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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 10, 1991)
u . ... Opinio n | Tuesday, September 10,1991 The Battalion Page 13 | mberiQ aisle .S. must support U.S.S.R. In times ofreformation emocracy must not fail changing Soviet Union fi/'j T he remaining communists in the world have good reason for lamentation: The Soviet Union is no onger what it was a fortnight ago. A weary wind is blowing over the GB headquarters in various states, arrying with it the smell of burning ocuments - a desperate attempt of he endangered organization to alter istory. The toppled statues of enin are now playmates or children, while the par- nts celebrate the death of he communist regime. In Moscow, the all-Sovi- t Congress of People's eputies voted to surren- er power to a new body argely controlled by the republics, onfirming the collapse of central au- hority. In its first meeting, the council ecognized the independence of the hree Baltic republics and approved he name change of the second largest iter. Tickets#ity in the Soviet Union from eningrad to its original name of St. etersburg. For the hard-line commu- ists around the world, this is a funer- 1. What is it for the rest of us? 1 There is an identity crisis going on n the United States as well, especially [in the CIA and Pentagon circles. The entral issue of this crisis is: if the .S.S.R. is no longer our arch enemy, ho then is? In short, it is a crisis of efocusing and reallocating energies, ersonnel and money. It is clear the emerging form of the oviet Union does not present itself as jVi 0 j 'nS 311 enemy of the United States. □ MadeR* J - - - -- Christina Maimaridas Maimarides is a graduate student in business administration. jfire there ioud's"! and i's "Truth " is a pick: You” i avating ( o at sever: he lyrics a i little orl nit to beic:| pfires all attended | rger di what Ve satan;] ig in Amd for hilanj iddle s So D;l er poke ftl sis with and pan ,ers h the aughedc lines II h Nev more oil ns probl ny songl or themf likely to| The cor! ts attemfj f live [ er thand rding. 1 pers prof rmoniesf d. mp Cd store if I u may! e Ausir'"| :he g i to I em) rd storfl - forV J Agua w 156, And :U This is not to imply the United tates should just abandon all spend- ng for weapons production and de- elopment. But it means the efforts or disarmament should be intensi- ied. Since the two countries are no ^onger the rivals they were, and since the Soviet Union is joining the ranks f the democratic countries, both [countries should more'vigorously pur sue the goal 6f arms Control. The face of the world is changing. There is much less ideological distinc tion between East and West today. The East is eager to adapt to our ways of doing business, to our lifestyle. What we need to do most is to help them in this painful process of trans formation. With our experience and knowhow, we can smooth this rough road. Experts from both countries should make a list of problems facing the U.S.S.R., and rank them in priority order. Then, we would be able to send expert help to all areas which need it. For instance, the Soviets face huge distribution problems. The United States could help by sending experts to train Soviet officials in more effi cient distribution techniques and poli cies. If the problem appears to be lack of willingness to cooperate, then the trainers should have the authority to fire uncooperative officials. This pun ishment is radical, but to be effective, especially in the beginning stages of reformation, softness has no place. If the two countries can quickly reach an agreement stating their primary con cern is cooperation, then a large portion of money oth erwise spent on arms pro duction could go toward helping the Soviet Union stand on its feet. President Bush says he understands the "enormous challenges that lie ahead for the Soviet people in meeting their own food and energy needs and beginning true economic reform." The Soviets should not be allowed to feel betrayed by democracy. Of course, they should realize many days of hardship lie ahead to rebuild their collapsed economy. This is not easy for them. They always have been un der very suppressive regimes. Sud denly, communism is no more, and the people must quickly adjust to democracy. It is one thing to vote for private property, market economy, en trepreneurship and foreign investment and another to work to carry them out. The chaos that will emerge once all these principles start being en forced is unimaginable. Who gets what is a major question. The Soviet states are so interdepen dent, it will be difficult to come up with formulas for ownership transfer. Soviet leaders should make sure their people understand the process of transformation requires patience, sac rifice and suffering. They must in spire their people in order for them to understand what is happening is for the future, for their children. This is a difficult task because the communists also were promising a brighter future for all Soviets. The people also must orient them selves toward the future. The model of democracy has proven successful. They can take solace from the idea that democracy works. In the meantime, the West should provide as much technical and expert assistance as possible - something like a crash course in capitalism. With goodwill and cooperation, patience, and a willingness to work hard, the Soviet Union will stand up again. Hopefully, this time, the world will not be divided into East/ West but will form a united front for a better fu ture for all mankind. THE BABYSITTER 6CT SICK SO I HAP TO TAKE THE KIPS TO WORK,.. THE BOSS HARRASSEP ME WITH OFF-COLOR COMMENTS... I VE GOT A BACKACHE, WRISTACHE ANP HEADACHE FROM HOURS AT THE VDT... AND I'M ONLY EARNING 60'7’o OF WHAT MEN IN MY OFFICE MAKE!... Revisions on University statement on harassment will protect all students L ast spring Texas A&M President William Mob ley changed the wording of the University Statement on Harassment and Discrimination despite objections by the gay and lesbian community on campus. Mobley removed the list of protected minority groups from previous versions of the state ment. Before it was revised, die policy stated, "Students shall be treated on an equal basis in all areas and activities of the University, re gardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin or education ally unrelated handicaps." The new anti-discrimination policy be gins, "Texas A&M University is committed to providing an educational and work climate that is con ducive to the person and professional development of each individual. "To fulfill its multiple missions as an institution of higher learning, Texas A&M encourages a climate that values and nurtures collegiality, diversity, pluralism and the uniqueness of the individual within our state, nation and world. "The University also strives to protect the rights and privileges and to enhance the self-esteem of all its members. Faculty, staff and students should be aware that any form of harassment and any form of illegal dis crimination against any indi vidual is inconsistent with values and ideals of the Uni versity community." The second paragraph states, "Individuals who be lieve they have experienced harassment or illegal discrim ination are encouraged to contact the appropriate of fices within their respective unit." The policy continues by naming the offices that han- mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm die grievances from faculty, staff and students. Faculty senate member Larry Hickman represented the gay and lesbian cam pus community when he protested policy changes would cause "unqualified! disaster." Without specific reference to sexual preference in the policy, campus homosexuals believe they are no longer protected against wrongful discrimination. Gay and Lesbian Student Services has called the policy "useless." They feel exclusion of the words "sexual orienta tion" is approval of discrimination against gays and lesbians. Legal experts tend to agree that no state or federal statute prohibits discrimination against homosexuals. Hence, the University offers no protection to gays and lesbians by using the phrase "illegal discrimination" in stead of listing specific minority groups. Fearing uninhibited persecution, gay faculty and students have fought vigorously for revision in the di rection of the previous, more explicit wording. They have rallied, written letters and met with state and Uni versity officials. Some have even talked about filing a Dwayne Purvis Parvis is a sophomore petroleum engineering major lawsuit. Despite protests heard from A&M's gay community, the new anti-discrimination/anti-harassment statement better serves the needs of this University. The new policy is more eloquent and inclusive. It defines the University's stand more dearly while offer ing greater protection to every individual on campus. While mistreatment of gay people may not fall under "illegal discrimination," they are still protected from ''any form of harass ment." The 1990-91 University Regulations for bids "threatening or intimidating another in dividual" as well as "obscene or threatening phone calls." A separate policy statement declares Texas A&M and all its programs will not exclude individuals on the basis of "race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or educationally unrelated handicaps." Notice the absence of "sexual orientation." Also under last year's regulations, the Students' Rights Appeals Panel could not hear complaints except those dealing with cases of "illegal discrimination." The new policy wording does not change the Uni- vefsity's stance; the statement unifies and clarifies it. Associate Provost William Perry has said he be lieves "the new wording to be stronger than the old wording because it does not limit... the groups of people who might be dis criminated against." "It provides protection for everyone," insists A&M's Dr. Murphy Smith, an associate professor of accounting. Kevin Carreathers, di rector of A&M's Depart ment of Multicultural Ser vices, has said he believes the statement will not hurt the cause of any minority group on campus. Exclusion of "sexual orientation" from the University's statement does not condone discrimination against homosexuals any more than it does any other group on campus. No University statement, regardless of how explicit the wording, will actually change the way everyone be haves. As long as there is individual free choice, peo ple still will mistreat others despite the consequences. The only way to change people's behavior is to change their attitudes. University policy provides a basis for change by disallowing discrimination. By unifying the University's stance, the new state ment provides a clearer, more effective aegis against discrimination. In Mobley's words, the revised University State ment on Harassment and Discrimination "reduces legal and interpretive ambiguities and provides a consistent basis for various other policies, procedures, rules and regulations for faculty, staff and students" while still supporting "strongly our institutional goal of an envi ronment free of harassment and illegal discrimination." "As long as there is individu al free choice, people still will mistreat others despite the consequences. The only way to change people’s behavior is to change their attitudes." nex 345 Mail Call rr l yS3r%TkWL/ University limits students, vet the experience was one of )oth the GLSS and the student hole. For those who need or w we are out there, we let them are indeed here and ready to serve them as an outreach program, as well as a group of friends to give them support and respect. Likewise, for those who were ridiculing or angry because of our presence, we also let them know "we're here, we're By Susan Maguire The Battalion The University's expanded Q-drop period will make Texas A&M students think about the dasses they might consider dropping, but the new format will help students in the long run, said the University's registrar. Donald Carter said Monday these changes were made to benefit the overall student popu lation and to make running the University more efficient. The Q-drop period for undergraduate stu- denB began onfte IH Opinion? EXPrCSS jti Any undergrai course within this tali on is interested in hearing from its readers. a grade of record s to the editor are welcome. Written letters must be signed and include classification, dents' official transcj daytime phone number for verification purposes. Anonymous letters will not be The previous Q 13th class day to the .(j on reserves the right to edit ail letters for length, style and accuracy. There is no Carter said there wj „ appear 25th class day^ waTtooV 13 ^ t )rOLi gh t to 013 Reed McDonald, sent to Campus Mail Stop 1111 or can be "I think it will help sP 8 - reason get into a class ana __ "It'll help them get out so h queer, get used to us!" The times of living in shame and fear as closeted homosexuals has passed. Just because they don't agree with our lifestyle doesn't mean we should protect them from the idea of gays. No matter what, we are going to be here. So by letting them know it, we have accomplished our goal. Closets are for clothes — we're coming out! I'd like to than the U.S. Constitution for giving us the right to do it, the MSC for giving us a place to do it and our fellow fightin' texas Aggies for giving us someone to do it for. Jeremy Collette '94