Slouch
by Jim Earle
‘Do we have an area of disagreement here?
Opinion
Sacrifice is worth the risk
President Carter is correct in pulling the U.S. out of the
Olympics if the Soviets don’t withdraw their troops from
Afghanistan. The decision to use the games as political lever
age is all we can do without starting a war.
War is the final solution, and the one that should be
avoided at all costs. If pulling out of the Games has even the
slightest chance of success, it should be tried. Even if it
doesn’t work — and it’s likely that it won’t — it’s at least
worth the try.
Policy boosts Corps’ GPR
The Corps of Cadets initiated a new program last semes
ter to improve the grade point ratio of its members.
The program is called the Bonfire Scholastic Policy. It’s
not really a new policy, but it was made more stringent last f
semester.
The policy was developed because Cadets’ grades usually
drop significantly during the fall because of the endless
activites connected with football.
Under the stricter policy, freshmen were not allowed to
work on the Bonfire at night.
In addition, all freshmen and sophomores with a GPR
below 3.2 were required to study every Monday through
Thursday night during a Call to Quarters.
The policy apparently works. The Corps’ semester grade
point ratio was 2.21 in Fall 1978; last fall, the grades rose to
2.38. Not only that, but the Corps’ grade point ratio has
risen each fall semester for the last five years.
This attempt at raising scholastic achievement in the
Corps is commendable; the Corps Staff and the administra
tion should be congratulated.
the small society
by Brickman
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usps
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Editor Roy Bragg
Associate Editor Keith Taylor
News Editor Rusty Cawley
Asst. News Editor Karen Cornelison
Copy Editor Dillard Stone
Sports Editor Tony Gallucci
Focus Editor Rhonda Watters
Senior City Reporter Louie Arthur
Senior Campus Reporter Diane Blake
Staff Writers Nancy Andersen,
Tricia Brunhart, Mike Burrichter,
Angelique Copeland, Laura Cortez,
Meril Edwards, Carol Hancock,
Kathleen McElroy, Debbie Nelson,
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Chief Photographer Lynn Blanco
Photographers Lee Roy Leschper,
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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.
Letters
Draft will serve needs of country
Editor:
In response to Robert Zahray’s letter of
January 30 concerning the possible reinsti
tution of the draft, I wish to make the fol
lowing observations:
Despite the possible moral implications
of “enslaving” a portion of the men in our
nation who are between 18 and 26 years of
age, past experience has shown that our
country will be better served by men of
varied social and economic backgrounds
than by a small group of patriotic zealots
and people who have found no other solu
tion to unemployment.
The concept of a military draft is not
contradictory to American ideology, nor
does it infringe on an individual’s rights.
The Constitution itself gives the federal
govemmnt the power to raise a standing
army, and to maintain it by whatever
means are necessary. Is the Constitution
therefore contrary to American ideology?
Finally, though ideally only a highly
motivated volunteer force would be neces
sary to defnd the United States’ interests,
experience again shows us (through our
own American Revolution) that such a
force, acting alone, is incapable of protect
ing those interests.
I myself, speaking as an American
citizen, shall go on record as stating that I
shall support my government’s actions and
take pride in knowing that by doing so I will
not just be serving national interests, but
the nation’s people.
Roger G. Grace
(This letter was accompanied by 23 other
signatures)
Bub, there just ain’t that many brave, high
ly motivated people in this country. Sure,
the draft should only be used in time of
declared war, but registration is needed so
as to know who is eligible for the draft.
Mike W. Kriegel
(This letter was accompanied by 31 other
signatures.)
Duties go with rights
‘Cockamamy’ theory
Editor:
In response to Robert Zahray’s letter on
Wednesday, January 30, I feel that a few
things must be said. He said that reinstitu
tion of the draft is comparable to enslaving
American people and that the volunteer
military should be made to work. He also
stated that the draft is not in line with the
ideals of a free country. I disagree, freedom
is not achieved for a small price. Many
Aggies have given their lives in the past as
shown by the many memorials around cam
pus. Undoubtedly many more will be will
ing to make the same sacrifice in the future.
Mr. Zahray seems to want all the rights and
privileges of being a citizen of this nation
without taking on responsibilities or mak
ing sacrifices. It is a privilege to live in this
country and enjoy its many freedoms. Is it
too much to ask for someone to support his
country for two or three years? I oelieve
Mr. Zahray should reexamine his values
and priorities before making further com
ments. This is one Aggie who hopes that
Robert Zahray is in the minority.
Bill Reavis
Chiles for becoming well known?
This article referred to Mr. Chiles as “a
man who touched the hearts and stomachs
of all of us“; it ridiculed Eddie’s opening
statement in his messages, and made him
appear as a man who wants attention for
himself more than his ideas. It is easy to
attack a person by making fun of them, and
I had thought The Battalion was above this
cheap tactic. The writers of this article
could have been more professional by
seriouly addressing the contents of Mr.
Chiles’ opinion.
Mike Rodgers
are many areas in which you b I
misinformed.
The production of the P.D.QJ 0 , s ‘ tl0
not a “typical” MSC OPAS press
The intent of the show was for tlieaP ow
(as well as the performers) to iJPf, §'
H Su:
&M
Dent,
other s
zations
Week.
lame;
Others need lockers
Editor:
In repsonse to Robert Zahray’s letter on
Jan. 30, I would like to say, how asinine can
one get? I’m not sure about everyone else,
but I damn sure don’t want my freedom
jeopardized by some cockamamy theory
you may come up with. You say that
“volunteers would most certainly meet the
manpower needs of our military.” B.S.!
Why do you think we had the draft in WW-
II? I could be wrong though, since the
government in its infinite wisdom could
have sent a few extra souls to the war just to
spend a few extra bucks and knock-up na
tive virgin women so we could spread the
idea of democracy and freedom. I doubt it
very seriously, though. Get your head out,
Editorial was cheap
Editor:
Hi, I’m a concerned Aggie and I’m mad
as hell. I’m mad because of the less than
professional article The Battalion staff
wrote about Eddie Chiles in Monday’s pap
er. Normally newspaper’s opinions attempt
to bring a valid point to the attention of the
readers. This story did nothing but show
me how good The Battalion staff is at taking
cheap shots at people. I wasn’t quite sure of
the opinion the staff was trying to get across
to me. Were they mad at Mr. Chiles for
making his opinions known to Americans,
for using his own money to pay for these
messages, for his “catchy” opening state
ment, or is The Battalion staff mad at Eddie
Editor:
I am mad! Are you!? In the beloved halls
of our Memorial Student Center there is a
ring of thieves. Off-campus and other
Aggies who use the coin return lockers in
front of the M.S.C. Bookstore hurt every
one else. Because they steal a locker for the
whole day, other Aggies must leave their
belongings on the floor outside the book
store. Yesterday, for example there were
no unlocked lockers available. That would
be fine with me, but then the other half of
the gang seize our book bags, with our
notes, and our personal belongings!
I can think of two solutions to our prob
lem. First, you all-day lockers users, did
you know for a mere $2 ($3.40/larger) you
can rent a bigger locker downstairs for the
whole semester? You don’t need to remem
ber to carry a quarter around any more. All
you need to do is attach a small key on your
key chain. Second, we can all resolve to
reserve the row of lockers closest to the
store for customers only.
Remember, you may be the victim
tomorrow!
Lance Freman
Julian Garcia
spoofing classical music —onlyd
performed by Professor Peter
and his illustrious cohorts.
P. D.Q. Bach originated in
City fifteen years ago. Duringthi
performance, the stage manager
object of hisses from the audir
tradition continues to this day on!)
York City — only, that is, until(kj
in Aggieland. They were surprirfi)
indeed pleased, with the reaction
participative Aggie audience. Tlis
opening show of their nationwide!!
the Aggies made them welcome ij
other place except possibly the Bii
They plan to return in the future )
the Aggies make them feelaswelcoi
their hisses then, as they did dr
tour.
As your column stated,
Bach) was one of the better shows !
Texas A&M in recent memory.”]
Aggie audience, however, who
very special role in makingthearti!
if they were at home. Congratulate
Richard R,
Chairman, MSC®
ge s
ran;
unds
Mer
wel
ggies
ion, tl
d th
Bach hissing
Editor:
This letter is in reference to the article
which appeared in your “Opinion” column
on Friday, Feb. 1, concerning the “rude
hissing” during the MSC OPAS presenta
tion of P.D.Q. Bach. I appreciate your
observations of the performance and your
audience analysis; however, after having
spoken with Professor Schickele at the con
clusion of the show, I discovered that there
Editor:
For your editorial of Feb. Iffl
Aggie rudeness at an OPAS conceit]
to be congratulated, if not for
foursquare behind culture itself,at
standing foursquare behind thekk
ture. But, unfortunately and
usually, you missed a tradition. Wl
New York, Los Angeles, Houstoa
lege Station, the stage manager!!
hissed. Hissing at the stage man;
P.D.Q. Bach performance on
second, third and fourth appe;
indeed, “all during the show/’istk 1
tation of the performers for it is a
tion indicating the audience’s appre -1
Before leaping so readily to chast/
might do well, in future, to consid®
extensive investigation of events,ciJ
ances and expectations. That whict
be other than it appears to be.
Alan)!
Katheryne 0
Debra | !
Anthony 0]
Jane
Thotz
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