Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 6, 1991)
2 Opinion Wed Wednesday, February 6, 1991 The Battalion Opinion Page Editor Jennifer Jeffus MARCHES © \W\ THE RKC-Rp NEW -JERSEY Protesters stress draft to win support for peace n the midst of all of the anti war, anti-military protests the last few weeks, it's interesting to notice some of the chants which are being heard at the rallies. Two of the most ludicrous deal with (Surprise!) peace and the draft. The old Vietnam protest crowd has come out of hibernation and with them are their battle cries of, “Give peace a chance" and "Peace at any price." Well, bless my tie-dyed soul. Such noble sentiments are enough to change the mind of any warmongering hawk on the planet, just like they did in the '60s. Yeah, right. Protesting pacifists do so because they supposedly believe that nothing is worth killing for. So be it. Their minds are made, as is mine. What boggles my mind is the inordinate amount of time which the protesters spend worrying about the military draft, which hasn't been in effect for almost 20 years. They march around screaming, "Hell no, we won't go! We won't fight for Texaco!" and other little rhythmic jingles which must have been thought up by Jesse Jackson's speech writer. Looking over the crowd which was involved in these protests, it occurred to me that damn few ever had to worry about military service if the draft were reinstated, but just the same I'd help alleviate their fears by writing about who won't be drafted. As most people are aware, the U.S. Selective Service System has been in place since 1980, registering and maintaining the names of 14 million young men between the ages of 18 and 26. This fact alone means that all of the men older than 26 don't have to worry about being drafted. Women won't have to worry either. If a draft ever were reinstated, it becomes a little more difficult for men 26 and younger to avoid service, but there are exceptions. Homosexual-rights organizations, anti-draft groups and a California church which will ordain anybody foresee a rush to their ranks during a protracted conflict. Affiliation with these groups could be useful in petitioning for an exemption from military service. If Congress were to approve a draft, a lottery would be held and induction notices sent based on a random sequence of birth dates. The first call-up would be men who turn 20 in the calendar year of the draft, followed by 21, 22, et cetera on through the age of 26. Twenty year olds would be the youngest age group drafted. Draftees then would have 10 days to file for a deferment, which would postpone their induction until a hearing before a five- member local draft board. Deferments are given for several reasons. Homosexuals are exempt, as are clergy who "preach and teach as their customary vocation." Conscientious objectors whose claims are upheld by draft boards can be assigned to either non-combat military roles or to civilian public service, depending on their beliefs. Most veterans are exempt, as are people who have fought in other nation's armies, certain resident aliens, members of Congress, the vice president and president. All of this is irrelevant because war is currently being waged by an all-volunteer army with an apparently high degree of success. Frequent use of the word "if" in relation to the draft underscores the very small likelihood a military draft will be necessary. The truth is that the "peace movement" is trying to hide its gray hairs by using the specter of a draft to lure young people into its ranks. The ones who are yelling the loudest that "We won't go" know they won't be called on to go. They know that, in all likelihood, no one will. Most of all, they know an opportunity when they see one. Larry Cox is a graduate student in range science. The Battalion (USPS 045 360) Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference The Battalion Editorial Board Lisa Ann Robertson, Editor Kathy Cox, Managing Editor J ennifer J effus, Opinion Page Editor Chris Vaughn, City Editor Keith Sartin, Richard Tijerina, News Editors Alan Lehmann, Sports Editor Fredrick D. Joe, Art Director Kristin North, Life Style 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 daily, except Saturday, Sunday, holidays, exam peri ods, and when school is not in session dur ing fall and spring semesters; publication is Tuesday through Friday during the summer session. Newsroom: 845-3313. 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 77843-1111. 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. the itch Mail Call The Battalion is interested in hearfog from its readers and welcomes aB tetters to the editor Beat Include name, classification, address and phone number on all letters. The editor reserves the _ '* Because of ttmfted space, shorter letters have a better chant* ti r, no guarantee letters wfll appear. Letters may be brought to 216 Real p° ' appearing. Freedom begins between the ears EDITOR: In his Feb. 4 letter, B. Jon Traylor spoke of protesters and dissenters against military involvement in the Middle East by calling them a disgrace to the country and our University. He suggested that if they don't like it, they should leave and concluded with the statement, "We don't need you." Obviously, Traylor, you do need us. You forget that some of the finest moments in American history were based in protest and dissent. A few ex amples come to mind; Philadelphia, July 4, 1776; Montgomery, Ala., 1956; and Selma, Ala., 1965. These are famous examples of protesters and dis senters who fought with everything the flag stands for: bravery, courage and honor. Do you suggest they should have left? Our quarrel is with our government, not our country. I love America, and that's why I don't love its government. A true patriot is always ready to defend his country from its govern ment, to paraphrase Edward Abbey, and today's protesters are doing just that. So think about it; freedom begins between the ears ... Dwight Barry '92 Jeffer] Junior Yorktc Yes, keeps insteac ment), among Don't criticize protesters EDITOR: This is in response to two opinions in the Feb. 4 issue of The Battalion. First, to Chad Walters. I agree that we can do nothing about past mis takes. However, I do not feel support for troops has anything to do with supporting the war itself. I support the troops and am very appreciative that they are willing to fight for my defense. However, I do not feel this war is in my defense. My defense stops where my constitutional rights do: At the U.S. borders. I do not want my support for the troops confused with support for the President's policy or actions in this situation. I regret that our troops are being used as a foreign policy tool (for a confusing policy at that). Next, to B. Jon Traylor; I have never spit on an American flag or in any other way defiled or desecrated it. I have a right to my own opinion on this situation because this is a democratic society where such outrages are pro tected. Your forefathers (circa 1770s) would roll in their graves over the narrow-minded attitudes expressed in your letter — and then wrapped ina flag. On the subject of transportation; If you are so gung ho about the fight ing in the gulf, I will willingly provide your will a passenger seat ride to the nearest recruiting office. Love it or try to fix it, that's what this two party, constitutional right; type of democratic system is all about. If someone thinks protest will work who are you to put them down? Steven E. Bond '91 Animals still a must for medical research EDITOR: Reading Mr. Truesdale's column, I was wondering, "What color is the sky in his world?" His unrealistic approach to medical research and lack of knowledge in that field are obvious. It's just too bad that he uses animal rights issues te profess his anti-corporate/pro-socialist opinion; but then again, that is the history of that movement. Truesdale's arguments are vague, and he attempts to legitimize their by the fact that he expressed them. He writes "... American corporation: underestimated the power of environmentalist groups." What power is he talking about? And if they have this power, have they used it? Truesdale thinks so. He then claims that since the corporations lost so "dramatically" should use a different tactic in attacking animal rights groups other the "either/or" fallacy. How does he know they lost, and what criteriaishe using to come to these conclusions? Come on Truesdale, you just can throw stuff out like that and hope someone will believe it. Finally, I address the heart of whatever his argument might be aboul The quality of life that human beings have achieved in the area of! care is directly proportional to research done in drug development, i cal techniques, rehabilitation and genetics to name a few. Most of this re search has been accomplished with the aid of animals. Contrary to Truesdale's wild imagination, scientists performing the ei periments are not sadistic, insensitive monsters inflicting pain for person satisfaction or profits. In fact, they go to great length to minimize andmofi often eradicate any pain. The advent of the computer age has supplemented researchers' worl but it is by no means a substitute for animal testing. The type of compute simulations needed to imitate biological cells and physiological processe are decades from fruition. Remember Truesdale, that the fields of biology, biochemistry and phvi iology are complex. Much of the information available has been dor through research and experimentation, something that it appears you a: against. It is impossible to support medical research without the use of anima and expect the tremendous gains for human use. If we had adoptedtf views of Truesdale at the turn of the century, vast numbers of human b ings would be plagued with polio, small pox and other preventable d; ; eases. Michael Aspinall '90 by Nil TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY Fiscal Department - Student Financial Services Richard Coke Building, College Station, Texas 77843-6000 (409) 845-8127 INVOICE NUMBER: X Indicate BetowTlK Amount 01 YourCW 01/16/91 10010 LICENCE FOR EMISSION OF GASES AND ORGANIC PRODUCTS (non-renewable) 1,345.00 11/21/90 15000 SEAT RESERVATIONS FOR CLASSES 678.33 02/24/90 30399 GENERAL USE FEE 114.00 01/18/91 20600 ABSORPTION OF LIGHT 433-.01 01/12/91 90012 GENERAL INCONVENIENCE 783.00 11/21/90 20000 MAILING EXPENSES 3,994.98 01/12/91 30090 CLASSROOM OXYGENATION MINIMUM PAYMENT DUE BY 02/15/91 20.00 7,368.32 David i Junior Austin / do but tax think t other f ing me partme big be things 1 J z • 11 Si Si 11 d I] o d o 1c rc li tl it dj In ac ox m j T I