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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 17, 1988)
pinion Regents continue to ignore public The Texas A&M Board of Regents finally released the names of those interviewed for the position of president, about four months after initial requests for those names. The law requires such open re cords to be released within 10 days. A&M officials have said the list released is not a list of finalists, yet they admit that the regents would not have hired anyone who was not interviewed for the position. The actions taken by A&M officials — including blatant disre gard for the Texas Open Records Act — are consistent with A&M’s past. A&M is known as an institution of higher learning whose officials haven’t learned the law applies to them. In refusing to release a list of finalists, A&M officials denied the public the right to express opinions on any individuals being se riously considered for the position. It is important that faculty members, students and staff are al lowed to criticize and compliment the candidates before a president is named. Open government is one of the basis of our society. We do not believe the regents should try to circumvent this mandate. Frankly, we are surprised A&M released the information without a court order. A&M is known for waiting for a judicial mandate to agree that national law applies to this University. In recent years A&M has thrown money away in three notable cases. The University has attempted to: • Deny students the right to organize and be recognized (the Gay Student Services case). • Keep an institution of sexual discrimination alive (an all-male band). • Deny public access to open records (after the search for for mer president Frank Vandiver). The University should have been spending these funds on more academic pursuits. The $250,000 A&M has to pay lawyers for the GSS could have been used to improve the library or hire more faculty members. The regents seem to forget that they are spending public funds. From time to time they seem to forget they are supposed to follow the rules and regulations we, the taxpayers, have set forth. Many of these rules are in place to protect us from abuse of power. It is time they start remembering this, and it is time we re mind them. The Battalion Editorial Board Mail Call Get the grode out of midnight EDITOR: In light of the controversy surrounding the use of sexual references in Grode Stories told at midnight yell practice, I believe it is necessary for everyone to carefully examine what the issue is. Many people have made comments about those supporting reforms to the effect of “I wish they would just grow up.” This seems to be an absurd argument. After all, exactly what role does maturity play with one’s ethical values in this case? None. Everyone has their own definition of what is right to them. It just so happens that sexual explicitness is offensive to many of us. What harm would be done in refraining from this type behavior? None, unless of course someone’s ethical values were nourished on these things. As is well known, many people besides Aggies attend yell practice. Some are parents, while others are high school students trying to determine if they want to attend A&M. In any case, such sexual references at a public event project an image that A&M encourages promiscuity. While those who wish to do this have every right, don’t those who have ethical values telling them such things are wrong have the right to think for themselves, without having their intelligence insulted by someone trying to persuade them otherwise? Finally, I’ll examine the issue of tradition. Texas A&M is well known for holding it’s traditions, aqd is so admired. Grade stories originated to poke fun at opposing teams rather than to degrade ladies into some material object useful only for sexual purposes. Also, the history of the Grade Stories dates back to a time when A&M was an all-male school. This is not to say that such stories should be acceptable in male-only surroundings, but rather that a lady in attendance would not have to suffer the embarrassment and degrading that some unfortunately face every time they go to Midnight Yell now. What is lost by not using sexually explicit jokes as grode stories at yell practice? Some people have lost a small bit of entertainment. What is gained by not using sexually explicit jokes as grode stories? Many people, both male and female, can go to midnight yell without being degraded or offended. The entire premise of midnight yell has remained the same: to prepare the 12th man for its victory in the stands. Wayne Couch II ’91 Accompanied by two signatures Correction READERS: A Nov. 10 letter from Cara Shannon Clark concerning The Battalion’s Voter’s Guide was misedited and then corrected in an editor’s note. The editor regrets the mistake. 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 be signed and must include the classification, address and telephone number of the writer. The Battalion (USPS 045 360) Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference The Battalion Editorial Board Lydia Berzsenyi, Editor Becky Weisenfels, Managing Editor Anthony Wilson, Opinion Page Editor Richard Williams, City Editor D A Jensen, Denise Thompson, News Editors Hal Hammons, Sports Editor Jay Janner, Art Director Leslie Guy, Entertainment Editor Editorial Policy The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting newspa per operated as a community service to Texas A&M and Bryan-College Station. Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editorial board or the author, and do not necessarily rep resent the opinions of Texas A&M administrators, fac ulty or the Board of Regents. The Battalion also serves as a laboratory newspaper for students in reporting, editing and photography classes within the Department 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 request. Our address: The Battalion, 230 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-1 111. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843. POSTMASTF.R: Send address changes to The Battal ion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M University, Col lege Station TX 77843-4111. The Battalion Thursday, Nov. 17, 1988 Extra! Extra! Read all about ir 1 Did you ever notice how news sort of happens in spurts? There are times when all sorts of interesting things seem to be happening at once — trapped whales being freed, space shuttles being launched and presidential candidates being stomped flat. Then there are the times that hardly anything seems to happen. Take this week, for instance. Nothing really excit ing seems to be taking place. Amtrak has (joy of joys) started rail service to College Station, the new final exam schedule has been announced (better watch that blood pressure), and George Bush is on vacation (at last). According to Professor U final exams for the fall semesterof have been cancelled, and all will automatically receive gradesol on their finals. as Dean Sueltenfuss Some administrators wereoppo* the decision, however. Whenquesii; awenfo as to whether not having finals won Columnist a good idea, professor Eugene Met rife' In fact, I’m so bored I’ve even started thinking up stories that I’d like to read about. Here are a few: Bush presumed lost in Bermuda Trian gle; Quayle to assume presidency Sherrill faces possible investigation by the U.S. Congress and the National Col legiate Athletic Association. However, Sherrill said he is not overly concerned about these investigations. “Those guys are just a bunch of wimps,” he said. “They don’t bother me. I’ve dealt with them before — I’ll do it baum responded succinctly. “Get out of my office,” he said get the hell out.” Elvis Presley, alive, well, paysi the . s< ”; again. Geraldo Vice President George Bush’s private yacht was blown off course into the Ber muda Triangle and all aboard are feared dead, a White House spokesman said Wednesday. In an effort to console Bush’s family members, President Ronald Reagan cut short a five-week vacation at his Califor nia ranch and flew back to Washington D.C. late Wednesday evening. “It’s, a real shame,” Reagan told Bush’s relatives. “George never was too bright, but he was a heck of a nice guy — cut down in his prime. Why did God have to take him? Why not Quayle?” Sherrill admits involvement in Aggie- Contra scandal Rivera castrated by radical feminists; ‘It’s no big deal’ Rivera says Popular talk show host Geraldo Riv era was attacked and castrated Monday by members of The Association of Vio lent and Ugly Women while taping a show titled “Feminists: Are They For Real?.” Reports indicate that the show re mained peaceful up until the point where Rivera referred to his guests as “a bunch of ugly b s.” At this point, vio lence ensued and Rivera was attacked by seven of the knife-wielding women. Af ter they had finished with him, Rivera regained his senses and calmly called for a commercial break. night visit to A&M in flyingsaucei Hundreds of Texas A&M witnessed a spectacular sight Tuc night as Elvis Presley descended Kyle Field in an oddly marked s ship. The King performed his hit “Jail ho use Rock,” from his positioi the 50-yard line and then was back into the spacecraft, witnessess Wynona Fullbright, a long-time fan, said that Presley appeared toll remarkably good health. “He looked very vital- healthy,” Fullbright said. “He must lost at least sixty pounds since Isav last month in the sporting goodsde ment at Wal-Mart.” Texas A&M Head Coach Jackie Sher rill recently confirmed reports that he was the mastermind behind the Aggie- Contra scandal in which $3 million was given to the “Freedom Fighters” in ex change for four Latin American football players. In a recent interview, Rivera told re porters that he had expected the show to produce some arguments, but that he hadn’t forseen such an outburst of vio lence. Tuesday’s sighting laid to res speculation concerning die aging star. Previous reports indicated ths vis was either working at a McD® in Waco, living in seclusion on a Pacific island, or earning $100 a Sherrill said that he would assume complete responsibility for the incident. He also said that he was proud of what he did because it was done for the good of A&M. “Yeah, we did it,” Sherrill said. “Eve rybody else is doing it. Why shouldn’t we be able to?” “It will take more than seven women to do me in,” Rivera said in a rather high voice. “I’m a macho, kick-butt kind of guy. They haven’t heard the last from me.” A&M administrators finally make final decision; no finals After many hours of debating and namecalling, administrators at Texas A&M University decided they wouldn’t be able to reach a decision regarding the scheduling of final exams until January of 1989. by impersonating himself at a ni| in Las Vegas. •ATTENTION READERS remember that all of these stories completely fictional. Aftera wouldn’t want anyone to get the that — Holy cow! John? John Lennon? What are doing in the newsroom? Um, you readers will have toes me, but my nose for news is telling that I’ve just found another stop. Dean Sueltenfuss is a junior join I ism major and columnist for Thd talion. J. Dan may not be our man So George Bush is the new president. Amid cheers (and some boos), George will become the 41st president of the United States. And then there’s Dan Quayle, who will take office as vice president. I really feel sorry for Dan. See, Dan got stuck in one heck of a position. He has a lot to learn about pol itics and the administration, and he’s going to be doing it in one of the most visible offices in the nation. 10 times more embarrassing when make a mistake. Becky Weisenfels Managing Editor This occurred to me on election night while I was glancing through Newsweek (the cover story was on Geraldo getting a bloody nose and I had to buy it.) man since his debate with Bentsen. A few gratuitous stories in the evening pa per about how he kissed babies, maybe, but no real stories with substance. In the section titled “Overheard, there was a quote from Mr. Quayle. “I understand that immediately after a rape that is reported, that a woman normally, in fact, can go to the hospital and have a D and C. At that time, that is before the forming of a life. That is not anything to do with abortion.” Below the quote, it said, “Dan Quayle, making his misunderstanding of the pro-life position perfectly clear.” Now, Dan did look like a know-noth ing. Where he came up with that little gem is anyone’s idea. Granted, your av erage American knows little about D and C. The Republicans are not dummies — they wanted the focus on Bush instead of Quayle, who might stick his foot in his mouth at any moment. But now Quayle will be vice presi dent, and there is no way to take all fo cus off him. He is an official representa tive of the United States, and every time he goofs, we’ll hear about it. And he will goof. The man is not a seasoned politician. He has a lot to learn, as evidenced by some of his re marks. But if Quayle is going to be a pro-life politician, it’s his job and duty to know these things. When he doesn’t, he looks like a boob and people begin to doubt his competence. After reading this, I began to discuss Dan with my friends. We noted how we had heard virtually nothing about the I feel sorry for him because he has to do all of his learning with a nation watching. And the public can be un kind. The people are already watching him because of the uproar over his Na tional Guard stint. The media love to tattle on politicians who make big boo- boos — or, in Bush’s phrasology, get into “deep doo-doo.” Anyone who works on the Batt can tell you from experience that public crit icism is not an easy thing to handle. When you deal with a job that puts your work out for the people to evaluate, it’s I have a feeling that being vice dent is sometimes going to be a bling experience for Dan. I don’t blame Dan totally forthep tion he got himself into, though. Bush asked him to run in the nuii two spot, Dan must have been® whelmed. Here he was, this young ator, and he had the opportunity to on the same ticket as the current president. It must have seemed I once-in-a-lifetime chance. Anyone would have a hard timeti ing that down, even if the person suspicions he was not quite readyft So Dan accepted. I can’t blame that — it was only human. I have to lay partial responsibiiif Bush and his people. They should looked at Dan as a person instead ol bargaining chip. I have heard numerous reasons Dan was chosen. “Bush wanted sJ one who wouldn’t overshadow k “Quayle was chosen to bring in the pie and baby boomer votes;” “He’si the Midwest, and Bush needs thefl boost in that area of the country.” I don’t know why Bush chose Qoi But he should have looked into the and what abilities he had instead looking at his resume and figuring! many votes he could bring. I hope Quayle gets through the four years with as few scrapes as ble. And when he does goof, I hopt people remember that they are the® who put him where he now is. Becky Weisenfels is a seniorjoi lism major, managing editor and i umnist for The Battalion. 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