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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 14, 1981)
The Battalion Viewpoint L0 December 14, en Slouch By Jim Earle “This is the week I’ve been holding back for. I’m gonna pop out of bed and study, and work, and prepare and review and ... zzzzz... zzzzz. Saga of biochemistry student breakdown Editor: I have just been witness to an absolute tragedy. One of those events that sears its horror and sorrow into the memory and yet is one of those ‘‘common occurances, one that no one would give a second glance to if they perhaps read the wire service story over their morning coffee, in their morning paper. I’m speaking, of course, about another student lost to Biochemistry. He was a quiet man, and therein lies the tragedy. Just one of the facelss hordes of students, quietly sitting at a desk, quietly taking notes, and quietly going nuts. They read all the references, they work the study problems, they go to help sessions when they don’t even need help. And then, one day, some poorly understood mechanism in the brain gets fed up, and when they try to cram one too many reaction mechanisms in, it’s over. Billions of neurons literally fall over each other, as they fight and claw their way toward the “exit” signs glowing red by each ear. It’s not a pretty sight. This poor guy never even knew it was coming. He sat across from me at a table in the library, his beady little turtle eyes glued to his book (which, by the way, made it impossible for him to blink), and suddenly, it was as though something had snapped. He looked up, one broken suspender lying dead on the table, and started to twitch. Furiously he grabbed the student next to him, and hurriedly wrote a few words on his back. And then it was too late (we were studying at 1:30 a.m., and that’s too late). He ran wildly, implying a scream, into the dark recesses of the stacks. Being a quiet man, he would never actually scream in a library, but you could tell he was thinking about screaming. Where he is today no one knows — he may have been miraculously cured in the damp mustiness (or is it the must dampiness?) of the old library, he may be lurking there still, waiting for the copying machine that never comes, or he may be filed under 459.6 L4.5 1960 “Looney Students and Other Hazards of Big Time Education.’ No one knows. But what he left behind was both a warn ing, and a warning. For on the back of the poor stranger the had grabbed, he wrote the only thing his tortured soul could ex press — bad poetry. But I think it has a message for everyone within the sound of this newspaper. I have a tale to tell you And it may save your life. So once you’ve heard me tell it Go run and tell your wife. Go tell your aunts and cousins. Your cat, your dog, your tree. If they’re not versed, they might be cursed With Biochemistry! Oh, some men climb up mountains, Some men sailed the sea. Some are making fortunes, I know it isn’t me. I’d love to be an author. But it’s not to be. Because, you’ll find. I’ve lost my mind To Biochemistry! There was time so long ago When I was just a lad, I asked the sage advisor About the courses that he had. His eyes began to twinkle. His voice was rich with glee. “We’ve all agreed that you need Some Biochemistry.’ Into that dreary class I went With others by my side. And just in case ‘twas needed, I sought a place to hide. Then in strode the professor Who smiled deceptively, “Well gosh, by gum, I’m glad you’ve come To Biochemistry.’’ Then before another eye blinked He launched into his speech. And for the next full hour It seemed that he would teach The whole of science to us As only he could see. He never broke,- but always spoke Of Biocheipistry. And so went my semester As the days went rushing by. I grew more dazed and helpless As my brain began to fry With thought of carbohydrates, Enzyms, delta-G. So count the cost, or you’ll be lost To Biochemistry. I think I’ve made my point. Can we let these atrocities continue? Can we sit daily by while our comrades in arms are assailed by this insidious attack to the very core of their being? I say, yes. I mean, what the heck, I’ve got finals too. Oh sure it would be nice if people weren’t flipping out at odd hours of the night, but we must consider what’s really important — helping another human being with words of compassion and understanding, or trying to squeeze out those extra points by cramming all night and giving the heave-ho to those pathetic wrecks that come poking around looking for sympathy. You’ve gotta have priorities. Remember this story. Remember all those poor, quiet, overworked students, and show them you know what it’s like. Bring them a Hershey bar, or just sneak up behind them and say “We all admire your hopeless struggle for a meaningless grade. ” Chances are they’ll smile and faint dead away. But they’ll be better people for it. Philip Mitchell Graduate Student the small society by Brickman TH& F^UfZ-Y^AfZ- ^C?U^ATlO|AAU - TOpK OiXT -£2^ WA^ Ktnfl EMturm Syndicate, Inc. World rights reserved TZ2PK OF FAP& T<2 COLL&&& — c Media ‘hazes’ Sen. Harrison By IVM By ED ROGERS United Press International WASHINGTON — While waiting for his postponed Senate expulsion trial on Abscam charges next January, Sen. Harri son A. Williams, D-N.J., has already undergone a “trial of another sort. It might be called “media hazing. ” In a press conference he called last Tues day right after the Senate leadership made the postponement announcement on the eve of his scheduled Senate ordeal, Wil liams found himself besieged by questions that were meant to harass. Getting a news figure off balance and out of humor is one way of provoking an illad- vised resonse that can make ruinous head lines and sneering broadcasts. It’s journalis tic hardball. The game was to see if Williams could keep his cool before 12 television cameras, 23 microphones and a hearing room full of “journalist-pitchers” hoping to strike him out. The opening pitch was a question that could have news value only if the senator fumbled. He was asked about the chance that former President Richard Nixon might return to the Senate. Williams, wise after 22 years of Senate experience, replied solemnly that he did not foresee a return. What if prospects are clearly unfavorable as debating time nears on a resolution that says Williams “be, and hereby is, expelled” for his Abscam involvement that brought “dishonor and disrepute” on the Senate? Would he then stop fighting and resign? Williams, who claims his criminal convic tion resulted from “manufactured evi dence” in secretly videotaped dealings with FBI undercover agents, gave this reply: “My intent is to see that my society is not used in this way — fear of always being wired and trapped into doing something wrong,” Williams said. Apparently presuming Williams was then, at least, in “disgrace, a reporter asked if under the circumstances he intends to seek re-election. “I haven’t thought about running, or not running," Williams said. Under what hypothetical situation, then, would he resign rather than fight? The ansyver: Williams has thought of nothing but fighting. Williams was still cool. But there must be some way to embarrass this “news target — to get him flustered so he would say sonriething “newsily” regrettable. So came a trump question. It was p< Jgged Nixon on the fact that Williams, while hiseii Leaders ipned offi immissic Clevela Unive irce Bas< led the i 4 fa office sion case is pending, continues to volt Ap the ke speak on the Senate floor although hi icer, L been convicted on Abscam briberyandij eveland spiracy charges. How would Williams feel other “convicted felon votingandspei on the Senate floor? the questionerf to know. “If he was set up, framed government. I’d say let him vote,led |Twentv talk, Williams said. , | re COI1 The question had “news value”afef jmiy, 2f It gave Williams achancetomakeap;j Ined the wanted to make — to claim thatbyst® 31116 ^ him up with rigged evidence, thepr*® ts am * tion committed misconduct to all senators. "It’s a doubtful opportunity for the kind of intimidating threat, fear, W3 said of the FBI’s publicized Abscamh gation, that resulted in convictions House members and other politicii well as Williams. “I think the Senate has beenvictii Williams said. After the journalistic skeetshootiriii been under way for a half hour, at called time. After more “last quest! the reporters left and wrote aboutWl claims of government wrongdoing. hsioned rlt take By NAN Ea ires toget Itional or Bhe mai |be held Bspectiv ” wl iddomest Bet Uni Kr majo is in East loping cc ■David < ng sub< id the coi jat was I lly. Please It s your turn t walk on ther elude Av< any grm Editor: It irritates me to no end to see so many people take short cuts through the grass. There are some places on campus where people have walked so often, there is a dirt path worn through the grass. Tm talking about in front of the Chemistry Building, the side of Zachry facing Bizzel street, and the numerous places where two percenters can’t take that extra step before rounding a corner to another sidewalk. That’s right, ya’ll make up that measly two percent that just don’t care. The people responsible for making Texas A&M the beautiful campus it is, are fighting a losing battle to keep it that way. What do we have to do to keep ya’ll off the grass, put up signs everywhere that say, “please stay off the grass.” Get real. Or better yet, let’s just put creek gravel down everywhere so we can enjoy the pretty rocks and not have to worry about ya’ll get ting grass stains or dirt on your shoesi Lis^- ten up 2 percenters, STAY OFF THE GRASS. ; Shawn Wasilewsky ‘85 Singing study break Editor: We, the residents of Neeley Hall, would like to thank the members of Fanatic Fif teen for their truly enjoyable versions of the Christmas carols. We would especially like to thank the fish for their amusing enact ment of “The Twelve Days of Christmas. " We also extend our thanks and appreciation to K-2 for their adorable reindeer, elves, and Santa Claus; and the select members of The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band for their Christmas serenade. What a terrific study break! Merry Christmas Aggies! Shelly Greenberg ‘84 Editor’s note: This letter was accompanied by 40 other signatures. MX silos Editor: ’ > Lately President Reagan has been facing some issues concerning the MX missle silos. The recommendations sent forth to Reagan have pointed out that the present silos are not hard enough. Reagan’s idea is to simply strengthen these silos. However, the Senate has Recommended that com pletely new silos be built. While this con struction would be in progress, th^re would be a three year period in which the Russians would have a definite advantage over us. Reports shch as this one and others like it have begun to give me a very dim-view of our society. The national attitude is so chil dish. “If you don’t get your silos built, we’re going to blow you iip.” It’s like two little kids having a fight. I don’t see anyway to alter our position right now, but maybe someday the nations will grow up and work as friends rather than foes. Ted Trimble ‘85 |nbassad< I lor to the Britain; ai Ipolitical • , f Rbia Ur (Juiet hours other t Editor: efwithO Beginning last Sunday night at l(lf m j n j ster _ ( our dorm began enforcing 24-hourflEibassy; hours. Most of the girls congregatei«listern E hall for group study and moral suppsiak, a These “quiet hours’ have interferred'wiropean group study. The girls could studyiiiliP ro ^' ssor rooms, but find it too confining, andti why they study in the hall. But, dead week if they speak too loudorevet rowdy for a second it is an autouiatl B)f essor Board. If the girls want a quiet plaJ |i S) w j 1( study, they could either close theirdo® policy in retreat to the study carrols at theendofi fries, halls. yPeter < Holly Wi Sis writte Sally SUsia as “< McFadded whey in Peace: th ^foreign The Battalion USPS 045 360 MEMBER Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congress necessarily represent the opinions of Texas A&M ft ty administrators or faculty members, or of the fc’ 1 Regents. The Battalion also serves as a laboratory newpift' students in reporting, editing and photograph ® within the Department of Communications. Questions or comments concerning any editorulsJ' 1 should be directed to the editor. Editor Angelique Copeland Managing Editor jane G. Brust City Editor Denise Richter Asst. City Editor Diana Sultenfuss Photo Editor. ......... I Dave Einsel Sports Editor Frank Christlieb Focus Editor Cathy Saathoff Asst. Focus Editor . Nancy Floeck News Editors . . . Phyllis Henderson, Mary Jo Hummel, Nancy Weatherley Staff Writers . ; . . . . Gaye Denley, Tim Foarde, Sandra Gary, Colette Hutchings, Johna Jo Mauer, Daniel Puckett, Laura Williams Cartoonist. Scott McCullar Graphic Artist . Richard DeLeon Jr. Photographers . . . 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