The Bai
The Battalion
OPINION
Wedn
Wednesday, March 8,1989
Mail Call
Stay in the closet
EDITOR:
Guns are OK
EDITOR:
In Stephen Masters’ March 1 article on homophobia,
the president of Gay Student Services, Eduardo Casas,
stated that homosexuality “is something that they (many
people) know they kind of are, and then they end up
hating this (gay) person . . . when in actuality it’s what they
really are.”
This is in response to Ross Lambert’s “researched’
letter concerning gun control.
“Guns don’t kill people; people kill people ” It’s an
old cliche, sure, but a true one.
Is Mr. Casas insinuating that everyone who dislikes
homosexuals has repressed feelings toward his or her own
sexual gender? I believe Eduardo is attempting to appease
his own conscience by projecting his own guilt upon
everyone else.
I’ve owned guns for years and I’ve yet to see a single
one of them leap off the shelf, run off and commit
murder.
Guns are inanimate objects, only as dangerous as
their users. If the user truly is dangerous, then we need
to control that person, not guns.
Eduardo, on what basis do you make your claim?
You also stated that AIDS “gives people another
reason to fear and dislike a group they do not
understand.” Personally, I don’t need another reason.
Criminals who have the capacity to kill will do so
with whatever means they can, if not with a gun, then
with any sharp or blunt object.
You’re gay. That’s enough reason for me. I also do not
fear you because I know you aren’t touching me —even if
you do so to “release” your inner desires. As for not
understanding your group of real sweet guys — I
understand you loud and clear. I’ve observed your
nauseating antics, and I whole-heartedly disapprove.
Instead of gun control, why not put the “bite” back
into the law and make the crime of murder more
serious? Many criminals aren’t intimidated by the law
due to our judicial system’s track record of leniency.
Eduardo, it’s not very difficult to understand the
correct formation of a relationship. There are only two
genders of humans, male and female. It’s obvious that
male and female is the only proper combination. How
could you possibly get it wrong?
What if alcohol was outlawed because of the number
of drinking and driving fatalites? Or automobiles?
(Since you “researched” the subject, Mr. Lambert, you
probably already know there are more deaths annually
from auto accidents than from shootings.)
Any measures would only take firearms from law-
abiding citizens, making them more vulnerable to the
criminal, who’ll obtain a gun anyway.
Although I don’t believe violence toward your kind will
rectify the dilemma, I also don’t believe that you have the
“right” to express your distasteful passions at the expense
of everyone else’s displeasure. As far as I’m concerned,
you can stay in the closet.
Drew Popelka ’91
Mr. Lambert’s comparison between guns and illegal
drugs was weak: Certain drugs are illegal because of
their abnormally addictive, mind-altering effects,
whereas guns are totally safe when used responsibly.
Go watch the cows
EDITOR:
Mr. Lambert then argues that guns at home are a
threat to your children’s safety. If someone is careless
(and stupid) enough to leave firearms and ammunition
within reach of their children, they’re just asking for
trouble. Would you let your child play with matches,
pharmaceuticals or household chemicals?
In response to Charles Goodman’s March 1 letter
defending Greeks’ actions at the Feb. 21 Aggie Ladies’
basketball game, I would like to say that we are not
expecting any “apology.”
However, the smart-aleck attitude in which his letter
was written cannot help but to alienate even those who are
partial to the Greeks.
Mr. Lambert, if you don’t like guns, that’s your
perogative, however, is it fair to take away my hobbies
(hunting and target shooting) if I pose no threat to so
ciety?
Ted Winkle ’89
Accompanied by 32 signatures
The idea in itself is a noble one. But do not, sir, try to
justify the halftime exodus as study-motivated; it says little
of our intelligence and less of yours. Another ha If-ho uL.
would not have made any difference in study (or party)
time.
Cartoon not humorous
EDITOR:
1 found the “Warped” comic of March 2 personally
offensive.
But on your word, however, we will accept as fact that
all of the fine young fraternity men took their dates
directly home and then returned to their desks to study.
Finally, we would ask that if you have any similar such
stunts planned for the future, that you please take them to
a secluded place, such as a cow pasture. We can assure you
the performance of the cows will not be adversely affected
by your actions; on the contrary, they wouldn’t mind in the
least if you decided to leave early and rid them of your
odious presence.
In a prejudice-free society, it would not be implied
that one would have to be white to enjoy a film such as
“E.T.,” nor would the play on words with “colorized”
have occurred.
Lady Ags, you played like champions that day, in spite
of the deserters. The real Aggies, to include those Greeks
who stayed for the entire game, will always be behind you.
Ray Kornhoff ’88
Kevin Jimmerson ’89
That something resorting to racial humor of this
nature would escape editorial review and actually
appear in the school newspaper speaks rather clearly of
the true discriminatory situation on campus. I feel that
The Battalion and Scott McCullar owe both the
University at large and the paper’s advertisers an
apology for this lapse in attention.
Keith Marrocco Wilkinson ’90
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
Confessions of
Nintendo addict ex
At the beginning of this semester,
some friends that live down the hall
from me, Greg Good and Mike Rollins,
purchased a Nintendo video game. 1
have been good friends with them for
several semesters, so I occasionally visit
them. At first I never thought much of
their new addition, not knowing the
small, gray, plastic box would soon take
hold of my life.
Timm
Doolen
Columnist
As I visited them over the next few
weeks, I saw John and Danny (Greg and
Mike’s suite-mates) playing Super Mario
Brothers, and I admired the incredible
graphics of the game. John’s brother
had a Nintendo at home, so from the
beginning he was better at Mario Broth
ers than anybody else. The rest of the
guys looked to him for guidance when
trying to learn the intricacies of the
Mario Brothers world.
room. I played their Nintendo betwea
classes, at night, even before tests,win
I should have been studying. 1 tot
vinced myself that Mario was a repriti
from studying, but it was sometiit
hard to rationalize a three hour stu:
break. I remember Greg telling me
salesman s^aid Nintendo improvt
hand-eye coordination. This servedt
rationalization for several days.
People
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Susan S
the Bapt
I don’t remember exactly when it was,
but the guys encouraged me to play the
game. After just a few times of playing
Mario Brothers, I was hooked. That’s
somewhat odd considering my attitude
toward video games. I’m not exactly a
fan of video games, but occasionally one
will catch my eye. I avidly played them
when I was younger, but since I’ve been
at college, video games seem more a
waste of valuable time than anything
else.
As a result of Nintendo, Greg’s at
Mike’s grades started to suffer,
though Nintendo was giving us all let
porary pleasures, like most addicitios
it had very negative effects. Ninteni
was drawing our lives into a whirlpool
despair, so something had to change
But somehow Super Mario Brothers
transcends that feeling. When I begin
watching the vivid colors, I become hyp
notized by their beauty. Once I start
playing, it’s almost impossible for me to
stop. Usually Greg or Mike has to ung
lue my hand from the controller, and
throw me out of the room.
Last week I learned the sad news
Mario’s future. Mario is going home!
spring break and never coming
I'm trying to quit Mario, but the w!
drawal symptoms are almost too nw
to handle. I’ll h ave it) go cold turl
when he’s finally gone, but for now
playing as much Mario as 1 can.
Jy Mia B
REPORTE
For several weeks I played Super
Mario Brothers every day, for up to an
hour at a time; Greg bought other
games, but none had the appeal of
Mario Brothers. Double Dribble, a bas
ketball game, was Danny’s specialty,
while solving Zelda became the quest of
Greg and Mike. Neither game appealed
to me — I was a tried-and-true Mario
I really can’t blame Greg and Mi
for wanting the Mario Brothers oui
their life. Not only does it take upaa
siderable amount of their time beo
they play Nintendo so often, but a
many persons (including myself) it
their room at all hours of the day to
the game.
Hopefully the grades of everyone
volved with the Nintendo will go up
ter its departure. 1 won’t say that Mai
is the only reason I frequent Mike a:
Greg’s place, but if I don’t visit quite
often after spring break, they’ll b
why.
Our conquest of the games was all-
consuming. Greg finally broke down
and made several long-distance calls to
the Nintendo hotline, to try to discover
the secrets of Mario and Zelda.
Maybe I’ll find somebody else in '
Innis Hall who has a Nintendo. Mail
I’ll break down and actually buyaNi
tend© system, adding another f
Nintendo sales, which will reach anes
mated $2.5 billion this year.
Day after day, I bugged Greg and
Mike to see if they would let me play
Mario Brothers; I was obviously ad
dicted. I shudder to think what would
happen if I had a Nintendo in my own
I’ll fondly remember my days spt
with Mario, and I can honestly sayh
miss him.
Timm Doolen is a sophomore a
puter science major and a colum
/orThe Battalion.
Miss Texas A&M Pageant is far from scholarly
“There she is — Miss Texas A&M
University,” the emcee bellows.
The newly crowned scholarship re
cipient accepts the bouquet of roses and
proudly begins her stroll down the run
way — her bosoms proiadly pushed up
and pressed together using Lord only
knows what kind of devices, salty tears
forming little river bottoms in her
makeup and a rhinestone crown resem
bling Elvis’ favorite ashtray at Graceland
perched atop her hairdo/cycling safety
headgear.
Anthony
Wilson
City Editor
talent and swimsuit divisions just like
more prestigious pageants such as the
Miss Iowa Cream Corn Pageant or the
Miss Raise Your Hands If You’re Sure
and You Shave Pageant.
their skivvies for $1,000, they’re asking
to be judged on their looks, something
most women abhor, with good reason.
The interview sessions were conducted
prior to the competition, which is a
shame. The audience was cheated out of
these women’s views on Proposition 42,
Gov. Clements’ regent nominees, Sal
man Rushdie, the Soviet withdrawal
from Afghanistan and other current is
sues.
not only for the $1,000 prize, but for all
the other fees necessary to produce
Goofy Babe Night, er, this extrava
ganza.
University sponsored bikini, tan, wei
shirts nd hot buns scholarship ca
tests?
“How can that be?” you inquire.
“There is no beauty, er, scholarship
pageant fee on my fee slip.”
It’s called the Miss TAMU “Scholar
ship” Pageant, which is laughable.
Those involved stress that it’s not, re
peat not, a beauty pageant. After seeing
photos of some of the participants, I’m
hesitant to disagree.
But the pageant does have interview,
No, Miss TAMU is a “scholarship”
pageant. But I have just one question.
What other scholarship’s requirements
include a nice set of garbanzas?
All the Miss TAMUs, past, present
and future, could be blithering morons,
and we, their constituents, would never
know.
Let’s quickly deal with the obvious
sexist attitudes this event promotes and
move on to the crux of this column.
Any time women parade around in
But my focus is the subject nearest
and dearest to all you business majors —
money. You see, you, and I, and the
other 36,764 people on this campus pay
Au contraire, mon frere. You do pay
a substantial student service fee and a
portion of that is allotted by the MSC to
the pageant. And what do we get in re
turn? We get a handwaving University
representative to ride around Dallas in a
giant cotton puff every Jan. 1 for the
low, low price of a couple of G’s. What a
bargain!
Having a female student represt
Texas A&M as Miss TAMU at vario
functions is not a bad thing. But bet
ways of choosing that person exist
ways which wouldn’t require swimi
competitions or the use of student set
ice fees. Many intelligent, talenit
women here at A&M would be pru
and able to represent the Universit)
this capacity. But they shouldn’t hast
demean themselves to do it. And '
shouldn’t have to pay to have it done
You’ve come a long way, babyJ 1
we’ve got a long way to go.
Since this “scholarship” pageant has
been such a huge, smashing success,
why not expand the idea? How about
Anthony Wilson is a senior jours
lism major and city editor of The
talion.
The Battalion
(USPS 045 360)
Member of
Texas Press Association
Southwest Journalism Conference
The Battalion Editorial Board
Becky Weisenfels, Editor
Leslie Guy, Managing Editor
Dean Sueltenfuss, Opinion Page Editor
Anthony Wilson, City Editor
Scot Walker, Wire Editor
Drew Leder, News Editor
Doug Walker, Sports Editor
Jay Janner, Art Director
Mary-Lynne Rice, Entertainment Edi
tor
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