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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 12, 1993)
Opinion Monday, April 12,1993 The Battalion Page 7 o*And I want l ~J00 /*fl agn*culturtf crtdrf ) andhate mi/estment guarantees, and Pood orb wd some Export - Lmport loans, and ^13° mf llfon to ^ j^^^^^^weapons, and . 0V S.S; @1113 mmoQp PRO CON Should the United States have given Boris Yeltsin $1.6 billion in aid? To help main tain international security. President Clinton has given $1.6 billion in aid to the Russian President Boris Yeltsin. Clinton has re ceived quite a bit of criticism for this move. Many of his critics believe this money could be used for domestic policies that are greatly needed in this country. Yet, those critics seem unaware that $1.6 billion is really just a drop in the bucket when compared to other foreign policy budgets. The United States could easily muster the entire amount from the ex cess pork-barrel spending that Con gress has been promising to cut from the budget. Also, we must not overlook the fact that as we watch the demise of the Cold War, we have a responsibility to secure a future of stability. Our internal problems won't be solved by a mere $1.6 billion. Yet if this money will help Russia's evolving democracy, then it is an American im perative to ensure the democratic growth process. Over the past 45 years, the United States has been involved in a costly and time consuming Cold War with the So viet Union. Now, with the fall of com munism, the United States finally has a chance to end the Cold War and regain Russia as an ally. The United States needs to help retain the democratic policies in Russia. The United States has sent aid to So malia, Bosnia, Kuwait, and several oth er countries. Yet when our president decides to send money to foster the growth of a budding new democracy, hardline conservatives try to stand in the way. Then they complain that the money could be spent on better things than a floundering Russian president who may not have a job tomorrow. The truth is that without our aid, Yeltsin and all his hopes of democracy stand a greater chance of failure. The weak infrastructure of the Russ ian government needs time to develop. Business interests in Russia must have the time this allocated money can buy in order to anchor capitalism in the tur bulent seas of the Russian economy. History has shown that communism won't work. The U.S. must make sure that capitalism is given a fighting chance in Russia. The $1.6 billion that Clinton has giv en to Yeltsin is a paltry amount when compared to the massive benefits that will be guaranteed if Russian democra cy is able to survive. Last week. President Clinton gave Russian President Boris Yeltsin $1.6 billion to bolster the Russian leader in the April 25 refer endum that will determine his dri ve toward mak ing Russia a de mocratic country with a market economy. Although giv ing financial aid to Russia during its time of economic and political insta bility is in the best interest of the Unit ed States, $1.6 billion seems a bit much. The United States has enough do mestic problems of its own that need to be addressed before — or at least, in addition to — intervening in other countries at such a costly amount. Though aid to Bosnia, the Middle East and Somalia is expected of the United States as a world power, Ameri ca should re-evaluate and redirect at least some of this foreign financial spending. Unfortunately, domestic issues in cluding the homeless, welfare, AIDS, education and the often-denied-but- still-prevalent "-isms" of sexism and racism continue to plague every nook and cranny of this great land in some form or fashion. How do we explain to the citizens of this country who fall into these "domestic issues" categories that although the government is supposed to be responsible to American citizens first and foremost, sometimes that sim ply isn't the case. Perhaps Clinton could form a task force of representatives from private in dustry and the government to advise Russia on the privatization of its mar ket and the democratization of the country. This group could offer tangi ble aid to Russia rather than throw undirected money at Russia's problems - money that could be applied to America's domestic problems. Suppose for a minute that domestic problems weren't a good enough rea son to cut back on foreign aid. What about everybody else? Once again, the United States has risen beyond the call of duty in helping Yeltsin create a democracy in the once evil empire while other countries seem far from pulling their weight. Clinton himself said "It is (in) the self-interest and the high duty of all the world's democracies to stand by Rus sia's democratic reforms in their new hour of challenge." So where are the other "world democracies?" The Unit ed States can and should do its part concerning foreign affairs in general, and assisting Yeltsin in particular, but it can't do everybody's part — especially at the expense of its own country. JULIE POLSTON Asst. Opinion Page Editor Scroggs is a senior English and philoso phy major. Polston is a senior journalism and polit ical science major. Editorials appearing in The Battalion reflect the views of the editorial board only. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of other Battalion staff members, the Texas A&M student body, regents, administration, faculty or staff. Columns, guest columns, and Mail Call items express the opinions of the authors only. The Battalion encourages letters to the editor and wl print as many as space alows in the Mai Cai section. Letters must be 300 words or less and include the author's name. dass. and phone number. Due to space restrictions, guest columns wii not be accepted unless the author contacts the opinion page for prior approval before submitting columns. We reserve the right to edit fetters for length, style, and accuracy. Letters should be addressed to: The Battalion - Mail Call 01 3 Reed McDonald /Med stop 1111 Texas A&M University Colege Station. TX 77843 Do your own thing: choose or lose Success a personal achievement not social standard D on't trap yourself. When I was in the eleventh grade my father told me, "Don't ever let anyone tell you what you should do for a liv ing. YOU are the one who must work at it. YOU are the one who must get up and go to that job each day. YOU are the one who must live with your decision. YOU must choose. And whatever you choose, your mother and I will back you up." "Thank you. Dad." I said. "I want to be an actor." My father didn't even blink. He just smiled at me and said, "Over my dead body, son. You're going to be a doctor." Actually, my father was very supportive as I fumbled through my acting phase... and my Realtor phase... and my reporter phase.... In a relatively few years on this planet, this columnist/opportunist has played a round of careers like a harmless game of Russian roulette. I have worked as a re porter for my favorite TV station. I have sold homes to peo ple with GRANDchildren older than I was. And, yes, I ap peared in a movie with Dennis Quaid. Granted, his butt- cheeks got more time on the big screen than I did. But I had a great time. I got to see what it was like -- being an actor, I mean. You see. I'm not really an actor, I just played one in a movie.... I got the chance to do something I had always wanted. And I did it. Too many people miss out on life, just because they're afraid to go for it. My problem has always been, not fear, but audacity. I'd walk into auditions and fall flat on my face, simply because I wanted the part. But never was heard a discouraging word. "If that's what you want," my parents would say, "then that's what you should do." I'm very grateful for parents who never forced me to chase their dreams. Many students choose their degree plans based on the wishes of their parents, or on some pre conceived notions of success. One friend told me he always dreamed of becoming a country/western singer. He sang all the time — and though I hate to admit it — he sounded pretty good. He graduated last year with a degree in civil engineering. I spoke to him recently. He said he has a great job that pays nearly $30,000 a year, and he plans to marry soon. When I asked him how he liked his job, he said, "It's OK." And then he said, "Hey, guess what? I'm gonna' be on a country/ western dance show. It's only a dance show," he said, "but it might help me get some connections in the music business." Heather, another friend, is a wonderful woman who can make people smile just by saying "hello." With a beautiful face and an easy smile, her intelligence is often eclipsed by her beauty. But her personality comes through and always makes people laugh. When I asked her what she wanted to do after graduation, she said, "I'll probably have to get some office job." "What would you rather do?" I asked her. "Be a stewardess," she said. "Why?" I asked. "Because they get to travel and serve people peanuts." How sad that Heather will be forced to make big money, sitting behind a desk, in some air-conditioned office. I hope she gets to travel one day. And serve people peanuts. My friend, Gary, is good at everything. If you don't be lieve me, just ask him. He could easily land any job he chooses. He chose to be a cook. Now, as he nears gradua tion, he has begun his ascent toward restaurant — and eventually — corporate management. Though he stands to earn more money than most college graduates might ever hope for, he still feels compelled to defend his decision to work in the food business, where people often presume that working conditions are crumby and employees, flaky. But Gary enjoys it. He is excellent at it. Why should he question his decision to pursue it? He doesn't. And that's why he excels. Because he's doing what he does best. He's doing what makes him happy. We should all be so lucky. Surveys show that most people change careers at least three times during their lifetime. Many do so within the first two years after graduation. Many never even enter the field for which they were trained in college. College should prepare you for your future, not dictate it. It should expand your possibilities, not limit them. You choose your career and then do your best at it as long as you enjoy it. Life is a journey, not a race. Success is something you achieve each day, not a finish line you cross when it's all over. Vasquez is a senior journalism major ROBERT VASQUEZ Columnist LATE EDITION New© Hiper ESCAPE FROM MAR-TORN BOSNIA The war broke out last April 0 over a vote for Inclrpcn Jence by Bosnia’s Muslims and Croats It has left at least 134.000 people dead or mlssine Snru.evo, the Bosnian capital, was quiet vesterday. and resident!* marked the cease-fire hv thronpng sunny city sidewalks after three days of snow For a year, they have been wary of clear days for fear ol snipers. U N and lo^al officials had made a list of fifii) people in Srebrenica who most needed evacuation But Lawrener Jolies of the U N Hlfh Cnmmtssinn for Refugees <nid him dreds more climbed aboard the trucks, ami officials could not remove all of them. lie estimated that only a couple hundred of the most needy were among the 2.346 people evacuated Those aboard the trucks said they waited live hours at the last Serb checkpoint as Bosnian Serbs looked for ftqht ing-age men and weapons. Ha/.lm Sadie, the local military rhiet in Tu/.la. blamed French Oen Philippe Mnrlllon. th- V N commander for Bosnia, for the poor transportation We don’t even trans port animals that way.” Sadie said in a statement U N. officials said much mure aid was needed in Sre brenira. besides Sunday's arrival of the convoy and Western airdrops. I/mis Gentile of the UN High Commission for Refugees said thousands need hospitalization and many are near starvation. Commission spokeswoman Lvndnll Sachs in Belgr ade said a new convoy was prepnrinq to head lo Srebrenica Mormon said he hoped the cense fire would last be cause it was the first, agreed to by all three sides Muslims. Croats and Serbs. In other developments: ■ Victor Andreyev, a U N. official, said that on Moril- km's demand. Bosnian Serb authorities arrested a Serb army colonel who ordered the shelling of a landing pad •..here helicopter evacuat ion of tin* sick and wounded from ^retirenica v'a? !.,l • n!:vei »<• Wt•lav MARQUES <g> m3 THe RECOZP New Frats uphold tradition some 'Aggies' don't We, the brothers of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, are writing about events that took place the week before spring break. On the morning of Sunday, March 7, something very disturbing happened. At about three a.m., one of our brother's dogs woke its master. Our brother was quite startled when he went to our balcony and saw someone in our parking lot slashing tires. This person slashed 43 tires on 20 ve hicles. He was chased and apprehend ed only to find that there were seven other people in a car waiting for him. It turns out that the others had stolen one of our letters, broken it and put it in their trunk. When caught, they claimed they were just driving around and had done nothing wrong - all the time say ing "Aggie word of honor, we did not do anything." After the police arrived, the students finally admitted to stealing our letter and one person admitted to slashing the tires. These individuals' actions were bad enough as it was. Theft, vandalism and felony criminal mischief for damage in excess of $4,000 are all deplorable ac tions of dishonor and really bad bull. What is worse is that these "Ags" hid behind the Aggie Word of Honor. These fellows said they were "just mess ing with fraternities" and one of them was wearing a "NO FRATS" t-shirt. The individuals are from Northside residence halls and claim that they were taught to be anti-Greek from the begin ning of their stay. They say that frater nities go against tradition. We contend that hiding behind the Aggie Word of Honor is not behavior fitting of a good Ag and goes against the traditions that these guys were sup posedly supporting. Fraternities are not against Aggie tra ditions. The first thing that fraternity men are told is that they are Aggies first and then Greeks. Greeks support Aggie traditions as well as the community. We have had meetings with the resi dence hall that the individuals are from and are making some progress towards better relations. Communication between Greeks and non-Greeks needs to improve if further incidents are to be prevented. Lowell Randel '94 Accompanied by 22 signatures Aggie Code of Honor shines through again Last month, after getting off a cam pus bus, I realized that I had dropped my electric bill. It was stamped, ad dressed and ready to be mailed. Considering the integrity of the peo ple on this campus, I just decided to wait and see. This month's bill showed me that my faith was justified. "Thank You" to the individual who took the time to pick up the letter and mail it for me. ]ean Hagerbaumer Normangee, Texas
