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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (June 15, 1990)
The Battalion OPINION Friday, June 15,1990 Opinion Page Editor Damon Arhqs Supreme Court justified in striking flag-burning lav In response to Damon Arhos’ column on the issue of flag burning, I’m afraid I have to disagree. Arhos is certainly not an unintelligent person. I actually agreed with most of the statements that the article contained. Yet, it seems that Arhos is simply not stepping back and taking a broad look at exactly what the issue is. Admittedly, it is a hard issue to look at objectively. The American flag burning on the steps of Congress is the same one that Lincoln fought to preserve, the same one that flew during both world wars and the flag posted by the first men to reach the moon. However, in all these cases, the flag was a symbol, as Arhos states in his column, Kevin Robinson Reader’s Opinion and tne battles and wars were not for the flag but for the ideals it represented. The emotional value of a symbol should not take precedence over those ideals it stands for. The big question, as Arhos puts it, is whether or not flag burning should be protected by the First Amendment. Certainly I will agree that it is not specifically stated and that the founding fathers did not intend this when the Bill of Rights was drafted. However, the reason that the Bill of Rights has withstood the test of time is because it was written ambiguously, but with strong central themes. This allows it to be interpreted by the current members of the judicial branch to reflect modern attitudes. This was obviously the intention of the Supreme Court in their protection of flag burning as a means of expression. Flag burning, though it may incite strong emotions, is a victimless crime. It harms no one and is merely a means of political expression. Arhos writes, “The act of burning it (the flag) only reinforces the idea that we have no respect for or faith in our nation and its people.” This, of course, is usually exactly the message the flag burner is trying to convey; a sense of disillusionment with the United States, its policies and its people. The reason that protestors burn the flag is because it is such a powerful image. A group that is protesting has a much better chance of both getting media exposure and raising public consciousness if it uses controversial images. This is why anti-abortion forces use pictures of bloody fetuses, and why animal rights groups use their posters of bludgeoned baby seals. Nice, polite debate may be more civilized and structured, but it rarely makes the six o’clock news. The real purpose of protesting is often not to directly influence the lawmakers themselves, but to make the public aware of the situation. Looking to American history, many people were content under British colonial rule. It required rebellious and shocking protests such as the Boston Tea Party and the Declaration of Independence, designed by colonial radicals, to begin to incite the American Revolution. This was after the “polite” approach of illegal pamphlets and meetings had gotten little response. Incidentally, some of those same radicals were the drafters of the Constitution. For those that love the flag, they must ask themselves if they really love the country and the liberties it stands for. For one to be a true American, onek s to allow freedom for all, regardlesst differences of opinion. A flagisantik thing to love. A rather amusingiteit j the same issue of The Battalion was; | group that is promoting “flagburial I This further shows the way people : confuse the flag as a political symbol with the flag as the institution itself. I Many politicians have discoveredi! attachment and are using theflagas; political rallying point for their campaigns. However, a muchhardei feat than loving the flag is toaccepii! American ideal that includestolerar* and protection for those whoseideai outside the norm. I definitely don’t agree withtheidt of the Ku Klux Klan or the Americat Nazi Party, but is it right for metoor. | believe in the freedoms of America k when they apply to my personalbclit | and methods of expression? Thisisi true challenge of love and respectfo: the United States. To begin to limit any kind ofa harmless, expressive act, guaranteed in the First Amendment, wouldbeto undermine the freedom whichthefli I itself symbolizes. Then, I ask myself, * who is really desecrating the flag? | Kevin Robinson is a junior English major. Mail Call Non-students deserve emergency care EDITOR: My cousin and aunt were visiting last week when my aunt fell and broke both of her arms near the A.P. Beutel Health Center. When she tried tore' ceive medical attention, they refused her. She asked for at least something to brace her arms with. They gave her a magazine! She asked for some ice to put on the already swelling arms. They gave her a few cubes! She ended up find ing a police officer who drove her to the hospital. This is ridiculous!! lam sure they turned her away for insurance reasons, but without decent compas sion. The staff in our health center should be benevolent by trade. The\ turned away an injured Aggie mom with little regard to her w r ell-being. (She is now wearing two casts.) How can the University deny medical attention to non-students that are injured on campus knowing that thousands of people visit A&M? Something must be done to offer medical attention to our visitors who need it!!! History of Father’s Day traced by columnist This Sunday will be the day I sit outside with my dad, put the steak on the grill, drink a few beers and discuss recent news-making events from around the world. What a day! Can you imagine doing this with mom? Well, some people can. But in my case, I’ll reserve this type of activity for my dad. (Not that my mother can’t barbecue or discuss world events, but she’d be out after the first two beers.) I remember when I was in elementary school and I’d spend the Friday before Mother’s Day making Mom a special gift with my own two hands. I’d get home and immediately she would praise me and display it on the refrigerator. I was proud and so was Mom. A month later it was Father’s Day and I wasn’t in school. That’s not fair. How come Mom gets a handmade, heartfelt gift and Dad doesn’t? Well, I didn’t have to worry for long because Mom would take me shopping and we’d buy him cologne. Old Spice, of course. I felt sorry for Dad because he always knew what I’d gotten him. The whole idea, I thought, was to be surprised. Sorry Dad, no surprises. Anyway, yesterday I decided to go to the library and find out why we observe Father’s Day. In 1909, Mrs. John Bruce Dodd requested the Ministerial.Society of Spokane, Washington to devote one Sunday to the fathers of the community. Rudy Cordova Jr. Columnist So now I know why it occurs in the summer and not during school. Mrs. Dodd obviously didn’t have the children in mind when she requested this special day. (Or, maybe she didn’t have room on her refrigerator for another artistic creation.) Whatever the case, that’s the earliest record we have of a day set aside for fathers. Then in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recommended that the third Sunday of June be recognized as National Observance Day for Fathers. According to official words from the White House, it was a day “to impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligation.” I came to the conclusion that maybe the reason Father’s Day is observed in the summer is because dads really don’t want anyone to make a big deal out of it. It is safe to say, though, that Mother’s Day challenges Christmas for cards and flowers because that’s what mothers want. They want us to make a big deal out of it. Mother’s Day was introduced for the honor and respect of motherhood. So, in light of the fact that they carried us for nine months, we give them gifts. So what did Dad do? Was he there when I cried, or when I was hungry, or when I had made a mess? My father wasn’t there then. But he is now. He has learned through the years what it takes to be a father, and I’ve learned what it takes to be a son. We have learned they are both extremely tough jobs. (And yes Mom, so is your job.) It would have been so much easier if the whole family had taken a course on family living before we embarked on this adventure. But of course, that would have been the easy way out. Maybe I shouldn’t complain. Some people don’t have a family. I’m lucky to still have mine. I also read that the white or red rose is the symbol of Father’s Day. I honestly don’t know what my dad would do with a dozen roses. It would be funny to watch his reaction though. Ah well, no surprises. So on Sunday, Dad and I will sit outside and discuss important issues and maybe solve the world’s problems. (That could only happen after a 12- pack, though.) Hey, maybe our world leaders should take heart. On second thought ... Rudy Cordova Jr. is a senior theatre arts major. Laura Tunches ’93 Two Live Crew banning is censorship EDITOR: Yesterday I went out and purchased a copy of the Two Live Crew cassette. “Nasty as We Wanna Be,” not for the purpose of listening to the lyrics or the funky beat of rap music. No, I went and bought the tape because pretty soon it may not be available to the public thanks to federal and state judges that have ruled it obscene and have had it banned from some record stores. Ijusl had to have a symbol of the depletion of our First Amendment right to free speech. But at the same time as reforms are being made in the East, the goodol' U.S. is now making a turn toward a leftist state by allowing censorship to take place within the boundaries of our country. It begins with records and cas settes and can move on to magazines, newspapers and books. Wake up and smell the coffee, Ags. Once the foundation of the Bill of Rights (the First Amendment) is cracked, it will never be the same again. And exceptions to each amendment are going to be allowed as long as we the peo pie allow it to occur. If the government starts with the freedom of speecli clause of the First Amendment, who’s to say it is not going to filter down to say, freedom of religion. As long as citizens of the United States sit back and allow this constitu tional violation to occur, the government is going to keep taking more and more of our freedoms away. And if the Supreme Court does not rule the bans on Two Live Crew albums unconstitutional, our country will be known as “the home of the free (except for Two Live Crew.)” Jeannk smiles Foiling light ha heat fr< WHITl lardware off one of a U.S. sole m the tal There t (the town’: )allas. “Not n Slaughter, Jown the lay.” Art Del Barrio ’92 A New itransporn ^uedlinb now East < The Ai the matte nart of E told the r hult of tl Have an opinion? Express it! Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words in length. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit letten for style and length, but will make every effort to maintain the author’s intent. There is no guarantee tU letters submitted will be printed. Each letter must be signed and must include the classification, addressanl telephone number of the writer. All letters may be brought to 216 Reed McDonald, or sent to Campus Mail 1 HOUS Stop 1111. ' ’ ke trash immick t But th< The Battalion (USPS 045 360) Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference Associated Collegiate Press The Battalion Editorial Board Monique Threadgill, Editor Melissa Naumann, Managing Editor Damon Arhos, Opinion Page Editor Holly Becka, City Editor Meg Reagan, Lisa Ann Robertson, News Editors Clay Rasmussen, Sports Editor Eric Roalson, Art Director Todd Stone, Lifestyles Editor Editorial Policy The Battalion is a non-profit, self-sup porting newspaper operated as a commu nity service to Texas A&M and Bryan- College Station. Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editorial board or the au thor, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Texas A&M administrators, faculty or the Board of Regents. The Battalion is published Tuesday through Friday during Texas A&M sum mer semesters, except for holiday and ex amination periods. Mail subscriptions are $20 per semes ter, $40 per school year and $50 per full year: 845-2611. Advertising rates fur nished on request: 845-2696. Our address: The Battalion, 230 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M University, Col lege Station, TX 77843-1 111. Newsroom: 845-3313. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M University, College Station TX 77843-4111. FAX by Brett Bridgemm than that. tificates, : company tate stud specjflu !| HEYj 51 Nice VLflDDY's Ktew to-me iLS.jLeTs lAKe Hiv\ Sot4e:WU0?E LrOctSfA HOW ABOUT Y/HffT fiBouff TUe CAPITOL.? OR THE RLflMo*? Sea world's nice THIS TihAe. of Year. ViADDYjNbu'RE OUR GUEST. WHERC VdCMLD \ou Like To Go That You can't Go AT UoAG? X VvbuLD Very iauch Like to go To kroger's. It w< Ken shares N gr
