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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 7, 1983)
Page 2/The Battalion/Thursday, April 7, 1983 opinion Letters: Holocaust memorial Editor: The mayors of Bryan/College Station have proclaimed Saturday and Sunday as Holocaust Memorial days; a time of re flection on the unparalleled crime against humankind committed by Nazi Germany from 1939-1945. Among the 14 millions of people murdered, six mil lion were Jews who were singled out for extermination as a people. I urge all readers of The Battalion to join the Hillel Foundation (Jewish Stu- , dent Center), The Campus Ministers’ I Association and the Israel Club and par- I ticipate in the events that will occur over i the span of two days. These events are i planned to educate the Campus com- 1 munity and attempt to bring and under standing of the enormity of the horror. Our program begins Sunday night at 9 p.m. in 201 MSC with a Holocaust I Memorial. The Memorial led by Campus Ministers and their students will feature 1 readings of prose and poetry from Jew ish and non-Jewish writers. There will be a moment of silence when the lights are turned off and students recite the names of the death camps. The Memorial will end with a community song of hope. On Monday, there will be an all day I reading of some of the names of the vic tims of the Holocaust and a photo exhibi- : tion in Rudder Lobby. The readers will i attempt to read 16,000 names. To put 1 this in perspective, it is important to real- 1 ize that six million Jews were killed and if we continued reading the names at the same rate, it would take us 1 Vz years to read the names of non-Jews who were slaughtered at the same time because , they were mentally unfit, or were gypsies, i or were anti the Nazi regime. The Holocaust events will culminate with the film, “Genocide,” to be shown in Monday evening at 8 p.m. in 701 Rud der. This film, narrated by Elizabeth Taylor and Orson Welles, won the 1982 film award for Best Documentary. The film is a multi-image presentation which tells through the actual documented words of eyewitnesses, the story of the Holocaust. There will be a charge of $1.50 to see the film. I hope that everyone will find some time during those two days to join us in the events. Deeply inhuman crimes re quire us to take time to reflect on how to prevent them from ever happening again. Carol Parzen Director, Hillel Foundation International Week Editor: International Week is over now and we can only look back at what I consider to be the most meaningful event of my short career at Texas A&M. I had the opportunity to make new friendships and to learn about their countries and people. I only regret the indifference shown by the domestic students, reflected great ly by the inadequate coverage of this event by The Battalion. Having a dog show on the front cover, while the poorly documented series of photographs of In ternational Week mingles within adver tisement of appartment complexes not only shows lack of commitment but also poor taste. Fernando Urrutia ’83 Banner stolen Editor: To the individual, or group of indi viduals, that stole the Israel Awareness Week banner from the MSC-Rudder Tower walkway Tuesday night — don’t be too proud of your action. No matter what the reasons were for enacting such a “brave” act in the middle of the night, I don’t accept your attempt to limit free expression on this campus. Although actions of this type, and even worse, may be totally acceptable in some parts of the world, here at Texas A&M, we pride ourselves on the free exchange of ideas and information. Just as our group has the right to exercise this free dom, so does every other group on cam pus — no matter what their beliefs. That is what makes democracy great. If, by chance, your reason for stealing our Israel Awareness Week banner was to lodge some form of protest — there are many other, more acceptable forms of protest. In every democratic country, whether it be the U.S. or Israel, the right to protest is a basic liberty. But, when that right is abused, and the rights of others are encroached upon, it is no longer a protest — but anarchy. Please feel free to return our banner at any time to 216 MSC. In the meantime, we will make another banner and again hang it on the MSC-Rudder Tower walk way. Even though you may not have the guts to return the banner you stole, at least now maybe you understand why we have the right to one. Ephraim Seidman Coordinator, Israel Awareness Week AT&amster Glossary CONTRACT UNION® HAUL. EARL/ ® BINDING ARBITRATION © PRISON HI TEAMSTER RETIREMENT HOME Letters: Nuclear power plants Editor: In response to Rube Williams’ edito rial entitled “Nuclear energy — the Great Debate": Rube, just how safe is nuclear energy? Is nuclear fuel only hazardous to those who “stroll through a containment building” or somehow manage “to eat uranium"? Have you ever wondered why so many states have refused to let the federal gov ernment bury nuclear waste in their backyards? Radioactive waste, even in the smallest quantity and in the most stable burial grounds, is a highly dangerous en tity. Furthermore, given mankind’s pre sent state of cognitive imperfection, is it not possible that a series of mistakes could be made in the building, inspection and operation of a nuclear power plant — a series of mistakes that could lead to a nuclear disaster? Was the Three Mile Is land accident a mere anomaly and must we, the public, live with the threat of re peated (and possibly more disastrous) anomalies? Can nuclear energy proponents begin to understand why people all over the globe are frightened and why some cry “No Nukes!"? Why nuclear power is no longer seen as an energy panacea and why many people are turning to the soft energy paths (and are making them work). In mankind’s stream of energy con sciousness, nuclear power has played a £ crucial part. A part presently controver sial and certainly fading. Larry Mutter Dennis Burns Susan Bulmer Graduate Students Editor’s note: This letter is being rerun today because of a typographical error in Wednesday’s Battalion. Photo results Editor: I would like to apologize to all of those individuals (ie. Corps of Cadets mem bers, Christians, liberals, conservatives, atheists, feminists, chauvinists, art critics, artists, and civilians) who have had their toes stepped on by The Battalion, the Buttalion or by any other publication in the world. But now that you have your apology, be glad someone stepped on those toes. Because if we didn’t have art, satire, and other assorted “toe crushers” (regardless of perceived quality) many people would have closed eyes and minds. So ... the next time you and your en lightened mind read an article or see a picture that slaps you in the face, get £ angry ... and be happy someone thought enough of the world to make you mad. Grant E. Wood ’84 Photo again Editor: This letter is in response to the letter from Michelle Lynch concerning the photograph of the female cadet with the tuba in Friday’s paper. Let me state that she obviously lacks any sense of humor and was apparently looking for an excuse to illustrate her “chauvinistically blatant” writing skills. Her “Gloria Steinem” approach to the otherwise amusing photograph made me and probably most of the readers nause ated. If you really desire a school with women in the band, why don’t you go toot your horn down at t.u. or some other so-called “Great University.” The Battalion is definitely not “the lap dog of the administration.” You probably did not even realize that The Battalion’s editorial comments represent the feel ings of the students and not of the admi nistration. I congratulate The Battalion for printing a picture which was obvious ly intended for the enjoyment of those individuals who believe in the traditions that A&M has to offer. Apparently the April Fool’s joke was on you Miss Lynch! Ronald Claiborne Spence Hall Slouch By Jim Earlt fcdne 3d Mu w ■is. mts ross rce Th £ “It’s on tax day that I have my strongest reservations gj ir e, about all of the wonderful services our government pro- C: vides us.” Bonzo, Reagan follow Star Wars epa r, s “It by Art Buchwald President Reagan was relaxing in his office at 5 p.m., after putting in a hard day’s work, with his best friend Bonzo. The president was sipping a scotch and water, and Bonzo was drinking a banana daiquiri. “You know what worries me the most, Bonzo?” the president asked. Bonzo looked up, all ears. “This whole concept of MAD — Mutual Assured Destruction. We can no longer go into the 21st century building bigger and bigger weapons. We have to figure out a way of making nuclear weapons impotent and obsolete so our children and your children will no longer be faced with the specter of war.” Bonzo started to clap his hands. “If our scientists put their great minds to work, we could develop a sure-fire sys tem to destroy the greatest force of evil in the world.” Bonzo jumped off the couch and onto a chair, where he started angrily beating a map of the Soviet Union with both hands. “The question is, how can we do it?” the president mused. Bonzo put his hands on his head, which he always did when he was think ing. Then he let out a squeal and went to a drawer and took out a photograph of a chimpanzee and jumped on the presi dent’s desk. The president said, “What have you got here? Why it’s a photograph of Ham, the first chimp who went into space. What are you trying to tell me Bonzo?” Bonzo kept pointing out the window towards the sky. “Ham is dead?” Bonzo shook his head again. Then he hopped over to the TV set, turned it on and put an Atari Star Warsgameoi screen. Bonzo, who amused himse; day long playing video games, shoot down objects as they flewacra screen. “Stop horsing around Bonzo, president said. “This is veryini[ Bonzo hopped over to the pn and tugged him on the sleeve, him towards the TV set. I he president let Bonzo the set. “Just one game Bonzo,and let’s get back to my problem.” Bonzo pointed to the TV screen then pointed to the map of theSi ^ Union. .11 ; L The president realized Bonzo Lj trying to tell him something. “Donil hab me, Bonzo. I think I’m gettingiili imp could put something in space wed onp shoot down Soviet missiles fromllif| Is that what you’re driving at?" Bonzo squealed again and dire'] arms around the president. “That’s it!” the president said.“.1! would need is some powerful i that could zap the missiles as sobnai| were launched. But how?” Bonzo went over to a radiatoranl looked on it. The president “Radiator?” “Radiator? Heat? A heat-seti death ray that would make theirICI inoperable!” Bonzo squealed again and hugg president. President Reagan rushed over telephone and got the Joint Chi Staff. “I want m my everyone tomorrow morning.” Then the president poured Bfl another banana daiquiri and saidgt fully, “Bonzo, you’ve done it The Battalion USPS 045 360 Member ot Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference Editor Diana Sultenf'uss Managing Editor Gary Barker Associate Editor Denise Richter City Editor Hope E. Paasch Assistant City Editor Beverly Hamilton Sports Editor John Wagner Assistant Sports Editor John Lopez Entertainment Editor Colette Hutchings Assistant Entertainment Editor.... Diane Yount News Editors Daran Bishop, Brian Boyer, Jennifer Carr, Elaine Engstrom, Shelley Hoekstra, Johna Jo Maurer, Jan Werner, Rebeca Zimmermann StaffWriters Melissa Adair, Maureen Carmody, Frank Christlieb, Connie Edelmon, Patrice Koranek, Robert McGlohon, Ann Ramsbottom, Kim Schmidt, Patti Schwierzke, Kelley Smith, Angel Stokes, Joe Tindel, Kathy Wiesepape Copy editor Jan Swaner Cartoonist Scott McCullar Graphic Artists Pam Starasinic Sergio Galvez Thompson, Fernando Andrade Photographers David Fisher, Guy Hood, Eric Lee, Irene Mees, William Schulz Editorial Policy 7 he Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting news paper operated as a connminit) service to Texts# Universin and fit \an-Collcge Station. Opiimv' pressed in The Battalion ate t hose of the ctliM 1 *' author, and do not necessarily represent thettpiii^ 1 Texas AJi-M University administratorsorhiatliu^ bets, or of the Board of Regents. T he Battalion also sen es as a labornton nnf? tor students in repot ting, editing and pltitinffiplitt' ses within the Department of Cotmminialions. Questions or continents concerning nil} etHl' 1 matter should be diiected to the editor. Letters Policy Letters to the Editor should not exceed3011 "*1* length, and are subject to being cut ii they aid®? The editorial staff reserves the right to edit lellffI style and length, but will make every cllorttonuiiiO the author’s intent. Each letter must also lie sixnctl 11 show the address and phone number of the tttilti Columns and guest editorials are also welcome are not subject to the same length constraints as Address all inquiries and correspondence to:!# The Battalion, 210 Reed McDonald, Texas.UIK versity. College Station, TX 77843, or phonc(’l)!^ 2611. The Battalion is published daily during Texas Af! fall and spring semesters, except lor holiday atulcu nation periods. Mail subscriptions are SHi.Zjpcrsrt* ter. $33.25 per school year and $35 per full year.AJ 11 tising rates furnished on request. Our address: The Battalion, 216 Reed MclW Building, T exas A&M University, College SuiknJ 77843. United Press International is entitled exdiisivtl! the use for reproduction of all news dispatchestm> to it. Rights of reproduction of all other matter be reserved. Second class postage paid at College Station. 77843.