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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (March 22, 1982)
P t ‘Adopt-a-missile’ may be closer than you think by Dick West United Press International WASHINGTON — Regardless of how you might feel about being the foster pa rent of a smallmouth bass, the National Aquarium’s “adopt-a-fish” plan may be a glimpse of the future. What we have here is the ultimate demonstration of President Reagan’s New Federalism at work. Responsibility for the care and feed ing of the 1,()()() or so inhabitants of the aquarium was shifted this month from the federal government to the private sector. Rather than being shut down, as would have happened under Reagan's current budget, the facility was taken over by the newly formed National Aquarium Society. One of the means by which the non government group hopes to raise funds to keep the aquarium open is the “adopt- a-fish" program. For varying sums, fish fanciers can underwrite a shark, say, or a piranha, in much the same way they would contribute to the support of Ko rean orphans. Foster parents are not, of course, obliged to take their finny wards into their own homes. But anytime you are in the capital, you can stop by the fish tank in the basement of the Commerce De partment and ogle your trout and heir through the glass. And on its birthday, presumably, you can send it a gift box of worms. I ransfer of the aquarium was hailed as “a fine example of cooperation be tween the federal government and the private sector to continue activities that the government must phrase out.” That it is. And as the budget pinch becomes really tight later this year, the example could become truly exemplary. There is, for example, a concerted move on Capitol Hill to cut the defense budget. One target of the economizers is the MX missile, which still is more or less homeless. Should all MX funds be suspended, I foresee some private group moving into the Pentagon and sponsoring an “adopt- a-missile” plan. I personally would adore having a fos ter missile in the family, and I’m sure you would, too. The Army’s M-l tank likewise is catch ing a lot of flak. Some of the nation’s leading tank critics have faulted the vehi cle on grounds it is unable to perform certain traditional tank functions, such as digging holes for shelter. So how about an “adopt-a-tank” prog ram to keep the M-l in production? Other possibilities for this type of New Federalism include an “adopt-a-bomber” campaign for the off-again-on-again B-l and, for super-rich, an “adopt-a-carrier” program. At the moment, alas. I’m not sure I could swing $500 to nurture an angle fish, much less $1,000 for a shark. But if the National Aquarium Society ever puts guppies up for adoption, count me in. Reagan losing social conservatives Slouch By Jim Earle “My campaign manager and I are making the rounds to explain why you should vote for me. Hell answer any questions that you may have.” by Wesley G. Pippert United Press International WASHINGTON — President Reagan rode to victory in 1980 with almost solid support from the social conservatives and got most of his budget and tax cuts through Congress last year with equal support from them. This year, they said, is their turn. But they have begun complaining, first pri vately and now increasingly publicly, that they are getting little if any support f rom Reagan where it really counts. Their concerns are antiabortion, anti busing and voluntary prayer measures. Their complaint is that Reagan speaks out publicly to sympathetic audiences who already devoutly believe in these me asures, but he and his aides have done next to nothing on Capitol Hill to help lobby them through Congress. Rep. W. Henson Moore, R-La., author of a House bill to stop federal courts from ordering busing in school desegregation cases, said “I’ve certainly not heard any thing” from Reagan or White House lob byists on his legislation. The Senate passed the toughest anti busing legislation ever to move through Congress, but now House Speaker Tho mas P. O’Neill, D-Mass., is preventing further action by holding it at his desk. “We re not going to have the presi dent down here campaigning for us,” Moore said. But he recalled how Reagan assured him privately he opposed busing. His view was echoed by other conser vative Republicans on Capitol Hill. “There obviously are folks (in the White House) who care (about the social issues) but they are controlled by the powers that be,” one Republican Senate staffer, who works on this legislation said. “Obviously they care, but lobby? No.” Several Capitol Hill Republicans said Reagan probably is continuing to concen trate on the budget. “I would hope they’re putting their priority on the eco nomy first,” Moore said. “That was their line last year,” another source retorted. When he spoke to the National Prayer Breakfast, the religious broadcasters and at a recent news conference, he spoke vigorously against abortion and for prayer. But it was like preaching to the choir. When Reagan had a chance to speak to Congress directly about these matters, he did not do so. His State of the Union had not one reference to the social causes. Although Rev. Jerry Falwell continues to praise Reagan saying, “I don’t what any human being could have done that he has not done” for the social causes, other Moral Majority officials acknow ledge privately the president has done little. They are beginning to say publicly that if Reagan does not start leading the way. they will strip him of their support. Anti-abortion legislation is stalled it the Senate in a dispute between fuft damentalists who favor a human lilebl that gives fetuses limited constitutioi rights by defining life as starting at birth and advocates of a states rights constiii tional amendment giving Congress am the 50 states the power to restrict abw tion. Spokesmen for the fundamental Christian Action Council said they trid but failed to get Reagan to lobby Con gress for anti-abortion legislation. Am recent news conference, the presides admitted he did not know the detailso the legislation. “It’s clear that neither the presiden nor the White House has ever lobbiedfo any prolife proposal,” Douglas Badgei the council’s legislative director said. Alt have requested a more active Whit House presence and to this date we ha" not gotten it.” Reagan’s inactivity has not been losiu the opponents of the social causes. Nanette Falkenberg, new directorti the National Abortion Rights Actifl League, said that the legislation woull have moved further if Reagan had bet active in fighting for it. “Thus far I haven’t seen a sign he: lifted a finger on Capitol Hill,” Falken berg said. Letters: Peace on earth more than an expression Editor: „•*** How did war ever get started? Have you ever asked yourself that question? If you have, then how about these: Why can’t men live in peace? What are we doing to ourselves and to our world? I ‘Z- realize these questions are on a grand V scale, but when discussing life there is no other scale. The fact is, no one really ’*•* knows how war started; there is no •J. reason why we can t live in peace; and we are throwing away our ultimate potential of l>eing a great people. I think that individually all sane hu- ‘o man beings are basically good and would .v admit that war is truly ridiculous, but put - all those good people together and war is ' waged all over the globe. War seems to be Z' an exciting, romanticized venture with Z' hold men, in colorful uniforms, engaged in mortal combat for what they fielieve in, or courageous gentlemen fighting valiantly to preserve honor and their jus- tice. But, if you compare this vision with one of all the people of the world joining ^ hands, calling one another brother and Z- s, ster. and striving for a common goal of ♦. making life more meaningful, reward- 3* ‘ n g, and enjoyable, I think you'll agree that there is no comparison. Believe it or not, by definition I’m not 3; a Christian and it may seem that by 3; admitting this I'm ruining my credibility, - but l believe my words will speak for 3* themselves l>ecause what I am stating is not religious, but rather is basic to a belief *. in good and love. There is no bound on our access to the most powerful force on Earth. I his force is not found in any mis sile silo, on board any submarine, afloat any aircraft-carrier, or aloft any B-52, but found within the hearts of mankind. Really it’s kind of funny that in this world of such short supply, the things that we need most are those which God has given us an endless supply. Of course. I’m talk ing about love, compassion, and the abil ity to understand. There is no limit to which the human “heart” or “spirit” is capable of producing these most impor tant resources. I may not have the solution to stop the practice of war. but I can do my infinitely small part by pledging that I will never bear arms against any soldier from any foreign land. Some people may call me a coward and say, “Sure, you like freedom, but you're not willing to die for it.” That is not the situation. I love freedom and will die for it. but I will not kill for it. There is a big difference. 1 truly love this country and feel patriotic towards it. I have patriotism not so much towards its power, but for its integrity, ideals, perseverance, and form of government by the people. I see America as a country of sturdy, wholesome people w ho some times confuse power and military might with freedom and justice. I felt com [jelled to write this because I think that war is absolutely the most im portant problem facing mankind. If this article does nothing more than raise some questions for contemplation it has served its purpose. And if it contributes to an attitude of peace, cooperation, and understanding then I can thank Ckxl for giving me the courage to express mv opinion. Remember — Peace on Earth. Right now it’s just an expression, but it could (and should) be a way of life. Jeff Nuzzaco ‘82 Can you say ‘stupid?’ Editor: Is Dave Spence serious? Surely he doesn’t intend for the University to spend money for such a fatuous purpose as his Commons development plan! And it is to be hoped that The Battalion does not at least tactidy approve of his concept by printing his proposal. To spend (waste is a better word) pre cious funds on such cosmetic garbage is foolish when one considers that student workers on campus are making $3.64 per hour and trying to survive both physical ly and academically. If one were to use even a modicum of thought, one could find some uses for those funds that would have a direct bearing on the im provement of education at Fexas A&M. Can you say “education?” Maybe Dave was being sarcastic and I’m just too stupid to catch on. On the other hand, maybe Dave was being sar castic and he isn't a good enough writer to pull it off. But he can’t be serious, can he? In any event, Dave, you ought to look up “bourgeois” in an encyclopedia or dic tionary. You seem to be confused on at least that one point. If the other places on campus are middle class (see “bourgeois.” Random House Dictionary of the English Language. Unabridged, in the reference section of the library. You know, “library” — it's the building with all the books and an underf unded staff), are you advocating the establishment of an upper class facility at the expense of us lowerclass people who pay taxes and in tion? This is not a rhetorical question hope your editor will allow you to rep with some clarification. Lain Ellis ‘8! The Battalion T tcdc X. QC A Texas A&M University administrators or faculty mt& uors ^>OU ters> or or the Board of Regents. The Battalion also serves as a laboratory newspape Member of for students in reporting, editing and photography dhs Texas Press Association scs w jthin the Department of Communications. Southwest Journalism Conference Questions or comments concerning any editona Editor Angelique Copeland matter should be directed to the editor. Managing Editor JaneG. Brust T „ ,. City Editor.. 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