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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1982)
) • I -opinion Slouch By Jim Earle “What I like more than its convenience is a chance to hit the jackpot once in awhile. Letters: Nails shot at dorm windows Editor: On Sunday night (Sept. 26), while my roommate and I were getting ready to go to bed, our window was broken by a nail and glass flew into the room. Luckily, the nail stayed on the window sill and the glass didn’t hit either of us. That same night, a room at the other end of the hall had its window shattered by a nail. Nails could be heard hitting the bricks against the building for a good half hour. I won’t mention the dorms in volved because it wouldn’t serve any pur pose other than to alienate the two from each other. The point here is not one of Good Ags or Bad Ags, but one of plain ignorance. A nail was shot (perhaps through an air gun, perhaps with something else) through a window and could have put out the sight of myself or my roommate. There are still bits of glass on the floor that we’ve been stepping on. The person (or persons) who were responsible for this should not even be in college, much less Texas A&M. Vandalism is one of the most senseless crimes imaginable, and should not be seen as “innocent fun” or “good bull“. If the people who were responsible for this incident would be interested in talk ing with me, I’d be more than happy to listen. You know who you are and you also know what dorm I’m in. So come on over and see what your nails did to our windows. I’d sincerely like to meet you, especially since I have never before met a human being with an I.Q. of a gerbil. Clay Gomez, ’84 Crowded exams Editor: I have just returned from one of the most deplorable acts of injustice I have ever witnessed. I went to the “herding” which the professors of mechanical en gineering 212 called it a common night exam. I’ll bet H. B. Zachry didn’t realize the Zachry Engineering Complex would be outdated by G. Rollie White Coliseum. I cannot see how the Department of Engineering could rationalize adminis tering important examinations (which have, in the past, flunked more students than passed) to students compounding the stress they were already feeling with the “crowding effect.” Sociologists have said this crowding is one of the chief con- tributers to high anxiety in inner cities and other densely populated areas. Is it not enough that these students have hardly slept or eaten in days? These particular members of the Texas A&M faculty need to realize that part of the Aggie education is the belief that respect is earned, not taken for granted. Pat Pearson Student Body President Ad offends student Editor: Last Thursday, an advertisement appeared in the Battalion that disgraces Texas A&M. The ad was one for “Oui” magazine which is, plainly put, a porno magazine, and as I have been told by males, of extreme lewdness and without a place in a campus newspaper. With as much perversion that is in the nation today, to encourage more will speed the time of the destruction of this nation. As it is, we stand even now by grace alone, but if we heed not the warn ings, that grace will run dry and destruc tion follows. We, as a nation, are falling under de cay economically and in every other way. This advertisement reflects only a small part of the decay of the nation, but it is a reflection on the whole. We are called to see the root of that decay and turn away from it. Joyce Attaway Mosher Hall 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 Fette 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 Staff Writers Jennifer Carr, Susan Dittman, Beverly Hamilton, John Lopez, Robert McGlohon Hope E. Paasch, Carol Smith, Dana Smelser, Joe Tindel, John Wagner, Rebeca Zimmermann Copy editors Elaine Engstrom, Bill Robinson Cartoonist Scott McCullar Graphic Artist Pam Starasinic Photographers . . . David Fisher, Octavio Garcia, Irene Mees, John Ryan, Editorial Policy The 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 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 (713) 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 per semes 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; X — NFL causes Octal marriage tragedy Si 1) by Art Buchwald Of all the recent strikes that have affected Americans, none has been as de vastating as the NFL football players’ ac tion against the owners. While we have read about the finan cial losses to the players and owners, the toll in human tragedy amongst the fans is far greater than anyone imagined. Here is just one of the scenes that was played out last Sunday in a suburban Washington home. Sam Spilsky found himself sitting in front of his 25-inch TV set, a six pack by his side, a bag of potato chips in front of him. His wife said: “What are you going to do, Sam?” “I’m going to watch the Redskins- Cardinals’ game.” “Sam, there IS no Redskins-Cardinals’ game. The players are on strike.” “You’re just saying that because you don’t want me to watch television.” “It’s in all the papers, Sam.” Sam looked up at his wife. “But it’s Sunday. They always give us football on Sunday.” “They can’t this week. There is nobody to play.” “It’s in the Constitution. They have to give us football on Sundays, and Monday and Thursday nights.” “Don’t get mad at me. I’m not on strike.” “But in your heart you were hoping something like this would happen. You always resented me watching football.” “I never resented it. I knew what the game meant to you. It was your life.” “But what am I going to do?” “Why don’t you rake the leaves or wash the car or take a walk?” “I can’t do that. It’s Sunday. You’re supposed to get four football games on Sunday,” Sam said, twisting the TV dials madly. “Maybe we could have some friends over,” Sam’s wife said nervously. “I don’t want to see anybody. I want to see football. The Redskins are on a streak. We’re 2-and-0 now. We could go all the way to the Super Bowl.” “Sam, would you like to see a movie?” “I’m going to stay right here. Maybe they’ll settle the strike before kickoff time.” “They won’t have time to put on their uniforms.” “So they can play in their street clothes. We used to do it as kids.” “Please, Sam, you’ve got to face reality. There aren’t going to be any games this week. Why don’t you go out; touch football with the children: “They don’t know the plays.] you play football without a gam “I wish I could do something] . Tomorrow you’ll feel better.” “How can I feel better to There won’t be any MondayNigl: ball. What am I going to do?” Sam’s wife nuzzled up to could make love.” “Are you crazy? Nobody in it makes love on Monday night." “Sam, we’ve never talked thisb ^ r ^i 1( fore on Sunday afternoon, but sis Bkeh are, I think I should tell youthatili polich more to married life than watch®! I ‘T football games.” mean “The hell you say.” I’jT “I’m serious, Sam. Every fallI'ml; | GU and I feel I’ve lost you. Thisisagoj thedi of our marraige. If you can gettbi :ir.y ' this week without having watchedrf ball game, it means that we I thing going.” “Like what?” “It will indicate I mean more than Howard Cosell.” “Of course you mean moretorJ Howard Cosell. But don’t askme' I between you and Frank Gifford <SW32 PtyZKl Letters: Lackadaisical Twelfth Man i Editor: As a former student, I am incensed at the lackadaisical, nonchalant attitude of the Twelfth Man and the yell leaders at the past three home games. I’ve seen more enthusiasm and spirit at a funeral home. Aggies, this year is the beginning of a great era and tremendous opportunities for our team and Texas A&M. We, in turn, explore those opportunities by showing poor attendance; the Twelfth Man dragging into the game “just be fore” the kick off and finally demonstrat ing a mellow, “laid back” attitude during the game. This isn’t USC, t.u. or even, heaven forbid. Cougar High. When those first Aggies come onto the field, the Twelfth Man should have the stands full (hanging from the rafters if necessary) and greet the team enthusiastically. When the en tire team arrives, the yell leaders should be out there and ready to lead yell prac tice. Instead, yell practice is usually late and last week was almost completely mis sed because there wasn’t enough of the 12th man in the stands! Unbelieveable and unforgiveable! Throughout these games, I saw yell leaders standing around, hands on hips, as if they had nothing to do. When time outs were called, they would look at each other as if they were waiting for divine instructions. Come on guys - get with it! As for the Twelfth Man, the lack of sup port for the team is shocking. When the offense is at the line of scrimmage it’s time to be quiet not screaming your guts out. Save that for the defense. When that Aggie defense is on the field the opposing offense should not be able to hear themselves think. We, as Aggies, are that Twelfth Man on the field and we can help the team. In 1977, the Ags were down 21-7 at halftime to SMU. When the second half began, the Twelfth Man rose to the occa sion and the spirit from the stands caused SMU to fumble twice, losing one. It also caused them to make several key mistakes affording the Aggies oppor tunities on the field. A&M won 38-21. That kind of spirit is what the T welfth Man is all about. It used to be that teams feared coming to Kyle Field because of the noise raised by the Ags. However, after the last three games I’m sure our opponents are won dering what all the fuss was about. This week is the beginning of the Southwest Conference season. We have a great opportunity to win it all, but the Aggies on the field need the Aggies in the stands. We need to be there when the first players come out of the tunnel onto the field, and not stuffing our faces out by the car! We need to yell ferociously for four quarters, because the Twelfth Man is just that, a twelfth man, not in the stands, but on the field with those fightin’ Texas Aggies. We can make the differ ence, but only if everyone, yell leaders, students and former students join together and show that Aggie Spirit! Keith Hairell ’76 Spring Extra seating complaint Editor: It has come to my attention that there is yet another problem here at Aggie- land. No, it doesn’t involve traditions, fraternities, sororities or other petty arguments that have cluttered the edito rial page over the past few years. This problem involves those of us who are for tunate enough to have decent seats in Kyle Field. We “fortunates” are really the “unfortunates” because of the excessive “Squeezing Army” conditions that we are faced with. Someone is constantly trying to force another 10 or 15 people in a space big enough for three and insist that there is always room for even more. In ease some of you didn’t know this fact, the seats in Kyle Field were made narrower this year so that the entire stu dent body could have enough nJ (That’s one seat for every studerM campus!) Most of us have hadbadM now and again throughout the year ® there are still a few of us around wl w remember those wonderful temps® stands in the south end before thee ® sion. I lived through it, however® didn’t ever try to take someone else® just because it may have been better iff face it, it’s impossible to fit all 36,Oil'® dents on the second deck between® 40-yard lines. ® So there’s really a simple solution® — sit in your own seats. And to thorn you who insist on cramming in,justuff second and think about the oi® around you. Ags are known for slid® together — but let’s get REAL! Beat the hell outta Texas Tech! • I Jody Dunivanin Random ticket proble Editor: I am a graduating senior, am three out of the four football gaff* have drawn 5-yard-line tickets or I can remember when I was a Mi couldn’t wait to be a senior beca^ knew I would get good seats. Will 1 random ticket distribution I cannd certain if I’ll ever get good seats. Wa] random selection brought about tos ten lines or to give lower Gassing chance to have good seats? I don’t think seniors would standing in line to secure good seat know I wouldn’t. I’m not trying w unfair to lower classmen but they would have good seats as they moved the ladder (if we went back to the sea 1 ity system). I was always brought up’, seniority rules. I ask you, what everifhiiiiiiiin pened to the old saying, “Rank ] privileges?” Ul Craig Davis* I