Page 2/The Battalion/Tuesday, February 3, 1987
KB
Opinion
Achieving quality education requires homework y
In our recent
concern over the
quality of educa
tion in this coun
try, Americans
have looked to
other nations, spe
cifically Japan, to
find a way to over-
come our aca
demic inade-
quacies. What we
found was not en-
Loren
Steffy
couraging. In education, America is be
ing outclassed.
Studies of foreign school systems
have led to speculations of how we could
adopt the other countries’ policies and
incorporate them into our own educa
tion system. Japan’s high literacy rate,
tough standards, national commitment
to education and the teaching of moral
values are seen as worthy of adoption by
American schools.
Japanese education as the sole harbin
ger of hope for our schools, we need to
recognize the cultural differences that
support their techniques.
Take, for example, moral education.
In Japan, moral education in public
schools is not questioned, largely be
cause Japanese society is homogeneous.
The nation has a miniscule minority
population, and everyone pretty much
shares a common philosophy.
While many of Japan’s techniques are
admirable, we must be careful not to
leap gung ho into line with Japanese ed
ucational philosophies. Before we laud
Education William J. Bennett said the
best way to form character in schools is
by using the examples of great litera
ture.
But in the United States, we pride our
selves on the “melting pot” concept be
hind our society. What makes us great,
we say, is the many different cultures
and outlooks that make up our society.
We also pride ourselves on preserving
the equality of all these different out
looks. Mimicking Japan’s approach to
moral education would mean ignoring
the basic freedoms we have worked so
hard to establish and maintain.
Stories of Abe Lincoln could be used
to illustrate honesty, Joan of Arc and
Harriet Tubman of the Underground
Railroad for courage, A Christmas
Carol and The Diary of Anne Frank for
“kindness and compassion and their op
posites.” Even stories from the Bible,
Bennett says, should not be overlooked.
There are as many different defi
nitions of “moral” education in the
United States as there are demands that
it be taught in our schools. In the Jan.
31 issue of Human Events, Secretary of
from being subjected to one of Ben
nett’s examples of morality — The Di
ary of Anne Frank.
In an attempt to teach morality to the
youth of America, Bennett has stum
bled onto an even greater lesson —mor
ality comes in a myriad of packages.
But the education secretary’s propo
sal is nothing new and does not solve the
problem of mass teaching moral educa
tion. Many of the books and characters
he cites as examples of morality in ac
tion already are taught to school chil
dren. Even stories from the Bible are
presented through Bible-as-literature
courses.
Morality definitely is exemplified by
these works, but the trouble is getting
people to listen without taking offense.
For example, a group of fundamental
ists in Tennessee recentlv fought and
won a court battle to keep their children
roots are in agriculture, thatthefaJi
farm — not agribusiness — is thee
nomic base for the nation.
And what works in Japan may not
work in the United States. Students in
Japanese schools learn to answer teach
ers’ questions in a group, or han. They
are taught to work for the advancement
of the whole, not for personal gains.
These values also maintain thebel
that formal education isn’t as impor.
as home-spun values. Being “edpl
ted” ain’t as important as having a«
heart. The Ritual of Becoming a Mti
given more significance than then
of becoming an educated man. Not*
ter how hard a boy works in school,*
not a man until he shoots Old Yeller I
In the United States, we value our in
dividuality far too much to accept such a
concept. Our national heroes are
rugged individuals — the cowboy, alone
on the range, taming the West at any
cost. We thrive on stories about individ
uals who take on the whole of society.
They may change social norms or suc
cumb to them, but we admire their guts
to stand up for what they believe in.
Even more prevalent than our ad
ministration for the rugged individual is
our adoration for agrarian values. We
still like to believe that our country’s
Japan’s approach to education:
offer many good lessons: teachers |i
given social prominence, parentsar®
involved in the educational procesB
students and teachers. But just j ®
fundamentalists in Tennessee disiif;
with Bennett’s foundation formori®
ucation, so would the majority of Ar«
icans disagree with the Japanese]
proach.
Our zeal for educational excelbj <
admirable and long overdue. Bii'l
shouldn’t try to get all the answnj |
copying off of our neighbors in thsj
cific. After all, we don’t have thesa !
questions. I
Iran and Iraq —
fiction or fact?
A number of
things bother me
about the Iran-
Iraq war.
First, did Iran
invade Iraq or did
Iraq invade Iran?
And, is it the Iraq-
Iran war, or the
Iran-Iraq war? Do
we have the basis
for rock lyrics
here: “Did Iran in
vade Iraq/or did Iraq invade Iran?/Iraq-
Iran, Iran- Iraq/Iraq around the
clock/Stay and be my lovin’ man.”
Secondly, I never know what to be
lieve when I read about the war.
Lewis
Grizzard
One day, the headlines read, “Iraq
claims 7 million Iranians killed in a de
sert battle.“
The next day, I get, “Iran says no
body left in Iraq but dogs and camels.”
For all we really know, there might
not be a war going on at all. This could
be just some public relations firm’s way
of introducing a new line of desert tents.
What else bothers me is that I’m not
certain who to pull for in the war.
Would the United States benefit
more if Iran won, or if Iraq won? How
would the war’s outcome affect my win
ter heating bill and gasoline prices?
Which side has the best looking uni
forms? (I often use that to determine
who I’d prefer in a sporting contest,
which is why I never pull for the Hous
ton Astros, whose uniforms look like
they were patterned after a dish of
orange marmalade.)
(Irocks, Iraqanians, Iraqonians) should I
sleep a little better at night, or vice
versa?
Just off the top of my head, I’d say I
should pull for Iraq. The Iranians took
Americans hostage; the ayatollah, who
looks like Gabby Hayes with a bad case
of constipation, has given our last two
presidents that same condition; and two
of its leading exports are hatred and ter
rorism. But Iraq’s not exactly a bastion
of freedom and good will to all, either.
If Iran is John Dillinger, Iraq is at least
Pretty Boy Floyd.
I interviewed some other Americans
to see which side they favored.
Tossing out those who hadn’t heard
about the war, didn’t have an opinion,
were drunk, who thought I was a mem
ber of some strange religious sect, who
were busy writing Oral Roberts a check,
and who were blowing bubbles with
their saliva when they were asked, the
results were too close to call.
One man did put the matter in its
proper perspective, however.
“It’s like asking to pick between can
cer and AIDS,” he said.
Perhaps what we all have here is the
same position the late Georgian, Bill
Munday, pioneer sportscaster, found
himself in one evening before he was to
broadcast the Yale-Harvard football
game. “Who do you prefer in tomor
row’s game?” a Harvard student asked
him, “Yale or fair Harvard?”
“Neither one,” he said. “You’re all a
bunch of damn Yankees and I hope you
both lose.”
If Iran wipes out a few million Iraqis Copyright 1986, Cowles Syndicate
Mail
No way
EDITOR:
In response to Mike Sullivan’s idea of abolishing the
Corps, I would like to say the idea stinks!
Let’s imagine Texas A&M without the Corps. The
word “Howdy” would become extinct. There would be no
yell leaders. On Friday nights at midnight during football
season, students would be just hanging around getting
drunk instead of practicing yells for the games. At the
games — football as well as other sports — the only
spectators would be Mom and Dad. At halftime, the fans
would have to watch the other team’s “entertainment.”
When t.u. comes to Kyle Field they would bring their big
bass drum and would not have any competition.
What about Reveille? She wouldn’t have an escort. She
would probably be stolen. Silver Taps would become a
thing of the past. When an Aggie died he would be
forgotten.These are some of the things that make A&M
unique. Without them we would just be another university.
I was attracted to A&M because of the unique people and
the friendly campus.To abolish the Corps would abolish
the upkeepers of tradition.I’m getting a good education
here, and I’m enjoying it.
Are we willing to sacrifice our uniqueness to become
just another “world university”?
Mary King ’90
Scary
EDITOR:
The very persuasive argument presented by the editor of
the Opinion page of The Battalion is a misguided one. I
could call it the Impossible Nightmare. Making Texas
A&M world-renowned has been the hope of every Ag who
has ever been here. Disbanding the Corps of Cadets might
work, but it probably won’t.
The cadets are the greatest supporters of every student
activity this University offers. The Corps has the highest
voting percentage of any student organization. We attend
more football, baseball, basketbal and other sports events
than other students. We build the hell out of bonfire and
support the March of Dimes ever year. These are just the
headliners.
I say if you want to disband th Corps because it
decreases the integrity of an academic society, then we
might as well stop supporting student activities as a whole.
Having a student government takes time away from
studies. Tear down Kyle Field and G. Rollie White and
build another Chemistry Buildin We can’t have sports,
they take too much time. All fraternities and sororities
need to be abolished. We sure don’t need bonfire
anymore, because that undying Aggie Spirit died.
Last but not least, tear down Old Sully. I’m sure he
wouldn’t want to look over such a place.
This University then might become known as the place
to learn but not grow. It is important to grow both
intellectually and socially. They go hand in hand.
One more thing, you had better disband the Corps
before you tear down Old Sully, and send Reveille to the
pound, because throwing away traditions while the Corps
exists is the Impossible Nightmare.
Cadet Cpl. David L. Dover
Uninformed
EDITOR:
Call
Later, Sarge
EDITOR:
Mike Sullivan’s attempt to use the Corps of Cadetsas;
scapegoat for Texas A&M’s lack of recognition as a "world
university” makes about as much sense as cutting off your
head because you occasionally pick your nose in public.
T he Corps is not the reason people picture A&M as a
pseudo-military institution, it’s the “Old Sarge" we useasi
caricature. He’s everyw here! He inundates almost even
facet of University publicity. Even the military academy*
West Point has the good sense not to use a symbol that
makes them look like a boot camp. But here we are in
Aggieland, allowing something that represents a scantfrt
percent of the student population to adorn a majority of
the publicity sold to the public at large. No wonder we
have problems getting attention — we’re letting somethin;
that looks like the tough guy in a Bugs Bunny World War
II War Bond cartoon set our image.
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Martell J. Stroup, ’90
Yankee, go home!
EDITOR:
Abolish the Corps, Mike Sullivan? Can you really be
serious? I have a better idea. Let’s forget the men who
founded this institution. Let’s do away with yell practices,
bonfire, Silver Taps, and Aggie Muster. Let’s walkontlit
grass and wear our hats inside the Memorial Student
Center. Let’s forget all the things that make A&M unique
— including the Corps of Cadets; after all, we are striving
to be a “world university,” aren’t we? Oh, one last thing,
let’s change the letters A&M to t.u.
The only thing I have left to say to Sullivan (sinceheii
not originally from Texas anyway) is Highway 6 runsbotk
ways.
Samantha Gordon ’90
Tastes great
EDITOR:
This letter has nothing to do with any past or present
controversies here at A&M, or anywhere else, for that
matter. I just have something I want to get off my chest
In response to a recent A-1 Steak Sauce commercial i
don’t see anything wrong with putting ketchup on steak
Gregg L. Leissner ’88
Best friends
EDITOR:
First of all, I would like to applaud Mike Sullivan on"
approach for getting his name recognized and
remembered; it’s not how you write, it’s what you write
about. Obviously, Sullivan has asked Karl Pallmeyerho"
he too can get people to write in to Mail Call and
remember his name. The conversation probably went
something like this:
Mike: “Hey Karl, every time you write a column,
people write in to Mail Call with their opinions aboutyou [ |
column. How can I get people to read my articles, much
less write in to Mail Call?”
Karl: “It’s simple Mike, just pick a topic that students
feel strongly about here at A&M and twist it around and
make an idiotic suggestion such as abolishing the Corpoff
Cadets.”
The Battalion
(USPS 045 360)
Member of
Texas Press Association
Southwest Journalism Conference
The Battalion Editorial Board
Loren Steffy, Editor
Marybeth Rohsner, Managing Editor
Mike Sullivan, Opinion Page Editor
Jens Koepke, City Editor
Jeanne Isenberg, Sue Krenek, News Editors
Homer Jacobs, Sports Editor
Tom Ownbey, Photo Editor
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tion.
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You don’t make sense when you assert that disciplined
men and women stand in the way of our school’s widening
its reputation for academic excellence.
Rather than speculate about the Corps of Cadets and
Texas A&M’s future, you’d be well advised to expend your
energies on finding a job after your soon-to-come
graduation. I think you might find that the market puts a
value on the opinions and pontifications of journalists that
is much lower than the one you yourself would assign to
them.
Holger Schricker
Graduate Student
Mike: “Gee Karl, you are so intelligent. I wish I cooW
be JUST LIKE YOU!”
Well Sullivan, you have achieved Pallrfteyer statusM
that one FOOLISH column. So why don’t you just take
your great journalistic abilities to the University of
California, Berkeley. I hear they have an “outstanding
liberal arts program.”
Steven M. Taber ’89
Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words in length. The editorials!^
serves the right to edit letters for style and length, hut will make every tjj.'
maintain the author’s intent. Each letter must he signed and must include iht’'
sification, address and telephone number of the writer.
—