Cartoonist DouFl Student Publications Board: Bob G. Rogers. Joe Arredondo, Dr. Gary Halter, Dr. CharlesMd? Dr. Clinton A. Phillips, Rebel Rice. Directort}'’ Publications: Donald C. Johnson.