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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 11, 1979)
Slouch by Jim Earle “Since you are a new Aggie and since I’ve been around awhile, let me explain it to you like this: we may have been outscored, but we were not beaten. You have to learn to take defeat to learn how to take victory. Strong character comes from enduring adversity. It doesn’t matter who wins, but how you play the game. I don t feel that Vm getting through to you.” Opinion You talks no good Apparently good grammar is taking the path of misuse and abuse. Each year, we are startled by new reports of illiteracy not only in children, but in college students as well. Looking around at the examples they have to follow, it is easy to see why they have problems. Take, for example, any number of beer commercials on .TV and radio. They advertise that they have “less” calories than other beers. Wrong. It has fewer calories. I realize the audience they are catering to probably doesn’t care whether the beer has less or fewer calories, but the commercial is perpetuating the grammatical problem that teachers and parents combat daily. Express lanes in supermarkets are another prime exam ple. Next time you breeze through with a six-pack, check out the sign — “9 items or less.” Again, fewer items would the correct way to state it. A few years back, before cigarrette commercials were banned from TV, Winston told smokers, “Winston tastes good like a cigarette should.” Consumers raised a hue and cry over the use of “like” rather than “as.” But rather than change the commercial, the company came back with “What do you want — good grammar or good taste?” Apparently they would rather fight than switch. Despite the fact that newspapers and TV news shows deal in the English language, they are a good source of study on how not to write or talk. Several weeks ago a headline reading “Who convinced Chinese to free suite?” appeared in the Houston Post. And to think, we didn’t even know they were holding the suite captive. Editor’s Note: This column — written by summer editor Karen Rogers — was found “floating” in the computer system used to produce The Battalion. The Battalion U S P S 045 360 LETTERS POLICY Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 ivords 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 hill 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 Liz Newlin Managing Editor Andy Williams Assistant Managing EditorDillard Stone News Editors . .Karen Cornelison and Michelle Burrowes Sports Editor Sean Petty City Editor Roy Bragg Campus Editor Keith Taylor Focus Editors Beth Calhoun and Doug Graham Staff Writers Meril Edwards, Diane Blake, Louie Arthur, Richard Oliver, Mark Patterson, Carolyn Blosser Photo Editor . . .Lee Roy Leschper Jr. Photographer Lynn Blanco Cartoonist Doug Graham 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 newspaper. Editorial policy is determined by the editor. Viewpoint The Battalion#Texas A&M University Tuesday • September 11, i "WyCT a "rTT~rIVTT 1 1\T SoTYlG DctHOCTG^tS SCcklTl^ SO Vcdcctl ^xlAlN \ j x a weak Carter as political liability By IRA R. ALLEN United Press International WASHINGTON — Alan Cranston, one of the most respected members of the Se nate, for both his temperament and his legislative ability, is supposed to be one of President Carter’s strong allies on Capitol Hill. As Democratic whip — the No. 2 man in the Senate leadership — he theoretically is responsible for helping pass the president’s legislative program. Indeed, he is a key figure in the looming battle over SALT. But the lanky, laid-back Californian is one of 22 Democrats — many of them certi fiable liberals — running for re-election next year in a nationwide tide of conser vatism. And as such, Cranston said recently he didn’t want Carter campaigning for him and he would not campaign for Carter’s own renomination. Cranston had several good reasons for telling his constituents, “I will support the Democratic nominee after the convention. But I won’t be involved in determining who that nominee is.” In an older day of American politics, a president faced with that kind of loyalty could pull the Oval Office levers of power and have the Senate Democrats oust their assistant leader. But because those levers seem to break in Carter’s hands, Cranston felt compelled to declare neutrality in a race involving the leader he is supposed to be helping. Cranston has a special reason for his re luctance — the possibility that his gover nor, Edmund G. Brown Jr., might make a successful challenge to Carter. And it is not good politics to oppose a strong, popular, incumbent governor of your party and your own state who might become president. But to refuse to help the sitting preside'nt of your own party? Cranston’s real dilemma is the same one facing the other 21 Democrats seeking reelection in the same year as Carter. They are afraid a weak president at the top of the ticket will drag them down to defeat. More than half of them, according to a recent survey, are proclaiming their neutrality, if not outright hostility, to Car ter’s renomination. An aide to one Democratic senator, who he said is “no real rush to endorse him,” explained a common attitude among those whose first term is coming to an end and who are shying away from the president. “Carter is in trouble in (the senator’s state) like everywhere else, so I don’t know anybody rushing to associate themselves with him. He actually hasn’t done that many favors or done many people right in his own party. A lot of people are up for re-election and you can understand why people are cagy. ” One way of understanding why Carter — or any president, for that matter — can or cannot get along with lawmakers of his own party is to look at the election results. Most House and Senate candidates came to Washington with an electoral mandate far yyj? walking is an ‘easy, natural exercise, the sport of sitting must be twice as g<4 United Press International WASHINGTON — To the great lump of physical fitness literature that has bulged up in recent years — like Martina Nav ratilova’s biceps —- has now been added a new book on walking. I can understand how someone about to hang-glide for the first time might want a few instructions. Particularly landing in structions. And anyone making a maiden scuba dive undoubtedly could profit from a few pointers. In the normal order of achievement, however, people learn to walk before they learn to read. You might think a book exp laining the basic principles of ambulation would have an ex post facto quality for most readers. Nevertheless, “Walking!,,” the latest text, runs on for 275 pages in the Bantam paperback edition. Morever, some of its passages bristle with insights and erudition not heretofore published. For example: “Walking is an easy, natural exercise, which really doesn’t require much thought. All you have to do is watch where you’re going.” Good point! If you are one of those wal kers who have to keep reminding them selves that one foot goes in front of the other, except when you are marking time, backing up or slidipg, then you obviously stand to gain a lot from the book. Sooner or later, the vast outpouring of manuals on walking, jogging, skipping, sauntering, toddling, hopping and other fitness activities will come full course. Meanwhile, we can look forward to the publication of a new best-seller titled “Dynamic Sitting.” The joys of sitting, and the many health benefits that accrue therefrom, have been largely overlooked by the millions of Americans bent on “taking up” something physical. As we surely shall see in the forthcoming book, there is a great deal more to sitting than simply pulling up a chair and plopping one’s self down. A truly dedicated sitter must master a wide variety of techniques, known to the cognoscenti by such colorful terms as “lol ling,” “sprawling” and “hunkering down. ” There is the difficult “one leg tucked un der sit. The graceful “ankle overb position. The complicated “leg cros! maneuver. And dozens of other varial As the book also will make clear, ittab lot of effort to become an accomplis! sitter. But the rewards, particular^ the standpoint of physical well-being,® it all seem worthwhile. Medical experts have determinedll the pulse rate of the average personisa kedly slower when he is sitting thanui he is, say, climbing Mount Everest. And clinical tests show that regular! ting helps prevent such common malfunctions as football knee, tennisel and swimmers’ cramps. Isn’t that what you were always get out of life? If so, be sure to buy theiii equipment. I -g-i rT~ir~w-i | Guard begonias as well as your book: i _I_ XLi XX O plant burglar at large on A&M camp E<1 . i,on ... my poor bike. Try doing all that on a white Ttnh for Vish C.nmn horse. 1 hanks again, yall. Editor: Last year, letters would appear in this column stating that the writer had his (or her) calculator stolen from Sbisa, or a book stolen in the MSC lounge, or some similar occurance. I have always been careful of my books and have no intention of letting anyone even have a chance to steal them. How ever, I too have now been caught in this crime wave.. On Tuesday (Sept. 4) I went out on the front porch of my apartment to water two hanging baskets. The plants, to my sur prise, had been stolen. (The front porch, however, was still there.) To all plant owners — guard your plants; there is a plant thief loose at A&M. To the plant thief — I would appreciate it if you would bring my plants back. They are the two asparagus ferns, one in a white pot. I would appreciate their return, especially the one in the white pot, as I grew it from a seedling two years ago and it holds much sentimental value to me. —Peter Bonny, ’81 Rah for Fish Camp —Laura Hertenberger, ’81 Thanks, Pete Editor: I would like to take the time to publicly thank Head Yell Leader Pete Greaves for his recognition of the Off-Campus Aggies at All University Nite last Monday (Sept. 3). As a newly reconstructed organization, Pete’s recognition, as well as the response of the audience itself, was greatly ap preciated and serves as an incentive for others to join us. But whether on campus or off, this year’s Aggie Spirit goes unsurpas sed! Good Luck Ags and Gig ’Em! Editor: After almost a full week at Texas A&M I know how really great this university is. But what I really want to talk about is what I experienced before school ever started — Fish Camp ’79. That was the greatest five days of my life. I have never been treated so well by stran gers. It was as if everybody was one big family. There is no way I can describes effect that Fish Camp had on me. lb was so much friendship displayed and? Aggie Spirit shown, that it simply cant expressed in words. I would like to thank all of the FishCi : counselors of Camp Cushing for afltb guidance and leadership. But my deep respect is held for Mark Murphy Mindy Staggs, our chairman and si chairman. There will always be a place! my heart for these people. — Kelly Wyatt,! Nancy 'ark, Md. 'Diversity lirector o nice mi\i icpular an Theema ccompani 70-voice ill work iadets Di: While a Jniversitv 9 01) PREFE r c —Debbie May President, Off-Campus Aggies Writing the editor The Battalion welcomes letters to V Be neatly typed whenever the editor on any subject. However, possible. Hand-written letters are to be acceptable for publication these letters must meet certain criteria. acceptable. They should: V Include the author’s name, ad- V Not exceed 300 words or 1800 dress and telephone number for characters in length. verification. Chivalry still exists hy Doug Graham Editor: I would like to thank the people who stopped to help me Friday morning when I wrecked my bike and my foot in the parking lot near the U.S.D.A. building. I hope no one was late to class; I know how much trouble it can be trying to find a parking place and get to class on time with out having to play ambulance service to klutzy people like me. Thanks to y’all and the other wonderful people at the “quack shack.” I am begin ning to mend. The only thing I’d like now is to know who you are. If you see me crutch- ing around campus please stop and let’s get properly introduced. Thank goodness knights in shining armor have started driving blue pick-ups; mine not only rescued me but he also took care of