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
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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.
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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
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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
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Assistant Entertainment Editor Colette
Hutchings
News Editors Rachel Bostwick, Cathy
Capps, Daniel Puckett, Jan Werner,
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Staff Writers .. . Jennifer Carr, Susan
Dittman, Beverly Hamilton,
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Wagner, Rebeca Zimmermann
Copyeditors Elaine Engstrom,
Bill Robinson
Cartoonist Scott McCullar
Graphic Artist Pam Starasinic
Photographers . . . David Fisher, Octavio Garcia,
Irene Mees, John Ryan,
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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