^,v,"" 1 i :'
Viewpoint
The Battalion Thursday
Texas A&M University February 1, 1979
Reflections
Time for action — now
The “Waggies.”
Letters have poured in regularly to the Battalion office since one
woman cadet complained about their lack of representation in many* of the
Corps of Cadets’ special units. Since then a lot has been written in the
letters section of The Battalion, both pro and con, on the “Waggies” and
the situation they face as members of the Corps.
LAST SEMESTER I received a phone call — a call that gave me a view
of the kind of enemy the women in the Corps are facing.
My call came at 2:30 a.m., a time when you’d think a caller should
expect anything but a decent reply. The caller said there was something
going on at the Bonfire site, a number of people were upset and I ought to
see what was happening.
Curious, I decided to go.
It was freezing outside; the Bonfire site was alive with crews working on
last touches of the fire built each year to represent all Aggies’ “burning
spirit.” This seemed rather ironic to me later.
From the Bonfire stack I heard someone call down, “Go home Wag
gies, get out of here.”
A group of about 20 “Waggies” were upset, sitting on a log in protest.
Why were they so upset?
It seems they’d cut a log for Bonfire to go on the stack just like other
Corps units cut to specially represent them on the fire. But those in
charge of the Bonfire had refused to put the women’s log up. They said it
didn’t belong on the stack.
INSIGNIFICANT, you might say. Why should anyone get so upset
about a log?
It’s because it represented the real enemy of the women in the Corps
— the attitude “you don’t belong.”
From the comments I heard that night and since, it’s a very frustrating
feeling when you try to do your part, join in and have people refuse to
recognize your right to be there.
This frustration stems from acts like finding an obscene note on your
door, having to guard your dormitory against pig manure attacks, hearing
rude remarks when you pass to go to dinner, or passing lowerclassmen
who refuse to recognize you as one of their Corps peers.
BUT THIS REJECTION is nothing new — it’s happened long before
the “Melanie Zentgraf letter” stirred a number of readers to come out for or
against “Waggies” or their membership in certain Corps organizations.
The question Zentgraf raised was treatment of the women in the Corps.
Should “Waggies have to take this attitude — be excluded?
She asked why they weren’t allowed in the Aggie Band, Ross Volun
teers and Parson’s Mounted Cavalry — all showpieces of the Texas A&M
Corps of Cadets.
The Band is housed together and says it can’t accommodate them; RVs
are selected from previous members who haven’t chosen to include a
“Waggie;” the Cavalry is supposedly modeled after the traditional
cavalry, yet officials say they don’t exclude other minorities not in the
original cavalry.
Some say “If you don’t like it, just get out. ”
SO WHAT’S IT going to take to make things right with the “Waggies”
— to make them happy? Some women in the Corps say they don’t care to
join these Corps organizations, they just want to be treated like human
beings.
... Others say they just want aiair (jaanpe to he^partofsome of the more
prestrguous Corps units. .
The Corps staff .says'changes. wiH just take £ime;p „ >
Well it’s been five years now, and “Waggies” are still putting up with
this brand of treatment.
A special Corps committee including women has been organized re
cently by the University administration to study their problems. How
ever, the effectiveness of this group has yet to be seen. This committee
should make decisions before the university must take the matter into its
own hands.
Is it going to take a lawsuit much like the one that let women into the
school to settle it?
The women have heard enough talk — they deserve some action.
NEW FOUNDATION
•”HEY,IL1KE1T...
K1NDA CATCHY...
HOW DIPYOU
COME UP WITH
THAT ONE?
Letters to the Editor
Slouch
by Jim Earle
Iti
“BUT HOW DO WE KEEP THEM FROM CLIMBING ON TOP AND
WALKING ON THE GRASS?”
Teng’s visit to U.S.
take it sweet or sour
By DAVID S. BRODER
WASHINGTON — As anyone who has
met him can testify, Chinese Vice Premier
Teng Hsiao-ping is a politician whose per
sonality easily transcends the barriers of
language and nationality. For that very
reason, his visit here this week is both a
prize and a problem for President Carter.
Teng is a tiny man who easily dominates
a roomful of people two heads taller.
Whether joking about his non-stop smok
ing habits (Joe Califano, beware!) or dis
coursing on the Soviet danger, he is a
compelling figure.
An American who knows him well com
pares him to Richard J. Daley. Like the
late mayor of Chicago, Teng is a master of
his own bureaucracy and a man whose
instinct for the use of power is so clear that
it exerts a gravitational pull on anyone
who comep into his orbit.
He has impressed virtually every
American who has seen him in Peking,
and it is absolutely predictable that he will
have that effect on the American public
during his visit this week.
In that sense, he really is a prize for
Carter’s diplomacy. Simply by being the
direct, powerful — and recognizably polit
ical — man he is, Teng will put flesh and
blood into the abstract concept of “nor
malization.”
And unless all the advance signals are
wrong, Teng’s comments on the Taiwan
question will tend to reassure those critics
of “normalization” who fear an imminent
Communist move to annex or subjugate
the island. His visit should help, not hin
der, acceptance of Carter’s decision.
Why, then, does one have to say there is
also an element of danger for Carter in
Teng’s visit? Because there is a fierce ten
dency in both the American press and
public to romanticize or glamorize a new
figure — and what he represents -— into
something he and it cannot really be.
Specifically, there is a danger of con
verting Teng into the ruler of a powerful,
friendly country, with whom the United
States can build a beautiful future. That
notion is wrong — probably dangerously
wrong.
First of all, Teng is not the ruler of
China. He is the current dominant figure
in the intricate court politics of Peking, a
shrewd survivor who has, for now, man
aged to outwit both his nominal superior.
Chairman Hua Kuo-feng, and the Maoist
ideologues who are an important part of
the party cadres. But he is 74 years old,
and he is in a frantic race to produce
enough tangible results from his pragmatic
program of economic development to se
cure his own position and strengthen his
allies’ prospects for succession.
Second, while China is obviously a great
power in terms of population, it is, in most
other respects, a backward nation, struggl
ing still to feed itself and desperately short
of the capital it needs for modernization.
There are important inherent limits on the
role it can play in the next two decades in
either the world balance of power or the
commerce and diplomacy of the United
States.
Third, while there are important areas
of common interest between the United
States and China — : in both the economic
and political realms — there are also clear
areas of divergence.
Obviously, Chinese communism does
not meet the standards of internal freedom
by which Carter has chosen to classify the
nations of the world. More pertinent, the
Chinese view of the international order is
not one the United States wishes to — or
can afford to — adopt.
Chinese doctrine holds that war is in
evitable between the Soviet Union and
America. Peking’s interest is not to pre
vent that confrontation, but only to see
that the United States is heavily enough
armed not to lose too easily.
The Chinese view as darkly as any die
hard Cold Warrior the prospects of de
tente or arms agreements between the
United States and Russia.
Because the Soviets have a paranoia
about China as great as China’s about the
Soviet Union, it is imperative that the
hospitality for Teng be expressed by Car
ter and his associates in ways that make it
clear that the United States is not accept
ing Teng’s view of great-power relations.
Indeed, without being inhospitable.
Carter and Co. must make it plain that our
relations with China are not — and cannot
be — of the same degree of importance as
our relations with the Soviet Union.
That is tricky business, especially when
Teng’s personality and the media magnifi
cation will conspire to make this the most
sensational foreign visit to America in
many a year.
(c) 1979, The Washington Post Company
Creationists’ theory
should be taught
Editor:
As shown in last Thursday night’s de
bate, creationists have stopped pounding
the pulpit and started synthesizing the sci
ences. As a result, the theory of creation is
now a scientifically viable, academically
equitable theory which should be taught
in the classroom.
For those who are concerned about the
separation of church and state as it relates
to freedom of thought and religion, I has
ten to point out that such will not be at
tained UNTIL the creation theory is
taught in the classroom.
What freedom is there when a system of
administrators prejudicially excludes one
of two philosophically and academically
acceptable world views from the class
room? A person’s choice of religion is pre
dicated by the world view he or she ac
cepts, yet no choice has been offered or
even acknowledged in the classroom. In
stead of a choice, students have been fed a
naturalistic world view which claims that
time, chance, and matter are the sole
components of our universe. This has re
sulted in an intimidating, discriminatory
situation which actively discourages belief
in a supernaturalistic world view.
According to the ruling in the Scopes
monkey trial, any view of recognizable
academic merit has the right to contend
for acceptance in the classroom’s “arena of
truth.” The creation theory has academic
merit. Textbooks, teacher’s euides and
other sources of materia; yUnei« teach both.
theories on a comparative and non
religious basis are readily available.
To continue to exclude the creation
theory from the classroom would not only
violate the ruling handed down in the
Scopes trial, it would also constitute a
most hypocritical departure from scholastic
ethics.
Freedom of thought and religion may be
elusive goals, but we will make no further
progress toward achieving these goals
until both theories are given an equal
chance in the classroom and the students
are left with the decision about which to
believe.
Anyone who wishes to discuss this mat
ter may contact me at 845-3897.
— Fallon Foster, ’80
Good days, and bad
Editor:
This letter is aimed at the person who
took my billfold from my warm-up suit in
the locker room at the pool Tuesday night.
This is the second semester for me to be an
Aggie, and during that time I have had
nothing but good experiences with the
school, faculty and most of all the student
body.
Until I crossed “your” path, that is.
Even a person such as you cannot blemish
a school as great as Texas A&M.
By the way, the reason you found no
money is because of the fact that I am
broke. I cannot replace the I.D. card, the
credit cards are canceled, and you also got
phone numbers of friends that are invalu
able to me. Please be compassionate
enough to return it to either the in
tramural office or the Memorial Student
Center desk.
—Todd Hill, graduate student
No place for "Wags'
Editor:
This note is directed towards Mr. Brock
and the other four CTs who feel the same
way he does. No matter how one looks at
it, the Waggies have no place in the
Corps. Sure, women are important assets
to the military and definitely have a place
(which includes respect), so why can’t they
simply attend school here and wear their
uniforms whenever going to military
classes?
Don’t get me wrong, women are proba
bly the best thing that ever happened to
the University and definitely nothing bet
ter has happened to mankind, but there
are some places where they absolutely do
not belong.
After all, I seriously doubt I would be
totally welcome in a garden club or a quilt
circle. Call me a male chauvinist or what
you will, but I feel women are to be
treated with respect and gentleness and
shouldn’t want to compete with men, try
to dress like men, and “act” like men.
What are the Waggies trying to prove?
Sure, they’ve shown eveyone they can
take it, but when they secretly cry because
of abuse (I hope some of them still do)
shouldn’t they throw in the towel and try
to see the message behind it all?
A Waggie in tfie Cavalry, in tbe Aggie
Band, the Ross Volunteers?
I sincerely hope I don’t live to see sucb
disasters.
Texas A&M is a military school, but ul
timately an institution of tradition where
Wags have no place. Waggies in boots?
No.
Girls in Fowler? Yes.
—Bob Williams, ’81
Questions, anyone?
Have a question about University
policies or procedures? The Battal
ion has a reader’s letter section to
give students more access to the
newspaper and the University. Ad
dress questions to “Talk with Dr.
Miller,” The Battalion, 216 Reed
McDonald. Names and phone
numbers are required on all ques
tions and President Miller has the
option to decline to answer a ques
tion or request others on the staff or
faculty to answer it.
Top of the
LOCAL
Brazos assistant DA hired
District Attorney Travis Bryan III announced Wednesday that Jim
W. James, 24, has been hired as the new assistant district attorney of
Brazos County. James has just received his law degree from the
University of Texas in Austin. James will be sworn in and start work
on Thursday.
VfSC CUE
Peterson
on “Mar
fAMU sn<
MSC. E
STATE
Farmers march to Austin
Saying they can’t afford tractors to drive to Washington, 10 mem
bers of the Texas Farm Workers Union continued a 43-day march to
Austin from Lubbock in hopes of dramatizing their desire for collec
tive bargaining rights. The marches are protesting the failure pf the
last Legislature to pass the Agriculture Labor Relations Act, which
would have granted such rights. The group began its fifth day in a
10-degree early-morning chill.
water si
Tower. I
jHILOSOI
> New Yoi
a t4 p.m
METHOD!
a study c
rpESHM^
Zachry I
INS asked to delay deportation
Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, D-Texas, said Wednesday he has asked the
Immigration and Naturalization Service commissioner in Washington
to delay deportation proceeding against 553 Mennonite immigrants
who seek permanent residence in Texas. Two Mennonite colonies
emigrated to West Texas in February 1977, one from Manitoba,
Canada, seeking cheap land, and another from Cuauhtemoc, Mexico,
fleeing religious persecution and threatened land expropriation. The
Mennonites used tourist cards to enter the country but assumed a
$2.6 million investment in land and farm machinery would qualify
them for permanent status.
NATION
Farmers head to Washington
Three thousand farmers, wanting a voice in farm policy, headed
from Columbus, Ohio, toward Washington Wednesday in their CB-
equipped tractors decorated with American flags and protest signs.
The 25-mile-long tractorcade is sponsored by the American Agricul
ture Movement. The farmers hope to arrive in Washington this
weekend and meet President Carter, but they do not have an ap
pointment with him. Kansas farmer Lyle Davidson said farmers are
asking for 90 percent parity.
N.Y. City seeks federal aid again
New York City re-entered the public money market Tuesday —
the first time since the fiscally troublesome days of March 1975.
However, Treasury Secretary W. Michael Blumenthal is pessimistic
about the city’s receiving federal aid it is seeking to close its budget
gap. Comptroller Harrison Goldin formally closed the $125 million
offering of city notes, the first successful sale of city securities in the
public credit markets in nearly four years. The notes will pay inves
tors 8 percent on June 29.
[0ADRUP
will be c
iationai
Amoco <
field trip
7:30 p.rr
fENNIS: 1
in Beam
EPHEID
ter Matl
Rudder
PASEMEIS
begin to
SWIM TEi
versity c
Stocktor
JASKETB.
homa in
fENNIS: ’
Beau mo
kCGIE Cl
InspecU
ring Pet
will be :
iflDNIGE
Shaw, A
recruits
Rudder
BASEMEP
perform
IASKETB
G. Roll
Texas S
IM TE
gon at F
here at
MNAS r
Virginia shipbuilders picketed
SWTS l
TENNIS:
in Beau
An estimated 1,000 boisterous but orderly striking steelworkers
Wednesday picketed outside the Newport News Shipbuilding Co. in
Virginia. USWA Local 8888 President Wayne Crosby said he feels
the strike is a success. “We re keeping the people out and we re doing
it peacefully, ” he said of the walkout. The strike was staged to pres
sure Virginia’s biggest private employer to recognize the steelwor
kers as the bargaining agent for 15,500 blue collar workers. The
management of the shipyard company has refused to bargain with the
steelworkers.
AGGIE Cl
garet M
ters of 1
in Rud<
WORLD
Jal
Italian premier resigns
Italian Premier Guilio Andreotti submitted his minority Christian
Democratic government s resignation to President Sandro Pertini
Wednesday, saying it was unable to continue without support from the
powerful Communists. Andreotti turned in his cabinet’s resignation
to Pertini at the presidential Quirinale Palace after an emergency
cabinet meeting. The Communists with 1.8 million members, the
largest Marxist party in the West, pulled out of the government’s
parliamentary majority Friday, making the Androetti government
resignation inevitable.
United
NEW YOF
ys Cheerl
Btlnesday
strict Com
! showing
)hie film w
x-Dallas cc
Iran's army kills more protestors
Army units loyal to the shah staged a massive show of strength in
Tehran Wednesday on the eve of the return from exile of the Ayatol
lah Ruhollah Khomeini, architect of the year-old protests that forced
the monarch to leave the country two weeks ago. Two more protes
ters were killed and at least 24 others wounded by troops of the
imperial bodyguard armed with a formidable array of tanks, armored
personnel carriers, automatic weapons, mortars, recoilless rifles and
anti-tank guns. Prime Minister Shahpour Bakhtiar — the man Kho
meini scorned and threatened to oust upon his return — again
warned in a radio interview that he would resist any move to topple
his government.
WEATHER
The Dalla
re Inc., a s
iwboys Fc
aiming th
m, “Debb
e it “irn
The suit
“cer, Schc
■town, sc
ere said to
Cloudy with a chance of rain Thursday. High Thursday upper
40s. Low early Friday upper 30s.
The Battalion
LETTERS POLICY
Letters to the editor should not exceed 3(X) 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 published on Tuesday
through Thursday.
Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per semester; $33.25 per
school year; $35.00 per full year. Advertising rates furnished
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
Managing Editor .Liz
Assistant Managing Editor AndyWi*
Sports Editor ....... .DavidBo#
City Editor Scott Peix^
Campus Editor .Steve^
News Editors . . . Debbie Par^
Beth Calhoun
Staff Writers Karen Rogers, V-
Patterson, Sean Petty, D* 1
Blake, Dillard Stone. &
Bragg, Lyle Lovett. r
Cartoonist . .DougGraf
Photo Editor Lee Roy Lesctipe
Photographer Lynn Bla
Focus section editor . . . . .,€ary\'fr~
. ■ -
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,
supporting enterprise operated by stu
as a university and community
Editorial policy is determined hy thi’eilitf.
ii!i
VI