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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 12, 1991)
Opinion Thursday, September 12, 1991 The Battalion Page 15 Weapons research may be misdirected Love could answer world’s toughest questions Love is not a feeling, it's an act of the will. — Don Francisco Scientists know only what love does. Love, properly applied, could virtually empty our asylums, our prisons, our hospitals. Love is the touchstone of psychiatric treatment. Love can be fostered, extended, used to subjugate hate and thus cure diseases. More and more clearly every day, out of biology, anthropology, sociology, history, economics, psychology, the plain common sense, the necessary man date of survival — that we love our neighbors as ourselves — gave us only one commandment: love. —Author Unknown Love is probably the most popular virtue of the 20th century. Yet, it also is most certainly the least under stood. Men's restrooms aren't generally noted for their con tribution to modern philoso- Truesdaie h a graduate student in urban planning. phy. However, there is an interesting line in the architecture facilities which reads, "Every emotion is linked to some chemical composite— especial ly love." The opinion expressed on the wall is that love is no more than a chemi cal reaction. If this is indeed true, then modern science has truly missed the boat. In stead of spending billions on sophisti cated weapons research, we should have spent the money developing an inoculation against hatred. And if this truly is all there is to love, we would be better off taking "love pills" than risking rejection by reaching out to people in love. Tina Turner provides us with a different idea of love. In her tune, "What's love got to do with it?," she calls love "a second hand-emotion." But Turner claims love is less than an optimal human condition. "Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?" She reveals here love requires some type of sacrifice, some extraor dinary openness. But if the baring of the soul is met with a commitment- free emotion, then I agree with Turn er. Who needs it? Of course, the promise of love is used for domination in our society. Who hasn't heard the following, "If you love me, you'll do what I want." Of course, this statement is a clear implication of "If you want me to love you, you'll do what I want." This obviously is not love but ex ploitation. This statement is meant to exploit fears. I play on your fears to my advantage. You are afraid if you don't do as I wish, I may withhold my love from you. And if you've already bared your soul to me, rejection would be extremely painful. Perhaps the most com mon current usage of the word is found in the phrase, "to make love." This phrase suggests love is "made" by sexual intercourse. If sexual intercourse can actually produce love, then all we need to do to empty "our asylums, our prisons, [and] our hospitals" is to promote more sex in those places. If this seems absurd, it's because no physical action can "make" love —it can only demonstrate love.If none of these descriptions of love is satisfactory, then what do we do? If these are the only options, love can be seen as merely a camouflage we put over selfish ambitions in order to make them look acceptable. But if everyone is merely looking out for his own selfish ambitions, then love is an illusion. But maybe there's more to love than we advanced, 20th century Americans believe. Most of us who believe in God agree "God is love." But if God's love is merely a method to exploit man, then He's a total sham. If God is only committed to man as long as "it feels good" or as long as "it's good for" Him, then mankind truly is to be pitied. The good news is God's love is not like man's: wavering, selfish and conditional. His love is not measured by intensity of emotion but rather by a willingness to suffer for those He loves. Jesus said, "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." This type of love is something we all yearn for, but it seems unattainable. Most churches sponsor revivals. The theme of many revivals is love. Revival means to bring to life again. If love is the very source of life, then revivals are aptly named. Maybe you've found man's love can be incomplete. If so, why not go and get a perspective of God's perfect love? ©IW THE PEO’PP NEW Cruel Tricks for 'ffii luiiiuwinuiiiiuiiivummii ON 6AN\^ DAVS, ThB LAWN IS RESERVE! Fresh mg 1*11111111 iiTlB MSC FOR R\CNWLS PATE FOR|| THE SAfAE With YOUR /III"'" n No.? by Bingo Barnes mm w ^ iv ii vi <rgictc BV A&M ain't cheap! University overcharges frequently 'knew 1 wasn't crazy—at least not completely. Last year when anyone said prices were high on cam- .pus, it was implied they were "misinformed." When a Student Government task force released a re port showing substantially higher prices at on-campus Food Services facilities than off-campus facilities, it was said to be based on "insufficient data." Then, in March 1991, Food Services tried to cotmter the Student Government report by comparing some of its prices with those of the Texas A&M Bookstore. (See Figure), "If we are cheaper than the bookstore," Food Services reasoned, "then we must be cheap!" Wrong. Just be cause cow pies smell better than pig pies doesn't mean you want to make per fume out of either one. Could it not be both are overpriced, albeit one more so than the other? Look at the second figure and see for yourself. My results were somewhat different. This brings up an interesting point. Last summer Vice President for Finance and Administration Robert Smith held a Ty Clevenger Clevenger is a senior bioenvironmental science major. Underground Merlcet Nille wafers {7.5 ozJ Oreos (1 IbJ NyQuil (6 oaJ SmAjd (24 ablets) Scope (6 oxJ Johnson** Baby Oil (4 ozJ Energizer Sr* C Baeene* (2) Notebook paper (200 OJ J2.19 Omens CW-AJK4 ozJ SI .55 52.45 SJ.H S6.6S 56.75 SJ.2S $2.39 $3.75 $2.19 $3.30 $5.40 *4.70 $2.30 $1.99 $1.99 $3.19 $4.69 $4.89 $1.98 $2.68 $4.88 $4.15 52.08 51.86 meeting with several students, where he in formed us the University was considering pri vatizing the bookstore be cause services would be im proved and more revenue could be generated for the University. Immediately I asked whether prices would be raised in the bookstore. He replied they would not. What Mr. Smith failed to mention was only textbook prices would not be increased. Everything else — from pencils to backpacks — was fair game. In the end, our administration managed to squeeze $20 million in lease and benefits out of Bames and Knobles Bookstores over the next 10 years, but as best I can tell, items other than textbooks went up 20 to 30 percent. Twenty million dol lars has to come from somewhere — you. Why does this not surprise you? Because it doesn't take a doctorate in finance to figure out things around here aren't cheap. Or does it? We shall soon find out, because Tm having a contest. Anyone is eligible unless, you have a doctorate in finance. For oyer two years, I have been trying to figure out why so many things on this campus seem to cost so much and where all this money goes. Remember when Food Services used to confiscate Aggie Bucks? If you didn't spend all your money by the end of the semester, they just took it. About $80,000 a year worth of "taking." And 1 still haven't found out where all that money went. So about my contest. Originally the idea was to come up with the top 10 ways students get stabbed in the wallet, although I've already managed to come up with about 20 prime contenders on my own. Maybe I'll talk to Casey Casern and we'll make it a Top 40 Count down. The rules are simple. Your entry can be an obscure fee, an overpriced service, a deposit that doesn't get re funded unless you request it or even a question (to which I will try to find an answer). For example: • In most cases, student organiza tions cannot bring their own refresh ments to meetings held in the MSC or Rudder Tower. Instead they must use Food Services Catering — from whom a gallon of punch costs $9.25. • Why is it cheaper to get the buffet in the Faculty Club (privately run) than to buy an average meal in the MSC Cafeteria (run by Food Services)? • As of last year, over $4 million was generated in computer access fees. For the next two years, the entire amount was to be spent upgrading the VAX system. 'Though all students must pay the fee, most use IBM PCs or Apples, while only a small percentage use the VAX. • Why does TCA Cable require students on campus to disconnect during Christmas break and pay another hook-up fee in January? I've also heard several students ask why soft drinks now cost $.60 on campus. According to the director of business services, E>r. Donald B. Powell, about $500,000 a year is generated from campus vending machines, and all of this goes into a discretionary fund for the Universi ty president. To the best of my knowledge, all of this money is spent wisely. Furthermore, I strongly believe the presi dent of a University as big as A&M needs a special funds account. I'm just not sure a hidden tax on stu dents is the best way to go about it. At the same time, there is a lot to be said in defense of the bookstore. The facility has been remodeled and the selections expanded. But at what cost? And who ends up paying that cost? You, you, you. So what can you do? Send me your entries for the Top 40 Countdown. The prize for best entry will be a delightful evening at the Cow hop courtesy of me. Sor ry, but I spent the rest of the prize money paying my fees. Hove on opinion? Express iti The Battalion is interested in hearing from its readers. AH letters to the editor are welcome. Written letters must be signed and include classification, address and daytime phone number for verification purposes. Anonymous letters will not be published. The Battalion reserves the right to edit all letters for length, style and accuracy. There is no guarantee letters will appear. Letters may be brought to 013 Reed McDonald, sent to Campus Mail Stop 1111 or can be faxed to 845-5408. Tyson should fight despite harsh criticism M rape. 'any women's rights advocates have foolishly protested boxer Mike Tyson's decision to fight for the .Heavy Weight Boxing title despite being indicted for The advocates, including members of the National Organization for Women, claim Tyson is stating rape is acceptable, or at least not a major crime, by choosing to fight while his rape charge looms ahead. In reality, the only statement Tyson has made is he's innocent; and he his, until the courts say otherwise. Unfortunately, these advocates like Melanie Baham, president of the New York chapter of N.O.W., are sending the most disturbing message of all — Mike Tyson is guilty before he even goes to trial. "Innocent until proven guilty" is a fundamental right every American should know, especially political advocates. By protesting Tyson's rape charge and decision to fight champion Evander Holyfield Nov. 8 for a reported $15 million, these advocates have implied he is already guilty, and he must forfeit his right to make a living. Sure, Tyson is no Prince Charming. To me, he appears to be a modern-day Atilla The Hun in the boxing ring. Further, Tyson has a history of accusations that he fondled women without their permission, and he allegedly battered his former wife, actress Robin Givens. All of these incidents were highly publicized. Many weren't surprised Tyson was charged with rape considering the negative publicity with Tyson and women. It's easy to let these images, and his success in a violent sport, allow us to just assume he's guilty. Todd Stone Associate Editor Stone is a graduate student in business administration. To It <d »M A T I Q IM A H OWSAIMIZATIOra FOR WOIV1EM But Tyson's guilt has not been established in a court of law. Until that happens, Tyson has an image problem, and he must eventually go to trial to defend his innocence. But again, he is not a rapist — he's been indicted for rape. It's easy to understand the angry reactions of women's rights groups. Tyson's tough-guy, mean-to-women persona is strong. With rape being an emotional, heinous crime, it's easy to react strongly against Tyson. Fortunately, cooler heads may still prevail. While Baham criticized Tyson, Nevada N.O.W. president Naomi Millisor said, "He's still indicted, not convicted. With all the violence and rape and battering of women, it's important these celebrity things do come out, but he's still not guilty." So true. If Tyson's case can bring awareness about rape and rape prevention, that's great. But this awareness should not come at the expense of a man who's still innocent until the process of a fair trial says otherwise.