Viewpoint
The Battalion Wednesday
Texas A&M University September 27, 1978
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Minds,
prop 13 over matter for liberals
Cancer risk alarming
Scientists have been speculating for some years that between 60 percent
and 90 percent of all human cancers are environmentally related. Excessive
exposure to sunlight, for example, can be a cause of skin cancer. Cigarette
smoking can be a cause of lung cancer. Certain occupations are also known to
involve a high cancer risk. Until last week it was generally believed that
between 1 percent and 5 percent of all cancer cases in the United States are
job-related. Those numbers have now undergone a startling escalation.
A study prepared by the National Cancer Institute and the National Insti
tute of Environmental Health Sciences has found statistical evidence of an
extraordinarily high incidence of cancer among workers exposed in the
course of their jobs to nine different substances. The incidences of cancer
among such workers ranged from 21 percent to 38 percent above normal
rates. The researchers now believe that, conservatively, at least 20 percent
of all cancers may be related to the work place.
The study has now been turned over to the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration, which anticipates proposing a comprehensive policy
on controlling carcinogens in the work place by the end of the year. Such a
policy can be expected to be complex, undoubtedly controversial and cer
tainly costly. But doing nothing or doing too little to protect workers from
job related cancers is infinitely more costly, as the latest federal study has
alarmingly indicated.
Los Angeles Times
Palestinian action
is misunderstood
By DAVID S. BRODER
WASHINGTON - There are, Ben Wat-
tenberg has been reminding friends re
cently, two basic techniques for bringing
about political change. You can change the
people in power. Or you can change those
people’s minds. The first requires an elec
tion where many of the “ins” are ousted.
The second can come about without such a
wholesale housecleaning.
This year looks very much like the sec
ond sort of year. There’s little to suggest a
massive repudiation of the Democratic
majorities in congress. But those Democ
rats are beginning to talk in very different
ways than they have in the past.
Wattenberg, the author-editor-
television personality-Democratic party
activist, is right when he says that in poli
tics, “rhetoric does affect reality.” And he
is correct also in noting that the last sev
eral months since the passage of Proposi
tion 13 in California have seen significant
shift in the rhetoric of the reigning Demo
crats.
The most striking instance of what Wat
tenberg is talking about involves his old
intra-party antagonist, Sen. George
McGovern (D-S.D.), a man Wattenberg
labored mightily to deny the 1972 presi
dential nomination.
When Proposition 13 was fresh and new
a few months ago, McGovern went before
the ADA convention and assailed it as a
body-blow to the struggle for social jus
tice. He said it was a kind of disguised
racism, a rejection of government respon
sibility for the needy.
The other day, I called him again, after
the defeat of fellow-liberals Donald M.
Fraser and Michael S. Dukakis by Propos
ition 13-style opponents in Democratic
senatorial and gubernatorial primaries in
traditionally liveral Minnesota and Mas
sachusetts.
“When two liberals go down in states
like that,” he said, “it cannot be ignored . . .
You have to say the danger to liberalism
When I asked him why he thought this
was happening, McGovern said: “Inflation
is really beginning to pinch, and since the
only part of it the voters can control is the
government, they lash out at the liberals
they associate with deficit spending.
“Personally,” he said, “I think that’s
misplaced blame, but it does put a special
burden on us. We are going to have to be
more cautious about federal outlays - not
abandon our commitment to full employ
ment and health insurance and the rest -
but both military and domestic spending
have to be scrutinized more closely.
“And we have to get out front on gov
ernment corruption, like this GSA (Gen
eral Services Administration) mess,”
McGovern said. “Maybe Congress is going
to have to spend more time on its over
sight (of the executive branch) and less
time unleashing new legislation.”
The 1972 nominee said he was putting
his new principle into practice in an area of
social policy he cherishes - nutrition pro
grams. “We’re not going to do much in
child nutrition next year,” he said. “We re'
going to spend our time monitoring the ex
isting programs and see if we can make
them work better. We’re just going to have
a moratorium on new legislation. The ac
tivist groups in the field support that
decision, as a pragmatic matter,
matter.
“I think we could do that in housing, as
well,” McGovern said, “just spend the
year looking at what we’ve been funding,
rather that adding to it.”
And then, most surprisingly, he said:
“I’m not sure in my own mind we ought to
move quickly on comprehensive health in
surance until we’ve looked more critically
at the health structure and see if we want
to fund it as it is.
“I was a little impatient with (President)
Carter for not moving more strenuously,
but I’m beginning to think he is right.
“I frankly am an out-and-out liveral,” he
said, “and I don’t back away from that
label. But I think liberals have a special
obligation to get the most from the prog
rams we’ve passed, and we haven’t done
that.”
As it happens, McGovern’s reading of
the implications of Proposition 13’s pas
sage and defeat of men like Fraser and
Dukakis is not much differ from that of
Carter’s own political strategists.
But in the White House, the recent
trend is viewed as a vindication - not a
repudiation - of the main themes of Car
ter’s 1976 campaign. “Anti-government,
anti-Washington, anti-big programs,” said
a senior Carter staffer the other day, “th
ose were the themes Carter was talking
two years ago. Those are the feelings he’s
trying to address by pushing down the
budget deficit and shaking up the bureac-
racy.”
If that was the essence of Carter’s mes
sage and appeal during the 1976
primaries, it was blurred in the general
election and in his first 18 months as Pres
ident, by his espousal of many of the
domestic welfare programs that have been
part of the traditional liberal agenda. The
Democratic Congress, for its part, has
kept pressure on Carter to do more - not
less - for domestic constituents.
But now, as Wattenberg suggests, a new
consensus appears to be emerging within
the Democratic party on a slowdown in
social legislation. McGovern’s “morator
ium” concept is the perfect comple
ment of the next Carter budget. It will
provide little or no room for growth in cur
rent programs during fiscal 1980. A Con
gress concentrating on oversight of exist
ing programs should have few problems
working harmoniously with a President in
terested primarily in reorganizing and re
ducing the bureaucracy.
Such a government might well be
exactly what most of the voters want. But
whether it can satisfy the interest groups
that have important influence in the
Democratic party is another - and far
tougher - question.
1978, The Washington Post Company
Editor:
It is regrettable that many people (in
cluding Robert Oler, author of “Some
Seek Peace and Some Destroy It”, Mon
day, Sept. 25) have made little attempt to
understand the Middle East situation.
It is not my intention to condone the
actions of the PLO, but to present the
other side of the coin.
The Palestinians have some very valid
grievances - unfortunately, for a large part
of the past 30 years (since the creation of
Israel) the only way to get public attention
for their cause was to commit an act of
violence. In countries all over the world,
many oppressed people have been forced
to take up armed struggle where innocents
may be involved (i.e. Nicaragua, Africa
and the early American revolution).
However much you and I detest vio
lence, it is a sad testimony to civilized
mankind that this is the means they must
sometimes take to acheive justice as they
conceive it. “Terrorism,” as you call it, is
oftentimes the only weapon the weak have
against the strong.
I assure you, Mr. Oler, that had the
Palestinians not been displaced, they
would not be out committing crimes as
you suggested. Their violence was born
out of frustration and suffering - something
most Americans will never know.
Most of us have never had our homes,
belongings, rights, priveleges and all the
protections afforded us by government
stripped away. Most of us have never been
homeless or hungry. Most of us have
never had to live in a refugee camp or have
that camp bombed in an Israeli air raid in
retaliation for the acts of two or three
people. None of us have lived 30 years
under such conditions, but it we had -
son can honestly say he would not turn to
hating?
To understand the Palestinian reaction
to Camp David let us use this analogy: For
the Palestinians, every inch of what is now
Israel is also their homeland (their houses
still stand as testimony throughout Israel).
It is as if someone had occupied your
house leaving you out in the cold for thirty
years and now offers you the garage (the
West Bank) to stay in - if you’ll share it
with the watch dog (the Israeli troops and
settlers to be stationed there for 5 years)!
Certainly you can see - this is the ultimate
insult! No wonder they reacted against it.
Something must be done to recognize
and alleviate the Palestinian situation be
fore there can ever be lasting peace. The
situation in the Middle East is not a cut an
dry issue. America is trying to be the
mediator between two extremes where
compromise is seen as a sell out by factions
on both sides. It is a very sticky situation
that will not be solved overnight or
perhaps in many years to come.
Readers Forum
I wish I could be hopeful and praise the
Camp David agreements - but unfortu
nately the crux of the matter has not yet
been touched. There is no simple answer.
Egypt may find peace on her end but no
one can ignore the growing numbers of
those in the Middle East who are dissatis
fied with the peace accords. It would
prove a very serious error not to, at least,
attempt to understand their positions.
The major problem to be overcome is
the intense hatreds built up all around the
area in a complicated situation where, as
in any war, all sides are stained with
blood. Mr. Oler, the solution definitely
does not lie in the name calling and trying
to place the blame - especially by the party
who wishes to bring peace - but through
understanding.
-Rosie Hassoun
Graduate Student
0 Cdfo
Th«.
Letters to the editor
MSC Video isn’t
‘boob tube rude’
Editor:
I am writing in response to Monday’s
(Sept. 18) article entitled “boob tube
rude.” Randy Hohalus, like many writers
to the editor, has written in about some
thing he knows nothing about.
First of all, there are many areas all
around the MSC and Rudder Tower to re
lax, but if the lounge is where you want to
sit, please do. If the video monitor was
“loud and noxious” it may also be too loud
for its maximum sound capacity. We
would appreciate you adjusting the vol
ume.
Second, moving the monitor out of the
lounge would be devastating to our view
ing population. The MSC lounge enjoys
the largest popularity out of four monitors
being used. Your suggestion of putting a
monitor in the snack bar area was acted on
two years ago. It has been there ever
since.
Third, polls are taken every day as to
the number of viewers watching MSC
video. Today at one particular hour there
were 25 people watching, all of who were
within the central part of the lounge. The
back and front sides did not seem to be
bothered. There were approximately 40
people in those areas.
To your happiness though, our commit
tee has been discussing locations of
monitors. Consideration of the main
lounge monitor in the MSC has been ex
tensive. The only suggestion so far though
has been moving the monitor to the back
corner by the windows of the lounge, this
idea has its drawbacks though. Also, we
have been thinking about putting a
monitor in the Health Center for people to
kill time by. If you Randy, or anyone else
has suggestions worth listening to, please
come forward, we would appreciate it.
I feel our programming is excellent and
full of variety for everyone. The programs
extend from week to week so that all view
ers can see them at their convenience.
Also, informative programming about
what the MSC Committees have coming
up is presented on MSC video. This
ranges from Aggie Cinema advertisements
to Political Forum’s upcoming debates and
speeches.
We are accepting membership for those
interested in getting involved with MSC
Video. Also, if anyone is interested in
helping with producing weekly program
based on events around the campus we
need people to interview, people to work
cameras, and people to help with schedul
ing. We will be glad to teach you.
-Carl Nielson, ’78
Director of Public Relations
Videotape Committee
‘Non-regs’ regular
Editor:
In response to J. Spencer Wendt’s letter
in the Tuesday (Sept. 26) Batt, I suggest
that Mr. Wendt look past the end of his
wet nose for the final and correct defini
tion of “non-reg.” Simply enough, non-reg
means “out-of-uniform or in civilian
clothes.” And before Mr. Wendt tries to
dress me in khaki, let me explain that I am
a non-reg. And so, while I may not have
Mr. Wendt’s wisdom of age that comes
with taking five plus years to get a four
year degree, I think it is safe to conclude
that the great fog of confusion surrounding
the term “non-reg” exists primarily in Mr.
Wendt’s narrow mind.
I would like to suggest that Mr. Wendt
might want to sit in on a few freshman
sociology classes before he leaves and
learn the true meaning of majority and
minority. According to my old sociology
prof (not an Ol’ Ag either), a majority is
given that distinction when it is in power
or control of a population, government, or
institution. Considering the impact of the
Corps in campus elections and other ac
tivities, the Corps and its supporters are
certainly the majority.
-Mark Kelley, ’77
Correction
A caption on the front page of
Tuesday’s Battalion incorrectly
stated that students may pick up
only six football tickets at one time.
For home games, each student may
still get 10 tickets. However, the
six-ticket limit does apply for out-
of-town games.
The Battalion regrets the error.
Top of the News
campus
Board installments due Friday
The second installment board payment for the 1978 fall semester is
due on or before Friday. The amount due is $162.25 for the 7-Day
Board Plan or $145.45 for the 5-Day Board Plan. Pay now either at
the Fiscal Office, Richard Coke Building, or the Cashier’s Office in
the main lobby of the Rudder Center to avoid penalty.
Woodall to speak at A&M Club
Col. James R. Woodall is scheduled to speak at the Brazos County
A&M Club meeting today. Woodall, commandant of cadets and pro
fessor military science at Texas A&M, will report on Corps of Cadets
program. The dinner meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Wyatt
Cafeteria in Bryan. Reservations must be made by telephoning 845-
7514. Ed Davis, club president, said the club’s nine scholarship reci
pients will also be guests.
Clubs must renew recognition
All Student organizations have until Saturday to renew their rec
ognition for the 1978-79 school year. Signature cards for this purpose
may be picked up in the Student Finance Center, room 217 MSC,
from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Organizaitons may not transact business until
recognition is renewed. Information obtained from the cards is used
for mailout of recognized student organizations to area merchants, to
refer prospective members to the organization and to send out invita
tions to student presidents for the annual student leader coffee, Oct.
7.
STATE
Solons cant hold other paid jobs
A state legislator may not hold a position at a state university even
if he takes unpaid leave of absence during his service in the Legisla
ture, Attorney General John Hill ruled Tuesday. E.D. Walker, pres
ident of the University of Texas System said the director of minority
affairs at a state university had won the Democratic nomination fora
seat in the Texas House and is unopposed in the general election.
Walker asked if the man could be given an unpaid leave of absence
that would assure he could return to the job at the same salary when
his service in the Legislature ended. Hill said a person’s occupation
which assures him of a salaried status at a definite future date consti
tutes a position of profit. A provision of state constitution prohibits
legislators from holding any other office or state or federal position of
profit.
S.W. Bell loses anti-trust
Mitchell Energy & Development Corp. and Central Telephoned
Utility Inc. have been granted $55 million in anti-trust damages from
Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. by a federal jury. A Bell spokes
man said Monday the utility will will ask U.S. District Judge John V.
Singleton to set aside Friday’s jury award. Mitchell and Central
charged in a lawsuit filed in 1973 that Bell unlawfully interfered with
competition by refusing Bell system tie-ins for their system in The
Woodlands, a planned community develped by Mitchell 25 miles
north of Houston. Ken Brasel, a Bell spokesman, said that under
federal law. Bell was not obligated to interconnect a competing
system within Bell’s service area unless so ordered by the Federal
Communications Commission. He said no such order had been issued.
NATION
NTSB probes Monday jet crash
A 58-member team from the National Transportation and Safety
Board began the task of trying to find the cause of the in-flight colli
sion Monday between a Pacific Southwest Airlines jetliner loaded
with passengers and a crew of seven and a single engine Cessna 172
with flight instructor and student pilot aboard. The pilots of both
aircraft had been alerted their planes were flying in the same air
space and acknowledged they had each other in sight minutes before
the crash, federal authorities said. The jetliner making its final ap
proach to Lindbergh Field, San Diego, Calif., collided with the small
plane over the quiet residential district of North Park, raining bodies
and debris to the ground and setting more than a dozen homes ab
laze. The death toll stands at 151, including 13 people on the ground.
WORLD
‘Kif causes floods in S.E. Asia
Tropical storm Kit Monday swept toward Southeast Asia already
battered by floods that have killed more than 100 persons and dam
aged millions of acres of crops. Kit churned west over the Gulf of
Tonkin at 12 mph dumping heavy rains in its movement over the
South China sea toward the coast of Vietnam. Vietnam, Laos, Cam
bodia and Thailand have already reported heavy new flooding from
the storm, the third in a series of floods this year in Southeast Asia.
WEATHER
Mostly cloudy with mild temperature and chances of show
ers and thundershowers throughout tomorrow. High today
and tomorrow near 80s and low today in the low 60s. Light
variable wind. Probability of rain 50% today, 30% tonight and
30% tomorrow.
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MEMBER
Texas Press Association
Southwest Journalism Congress
Editor Kim Tyson
Managing Editor Liz Newlin
Assistant Managing Editor . .Karen R
Sports Editor David B(
City Editor Jamie Aitken
Campus Editor Andy Williams
News Editors Carolyn Blossei,
Debbie Parsons
Editorial Director . .Lee Roy Leschper,]i
Staff Writers Mark Patterson,
Scott Pendleton, Sean
Petty, Michelle Scudder,
Marilyn Faulkenberry
Cartoonist Doug Graham
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, sell-
supporting enterprise operated by students
as a university and community newspaper.
Editorial policy is determined by the editor.