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!
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