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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 14, 1982)
opinion How it sometimes works with voters by Arnold Sawislak United Press International WASHINGTON — There is a new survey out that says the American people believe spe cial interest groups have more influence on members of Congress than they do. The American people probably are right, but more needs be said about it. The poll, by Audits & Surveys Inc., found that 38 percent of 1,216 Americans thought “special interest groups” had the most influ ence, 20 percent each thought the president or other members of Congress had the main clout and only 1 1 percent thought “the voters back home” were most influencial. It seems likely, on the basis of personal observation, that groups with specific goals and people in Washington to represent them probably do have the most impact on Capitol Hill. The problem with the survey is not with the results but with the statement of the question. The use of the phrases “special interest groups” and “the voters back home” suggests that the bad guys are beating the good guys; that the greedy somebodies are victimizing the defenseless everybodies. Well, to mangle a familiar phrase, one man’s special interest is another man’s just cause. For a number of people in this country, the National Rifle Association is not “the gun nut” lobby responsible for putting a Saturday Night Special into the hands of every cuckoo with $50 to spend, but an organization that is trying to preserve the traditional and consti tutional American “right to bear arms.” For a number of others, Ralph Nader’s Public Citizen organization is not a bunch of bleeding hearts trying to saddle hard-pressed business with onerous and costly regulations, but a crusading organization trying to keep unscrupulous operators from cheating the public or endangering its health with hazar dous products. With the phrase, “the voters back home,” the suggestion is that ordinary citizens are all but left out of the legislative process in Washington. But if any of those citizens also are union members, veterans, bird lovers, bankers, tire (or practically any other mechandise) dealers, doctors, teachers, truck drivers, farmers, wel fare mothers, feminists, manufacturers or any of several hundred other descriptions, they have “special interests” speaking in their names in Washington. It is true that some of these groups are more skillful than others in getting the atten tion of congresssmen. A case in point is the labormanagement area, where the unions pioneered the idea . It was not long before groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations picked up on the idea and brought local businessmen to town to do the same thing. This has done wonders for the hotel busi ness in Washington, but there have been cases where the competing special interests have drowned each other out. The same effect has been observed in the special interest tactic of trying to inundate members of Congress with mail, telegrams and phone calls and even hold out the carrot of campaign contributions through political action committees. That is when members of Congress have been known to weigh the merits of the issue, including what “the voters back home” would prefer. Sometimes it really works that way. the small society by Brickman 1981 King Features Syndicate, Inc. World rights reserved. pressed in The Battalion are those of the editor or the author, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Texas A&M University administrators or faculty mem bers, or of the Board of Regents. The Battalion also serves as a laboratory newspaper for students in reporting, editing and photography clas ses within the Department of Communications. Questions or comments concerning any editorial matter should be directed to the editor. Letters Policy Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 words 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 and show the address and phone number of the writer. Columns and guest editorials are also welcome, and are not subject to the same length constraints as letters. Address all inquiries and correspondence to: Editor, The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M Uni versity, College Station, TX 77843, or phone (7 13) 845- 2611. The Battalion is published daily during Texas A&M’s fall and spring semesters, except for holiday and exami nation periods. Mail subscriptions are $16.75 persemes- ter, $33.25 per school year and $35 per full year. Adver tising rates furnished on request. Our address: The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald Building, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. United Press International is entitled exclusively to the use for reproduction of all news dispatches credited to it. Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein reserved. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843. The Battalion USPS 045 360 Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference Editor Diana Sultenfuss Managing Editor Phyllis Henderson Associate Editor Denise Richter City Editor Bernie Fetie Assistant City Editor Gary Barker Sports Editor Frank L. Christlieb Entertainment Editor Nancy Floeck Assistant Entertainment Editor Colette Hutchings News Editors Rachel Bostwick, Cathy Capps, Daniel Puckett, Jan Werner, Todd Woodard Staf f Writers Jennifer Carr, Susan Dittman, Beverly Hamilton. John Lopez, Robert McGlohon Hope E. Paasch, Bill Robinson, Dana Smelser, Joe Tindel, John Wagner, Rebeca Zimmermann Copy editor Elaine Engstrom Cartoonist Scott McCullar Graphic Artist Pam Starasinic Photographers . . . David Fisher, Octavio Garcia, Jane Hollingsworth, Janet Joyce, John Ryan, Colin Valentine Editorial Policy 1 he Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting news paper operated as a community service to Texas A&M University and Bryan-College Station. Opinions ex- Battalion/Page 2 September 14,1981 Shape up immediately, Amend ^ fi by Art Buchwald “All right, for those of you who just got back from wherever you went, the vacation is over. For those of you who couldn’t afford to go away, your vacation is over, too. “This will be your fall and winter sche dule: There will be TV football on Mon day and Thursday nights and Saturday and Sunday afternoons right up until ‘60 Minutes,’ which will be shown in its en tirety at the completion of the games. The World Series will be available on alternate evenings. You are advised to consult the local paper for the time in your area. “Women will be expected to shape up this fall by following either the Jane Fon da exercise method, or some other approved aerobic plan. I want strong, healthy bodies with tight muscles, flat tummies, thin thighs and no flabby but tocks sticking out. “Because of cuts in funds, school semesters will be shorter and school vaca tions longer. Teachers will once again be underpaid but they will be expected to do their jobs even if it means doubling up on their classes. No praying in school until we pass a constitutional amendment. “Public services will be cut back as Reaganomics trickles down to the people. Sacrifices must be made to get the coun try’s economic house in order, particular ly in the urban areas where people are hurting the most. No more federal bail outs can be expected for cities or states that find themselves in financial trouble, except for the three-week period before the November elections. I don’t want people on fixed incomes complaining be cause their money doesn’t go as far as it used to. By fighting the cuts, they only are prolonging the recession that was caused by the big spenders in Congress. I expect people to tighten their belts, whether they do it because they can’t af ford to buy food or go on the Pritikin diet. “Because of the herpes epidemic, promiscuous sex is out, and I will not permit anyone who engages in it to serve in the armed forces. “In spite of what I promised you last spring, there is still mortgage money available for housing, and I want every one to stay where they are until the in terest rates go down another three or four points, which will be unlikely in the foreseeable future. “Heating and gas bills will go up, as well as telephone rates for local calls. So if you’re between a rock and a hard place, you will have to choose between keeping warm, having hot water or calling some one you love. “New automobiles of every size and shape will be plentiful, and I expect every one to go out and look at them, even if they can’t afford to buy one. Thebaij have informed me they cannot finaj cars for the rest of this year until the? their loans paid back by Poland] Mexico. “The good news is that the fashions have just come out and The writing ram, the clothes look as if they have beendiij helped ged out of the closet. So anything?] wear will be in fashion, and noonewill able to tell if it is somethingjustmadeli designer or a garment you bough Goodwill Industries. “The bad news is that medicalcostsu going up, and if you get sick thisvii you are advised to only go to yourdoti for a second opinion “Thanks to the National RifleAsswi tion and America’s dairy farmers, are enough guns and butter logoaroi for everyone. Not everybody can butter, but you can always buyagunu hold up someone who is eating it “We have a wonderful fall and prepared for all of you. There i Columbus Day sales, Thanksgiving ft sales, not to mention ‘going out of I ness’ sales, which will take placeeveryi in your favorite shopping mall. “We want to make 1982 the best ever, and we can’t do it if you dwell on, the bad things that have happened soli Remember, no matter how bad thin get, we all have the Rose Bowl tola forward to January 1. duates ram coi Richan more ji Twt corpor Labs i shown Texas Richan progra supply enougl Ric shortaj aes on proble ity for And m Univei ful in about t dents. Sc THE PESO MOST BE PDWN AGAIN,,, BATCH OF MEXICAN BANKERS,, ITS ANOTHER Letters: Kyle Field not memorial Editor: \ With all due respect to A&M tradi tions, I wish to inquire as to the origins of the “hats off” status of Kyle Field. I have always considered the Memorial Student Center to be the Aggie memorial “... de dicated to those men of A&M who gave their lives in defense of our country ...” taken from plaque in the north entrance of the MSC. An examination of the plaques at Kyle Field reveals that the stadium was named in honor of Edwin J. Kyle (class of 1899), built to the memory of Charles B. Moran (coach, 1909 - 1914) and in appreciation of James Sullivan. The stadium was built in 1927 and 1929 and expanded in 1967 and again in 1980. None of the plaques indicate that Kyle Field is a memorial to our fellow fallen Aggies. I always consi dered that status to be reserved for our Memorial Student Center. Please explain to me why certain Aggies, who obviously have not bothered to examine the plaques at Kyle Field, con tinue to perpetrate the myth about Kyle Field being a memorial to the Aggie war dead. 1 submit the proposition that to establish Kyle Field as a memorial to Aggies who gave their lives in war and who already have a memorial, is in effect stealing the honor due to Charles Moran to whom Kyle Field was actually built as a memorial. I conclude by suggesting that for one to remove his/her hat in Kyle Field makes as much sense as removing one’s hat while walking along a street that has been named in memory of someone (e.g. Nagle, Houston, etc ...). Diana L. Cogan ’81 Willingness helps Editor: This letter is directed at what we hope is the small minority of Aggies who be lieve that traditions should be forced upon others. This is the usual, vocal group of individuals who publicly criti cize and chastize Aggies who choose not to do yells at football games or who leave the ballgames early. A true tradition should be maintained by the willing; however, those who de cline to participate should be tolerated with dignity, not verbally abused by the remarks we have so often heard at Aggie games. Such remarks can only be made out of one’s own insecurity and frustra tion. It must be realized that any specta tor at a college athletic event has the right to act in any manner he pleases as long as he does not offend others or interfere in their enjoyment of the event. A mute Aggie fan or an absent Aggie fan is certainly preferable to an obno xious and rude one, into which category these self-proclaimed “good-Ag” uphol ders of tradition fall. Students’ degrees of interest and support of Aggie athletics as well as traditions may differ widely, but everybody who pays the price of admis sion has equal worth. Jay Fuller ’83 Steve Zukis ’83 Aggie friendliness Editor: In the Sept. 8 issue of the Battalion 2 letter to the editor from a graduate# dent complained about the “asininfw dish traditions” that exist hereatletf A&M. Well, I may be just a freshmanaifi still learning about the traditions, W from what I’ve seen these past two week these traditions are as much a part'® Texas A&M as the academic program! Thanks to the Aggie tradition® friendliness and saying “HoWdy” ! have been made to feel at home. I am from 2 suburb of Philadelphia. Before Aug.23, I knew nothing about Texas let alone College Station. These traditions have helped me to adjust to a new school and 3 new way of life. The Aggie traditions are an education in themselves. They teach the land of hospitality, comradery, and friendliness that should be admired. T he graduate student stated thatiti 5 impossible to enjoy a football game on 3 student ticket because “the foolish tradi tions” interfere with the game. Well,if someone wants to jjeaceably enjoy a fool- ball game, he can go watch Penn State play. If he wants an education, especial' on how to be a good sport and meet some great people, he should watch Texas A&M play on the student side. Texas] A&M — Love it or Leave it. Mary Ellen Cuff Class of 'll b y Althou be more dents are ter, checl ingfastei E nce-sca eing u; stores. Bill SI Kroger i lege Stat increase enables t carry-oul better cu Items arc ter code; the scam a com pui compute price fo Au ma Auton the Uni’ step do; night wl Building mended The sented t< tem Boa next me approve, able to p local bar vice pres the coun Conn tellers, MPACT cated ur tween tl Center a the con Connor ably will djanua Inoth approver the fall a the vice program student c Speakc deal Fori William ] Jim Colli didate fo Attorney Democra ernor. Great Nader; S fesponde Times;