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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 9, 1979)
Viewpoint The Battalion Texas A&M University Friday February 9, 1979 T>otv t fence m tVie grass for $25,000 Twenty-five thousand dollars for a hedge. That’s the proposal now before this University for hedges to surround the Memorial Student Center grass — to keep people from walking on it. But a wise group of Texas A&M students say this is ridiculous. And they ask for signatures to force a stu dent referendum. The Texas A&M student senate voted last week to memorialize the grass and erect a hedge. At the meeting, Wayne Monison, vice president for finance in student government, justified the hedge by naming other University expenses whose purposes are just as elusive: the brick wall around campus ($1 mil lion) and replanting the grounds each season (several thousands). Dismayed by the senate’s decision, the group of students has a petition in the MSC to force a student referendum on the matter. They approve of memorializing the grass, but they object to spending $25,000 on a hedge. The money, they say, could serve better purposes. As of Thursday night, the petition carried about 1,600 of the needed 2,900 signatures (10 percent of the student body). And today appears to be the deadline. The proposal is absurd, and more students should have a voice in asking for $25,000 in taxes for a hedge. Go sign it. — K.T. The above map was handed out at the student government meeting to illustrate what areas surround ing the Memorial Student Center should be hedged to prevent people from walking on the grass. Old Teng Hsiao By DICK WEST WASHINGTON — Nothing is so calcu lated to strike terror into the hearts of commuters as the dread cry -— “THE TRACTORS ARE COMING!” Suburbanites leaving for work clasp their spouses as though in last embrace. Little children quail at their parents’ knees. Dogs whine and birds hush their singing. This is not to suggest that the American Agriculture Movement “tractorcade” here this week was an alien force. America had farmers long before it had commuters, suburbanites, bureaucrats or even jour nalists. But when you take them out of context — i.e., plunk them and their mighty machines down in the middle of rush hour traffic — they are almost like visitors from abother'T'planet. I’ve been thinking what a pity it was that the farm demonstration wasn’t timed to coincide with last week’s visit by Chinese Vice Premier Teng Hsiao-ping. It proba bly would have been the highlight of Teng’s visit, even surpassing his appear ance on the same stage with the Harlem Globetrotters. Humor In rural China, it is reported, they still till the soil with hoe and flail. So you can imagine how impressed Teng might have been by a close encounter with rural American vehicles. I can see it all now: Teng is en route from the White House to the Capitol. In the limousine with him are Ambassador Woodcock and a Chinese interpreter. Slouch By Jim Earle “WHAT IS ALL THIS FUSS ABOUT CLOSING TH’ LIBRARY DOORS TO THRU TRAFFIC? WE CAN STILL GO OVER IT!” Reflections Rev up Boston, Aggies Last fall. Town Hall brought the At lanta Rhythm Section to G. Rollie White, and the results were disastrous. The audience stayed quiet, polite and seated the entire evening. The only people that got on their feet were the ones heading for the exits complaining that it was too loud. The band was ob viously upset, and didn’t put on its best show. A rock concert is a two-way street — a good band will rev up an audience, and a good audience will rev up a band. Bands draw a lot of inspiration and encouragement from a vocal audience. Polite clapping does not count. Sunday night, we Aggies have a chance to redeem ourselves. One of the hottest, most popular bands in the world is coming to humble ol’ Texas A&M. When Boston takes the stage, it will be the audience, to a large extent, that will determine just how good a night it will be. Members of the audience have a re sponsibility; we can’t just sit back and say, “Entertain me. I dare you.” We must show up with some expectations of having a good time. Bring comfortable shoes, ‘cause you’re going to spend a lot of time on your feet. Rock concerts are supposed to be 1 ’ U,i’. scream and shout and stomp and yell, you’re just not going to have a good time. We must remember that this concert is being held in a state institution, so don’t tear things up or trash G. Rollie out. You can still be vocal and have a good time without being destructive. If you bought tickets because it would impress your date and don’t really care about the concert, don’t go. There are lots of people that do care and didn’t get tickets, so sell them yours. If you’re not prepared to stand up and yell and be rowdy and have an incredibly good time, don’t go; you’ll be like a wet blanket to everyone else. About the noise, sure it’s going to be loud. It wouldn’t be a rock concert if it wasn’t loud. If the noise bothers you, put cotton in your ears. Seriously, it will take some of the shrill edge off the music without distorting it too much. There seems to be a kind of group psychology working here. People who would be on their feet at the Summit or the Superdrum sit on their hands here, and it’s not apparent why. Don’t be inhibited, Aggies, enjoy yourselves! Show up prepared to have a helluva good time, and you will. See ping had a “Hoo, boy!” Teng exclaims, or the Chinese equivalent thereof. “Get a load of those enormous tanks and mobile missile launchers. Ask the ambassador if they are conventional weapons or whether they have nuclear capability.” Interpreter: “The ambassador says they are agriculture machines.” Teng cups a hand behind his ear. “Something must have gotten lost in trans lation. I was asking what kind of warheads those things fire.” Interpreter: “The ambassador insists they are farm vehicles.” That’s a hot one,” Teng snorts. “What kind of crops do they grow in the middle of downtown Washington?” Interpreter: “I have conveyed your interest in agronomy to the ambassador and he‘asks me to inform you that the Letters to the Editor Taps brings Editor: To everyone that came to Tuesday’s Silver Taps for my friend Rich Gaines, thank-you. It’s good to know that so many Aggies care about other Aggies, even though we don’t all know each other. —Richard Westlake, ’78 Allemande here Editor: This letter is in response to Jason Doughty’s letter in Monday’s (Feb. 5) Bat talion. If you are interested in getting more in volved with square dancing, Aggie Al- lemanders square dancers’ club has some thing to offer. On Monday evenings, be ginning at 7:00, on the second floor of the Memorial Student Center. Lessons are of fered by caller Glen Green. Monday, Feb. 12, is the last chance to start lessons this semester. It is true that square dancers are not “country hicks,” but are people of a wide range of majors and interests. Square dancing is a challenge and an enjoyment. Come on out Monday night and join us. —Kathy Conn, ’80 A&M honor ignored Editor: I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Bob Williams (Feb. 1 Battalion) when he points out that women have as yet made no place for themselves in the Corps. I was saying that very same thing to the girls at the garden club just the other day. Just what do those “Waggies” think they’re going to prove? Are they actually trying to compete against men? They should be at home making quilts of something. Okay, so that kind of attitude may be a bit archaic in this day and age, but unfor tunately I believe it is still held dear to the heart of more than one in this university, and that is why I said that the “Waggies” have a place in the Corps. Obviously it isn’t because they don’t have a moral and legal right as Aggies to belong to any organization that this uni versity has to offer, which by the way in cludes the Texas Aggie Band, the Ross Volunteers and Parsons’ Mounted Cavalry. It’s not that they don’t have a right to be greeted with the respect granted other upperclassmen of the Corps of Cadets, which by the way goes together with the privilege of wearing senior boots. It’s not that they don’t have a right to these things, it’s simply that these things are denied be- farm farmers are here to petition the govern ment for higher prices.” “Just my luck,” Teng grumbles. “My first trip to the United States and I get caught in a revolution.” Interpreter: “I am told to assure you that it is a peaceful demonstration that has been authorized by the government.” Teng nods knowingly. “That’s what we used to say during our revolution. We told everybody our troops were agrarian re formers. If it’s non-violent, why are the cops using tear gas and billyclubs?” Interpreter: “The ambassador says it was a traffic violation. The tractors were blocking an intersection.” Teng rolls his eyes skeptically. “I think I’ve just been hit by a manure spreader,” A&M close cause they are women, and some obscure tradition dictates that as women they should be barred from certain activities. Far be it from me to question the rul ings of “tradition,” but isn’t a sense of honor and fair play also a custom here at Texas A&M? It seems strange to me that one word can have so many different meanings, and of how many times it can be used as an excuse for prejudice and narrow mindedness. Perhaps we should all work toward a more concise definition. We are all aware that Texas A&M is and has always been a military school, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it also has to be an elitist school where certain options are reserved for a select few I thought we were above that sort of thing. Apparently not. Aggie women in boots? I certainly hope I do live to see the day. —Catherine Gauldin, ’80 Evolution hy faith Editor: There are a few things that Michael Con- foy seems to be confused about. He obvi ously does not understand the definition of theory, apparently does not know the meaning of fact, and probably did not care fully read the letter he was so quick to rebute. His broad generalizations about Darwin, Leakey, and Galileo make me wonder how much about them he really understands. From the sound of his dogma, I would diagnose him as one of the many other trusting students who enthusiastically ac cept anything taught in a school, as “scien tific fact.” (I call that faith.) I have analyzed much of the evolutionary theory on my own, and have found much of it lacking in substance. Though it is a very good theory, there are weaknesses in it that are not often exposed. I will by no means be so bold as to classify evolution as false, but I will classify anyone who blindly accepts it, as one who lives by faith. —Ed Haynes, ’80 Readers’ Forum Guest viewpoints, in addition to Letters to the Editor, are welcome. All pieces submitted to Readers’ forum should be: • Typed triple space • Limited to 60 characters per line • Limited to 100 lines Top of the News STATE Henley murder trial to be moved DEADLl today. SWIM T1 Arizor Elmer Wayne Henley’s new trial will not be in Bexar County. Tlif defense and prosecution agreed Thursday on a change of venue kt did not say where the new trial would be. Henley was givenalile sentence by a San Antonio jury for six of 27 Houston mass murden but the conviction was thrown out by an appeals court in December District Court judge steps down 'OLLEI match start a House aggie c District Judge Stanley Kirk resigned his office in Wichita Thursday, saying he decided a year ago he wanted to spend moii time with his family. A complaint has been filed against hinifoi judicial misconduct in the Texas Supreme Court. MIDNIG two br closes Redfo (PG) PLACE N for the NATION Taiwan called safe from China President Carter’s nominee to be the new ambassador to China, Leonard Woodcock, said Thursday that China doesn’t have “theml tary capability to cross 100 miles of water and seize Taiwan. He said if they began preparations for such an invasion, our intelligence could tell us about it three to five years before they were ready. Woodcock former president of the United Auto Workers, was testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Watergate conspirator in debt G. Gordon Liddy, out of prison after serving 52 and one-hal months for conviction as a Watergate conspirator, is up to hisearsin debt. The White House denied his request to waive a $40,000 crimi nal fine. Liddy also owes $300,000 to defense attorneys and $100,dS in back taxes. Liddy, whose refusal to talk caused his prison sentence and fines to be the harshest of all Watergate figures, said Wednesday he felt he’d been treated unfairly. ler co: Rober Rudde views Austin Indus Cards Marat Santa terns, Utiliti BASE Ml James TUDEf set Hi BASKET IYMNA and T ; G. Rc FENNIS at Bri ITT case dropped for secrets The federal government Thursday dropped its perjury case against former International Telephone and Telegraph Corp. official Robert Berrellez. It was because of a judge’s refusal to grant a blanket order protecting national security secrets during the trial. The charge bad been brought in connection with attempts by the CIA and ITT to influence the 1970 presidential election in Chile. 'AMU I ! will b | at 2 p jSWTM 1 I Arizo AGGIE I Redfc to pu Theal Schools fight refund regulation MIDNK Redfc and 5 BASEM singe A group of vocational schools will try to overturn a federal regula tion requiring them to refund partial tuition for students who drop out. The Federal Trade Commission says the regulation was passed when some students defaulted on government loans after dropping out of trade school after finding they’d been lured by false promisesol better jobs. The vocational schools say they will have to increase their tuition rates to comply with the regulation. 800,000 Fords still not fixed J0GGE pete High limiti The owners of 800,000 badly designed and potentially dangerous Ford Pintos and Mercury Bobcats have not responded to notices from Ford Motor Co. to come in and have their cars modified. Ford has been embroiled in numerous law suits stemming from at least 25 deaths caused by the poor design. Fuel tanks on cars made from 1971 to 1976 easily explode and burst into flames when hit from the rear Modification requires placement of protective shields around the tank. WORLD UDE prgai p.m. TOWN 7:30 AGGIE plays have ter.(! roz< SCO 1 Cold front may end Brazil floods lant Authorities hope a cold front that moved through Brazil Thursday will end 42 consecutive days of torrential rains that have killed 7ffl ipse of people and left 350,000 homeless. Brazil has literally been cutinhal an open by rampaging rivers that swept away 130 bridges and flooded 3,472 | e thav miles of highways. News reports are calling the floods the worst inped Brazil’s history. ‘He w: Uni SAN a: Sadat agrees to resume talks Egyptian President Anwar Sadat Thursday accepted an invitatioi from President Carter for resumption of Israeli-Egyptian peace treat) negotiations in the United States later this month. A U.S. spokesman said the exact location and date of the new round will be announced in Washington. He would not say whether the talks will be held Washington or Camp David. okesma lerifFs E g to tha’ taminer’ fingeri An aut< rmine ci Worker neratin ednesd imped 1 tain from WEATHER jWe ha father. ’ in on (t irkman Fair skies with mild afternoons. High today 52 low tonight 30 Low this morning 21°. Winds are northerly at 15-25 mph Outlook for Sunday through Tuesday will be fair skies and no chance of rain. A cold front will be moving into the area on Monday. The Battalion: LETTERS POLICY Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 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 Ki® Managing Editor . . Liiti Assistant Managing Editor Andy" Sports Editor David City Editor Scott Campus Editor ; Ste vf News Editors Debbie P 1 Beth Calhoun Staff Writers Karen Rogers ■ Patterson, Sean Petty, • Blake, Dillard Stone. Bragg, Lyle Lovett Cartoonist DougU Photo Editor Lee Roy Lescb Photographer Lynn B Focus section editor Gan '" 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-pri supporting enterprise operated by as a university and community newsf Editorial policy is determined by tht