Page 2/The Battalion/Tuesday, November 24,1987
Opinion
Finally, a workable method of AIDS education
It is quite dis
tressing to be con
fronted daily with
new facts on AIDS
and the inexorably
mounting mortal
ity among our fin
est young people.
To see so many
productive souls
waste away and
die is tragic, as is
the persecution of
ever, handily demolished her stuffy
logic with irresistable wit, thus laying
her antiquated ideas to rest. They em
phasized the continued need for “safe
sex” education in the schools while at
tacking prejudice against gays. Just be
cause most AIDS victims are gay is no
reason to blame them for the spread of
AIDS. They are innocent victims; no
one is to blame.
Brian
Frederick
gays as the perpetrators of the disease.
Recently, however, I found a solution
to these problems.
Much of my inspiration came last
Wednesday night when I attended the
panel discussion entitled “AIDS and
Ethics” sponsored by MSC Political Fo
rum. It pitted Phyllis Schlafly against a
gay activist and a sympathetic professor.
The discussion centered around “safe
sex” education in the public schools.
Schlafly, being the antedeluvian relic
she is, advocated abstinence before mar
riage to combat AIDS. According to
her, “safe sex” should not be taught in
the public schools because its message is
not true, healthy, legal, or constitu
tional.
Though they did a fine job advocat
ing the right approach to AIDS, they
did not take it nearly far enough. That’s
where my brainstorm comes in.
Obviously, schoolboys and girls can’t
control themselves sexually, and we are
foolish to expect this. Though they may
have done so in the past, now that they
are liberated from morality’s repressive
shackles, they simply cannot go back to
the frustration of abstinence. But they
do need protection from AIDS. They
also need to be freed from prejudice to
ward gays, which is wholly without rea
son.
Schlafly’s nimble opponents, how-
I propose a new sex education pro
gram for the schools that will admirably
accomplish these ends. Its goal is cap
tured by the slogan “sex before eight or
else it’s too late,” which some have advo
cated in the past but never imple
mented. I confess that perhaps this is
Mail Call
Fighting for rights
EDITOR:
Thursday night I attended the R.E.M. concert. Late in the performance
the lead singer said a few words to the audience. The preliminary stuff like,
“You were a great audience,” etc. Then he threw in, “If you’re in the military,
quit.” This was met with approval by the audience. They cheered for more
“great” words of wisdom. I left after I heard the reaction from the crowd.
I appreciate the ideals he tried to convey. However, I also appreciate the
freedom we all enjoy, the freedom won by men and women who went before
us who gave their lives for this country. If it was as easy as throwing down our
arms and saying, “WE WON’T FIGHT,” I would be the first in line. It’s not.
So many people are ready to fight for their “right to party” but many of those
same people don’t realize that someone must fight for their right to speak
their mind, their right to become whatever they want to be, their right to
wear their hair long, their right to be in a band and their right to live in a free
country.
Ben McGraw ’89
Brian Frederick is stupid
EDITOR:
Brian Frederick is stupid.
Jerry Rosiek ’87
accompanied by 32 signatures
End terrorist labels
EDITOR:
“ . . it’s (terrorism) part of the political system . . . and Arab societies in the
Middle East.. . People in the Middle East are used to terrorist methods for
hundreds of years ... In Western Europe . .. one country took measure
against terrorism . . . that was Israel. . . Israel is a very unique country ... It is
a democratic country.”
Oh, come on, I’ve had it! It is not unusual to hear such twisted words
from an Israeli consul (Battalion, Nov. 19), but what always surprises me is
how the American press keeps on falling for such false propaganda. I would
like anyone who thinks terrorism is “part of the Arab societies” to go and live
with an Arab family for a week and then see how the hospitability and
kindness he will find fit into this image of a terrorist society. Many of the
American professors here at Texas A&M who lived and worked in the
Middle East can testify to this.
As for Israel being a “unique country,” indeed it is. It is a country that was
started by unlawfully seizing the lands of the Palestinians and kicking them
out of their houses. It’s a racist country that thrives on eliminating
Palestinians in Lebanon and oppressing them in the West Bank. It’s a country
that manages to swindle the biggest portion of American foreign aid through
a very dangerous lobby group in Washington that can influence who will be
elected to the Congress, Senate and even presidency, and then project an
image of being the weak and peaceful lamb!
I am not saying we in the Middle East do not have very serious political
problems with our dictators (who are hated by the people) just as some Latin
American countries have their political problems. But what we hope and
expect from America is not to support those dictators (and America supports
some of them) and certainly not to support Israel. What we do not expect and
hope, though, is for the American press to label the Arab societies as
terrorist.
Ahmad Jarrah
doctoral student
Editor’s Note: The Battalion printed an interview with Israeli Consul Shmuel
Ben-Shmuel, in which he discussed international terrorism and how it relates
to U.S. interests. The Battalion in no way labeled Arab societies as terrorist.
Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words in length. 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 be signed and
must include the classification, address and telephone number of the writer.
The Battalion
(USPS 045 360)
Member of
Texas Press Association
Southwest Journalism Conference
The Battalion Editorial Board
Sondra Pickard, Editor
John Jarvis, Managing Editor
Sue Krenek, Opinion Page Editor
Rodney Rather, City Editor
Robbyn Lister, News Editor
Loyd Brumfield, Sports Editor
Tracy Staton, Photo Editor
overly idealistic. I am, however, willing
to compromise in order to serve the best
interests of the people, lest my idealism
alienate too many and the children be
deprived of my program’s benefits.
Initially then, my program will begin
by teaching fourth-graders the repro
ductive anatomy in both medical and
slang terminology. In fifth grade, they
will view explicit films of various sexual
acts performed with appropriate safety
precautions. Because the perspective of
fered by film is limited, sixth graders
will see live classroom demonstrations
by trained specialists so that they miss
nothing.
For those who fear that my program
may promote a certain moral standard,
let me allay those fears. My program will
teach nothing but the facts. Teachers
will be strictly enjoined not to intrude
their own opinions on the tender minds
entrusted to them. Knowing the pure
facts untainted by someone else’s value
judgments, the children will be able to
make their own informed decisions
about sex.
The exalted task of preparing chil
dren to lead full lives of “safe sex” will
be completed in the seventh grade. Sev
enth graders will be carefully paired off
to practice what they have learned about
“safe sex” in both heterosexual and ho
mosexual relationships. They will have
qualified supervision to help them with
any problems. This is an important time
in students’ lives, as they will not be per
mitted to leave the seventh grade until
they have demonstrated proficiency in
“safe sex” techniques.
Then and only then will they possess
all the facts necessary to make an in
formed choice of lifestyle while protect
ing themselves from disease. Their firs
thand experience with different
lifestyles will end prejudice and pro
mote tolerance of all.
My program thus corrects deficien
cies in the education of our children
that for too long have hindered their
growth as complete humans. Sex will fi
nally be recognized as the necessity of
life it is: the only thing that makes life
worth living. Education should prepare
children for life, and my program deliv
ers the sexual literacy necessary to live
life fully and safely.
Moreover, my program helps pro
duce a truly egalitarian society. No
longer will the morally pure be able to
look down on their immoral classmates,
for all will be enlightened alike. No
longer will gays be reviled. We shall all
be one happy family, wonderfully toler
ant of each other’s human diversity.
To ensure that self-righteous bigots
are not able to perpetuate themselves
private schools, it will be necessary
abolish private education and forceev
eryone into the public schools. Onl
when everyone is free to choose hisowi
morality after an unbiased appraisal
e<
the facts will our civil rights, liberty,anil rtoriots ir
IOUSTO
ration off
jrisons in
cedofficei
vac;
equality be secure.
Of course, a few like Schlafly willai
gue that abstinence until marriage K . - f
someone you love is the moral and most ’ r . y
r ir-ii- 7 , irenters t
fulfilling way to live and overcomt
AIDS. But no one will listen, forever)
one knows that sex and love have noth
ing to do with each other. The notiono
love, which promotes sexual exclusive
ness, is simply an ossified barrier totht
realization of a truly egalitarian society
My program will instill in everyont
the attitude of Madame Kollantay, i
Russian revolutionary, who considered ne( i a n v i
the sexual act to be of no more impor in concei
tance than drinking a glass of water Idings an
“But who wants to drink from a soiled
glass?” Those who reply to Kollantayat
Lenin did are simply afflicted withtht
vestiges of an obsolete morality. The)
will be ref uted by results, for my pro
gram assures a “clean glass” through
“safe sex” education.
i centers li
)bout 50 i
he Houst<
vately fur
the seen
v Year’s I
tes, Ron F
Natural
ector, said
'We have
3 the facil
kesure nc
\'o proble
for a
mston In
Brian Frederick is a senior history m
Russian major and a columnist for Tht
Battalion.
The MS(
'Sed putti
s called p
Ms that
xas A&M
At the fin
Counci;
n told r
until sho
uiitoring
' tr y in g
>grams.
We’re c
jtrol,” H;
We’re n
at they c
ns and v
ople’s al
Elephant Walk can’t be ‘solemn
All I have to say
is that the Class of
’89 is a bunch of
wimps for not
wanting to partici
pate in this year’s
Elephant Walk.
Doug
Hall
Guest Columnist
Come on! This is Texas A&M where
men are men and ladies are ladies, not a
patsy university like we’re always calling
those Austinites.
True, the merit of one’s gender is not
solely based on whether you like to
wrestle, which is what has occurred for
the past 10 years or so during Elephant
Walk, but since when did Aggies shy
away from a little fun?
According to the gospel of the class
councils, circa ’88 and ’89, juniors are
being “strongly discouraged” from
wrestling with the dying zips this year
“for the preservation of Elephant
Walk.”
Furthermore, Senior Class President
Andrea Beshara says the event should
be a somewhat solemn occasion for the
seniors to reflect on their years at A&M.
Yippie skippie! I hope they don’t fall
asleep while solemnly reflecting on their
memorable three-and-a-half year stay
here in Aggieland.
Both class councils say There is no way
they will try to enforce the non-wres
tling request, which they couldn’t do
even if they tried, but it certainly will
put a damper on what used to be a fun
occasion.
Admittedly, there were people who
got hurt during the wild and wooly
procession the two years I participated,
but people are always getting hurt. And
without knowing for sure, I dare say
that anyone who wasn’t looking for
trouble was someone that eventually got
hurt.
In the Corps, Elephant Walk served
as an excellent way to vent three years of
frustrations between the junior and se
nior classes. Afterward, the air was
cleared and the two classes were once
again able to work together.
As juniors, w<5 never attacked non-
Corps members, and as seniors, we only
fought with those non-regs who came
up and attacked us. There were no hard
feelings because more than likely you
never saw them again.
For the senior class, Elephant ^
was truly an occurrence where an entirt
class, Corps and non-regs, black and
white, male and female, joined togethei
for a little old-fashioned fun.
It was, as Aggies like to say, all inthf
name of Good Bull.
And yes, I’m aware that Good Bulb
no excuse for injuring someone. But if
you’re afraid of getting hurt, don’t
or at least don’t wrestle.
But oh well, it isn’t my worry. Tlit
Class of ’87 has already had its two
ephant Walks. I guess the Class of
can go and have their “pull-out” 1
Practice (why don’t you just stay in bed
you already know how to yell) while tht
Class of ’88 solemnly meanders around
the campus (you can do that 365 days
year if you really want) and rides on in
elephants.
As for me, I’ll just sit at home and re
fleet on the good times I had at A&M
Two of those days, without a doubt, art
my Elephant Walks.
Doug Hall is a fifth-year senior jourot
lism major and an assistant sports edi
for for The Battalion.
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by BerKe Breathe*
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