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Opinion
Thursday, December 10,1992 The Battalion Page 5
Closing of "Table of Doom" shows
how A&M stifles initiative, ideas
o all of my
friends in the
Blocker
Building ...
The time has
:ome to say good
bye and extend
ny deepest appre-
:iation for your
fiendships, Dusi-
ress and support,
specially during
he most recent
:risis. 1,095 of you
dgned the petition
o keep the "Table
)f Doom" open,
n addition, many
if you wrote letters on my behalf. I
:ahnot thank you enough for your loy-
tlty. Needless to say, our efforts fell on
leaf ears. There are too many of you to
hank individually here, but you know
vho you are and you know how I feel,
four support exemplifies the true Spirit
)f Aggieland which goes far beyond
nerely standing in the bleachers.
Thanks also to Dr. Sutherland and
he members of the Concessions Com-
nittee; to Oran Jones, Blocker Building
)roctor and to Tammy Naizer, the pre-
/ious proctor, all of whom recognized a
'ood idea when it was presented to
nem. Very special thanks go to Dennis
3usch of the committee who afforded
ne every courtesy, acted as my mentor,
and treated me with respect and digni-
y. You have earned my highest re
gards. And finally, many thanks to
Ihris Cox, my faithful companion and
rustworthy assistant, who has been
vith me from the beginning. You are
truly a diamond in the rough and will
)e sorely missed, oT man.
Everyone wants to know what hap
pened. What happened is that I became
too successful. Move over, Mr. Bill,
die local Coca-Cola dealer wrote a let-
:er of complaint to the University be
muse they have an exclusive conces
sions contract on this campus and I was
the fly in the ointment. Either I had to
;o or the University faced possible liti-
;ation.
Last year, the Concessions Commit-
ee erred in relaxing some of the poli-
ies governing my donut table on cam-
ms, but they did so in recognition of
he function of such an enterprise, the
leed in Blocker, and the service it pro-
'ided. The dilemma facing them this
ime was one where their decision to re-
lew or reject my permit would be un
popular either way. It became obvious
p me after the meeting of Dec. 1 that
the committee got their marching or
ders from the Office of Administration
and Finance and/or the Business Ser
vices Office to tighten the noose around
my neck just enough so that I'd be al
lowed to ^hang" around while I choked
on the new Velveeta regulations. (You
know, real cheesy, yellow, and sticks to
everything. Except to Coke, of course.)
So, actually, they didn't shut me down,
they just made it next to impossible to
continue. The committee is not to be
blamed, however.
Someone out there has been gunning
for me since the very beginning. Food
Services fired the first shot. Seems my
fresh doughnuts and coffee were hav
ing an effect on their sales of cardboard
they pass off as food. Then, last spring,
the Brazos County Health Department
received two complaints, but that back
fired because it actually improved the
operation. Now Coca-Cola comes
whining. Ridiculous? You bet. It's the
Mother of All Aggie jokes. What's
next? Fire Coach Slocum because of his
initials? Never did I expect to spend so
much time outside of my studies trying
to put out fires. Never did I expect
such a small-time venture to attract so
much attention from officials who have
nothing better to do. Your tax dollars
hard at work! Ironically, Chris and I
provided $80 in quarters daily to
Coke's patrons whose dollar bills were
rejected by the machines.
So, Ags, just remember that whenev
er you make a purchase from any
vending machine on campus, whether
it be soft drinks, snacks, or battery acid
disguised as coffee, you are supporting
a slimy monopoly whose tentacles en
velop the campus. And the message
this university is sending is this: WE
DO NOT WELCOME INDIVIDUALI
TY, IMAGINATION, FAIR COMPETI
TION OR NEW IDEAS. Welcome to
Screw U. It's user unfriendly. And
sterile. Oh, yeah, don't want to forget
that it's world class too! Get real.
Well, it was loads of fun while it last
ed. I leave you now with a quote I re
member from my high school coach,
and I hope you will remember it too:
"It's nice to be important, but it is more
important to be nice." Don't let posi
tion and power go to your heads, Ags.
Just remember this entire stupid inci
dent in the future when you all become
successful in life, so that when Texas
A&M comes a-callin' with hat in hand
for a generous contribution, who
knows, maybe one of us will throw 'em
a bone. Now, that would be nice.
See y'all down the road.
Carabetta is a horticulture major
and a graduate of the Class of '91
GUEST
COLUMN
RICK
CARABETTA
Reliving a controversial semester
A little tale about yells, representatives, and parties
G ot a tale for ya' Ags. It's about
a big school in a small world.
It's about remembering and
forgetting as quick as we can.
As finals loom inevitable on the
horizon, we night dwellers at the Batt
Cave (unofficial deadline is 2:00 am)
will grind to a halt on Friday. The
Battalion will lay to rest another
semester filled with laughter, good
cheer and the occasional scandal,
which have come to be synonymous
with Texas A&M. (Whoop!)
Not that that other school in Texas
doesn't have its share of noteworthy
news. Why, just last month the t.u.
name was splashed across papers all
over the state. Something about Varsity's horns being
sawed off.
And shortly after that, their name was making headlines
again after they were smeared across their own field in
some competition they hosted on Thanksgiving Day.
Yes, good news travels fast in this little nation we call
Texas. But some of the biggest stories this semester came
from our very own backyard. While other schools content
ed themselves with such mundane topics as sports and ed
ucation, our school has ascended to higher calls such as of
fending state representatives and Aggies smearing Aggies
on their own football field.
The semester kicked off to a fast start when corps mem
bers, assigned to guard the integrity of Kyle Field, were at
tacked, simply for bludgeoning the occasional adventurer
who stumbled a few yards onto the turf before learning
what it means to be Jeff Granger. Tempers flared and let
ters flowed in as students argued both sides. The corps
was only doing its job, some said. It was only upholding
tradition. The students didn't deserve to be beaten, others
said. The corps had gone too far.
Then an A&M fraternity came under fire after hosting a
jungle-themed party labeled racist by a bystander. One of’
the band members playing at the party said current mem
bers chased around pledging members who carried spears
and were painted black, reenacting an African slave hunt.
Again, letters poured in to the Battalion as Aggies argued
both sides. The fraternity must be banned from the Univer
sity, some said. Their actions showed complete disrespect
and ignorance of the sensitivities of another race. The fra
ternity party was not racist, still others said. And if they of
fended anyone, it was unintentional. The fraternity plead
ed ignorance and was fined accordingly.
One state representative read about the party and wrote
a letter to the University saying he would be sure the inci
dent would not soon be forgotten. The Battalion made a
little news of its own by running an editorial cartoon — on
the Opinion Page — depicting State Rep. Wilson as a dog
— a black dog — yapping at a rather large boot with our
school's name emblazoned across the front.
Wilson called on his friends in Austin for support and
President Mobley called the Battalion for a little meeting.
While admitting that he could not force the Battalion to
publish or omit anything. President Mobley suggested that
the Batt staff exercise a little better judgment with the items
chosen for publication.
Good judgment, meanwhile, evaded yet another frater
nity. Instead of dancing dangerously close to racist themes,
this clan chose to throw a clean, safe party complete with
authentic decorations, garnered from various locations
around the Bryan College Station area. Decorative ropes
stolen from Pelican's Wharf and playground equipment
from a local church made the party a wholesome event that
couldn't offend the most ardent activist. The police, how
ever, found the stealing part more than a minor offense and
reported the fraternity^s actions to the University. The Uni
versity imposed swift and sure justice and fined the frater
nity $1,000. Not bad for all that loot.
Between all the major stories that broke right here in Ag
gieland, there were the minor stories that showed the
fighter side of human interest.
There was the Vice President's visit, when the campus
was littered with invitations to welcome the Veep and
show him our Aggie spirit.
A few of those who accepted the invitation took a sign
along with a few ideas of their own, and found themselves
quickly uninvited. Again, the campus became a house di
vided as people with opposing viewpoints attacked each
other, acting more like donkeys and elephants than hu
mans. Or even Aggies.
Bad news, people say, is all you can find in the papers.
Well, to an extent, that's true. When a plane crashes, the
story is reported. When a plane lands safely, nobody
seems to notice — except maybe the passengers. But as the
plane pulls safely into the terminal, nobody^s flashing pic
tures for the morning news.
Good news is hard to hear when headlines are scream
ing the latest rate at which the sky is falling. But the good
news is still there. We just have to look a little harder.
And Aggieland survives another semester.
Vasquez is a senior journalism major
ROBERT
VASQUEZ
Columnist
-
Coach Barone thanks
students for support
I hesitated writing this not in fear of
ending patronizing. After thinking
)out it, I felt compelled to do so. Our
isketball program is really in a unique
tuation. We are trying to rebuild and
the same time, change perceptions
fid attitudes.
i In our home game against Missouri,
student body showed up in
^mendous numbers, and our coaches
[id players cannot tell you how much
itneanttous. We have asked for your
fpport and you have responded
lyond our expectations.
In the rebuilding process we know
at there will be some tofigh times. I
^ot imagine another student body in
the country that would come out the
way you did for the Missouri game.
Our players and staff need your
continued support. We are going to
make G. Rollie White a tough place to
play because of your efforts. Patience is
not one of my virtues. I really believe
that together, with you, our program
will be rebuilt doing it the right way.
Once again, thank you to all of you
who are giving us a chance.
Tony Barone
Head Basketball Coach
Stop confusing
opinion with bigotry
I am writing in response to the letter
submitted by Drs. Mazullo, Andreadis,
Stock and Hickman about Quanell X's
"homophobic" remarks.
To begin with, I would like to say I
agree with your argument over X not
clarifying his position on this issue (or
his political correctness), but feel that
your remarks regarding Quanell X as
"homophobic" and a bad model and
leader were unfair.
X did nothing to discriminate against
anyone.
He voiced his opinion over the issue
of society's acceptance of
homosexuality as normal. Also, how
dare you say that racism and
discrimination against gays and
lesbians are the same?
Whether or not X agrees with
homosexuality shouldn't affect whether
you support the fight against racism. I
have one word for Dr. Hickman —
hypocrite.
I have many friends and some
relatives that are gay, and although I do
not support their choice and feel that
homosexuality is unnatural and wrong
under God's view, I do not treat them
worse or any different because of my
difference of opinion — nor do I fear
them.
I guess under your logic, I am
"homophobic," however.
That is way off base, and I am sick
and tired of some people being so quick
to shout discrimination when someone
is merely voicing his or her opinion.
It is a shame that you have failed to
be able to differentiate between the
two; and as a graduating senior at this
University, I feel that the only apologies
to be made should be from you.
Michael Beres
Class of'92
Bush Library should
get its proper place
Congratulations to good oT A&M for
being selected as the site for the George
B*ish Presidential Library. It will truly
be a great honor for our esteemed
university to "house" the library of
such a great American and "Texan." If
a site for the facility has not been
selected, I suggest that one downwind
from and near the swine unit be
seriously considered. Please reserve a
pair of dedication ceremony tickets for
me.
Best of luck to the Aggies in the
Cotton Bowl, and hoist a cold Shiner
bock at Duddley's for me!
Gig 'em Ags; gag 'em George.
Mark Greenig
Class of ‘85
Seattle, Washington
LoBaido's love
column appreciated
If the "Fonz" were to read LoBaido's
editorial on love he would put up both
thumbs (gig 'em) and say "ehhh."
LoBaido has had strikes against him
all year with ignorance criticizing his
work but he shut them up with this
piece. It's obvious he knows more
about love than blondes.
If more men held LoBaido's views on
love, Gilligan would find his way
home, Isaac would mix better drinks,
and Laverne wouldn't have to mix her
won milk and Pepsi. Thanks, Anthony,
for letting women know that there are
men out there who care. Wanna get
married? Love ya-mean it.
Marci Froh
Class of'94
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
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Columns, guest columns, and Matt Call items express the
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The Battalion encourages tetters to the editor and will print
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must be 300 words or less and include the author's name,
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We reserve the right to edit letters for length, style, and
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Letters should be addressed to:
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013 Reed McDonald /Mail stop till
Texas A&M University
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