Viewpoint
The Battalion Thursday
Texas A&M University April 13, 1978
Krueger, Christie vie for exposure
Editor:
As the people who know me well would
expect, I am writing in response to the
article in today’s Batt about the Gay Blue
Jeans Day.
As one of the parties responsible for the
ad that ran in Monday’s Batt, I need to tell
you that the ad was paid for by Alterna
tive, a gay organization in the Bryan-
College Station area that was formed by
gays for gays and gay supporters (yes, we
do have straight people in this organiza
tion.) I was present when the money was
collected, and I can tell you that GSSO
had no part in it. Alternative and GSSO
are two separate organization. There are a
few people who belong to both organiza
tions, but that is the only connection.
Now, about the response to the ad that
took over the editor’s page today. I won’t
even try to fight the people who grouped
us with necrophiliacs and child molesters.
It would be a fight that would last for
months. I would like to ask one thing.
Take away ear studs, swishiness (which
some of us do), butch looking girls, and all
that other stuff that homophobes equate
with homosexuals and look at two people
of the same sex enjoying each other’s
bodies. What is so sick about that? You
can’t tell me there aren’t straight couples
who engage in oral, and even anal, sex. I
know it goes on. My point is, if you don’t
like pansy guys or bull dyke girls, or ear
studs on guys, or other things like that,
deal with that itself. Some gays look just
like that guy or girl next to you. Long curls
and chiffon on girls and kicker boots and
bulging muscles on guys don’t necessarily
denote straightness.
With as many Farrah-Fawcetts and
Robert Bedfords as I see from A&M when
I go dancing at one of the biggest gay dis
cos in Houston, I know that lavender does
not a queer make. Oh, yeah, I will be
wearing a “gay” t-shirt. Thanks for the
suggestion.
— Charlie Andrews, ’80
About Friday. . .
Editor:
I was completely disgusted when I read
in your April 10 Batt an ad in which the
Gay Task Force has proclaimed Friday,
April 14 “Gay Blue Jean Day.” To proc
laim that all who wear bluejeans on Friday
are gay or support gay rights, to me, is a
blatant violation of my rights. (If you want
to pick something to wear, I think a dress
or tutu would suit the occasion much bet
ter).
This whole Gay Rights thing is becom
ing nothing more than a flimsy excuse for a
bunch of militant fluffs to jump on a
rhinestone-studded Band Wagon. (I
realize some fine fag is going to write back
and call me an ignorant bigot. When it
comes to Gay rights, I admit I am a bigot
and I’m damn proud of it). I hate to bring
religion into such a petty and vulgar cause,
but God did create Adam and Eve (not
George).
So if you want to punch my lights out or
something rough, you can recognize me
on Friday. I’ll be the guy in the suit, with
the girl on my arm.
— Evan Corwin, ’79
About Friday. . .
Editor:
Albeit many of you Aggies may not
know it, this Friday celebrates the found
ing of the Society for the Televising of Raw
Antelope Toes and Ears (STRATE). In an ef
fort to demonstrate support of this move
ment, we the members of STRATE, are
asking all good Ags to refrain from:
1) snorting gasoline
2) spitting STRATE up and remaining
motionless
3) wearing lavender silk ski masks
4) and at all cost, refrain from weaing
hubcaps on your kneecaps
While this change in regular lifestyle
may seem like a great sacrifice, we are
emploring all true Ags to assist us in this
endeavor.
Throughout history, potential
STRATES have been persecuted. Shakes
peare, for instance, demonstrated his
STRATE avant-garde proclivities even be
fore television’s existence when he boldly
exhibited antelope toes and ears on the
stage of the Globe Theatre. Marlene Diet-
rich is another potentially latent STRATE
who has as of late been the subject of social
castigation.
I am sure many of you Ags may object to
our sampling technique. However, we
would ask you 'tb notice that our method
was borrowed from another happy unrec
ognized student organization.
So put your gas cans, ski masks, and
hubcaps into the closets on Friday and
come support us.
— Jean Peirre Forage, ’78
Kayce Glasse, ’78
Philip Mitchell, ’80
Dave Rich, ’78
About Friday. . .
Editor:
In reference to the advertisement on
page 9 of Monday’s Battalion concerning
“Blue Jean Day” we, the men of Crocker
Hall, urge all those opposed to gay rights
to wear shorts, slacks, or anything other
than blue jeans on Friday, April 14. It
seems rather preposterous that the Na
tional Gay Task Force would ask people to
wear blue jeans in support of their cause
when they know that a majority of the
people at this school wear blue jeans every
day.
Their ad should act more as a warning
for people not to wear jeans instead of
encouragement to do so. Still, we do not
expect their ad or this letter to reach many
people, and the Gay Task Force should
not be falsely encouraged by people wear
ing bluejeans Friday. You can be assured,
though, that we will be wearing slacks. (If
they want to show support for gay rights,
they should have their male backers wear
dresses.)
— Don Jeffers, ’80
Editor’s note: This leter was accom-
pained with 14 other signatures.
About Friday. . .
Editor:
In response to the advertisement in
Monday’s Batt stating that Friday April 14
is national gay wWr blue jeans day, I
would like to say that I am offended and
terribly disappointed that you would pub
lish such an advertisement inferring that
anyone who wears blue jeans on that day is
a fag! Simply because I may wear rings on
my fingers does not imply that I wear bells
on my toes. What about the normal
heterosexuals who attend this University
who like to wear blue jeans and whose
wardrobe may consist only of blue jeans?
If the gays want to be publicly recog
nized let them paint the word “gay” across
their forehead or wear T-shirts that read “I
am gay, but please do not destroy the
dignity of heterosexuals who like to wear
blue jeans by inferring that anyone who
wears blue jeans on Friday is gay.
Why don’t you print an advertisement
inferring that anyone who wears shoes on
Thursday supports a movement for a dic
tatorial overthrow in the United States.
— Steven Fitzpatrick, ’81
About Friday. . .
Editor:
After reading the advertisement in
Monday’s Battalion promoting gay rights
and the support thereof by wearing blue
jeans this Friday we decided to write a
Christie is a popular guy. He’s popular
because if you’ve met him chances are
good that you will say, “Ya know, honey,
that fella sure seems to be a good ol’ boy. "
Christie is a good ol’ boy in the best Texas
tradition. He’s easy going, easy to talk to
and very down-to-earth. The candidate
has driven, flown and walked across the
state trying to get the support of voters,
unions and political groups.
This style of campaigning is the kind
that endears itself to the emotions of the
voters he meets. They will probably vote
for the man that takes time to sit down and
chat with an individual. But, that style of
campaigning has a few drawbacks.
Money. You need a lot of money to talk
to individual voters. Just think about the
cost of coffee at each of those tea parties or
social club meetings Christie attends. That
alone ia s tidy portion of the campaign cof
fers.
Time is the other major drawback. A
candidate can only spend so much time
each day on the campaign trail. In the last
weeks of the campaign a candidate has to
use the mass media for presenting his is
sues and campaign speeches to the voting
public. The use of the campaign time is a
major function for the managers of the
candidates to schedule. This planning can
directly affect the outcome of a campaign.
The Krueger-Christie battle is an exam
ple of campaign planning and the differ
ences in style.
The simple fact of this campaign has
been Christie has spent too much time
conducting a personal campaign, while
Krueger has run around and gotten the
political supporters. Krueger started his
campaign by going out and not getting the
voters. He got the political contributors
and supporters.
Now, Christie is hustling around the
state in search of more money and a few
more big-name supporters. Krueger has
also begun his TV and radio advertise
ments. Since the start of the Christie cam
paign he has presented himself to the pub
lic as a person that will serve the voters’
needs. Unfortunately for Christie, not
enough people have heard his view and
ideas and become familiar with his easy
going style. They have seen Krueger and
his sophistication.
It may come down to the final tally
being decided on who used his time with
the greatest wisdom.
By JIM CRAWLEY
Joe Christie sat down at the table in
T.J.’s a tired man. He had spent the day
touring seven towns in four counties and
several press conferences. Christie was a
worried man; his father was seriously ill in a
hospital. His worries also extended to the
May 6 Democratic primary between him
and U.S. Rep. Bob Krueger.
Christie didn’t tell any of his backers or
campaign aides at the table of his exhaus
tion or his worries. He didn’t need to, they
already knew. They were in the same
state. The campaign does that to a man,
any man and his followers.
As he ate his mushroom steak, the sen-
torial candidate contemplated his cam
paign with the voters of Texas.
For the record, Joe Christie has saved
Texans millions of dollars while he headed
the State Board of Insurance. No one can
deny that honor, especially the insurance
companies. During his tenure as chairman ■
he changed the board from a adjunct of the
insurance industry to a board favoring the
rights of Texas insurance consumers. And
he even accomplished this feat without an
tagonizing the majority of the industry.
Krueger, a second-term Congressman
from new Braunfels, is an enigma on the
Texas political scene. During college
Krueger spent more time studying
Shakespeare than politics and has a Ph.D.
from Oxford College. As in England.
Politics
In 1974, he returned to New Braunfels
and successfully ran for the U.S. Con
gress. Since arriving in Washington his
sophistication put him at the front of the
freshman class of Representatives. While
in the Capital Krueger has spent his time
battling for the deregulation of natural gas.
This sophistication has caused many of
the small-town politicos to raise questions
about Krueger’s ability to be appealing to
the voters. Krueger has handled his
sophistication in style and polish. The vot
ers tend to view Krueger as the perfect
man to be Senator. Most voters view a
senator as a statesman, a master of
etiquette and eloquence, and a nice model
for a statue. Krueger is, or could be, all
those things. Christie doesn’t give that ap
pearance.
Fetters to the editor
They used to call it Friday
short letter criticizing those who saw fit to
have that ad printed. Texas A&M consists
of a largely conservative body of students
of which the majority probably do not hold
any real interest in supporting a “Gay” day
on Friday.
Homosexuality is a very controversial
subject; however, in our minds there is no
controversy about what it is. . .a sickness,
an escape from the reality of a truly mean-
ingfiil relationship and from life. Maybe
these people are trying to drum up sup
port for their cause by promoting the
wearing of blue jeans on Friday because
they know that blue jeans are probably
standard dress on the A&M campus and
for that matter, anywhere else. This led us
to believe that these gays, or whatever
they wish to call themselves, impliejJ that
any person wearing bluejeans on Friday is .
a gay or a gay rights supporter. They are
knocking the cowboy standard of dress
(boots, belt, hat and jeans) as well as the
person who wishes to wear blue jeans only
as a casual form of dress and for no other
purpose. We can most assuredly predict
that even those who are not in support of
gay rights and wear blue jeans on Friday
will be looked upon in a funny manner,
and this is unforgivable.
So in closing we have only these com
ments — We don’t try to knock everybody
because everyone has the right to do as
they choose, but as far as gayness, that
right ends where the toe of my boot be
gins. They can take their strange attitudes
toward sex and go to hell where they
might be a bit more welcome.
— Bob Bielenda, ’80
About Friday. . .
Editor:
Alas! Once again it seems that I am
driven to the point of writing to the editor,
in view of certain items which have come
to my attention. Coming from a long line
of jean wearers, I, as well as many others,
are faced with the dilemma of what to wear
on Friday.
I tip my hat to the “Gay Activists” for
conceiving the most underhanded scheme
of the year. Knowing that America’s
number one garment worn by both males
and females is a pair of jeans, they have
construed a plot to implicate false support
of their organization. Consequently,
people failing to read their small ad in The
Battalion will be subjected to undue
ridicule and suspicion by inadvertently
wearing a pair of jeans.
To avoid this predicament, I have come
up with some brilliant alternatives: (1)
Those people not having anything other
than jeans to wear can wear nothing at all,
or (2) everyone can shake off going to
school on Friday.
Since I realize that neither of these
ideas are practical, I recommend that Fri
day be designated as “FOOT DAY”, and
that all people opposed to gays and gay-
supporters wear something on their feet
on F riday!
— O. Robert Hilmo, Jr. ’78
About Friday. . .
Editor:
An advertisement appeared in the Bat
talion on Monday, April 10, declaring this
Friday “Blue Jeans Day.” All supporters of
Gay Rights were asked to wear blue jeans
to class on Friday. I hope all Ags take note
of the advertisement by putting their
TGIF jeans back in the closet and wear
dresses, suits or Class B’s instead.
— Jane E. Eike, ’79
Editor’s note: This letter was accom-
pained with 85 other signatures.
About Friday. . .
Editor:
In response to the ad that appeared in
this Monday’s Batt suggesting gays and
gay supporters wear blue jeans this Fri
day. We would rather suggest that all
gays, and their supporters, wear pink hot
pants, put on orange t.u. shirts and a
beannie...on their way to the bus stop.
Austin is only a couple of hours drive from
here!
— Michael J. Smith, ’81
Editor’s note: This letter was accom
panied with six other signatures.
About Friday. . .
Editor:
Monday’s paper had an advertisement
saying for anyone who supports the Gays
and their rights to wear bluejeans on Fri
day. This ad is a trick which hopes to make
people look like Gay supporters. They
know that most everyone already wears
bluejeans regularly. By wearing jeans on
Friday this will have no relevant meaning
that you support these “not-so-regular
people.”
They should have written something
like “Everyone who supports GAYS don’t
breath on Friday and turn blue.” Do you
get my point?
It’s a fraud, but still don’t show them
any support (unless you are one). I wish
we would stop hearing from them. Don’t
they know most of us couldn’t care less
about their rights; to me they don’t de
serve any. They can play their games
somewhere else, not at a state-supported
school. You almost, but not quite, want to
feel sorry for these people. Also many
people did not even see their ad and will
wear bluejeans anyhow!
So it anyone comes up to you on Friday
and makes a comment about wearing blue
jeans, tell them if they are a real gay sup
porter to prove it by holding their breath
for 10 minutes!
— Joe H. Hickman, ’79
About Friday. . .
Editor:
In response to Blue Jean Day this Fri
day, I would like to voice this opinion. I
for one will be wearing blue jeans this Fri
day. I want to make it clear though that I
do not support the gay movement in any
way, shape, or form. Many people have
come up to me reminding me not to wear
jeans on Friday. I’ll be damned if I let any
fag or straight person influence what I’ll
wear on Friday. To me, my wearing jeans
will be my protest against the gay move
ment and those persons fool enough not to
wear jeans because they think someone
will consider them as being gay. .Gays
don’t own me, blue jeans or, I hope,
my fellow Ags. _ Tim Nichols,’80
About Friday. . .
Editor:
We would like to inform the readers
that Friday is Clothes Day. Formed by the
Ratify the ERA-Save the Dolphin-Protect
the Ozone Layer Society, the purpose of
Clothes Day is to show support for the
worthy cause of your choice. To partici
pate, simply wear any clothes at all on
Friday. Some sample worthy causes are
listed below:
(1) Legalization of marijuana
(2) Violence on television (for or against)
(3) Ratification of the Panama Canal
Treaty
(4) Rejection of the Panama Canal
Treaty
(5) Explusion of all Communists, hip
pies, atheists, Ronald Reagan-haters, shut
tle bus drivers, and other suspect persons
from the American shores.
So remember, be a good American,
support your cause, and wear clothes Fri
day.
— Fred Elbert, ’80
Top of the News^
Campus
Russian flu drug study
By
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Participants in the Russian flu drug study should report to Lounges
A or B, Corps dormatories, today between 7:30 and 9 p.m. to havea L Juri
blood sample taken. If unable to attend, report to the Universit; pe
Health Center Thursday or Friday and bring weekly report cards
Graduation announcements ready
May graduates can pick up their graduation announcement ordeis
in the Student Program’s Office, Room 216 A&B, MSC, fromSaa
to 5 p.m. Extra announcements will go on sale April 17 in the Studenl
Finance Center, Room 217, MSC, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The,
nouncements will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.
Local
Coulter to receive air control
A $56,000 remote air-to-ground communications system willbel
installed this summer at Coulter Field, east of Bryan. The system wll
aid pilots flying over Brazos County in communicating with Hous [
ton s Air Route Traffic Control Center. There are two frequenciesa
Easterwood Airport now used by pilots in connection with the Hous ]
ton Control Center, said Bobby Clay of the Federal Aviation Admin-1
istration. The two additional frequencies will be added at Coulterl
Field to avoid interference between the two systems. The project[
which is scheduled for completion in September, will be constructed!
by Daymar, Inc., an Omaha, Neb. firm.
State
Ector County jail death probed
An Ector County jailer testified Wednesday that a Mexican-
American prisoner “went berserk” the night he died in custody. Jac-1
kie Perkins testified at an inquest into the death of Larry Ortega
Lozano, 27, that Lozano appeared “violent, uncontrolled, and ag
gressive” Jan. 22, the night he died. Mexican-Americans have alleged
that Lozano died from beatings by Ector County sheriffs deputies
Sheriff Elton Faught has said Lozano died of self-inflicted wounds
suffered when he beat his head against a jail cell window.
Nation
Salvage hunters claim treasure
The state of Florida Wednesday lost an 11th hour effort to keeps
group of private salvage hunters from taking possesion of 2.3 million
Spanish treasure dating back to the 1600s. Federal District Judge
William Stafford refused to interfere with an order from south Florida
Judge W. O. Mehrtens giving Treasure Salvors, Inc. of Key West
possession of the gold coins, jewelry and artifacts retrieved from the
Spanish galleon Atocha that sank oft the coast of Florida in 1622.
Judge Mehrtens sent word that the federal government would not
interfere with the takeover Wednesday of the high-value items, in
cluding gold coins. The treasure ship was found in 1971. Mel Fisher,
president of the salvage group, said that the treasure will be divided
among 400 stockholders who already have gotten an estimated $16
million worth of treasure from the Atocha.
Earthquake hits Alaskan island
A strong earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale shook parts
of the Kodiak Island in southwestern Alaska Tuesday. No damage or
injuries were reported, the Alaska Tsunami Warning Center said,
The tremor, which could have done extensive damage had it hit a
highly populated area, was felt at 5:43 p.m. in Kodiak, the largest city
on the island. It originated about 80 miles south of the Gulf of Alaska.
No shock waves were reported felt in Anchorage, about 250 miles to
the north, the Warning Center said.
‘Duke' continues recovery
Massachusetts General Hospital says John Wayne is continuing his
satisfactory recovery from open heart surgery. “Mr. Wayne slept
through the night for the first time since his open heart surgery,
hospital spokesman Martin Bander said Tuesday. The 70-year-old
“Duke” was taken out of intensive care Saturday and placed in an
intermediate care unit. Wayne underwent surgery April 3 after com
plaining he had lost some of his “zip ’ in recent months.
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Texan appeals Israeli court
The Tel Aviv, Israel, supreme court will rule soon on an appeal by
a 23-year-old Texas student against a five-year jail term she received
for running a scouting mission for Arab guerrillas, her attorney said
Wednesday. Attorney Felicia Langer said no date has been set for the
continuation of the supreme court hearing in the case of Terry
Fleener, a student at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and
one-time stewardess for Kuwaiti Airlines. During the first hearing
Tuesday, the court decided to lift a security blackout that had been on
the proceedings. Fleener’s conviction Jan. 9 by the Tel Aviv district
court came after a secret trial. Langer said she expected the supreme
court to announce its decision very shortly. During Tuesday’s hear
ing, Langer said she appealed for reduction of Fleener’s sentence and
immediate deportation because of the “marginal case” against her
client. Prosecutor Sara Sirota said Fleener should be “happy” that
she got away with such a light sentence.
Weather
• •
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Clear to partly cloudy today tonight and tomorrow. Cool to
night and warm during daytime hours. High today mid-70s,
low tonight mid-50s. High tomorrow near 80. Winds from the
north at 5-10 mph.
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
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Editorial policy is determined by the editor.
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McDonald Building, College Station, Texas 7<$J
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Managing Editor Man’ Alice W
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