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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 19, 1991)
Opinion Tuesday, February 19, 1991 The Battalion Opinion Page Editor Jennifer Jeffus 845-3314 'fuesdc Protests showcase 'Rebels Without a Clue' Ca r JL-S; ^ ast week I watched with interest a news report about a protest outside the Texas A&M Military Sciences Building. The protesters were picketing because: "We teach war, but we don't teach peace." What was interesting about this and most of the other anti-war protests on campus was that the faces were practically interchangeable with every other protest which has occurred on this campus over the last few semesters. This is not surprising because a certain group of people consistently have established themselves on college campuses as malcontents whose sole purpose in life is to be the "social conscience" of their peers and consistently agitate in opposition to the status quo. What is surprising is that many of these socially hip protesters who speak so highly of peace and worldwide harmony have aligned themselves in the past with some very questionable bedfellows. Take, for example, the student group Earth First!-Out There. I wrote last fall about the terroristic activities which the Earth First! parent organization had been linked to and about their inclusion on the FBI's list of domestic terrorist organizations. According to Field & Stream and Texas Agriculture, Earth First! Journal, the official publication of the Earth First! organization, has published articles suggesting that anti- hunting/anti-cattle persons could pose as hunters and shoot cattle on public lands with rifles and bows to make it look like the work of hunters. Pretty non-violent, huh? "Hunting season is a good time to cow hunt because there will be many folks out there with rifles or bows," according to a column called Dear Ned Ludd. Ned suggests buying used rifles, shotguns and bows and dressing in camouflage while driving around public lands and shooting sheep and cattle. This apparently would accomplish two objectives. First, hunters would be blamed and would thus lose access to public lands, so hunting would be eliminated. Second, sheep and cattle are exotic species which have been introduced onto public lands in the West and are (in the opinions of the anti-cattle activists) responsible for the destruction of these lands. "No moo by '92" is their battle cry. I really don't think the campus members of this group are committed to using ecb-terrorism to accomplish their goals, whatever they may be. Nor do I think that all members of campus protest groups cry out simply to be heard. I do think, however, that a certain group of students on this campus are so intent on establishing themselves as counter-culture activists that they lose sight of the fact that outlandish groups or causes to which they might be allying themselves only serve to decrease their credibility when an issue v/hich deserves an alternate viewpoint, such as the Iraqi Conflict, arises. The protesters demand to be taken seriously, but how can I pay any attention to a person talking about peace who I know to be a member of a group which condones ecological terrorism? How can I devote one iota of thought to a speech by a person whose only previous exposure on a campus wide basis was at a protest proclaiming "Trees Are People Too"? I simply cannot. The malcontents on campus demand respect and attention, but the loony causes and protests which they incessantly stage identify them for what they are — rebels without a clue. make up this subculture on campus must realize that the price they pay foi the media attention surrounding their anti-everything protests in the past isn't monetary — it is their credibilit) for Everyone has a right for their opinion to be heard and each and even one of these protesters has a right to have his or her say about tree rights, vegetable rights, Iraq or whatever. When push comes to shove, however, allegiance with these fringe protest groups establishes these campus protesters as spokespersons only for themselves and their causes- not as the social conscience of a generation. Texas this weel itituUons ind buik Micha< Military jnnual e [lets me gather w ;xchang( Graha lations o Jets will; To de ty,” Corj The rhythmic, jingoistic chants and simplistic signs are not conducive to being taken seriously. The people who Until they realize this, we'll continiiti Texas H to have groups like Earth First! and other clueless malcontents as an officii part of our campus, and voices of opposition will continue to be ignored or greeted by rampant skepticism. Larry Cox is a graduate student in range science. A roui iled Fri 10-minui ichool’s 1 “The 1 s the rc lain sn\ s After students “comb; light. The F t 11 a.i he Coi niform The Battalion Is interested in hearing from its readers and welcomes aB tetters to the editor. Ptease include name, classification, address and phone num ber on all tetters. The editor reserves the right to edit tetters tor style and length. Because of limited space, shorter tetters have a better chance of appearing. There to, hmwever, no guarantee letters will appear. Letters may be brought to 216 Reed McDonald or sent to Campus Ms* Stop 1111. o Companies, groups should help families We need free market, even if it's subsidized EDITOR: Regardless of how anyone feels about the war, I hope that everyone will agree with me in saying it's pretty sickening to see that money is being made by some groups and individuals, right here in our own town, at the ex pense of the men and women fighting in this conflict. I would ask oil companies in general, but also the gas stations in College Sta tion and Bryan in particular, why gas prices continue to remain so high. There is no oil shortage, and the price of crude has even dropped slightly. So why are we still paying more for gas than before the war started? And why is the gas in College Station so much more than the gas in other cit ies, like Houston for example? The gas prices I saw in Southwest Houston and Clearlake averaged between $1.09 and $1.11 for regular unleaded, and $1.22 and $1.25 for premium unleaded. So why the big difference? I would love to hear this explanation. On a lesser scale, but just as bad, is the sale of three or four variations of patriotic T-shirts, on campus and in Post Oak Mall, to students by different organizations. Where is the money from the sale of these shirts going? If it's going to some worthwhile cause, like helping out the financially bur dened families of the people fighting this war, then I apologize for doubting your group's sincerity. If, however, it's going to pay for par ties or fund equally dubious functions, as I suspect, then I hope these organi zations will quit ripping off a patriotic, though naive, public and use their profits (I know y'all have start-up costs) for the well-being of those who are fighting in this war. For example, the families of many re servists are not used to being without an income for extended periods and are having a hard time making do. Since the government isn't doing anything to help, it would be nice to see people who say they care about the troops to, quite literally, put their money where their mouths are. Ron Garza '91 EDITOR: As Americans, we have grown to ex pect and demand a certain share of the world's oil reserves. We have built our cities and our economy around cheap and plentiful oil. We have brushed aside the doom sayers and the environmentalists who have been claiming for decades that the world is about to run out of oil, or that our Cadillacs and Lincolns are going to turn the planet into a greenhouse. As we prepare to kill and die for our present way of life, I would like to reas sure any doubters that it is our duty to continue to drive cars, and big cars at that. As Ronald Reagan said, "This is America! We don't have to conserve!" Here in Aggie land, we are providing a model for the country. By living in a suburban sprawl that requires every one to own a vehicle, we have said "Yes!" to capitalism and industry. By expanding our roads, building more parking places and scrapping our bike lanes and sidewalks we are forcing ev eryone to drive. I have to admit that when I first got here, I was tempted to ride a bike my self. Fortunately, the bike lanes here are all so awful that I soon abandoned them. What we have to keep in mind is that in a strong economy everyone must consume. What's good for CM is good for America. So we need to continue to build more freeways with our taxes. We need to continue to open federal lands for oil exploration. We need to continue tar iffs on small, foreign cars. After all, we need the free market, even if we have to subsidize it! Giving credit where credit is due I: EDITOR: I appreciated the coverage (Feb. 13) of my presentations of chemistry dem onstrations to Oakwood Middle School students. However, there is one impli cation in the story I must correct. was Dr. Larry Peck, associate profesi of chemistry and coordinator of freshman chemistry laboratory pro gram. Many other faculty and studen: were involved in these presentation 1 one of which was an excellent "chemt try magic" show presented by Dr. Pet and others. that In fact, without the encourageme: 1 he 1 , My presentation was not exactly the presentation that led to the receipt of the Phoenix Award by the National American Chemical Society. That award was presented ' to the local American Chemical Society in recogni tion of the excellence of several efforts made to promote National Chemistry Week. of Dr. Peck, who got me started doE tee vote( these shows, and the technical supper of Mr. Ricky Labyer, lecture demc; strator in chemistry, I would not be volved in making presentations of ifi type you recognized. Joseph Kachmar graduate student Although I did play a part in those efforts, the driving force behind the planning and execution of the efforts Their support is invaluable andlil not want to take credit for a natioi award which was received as a result a team effort. John L. Hogg chemistry professor MA£6U.!£S ©m\ THE P6CDRP NEW God of the universe, please bless the world 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 I’m ^worried... they say the Yjar could he real bad for the economy. "" the itch EDITOR: God bless America! That's what I hear constantly sins arrived in this wonderful country. Is this the so called "holy war" Americans fight against Iraq? I alwa® thought it was vice versa. You say that God joins you intis fight against "evil." I wonder if anyors really believes God could "join" a n| tion in a war! I never knew that peofi could be so simple-minded: A Gw who tells us we should love one at other; a God who tells us we shoal' not kill each other. There are so many people in til country who supposedly believe God. Why are they so quiet thesedaf] Is it a crime to demonstrate against war in the land of freedom? Or is yours a different God tli‘ Christians have in the rest of t| world? Is it a different God thant' one mentioned in The Bible? Is it a Gif carrying a gun instead of a cross? Well, the American God should bl# America. But, God of the univetf please, bless the world! Rob Rensenbrink graduate student proposec ermittii “Nine how wh avid i! aptist i aid. Hudsc ember; :o kill th 50 lawn Gov. ouse f )roved ( hat stat« he 1992 “Next o need Richards Howe’ aiust mo no good with its 1 is getting Indiv Musi choj Editorial Policy The Battalion is a non-profit, self-sup porting newspaper operated as a commu nity service to Texas A&M and Bryan- Collejjje 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 periods and when school is not in session during fall and spring semesters; publication is Tuesday through Friday during the sum mer 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 77843-1 111. 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.