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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (March 12, 1981)
Viewpoint The Battalion Texas A&M University Thursday March 12, 1981 By Jim Earle Slouch r SICK ~MoTJ4e&. &8AKVMOWEF- 1 Ripe lzav?* EAKLY see — DEMTast voccroz. ^ f ^ j It <r ^ spcrrs S&tfcoc. ,\y( kfCErS Mt? /M£|2\/ou hosr- AfCC&p T frO&EL PP-(Z£ “When you get right down to it, there are no original excuses for leaving for spring break early. " Woman earning for getting there By DAVID S. BRODER WASHINGTON — It has not been ex actly a banner year for Republican women. The only Cabinet-level job President Reagan handed to a woman went to a Democrat, Jeane Kirkpatrick, the ambassa dor to the United Nations. Sub-cabinet and senior White House staff jobs for women have been scarce as — you should excuse the phrase — hens’ teeth. But last week a Republican woman achieved something unprecedented. Nan cy Sinnott, 30, was named executive direc tor of the Republican Congressional Cam paign Committee. So far as memory and records show, she is the first woman to fill the top professional staff job in any of the “Big Three” political committees of either party. Sinnott will be running a staff of 40 people and managing a budget of more than $35 million in the two-year effort Republi cans will make to end the Democratic ma jority in the House of Representatives in 1982. Each party has had a woman national chairman once, in its past. Jean Westwood was put in the Democratic chairmanship by George McGovern and Mary Louise Smith was named Republican National Chairman by Jerry Ford. While protecting their pat rons’ interests, they both hired their own pros to manage their shops. Neither the national committee, nor the senatorial cam paign committee, nor the congressional committee of either party had previously found a woman it thought fit to fill the top job reserved for a full-time political pro. In that sense, Sinnott’s appointment is another landmark in the slow but certain emergence of women as full partners in the working of the American democracy. What the committee chairman. Rep. Guy Vander Jagt (R-Mich.), who recom mended Sinnott to succeed Steve Stock- meyer, says about her reflects the standards by which all women in politics would like to be judged. “Nancy earned the right to the job,” Vander Jagt said. “She’s done her other jobs here so well, she was the only choice.” Sin nott has been on the committee payroll for four years, the first two as a field represen tative in New England and Illinois, the last two as campaign director — the deputy to the retired Stockmeyer. “Being campaign director is the toughest job in the whole committee,” Vander Jagt said. “Every Republican representative and senator is putting pressure on you to back their own favorites, even when the objective evidence indicates the money and resources should go to other races. It takes tremendous strength to say no to all those people, and she is as tough as steel. “But even when they’d been turned When told that one right-wing political- action committee director regards her as a libertarian while another describes her as a liberal, Sinnott does what any smart pol would do. She laughs and says, “Well, actually, Tm neither. I’m a Midwesterner like Dave Stockman, and it’s easy for people like us to be progressive on foreign policy and civil rights, pragmatic in politics and conservative in the economic area. Fiscal sanity and personal freedom look to me like they go hand-in-hand, and I don’t want the government so out of check that it threatens either one of them.” In a season when they have few victories to cheer, a great many women, including Democrats who have no desire to see Sin nott succeed too well in her job, are offering congratulations to her for getting there. Warped Move A&M into 20th Century down by her,” Vander Jagt added, “they’d say, ‘She’s quite a lady. ” Sinnott, whom an old chauvinist like my self would describe, if I dared, as a slim brunette with the looks of the young Joan Bennett, is another kind of rarity in today's Republican capital: an avowed feminist. The child of a Chicago businessman, she went to Wheaton College, in Mas sachusetts, also taking courses at Williams College.' ^ It was in the liberal tradition of the underdog Massachusetts GOP that stie re ceived her political training. While still in college, she worked on the campaign staffs of Gov. Francis Sargent and Lt. Gov. Donald Dwight and then in their offices, assisting in reorganization of the state’s sprawling executive agencies into a cabinet-style government and in the im plementation of the school racial-balance decisions. At the urging of then-Sen. Edward W. Brooke (R.-Mass.), she ran for vice chair man of the state GOP in 1975 and defeated three opponents for the job. In 1976, she managed Arthur Mason’s House campaign against then-Rep. Robert F. Drinan (D- Mass.). Although Mason lost, his campaign drew more Republican votes than any other race any Republican has ever run in that district. It was the Mason campaign that brought her to the attention of the Republican Con gressional Campaign Committee, a power house political operation that every two years sets new records for its fund-raising and campaign services. As campaign director and now as execu tive director, Sinnott has helped recruit and elect Republicans of all varieties, working as hard on the campaign of Clay Shaw, a Florida conservative, as on that of Claudine Schneider, a Rhode Island feminist — both of whom were elected last fall. By SAM GILLESPIE and STEVE HENRY We would like to address this letter to Mr. Darrin Lewer, et. ah, who would oppose State Rep. Foster Whaley’s propos al to close Prairie View A&M University. Our purpose is to clarify a position that garners little support from the students of Texas A&M and Prairie View, the State Legislature, and the State of Texas. The motivating concept that initiated this letter can be simply stated: We believe it is time to move higher education in Texas into the 20th century. The closing of Prairie View A&M will be a significant and inevitable step toward this goal and we hope that our argument will be met with an open mind. A brief history of educational segregation would be the appropriate topic to begin our case. In 1896, in the Plessy v. Ferguson decision, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation is constitutional as long as “separate but equal” facilities are provided. The “separate but equal” clause buttressed the southern, and some northern, states’ insistence on segregating their public school systems, and was the rationale for not providing the black student with a qual ity education. However, in 1954, the Sup reme Court reversed its 1896 ruling, and in the Brown v. Topeka Board of Education case held that separate educational facilities are “inherently unequal” and ordered the states to integrate their schools “with all deliberate speed.” And so it stands, 27 years later, within the Texas A&M Univer sity System — we ignore the Court’s 1954 decision and continue to adhere to the con cept of “separate but equal” facilities. In your letter, Mr. Lewer, you stated that the government should not determine where an individual goes to college. Let us say this before we go any further: We do not quesiton the rights of individuals to seek self-determination. As such, we are abso- Guest Column lutely and unequivocally opposed to the idea of government control over an indi vidual’s decisions. However, Mr. Lewer, this is not the central issue of conflict and, unfortunately, you have missed the point altogether. By closing Prairie View, Rep. Whaley’s proposal is not forcing the stu dents there to enroll in any certain universi ty or college in Texas. The legislation is not telling anyone where to go. Taken verbatim from a letter Rep. Whaley wrote to the president of Prairie View A&M, Dr. Alvin I. Thomas, these are some of the things that the House bill would do: 1. Every Student presently attending Prairie View A&M would be permitted to finish their four year course of study at Prairie View A&M if they so desired. 2. Present students at Prairie View A&M could transfer to non-segregated colleges and universities without loss of credits. 3. Students who would transfer to non- segregated universities would be exempted from tuition and fees. 4. Tenured members of Prairie View A&M faculty would be re-assigned by the Coordinating Board of Colleges and Uni versities at no loss of salary. 5. Incentives of $1000.00 per student and $5000.00 per faculty member would be given receiving colleges and universities to encourage recruitment. 6. Proceeds from the sale of the property would be used for grants for black students only. 1 The effect of the proposed legislal be three-fold. First, it will help the A&M System comply with the spirit 1954 Brown v. Topeka Board of Ed®•] ruling. Second, it would eliminate ludicrous aspect of the A&M Systei absolute insanity to offer a duplicity vices under the umbrella of a sinj tional system where both Texas Ai Prairie View A&M share commongi objectives and are only 60 miles apaif is a horrendous and disgraceful w money. Finally, a 15-minute stroll the heart of the Texas A&M campm evidence needed to prove that thers very, very few black students herei lege Station. In addition, only 164of] View’s 4,547 students are white. If View is closed, it is our sincere ho] those students who would have attrj? Prairie View will stay within the A&M System and enroll at Texas merely one hour’s drive from the h jjj> View campus. This will please feden vestigators who question our poll Dr. minority recruitment, but more imp^jpsy* ly, this chain of events will integrateffitalk: A&M and allow black and white stink j study in a cooperative atmosphen b learn more about the attitudes and oi | of one another. One last word. We abhor racial hi those who accuse us of such are d( falsely and charges of that nature met with vigorous protests. The fact matter, Mr. Lewer (and all other oppose Rep. Whaley’s proposal), is you, and not us, who is advocating educational institutions for black and^' if students. |:als I pres: Sam Gillespie is a senior accounting®:'. ei Steve Henry is a senior agriculturalm 0 f j mics major. .. m ei Lax ?C rial It’s your turn Why supply arms instead of food? Editor: As the United States begins to supply weapons to El Salvador, Saudi Arabia, and possibly Afghanistan (in addition to our long-standing arms recipients, such as Israel), I would ask Mr. Reagan, Mr. Haig, and their associates this: Why is it this na tion’s mission and obligation to become the “munitions factory,” not the “breadbasket,” of the globe? The new administration has resolved that we can no longer afford to supply food and medicine to others in the world who are in need. But, in effect, we are not reducing our “alms giving” overseas. We are simply substituting guns for food. Andy Parker The U.S. government was supporting the dictator shah. His hands were involved in shedding the blood of innocent Iranian peo ple. Did American people try to stop the actions of their own government toward the Iranian people? You, American people, if you believe that the government of U.S. and the people of U.S. are together, and if you think that you care about human rights, why don’t you do something before it’s get ting late. Stop your government from sup porting the dictator of El Salvador. I would like to mention my solidarity with the Popu lar Movement in El Salvador. Behnam Rajabian played their best game with tta, U|' havior of the crowd Monday night? E&‘ tically, they were embarrassed antff ably could not give their 100 pete Please don ’t interpret this letter as ad"} ing no enthusiasm at games —I’m i favor of noise as long as it’s done witll purpose of encouragement for our M You’d be surprised what genuine si^ can do for team morale and hopefullyfei; winning cause. Carol Sullivail No buying power Solidarity for Salvador Wolpert’s the pits Editor: The situation in El Salvador is getting more and more serious. As you hear the news from this country every day, you hear so far many innocent people were being martyred. The question is why these people are rising up. Do they have a popular gov ernment from the people? Do they have justice? Is there an equality among all clas ses of society? If there are such problems inside the country, can the people of El Salvador have the ability to change the gov ernment from dictatorship into a popular government? The people of El Salvador are as human as the other people of the world. They can decide on what kind of govern ment they want. As you hear the news from here, the U.S. government is sending milit ary advisers and war equipment to El Salva dor. The U.S. government is making deci sions for the people of El Salvador and in terfering in the internal affairs of the coun try and supporting the dictator of El Salva dor to stay for a few days and to kill more innocent people. The situation is exactly like in Chile and Iran and other countries. Editor: C’Mon Dean Wolpert, winning isn’t ev erything. There are two responses I felt toward Mr. Wolpert’s opinions expressed Monday about turning “Jolly Rollie” into an intimi dating pit. First — you’ve got to be kidding, and second — I certainly hope the majority of Ags do not feel the same way you do. The sporting event is supposed to take place on the courts. Fans may add to the excitement of the game, yet they should not deteriorate the quality of the athletic event. I also dis agree with the idea that “rowdy” fans will produce a winning team. Do you- actually think that Rynn Wright and Vernon Smith Editor: An open letter to W.R. Paseworh cerning assistantships: You can’t pay for your groceries at Si; with “opportunity.” Donald Q. And 1 Correction An article on Wednesday’s front pa? correctly identified Dr. C.S. Giamas V dean of science.” Giam is head of the mistry department; Dr. Thomas Sugifc dean of the College of Science. The Battalion regrets the error. 7HI* X? ONE. TEST THIS SAPXSTXC rROF XfN'T SOXtf® To AftlL ME VTXTH. X Kf/ow EVERYTHIN©!/ I /v\A7 HAVE SACRIFICED SLEEP TO DO XT, BUT X KNOW XT Afct. EVERYTHING^ I'M READY , HERE By Scott McCullar /VA/^E ? FOR GOTTEN N AN\ 6 WHAT'S MY NAME? WHAT am i doing here.? who \re THESE. PEOPLE? WHAT ARE THESE MMZEPEP THTA/GS on the page? The Battalion MEMBER ISPS 045 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 .160 The Battalion also serves as a laboratory newspaf*' students in reporting, editing and photograph) 1 ' within the Department of Communications. Questions or comments concerning any editorials should be directed to the editor. LETTERS POUCY Letters to the Editor should not exceed 350 length, and are subject to being cut if they are li editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters for Sl)^* length, but will make every effort to maintain the i- ' intent. Each letter must also be signed, show the « :: and phone number of the writer. Columns and guest editorials are also welcome,^ 1 not subject to the same length constraints as If"; Address all inquiries and correspondence to: Edits Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M Uni'* 51 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 Ailh' and spring semesters, except for holiday and < periods. Mail subscriptions are $ 16.75per semester. per school year and $35 per full year. Advertising furnished on request. 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