The Battalion
Viewpoint
Slouch
By Jim Earle
“We wouldn't have known that you did anything wrong in
your halftime routine if you hadn 't told us. "
at'*;
More important issues
should be letters topics
I’ve just read the last disappointing letter
to the editor about which I ll remain silent.
Why do I find so many letters to The Batta
lion to be puerile and exhaustingly boring?
Well, I suppose because I’m surrounded by
35,000 college students at the age in their
lives when they are most politically, social
ly, religiously, and ethically aware, who
cjian’t think of anything better to bitch about
besides poor bonfire turn-outs, bad Ags,
and misused dormitory laundry rooms! I
hope that isn t actually the ease and that it
only appears that way. Because if it is the
dgse, there's something seriously wrong
with this University.
The catalyst for my “anger (that’s a
euphemism for “rage ”) was most definitely
the response which Noe Gutierrez’s letter
elicited from the student body. The mo
ment I finished the first paragraph of his
letter, I knew that all hell would break loose
in the letters section for a while. But a week
of pitiful misinterpretations? The letters
were more insults to their authors than to
Noe. I hadn’t realized how exigent the
situation is on this campus. Understand
me. I’m not focusing the blame on The
Battalion, nor the administration. I’m
preaching to the students! We re never
again going to have a circuit like The Batta
lion through which we can holler about any
thing which aggrevates us. Don’t waste it
on ultra-local trivialities. Don’t waste it on
petty bickering over what a fellow student
had to say.
Reader s
Forum
I’m not asking for a revitalization of the
anger of the sixties, but if Kent State had
happened yesterday, would the response to
that in today’s Battalion be but a murmur
compared to the roar over savage frat rats
invading the campus? Judging by today’s
letters, it would.
These letters are only a manifestation of
the attitudes here at Texas A&M. We need
to take a critical look at those attitudes. Do
they promote the individuality a person de
sperately needs during his or her college
years? Do they reflect a responsive, respon
sible student body? Are they indeed our
attitudes and not those that we have literal
ly been “brain washed” into accepting?
To those who will inevitably convey to
me the message, “Why don’t you leave if
you don ’t like it?’’ I answer, “Some of us are
here to change things.”
Dave Spence
Editor’s note: Spence is a sophomore en-
glish major at Texas A&M.
The Battalion
USPS 045 360
MEMBER
Texas Press Association The Battalion also serves as a laboratory newspaper for
„ ,. , i. i . students in reporting, editing and photography classes
Editor . . . ^ • Angehque Copeland the Department of Communications.
Managing Editor : larcy Boyce Questions or comments concerning any editorial matter
City Editor JaneG. Brust should be directed to the editor.
Asst. City Editor Kathy O’Connell
Photo Editor DaveEinsel
Sports Editor Ritchie Priddy LEI FE’RS POLICY
Focus Editor Cathy Saathoff Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 words in
Asst. Focus Editor Debbie Nelson length, and are subject to being cut if they are longer. The
News Editors Phyllis Henderson editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters for style and
Bernie Fette, Belinda McCoy length, but will make every effort to maintain the author’s
Diana Sultenfuss intent. Each letter must also be signed, show the address
StaffWriters Garv Barker and P hone number of the writer.
Frank L. Christlieb, Randy Clements Columns and guest editorials are also welcome, and are
Gaye Denley, Nancy Floeck, Colette Hutchings . to the sarr \ e len ^ th constraints as 'otters.
tt- i a \\ it-) i r>- i n Address all inquiries and correspondence to: Editor, ine
Denise Richter, Mary Jo Rummel, Rick Stoile Q .. j ^ u ^ a* m it *
Txr ,| i .»t iri Battalion, ^lo Heed McDonald, lexas AocM University,
- Nancy Weatherley, Barbie Woelfel College Station> TX 77843
Cartoonist Scott McCullar
Graphic Artist. Richard DeLeon Jr. Battalion is published daily during Texas A&M’s fall
Photographers Brian Tate an( j S p r j n g semesters, except for holiday and examination
Colin Valentine periods. Mailsubscriptionsare$16.75persemester, $33.25
per school year and $35 per full year. Advertising rates
EDITORIAL POLICY furnished on request.
t'i. n ^ Our address: The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald Build-
The Battalion is a non-profit, self supporting newspaper h Texas A &M University, College Station, TX 77843.
operated as a community service to Texas A&M University
and Bryan College Station. Opinions expiessed in Tin Bat- United Press International is entitled exclusively to the
tahon are those of the editor or the author, and do not ,■ i .. r n i , i
...... use tor reproduction ot all news dispatches credited to it.
necessarily represent the opinions ot Texas A&M Umversi- d- v. c , f ,, ,, ,. , ,
, . . . 7 r i „ . Rights ot reproduction of all other matter herein reserved.
Regents ^ ^ ^ ° r ^ ° f Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843.
Warped
The debate that wasn’t
October 28,
Rather than the scheduled debate, 900
people witnessed a slaughter in Rudder
Theater. ERA opponent Phyllis Schlafly
was the priest who led ERA advocate
Katherine Brady, the lamb, to the sacrificial
altar.
Tuesday night’s discussion between
Schlafly and Brady was a disappointment.
The problem was not that either side’s
views were unsubstantiated; the problem
was that the speakers’ debating skills were
unequal.
Schlafly, a polished lawyer and chairman
of Stop ERA, has spoken against the Equal
Rights Amendment for nine years. She con
fidently voiced her views with well-
practiced points and rebuttals.
She repeatedly alluded to facts and fi
gures regarding past legislation and discri
mination suits which she said would not be
helped by any such equal rights amend
ment.
In contrast, Brady seemed to have some
difficulty organizing her thoughts. What
she did say made sense, at least to the ERA
advocates in the audience who cheered her
on, but her debating skills were no match
for Schlafly s. Her ineffectual delivery
made it impossible to consider seriously
Jane
Brust
\
the audience arrived at the prograirui
their opinions already formed.
Nonetheless it was refreshing toa
program on a controversial politicals!
some of her arguments.
Indeed, ERA proponents such as myself
may have felt shortchanged in that the pro-
ERA side of the discussion was something
less than provocative.
Rule #1 in debating is to know the de
bate subject backwards and forwards.
Brady seemed to know her subject for
wards, but she was not quick to respond to
Schlafly s questions or to those from the
audience. She did respond, with substanti
ated views, but significant pauses before
several responses were indicative of a lack
of debating experience.
I can’t imagine that her presentation
changed anyone’s views against the ERA.
But then, it appeared that most members of
caum# PrSFWtH-® 19 ®’ N 4 smcKWfc
along with numerous people willing
voice varying views.
And those views were voiced. Agroi
about 20 proponents- of the amendmei
donned white shirts and pants with gres
ERA sashes and buttons and made no lx®
about whose views they favored in 4
program.
Both ERA proponents and oppone
hissed and whooped and applauded wh
points were made in favor of their res
tive views. However, while Aggieland
diences are known for a frequent
courtesy for speakers, each speaker
allowed to make her remarks without u
necessary interruptions or rudeness.
The scheduled ERA debate was
tremendous program for the Univetjj
community. And, it was well-receivedt|
evidenced by a crowded theater and
sons listening in the outer lobby.
It’s a shame the undeveloped del
skills of one speaker kept the program
turning into the provocative exchange
ideas it could have been.
It s your turn
Students stay cool despite Rice fans
Editor:
I’m not a letter writing person, but I
must say how proud I was of all of you who
attended the Rice game on Saturday. In
spite of the obscene signs, yells and other
garbage coming from the Rice students’
section, you kept your cool and ignored it
all. To do otherwise would have been exact
ly what they wanted.
It is not surprising to me that the quality
of this institution, its growth, students and
spirit are the envy of higher education all
over the country. Your behavior during the
game was a perfect example of that quality.
We won a lot more than the football game
on Saturday. I’m proud to be an Aggie ^nd
I’m proud I work for you.
Well, Spence I don’t know where you got
your ideas, but it certainly was not from
going to school here. The Aggie Spirit is one
in which group feeling is suggested but the
individual still has the right to choose his
own course of action concerning his or her
feelings. If one misses midnight yell prac
tice does everyone he knows, who did go,
call for his execution? It is highly doubtful
that you got your impressions of Aggie life
from the majority of students attending
here. But I do suggest that you re-examine
your view due to the fact that it sounds like
more of a fraternity viewpoint rather than
that of a true Aggie. If after this re
examination you still feel that Texas A&M is
repressing your individuality, I can only
remind you of the old Aggie saying: HIGH
WAY 6 RUNS BOTH WAYS.
step off. Something unfortunate happened
during the half-time show at Rice on Satur
day. We don’t know what occurred, and«
don’t really care. What we do know is
we love you anyway, Band. You are
greatest!
Pre!
verall s
rease of
nstitutic
his fall.
Atota
airolled
nd inde.
itiesanc
vas up 2
ionally,
cation ha
ments t<
pected ii
rent.
The
ment gr
flmmun
Kadcou
Carla Rheudasil ’8
Editor’s note: This letter was accompanied
by signatures from 135 members of Neeley
Hall.
‘Random ' ticket policy
Carolyn Adair
Director of Student Activities
Jim MacCarthy ’83
Individuals welcome
Editor:
This letter is in response to the letter of
October 27 in which Doug Spence claims
that the University community as a whole is
one in which individuality is buried in a
mountain of snobbery and that attempting
to show any will be mercilessly put down in
the style of any critics of the Soviet Union.
Good job, defense
Editor:
I would like to personally congratulate
By Scott McCullar
A WOMAN/ IN THE BAND,
GOOD 6R1EF! WHAT A
PKEDICA^ r " ! T ^87
TO STOP HE.R NOW WE'LL
KUIN THE WHOLE HALF
TIAIE PERFOKAJANCE...
! BUT IF SHE SNEAKS OUT
OF HERE AFTERWARDS
SAN\E WAY SHE. GOT
IN. NO ONE MIGHT EVER
the Aggie defense for their outstanding job
this year. Being a defensive player myself, I
know what it means to get little attention for
a job well done. It appears that the offense
always gets credit for scoring points; but,
how often does the defense get credit for
preventing points?
Go Get ’em AG’s
Cindy Berg ‘82
Our Band is still best
Editor:
The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band is certain
ly one of the finest and most spirited organi
zations on our campus. When they march
and play, every Aggie stands a little taller,
and the pride radiates from his face because
he can say, “That’s our band, and they are
the best!”
We are indeed proud of our band and
stand behind them loyally every time they
Editor:
Now that I am a senior at Texas A&M
remember how it was when I was a fres
man and sat in end-zone bleachers, or
lucky, the horseshoe at home footb:
games. As freshmen, we were all told that
we would get better seats when we gottok
seniors (with rank comes privileges?). Sincf
then, the Athletic Department has changed
its ticket policy, tickets being doled out “i
random,” instead of first-come-first-serve
The reasoning behind the change, we were
told by the Athletic Department, was t«
eliminate the night-before campouts al
early-morning mob scenes the days tickets
went on sale. This “random” ticket scheint
is supposed to give more people a better
shot at getting better seats throughout their
years here at Texas A&M.
I went to get my tickets at 1 p.m. Mon
day afternoon, and was informed by the
person behind the ticket window at G.
lie White that the only tickets left on the
second deck were goal line or worse. Is this
an example of “random selection? If tickets
were picked up purely at random, the
chances of selecting a ticket between the 30
yard lines would be 2 times better
selecting tickets goal line or worse. Having
nothing but goal line or worse raises some
questions, as well as a few eyebrows, id
like to know the Athletic Departments
ticket office’s definition of “random.”
dents, a
over last
students
■nstitutic
junio
rollment
Altho
the stat<
ies an
percent
rampuse
ment de
indepen
universe
creased
Public
other h
reportec
Jeannine Boubel 8
Tim Carlin S