eptember 30
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From Page 7
ason Atkinson tool
50 with one and hit
ight unassisted tad
3n, however, shitt
questions about hi
;ader.
st week, we lost al#
said Atkinson,,
from Houston Wes;
didn't play likethi
rew but the defend
her real well and M
3s of the unit was,
in I'd expected,
■ to think I steppe;
an extremely voci
'as trying to lead hi
of Atkinson, thede
e and Smith alst
ilwart performances
chelman (6) ani
ry (9) combined fc:
ith 17 yards in loss
ho last week becam
est Conference's
g interceptor, both
roke the game ope;
1 quarter,
ling up 10-0, Ail!
> USL returner Gre;
sled the ball and
: open field with ok
- Smith. Quickly!
parent why Smill
on kickoffs. Laxej
part of his body, bn!
dn't bite and mads
Id, touchdown sai
)ok easy at
line.
Cajuns' first plat
eld ran around (lie
2 yards. Momentim
e on USL's side is !
; spun the freshmar
md for the apparent
mith, who hadachi-
'ed the run, strippec
up the ball on one
3re scampering h!
fourth career touch
that's what we lool
ig the ball)," Smith
ally, I might geta
the play because! |
up and do the right
. I saw the ball sit-
hand, so I jus!
it and ran it back."
performances not
g, it did come
>w 0-5 team, an at-
lost on head coach
when asked about
Aggies will have to
Texas Tech this Sat-
Opinion
Monday, September 30,1991
The Battalion
Page9
finitely have to play
st Tech than we've
y of our games thus
said. "I'm worried
•onsistency. We're
g some signs and
at we can do."
i added that the
a red to go to Lub-
ggies have not won
e sneaking out of
th a 28-27 win in
ive to put this win
d go on," Atkinson
tough place to go
a ready to go in.
t history."
ekin' Crew' flexed
ainst the Ragin'Q-
have to prove theii
e road as it opens
against the Rei
heir hostile crowd,
Children exposed to
explicit sex too early
Young minds accept smut as typical attitude
S ometimes I worry about my
brother and sister. He is 10,
and she is 12. That puts both
of them at a very critical age. They
are each very impressionable and at
the same time forming traits and val
ues that will remain virtually
unchanged throughout their
lifetimes. '
I probably shouldn't wor
ry. Speaking from experience,
I know they have better than
average parents in a better
than average atmosphere.
Aside from the normal child
like tendency to get into trou
ble, both are disciplined and
more than a little tender heart
ed.
So, why do 1 sometimes
worry? Various reasons.
For starters, both of them
ride a bus: the den of
pubescent iniquity. 1 know
this well, because I rode the
same route from first grade
through my sophomore year
in high school. During my tenure, I
encountered an alarmingly large
number of elementary students who
cursed on par with Eddie Murphy.
Occasionally, 1 would hear one of.my
siblings use language they could not
possibly have understood but had ab
sorbed.
My brother (the 10-year-old)
wakes up to a radio alarm clock every
school morning. He stumbles bleary-
eyed around his room preparing for a
new day of fifth grade listening to
lyrics like: "I've got protection. Now
I need affection. Swing your booty in
my direction," "Let's put the X in
SEX!" and "Come inside. Take off
your clothes. I'll make you feel at
home." All this sinking into a mind
that still grapples with multiplication.
Sex. What information do these
two kids have access to? Well, there
is'lhe healthy atmosphere of their
home and the op^pne^g of their par
ents. There is also the day in, day out
barrage of prime-time style sexual
bliss achieved through bed hopping,
infidelity, one-night-stands and the
ultimate revelation of love through
intercourse. It seems that of these two
sources of influence, quantity could
overshadow quality.
My sister and I talked on the
phone a few nights ago. She in-
Toni
Garrard
Garrard is a
sophomore
speech
communications
ma|or
formed me that she is "going with
someone" and had just experienced
her first real kiss (this is the 12-year-
old). We giggled for a bit as sisters
are prone to do. Then I grew quiet,
remembering for a moment the two
eighth graders who had babies the
year 1 graduated. 1 do not
think I like this "going with
someone" ritual anymore.
And if that little Don Juan
gets fresh, he'll have to deal
with an older sister just rid
den with the maternal in
stinct to bite the head off all
males who aren't family.
Truthfully, I rarely con
cern myself with such ex
treme scenarios. I trust her
intelligence and place a great
deal of stock in her upbring
ing. Still, all of our nation's
youth are a matter of concern
for me when I consider what
their expanding minds wit
ness every day.
Certainly our generation
is much more open to sensitive topics
than previous generations, and
tremendous benefits have resulted.
The attempts of some groups to ban
"offensive" books from our schools is
unspeakably backward. They are at
tempting to repair a situation by rid
ding us of one of our most valuable
tools. I do not advocate censorship
but a moderation of all the senseless
trash.
You and I may know what is right
and what is not, and thereby make
the claim that we are not swayed
from our convictions by anyone or
anything else. But what about the 15-
year-old girl who allegedly shot and
killed her classmate? What could
possibly have influenced such a
young mind to such unspeakable vio
lence? Somewhere along the way in
her short life, she absorbed what she
saw and heard and witnessed, and,it.'
overrode an innate sense of decency.
Perhaps I am oversimplifying.
Certainly, there are more complex rea
sons as to why people behave as they
do. What is clear, though, is that chil
dren come into this world with minds
that are formed through the process
of observation. Have you noticed all
the garbage there is lately?
Sometimes I worry about my
brother and sister.
Organization must answer to University
Separate Corps from ROTC
nplie Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and the ROTC
X should he separated.
Hey, now don't get all upset. It's not all that radical
an idea. We've already taken a step in this direction —
membership in the Corps no longer implies future mili
tary service.
And membership in the ROTC shouldn't imply
membership in the Corps.
Why would non-regs want to he a part of the
ROTC? Perhaps because of scholarship opportu
nities, stipends and an officer's commission.
They might not be so hot on being in the
Corps, however, because of the long hours the
Cadets put into the organization, and because of
having to wear uniforms to class every day, run
ning at odd hours in the mornings, eating in
four minute, and any number the other things
the Corps does.
Being a member of the Corps takes dedica
tion, not only to the country, hut to the Corps it
self. Not everyone preparing for a military ca
reer is willing to or wants to dedicate them
selves to the Corps.
The ROTC is supposed to benefit those who
are thinking about being in the military as a ca
reer, plan to join the reserves or need financial
help that could be provided through the benefits
and scholarships for which ROTC members are
qualified.
All ROTC members are qualified to compete for
scholarships in their branch of the military. Those schol
arships pay for all tuition, books, fees and necessary
-supplies plus a $100 per month stipend'
ROTC members are also paid $100 per month once
they have been in the program for two years, and they
are paid for attending some of the camps and training
sessions required by the armed services for heine in
ROTC.
Members who are also in the National Guard or the
Reserves earn even more money and can benefit from
the G1 Bill.
And every student at Texas A&M should be able to
get those benefits by being allowed to enter the ROTC
program. No other non-military university forces stu-
Hobbs is a
senior
journalism
major.
dents in its ROTC program to he full-time members of a
military organization.
Cadets who do not, upon entering the Corps, intend
to go into the service could then show their patriotism
by not taking ROTC money.
Taxpayers' money goes to Drill and Ceremony
Cadets for their first two years, and we can assume some
of them know when they are a freshman that
they do not plan to take their commission.
But that's not the only reason we need the
separation.
The recent alleged assault of a female cadet
has brought something to light about the Corps
of Cadets that isn't very attractive, whether or
not any Corps members are prosecuted in con
nection with the assault.
Military-style secrecy is making it difficult to
conduct any type of investigation. And quite
honestly, there is no reason for it.
If this was an alleged fraternity hazing inci
dent, there would be enough newsprint dedicat
ed to it to repaper the walls of The Battalion of
fices.
But as it is, the investigation is being held up
by government-style red tape and cadets are un
willing to answer such simple questions as
"How many women are in your outfit?" with
anything but a "No comment."
Reporters have barely been able to put together any
updates.
This is unacceptable. The Corps of Cadets is a cam
pus organization, and they are not above reproach, no
matter what their "traditional" standing on campus.
And they are using their link with the ROTC to legit
imize their closed mouths.
The Corps should continue to integrate ROTC func
tions into their programs, but the ROTC should exist
both inside and outside of the Corps.
And the Corps must realize that, as "the keeper of the
traditions," they are a student organization Just like any
other, and they also must answer to the student body, *
faculty and staff when their integrity is called into ques
tion.
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Mail Call
Experience nature
without killing it
❖ On Thursday, Sept. 19, we came across a
very distressing article in the Sports section.
While reading the article, we could only shake
our heads in disbelief that people like Kevin
McDaniel could really justify sport hunting in
terms of having the opportunity to spend qual
ity time with family and friends and to be in
"the outdoors."
McDaniel describes the feeling of " watch
ing the sun come up" while sitting in a duck
blind as though anticipating the chance to
shoot a duck is the only way to enjoy a sunrise.
Are you not able to sit alone outside and
watch a sunrise without wanting to dominate
and kill an animal, which is just as real an ob
ject in that scene as the sun? Can you not feel
"that surge of adrenaline" when a large buck
walks out just because it is a beautiful creation
of nature rather than because its horns will be a
good bragging piece? My ultimate question is
this: Why is hunting (i.e. death and power) a
requirement for enjoying the natural world?
To address the section on hunting provid
ing quality time with family and friends, we
want to comment on McDaniel's statement,
"Hunting is not just picking up a gun and
killing an animal. It's driving six hours . . .
with friends and family, sharing stories ..
Sorry McDaniel, but hunting is just picking
up a gun and killing an animal. You can spend
time with people you like in a multitude of sit
uations that do not include the death or injury
of some living creature. Is the death of a deer
or squirrel just a topic of conversation from
which to generate stories? That creature died
not to feed a starving stomach; it died to
quench the desire of an ego-centric sportsman.
Maybe our words make you shake your
head, too, but we are only asking you to pon
der our questions. Please, try to have a differ
ent kind of experience in nature (i.e. take a
day-hike, canoe a river, go backpacking, climb
a rock face, just watch wildlife). Attempt these
activities without killing a sentient being and
see if you can't enjoy a sunrise or your family
and friends in a little more educational and re
spectful manner.
Maybe then "the most time-honored tradi
tion this country has to offer" will be appreciat
ing nature for its beauty . . . not killing it for
sport.
Stephen Silliman '93
Tracey Spoon '93
Don't criticize
two-percenters
I'd like to address the issue of the ever-criti
cized two-percenters, those students who
avoid, ignore or protest any one of a number of
traditions here at Texas A&M. Now you may
ask, what would I have to say about these pre
tentious slackers? Probably some enormous
list of condemning adjectives, right? Well, let
me begin like so many other "repentant sin
ners."
My name is Wyatt Galusky, and I am a two-
percenter (for those who would be so generous
as to give me that much credit). The reason for
my bold admission is not to change my ways
but, on the contrary, to explain my position.
It appears to me that many people at this
University find a lack of school spirit down
right revolting. Well school spirit is nice and
all, but often times pride in your school is mis
taken for pride in your school work. Is it so re
volting to place stockpiling knowledge above
stockpiling social companions and drinking
buddies by cutting down trees? Is it so bad not
to attend bonfires that starkly resemble what
real good will comes out of standing up during
the whole football game, except to be so rude
as to sit down while the other band is playing?
My final point is in regard to those who
protest traditions or policies, regardless of their
popularity, that they feel are not realistic or fair.
People who do this are accosted and labeled
anything from tree-huggers to the very insult
ing "liberal." (Author's note: depending on
how far you go back, anyone could be de
scribed as liberal, including those of us who
wear clothes).
Is it more wrong to try and change some
thing you think is unfair or not very smart
even if it will cause people to look upon you
unfavorably, or just accept it because it exists
and you don't want to start anything or offend
anyone? Policy states Aggies don't lie, cheat or
steal, but does this include to and from your
self? If it does, then these protesters are doing
nothing more than following the rules.
A common misconception is that tradition
is synonymous with "right," but this isn't nec
essarily true. You should just consider this be
fore bringing out you labeler. And finally, for
Hove on opinion? Express iti
The Battalion is interested in hearing from its readers.
All 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.
those of you who would like to bring out that
cute little reference about how Highway 6 runs
both ways, well I agree with your geography.
In fact that's how I got here.
Wyatt Galusky '94
Regents should
allow privatization
❖ After reading the article in Monday's
Battalion on the Regents Report on privatiza
tion, I almost regurgitated the hamburger I had
purchased earlier at the Bus Stop Snack Bar. I
have never in the two years of attending Texas
A&M read an article that incorporates such a
blatant display of hypocrisy by a group of men
whom we all know (or assume) are "educated"
human beings.
Where William McKenzie came up the the
idea that "a for profit firm would not have the
students best interests at heart" I don't know. I
would think just the opposite.
A privately run firm would have to be com
petitive with any other campus run facility.
This would in turn drive prices down and defi
nitely be in the students best interest. Further
more, McKenzie has the gall to say he "will not
let a firm prey on our students."
I know from four years of restaurant experi
ence that a 10 oz. coke costs the restaurant a lit
tle over a penny not including overhead cost,
and yet "some food operations are losing mon
ey."
There is only one reason I can see to keep all
on campus facilities run by the University, and
that is the money goes back to the school.
So guys quit trying to mask you need for
the money generated by these facilities by your
feigned concern for our best interests and the
non-existent quality of on-campus food
You're not kidding anyone, the enormous
tarpaulin you tried to pull over my head on
Monday had many holes in it.
Peter O. Barnhart '95