i
Opinion
Page 2>H"he Battalion/Monday, April 30, 1984
Responsibility
is on the voters
One of'the major pitfalls of democracy is that it del
egates a great deal of responsibility to individual citi
zens by placing the right to vote in their hands.
In an ideal society, where every citizen was moti
vated to study the candidates and the issues, this
would be an ideal situation. To those of us born and
raised under the red, white and blue, it’s logical that a
nation choose its own ruler. The best man for the job
is decided by a vote of an informed, educated citi
zenry.
But in this nation of 225 million people, many citi
zens don’t even know the names of the candidates,
much less what they stand for.
American citizens are not uninformed because of a
lack of available information. The major news net
works and newspapers have given the candidates ex
tensive coverage along every step of the campaign
trail.
Aggies in particular have no excuse. Democratic
presidential candidate Jesse Jackson paid a visit to
Texas A&M last semester. Sen. Gary Hart will speak
at 1 1 a.m. in Rudder Auditorium today. MSC Political
Forum is working on getting former vice president
Walter Mondale to work a stop at Texas A&M into his
schedule.
All it takes to be an informed citizen is opening
your eyes and ears. Read a newspaper once in awhile.
Watch the evening news or the various debates be
tween the candidates. Most of all, take advantage of
the opportunity to go hear the candidates sell them
selves, and then draw your own conclusions.
Apathy is democracy’s biggest threat. When citi
zens abdicate their responsibilities, when don’t take
the trouble to know the candidates and the issues and
choose the best ruler, they place the power in the
hands of the few who do care.
They might as well be under the thumb of a dicta
tor.
The Battalion Editorial Board
Bill Robinson
Stephanie Ross....
Kathy Wiesepape
Shelley Hoekstra
Brigid Brockman
Kelley Smith
Ed Cassauoy
Editor
Meinaging Editor
.Editorial Page Editor
City Editor
news Editor
News Editor
Sports Editor
Editorial Policy
The Battalion is a non-profit, selfisupporting newspaper oper
ated as a community service to Texas A&M andBryan-College Sta
tion. 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 Regents.
The Battalion also serves as a laboratory newspaper for students
in reporting, editing and photography classes within the Depart
ment of Communications.
Letters Policy
Letters to the Editor should not exceed300words 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 intent Each letter
must be signed and must include the address and telephone num
ber of the writer.
Reader 's Forum columns and guest editorials also are welcome.
Address all inquiries to the Editorial Page Editor.
Slouch by Jim Earle
“It does make a memorable cap and gown
combination, but you’d better cool it until
after you get that diploma. ”
CHEOVtf-
Critical Mafor Primaries...
TEXAS
Hart needs a
bg> victory here.
CALIFORNIA
Junes
Hart could pull off a
Stunniig) upset.
OHIO
May 8
Mondale looks
life a winner
CHINA
April 26
Beautv contest.
Reacmis
canraaipnirK5
haroA&I How
Democrats out
of the water
Letters:
Northgate homogenized
Editor:
The opening of the new, boldly inspired
Billy Jack’s (in the space formerly occupied
by Backstage) calls me to write the whole
eclectic lot of managers, entrepreneurs,
and creative-business-types who make their
livings off students, on Northgate.
What a pleasure it has been for me to
watch the face of Northgate steadily be ho
mogenized, store-by-store, into the mon
ument of safe, secure, monotonous busi
ness-thinking that it is now!
A few years ago it was my fear that
Northgate might grow into a strip of color
ful, innovative shops. I had nightmares of
bookstores that stocked real books (not just
required texts), quaint cafes with something
more than a “college” atmosphere, a clean
movie theater that offered classic Film se
ries (not just pulp porn),, storefront win
dows that weren’t exclusively decorated
with the official seal of the Agriculture and
Mechanical College of the state of Texas.
Finally, my fears have vanished. Now
Backstage has even yielded to the kind of
pine-paneled, beer-stinking hole that so
typifies our beloved Northgate.
Thank you, thank you all for your
inspiring efforts to provide the public with
little more than the same ugly, Filthy, stale
thing over and over and over again.
Dave Spence
Class of’84
A&M history important
Editor:
I shall probably be criticized for being so
trivial, but I enjoyed the article by Anne M.
Hedgecoxe on campus landscaping history
in your edition of April 24.
Too often we forget that we are not the
First people to be at Texas A&M. I think it
quite interesting, even intellectually stimu
lating, to read about our great University’s
past history and future possibilities.
I hope such articles on Texas A&M’s his
tory will not be overlooked by important
(read controversial) pieces on current
events.
Mike Cole
Class of’87
Chandler to be missed
Editor:
A great era in the history of Texas A&M
sports will end at the conclusion of the cur
rent baseball season. Now that Tom Chan
dler has announced his retirement many
people will speak of his outstanding record
as a baseball coach. However, I would like
to speak of him personally.
As a student interested in the team I
stopped by from time to time to talk to
Chandler. On every occasion coach Chan
dler would put aside what he was doing
and answer my questions in a most genial
and informative fashion. Through these
conversations with Chandler I came to
know what a Fine man he is. His integrity
and friendliness are attributes not often
found in the coaching profession today. In
short, Tom Chandler is exactly the kind of
man we need coaching here.
Thanks for 26 outstanding years coach
and I hope you have the pleasurable and
fulFilling retirement you so richly deserve.
Richard H. Fosberg
Class of ’78
A&M needs two bands
Editor:
I have a solution to the problem with the
Aggie Band.
Is it fair that a University of 37,000 stu
dents clings to an ancient tradition of draw
ing band members from a group of ap
proximately 2,000 students, the Corps of
Cadets? Does an all male, military band ef
fectively represent the Texas A&M student
body?
I don’t believe it does. I know of well-
qualified students who chose to attend
other schools because of the band require
ment.
We should create a co-ed non-military
band to perform along with the Aggie
* . .
Isn’t it ironic that as we prepare to enter
the twenty-First century, in many areas,
Texas A&M has failed to arrive in the
twentieth?
Glenn S. Murtha
Class of ’86
Memorial's home Old Main
Editor:
I beg to differ with Mr. Cargill. Unless
60 years worth of west gate photographs
are lying, then the World War I Memorial
has always been at the Old Main entrance.
For reference, just check editions of The
Longhorn from i930, page 37; 1933, page
5; and 1935, page 1. For a view of Guion
Hall, page 30 of the 1929 edition — with no
memorial. The hall was razed in 1971; did
they move it that early? The proof is lo
cated on the fourth floor, LD 5309 A2 sec
tion, south side of the Sterling C. Evans Li
brary.
I know of some classes that won’t stand
being sold short, a student body which will
not be sold at all, and 55 souls who have
given their lives, and only have their sacred
honor left.
Matthew E. Raney
Class of’80
Ire
Service is key
to growth
Bryan-College Station
churches are booming,
and expansion is under
way to relieve the over
flow. Many of these
churches are meeting in
local schools during ex
pansion, worshiping in
foreign languages, or
forming religious
sprouts of themselves.
ByKA:
Sr;
Jerald I
led Robi
the
:e 7 on
[ool Boar
ratton,
[M veter
tnent,
ness m;
;ural ecci
ilmostal
When you only can see
the pastor through head-
to-head valleys, it's time
to add pews. But, coping
with this growth surge
can be tricky.
It’s wonderful that local
wanda winklei oust
^ jit of Bay
fc — fao
ilpractice
churches are jumping right in and going for thegua ry
Local churches are forking out big bucks —$4.5n®» [ cases (
— for expansion. But, these congregations knotni Lis a t
ropes when it comes to good deals. year i
Heading for local schools for weekly worship is a nil m anest
idea. Churches pay reasonable hourly rates—$10fori orle ^ Sl
classroom, $15 for a cafeteria, $17 for a gym, and|Ji 11 ^
estigatio
for an auditorium — for utilities.
It’s a sure-fire idea. These church-sdni
^ oily WSS
relationships are an excellent way to cope with chuni lt |,' wasa
growth and the hectic times that come with theterriton n both
Schools open their d(x>rs for Sunday worshipanl nh, the
serve their neighbors; in return, the churches payfe :l0 ( s ^
renting their home away from homes. Rental buddies
not a breakdown of separation of church and state, ^
Local school districts should l>e congratulated forte | serves
ing exceptionally understanding and cooperative wl uswho
these churches. Cooperation — the name of the game, rate ho
Local congregations are on a roll, providingessentii es physi
support groups for the community. The local trendol ^ at a
reaching out to others is our rainbow of hope in these"' ear ’ a
rainy times of spiraling inflation and huge deficits.
United P
st one ot
Renewed religious awareness will help local church
Iry teach
a let
hlor Pres
tier
goers to be even more perceptive to the religious,sodil estigatic
and emotional needs of the community. Thisawarend d
also will stimulate the community to grow closer to
gether
People identify with people of similar backgrounds
so local worship — Hispanic, Korean and Chinese-rf
continue to blossom in the area.
admi
rbin.
The Chi
said thi
anest
norr
ministra
“One
mi
It’s a gift from heaven. Worship in foreignlanguaj
adds a lemon-lime twist to local church growth. Th»
growth should be welcomed and encouraged because«
can learn from other religions and cultures.
We must overcome our prejudices and taketheti®
to soak up new religious beliefs and ideas. But, express
your feelings too, so others can learn from you.
Each churches has its own pizzazz — anotherbonus
since needs of communities also differ.
For example, churches in the Northgate area such as
St. Mary’s Catholic and A&M United Methodistcaterto
the religious needs of Texas A&M students,
churches farther from campus such as St. ThomasAfi
nas Catholic and Cornerstone Baptist focus more
families.
It’s like peanuts for elephants, bananas for monkeys
Congregations of the twin cities have their acts to
gether, and the community will benefit from localpefr
pie helping people. They come from all directions-
religious rainbow of denominations.
With congregations outgrowing their pews, weshoul
be thankful for the people who help spread loveandeii'
couragement throughout the area. These churchgoer
should be proud about giving of themselves and n
ing out to others who are less fortunate than they.
^ S. Am<
Wia C. B
L. Bov
C. Brer
irles E. c
» Ray C
*rt Earl
A. Dod,
Renee
I Edged
l 1 ' Fnj
Was A. C
IhVoss ]
iwtlij. i
We should use our special talents to make the world)
better place. Sure, many people waste their talentsb'
not using them, but we must be determined to
positive contributions to our community.
Service — the key to growth. From personal expen
ence, I have found that you can multiply your rewardi
— friendship, self-esteem and personal satisfaction4)
serving others.
Try it. You’ll like it.
rep'
lor s
Corrida
'tick T.
ft B. n r ,
ftl Richey
B'l Rcnt'i
If But
b Kather
'ftis \Vjl|
"Tl Bren)
Argentina borrows from debtors
By ART BUCHWALD
As you may have read in the
newspaper, Argentina was bailed
out of a serious debt situation this
month.
While this is not big news, the
fact that Mexico and Brazil came
to the rescue caused a few raised
eyebrows because they owe more
money than Argentina does.
How can a country that is broke
itself borrow money to bail out
another country that is also bank
rupt?
It’s all done with mirrors.
The Finance Minister of Brazil
goes to a consortium of American
and European Banks and says,
“We want to borrow $50 million.”
“But,” protests the consortium,
“you are into us for billions al
ready- How can we loan you any
more money?”
“This money isn’t for us. It’s to
give to Argentina so it can pay in
terest on its debt.”
“Why would you want to give
money to Argentina when you
can’t pay back what you owe us?”
“Because Argentina is our
friend.”
“That isn’t a very good excuse
for giving you $50 million.”
“If you don’t loan us the
money to give to Argentina, she
will be in default on all her loans
and then America and European
banks will be stuck for the mon
ey.”
“We’re prepared to take the
loss,” the consortium says.
“If Argentina goes into de
fault, then Brazil won’t feel obli
gated to repay her loans. Are you
prepared for that?”
“You’re blackmailing us for
$50 million.”
“It is more than 50. The Fi
nance Minister from Mexico is
going to ask you for $100 million
to loan to Argentina.”
“But Mexico’s broke too.”
“Who isn’t? If you people want
to stay in the international bank
ing business, you’re going to have
to continue loaning money to
countries who want to bail out the
one whose interest is due at that
moment. Look, the money
doesn’t even have to leave your
banks. You take the $50 million
that you’re loaning to Brazil, and
you just credit it to Argentina’s
account.”
“Does the United States gov
ernment know what you’re
doing?”
“They put us up to it. They
were afraid if they bailed out Ar
gentina by themselves it would
set a precedent.”
“Suppose we give you the
money? What happens when the
interest payments on Brazil’s
loans are due?”
“Then it will be Argentina’s
turn to borrow the money from
you to loan to us.”
SOW N0MLTOU, EVEN TROUSH WE CAN j H«/E PWER5 *
SCM JE CONSTITUTION SAYS WMNS ABOUTSACMMIM
moi
'erine t
IV, Let
HRhv Cl-
a;
V Dia
n. B,
V Lea
Kath
V Da,
Ve a
^ Mid
""VCha
Se E
V Bar
fyF iri
I4ne i
RfionJ j