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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (July 30, 1981)
The Battalion Viewpoint July 30,1981 Slouch By Jim Earle I ve often wondered what would happen at the gate if a book wasn't properly checked out. “ Reagan and press meet too seldom By HELEN THOMAS United Press International WASHINGTON — As he did in the 1980 campaign. President Reagan is avoiding the press as much as possible. Even the promise of news conferences have become more and mbfe remote, with aides making clear that the President is too busy to prepare for sessions with the media. Reagan’s aides seem to think he is doing fine, lobbying Congress and communicat ing with various groups in the East Room and State Dining Room on his own terms. He speaks and the Cabinet officials step forward to answer the questions. Reagan has held three news conferences as president, the last one on June 16. He admits that he did not fare well in that go-round. He appeared ill prepared for many of the questions, particularly on the foreign policy. A president does not have to hold news conferences, but it is of the few presidential institutions of direct public accountability. Unlike a prime minister, he is not subjected to formal questioning in a parliament. Unless Reagan now has a series of news conferences, which aides indicate is unlike ly, his first year record will be the lowest in three decades. Former President Gerald Ford had five news conferences between Aug. 9, 1974 until 1975. Jimmy Carter held 22 press con ferences his first year in office. Lyndon Johnson had 35 during his first year as presi dent in 1964; John F. Kennedy, 19 in 1961 and Dwight D. Eisenhower, 23 in 1953. Richard Nixon had the least number in his first year — eight. During the 1974 Watergate crisis, he held two news confer ences. Reagan appears to be fairly well at ease in encounters with the press, but his advisers definitely are not. They much prefer con trolled circumstances where he is briefed beforehand. The President is not hostile to the press. He does chide reporters in what seems to be a lighthearted way at times for “distort ing” the news. But most of the time, he is smiling and tolerant as photographers and reporters are summoned into the Oval Office — the thundering herd, as Kennedy used to call the pack — to take his picture with a visitor or a group. Sometimes he comments that as soon as the press is gone, they can get down to business. “Is there a Kodak in the crowd,” he will quip to the photographers, most of whom carry Japanese cameras. There is also banter with reporters who ask questions in what is always called a “photographic opportunity.” On such occa sions, there are protests from White House aides, who are always standing by. “This is not a news, conference,” White House counselor Edwin Meese will say. When reporters shout a question at Reagan, he will often look at an aide, and shake his head indicating that he has been barred from answering the inquiry. Recently, Reagan, stepping off his heli copter after a horseback ride at Quantico, Va., was asked a question on the Middle East. “I shouldn’t do this,” he said warily, but then did respond to a few questions. Reagan’s recovery from a gunshot wound in the chest is often cited by his aides as the main reason for the big gap. But recently they have promised a news conference at least once a month that has not material ized. His aides, including Meese and chief of staff James Baker, do meet with reporters at breakfast sessions. Rarely does a Sunday pass without one or two members of the Reagan administration, from the Cabinet on down, hold forth on a talk show. Reagan’s press staff is helpful and at times does a masterful job of public relations. But they know, as reporters do, there is no sub stitute for a president speaking for himself, on the record, and for today, and history. The Battalion U S P S 045 360 MEMBER LETTERS POLICY Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congress , _ - , Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 words in „ ... length, and are subject to being cut if they are longer. The E dlt o r . n 6 e Jque °P® an editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters for style and City Editor Jan e rus length, but will make every effort to maintain the author’s Photo Editor CregCammon intent. Each letter must also be signed, show the address Sports Editor Ritchie Priddy an d phone number of the writer. Focus Editor Cathy Saathoff Make-up Editor Greg Gammon Columns and guest editorials are also welcome, and are Staff Writers Bernie Fette, Kathy O’Connell, not subject to the same length constraints as letters. Denise Richter Address all inquiries and correspondence to: Editor, The Cartoonist Scott McCullar Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. EDITORIAL POLICY The Battalion is published Tuesday, Wednesday and The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting newspaper Thursday during Texas A&M’s summer semesters. Mail operated as a community service to Texas A&M University subscriptions are $16.75 per semester, $33.25 per school and Bryan-College Station. Opinions expressed in The Bat- year and $35 per full year. Advertising rates furnished on talion are those of the editor or the author, and do not request. necessarily represent the opinions of Texas A&M Universi- Our address: The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald Build- ty administrators or faculty members, or of the Board of ing, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Begents. The Battalion also serves as a laboratory newspaper for students in reporting, editing and photography classes United Press International is entitled exclusively to the within the Department of Communications. use for reproduction of all news dispatches credited to it. Questions or comments concerning any editorial matter Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein reserved. should be directed to the editor. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843. Zip says farewell to Texas A&j This letter or farewell is dedicated to the “late” graduates of the Class of ’81 (Who op!). Now that I am at the last seven hours of my college career, I feel that I know the answer to a common question frequently asked by college students during those famous “all-nighters” before exams. “Why am I doing this; is it all worth it?” This letter’s purpose is to provide an answer to the previous question. Unlike some of you, I began my college career at a different institution of higher learning. That’s right Ags, there are other institutions outside of College Station. Although my classes were challenging, I found myself wondering why I was so mis erable. I had always dreamed about going off to one of those “wild and crazy” colleges just like the ones in the 1950 college music als on TV. Something was definitely mis sing! In November of my eternally long fresh man year, a friend told me about a school that was filled with “friendly” people. After I regained consciousness, I was taken to Texas A&M, home of the 12th Man. I knew from the moment that I stepped foot on Reader's Forum % Aggie soil that shortly I too would be joining the ranks of the 12th Man. At University of Houston, the motto was: “Don’t talk to strangers!” Believe me, every faithful Cougar observed this. At Texas A&M, no one ever taught those poor Aggies about the dangers of saying “howdy” to total strangers! After I conquered the Aggie jargon, I faced another tough assignment: attending yell practices held after my bedtime. My first yell practice truly shocked me. I found Kyle Field filled with what seemed like the entire student body. On a good night at UH, you were lucky if one tenth of the student body made it to the actual games. Like all good Ags, I also became attendant of the traditional mil practices. When I came home for theta! since my transfer to Texas Afej mother couldn’t believe the change in me. She also couldn’tbei eight new maroon and white t-shwjj seemed to have accumulated in tlm weeks. I’m not saying that Texas AMI tions and people make the all-nigl long lines worth the privilege of Aggie. That is for you to decide. You see, two weeks from now, traveling down Highway 6 for theli as a Texas A&M student. Most of probably thinking: “I’d give any in her shoes. ” All I can say is, wait get there. Your heart will tell you it is to say good-bye. “Was it all worth it?” If you st;' know, I suggest that you slipintoC White on the 15th for the graduate cises. Your goosebumps will answei Merri Fischer.; M°i Tryin British forget their troubles in splendor of royal wedding Lady Di is now officially Diana, Princess of Wales, and England can relax now that the splendor called “The Wedding” is over. When the Prince and Princess spoke their vows, truly for all the world to see, they were not only stating their personal hopes for the future, but carried in their words the hopes and frail dreams of all the English commoners. Not in this country, and rarely in the world, has a single event stirred the hopes and interests of so many. Such a fervor of dedication to celebration and patriotism was not matched in this country even over the celebration of our 200th year of independance. In the midst of the tragedies of hunger-strikers in Ireland and rioting in the streets of England, more than two million of the Queen’s subjects gathered to watch and celebrate the noble nuptials. It’s interesting to note that the closest comparisons to that sort of intense, unifying interest in this country have been for funer als. Remember the thousands that col lected to mourn the Kennedys, Martin Luther King Jr. and Elvis Presley. But even on these occasions, the entire Writer’s cramp by Angelique Copeland country did not participate in the event. England, whose frail economy and soaring inflation should make Americans appreci ate only $1.30 a gallon gasoline, was all the more excited and impressed at the ostenta tious display of wealth. Even the poor re joiced in the staggering cost of the ring, the glass coach, and Lady Di’s gown because it was their royal family and you always want the best for family members. The less for tunate in this country would have been agh ast as such a display. Who on this continent could soi? Americans? Who could embody all ' ica’s hope and promise for the fotu$ answer is no one. Our super heroesf 1 on the silver screen. We have in this' try both the super-rich and thes aristocratic. But their antics inspire’; begrudged awe. The answer is certain the presidential family. Presidents and go, and while their actions are* nized they are not idolized. For England, Prince Charles anc| cess Diana are living storybook I Though their only power lies strength of their subjects belief i tion, the Royal Family represents! of England’s history and culture. All the pomp and circumstanceii| The people of Britain have return home to day-to-day lives plagued b)| ging economy and unrest in the street for a few hours none of that mattered ferences were forgotten because ai ber the family was getting married everyone basked in all the splenlf glory the country could muster. Warped By Scott McCulh