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:
â–  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