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The Battalion
Opinion
Wednesday, July 29, 1992
Page 5
Life isn't a game, but it
matters how it's played
/A--.-. ■ .
"Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the
Earth."
— Matthew 5:5
believe a glass is
half-empty; not half-
iull.
I believe freedom is
just another word for
nothing left to lose.
William That men will never
Harrison
and a i
know what it's like to
be a woman, women
will never understand
men, so why bother with relationships?
Why Ask Why?
I believe in might makes right, Dar
win's 'survival of the fittest' theory, and
King Arthur's Divine Right through trial
oy combat. Borders divide groups of peo-
whose conflicts are of no concern as
they can be righteously ended and re-
olved through genocide. This world
makes sense when you force it to.
I believe that people are basically trib
in nature, just like the apes, and this
tribal system necessarily creates every
outstanding atrocity ever committed by
group against another. Not even the
individual who initiates the atrocity —
oma minor political execution to a holo
caust, pogrom or any large scale massacre
- should be held accountable for merely
oerpetuating the system.
Therefore, I believe in voting for the
esser of two evils. I'll judge presidential
andidates on their detractions, and not
heir merits.
I believe there is nothing natural in
nature, that we watch network
to see the day's top ten disaster list
in order of casualties), and that
ther Earth has deemed the human race
nuisance — to be kicked off the planet
)y AIDS, as George Carlin quips.
I believe in rights, not responsibilities;
hat "you've got to remember what you
:ee; we'll take it eventually; you can have
ything you want, but you'd better not
:ake it from me, in the jungle — welcome
the jungle." So sayeth the Rev. Axl.
I believe Alexis de Tocqueville was in-
as mman
lews
listed
dc: Vlo
correct when he toured the United States
in the 1800s and labeled us the most fra
ternal country in the world. He obviously
never met Carnegie, Vanderbilt, or Rocke
feller — the ultimate capitalists, business
men, and pragmatists of that era.
I believe Aym Rand was correct in the
establishment of the individual and 'ego
ism' as the utmost ideal, the govern
ment's role is nothing more than med
dling kids out to foil old man Withers,
and that slavery wasn't the most impor
tant issue in the war between the states.
I believe order doesn't need to be
made out of chaos, that food, clothing and
shelter are the only things people need to
survive and thrive, and that all men are
created equally to fend for themselves.
I believe ulterior motives form the
bonds of friendship. To paraphrase Karl
Marx, sympathy is a disease of dogs: with
no such thing as even man's best friend.
I believe in good vs. evil, black vs.
white, right vs. wrong, logic vs. illogic. I
don't believe in consideration vs incon
sideration, and tolerance vs. intolerance.
I believe I don't have to respect any
body's opinion, even my own, and I also
believe it's an unnecessary risk to take
anyone's word for anything.
I believe one man's meat is another
man's poison, everyone has their own
hidden agenda, and because of this, we'll
never walk on 'common ground.'
I believe men make perfectly good is
lands, and the best form continents — or
maybe we are particles in a stream, erod
ed and eroding others through life.
I believe in existence, not living.
"Civilization is a stream with banks. The
stream sometimes filled with blood from peo
ple killing, stealing, shouting and doing
things historians usually record, while on the
banks, unnoticed, people build homes, make
love, raise children, sing songs, write poetry.
The story of civilization is the story of what
happened on the banks . . . ."
— Will Durant
Harrison is a senior journalism major and
political cartoonist for The Battalion.
How TO WlW PO* LOSING : RVLB l, V£RS£ 2.
lepartmenfsE:
: Index rose?
'Cop Killer' expression of anger
JL
Paul
Greco
m 'bout to
bust some
shots off. I'm
'bout to dust some
cops off. Die, die!
Die Pig, Die!"
These words
come from the song
"Cop Killer" on rap
per Ice T's latest al
bum, Body Count.
These are some
pretty powerful
words. There's al
ways extremist in ev
ery form of protest.
But maybe as a nation, we should look
underneath all these words and exam
ine what rap singers like Ice T, Sister
Souljah, N.W.A., and the Ceto Boys
have to say. Most artist express them
selves for a reason. So why are rap mu
sicians now strongly expressing these
views?
There is a large amount of frustra
tion in this country. Sister Souljah told
the Washington Post last month, "If
black people kill black people every
day, why not take a week and kill white
people?"
Of course, she has a right to her
opinion but this is a little extreme. Her
views, however, illustrate the anger
that has been building up for decades.
In 1963, unemployment in the ghetto
was a soaring 25 percent. One black
family in eight saw their kids forced out
in the streets/where the crime rate was
high. Unemployment among blacks in
1963 was 12 percent (more than twice
the white unemployment rate). And
one out of five black families had a child
drop out of high school.
These statistics are strikingly similar
to the statistics prior the riots that oc
curred this year. In March 1992, the to
tal unemployment was 6.5 percent for
whites and 14.1 percent among blacks,
again more than double the rate for
whites.
So where do we go from here? I dis
cussed race relations with a group of
students and received a variety of reac
tions.
"White folks believe that we have
come far enough and that blacks have
been helped out enough with affirma
tive action," a 22-year-old black male
explained. "Black people know what the
problem is. We can't solve these prob
lems without cooperation from the pow
er structure. We have little representa
tion in government."
He went on to say, "I don't want to
sound Marxist but you can just keep
people oppressed for so long. The Rod
ney King incident has not evaporated, I
hope we are civilized enough, but I
could see a civil war easily."
A 21-year-old white male stated, "I
don't get much into it, but I don't un
derstand why when it's a problem, it's
always the white man's fault. I don't
believe this is just a black-white thing,
but also a rich-poor clash."
He continued, "I believe we are civi
lized enough to prevent a national civil
outbreak but it could possibly happen.
But it won't be between whites and
blacks, but government. War is a part of
politics, you know."
Another black youth explained,
"Discrimination is like being punished
for something you didn't do."
A 21-year-old white female stated,
"We have given blacks enough breaks.
And now they should let time and hard
work be their guide."
And a*23-year- old white female
asked, "Why should we judge people by
their race, gender, and sexual preference
for job placement? These have no bear
ing on job performance, nor should they
ever."
Riots in the 60's, Houston's Moody
Park incident, and this year's L.A. riots
are all forms of radical protest. But are
the Boston Tea Party, the Alamo, and
the Battle of Gettysburg comparable?
These were all factors of revolutions.
One of the most telling features of
discrimination is its ability to feed on it
self: if you are discriminated against,
you have a low-paying job and therefore
low-income housing, and a less chance
to have the education to move up the
company ladder.
And it's not only blacks but women,
Mexican-Americans, Indians and other
ethnic groups that want no less than an
end to discrimination in all forms.
Our racial problems are for real and
an every day part of our lives. America
must face this domestic time bomb that
has been ticking for the past 30 years.
This isn't George Bush or Bill Clinton's
problem. It's our problem. And ignor
ing the problem only leads to empty
ideas and solutions.
Most Americans believe strongly
that we as a nation are civilized enougn
not to experience another dyil war. But
let's not forget that war is an extension
of political conflicts (both domestic and
international). And sometimes small
events can lead to catastrophe.
Anger is exhibited in various ways
such as rap songs, rioting in the streets,
the right to vote, or peaceful protest.
Richard Price is a white author who
spent three years in the ghetto for his
new novel, Clockers. The novel is about
youth growing up in the crime-and-
drug-imested streets. He states, "There
but for the grace of God go I. And if I
were born in the projects in 1970, where
would I be today?"
Greco is a freshman general studies ma
jor and a columnist for The Battalion.
]VIail
AIDS a problem
affecting us all
As a new member of the Texas A&M
ommunity I am constantly faced with
►enefits were#trange and unexplainable facts. One
t wasdownftf luestion is: why would The Battalion
erall gaining iverpublish a letter as bigoted and misin-
ne 1991 and"2 ormed as that of Michael Snyder
n since a simii! 7/22/92).
mberl987. Mr. Snyder attempted to address
msation exce^ ^IDS in the 90's; instead he revisited the
t what a perse ate 70's when HIV was incorrectly la-
i didn't," Dede Jeled GRID (Gay Related Immune Disor-
ler). No one "deserves" AIDS. Not a
iggest boosts: voman in Houston, nor the baby she or
v'as the ever-/ ler spiritual sister may some day con-
rare costs. Wlti :eive. Not the gay, the TV drug user, the
ied health cai aasketball player who slept around, nor
ow up in wod he wife whose husband had a blood
acreased costs 5 ransfusion. We have (the educated por-
ding such betf ion of the population at least), I thought,
d in the depai* [often beyond the point where sick peo-
alewere being "punished for their sins."
?mic increase^ Another complaint of Mr. Snyder was
tes adversely^ hat the government was spending
budgets, it ^ Monies that it did not even have on AIDS
mployers tryii Ssearch/education. I have a news flash:
its in an effort he government spends in excess of $1
a sluggishe- ! fillion dollars a year that it does not
tent. It alsotf 'ave. I am of the opinion that I would
market ather spend money they do not have on
?nt rose to? education/research than on, say,
the highest: Texas's Super Collider,
provided eff Finally, Mr. Snyder states that "If
tie leverage! bore Americans had common sense, this
ses. Benefit!! 1 AIDS) would probably be a minor prob-
slowing, risi!i em." That statement is partially true
12 months eni though probably not in the manner that
ared with ah tfr. Snyder intended). If all of the Moral
i year earlier. Majority types would get out o the way of
compensate tiucation attempts, we might be able to
Private induste
same for bit*
rice workers.
reach our children with the information
they could use. Giving kids condoms
does not encourage them to go out and
have sex any more than wearing a safety
belt encourages you or me to go out and
wrap our car around a tree.
The Netherlands has brought the
spread of AIDS in their country under
control, yet the Bush administration for
bids federal funds for one of their very ef
fective programs (needle exchange). Yes,
AIDS, could be, if not minor, at least less
severe, if we were allowed to try to reach
people with more than words.
Mr. Snyder and everyone else out
there, please think before you label AIDS
as a "their" problem. Dr. Richard Keeling
(a national expert on HIV education) says
that by the year 1995 everyone in America
will either:
1. Have a friend with or who has died
from AIDS,
2. Have a family member with or who
has dies from AIDS, or
3. Have AIDS themselves.
If AIDS has not touched your life in
the past, you are lucky; all luck eventual
ly runs out. Be smart — the only "safe
sex" is abstinence; if you do not practice
that, practice "safer sex" — use a latex
condom and Nonoxyl-9.
William R. Wilson
Graduate Student
Oppression?
Moslems; the oppressed, the victims,
the enslaved .... Mr. Ben-Musa has been
shelling us with the image of a people
that have been long oppressed and hu
miliated by Christians all around the non-
Moslenr world.
He is right, Moslems are oppressed.
He, however, always forgets to mention
two very relevant facts. First, all around
the Moslem world, Christians, Zoroastri-
ans, Hindus, and other non-Moslems are
also oppressed, suffer tremendously and
long for freedom. Second, Moslems them
selves, all around what constitutes the
"umma" are oppressed by those apostles
of fanaticism and hate who disfigure the
face of humanity.
Mr. Ben-Musa, you're pointing at
America's oppression. For what? For
giving you this tribune to exercise your
freedom? There are a lot of people
around the world who can only dream of
such an oppression.
George Nasr
Graduate Student
Citizens must
evaluate issues
I am a conscientious and concerned
citizen who observes politics quite close
ly. As Americans get ready to vote in the
November election, I have become ex
tremely interested in what the respective
candidates. President Bush and Gov.
Clinton have to say about the economy
and well-being of this country.
As a well educated college student, I
am waiting to hear their views on the
economy and unemployment before I de
cide who to support. President Bush is
facing great amounts of criticism due to
the recent recession and sluggish recov
ery of the economy. However, he has im
proved relations with foreign countries
which will open new markets for Ameri
can businesses, creating many jobs for
Americans, and bringing long range ben
efits for this country.
On the other hand. Gov. Clinton has
been preaching "change" during the past
two weeks. But, what does he exactly
mean with the word change? Does he
mean implementing socialized medicine
and increasing welfare, thus increasing
taxes, or does he mean motivation indus
tries to produce more by tax reductions,
thus creating more jobs?
A great deal of pressure is put upon
us (college students) by the candidates;
they will say and promise anything to
win our votes. However, as well educat
ed people, we should think carefully
about what they have to say about the
main issues, the economy, and the high
rates of unemployment, and then we
should evaluate how their promises can
affect the status of this great country.
Therefore, my advice to you. Aggies,
is: before you decide to vote for President
Bush or Gov. Clinton, ask yourselves,
"How will his ideas and promises affect
my family, my country, and me?"
Nathaniel Garcia '93
Voters' attitudes
part of problem
In reply to Brian Coats' concern about
the state of the national government and
lack of leadership all I can say is: It
doesn't have to be that way. This is a
democratic country and the people have
power and responsibility to change the
system.
Mr. Coats wants the leaders to forget
about political differences and just do
what is right for the people. But isn't do
ing the right thing for their constituents
what keeps politicians in office? How
else are they, or anyone, supposed to
know "what is naturally and inherently
best for the people?" Is there an alterna
tive to the two party system and if so,
why hasn't it evolved?
The problem is not so much with
there being two parties but with the atti
tude of the voters. How can we ever go
beyond politics when so many practice
straight party voting, not really knowing
who the candidates are? Where's the so-
called outrage when voters re-elect in
cumbents without examining what they
have actually done? Why are politicians
able to sway people with 30-second
sound bites that have no real substance?
Why do almost fifty percent of adults not
vote in presidential elections?
It's important to realize that no leader,
no matter how great, can have the solu
tion to every problem. With every policy
there's always a trade-off; something giv
en up, left out or compromised. It's time
for people to attain a clear idea of what
the government should or should not do,
stop pointing fingers at the leadership,
and start rebuilding from the bottom up.
Dennis Muzza '93
Have an opinion?
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Letters must be signed and must
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Anonymous letters will not be published.
The Battalion reserves the right to edit
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There is no guarantee a letter will appear.
Letters may be brought to The Battalion at
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Stop 1111 or faxed to 845-2647.