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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 1985)
I Page 2/The Battalion/Wednesday, December 11, 1985 Opinion Message of apathy The Faculty Senate voted 13-42 not to study divestiture of Texas A&M’s business holdings in South Africa. The vote sends a disturbing message of indifference to minorities at A&M and abroad. The resolution to not investigate the University’s holdings in companies that do business with the South African government is the epitome of apathy. The decision says not only is A&M not willing to withdraw money being used to support government- sponsored segregation, but the University is not concerned even with finding out how much is being invested. Senator Murray Milford justified this lack of concern by say ing the Senate should concern itself with the problems of mi norities at A&M rather than abroad. However, this attitude toward apartheid will reflect on the problems of minorities at A&M. How many black students or faculty members will want to come to a university that won’t even investigate how much of its money is being used to uphold a system of racial oppression? If A&M is going to attract more minorities, it must show that it is concerned with the welfare of these minorities. Discrimina tion is ugly whether it be in South Africa or on our own campus. The Battalion Editorial Board No way to stop the black crayons from getting I was over at ^ ^ i I Wars out of that?” the same TV commercial. It’s put out by crayon can stop a red one then they througl Harry Israel’s the llL “This blue circle over everyone is Star some outfit called‘Peace Shield’to con- won’t be afraid." brella / ■» tT» r' mcrlif Vi I X a 7 K ^ * L. _ \/i n rf* rv^nnl trw=* t’c Qtr'ot^rriC' a i • * ^ . i • t 1i1i.«*< t United Fetture Syndicete llOTUj up Texc mav U.S.c AUSTIN litical leadei gressmen T that would i Indian tribe tion. The battl 1983 state opinion sayi dians violati treatment b tionality. Former ( former Sen said, “Due Texas offici bilities of th minated.” The U.S. vote this we put the trib of Indian A ‘This is for the t shatta Chie a Capitol m , The trib; has been c troller Bob Indians mi regulated 1 under fede I was over at Barry Israel’s the other night when his 8-year-old daughter Alison came into the liv ing room. “Have you done your homework?” her father asked. Alison handed him a sheet of pa- r: Art Buchwald per with a crayon drawing on it. “What is it?” “It’s Star Wars,” Alison said. “This is the sun and this is the house and this is the mommy and this is the daddy and this is the little child, and this is the cat and this is a tree.” “That’s fine, but how do you get Star Wars out of that? ‘This blue circle over everyone is Star Wars. The rockets can’t get through to kill the mommy, daddy, the child and cat.” “I don’t see how that blue arc can stop missiles from hitting your family,” Barry said. Alison pointed to three red missiles bouncing off the arc. “You see? The bombs are stopped and can’t hit anyo ne.” “Where did you get the idea that a blue crayon can stop a red one?” “I saw it on television. It said if every one supports Star Wars we will be safe from getting killed.” “Don’t lie to me,” Alison’s father said. “She’s not lying,” I told him. “I saw the same TV commercial. It’s put out by some outfit called ‘Peace Shield’ to con vince people the President’s Strategic Defense Initiative works. They’re hop ing if they make it simple enough Amer icans will buy it.” Barry said, “What a crock. They’re using a kid’s drawing to sell a pie-in-the- sky idea.” I said, “Don’t jump to conclusions that a child was the artist. I know several scientists who could easily have drawn it.” “The drawing doesn’t convince me we should spend zillions on Star Wars.” “It’s not intended to convince you — it’s supposed to convince Alison. After all, it’s her generation that is going to have to live with laser beams and en hanced deterrence. If kids believe a blue crayon can stop a red one then they won’t be afraid.” Alison was just standing there shee pishly. Finally she said, “Is my drawing all right?” Her father replied, “As far as it goes it is. Hand me a red crayon and a black one. Okay, now watch carefully. The red crayon can’t get through the arc, and the house and family are perfectly safe. Right?” “Uh-huh,” Alison said, not knowing where her father was going. “Now I take the black crayon, and it slices right through the shield and knocks out the sun, the house and the family of three.” “Why?” “Because black crayons can always go through blue ones. Even amida! brella won’t slop them. Thais« blue crayon is not going to saveusV Alison looked at me (or some It; “I have to agree with your * told her. “ I here are toomanyll colored < rayons for one bluearcttl Even it only one color got thni would wipe out your mommy,f and child.” Barry said, “Did you hearwbi Uncle Art just said? ListentoM knows everything.” Alison’s lower lip was quiverirf 1 ruined my drawing.” te .... v.. u .....g. Her lather replied, “1 justnwl ach you a lesson. Don’t bebew ; thing you see on television." Art Buchwald is a columnistli Los Angeles Times Syndicate, Mail Call The ultimate hypocrisy EDITOR: You have committed the ultimate of hypocrisies. I hung my head in shame as I opened to page 9 of Monday’s Batt. The Battalion, the final bastion of enlightened journalism, was running an advertise ment for the sale of South Africaii kruegerrands. The ad read, “For the holidays, the gift of gold.” Gold what? Golden chains of oppres sion? Golden tear gas guns? Your advertisement indirectly supports a government of racism and hatred. Your entire readership is owed an apology. Edward A. Hudacko EDITOR’S NOTE: As we have stated several times, Battalion Ad vertising is considered state-sponsored. The editorial staff has no control over ad content. The Editorial Board has written several edi torials (including the one on this page) stating our opposition to the apartheid government in South Africa. Perhaps this is a hypocrisy, but it’s one we don’t have any control over. Thinking of the unborn EDITOR: When I saw the publicity in The Battalion from the forum “A- bortion: Who Has the Final Say?”, my first thought was, “Certainly not the unborn.” In her closing remarks, Sarah Weddington said that as long as medical, religious and science experts cannot agree on when life be gins, the decision will remain with individuals, and isn’t it great for women that such a choice can be made. After the forum I asked Weddington, “If there is even the remo test possibility that the ‘experts’ may some day agree that life begins at conception, shouldn’t we today come out on the safe side (and de fend that being in the womb rather than destroy it)?” She told me I was not thinking of the mother and her future. It would have been more correct to say I was simply thinking of the fu ture of the unborn. But the point is that if it is a human life which exists in the womb then it is a life on equal par with the life of the mother (and father and the rest of humanity) and no one has the right to deprive the unborn of his life. Which of us cannot identify with himself as he existed in the womb? Who of us, who have been given the privilege of human identity and life, can turn around and deny another being the same, or even allow such a “procedure” (as Weddington called it) to take place? Yet we as a nation condone the crime. Mother Theresa spent a lifetime among the poor people of the world. But when she received the Nobel Peace Prize she said, “To me that nations who have leagalized abortion are the poorest na tions. They are afraid of the unborn child and the child must die.” Indeed. Indeed. giving forth all the knowledge they had in their store. My roommate was snoring, asleep in his bed. While nightmares of Calculus danced in my head. Beginning to nod off o’er the book in my lap, I decided to settle for a quick little nap. When up from my desk there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. After glancing around, I started to wonder, what sort of thing sounds louder than thunder. I found that the noise was causing no harm. It was merely the sound of my blaring alarm. When what to my weary old eyes should appear, but the time for my final exam was now here. The class was still noisy, they were checking the book. The professor was giving us one final look. With black suit and tie and face full of gloom, he looked like a hangman delivering doom. He passed out the questions, to him t’was a game. He whistled and shouted and called us by name. “Johnson and Williams and Jackson and Keegan, Murray and Miller and Lopez and Regan. From front row to back, leave one seat in between, and please do not cheat, I don’t want to be mean.” The next ninety minutes were really a fright, I wasn’t quite sure if I’d gotten it right. Then he called for the test, most of mine was still blank. I knew that I just had my “short” nap to thank. As I turned in my paper, I kept up my hope. There was naught I could do, so why start to mope? And I swear he did say as he strolled out of sight, “There will be a big curve, Merry Christmas, goodnight.” Steven R. Hart ’86 EDITOR’S NOTE: Even The Battalion Editorial Board has a sense of humor. Opinion Page Editor Loren Steffy nixed this poem in fa vor of letters dealing with issues of more importance to the general student body, but somehow the poem just wouldn’t die. A last min ute plea to the big cheese (outgoing Battalion Editor Rhonda Snider) saved the poem from file 13. This one’s dedicated to you, Loren. Good luck on your finals — we know you need it, monsieur. our group, but with the people who chose other schools,ftw many of my own ideals. And we provide social activities. ing bashes like the movies portray, mind you, but weekend^ games, intramural activities arid barbeques for parents,alii®', friends. Add to that our community service! As for recognizing fraternities, being “detrimental toiki' of A&M,” without recognition we were doing quite well’ (Greeks) had resentful feelings toward a University thatrt<^ other social clubs while refusing us. What could be mor^ than hundreds of students resenting the very place theylof' and learn at? The hundreds of dollars Ankele speaks of are exaggerJttd' expected that. A little research would illustrate that we (GA not that expensive, and especially for the benefits. Dorms, live, take $30 a semester for two or three drinking bashes." 1 ’ more, and varied activities than that. And how manydornw cohol Awareness programs as well? We also take steps toiS : safety of our party guests where alcohol is served. I, m;w stayed dry and subsequently driven people home. Onceaf many dorms do that? And on the subject of Silver l aps, yes, we had a rushpif night. But we turned the lights off for 20 minutes and qutf ; one. A couple of people pledged us because we showed thaii : And, we have a group at all other Silver Laps ceremonies."’ ahead of time and go together. So, let’s not have any more of this dribble about Greel i! two-percenters or bad Ags unless you have concrete facts % port. Remember, there was a fraternity here while theCw? mandatory that was accepted! Does that make them badAgslU Kepler Johnson Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 words in length. Theedito^, serves the right to edit letters for style and length but will make Mry maintain the author's intent. Each letter must be signed and mini indE dress and telephone number of the writer. Paul R. Koch A final poem EDITOR: T’was the night before finals and all thTough fny Eoofti, loomed an air of preparedness for the impending doom. My books were all open and spread ’cross the floor Understanding Greeks EDITOR: This is in response to Ken Ankele’s letter published Dec. 3. Fraternities serve several purposes. They build leaders through administration and people interactions — much the same way com panies and governments do. Just look at the credentials of Supreme Court Chief Justices, presidents and senators as well as many suc cessful businessmen. We also provide lifelong friendships. Not only with the Aggies in The Battalion USPS 045 360 Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference The Battalion Editorial Board Rhonda Snider, Editor Michelle Pbwe, Managing Editor Loren Steffy, Opinion Page Editor Karen Bloch, City Editor John Hallett, Kay Mallett, News Editors Travis Tingle, Sports Editor Editorial Policy The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting newspaper operated as a cotntiiUM'i A&M and Bryan-College Station. u Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those ol the Editorial Board or t/ieau^ r * essarily represent the opinions of Texas A&M administrators, faculty or the Board01* 5 ^ 7Tie Battalion also serves as a laboratory newspaper for students in reporting, ediMf rid 11 ' •me# phy classes within the Department of Communications. The Battalion is published Monday through Friday during Texas A&M ref for holiday and examination periods. Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per semester, year and $35 per full year. Advertising rates furnished on request. Our address: The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald Building, Texas A&M UniversW TX 77843. Second class postage paid 1 College St-ui 7 X -43. ■'