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Viewpoint The Battalion Texas A&M University Monday November 13, 1978 Can Kahn do it? There was justice in the airlines’ week-long wait outside the Civil Aeronautics Board for anyone who’s ever been an airline passenger — even if they’ve never flown standby. The cause of the queue was the airline deregulation bill signed by Presi dent Carter. It opened up hundreds of air routes to markets not being served, and let the commercial carriers claim them on a first-come, first- served basis. The government expects, and so do we, that the new rules will improve air service for cities, including Memphis; ease entry into the airline business and bolster regional airlines, and lower air fares by strengthening competition. Overseeing the CAB operation was Alfred Kahn, the same man the Presi dent has put in charge of his new anti-inflation program. As chairman of the Council on Wage and Price Stability, Kahn will be responsible for monitor ing all the major businesses and industries and unions in the country and for seeing to it that they adhere to the voluntary wage-price guideposts the President set out. That’s a major task, and it deserves support, especially when the other choices are government controls or an inflation-induced recession. But we hope Kahn has learned his logistics before he takes over his new job. If corporate and labor giants have to line up to prove they’ve conformed with the standards, they may not be so willing to stand behind Carter’s plan to beat down inflation. The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Term.) Carter’s new goals need new help By DAVID S. BRODER WASHINGTON — With the election , past and the new Congress two months : away from assembling. President Carter , and his administration colleagues have — ' for the first time in two years — a kind of ' breathing space in which they can assess | vhere they are and where they are going. It is an important time for the President .ind for the country. The pace of lecision-making will be less frenetic than ' t was two years ago, in the transition jeriod from his own election to his inaugu ration. But the decisions will be at least as 1 ignificant in shaping the future of his gov- -minent and his 1980 political prospects. 1 The budget Carter submits this January vill be in effect until a month before elec- ion day. The legislative program he i hapes in the next 60 days will define the lomestic agenda for the 1979 and 1980 longressional sessions. If he is able to negotiate to the final erms of a strategic arms agreement with he Soviet Union between now and the nd of the year, the SALT treaty will be the focus of the next great foreign policy debate. If he cannot, the consequences will be felt in defense budgets for the re mainder of his administration. Similarly, with the Middle East talks. An Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty seems almost assured — something no one would have supposed possible when Carter took office. But it is still uncertain whether that agreement will be the first step toward a comprehensive Middle Eastern settle ment, or a barrier to its accomplishment. Most of all, the period ahead is impor tant in the struggle to save the dollar, stem inflation and set the domestic economy on a course which, if possible, sustains growth and, at least, avoids a severe and prolonged recession. That is no small order. But it is not so intimidating a task as Jimmy Carter faced two years ago, when he set out to con struct a government and give it leadership after a shaky election victory. His skills have developed in the period of apprenticeship, and the priorities for him are perhaps clearer now than they were two years ago. They can be sum marized in three words which he used re peatedly in his own campaign: stability, compassion and competence. The first two years of the Carter admin istration have seen significant step toward the stabilization of the international order. The United States has avoided several temptations for unwise intervention. It has helped significantly in the Middle East negotiations. And it has played a generally constructive role in Africa, the Far East and Latin America. The Soviet-U.S. equa tion is unsettled, but not unpromising. The same cannot be said about the man agement of the economy. It has been a period of severe disruption at home and abroad, and Carter’s economic policies have not contributed to confidence building in either arena. The frequent, sudden swerves in policy indicate the President’s own dissatisfaction with the record. Stabilizing the economy must be his first priority. But that process is inevitably going to be painful. And given the power balance in this country and abroad, the probability is that the people who will be squeezed hardest will be those who are least able to protect themselves — the citizens of the poor nations of the world and the families on the margins of the American economy. The new Congress will be at least re sponsive to the pressures of the middle- class and affluent as the old one was. So Carter will have more challenges to prove his compassion by protecting the power less than he did in the last two years. All this will provide a real test of his administration’s political competence. The President does not like criticism of his ap pointees, whether it comes from inside or outside the White House. But the fact is that some of them have plainly been found wanting — mediocre or worse. He will never have a better opportunity than the next two months afford to look around the White House, the Executive Office Building and the departments and ask his own question: Why not the best? (c) 1978, The Washington Post The playboy of the Third World By DICK WEST WASHINGTON — It is reported that a isitor from Pakistan recently topped off a in evening at a Dallas disco by leaving a lillion dollar check as a tip — only to stop ayment on it later. I have no idea what caused his change of eart. Details on how he felt the next lorning or whether he had a wife to reck- n with were unavailable. Humor Potentially, however, the incident has he makings of a sequel to Dorothy ’arker’s classic short story “You Were Per- ‘ctly Fine.’ Let us see if we can imagine .he scene the morning after: | A plush hotel suite. Our hero awakens j nd starts trying to get his bearings. His i louth tastes like a dromedary’s saddle iJanket. All of his teeth are sheathed in ttle furry golf club covers. Eventually, after enough blood has rained from his eyes to restore limited ision, he perceives his wife seated at the scritoire. She is writing to her attorney. “Hoo, boy,” he croaks. “What a party! | )r did I work out with the Dallas Cowboys etters to the Editor and get trampled c#i the head by Too Tall ; Jones?” “It was a party all right,” comes the tight-lipped reply. “I was afr aid of that, ” he moans. “I re member going shopping at Neiman- Marcus and buying a rack of furs, and I seem to recall insisting on dropping by a disco. But after that it gets a little fuzzy. I hope I didn’t do anything I might regret.” Icily: “No, dear, you were perfectly fine. I’m sure the other customers didn’t mind a bit.” “The other customers? Mind? Did I get belligerent with the people at the next table or something?” Frostily: “To the contrary. You were perfectly cordial. You insisted on buying everyone in the house $75-a-bottle cham pagne. ” He rocks back and forth with his head in his hands. “Jeepers. That must have cost a bundle. Was that as I was leaving?” Frigidly: “No. That was before the dance contest.” “I’m almost afraid to ask, but did I have anything to do with the contest?” Chillingly: “Nothing to speak of beyond demanding that the club change its policy against dance contests. When the manager intervened, nobody could blame you for Z3£!3I7I getting up and starting to stalk out.” T have a strange feeling that I unfortu nately didn’t make it past the door. Did I bump into something? Coldly: “You walked perfectly fine. You could have made it easily if that waitress had not run after you and promised to ar range a contest if you came back. ” “I see. After going to that much trouble, I sure hope I enjoyed it.” Glacially: “You must have. You gave the two winners checks for $500,000 each.” He weakly drops his head back on the pillow. “Did I remember to tip the wait ress?” Soviet’s remarks anti-Semitic ditor: The Great Issues committee of the MSC to be congratulated for bringing to the mpus Thursday night (Nov. 9) a debate i the timely topic of human rights in the nited States and in the Soviet Union, le evening was very informative and, ith the exception I will address, con- icted at a high level of civility and intel- pt. Mr. Melor Sturua, our Soviet guest, ayed into some troubling territory. In swer to a question about the right of -viet Jews to emigrate, he noted that ry few Soviet Jews who emigrated to Is- pl stayed there. Instead, they moved on the United States and western Euro- an countries in search of “affluence.” In arguing, Mr. Sturua in a very subtle ;y bought into a stereotype of Jews lose fringes are anti-Semitic. His intention seemed to be to bait the iience. This intention became clearer en, in the next breath, he went on to that American Jews are really not in- ested in Israel. They stay here, make ney, and send money “not blood” to lel. To this remark there was short, but husiastic applause. >0 again the old stereotypes rear their ids and behind them rears the uglier id of anti-Semitism. It is distressing •ugh that Mr. Sturua would stoop to h tactics; more disturbing still is the m response his shady remarks elicited. :i-Semitism is among the ugliest and St dangerous of all forms of hatred. Its itence in an institution of higher'learn- is a blight. — Laurence B. McCullough, Ph.D. apartment of Humanities in Medicine Department of Philosophy Gay facts distorted Editor: Although “Today’s Student” is consid ered a journalistic joke by a great many enlightened Aggies, the libellous state ments appearing in it occasionally reach such damaging proportions that a recital of facts becomes necessary. As students concerned with the humanistic as well as the journalistic as pects of literature distributed on our cam pus, we wish to offer in rebuttal one of the best documented and most recent studies on homosexuality. The following information is drawn from “Homosexuality: A Study of Human Di versity” by Allan P. Bell and Martin S. Weinberg (Simon and Schuster, 1978) which reports on a detailed investigation by the Institute of Sex Research founded by Alfred C. Kinsey. — Homosexuals appear, on the whole, to be as psychologically well-adjusted as heterosexuals. — Homosexual men and women tend to have more good, close friends than do heterosexuals, and among those close friends; heterosexuals are included. — Homosexuals do not indulge in sex ual violence, rape, or seduction as fre quently as heterosexuals do. — Homosexual males are not as likely to make objectional sexual advances as are heterosexual males. — Homosexuals are neither more nor less sexually active than are heterosexuals. — It is not true that a majority of homosexuals spend a good part of their lives cruising in search of sexual contacts. — “We do not do justice to people’s sexual orientation when we refer to it by a singular noun.” There are “homosexualities” as there are “heterosexualities,” each involving differ ent, interrelated dimensions. We have quoted extensively from a re view Ashley Montague, (Psychology To day, August 1978). It is hoped that con cerned individuals will seek out the Kin sey studies and inform themselves on this very crucial social issue. — D. Valois, 78 R. Wheeler, ’81 L. Heemer, ’80 Editor s note: This letter was accom panied by 23 other signatures. Time for awards Editor: This is the third semester that I’ve read letters to the editor. I think it’s time that I contributed. I would like to congratulate Mohamad Abilmona in his reply letter of Nov. 9 to Diane Blake’s article (“Lebanese, Arab students disagree on war“). Surely, Miss Blake, you must realize what great friends of ours the Arabs are. After all, who else would sell us oil at such reasonable prices, demonstrate against their government in our country and sup port such happy-go-lucky fraternities as the PLO! Friends like them ... In reply to W.T. Decker’s letter of Nov. 9, I would like to say this: Obviously the author of the note you quoted did not see the literally dozens of parking places in the girl’s lot behind Keathley Hall. I see them every time I walk back after parking my car across the tracks. Inci- dently, I’ve never been attacked by all of those mad Aggie rapists I hear so much about. Perhaps you’d be happier if the women took all the on-campus parking and we men could find some nice place in Navasota. And finally, and in complete sincerity, I would like to praise Kyle Scarborough, ’78, for his wonderful letter concerning repulsive things. Mr. S. you deserve the Letter of the Semester Award (if one existed). I salute you sir. Also George R. Gagnon’s letter on Texas highways de serves Honorable Mention. Yes, Virginia, Aggies do have a sense of humor. — Ron Bucchi, ’81 Correction In Friday’s Battalion (Nov. 10) it was incorrectly reported that the Houston Cougars were put on NCAA probation for recruiting violations involving player Danny Davis. The Cougars were placed on pro bation for violations involving Dar rell Shepard, not Davis. They have since been taken off probation but are still restricted from appearing on television until after the 1978 sea- Top of the News CAMPUS Zukerman concert canceled The Pinchas Zukerman concert scheduled for Tuesday has been canceled. Zukerman canceled his concert due to an illness in his family. Refunds for individual ticket holders will be made in in Rud der Box Office. Season ticket holders will be offered another show in place of the Zukerman concert. Rudder Box Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Architecture work on display Fourteen faculty architects are showing some of their recent work in an exhibit this month at the Langford Architecture Gallery at Texas A&M University. The exhibit includes photographs of commercial architecture, residences, restorations and interiors. The exhibit is free and open to the public through the end of November. Langford Architecture Center Gallery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Small fire in Krueger Hall A clothes dryer located in the first floor of Krueger Hall caught fire Sunday afternoon. The fire was contained until the College Station Fire Department arrived. No damage other than to the clothes in the dryer was reported. Fire officials said they are not sure how the fire started. STATE Ridgley called to testify Defense lawyers plan to question FBI photographer George Ridgley, the only witness during the trial of T. Cullen Davis to testify he saw meetings between the defendant and an informant whose murder-for-hire allegations resulted in Davis’ arrest. Ridgley testified Friday he photographed Davis in Fort Worth Aug. 18 and 20 on a restaurant parking lot where prosecutors claim Davis slipped FBI informant David McCrory $25,000 to pay for the slaying of a divorce court judge. Judge Joe H. Eidson, 60, was not harmed and helped authorities plan a staged photograph to persuade Davis that the judge had been slain. NATION Willie Nelson in trouble with IRS Country and western singer Willie Nelson is at odds with the Internal Revenue Service and has had a $71,991.75 tax lien filed against his 83-acre mountain estate west of Denver. IRS officials said the lien was placed on the property last week as a result of Nelson’s alleged failure to pay withholding taxes during the fourth quarter of 1977 and the second quarter of this year. The lien said Nelson failed to pay $22,282.80 on July 24 and $49,708.95 on Sept. 11 in employ ment taxes, which are withheld for employees’ income tax and Social Security payments. Hotel collapses, burying 3 men A hotel being prepared for demolition in Tulsa, Okla., collapsed prematurely Saturday, burying three workers beneath tons of rubble. Emergency crews attempted to contact the workers while rescuers worked to remove the steel beams and shattered concrete covering them. The workers were in the basement of the 19-story building when it fell. The condition of the men was unknown. Ford may face major car recalls The Federal Trade Commission is being asked by the govern ment’s Consumer Protection Agency to order Ford Motor Co. to disclose alleged defects involving 1.8 million cars made from 1974 to 1978. The Bureau of Consumer Protection alleged there are defects in the engine camshafts and rocker arms of the Pinto, Mustang, Bob cat and Capri models that could cause engine failure as early as the first 200 miles of use. Protest letter sent to Carter A number of prominent Soviet artists, including prima ballerina Maya Plisetskaya, sent a telegram to President Carter last week on behalf of a singer arrested for trespassing during a civil protest in Minnesota. Dean Reed, an American-born singer popular in the Soviet Union and East Germany, went on trial Thursday in Buffalo, Minn., on charges of trespassing during a protest at a power line construction site. Reed lives in East Germany. WORLD Setback in shah’s negotiations The shah’s efforts to negotiate an end to the worst civil strife in Iran in 15 years have received a setback with a key leader of the opposition vowing to fight against the regime. Karim Sanjabi, leader of the broad-based opposition alliance of five political parties, said, “We will continue our struggle,” adding the National Front was “not prepared to form a provisional government or participate in a coalition.” San jabi wants the shah’s abdication and seeks to return Iran to strict Islamic rule. WEATHER Cloudy with a 20% chance of rain. High today 80 and low tonight mid 60’s. Winds will be South Easterly at 10-15 mph. Outlook for the week will be 30% chance of rain Tuesday and turning cooler towards the weekend. The Battalion LETTERS POLICY MEMBER Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and are Texas Press Association subject to beinfi cut to that length or less if lonf'er. The Southwest Journalism Congress stuff reserves the ri K ht to edit such letters and does Editor Kim TvSOn not guarantee to publish any letter. Each letter must be _ _ # m i* sinned, shine the address of the writer and list a telephone Managing Editor Liz Newlin number for verification. Assistant Managing Editor .Andy Williams Address correspondence to Utters to the Editor. The Sports Editor David Boegan Battaluni, Room 216, Reed McDonald Buildinfi. CttHefie ., ,. ,._ , station. Texas 77843. City Editor Jamie Aitken Represented nationally by National Educational Adver- Campus Editor Steve Lee tising Services, Inc., New York City, Chicago and Los News Editors Debbie Parsons, Angeles. Beth Calhoun The Battalion is published Monday through Friday from Staff Writers Karen Rogers, Mark September through May except during exam and holidas Patterson, Scott Pendleton, periods and the summer, when it is published on Tuesday „ . .. through Thursday. 8ean Petty, Michelle Scudder, Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per semester; $33.25 per Diane Blake, Lee Roy Leschper school year; $35.00 per full year. Advertising rates furnished Jr., Dillard Stone on request. Address: The Battalion, Room 216, Reed Cartoonist Doilg Graham McDonald Building, College Station, Texas 77843. United Press International is entitled exclusively to the ® P CrS * * * * * LunnillS, use for reproduction of all news dispatches credited to it. Lynn Blanco Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein reserved. FOCUS Section editor Gary Welch Second-Class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843. 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 operated by students as a university and community Editorial policy is determined by the editor.