Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 26, 1979)
Viewpoint The Battalion Monday Texas A&M University February 26, 1979 Erosion of confidence Energy shortage — only takes being right once Once again they’re crying Schlesinger at the Department of Energy. This time the secretary is warning that if Iranian oil production is not back at full capacity by spring, the country is in for an energy crunch. Secretary Schlesinger says he will decide whether to allocate oil, shorten gas station hours or impose other mandatory controls to offset the loss of Iranian production. Unfortunately for the country, Schlesinger has gone to the dire predic tion well once too often. Even a concise analysis of his backtracking, overstatements and common variety mistakes would occupy most of the space allocated to this editorial. Simply put, America has lost faith in its Energy secretary. His seeming inability to efficiently manage his own department’s showcase project, the oil storage depot in Louisiana, colors the country’s opinion of his perform ance in other areas The irony is that he may be on target this time. The country does need Iranian oil. Its loss will put both the United States and equally dependent Israel in an energy bind. But Schlesinger’s credibility is so low that little may be done before the situation is critical. Which is where the secretary has us at a disadvantage. Chicken Little only has to be right once. The Dallas Morning News British are a ‘long and suffering race’ By DAVID S. BRODER WASHINGTON — Although he is a product of one of the most disciplined edu cational institutions and career specialities in contemporary America, Jimmy Carter is not much for laying down the law to others. A high degree of personal tolerance is built into his personality, which is probably part of his political appeal. During his campaign for the presidency. Carter managed skillfully to suggest that his personal adherence to a set of old- fashioned religious and moral beliefs (which millions of Americans found reas suring) did not incline him to impose those standards on others (for which those other millions were also grateful.) He took pains to show that the internal discipline he has acquired at the U. S. Naval Academy and in the submarine service under the hard- Commentary nosed Adm. Rickover had not deprived him of his enjoyment of all kinds of diver sions horn softball to social dancing. While his efforts to walk the line be tween probity and priggishness sometimes lapsed into the awkwardness of the Playboy interview, Carter as President managed for the most part to suggest a rather relaxed attitude toward the tribulations of life. Whether it was the escapades of some of his aides or the vagaries of Congress, he tended — at least in public — to suggest his disapproval with a gesture no more empha tic than a shrug. He perceived that voters had become fond of the live-and-let-live style of Jerry Ford, after suffering through the policy hammerlocks of such hard-driving Presi dents as Lyndon Johnson and Richard Ni xon. So Carter gave them smiles and strolls and soft talk, and bragged about how he was deregulating this and lightening the bur den of that. But now the world is closing in fast on Jimmy Carter, and he will either have to prove himself a tougher President than he has been — or he will find himself not President again. Last fall, for the first time, the rigors of inflations forced him smack Congress across the nose for its excesses in military and public works spending. Last week, it was learned, he told his no-longer-cute little brother Billy to keep his antics off the air; he advised his trustee Charles Kirbo to sell the family business that has been, from the instant he was elected, a potential conflict of interest; and he told his senior aides to keep their policy to themselves once he has decided where his administration is going. It was an overdue show of strength by a President who has been more celebrated for being amiable and accommodating than for being effective. But it is not enough — not nearly enough. On every side, the evidence is mounting that voluntary measures and if-you-please requests are not getting the job done. The volunteer system is not supplying the number of recruits any of the armed serv ices need; voluntary restraints are not cut ting energy waste; and voluntary guidelines are not breaking the ruinous in flationary psychology. What is worse, the nasties in the world are getting the dangerous notion that the United States is easy picking. They saw Carter halt the carrier task force he had first ordered from the Pacific to the Persian Gulf. They saw the Marine security guards hold fire when a mob stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. And they saw the U.S. ambassador kidnapped and gunned down in Afghanistan. It is not chauvinism, but sheer realism, at this point to say that there is an overrid ing necessity to halt the rapid erosion of confidence in U. S. leadership at home and abroad. It is time for the United States to show the flag and Carter to show some backbone. For the first time in a long time, people in this capital are reading and quoting Machiavelli on the duty of a ruler to avoid “those things which will make him hated and despised.’ Carter is in no danger of being hated, but he must avoid being “ren dered despicable by being thought change able, frivolous, effeminate, timid and ir resolute.’’ He must, Machiavelli’s voice says across the centuries, “so contrive that his actions show grandeur, spirit, gravity and for titude. And as to the governing of his sub jects, let his sentence be irrevocable, and let him adhere to his decisions so that no one may think of deceiveng or cozening him.” That advice cannot be improved. (c) 1979, The Washington Post Company by THOMAS DAVIDSON Thomas Davidson is the 80-year-old grandfather of senior journalism major Colin Crombie. Davidson lives in the Scot tish coastal toivn of Leven and in a recent letter wrote his grandson of the state of affairs in Great Britain — of the weather and of the national wage dispute that is presently being settled. Excerpts from his letter follow. Reader s Forum “And now the home news — The weather — simply atrocious, hellish. Brit ain has been and is still suffering the worst Name that chorus Editor: The newly formed women’s vocal music group has no name. Yes, believe it — a chorus with no name. This letter is a plea to all those good Ags out there to help out a few (37) women by thinking of a great name for our group. If we use your suggestion to name our group, we ll help you out with a $25 check. Bring your suggestions by the vocal music room number 003 in the Memorial Student Center basment before March 1. If you have any questions call the music office at 845-6942. Thanks to everyone who participates. —Mary Jane Jackson Editor’s note: this letter was accom panied by 21 other signatures. weather for years and years. Arctic condi tions prevail from Lands End to Caithness Point. Oh dear! If winter comes, can Spring be far behind! Christmas day seen (sic) us snowed up to the eyebrows, and New Year’s Day was exactly the same. In fact I tell you that I was so browned-off that we went to bed on New Year’s Eve at 11 o’clock and that on Ne’er- day I didn’t even have a drink. It wasn’t until Jan. 2nd when I had a dram ... Well I have told you about the awful weather we are having, but when I mention the industrial unrest now prevailing I can only say — bloody wicked and inhuman. Antisocial. Strikes at one time was (sic) caused because of bad working conditions and starvation wages; but not now, my boy. Strikes are caused by bloody minded ness. It has come to pass that the dead are now no longer being buried — ONViffg f'o pickets at cemetary gates. The authorities are stor ing coffins in cold storage and are recom mending that the bodies should be buried at sea. Oh! I’m not making all this up. Hospitals are being closed due to industrial action, likewise schools. During the 6 week strike of the lorry (truck — ed.) drivers, food supplies went short in the shops and stores — bread, sugar, salt, vegetables, meat etc. No doubt things were aggravated by panic-buying on the part of some members of the public. But still, the docks were bursting at the seams with merchandise and still no one would allow the lorries or vans in or out. I saw on the TV these bloody little tin Hitlers on picket duty swaggering about at the control points turning lorry drivers away. And on one occasion when ques tioned by a female reporter of the televis ion they were positively rude to her and told her to clear off. And another union leader with a smug smile on his ugly dial said that the strike would continue. Good job I only seen (sic) it on TV or otherwise I would have lost my cool and lashed out. And still despite all this unrest the Prime Minister blandly states after arriving home from a conference out east that a state of emergency did not exist. The British are indeed a long suffering race. Frost, snow, ice, blizzards, floods, strikes of rail, road, ambulance men, teachers, civil servants, local authorities, dustmen (garbage collectors - ed.) — some cities have just now at this time of writing (sic) huge piles of garbage 10 feet high in some cases and still the men won’t move. Hospitals are asking patients to lend a hand if possible. Nurses are scrubbing out wards. In some cases cancer patients were turned away from entering hospitals for treatment. These little tin gods had the decision over surgeons — Bastards! Now the miners are girding their loins for a showdown of 108 pounds per five-day week (About $210). Of course, the case for the fixed-income group of which I am one in a million or two (i.e. the old age pensioners — ed.) have no voice — no redress — but we all have to go to the same stores or markets and pay the same for fuel, food, clothes etc. . . Clarification In the Thursday, Feb. 22 Battalion an article about the upcoming casino night indicated the casino is spon sored by the Memorial Student Cen ter. Casino ’79, which will be April 20, is a project of the Residence Hall Association. 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 Fetters to the Editor Nuclear power fears unbased Editor: In response to Charles Cody’s letter con cerning nuclear power (Battalion, Feb. 21) we would like to clear up some of the mis conceptions of the fears of this “deadly” energy source. It is true that no level of radiation is safe, however the radiation emitted is not as dangerous as earlier presented. On the weak side, one form of radiation can be stopped by a sheet of ordinary paper and of the more potent forms, they can be di verted by several inches of concrete or lead. Also, concerning nuclear waste, all that need be done is store it underwater. This prevents any form of radiation from escap ing to the environment. Contrary to the popular belief, a nuclear explosion is impossible for there is far too little fissionable material and not the right conditions in a nuclear reactor. The only possibility is a “meltdown” which is far from likely to occur because of very string ent safety systems. As for the chances of fatality of a person, they are only one in five billion each year. The natural radiation emitted by our environment far outweighs the radiation received from nuclear reactor. Nuclear wastes must be protected from the environment, however not for 500,000 years. “After about 500 years, the wastes have decayed to the point that one would have to swallow about one half pound to ingest a lethal dose.” All power plants (nuclear, oil, coal, etc.) are cooled by water. However, the cooling water that is discharged never comes in contact with the nuclear matter. Also, it is not “piped boiling hot to the ocean” for it is only 15 to 25 degrees warmer than the sur rounding waters. So, Mr. Cody, if you’re so worried about nuclear radiation, you better put on your lead suit because you live only a few miles from the Texas A&M nuclear reactor. —Greg Jacobs, ’80 Top of the News STATE Davis trial possibly this summer The prosecutor in the first murder-for-hire trial ofT. Cullen Davis said in Fort Worth he believes the Texas millionaire could be retriedas early as this summer. Jack Strickland, 35, also said he could convince a jury this time beyond any doubt that Davis attempted to hire a hit man to kill his divorce court judge — Joe Eidson. Davis’ first trial endedina hung jury Jan. 22 in Houston. A new site and date has not yet been arranged. Chavez promotes union in state Cesar Chavez said Sunday he is optimistic his United Farm Workers of America can form a successful union in Texas and force growers to sign contracts, but that it will take time and hundreds of thousandsof dollars. Chavez told a convocation of 1,000 farm worker representa tives in San Juan, Texas, that there were two routes to formingaTexas union, through legislation or “by applying economic sanctions to sucli an extent it will be more economical for the growers to recognize the union than not to recognize it.” Dallas firm files suit against Iran Electronic Data Systems Inc. of Dallas has filed a $23 million suit against Iran, claiming the government defaulted on a contract to pay $1.4 million monthly for computer services and provide safe working conditions. EDS Friday also obtained a temporary restraining order preventing removal of Iranian assets from the United States or Great Britain. U.S. District Judge Robert Porter scheduled a hearing for Friday to determine if the order will be made permanent. NATION St. Louis teachers still on strike Cleveland to vote on tax hike Government denies secrets theft WORLD WEATHER Fair skies and mild temperatures with a high of 67 and a I of 34. Winds are north-northeasterly at 7-12 mph. 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. HASSLE-FRI place Apart CHILD MO! ment of Ht gram will b jseum. Thf motor and months to 5 Gabbard at SOCIOLOGY 607, Rudde accountin gram at 7 p plant scie: sciences de] Science Bui YOUNG AMI Hill,” starn 301, Rudde the consen TAMU INTE MSC from FELLOWSHl in the Lett high school COLLEGIAT President I SPEECH: Rel at noon in SPEECH: Jan at 4 p.m. authority o CHILDREN’! held today autograph meeting w topic for cl contact No CHAMBER < featured sp Tickets are tion or Ch; Federal mediators, frustrated by an economic impasse in the nearly six-week strike by St. Louis public school teachers, nave bowed out of negotiations. Hoping for better success, Chicago civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Missouri Gov. Joseph P. Teasdale have volunteered their help. The strike by American Federation of Teachers Local 410 has closed schools to 73,000 students since Jan. 16. The teachers and administration are $750 apart in the salary dispute and school officials say the system has no money to reduce the gap. PRE-MED, P the departi special gue AMERICAN ] from the C Organizatic Rudder To' HORSEMAN’ 113, Klebu cussed. Cleveland residents, their city mired in default for 10 weeks, vote Tuesday for a referendum that may determine the city’s financial future and the political fortunes of Mayor Dennis Kucinich. Voters will cast ballots on whether to raise the city income tax from 1 to 1.5 percent and whether to sell the troubled Municipal Light Plant. If they don’t approve the tax hike, Cleveland citizens must face a take over of city finances by state officials in Columbus. Kucinich would be forced to yield substantial local power to a special state controlling board. AGGIE CINE built aroun town, will SIGMA DEL Bailey, a ! Bureau of 1 Non-memt The State Department has rejected charges by Senate Minority Leader Howard Baker that the security of secret American documents and sensitive military equipment in Iran was endangered during the revolutionary takeover. Baker said he was certain “confidential secret, sensitive documents were taken from the embassy in Tehran” when it was overrun by Marxist guerrillas last week. A State Department spokesman said, “Classified material in Tehran is in the hands of those who can responsibly see it and sensitive military equipment in Iran has not fallen into the hands of those who should not have it.” IRA not responsible for bombings Police investigating five bomb blasts that rocked a busy shopping center denied reports that the attacks were the work of the outlawed Irish Republican Army. Investigators of the Friday afternoon blastsat Yeovil, 115 miles southwest of London, said the bombs were not politically inspired and were the work of one man. They uncovereda bomb factory in western England Saturday. 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 Joumulism Congress Editor Kimtyf Managing Editor ...LizV^ Assistant Managing Editor .AndyW® 11 Sports Editor David Bo^ 3 City Editor ScottPen§» Campus Editor Sieved News Editors Debbie Beth Calhoun Staff Writers Karen Rogers, Patterson, Sean Petty, Blake, Dillard Stone, Bragg, Lyle Lovett Cartoonist DougGnl> ,i, Photo Editor Lee Roy Lesctipfl) 1 Photographer Lynn Focus section editor Gary^ 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 bij stin as a university and community news)), Editorial policy is determined by the edW horseman Contest wi PLANT SCI "Environ rr 4 p.m. in 1 aggie cini lawyer Ka Spencer T cutes and : Rudder Tf aggie cini ing moral will be she T Ope r(l0 * ■ -