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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (July 25, 1985)
Page 2/The Battalion/Thursday July 25, 1985 OPINION lili; Nuke exchange: handle with care President Reagan signed a nuclear cooperation pact between the United States and the People’s Republic of China Tuesday. The agreement paves the way for American sales of nuclear re actors and other technology to fuel China’s nuclear program. China says the technology will be used to develop a commer- ical energy program, not to enhance its existing nuclear arsenal. But China has not signed the 1969 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty which is designed guard against the spread of nuclear weapons. China also refuses to conform to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s safeguards on commerical reactors and fuel. Before Congress signs Tuesday’s agreement it must explore all angles of the situation. The pact is designed to promote coop eration between the United States and China and will undoubt edly be a shot in the arm for the American nuclear industry. However, U.S. Intelligence reported last year Peking was aiding Pakistan in developing nuclear capabilities. Pakistan has had several disputes with India in recent years. If the agreement is hastily approved by Congress without a thorough investiga tion, our aid could be abused. While China is already in the nu clear business, it could be supplying less-developed countries with our atomic goods. Congress also has a responsibility to the world to curtail the proliferation of nuclear arms. Our exchange with China is not granting nuclear powers to a country, it is merely a business transaction between to countries who already have nuclear capa bilities. We must make sure that the new agreement does not in advertantly become more than that. The Battalion Editorial Board Life as an answering machine My ‘phony’ summer vacation By ART BUCHWALD Columnist for The Los Angeles Times Syndicate (What Frank Sinatra and Art Buch- wald have in common is that people prefer their golden oldies.) MARTHA S VINEYARD — What I did on my summer vacation: I was a telephone answering service. Only people who have children be tween the ages of 14 and 30 will appre ciate what an important function I performed. I always started after dinner as soon as my daughter Jennifer asked, “Can I use the car?” “What time will you be back?” I asked. “Not late. If Debbie calls tell her I went with Tony over to Mike’s, and if she doesn’t get us there we’ll be at Da vid Crohan’s Bar in Oak Bluffs.” “I gotcha,” I said, writing it down. Half an hour later the phone rang. “Is Jenny there?” “Is this Debbie?” I asked. “No, its Sarah. And she was sup posed to meet me at the Cafe du Port in Vineyard Haven,” she said. “Well, she went with Tony over to Mike’s.” “Which Mike?” “She didn’t say which Mike. Is there more than one?” “There are three. If she calls back tell her I went to the party at Ben’s.” “The party at Ben’s. I’ve got it.” Fifteen minutes later the phone rang again. It was Ben, who wanted to tell Jenny about the party. I explained that she was with Tony at Mike’s, but was going to David Crohan’s Bar. “Well, if Angel calls,” Ben said, “tell him I need ice and wine.” “Why would Angel call?” I asked. “To find out where Tony went.” “I gotcha,” I said, writing it down. “Tell Jenny about your party and Angel about bringing ice and wine. Do you have any message for Debbie?” “Who’s Debbie?” Ben said. “I don’t know, but she’s supposed to call Jenny and I’m to tell her she’s with Tony and they went over to Mike’s and then they’re going to David Cohan’s Bar.” “Well, don’t tell Debbie about the party because I don’t know how many people will be with her.” “My lips are sealed,” I promised. 1 got into a hot tub when the phone rang again. The party on the other end asked for Jenny. “Who’s calling?” “Gordon Manning.” “You can find her at Mike’s, David Crohan’s Bar or Ben’s party, depending how lucky you are.” “I’m calling from New Hampshire.” “That’s too bad. There’s lots of great things going on here,” I told him. “Well, will you tell Jenny I’m coming down on Tuesday and ask her to leave my beach pass with Ellen in Edga town? But tell her not to tell BetsyIj coming. You got that?” “Of course I’ve got it. You thinM: a dummy? Listen, I have to getoffi phone because I’m expecting a i from either Debbie or Angel or they, lice in Chilmark, depending howlut /am.” 1 I started to worry about why Del or Angel hadn’t called. I was watc Johnny Carson when the phone again. It was Jenny. “We didn’t gotoDji y Crohan’s. We’re at the Phillips’in Li bert’s Cove.” “Now you tell me,” I said angrily, verybody’s trying to find you, with! | exception of Debbie, who never(| led.” “She’s with us,” Jenny replied. “And where the hell is Angel: wanted to know. “He went back to Boston.” “Do you realize Ben was countinjl: him to bring the ice and wine lolj party? Why didn’t you call me?” “I couldn’t get to a phone. Whod called?” “Naval headquarters. They to tell you report back to your ships | mediately.” “Dad, are you drunk?” “Not yet, but by the time you; home I will be.” L Poke odds choice Which Coke is it? I think life just got confusing for many Americans. I understand that the American Way ended for many of you when the new and im proved Coke re placed the old and passe Coke. Cheryl Clark I saw people who had been consuming caffeine for years go cold turkey just seconds after they had their first taste of the new Coke. I figured college enrollment would decline this fall because students had lost one of their major sources of 'late night artificial stimulation. I imag ined that rum sales dropped when peo ple realized that a rum and Coke just didn’t taste the same. I had friends who checked into the room prices at the Betty Ford Rehabilatation Center to treat the withdrawal problems they were experiencing from lack of Coke. Somehow those invigorating Coke commercials didn’t seem the same, knowing that Coke was changing an American classic. I mean all those sing ers and dancers seemed so happy drink ing the old Coke. How could they get the same uplifting experience from the new Coke? Bill Cosby seemed so sincere, but did he really prefer the new taste of Coke? If he did, why didn’t he say more wonderful things about the great new taste of Coke? Instead he just sat there with a funny look on his face. But America, you begged for the “Real Thing” to be revived. I know seve ral people who screamed for a revival. Coke received more than 1,500 phone calls a day from die-hard fans who re fused to give the new Coke a chance. Angry fans formed clubs across Amer ica, refusing to drink any Coke product until the old Coke was brought back. Old bottles of old Coke became a valu able collector’s item for the people who had the foresight to stockpile a supply. So like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Coca-Cola Classic was reborn. Yes, the “Real Thing” returned. It’s the same formula in practically the same can. Coke just added the word “Classic” to the label. You don’t realize that your trouble is just beginning. You see Coke is about to encounter a serious distribution prob lem. There just won’t be enough foun tain dispensers, shelf space and soft drink machines to carry all the wonder ful products Coke makes such as the standard (or “new”) Coke, Coca-Cola Classic, the new Cherry Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Tab or its other products. Fountain dispensers usually have four spigots to distribute the soft drinks. Most fountain dispensers prefer to carry more than one brand of soft drink like Coke. They carry other brands like Dr Pepper, 7-Up, root beer or orange drink. Heaven forbid, some soda foun tains have even been known to distrib ute Pepsi. When you order a Coke, what are you going to do if it isn’t the type of Coke you want? Grocery stores have a limited amount of shelf space. The competition for this space between soft drink distibuters is intense to say the least. Coke is adding two more products to its line, Classic Coke and Cherry Coke. Where will the stores put the new products on an al ready-filled shelf? Will the Coke machines that say “En joy Coca-Cola” mean the new Coke or the old Coke? Think how much bigger the machines will have to be to carry the new Coke products. When the talking Coca-Cola vending machines start to sing “Have A Coke And A Smile,” which Coke will they be referring to? Beside the distribution problems, Coke will encounter some marketing woes. What will Bill Cosby promote? The new or the old Coke? He really liked the old Coke, but he promised America that the new Coke was much better. Cosby is an important endorser for Coke. What will the company make Cosby drink? What if he really liked the old Coke bet ter? What if he decides he likes Jell-O Pudding more than the new or old Coke? If all those people are singing and dancing for the new taste of Coke, does that mean no one will sing and dance for the old Coke? They used to sing and dance for the old Coke. Does the new Coke make you want to sing and dance more than the old Coke? But you thought the world would be rosy again when Coke announced the revival of the old Coke. You thought life would become bearable onde you had you old Coke to consume. You cancelled your room reservation at the Betty Ford Rehabiliation Center. Do you see the problems you are about to encounter with your beloved soft drink? I wish you the best of luck in finding the “Real Thing.” Me, I’m going to keep on drinking Dr Pepper. Cheryl Clark is a senior journalism ma jor and a columnist for The Battalion. Mail Call 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 intent. Each letter must besigned and must include the address and telephone number of the writer. The fireman’s side EDITOR: In regards to all those Ags concerned with firefighters on “your” campus, which is state-supported, we believe some of you may have some brains, but unfortunately many of you have no common sense. The time wespend here learning how to save lives and property could effect you someday. Most firefighters here are volunteers at home and are spending their money and vacation time to learn something to take back and benefit their community. At a conservative estimate, the 2,900 people here for Municipal Fire School ispend at least $1.5 million for food, tu- iition, lodging and extras. How many of the students here have jjobs that depend on people from out of town coming to Texas A&M for schools and seminars? How many teachers and staff are hired to teach these schools? How much grant money does this school receive for research pertaining to firefighting techniques and materials? To those of you who have a negative attitude, such as Richard Lee, a senior in engineering at A&M, I would be stumped on whether to save your life or the front yard. It’s too bad God didn’t bless these people with respect and courtesy for the visitors who are here for just a short time. Along with the “rude” firefighters, there seems to be a number of A&M students who were not trained at home about sleeping in public areas, keeping their feet on furniture and parking bikes in the right places, among other things. Some of the behavior we have seen in the MSG area is reminiscent of a bus station. Are the firefighters the only per sons who violate traditions? What about the law enforcement, agricul ture and new students who attend A&M for schools and seminars? You folks have a very fine school and a lovely campus of which you rightfully should be proud. We look forward to coming here each year and would enjoy it much more were it not for the attitude of persons such as Mr. Lee. Tommy Tomlinson accompanied by 45 signatures The Battalion USPS 045 360 Member of Texas Press Association Soutli west Journalism Conference The Battalion Editorial Board Kellie Dworaczyk, Editor Kay Mallett, John Hallett, News Editors Loren Steffy, Editorial Page Editor Sarah Oates, City Editor Karen Bloch, Acting City Editor Travis Tingle, Sports Editor The Battalion Staff Assistant City Editor Katherine H : ’j Assistant News Editors ..... Cathie Anderson, Trent Leo^j Entertainment Editors Cathy Riely, WalterSrf Staff Writers Karen BM Ed Cassavoy,! erryOifc; Brian Pear* ,Copy Editor Trent Leof 1 * Make-up Editor EdCassa'*; Columnists Cheryl CiJ ! ' Karl Pallnro 1 Photographers Greg Anthony Or Editorial Policy 77ie Batialion is a non-profit, self-supporting operated as a community service to Texas AiV Bryan-College Station. Opinions expressed in The Battalion are ttiosf ^ Editorial Board or the author, and do not necessirt f resent the opinions of Texas A&M administntton,^ or the Board of Regents. The Battalion also serves as a laboratory nempf* students in reporting, editing and photograph*■ within the Department of Communications. 'The Battalion is published Tuesday through M>'' ing Texas A&M regular semesters, except forholtitl 1 examination periods. Mail subscriptions are fl6.Hr, mester, $33.25 per school year and $35 per full ft* ifu, venising rates furnished on request. Our address: The Battalion, 210 Reed Building, Texas A&M University, College S:.iUh- 77843. Editorial staff phone number: (409) vertising: (409) 845-2611. 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