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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 25, 1986)
i Page 2/The Battalion/Thursday, September 25, 1986 The Battalion (USPS 045 360) Member of Texas Press Association South west Journalism Conference The Battalion Editorial Board Cathie Anderson, Editor Kirsten Dietz, Managing Editor Loren Steffy, Opinion Page Editor Frank Smith, City Editor Sue Krenek, News Editor Ken Sury, Sports Editor Editorial Policy The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting newspaper oper ated as a community service to Texas A&M and Bryan-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 Journalism. The Battalion is published Monday through Friday during Texas A&M regular semesters, except for holiday and examination periods. Mail subscriptions are $17.44 per semester, $34.62 per school year and $36.44 per full year. Advertising rates furnished on re quest. Our address: The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald Building, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843. POSTMASTER: Send address cnanges to The Battalion, 2\6 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M University, College Station TX 77843. A good start 1 he agreement reached by the 35-nation conference Monday in Stockholm, Sweden, is not earth-uniting, but it is a crucial step to ward f uture negotiations for world peace. The East-West security agreement is the first of its kind for the Reagan administration — a monumental accomplishment in itself. The delegates — the United States, Canada, Soviet Union and all Eu ropean countries except Albania — reduced the risk of a military surprise attack or a war erupting in Europe because of a misunder standing. The plan does not deal with nuclear disarmament (perhaps one of the reasons the United States and the Soviet Union reached an agreement), but it does implement a compromise between the super powers on arrangements for observation and on-site inspection of military maneuvers. The measures agreed upon allow NATO, Warsaw Pact and neu tral nations to monitor each other’s troop movements, which ideally promotes confidence between the Eastern and Western blocs. Naturally, some quibbling already has been heard from Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, who claims that the Soviets won’t com ply. But nO promising proposal would be complete without a little anti-Soviet skepticism. The agreement will not bring about the ever-elusive goal of nu clear arms reduction, but it has helped pave the all-too-rocky path to that achievement in the future. If it’s football season, setting priorities is easy Lewis Grizzard The University of Georgia, my alma mater, has opened its 1986 football season, and I was there game. Thank the Lord and pass the fried chicken. to witness the first For years, I have asked myself why college football is so important to me. The game lies in shambles on many fronts now because of cheating, aca demic scandals and alleged exploitation of athletes. But I don’t waver in my passion. Some people paint their faces team col ors and go to football games. Others show their passion by making bets from the heart and not from the head. I risked my life for football season one year ago. I was in .the Soviet Union the last two weeks of August. I spent a lot of time looking for ice and toilet pa per. The last few days of the trip I became ill. “You should see a doctor,” a traveling companion said to me. I held on. Let’s say I’m really sick, and I get stuck in a Russian hospital for God knows how long. I couldn’t have han dled that. “For how long?” I asked. “At least six weeks,” they answered. “And if I go home?” “You’re taking a risk. You could die on the way.” I made up my mind instantly. I would take the risk. I would fly home as soon as possible. “Why are you so persistent in wanting to leave?” a doctor asked me. “Doctor,” I said, “I ain’t staying in a foreign country during football season.” I made it home alive. A new heart valve was implanted. I saw the Georgia- Alabama game on television. I was back in the stands in six weeks. Priorities. That’s another great thing about this country. You can put yours in any order you please. Copyright 1986, Cowles Syndicate Heartfelt thanks EDITOR: Opinion kers at a |r Tower ) of wot notion t eous strang ihes at nig! ■ they km fhe semina partment of Hon how ; H from da mid do if she panel w from fisis Cei aff men ling Ser rlene Muef or of ps; is pointe Swetii stran he said ally bet\ HQ&lMi whereas vie ■ almost a |ape is ur :e is rarely u Js persuas trtis! that Barton’s bumper stickers ‘jingoism’ instead of issue^. ■n himsel Muehlenhan Jconducte ents’ attitm “He’s a poli tician. Politicians are just one step below child moles ters. ” — Woody Allen, 1977 In “Annie Hall,” the Woody Allen character is discussing Presi dent Lyndon B. Johnson and his possible connec tion with the assassination of his prede cessor John F. Kennedy. Allen doesn’t seem to have much respect for this poli tician from Texas. There is another pol itician from Texas that has been losing some respect lately, too. Congressman Joe Barton never has kept his education a secret. Barton has said on many occasions that he loves Texas A&M and is proud to have grad uated from this fine school. Barton’s campaign even issued maroon and white bumper stickers that read: “Ag gies for Barton” and have a “Gig ’em Aggies” thumb in the “o” of Barton’s name. Barton First used the bumper stickers during his 1984 campaign and is using them again this year. There are more than 3,000 bumper stickers, 100 T- shirts and countless buttons that feature the A&M logo. But Barton never got A&M’s permission to use the logo, which is a registered trademark. Maybe Barton can be forgiven for us- Mail ing the A&M logo — Aggies are not known for being too bright — but how can you explain one of his other bumper stickers? Barton never attended T exas Chris tian University, but his other bumpei stickers are purple and white and read: “TCU Congressman Barton Backer” with a TCU horned frog in the “o" of his name. Barton never got permission to use TCU’s logo (also a registered trademark), either. TCU officials have asked Barton’s campaign to remove more than 500 of the stickers that bear the school's logo. A&M officials have yet to make a de< i- sion on the matter. The worst thing about Barton’s stick ers is that they make it look like A&M and TCU are endorsing Barton’s cam paign. Universities are supposed to be a place for learning through unbiased dis cussion and debate. By endorsing any political candidate, a university is bastar dized into becoming a powerful politcal tool. Barton probably didn’t intend to use A&M and TCU to further his political career. His biggest concern is getting votes, and if he can appeal to A&M and TCU students he might get theirs. Bar ton and his campaign workers should have checked into the legalities before they used the school’s logos. It wouldn’t be proper for the schools to allow their logos to be used in connec tion with any political matters, but if one Call candidate is allowed tousethek; opposing candidates also shouldlq lowed J* to use them for the Fhe problem By Ro< Su |he Studem ith the bumpew a resol Cl’S is just < >nc s \ inpiom III .nii'! In to hold fin afflicts almost everyone inpofcH ticiuns, from candidates for higkHF class offices to Ronald Reagm J Dorr jingoism instead of issues astir plank in their platform. It'seasie; In Wednes< polltK i. 111 tii |)i(i|C(l .in //tUi'r loxxl i .it Iw i th.in .u tualh /w/r'HEr-rlf , .. ported. The It s eastet h H r>.u i< hi to \r> 775.1797 me because I’m an Aggie’ ' 'hr thee rror. for me because my positionontteiH Tt In 1984, Barton spent most® campaign denying accusations of gerating his politica backgroun stead of discussing issues. Hist in office have consisted of rept ery utterance that came froniRfi mouth instead of taking uphisow of an issue. Barton’s eagernesstt with Reagan instead of his con® is why he is known as “Pinocchioj some areas. Being a Republican! thing, but being a Reaganisticlapt another. The problem with Barton anti others in politics is not totally tit of the political!. If constituent!* demand more from their electol cials, politicians would be forced® up issues and be more responsive Karl Pallmeyer is a seniorjouti major and a columnist forlhtk ion. ...Ka : I $E 24, Food Services held a joint Menu Board meeting. At the meeting I brought up the students’ (mostly Sbisa diners) concerns regarding the Corps eating at Sbisa next semester. one of his town meetings in Conroe. A man stood 1 and began to claim that Mexicans are heretoout- vote and out-populate Texans and that Texas fall into the hands of Mexico. I get out of the Soviet Union and all the way back to London before I realize if I don’t see a doctor soon, London might be my last stop ever. I had fever. I had chills. I had other problems I don’t care to discuss. . The British doctor said, “You have the worst case of the rigors I have ever seen.” “Rigors.” it turns out, is British for the “shivering fits.” So they put me in a London hospital, and the man comes to my room every hour on the hour to take my blood. I be gin to hate this man. After two days in the hospital, I am no better, and doctors still haven’t come to a conclusion as to what is wrong with me. I should have wondered, “am I going to die?” Instead, I wondered, “what if they keep me here and I miss Georgia’s opening game with Alabama, which was only four days away?” I couldn’t have handled that, either. Not after two weeks in Russia. Not after witnessing the other side face to face for the first time and becoming more fierce ly American than ever. The doctors in London concluded I had bacterial endocarditis. An artificial heart valve that had been implanted in me three years earlier had become in fected. “You should stay here and take anti biotics,” the London doctors told me. Please allow me to use your forum to express my heartfelt thanks to the many Aggies who visited, telephoned and remembered me in their thoughts and prayers during my recent hospitalization. The calls, cards, flowers, visits and other expressions of concern from my many friends on campus were appreciated very much during my illness. It is wonderful to know that so many people are thinking about you and wishing only good things for you. Deserving of special thanks are the members of the Corps of Cadets — and especially the members of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band — who went out of their way during the busy first weeks of the new semester to remember “the Fish Lady.” I am happy to report that I am feeling much better now and that the “Fish Table” will be back in operation as soon as I get “wired” again. Ftp looking forward to seeing you all again soon. Gig ’em! Ruth Hunt (the Fish Lady) Dining rumor resolved EDITOR: This letter is intended for all those who dine at either Sbisa Dining Hall or the Commons. As a result of receiving numerous requests for clarification of the so-called rumors that the Corps of Cadets will be eating at Sbisa next semester, I am writing to answer those individuals. I am a Sbisa Menu Board member, and on Sept. I requested clarification of the rumor and was told by both Food Services and Business Services representatives that the University was strongly considering moving the Corps dining to Sbisa (and possibly the Commons) for a year beginning in the spring. I also was told that the plans are not final and that there are still a few unresolved issues. I presented the following concerns of Sbisa diners: • The Corps will make food lines longer and Sbisa noisier. • There will be friction and potential conflicts in Sbisa between Corps and non-Corps diners. I hope this letter clarifies the current position on the Corps dining situation to Sbisa diners. Concerns on this matter should be directed to Food Services dining facility staff (supervisors or managers), menu board members, Business Services or write a letter to The Battalion. Robert Woeger Barton not a racist EDITOR: I am writing in response to a letter that appeared on the Opinion Page of this newspaper Sept. 19. The letter accused Congressman Joe Barton of not representing all of the people in his district, especially those of Hispanic descent. Barton won’t let racism interfere in his representation of the people of the 6th District. This can be proven by an incident that happened during , ; WE WILL Barton quiet ed the man bv saying that hewillc'BfjYLOWEI allow his town meetings to become a forum for nf PRICE IN Tl slurs. He went on to point out to the audience lb 1 J PERO we are blessed with many fine Mexican-America# who contribute to Texas’ strength. This incident occurred on Sept. 5 prior to the incident mention** | in last Friday’s editorial letter. BRAND new 25,000 MILE $1 1 also know from personal experience that Bat 1 ’ is not against people of Hispanic descent. In the summer of 1985 I was elected by Barton to sene 1 ' an LBJ Congressional Intern in his Washington office. He often took time off his busy schedule to take me to committee meetings, show me how Congress works and also to show me around the Capitol. ^95x14 $24. 4< £05x14 $26. 45 jr*18xl4f..„.S27. 4t METRIC F 0,000 MILE' I think these incidents demonstrate Barton’st 11 * feelings, and he will always stand up to represent orii/z-U tl 1 c r'rAr-i c 1 1 X1 w=n-» t-o t-wi t»i '111 n I Ir'l rn rif ft B * any of his constituents, no matter their raceorcoj Alvaro J. Pereira EL WHITE! 35,000 MILE $2: Lost jacket EDITOR: The last game was pretty good, wasn’t it? But I left my jacket in the stands. If anyonefoi” a Helley-Hansen rain jacket on the secondded please call me at 260-4464. Thanks. Daniel V. Bauer Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words in editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters for style and W but will make every effort to maintain the author's intent letter must be signed and must include the classification,^ and telephone number of the writer.