Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 1982)
-opinion Slouch By Jim Earle “Before you put up your tool kit, could I make a sugges tion? Teflon-coated bullet receives publicity by Art Buchwald “Did you hear the good news?” Colt, a handgun-loving friend of mine asked. “What’s that?” “They now have ammunition that can penetrate any lightweight bulletproof vest. It’s called the KTW and it’s coated with Teflon.” “Fantastic,” I said. “That’s the same stuff the vests are made of.” “That’s right. An ammunition com pany figured out if a Teflon vest was strong enough to stop an ordinary bullet, then a Teflon-coated bullet could pene trate one.” “You have to hand it to the person who thought that one up. He must be a genius. Wait a minute. Don’t law enforce ment officers and public officials wear Teflon vests to protect themselves? Won’t they be endangered by the KTW?” “Of course not. The KTW costs $1.50 a round,"and the price is much too high for your run-of-the-mill trigger man. Be sides it’s only sold by better gun dealers.” “The police can’t be too happy about the KTW.” “They aren’t, but you can’t just stop selling ammunition because it can pene trate soft body armor.” “Why not?” Colt said angrily: “Because when you start talking about armor-piercing ammunition you’re getting yourself into a very complex and subjective area. There is no simple dividing line between bullets that will go through Teflon vests and those that will go through a deer, an antelope or an elk. If you ban something like the KTW you have to also ban other ammunition that is used for hunting and target practice.” “Who would try to ban a bullet that could go through a policeman’s vest?” I asked. “Congressman Mario Biaggi of New York, for one. He has proposed a bill that would ban all soft armor-piercing ammu nition.” “What does he hope to gain by that?” “Who knows? But it’s bottled up in committee, and I doubt if the NRA will let it get out. Even the Justice Depart ment thinks it’s a lousy bill.” “What’s their objection?” “T here are a lot of other kinds of handgun bullets that can go through a Teflon vest, and they feel the Biaggi bill is so broad it would hurt the sale of them as well.” “Maybe instead of worrying about ammunition, Congress should concen trate on developing a safer garment for policemen to wear,” I suggested. “That’s the way we feel about it. It’s the responsibility of the bulletproof vest peo ple to keep up with the times. T he KTW is alive and well and you don’t solve the problem by banning it, just because it can splat through Teflon.” “I imagine the handgun control nuts are supporting Biaggi.” “Of course they are. T hey figure if they can ban bullets that kill policemen,, they’ll eventually be able to ban all ammunition used in handguns.” “But that would hurt the law-abiding people who use armor-piercing bullets for sport and target shooting.” “That’s why we’re making such a big issue of it. Let me read you this letter from Wayne Lapierre, the NRA lobbyist, which was sent to all congressmen. ‘The most clear and present danger to law en forcement and public of ficials is not the presence of one type of bullet. Rather it is from the unwarranted and irresponsible publicity surrounding this or other means of defeating soft body armor.’” “That says it all,” I told Colt. “It’s the media and not the KTW which is threatening the lives of our policemen. Biaggi would be doing a much better ser vice to the country if he proposed a bill forbidding the press from talking about ammunition that can blast through Tef lon. By the way, why would someone want to buy a KTW bullet in the first place? “Because,” Colt said. “It’s there.” 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 Gary Barker Assistant City Editor Hope Paasch Sports Editor Frank L. Christlieb Entertainment Editor Nancy Floeck Assistant Entertainment Editor Colette Hutchings News Editors Rachel Bostwick, Cathy Capps, Johna Jo Maurer, Daniel Puckett, [an Werner, Todd Woodard Staff Writers Jennifer Carr, Susan Dittman, Beverly Hamilton, David Johnson, John Lopez, Robert McGlohon, Carol Smith, Dana Smelser, Joe 'l indel, John Wagner, Rebeca Zimmermann Copyeditors Elaine Engstrom, Bill Robinson Cartoonist Scott McCullar Graphic Artist Pam Starasinic Photographers . . . David Fisher, Octavio Garcia, Michael D. Johnson, Rob Johnston, Irene Mees, John Ryan, Robert Snider Editorial Policy The Battalion is a non-profit, sclf-supportinfr news paper operated as a community service to Texas A&\{ University and Bryan-Collcge 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 w'riter. 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. Letters — a real education by Robert McGlohon Page two is so educational. Don’t you think? I may give up classes. T he wisdom of the world resides in the Letters to the Editor. For example: I’ve learned that “How dy” and “Bonfire” are traditions. Funny, but I thought the A&M tradition was slightly more profound — epitomized by such cliches as “All for one and one for all,” “Don’t let the team down,” “We’re in this together” and “He’s my brother.” (Labeling something a cliche doesn’t make it less true — a common fallacy.) I’d always assumed that such things as “Howdy” and “Bonfire” were rituals that made up the Aggie tradition — not the tradition itself. I once heard tradition defined as “doing things with ■the same grand style as our predecessors.” 1 didn’t know that tradition is doing things exactly the way our predecessors did. Silly me. And surprise, surprise. I’ve learned that “beat the hell outta ...” is obsnene. I guess that means the “Aggie War Hymn” is obscene too. The Traditions Commit tee has their work cut out for them. I robert mcglohon by Brian I Battalion Rej wonder who they’ll get to write the new hymn. Oh well, that’s their worry. T he historians have got their work cut out for them, too. They’ve got to go through all the history books, all the back issues of newspapers and change all re ferences such as “Alio-American” and “Negro” and “Colored” to “Black.” By the way, did you here about the guy who is going to rewrite Mark Twain's classic “Huckleberry Finn?” I wonder il he’s got plans for “Uncle Tom’s Cabin," too? Another thing I’ve learned is that six years of armchair quarterbacking is equivalent to a long and outstanding coaching record. I’ve been watching foot ball for more than twice that many years. I think I 'll go give Tom Landryi his money. But learning that Democracvi the lesson that suprised metbt, - thought democracy was an idealil \* 1C ^ nlU ' < lor, bled for, died for.I nodermze ,« st, H , , . ear capability to c assumed that it was given to us I, iion fl j )m ab £ oad what a vet or any memberotlhe t sforeigninteres Forces (sworn to uphold the Cons rower told a Tex — lith their lives il necessary)m dience Wednesda to the “gift” of democracy? And then 1 learned that should be restricted to US “g Them lousy foreigners shod? dent therefore or allowed to hold peacefuldemonst :: m ' ze „ our stialt Thai’s a right reserved forthepri orce- few. Of course, defining the pan 1 mean is any American a membe: Committee since we keep out the pinkos and the® the United State the minorities and the American Americans? I wonden cities After reading through the van ters to the editor that have this year, my faith in two old as* been restored — “Don’t believt thing you read” and “Never im mate the power of human stupe Tow bette The Soviets ping us in strait ity,” Tower said. Tower, R-T’ex .... _een serving as , of that special group mightbeak [he Senale Ann improve its Navy tional ground foi compete with the “We have too 1 do what is neces: ernize our Field the extent that field equipment i ours,” he said. “Considering the Soviets over years have gone f navy ... to a ‘blut that is capable ol ® row] ofter by Lynn F Battalion Ref Concert ticket cups that perfoi j&M University a :han big city prices "all committee adv lecker says. Big-name group jop at Texas A 8 leasonable prices cation is exceller tween big cities. Occasionally, )Ups will call Tot isn't THAT OUST UKE THOSe K0PL£?„ PICKING UP their REUEF CHECK ANP PRIVING OFF IN A CAPIU-AC st minute to m; ments for a show, the Commodores (jays before their The group was pa 20,000 per d ghting and so whether they wer Rot. They played a for almost half the “We’ll offer noney,” Becker mes they’ll take hey won’t.” Ill Letters: Rock ‘n’ roll presentation Editor: Well, they told us before the presenta tion that it would be delivered from a Christian perspective and if we didn’t like it, then then was the time to leave. I should have left. Friday night in Rudder Tower, scores of people were informed that the major ity of rock and roll music is satanic in nature and should not be listened to by- young people. Bands like AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Blue Oyster Cult, Queen, ELO, Rush and even the Beatles were raked over the coals of Christian damna tion for an hour and a half; while those of us who knew better were forced to sit and squirm in silent frustration. The Maranatha organization suc ceeded in scaring dozens of people into believing their slanted tirade and effec tively snuffed any kind of rational, objec tive discussion afterwards. I contend that this was just another example of modern day Puritanism aimed at tarnishing the image of several well respected and talented rock bands. I challenge the Maranatha group to repeat their performance at a future date and allow a reasonable amount of discus sion afterwards to refute some of their off-the-wall assumptions. nection between the devil and rock music. I was once skeptical myself. However, there is strong evidence to support this concept, evidence that most people are completely unaware of. I re quest that no one call me a lunatic or religious fanatic until you have attended the seminar and have heard the facts. Il will be repeated in a few weeks. T hen, and only then, can an intelligent decision be made as to how you stand on this issue. Italia to pe Ronnie Gajdica ’83 Plea for help sity will reflect not the best andbrijl but those who could withstand whims, “rants and ravings,” andpdl ... of their respective collegesana[ Case in point, ... mechanicalengi) ing 212. Also, the total lack of sen! on the part of the geology depart* In their infinite wisdom, theyschtd a class at 7 a.m. The buses don’t rut The fact is, I’ve invested toonJ and money at this University to' tor j um al ^ now. I just hope I graduate beforest one puts a quota on bachelor’s Gordon Stevei Class She said agen< [way from col hey're afraid tl lot do well in a In contrast ;roups, little-k iften hold cone ampuses to helj fnce, she said. Thecommitte i profit, she sai< ireak even for t I Musici, an < primarily plays nr Editor: I have found that a person must not only be a little bright to make the grade at Texas A&M, but be able to withstand harassments, and in some cases, hostili ties from various colleges, department heads and professors. Academic excellence has been re placed by methodical harassment; the latter, it seems, is a means of failing as many students as possible. It appears that in the future, a degree from this Univer- Found bank card The group, co string instrument sichord, has hel appreciation of It music, particulai Antonio Vivaldi, group also perfo contempor