Opinion
Tuesday, October 13,1992
The Battalion
Page 9
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Editorials
Defeating AIDS
Testing crucial for everyone's sake
As activists protest what they call
inadequate government funding to
combat the deadly specter of AIDS,
several organizations in the Brazos
Valley provide free HIV antibody
testing in order to hinder the
progress of AIDS here at home.
Both anonymous and confidential
testing are available at little or no
cost to the Bryan-College Station
community. Anonymous testing
provides the individual with a false
name and destroys records after 90
days, but students do not receive a
copy of test results. Confidential
testing provides students with a
^ copy of the test results. Contrary to
popular rumors, neither of these
testing methods places test results
in a student's school records.
HIV-testing in the Brazos Valley
is provided by Planned Parenthood
and Brazos Valley Health Services
for free, and at the health depart
ment for a five dollar fee. In addi
tion, Brazos Health Services pro
vides testing on campus on Tues
days through the Beutal Health
Center.
If you plan on engaging in any
sexual activities, get the facts.
If you are concerned that you
might have contracted HIV, get test
ed. It is quick, free and relatively
painless.
While "safe sex" is one method of
AIDS prevention, monogamy and
abstinence are the most effective.
However, monogamy only works if
both parties are completely open
with each other — and if both parties
have been tested.
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Unfounded notion
A&M, B-CS no 'cultural vacuum 7
To hear many speak, one would
think that Texas A&M is a cultural
vacuum when in fact, culture
abounds both on and off campus.
Like other large and reputable uni
versities, ours nas become a popular
place for the arts.
The MSC alone boasts three visu
al art galleries. Just last summer,
the University Center gallery hosted
an exhibit of Ansel Adams prints.
Musical groups playing around
town run the gamut of styles. From
choral to gospel to folk to acid rock,
someone around here performs it.
The regional symphony orchestra
performs right here on campus.
If that weren't enough, nationally
and internationally-known artists
often stop in College Station for
concerts. Weekly, one form of musi
cal concert or another is presented
on campus.
No dissent allowed in Aggieland
Only the unsure fear the free expression of opinion
SHAWN
RALSTON
Columnist
F or all three of you that haven't
noticed, Texas A&M is an ex
tremely conservative school.
While nothing is inherently wrong
with being conservative, I don't hap
pen to be one.
And as someone with ideas dif
fering from the majority opinion on
this campus 1 am often led to protest
in one way or another certain things
that occur here.
All well and good, you might say,
it's certainly your constitutionally
guaranteed right. Unfortunately, it's
not that easy at A&M.
I have only lived here about a
year, but in that short time I have
been overwhelmed by the fear and opposition to protest
that exists here. This university is permeated by an atmo
sphere of mandatory conformity which is just downright
unhealthy.
Let me be very clear about this issue — this is not an arti
cle comparing conservative and liberal viewpoints. I am
not talking about the fact that most students hold conserva
tive beliefs. Rather, I am referring to the reactions of con
servative students to other students who do not share their
beliefs.
What worries me is the difficulty students with liberal
viewpoints encounter when trying to express themselves.
The difficulties I am referring to even include physical vio
lence, or more often threats of violence. Obviously, fear of
being physically hurt is a pretty good deterrent against
protest.
Aside from physical violence, protesters meet with at
tempts to stifle dissidence in other ways. Signs are ripped
from people's hands at protests regularly. Literature ex
pressing liberal viewpoints is stolen from tables and boxes
where it is being freely distributed. Indeed, the distribu
tion boxes themselves have even been stolen.
So, you might say, it's a conservative campus, you've
got to expect such actions. Perhaps you do expect it here,
but you certainly shouldn't have to. The fact that people
attempting to express their political views often fear some
type of retaliation is a fact that should embarrass every stu
dent.
People who believe in the American system of govern
ment do not attempt to stifle protest, whether they are lib
eral or conservative. For campus conservatives, in particu
lar, A&M's stifling atmosphere should be something to
worry about. In order to truly understand and adhere to a
particular belief system people need to understand options
and alternatives. A system with only one viewpoint al
lowed is not likely to have strong well-informed support
ers. It is to everyone's advantage to have well thought out
debates going on on campus at all times. This isn't often
possible at A&M, where the words "it's a tradition" seem
to be enough to quell any dissent.
If a group fears expression of any dissenting point of
view, it makes that group's own viewpoint appear very
weak indeed. A&M conservatives, if they are thinking con
servatives, have nothing at all to fear from the expression of
liberal viewpoints on campus.
If you don't like what I am saying about an issue, en
gage in the expression of your own opinion somehow. If
you disagree with protesters, get your own sign and march
right next to them. But know that attempting to prevent
another person from expressing his or her opinionis a dis
gusting and odious act unworthy of anyone who believes
in democratic government.
It is amazing to me that I actually felt compelled to write
that previous sentence. It's something we have all known
was a principle of our society since we were in kinder
garten. Why do A&M students seem to have such a hard
time with that idea?
As Bonfire season fast approaches, I expect another out
break of nasty run-ins between protesters and the drunken
revelers protecting the sacred log pile. For this occasion,
maybe we should recall a short remark made by Thomas
Jefferson. He once said, "A little rebellion, now and then, is
a good thing." Yeah, but I bet he never tried to convince
A&M students of that idea.
Ralston is a graduate student in English
Students can view or participate
in several student plays each
semester. They can also see some of
the biggest names in opera, ballet,
even comedy as traveling groups
stop in Rudder Auditorium.
Unfortunately, students often
don't take advantage of these op
portunities. The arts represent the
expression of our common humani
ty. To participate in art, as a viewer
or creator, is to share personal truth.
Besides, it's fun. Strolling
through a gallery can be a relaxing
yet interesting afternoon break. Per
formances make great dates.
We should be proud of the fact
that our community hosts such var
ied and frequent cultural events.
However, we should also continue
expanding cultural opportunities by
encouraging more students to enjoy
the benefits.
MAH
CAM
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nc [Fraternity responds
to charges of racism
In the Mail Call section of The Battal
ion on Monday, Oct. 12, a letter was
printed from Joe Salem which stated his
feelings about a party which was given
by Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Salem is a member of the band. The
Love Squad, which played at our party
on Oct. 2. In his letter, Salem referred
to the theme of our Jungle Party as
racist, and he believes that our party
signified slave hunts in the African jun
gle.
First and foremost. Sigma Alpha Ep
silon, both at Texas A&M and national
ly, does not condone, nor premeditate
any racially motivated actions or activi
ties.
In fact. Sigma Alpha Epsilon, along
With other fraternities, is comprised of
members representing a variety of eth
nic groups and backgrounds.
The members of Sigma Alpha Ep
silon are leaders both on and off the
Texas A&M University campus. We
have brothers that are involved on cam
pus in the Fish Camp program. Student
Government, Orientation Leaders, and
many other student organizations
which strive to make the campus a
more unified one rather than a separat
ed one.
Off-campus, our brothers work with
the Big Brother program helping to
guide young children and better their
lives.
We also participate in an annual
ChiliFest with the Muscular Dystrophy
Association to raise money for Jerry's
Kids.
On the night of Oct. 2, Sigma Alpha
Epsilon did in fact host a Jungle Party
in which the participants dressed in a
variety of costumes.
For Salem to blatantly associate our
party with slave hunts is both unrealis
tic and completely unsubstantiated.
Salem obviously knows nothing
about our chapter, or the fraternity sys
tem as a whole.
I do not understand how a person
could be so adamantly opposed to a sit
uation, yet still participate in the party.
The members of Sigma Alpha Ep
silon do sincerely apologize for the mis
interpretation of our party.
We will, in the future, strive to plan
our activities so that this does not hap
pen again.
Michael A. Hebert
Class of'94
President, Sigtna Alpha Epsilon
Cost cutters should
consider the disabled
I would like to make a few com
ments to Jeff Magill concerning his
guest column in Friday's Battalion.
Magill, how would you like to open
dozens of doors a day in a chair that
has two wheels and can be precariously
unstable at times? If you have not tried
this in a while, sir, I think it would do
you good to to so.
I am not in a wheelchair, but one of
my best friends is. I borrowed his chair
one day at a hotel in Dallas and went
for a spin in the hotel to see what it was
like. Every door I came to involved a
complete balancing act in order for me
to get through it.
Most people that are confined to a
chair are not there by their own de
vices; they would much rather be phys
ically able, but God in his infinite wis
dom placed them in that situation, so
they must learn to cope with it.
They cannot take two Tylenol and be
better in the morning. They must learn
to handle their situation for the rest of
their lives.
I realize the fact that one way to
streamline an establishment, such as a
company, small business or even a uni
versity, is to cut costs, get rid of certain
wastes, and other things I agree with,
but there are a few extra things we all
need to come to a realization about.
As much trouble as these people al
ready have to go through in their lives.
such as urinary catheters, drinking 1.5
gallons of liquid a day, avoiding bed
sores, and other personal things, it
would seem like it would not take our
World Class University a whole extra
lot of time and money to make life for
these people a tad bit easier.
Think about it.
And seriously, Magill, you, and all of
us for that matter, need to try the
"wheelchair thing."
Charles L. Ake, Jr.
Class of'94
Strict abortion-based
voting ignorant
This letter is in response to Damian J.
KrahTs preposterous letter that was
printed in the Oct. 12 Battalion, and it
goes for anyone who is thinking of vot
ing straight-ticket.
I cannot believe that someone could
be so incredibly closed-minded when it
comes to choosing the leaders of the
world around him.
I can say that, yes, I do feel that the
abortion issue should be left up to the
individual and is not an issue that a
body of nine justices or even 535 con
gressmen can decide for an entire na
tion.
It is an issue that is simply too close
to the heart. There are too many differ
ent sides to the issue for abortion to be
viewed as a black and white determi
nant.
When I vote on Nov. 3, I am not go
ing to take any news article to the vot
ing booth with me.
I am going to choose the best candi
date for the job, whether they be pro-
choice or pro-life.
I do not allow simple, stupid, one
sided issues interfere with my judg
ment of who would be the best leader.
I think we should each look at the lead
ership qualities of the candidates and
then decide.
Aaron M. Herndon
Class of '96
Editorials appearing in The Battalion reflect
the views of the opinion page staff and editor
in chief only. They do not represent, in any
way, the opinions of reporters, staff, or
editors of other sections of the newspaper.
Columns, guest columns, and Mail Call
items express the opinions of the authors
only.
The Battalion encourages letters to the
editor and will print as many as space allows
in the Mail Call section. Letters must be 300
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Social Security number, dass, and phone
number. ,
We reserve the right to edit letters for
length, style, and accuracy.
Letters should be addressed to:
The Battalion - Mail Call
013 Reed McDonald /Mail stop 1111
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843