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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 2, 1990)
The Battalion OPINION Friday, February 2,1990 Opinion Page Editor Ellen Hobbs 845-33 Jackson would be good candidate for D.C. mayo Jesse Jackson once stood a better chance of becoming president of the United States than any African- American in history. However, his stock has fallen drastically and is going to fall a lot further unless he makes some bold moves. Jackson has many of the qualifications necessary to enter the realm of “serious contender” for the presidency. For years, Jackson has been the leader and dominant force of the African- American political movement. During the last presidential election, he lost in the primaries but made a strong enough showing to nearly convince Michael Dukakis to select him as his running mate. He has overwhelming support from the African-American community, and his populist message has won him thin but broad-based and growing support from farmers and rural voters. He has shown that he can run a relatively successful campaign on a shoestring budget. Most importantly, he Scot O. Walker Editor is perceived by his supporters as a leader and a visionary. But Jackson still has one gaping hole in his presidential resume, and it is one that his oppenents will always be able to use effectively against him: He has absolutely zero experience as an elected official. He has never been a senator, governor, representative, mayor, councilman or anything else. His critics can say that he can’t handle the job, and he can insist that he can, but the fact is that he has never been in a position to prove anybody wrong. Jackson has said on several occasions recently that he would like to see the District of Columbia granted statehood. He says he would then like to serve as United States senator from the 51st state, New Columbia. That’s a nice plan, but it has a fatal flaw: It hinges on D.C being granted statehood. Not a chance. There is no way that D.C. is going to become a state. A bill has been in front of Congress since 1988 proposing statehood, and it hasn’t moved anywhere in all that time. Jackson and other statehood supporters say that statehood is necessary for D.C. so that it can reap full benefits for its inhabitants. A commonly heard phrase is that the District of Columbia is the “f orgotten stepchild” of the nation. No way, no how is anybody in America going to buy that. Sure, the city has problems, but they are the same problems that you see in New York, Los Angeles, etc. The district is the seat of our nation’s government, has more museums and art galleries and monuments than probably any other city, and even has its own congressional subcommittee to see to its affairs. The forgotten stepchild analogy just won’t go over. A better idea for Jesse Jackson — and one that he has repeatedly shot down — is for him to become mayor of Washington, D.C. The job is his for the taking, and it offers him a unique opportunity. The city, like every other big city, has outrageous crime rates, a huge drug problem and thousands of homeless people. These are many of the same problems that Jackson has said he can solve, or at least ease, for the nation as a whole. The mayoralty of Washington is also in a glaring spotlight, with what is probably the highest concentration of media of any city in the world. If Jackson does any good at all, his doubters will see that he can effective] solve problems and manage a beauracracy. And if he bombs, evenil will see that he has no business beimI our nation’s president. Jackson has the opportunity to shJ that he has the ideas, the intelligence and — most of all — the skill tobeou: president, or that he doesn’t. Rut he needs to move now. His roleasthero prominent African-American of the Democratic party is endangered byth emergence of other possible standard bearers, such as David Dinkens, Andn Young, Douglas Wilder and Ron Brown. Jackson’s supporters need him to reassert his leadership now. He should do something bold — like takingthe Washington mayor’s job — orstepasii for the new blood. Scot Walker is a senior journalism major. Sane, frenzyless reader gives pro-life rebuttal I had decided not to respond to the Battalion’s inconsistent stance on life issues but was once more sucked into the fray by the half-truths and nonsense emanating from this paper. So, being a sane, nonviolent, frenzyless but dangerous person (according to Ellen Hobbs), here goes. The issue of promoting illegal abortions by restricitng legal abortions ranks right up there with supporting illegal child abuse by opposing legal child abuse. I would assume that Hobbs is alluding to statistics that alleged 500 to 5000 women died yearly from abortions in the years prior to Roe v. Wade. Those figures were wildly exaggerated to meet the needs of the cause. The issue of the separation of church and state is also interesting. As I am sure Hobbs knows, this term is not found anywhere in the Constitution. It is not in amendments one or five, (these refer to the establishment of state churches or the restricting of religious liberty), including upholding the right to influence the moral and ethical decisions or foundations on which this nation rests. The phrase comes from Thomas Jefferson in a letter to a group of Baptist ministers concerned about the adoption of a state church in Virginia. It is interesting to see that subsequent to this he affirmed the need and desirability for people of religious background to impact the state in its development of its moral and ethical foundations. This question is raised when debating when life begins. I must say that my understanding of when life begins is based on biology and genetics, while the value that I ascribe to that life is based on my Christian beliefs. This sentiment was echoed in an editorial in the official journal of the California Medical Association, “California Medicine”: “Since the old ethic (the traditional Christian viewpoint) has not been fully displaced, it has been necessary to separate the idea of abortion from the idea of killing, which continues to be socially abhorrent. The result has been a curious avoidance of the scientific fact, which everyone knows, that human life begins at conception and is continuous whether intra uterine or extra-uterine until death. The very considerable semantic Bucky Lee Reader’s Opinion gymnastics which are required to rationalize abortion as anything but taking human life would be ludicrous if they were not often put forth under socially impeccable auspices.” Turning to the misguided and misinformed sentiments of Don Atkinson and Gabriel Guerra, I would like to make the following two points. One, it would seem that not everyone can “afforcj” Planned Parenthood’s services and are therefore referred elsewhere, to poisonous snakes in the grass according to Hobbs. Two, they are woefully behind on the readings from the Center for Population Options proceedings (1988 and 1989). The director of research for the center, Douglas Kirby, reported that in a study conducted from 1984 to 1988 there was no “measurble impact” on pregnancies at schools with Planned Parenthood school- based clinics when compared with the control group (no clinic or education). Turning to the pro-choice label, me just state a few other areas where I am not pro-choice (anti-choice?). Child abuse: It’s not OK to abuse them just because we differ on the issue. The death penalty: It's not OK to execute them because you think it’s OK. Support for dictatorships and death squads in Central America, the nuclear arms race, care for the homeless, social programs, pornography are examples of other issues. On issues where the destruction of human life is at stake, a pro-choice stance cheapens all of humanity. In response to those who will say I don’t care about the mother or family involved, I would caution you to look before you leap. In closing, I would just note that we can argue about this day and night but the outcome remains the same, my view leads to a baby and mother where both can be cared for, yours ends with the disposal of “fetal tissue” and often unresolved suffering for years to come. Buckey Lee is an AScM staff member and research specialist. The Battalion (USPS 045 360) Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference The Battalion Editorial Board Scot Walker, Editor Monique Threadgill, Managing Editor Ellen Hobbs, Opinion Page Editor Melissa Naumann, City Editor Cindy McMillian, Lisa Robertson, News Editors Richard Tijerina, Sports Editor Fredrick D. Joe, Art Director Mary-Lynne Rice, Lifestyles Editor Editorial Policy The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting newspaper operated as a community service to Texas A&M and Bryan-College Station. Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editorial board or the author, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Texas A&M administrators, faculty or the Board of Regents. The Battalion is published Monday through Friday during Texas A&M regular semesters, except for holiday and examination periods. Mail subscriptions are $17.44 per semester, $34.62 per school year and $36.44 per full year. Advertising rates furnished on request. Our address: The Battalion. 230 Reed Mc Donald, Texas A&M University, College Sta tion, TX 77843-1111. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to i he Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald. Texas A&M University, College Station TX 77843- 4111.' Health columnist gives tips on fighting dreaded flu virus Every year the flu makes many students feel sick. This column will explain what the flu is, its symptoms and how you can prevent it. What is the flu? “Flu” is short for influenza, a virus that causes an infection in the lungs and upper respiratory system. What are the common symptoms? The flu usually begins with headaches, body aches, fever, chills and cough. Sore throat, sneezing, runny nose and a tight feeling in the chest may also appear. Most people recover within a week, but some may feel exhausted for three to four weeks. How does the flu spread? The virus spreads quickly and it is usually passed from person to person by touching, coughing or sneezing. People can also get the flu by touching something that has been infected by someone who has the flu, and then touching their mouths, noses or eyes. After the virus enters the body, symptoms appear in two to three days. What are the possible complications ? The influenza virus may produce bacterial pneumonia in people who have chronic heart or lung disease, are older than 65 years or who live in nursing homes. Reye’s syndrome is a serious brain and liver disorder that has been linked to the use of aspirin by children with flu symptoms. It is not recommended to use aspirin or medicines containing aspirin against the flu. Who should be vaccinated? • People with chronic heart or lung disease. Erika Gonzalez-Lima Health Columnist • Residents of nursing homes. • Adults older than 65 years of age. • People with immune system disorders. • People with asthma. • Children with chronic respiratory disorders. • Family members of vulnerable people. • Health-care providers. • Police and fire department staff. The vaccine is no guarantee against the flu, but it reduces the chance of getting it or of having complications. Since the vaccine does not take effect for several months, the time to receive it is in the fall, before the winter flu season. Because the influenza virus may change every year, vaccination should take place annually. The influenza vaccine may cause mild side effects, such as fever, soreness or redness at the vaccination site. These reactions are infrequent and usually last only two days. If you are allergic to eggs, tell your physician because the vaccine is prepared with eggs. How is the flu treated? Flu patients should rest in bed and drink plenty of fluids (eight ounces of juice or water every two hours). A drug called amantadine may reduce the severity and duration of some type of influenza symptons if it is taken within 48 hours after the first symptoms appear. For plain flu symptoms, antibiotics do not help. For sore throat, general aches and pains, take a non-aspirin pain killer such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®). The usual dosage is two tablets every four hours as needed. For additional relief of throat pain, use warm gargles (Vz teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of water), hot tea with honey and lemon or a tablespoon of Cepacol® in eight ounces of water. Throat lozenges may also be used. For nasal congestion, use moist heat — a humidifier or hot showers will treat the stuffiness. Neo-Synephrine® may be sprayed in each nostril three to four times. Wait 30 seconds to one minute, and then blow each nostril gently. Use thesprayupto four times a day, and for no longertk 10 consecutive days. Discard it after each illness. This medication is sold without a prescription. For dry, unproductive cough, usti non-prescription cough suppressant. Try to live with the “productivecougli which brings mucus up and cleans you lungs. How can the flu be prevented? • Wash hands frequently w ith soap and water. • Keep your hands away from your mouth, nose and eyes. The virus spreads quickly and it is usually passed from person to person by touching, coughing or sneezing.People can also get the flu by touching something that has been infected by someone who has the flu, and then touching their mouths, noses or eyes. • Disinfect contaminated objects with soap and water. • Use disposable facial tissue. ® Eat a balanced diet. • Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. • Do not smoke. • Sleep and rest. Avoid exercising and partying if you’re not well. What if you’ve got the flu? Although most people recover without needing medical care, it is best to check with your doctor to make sure your symptoms and recovery are normal. Do not overmedicate. Some influenza-like symptoms are causedbv other types of infection which require different medical therapy. Visit the A.P. Beutel Student Health Center if nausea, vomiting, severe persistent headache, skin rash, excessivf sleepiness, high fever or marked changes in the color of body excrement occur. Call 845-611 1 or 845-6112 for an appointment. Have a question on a health issue? Write totk r Health Columnist. Dr. Erika Gonzalez-Lima, Studnl j Health Center, Texas A&M University, CollegeStnl» ] TX 77S45-]264. Letters will be answeredanonymtdj S through this column in The Battalion. Adventures In Cartooning Vy tk CArtccrs r Aeftrs. Crrtoohistj More- V£5T£RDW, ONE OF THE v RDV£fmjP£5..." cmmcTERs INSULTED MV D/fUEGCE. since he seem to mm THIS STUFF IS EASY, I HOLE TOLD HIM TO DO TODOYS STRIP HIMSELF! 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