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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 3, 1984)
Page 2/The Battalion/Monday, December 3, 1984 Opinion Aggies end season with biggest victory The Aggies went to Austin Saturday as underdogs. They brought with them a dismal record and only one well-played game the entire season — against TCU — to boost their spirits. They left Austin with an upset victory over the University of Texas and a winning season. They left Austin winners. An entire season of stumbling and bumbling was erased from the minds of football fans with one game — one victory. All the mumbling about firing Jackie Sherrill has ceased. He’s redeemed himself, at least until next semester, in the eyes of Ag gie football fans. The streets of Austin and College Station were overflowing Saturday with wildly celebrating Aggies. The fans couldn’t have been happier, it seemed, or celebrated any harder if their team had just won the national title. To these victory-starved fans, beating Texas was just as good. The A&M football players and football fans have been hun gry for a victory. Now they can end their season with two im pressive, consecutive wins and all the previous miserable Satur days can be forgotten. The future of Aggie football looks brighter. A&M has beaten two nationally ranked teams. We’re hoping that momen tum will carry over to next semester. Maybe U.T. was the light at the end of the tunnel. The Battalion Editorial Board: Brigid Brockman Shelley Hoekstra Ed Cassavoy Kellie Dworaczyk Michelle Powe Travis Tingle LETTERS: Tired of excuses about GSS issue EDITOR: I’m really tired of hearing about the dispute over the GSS, but I haven’t heard the real reason why it has not been recognized. One reason has been voiced, “I don’t want to give money to this kind of a club.” HOGWASH! The student with this comment has obviously jumped on a bandwagon without much thought. I’d like to know if he/she even knows what kinds of clubs exist and are now recognized by the student body. We, as students, “give” money to many organizations on campus, and the na ture of these organizations exists in a broad range of interest. Unless this stu dent has made a special effort, he/she has no idea of what is being supported. Some opposing students feel the basis is not good enough (i.e. sexual prefer ence). Since when did we starting rank ing reasons, good or bad, dealing with people finding commonalties among themselves. There must be some string to connect those that wish to socialize. Biologists have the biology club. Does this mean they do only biology? Ob viously not, they socialize, party, and have informative seminars. All organi zations are formed on one facet of a person’s life. This explains how we can be in many clubs and organizations all at the same time. Who cares what brings people together. If we want to evaluate and scrutinize clubs, let’s do it by looking at what they have done. If we attempt this, we might see some organizations embarrassed. I say let’s deal with real issues like dis crimination! Certainly, none of us do this, do we? Don Hollingsworth Women’s sports need more support EDITOR: First of all, I would like to congratu late the Texas A&M Women’s Volley ball Team on a great job this season. In spite of the NCAA denying this very tal ented, nationally-ranked team a spot in the tournament (which we all know you greatly deserve), you should be proud of yourselves. Secondly, I’d like to praise the Texas A&M Women’s Basketball Team on their successful start of their season and wish them continued good luck. I’d also like to say “good luck” to the A&M Softball Team on their way to their third national championship in four years. But the basis of this letter is to express my feelings on the lack of support for the Women’s Athletic Program. For a school so rich in spirit, why isn’t more of it shown in the support of women’s sports. Granted, this year produced larger crowds at the volleyball game, but there should have been more people there to support a nationally-ranked Texas A&M team. If the football or men’s basketball team happened to be ranked, I’m sure that more people would be there supporting them. Well, Women’s Athletics should be given equal support. A lot of people missed some great action this past volleyball season - and for Texas A&M students it didn’t cost a thing if you brought your ticketbook! It’s bad enough that the Athletic De partment itself is lacking in its support of Women’s Athletics; let’s overcome that by supporting the Lady Ags more this year and in the future. Nationally- ranked teams are hard to come by and Texas A&M’s Women’s Athletic Pro gram has two of them, as well as 2 Na tional Championships in the past 3 years. Thanks again to the Volleyball play ers and go get ’em next year and good luck again to the basketball and softball teams. Wally Simpson Class of ’86 Band practice needed; suck it up, Aggies EDITOR: I’m writing this letter in response to Kelley Johnson’s letter on Nov. 28 con cerning the Band’s Friday morning marching practice. Kelley, I take it you are one of the people who is “subjected to this rude awakening every Friday morning!” Can’t you see that no matter when the practice is scheduled, some people will be sleeping while others won’t? So suck it up, Ag! Move off campus or to the north side and ask Santa for some earplugs. Dallas Morris Class of ’88 Senior asks help in finding lost ring EDITOR: Hey Ags: The other day during Elephant Walk, I lost my senior ring. If you’ve found it, I sure would appreciate having it back. 4 Friend needs understanding * Charles and 1 had known each other for about four months. In'the im personal atmosphere of the military it wasn’t really a short time when you con sider that young enlisted airmen (I was in the Air Force) average approximately two years on an assignment before they receive orders sending them to a new- base. For the past three months we had been roommates in an enlisted barracks on base. Socially, we didn’t do very much together, but we did develop a good rapport as roommates. Charles was a social outcast of sorts because of some deep-seeded emotional problems he encountered as a child that had left him scarred and extremely sen sitive. This left me as one of the few people he had to talk to. - My concern for a fellow human being created a role conflict that often left me feeling guilty. I wanted to spend more time around the barracks to help him when he needed a friend but was unable to because of other important obliga tions, not to mention work. In the Air Force, work is not centered around a nine-to-Five routine. One night Charles approached me looking very distraught and asked if we could talk. It was already 1:30 a.m. and I had just gotten off work. I had to be back at 8 a.m. but sure, why not? What’s sleep anyway? Charles suggested I sit down and set my drink on the table be cause what he had to say might shock me. And he didn’t want me to hit him over the head with a beer bottle. “John, I’m a homosexual,” Charles said with tears streaming down his eyes. After saying that, he stared at me for a long, silent moment watching for a reac tion. I gave none, and finally he contin ued. He tried to explain that he wanted to tell me from the beginning but he was afraid of getting kicked out of the serv ice and, as far as I was concerned, losing a good roommate. He assured me that he didn’t feel attracted to me and hoped that I wouldn’t leel funny around him. Unbeknownst to Charles, I had sus pected this for the past month and a half. Charles had brought up the subject of homosexuality several times, discussing recent events that had taken place lo cally, sounding me out. What tipped me off first wasn’t the topic of conversation but the way he vehemently condemned homosexuality as an unnatural act. I became more suspicious when he continued to bring up the subject, at va rious times, finally adding that people were wrongly assuming his sexuality be cause of his gentle and sensitive man ner. I had explained to Charles that while I don’t advocate homosexuality, I believe in the rights of others and that what people do in the privacy of their own homes is none of my business. I try to understand that each individual is unique and that their way of life isn’t wrong just because it’s different from mine or I don’t agree with it. As long as they don’t try to involve me in that part of their lifestyle, I can remain their friend. At no time did Charles act in any manner that made me feel uncomfort able prior to his revelation. He didn’t stare in an unusual way, nor did he do anything that might have been con strued as coming on to me. Perhaps the most important thing that helped me in dealing with Charles was my feeling of security. Charles did not pose a threat to my masculinity. Charles spoke of his past, painting a rather grim picture. A childhood of beatings by his father and being labeled a fag and a sissy long before he discov ered his sexual orientation. He tried to conform to his parents’ standards but found that his expectations were not those of his parents. His father was not one to express emotions and found that quality in Charles unmanly. At 12, Charles began to perceive his sexuality. He saw himself becoming ev erything his father had been calling him John Hallett more letters You can contact me at 260-0684 until the end of the semester or at P.O. Box 4385, College Station, 77844. Linda J. Carney Class of ’85 Stop Torture Week: speak out Dec. 3-10 EDITOR: Torture. It didn’t end with the Middle Ages. It isn’t confined to the Soviet Union or Iran. Over one third of the world’s gov ernments systematically torture, accord ing to Amnesty International’s pub lished report, Torture in the Eighties. In Turkey, Serna Ogur told of being suspended from a ceiling pipe by her wrists, beaten on the soles of her feet, and subjected to electrical shocks. She was forced to listen to the screams of her husband, and was threatened with rape and later beaten in his presence. In Chile, Lucia Guillermina Morales was beaten, and then, in the presence of her daughter tied naked to a metal rack and given electrical shocks. Pakistani police suspended Mohammed Ejaz Dhatti, a 24-year old student, by his feet and beat him until he lost consciousness. In the U.S.S.R., Anna Chertkova, aged 57, has spent the last 11 years in a psychiatric hospital because of her membership in a Baptist congregation. Hospital person nel regularly inject her with Sulfazin, a powerful anti-psychotic and pain-induc ing drug. The list goes on and on. Amnesty International has launched a Campaign to Abolish Torture. We be lieve that continuous pressure from our government and from tens of thousands of individuals worldwide can influence the offending countries, by publicizing their disgrace and warning them that political and economic sanctions may follow. The U.S, has taken an important step with the passage of the Joint Con gressional Resolution on Torture, signed by President Reagan in Septem ber. You, too, can help, by participating in our letter-writing campaigns and sup porting other activities of the TAMU AI Campus Network (check our bulletin board in the Student Program Office, Room 216 MSC). December 3-10 is Stop Torture Week. Here in College Station we are free to speak out — and silence is inex cusable. Alex M. Madonik Department of Chemistry ■4 ■ Facul for years. Charles didn’t wanttotjol Sao rerent, to be looked down upon.: structec security made him sensitivetokuB^j 1 ^. ers saw him. He tried to reachorB jj r j help and understanding. And a n) oni one reac hed back, or so he thou.B&M t attempted suicide. Al / 2-rears old been w< Since the first attempt, Charlt!p pns fo to take his life twice more. Heo handle all the rejection heencoi nor the pressure to conform frouij who tried to help. |} n K th< worked |)00 G JThe ' Hrm T eX as Obviously my experienct| t0 |j r g ( Charles didn’t occur while I was'| 0 p erat , ( Air Force. None of the militaryseBlhe ( allow those who have attempted ; adapt to join. Charles isn’t his realnai ther. But what happened wasven Charles wasn’t ready to “come the closet.” He’d rather be nt that no one would ever findou mg everything about CharlesI turn my back on him. He need derstanding to build his Those who know him need to stand that. He needs the those around him without thepi to change no matter how wellii it might be. Maybe he’ll neverbe change. But he will always bea being. ake it said. ' Coni illenj eater Jd. T1 difficul McG John Hallett is an assistant net tor for /Tie Battalion. The Battalion USPS 045 360 Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conferentt tn memoriam Bill Robinson, 1962-1984, EdiW I The Battalion Editorial Boani Brigid Brockman,Editor Shelley Hoekstra, ManagingEdimI Ed Cassavoy, City Editor Kellie Dworaczyk, News Editor Michelle Powe, Editorial PageEtfe Travis Tingle, Sports Editor The Battalion Staff Assistant City Editors Kari Fluegel, RhondaW Assistant News Editors Tammy Bell, Cami Brown, Assistant Sports Editor ChareanWi Entertainment Editors Shawn Behlen, Leigh Stall Writers Anderson, Brandon Bern. Bullard, Ann Cervenka,TonyC< Michael Crawford, KirstenM Flint, Katherine Hurt, PatriceK( Trent Leopold, Karla^ Sarah Oates, TriedL 1 Lynn Rat Columnists Kevin Inda,Loren' Editorial Cartoonist Sports Cartoonist Dale Copy Writer Cathy B* Photographers Irwin, John Makely, Editorial Policy I he Bmi.ilion is .< non-profil, self-supporting , operated ns n community service to /iw “ li i yn 11-Ci>1 lege Sin lion. Opinions expressed in The Batta/ion art 1K 1 Editorial Hoard or die author, mid ilonolim resent the opinions of Texas AKM admitiisirdU 1 ' 1 nr the Hoard of Regents. The Battalion also serves as a laboratory lie'll students in reporting, editing mid plwwgnft within the Department of ComintinicJliotis. Letters Policy Letters to the Editor should not exceed length. I'he editorial stall reserves the rightI0" 1 for style and length hut will make every effort® the author's intent. 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