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Viewpoint The Battalion Monday Texas A&M University November 27, 1978 Worldly promises As all voters know — or at least should know — politicians are the same the world over and their word is definitely not their bond. Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky provides the classic example by his performance during the recent referendum in his country on whether or not a newly constructed $530 million nuclear power plant should be put into operation. Anti-nuclear forces — including Kreisky’s son — in Austria mounted an all-out campaign to have the voters scrap the facility and apparently convinced the electorate they were right. A 50.5 percent majority of the voters supported them. Chancellor Kreisky was in the forefront of those wanting the nuclear plant opened. He even went so far as promising — repeatedly — to resign if the issue failed. Well, it failed, and in true political fashion Chancellor Kreisky had second thoughts about making good on his pledge to chuck it in. He told reporters that thousands of people had pleaded with him by telephone and mail to stay on the job. There is a lesson here for everyone in America whose favorite candidate came through with flying colors. No matter what he told you he would do for you prior to the election don’t be too disappointed when he doesn’t deliver. He probably has five or 10 very good explanations — which you will hear before the next election — as to how changing conditions prevented him from keeping his promise. The Wheeling (W.Va.) Intelligencer Presidential image By HELEN THOMAS UPI White House Reporter WASHINGTON — “Reports of the presi dent’s death are exaggerated. So are re ports of his resurrection.’’ So says presidential assistant Gerald Rafshoon, the Georgia advertising man brought to the White House to repair the president’s image when Carter’s popular ity polls took a nose dive. “There never was a sense of panic around him that people were going to hell,” Rafshoon said in an interview. “He took on so many controversial subjects, so many difficult choices. ” “I never believed Jimmy Carter was not competent,” he added. “He was never that down. From Rafshoon s standpoint, that may be true. But other observers wondered, as Carter neared the halfway mark of his term, whether he was up to the job. No thing was going his way last summer, and his top aides began to display their frustra tion. The president had let Cabinet members do his own thing and to pick their own staffs. Rafshoon found it was necessary to teach them some of the team plays. Washington Window There also was a job to be done on Car ter himself. He began spending more time on speeches and throwing away the pre pared texts. He also began to display more confidence. “He’s more sure of things,” Rafshoon said. But he adds, “Any peanut farmer who runs for governor of Georgia, and then says he is going to run for the presi dency, does not lack confidence.” On the personal side. Carter is the first to concede he has learned a lot in a job that he enjoys. But he has been astounded at the difficulty of the decision making and the multiple choices he has for some of the toughest problems in the world. While aides like Rafshoon believe that he has no confidence problem, neverthe less, Carter’s constant reiteration of such statements as “I do not intend to lose” and “I intend to win” often evoke an impres sion that he is trying to convince himself. In his manner of operation as president, he “suffers fools badly,” says Rafshoon. But as a boss, he goes out of his way “not to embarrass you.” Nevertheless, staffers are well aware when he is angry. “He fixes those blue eyes on you.” Rafshoon said there never was a time when Carter “was not in command.” But he believes that during those low points. Carter had a severe communica tions problem. “We were not getting our message across,” he said. “We needed to have more substance and style. We’re doing a lietter job now as a whole team.” Most observers pinpoint Carter’s rise in popularity to the Camp David summit ac cords, a major foreign policy victory for him, which pulled him out of a long slump. Carter, at the first lady’s urging, began to institute a series of informal dinners with media executives to try to get to know them better, and vice versa. The most common question about Car ter is, "What is he really like?” According to Rafshoon, he is a “complex man” but people are looking “for too many hidden meanings.” As for re-election plans, Rafshoon said, “I hope he will. He hasn’t told me any thing.” E. German communism eroded by capitalist goods Getters to the Editor Bonfire s everyone’s duty By HEINZ MURMAN BONN, WEST GERMANY — A form of “creeping capitalism” is overtaking Communist East Germus citizens there, armed with valuable Western currencies, flock to special stores that specialize in consumer goods produced here and in other countries. The West German mark has in fact be come the second currency of East Ger many, and it is not only being used by people there to buy imported merchan- / 'disc, but it is also the only money that can obtain services of various kinds. This peculiar situation is creating a di lemma for East Germany’s Communist au thorities. On the one hand, they want hard currencies so that they can purchase Western technology to fulfill their eco nomic plans. At the same time, though, they are worried that the consumer explo sion may undermine their socialist objec tives. The outlets for Western products in East Germany are some 100 so-called In tershops, which were originally set up to provide foreigners with imported goods ranging from cigarettes and whisky to elec trical appliance and automobile acces sories. These goods were available only to foreign holders of West German marks, American dollars and other solid curren cies. But agreements signed a few years ago between West and East Germany called for the movement of people between the two countries. This led to an influx of hard currency into East Germany, either be cause of West Germans visiting there or East Germans traveling to the West. The East German taste for Western consumer goods escalated after that, as the Communist regime allowed its citizens to watch West German television, which fea tures commercials advertising the latest in capitalist items. The pressure it built up prompted the regime to permit all East Germans with hard currency to patronize the Intershops, whose current turnover is estimated to run to the equivalent of $40 million per year. The rush to acquire hard currency that could be spent on Western consumer goods has also made it difficult in East Germany to hire a plumber or electrician except in exchange for West German marks. Even prostitutes in East Berlin have begun to insist on West German money. The East German Communist leader, Erich Honecker, indicated last year that the number of new Intershops would be curtailed. There have also been some hints that East Germans might be required to register their Western currkes at govern ment banks, which would then issue them coupons as a way of controlling their con sumer expenditures. So far, though, these measures have not been carried out. Instead, the Communists have opened their own consumer stores, whicn sell Western goods for East German marks. The weakness in this system, however, is that these specialty stores cannot compete with the Intershops because of the weak ness of the East German mark. For example, a bottle of Scotch sells for 80 East German marks in a domestic cur rency store, but only 13 West German marks at an Intershop. Similarly, a pack age of Western cigarettes at an Intershop costs only one-quarter as much as it does in East German currency. A complaint coming from East Germans is that they cannot afford the high prices of imported commodities available in their own money. Another gripe is that the system has spawned two kinds of privileged classes - those who have the hard currency to buy at the Intershops and those, like Communist officials, who are rich enough to patronize the other specialty stores. The success of the Intershops has been a boon to West German and other foreign manufacturers, who are taking advantage of the growing East German market and its ability to pay in hard currency. Levi Strauss, for instance, sells more jeans to East Germany than to any other Com munist country, primarily through the Intershop network. Inevitably, merchandise bought at the Intershops for hard currencies is resold for East German marks. This was disclosed not long ago, when it was found that East German plumbers were purchasing chrome bathroom fixtures made in West Germany and retailing them at a profit in local marks. The only fixtures made in East Germany are plastic. On occasion, too, quality East German exports have been shipped back to East Germany for sale in the Intershops. This was discovered in the recent case of bath room scales, which were being sold more cheaply for West German marks in their place of origin than they would have cost in East German currency. The East German population is of course aware of these anomalies, which have led to some criticism of the Com munist regime. The regime, meanwhile, recognizes that it is caught in a contradic tion between it for hard currency and its dedication to socialist principles. But with all this, one thing is clear. The consumer revolution is stronger than the proletarian revolution in East Germany, and that phenomenon is also taking place to some degree or another in every Com munist society. (Murmann writes on economic issues for the Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger, the West German daily published in Cologne.) Editor: This is to all the bonfire buffs who ha ven’t seen the stacks yet. Yes, Ags, it’s bonfire time again and has been for some time. Did you know it? Have you even been by to look from afar? What you’ll see is a skeleton of a stack and a lot of undone work. If you venture a little closer you’ll see the living dead who reside there. There is a comparatively small group of people on this campus who are building a 30,000 people bonfire. They work day and night to show your burning desire to beat t.u. Their academics and personal health thrown out the back door to keep the Aggie tradition of spirit alive and un scorned. I’m speaking of the Corps of Cadets. It’s not fair that they should be expected to give so much to you and me. So I ask: Where are the scoffers of the khaki clad? Where are the “real” representatives of A&M? Where are the “he-men” of Aggie- land who abound in word only? I know there are groups from most dorms who put in time in the cutting area and on the stacks. I’m proud of you. Where are your friends? Don’t get me wrong. I love non-regs be cause I’m one too, and I don’t believe there’s a person alive who doesn’t value himself. So don’t think I’m ridiculing you as a group. I’m ridiculing you as individu als. If you’ve got tests or homework, that’s fine, stay home. However, when you’re through for the day, go work. If you feel redneck and want to stay up all night, go work it off on the stacks. Instead of sleep ing until noon put on your boots and pitch in. Then it can truly be your bonfire. Don’t sit there over that cold brew, glowing with Aggie “spirits” and say “Yep, we’re going to have a beautiful bonfire this year. They’re out there building it now.” You’re liable to get the bottom of some worker’s foot. Get to work, Ags, or one year soon, the bonfire will be canceled for lack of interest. Will it be your senior year? —Jeanne M. Delony, ’80 Save Alaska now Editor: The immense herds of buffalo were dev astated and nothing was done to stop it; The passenger pigeon was wiped from the face of the earth and nothing was done to stop it; Whole forests were cut to the last tree and nothing was done to stop it; Now the last great American wilderness is threatened with destruction — but we can do something to stop it! If the president of the United States does not act by Dec. 18 to provide protec tion for wilderness Alaska, these lands will be subject to an explosive development which will deprive future generations of Americans of their most beautiful wilder ness heritage. Because time is so short and the need for support is so great, I ask that you in form your readers of the urgent need for letter to President Carter urging that: All of Alaska’s National Interest Lands be given the strongest and most perma nent executive protection — as national monuments under the Antiquities Act of 1906 (Grand Canyon, Death Valley and the Grand Tetons National Parks were origi nally established under this authority). Lands that should be included in this pro tection should be: — All Senate Bill S1500 wilderness pro posals in southeast Alaska including Misty Fjords and Admiralty Island — The Alaska Peninsula — an impor tant brown bear habitat — The Iliamus area — Alaska’s out standing fishery — Wild and scenic river located outside for parks and refuges — The proposed additions to the exist ing Katmai and Glacier Bay Monuments. I thank you most sincerely for your time and attention. —Dick Brown P.O. Box 102 Ysilanti, Mich. 48197 No Archie Bunker Editor: I have just read Ms. Laurei Mitchell’s letter in the Batt, accusing me of “Archie Bunker-ism” for my earlier letter concern ing homosexuals and “Today’s Student.” I feel she has read some things into my let ter which I did not intentionally write into it. For instance, I did not mean to equate homosexuals and Iranians in any other capacity than that they are two groups that have their own respective beefs with “To day’s Student.” (I could have added atheists to the list, come to think of it.) She also accused me of name-calling, when in feet I did nothing of the sort. The only terms I used to describe any person(s) or groups were “homosexuals,” “gay” and “Iranians,” the first and last being the proper terms, and “gay” being the term preferred by the homosexuals. Had I been name-calling, I would have used “queers,” “fairies,” and “camel- jocks.” Quite a difference there. She describes “Today’s Student” as being “farcical,” “opinionated,” and “propaganda.” I have seen nothing in it that appeared farcical. Its facts are very well documented. Opinionated? Certainly, anyone who holds a firm opinion must be opinionated. Someone who is not opinionated just can’t make up his mind. Propaganda? Of course, any expression of one’s opinions or beliefs in an attempt to convince others is propaganda. Any news editorial, any political speech, and any advertisement contain prop aganda. A sign that says “Beat t.u.” is an excellent example of propaganda. Using the terms “farcical,” “opinion ated,” and “propaganda” in reference to “Today’s Student” was Ms. Mitchell’s own attempt at name-calling. She showed her self to be very opinionated against that publication. And her letter sure contained a lot of propaganda. Was it farcical? You decide. —Paul A. Hughes, ’80 Top of the News CAMPUS Library materials due Friday r Graduating seniors and other students who plan to graduate I semester are reminded that all library materials which are charged out to them must be returned to the Sterling C. Evans Library onor before Friday. Art prints, charged out at the beginning of the f semester, are also due at the Evans Library by Friday. A&M freshman s bond $1,500 Derek Johnson, a freshman majoring in Environmental Design at Texas A&M University, was still being held Sunday in lieu of $1,500 bond on two counts of exercizing control over stolen property. Johnson was arrested Wednesday morning and charged before Jus tice of the Peace Mike Calliham. He is accused of having two stolen street signs in his possession. Bond of $750 was set for each count. Speech about world bicycle trip Lloyd Sumner will give a speech today at Texas A&M University on his bicycle trip around the world. The combination lecture-slide show, sponsored by the Outdoor Recreation Committee, the Brazos Valley Sierra Club and the A&M Wheelmen, will be at 7:30 p.m.in the Memorial Student Center Room 206. LOCAL On 1 the i i at Parade applications available Applications have been received for club participation in the an nual Christman Parade for Bryan-College Station and surrounding areas on Dec. 5. Each participating group may be able to win cash awards. Pick up further information in Room 221, Memorial Student Center, or call 845-1134. STATE Conoco officer funeral today Ui FORT the Fa speak |at lega Ights A dest tnily tr; Rep. ( ened tl which red cyi thou rmed ii Andrew W. Tarkington, 67, former president and chief executive officer of Continental Oil Co., died Friday night after a lengthy ill ness. Tarkington, who lived in Lakeway, was bom and raised in Taylor and graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1932. Tarkington is survived by his wife, the former Sally McLaughlin of Dallas; four sons, two daughters and a grandson. Funeral services ate scheduled at 2 p.m. today at Lakeway Church. The u wmake ticks dit |uses an Jim ence to an 900 their b Smothe Christian board director dies Dr. Donald M. Anthony, 48,director of the Texas Baptist Christian Education Coordinating Board, died Friday following a long illness. Anthony directed the coordinating board which administers a $9 mil lion budget in support of Baptist schools in Texas. He was active for years in religious and civic affairs. Funeral services were scheduled at 10:30 a.m. today at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Dallas. Anthony lived in DeSoto, and is survived by his wife, Bobbie, and two children. Bird's November death appealed Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell has issued a stay of execution for a Texas inmate, preventing state prison officials from injecting a deadly substance this month into Alton Von Bird. The stay of execu tion was issued Friday on behalf of Von Bird, who was scheduledfor execution next Thursday at the state prison in Huntsville. Ron Taylor, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Corrections, said Bird would remain on death row until the appeals process was exhausted. The appeals process could take several years. ns, inc nendm fhlafly, rally veral t essed, Calling the un differe r child 'Somel id, “wl iainst m ig to tl py- Schlafb RA, re< ms whe re be ag attemp find rati! Femin femininit; Jsynonyi Ron move NATION Lending rates up a half percent Citibank, the nation’s second largest bank, Friday raised its prime lending rate for business borrowers to 11.5 percent from 11 percent, I effective immediately. Citibank said it was adhering strictly to itsj formula in the unusual 0.5 percentage move, the second jump of that 1 size this month for the trendsetting bank. Citibank’s formula calls for 1 a prime rate 1.25 percentage points above the rate for 90-day com-l mercial paper on a three-week moving average. Other major banb were expected to follow suit. Playboy in trouble again [ A Pakistani playboy with a reputation for lavishing fortunes i disco dancers — and then stopping payment on the checks — was | free on bond today after running afoul of the law over a $174 hotel bill. Masoud Khan was charged Friday in Atlanta with theft of serv ices and released on $500 bond. He was arrested again a few hours j later when he returned to the lobby of the Omni hotel and threatened i to buy the hotel and burn it down, police said. Khan was freed r second time late Friday night on $1,100 bond on charges of disorderly conduct and criminal trespass. Evidence may reopen King case Former Pentagon strategist Daniel Ellsberg said a chance conver sation he had last year with an aide to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young could prompt a new trial in the Dr. Martin Luther King case. Ellsberg, in Colorado to be tried for trespassingat the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant, said Brady Tyson told him the House Assassinations Committee chairman said a band of off-duty and retired FBI agents killed King. Tyson has denied making the statements. The Battalion LETTERS POLICY MEMBER Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and are Texas Press Association subject to being cut to that length or less if lunger. The Southwest Journalism Congress editorial staff reserves the right to edit such letters and does Editor Kim J not guarantee to publish any letter. Each letter must be . ’ ’ ’ V ‘ t 1 \4 signed, show the address of the writer and list a telephone Managing Lultor . HI number for verification. 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