Campus
Page 2
The Battalion
Friday, Octobers,
Friday, C
The ftetu
Rush Limbaugh Show subject of controversy, criticism
By James Bernsen
The Battalion
With an audience of 20 million
people a week on 626 radio sta
tions, Rush Limbaugh has become
a popular radio talk show host.
Yet his conservative views and
unconventional attitudes have
made him as controversial as he is
successful.
When the show went national
on Aug. 2, 1988, only 56 stations
carried his program.
Kit Carson, Limbaugh's chief of
staff, said the growth rate of the
show has been phenomenal, with
as many as 5 million people tuned
into the three-hour show at any
given time.
"People said that after Clinton
won the election, we wouldn't last
much longer," Carson said, "but
we've been steadily growing de
spite that."
Ben Downs, general manager of
WTAW 1150 AM, said Limbaugh's
show is probably the most popular
one the station broadcasts.
"In the Brazos Valley, he has a
real big following," Downs said.
"The first month, we had satellite
problems and missed 30 minutes of
the show. We logged 100 calls
about it."
Downs said WTAW does not
subscribe to any ratings service but
judges the success of its shows
based on advertising.
"We suspect he does well be
cause of the support we get,"
Downs said. "For three to four
weeks out of every month, we're
sold out of ad time."
But, Downs said, the show is not
without its criticism, which is fre
quent.
"Yesterday, I received a call
from a man who said we were con
tributing to the downfall of Ameri
ca," Downs said. "You never get
calls in favor of something. I'm
sure if we got rid of the show,
though,
work, which features Limbaugh,
indicate that more people listen to
the show for its entertainment val
ue, by a 2-1 margin.
Phil Meuret, president of the
College Republicans, said Lim
baugh is a definite help to the Re
publican Party, and the strong con
servative population of A&M is the
reason for his success here.
"What he's saying is the same
things we'd talk about around the
coffee tables
we'd be
flooded with
calls."
Joseph
Thomas,
president of
Aggie De
mocrats,
said some of
the views
Limbaugh
"As a democrat, I think
some of the things he's said
have been despicable."
- Joseph Thomas, president
of Aggie Democrats
about what
was wrong
and right
with this
country,
Meuret said.
"It's great to
have some-
with
values
the
one
our
in
expresses are intolerant and insen
sitive, but these views have a lot to
do with the show's success.
"As a democrat, I think some of
the things he's said have been de
spicable," Thomas said. "A lot of
things he says I take with a grain of
salt.
John Dempsey, assistant lecturer
in the Department of Journalism,
said the basis of Limbaugh's suc
cess is that the show is entertaining.
"He says things other people
have been afraid to say," Dempsey
said. "He's fearless and unapolo-
getic."
Carson said studies done by the
Excellence in Broadcasting Net-
prominent position he has."
However, Thomas said he does
not feel that Limbaugh has much
power in changing the national
view on situations.
"For someone who's conserva
tive and already has those views,
he probably reinforces them,"
Thomas said. "I don't think he is
accepted in the mainstream."
Meuret said Limbaugh does
have an effect on the people who
listen to his show.
"When the budget was being
passed. Rush told his followers to
call in to Congress," he said. "The
phones were flooded.
Recently, Congress has debated
re-enacting the Federal Communi
cations Commission's Fairness
Doctrine, which would require ra
dio and television stations to pre
sent both sides of political issues.
Limbaugh has claimed this action
is an attack on him.
Thomas agrees.
"I don't think radio stations
should be required to show both
sides," he said. "There's no prob
lem today in getting both points of
view in America."
But, Dempsey said, the moves to
reinstate the Fairness Doctrine are
not just in response to Limbaugh
but to talk radio in general.
"People are more interested in
what is going on, and Congress is
beginning to take the heat," he
said. "They claim the people are
being misinformed."
If the Fairness Doctrine was re
instated, Dempsey said, it would
have a chilling effect that would re
duce political discussion.
Downs said even though
WTAW is currently not required
by law to be objective in its pro
gramming, the station follows
Rush's program with liberal Alan
Colmes' program.
Colmes does not have nearly as
much success as Limbaugh, he
said, but providing both sides is a
good idea that the station follows.
"He comes on following the
largest gathering of conservatives
and takes a lot of heat because of
it," Downs said. "But, he's up to
the task, most days."
College Station Kettle hosts
Rush Room at lunch hour
By James Bernsen
The Battalion
Fans of the Rush Limbaugh radio program now have their ver.
own Rush Room in College Station, where they can listen to
show while eating lunch.
Jennifer Armstrong, manager of The Kettle on University, saw
the restaurant has enjoyed a bigger lunch crowd in the six weekstk
Rush Room has been open.
Although the restaurant has received a lot of criticism for the ac
tion, it has received even more praise, she said.
"Some people that are more toward the liberal side don't apprea
ate it," she said. "But overall, I'd say it's 2-1 in favor of Rush/'
Linda Brooks, a waitress at the Kettle, said she gets at least one
complaint a day.
"We've lost customers because of it," she said. "Overtime,
think we'll be ahead."
The Rush Room was the idea of Bob Brown, owner of the restau
rant and a fan of the program, and is one of many rooms thathav
sprouted up across the nation because of the popular talk show
Armstrong said this Rush Room is only an experiment, andiftk
lunch crowd grows enough, a Rush Room may be established at all
three local Kettle Restaurants.
"The reason was the large conservative following here andfe
fact that the College Republicans is the largest organization on cam
pus," she said. "We figured it would be a big hit.
Armstrong said so far, the idea has worked.
"It's improved things around here," she said. "We have a t
lunch crowd with people coming in specifically for Rush Lim
baugh."
Armstrong said the majority of the people that come in to heat
the program agree to some extent with Limbaugh's views.
"Even if thev don't agree with him, it gets them thinking, rathe
just accepting tfiings," she said.
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"The
Angel Flight committed to area service projects kanm
By Carrie Miura
The Battalion
One Texas A&M University service organi
zation is soaring to new heights this semester
to help Bryan and College Station communi
ties.
Angel Flight is a nationally recognized cam
pus organization, funded by the U.S. Air
Force, that focuses-on community service.
Wendy Merrill, cofhmander of Angel
Flight, said, "Our rnajo^ goals are to make a
difference at A&M and to serve the Bryan and
College Station area."
Angel Flight has dedicated its time to sever
al service projects such as the Host Program at
elementary schools, the Still Creek Boys
Ranch, the Adopt-A-Highway program and a
Galveston beach clean-up.
Capt. David Onaka, faculty adviser of An
gel Flight, said the organization has been a
great support for prospective Air Force offi
cers.
"Angel Flight wrote to the cadets to encour
age them while they were at a four-week field
training all over the country," he said.
Onaka, Class of '81 and an assistant profes
sor of aerospace studies at A&M, said, "I don't
know too many people who would pay money
to work. They really have big hearts."
Angel Flight started three semesters ago
with only five members.
Merrill said the group has gotten larger but
he would like to see the group grow.
Angel Flight works on some of its projects
in cooperation with its brother organization,
the Arnold Air Society, a group which pre
pares cadets to be officers.
Doug Levan, junior Corps member and
commander of Arnold Air Society, said,
"We're here to help the cadets and to teach
them the lifestyle they'll lead for four years."
Onaka said the members work on profes
sional development, but their misskun is service.
"The Angels have the groundwork started
for the different projects, but the two organiza
tions work together as a team and have a lot of
fun doing it," Onaka said.
Continued from Page 1
get a
license, Walvoord said, the likeli
hood of being able to broadcast is
slim.
"Unless the University gives us
in excess of $300,000, or Robert
Earl Keen, Jr., Lyle Lovett and
Garth Brooks perform at our next
benefit, I don't see it happening,"
Walvoord said.
KANM has not received fund
ing from the University since four
or five years ago, when they re
ceived a grant to upgrade equip
ment.
"The only reason we are able
to remain on the air is througi
the graciousness of TCA cable,
he said.
He said there is the possibilit
of broadcasting on AM, howevei
because of the lower costs.
Walvoord said one of
strengths of the station is the wioi
variety of music it plays. Hi;
show, which show airsonFn-
days, consists of blues, cajunn-
deco, alternative country, blue
grass and Christian music.
The station has a number of ds
jockeys who work in two to thro,
hour blocks, with the freedom I
play whatever music they want.
"The thing that makes, KAN 1
a fun organization is the autoni
my that the students have,
Walvoord said.
we're ta
DURANGO jgg
COUNTRY
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Beginning: Learn the Basics - 2-Step, Polka, Waltz and Jitterbug
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Dates: Oct. 11, 18, 25 & Nov. 1 - Time: 8:45 p.m.
Dates: Oct. 13, 20, 27 & Nov. 3 - Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Jazzercise
Cost: $20/Student
$22/Non-Student
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For a free brochure call us at 1-800-648-4809
The Battalion
CHRIS WHITLEY, Editor in chief
JULI PHILLIPS, Managing editor MARK EVANS, City editor
DAVE THOMAS, Night News editor ANAS BEN-MUSA, Aggie life editor
BELINDA BLANCARTE, Night News editor MICHAEL PLUMER, Sports editor
MACK HARRISON, Opinion editor WILLIAM HARRISON, Sports editor
KYLE BURNETT, Photo editor
Staff Members
City desk - Jason Cox, James Bernsen, Michele Brinkmann, Lisa Elliott, Cheryl Heller, Kim Horton, Jan
Higginbotham, Jennifer Kiley, Mary Kujawa, Kevin Lindstrom, Jackie Mason, Kim McGuire, Carrie Miura, Stephanie
Pattillo, Geneen Pipher, lennifer Smith, Mark Smith and Andrea Taormina
News desk - Robert Clark, Jennifer Petteway, Irish Reichle, Khristy Rouw and Heather Winch
Photographers - Mary Macmanus, Tommy Huynh and Nicole Rohrman
Aggielife — Dena Dizdar, Jacqueline Ayotte, Margaret Claughton, Melissa Holubec, Lesa Ann King and Joe Leih
Sports writers - Julie Chelkowski, Matt Rush and David Winder
Opinion desk - Toni Garrard Clay, Tracey Jones, Jenny Magee, Melissa Megliola, Jay Robbins, John Scroggs,
Frank Stanford, Jason Sweeny, Robert Vasquez and Eliot Williams
Cartoonists - Jason Brown, Boomer Cardinale, Clifton Hashimoto, George Nasr, Gerardo Quezada and
Edward Zepeda
Graphic Artist - Angel Kan
Clerks- Grant Austgen, Eleanor Colvin, Wren Eversberg, Carey Fallin and Tomiko Miller
The Battalion (USPS 045-360) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters
and Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods), at
Texas A&M University, Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77840.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, 230 Reed McDonald Building, Texas A&M University,
College Station, TX 77843.
News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in the Division of
Student Publications, a unit of the Department of Journalism. Editorial offices are in 013 Reed McDonald
Building. Newsroom phone number is 845-3313. Fax: 845-2647.
Advertising: For campus, local and national display advertising, call 845-2696. For classified advertising, call
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Subscriptions: Mail subscriptions are $20 per semester, $40 per school year and $50 per full year. To charge
by VISA or MasterCard, call 845-2611.
SCOTT & WHITE
CLINIC, COLLEGE STATION
Announcing
Weekend Clinic Hours
for Urgent Care
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Scott & White Clinic, College Station, is now offering
weekend Clinic hours for urgent care by appointment
only! The Weekend Clinic is conducted from 8:30 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m. in the Clinic Annex building located across
the street (Glenhaven Dr.) from the main clinic.
By Appointment Only
(409) 268-3663
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PLEASE NOTE: Open to all interested students. Your attendance at
the Information Meeting is a prerequisite to our interviewing process.
Please attend. Refreshments provided! Casual attire.
INFORMATION MEETING:
Date: October 25, 1993
Time: 6:00pm - 8:15pm
Place: Memorial Student Center, Room 292
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INTERVIEWING:
Date: October 26 and 27, 1993
An Equal Opportunity Employer
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