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.
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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