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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 25, 1983)
-opinion January 25 : Slouch By Jim Earle “Making an A on your first exam is good, but it’s not all good. Keep in mind that you want to leave room to show improvement, so your instructor will feel that he brought you along during the course. See what I mean? Reagan advocates military pay freeze by Maxwell Glen and Cody Shearer Ronald Reagan had an opportunity to take the long view of defense expendi tures last week, but instead donned lenses ground for shortsightedness. Rather than cut a weapons system or two in his effort to reduce deficits, Reagan took the easy way out and proposed a military pay freeze. Most observers agree that the pay freeze alone would not damage Amer ican military readiness in the short run. Military salaries have become competi tive with their civilian counterparts in re cent years. Since 1980, in fact. Congress has approved three consecutive annual pay hikes — 11 percent, 14 percent and 4 percent — and was expected to do so again this year. Meanwhile, the recession has made fu ture pay increases less essential to milit ary recruitment. “Given the fact that more people are trying to get in the armed forces than can be accommo dated, (the pay freeze) would not prevent armed forces from meeting recruitment or retention goals,” said Martin Ander son, architect of the All-Volunteer Force and former Reagan domestic policy chief. But Anderson conceded that the pay freeze will have an impact, particularly on those currently in the lower ranks. Many military personnel rated between E-l and E-4 (from recruit to corporal in the Army, for example) are already living at subsistence levels. To get by, those with families regularly take second jobs — if they can find them. In fact, almost 5 percent of the active Army’s 900,000 personnel worldwide re ceived relief last year, a rise of more than 40 percent from 1981 levels. Army re cords also show that 20 percent of the Army’s active-duty soldiers could use financial assistance for rent, food, utility bills and required travel. According to Col. Donald C. Rubot- tom of the Army’s Emergency Relief Program, most of the $15 million distri buted in 1982 took the form of interest- free loans; only 10 percent were outright grants. “It’s the constant travel and tran sitional nature of military life that takes its toll,” said Rubottom. Soldiers, like everyone else, might be expected to undergo hard times during a recession. Reagan’s proposed 7.6 percent pay hike this year for military personnel, in fact, seems like a natural place to make economies in times of 4 percent inflation. But if the economy picks up, Reagan will have to keep military salaries com petitive. By then, his reluctance to cut the big-ticket items in 1983 will have gotten the best of him — and us. The B-l, the Trident and several aircraft carrierers will be well under construction and will offer little room for reduction. Rhetorically, at least, Ohio senator John Glenn sounds a lot like Ronald Reagan. In a speech to delegates at Cali fornia’s annual state Democratic conven tion, Glenn played on the “let’s make America great again” theme ex-pounded exhaustively by Reagan in 1980. Glenn has also rejected advice from aides that he criticize the military in the way that President Dwight D. Eisenhower did near the end of his second term. Arkansas’ senior senator, Dale Bum pers, chided California Democrats last weekend for parroting President Reagan’s contention that government is the problem — not the solution. “It was a concerned and sensitive gov ernment,” recalled Bumpers, “that brought REA to rural America, and thereby allowed my father to sell electric al appliances and save his business; that brought our small hometown water and sewer systems and paved streets; that stopped employers from working 12- year-old children like me nine hours a day in 110-degree heat for 10 cents an hour.” The Battalion USPS 045 360 Member ot Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference Editor Diana Sultenf'uss Managing Editor Gary Barker Associate Editor Denise Richter City Editor I lope E. Paasch Assistant City Editor Beverly Hamilton Sports Editor John Wagner Entertainment Editor Colette Hutchings Assistant Entertainment Editor. . . . Diane Yount News Editors. . . Jennifer Carr, Elaine Engstrom, Johna Jo Maurer, Jan Werner, Rebeca Zimmermann Staff Writers Maureen Carmody, Frank Christlieb, Patrice Koranek, John Lopez, Robert McGlohon, Ann Ramsbottom, Kim Schmidt, Patti Schwierzke, Angel Stokes, Tracey Taylor, Joe Tindel Copyeditors Daran Bishop, Jan Swaner, Chris Thayer Cartoonist Scott McCullar Graphic Artist Pam Starasinic Photographers David Fisher, Jorge Casari, Ronald W. Emerson, Octavio Garcia, Rob Johnston, Irene Mees 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. 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. 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. Washington leaks decisions by Art Buchwald This is what is known as the leaky season in Washington. I’m not talking about the weather, I’m talking about all the leaks in the government to the press. The President has been so angered by leaks in his administration that he was quoted in a leak from one of his people as saying, “I’m up to my keister with these leaks.” The Washington leak is not only a way of government officials communicating with the press and the public, but it is also used by government servants as a method of communicating with each other. Let me give you an example. I received a call from a Treasury offi cial last week who said, “You don’t know where you got it, but the President plans to ask for some very high tax raises for ’85 if we ever hope to get the budget under control.” “Why are you telling me?” “I want the President to know about very high source in the Treasury. Sure enough, I got a call from some one in the White House who said, “Can I talk to you off the record?” “That’s what I’m paid for,” 1 told him. ‘T he Treasury is all wet about tax in creases in 1985. The President has no intention of asking for them.” “Why doesn’t the President tell Treas ury himself?” “He’s not speaking to the Treasury De partment because they’re always bring ing him bad news. If our denial is printed as a leak about the President being against taxes in ’85?” “From the White House.” “Well, the person here who gave you that story is all wet. The President hasn’t made up his mind about taxes for ’85 and he’s keeping his options open. But if you quote me I’ll deny it.” “Why don’t you tell the guy who leaked it to me that he’s giving out bum informa tion?” out of concrete.” “Why don’t you just tall upiiJ ury and tell them that?” “It carries much more autl comes as a news leak to you.' “I’ll get it in on Sunday,"Ip him. Sunday morning I got a cal from my Treasury leaker. “You conflicting leaks last week White H ouse about taxes foi'j Secretarv wants to know whid] believe.” “It’s hard to say. Bothleaksc two of the highest sources on dent’s staff.” it. “Why don’t you tell him?” “I’d rather he read it in The Washing ton Post than break it to him. I have my job to think of.” I printed the story, attributing it to a “I can’t because he’s against tax hikes for ’85 and he’s using the press to influ ence the President to reject them.” “And you’re using us to get the Presi dent to go along with some tax hikes?” “Maybe. I want Treasury to push for new taxes so I can get the President’s feet “Well, how is the Secretar to set U.S. monetary policyih are so contradictory?” • “Don’t get mad at me. Ijust leaks as they come in. You peo| figure out which ones to which ones are red herring's can do just so much tocommui sages for you |)eoj4le. Isn't other way of finding out what eminent is jilunningtoriobesi to the press?” “I wish there were. Butifwti ted policy through regular dm one in Washington would acti Fammy WE WERE LUCKY TO GET HIM,, HE HAP A FOOTBALL SCHOLARS UHTILTHE NCAA RMSEP ITS ACAPEMtC 5TANPARPS Unit* lALL, ve to r, isspent ral feme snsive lining lOffic nd Hu ent M ouncil’i imitl Letters: Minority report questioned Editor: Upon reading today’s Houston Chro nicle, I felt compelled to comment on some of the statements contained in a Chronicle article. The article dealt with Texas A&M’s plans to increase minority enrollment. Let me state from the beginning that I indeed favor such action, and I am not taking a stand on that issue. First of all, maybe I missed something, but as far as I can remember, I haven’t seen any whites with blackened faces and feathers on their bodies running through cafeterias, nor have I heard of any such activity, and I have been here for three of the most “recent years” in history. Secondly, although I believe it is a good idea, some ACLU lawyer will come along and sue the University for discrimi nation or reverse-discrimination for asking housing applicants if they mind rooming with minority students. Also, is the housing application going to ask minority students if they mind rooming with minority students? Further, the question of minority fa culty members, particularly those of “Asian origin,” has apparently been around for some time. I clearly remem ber last year a questionnaire being circu lated by a certain mother’s club dealing with the, as they called it, “problem” of Oriental faculty members. That ques tionnaire was harshly worded against such faculty members. Obviously, the administration’s viewpoint differs with at least one mother’s club and probably some others as well. Lastly, the Chronicle quotes the report of President Vandiver’s committee as saying that the flying of the Confederate battle flag at the annual construction of Aggie Bonfire is treason. Come on, really now, treason? That is going a bit far. I may not agree with the idology of slavery, but I am proud of my heritage, which includes being from Texas, for merly a Confederate state. Flying the Confederate flag does not, in my eyes, advocate racism. Many historians feel that slavery was not the direct cause of the Civil War, but merely a contributing factor. Back to the wording of the report for a moment. Webster defines treason as, “betrayal of one’s country to an enemy to betray anything to.” So, if the report does indeed use that word, it is in my view, way out of line. The article quotes Nolen Mears as saying that flying the Confederate flag is just Southern heritage. I believe he is right. And as Southern heritage, the flag ought to be allowed to fly. If flying such a flag is “treasonous,” how is it that flying the Mexican flag (one of the six flags over Texas that occasionally flies over the Quad) is not? Or more specifically, why isn’t the flying of the Confederate “Stars and Bars” (the Confederate national flag, not the battle flag) in the same display also “treasonous?” After all, the Mex icans fought to gain control of our state and the Confederate States fought only for recognition. Kurt L. Miller Dorm 9 support now more than ever. Asa] crat, he went to Washington worked hard to represent bis tuents. He worked to reducegovfi waste, to curb government rej and to reduce taxes. It isobvioustl Gramm did his job all too well ini of his fellow democrats. The democratic leadership (Tip OW Wright, Ted Kennedy) is trying# an examjole out of Phil Gr® punishing him for performingbt well. n We elected Mr. Gramm toC# ) three times. We knew where he# the issues, we liked the job he# and we want him to keep iiptk' work. He has proven himselftok er, a man of his word, a fightera# est. If more congressman would 1# lowed his example the troubles( tion has today would not exis 1 Gramm’s party affiliation didno 1 his way of doing a good job at Rejmblican, I feel he will conli fight for us in Washington DC Who is our representative in Co Phil Gramm or Tip O’Neill? Idc my representative in Congress political pujjpet of the liberal lead' but rather a jDolitical powerhoi# Phil Gramm. Let’s send a message O’Neill and friends to quit playbl tical games with the nation’s futuf b 1978 Student says vote Gramm Editor: On Saturday, Feb. 12, the electorate of the Texas 6th Congressional District will make a choice between Phil Gramm and a host of Democrats. I believe Phil Gramm deserves our tisan politics must become histot)' nation’s economic ills are tobeso' By the way, Tij), is there an wrong with being an america' rather than a Democrat or RepJ Moreover, Tijj, keep your nose Texas politics and quit botheri": congressman, Mr. Phil Gramm. V 1 Gramm on Feb. 12, 1983. Mark Cdl