Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 1984)
Page 2/The Battalion/Thursday, October 18, 1984 Sending roses can be insulting A few weeks back, vice pres idential candi date Geraldine Ferraro was catching some heat from jour nalists at one of her press con ferences. Time Magazine re ported that col umnist George Will was asking especially pointed questions about what Ferraro’s Fi nancial records would show when they were released. Ferraro finally lost her temper, telling him that her returns would show that her family paid its fair share of taxes. “And George Will, tomorrow afternoon you’re going to call me up and apologize for your col umn of today,” she said. The records showed payment of 40 percent in taxes. But in stead of phoning Ferraro with an apology, Will sent her a dozen pink roses and note that said, “Has anyone told you that you are cute when you’re mad?” Condescending? No doubt about it. I enjoy getting flowers every once in a while. But as a woman, I felt Will’s gesture was almost a personal insult. There are times when a woman doesn’t want to be cute. A highly educated professional wants to be intelligent, efficient, successful, competent. And if you have to describe appearance, stunning or even beautiful are okay. But not cute. Cute is for Buffy and Missy, LETTERS: Volleyball team: thanks for support EDITOR: We would like to thank everyone who supported our effort against t.u. last Wednesday night. With the support of all the Yell Lead ers, the Dunn Hall “Bleacher Bums”, and other dorm groups, we had a crowd of 3,250 — the largest in Texas A&M history for a women’s athletic event. We would also like to thank the Bat talion Editorial Board and Staff and members of the other local media for their consistent coverage of our pro gress. Hopefully, we have initiated a new trend of support for women’s athletics in Aggieland. Gig ’em! Head Coach Terry Condon and the Texas A&M Women’s Volley ball Team Girls, girls, girls: ‘meat market’ appeal EDITOR: The classified section of the Thurs day, Oct. 11 issue of The Battalion ran an advertisement for Peppertree Apart ments, in which the complex declared it has an abundance of “GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS!” — apparently trying to attract new residents. I must say I’m a little ruffled, and I don’t think I’m alone! Of course, it is a nice change to see an appeal to heterosexuals after the recent deluge of publicity regarding the GSS (although, in light of that, one has to wonder whom the complex is trying at tract with the proclamation, Guys, too!). Assuming most apartment dwellers in the area are linked to the University, one also assumes they’re here for an ed ucation, not to go-go dance. Just what is for rent — the apart ments or the inhabitants? I realize the Battalion’s classified sec tion does not reflect the ideology of the editorial staff, and even that the paper has little control over the contents of its ads, but I still found the advertisement somewhat offensive and degrading. I’m sure the ad was only trying to ap peal to the good, clean, healthy desire high school cheerleaders and col lege preppies. And so are pink roses. It’s a question of context. If my boyfriend — or a total stranger, for that matter — showed up at my door with a dozen pink roses, I’d be thrilled. But if one of my colleagues owed me an apology, and instead offered me a bouquet along with a condescending note, I’d be extremely offended. Would Will have offered flow ers to Walter Mondale? Of course not. Such a gesture has no place in a professional relationship, es pecially when it is used to take the emphasis off the issues and in stead place it on the candidate’s sex. The reason I’m sensitive to an incident like this is that I’m plan ning on a career in law, pre viously a male-dominated profes sion. Knowing that women as highly qualified as Ferraro still must put up with male colleagues who patronize them simply be cause of their sex is not a com forting thought. I have visions of myself in a courtroom, wrapping up a case with a brilliant summation that has the jury in tears. The jurors retire to deliberate, and the judge calls the counsel to the bench. “You know, Wiesepape,” he says with a grin, “You’re cute when you’re mad.” I think I would be tempted to slug him. On the other hand, Ferraro’s reply to Will was appropriate. “Vice presidents aren’t cute,” she said. Kathy Wiesepape is a weekly Battalion columnist. that college students display for mem bers of the opposite sex, but someone should have thought twice before pre paring an ad that reflects the “meat market” attitudes and lack of respect that Aggie chivalry has never condoned. Christine Stephenson Class of’87 accompanied by 15 signatures Thanks to Alders EDITOR: Thanks goes out to the extensive em ployer of our English language: David Alders. I would like to extend my appreciation to you for broadening my vocabulary. Really! Before reading your article in Read er’s Forum, I had always let those lengthy unmeaningful (to me, anyway) vocables go unresearched. But now, each time I hear some massive term spo ken I remember it and attempt to dis cover its numerous meanings. I believe that those persons who ridi cule your vast knowledge of words and their usage are only ridiculing them selves and their lack of knowledge. Let me ask you, the reader, this: How many times have you had an English pa per returned to you with red ink deco rating the margins and pointing out the usage of words too bulky and un needed. To that person who has never run into this problem, I say throw out the first stone. But better yet, why don’t you use your energies in sauntering to the MSC bookstore to invest, I repeat, invest in a Thesaurus and in a copy of Webster’s best. We are in college and we are adults. Our conversations should reflect that fact. Thanks again, David, for causing me to realize my weaknesses in the use of our language, and for encouraging oth ers, as well as myself , to discover the vast opportunities available to us in Kathy Wiesepape Ninety si the l ex; he tm tier,twenty orkshopt This woi tvo-part se cdents cot |he first t fc ittn ed m Giroux, uniana I isses. We will lain first ; to lo n< re ■By PAM Bv bee iend of r e openi •and toi |&M has t usiness S tame, said ■ The Fi i' kmsored Co Wedne ectly quf ’arsons, vas that hing, has n that of communicating guage. Veraciously, Miles Bradshaw Class of’88 Black Cadets not unusual via the English lan- any concern for recognition, the Sigma Chi members worked with enthusiasm and diligence in providing a valuable student service. It came as no surprise when we learned that Sigma Chi had registered well over 1,000 new voters, an effort for which they should be very proud. Thanks again for a job well done. EDITOR: Brett Shine V.P. External Affairs Dallas Morris’ article in the Oct. 17 Battalion concerning the black exec utive officer of the Fifth Battalion of fended me as a former cadet, as an Ag gie and as a journalist. Merely by being written and pub lished, the story implies that it’s unusual for a black to succeed in Texas A&M’s Corps. That’s not the case in the Corps I knew, and I suspect it’s not the case now. Examples abound: Bill Jones ’81, First Brigade commander; Sandra Francis ’80, Company W-l commander; Phil Jones ’80, Third Group scholastic officer; Eric Banks ’81, Squadron 15 ex ecutive officer; Odis Ray Blueitt ’82, Company. B-2 executive officer; Darryl Fitzgerald ’81, bugle rank. In fact, Kenneth Allison ’85 is com mander of Squadron 7 this year. The situation would be different if the Corps had a long tradition of dis criminating against blacks. Maybe at one time it did; but I haven’t heard any such suggestions in the last eight years. By implying or. encouraging readers to infer that cases such as Thomas Farmer’s are unusual, you present a pic ture that’s distorted at best, wrong at worst. ‘Girls’ want to move backwards By the way, by definition, a senior ca det is an of ficer in the Corps. Dillard Stone, ’80 Deputy Corps Commander 1979-80 Thanks for help with voter drive EDITOR: On behalf of Student Government, I would like to thank Ron Hegyesi and the members of Sigma Chi fraternity for their vigourous participation in our re cent voter registration drive. Without EDITOR: This letter is directed to the three “girls” who oppose women in the band. There are two points that 1 would like to make. First, the comments made in your let ter sound quite similiar to those made when women were first allowed to join the Corps. I have yet to see any break down of tradition since then; why should any occur now? We still have bonfire, midnight yell, and kissing when the team scores, although I find it hard to believe that anyone could call these “sacred traditions” while neglecting to mention Silver Taps or Muster. Maybe women do not belong in the band, but the reasons that you have given to sup port that conclusion are groundless. Second, what is wrong with women working in traditionally male fields? If you feel that doing so will cause bitter ness between the sexes, then why are you majoring in Industrial Engineering and Journalism? That sounds a little hypocritical to me. Maybe you should change you majors to education, or drop out of school and become wait resses or secretaries, three traditionally female fields. A lot of tension and lack of respect could be relieved if we’d all realize that no one should be denied the right to have any career they choose be cause of their sex or their race and reli gion for that matter. There is nothing wrong with being a engineer, house wife, school teacher or doctor, as long as that is what you choose for yourself and not that which tradition dictates. Georgette Nicolaides Class of’86 The Battalion USPS 045 360 Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference In mrmoriam Bill Robinson, 1962-1984, Editor The Battalion Editorial Board Stephanie Ross, Editor Patrice Koranek, Managing Editor Shelley Hoekstra, City Editor Brigid Brockman, News Editor Donn Friedman, Editorial Page Editor Bonnie Langford, News Editor Ed Cassavoy, Sports Editor The Battalion Staff Assistant City Editors Melissa Adair, Michelle Port| Assistant News Editors Rhonda Snider,Kellie Dworaczyk, Launj Reestf Assistant Sports Editor Travis Tinglt | Entertainment Editor Bill Hugte| Assistant Entertainment Editor Angel Stole j Senior Reporter Robin Bladj Staff Writers...Tammy Bell, Shawn Behleii.j Cami Brown, DenaBronoj Dainah Bullard, Leigh-Ellen Clark, Tonfl Cornett, Patricia Flinl,f Kari Fluegel, Kathy Wiesepape,I Bob McGlohon, Karla Martin, SarahOaiej Jan Perry, Lynn Rae Povec, James f Wailed Editorial Cartoonist Mike Lane j Make-up Editor .JohnHaileii Copy Writer Karen Block,] Copy Editors Kathy Breard, Kaye Pahmeiei j Cyndy Davis, Patricia flm Photographers Frank Irwin, David Leyendecter,j Peter Rocha, MikeSanditij ,DeanSaito Editorial Policy The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting imsppl I operated as a community service to Texas *" Bryan-College Station. Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those ollit I Editorial Board or the author, and do not riecesuril/it? resent the opinions of Texas A&M administranM | or the Board of Regents. The Battalion also serves as a laboratory nenmftittl ^ students in reporting, editing and photography c, within the Department of Communications. Letters Policy Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 »,rii t J length. The editorial staff reserves the righnoediiltlt 1 1 for style and length but will make every effort to mi0 j the author’s intent. Each letter must be signed include the address and telephone number of litem Ehe Battalion is published Monday through during l exas A&M regular semesters, except lor Uilf l and examination periods. Mail subscriptions art 01 l>er semester, $33.25 per school year and JJSptrWl year. Advertising rates furnished on request. Our address: The Battalion, 216 Reed McDuiif j Building, Texas A&M University, College Station ^ I 77843. Editorial staff phone number: (409)845-UM j vertising: (409) 845-2611. Second class postage paid at College Station, TXlM j