Viewpoint
The Battalion
Texas A&M University
Monday
September 25, 1978
The zip boom
Can’t remember your Aunt Clara’s zip code? Well, the U.S. Postal Service
has a treat for you.
It seems that the five-digit zip code, which has been a fact of life now for 15
years, just isn’t long enough. The postal wizards, trying to keep their bat
tered system from collapsing, said the other day that they will move over the
next 30 months to zip codes that have, not five, but nine digits.
Now, nine digits are a lot of digits. It may be presumed that the postal
authorities did not advance this change lightly. They argue that a letter with
a nine-number zip code can be handled more efficiently, because the longer
codes will permit mail to be sorted down to individual blocks and even single
office buildings.
Fine and good — but what will these nine-figure numbers do to our
personal memory banks, which already are overworked trying to remember
social security numbers, bank account numbers, telephone numbers, insur
ance policy numbers and the like?
The price of progress, so-called, is becoming pretty steep.
Providence (R.I.) Journal
Some seek peace and some destroy it
By ROBERT OLER
I was suprised as most concerning the
outcome of the Camp David summit.
While an ultimate peace is far from certain,
the summit served, at the very least, as a
needed way station on the road to peace in
the Middle East.
In this regard Presidents Sadat, Carter
and Prime Minister Begin deserve high
marks for their personal commitment to
peace. While differences remain, perhaps
the willingness of these men to overcome
traditional hatreds, historical shortcomings
and such may see them and all peace-loving
men through.
The summit at Camp David also vividly
showed the seamy side ofa group which has
begun to receive some favorable attention
in this nation. This group being the Pales
tine Liberation Organization.
The P. L. O. claims to represent the goals
of the Palestine people. The problems of
the Palestinian people are both large and
many. In a comer of the world where land
is scarce and historical hatreds deep, some
solution must be found to give them a
home. It is not my purpose to advance new
solutions. Rather I wish to examine how
some are going about seeking a solution.
On one side stand those who seek peace
ful change. While the Palestinians have
claims, so do the Jews, and the other Arabs.
Unfortunately it is impossible to exactly
meet everyone’s wishes. As such, both
sides are following the course of negotiation
through the give and take of diplomacy.
Readers' Forum
Admittedly, the trip to Israel by Sadat
and the summit were long shots. But when
odds are great, men must dare to rise to
greatness. The propaganda of “a com
prehensive settlement, justice and recog
nition of deprived rights contribute no
thing. Only a free people with the courage
to shake off the monologue of extremist can
achieve peace. This was the spirit of Camp
David.
Then there is the side of terror. The
P.L.O. sits firmly in this bloody corner.
Even before the summit had started, the
P.L.O. had denounced ANY possible ag
reement. Like a selfish child they will have
only their way.
Furthermore, they demand this way not
by words, but by force of arms. Skyjack
ings, attacks on busloads of helpless
tourists, machine-gunnings in crowded
airport lobbies, and other senseless acts are
their calling card. If they were not attached
to a cause these international despots
would be out robbing banks, mugging old
ladies and attacking little children.
Their true motives are obvious when
viewed against those of their contempo
raries. While not all Arabs agree with every
provision of the accords, some are trying to
come up with peaceful solutions.
The P.L.O. is not interested in peace or
justice or in giving freedom, much less
rights, to the masses. Their only interest is
in setting themselves up as a dictatorship.
What occurs when this is successful can be
seen with even a cursory glance at Uganda.
Idi Amin Dada’s fun house is nothing less
than a prison run by those who should be in
one.
Unfortunately, this international ban
ditry is not limited to the Middle East.
These types are running the “liberation”
cause in Rhodesia, for example. The down
ing of civilian passenger plane and the
butchering of civilians is in the same
league.
I do not agree the aspirations of the
blacks in Rhodesia or the Arabs on the
West Bank. However, never should we as a
nation recognize those who are bent on
continued violence and destruction.
For example, Yassar Arafat has promised
that the U.S. would pay for its part in the
summit. We must make it clear that such
promises are made at the P.L.O.’s own
peril. Should the P.L.O. attempt armed
terror against U.S. citizens at home or a-
broad they must find a government willing
to stand firm against them. While ignoring
them at the conference table, we must be
prepared to meet such aggression with
force. The P.L.O. must come to fear cer
tain destruction in any combat action. Only
in this way will terrorists decide not to
tread on us.
For terrorism feeds on fear. A fear that is
aimed at the hearts of men and govern
ments and makes them act as stooges.
Peace-loving men must refuse to show such
fear, refuse to parley with those who ped
dle it, and instead treat Yassar Arafats as
the pirates they are with the contempt they
deserve.
Fetters to the editor
Carter deserves more respect for Camp David
Editor:
My letter is in response to Oussama
Qawasmi’s letter in the September 21
issue of The Battalion. He has presented
us with his views using the free speech
right that our “suppression and corruption
spreading government” grants him. Well
that’s cool, but I have some remarks about
the political rhetoric that he has written.
To start with, I am not our President’s
biggest fan; in fact, I disagree with many of
his policies and will work to see a Republi
can elected in 1980. However, I do realize
that Mr. Carter was elected by a majority
of the American people, so I do feel that
the President deserves a little more re
spect than to be referred to as “Smarty
Carter. ”
If you disagree with President Carter’s
decisions, then present some alternatives
or at least voice a legitimate complaint.
Mouthing political rhetoric and calling our
President names shows a complete lack of
maturity and respect rather than intelli
gence and concern. Remember, like it or
not, Jimmy Carter will be our president
until 1980.
Next, I disagree with Qawasmi’s opinion
of the Camp David negotiations. It is my
opinion that the President was sincerely
trying to solve a bloody dispute between
centuries-old enemies and at the same
time trying to protect our nation’s in
terests in the Middle East. For once, I
applaud the President’s efforts and ac
tions. I feel that any action that prevents
another outbreak of hostilities and helps
develop an understanding between two
such enemies is commendable. Again, I do
not see any possible alternatives being
presented by Qawasmi, merely vague
gripes.
It is my hope that in the future Qawasmi
will try to voice his opinions in a credible
and intelligent manner instead of using
vague phrases. I am always interested in
opinion of others, but I hate having to re
read three times to understand.
David S. Lynch, ’81
made me choose it over any other college.
The facilities here, both academic and rec
reational are excellent. The opportunity
for a high-quality education (for isn’t that
why we’re here?) is available to each and
every one of us.
Being a freshman, I know I have a lot to
learn, but I also know I’m proud to be an
Aggie, and I wouldn’t settle for anything
less!
—Kathy Smith, ‘82
We, the residents of Dunn Hall, chal
lenge all dorms on campus to join Dunn
Hall in regaining the spirited image that
this University has always been known for.
We have a lot of traditions to pass along to
the class of 1982.
Charles Albright, ’79
Guy Mullens, ’79
Jack Wensinger, ’81
Bob Parnell, ’81
Wayne Stevens, ’81
Jim Cooper, ’79
A challenge
Editor:
We, the men from Dunn Hall, are writ
ing this letter to refute the illusion many
people have that the male residents of the
northside dorms (specifically, Davis Gary,
Walton, and Moore) are more “red ass”
than Dunn Hall.
Tuesday night a large body of Dunn Hall
residents traveled across the campus to
challenge .Walton to a water fight. The only
reaction were pails from approximately ten
residents led by an ex-resident of Dunn
Hall. Seeking a greater challenge, we
moved to Davis-Gary, where between fif
teen to twenty-five people were coaxed out
of the dorm.
Most of the residents of Davis-Gary
along with some allies from Moore pre
ferred to shout insults from the safety of
their dormitory. The residents of these
dorms have a long way to go to regain the
spirited, tight-knit image they once pos
sessed.
P. S. The 1978 “class of 82” bonfire is eleven
weeks away!
Editor’s note: This letter was accompanied
by 140 other signatures.
Arnett go home
Editor:
Why do we have to have more articles
from Paul (Howard Cosell) Arnett (Battal
ion, Sept. 20)? He couldn’t get his facts
straight last year so he went for sen
sationalism. I thought when he graduated
it would be the last I saw of him and his
crummy articles. But now, the Battalion
needs more letters to the editor, so they
call in Paul Arnett. I couldn’t believe the
distorted version of George Woodard’s
story.
Was Paul Arnett really sports editor last
year? Didn’t he know one of the big stories
at school was Woo’s battle of the bulge?
Woodard did get down to his running
weight, or mighty close. And, if I may
point out, how could Woodard be so fat
and still be a thousand-yard gainer? I don’t
know why our paper has to constantly cut
down our football team, i.e. those stupid
cartoons.
Why can’t you just report the facts and
keep your opinions to yourself? I thought
that reporting the facts accurately, not
biased, was your job.
There is just one more thing I’d like to
know. Who is the pervert on your staff that
wanted to know the names of the A&M
girls that had been raped? Has he no feel
ings? The humiliation of the act would be
bad enough, but just think how that girl
would feel if all her friends found out. If
she wanted everyone to know she woidd
tell them herself.
If I were in her shoes, I would want to
forget it, not have the constant reminder
of wondering if someone I know or meet
knows about it. I’m glad there’s law to pro
tect their right of privacy, even though the
laws don’t do much to protect girls from
rapists.
—Elaine Savage, ‘79
Editor’s note:
Paul Arnett’s column was run in The Bat
talion as a sports commentary. He is cur
rently a sports writer for The Galveston
News.
The Battalion’s policy is not to print the
names of rape victims. The reporter who
wanted to contact those people was in
terested in writing an article discussing
the problems of rape victims, as well as the
number of rapes reported each year. The
names were never to be published.
Slouch
by Jim Earle ‘KKs’ are OK
P.S. Mr. Qawasmi, who did you vote for
in the 1976 elections?
Why complain?
Editor:
Can you tolerate one more letter about
complaints, or really the lack of, as stated
in the September 14 issue of this paper?
Is it that important to Mr. Hines that
people be dissatisfied or constantly gripe
about matters? I feel everyone of us has a
lot to be thankful for. Just to be part of the
Texas A&M community should mean
something to us all.
My home is in New Jersey, and the first
thing people ask me is “Why did you come
all the way down here?“. Why not? This
school is rich in spirit and traditions; a qual
ity that has become extinct in many places.
An excellent example is Silver Taps, which
I experienced for the first time September
5. Let me tell you, it is something I will
always remember.
There is quite a bit more to A&M which
“I FIGURE THEY’RE A REAL BARGAIN! WITH A LITTLE PRACTICE
YOU CAN MAKE UP TO TWO MILLION A NIGHT!’’
Editor:
It’s about time the campus police got
some recognition for the work they are
doing here. Ticketing is not their only func
tion here on campus, as most people think.
Recently, while both my roommate and
myself were out of our dorm room, three
ladies took it upon themselves to unlaw
fully enter our room and vandalize it. This
was undoubtedlv an immature act of
juvenile delinquency. Upon refusal to rec
tify their childish doings, we notified the
KK’s.
The campus policeman was promptly at
the scene and he acknowledged the fact this
was the working of some imbeciles, not just
pranksters. We did not want any perma
nent complaints on file for these girls, but
wanted the room cleaned up immediately.
The officer. Badge 28, went over to second
floor Mosher and apprehended the cul
prits. After confessing to their devious do
ings, he escorted them to the scene of the
crime, where he supervised the clean up.
We agreed this was just punishment and
justice was at hand.
We hope in the future these people will
think twice before committing such irres
ponsible and immature acts. Hats off to the
campus police for handling the situation
swiftly and justly!
—Joe H. Hickman, ‘79
Robin G. Brown, ‘79
Jack Burley, ‘81
Top of the News
Local
Free energy seminars scheduled
Two free home energy conservation seminars are set this week in
Room 107 of A&M Consolidated High School. The programs, offered
by the Texas Energy Extension Service, are “The Home Energy
Audit and "Making Your Present Home Energy Efficient’’ on Tues
day, and "Hints for the Energy Efficient Use of Household
Appliances” on Thursday. For more information, call the Texas
Energy Extension Service, Texas A&M University, 845-8026.
Campus
Student clubs must register
All student organizations have until Saturday to renew their recog
nition for the 1978-79 school year. Signature cards needed for recog
nition may be picked up in the Student Finance Center, Room 217of
the Memorial Student Center. Organizations may not transact busi
ness until recognition is renewed. Information obtained from the
cards is used for a mailout of recognized student organizations to area
merchants, to refer prospective members to the organization, and to
send out invitations to student presidents for the annual student
leader coffee, Oct. 7.
Woodall to speak at A&M Club
Col. James R. Woodall, commandant of cadets, is scheduled to
speak at the Brazos County A&M Club meeting Wednesday. He will
discuss Corps of Cadets programs. The dinner meeting begins at 6:30
at the Wyatt Cafeteria in Bryan. Reservations may be made by tele
phoning 845-7514. Ed Davis, club president, said the club’s nine
scholarship recipients also will be guests. Membership is open to all
former studnets and friends of Texas A&M. Davis said.
State
Decision on Exxon suit delayed
A final decision on whether to pursue an anti-pollution suit against
the nation’s largest oil refinery — Exxon Co. USA in Baytown —has
been postponed until next month to allow more members of the
Texas Air Control Board to attend. TACB Chairman John Blair Fri
day postponed the decision after only five of nine board memben
showed up for the regular monthly meeting in Dallas. The suit says
Exxon violated pollution standards after recent expansion. Last Feb
ruary, officials said Exxon’s own air samplings showed 200 sulhir
dioxide violations in eight months. Exxon officials have said they
believed they now were or soon woidd be in full compliance with
state law.
At
stru
Liz
Nation
Soviets go on trial for espionage
Two soviet citizens, who claim they were on a shopping trip and
not an espionage mission, go on trial in federal court Wednesday in
Newark, N.J., for conspiracy to obtain American defense secrets. The
trial has posed a delicate diplomatic case for the Justice Department,
which obtained a delay of their prosecution so it woidd not coincide
with the recent U.S. visit of Soviet Foreign Minister Andre
Gromyko. In addition, federal authorities did not oppose released
the two men without bail after the Soviet ambassador wrote a letterto
the court guaranteeing they would not leave the United States. The
two men, Valdik A. Enger, 39, and Rudolf P. Chrnyayev, 13,
employed by the Soviet Mission to the United Nations, are charged
with conspiring to pay an American naval officer more than $20,000
for defense secrets. They were arrested May 20 by the FBI.
N
forn
syst
H
alte
F
not
kno
/
House investigates electric co-op
The U.S. House is scheduled to consider a measure today that
woidd order the Southwest Power Administration to stop charging
electric-cooperative transmission fees. Thomas F. Eagleton and U.S.
Rep. Richard Ichord have joined with the Associated Electric Co
operative in charging the administration with discrimination against
Missouri’ rural electric customers. The Senate already has approved a
similar bill. The Missouri Democrats say the power administration
charges the co-operative more than $2.6 million annually from trans
mitting power through its lines. The administration’s rural customers
in five other states - Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kansas and
Texas - do not have to pay similar charges.
World
Radiation spillage revealed
A plastic pipe carrying radioactive material from India’s plutonium
plant into the sea broke and contaminated a “huge area” three to four
years ago, the Press Trust of India news agency reported today.
Quoting "higqplaced sources in the Department of Atomic
Energy, the news agency said radioactive liquids spilled from the
broken pipe and contaminated the ground around the plutonium
plant located at Trombay near Bombay. “The whole area of three
acres was dug up in a big earth-moving operation and the earth was
dumped into the sea, the agency said. Two more instances of “radia
tion escape” from the Trombay Atomic Complex also were reported
to have taken place “three to four years ago. ”
Weather
It will be partly cloudy today, tonight, and tomorrow. The high
will be 80 and the low in the lower 60’s. Winds will be East-
Northeasterly at 10 to 15 mph and 5 mph tonight. The tropi
cal depression is moving westward and will weaken in the
next 24 hours.
The Battalion
LETTERS POLICY
Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and are
subject to being cut to ttuit 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 published on Tuesday
through Thursday.
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, Room 216,
Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas 77843.
United Press International is entitled exclusively to the
use for reproduction of all news dispatches credited to it.
Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein reserved.
Second-Class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843.
MEMBER
Texas Press Association
Southwest Journalism Congress
Editor Kim Ty#
Managing Editor Liz Ne^
Assistant Managing Editor ..Karen Ro
Sports Editor David Boj
City Editor Jamie Ail
Campus Editor Andy Willi#
News Editors Carolyn Bio®
Debbie Parsons
Ediftrial Director . .Lee Roy Leschper,
Staff Writers Mark Patterson,
Vails, Scott Pendleton, Sei ;
Petty, Michelle Scudder,
Marilyn Faulkenberry
Cartoonist Doug Cralia<
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, f
supporting enterprise operated by s
as a university and community neicsixiff 1
Editorial policy is determined by the dW
-
,