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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 19, 1981)
& I I The Battalion Viewpoint October 19,11 V | Slouch By Jim Earle “No need to apologize, sir — many of our customers have confused the word rebate with debate! But in appreciation for your purchase, we stand ready to fulfill our contract and to give you one of the finest $200 debates you've ever had!” Student dislikes traditions Editor: I would like to take this opportunity to say “Thank YOU,” Eric Mitchell, and the others in the past, for standing up and trying to let the few sensible people attend ing this place know what really lies behind the facade of honor and integrity this Uni versity is supposed to have. Unfortunately, I cannot leave this place just now, but I live for the day when I will finally depart this ridiculous excuse for higher education. Some may agree with me, but for most of the people who read this, that day will not be soon enough. TOUGH! I don’t care what anyone else thinks, but I am sick of these so-called “traditions,” rituals, “good bull,” and all the other crap which constitutes being a “Good Ag." I have come to see that this place is nothing more than a giant mad house with its pervasive atmosphere of in sanity governing it. I only wish I had know beforehand that Texas A&M was really as bad as all the jokes make it out to be, but this place is no laughing matter. This is a place where indi vidualism is suppressed and where those who differ are looked down on. One is Readers Forum looked down on for not going to football games, and a dislike of football or sports in general is viewed as non-support of the University. One is looked down on for not going to yell practice and a dislike for yell ing one’s head off like a fool along with a huge drunken mob is viewed as blasphemy. One is looked down on for not participating in bonfire or its related activities. Well, I did cut for two years, and I paid the price in grades, but so what? Grades aren’t sup posed to matter in something as incredibly “essential” as bonfire. I am looked down on for no longer cutting so that I can try to save my grades, but apparently, I am expected to cast aside this expensive education and my right to free choice. Even personal behavior is governed by the masses. If one doesn’t “go out with the guys’ to get drunk or pick up girls, he is accused of being anti-social, coi or introverted, but if one admires of the opposite in silence, solitm non-aggressiveness, he is accused sick, strange, or perverted. Of this is done with others in a loud, generally offensive manner, or if has a sexual adventure of some brags about it, then that person is to as an image to follow. I am tired, so very tired, of the have* to see and hear every day. |i of this letter, I can probably expect the same, but no matter. I have through the worst times of my certainly few of the best, sonotmudl can happen to hurt me. People w tinue to lie left and right to cover truth and to discredit what I and other I vidualists have to say, but at least we | what really goes on here. Go ahead out your petty little fantasies, invent new techniques for hurtingpil go ahead and hide in your ivorytS I suppression, savagery, and falsehooil will not be deceived! Noe Gi Mosel m « I Wi J Women advance along path to bars By DICK WEST United Press International WASHINGTON — Judging from the rally it sponsored here last week, the main thrust of the National Organization for Women currently is directed toward ratifi cation of the Equal Rights Amendment. ERA, however, is by no means the only path for progress in the field. A good many of the steps taken by women since the dawning of the liberation movement have been in the direction of bars. Coincident with the NOW rally, a nationwide survey of 347 bartenders pro duced reports of a sharp increase in un escorted bar-hopping by women. But although many women apparently feel more free to frequent bars sans male companions, they are not so free with their loose change. The barkeeps participating in the poll agreed that women customers as a group are the poorest tippers. One explanation of why women bar- hoppers are somewhat stinting with gra tuities was offered by a West Hollywood bartender. “They are often tight with their money in the anticipation of someone treating them to a drink,” he said. By contrast, according to the survey, the best tippers are men who are buying drinks for women. “I’ve served men with dates, who after ordering a round of drinks, have left tips worth the price of two or even three rounds,” an Atlantic City bartender was quoted as saying. It was his theory that such open- handedness comes about “because men are so concerned with impressing their dates. ” “Those same fellows aren’t such big spen ders when they come in alone. ” he said. Maybe so. But the other evening the bar- stool next to mine was occupied by a woman who had attended the NOW rally. When I mentioned to survey to her, I got two en tirely different interpretations. Any inference that women bar-hoppers are intrinsically tightwads is not well drawn, she said. Despite the equal employment drive, many women still are paid less for compara ble work or else are obliged to take low- paying jobs traditionally filled by women. Since they are not likely to be as well- heeled as male barhoppers, they perforce leave smaller tips. Moreover, bartenders may be jumping to the wrong conclusion in assuming that men who tip lavishly are trying to impress their dates. It is equally valid to assume the women for whom they are buying drinks are busi ness associates and that the tips either will be recovered on their expense accounts or written off on their tax returns. Hence the big spenders aren’t being as bighearted as it might appear to the naked eye. She said. Until more definitive evidence is avail able, I decided to take an ambivalent approach. “Fill ‘er up again, Joe,” I called to the bartender, “and one more of whatever the lady is having.” Then I turned to the lady and said, “Would you like to armwrestle to see who pays for this round?” It s your turn Aggies have opportunity to donate Editor: the small society by Brickman r TA^ MY WITH - r HAV^ 'Z&T Have you ever gotten tired of people asking you to give? All the causes are good, many are great. The problem is there are so many and your resources are limited. If you run out of money to give, you can always give time. Time also runs short rapidly. An age old dilemma now confronts us, in spite of our desire to share, we must start saying no when asked to give. The TAMU Student Senate last year started a project that can turn even the strongest no to a caring yes. From a very short piece of legislation called the “Eyes of Texas A&M,” the Sen ate created a program of giving that trans cends even death. Sounds pretty heavy? It’s really very simple, in fact the only thing you have to give now is enough time to fill out a donor card, ten minutes max. I know it now sounds to good to be true. It is not only true, its great. The bill started the first campus wide organ donor drive ever held in the United States. Aggies now have the opportunity to donate, after death, all parts of their bodies for transplantation, therapy, medical re search or anatomical studies. This is an opportunity that costs nothing yet has the potential of providing a kidney transplant, a heart transplant, needed research mate rial and possibly sight to a blind person. The Living Bank is the easiest way I know to share with others. I strongly encourage you to examine the Living Bank program and complete a donor card. Visit the Living Bank tables at the MSG during the week of October 19-23 or call 845-3051 if you have any questions. Let the volunteers explain how easy it can be to give of yourself so others may live. Thank you for your time. Fred Seales Graduate Senator Game parking problems Editor: the day prior to the football game bet Texas A&M and the University ofHoi I observed a policeman placing devil the west side of the MSG to reserve pai spaces the moment they were not pied. Being curious as to the purpose oft actions, I questioned the officer, hi formed that these numerous “rese spots” were to be held for “membersi) board of regents and their guests’’;! rently for the game on the following This gives the strong impression that board members think that they andlj “cronies” are better than the restofus age citizens. Who do they think These parking spaces should beavailal the average Aggie fan, and theyshoi available on a first come-first served While driving through the campus on Hank Tayltj Warped By Scott McCullar ALL RI6HT /VOW FRANK, BABY, BEFORE THE CAMERAS ROLL I WANT TO 60 0VE.R IT A&A//V... SLOWLY, WITH GREAT FEEL I N6, OPEN THE FILL BOTTLE, TENDERLY RE MOVE YOUR DOSA&E, AND REPLACE THE CAP. FIRMLY. -y The Battalion USPS 045 360 MEMBER Texas Press Association Editor Angelique Copeland Managing Editor Marcy Boyce City Editor JaneG. Brust Asst. City Editor Kathy O’Connell Photo Editor Greg Gammon Sports Editor Ritchie Priddy. Focus Editor Cathy Saathoff Asst. Focus Editor Debbie Nelson News Editors Phyllis Henderson Bernie Fette, Belinda McCoy Diana Sultenfuss StaffWriters Gary Barker Frank L. Christlieb, Randy Clements Gaye Denley, Nancy Floeck, Colette Hutchings Denise Richter, Rick Stolle, Nancy Weatherley Barbie Woelfel Cartoonist Scott McCullar Graphic Artist Richard DeLeon Jr. Photographers Brian Tate Becky Swanson, Dave Einsel The Battnliqn also serves as a laboratory newspapffj students in reporting, editing and photography clt^ within the Department of Communications. Questions or comments concerning any editorialiulj should be directed to the editor. LETTERS POLICY Letters to tjie Editor should not exceed 300 words * length, and are subject to being cut if they are longer ^ editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters forstyleP length, but will make every effort to maintain the autll |,, intent. Each letter must also be signed, show the and phone number of the writer. Columns and guest editorials are also welcome, and 111 not subject to the same length constraints as letW* Address all inquiries and correspondence to: Editor, Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M Univer# 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 A&M’sl and spring semesters, except for holiday and examinaW periods. Mail subscriptions are $ 16.75 per semester, $33l per school year and $35 per full year. Advertising furnished on request. 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