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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 3, 1982)
-opinion Battalion/Page 2 November 3,1 Slouch By Jim Earle “Don’t ever get a haircut from a barber who’s trying to watch television at the same time. ” Toxic sludge woes by Art Buchwald May I help you?” “Yes, somebody is pouring toxic sludge in my back yard.” “I’ll connect you with Mr. Digging in our mudslide division.” “I don’t want to talk about mudslides I want to talk about toxic substances.” “We’ve combined toxic wastes, muds lides and killer ants in one department, as an economy measure. Mr. Digging is on the line.” “Digging, I want you to know that someone is dumping toxic sludge in my back yard.” “So?” “So what is the Environmental Protec tion Agency going to do about it?” “How much waste is being dumped?” “Three truckloads and the driver says he’s going back for more. I thought your job was to see that the citizen was pro tected against the dumping of toxic sub stances in residential ar” “It is. Where do you live?” “In North Carolina.” “Did you call the Denver office to lodge a complaint?” “Why should I call Denver?” “It handles all poison waste com plaints for North Carolina. At least it did until we shut it down for economy reasons.” “Then what good would it have done me to call Denver?” “You would have gotten a telephone recording referring you to one of our other regional offices.” “Well, since I’ve got you on the phone and Denver is closed, where do I call?” “Let me see. St. Paul, Minnesota, is closed; Portland, Oregon, is closed; Albuquerque is closed. Here’s one that is still open — in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.” “Give me their number.” “You’ll waste a call. They only deal in waivers for dirty coal furnaces.” “We’re involved in getting the govern ment off people’s backs. We weigh the price of environmental protection against the price to industry and then decide, cost-wise, whether we should en force the regulations or not.” “I thought you were mandated to pro tect the environmental health of the by “The Clean Water Act for one, lowered the pollution levels permitl communities who discharge sewagti lakes and streams by 50 percent.Tliisi save the taxpayers over $2 billion hazard to the people.” | Several “Who says so? Bviolating t “Our new studies indicate wattiBhaveprorr absorb a lot more pollutants thanjate rules ; tists originally believed.” Imitteetor “What about acid rain?” “The jury is still out on acidiBTexas A& There are rumors it stunts trees,andl Greg 11 wildlife, but we only have the wi Student G people who live in the Midwest, Noi man l * east and Canada for that. Were; going to go on a fishing expedition) : (ively de; because the water in Maine tastesl ! j ents at shaving lotion.” country. “We are, but we have priorities.” “What kind of priorities?” “Okay, let’s get back to my What are you going to do about then ist Univer waste they’re dumping in my backw dent steal “Have you thought about selling house?” “Yeh, but who is going to buyitt poison all over it?” “If you don’t report it to theEPA, will ever know?” How great senators selected from history by Steve Gerstel United Press International WASHINGTON — A quarter of a century ago this year, a special committee undertook and completed a herculean and what, at that time, must have been a most controversial task. The committee was ordered to pick five outstanding members who had served in the U.S. Senate during the first 168 years of its history. The number was dictated by the pre sence of just five empty spots in the ornate Senate reception room, vacancies suitable for the hanging of portraits to honor the worthies. The chairman of that committee was John Kennedy, then a Massachusetts senator already gearing up to run for the presidency. In an article for the New York Times magazine, Kennedy explained the prob lems faced by the committee in selecting just five. “In truth, the value of a senator is not so easily determined as the value of a car or a hog, or even that of a public utility bond of a ballplayer,” he wrote. “There are no standards to apply to a senator, no Dun & Bradstreet rating, no scouting reports,” Kennedy said. “His ta lents may vary with his time, his contribu tion may be limited by his politics.” Kennedy said, “To judge his true greatness, particularily in comparison with his fellow senators long after they are all dead, is nearly impossible.” Nevertheless, the committee pro ceeded. They polled countless historians and political scientists from every state. There were strong urgings for many can didates from other senators, editorial writers and citizens. Former President Truman, once a senator, sent Kennedy a letter with the names of 39 senators for consideration. The names presented by the commit tee to the Senate were Henry Clay of Kentucky, Daniel Webster of Mas sachusetts, John Calhoun of South Caro lina, Robert LaFollette Sr. of Wisconsin and Robert Taft of Ohio. All five were on Truman’s list, although he cautioned that in the case of LaFollette and Taft, “They are too close to us for true perspective.” Only LaFollette and Taft served in the 20th century and Taft had died only a few years earlier. Although senators had reservations about some of the choices, the Senate agreed on the five recommended with out any dissent. But Kennedy did say that he had “the most difficulty excluding” George Norris of Nebraska, Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri and Oliver Ellsworth. And Sen. Francis Case, RS.D., said he would not have recommended Calhoun. “In a 1957 newsletter announcing the selections, Case said, “His views of slavery and nullification would have prevented my voting for him.” Twenty-five years have passed and there is no pressing need for a new round of selections. There still is no space left to hang portraits and the current fad is to name buildings and rooms after out standing senators. There are the three office buildings named after Sens. Richard Russell, D- Ga., Everett Dirksen, R-Ill., and Philip Hart, D-Mich. A main meeting room in the Senate bears the name of Sen. Mike Mansfield, D-Mont., and the Health and Human Services Department building is the Hubert H. Humphrey building. But those decisions did not entail the study that went into the selections of those who are portrayed in the reception room. When the Senate’s second office building was completed, the decision was made to name one after a Democrat, one after a Republican — Russell and Dirksen. OK. USTEN UP,,. FIRST 1HE UNION SWARD HANDS OFF ID W PIAVERSRER,.THUS ALLOWING THE GRIEVANCE COM' M TIE TO KNOCKOUT A MANAGEMENT NEGOTIATOR METHE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL GOES FOR THE EXTRA POINT,.. listed ex Corps of his saber o change taking an A&M Fly plane acci lives of t\v said. Bates «re matt against tl pline cod i honor was students’ ( Bates, v the Flying cy of the makes a r and the A student wl was put o Bates said ishment v and tells oi break the with it. Stude been cons Honor C< Bates said The R Committei courts at < ing the U Rice Univ Wh ahe Letters: Abuse of position cor recta Editor: Hart was dying of cancer when the Senate wanted a permanent expression of its deep admiration for him. A similiar wellspring of affection existed for Hubert Humphrey. And Mansfield, of course, was one of the most respected and highly-regarded of senators. Are there any in the Senate now who would pass muster. No, but as Truman cautioned 25 years ago, “They are too close for us for true perspective.” 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 HopeE. 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, Jan Werner, Todd Woodard Staff Writers Jennifer Carr, Susan Dittman, Beverly Hamilton, David Johnson, John Lopez, Robert McGlohon, Carol Smith, Dana Smelser, Joe Tindel, John Wagner, Rebeca Zimmermann Copyeditor Elaine Engstrom, Cartoonist Scott McCullar Graphic Artist Pam Starasinic Photographers David Fisher, Jorge Casari, Ronald W. Emerson, Octavio Garcia, Michael D. Johnson, Irene Mees, John Ryan, Robert Snider 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. 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. Mr. Tom Joseph, Head Yell Leader: Just who do you think you are? Where do you get off leading a yell like “Beat the Hell Out of the Faggots"? The votes that you received for yell leader of Texas A&M did NOT commission you as a judge of others. I can hardly think of a more cruel, inhuman act, not to mention the lack of character and immaturity dis played by your actions. Tom, I realize that you are entitled to your personal opinions, but that is all they are — personal opinions. Please do not use the position of Yell Leader to publicize your own prejudices and atti tudes. That is not your privilege. As a student leader and representative of Texas A&M, you should learn when to put yourself second and our school (of which gays are a part) first. And as for the rest of the yell leaders, please consider what I have said if you agree with Tom’s actions. If you do not support that type of leadership, tell him. He is not the only yell leader and he should not be allowed to act foolishly and tarnish the reputation of the position of Yell Leader. Aggie Spirit at sporting events and yell practice. It is not, however, in place for any yell leader to express his opinion on any controversial issue at yell practice, and for this, I apologize. This great university through the years has supported the Godly principles and morality upon which this nation was founded. As a Christian, I subscribe to these beliefs. Never forget that most things are lost through small com promise. The very freedoms that we enjoy allow such groups as the communist party and homosexuals to have accessability to our campus and all other walks of life. If we are not careful and are not alert to the consequences, we will lose the very free doms that we hold. Eligiblility for voting implies t..u 5 ™, tna is capable of making a mature andi p c j ans " ^ sponsible decision concerning the of our government. If this implication correct, then we, as students, shoulda! s positions, t be able to make a mature decisid garding alcoholic beverages. Statistics drawn from the Texas 1 bK 1 ? Therefore, it is due to my strong feel ing, not only for this university but for our great country, that I could not resist the need and urgency to express to you my concerns with regards to these activi ties. I hope that as an A&M student and an American that you feel as I do. partment of Public Safety state thalD® arrests for the 22 to 24-year-old I group are markedly higher than thosf | the 19 to 21-year-old aroup. It isobvid [' that raising the drinking age is nob effective way to decrease the number DWI arrests. It is, however, a very eft live way to reduce your partying (* vileges and cripple the local econo® Unemployment will be increased due the fact that students under theageoiL will no longer be able to serve alcoW beverages in restaurants and clubs, j Tom Joseph Head Yell Leader If we, as students, wish to maintaiu[| status quo concerning the legal drink!* age, we must act now. There is littleti left to take a stand on this issue, forJa| ary is just around the corner. Drink up, Ags! Brent Taber ’83 Jill Schmahlenbergerl Donna Cancemi ! Apology Drinking age Party thanks Editor: Editor: Editor: This is a letter of apology to the Stu dent Body for expressing my opinion in an inappropriate manner in the MSC and at yell practice. Thursday, the poli tical forum invited the GSSO and the communist party to represent themselves in the MSC. These organizations were expressing opinions and values which contradict my personal convictions as well as what the traditions of our university and the MSC stand for. The MSC is dedicated as a memorial to the men who gave their lives in opposition to these beliefs. As Head Hell Leader, it is my respon sibility to maintain tradition and create In January, the Texas Legislature will have the final say on whether or not we Aggies under the age of 21 will have the legal right to drink alcoholic beverages. If this proposition becomes law, many students will be prohibited from entering any of the drinking establishments throughout the state. Would you like to have your current drinking privileges revoked? Now is the time for all you “Good Ags” to voice your opinion concerning this issue. If we are given the right to vote, we should also be allowed the choice of whether or not to drink. by M Bal The peo corporate / publican F Wended s v ard or Pr Manager c Bell Telepl said here b In 1971 Hess Revie’ ( he types o the busine: Fernandez Rudder Tl “Those I,pie who w 'becorpor; Me today,’ At lou cians, el lawyers, ac specialists, r ial,organi tr ative skil The sea Mid mino Vced the Males who porate rob in a co ' v bo are th a ble also a fow the s’ ■said. Thos t Cc Cc yo wi The MSC Hospitality Committeeil be commended for their efforts intt* ing a super Halloween party for chip of faculty, staff and students on Thf day. Not only did my daughter enjo$ the activities presented to her... shell all the costumed students. I could tellft a lot of time and effort was spent 3* everyone there seemed to have a rel neat evening. Thanks for helping my? tie one see that not all Halloween trfc are bad! St} Hi tin Im an CY Betty B. yif TTI Administrate ' NoC