2
Opinion
Thursday, February 7,1991
The Battalion
Opinion Page Editor
Jennife^Jeffus^^^84W3l: ^ L)rSf j
Prayer makes comeback in the United States
W.
hen I was
growing up, my mom told me no one
ever wins in war.
Based on what I've seen these past
three weeks. I've been tempted to
agree. At first glance, it seems difficult
to conceive of anything positive
coming out of the Persian Gulf War.
Sure, we've been able to test our
newest weapons systems. But is that
the only thing that keeps this war from
being a total loss?
Although a majority supports
President Bush's actions, a large
minority does not. However, the
American people are virtually
unanimous in supporting the men and
women risking their lives for what they
believe in. It's the first time in a long
time we have felt so much solidarity on
any issue.
Relatives, friends and even
roommates are staring death in the face
daily. They are not alone. Thanks to
Tim
Truesdale
Columnist
the media, we all are seeing the
realities of death from narrow range.
This has served to temper our collective
conscience.
Getting that perfect stereo for my car
is somehow not as important as seeing
my brother come back alive. The war
forces us to ask ourselves, "What really
matters in life: wealth or people?"
Our money always has said "In God
We Trust." But this is a circular
statement. By definition, our god is
whatever we put our trust in.
For some time now, we've believed
man can solve all his problems by
Remember black heritage
Students often ignore
Black History Month
D
uring all the confusion
of knowing what to be called for Black
History Month, I received some
disheartening, but enlightening news.
Every year, black organizations on
campus go through a great number of
trials to set up interesting events to
commemorate black achievement in
the past and greater accomplishments
for the future.
Most of the programs will be very
successful in the area of attempt.
Will
Adams
Reader’s Opinion
I only pray that students at
Texas A&M University remember
how much work it took to get the
black race where it is today.
The programs, no doubt, will be
announced and the organizations will
come with their half of the program.
The only problem is that the
audience never comes through on their
end.
Participation always has been lax
during black history programs. I hadn't
dwelled on the thought until an
"anonymous" person mentioned that
the turn out for a recent program was
sadly low and there would not be a
great deal of support for any up
coming programs.
He said, "After all the excitement,
either perpetrated or not, over Black
History Month, nobody will remember
the real reason for celebrating (if you
must ask, you're truly lost) and make it
to the programs."
He seemed to think most would treat
the month just as another ritual to go
through.
I only pray that students at Texas
A&M University remember how much
work it took to get the black race where
it is today.
I'd also like to remind the black
students that as little as they might care
for school-related programs, they
should remember the cause and prove
a certain friend of mine wrong.
"The black man's history — when
you refer to him as the black man, you
go way back. But when you refer to
him as Negro, you can only go back as
far as the Negro goes. And when you
go beyond the shores of America, you
can't find a Negro." — Malcolm X.
Will Adams is a senior sociology
major.
MAftaiies
<9WI me Reccpa?
New oeRsey
The Battalion
(USPS 045 360)
Member of
Texas Press Association
Southwest Journalism Conference
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Fredrick D. Joe, Art Director
Kristin North,
Life Style Editor
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applying rationality and logic. The
Baker-Aziz meeting shattered this
dream.
"We certainly hope and pray for a
speedy solution to this conflict."
Statements of this nature are constantly
repeated on the nightly news. Our
nation's newspapers now report
people gathering for prayer on a daily
basis. Prayer is obviously making a
comeback in the United States.
Last week. Bush himself was shown
kneeling in prayer. And he called on
Americans to set aside Sunday as a day
of prayer. The war is forcing us to ask,
"Who can we count on in times of dire
need — man or God?"
For some time, educators have found
incredulous our lack of knowlege of
world geography. In my opinion, this
ignorance is rooted in a spirit of
isolationism. For too long, we've been
disinterested in events outside the
United States because we've believed
we could not be touched by those
events.
The poet claims that "No man is an
island." I agree. But I would add that in
our world no country is an island
either.
An ina
us room
[qposal
Ena
fice to <
The only way to win a war is to wage
it. Likewise, the only way to ensure
peace is to wage it. The strongest
enemy of peace is not war. PovertyaX
ignorance are peace's greatest foes, j
And like the Good Book says, "To
whom much is given, much will be
required."
Each of us who opposes war shoul
be asking, "Does peace happen
spontaneously? Or does it require
some type of sacrificial action?"
George Bush promised us a kindei
gentler nation. But no government
program could give us that. We had
want it enough to work for it. Ironici
it is a terrorist — Saddam Hussein- ac ‘ ’
who has given us that will. Irector of t
We are a nation turning back to Got version bt
We are relearning how to supporteacand worn
other, rather than "looking out for pus housii
number one." And hopefully, we are In l ^ e 1
learning that maintaining peace canb wo |^^ " ( , l ;
as difficult as waging war. If all thisis a | ..
true, then this war doesn't appeartollyev whicf
a total loss. ^ll’s resi<
sconversio
Tim Truesdale is a graduate studente “I knov
urban planning. ■ White 6 ;
balance h
Mail Call
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ate 116
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Fowler
Tfw BattaBw Islntwortwiln twwsrfrtg from its readers and wekomes an letters to the edMor. Pteaae trwtude name, classification, address and phone number on tetttn.ii' tiorial s i
etfitor reserve* the riflht to tett«sr» for style and length. Because of limited space, shorter letters have a better chance of appearing. There is, however, no guarantee Ititatt 1 Rt<, l
flF^r, may be brought fo2l6Re^ ^UdSoraywor sent to CarriusMaa attaint. If halls wi
spaces,
Remember freedom of speech
EDITOR:
Normally, when I read Mail Call and run across an ex
cessively rubbish-filled letter, I shake my head and wait
for someone else to take up the necessary rebuttal. How
ever, when I read B. Jon Traylor's letter in the Feb. 4 issue
of The Battalion, there was not a moment's hesitation be
fore I mentally started my reply.
My points of contention with that highly inflamma
tory, blatantly closed-minded letter are too great to be ad
dressed individually, but I'll do my best to spotlight the
major infractions.
"Normally I am unprovincial and very open-minded
toward the opinions and ideas of others," Traylor wrote.
That was the opening sentence. "If you don't like it,
leave! We don't need you." Those were the closing sen
tences.
Pardon me, but don't those two contrasting declara
tions in the same letter strike you as absurd at best? For
the record, let me say I am not a "dove" and have
marched in no rallies. I reluctantly have decided to sup
port the military action of allied forces because it seems
no effective alternatives were left us.
However, I shudder each time I hear of a soldier's
death and would rejoice to see peace in the gulf. I do my
part by writing letters to soldiers I have come to know
and love in the past few months. I quietly listen to both
sides and respect those who speak with educated convic
tion.
But you, Traylor, disgrace the values our country are
built on: freedom of speech, freedom to assemble. The
world you present is one where citizens of different opin
ions would be hauled in a truck to Mexico and kicked out
to "waller."
Wanting peace, I tell you, is not wanting "to spit on the
American flag and the graves of our forefathers!" I may
not be marching in peace rallies, but I do respect the
rights of those who are.
If anything is a disgrace to this country, it is your letter.
If you don't agree with my opinion, I suppose you'll
want to haul me off to Mexico.
Toni Garrard '94
I would like to leave the protesters with a thought: It is
better to suffer hardships or death with some honor than
to live with absolutely none.
Robert W. Low '94
A true example of A&M spirit
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EDITOR:
On Feb. 1,1 was going home for my mother's birthday
I started out on a farm road between Heame and Temple
when the engine in my car blew up; no fire, just lots of
smoke. I pulled over on the side of the road, knowing I
was nowhere near a phone to call for help.
A few minutes before my despair, I was passed by a
fellow Aggie who saw the smoke from my car. He slowed
down once in front of me. Then he saw me pull over and
pop the hood, as smoke rolled out.
I saw he pulled over and was coming back to my aid,
Much to my unlucky, but very lucky day, he would be
passing through my final destination.'
This fellow Aggie not only gave me a ride to a phone,
but took me home over 130 miles. I'm very proud to say
I'm an Aggie, because I know it reaches beyond Aggie
land and the years one spends in school.
Thank you very much Aaron Petree; you are a true ex
ample of Aggie spirit and camaraderie.
Kristi McAnally '91
AUST
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God bless the troops
Protesters try to make scene
EDITOR: *
I am writing in support of B. Jon Traylor's letter in the
Feb. 4 edition of The Battalion. I agree 100 percent with
what he says. I too would share the expense of dumping
these people off in Meodco. If they do not like it, then get
out.
I think all protesters are people who can't get attention
any other way, so they try to make a big scene. It really
amazes me that these people would sell out their country
and fellow citizens for attention.
If these people think they are accomplishing anything
more than proving that they are a very sorry excuse for
American citizens, they are wrong.
EDITOR:
I am writing in response to Mr. Brendan Wyly '88 and
his 24 accompanying signatures.
You say that you "... oppose only the policy that forces
these troops to kill and die for unclear reasons." You also
stated that "... we must oppose the policy and the war
precisely because they endanger U.S. troops ..."
I would like to know, Wyly, what awful policy it is that
you oppose. Could it possibly be the one that allows
Americans to choose whether or not to be in the military?
No one forced the men to join the armed forces; it's
what is called voluntary. Although many joined during
peacetime, it is made clear that in time of war (now) it is
their duty to serve our country.
It is not up to you or me or them to decide for what rea
son (clear or unclear), when, where or why to fight. We,
the taxpayers, do not pay to support our troops only in
peacetime but also in this time of war.
As to the endangering of our troops, please recall that
they are the "armed" forces. They (most) are trained to
kill; it is part of their jobs. They get paid to do it.
Wyly, you have the right, given by government, to vo
cally, etc., oppose whatever you dislike.
Please allow our forces to give the Iraqi-oppressed peo
ple of Kuwait the same.
Call me "pseudo-patriotic," or what you will. But I do
not forsake you the right to be free, please do not forsake
anyone else the same liberty ... God bless the troops
Lucio F. Munoz '93
SC
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