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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (March 9, 1981)
Viewpoint L< The Battalion Texas A&M University Monday March 9, 1981 Slouch By Jim Earle T figure that if I missed Friday classes, why not miss Thurs day classes too; and after missing that much, why don’t I leave for spring break right now?” Cohen makes no his book excuse m By IRA R. ALLEN United Press International WASHINGTON — There have been some good books written by senators — William Fulbright, Hubert Humphrey, Barry Goldwater, Eugene McCarthy, for example. And students of politics are await ing this summer’s analysis of liberalism by freshman Paul Tsongas. The biggest literary fault with the book is Cohen’s love affair with similes. They cling to his prose like dandruff on a blue suit. He also tends to quote himself at length, pain fully for the reader when the subject turns to his poetry. Then there is William Cohen. The Maine Republican, who fancies him self a poet and who published a book of verse after he became nationally known for service on the House impeachment com mittee, has written a day-by-day account of his life in 1979, the first year of his first term. The other problem is that Cohen and his experiences are not really very interesting. There is no inside information and no new revelations about life in the Senate. “I have no interest in gossip,” he says. “I prefer philosophy, to take a philosophical look from within the Senate, to allow my eyes to serve as a lens for the reader.” It was a dull year and he is a dull senator, notable on the national scene lately only for his good looks and for managing Sen. Ho ward Baker’s disastrous loss in a Maine GOP straw poll that kicked off the Tennes seean’s short-lived presidential campaign. In “Roll Call: One Year in the United States Senate” (Simon and Schuster, $14.95), Cohen deals at excruciating length with how hard it is to manage his time and how often he must travel. The “gee-whiz” quality of Cohen’s pub lished perceptions — his real ones probably will be published upon his retirement — is exemplified by repeated stories about how elevator operators and subway car atten dants don’t recognize him as a senator in his first weeks on the job, no doubt due to his youthful step and tan corduroy blazers. One of Cohen’s friends is Sen. Donald Riegle, the Michigan Democrat who used to be a Republican. In 1966, Riegle wrote a similar book, “O Congress,” a diary of his first year in the House. He is constantly wrestling with his con science — sometimes winning — and re counting self-serving dialogues with col leagues. There is nobody in the Senate he doesn’t like and certainly nobody he is will ing to offend. Not even a critical interview er, who was supposed to be flattered by the senator telling a secretary not to let any more calls come through while the inter view was going on. Not just another pretty self-effacer, he. Perhaps the clearest clue to Cohen’s per sonality — he documents his own ambition in “a place filled with overachievers” — is the fact he was a Latin major at Bowdoin College. Riegle dared tell what really happens and acknowledged he wanted to be presi dent some day. The book damaged Riegle among his peers and gave him a reputation as a “flake” — probably hurting his chances for the presidency some day. Cohen doesn’t make that mistake. He says he has no desire to be president. And he is deferential to everyone in the Senate. The resulting book is as zesty as a vanilla milkshake. Cohen says writing is his hobby, and since he is one of the Senate’s least wealthy men, the book might serve at least as per sonal and pecuniary therapy. Unlike most books by politicians, this one does not seem to be ghost-written. It should have been. Warped Letters no better than story I was not laughing when I read Texas Monthly magazine’s January cover article about Aggies. Nor was I laughing at the accompanying photos. And I am not laughing at the letters responding to that article. Remember the 10 glossy black and whites of cadets yelling, pushing and gener ally being themselves? Author Al Reinert, a former student himself, described the Aggie lifestyle as experienced by the Corps of Cadets. The Battalion ran a story about the arti cle and the campus reaction to it. Some Aggies found humor in the Texas Monthly feature. Some simply enjoyed the publicity. Other students worried that all of Texas might think all Aggies go around squeezing their privates as demonstrated by the yell leaders in one of those glossy black and whites. There was a definite fear that all of Texas might think all Aggies go around doing a lot of the questionable things that Corps members do. All Aggies don’t. But now, thanks to Reinert, some people think they do. Check the letters in the March issue of Texas Monthly and see for yourself. There’s the Cedar Creek resident who says he never knew why so many people laughed about Aggies until he read the January article. Coffee breaks By Jane G. Brust He says, “Aggies seem to pride them selves on exploiting all the base and crude human traits that civilization has worked so hard to overcome.” That really makes me proud. Then there’s the Lubbock resident who suggests someone tell the yell leaders their privates are six inches up from where they’re squeezing in the photo. “Aggies must really be stupid,” he says. Of course. This University attracts some of the brightest high school graduates — including over 200 National Merit Scholars last fall — and Aggies must really be stupid? And there’s the Fort Worth resident who says he understands Reinert’s portrayal of Texas A&M as lived by the Corps. He says he once heard that Corps freshmen are told that even though they are “miserable worms,” they are each worth ten civilian students. Swell. If anyone out there is spreading that glad tiding. I’d like to address you personally with my deep-rooted sentiments regai miserable worms. And I’d like to address Mr. Reinert; some of the same. Thank goodness for the Houston dent who wrote to tell Texas Montilf Reinert’s coverage was a misrepres tion — to say the least. It’s true, Texas A&M is recoj one of the most prestigious, mostpn tive schools in the country. Approj 11,412 of the stidents currently em women and 20,031 are men. Only 1,S the current total enrollment of 31, the Corps. That leaves 29,473 of us not wear uniforms and answer to classmen. It’s too bad one of my all-time fai publications lowered itself to misrepn — and debase — my all-time favoritij versity. And it’s too bad Mr. Reined misled the public. It’s a shame a lot of people hatj narrow-minded perception of Texas even before Reinert’s article appea Here’s hoping somehow, some4j record will be set straight once and) Perhaps at one time all Aggies did beta) Reinert described — at one time this*; all-male military school. But times change. Whatever Texas! might have been in years past, itcertai; not today — and that’s all the bette Texas A&M. Yell leader replies to complai jfjimn breu gfstrx Rolli presi By MARK OUTLAW Throughout the year, a few articles have popped up in The Battalion concerning the actions of the yell leaders. I have dismissed most of them as ignorant opinions by people who don’t understand what is going on. But I think it is time to express my thoughts on some of these opinions because they do no thing but pass blame from one group to another. Mr. Ray, obviously you have never had the chance to be a yell leader, so you are not aware of the spontaneous situations and pressures that occur at Aggie games. Our main prupose as yell leaders is to generate spirit and enthusiasm from the Twelfth Man, and to do it with the integrity and character. What’s good for the goose is not always good for the gander, and that is why people have mixed reactions when we fol low a course of action that we believe is best for the fans and the game. Sure, Aggies have a different way of doing things to show support for their teams, but I consider this an asset rather than a liability. Our support is a step ahead of all other schools because of the spirit that is raised and the integrity and respect that is shown. To show such immature acts as booing and ice throwing is a deviation from the Aggie norm, and is not a fault of the yell leaders but the misunderstanding and ignorance of an Aggie minority that do not understand the basic philosophies of Aggie spirit. The yell leaders have done nothing different from years past in control of a crowd, with the exceptions of possibly being more verbal in our pleadings for si- Reader*s Forum lence in situations where silence is called for, and doing more yells in trying to keep control of a situation. We only realize that the crowd is changing when they no longer respect the silence called for by the yell leaders and when the yell leaders are cus sed out for trying to receive silence when there should be some. Mr. Priddy, you ask what is wrong with a little booing and ice throwing? Sure it’s spirit — but it is negative spirit, spirit that does nothing but increase the frustrations of the crowd, the game, and the players (I point out Vernon Smith’s disdain for a cup that was thrown out onto the court during the game). We’re supposed to have class, Mr. Priddy. This means showing respect for the opposing team and referees as well as our own team. We take care of a bad call when there is one, but a running battle with the refs does nothing but irritate them and give them a negative attitude towards the game. True, Mr. Priddy, times are chang ing, but why should the Twelfth Man change to where they fall into line with every other school — schools that have no control over their actions — and thus do not know what it means to reflect favorably upon their school? ention ei I completely miss your point ak O r use of yells during time outs. Whatij|^ supposed to do — stand there? Wetocif Priddy, realize when a crowd is up.aijjp’hre do the best we can to perpetuate thatm the nalin, whether it be by the use of yells Wociat keeping everybody yelling as loud a 6 ble without doing a yell. icomii The main point of my letter is tliis:'| ose “ the yell leaders have done nothingdiP* ^, than in the past (except do more yt| ex cause people are too lazy to wildcato:te nce understand the purpose of it) the (limed t crowd (not the Twelfth Man) has cklent. B Change can be both good and bad, ISIHA v this case, I feel it is bad becauseiPhrsi deviated away from the way Aggie spiiP 16 ^ been for so many years. I don’t blamtl^^ body but the fact that the opportmj^ gaining a basic knowledge of the AggflL j a ditions is not made available anymore least the message does not get aci people. People have to work at becomi Aggie, it isn’t something that just hapj Mr. Ray, I have absolutely no resprl a person that shows his ignorance omi ject because he fails to look at bothsidf situation. Your letter is nothing buta of lies and misconceptions, and an)' can see that the true meaning of yoiiri is nothing but an endorsement for you support in the upcoming yell ‘ i elections. Whenever you write aletteiP -phc now on, I suggest you consider the it H ea ith about which you are writing on. Depar jaturdr It’s your turn Mark Outlaw is a senior and to ® leader I. ^^ as: ofG. R ( classes Let’s turn G. Rollie White into a 'pit Editor: In response to Richard Oliver’s column in the Batt concerning the poor conduct of the Aggie fans during the game Monday night, I think it’s only fair to let the real fans voice their opinions. Do the fans wish to win the sportsmanship award year after year, or do we want the conference championship — and beyond? Take Arkansas. Year after year opposing teams dread playing in Barnhill Arena. The fans are loud, boisterous, and very, very intimidating, both to the oppos ing teams and the referees. Rarely do you see a controversial call going against Arkan sas. Barnhill Arena is one of the top ten “pits” in the country. And their 78-6 home record over the last six years proves it. But take Aggieland. We have the best behaved fans in the conference and seemingly some of the nation’s best basketball goes to waste. I propose we turn G. Rollie into an in' * dating “pit” much like Arkansas’ Ba Arena. With an intimidating arena tk would be unbeatable. C’mon Ags, ROWDY! Dean Wolf! M( W By Scott McCullar The Battalion MEMBER ISPS Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congress Editor Dillard Stone Managing Editor Angelique Copeland Asst. Managing Editor Todd Woodard City Editor Debbie Nelson Asst. City Editor Marcy Boyce News Editors Venita McCellon, Scot K. Meyer Sports Editor Richard Oliver Focus Editor Cathy SaathofF Asst. Focus Editor Susan Hopkins Staff Writers Carolyn Barnes, Jane G. Brust, Terry Duran, Bemie Fette, Cindy Gee, Kathleen McElroy, Belinda McCoy, Marjorie McLaughlin, Kathy O’Connell, Ritchie Priddy, Rick Stolle Cartoonist Scott McCullar Photo Editor Greg Gammon Photographers Chuck Chapman Brian Tate (145 .160 The Battalion also serves as a laboratory newspapf J students in reporting, editing and photography tq within the Department of Communications. Questions or comments concerning any editorial q should be directed to the editor. LETTERS POLICY Letters to the Editor should not exceed 350 W®) length, and are subject to being cut if they are longer 1 editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters for styleil length, but will make every effort to maintain theauthj intent. Each letter must also be signed, show the ailq and phone number of the writer. Columns and guest editorials are also welcome, i not subject to the same length constraints as Wj Address all inquiries and correspondence to: Editor 1 Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M Univeq College Station, TX 77843. EDITORIAL POLICY The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting newspaper operated as a community service to Texas A&M University and Bryan-College Station. Opinions expressed in The Bat talion are those of the editor or the author, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Texas A&M Universi ty administrators or faculty members, or of the Board of Regents. The Battalion is published daily during Texas A&M and spring semesters, except for holiday and periods. Mail subscriptions are $ 16.75 per semester, l!’ per school year and $35 per full year. Advertising ^ furnished on request. 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