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Opinion
Page 2/The Battalion/Tuesday, September 18, 1984
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's father
The Battalion Editorial Board devotes this space, nor
mally reserved for editorials, to a letter from the parents
of Cadet Bruce Goodrich. Goodrich died after taking part
in a ‘crap ouf late last month.
To the Texas A&M administration, faculty,
student body, and Corps of Cadets:
I would like to take this opportunity to ex
press the appreciation of my family for the great
outpouring of concern and sympathy from
TAMU and the Bryan-College Station commu
nity over the loss of our son, Bruce.
We were deeply touched by the tribute paid
him in The Battalion, and were particularly
pleased to note that his Christian witness did not
go unnoticed during his brief time on campus.
We also owe a special note of thanks to the Corps
contingent that took part in his memorial service
and burial, Maj. Gaughan, Cadet Chaplain
Goode, and Cadet McMillon. Many commented
on the special touch added by their presence and
participation, and how well they represented the
University.
I regret that space and memory do not permit
me to publicly acknowledge the many individuals
whose kind expressions and thoughtful acts were
of such help to me while I was on campus settling
his affairs. Be assured that each of you will long
be remembered with gratitude.
To those who may be burdened by guilt or re
morse over their involvement in the incident, and
to their families, I hope it will be some comfort to
know that we harbor no ill-will in the matter. We
know that our God makes no mistakes. Bruce had
an appointment with his Lord, and is now secure
in his celestial home.
When the question is asked, “Why did this
happen?”, perhaps one answer will be “so that
many will consider where they will spend eterni-
ty”
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Not even a number
ID
I
lost
m y
Texas A&M ID
the
other
day.
Yes,
number
8910736
lost
her
ID. I
can
hear
the
oohs
and ;
aahs now.
ID essential to A&M survival
Charean
Williams
Respectfuly,
Ward Goodrich
Well, Wednesday arrived and I was to
have my first test. I was confident as I
sat down in my chair. I had: my Scan
tron form 882, two No. 2 pencils, an
eraser and all the material memorized
and catagorized in my brain.
The professor struts into the class
room and says, “Get out your ID, I will
begin checking them before the exam.”
Can you believe? I couldn’t take the test
because number 8910736 didn’t have a
card saying she was number 8910736.
I decided to take out the day’s frus
tration on the opponent at my team’s in
termural football game that night.
I got to the game and the referee
says, “I’m sorry, you can’t play without
your ID, unless you go to the intermural
office and get an OK from them.”
I went to the office and paid the
money to get the necessary paper that
said I really was number 8910736. By
the time I got back over to the field, two
minutes remained in the game and the
other team had us down by 14 points
(needless to say we lost).
When Wednesday ended I couldn’t
have been happier. However, little did 1
know things could get worse.
Money was the one thing that stood
out in my mind when I woke up (what
else is new). Thursday morning I stood
in a long line waiting to get a check
cashed at the Memorial Student Center.
I finally reached the front of the line
and handed the cashier my check, my
social security card, my birth certificate,
my Gulf credit card, my.... I think I
handed her my entire wallet.
After sifting through all the cards she
said, “I’m sorry you can’t cash a check
without your Texas A&M ID”
I said, “OK fine, two can play this
game. I will go to a supermarket and get
my check cashed.”
Boy, did I think I was sly! I was going
to purchase a pack of 30 cent gum —the
cheapest item in the store — so I could
get some cash.
Wrong! No Texas A&M ID — no
cash, no gum!
Saturday arrived and the week’s past
events were history. It was game day in
Aggieland and I was looking forward to
seeing the boys in maroon.
I got up to the gate and the man said,
“You can’t get into the student sectial
without an ID, unless you have a guesl
sticker on your ticket.”
For $6, I stood in the student section I
How do they think I got my tidcl
book in the first place? Don’t they kiwi
I had to show my ID to even get®!
ticket book?
Monday came and I knew it was tin
to regain my lost identity.
I paid the necessary money, smilcc
for the camera, and signed my name.
My identity was back! I was onct
again number 8910736.
That afternoon I began doing m
laundry. As I turned my blue jeans in
side-out, I felt a lump in the bad
pocket.
was
No, it couldn’t be! But yes, there ill
the source of all my troubles.
I looked at the smiling face of num
ber 8910736, put it back in the pockei
and threw it in the washer.
Come to think of it, I really didn’tliki
my picture on that ID anyway.
Charean Williams is a sophomore
journalism major.
A red, white and purple Senate flag?
By DICK WEST
Columnist for United Press International
WASHINGTON — Under terms of
legislation approved earlier this month,
the U.S. Senate soon will have its own
official flag of a design chosen from a
competition among “at least six well-rec
ognized firms proficient in the field.”
Admittedly, I’m no Betsy Ross when
it comes to designing flags and have no
credentials to attest to my proficiency.
For a number of years, however, I
have been observing the U.S. senate in
action. Or what passes for action in the
U.S. Senate. Therefore, I feel proficient
enough to offer a few suggestions.
The banner I have in mind would be
a tri-color flag— red, white and purple.
According to archivists in possession
of photos taken before the Capitol was
air conditioned, senators once showed a
marked penchant for ice cream suits in
the summer. Hence the white in the sen
atorial flag.
The red, as might be assumed,
matches the color of theif eyes. Whereas
the purple, a royal hue, stems from the
prose emanating from the stump when
senators are running for re-election,
and occasionally from debates over flag
designs.
This colorful prelude might lead you
to assume I was going to suggest a flag
with a gust of hot air rampant on a field
of red, white and purple. Heaven for
bid!
Rather, my proposed design would
consist for a red, white and purple field
rampant on a gust of hot air.
propriate for a senator to fly his own
special ensign.
It is obvious, however, that the size
should fit the purpose.
Let’s say, picking an example at ran
dom, that a senator is authorized to fly
the flag on the bumper of his auto
mobile.
In that circumstance, it should not be
so large that it might flap back over the
windshield, thus interferring with the
driver’s line of sight.
has served. These stripes would give the
flag a link with Old Glory.
As for stars, they could designate the
chairmen of committees and subcom
mittees — a large star for the flag of a
committee chairmen, a smaller one for
the head of a subcommittee.
What color should the stars be?
Well, if purple is used for stripes,
they would have to be either red or
white.
The Battalion
CISPS 045 360
Member of
Texas Press Association
Southwest Journalism Conference
In memoriam
Bill Robinson, 1962-1984, Editor
So much for the colors. Now arises
the delicate question of size.
Although the resolution expressly
prohibit* displaying the flag “for com
mercial purposes,” it makes no mention
of the occasions when it would be ap-
Nor should it be so small that it would
be obscured by the starry banners of
generals and admirals arriving to testify
at committee hearings.
Red stars, I’m pretty certain, already
have been usurped by another country.
So the star of a Senate committee chair
man probably should be white.
I would say one of the colors — pur
ple, perhaps — should be used create
hash marks, one for each term a senator
Some chairmen, alas, think of them
selves as galaxies, which would require a
different design. But I’m sure the six
competing flag companies can come up
with something proficient.
LETTERS
Corps shouldn't be
let off so easy
EDITOR:
My roommate and I feel that we have
an obligation to dispute several of the
statements in the editorial concerning
Goodrich’s death printed on September
10.
The editorial stated that the Corps
was not solely responsible for the death.
Not so. The sole responsibility for the
death lies in the irresponsible actions of
the Corps officers that ran Goodrich to
death. The Corps officers involved in
the death were trained by the Corps,
promoted to high rank by the Corps,
and were allowed to cause Goodrich’s
death by the Corps..
The editorial suggested that hazing
occurs in sororities, fraternities, and
other organizations.-An Aggie has yet to
die from hazing from those other
groups; apparently only the Corps en
gages in deadly hazing.
My roommate and I consider our
selves good Aggies, and we deeply re
spect and admire Texas A&M Univer
sity; however, we are very concerned
that such an incident could occur here,
and we are shocked that The Battalion
would attempt to absolve the Corps
from blame that it brought upon itself.
Campus much nicer
without Spence traffic
Tim Grose
Aaron Pool
Class of’87
EDITOR:
I can’t help but notice the changes
that have occurred with the partial clos
ing of Spence Street due to the con
struction of the Chemistry Building Ex
tension.
Having traversed the mall area sur
rounded by Scoates Hall, the O&M
Building, and the Library many times
during the past three years, I find the
recent decrease in noise levels and traf
fic congestion quite refreshing. Without
the need to dodge cars as I walk be
tween classes, I am able to absorb the fi
nal words of the lecture I just heard,
and prepare myself for the lab experi
ment I will perform in the next hour.
President Vandiver, in his message to
the Faculty Senate, challenged them to
consider the atmosphere of Texas
A&M, and whether this is a stimulating
place to learn and conduct research. We
should challenge ourselves to consider
the same. As it continues to grow, Texas
A&M needs areas that are free from the
pressures of the busy world and to con
template new and old ideas.
The walk or bike ride though the mall
area is so much more beautiful thought
ful, and relaxing with the absence of
noisy, polluting vehicles.
Jim West
Class of’85
The Battalion Editorial Board
Stephanie Ross, Acting Editor
Patrice Koranek, Managing Editor
Shelley Hoekstra, City Editor
Brigid Brockman, News Editor
Donn Friedman, Editorial Page Editor
Kelley Smith, News Editor
Ed Cassavoy, Sports Editor
The Battalion Staff
Assistant City Editors
Melissa Adair, Michelle Powc
Assistant News Editors
Bonnie Langford, Kellie Dworaczyk, Lauri
Reese
Assistant Sports Editor
Travis Tingle
Entertainment Editor
Bill Hughes
Assistant Entertainment Editor
Angel Stokes
Copy Editors Kathy Breard, Kaye Pahmeier
Photographers Peter Rocha,
John Ryan, DeanSaito
Editorial Policy
The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting newspaf 9
operated as a community service to Texas A&M and Bn*
College Station.
Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the H'
torial Board or the author, and do not necessarily repress''
the opinions of Texas A&M administrators, faculty or tht
Board of Regents.
The Battalion also serves as a laboratory newspaper fo
students in reporting, editing and photography class 9
within the Department of Communications.
United Press International is entitled exclusively to ik
use for reproduction of all news dispatches credited to *
Rights^af reproduction of all other matter herein resend
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Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 words in It. „
The editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters for sc,a
and length but will make every effort to maintain the
thor's intent. Each letter must be signed and must indd>
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, Second class [wstage paid at College Station, TX 7784)
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