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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 17, 1981)
I Viewpoint The Battalion Texas A&M University Friday April 17, 1981 Slouch By Jim Earle “When are you going to learn our system? When I’m riding on the sidewalk. I’m a pedestrian; when I’m riding in the street. I’m a vehicle. ” in a By HELEN THOMAS United Press International WASHINGTON — Nancy Reagan has put her activities and the East Wing of the White House basically “on hold” while the president recuperates from his bullet wound. When asked what Mrs. Reagan would be doing while her husband works at a light schedule and remains in the White House residence, her press secretary, Sheila Pat ton, said, “She’ll be nursing him.” On March 30, on leaving a luncheon in Georgetown, the first lady was told that there had been a shooting, that the presi dent was not hit, but that he was at the hospital. She immediately decided to join him and on ariving learned that he had been wounded. She later said in an interview with Time magazine that she initially felt fright and anger. “Then all you’re thinking is that you have to hold yourself together and not bother anyone.” She has done that, and she has been con stantly at her husband’s side since the shooting. In the three months since the Reagans moved into the White House, they have known the joys and sorrows of holding the highest office in the land. They have known the adulation that comes to the president and his wife and the security problems that come out of the blue. “Whenever I hear a siren, my stomach turns,” Mrs. Reagan recently confided. She had commitments early in April but sent her regrets, telling her aides she was afraid she would be overcome with emotion at sympathetic gatherings and she did not want to subject herself to that. But she did get a new insight into the feelings of people all over the country who showered down with get-well cards, mes sages and hundreds of bouquets. She took many of the cards, particularly from chil dren, to her husband’s hospital room and he got a kick out of them. There is no woman’s lib aspect to Mrs. Reagan. Like her husband, she believes in the old fashioned way about love and mar riage, and opposes the Equal Rights Amendment. She also takes her cue on gun control from him. And even after he was shot with a gun apparently purchased over a counter, he still told all visitors he is opposed to more gun control. She feels the same way, saying in an in terview, “You know Ronnie’s position. He just doesn’t believe that’s where the prob lem is.” Each first lady sets her own style in the White House. Mrs. Reagan had spent most of her time, up to the shooting, getting her house in order. She has enjoyed her search for antiques in the White House ware house, and the redecorating of the upstairs family quarters where the Reagans spend so much time. Her outside activities have been rela tively limited, although she is continuing to promote the Foster Grandparents Prog ram. She also has created a new fashion sense with her expensive but timeless war drobe and she is probably the best dressed first lady in a long time. Although she does not have an office in the East Wing like Rosalynn Carter, she has a smooth running operation, and handpick ed her staff after many interviews. The Reagans’ closest friends remain their Beverly Hills, Bel Air and Hollywood pals. And they are around often enough to keep them from getting homesick. Mrs. Reagan’s occupation was listed as “First Lady” on her income tax return. And that translates into: loving wife of the Presi dent of the United States. the small society by Brickman 1-5 fZEALLY <9FF - Without peali^ - Washington Star Syndicate, Inc. Reagan winks at breaking law! “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice ... moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue. ” — Barry Goldwater Nancy Reagan: Love time of crisis Now we know where our new president stands on civil liberties ... and all of a sud den George Orwell’s vision of 1984 doesn’t appear to be too far off. Goldwater’s quote is even more scary today than it was in 1964, for then Goldwa ter had an iceball’s chance in summer of becoming president. Goldwater posed no real threat to civil liberties because he was no real threat to capture the White House. Now, the face has changed, the right winger is in the White House — but the philosophy remains the same. Goldwater’s message is scarier now because it’s no lon ger the mindless chatter of an also-ran — today it’s White House policy. Ronald Reagan’s hasty and ill-conceived pardon of two former top-level FBI officials should cause quite a bit of concern among those of us who cherish the Bill of Rights. The message Reagan is sounding is loud and clear: In his view, extremism is no vice, if it’s in pursuit of what the government deems justice. That philosophy resulted in the downfall of one president whose aides practiced what Goldwater preached. They decided Sidebars By Dillard Stone that the laws of the nation weren’t binding on them because they felt they were acting in the country’s best interests. The result: Burglaries, wiretapping, surveillance, and all in the name of the sacrosanct “national security.” The idea that the state must violate the rights of some to ensure its own survival is contrary to the principle of the government deriving its power from the people. Just as fallacious is the implication that the govern ment must violate the rights of some to ensure the rights of all. And yet by pardoning the two FBI men, Reagan is legitimizing their actions. He’s acknowledging their wrongdoing, but he’s giving justice a wink with the eye of execu tive clemency. Extremism — going beyond the law — in the defense of liberty is OK by him, as long as the lawbreakers are consci entious in their motives. The rationale is just as outrageous as the concept: “(By pardoning the draftdi America was generous to those whore! to serve their country in the Vietnam? We can be no less generous to two mb acted on high principle to bring an the terrorism that was threatening tion,” Reagan said in a statement. High principle? Try “conspiran violate the civil rights of others.’’Howl principled does that sound? If I found lars in my home, I wouldn’t commend for their high principles, nor would I especially secure in the presence of. one who gave the burglars their ii tions. But I forgot: Since it’s the govern | that’s doing the breaking and enterin{i 1 OK. And signs are that it may becomeb § than OK. The President of the Uili § States declares that these are 1; I principled men. The high-principledi I lows themselves say their pardon willpi | shot in the arm to the FBI’s domestic^ f ligence programs. These high-princi]lf ?} fellows themselves say they’d v citizens’ civil rights — and the law- should the government deem itnece: It may prove to be a fitting end presidential term when the next eli rolls around in ... 1984. ©RjltyOKWlWt- • Mike Thatche noon after api student servic Thatcher, * leader this yer In his camp more unified s ing of traditic important par hanging time Thatcher w: Yell Leader C P.E. c offers new v Support Eyes of Texas A&M projec By LAURIE HOWARD and JUDY MARCOTTE It is the Aggie Spirit that is known world wide and we are appealing to the Spirit of Aggieland in your hearts. Aggies have gained national acclaim for their loyalty to each other and their participation in the annual Aggie Blood Drive where they give more blood than do students at any other university nation-wide. The “Eyes of Texas A&M” Living Bank Project is a logical prog ression of one of A&M’s many worthwhile traditions. The “Eyes of Texas A&M” Living Bank Donor Registration Drive is a new project getting underway at Texas A&M. The Stu dent Government, Alpha Phi Omega, and the Texas Aggie Medical Student Associa tion are involved in a campus-wide attempt to develop a program by which Aggies may register to potentially donate their useable organs at the time of their death to those in need. This effort is coordinated with The Living Bank, a non-profit organization founded in 1968 and housed adjacent to the Texas Medical Center. Serving on the Board of Advisors of The Living Bank are numerous noteworthy individuals includ ing Drs. Denton Cooley, Michael De- Bakey, Christian Barnard, Truman Block er, columnist Abigail Van Buren (alias Dear Abby) and Vice President George Bush. As you know, the Aggie Muster is a cere- Reader’s Forum mony symbolic of the great loyalty which binds Aggies to their school and to each other. Aggie Muster is a way for each of us to renew our loyalty and unity. As Aggies, let’s unite and take this tradition one step further as we remember our friends before we die through registration for organ dona tion at the time of our deaths. A&M is the first institution of higher edu cation in the nation to sponsor a campus wide donor registration drive. This project has been endorsed by many responsible for the prestige of Texas A&M. Several of these include Chancellor Frank W.R. Hubert, former president Dr. Jarvis Miller, and Dr. John Koldus, vice president for student ser vices. Many students also have endorsed this project, including Mark Outlaw, 1980- 81 head yell leader and Kelly Castleberry, By AUGUi Battalion Not all physic ses are for as stars, tennis pro inas. In Venture U urse being < &M Universil ing school year. |nts can lean Medical advances in the field ofY jj own a cliff orw plantation have made possible the gifto!“ * '! to ^ 0 H VC 1 for fellow human beings. Vision can c "' k tically be restored through surgical dures of corneal transplantation. It I s been estimated that this procedure eliminate 15-20 percent of the blindness' |ken Venture gorge. Next fall ther hire Dynamics class for those like to 1 this country. More than 13 million Ai icans suffer from the nation’s fourth leali- same skills, health problem — kidney disease. . ^ an y So how can Aggies help in this wort* KjyMCA < while project? Jh, and this’c Tables in the Memorial Student Oep| w | lenwor y n g v will be manned the week of the Blood Dfi'iinstructor Cam April 20-23 to answer any questions. Attlls “I like the ch: time. Aggies will also be given the opppy the class,” ] tunity to register. Additional forms can: dent in the clas obtained in the Student Governin' office, 216 MSG. The willingness of Aggies to help oth : in need is truly a beautiful tradition. to recruit oers for it.” There will b Jenture Dynai fith a limit of 2 Laurie Howard and Judy Marcotte non. Venture E two-hour clas: working with the Eyes of Texas A&M f Tuesdays from ing Bank project. Warped By Scott McCullar THERE ARE LEGE/VDS THAT MANY 7EARS A60 A HUGE FURRY BEAST VISITED AMERICAN INDIANS.. NEW EVIDENCE SHOWS THIS NOW THIS LEGEND COMES BEAST WAS KNOWN TO HAVE to the screen in the DISTRIBUTED GIFTS' KNOWN sun international picture AS "EGGS" TO THE INDIANS * IN SEARCH OF HISTORIC AND HIDDEN THEM AROUND A (N THEIR VILLAGES. E/VSTER BUNNY" JL ^ A /! bm \ 1 ^ / l/l COMING TO'. ShlOOK, HEARNS, PI ME BOX , STOPPING FOR IT MINUTES J/V: ROSE ROD, GAUSE, PASSING RY BUS THROUGH THE TOWNS OF'. CALVERT, MATHIS ETC- H The Battalion > m. It will b< udents who c 'ynamics I. I S F S 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 VenitaMcCellon, Scot K. Meyer StaffWriters Carolyn Barnes, Jane G. Brust, Frank L. Christlieb, Terry Duran, Bernie 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 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 045 .460 Regents. The Battalion also serves as a laboratory newspaper students in reporting, editing and photography ch* within the Department of Communications. Questions or comments concerning any editorial^ should be directed to the editor. LETTERS POLICY Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 wori length, and are subject to being cut if they are longer ’ editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters for stylei* length, but will make every effort to maintain the aiitb- 1 ' intent. Each letter must also be signed, show and phone number of the writer. Columns and guest editorials are also welcome, not subject to the same length constraints as Address all inquiries and correspondence to: Editor. Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M Unive# College Station, TX 77843. The Battalion is published daily during Texas A&M ^ and spring semesters, except for holiday and examin*^ periods. Mail subscriptions are $ 16.75 per semester, $' per school year and $35 per full year. Advertising r 1 ' 5 furnished on request. Our address: The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald Bib? ing, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77I$ United Press International is entitled exclusively use for reproduction of all news dispatches credited to 1 Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein resent: Second class postage paid at College Station, TX ^ Wl One < maint tennij