Opinion
Page 2AThe Battalion/Tuesday, April 10,1984
War
Discussion crucial
on Lebanon issue
A rather disturbing battle has devel
oped between the executive and legis
lative branches of government.
Reagan has charged Congress with
trying to second guess his foreign pol
icy, leading to prolonged violence in
Lebanon and threatening his policy in
Central America. Some members of
Congress reacted angrily to the charge,
saying the idea is outrageous.
More likely, the charge is the begin
ning of a “Who lost Lebanon” cam
paign issue.
What makes the battle disturbing is
Reagan’s attitude toward free and ro
bust debate in Congress. The President
says public debate on the Marines in
Lebanon should have ended after the
administration and Congress reached
an agreement in September.
Public debate. That’s the key point.
One of the basic principles of de
mocracy is freedom of speech — a
right granted to Congressmen as well
as ordinary citizens.
Questions and debate over major
governmental decisions acts as one of
the checks and balances that are basic
to the American form of democracy.
Without the ability to debate and
criticize, democracy isn’t much differ
ent from totalitarism, in which one po
litical party or group exercises com
plete control.
People who call for a halt to debate
— especially in a time of peace — are
calling for a halt to a necessary, and
guaranteed, freedom. The loyal oppo
sition’s viewpoint — before, during
and after the fact — is a key element in
the democratic process.
Politicians are notorious for ducking
blame in election years. But the Presi
dent of the United States, the keeper
of democracy, should be above such
politicking.
— The Battalion Editorial Board
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Hopeful mole digs for unethical jot
By ART BUCHWALD
Columnist for The Los Angeles Times Syndicate
4-9-84
“I’m working on a three-sided coin that
says Mondale, Hart and Jackson. ”
“I’d like to work in the presidential
campaign, sir.”
“We’re sorry, son, we have all the
paid workers we need.”
“I think I would be of tremendous va
lue to the candidate.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I’m working in the Mondale camp
now, and I want to be a political mole
for you people.”
“Why do you want to be a mole?”
“It’s a lot more fun than working for
Mondale. I could steal his debate brief
ing book for you, I could give you the
nitpies of people who have donated to
hisjCampaign, I could steal udvance texts
of his speeches, and, if you want me to, I
can even plant a bug in his telephone.”
“You realize what you’re suggesting is
not only unethical, but illegal.”
“Yes, sir. That is why I thought you
might hire me.”
“We are not interested in doing any
thing illegal or unethical.”
“You did in 1980. Someone gave you
Jimmy Carter’s debate briefing book. I’ll
bet you that guy is really high in the gov
ernment today.”
“Let’s get this straight. No one in the
Reagan administration ever saw Jimmy
Carter’s briefing book.”
“Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with
The 1
nate v(
appro
“I have no intention of discussing the
briefing book with you. We intend to
run a clean campaign this time.”
“Right, sir. I always say everything
should look on the up and up when it
comes to an election. That’s why you
need me. I’m not even a registered Re
publican. If I’m caught passing confi
dential information, the trail will never
lead back to the party. Don’t even put
me on the payroll. Just have one of your
people leave the money for me in a
phone booth.”
“I should throw you right outoil
office.”
“Yes, sir
“What makes you think you can
us information on Mondale’s stra!#P tin g s
that we don’t already have?” a " c * on£
“Well, Mondale hasn’t reallysaidi
thing about Reagan yet. Allhedon e
keep attacking Gary Hart. He has
of information on Reagan he’s savin Tints fo
saw one loose-leaf book in his safeliilhe Sena
‘The Sleaze Factor — Don’t Use f
September.’”
“What was in the book?”
“I didn’t get a chance to read it.
al sugg<
tcepiabl
The $
you give me some Cubans to breaki idunao
his office I’ll get it for you.”
‘We don’t break into Democratic Jtlons -
fices
anymore.
“Oh yeah. I forgot. Well, maybe I
get into the safe by myself and
graph the stuff for you. Could you
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me up one of those infrared camt :ores
Letters
from the CIA?”
“You’re just
aren’t you?”
an eager little beai
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Memorials disgraced
Editor:
Ground breaking ceremonies for the
new bell tower Were conducted Monday
on the former location of the World
War I War Memorial.
This is a disgrace to the 55 Aggies
commemorated by the memorial and
the classes who thought enough of that -
sacrifice to dedicate the monument.
In addition, one of the trees that will
be bulldozed to make room for the
tower is one of the 55 which surround
the Main Drill Field, another war me
morial to fallen Aggies.
I feel that the Board of Regents is
changing the meaning of being an Ag-
gie. There is no reason, other than lack
of planning and thought, that one per
son’s gift should disgrace two gifts of
several classes of Aggies.
It may be true that many Eastern
schools have bell towers, but only one
school has two memorials to 55 Aggies
who died in World War I. If this school
no longer honors its own memorials, no
one else will either.
Robert Muckleroy
Class of ’85
Where's the fruit?
Editor:
I would like to bring to your attention
a deficiency of fresh foods available to
the students on our campus.
Many students are not on meal plan
but do stay on campus throughout the
day. The available snack foods are not
wholesome or fresh; they are only chips,
candies, cookies, etc.
A nutritious, low calorie, popular
snack is fresh fruit. Many people eat it at
home, but do not bring it to school be
cause it is so difficult to carry to campus.
I realize the impossibility of vending
machines holding fresh fruit, but the
Memorial Student Center could easily
store fruit to sell. Something should be
The Battalion
USPS 045 360
Member of
Texas Press Association
Southwest Journalism Conference
Editor 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 Donn 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. The Editorial Board consists of the editor,
managing editor, city editor, news editor, edito
rial page editor and sports editor.
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.
done so as not to deprive Aggies of nu
trition.
D. Lambert
Editor’s Note: Several kinds of fresh
fruit, including apples, oranges and ba
nanas, are sold at the campus snack
bars. Fresh fruit is served daily in the
breakfast fine at the MSC, and two kinds
of fruit salad are available in the MSC
buffet line.
Make a difference
Editor:
Lately The Battalion has been used
for political endorsements and as a
sounding board for campus problems. I
would like to utilize it for a bit of reflec
tion.
I am finishing my undergraduate ca
reer with a mixture of apprehension
and expectation. I have seen my fair
share of controversies here: the some
what rocky transitions in the positions of
both president and football coach; the
infamous SMU football game in the fall
of 1981; and many changes in the Corps
of Cadets. However, I have never wit
nessed a crippling blow to the spirit that
surrounds this outstanding institution.
Texas A&M is the best university any
where, but we do have problems. The
crucial advantages it possesses are the
open avenues to advocate change.
David Alders summed it up very well
when he said, “If those who can make a
difference don’t make a difference,
what difference does it make?”
Aggies, don’t slip into the deceptively
easy road of apathy. We need to set an
example for Texas, the nation, and the
world. Maybe I have beaten the idea of
action to death, but we need to realize its
importance. With God’s help we can be
successf ul beyond expectations.
James Whitman
Class of ’84
r,
“I just want to serve my country
lieve a political mole is the most inf
tant job in a presidential campaign,
since I read about Watergate 1 dreas Select!
of being one.” my be si
“What makes you so sure that Mi onor s
dale is going to win the nomination?’ slec * as
h h liters of
“I’m not sure. But if he doesn’t,!'
become your political mole from
Hart camp. Hart would never stisfi lat are
someone who came over from theMfsadershi
dale campaign of being a mole
gan.”
pperclai
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'esoroi
“Now get this straight. We haveno
tention of resorting to any dirty trick
the ’84 campaign. Everything wed' 1
going to be above reproach. The pH
dent insists upon it.
“Yes, sir.”
“All right. Leave your resume*
my secretary and if you check out,a|
named Joe will call you at home Mold
night.”
/
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