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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 23, 1982)
opinion Battalion/Page 2 April 23,1982 Slouch By Jim Earle “We don’t mind you keeping count of the hours left until graduation if you would forego announcing the latest count on the hour. ” Gun editorial gets reaction Editor: Well, I was waiting for it to happen. Waiting for one of the staff writers, driven by the boredom of rainy days, to revert back to rule number one in the journalism handbook. It states, “If there is nothing else to write about, pick at the National Rifle Association and the gun owners of America.” Well, Gary Barker really went all out for this assignment. With help from his imaginary dog, they proceeded with their “save America” article. It reminded me of Jimmy Carter asking Amy about nuclear proliferation. Gary, your conver sation with your dog Spot brought back memories of reading Tip and Mitten in first grade. Just for the record, murders will not stop if gun control was instituted. The only way to put an end to ruthless killing, would be to put an end to the person convicted of the murder, whether it be by capital punishment or life in prison with out parole. You seem to be wrapped up in the liberal thinking that has plagued journalists for ages. Take Spot for a walk, both of you could use some fresh air. (I’m not even sure the word exists) but should be factual or enjoyable. Gary Bar ker’s article in Thursday's Battalion was neither. I immediately recognized the weakness of Barker’s article and I refuse to be quiet on such a volatile issue. thing else” is a lie. Bert Mcjimsey ’82 Editor: The two-faced article written hy Bar ker amazes me. Barker supports pro handgun control law — usually associ ated with a liberal political atmosphere. Liberals usually support freedom, what about my freedom guaranteed by the 2nd Ammendment “The right to keep and bear arms.” Barker attempts to blame increasing murder on handguns. An excellent point used by many pro-gun control advocates. All of which have no factual data to sup port it. I challenge Barker or anyone else to present such data. Do you really think a handgun control law would help? DW1 laws don’t stop, Mr. Barker, how many people are killed by drunk drivers each year. I believe the issue should not be attacked at the gun-control level, but at the judicial level of prosecuting gun re lated crimes. Grant Harpold ’85 Editor: Journalism cannot be sensationalism. Finally, Mr. Barker, you attacked the NRA. Surely you must realize the NR A is protecting my rights that you would so carelessly throw away, with no regard to my personal beliefs. By the way, the state ment “a handgun is a weapon designed to kill people — and is ineffective for any- 1 would like to take the timrj ment about Gary Barker Spot’s enlightening revelationt lion to the crime problem intlitj States. Yes, I agree wholeluartedM about the number of sensebj committed today around Gun control must betheanswtij thing there are too many wreckless drivers. Maybe it istiral fist ate automobiles also. Therel doubtedly too many cases ofil slander today where people's i r put .ii< u .ii c (lc\ cstated. 1 favotj right moratorium on all leportiij journalism of any kind. Sure,s pie do use their cars and typewritJ responsibilit\. but I believetheffl willing to give them up forjusiKtl served. I mean this is justice,i ter all, it would be too hardto| only those who use them wrong! In closing, I would like testate! Barker actually believes what he»! our sc hool newspaper, I'm comi patty with a new Aggie Joke Book. Wome Scott Kiri Universitil • mrie Readers give two sides of book censorship deba Editor: I have some comments on Sandra Gary’s editorial on book censorship (April 21). I applaud your anti censorship stance, but I choose to take your arguments one step further. As I understand you, you say that since no absolute set of moral standards exists (among other absolutes), young people should be prepared for the mucky reality of the outside world. I’m afraid with that sort of statement, you arm those modern censors with lethal weapons in your defeat. Gensorship is usually based on trying to achieve a moral goal of some sort in education, or indoc trination. Merely saying “There are no ab solutes, so it can’t be done” is not an ade quate defense of the world’s literature. I hold as a moral imperative one basic premise: “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” I assert that my life is mine to live in individual liberty in my pursuit of happiness. This assertion im plies that I recognize the same premise for my neighbor, because I do consider it an absolute. This is what my country was based upon, and this is what I choose to defend from enemies of free thought, wherever they arise. Frank Knickerbocker Dorm 4 Editor: The Battalion USPS 045 360 Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference Editor Angelique Copeland City Editor Denise Richter Assistant City Editor Diana Sultenfuss Sports Editor Frank L. Christlieb Focus Editor Cathy Saathoff Assistant Focus Editor Nancy Floeck News Editors Gary Barker, Phyllis Henderson, Mary Jo Rummel, Nancy Weatherley Staff Writers Jennifer Carr, Cyndy Davis, Gaye Denley, Sandra Gary, Colette Hutchings, Johna Jo Maurer, Hope E. Paasch Daniel Puckett, Bill Robinson, Denise Sechelski, John Wagner, Laura Williams, Rebeca Zimmermann Cartoonist Scott McCullar Graphic Artist Richard DeLeon Jr. Photographers Sumanesh Agrawal, David Fisher, Eileen Manton, Eric Mitchell, Peter Rocha, John Ryan, Colin Valentine Editorial Policy The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting news paper operated as a community service to Texas A&M University and Bryan-College Station. Opinions ex pressed in The Battalion are those of the editor or the author, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Texas A&M University administrators or faculty mem bers, or of the Board of Regents. The Battalion also serves as a laboratory newspaper for students in reporting, editing and photography clas ses within the Department of Communications. Questions or comments concerning any editorial matter should be directed to the editor. Letters Policy Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 words in length, and are subject to being cut if they are longer. 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 also be signed, show the address and phone number of the writer. Columns and guest editorials are also welcome, and are not subject to the same length constraints as letters. Address all inquiries and correspondence to: Editor, The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M Uni versity, College Station, TX 77843, or phone (713) 845- 2611. The Battalion is published daily during Texas A&M’s fall and spring semesters, except for holiday and exami nation periods. Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per semes ter, $33.25 per school year and $35 per full year. Adver tising rates furnished on request. Our address: The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald Building, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. United Press International is entitled exclusively to the use for reproduction of all news dispatches credited to it. Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein reserved. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843. Sandra Gary’s story on book censor ship (Editorial, April 20) has got to be the most biased article I have ever read. I am not going to argue that books she men tioned should be kept out of school lib raries. I believe the school library should be a place where the student has access to a wide variety of materials, but students should not have to be subjected to offen sive material in the classroom. Gary has done a great injustice to the people who are sincerely trying to up grade the quality of education in the pub lic classroom. All of the cases of censor ship that she mentioned or alluded to are obviously the doings of fanatics. Why didn’t she mention the work of concerned parents and citizens? People seldom hear about the biology books based on evolution as fact that were used in Texas classrooms for years before con cerned parents had it rejected. They sel dom hear of the fifth grade history book that contained six and one-half pages on Marilyn Monroe, a sex symbol, and men tioned George Washington only five times and never told about his life or what he did. They seldom hear about the textbooks that portray Communism as benefit to the peoples who live in Com munist societies and only present the evils of America’s free enterprise system. And have they heard about the sociol ogy books that teach that homosexuality is only abnormal because of outdated laws against it? That same book also goes into great detail about the different types of gay bars and how homosexuals decide who will be male or female (Who needs to know that?). It goes on to teach that to be initiated into Hells Angels, the other member may urinate on the potential member, his gang, and/or his girl. How repulsive! I must stress that these books were used in Texas public school classrooms — not libraries. Thanks to the work of con cerned parents and citizens these and many other books like them have been taken out of Texas schools. The exam ples I have given are some of the more extreme ones, but there are many other less severe examples that elementary and secondary students are subjected to. Gary doesn’t mention the “offensive language” in the five dictionaries that were banned and I doubt the editor would have allowed the words to be printed. Why would it be necessary for students to learn these words? According to Gary, the “censors seem completely unaware of the sophistication of contemporary youngsters.” Sophisti cated? How? If these youngsters are as sophisticated as you say then why is suicide so high among teenagers? Why are the number of pregnant girls each ant school libraries.” Fortunately, heard of any cases such as this,all am sure it may have happened^ pie of isolated instances —no work of athiests. year so high? Why is alcoholism and drug abuse such a problem amony our young people? What makes you so sure that ex posure to violence, crime and indecency in the classroom will help prepare the student for the real world? Is that all the real'world is — violence, crime and inde cency? Do you and your family live that kind of life? Of course not. Why is it then that more and more violence and immor ality are put into textbooks while the good aspects of life in the real world are being shoved out? The concerned people who have a sincere commitment to stu dents want textboooks to present a realis tic view of life — more stories about peo ple living together in harmony, love, understanding and helpfulness and less cruelty, crudity, hate, rebellion and vio lence. Students get enough violence and im morality from the television which, according to recent surveys, the student watches an average of 20 hours a week. So why must they be constantly bom barded with it in the classroom? And yes, Miss Gary, 1 would be afraid “when groups and individuals have suc ceeded in banning the Bible from high But if they were banned,skil be attacking the school board foil ing such ridiculousness insteado Chorus w one who has been labeled a "cer Amn ican I am not frightened of censorcW^ I am frightened by articles su(m rt dra Gary’s that do not lairly li[§§Admis subject and attempt to bias tliqcertin Ru Yes, there are a few fanatics nil mfrhe fi almost everything banned from W 'H leatu hut there are also many niorecoikf 16 setor parents and citizens who want far P 111,10 education. 1 was at first frightene censorship activity when 1 firstb it, hut I learned more and becal 1C113 more frighted about what was mi ida Fleit taken out of the classroom. I suggs B'We Gary and others read “Censor: M be fle Classroom” and “Are Textbookslf vm, one |ects t men’s ing Your Children?” which artl available in the Texas A&M Librar] book is anti-censorship and tlif book is a call for people to spe| against objectionable material in schools. Then decide for yoursdl you stand on this subject and besii to Each ol have treated both sides fairly. Teresa Hen: 4 j Local Souths fullyasse ter- heat Letter: Looking back to learn for the futuf Editor: In the flicker of candlelight at the All Faith’s Chapel, a small group gathered on April 20 to commemorate the Holo caust. Christian and Jews sat side by side and listened to the roll call of the camps, and the impossible-to-comprehend num bers of souls who were exterminated sys tematically during the 12 agonizing years from 1933 to 1945. Hillel, The Latter Day Saints, Lutheran Student Move ment, Wesley and the United Campus Ministries student organizations are to be commended for their sponsorship of this remembrance. The genocide committed in a period when the world reeled under the atroci ties of a madman, cries out of the pages of history to be remembered. The death of millions of men, women and children can never be explained or justified by any cause for which they stood, any battle which they waged, or any act which they perpetrated. They were murdered simp ly because they WERE. This reality must be passed from generation to generation so that never again can such a nightmare be turned into reality. In the three years I have been a part of the Texas A&M community, I have never been more touched by a campus prog ram. In a world filled with inhumanity, there must be more effort to unite us all by our common bond — the higher qual ities of the nature of man. staff overlooked the importance of April 21. Let me remind them and the people who are interested. Bad ending to a good night Editor: On April 21, 1836, several hundred Texans led by General Sam Houston routed a much larger Mexican force at the Battle of San Jacinto. This victory gave T exas her independence from Mex ico. It was also the beginning of the greatest state in the union. This is why we are supposed to celebrate April 21, San Jacinto Day. I know it’s hard for a big-time news paper to remember such a trivial event, but there is always next year. Please have the respect to remember San Jacinto, the Alamo, Goliad and other important dates in our Texas heritage. Thank you. Grant Harpold ’85 Editor’s note: There was a front-page story giving the history of Muster and San Jacinto day in Tuesday’s Battalion. There was a front-page reminder about Muster in Wednesday’s Battalion. There was a front-page story about Mus ter activities in Thursday’s Battalion. The real Spirit I’m sorry you Ags have to open your papers and read another depressing story. It didn’t start out all bad, and it doesn’t have to end this way either. All it takes is a little honesty on the part of one or two people. Wednesday night, April 21, myself and some friends attended Aggie Mus ter, but between 6:30 and 8:00 that night, someone entered a room in Keathley and took two wallets and a purse. If it was money you were after, I will gladly pay you a reward for the return of the mer chandise. There were so many sentimen tal items that mean so much to these girls. I don’t want to say the purses were stolen, because I pray they were just temporarily taken and will be returned in time. We were so full of Aggie Spirit and so glad to be a part of his great tradition to take such a hard fall. Maybe I’m optimis tic but 1 do believe in this great school and all it stands for. Thanks so much for your time. Greg Simmons Moses Hall hr wat urday High Scl R The 11 a.m. i that they weren’t Jewish and s would upset the homogenityoft*jf xas “Jewish State.” ell ,, Peace, while they ring their|^ n U j merits with barbed wire, settlemetfl* were built on land which once bdi Rev -« to the very people they are borf// Lebanon. I Peace, while thousands of Palef I youth rot away in Israeli prisons u Peace, while their gun-totingreju fanatics beat up on unarmed I ^ civilians, hoping that some dayito P Jews will just give up and leave. V Peace, peace, peace, they cry. L Peace, see them pray for it, will 1 1 lament the loss of six million of I brethren to Hitler’s Nazis. I Peace, while they pay the won J for neglecting them in the Palestinian Arab blood. K/ Today the world mourns and rf/j hers six million human beings wl^H Jewish. Tomorrow, and with Israeli I lear potential, who knows, the i Editor: Request for peace Carole Ancelin Secretary to the MSG Director April 21st important Editor: Wednesday Sandra Gary and Phyllis Henderson and the rest of The Battalion I am writing this letter of thanks to a fellow Aggie, one who has reaffirmed my pride in the true Aggie Spirit. This per son, name unknown, gave up his tickets to the Singing Cadets concert so that my mother and I could attend the perform ance. We thoroughly enjoyed the show (as did the entire audience). And I am personally indebted to you for saving our weekend. Your action truly exemplifies the real Spirit of Aggieland. Thank you again. Heidi Freeborn Hughes Editor: So Israel is at it again, bombing and strafing Lebanese towns and villages, kill ing or wounding in the process over 100 people; that is people like in human beings, like in men, women and children. Meanwhile it asks, no begs, for peace. Peace, peace, peace, all we want is peace. So say the Israelis. Peace, while they farm the land still wet with the blood of Arabs who had lived on that land centuries before the Zionist Jews ever came. They’re only crimes, be they Moslem or Christian was ICclI Icli, WI1U KI1UW5, Uic could be mourning six million beings who are Arab. h Wouldn’t it be better if the ft I gave up the idea of a pure Jewish I and elected to live with thenon-J 1 ! inhabitants of Palestine in a trulyI cratic state, where all people had v rights before the. law regardlessof ■ color, or creed. H Lest we forget the Nazi Germans n to create a purely Arian state just# 1 1| ago, need I continue. Nabil Al-Khowail 1 Correction In the “Girl Scout camp needs volu^P for one weekend” story in Thuiv Battalion the dates of the camptvf' correctly listed as May 3TJunel camp will be held May 31-Jund Battalion regrets the error.