University Daily Kansan, February 6, 1985 Page 5 Stockman opposes military budget plan By United Press International WASHINGTON — Budget director David Stockman told a Senate budget panel yesterday that the Pentagon would rather protect its retirement benefits than the American public and also challenged Congress to find ways to cut proposed defense spending to harness the budget "monster." "It's a scandal." Stockman said of the military retirement system "It's an outburst." Stockman candidly addressed budget cuts forbid him by his boss, President Reagan, before the Senate Budget Committee but defended Reagan's budget proposals to slash government spending. He got into debt on their own and now expect the government to bail them out. AN HOUR-LONG presentation, Stockman urged Congress to act quickly on Reagan's new $973.7 billion budget that calls for a freeze of most social spending and the elimination of more than two dozen programs. The proposal also includes a $50-billion increase in spending for defense. He said the work must be done soon on the 'trillion-dollar monster' to 'avoid running into a wall.' "It will simply be too risky to think we could get away with one or two or three more years of dumping" government bonds on the financial markets to finance the national debt, he said. He noted the government's net interest costs have nearly tripped, from more than $50 billion in 1980 to an estimated $150 billion in fiscal 1986. "When something that buys you nothing triples, you've got a very dramatic problem," he said. STOCKMAN, WHO lost a battle with Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger to pave military spending further, agreed there is fat in the military budget and suggested the military retirement system is the first place to start trimming. "The institutional forces of the military are more concerned about protecting their retirement than they are about protecting the security of the American people." Stockman said. "When push comes to shove, they give up on security before they give up on retirement." "I would urge this committee to stop this futile debate over the defense (budget) number . . . and get into the guts of it," he said. "Until then, this is a useless tool." Weinberger said he "wouldn't have any comment" on Stockman's remarks, but told reporters, "There's no scandal that I know of." Stockman later conceded that he was expressing his personal opinion and said the president does not agree with him. SENATE REPUBLICAN leader Robert Dole of Kansas, told of Stockman's comments, said. "I might have put it a bit differently, but it is an area we need to Despite a proposal in the budget for a one-year cost-of-living freeze in most retirement, including veterans benefits, the president's budget envisions spending $18.3 billion of its $131.7 billion budget on military retirement in fiscal 1986. Reagan, bristling at criticism over the defense budget, told reporters, "I just think the mistake we made was in making cuts in advance." "My parents will make sure that it doesn't," Parks said. Several students helped the young entrepreneur with their venture. Robert Taylor, president of the account club, set up the books; Bryan Thomas, Shawnee engineer; Paul Dustin, design helped design the shop's interior; and Thomas Fangman, who graduated last year, managed the sales and marketing aspects of the business. Popcorn continued from p. 1 "FOR TWO PEOPLE without a business background, it was remarkable that they were able to launch that business in such a short time." Taylor said. P. K. Popper may give Orville Redenbacher a run for his money. The duo said their popeorn was tastier, healthier and had fewer calories than other popeorn. "We want to educate the public," Parks The red brick shop is stashed off on the north side of Ninth Street, and every nook and cranny of the shop is filled with brown cards that have the names of the written labels describe the contents of each. said. "After one taste, they'll come back for more." Popcorn is sold in small, medium, large and party-size bags. Parks said. Personalized canisters containing popcorn also are sold. Abortion is not murder. Catholic survey indicates By United Press International Catholics for a Free Choice sponsored an Oct. 7 advertisement, signed by 97 prominent Catholics, including 24 nuns and four male religious leaders that resulted in a Vatican order to the 28 to retract the statement or face disciplinary action, including possible expulsion from their orders. WASHINGTON — The majority of nearly 500 Catholic scholars and theologians answering a questionnaire believe abortion is not murder, but 19 percent fear that expressing such views could cost them their jobs, a controversial Catholic group said Tuesday. Frances Kissling, executive director of Catholics for a Free Choice, said signers of the ad, under the auspices of the Catholic Committee on Pluralism and Abortion, sent questionnaires to the combined membership of three key U.S. Catholic organizations; the Catholic Theological Society, the Catholic Biblical Association and the College Theology Society, with a combined membership of 2,000 members. "Prophetically and alarmingly, the survey revealed fear among Catholic scholars that expressing views on abortion contrary to those of the pope and bishops might result in dire consequences." Kissling told a news conference. Almost 900 people, including 325 priests or religious leaders, responded, Kissling 8416. According to the poll: - 62 percent said it would be incorrect to call abortion murder. - a0 percent disapproved of the current provision in Canon Law calling for automatic excommunication of those involved in the "sin" of abortion. - 49 percent believe abortion can sometimes be a moral choice. - 45 percent said they believe there are times when "abortion legally should be left to the conscience of the pregnant woman." - 53 percent believe that if abortion is legal, it should be funded for poor women by public funds. Kissling also said 19 percent of those who responded to the survey agreed with the controversial advertisement that appeared in The New York Times, but did not sign it because they believed "their mouth might be in jeopardy if they signed." the ad said Roman Catholics hold a variety of opinions on abortion and called for dialogue among the bishops and others on the issue. Kissling said among the 81 who feared for their jobs, 70 percent taught at Catholic institutions, 25 percent were priests and 27 percent were members of religious orders. The survey also showed what Kissina, called a "gender gap" between men and women, with women respondents "significantly more men to regard all abortions as murder." RUSTY'S IGA WESTRIDGE • 6th & Kasold • 841-0144 HILLCREST • 9th & Iowa • 843-2313 NORTHSIDE • 2nd & Lincoln • 843-5733 SOUTHHSIDE • 23rd & Louisiana • 843-8588 TRIPLE YOUR SAVINGS WITH TRIPLE COUPONS!!