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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (March 29, 1984)
Opinion Page 2/The Battalion/Thursday, March 29, 1984 Eig Computers: ways to skip the panic American society is becoming more and more dependent on computers. The Battalion staff slaves over compu ter terminals every day to put out the paper. But what happens when the white box in the corner of the news room stops humming? First reaction is panic. Staff members stomp hysterically around the news room cursing that “damn machine.” That same damn machine helps the staff put over 22,000 words — about as many as in small novel — into print every day. After a few minutes the situation calms down, and the staff moves down stairs. What alluring feature exists in the dank, dreary confines of Reed McDonald’s basement? Just another computer. So, today’s The Battalion was pro duced with a bit more haste and a bit more aggravation on The Battalion’s old computer system — the “antiqu ated” computer that we all thought had been relegated to use by some journal ism classes. But newspaper employees aren’t the only people whose lives are linked to — or disrupted by — computers. Wednes day night the candidates in the student body elections also were dependent on a computer to tell them how they will spend the next year of their lives. Lives which may be dedicated to representing the Texas A&M student body. Last year the candidates had to wait over a week for the results of the elec tion. What had happened? Was it com puter failure? No, the computers kept humming, but a poorly written program spit out erroneous results. This year, the Student Government Election Commission didn’t rely on its own members to write a program. In stead it relied on an expert. Bruce Stringfellow, a student who works part- time at the University computer center, was hired to tabulate the results. Within 90 minutes after the polls closed, Stringfellow had the election re sults in the hands of the election com missioner. And what do both of the incidents show about working with computers? Namely that two things are needed to deal sanely with computers — as with any tools. The first, as The Battalion staff has learned, is patience. And the second, as the Student Government has learned in its dealings with a computer profession al, is expertise. — The Battalion Editorial Board Arms merchants facing tough time By ART BUCHWALD Columnist for the Los Angeles Times Syndicate “The Developing Countries Are Slowing Their Rush To Rearm Spelling Leaner Times for Arms Merchants” — headline in the New York Times. Willy Loman arrived home from his trip around the world, and dropped his two large sample cases in the hall. His wife Linda rushed out to meet him. “How did it go?” she asked him, although she could tell the answer by the look on his face. “I didn’t get a nibble,” Willie said. “It used to be I could walk into the captial of any Third World country with a billion dollars on orders. But now I’m lucky if a minister of defense will even look at my line. I think I’ve lost my touch.” Linda took his coat. “It isn’t your fault, Willy. I heard on the radio this morning the Third World countries can’t get leans to buy arms like they did in the go-go days of the ’70s.” Willy said, “My arches are killing me. I almost closed a deal with King Hussein for 1,600 Stringer anti-aircraft missiles. It would have made the whole trip worthwhile.” Linda asked, “What happened?” “The king got sore at Reagan, attack ed the U.S. and said he’d probably buy the stuff from the Soviets. Hell, ten years ago he was on his knees begging me for anti-aircraft missies.” “You gave it your best, Willy.” “My best isn’t what it used to be. Damn French are underselling us in Iraq, the British are telling their Commonwealth countries our F-16s are kites, and the West Germans are giving all sorts of cre dits on their Leopold Tanks to the South Americans.” “What about Brazil? You always used to be able to sell Brazil tons of guns.” “Brazil’s broke. Besides they started ~ their own arms business and now their exporters.” “You never came back without an order from Argentina.” “They got a new government in Argentina. The military junta that was tTirown out stockpilecTehough arms for eight Falkland wars. It used to be when I went there everyone in the defense ministry would say, ‘Willy Loman is here.’ And I’d walk right into the com manding general’s office with a big smile on my face, and he’d say, “Get out your order book, Willy. Have I got a shopping list for you.’ Now the general’s in jail, and this time when I showed up, they all laughed at me. No one pays attention to me anymore.” Linda said, “Oh, come on, Willy. Everyone likes you. Didn’t you tell me the King of Saudi Arabia took you to dinner after you sold him the AWACS?” “That was two years ago. This time I tried to get in the palace and some third cousin stopped me at the gate and said because of the oil glut, the king wasn’t in the market for any stuff anymore. I tried to show him a Northrop F-20 in my sam ple case and he slammed the gate in my face. If I can’t make a sale in Saudi Ara bia, where can I make a sale?” “What about India? Indira Gandhi al ways gave you an order.” “She used to, but now she’s buying from the Russians. I don’t know, maybe I should buy a new suit. I just don’t seem to have it anymore. There was a time when I could sell a squadron of Torpedo boats to the Filipinos and they didn’t even ask about price. Now 10 percent kickback for their orphans foundation, 10 percent for the brother-in-law’s church mission in Luzon, and 30 percent deposited to some damn numbered soup kitchen in Switzerland. I can’t go back to the home office with an order like that.” “Willy, you’re tired. Tommorrow I know you’ll get something. I hear the war is heating up in El Salvador. And Libya could invade the Sudan, and they’re always going to need arms in Lebanon. And don’t forget Taiwan and China, Willy. The Third World is always going to need arms salesmen, and you’re still the best in the business.” Biff, Willy’s son came in. “How did you do, Dad?” “Great. I did just great. The king of Morocco told me last night, ‘Willy, if I ever get a loan from the World bank again, I’m going to buy every cruise mis- sle in your sample case.’” The Battalion (ISPS 045 360 Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference Editor T. Rebeca Zimmermann Managing Editor John Wagner City Editor Patrice Koranek Assistant City Editors Kathleen Hart, Stephanie Ross News Editor. Tracey Taylor Assistant News Editors Susan Talbot, Brigid Brockman, Michelle Powe, Kelley Smith Editorial Page Editor Kathy Wiesepape Sports Editor Bonn Friedman Assistant Sports Editor Bill Robinson Entertainment Editor Shelley Hoekstra Assistant Entertainment Editor Angel Stokes Editorial Policy The Battalion is a non-profit, self-support ing newspaper operated as a community service to Texas A&M and Bryan-College Station. Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the Editorial Board or the author, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Texas A&M administrators, faculty or the Board of Re gents. Letters Policy Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 words in length. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters for style and length but will make every effort to maintain the author’s in tent. Each letter must be signed and must in clude the address and telephone number of the writer. Reader’s Forum columns and guest editorials also are welcome. Address all inquiries to the Ed itorial Page Editor. Our address: The Battalion, 216 Reed Mc Donald Building, Texas A&M University, Col lege Station, TX 77843. United Press International is entitled exclu sively to the use for reproduction of all news dis patches credited to it. Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein reserved. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843. TRENT the New J her paren ator docto out, Rare atose as si Her a Joseph, ft bers are i have in pa Ms. Quin Morris PI; “I neve the plug),’ view. “We after mon were ver cision.we Miss Q 15, 1975, quilizers r the night! she woul< and woult the aid of But sh< spirator v shrunken Letters nited Press Ed Board defended Editor: I’m writing in response to the letter by Michael and Sally Davis in the Wednes day edition of The Battalion. They ex pressed their opinion that the Editorial Board is “extremely liberal” and there fore non-representative of the student body. My response is, who says? I don’t re member you asking my opinion on the issues, so whose viewpoint are you repre senting? I also don’t recall anyone elect ing you two to represent the majority’s viewpoint. The whole idea of living in the United States is the ability to speak your mind, to say what you think. The Editorial Board has every right in the world to publish their responsible opin ions. Hell, you may not agree, but that’s what the press is all about: getting you to think. To challenge your cherished be liefs and get you thinking about the issues. I say more power to the Editorial Board. It’s only since the change of edi tors at the Batt that the Board has come out on the issues. I sure hope it continues to let us know how they feel. And so for Michael and Sally, you are just as free to write in a response to any thing the Board has to say. Just don’t presume to be talking for me. Doug Roberts Graduate Student, geophysics ing campaigning. First off, 1 was not rude until I was subjected to his offensive behavior. But what really gets me is what is left out of his story. Yes, I asked Mr. King if he was in the Corps, but what he forgot to mention was why I asked him that question. It was not because his hair was too long or because I favor c.t.’s for yell leader, but because he was advertis ing himself as a member of the Corps. By placing a picture of a c.t. on his flyers, Mr. King was implying that he was a cadet. That was my question! At this point, I was treated very rudely and as a result asked him to leave. Well Mr. King, I see you have used the same campaign this year, with the added touch of a not-so-true story. Anyway, if you are so eager to see a non-reg become a yell leader, why must you hide behind a picture of a c.t., who has traditionally held the position of yell leader? And if yell leaders are representatives of Texas A&M, then how can we expect you to represent A&M when you cannot truth fully represent yourself? Sarah M. Wilson Class of ’86 take the opportunity to dean mess. Huge efforts like the Bigt wonderful, but we can do tl ourselves, Ags. Next time you're way back from class or from your car, pick up a couple of bottles. You won’t have tocarryil to a trashcan. Go ahead — tryit.G friends to try it, too; it really will; Soon we’ll have this place real beautiful spring. With parent’s and graduation soon, this is to clean up. Texas A&M real ■ estimony in Jtrial of Her ifed to start ials said, a< finished sel I two all Inesday. ffen women t selected oi ntialjurors eople mon ;q. Two won: t picked We ,! '■ iude the lengtl ess. Clean up campus! Campaign comments Editor: I am writing this letter in reference to the endorsements of Tom King on the back of his flyers campaigning for senior yell leader. I am the young lady who treated Mr. King so rudely last year dur Editor: Spring is come, and the campus lawns are becoming greeen again. Even though nature is bringing the grass and trees back to life, we Ags have left a terri ble mark on the landscape. Look around for yourself — coke cans, beer cans and bottles, candy wrappers. The last few years, this trash has appeard everywhere — parking lots, sidewalks, lawns, streets. This trash makes our campus ugly, and it’s time for us to do something. Few among us are perfect and have not littered at least once. We must now beautiful place, and it’s a shamei!| Lucas, 47, re can’t tell by looking. Benue from So please, even though youBd trial in Wt throw it there, show come pridjaying of an Aggie spirit. Let’s pick up the wj! 0 hitchhil our campus so we can enjoy it a * or TemlP, l ' Geor S etovv le r 7 ughi 1979. L a " Attorneys in ioned about 80 Society: killer's levepBrtmM’S elected 11 pei j.. ■ to dismi: Ed * t0r: • • Iiesdav. Society is stooping down to won level by condoning and engajonly after Ju< capital punishment, a form of d Georgetowi tated murder. We, the citizeiuBiissal. Ms. B legislators who have the power Missed juro capital punishment. Consequecl^l the won our failure to elect those agaiiffi n S punishment, all Texans arerespP 161 octor s for murder, especially thedeathif try and perhaps O’Brian. IfyoutJ with that, then what differencec between you and the man wholi the street and feels no remorse ] cannot live with legal murder,i urge you to write your legislate Gov. Mark White to help eradicz gruesome practice. Alice 1! “Thank you for your explanation of why your assignment is late. It will get every consideration it deserves.”