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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 12, 1990)
The Battalion OPINION Friday, October 12,1990 Opinion Page Editor Ellen Hobbs 845-3; The Bj Debateless gubernatorial race cheats voters As the November election draws near, the campaign rhetoric begins to intensify. Each campaign commercial attests to a candidate’s loyalty, patriotism, past achievements or revolutionary fiscal ideas. Either that or the commercial tries to drag the opposition’s record through the mud. So how is a voter to decide what candidate to vote for? One cannot be asked to support a candidate merely by watching a few commercials, can he? Politicians would say that a voter should make an informed decision; gather the facts about the candidates for a respective office, review them, and make their decision. Yet the facts are hard to gather. The slick brochures that most candidates carry around with them are as carefully prepared as any commercial, if not more so. With political consulting firms available to the candidate with enough money, it’s hard for a citizen to find out how a candidate really thinks and operates. This is why almost every statewide candidate has agreed to debate their opponent. That is, except one of our gubernatorial candidates. The League of Women Voters, the group that usually sponsors debates ranging from the presidential election to mayor’s races, announced Monday that Ann Richards and Clayton Williams will not be debating Oct. 30 as tentatively planned. Spokesperson for the League said that Williams would not agree to a debate unless Richards signed a pledge to stop all negative television ads. Understandably, Richards refused saying that she doesn’t trust Williams to hold up his side of the pledge and that the pledge would have no effect on the attitude of the campaign since it only addressed television advertisements. What’s really going on here is Williams attempting to find a justifiable excuse for not debating Richards. If his real Patrick Nolan Columnist motive was to put a halt to the mudslinging, he could start with his own camp. It boils down to this: Williams, the drugstore cowboy we see gallantly roping cattle at his ranch is afraid to go head-to-head with a 56-year-old grandmother. If Williams can’t handle her, how does he plan to crack down on all those drug dealers he wants to catch if he gets in office? Yes, one can say that Williams is only doing the politically smart thing by refusing to debate Richards; the leader in the polls has nothing to gain and everything to lose by debating his or her opponent. Yet even George Bush, never known for his political courage, debated Michael Dukakis during the 1988 presidential campaign. Dukakis was supposed to run all over Bush in those debates; he was a debate champion in his college days. Yet Bush held his own in the first debate and many believe he won the second. Yes, one could also say that a debate serves no legitimate way for a voter to decide what candidate is best since all their remarks are prepared. True, but the voter should also have the right to see how the candidates react under allows the voters to see just what makes a candidate tick. Dukakis’ response to the question of whether he would support the death penalty if his wife had been raped and killed chilled many voters who had not yet decided between him or Bush. It is questions like these that get to the heart of the matter. But you really can’t blame Williams for chickening out; considering his past performance when it comes to answering questions on the spot, a debate with Richards could prove disastrous. It is the voters, however, who are the real losers. For lack of a debate, many people may be undecided with regard to the candidate they ' ant to support. Another loser is the campus of l exas A&M — Richards had agreed to debate Williams right here at his Alma Mater. Just think how neat it would have been to have the two candidates on the stage at Rudder Auditorium. What does this say about our alumnus and probable governor?^ how he reacts to adversity? If Will® thinks Richards might be tough,wai until he meets the Democratic Legislature headed by a Democrat? Lieutenant Governor. President Truman put it best: II you can’tstan; the heat, get out of the kitchen By JOE Of The E Patrick Nolan is a senior econonin major. The deuce q lating ai ing a re fuel sou sor says. A se concern not exis sell oil t prices w Dr. Rid gineerir Once die East the Uni interest rise. Davis' diate inc fuel wo reasons, a g e - , . “I thi sent cost vison sa; bidding serve) u happens dingdri Davis< pressure. There is a big difference between speaking at the Grove with 200 drooling Aggies at your feet and defending your position on statewide television. It ©WO THE PKCPP NEW Mail Call PITS officers eyes, ears of UPD EDITOR: Regarding the column headlined “PTTS, get new uni forms,” as authored by Opinion Page Editor Ellen Hobbs, I would like to make two observations that were overlooked. The enforcement officers of Parking, Transit and Traffic Services, walking through the numerous parking lots and along the streets of campus represent what every law enforce ment agency wish they had more of — the extra eyes and ears to detect and report suspicious activity. These officers of PTTS have portable radios that permit them to communicate such information to our police dispatcher, and, on more than one occaision, they have done so. ments concerning the University Police Department, in abso lute fairness, the men and women of the PTTS, who wear their enforcement officer uniform, really do create that addi tional police appearance, which acts both as a deterrent to the “bad guys” and, I’m sure, as a comfort to the student walking alone through a vast parking area. I welcome their presence, their uniformed appearance and their performance of a necessary duty that very few of us could endure for very long. for one, appreciate this service. However, the duties of i parking services officer extend far beyond writing tickets, Mt mail is full of letters of commendation on the performance helpfulness, and professionalism of the PSO’s. Not only are the of ficers trained to perform their duties, they are als« trained to perform them in a courteous manner, respecting the dignity of other people. Robert E. Wiatt, director of security and University Police PTTS provides needed service Also, Ellen noted that the public might be confused by the wearing of the “police” blue uniform by PTTS enforcement officers, but, I can assure you, so are those inclined toward criminality. None of the criminals I have dealt with in the 39 years of wearing the badge have knowingly committed their dirty deed in the presence of a uniformed officer. In conclusion, while I am appreciative of Ellen’s com- EDITOR: I feel compelled to respond to the article written by Ellen Hobbs on October 2, 1990, because the article is a demeaning attack on hardworking employees who are trying to provide a very needed service. Yes, parking tickets are written, but only to protect the rights of the individuals who have paid to park on campus. I, Regarding the uniform of the PSO’s, this is the same uni form they have worn for many years, long before the estat lishment of the security force. Both the University PoliceDt partment and the Department of Parking, Transit, ani Traffic Services agreed that police of ficers, PSO’s, and tht newly acquired security officers should wear uniformsthatit- semble one another to signify that they are all officers wlio are available to help. All carry radios and can be in instant contact with UPD if necessary. As for knowing whether part ing is an entity of UPD, all it takes is reading the material)# were provided when you received your parking permit. Mary E. Miller assistant vice president for finance and administration newspap natorial other be Despii ocrat An Clayton to agree Each 1 The that 19< since 19 1 SI C» Go The Battalion (USPS 045 360) Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference The Battalion Editorial Board Cindy McMiilian, Editor Timm Doolen, Managing Editor Ellen Hobbs, Opinion Page Editor Holly Becka, City Editor Kathy Cox, Kristin North, News Editors Nadja Sabawala, Sports Editor Eric Roalson, Art Director Lisa Ann Robertson, Lifestyles Editor Editorial Policy The Battalion is a non-profit, self-sup porting newspaper operated as a commu nity service to Texas A&M and Bryan- Colletje Station. Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editorial board or the au thor, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Texas A&M administrators, faculty or the Board of Regents. 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Adventures In Cartooning CoMflf by Don Atkinsoni uSum^J The Battalion Staff Assistant editors City: Jennifer Jeffus IJfestyles: John Righter Night News: Marlon Mote, Keith Sartin Sports: Richard Tijerina Cartoonists Don Atkinson Jr. Boomer Cardinale Matt Kowalski Calvin Madison Scott McCullar City Senior Staff Writers: Sean Frerking Julie Myers Chris Vaughn Staff Writers: Suzanne Calderon Bill Hethcock Elizabeth Tisch Reporters: Katherine Coffey Joe Ferguson Troy Hall Bridget Harrow Julie Hedderman Libby Kurtz James Love Mike Luman Isselle McAllister Stacey Pederson Lauri Reysa Terry Walker Columnists Larry Cox Jeff Farmer Andrew Matthews Matt McBurnett Patrick Nolan Irwin Tang Graphic Artists Jayme Blaschke Amy Lee Reynolds Eric Wong Frederick D. Joe Mike Mulvey Huy Nguyen Sondra Robbins Clerks Kerrybett Knoblock Heather Lang Copy Editors Jennifer Brown Jason Morris J oy Potter Gallic Wilcher Krista Umscheid Lifestyles Feature Writers: Kristi Lorson John Mabry Reviewers: Rudy Cordova Carol Glenn Rob Newberry Photographers Phelan Ebenhack Kevin Ivy Jay Janner Sports Douglas Pils Scott Wudel Production Editors Catherine Thorne Chip Sowden Production Donna Endebrock Paige Force Angela McDowell Ginger McGill David Tong Twila Waddy Advertising Manager: Patricia Heck Sales Representatives Stacey Cowart Katherine Haveman Suzanne Hoechstetter Kurt Ivey Rick Ross Kari Weigman Classified Angela Preston AV I Qf Circulation Managei Brent Propst Student Publications Advise:] Robert Wegener SPi