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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 26, 1982)
opinion Battalion/Pai: Slouch By Jim Earle “Wouldn’t it be nice if we could save 41 of those points to use in the rest of our games?” Can a third party save the other two? by Maxwell Glen and Cody Shearer When “The Most Overlooked Story of 1982” is decided at year’s end by the “official” panels of reporters, news hounds and editors, few ballots are liable to read “Sedated Voters.” But once the debates, smear cam paigns and other elcjrnents of the 1982 elections have ceasecf to reverberate in our ears, one sad fact will remain: About 100 million of us — more than 60 percent of the eligible voting population — will have dropped out of democracy for another year. Though short on sex appeal, this story could some day render all our other political problems academic. Politically speaking, Americans have iron-poor blood, and everyone knows why. Politicians are out of touch, cam paigns too long, and the hands of special interests too heavy. Try though they do, the media can’t seem to make the elector al season more palatable than meatloaf. Luckily for the republic, however, some folks are working on this con tinuing crisis of participation. These pat riots, weighing the seriousness of the situation, have abandoned such tradi tional remedies as “get out the vote” and “voter registration” efforts. Indeed, their approach to politics runs right to the root of the problem: They’re offering voters an alternative. “They” are the Citizens Party, a loose coalition of grass-roots activists, which in 35 states during 1980 put ecologist and hapless academic Barry Commoner on the presidential ballot. Two and a half years later, the party is running an im pressive 1982 campaign in 20 states, mostly in the Northern half of the United States. While few, if any, of the party’s candidates are expected to win their races, they all intend to raise issues the The Battalion USPS 045 360 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. 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 I lutchings News Editors Rachel Bostwick, Cathy Capps, Johna Jo Maurer, Daniel Puckett, Jan Werner, Todd Woodard Staff Writers Jennifer Carr, Susan Dittman, Beverly Hamilton, David Johnson, John Lopez, Robert McGlohon, Carol Smith, Dana Smelser, Joe TindeJ, 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 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- 261 1. 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. . 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- 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. Corps’ actions not acceptable] Excellence. There should be no exception. For more than a year excellence has been one of the most actively pursued goals of the Texas A&M administration. Yet today that goal remains un achieved. It is time for Texas A&M to achieve the goal — to live up to its immense potential. It is time for Texas A&M to commit itself to making the effort, making the changes required to build an excellent institution. In fact, the time has passed. Texas A&M had the opportunity to lead Texas’ institutions of higher educa tion as the state’s first public university, but lost its priorities somewhere along the way. But excellence is still attainable. It is time for the true believers in fexas A&M’s potential to lead the way into an era of pre-eminence — statewide, nationwide and even worldwide. In some areas the process has begun. The administration and faculty of fexas A&M have committed to the course for the most part. The largest obstacle in Texas A&M’s path on the road to pre-eminence now lies within the student body. It is a small but visible group that threatens the image and progress of this institution. When will the majority of the Texas A&M student body stand up to this minority that threatens the slowly impro ving reputation of the university? The time should lie now. A function of an institution of higher education is to examine rationally its de- Many of these deficiencies became sorely evident during the Texas A&M- Rice football game Saturday. Three incidents at the game were the type not found at an excellent university — one of great academics, athletics and character. the integrity of the football pros the eyes of the officials an| coaches. The immature actions of'theCj have marred f exas A&M’s reput long enough. While actions such as these] do not have the support ofevem of the Corps, f reshmen in thef not engage in any activity wittioidl support and encouragement of u[| classmen members of that organa It has to stop. This university cannot standtaj its i eput.u i> in 1 m t hei tarnished •..« actions of a few. J <*■ It is time to set priorities. It is time to commit tolhediat Some say change should noil at Texas A&M because it threatei traditions of the University. Tradition can no longer bet into the path of progress as an obsiatl the greatness Texas A&M needsaiiil First, for the yell leader to knock the Rice mascot down following an Aggie touchdown, no matter what the reason, was an irresponsible action for a figure of authority to engage in, reminiscent of the saber incident a year ago. Second, the harassment of Rice cheer leaders by freshmen members of the Corps of Cadets — including the theft of pom-poms and megaphones — was a malicious, immature action that only serves to further tarnish Texas A&M’s reputation for sportsmanship. serves. lo\ing from Tradition is the delivery of op deration, am doctrines, practices, rites and ciaMbins (left), from generation to generation. B It is possible to retain and build j Ol by Jennif Battalion flciencies. Third, the freshman cadets rushing onto the field before the game was over to catch the yell leaders quite possibly cost Billy Cannon a touchdown and damaged the great traditions of Texas A&M. the same time change the schoolfo better. But w e can no longer afford theiJ ence to t hangc t aused by thefearola pering with tradition. A week ago. CBS television saidJ news segment that Texas A&M Com potential to become the "Cambri(l[® sa * fo r ranei the South." lt 0n K4 >rei i g ' ... nu Monda . V t . an ' . . to be 1 We just need a commitmentfr -B ature thief involved that greatness is to be our,; esfof state in a goal pursued until it is achr n moderated 1 e's Ted Kopp< Dale Tampki pygram ad id Alexand Democrats and Republicans have tradi tionally regarded as untouchable, and attract the interest of otherwise unin terested voters. “What we’re finding is that there’s a lot of dissatisfaction with what’s being offered,” said Wayne Grytting, a candi date for the State Assembly from Seattle. “People seem willing to accept a third party — any third party — that offers an alternative.” Though Grytting gives himself only a one in six chance of victory over a moder ate Democrat, he contends that the two major parties aren’t talking straight ab out Washington state’s high unemploy ment rate and its massive public inde btedness. Of course, many of Grytting’s ideas come from the Citizens Party’s 1980 plat form. The Reed College graduate’s opposition to sales taxes on food, and his support of community development banks for local investment are typical of the party’s faith in the locally-controlled economy. Regardless of what one thinks about the Citizens Party’s vague call for “econo mic democracy,” there’s much to be said for any political force in America today that encourages grass-roots participa tion. Of course, no one’s expecting the Citizens Party — much less the Liberta rians or some amalgam of John Ander son’s 1980 National Unity campaign — to capture many victories in 1982. Their presence, however, is a healthy shot in the arm for an anemic democracy. As freer thinkers address top issues, you can also bet the candidates from the two major parties will slowly wake up from their complacency and take notice. That development might be the best news voters get this fall. ger and E< ■ve expresse fllig to Texas Hit have no ch ime they c iu sity. Torn ateCyrus Vane y being coi ant by Aliso Battalion Go\eminent i P—it’s the pr [ii gubernatc [d Hutzelm uelday night. [‘More reg L more laws Hare not goi lems that w Hutzeln tee of about ( large extent, t ems. ‘Hn the econc 3nal lives and ii system, I ha\ reposals to t'rei r remove those NOW THAT THE MORTGAGE RATES HAMB COMB POWN, HE SAYS MB CAN AFFORD TO SUVA HOM,,. ate governmei lelway of indiv ing their o mong Hm gn proposal* Si.3 billion layers by di ith morator [ections; repc [e-Laws; rep tional licensii Letters: Join the Aggie Blood Club"™ Editor: Through the Aggie tradition of donating blood each semester, students and faculty provide a lifesaving service to the countless number of patients who re quire blood each day. Aggies and faculty are encouraged to donate blood this week during the Fall Aggie Blood Drive in cooperation with Wadley Central Blood Bank. The Blood Drive started Monday and will end Thursday. You can donate blood at any of four locations: MSG Ballroom, Lounge A on the Quad and mobile units at Sbisa and the Academic and Agency (A&A) Building. The mobile units will operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the MSC and Lounge A will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Texas A&M has the potential to be the largest blood donating university in the nation. In 1959, Aggies sponsored their first blood drive, which collected 392 un its of blood. This week, the Aggie Blood Drive Committee hopes to collect over 3,000 units. Last fall, Aggies donated a record 2,200 units making the Texas A&M blood drive the largest regular blood drive in the nation. In the spring drive, Aggies rallied to help provide needed blood to tornado victims in Paris, Texas with 2,159 units. The need for blood is overwhelming. For instance, the Dallas area alone re quires over 500 units per day just for open heart surgery operations. Lifesav ing Aggie Blood is also given to patients with lukemia, cancer, hemophilia, as well as to accident victims. You never know when you or a mem ber of your family will need blood. As an Aggie Blood Donor, you automatically become a member of the Aggie Blood Club which entitles you to several impor tant benefits. Most importantly, you and members of your family will be given free blood replacements. This is a valuable service when you consider that one trans fusion costs between $35 and $100. Don’t miss this opportunity to give the gift of life and participate in this great Aggie tradition. pate, they will be offering prizes small group category as well. Fori organizations (over 100 members), prize is three kegs of beer, second prize 1 two kegs and third prize is one keg.Sml organizations will compete for two ki and one keg. In order to participate, someonefn the organization needs to fill out are] tration form directly outside of theS# dent Programs Office in 216 MSC.* 1 each person donates blood, theywilk asked to fill out a slip of paper to^ counted at the conclusion of the drive In addition to the group prizes'! kegs, each person donating blood willr f ceive a free frisbee and will automatical' become a member of the Aggie Club. Correction Suzanne Alexander The Blood Drive Keg Contest is spon sored by the Aggie Blood Drive Commit tee to encourage participation in Blood Drive which is going on this week. This year, in order to encourage some of the smaller organizations to partici- A picture in Friday’s Battalion incol rectly identified an “Eat the Helli Rice Crispies” contestant. Thecontesta |1 | in the picture was Trey Beazley, aj agricultural economics major Hewitt. He finished second in thecotf'l petition. The Battalion regrets the errofj Non.-Thu ITU Sat. 1 Su n. ii.