Page 2/The Battalion/Monday, Movember 30, 1987
The Battalion
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Texas Press Association
Southwestjournalism Conference
The Battalion ^Editorial Board
Sondra Pickard, Editor
John Jarvis, Managing Editor
Sue Krenek, Opinion Page Editor
Rodney Rather, City Editor
Robbyn Lister, News Editor
Loyd Brumfield, Sports Editor
Tracy Staton, Photo Editor
sa
Editorial Policy
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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
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periods.
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Cotton bound
Jackie Sherrill’s Aggies have proved that old habits die hard,
entering the Cotton Bowl for the third consecutive year and de
feating the University of Texas for the fourth consecutive year.
But though the 20-13 win over Texas made the Class of ’88
the first group of A&M students to defeat the Longhorns four
years running, the season’s successes have been hard-fought.
{ 1
Last year and the year before, the Aggies made their way to
the SWC championship with a mature, experienced team led by
record-setting quarterback Kevin Murray. This year, A&M had
to overcome the loss of seven defensive starters and several of
fensive standouts to earn the right to face Notre Dame on Jan. 1
in Dallas. The Aggies, picked behind Arkansas in most presea
son polls, showed great determination in making their way to
the top.
Beat the hell outta Notre Dame. Gig ’em.
— The Battalion Editorial Board
Mail Call
Brian Frederick is confused
EDITOR:
Brian Frederick’s article in the Nov. 17 Battalion was testament (and not
new) to how very confused this man is. It is too bad that an argument, in his
mind, must always be related to a “moral” issue. I suggest Mr. Frederick
distinguish between moral and ethical in the future.
Furthermore, instead of conjecturing over the moot point of Hitler being
right or wrong, we need to examine the factors that led him to power and
that let to his butcherings. I think everyone would agree that the Holocaust
was a tragedy, but what of the Crusades? Are they not similar in nature? In
both cases people killed for what they deemed morally and absolutely right.
And what of the Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini and his Revolutionary Guards?
I’m sure if you asked them, they would respond toward Iran the same way
you do toward America, Mr. Frederick. You see, human rights are
fundamental to the existence of everyone and have nothing to do with
“morality.” Let’s pull down the flags in “God’s country.”
Darin Williams
grad student
Just say no to OI' Sarge
EDITOR:
Since Coach Jackie Sherrill first came to Texas A&M in 1982,1 have been
one of his greatest admirers. He has taken Texas A&M to two consecutive
Cotton Bowls (and possibly a third). He has brought national prestige to the
football program. Aside from the winning tradition, I have loved the ideas
Coach Sherrill has had. He has worked on bonfire each year, toured Texas’
hospitals to visit handicapped children and initiated the 12th Man kickoff
team, which has gained national recognition.
However, Coach Sherrill has a new idea that I definitely will not support.
At a breakfast on Nov. 18, Sherrill informed leaders of Student Government
of his newest idea: A seven-foot “Of Sarge” mascot-type outfit to be occupied
by a student during A&M athletic events. He said the head of the figure is
near completion at a cost of nearly $2,000. He pointed out that the student
side of Kyle Field has Reveille, the yell leaders, and the howitzer to promote
spirit, but the former situdepts* have nothing. He said the “Of Sarge” creature
will shake hands with small children and promote spirit on the former
students’ side of Kyle Field but will not replace Reveille as our mascot.
I strongly oppose this “Of Sarge” creature for many reasons. Texas A&M
has always been envied by other schools because we are different. But TCU,
Rice and Texas Tech already have these dressed-up mascot figures. I paid
special attention to TCU’s horned frog this past weekend and I watched him
run, slide, roll on the ground/and do backflips. I was proud to be an Aggie
and not have such an obnoxioYis macot representing my school. I am not a
member of the Corps of Cadets. However, it seems to me that if I were, I
would be embarrassed to have this “Of Sarge” mascot (wearing a Corps
uniform) indirectly representing my group, possibly on national television. I
have-spoken with several former students concerning this “Of Sarge”
creature. Although a few seemed indifferent towards the subject, most were
opposed to the idea.
Personally, I don’t like the idea of this “Of Sarge” creature because it will
be embarrassing. It is not in the tradition of Texas A&M. I have attempted to
be open-minded, but I just don’t like the idea and I don’t ever want to see the
creature. What will be next? Pom Poms, pep rallies, and cheerleaders? I hope
that Aggies will be able to unite in opposition of the new mascot before it is
unveiled in Kyle Field, or G. Rollie White coliseum. '
Blake Allyn Pounds ’89
Editor’s Note: Two Battalion reporters have contacted the sports informaion
office about the rumored “Of Sarge” mascot. According to the office, no
such mascot has been proposed and no plans are being made to propose one.
Unjustified criticism
EDITOR:
Sitting on my motorcycle in the Zachry parking lot, I proceeded to read a
letter to the editor titled “Continuing Chaos.” The letter referred to the
motorcycle/moped parking problem to the rear of Zachry and how the recent
construction of the new engineering building failed to produce additional
motorcycle/moped parking spaces.
After reading the letter, I looked up to view the two-thirds empty
motorcycle parking Section of about 120 spaces. I then rode to the motorcycle
parking section directly across from the Reed McDonald Building, where I
again had no problem finding a parking space. This spurred me to waste 15
minutes in response to the letter. I do not appreciate unjustified criticism.
Steve Ihnen ’89
Letters to the editor should ndt 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 be signed and
must include the classification, address and telephone number of the writer.
Opinion
Helpful hints for cieatina
supermarket of the 80s
tc
10US]
Mankind has
certainly pro
gressed.
We’ve gone
from “Pong” to
“Pac-Man.” We’ve
gone from chicken
legs to chicken
nuggets. We’ve
gone from “The
A-Team” on net
work TV to “The
A-Team” on syn
dicated TV.
denly came to the conclusion that this
Randall’s was a special store for special
people. Special people like this don’t
bring basset hounds to the store. Special
people like this hire babysitters for their
basset hounds instead. Special people
like this don’t have kids in Little League.
They have kids who play violins.
or John
lable hi
cards, or its own private credit card
The store should name its private credi 5
card “The Chic Shopper” and hat
shoppers apply for it by invitation onl)
ig perse
i, the H
• No sales. In fact, everything should
be marked up by at least 3000 perceni
A jar of peanut butter should rang:
from $120 to $600.
Mark
Nair
And we’ve gone from do-it-yourself
parking at the grocery store to valet
parking at the grocery store.
I take it, then, that this supermarket
is catering to the well-to-do, the cr£me
de la cr6me, the uppity uppity, the yup-
pyies who deny they are yuppies.
And I suppose this is commendable.
But for the true cosmopolitan super
market of the 80s, it needs a little more.
This is where I come in. Allow me to
elaborate.
• Hot tubs, masseurs, masseuses, and
wide screen TVs should be scatter!
around the store at regular intervals fo
the convenience of the shoppers.
n a cop
nitally
ces of p
Librar
considi
asure b)
nthe p
of th<
• Everything should have fancy la
bels. There should be no such things)!
“generic” or “no name” products.
• No video rentals.
That’s right, kids. Valet parking at
the supermarket, believe it or not.
The store in question? The flagship
Randall’s Supermarket in Houston.
And who says Houston isn’t cultured?
When I found out about valet park
ing at this supermarket, my curiosity
was piqued. I had a very difficult time
picturing valet parking for a wood-pan
eled station wagon loaded with 14 Little
League players, a basset hound and a
mother who forgot to take the curlers
out of her hair that morning. I just
couldn’t picture it.
• Valet parking is a good start. What
Randall’s needs now is a system of
chauffeur driven golf carts to take the
shoppers from aisle to aisle. When the
shopper needs an item, he or she merely
points out the item to the chauffeur.
The chauffeur leaps out of the cart, re
trieves the item, and hands it to the re
laxed and mild-mannered shopper.
• No kids.
• No Muzak.
• All male employees should wear
tuxedos, made out of 100 percent cot
ton. All female employees should wear
long, flowing evening gowns. Corsets
are optional.
So I called the manager of the flag
ship Randall’s. He told me that the
parking lot of the store was often
crowded and that his customers liked
having spaces found for them.
• Instead of having a “10 items or
less” line, the store should have a “500
dollars or less line.”
I didn’t mention the basset hound.
From our limited conversation, I sud-
• Following the example of other
high-class establishments in Beverly
Hills, the store should not accept checks,
cash, or money orders. Rather, the store
should only accept platinum credit
These, though, are just a few suggei
tions for the new and improved supei
market of the 80s. I’m sure, as timegof
on and new ideas are applied, moti
ideas will spring up. But, until then, w
let parking and customer service at!
here to stay.
And that just shows how great Airier
ica really is. After all, in the Sovit
Union people stand in line for weeks k
buy a loaf of bread. In the Unite:
States, we have valet parking. In the So
viet Union, people are ecstatic just to gf
their hands on some Levi’s. In
United States, we drink Perrier
spoons.
Makes you proud, doesn’t it?
Mark Nair is a senior political scienU
major and a columnist for The
ion.
tit
will
BLOOM COUNTY
/rs only m,
YOUR OFFSPRINGS
MOST PROMINENT
mx/ery...
by Berke Breathed
UJE THOUOHT YOU SHOUfP
KNOW THAT TFtMMY RRKKGR
IS IN SINKERY'S CLOSRT
CRYING PNP m'RR
HAVING SOME
FLOORING
PR03LRMS.
THANK YOU.
I'M GOING TO FILE WI5
UNPER "SEP-WETTING"
ANP FORGET THAT MY
aoY isa
/ 4: a
LOON!!
BLOOM COUNTY
by Berke Breath
I'LL MISS
HIM. HE
KNEW THE
VALUE OF
A PILLION.
1 WROTE A
RHYME ASOUT
HIM SOME
YEARS AGO...
’THE ININP POTH TASTE SO
BITTERSWEET,
LIKE JASPER WINE ANP SUGAR,
1 SET IT'S BLOWN THRU
OTHERS' FEET.,.
... UKE THOSE OF
CASPAR WEINBERGER.
I WON PER
IF WELL
MAKE IT
WITHOUT
HIM...
"CARLUCCt.
CAR SMOOCH).
CARP sushi:
I'M NOT
OPTIMISTC.