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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 13, 1981)
Viewpoint The Battalion Texas A&M University Monday April 13, 1981 Slouch By Jim Earle “I knew it would happen! The FDA has finally released a report saying having fun causes cancer. ” Real-worlders are too cosmic What is this garbage about the real world? For too long I have accepted the phrase “Wait ’til you get out in the real world” as a cherished but dreaded goal. The real world is now. It is here. Just because people, some professors, some counselors, some graduates, some stu dents, have perpetuated the doctrine of real worldism to defend beliefs they hold or have heard, does not mean I will live by their definitions. I suppose that the real world is a time- space coordinate that just happens when the sheepskin touches my hand. But it could as easily be the great beyond, where groups of A-dultz boldly explore universes where no kid has gone before. Is it possible to be a kid chronologically and still be a part of the real world? From what I have heard, the answer would be no. Kids don’t venture into the real world. Only A-dultz do. The real world, according to any map I have never seen, is a time warp beginning when a student severs the University umbi lical cord to float into the nether regions of Outer Place. We are protected to some degree by an aura of eju-kayshun, a mysterious fluid gra- Leftovers By Todd Woodard dually accumulated during at least four years of earth-bound maturation. It is during these four years that the reality of the real world grips us. Someday we may leave the ivy-trimmed halls to ven ture into the dark recesses of commercial life, where skills determine our speed be tween the galaxies. Is it that frightening hurtling into the void that is the real world? May be. But jerking economic supports from be neath students looms as the largest scenario for the real worlders. When mum and dad’s fuel finishes flying out the rocket nozzles, the student’s ship either main tains course or drifts into asteroids to be battered. That is the real world, they say. say I could not generalize and say some ships won’t be damaged, but I cannot agree that the here and now isn’t a real world, 1 pitfalls, and not just artificial, eju-ka)^ induced pitfalls ^Suicides are abnormally high in eju-kayshun towers. ^Work days are longer than in Outer Places. These work days frazzle! cells and fatten muscle cells. ^Wondering about real worlders more brain cells. When someone says, “Well, theyi do it like that in the real world,” dt; cringe and cower with awe? If so, ash; self, “Does talk really make a damn"?! ly: No. If the real world is as inflexible and?, as it is purported to be, anyone a the knowledge of ages, be a Static Sol Getting eju-kayshun would be simple] would all be protected early in life. It be a rule world rather than a real wo! But dynamic processes promise tk rule-real world can exist Instead, “In the the real world”sk be translated into “How I haveseenttiei world in my limited and obviouslyii plete view. Any assumption of absoh must originate with the listener.” So please, fellow travelers, don’t tal me of other real worlds. It’s just toocoa Will election reform ever come to an end? By CLAY F. RICHARDS United Press International WASHINGTON — There have been two presidential and three congressional elections since the Watergate scandal and they have sparked numerous calls to “re form the reforms.” While the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974 appears to have ended the most serious abuses caused by legal, but hidden, $1 million contributions by individual con tributors and illegal contributions by cor porations, liberals and conservatives alike are complaining about the way the system now works. Even though the maximum general elec tion contributions are now only $1,000 for individuals and $5,000 for political action committees, record amounts of money have been spent on each succeeding campaign — and the growth rate has far exceeded that of inflation. The cost of running for public office has become so expensive that it is more than ever a rich man’s game, since the Constitu tion says there is no limit on how much of one’s own funds can be spent getting one self elected. Television advertising continues to be the biggest drain on a campaign budget, and frequently makes the difference be tween victory and defeat. Polling, once the exclusive and expen sive tool of only well-financed presidential campaigns, is now common place in most House races. Direct mail is an increasingly popular way of raising funds — since they now must come in thousands of small contributions rather than from a few “fat cats. ” But build ing the mailing list that brings in the contri butions is extremely expensive and going up all the time because of increased postal rate hikes and the high cost of computers. As a result of growing costs and shrinking contributions, candidates turn more and more to special interests — political action committees — for money. While a single $5,000 contribution may not mean much, in a House race the compiled money of 20 labor PACs for a liberal or 20 pro-business PACs for a conservative constitute a size able warchest. Critics such as Common Cause say it also buys access and considerable influence, especially among House members who are going to be looking for the money again when re-election comes up just two years down the road. Since the Watergate reforms revolutio nized the way America finance election campaigns, Congress has been content to tinker with the law and not make any major changes. More tinkering seems in line this year. There is not much likelihood that major changes such as the public financing of House and Senate races, or mandatory free televison advertising for candidates is likely to be approved. And the various political factions will most likely cancel each other out when it comes to more modest proposals to either limit the contributions of PACs or increase the $1,000 limit on individual donors. In the Watergate year of 1972 when Richard Nixon ran for reelection and cam paign finance abuses were rampant not only in his campaign but in congressional ones too, total contributions in federal elections were $290 million. Last year they totaled $800 million. The big difference is that there was no full disclosure of where the $290 million went, while every penny of the $800 million is by law on file at the Federal Election Commission. And many say as long as the public knows where the money goes, that is all the reform needed. Carl Fin nudear Ul It s your turn I.S.A. restructure should be quashe Editor: This letter is to express my concern over the recent trend within I.S.A. spearheaded by its president. Some of these colleagues wish to see the old constitution cancelled which granted equal representation: “one vote per country” to all these many interna tional students from 86 separate countries of our world. Instead, they advocate “one vote per member” statute just like in any student club. The risks of such action were voiced in 1978 by TAMU I.S.A. adviser Corkey Sandel when a similar unrest proved shortlived. I.S.A. cannot afford to become a majority’s club nor a minority’s. There are separate clubs for that purpose. How would you like, for instance, to hear the United Nations Secretary General announce that memberships would be accepted from New York City inhabitants on “one vote per member” basis, because New Yorkers are close to U.N. and plenti ful, and thus would really work hard for world peace. And a few weeks later, Mr. Rockfellow is elected world president! I.S.A.’s worries about international stu dents not becoming members and not paying regular dues can be resolved if it is willing: that is, during the preregistration week, when an international student regis ters for that semester and checks that he is not a U.S. citizen, (s)he automatically can through his/her registration package be bil led for the $1 I.S.A. due. This way, 1800 international students will share equally the financial and moral support rather than few tens paying and the rest not caring. Also, let’s all please remember that well- received International Week is a joint suc cess of all large or small clubs. (Today) at 7 p.m., I.S.A. will hold an election with the present “one vote per country” basis (2/3 majority) for keeping or shelving the old constitution. Will those of you hidden out there from 86 different countries care for a half hour to come and vote for your own dignity. And let please conclude, I still do not compreki how International Affairs can downpla) . , movement of this sort which could not! international by any means, but may ’ ' multinational! Mehmet Sahinft Rollie Whit I running be; By Ni Bal The restl high as the U3 runm :loudy skii nfth Annus Two he ieconds ant look off, T across the fi; w'ng a man crossing the Murray, ihident, s A&M’s full — he’s Without evi math, Mi cool weatl pleasant. The run |2-year-old finished. S holding up Dean finis! Murray. But perh was 61- varese, who four hours was his 82n I ve bee he said. “It chief.” Although were colle under roany men • grandfather Did yo Rock me gently Editor: It was so nice to sit in the sun at Rudi Fountain (the other day) and listen tot great rock n’ roll music. It was a welcome change from listening dull politicians looking for votes andra'i Jesus freaks looking for someone to Thank you KANM. Steven A. Stewart Warped By Scott McCullar HEY, CAROLINE, LET'S OUR OLD "BATHROOM TRICK ON THIS GUY IN CHAIR UP HERE. WAIT A MINUTE immmm k The Battalion ISPS "■ MEMBER 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 Photo Editor Greg Gammon Sports Editor Ritchie Priddy Focus Editor Cathy Saathoff Asst. Focus Editor Susan Hopkins News Editors Venita McCellon, Scot K. Meyer Staff Writers . Carolyn Barnes, Jane G. Brust, Frank L. Christlieb, Terry Duran, Bemie Fette, Cindy Gee, Phyllis Henderson, Kathleen McElroy, Belinda McCoy, Kathy O’Connell, Denise Richter, Rick Stolle Cartoonist Scott McCullar Photographers Chuck Chapman, Brian Tate Brian late EDITORIAL POLICY The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting newspaper operated as a community service to Texas A6cM University and Bryan-College Station. 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