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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 28, 1983)
Page 2/The Battalion/Thursday, April 28, 1983 A opinion Justice Department follows priorities by Art Buchwald The Reagan Justice Department has been criticized for foot-dragging when it comes to prosecuting wrongdoers. But in fairness to the people who put in their time, there is just so much they can do to uphold the law of the land. I had a discussion recently with an attorney who works at Justice, and he told me: “We cannot prosecute every law violation on the books. Each administra tion has to set priorities when selecting cases.” “What are the administration’s priori ties?” “We’re concerned with the laws that will harm the country and hurt innocent people. For example, the Canadians tried to sneak in two films on acid rain, and one on the medical hazards of nuc lear war. The law specifically states the films had to be labeled as propaganda, and were produced by a foreign agent. So we put all our best people on it and won our case. That was a high priority item.” “We can all sleep safer because of it,” I said. “Another priority we have is to narrow the Freedom of Information Act, to make sure the public does not get access to government documents they have no business reading. We also have been dire cted by the president to make sure that anyone in the government who leaks clas sified documents is prosecuted to the ful lest extent of the law. You can imagine how much time the department has to spend on this. But it’s worth it, because if an administration can’t keep its secrets, it’s impossible to govern the country.” “What happens if a government secret covers up a crime?” “I didn’t understand the question.” “Let’s take the EPA scandal,” I said. “Apparently a lot of crimes were commit ted there. Documents were destroyed, sweetheart deals were made with chemic al companies, consultants to the agency were on the payrolls of polluters who were being investigated, and an awful lot of officials may have perjured themselves under oath. People could be dying be cause of what they did. Is this a high priority item?” “We’re obviously looking into it, but the department can spread itself just so thin. Many of our lawyers are tied up writing briefs as friends of the court con cerning all the bleeding heart laws now on the books. These briefs must take pre cedence over a few misdemeanors com mitted by a handful of zealous people in EPA who were only trying to do their jobs. We’re not going to become a vigi lante organization because of publicity seeking environmentalists.” “I don’t imagine antitrust prosecutions and SEC violations have high priority in this administration?” “We have a very active anti-trust de partment. But our philosophy is that it’s much better to settle white-collar crime quietly. We refuse to tie up the courts with cases where no violence has been committed, since we have bigger fish to fry.” “Such as?” “We supported the State Department’s decision not to permit the widow of Chi lean President Salvador Allende to come to the United States to lecture. The McCarran Act of 1950 specifically gives us the right to deny her entry if it is prejudicial to the public interest. Mrs. Allende has been involved with Soviet peace groups, and is a definite threat to our national security. That certainly has more legal significance than going after some poor guy who used inside informa tion to make a killing in the stock market.” “It didn’t until you explained it to me,” I said. “Nobody is happy with any adminis tration’s Justice Department, and we’ve been getting a bad rap by the press, be cause the cases we work on may not jell with their idea of what laws we should enforce. But our first loyalty is the the president of the United States, and we nave to see that his wishes are carried out, even if it means going to the Supreme Court and trying to get them to reverse themselves on the bad decisions they have made in the past.” “What are you personally working on now?” “Prayers in school. It’s the big one, and if we win it, it will be the greatest legal victory in our department’s history.” Stepping Stone needs time, contributions Editor: Brazos County’s Stepping Stone is a charitable organization designed to pro vide live-in long-term care for run-away and “throw-away” youth. One of the many projects underway to help raise funds for building needed facilities is a rummage sale scheduled for May 5 to 7 at 321A Texas Ave. at Meadow Lane. We seriously need support and parti cularly invite graduating seniors to offer a helping hand during this period while awaiting commencement. There are sev eral ways in which you can help: First: by donating any surplus items you do not plan to take with you when leaving the area — furniture, appliances, utensils, tools, clothing, storable food or any other items of value. If possible, de liver these items to 3219A Texas Avenue on the afternoon of May 3 and 4 or call 693-7855 if you need items picked up. Second: by pledging as many hours of service as you can spare on May 2, 3 and 4 to help assemble, price and display items, and by helping clerk the sales starting May 5. Third: (for all those who will have time on the afternoon and evening of May 7) by helping dispose of any left-over items and cleaning the facility so generously provided by Don Martell. Fourth: by dropping in on the sale to look for outstanding bargains on a varie ty of unusual items; and Finally: to all those who cannot do any of the above but who desire to do their part to help these troubled youth, by mailing a cash donation to Brazos Valley Stepping Stone, Box 1436 Bryan, Tx. 77801. Please include your return address so we can return thanks and a tax deductible receipt. John A. Hopkin Chairman, Board of Directors The Battalion USPS 045 360 I Member ot Texas Press Association »- Southwest Journalism Conference Editor Diana Sultenfuss Managing Editor Gary Barker Associate Editor Denise Richter City Editor Hope E. Paasch Assistant City Editor Beverly Hamilton Sports Editor John Wagner Assistant Sports Editor John Lopez Entertainment Editor Colette Hutchings Assistant Entertainment Editor. .. . Diane Yount News Editors Daran Bishop, Brian Boyer, Jennifer Carr, Elaine Engstrom, Shelley Hoekstra, Johna Jo Maurer, Jan Swaner, Jan Werner, Rebeca ; Zimmermann Staff Writers Melissa Adair, Maureen Carmody, Frank Christlieb, Connie Edelmon, Scott Griffin, Patrice Koranek, Robert McGlohon, Ann Ramsbottom, Kim Schmidt, Karen Schrimsher, Patti Schwierzke, Kelley Smith, Angel i Stokes, Joe Tindel, Tracey Taylor, i Kathy Wiesepape Cartoonist Scott McCullar Graphic Artists Sergio Galvez Thompson, Fernando Andrade Photographers David Fisher, Guy Hood, Eric Lee, Irene Mees, Barry Papke, 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 :hor, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of i exas 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 Stadon, 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- dsing 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. Concerned Loved Ones: Clip, mail this home to parents by Denise R. Patton Do you enviously watch all of your friends receive C*A*R*F packages f rom their parents? Do you wait day after day for that pink mail slip to appear in your box? Simply clip this out, fill your name in the blanks, and send it homeward. Even if it doesn’t have the desired effect, it could be the only mail your “Con cerned Loved Ones” receive from you all semester. Maybe it will be taken as a prac tical joke, but heck, it is certainly worth the ’ol college effort. After all, you and I both know that “We, The Board of Re gents” didn't really write this. But, who knows, maybe the folks will think it’s au thentic. Greetings from The Board of Regents quarters. We, theBoardof Regents, only wish that the subject of this letter could be happier(ie: news that little xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx is graduating or something of that sort.) Yet, however unpleasant this subject may be, we, TheBoardof Regents, feel it is our duty to inform you of little xxxxxxx’s trials and tribulations which he/she might not have told you about The most anxious, pressure-packed, nerve-racking time of the school year is fast approaching. Yes, Finals Week is just around the corner. Also just around the corner is the time of year when membershipin far-out meditation cults increases and the number of patients in coun seling rises sharply. All too often, the pressure and worry proves to be too much for even the most outstanding academic student, like your little xxxxxxxx. It has recently been brought before us that many parents are unaware of these unpleasant facts. Perhaps xxxxxxxxdid not tell you about these occurances because he/she didn’t want you to worry. Please, do not be alarmed. We, The Board of Regents, don’t knowif xxxxxxx is destined for the tragic aforementioned fate. Little xxxxxxx probably does not even know if he/she is cruising down that rocky, one-way road. However, as a precautionary measure, we are seeking tosootheyour worries. We, The Board of Regents, realize that any decent, con cerned, loving and upstanding parent will be plagued with worries and questions. After numerous meetings and debates and after hearing experts testify, we. The Board of Regents, respectfully suggest the following: In addition to sending little xxxxxxx at least one C 1,t A*R*Epackage, also send him/her humorous cards, and send money. You must act immediately. These nearly effortless gestures will prove, once and for all, that you C*A*R*F (yes, that’s C*A :, ‘R*E — as in package). It will provethatyou support little xxxxxxxx (yes, that’s support — as in money). Your xxxxxxx will know that you're thinking of him/her when that Hallmark card arrives. Little xxxxxxx would probably be delighted with a phone call. Make sure that little xxxxxx comes home for summer as the same person you sent off in the Fall. We, The Board of Regents knowthat you will use your judgement wisely and generously when you are preparing xxxxxx’s C*A*R*E package. Remember: Aggies of today are the leaders of tomorrow. Don) waste any time, send little xxxxxxx your support today. b 5 ■David gricultui tom Nac [caker c [ Aide proved [ident : lednesd I speakt (nate th [ Diane lare bu najor f'r< taker ch is t iosen sj ! Both . [re eleci nt bod mpus i Ins as si tie Stud |l aff; ipoint V ted pos Studen rdan p ent for di as 1 Unite HOIS indom comm nsion Oss ter Sincerely, We, the Board of Regents Letters: Discussion of God mt pr< sinessn ime. An at anche lied th, Editor: I write this in regard to the articles of Wes Volberding. While reading his first installment, I thought; “At last someone has had the guts to stand up and proclaim logic and sense against this Christian obsession that has swept this campus and country.” But no, when I read the second of his series, I realized that I was being led on and fooled by his so-called “rhe toric.” Please understand that I believe in God; but not with blind faith! I do not believe in a 24-hour-a-day continuous broadcast of arguments for Christ; I find it does get boring. I write this in exasperation and tiredness; why don’t you for a change publish an article or editorial dealing with the possibility of there not being a God? Or of a God completely different from the Christian conception of God? At least it would be a change and also provide some good topics for discussion. Robert B. Rozendal ’85 Texas A&M community donated one dime, we could send a gift of $5,500 to the U.S. Olympic Committee in the name of the Texas A&M community. Here’s a chance for Texas A&M to again be the forerunner in a major area — the average everyday person donating to help our Olympic Athletes. Not only will we be showing support for the Olym pians monetarily, but also by expressing concern for them and pride in their efforts to represent all of us. Come on Ags. Let’s set a precedent for the rest of the colleges to follow. Don’t miss out on a chance to be in volved in what the Olympic committee’s Region Representative, Lawrence Eisen- berg, called a major precedent event — “Silver Day.” Booths for donations will be located all over campus today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Help us — Help the Olympic Commit tee. Drop in any silver coins (nickels, di mes, quarters) where ever you can. Remember we’re about to begin some thing great. Stereotypes Editor: re est J^mes P. sed pr Osboi urbish idence Fom ding |927, im (Sign fea House. 1 In your attempt to be especially a 'P 1 about women athletes and woraena (“stereotypes” in At Ease),youi: mind an itsy-bitsy quaking in sence of women. Why did you twice invoke the) Corps? If I were your mother, forbid, I’d spank you hard little misogyny. Jean Black A twice-blessed i Correction Pet peeve Spider Simpson P.E.K. Program Coordinator A picture on page 4 of Tuesday’s! incorrectly identified a person ridings The horse’s owner and rider is f ra, a sophomore biomedical majorf Antonio. Editor: I would like to chide the uncaring person who allowed his dog to defecate only a couple of feet from the sidewalk in front of the Academic Building several days ago. I had to walk off of the sidewalk last Tuesday because of maintenance people cutting limbs. Instantly understanding what happened, due to my unsure foot ing, I immediately scraped my shoe across the grass. Because of various stares and gags which were evoked with my pre sence later in class, it was evident that I had been unsuccessful in cleaning my shoe. I was embarrassed. Could dog owners, if they insist on walking their pets on campus, at least rush their animals to the bushes when it is apparent that bodily processes are about to occur. Kenneth Herbst ’86 Give silver coins today Editor: Hopefully by now you have seen a flyer announcing “Olympic Silver Day.” I’m sure you realize that the Olympics is a major event that actually attempts to fos ter amateur athletics. Unfortunately, even amateur athletes need money to help pay for their training. That is where the “Silver Day Olympic Fund Raiser” comes in. Since our U.S. Amateur Athletes (some of which may possibly be from Texas A&M) represent the entire popu lace of the United States, what better way to express our backing and pride in them than donating a few cents toward helping them train. It’s easy to say “let the corporations, manufacturers and companies donate big bucks — my little dime won’t help.” Believe it — your dime (or nickel, or quarter or more) can help. If the entire Slouch By Jim Earli 4 “It’s connected to the library. They’re getting really^ about me getting books back on schedule.”