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.
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