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Page 14 THE BATTALION THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1978 Tex''s tv be f Viewpoint The Battalion Texas A&M University Friday May 5, 1978 It matters What if they gave an election and nobody came? That’s rapidly becoming the state of elections in these United States, and in this Lone Star State. The elections that once were the biggest oc casion of the year now hardly receive passing notice. So what difference does it make, right? Those millions of other people who vote will decide what happens — one vote doesn’t matter anyway, right? Wrong. Texas voters, in some of this year’s primary elections, are witnessing some of the closest, most hard-fought elections in this state’s 133-year his tory. And those elections are important. These are the people who will make your laws, protect your family, regulate your business, and provide your education. These are the people who will take your tax money and spend your tax money. These are the people who will represent you downtown and represent you in Washing ton. Do the things you value in this world matter? Then tomorrow’s election does too. Vote. Please L.R.L. Hobby counts votes in "forgotten’ race By ANN ARNOLD UPI Capitol Reporter AUSTIN — William P. Hobby Jr. thinks being opposed in his bid for a third term as lieutenant governor may help make him the biggest vote-getter in the May 6 Democratic primary. “It may be an asset in leading the ticket to have some opponents,’’ Hobby said. In big cities many voters using voting machines ignore uncontested races, the 46-year-old newspaper executive ex plained. whom has ever held public office — have done little campaigning. John Hill Westbrook, 30, a Baptist minister from Tyler, acknowledges he hopes to take advantage of the similarity of his given name and Attorney General John Hill, who is running for governor. Politics “All the unopposed cnadidates are listed on the far right of the machines. Tens of thousands of voters don’t bother to pull that lever,” Hobby said. So with three opponents on the ballot this year. Hobby thinks he may poll more votes than the 1,115,258 he gar nered in 1974 when he was unopposed in the primary and led the ticket. The three other candidates — none of “That’s the reason I use my whole name,” Westbrook says. “Maybe I can get as much mileage out of his name as he can.” Westbrook, who broke the Southwest Conference’s color line 12 years ago as a Baylor running back, also has attempted to capitalize on the fact that if elected he would be Texas’s first black statewide of ficeholder. Troy Skates, 65, retired Navy man and service station operator from Leander, says he is running because, “When you’re retired you got to have something to do.” Skates admits he “didn’t do worth a hoot” when he ran for lieutenant gover nor in 1972, the year Hobby was first elected. Skates trailed the eight-man race. Jim McNees, 61, Dallas lawyer and re tired Army infantry colonel, also is a vet eran of unsuccessful campaigns. McNees ran for the House in 1974 and the Senate in 1976, foiling each time to unseat incumbent Republicans. A staunch conservative and admirer of Ronald Reagan, McNees attracted some interest with a proposal to prohibit foreigners from owning land in Texas. “We won our lands from a foreign government, but we are slowly losing our lands back to aliens who are already gobbling it up in large chunks,” McNees said. Hobby has hardly had to campaign. “I’ve been traveling a good deal; a lit tle more than I usually do, but not much,” he said. Between travels and his official duties presiding over the Senate during legisla tive sessions. Hobby serves as president of the Houston Post. The son of former governor William P. Hobby, he entered elective politics in 1972 with a race for the job he now holds. Hobby lead an eight-man field and beat the brother of former Gov. John Connally in the primary runoff. He easily defeated La Raza Unida and Socialist Workers candidates to win one of the state’s most powerful posts. Although the lieutenant govenor draws only $600 a month — the same as legis lators — he decides when and what is sues will be debated in the Senate and names crucial committees that write or kill legislation. When the governor goes out of state, he takes over as acting governor at a sal ary prorated from the $65,088 pay set for Texas’ chief executive. Letters to the editor Corps members respond to Utay gas incident Editor: In response to the letter in the May 3 Battalion by the fourth floor residents of Utay, I would like to comment on the actions that have taken place within the last week. Being it the responsibility of the Corps Commander, Deputy Corps Comman der, Corps Staff, and all unit comman ders to oversee and take responsibility for any actions of their people, I can as sure anyone concerned that the Corps of Cadets does not condone, promote, or tolerate any actions such as those com mitted, in any form or fashion. I will also make it clear that if the suspect(s) wear a uniform and are found guilty, they will not wear the uniform to Final Review or ever again. Furthermore, let it Jbe known that I proudly accept being a fine, upstanding, responsible “G.I.” Joe, C.T., etc. be cause when the Corps holds formation nine times a week, I salute the Stars and Stripes and show respect for what I am privileged to receive. To the residents of utay, throughout the year when the flag (not the Corps flag, not Utay’s flag, but the flag of those who are free under it) is being raised or lowered, I frequently foil to see any type of respect shown. At other times, I have seen disrespect ful and obscene hand gestures directed towards cadets handling the flag. Respect should be shown whether in uniform or not. To my knowledge, the red stripes on the flag symbolize the blood shed to give you freedom to live in Utay and me to be in the Corps of Cadets. I am quite confident the Russian inva sion will not come from Snook or the shores of Lake Somerville; however, it may be safe to assume that an attack would come in the form of a mass inva sion of Soviet and Warsaw Pact troops into Western Europe with overwhelming armor and air support. I hope I do not see you or have people with your at titude in my platoon. If you are not sure how to show proper respect to the flag of the United States, ask a person in uniform. — Scott E. Patton Deputy Corps Commander, ’78-79 Stephen D. Greenwade Corps Adjutant, ’78-79 Michael Sliva Company, 1-1 Mark E. Teel Corps Staff, ’78-79 Michael H. Gentry Corps Commander, ’77-78 It is obvious that the Utay residents have exaggerated their statements in order to generate sympathy for their cause, whatever it may be. We person ally know of some residents who did not evacuate or even consider it necessary. As for David Carsons’ statement, “It’s gotten to the point where it’s not good' bull anymore,” since when has it been “good bull” to slash tires and vandalize cars parked on senior row behind Utay? Obviously, it has been “good bull” as long as the residents of Utay have not been on the receiving end of any of these college “pranks.’’ Anyone who doubts the validity of these so called “good bull” activities can check into the files of the K.K. As for the butyric acid, ask the resi dents of Dorm 10 about it. We are cur rently smelling the effects of an “awe some display” of non-reg folly. Finally we would like to say that the fourth floor of Utay should be thankful that there are still a few “G.I. Joes” who are willing to defend their right to ex press opinions openly, no matter how contemptible they may be. — B-2 fish Mark Banigan Mike delos Santos Bill Gamble Burt Harbison David Lewis Craig Parkhill Steve Pearson Roger Reese Mike Sampson Intellectual honesty Editor: I would like to comment on the May 2 editorial in which Jim Crawley seconded Congressman Teague’s endorsement of Chet Edwards for Congress. First, on “intellectual dishonesty.” Mr. Crawley uses this phrase, or similar ones, repeatedly in his listing of un proven charges against his candidate’s opponents. Mr. Crawley may be his own best example of “intellectual dishonesty” when he states allegations at length and notes denials only in passing. Secondly, as the editorial points out, Mr. Teague’s backing of Mr. Edwards has been evident for months. Why then should Mr. Crawley be surprised that the other candidates in the race “played the entire situation cooly.” These candi dates recognize that those who would be swayed by this support have already joined Mr. Edwards’ side. These candi dates do not believe, as some Edwards’ supporters apparently do, that there is a vast voting pool of mindless automatons awaiting their programming from some Central Control. Thirdly, Mr. Crawley believes that Mr. Edwards may be able to achieve success in Saturday’s primary because of “grassroots support.” What meaning can we attach to this? Is Mr. Edwards’ “grassroots support” exclusive? Obviously not, as signs for Godbey, Gramm, McNiel, Jones and Powers appear on cars and in yards throughout the district. Slouch by Jim Earle Not ’good bull’ Editor: In reference to Marilyn Brown’s article of May 3, entitled “Tear gas explosion serious”, we would like to present the “bad guys” side of the story. First, what makes Ms. Brown think that water balloons, which crash through two panes of glass in the middle of the night, are friendly? The cadets who hap pened to be in the rooms at the time are fortunate that they did not have to take a trip to the Health Center, as flying glass has a tendency to be rather dangerous. Then maybe we should conclude that Mr. Edwards has more “grassroots sup port” than any of the other candidates in that more registered voters favor him. Then truly his “grassroots support” will rightly earn him a victory on Saturday as the person with the most votes. But then Mr. Crawley’s comment on “grassroots support’’ seems not informative but tautological. It seems more likely that Mr. Crawley has neither of these mean ings in mind, but rather uses the phrase only to convey the image of his candidate as the candidate of the masses while the opponents (hiss, boo) represent the “spe cial interests.” Fourthly, Mr. Crawley paeans Mr. Teague’s timing of the endorsement. Other observers may see the last minute move as a desperation attempt to prop up a campaign that has failed to stand up on its own. Finally, Mr. Crawley claims (and seems pleased) that one of the candidates “wanted to stay on the road with the is sues” but that the endorsement has shoved him off the road “into the gravel and mud.” To me it does not say much for Mr. Crawley’s choice of candidates that he would prefer that his candidate’s opponents stop campaigning on the is sues and instead try to avoid the mud. — Jerry Ball Editor’s note: The article Mr. Ball referred to was an interpretative column and not an editorial. The column did not “second” the endorsement of Chet Edwards, but only interpreted the possible conse quences of Teague’s endorsement. Mr. Crawley used as background for his column, numerous contacts in the current campaign and his interviews with candidates involved in the campaign. Only time will tell if Mr. Crawley’s in terpretation of the events were correct. ‘Sooey Ducks’ Editor: It is regrettable that Aggies who at tend sports events cannot take teasing in the same good humor with which they deliver it. Specifically, I cannot help but notice (not without some irony) the con trast between the enthusiastic perform ance of the “Sooey Ducks” cheer last weekend and the belligerence that greeted the Rice band’s rendition (in 1973) of our typical half-time activities. We should be willing to accept what we dish out. — Tony Jennings, ’81 Batt is open Editor: In reference to Mr. duMenil’s letter (Wednesday, May 3) I believe his reac tion to constructive input is unfortunate. The Battalion is an open publication and everyone is entitled to contribute an opinion. It is this priviledge that allowed Mr. duMenil to voice his feelings toward a letter plus throwing in a bit of profanity. Now that he has taken advantage of the paper would he deny other readers the same public outlet? — A.F. Creighton, ’80 VOTE SATURDAY It’s your state! Top of the Campus Graduation ceremonies begin Graduate student commencement ceremonies are scheduled to begin today at 3 p.m. in Rudder Auditorium. Undergraduate cere monies will begin at 7:30 p.m. in G. Rollie White Coliseum. The second undergraduate ceremony is Saturday at 9 a.m. also in G. Rollie White Coliseum. Immunization clinic set The Brazos County Health Department will have a special chil dren’s immunization clinic for infants through preschool age Wed nesday from 9:30-12:30 at the Lincoln Center. The clinic is for Col lege Station residents only. If a child has received previous immuni zations at the Brazos County Health Clinic, please Call the office at 822-7373, ext. 241, leave your name, and the child’s record will be brought to the clinic. The health department has a regular free im munization clinic for all residents of Brazos County Monday through Friday, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m. Nation Tornado hits Gainsville, Fla. A tornado ripped through Gainsville, Fla., Wednesday destroying homes, causing power line failures, toppling trees and causing a rash of minor injuries to residents, police said. Four of the five towers of the University of Florida radio station, WRUF, were knocked down, including its 1,000 foot tower, but other University buildings escaped damage. Thoroughfares in the city had to be closed except to emergency vehicles because live wires littered the streets. Several persons were taken to hospitals for treatment of minor injuries but police said at mid-morning they knew of no serious injuries or deaths. All classes at the University were suspended. At least seven minor fires were blamed on downed power lines and several homes were destroyed and many other damaged on Gainsville’s west side. The tornado struck at 6:20 a.m. and was accompanied by 2.5 inches of rain. Beeper, key in Letelier case? The Miami FBI says the 1976 bomb blast that killed former Chi lean Foreign Minister Orlando Letelier in Washington may have been detonated by an electronic beeper found in the car driven by anti-Castro militant Alvin Ross Diaz. Diaz and fellow Cuban exile, Guillermo Novo Sampol were flown to New York by U.S. marshals last Friday after they were picked up last April 14 on federal warrants in Miami. The charges in those warrants were not related to the Letelier case, but both men are central figures in the Letelier inves tigation. Miami FBI agent George F. Cannon Jr., in a sworn state ment filed in federal court Wednesday, said the beeper found in the glove compartment of a gray 1977 Lincoln Continental driven by Ross may have been key evidence in the assassination of Letelier. “It is my belief that the electronic pager or beeper in the glove box of the Lincoln Continental may have been used as the device which caused the explosion of Letelier’s car on Sept. 2, 1976,” Cannon said. His affidavit was filed to support a search warrant for the car. Senate passes tax provision A sweeping waterways bill including the first tax on commercial barges passed in the Senate Wednesday in a vote of 80 to 13. In a surprise move, the Senate set a 1982 effective day for the controver sial tax provision. The $2.6 billion bill also provides for navigational and recreational water projects in 30 states. Republican Sen. Pete Domenici of New Mexico, chief opponent of the barge tax delay, called on President Carter Thursday to go through with his threat to veto the measure. Domenici said it does not impose the waterway tax quickly enough, does not force the barge industry to repay part of the costs of waterway improvements and the overall measure contains too many expensive “pork barrel” project. “I know my friends don’t like the term ‘pork barrel,’ ” Domenici said, “but that’s how the public surely perceives our actions. The President has no choice but to veto this bill on two grounds; there is less than an adequate fuel tax and more than adequate spending on pork, if that is the appropriate word.” World Carter, Brezhnev may meet Mudslide kills 6 in Salvador A mudslide buried a provincial schoolhouse late Wednesday, kill ing at least six small children and one of their teachers, officials of Salvador and Brazil said Wednesday. Officials of the capital of north eastern Bahia state, said the small school at Fazenda Tombador, 80 miles north of Salvador was virtually swept away late Wednesday when five days of drenching rain turned a dirt-covered hillside into an avalnche of mud. Federal police, firemen and other rescuers Thurs day tunneled their way through the mud-covered wreckage in an effort to reach the victims. Weather Mostly cloudy, windy, and warm today, tonight and Saturday with a chance of thundershowers. High today near 80, low tonight mid-60s. High tomorrow low 80s. Winds from the south-southeast at 15-25 mph. 30% chance of rain on Saturday. tablish Ineas) |As tf lervoi jsk yo [to jam I pan [David R&M [ '' Bl1 liii ta fright. Jed in; Have par.id | The classe [vision: milk [aracl The craft to spo lertaii "By ion s lot b< pph, [ter at Ktudei pnop Hie s piat t once i The iarac mg j] ..into l ward Keuve fthe ta S “C: comb ing v pove Iwindl I A I 'with Itivatr !some Karac [jump each tin an ! allow funct President Carter and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev may meet in Washington this summer if the two countries are close to a nuclear arms agreement, White House press secretary Jody Powell said Wednesday in Denver. There are still tough problems to work out,” he told reporters traveling with Carter on a western swing. But he stressed that a summit would be held only “if we have an agreement or are close to one. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance recently returned from Moscow where he made other progress in the strategic arms limitation negotiations, but details have not been disclosed. Bl B "T. 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 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 publi hed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per semester; $33.25 per school year; $35.00 per full year. Advertising rates fur nished on request. Address: The Battalion, Roccj Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas T United Press International is entitled exclusive!)' use for reproduction of all news dispatches credil^lK Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein rtfj| Second-Class postage paid at College Station, TX ^ MEMBER Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congress Editor Kifl 1 ! Managing Editor KarenW Sports Editor David fc News Editors Carolyn Blosser, Debbie F ! City Editor Carv' li .Campus Editor Assistant Campus Editor Andy" 1 ^ Editorial Director Lee Roy Lesck^i Photo Editor J. Wagner'Jj Staff Writers Mark Patterson, Paige Andrea Vails, Michelle Scudder, Sean^T Photographers Susan Webb, ^1 Cartoonist DougG Student Publications Board: Bob G. Rogers, I Joe Arredondo, Dr. Gary Halter, Dr. Charles Mc(a* Dr. Clinton A. Phillips, Rebel Rice. Director of M Publications: Donald C. Johnson.