1 ‘
2 Opinion
Monday, February 18,1991
The Battalion
Opinion Page Editor Jennifer Jeffus 845-3314
Texans should he allowed to vote on lottery
A
. nn Richards said it
well when she stated that "Texas, I
believe is missing a bet by not taking a
chance on a state-run lottery."
Fortunately, our Texas Legislature
still has an opportunity to better the
cause of lottery supporters. Rep. Ron
Wilson, D-Houston, and Sen. John
Montford, D-Lubbock have proposed a
state lottery bill which, if approved,
would generate an estimated $731
million for Texas over the next two
years and probably much more in
subsequent years.
A lottery will require a constitutional
amendment — certainly not a novel
idea in Texas — which must be
approved by two-thirds of the House
and Senate before being voted upon by
us. The bill has good odds of passing in
Matt
McBumett
Columnist
the Senate, but it will face a tough
battle in the more conservative House.
Our governor wants to put the issue
on the May 4 ballot, which places the
Legislature in the unfamiliar position of
having to act quickly.
The last lottery proposal which was
voted upon died in the House by one
vote in 1987. Let us hope this one has
better luck.
I see the a state lottery as a necessity,
and I simply cannot understand why it
is not supported wholeheartedly by
every person with a lick of sense.
Lotteries are now being used 33
states and in the District of Columbia.
Gov. Richards' figures indicate that
lottery revenue accounts for about 2
percent of all state-generated revenue.
Texas can easily use an extra $731
million to help cover what is estimated
to be $4.6 billion budget shortfall.
Opponents of the lottery put their
money on very shaky arguments.
Some are as follows:
★ A lottery is akin to gambling;
therefore, it is immoral.
★ A lottery depends on the bad luck
of its participants to be effective. In
other words, as Rep. Billy Clemons
said, "The only way the state wins in
this deal is if the people lose."
★ This lottery will provide Richards
with more leverage, sort of an ace in
the hole, when she eventually tries to
convince Texans that a state income tax
is necessary.
★ The lottery is very unpredictable
and cannot be counted on for a set sum
of money.
First of all, as with gambling, bingo
and raffles, lotteries are voluntary.
Why not take a chance? Most likely, a
participant in the lottery will lose. At
least the money spent on the ticket will
go to a somewhat worthy cause: The
state. Our main alternatives, a state
income tax and higher sales taxes, are
not voluntary.
A lottery can be seen as a voluntary
tax with good incentive to participate.
No one will be happy if the future
holds that Richards must push for a
state income tax. But if the lottery is
approved, at least the tax rate will be
lower due to the extra millions thattk
lottery will generate.
Finally, I do not see the lottery as
being unpredictable. The most recent
Texas poll held that 76 percent of
Texans favor a lottery. The same poll
indicated that 66 percent of all
respondents and even 59 percent of Hit
Baptists polled would participate in a
legal lottery. Where is the instability?
In all fairness, the people of Texas
should be allowed to vote on the
lottery. As our representives consider
the bill, they should be reminded that
as far as gambling goes, a lottery is
peanuts compared to the gamble we
voters took in electing them to office
Matt McBumett is a senior electrical
engineering major.
ibu think that s preposterous ? Vtiit’II y;i see George’s bode!...”
Disappointed with both sides
We're at war, not a pep rally
A
JL After a month of war-by-
the-campus-side, attending war rallies
and peace rallies, I must say (in
disgust) that I'm disappointed with
both sides. I know I speak for several
when I say that I've had enough of this
mass-emotional banter.
Peace advocates shout, "Support the
troops — Bring 'em home!" but don't
show us how to end the war. War
advocates shout "Support the troops.
Gig Saddam!" but few, if any, are
enlisting in the Marines to make good
on their words.
I am sick of peace signs and those
people peddling little yellow ribbons.
We are at war, not a pep rally.
Someone needs to tell Hussein, and
those on our side too, that there's no
such thing as a "holy" war, a red-ass
war.
Whether our vocabulary consists of
phrases like "pounding positions" or
"jihad (striving)," we are talking about
KILLING. Both sides would like to
blame the other for this mess, but
neither will escape responsibility.
Bud
Cox
Reader’s Opinion
We still have a lot of people who
think we are in the gulf for the sake of
freedom. It's time for us to be honest.
V v e are defending one
Arab dictatorship from another.
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are non
constitutional monarchies. They were
NOT free before Aug. 2 and they
WON'T be free after we have gone.
If we were truly concerned about the
victimization of innocent people, we
wouldn't have allowed Syria to invade
Lebanon shortly after Hussein took
Kuwait.
Conservatives tell me we are fighting
for the right to have our influence over
the control of oil supplies in the gulf.
Being honest, I suppose they're
correct.
We believe we can be fair dividers.
To some, this is a noble cause.
Everyone must decide for himself. But,
let's be honest.
I'm not yelling at the war. I'm asking
y'all to look ahead.
There is a reason Hussein exists
today. He lives on the tensions in the
Middle East. If our policy does not deal
with those tensions, it is bound to
failure.
To be students of a "world-class"
university, our duty becomes to work
at influencing that policy instead of
shouting like we're in some high school
pep rally.
Bud Cox is a senior mechanical
engineering major.
Mail Call
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Please include name, classification, address and phone number on all letters. The editor reserves
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Don't blame Saddam
EDITOR:
The recent point about our media, namely CNN and its footage, being too
open and acting as a Saddam Hussein propaganda tool seems to be blown
way out of proportion.
It shouldn't be forgotten, however, that these critical people are the same
ones who believe that when someone is missing or dead, whether allied or
Iraqi, Hussein is to be blamed. Common sense would thus dictate that grue
some pictures of dead civilians and/or troops along with authoritative daims
that Saddam Dunnit would serve to turn or enlighten more people against
the supposed monster.
Is that not propaganda in itself or an attempt thereof? Is this not why this
footage continues to be shown on CNN? If it were all that terrible to the au
thorities concerned, believe me, it wouldn't be shown.
Let's face it guys, I doubt that Hussein is in more control of what is shown
on CNN than the U.S. government and/or military. Sure, it's a propaganda
tool for him, but then why is it broadcast continually? If you know that a mad
man will use a gun to kill you, for God's sake, don't sell it to him!
Not only is CNN not trying to keep the Iraqi footage from being broadcast,
but the station is currently selling their broadcasting rights to Third World
countries for kitty litter. Let's all momentarily step out of the picture and rede
fine fundamental terms such as propaganda.
My argument is not whether a target is civilian or military, whether Sad
dam is right and Bush is wrong, or vice versa; it simply means that we should
not let any form of propaganda, whether Iraqi or American, cloud our per
sonal, and hopefully sensible judgments in this ugly affair. We should not be
come victims of ignorant slumber during this hour of need of intellectual
alertness.
Amer Qavi '89
Support U.S. military
EDITOR:
As do most Americans, I strongly support the war against Iraq. I do not
like to see people killed on either side, but loss of life is always a part of war.
Recently, a so called "bomb shelter," actually an Iraqi military building,
was destroyed, supposedly along with several hundred Iraqi civilians. As!
watched news reports, I was very upset at the way the U.S. military waspor-
trayed by the media. They continuously blamed the U.S. military for the un
necessary bombing of that building.
I can understand how all people feel sorry for the Iraqi civilians, and the
U.S. military did apologize. The United States obviously did not intentionally |
kill Iraqi civilians, but the media acted that way. Many people, especially
American citizens, condemn the U.S. action and wage protests on behalf of
the Iraqis.
Have these protesters been locked in their closets for the past six months?
Haven't they realized that Hussein has purposely murdered hundreds or
even thousands of Kuwaiti civilians during his invasion? What about the in
nocent Israeli and Saudi civilians who were assaulted with Scud missiles?
These protesters condemn the United States and they totally ignore the
atrocities committed by Saddam Hussein. These so called "Americans" are a
disgrace to this country. How these protesters can be so ignorant is beyond
explanation.
Previously, it was stated that anti-war protesters be sent to Mexico. I have
a better solution. If these people can accept Hussein's vicious actions, why
not send them to Iraq so that they can greet Hussein personally.
I am sure that he would like to thank them for the trouble and the protests
they have caused here. Maybe they could even walk alongside the Iraqi peo
ple, chant anti-American slogans and burn the American flag.
We should all support our military and quit worrying so much about
harming Iraqi civilians; start praising our military for the good job they are
doing.
A. L. Wright '94
The Battalion
(USPS 045 360)
Member of
Texas Press Association
Southwest Journalism Conference
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Lisa Ann Robertson,
Editor
Kathy Cox, Managing Editor
Jennifer Jeffus,
Opinion Page Editor
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News Editors
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Fredrick D. Joe, Art Director
Kristin North,
Life Style Editor
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