Page 2/The Battalion/Monday, December 12, 1983
Issues deserve
more attention
As the semester winds down to a close,
students begin planning Christmas vaca
tions. The hustle and bustle of classes,
homework, tests, work and that all im
portant social life will soon be over — at
least for a little while.
For this year’s vacation, consider
doing something a little differently. Go
ahead and relax, vegetate, eat, sleep, par
ty or whatever your heart desires. But
add something to your holiday schedule.
Over Christmas, try to catch up on
world affairs. Read newspapers, watch
television news, read magazines. Talk to
rebeca
zimmermann
new and interesting people who do
things you’ve never done. Talk to other
students whom you may never have truly
talked to before.
Read new books, see new plays. Take
time out from your studies — which are
so often geared more as a vocation than
an education — and increase your aware
ness of the world.
Instead of talking with other people
about the bowl games, talk about world
wide issues. You may even be surprised.
You may discover that others think as you
do. Or you may here a point of view that
surprises you.
Some students do Find time to discuss
topics other than campus mixers. One
heartening example occurred at the fall
leadership conference sponsored by an
MSC committee for student leaders in
August. One evening, while most of the
participants were at a square dance, ab
out eight students stayed at a table and
discussed racism, nuclear war, politics of
the world and at A&M, poverty and
women’s rights. The group was com
posed of people from all different back
grounds and all participated animatedly
in the conversation. It was fascinating.
New perspectives were gained by all.
Other opportunities for thought and
discussion are provided by groups such
as the MSC Endowed Lecture Series,
MSC Great Issues and MSC Political
Forum. We just don’t always take time
out to attend such events. How many of
you watched the Houston Cougars’ bas
ketball game instead of seeing Ford,
Schmidt and Heath discuss NATO?
It’s a matter of priority.
In college we seldom have time — or
the knowledge — to hold a philosophical
discussion with other students. It’s a
shame. We’re losing sight of the real
reason we’re here — an education. We
get caught up in techniques for the pro
fession we’re going into and lose the
mind-expanding education college
should provide.
After all, college is supposed to be a
bastion of free thinking, creativity and
expression. It’s difficult to think about
abstract things such as the universe while
doing accounting problems, but we
should set aside time for such thought
and discussion.
When our four years are up (it sounds
like a death sentence, doesn’t it?), that
“real” world is waiting. It w/7/affect you,
believe it or not. You need to understand
it. To understand it, you need knowledge
and a willingness to learn, constantly
soaking up new ideas, testing them in
your mind, and rejecting or accepting the
ideas for yourself.
A lot is happening right now in the
world and students and graduates of
Texas A&M are affected by such events.
Don’t despair. Some students do still
care about more things than their CPR.
Letters:
Traditions are
for good Ags
Editor:
As an official dead zip, now in gradu
ate school, I am a self-made authority on
what makes a good Ag. I might add that
in addition to being a hard-core redneck,
ever livin’, ever lovin’. Rock the Good Ag,
beat the hell outta t.u. and two percen
ters, Texas Aggie fan, I am a right-wing,
conservative farm boy who drives a truck,
drinks beer and listens to George Strait
and Charley Pride.
Dave Scott contends that traditions
were to blame for the football team’s loss
to t.u. Mr. Scott says that foolish play by
the members of the Twelfth Man kickoff
team lost the whole game. I ask you,
Dave, when can you remember Kyle
Field being so crazy, wild and noisy as it
was on kickoffs this year? I’ll promise you
it ain’t that loud in Austin or Moscow,
places you seem to be fond of. You fail to
compliment the hustle, enthusiasm, de
sire and pride that our buddies on the
kickoff team played with.
Mr. Scott, you are no doubt one of
those lazy bums who is too busy, too smart
or too good to work on the bonfire. I’m
sure you come out at dark-thirty and
watch it burn each year, but do you have
any idea what it means to work on the
bonfire? If you got off your butt some
time and wired logs all night, you might
chance upon a very special thing called
Aggie spirit. Apparently, you don’t know
much about anything, just how to bitch
and complain and make excuses.
I don’t like people like you, Dave Scott.
I’d love to warm your backside with an ax
handle. If you don’t like A&M, or you
aren’t happy with the traditions here,
why don’t you leave? It’s true ... Highway
6 does run both ways, so get out on it so I
can run you over.
Jim Harris ’83
Former student
thanks profs
Editor:
I’m now officially a former student of
Texas A&M University. Before I go, I’d
like to say a few goodbye’s and thank
you’s to the professors that have meant a
lot to me as I suffered my way through
college. Many of them probably wouldn’t
recognize me if they fell over me, and
some are no longer here, but I still wish to
thank them for a job well done. Behind
each name is a comment that describes
my impression of them or of the class.
Richard Becka (Phil.) — patient and
good-natured.
William B. Clark (Engl.) — I may dis
agree with your beliefs, but I can respect
your beliefs.
Larry Reynolds (Engl.) — a man I re
spect and admire.
Roger Crockett (Cer.) — sympathetic,
kind, and friendly.
John Thomas (Soc.) — a good-ole-boy.
Azizah-al-Hibri (Phil.) — encouraging
and open-minded.
Charles Harris (Phil.) — a good adviser
and a patient person, especially with
some people.
Mike Baye (Econ.) — a really sincere
and likable guy.
Carl Enamoto (Econ.) — “We under
stand, Carl!” — hang loose in New
Mexico.
Walter Lane (Econ.) — personable and
likable.
Roy Gilbert (Econ.) — you terrified the
apathy out of me, so I was able to make it.
Thanks!
Henry Dethloff (Hist.) — a great prof,
and an excellent lecturer.
“Darryl” Mdenka (Poli Sci) — you’re a
real maniac — stay that way!
Thanks everyone!
Hey, Frank! Give ’em all a raise as a
favor to me.
Dave Wange ’83
Service group
helps children
Editor:
I would like to recognize Alpha Tau
Omega for their enormous help in the
Village of Hope project. They took
f ledges, picked up trash and donated
1,000 to the Village of Hope, working
through the Student Government. Their
voluntary service helped to make the area
we live in cleaner and will help support a
village of children in Columbia.
1 hanks to Alpha Tau Omega’s hard
work, five children will be able to eat and
live in much better conditions.
Carol Ellison
freedom take a stand
\
by Robert Slider
Do we, as a free people, want the rest
of the world confined in totalitarian slav
ery? As an individual, I know that I do
not. However, it seems that many of our
citizens, possibly from their fear of nuc
lear war, do not care enough about the
freedom of other countries. Of course it
is natural to have a great deal of love for
one’s life, but people have intelligence
along with this instinct. This intelligence
has saved men from their natural fates
before.
Perhaps, if we looked back into the
future that has been related throughout
our past, we could see answers to at least a
few questions. If one person can learn
from his past mistakes, why cannot a
world, race, or country do likewise?
Now for all of you who think we
should leave Lebanon to face its dangers
alone and not risk another Vietnam, I
must express my disagreement. There is
a healthy reason which I will explain.
Once not too long ago a terrible cancer
swept Europe. To us this cancer was
know as the Third Reich. It existed solely
in Germany until its hunger consumed it
entirely. Having sated its need it grew
strong. Soon its very strength renewed its
hunger and it swallowed Czechosolvakia,
a minor, insignificant country. Prospects
of war loomed on the horizon, but the
memory of “The War to End all Wars”
filled the free nations with fear. In their
readers'
forum
efforts to appease the cancer, they con
doned its feast.
Appeasement never leads to peace, as
dear, sweet, old Mr. Chamberlain
learned somewhat disasterously. His
“peace” of paper did nothing to stop the
war from being inflicted upon his be
loved England. Hunger it seems can be
filled only temporarily. No one saw any
importance in the small appetizer Ger
many’s hunger consumed, strategic or
b >
Bal
otherwise. No one wanted tongniifc,
over such an insignificance. Surdji®',
would settle down and tireofcongi*
the European powers left himaloot
or st ik
nary, f
, .^—jclcs w
fortunately for them and theresti maffair;
world, it did not work that way.ll em discip
suit of their uncaring attitude: hour
world war. ooiganize
It seems that there are times it | Tve r<
becomes necessary for people tostn T;' s '' vs
for their beliefs, even if it has I < ln,
some foreign country. This counm|
based upon freedom. Ifthatist
belief now, she cannot believe ini
and thus, cannot continue. Ladyl
sways tarnished green in thewindS^ster h<
the time. Stand or fall, it is allii 6p st 'P b
hands. I do not ask that you diefor!
dom. It would be muchbetterifyoui f
and saw it achieved. You mwtonljlB c j a }‘ , yf-j
the courage to die for freedom^ as
you can fight to your ability andolhere it wa
the victory over this new cancerjtson to h
munisni. “A good
■Ived in
nstudents
ed in vi
man majoring in nuclear engineei*
Hot a stu<
(Editor’s note: Robert Slider is it
Civilized Redskin fan
rates ‘America’s team’
by Art Buchwald
The phone rang the other day and a
sportswriter from Dallas asked me a
strange question.
“Why do the people in Washington
hate the Dallas Cowboys?”
“Where on earth did you get that
idea?” I asked. “There isn’t a team in the
National Football League whom we hold
in higher esteem and affection.”
“That isn’t what we read in the news
papers down here,” he said.
“Don’t believe everything you read in
your own papers,” I told him. “How can
we hate ‘America’s Team’? They repre
sent all that is good about this country.
They are a credit to their state. I have
never heard a harsh word spoken against
Dallas by a Redskin fan.”
“Does that mean you’ve never been to a'
Dallas-Redskin game in Washington?” he
asked.
“Of course I have. But we cheer equal
ly for both teams. Redskin fans are only
interested in seeing a good football game.
When it comes to playing the Cowboys,
the score is immaterial to us.”
“Are you putting me on?”
“Why would someone from Washing
ton lie to a Dallas sportswriter?” I said.
“You have to understand the nature of
Redskin supporters. We’re different
from Cowboy fans. Although we like to
win, we don’t consider it a matter of life
and death. Our hearts go out to the other
team if they f umble the ball or their quar
terback is sacked. This is especially true
when we play Dallas. We have nothing
but pity for them and we don’t want them
to get out of football just because of us.”
“Are you trying to tell me the Dallas-
Redskin meeting isn’t the most important
game of the year?”
“Don’t make me laugh,” I told him. “As
far as we people in Washington are con
cerned, it doesn’t compare to facing a real
team like Tampa Bay or the Houston Oil
ers. The truth is we try to keep our first
stringers on the bench so we won’t run up
the score.”
“Am I really talking to Washington,
D.C.?”
“You certainly are and I’m privileged
to have this opportunity to dispel once
and for all the rumors that there is any ill
feeling between the Redskins and the
Cowboys. After all, we both live in the
same world and we don’t have time for
animosity when it comes to a silly gridiron
contest. There is no room in a Redskin’s
heart for hate. We love Dallas, we love the
Cowboys and we worship the Astroturf
you walk on.”
“Suppose I told you that the Cowboys
are determined to beat your brains out.”
“If you feel that strongly about it, we’ll
just turn the other cheek.”
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this.”
“I know it’s difficult for people in
Texas to understand Redskin fans. But
most of us were brought up in the Quak
er tradition. You can’t provoke us by stir
ring up a rivalry which will only lead to
bad feelings between two nice Wj
teams.” v*|||i
“I can’t print this garbage in* 1 !
newspaper.”
“I don’t see why not. It'
better understanding between
kind.”
“I’m talking about a football W
could decide the Super Bowl, l f
“And I’m talking about the ^
hood of man,” I told him
savages in Washington who lust
tory from a third world footballr
“Do you realize I have nocoM
Sunday if I print what you just |1
he yelled. flji
I said, “You don’t, but Id°
The Battalion
USPS 045 360
Memtvr ot
Texas Press Association
Southwest Journalism Conference
Editor Rebeca Zimmermann
Managing Editor .I°bn Wagner
City Editor Patrice Koranek
Assistant City Editors Kathleen Hart,
Stephanie Ross
News Editor . Tracey Taylor
Assistant News Editors Susan Talbot,
Wanda Winkler
Editorial Page Editor Kathy
Wiesepape
Sports Editor Donn Friedman
Assistant Sports Editor Bill Robinson
Entertainment Editor Shelley Hoekstra
Assistant Entertainment Editor Angel
Stokes
Photo Editor John Makely
Staff Writers Robin Black, Brigid
Brockman, Bob Caster,
Ronnie Crocker, Bonnie
Langford, Christine Mallon,
Kay Mallet, Sarah Oates,
Michelle Powe, Lauri Reese,
Dave Scott, Kelley Smith,
Karen Wallace
Photographers Michael Davis,
Bill Hughes, Katherine Hurt,
Eric Lee, Dean Saito
Cartoonists Paul Dirmeyer,
Scott McCullar
Editorial Policy
77jc Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting news-
Ipaper operated as a community service to Texas A&M
University and Bryan-Collegc 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 laborulfif
for students in reporting, editing and P" 0 ^
scs within the Department of Cotntnnli 0 ^
Questions or comments concerning^
ter should be directed to the editor.
Letters Policy
length, and are subject to being cutif
AO
edit I0
effort^
The editorial staff reserves the righl
style and length, but will make every
the author's intent. Each letter must a
show the address and telephone nuni ^
Columns and guest editorials also '
are not subject to the same length c° ns r „
Address all inquiries and coiresp'’"".
The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald' ||f!
versity, College Station, TX 77843,orp
2611.
The Battalion is published Mo"d a !
during Texas A&M regular semeste
day and examination periods. „ par #e
Sir I
$16.75 per semester, $33.25 p crSC ^ , on req»d
full year. Advertising rates f urn ' s !jf ( - Reel 1 '
Our address: The Battalion* " . .
Building, Texas A&M University
778 4 3.
United Press International is cn ’Lpatcl** 1
the use for reproduction of all new 5 ^ ( ! r ^
to it. Rights of reproduction of al |0
reserved. colic# 7T
Second class postage paid at
77843.
81
904
r ;