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
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Cartoonist Scott McCullar Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M University,
College Station, TX 77843.
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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