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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 20, 1995)
T A i n M U The Battalion Opinion Friday October 20, 1995 7 'iniE-: wrap tnd ns fe ;rsitv : ; day ft lasfoi agaiti fniveri: m. coack into 11 3 in sb ricalc f omK nfe ikenii :e wt- ! WOES v in id, aingtp [oust;: 'ed to rurth:: Militias: Terrorism to Pacifism? It is doubtful militias in the United States will ever change their ways j- MJ- A C ; placf-: e-mete the k Hoto ie Lai! ?r e, i ,eri er Cte print® Frog* (turn: the k ..heiri facilii; t Keen riuro 1 lailenf aska. defers Walt® •oup cj: ,eani' alwa) 1 no ae tea® gaff® .nse ' often* »offeni nd P' (i 3 are? 1 ' an th team 1 i is d ( 3 gOt Fswt tno" : t ot 1 kin? s tm 1 him nigh* ter 1 into g ht Waj^ radit*' ie o r ?“!! IS in k ‘"f ,oked J g an . 50 * el ke‘b e ! left-" I magine dropping your daugh ters off at the daycare center only to pick them up in body bags because some psycho militia guy, pissed off at the government, car-bombed the building next door. Not a happy thought, eh? For some it wasn’t just a nightmare, it really happened. The bomb that exploded at the federal building in Oklahoma City was like a trumpeter announcing the arrival of a new form of terrorism in our country. Terrorism not directed from abroad, but right here in the States by our own people. These home-grown terrorists have collected themselves into what they call “militias.” They are fervently anti-government and think that every time they walk out of their houses, they’re getting screwed by Uncle Sam. The frightening thing is their movement is gaining momentum and their numbers are grow ing. One source quoted in the Dallas Morning News said that there are 400 militias in 42 states, and that the number is growing. Just last week, there was a huge gathering of these militias in North Texas. They called it the “National Command Seminar.” Donned in camouflage fatigues, hun dreds of these militiamen came to hear anti-government speeches and to fancy themselves as revolutionaries ready to make things right. Ironically, these gun-toting Nean derthals had a platform agenda that was to emphasize peace instead of vi olence. “We don’t want violence,” grunted one militia member. Another said that “if we start using weapons, we’re going to lose.” The most ridiculous quote was “We’re here to protect the people.” Protect the people? Ha! If I recall correctly, a lot of people died in the Oklahoma City bombing. Or how about the deaths in the derailment of that Amtrak Train? These militias are nothing more than murderous terror ists. And loser terrorists at that. They don’t even have a real cause. It’s not like they are the Irish Republican Army trying to gain independence from Britain. It’s not like they are the Palestine Liberation Organization fighting Israeli occupation. Hell, these morons are pissed at gun control and the handling of the Branch Davidian tragedy. Oooh! That’s a good enough reason to start killing people. But now they talk of peace. It’s a good talk, but I don’t believe a word of it. Some of the militias may hold to it, but others will not. Just listening to some of them in the Dallas Morning News gives me the feeling that the Okla homa bombing and the derailment of the Amtrak train are just the beginning. Brad Glover, a mighty general in the Kansas Militia audaciously says, “we have two arms, the political side and the military side. If the situation deteriorates to the point where they deny our political efforts then we have the other side.” Sweet, huh? Or John Parsons, the manly militia man from South Dakota who said “There is a thunder rolling across this country, and what you’re looking at is the lightning bolt in that thunder.” However, one quote beats all. Listen to a militia freak from Michigan. He’s got it all figured out. He knows for a fact the Oklahoma City bombing is an “elaborate conspiracy in which Japanese gov ernment agents were responsible,” and the “bomb ing was in retaliation for the gassing of Tokyo sub ways by U.S. agents.” My question is, where do these people come from? Maybe they are aliens from another planet or something. This whole thing would be pretty damn funny if these weirdos were harmless. But they’re not. They’ve proven themselves to be quite the contrary. They talk of peace, but then they go and blow something up and kill a lot of people. They have to know, however, there is a price for their ruthlessness. The people that they “pro tect” are not going to let them get away with ter rorism. Just ask Timothy McVeigh. I know, he hasn’t been proven guilty yet, but I think he did it. When our nation’s entire law enforcement agencies instigates the largest manhunt ever, I doubt they missed their man. Poor McVeigh, I do hope he’s happy with his bombing of the Oklahoma Federal building. Because if he thinks he is been bending over for the government, I cannot wait until he gets to prison. He’s in for a real treat when Mr. Sodomy makes him his pretty little gimp. Adam Hill is a junior history major Mail A&M the 'best' to its loyal students I am amused that Christie Tate wishes Texas A&M was an institution more analogous to Cal ifornia Berkeley. Graduates of Texas A&M University (chicken farmers, engineers and soil science peo ple) do things like feed and shelter the world. People who graduate with graduate degrees in English from California Berkeley do things like grade papers. As far as our library goes, she has a legitimate point. But if it bothers her so much. I’ve heard California is beautiful this time of year. Steve Miller Class of ’94 accompanied by 30 signatures • When I picked up Thursday’s Batt, I was disturbed by Christie Tate’s view of Texas A&M. When I think of A&M, I think about its top-ranked colleges of Agriculture and Engineering that people from all over the world wish to attend. More importantly, what comes to mind when A&M is mentioned is the 12th Man spirit, whether it is at a football game, Aggie Muster or Silver Taps. The spirit compels us to stand in support of our teams. It causes tears to well up in our eyes as we hear the slow cadence of the Ross Volunteers and the symbolic music of Sil ver Taps. The spirit is interwoven into the history of A&M, tying all Ags together, young and old. I also think of the way we united to rebuild the hell outta Aggie Bonfire ’94 in a week when it suddenly collapsed. Or the ways we give back to the community through pro grams like Big Event. Or about seeing an Aggie ring and knowing the special tie I have with that individual. Granted, Berkeley might have an excellent grad school, but for myself and many other students, A&M’s spirit and class far out weigh the rest. Berkeley has nothing on the pride most people feel when they can say, “Yes, I am a fightin’ Texas Aggie.” Whoop and Gig’em. Kimberly Hicks Class of ’9 7 accompanied by 21 signatures • Texas A&M is a University where almost all students hold their Aggie traditions very close to their hearts. We are proud of what our school represents, and we respect those who came before us to make A&M what it is today. We speak for all the true Ag gies out there when we say, “Texas A&M University: Love it or leave it!” Rebecca Murray Class of’97 Amanda DeCoulaz Class of ’98 Accompanied by 34 signatures Custodian displays Aggie spirit Last Friday was just one of those days. I woke up late for my Engineering Circuits labo ratory. I missed a quiz. Every thing in the world was due and I had to park my vehicle in the Staff lot at Zachary. It was only after I arrived at my lab room when I realized that I had not photocopied my prelab and, wouldn’t you know it, I left my wallet in my car. I rushed to the TEES copy center and begged them to give me a loan or credit or some thing, but they refused. As I was walking away in frustration, a custodian ap proached me and asked “how much do you need?” At first I tried to refuse her money, but she was insistent on showing kindness to me. She loaned me the 54 cents that I needed. I was very impressed. I did not see an Aggie ring on her hand, but as far as I am concerned, it takes much more than a gold ring on your hand to be a Texas Aggie. It is evident that the Aggie spirit is in everyone on this campus, and I am proud to say that I am a student here. I encourage every Aggie to take the time to do something nice for someone else. And don’t forget to say “Howdy.” Kevin Kabell Class of ’96 Respect Kyle Field: Stay off of it Bad bull, Ags. There are a lot of people who have lost the respect for Kyle Field that has been a tradition since OF Army. I understand that going around the track can be a conve nient way to leave the stadium. However, I am disappointed that good Ags would desecrate this memorial to the veterans of World War I. The only people that should be on the green after yell is over are those who are being forced to push there. Those people should only be the yell leaders, cadets or mem bers of the band. As for the Class of ’97, that are suppose to be protecting the field, they should have the re spect to walk around it rather than strut across it when they leave it. As a member of the class of ’97 myself, I even feel embar rassed to admit that these are my classmates. The responsibility of protect ing Kyle Field is a serious one and many of the class of ’97 cadets do not take it seriously. Of course they shouldn’t beat the hell out of anyone who sets foot on the field. Instead, simply escort them back to the side and, as politely as possible, ask them to remain off the field and explain why. To those who walk on Kyle Field, regardless of the reason, we ask only that you please not walk on this memorial. Show the respect due to such an important site. Robert N. Nelson Class of ’9 7 The Battalion encourages letters to the editor and will print as many as space al lows. Letters must be 300 words or less and include the author's name, class and phone number. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, style and accuracy. Letters may be submitted in person at 013 Reed McDon ald. A valid student ID is required. Letters may also be mailed to; The Battalion - Mail Call 013 Reed McDonald Fax: Texas A&M University (409) 845-2647 College Station, TX E-mail: 77843-1111 Batt@tamvm1.tamu.edu The Battalion Established in 1893 Editorials appearing in The Battalion reflect the views of the editorials board. 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, cartoons and letters express the opinions of the authors. Contact the opinion editor for information on submitting guest columns. Editorials Board Rob Clark Editor in Chief Sterling Hayman Managing Editor Kyle Littlefield Opinion Editor Elizabeth Preston Assistant Opinion Editor Ax it Again College Republicans should present the truth in its mail-outs. Enough is enough. After hu miliating itself earlier this year by sending out a letter contain ing misinformation that appar ently violated University fund raising policy. College Republi cans has sent out another fund raising letter. Like the first, it needlessly bashes and misrepre sents Texas A&M University and the administration. The letter written by David Brown, College Republicans president, defends the letter that was sent out to former students this summer, claiming that “nearly everything ... was true (certainly more true than Dr. Ray Bowen’s response letter).” On the contrary, the first let ter contained several untruths such as that the University presi dent is elected by the Faculty Senate, and A&M President Ray Bowen’s response was accurate and substantiated with facts. Of course, the organization’s letter also contains rhetoric about “revisionist history and liberal politics” and professors “actively indoctrinating Aggies with political correctness.” Brown’s letter also insinu ates that the University ad ministration is out to get the organization, asserting that “the College Republicans are on trial.” The letter represents the administration as a sinis ter, conniving clan bent on de stroying the orgardzation. College Republicans need a reality check. The Department of Student Activities is inves tigating a valid concern about College Republicans’ fund raising tactics, and the admin istration has a responsibility to ensure that policies are fol lowed correctly. At no time during this ordeal has the ad ministration behaved in an unethical or malicious manner toward College Republicans. Granted, the organization has every right to say what it wants, but the deceptive carping about the University is only shaming College Republicans. The organi zation should reflect on its ac tions and re-evaluate its current tactics strengthen its foundation. Although Brown’s letter mourns the decline of the Uni versity, in reality A&M has nev er been better. Ironically, the only thing to mourn is the de cline of a once strong and proud organization, now reduced to a cloud of petty complaints.