The Battalion
OPINION
T]
I
r —
Wednesday, June 6,1990
Opinion Page Editor Damon Arhos
W
Bart’s expulsion a mistake, dude
Bart Simpson is being kicked out of
school.
According to an Associated Press wire
story, Bart’s smart-aleck attitude has led
to his expulsion from some elementary
schools. Students at these schools are
considered to be breaking the dress
code if they wear the Bart Simpson T-
shirt bearing the slogan
“Underachiever: And Proud of It,
Man.”
Now, I’m not a big Simpson’s fan,
though I am quite fond of the comics
that their creator Matt Groening has
produced under the “Life in Hell” title.
But I do think that it’s about time
somebody came to Bart’s defense.
Ellen
Hobbs
Columnist
Elementary school officials think that
Bart is a bad role model for these kids.
They think these kids are going to grow
up to be bad-mannered and
underachievers and cuss too much and
say “dude” and “man” all the time.
They’ll be trouble-makers in school
and in the community. They’ll use
drugs. They’ll go on welfare. They’ll
spend their lunch money on beer and
tatoos.
That’s really pretty silly.
Any educator who believes that a
cartoon character is going to corrupt the
life of an elementary student is kidding
himself. Sure, Bart Simpson may not be
the best role model in the world, but it
takes more than a irritating pop-culture
cartoon character to ruin the minds and
attitudes of youth in America.
But these educators seem to believe
he will, so they’re doing the best they
can to solve the problem. They’re
censoring him.
Censorship is a pretty common
problem in the public school system.
Books have been pulled from library
shelves and out of the classroom.
Certain songs have been banned from
being played at school functions.
Halloween celebrations have been
eliminated in case school might
inadvertantly be promoting Satanism.
Dress codes keep unattractive elements
of pop culture like Bart Simpson from
being viewed across students’ chests.
The book bannings, unfortunately,
have been rather successful. Students
just don’t read enough out of the
classroom to expose themselves to such
offensive works as “The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn,” “The Wizard of Oz”
or even “The American Heritage
Dictionary.”
But the other bans are just a waste of
the censors’ time.
Top 40 songs will play on the radio
anyway, and students will hear them
whether or not they are played in the
school cafeteria at lunch. Most students’
parents will let them dress up on
Halloween whether or not the school
will. And elementary students are going
to see Bart Simpson again, whether its
on a T-shirt or on TV or in the mall. No
school rule is going to keep them away
from it.
Only in our most open-minded
dreams is book banning that ineffective
So, to all you overly-moralistic school
officials out there, try to forgive Bart.
He was never created to be a role model
it
Elementary school
officials think that Bart is a
bad role model for these
kids. They think these kids
are going to grow up to be
bad-mannered and
underachievers and cuss
too much and say “dude”
and “man” all the time.”
just a funny character in a sitcom. And
don’t worry. Most of the time Bart
Simpson seems to learn from his
mistakes, and good prevails over evil.
Instead of worrying about the kinds
of clothes your students are wearing,
worry about the quality of the education
they’re getting.
It’sjust a T-shirt. Don’t have a cow,
man.
Ellen Hobbs is a junior journalism
major.
Flag burning only defaces individuals
involved, not country flag represents
There’s a controversial issue that has
been burning in my mind for some time
now. It’s the controversy surrounding
the burning of the American flag.
Recently, I have seen several n.ews
stories showing people lighting up flags
on the steps of the Capitol and getting
arrested or assaulted because of it. This
has also been a hot topic in the courts,
where there are efforts to pass a
constitutional amendment to ban flag
burning. But I have to ask myself, what
is so wrong with burning the flag?
How do you feel when you see
pictures of third world countries, or
anyone who is not an American,
burning the American flag?
I was born on Flag Day, a day to
celebrate the adoption of the American
flag, so if anyone should be offended by
the burning of the flag, it should be me.
it
I was born on Flag Day,
a day to celebrate the
adoption of the American
flag, so if anyone should be
offended by the burning of
the flag, it should be me.
But, I realize what they are
doing is not hurting
anyone. It only makes
them look bad. I would not
even have known about it if
it weren’t for the media
playing up to them.”
But, I realize what they are doing is not
hurting anyone. It only makes them
look bad. I would not even have known
about it if it weren’t for the media
playing up to them.
Here in America, those who choose to
burn the flag say they are exercising
their constitutional rights. Although the
First Amendment guarantees our right
to freedom of expression, I don’t feel
this is how the flag burning issue should
be supported.
How can anyone say they are
exercising their rights by standing in a
public place, waiting for a crowd to
gather and then setting a flag on fire?
This is not freedom of expression. This
is a fire hazard.
But burning the American flag in a
safe place is just like burning any piece
of material with 13 red and white stripes
and 50 white stars. The American flag is
just a symbol. It is a symbol we can be
identified with and that is all.
Veterans who say they fought for the
flag, and those who are willing to die for
the flag have a real problem. What they
are really fighting for and dying for is
freedom, democracy and the American
way — not for a colorful piece of
material.
So what happens if an amendment is
passed banning flag burning? Will this
cover every form of flag destruction?
Will little Johnnie in the fourth grade,
who draws a picture of the American
flag to commemorate President’s Day,
be able to throw it away if he doesn’t like
it?
Or will this amendment just cover
flags flown over the Capitol for a few
seconds? Or perhaps flags made just of
American cotton?
Also, what about the practice of
burning the flag if it touches the
ground? What will become of this
tradition?
I can see it now. All flags will come
with a tag reading:
Machine wash cold.
Do not bleach or the flag will turn pink.
Tumble dry, but do not use too much
heat.
Keep away from flames.
Do not burn or destroy under penalty of
the law.
If the lawmakers are so concerned with
this burning issue, then they should
require that flags be made of
nonflammable material.
I realize that the burning of an
American flag may offend a lot of
people, but so does picking your nose.
That does not mean there should be a
constitutional amendment banning it.
I feel we should respect what the flag
stands for and stop worrying about what
color flames it will produce. But for
those of you who think it is necessary to
take your frustrations out on the
American flag, I say go ahead and burn
it. We’ll make more.
Colin Moss is a senior joui~nalism and
speech communication major.
Mail Call
Administrators make majority decisions
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Damon Arhos,
Opinion Page Editor
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Meg Reagan,
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News Editors
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Eric Roalson, Art Director
Todd Stone, Lifestyles Editor
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FAX
EDITOR:
My first semester at Texas A&M University was the fall semesterofi;<
By reading The Battalion I realized that many of the students compl
and griped too much.
They complained about bonfire, the parking situation, the Corps;
dels, fraternities, sororities and many other issues.
When I returned to Texas A&M University two years ago, I againj
reading The Battalion. I felt like I had been transported back in time
first year here. The same issues were being complained about in Mail Cal
I asked myself, “Why?”
The administration apparently views the students as a continuousc,
four-year faces. Every year, one year’s worth would enter and one
worth would exit.
The administration realizes that the students will complain regarc
they basically make decisions based on University needs as a whole,m
needs for the few.
Bonfire and the Corps of Cadets are but two of the traditions at A&
Those who serve in the Corps are and should be proud of their co:
ment.
However, the Corps should also respect other student’s feelings;
mitments just as you should respect the Corps’.
Bonfire was originally intended to raise the spirit of the studem
prior to the University of Texas football game.
Its construction builds character in those participating and creJ
deeper unity among the student body.
The actual size and location of bonfire are not relevant as long as 11%
pose is served.
Fraternities and sororities are and should be recognized organization
long as any student organization meets and follows the requirements ;!
has the duty of officially recognizing them.
So Aggies, please remember that this University is for allot the:
You are here a very short time.
Complete your education to the best of your ability, enjoy your time
quit complaining so much and learn to respect the opinions, desires an
tudes of others, for this is just a sample of the real world.
James A. Scott ’86
Daughter of Williams sets record straight
EDITOR:
I’ve stood by long enough and listened to the liberals talk about myt
attitudes toward women. Yes, that’s right. I’m Clayton Williams’ daughtei
And I believe I know more about his attitudes toward women than
do.
I think a man’s true attitude toward women is shown through hisfe
relationships ... mother, wife, sister and daughter.
Ask my Grandmother and my Aunt about by Dad and they’ll tell you
he has always encouraged them in all of their endeavors ... from huntini
game to working in the business world.
Now, how did Clayton Williams raise a daughter in today’s world?
you.
From the time I was a small child he has encouraged me to do my
many ways.
While most men leave the females home when they go hunting, fisii
camping and working, he not only took us with him but also taught us
good shots, to love and respect the outdoors, to clean our own game.tohit
far as any man and to be good sports (not to mention teaching me ate
business).
Does that sound like a man vftjth prehistoric ideas about women?
No. He has always encouraged all of his children to “do something
their lives ... to find their niche. In our endeavors to find my place in I
tried a lot of things.
(1) Construction: He tried to teach me to drive a bulldozer, with noli
helped him survey parts of the ranch with some success.
(2) Cow work: It turned out that I’m not such a hot horsewoman si;
stampeded a whole herd somehow.
(3) Flight school: When I thought I might make a good pilot, hepaic
and encouraged me during the three lessons I took (airsick each time).
Finally, after earning a bachelor’s degree at the University of Texa:
lieve it or not) and working at a large Dallas bank for awhile, I started we
an MBA in fianance.
With his emotinal and financial support I earned that degree in 1?
Now, here is a man who encourages his daughter in all her non-tradie
pursuits, who teaches her the kinds of things most men only teach therrw
And the liberals say he has a bad attitude towards women?
BALDERDASH!
The women of Texas ought to wish they’d had a father like Clayton
liams. Here is a man who believes in equal rights and has put it in pradi;
boot.
Clayton Williams is a friend to people from all walks of life. I truly bd
he will prove to be a historically great governor for all the people of Texa:
Thank you for letting me speak in support of my father.
Kelvie Williams Muhlbauer
Daughter of Clayton Williams
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Stop 1111.
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