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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 18, 1983)
opinion Battalion/Page 2 February 18,1983 Economic RecoveRV IS LiKe a SeecUNG. For aviniLe ir go&s 0NPeRGRoyND-..aNDTf(eR it §HooTg op aND i§ §>proo1Tmg aii- ovsr ■We PUace. TnaT’S VJHaT We’Re STaRTiNG To See... —rohqlp Reae^N Reagan aims to sell controversial policies by Helen Thomas United Press International I - WASHINGTON — President Reagan -is embiu king on a selling c ampaign to ‘promote support lor the hnilcling ol the -MX missile, his militarx spending in creases and his foreign poliex. On all three fronts, he still must con- Ixinte Congress ;md the public that he is Ton the right track. 1: As a result, he is calling in some old "pros to help launc h a drixe to improve "understanding of his polit ies and to win backing for them at home and abroad. He has tapped Max Friedersdorf. his former c hief lobbx ist on Capitol Hill, to return from his diplomatic sojourn in the Bahamas to lend a hand in selling the need for production and deploxment of the controx rsial MX missile. I n the f oreign polic x f ield, his adminis tration has committed $(i5 million to a program to support democratic institu tions throughout the world through stu dent and leader exc hange programs, and aid to foreign education and broadcast outlets. Reagan also recently dispatc hed Vice President George Bush to F.utope to shore up sagging support among F.uro- pean leaders for his “zero/ero" nuc lear arms proposal to the Soviets. Manx of the leaders are urging a more flexible polic x than the U.S. proposal that calls for the elminination of all intermediate-range missiles on the continent. And he sent Sec retarx of State Cieorge Shultz to China to mend fences in a con tinuing dispute oxer the U.S. relation ship to Taiwan. Shultz, also stopped in , Japan where relations betxxeen the two countries are strained oxer trade and Japan's contribution to Asian defense. At home, Reagan makes no bones ab out the fact that he is bothered bx critics who think he is spending too much money on military programs and taking axvav from the poor. He has brought in William Greener, one of the spokesman for the White House and the Pentagon in the Ford administration, to ad vise on making a better case for the $'i0 billion itu reuse in the defense budget, and improving understanding of the need for a buildup. “I know there's been a constant drum beat about defense spending as if that's responsible for all our ills," Reagan told a business gathering earlier in the* week. “We feel that it is necessary to do what we're doing,” he said. But added that he is “very careful" to preserve the* “safety net ... for people who are trulx needx . " In the near future, Reagan plans to deliver a major address on his foreign policy and on defense needs. Aides are counting on his considerable powers as a super salesman to turn around the* public opinion polls that have shown a dramatic drop in support for the trillion-plus in creases in defense during a live-year period. Also under wax at the White House is a review of Reagan's media and public re lations of f ices to determine how well they are working. I he president has been holding a series of sessions with out-of- town correspondents and broadcasters who have are briefed on his budget and are given a c hance to question him on a range of subjects. At midterm, the need for selling his policies is obvious. The Western allies appear to be pulling in another direction, and Reagan has yet to establish himself as the leader in the field. If the selling campaign succeeds, it w ill be because Reagan has managed to per suade Americans that they must stay ahead of the Soviets in the arms race, and convince the Europeans that he offers the best hope for a peaceful better world. The Battalion USPS 045 360 Member ot Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference Editor . Diana Sultenf uss Managing Editor (iar\ Barker Assoc iate Editor Denise Richter Catv Editor Hope E. Paasch Assistant City Editor Beverly Hamilton Sports Editor John Wagner Entertainment Editor Colette Hutchings Assistant Entertainment Editor. . . . Diane Yount News Editors Daran Bishop, Brian Boyer, Jennifer Carr, Elaine Engstrom, Johna Jo Maurer, Jan Werner, Rebeca Zimmermann Staff Writers Melissa Adair, Maureen Carmody, Frank Christlieb, Connie Eclelmon, Patrice Koranek, John Lopez, Robert McGlohon, Ann Ramsbottom, Kim Schmidt, Patti Schwierzke, Kelley Smith. Angel Stokes, T race) Taylor, Joe Tindef Copyeditors .... Shellex Hoekstra, JanSvvaner, Chris Thayer Cartoonist Scott McCullar Graphic Artists Pam Starasinic Sergio Galvez Photographers David Fisher, Jorge Casari, Ronald W. Emerson, Rob Johnston, Irene Mees, William Schulz 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. The last of the big evaders by Dick West United Press International WASHINGTON — The long arm of the law, as represented by the Internal Revenue Service, is trying to reach out and touch waiters, barmaids and other restaurant workers likely to collect tijus. The IRS says many taxpayers who toil in the food industry have serious mem ory lapses when it comes to listing tijjs on their Forms 1040. So 8 percent of their total sales has been made automatically subject to taxation. Restaurant employees for their jxirt claim the new law is causing “crip|:>ling disruptions” in their business. That I can readily believe. Any customer who only leaves an 8 percent gratuity is likely to find that ser vice at his table has been cripjilingly dis rupted. Nevertheless, some waiters and wait resses complain they rarely serve the last of the big spenders. When their tips don't add ujj to the minimum jiercentage, they say, the sales totals their bosses report to the IRS are misleading. I don’t necessarily quarrel with the principle that the IRS is entitled to ex tract a pound of flesh for every beef steak coming out of a restaurant kitchen. What I question is the fairness of singling out waiters when so many other jtotential taxpayers get away with not re|)orting huge chunks of income. Someone once sent me a tojix of “a special message to taxpayers” jnejiaied by the Massachusetts revenue dejjart- ment. It reminded Bay State residents they were liable for taxes on income de rived from kickbacks, stealing, drugs, cash skimmingand other illegal activities. “Not reporting such income can lead to jtrosecution for perjury and fraud. " it solemnly and straight-facedlx warned. I commend that ajijtroac h to Presi dent Reagan and Congress as they strug gle to reduce the federal deficit. As things now stand, the entire budgetary burden is borne bx t hose of us who haxe onlx legitimate sources of in come. So how about tightening collet lion jn'oeedures on the millions of dollars in illic it rexenue that goes unrejjorted each year? How long has it been sinc e kidna|))x*rs jiaid taxes on ransoms? How hostage-takers forked overtotht; eminent the indicated jiortionofi and valuables received in agreements? How long since aii jac kers were soaked by the IRS fori jiortation benefits? I don't know exactly how miic taxes thiexes, jnostitutes anddrtigll ers axoicl paving each year, hi might turn that, with all thedt they could c laim, they wouldQtel nothing. Income earners in the|| have heavy business expenses,youh Even in these days of declininjj line j)i ic es, keeping the moton a getawax car must he frightfulfyt sive. But most bank robbers, narcotics] Tickers and the like file no returns if Worse xet, they obviously canalf» leaxe big tijrs w hen they eat out. are the* tax evaders the govern] should be going after. Anothei new law extendinglteil holding sxstem to ill-gotten gainst I jnit the budget back in the black. 'restoi tew ( c by P; Eln a dis Corps of ( putv C '.esignate dels wil lohg as F ases the the Unitei m-type Prestor ml Mike mauder at Is nam Wednesda will serve dei undei ds Ron “We w patriotism tong as Re fense bud of Vicinal Corps will 1 |Abbott, igineerii view, and cultural ei HOW.HERES A PLAN WE IN WASHINGTON CAN LIVE WITH m Letters: Display of flyers question Open letter to Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority: Last Friday morning, when I arrived on campus, I was embarrassed and angered by the lack of decency and re spect that was exhibited by your sorority in your circulation of flyers advertising a pre-Valentine’s party. The use of the word “orgy” on the heading of the flyers disgusted me. Is this what young ladies must do to get attention? Are you run ning a sorority of a brothel? I was furth ermore humiliated by the placing of a picture of Cupid also on the heading of your flyer. Cupid is a symbol of love, not trashy lust. Really now, was that neces sary? However, what was most disturbing was the manner in which these flyers were displayed. They were placed on fire evacuation boards, faculty boards and grade boards. When they were placed on the proper board, they were placed over other advertisements, namely the fine, wholesome Christian programs pre sented on Campus. I was enraged that you would lay an orgy over the word of God! I was truly embarrassed, and I’m sure that your parents, who pay your sorority dues, deserve better than this. I was beginning to feel that the Greeks had a place at A&M, but after this display of indecency, I’m going to have to recon sider. which he was pledged, and driven u> Waco. He missed a day of classes for this foolish prank. The point I would like to emjdiasize is the action of the fraternity, forcing the pledge to miss class. It is absurd to think the University would condone the action, much less support an organization that makes it a regular practice. If a student’s top priority is not school, he should perhaps explain to himself why he, or his parents, is spending thousands of dollars to enroll at Texas A&M. If fraternities ever jdan to proudly represent this University, or earn respect from other students, they certainly need to reevaluate their objectives. Rankings Editor: Rhonda Reese 2800 Longmire Thanks for the song Peter Flawn (president ofu), “I ask you to accept the concepi greatness, excellence, and frrsK^ qualities, not quantities ... Butt UT is fourth, of seventh, orele" such figures are meaningless." from SejDt. 1982 Texas Monthl; zine. Peter Flawn (same one), 1982:ii ference to Jones-Lindzey Report study “... makes it clear that UT-.t has now become one of the small:' of truly outstanding state in then® Quote from Feb. 2, 1983 editionof Battalion He apparently also stated thatil< port proved U.T. was first in doJ training among universities in theS« west. Does this mean that ranking meaningful only when they rank)# Editor: Charles Be Dunn: This is in tribute to three young men who serenaded the Fowler-Keathley- Hughes girls from their quad in the wee hours of the morning on Feb. 15. Correction Editor: M0I Mi v Roll or. William B. McGuire III 84 Kidnapping causes missed class * Editor: I teach at Texas A&M in the Depart ment of Physical Education. I am writing this in order to publicize a situation that occurred recently in one of my classes. A student had missed a class, and approached me with an explanation of his absence. He claimed he had been kid napped and wanted to make up the class he had missed. Actually, he had been abducted by members of the fraternity to Not one but three suitors did woe me with songs of love like minstrels of old singing out so bold at such an early hour, had I the courage I would have showered you with praise and flowers. Now I must know From where’st did you come and where’st did you go, Oh, heavenly three with voices of gold. Come sing to me again of love so old. Thank you for the beautiful music and feel free to interrupt our slumber again with your beautiful voices. Cathy Close, Caroline Singletary 129 Fowler 1 With reference to the article ei® “A&M installs computer in# programs,” appearing in the Feb tion of The Battalion, I have be** quested to bring the followingW attention. The picture accompanying thei : was incorrectly captioned, in tM Painter is not the director of the £1® al Engineering computer facilities' the interim director of the College^ gineering Computer-Graphics U which is supporting the PLATO project in computer-based ed# The four microcomputers, referred the caption, were donated b) &: Data Corporation to the College 1 , gineering, not to the Department^ trical Engineering, as was inf Thank you. FF E FI Roll John H Professor, Electrical Engiff