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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 25, 1980)
p ai jet h in rr tl b tl It s your turn “My < i^ien odium at a lev nfluenc Students worry about present, not future Doubts raised about cancelled rescm they m heir di Dr. Ha By SCOTT HARING Quite a few earth-shaking things have hap pened around good old Aggieland recently. In the past nine months, the Board of Regents has undertaken a reorganization that promises to change the entire University system — At least that’s what the newspapers tell us, right? But more recently, we’ve had other inter esting things happen, too. The band was allegedly late to the first yell practice. Head Yell Leader Mark Outlaw came out against what everyone, including the much-chagrined Student Aggie Club, thought he would plug, the infamous “Ag flags.” Panties appear in truck windows, and bad Ags disappear down Highway 6. An editorial yesterday showed surprise that those more recent events seemed much more important to the vast majority of Texas A&M students than the actions of the Board of Regents. Why not? After all, the Board of Regents, as far as the average student is concerned, are a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Their actions are hard enough to understand in a present time- frame, much less to figure out the long-term effects of their decisions. Besides, by the time those long-term effects come home, we’ll all be long-term gone. This is the biggest factor in why some problems seem more pressing than others. To most, four years of college is a way station to another phase of life, to be completed as quickly and painlessly as possible and then forgotten. Any thing that happens the day after graduation might as well not happen at all. Now, after they’ve been out for awhile, former students tend to think more in long- range terms about the University. A sign of increased maturity, no doubt. But with that finish line in sight, anybody close to gradua tion screens out any other thoughts and con centrates on those that will get him or her out in a hurry. Thoughts about the University in general run toward a mildly nostalgic, “I’ll sure miss this place, but gee. I’m glad I’m leaving. ” Another reason high-level moves don’t ex cite students is the lack of impact the changes have on their day-to-day lives. No matter who the president, or the chancellor or the regents are, the classes will still be there, the profs will teach the same way, the tests will be just as hard, and Friday night party-goers will still talk about the football team. On the other hand, there are things like the band being late for midnight yell practice and no cutting site for bonfire. These are impor tant. They happen next week or next month. They have relevance to the daily life of the student. You can talk about it in class before the prof shows up or at a party. So don’t expect the students to be totally absorbed with the problems of the top-dog administrators of Texas A&M. When it gets right down to it, Friday’s biology exam means a heck of a lot more than who sits in the president’s chair. It doesn’t mean that the students haven’t formed an opinion on the issue. Witness the hissing that greeted Chairman Frank W. R. Hubert at halftime last weekend. But that was just a knee-jerk reaction from a group of students who had made up their minds with just a brief glance at the facts. But you really can’t blame them. They’re only trying to pull some grades and survive until next semester. Scott Haring is Battalion assistant managing editor. Editor: In spite of the many unanswered questions concerning the aborted rescue attempt of the American hostages in Iran, at least a few fascinating facts have been revealed to the public that may not be generally known by many of us. During the time that tollowed that aborted mission, Americans were told that the rescue mission was ordered aborted by Jimmy Carter because of circumstances that led to all but five helicopters being put out of operation, and that a minimum of six operating helicopters would suffice in keeping the mission alive. The logical question follows: How could the mis sion be totally operational with six helicopters, and completely unreliable with five helicop ters? Considering this, many investigators sought a more realistic answer as to why Jimmy Carter cancelled the mission, and British intel ligence sources provided a disturbing answer. British intelligence has a tap into the White House “hot line” with the Soviet Union. On the night of the mission, our British friends listened to ominous threats from the Soviets summoning Jimmy Carter to get the rescue force out of Iran. Jimmy Carter was in such wild alarm to obey these commands that five perfect helicopters, mass quantities of highly classified material, and eight dead American troopers were left behind. This leaves me with no respect for Jimmy Carter. A nation led by one of such microscop ic fortitude has calamity thinly veiled nigh in its path. James Sawtelle should be more concerned with the rudeness of audiences, than whether or not there are frisbees in the Coliseum. I wouldn’t be sur prised if Mr. Gatlin never came back to A&M, because a few people chose to embarrass the rest of the audience. I know I’m ashamed. Are they? Concerning midnight Yell Practice, and the traditions that go along with it. First, take your hats off when going into Kyle Field — it’s a memorial, and should be treated with that respect. Second, it’s a senior privilege to walk on the “wood”, and an Aggie always gets off the wood when the band is playing, especially when playing “The War Hymn or “Spirit ”. Third, an Aggie alwavs shows respect for other Aggies, even at Yell Practice. Fourth, there are to be no alcoholic beverages in Kyle field at any time — that’s not only school policy, but part of the respect and tradition that goes along with the memorial itself. Lastly, if you are going to bother attending Yell Practice at all, then why not stay until the very end. Sure it’s late, but you’ll get home only minutes later by waiting it out, and you won’t be rude in annoying your fellow Ags, who are earnestly trying to give their firm support in the 12th man tradition. If Aggies continue to insult guests, fellow Aggies, and visitors to our school, then —- as every school in America today is —- A&M will become just another High School. Give a Damn! Albert C. Gross ’81 the 1 before he gives Reveille rabies or runsl®p ency into the rear of someone’s Pinto. HelpBfp 1 ^ c almighty knee injury. M ers ^ It is said that to every cloud thereisasM uc ij ] lining. It’s true because all of this adversiljKore s shed light on one of the most perplfihe has questions of all time, you one guess. Who shot J. R? Don Jont ‘The water < linera Stick with the dunum num The Editor: This is in reference to Jack Cherrys Monday’s Battalion. So Mr. Cherry,you to vote for a man who has “at least somesti ance of intelligence,” like Jimmy Carter who can blame you? How could anyone tion the wisdom of a man who invitesa ers apj tailed, blue jean-clad, Willie Nelson reposed White House to “paraphrase ” ourcountof^uare tional anthem? A man who sends a dodging boxer, whose formal education the way through the twelfth grade, as anf-ft p ^ representative of the United States? A mat uses the phrase, “code-word ” to describe * rights, a principle upon which our natii founded, and for which hrave men have and died? Your logic is certainly crystal Mr. Cherry; however, I think I’ll stickw dummies like Reagan and Clements Dale K. Harbo#'! The lew n m, i d ou The 'Prov for the Return free refills Aggie rudeness Page 2 is your page, too Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 words in length, and are subject to being cut if they are longer. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters for style and length, but will make every effort to maintain the author’s in tent. Each letter must also be signed, show the address and phone number of the writer. Columns and guest editorials are also wel come, and are not subject to the same length constraints as letters. Address all inquiries and correspondence to: Editor, The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M University, Col lege Station, TX 77843. Editor: I would like to discuss two things: first, the rudeness of “Aggies” at all concerts that have ever been brought to A&M; and, second, the lack of respect for “Aggie” traditions by all freshman and most “non-regs.” Concerning the concerts; anyone who was at the Larry Gatlin concert will remember the rudeness with which some people verbally assaulted Mr. Gatlin at a specifically strategic and touching point. When Mr. Gatlin, who was giving much more than any other artist had ever given, attempted to give a very emotional and personal touch to his perform ance, a few very rude people accosted him with that typical Aggie crudeness. (I must add that Mr. Gatlin handled them well.) But this was not a unique incident, this occurs at all presentations by Town Hall. I think Town Hall Mosley the villian Editor: I’d like to take this opportunity to thank some of my fellow students for personifying the cause of all our problems here at Texas A&M. He appears every Saturday wearing No. 11 and a black hat. His name: Mike Mosley. Yeah, that’s got to be it. Mike Mosley. Isn’t he the same guy who kicked over the lantern in Mrs. O’Leary’s barn? Someone said he was the captain of the Titanic, but I heard that he was really the radar operator at Pearl Harbor. And who really opened Pandora’s box? Yep, Mike did it. We’ve got to do something about this guy The phone Editor: On behalf of the students who enjoyed dn j^hor ing coffee in the Memorial Student C( until the price became prohibitive, I ask question: How much does it cost to makes of coffee? 25 cents? I don’t think so! I doubt that it costs more than a nickels' so why are college students charged a ma cup and same for each refill? Twenty-five! 1 ^ a cup may be reasonable if it included m : Brien Hicknia 11 Editor’s note: The coffee refill chargei" ; MSC Cafeteria was instituted to disco#' 1 1 students from using the cafeteria as a area. This letter was accompanied by 125 1,1 signatures. I Warped By Scott McCullar The Battalion U S P S 045 :360 MEMBER Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congress Editor Dillard Stone Managing Editor Rhonda Watters Asst. Managing Editor Scott Haring City Editor Becky Swanson Sports Editor Richard Oliver Asst. Sports Editor Ritchie Priddy Focus Editor Scot K. Meyer News Editors Lynn Blanco, Gwen Ham, Todd Woodard Staff Writers Jennifer Afflerbach, Kurt Allen, Nancy Andersen, Marcy Boyce, Mike Burrichter, Pat Davidson, Jon Heidtke, Uschi Michel-Howell, Debbie Nelson, Liz Newlin, Cathy Saathoff, Rick Stolle Cartoonist Scott McCullar Photo Editor Pat O’Malley Questions or comments concerning any editorialV’ should be directed to the editor. LETTERS POLICY Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 words and are subject to being cut if they are longer. The editor reserves the right to edit letters for style and length ^ make every effort to maintain the author's intent, f" 1 ^ must also be signed, show the address and phone nuww 1 writer. : . Columns and guest editorials are also welcome, B™'' subject to the same length constraints as letters. \- inquiries and correspondence to: Editor, The BatO' 11 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M University, College 77843. EDITORIAL POLICY The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting newspaper op erated as a community service to Texas A&M University and Bryan-College Station. Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editor or the author, and do not necessarily repre sent the opinions of Texas A&M University administrators or faculty members, or of the Board of Regents. The Battalion is published daily during Texas AltM s j spring semesters, except for holiday and examination Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per semester, $33.25^ _ year and $35 per full year. Advertising rates furnisl 1 ™' c i uest ' jn,ii Our address: The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. United Press International is entitled exclusively ,l ’ . for reproduction of all news dispatches credited to it reproduction of all other matter herein reserved. Second class postage paid at College Station, T ,l '