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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 5, 1982)
opinion Battalioi# Octobers,!: ; I Slouch By Jim Earle ‘Since the pro football strike, my eyesight has improved, I’m less frustrated, my weekends are longer, and I get to keep more of my money — but I hate it. What’s the debate about? End it all. Those are definitely words of relief after seeing all the mud slinging that took the form of print on this page. In one of the shortest letters ever on page 2, the authors perhaps made one of the greatest contributions to the Aggie cause. Amidst all the literary bickering about our traditions during the past few weeks, one question remained un answered: What were we debating? Now, let’s see. There were three par ties involved in the debate. There were the Aggies for Change, the Middle-of- the-Road Aggies and the Aggies for Sta tus Quo. The first group was supposedly a vic tim of the third group’s intimidation, the second group was the referee and the third group seemed to possess the fear that Texas A&M might lose its unique ness. The referees were no match for such issues as “Down with Two Percenters” or “Up with Aggie Traditions,” nor were they able to settle the “Standing Up at Football Games Is Stupid” or the “Up with Academia Instead” debates. They put forth a gallant effort, but anger often carries more weight than good common sense. The earth-shaking roar emanating from Kyle Field Saturday during the fourth quarter of the Texas Tech game suggested majority support for the groups favoring present Aggie tradi tions. It also showed how unwarranted the fears of the Aggies for Status Quo were — unwarranted except that a few were attacking those who weren’t partici pating in Aggie traditions. Those few even attacked in print and in person those who are supporters of tradition but, for example, had to leave the game before yell practice for some good reason. We may have created our own crisis, or, in other words, “we have met the enemy, and he is us.” A little thought might have told us that those whoj willing to participate are not go change their minds when we them, and we’re liable to runol who do participate. There will always be those whoj rather not participate in biggroupa ties. Some simply can’t comprehenj idea of school unity, and verbal ar evoke only verbal attacks. Words from a class of’58 Aggiest help everyone rest easier. He before Texas A&M becamecoeduc al, there were those who were participants, and still Aggie tradition] vived. He said today’s student traditions is phenomenal, change that has occurred has been live. We still have perhaps the mostm student body in the world, andthetl no indications we will everbema We’ve survived non-partidpatiom past and we’ll survive it in the fun! Encouragement, not intimidation! foster participation. We’re too diverse to hope for ll| cent participation, but it can I mized by showing the other Ag much fun we’re having. So let’s heads, close our mouths and faf| pens in the drawer the next time someone leaving yell practice eark ‘N ne b y ■ The lAnimal ■to a nev ; ahead center r in the s A co 'been se Ition cer trar Wil The < |Co. has [than a jpavillior [ceeded < lof the w [side the Ritch ling was land 6 fi Ivered U Iremovec Ifloor to “Peo] I the fina TThey w lit was an Slion.” The i Letters: Student says black students mocked Editor: I do not believe that students at this University should have to tolerate events which unnecessarily humiliate or disturb them. I am abhorred by at least three features of this University which degrade and show disrespect for an entire race of human beings. First of all, the Slave Sale in front of SBISA is what I think to be in bad taste. I understand that the event was a fund raising effort, but there must be a better way to make money without creating a mockery of an institution which has oppressed millions of people for several centuries. I consider that tasteless and very disrespectful. Secondly, I am deeply astonished to find out that this University has not kept up with events as they relate to blacks. For instance, I visited the University lib rary and discovered these words written on a subject index card entitled blacks: This Heading used February 1976 See Negroes for earlier materials. Why weren’t blacks regarded as such until so recent a year? Why, from a prac tical standpoint, isn’t this material con solidated under one heading: Blacks? ... T hirdly, I am disappointed that there are very few traditions here in which blacks can proudly participate. Yet, some students here still honor confederate flags, some honor the statue of a confed erate, and the band plays Dixieland. Well, I guess - next, someone will wear a KKK outfit on Halloween as a joke or maybe not as a joke ... after 6:30 p.m. While travelling south ward on Jersey, I entered the curve exit ing to westbound Wellborn. It was here where the two lady Aggies, driving a 1978 sky-blue Cutlass Supreme, rear- ended my car (license plate number with held). The impact was minor; thus, im mediately revealing that all parties were not physically injured. So, to avoid block ing traffic, I completed the turn and en tered the tennis court parking lot (sig nalling my intentions) to check for dam ages. The Cutlass zoomed past me refus ing to stop! Need I say more? For the sake of argu ment, I shall. The damage to my car is insignificant: one back-up lamp was pushed half an inch further into the bumper than what the designers origin ally intended; the other back-up lamp casing suffered a few cracks. The car will live, though. It is not the retribution I seek; but rather, it is the lack of responsibility and consideration I ponder. The damage can easily be repaired on my part. However, my faith in the responsibility of my fellow Aggies has been wounded. Please, the next time anyone, male or female, insists upon hitting my car or anyone else’s car, stop and check for pos sible injuries and/or damages. permam tables se Ritchey nent of dents tc problem atmosph Gettir jers out and intc efficienc workers registrat to the p Peopl gistratio the first Robert hmibassach [speak on t [Central A Rudder T l&HB THE BEST WARS OF MY ID SCiai UlTtem WHO OWN0>A PIAMONb MINf... BOF WI66T ANWHMii MO... THEJUPeg THROWS OUT MV PAUMONV CASE /M E ; White, isador to E iCarter ad volved in alleged hr by Salvad< men. Whit by left-win ly support pie the go White Letters: Women belong in the Corps possibility own probl as a caret James H. Raster ’85 Editor: Lost calculator Kevin Johnson ’84 Editor: Women drivers Editor: Is it really true what they say about women drivers? “About the only time a woman driver pays any attention to curves is when she’s getting dressed.” I am beginning to believe that myth as well as countless others I have heard. I am simply flabbergasted about the whole incident occuring on a Tuesday On the night of Sept. 14, I left a Hew- litt Packard calculator in 207 Harrington Annex. It was marked with red cloth tape both on the calculator and the case. If anybody found this calculator, could they please contact me at 775-4008 or leave a message at the Department of Entomolo gy (845-9733). Also, I lost a black “bear-clip” Texas Aggies covered clipboard in the ACC computing center. It has some draft notes which I need. Karl Anderson Bryan 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 Copyeditors 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. 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 entided exclusively to dispa 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.- - - I’m writing in response to the letter by Debbie Robertson that appeared in the Battalion on Sept. 30. It is more than obvious that Miss Robertson is unaware of what A&M is all about. This college was established and is run by many great traditions. As a f reshman and a woman in the Corps I am proud of all of these tradi tions and am willing to struggle to uphold them. The battle on whether or not women should be irLjhe Corps or any of the Corps organizations is irrelevant. This decision was made by the university in 1974. The time has come for more acceptance. Women in the Corps work just as hard as the men. The female fish push as hard as other fish, and my seniors wear their boots with just as much pride as any other senior. I came to this school for just one reason, to be in the Fighting Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets, and to be an Aggie. It should not matter whether I am male or female just that I care about this school and am willing to work to uphold the Corps motto “Soldier, Statesman, Knightly Gentleman.” This motto should not be taken literally but as a code for all to follow. If a person strives to give to a cause their body, mind and inner soul then they are true Aggies, and can be proud of not only what they believe in, but in themselves. This is what the Corps is about and these traditions should be passed on to all future Aggies whether they be male or female. A&M, I have encountered many ignor ant, bigoted opinions such as yours. Yet, until now I have kept quiet about my views. Why is it disgraceful to have women in the Ross Volunteers? Why shouldn’t any woman want to belong to such a proud moral organization which adheres to the concept “Soldier, States man, Knightly Gentlemen” and is the Honor Guard to the Governor of the state of Texas. If a woman feels she can uphold the high standards and meet the qualifications mentally, scholastically, and physically, then I think she should strive to achieve such a goal. I am very patriotic towards my country and I feel that the best way for me to show this is through service in the United States Armed Forces as women have done sincc^the Revolutionary War. Texas A&M commissions more qualified offic ers every year than any other ROTC de tachment in the country. This University gives me the opportunity for an excellent education and excellent military training; I cherish the traditions and the spirit. That better way for a person such as myself to gain the full impact of this University but through the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets? I am proud to be an Aggie, I am proud to be a member of the Corps of Cadets, and I am proud to be a woman. formed as to the intentions andattiti* ^ J of women in the Corps. Who are you to say that womendi belong in the Corps? What righthavet rj j n ^ to judge women in the Corps ujilessjfD can speak from personal experience: i. Over 90 percent of our outfit istakl a military contract. We are proud Deinocr A&M and everything it stands for. ^ ex ' only difference between us and’WJ,! that we are pursuing military careeL^' a( 3 and you are not. Is that any reasocTheater, condemn us? We are here to continue Cathy 1 our military careers and not to putt coordinate show or create dissention within the Forum, sail dent body. We are proud of our outfit’s achif' 1 ments (First in Battalion, First inf gade, and First in Battalion Scholasu and we believe that we have madcap for ourselves in the Corps. Wefeelti we have earned the respect of curds mates and not the condescension andt warranted prejudice of uninformed' dents. rounding t Company" co-signed: Squadron This letter was accompanied by 62si? tures. Sandra Phillips Squadron 14 Zip ’83 Women in Aggie ban Editor: Squadron 14 Jane F. Bergin ’86 Squadron 14 Editor: Why not? Editor: In response to Miss Robertson’s letter of Sept. 30: Through my three-plus years at Texas This is in reference to Miss Robert son’s letter of Sept. 30. Dear Miss Robertson, We were very distressed and surprised when reading your letter. We were hurt that a fellow Aggie could say such a thoughtless thing, and we were surprised that a senior at A&M could be so misin- This letter is in response to Robertson’s letter of Sept. 30. I have never seen any evidenced/ men can march or play an instruntf any better than a woman. I havene' 1 heard it said that women are less spirit or believe in being an Aggie any lessi^ men. So, why can’t a woman show hers|y for A&M and the Corps by being in Band or Ross Volunteers? I’ve got an open mind. Explain id me! Anjalie Abk’ College Stab’ 1