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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (June 21, 1990)
The Battalion OPINION Thursday, June 21,1990 Opinion Page Editor Damon Arhos 845- hurs< Fr Oli Stop ‘pro-choice hypocrisy’ by closing abortion clinics The month before Carol Everett withdrew from the abortion clinic industry, the clinic she worked at performed 540 abortions. Considering the weekends and lunch- breaks, that’s three to four abortions an hour. But Everett says in a busy hour a good abortion doctor can do six to 10. It’s a fascinating industry. It handles a great deal of cash. Carol Everett spoke about it at a luncheon recently. Her particular clinic paid their counselors by the hour: $6. If you should apply, the qualification required is salesmanship. According to Everett, “Abortion is not a choice a woman makes. It is a skillfully marketed service during a crisis in her life.” When you think of an abortion clinic, what conies to mind? For me, it is a small free-standing building in front of a busy thoroughfare. No, it is not next to St. Joseph Hospital. No, it does not have an ambulance or emergency vehicle sitting ready — that’s bad advertising. When Everett had an emergency, she loaded the woman into her car and sped off to the hospital. In one instance, Everett was too slow. The woman died. Everett quit and disposed of her interest in the clinic. Do you support gender-based abortions? I have heard stories of women going with their husbands to a doctor and learning that the unborn child was female, then going down the street to a clinic and aborting it. Is there any state discouragement of this? No. A friend of mine aptly stated, “In the name of women’s rights, they are killing women.” Did you know that under Roe v. Wade provisions the Supreme Court made abortion of the unborn child legal? “Certainly,” you say. Tell me then, how long is an unborn child unborn? Nine months? Do you think it’s OK for a woman to have a convenient Jon ■ ^ Beeler Columnist abortion after eight-and-a-half months? It’s legal if, in the last trimester, the woman tells a doctor that she is emotionally upset by her pregnancy. In the first six months, she doesn’t need a reason. A friend of mine who is “up on the issue” told me this week that America has the most liberal abortion laws of any Western country. I know you have all heard this before, but I am going to say it again. A school nurse has to receive parental permission to give aspirin to a 16-year-old. The same child can have an abortion without anyone’s consent. Radical pro-choicers whine about those who were victim to incest. But a judge can make an exception for that 1 percent. Which leads me to another pet peeve: the claim that pro-lifers are radical. Last Summer while interning for Accuracy in Media in Washington, D.C., I read articles in the Washington Times of pro-choicers adorning statues with clothes hangers and burning our American flag in protest of the Webster decision. Why are some pro-choicers so radical? Media bias can claim much of the blame. Pro-choice causes are sensationalized and pro-life “radicals” are criticized. On April 28, somewhere between 200,000 and 300,000 pro-life demonstrators assembled on a large grassy area between the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol called the Mall. About the same time one year ago, a similar number of pro-choicers did the same. The Washington Post wrote front page features a week before the pro- choice rally replete with directions to the Mall for national readers. The Washington Post slid the pro-life rally report in the Metro section on April 29; this section is not included in the newspaper to national subscribers (Sterling C. Evans Library, for example). When asked if their paper has endorsed the pro-choice cause, Robert Borden of the Bryan-College Station Eagle replied, “Not formally” (emphasis added). And they insist on calling pro-lifers, “anti-abortionists.” States like Florida which refuse to regulate abortion clinics receive national coverage. States like Missouri and Pennsylvania that regulate them are ignored. Did you know that the neighboring Louisiana Legislature has this week passed a bill making abortion illegal in all cases except the Big Three? Texas’ press enjoyed airing Florida’s refusal to regulate abortion, but they are glazing over Louisiana’s bill. Media give pro-choicers the green light; the people of our state are consequently ignorant about the dangers of abortion clinics. Because pro-choicers fear for their “rights,” abortion is the least regulated surgery in the United States. It’s time to end the slaughter of babies in the last weeks of pregnancy. It’s time to require women under the age of 18 the same thing they need to open a savings account: parental consent. It’s time to end pro-choice hypocrisy and protect womens’ health as well as their oft-touted choice in presently unsupervised abortion clinics. Jon Beeler is a junior nuclear engineering major. Mail Call Flag-burning epidemic a ‘hoax’ EDITOR: Whenever this flag-burning business comes up, I like to go back and rest Thomas Jefferson’s first inaugural address. On March 4, 1801 he said, “If there be any among us who would wishto dissolve this union or to change its republican form, let them stand undis turbed as monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be toler ated where reason is left free to combat it.” How do we tolerate error of opinion today? By throwing flag-burning protestors in jail? What good does that accomplish? Should we all feel proud or patriotic because we have forcefully silenced an opinion with which we disagree? What are we afraid of anyway? Are we worried that mobs of people are going to rush out and side will protestors (like Gregory Lee Johnson) unless we shut them up? Are we con cerned that there is not enough reason left to combat such erroneous opin ions? The only countries today that have laws that criminally prosecute people for flag burning are either totalitarian dictatorships or communist regimes All of the democratic nations have taken their cue from the United State and the wisdom of our founding fathers, and will tolerate political protestsin- eluding flag burning. The toleration of all forms of political protest, provided that they are noi violent or oppressive, is absolutely essential for the existence of a free market of ideas from which to base our decision-making process. A protestor can burn a flag during a demonstration without being v or oppressive. In a free society, there are several proper responses to this act: (1) ignore them, (2) try non-forcefully to persuade them that they are wrong, or (3)con duct a counter-demonstration to show that more people support your opin ion. The biggest problem is that too many people do not distinguish between the symbol and the substance. If you see a person on TV burning a flag, do you lose respect for our country as a result? If you do then I think you are pretty strange. CONF our of a elped p hey nee used in ear-old ] ear-old ■ A 16-) apital n eportedl age aftf jroke ofl ind her : lead in : ported The c lichard ome frie ;ook then ies said. “Fortu le relate ice,” Me Attorney The 11 Ofl 0V( AUST volved in aany fail ;tate insi dieted V\ they bilk< aremium Travis Ronnie I dictment tigation i: panics w oan typi If you have a picture of a friend hanging on your wall and it falls and foundath breaks, does your opinion of that person diminish? Do you call them on the phone to see if they are okay? T he flag-burning epidemic is a hoax. Don’t be fooled into supporting an amendment to our Constitution will be a blemish on our Bill of Rights. Sen. J< who pusl surance 1 orney s problem Mike Thomas ’87 10US. Roberl as, and ward ol Fire Insi Have an opinion? Express it! reen acc than $9 personal Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words in length. The editorial staff resen'es the right toedilk' n)a k e ii for style and length, hut will make every effort to maintain the author's intent There is no guarantyuc owne( J c letters submitted will be printed. Each letter must be signed and must include the classification, addma j qq( telephone number of the writer. All letters may be brought to 216 Reed McDonald, or sent to Campii.'' Stop 1111. pter, E :opte Walke heft, 11 funds an inancial Health planning essential when traveling to foreign countries Tank $333, No other season in the year provides more of an occasion for national and international travel than the summer. Travel provides an opportunity to foster understanding between people and cultures. However, travel to foreign countries exposes individuals to unusual organisms for which they have neither a natural nor an acquired immunity. For this reason, some health planning is essential to assure a safe and healthy vacation or study time abroad. Although your particular medical needs will depend on your overall physical condition, destination and activities, the following list will provide Erika Gonzalez-Lima Health Columnist 66 Oome health planning is essential to assure a safe and healthy vacation or study time abroad.” you with general guidelines to consider: (1) Immunizations: (a) Routine childhood vaccinations should be complete and up to date: tetanus, diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps and rubella. Take into account that some immunizations may require three to six months to complete immunity, (b) Check with the A.P. Beutel Health Center, the Texas Department of Health or your physician about other immunizations recommended for travelers going to your specific destination. For example, if hepatitis, yellow fever, typhoid, cholera or plague are endemic in the region, you need to take extra precautions. (2) Hygiene: Wash your hands before meals and snack times with soap and water. This is an effective way to control the spread of infectious organisms. Public bathrooms in some countries may not have tissue paper or water. Therefore, it is recommended that you carry a supply of disposable moist towelettes with you. Do not share personal articles such as toothbrushes and razors. Do not pet animals, like dogs or cats, due to the prevalence of rabies. (3) Food and water: Eat well to recuperate energy. Have a complete breakfast, since lunch and dinner may be late. Avoid all raw food including raw vegetables, meats, fish and fruits with skin. (Fruits which you peel yourself are safe to eat.) Also avoid meat products kept unrefrigerated and unpasteurized milk products. Avoid tap water (even to brush your teeth), ice cubes and fruit drinks. Drink only soft drinks and boiled or bottled water. If water cannot be boiled, add five to 10 drops of tincture of iodine to each quart or liter of water, mix well and let it stand 30 minutes before drinking. Avoid swimming in fresh water where schistosomiasis is a problem. When contaminated food or water is ingested, the person may suffer traveler’s diarrhea, which may last several days. One common, but often forgotten cause of traveler’s diarrhea, is eating airplane food during the flight home. In case of traveler’s diarrhea, fluid and electrolyte balance should be maintained by drinking soft drinks and eating salted crackers. If the diarrhea is severe, or if it is accompanied by blood in the stool or chills and fever, get immediate medical attention. Should you need a physician abroad, go to a major hospital or to a medical school if possible, or ask the United States embassy for referrals. (4) Sleep: If you are traveling by plane across several time zones, allow for extra sleep and rest until your body clock adjusts to the new time zone. Go to bed at a reasonable hour to avoid fatigue. (5) Clothing: Choose comfortable shoes to avoid blisters and foot strain. Carry clothing suitable to the weather at your destination, and avoid overpacking or taking valuable jewelry with you. If you are going to hot and humid areas, take insect repellent. Travel with only as much baggage as you are able to carry without help. (6) Medications: Make a list of all medications you regularly need and make sure to take an adequate supply with you. To avoid problems with customs inspectors, medications should be clearly identified and labeled with the names of the patient and physician. If you use glasses, carry an extra pair A first aid kit should be considered packing to help prevent or alleviate common medical complaints during trip. All the f ollowing items are soldow the countei: cotton balls, assorted bandages and Band-Aids, adhesive tape, sterile gauze pads, thermometa ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) for menstrual cramps, CepacolorH troches for sore throat, Tylenolforp and headaches, Pepto-Bis mol tablets Lomotil for diarrhea, Dramaminefa nausea, dizziness and motion sicknes AUST :ral agei :rom the uid its c Vom the The (Vednesd /Vater C Dceanic ; ration a Vfega Bo The v irst of i ederala he come The st Neosporin or Neomycin ointmentfa oil was lo fisheries- sa beaches: Cor with you or a copy of your lens prescription. Wear a “Medic Alert” bracelet, which is internationally recognized, if you are allergic to certain medications or have medical problems. If you have a specific disease, ask your physician to write a summary of your medical history in case you need emergency treatment abroad. burns and cuts, Rhull spray forinsed, bites and itching, Maalox Plus orGd for indigestion, Benadryl (25 mg.)f<i allergic reactions, Americainespra) Gortaid for sunburns, sunscreenloli (preferably waterproof and withab SPF) to prevent sunburns, and hydrogen peroxide for cleaning wounds. Remember, do not overmedicate yourself and see a physician immediately in case of an emergent 1 Enjoy yourself, and have a safe fun trip! A me fied in a day’s Ba The j Gary Ri the erro Have a question on a health issue? Writllc^ Health Columnist, Dr. Erika Gonzalez-Lima,Stw Health Center, Texas A&M University, Colltgt^ TX 77845-1264. Letters will be answered anoint through this column in The Battalion. If an irm* reply is expected, please include your name, c telephone number. 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. 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