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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (March 26, 1982)
—opinion A look back at ‘Sherrillgate’ Forget everything you’ve heard about what a disaster the Jackie Sherrill con troversy was for Texas A&M. It was probably the best thing that’s happened to the University since we decided it might be kind of fun to beautify the cam pus by admitting women. First things first. Sherrill is not paid too much. One and a half million was what the traffic would bear, and that was what he got. That professors of chemis try make less than that is perfectly irrele vant. No chemistry professor of my aquaintance can draw 50,000 people on Saturday afternoon to watch him mix test tubes. And Jackie Sherrill may eventually make Texas A&M a national football power. Why is everyone embarrassed to men tion that? Yes, Tom Wilson was cruelly used. The way the hiring and firing was handled was straight out of the Marx Brothers. But after all of that is behind us, what if w'e really do win big? Sherrill has the track record to make it possible. What if? Has the nationwide publicity over our new coach hurt Fexas A&M? Not in the long run. There is such a thing as bad PR (it’s rare), but in this case there was some definite compensations. For one thing, the world at large learned that we exist. I don’t mean to shatter your illusions, little children, but Texas A&M Universi ty is not a name to conjure with in Brook lyn, Boston or Burbank. Not all that many people know we’re down here. At least they didn’t. Now, they may learn. Think about it: All the hoopla now virtually guarantees some media follo wup examining just how well Sherrill actually performs. There’s a good chance that could be the occasion for some side- bars on the University itself. Gradually, a national sports identity could lead to a national academic identity. Someday the name of Fexas A&M could roll as trip pingly off the tongue as Ohio State, UCLA and Michigan State now do. That in itself, of course, would not guarantee academic excellence. I take it, however, that in general we would rather be renowned and far-famed than ig nored. Finally, about the way the Board of Regents “handled” the imbroglio, two observations: First, the Sherrill affair, at minimum, insures there won’t be any more major administrative shakeups (at least regent- initiated ones) for some time. The re gents can’t afford it. They know that neither their credibility nor the Universi ty’s, nor alumni goodwill, will survive another Sherrillgate (yes, I know, but someone was bound to coin it sooner or later). So we will have stability for a while, which is precisely what we need at the moment. Second, there’s at least an outside chance that even Bum Bright learned something out of all this. Because of all the stink they’ve caused, the regents may decide to actually let their hired adminis trators administer instead of doing it themselves. Not a necessary outcome, true, but a possible one. Sherrillgate (now I can’t stop) was the result of, in the words of a recent novel, a confederacy of dunces. But in a perverse sort of way, it was also a healthy experi ence for Fexas A&M. At least that’s what my mother used to tell me about castor oil. Letters: Support your baseball team Editor: Having followed all kinds of Fexas A&M athletics around the country, I see a great injustice being done to a fine group of athletes. I am referring to the lack of support of the Texas A&M base ball team. National ranking has been a rarity to Texas A&M athletics the last few years, but this year’s baseball team can boast that claim and for what reward? To play in an empty stadium. I realize that it is different going to a sporting event where there are no yell leaders, but the team needs your support. If you en joy sunshine and good baseball, support the 1982 Fexas Aggie Baseball Feam. Brian Turner ’81 Mark Roberts ’82 Human nature is the cause Editor: While 1 don't wish to quarrel with Jell Nuzzaco. who wrote about the causes of war (Monday. MarcVi 22). I disagree with his ' are basically good. As he points out. that is inconsistent with the presence of war. One can blame either societ\ or human nature for such ills. Those who believe society is at fault claim the cure is diffe rent social structures and better educa tion. 'I he existence of oppression, bigot ry, torture and injustice through the ages suggests that we have had p<x)r luck find ing the right structures and training. I he alternative is to conclude that hu man nature is flawed. Personal experi ence supports this: being selfish or rude when we’d resolved to behave decently, saying cruel or bitter words we regret, breaking rules we believe in. If a few mo ments of reflection does not make this flaw in human nature obvious, get to know some young children. None of them, sweet as they may be, had to be taught to hoard their toys or deny when they’ve done wrong. Sharing and honesty don’t come naturally. I here is something wrong w ith the human race, and in spite of our desire for peace and love, our flawedness limits our ability to be loving, compas sionate and understanding Kathy Kuhl 705 Dominik Misplaced patriotism Editor: Recenth Mr. C. G. Darnell Jr. wrote a letter to 1 he Battalion condemning the MSC. Political Forum for “... A grave wrong..." which they committed in ip. .iv,..ng a speaker from the Ameri can Communist Party in the Memorial Student Center. Mr. Darnell further stated that "It is an absolute disgrace, (to the). . . thousands who lost their lives fighting opression caused bv similar po litical beliefs." Actually, the only dis grace found is the Socratic ironv of a shortsided opinion. I commend Mr. Darnells' concern for the memory of the numerous heros from Texas A&M who died fighting opression. but the need for political education is a must if people are to remain free. We, if we are to consider ourselves an intelligent people, must neither condemn nor applaud the eco nomic ideology of any political philoso phy until we have been afforded the opportunity to objectively examine each aspect of it. The men immortalized in the MSC died for the ideology of Democracy, as such, Political Forum should be praised for their wisdom in preserving and promoting that same concept of Demo cracy, through their open-minded appreciation of various political view points. Richard McLeon ’85 Letters policy Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 w’ords in length, and are subject to being cut if they are longer. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters for style and length, but will make every effort to maintain the author’s intent. Each letter must also be signed, show the address and phone number of the writer. Articles for Reader’s Forum are also wel come, and are not subject to the same length constraints as letters. Address all in quiries and correspondence to: Editor, The Battalion. 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Slouch By Jim Earle Re ■ang lasic | tanc ' ’aIn ■nen; O :ycle lasic *1 didn ’t understand that part in class so I didn *t study it. 5 Everyone knows, it’s all in the game by Dick West United Press International WASHINGTON — Video games you can play on your television set at home are on a roll right now. A local four-store retail chain recently sold 3,000 “Pac- Man” cartridges in a single 24-hour period. I doubt, however, that the full potential has been realized. One possible “Pac-Man” sequel might be to link the science-fiction concept so appealing to young players with some real life problems. The following games illustrate the format I have in mind: “Tax-Man” — As play begins, hordes of alien tax evaders swoop across the screen. The idea behind “Tax-Man” is for the player to zap the evaders before they bombard the country with writeoffs. To score a hit, a player must press the “audit” button at the right moment. That maneuver causes an evader to vanish in a puff of simulated smoke. Be warned, however, that sending up a volley of “audits” won’t necessarily win the game. The evaders may take refuge in “shelters” or escape through “loopholes.” When an audit hits a shelter or loophole, it ricochets harmlessly into the top, right-hand corner of the screen, leaving the evader clear to drop another writeoff. "Gerry-Man” — Another spinoff of “Pac-Man,” the idea is to protect incum bent office holders from alien candidates bent on taking over their seats. As play begins, the screen is filled with A1 ortl PP e elefc legislative districts that conform toethra and party patterns. Hordes of alien tical f orces appear on a mission todesirt existing lines and twist the districts ir crazy shapes that expose incumbents hostile balloting. Players try to counter these moves! firing off simulated lawsuits that zapil ty ai newly drawn lines and restore thedi tricts to their own legislator. Points a scored each time a player succeeds establishing a “safe” district in ard where incumbents are threatened. “Quota-Man” — The object of ij> Gi game is to protect the domestic autoi* ^ dustry from foreign invaders. To zap an alien manufacturer, a pla« pushes the “quota” button, wind TT spreads an impenetrable shield contested markets and prevents imp^ from reaching consumers. Other defensive moves mav incM fine maneuvering the “trade restriction' er so that imports are blocked off at ^ * nte border “Budget-Man” — The player’s goal to protect budget-busters who swarm from South Succotash and bombard w deficit with social programs. Points are scored by zapping st** programs with New Federalism veto? “Sno-Man” — Sw arms of aliens are ing the screen with radioactive snow and other acid rain projectiles. The goal of the ASD (Anti-Snow Defense) operator is to zap polluted siles with regulations from the Envi mental Protection Agency. lie si latui Wan [03 1 The Battalion USPS 045 360 Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference Editor Angelique Copeland Nfanaging Editor JaneG. Brust City Editor Denise Richter Assistant City Editor Diana Sultenfuss Sports Editor Frank L. Christlieb Focus Editor Cathy Saathoff Assistant Focus Editor Nancy Floeck News Editors Gary Barker, Phyllis Henderson, Mary Jo Rummel, Nancy Weatherley Staff Writers Jennifer Carr, Cyndy Davis, Gave Denley, Sandra Cary, Colette Hutchings, Johna Jo Maurer, Hope E. Paasch Daniel Puckett, Bill Robinson, Denise Sechelski, John W’agner, Laura W'illiams, Rebeca Zimmermann Cartoonist Scott McCullar Graphic Artist Richard DeLeon Jr. Photographers Sumanesh Agrawal, David Fisher. Eileen Manton, Eric Mitchell. Peter Rocha, John Ryan, Colin Valentine Editorial Policy The Battjlton is a non-profit, self-supporting news paper operated as a community service to Texas A&Sf L'myersitt and Brsan-CoUegc Station. Opinions ex pressed in The Battalion are those of the editor or the author, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of fexas A&M University administrators or laculn i hers, or of the Board of Regents. The Battalion also serves as a laboratory nc*s l for students in reporting, editing and photograph*« ses within the Department of Comniunications. Questions or comments concerning an* matter should be directed to the editor. Letters Policy Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 »url' length, and are subject to being cut if thes are The editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters ‘ style and length, but will make every effort to i the author's intent. Each letter must also he the address and phone number of the writer. Columns and guest editorials arc also welconK. are not subject to the same length constraints as IftfcM Address all inquiries and correspondence to: The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald. Texas versitv, College Station. TX 778-43. or phone (715)^1 2611. The Battalion is published dailv during Texas Air^ ! | fall and spring semesters, except for holidav andru^J nation periods Mail subscriptions arc $ 16.75 per ter. $33.25 per school year and $35 per lull vear. j tising rates furnished on request. . Our address: The Battalion. 216 Reed Mcft)««*|j Building, Texas A&M Univcrsitv. Col lege Statute ■ I 77843. United Press International is entitled cxrhi**«W ^ the use for reproduction of all new s dispatches errdi*" to it. Rights of reproduction of all other matter hert* reserved. Second class postage paid at Collegr Suli>« , - ^ 77843.