The Battalion
IV I fl v
.11 U i
Page 11
Tuesday • January 21, 1997
)rt Staff, said
chapter wi
sorority ineml*
chance togettoi
other members, f
“Delta Ga
| invited to
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cause when thei
classes consisil
about 70 girls,iti
it harder forthd
get to know oft|
other,” Ermissaii
Delta Gamnul
have a color
Feb. 5 to Feb. 8, wt
.ish for officers.]
le fall semester.
lintorTs bridge in need of repair
edicare, college tuition and education suffer another four years
ents to co-enrollii
rouisesatBlinnCof ayed up late to watch our Vice-Presi-
are not full at AM
gestion was madt
sider stricter stands
granting deans'
aker of the Fact
ate, said the Boarc
ents approved
: eb. 1.
ific
th President Bill
Clinton in control
of the White House
for another four
rs, everyone better get ready
cross his “Bridge to the 21st
ntury”, because you’re the
es pulling the wagon.
All of us, except freshman
o make it to the year 2000,
11 graduate into a Clinton
Iministration work force. For
ose who loyally clutched
inton/Gore placards and
Columnist
Donald Ferguson
Sophomore
Political Science major
inesi
ntdo the Macarena, prepare to be dis-
apointed. Bill Clinton’s 21st century
on’tbe as rosy as he predicts.
Throughout the campaign season, we
/als forco-enrolta :ard Clinton incessantly rant, “Republi-
)r. Steve Oberhelra ms cut Medicare,” followed by his
edge to save the institution.
Truth be known, Republicans pro-
osed to reduce the rate of Medicare’s
aosed post tenurejn rowth (which is three times the rate of
Texas A&M will beg Nation) by 7 percent while increasing
verall funding from $4,800 per benefi-
iary in fiscal year 1996 to $7,200 in fiscal
ear 2002. Strangely, this reduction in
jrowth, erroneously termed a “cut” by
lemocrats, is 0.8 percent less than the
.8 percent reduction proposed by Clin-
oninhis 1993 health care plan.
Clinton defended his bigger reduction
it an October 5, 1993 meeting of the
Imerican Association of Retired Per-
ions. He said, “We propose to let it go up
it two times the rate of inflation.” Only
on, a senior joiutf nWashington do people believe no one
the policy would.t ;an g e tby on twice the rate of inflation .
itudents.
by shutting offasffi-
specific field,/on
)m shaping tkired-
he direction to
i said.
:! his minor in m
im further develi
tions and adverti
e majoring in jofejitorials appearing in The Battalion reflect the
proved his COmiJi views of the editorials board members. They do not
lecessarily reflect the opinions of other Battalion
. , ., , staff members, the Texas A&M student body, re-
t to do that, it suit ients, administration, faculty or staff. Columns,
n said, “but it isll Suest columns, cartoons and letters express the
jpinions of the authors.
'ontact the opinion editor for information on sub-
nittingguest columns.
ind out their eduti'
To further his speech, Clinton
said, “when you hear all this
business about cuts, let me
caution you that is not what is
going on.”
Someone has been caught
with his consistency down,
and it isn’t the first time. Re
publicans drafted a plan to
save Medicare for our genera
tion. But now, you see what
happens when Bill Clinton’s
political aspirations cross
paths with protecting future
workers. Think of it as a hit-
and-run.
Paying for college looks even worse.
While Republicans were increasing stu
dent loan funding by nearly 50 percent
from $24 billion in fiscal year 1996 to $36
billion in fiscal year 2002, Clinton vetoed a
$2,500 tax credit for student loans, along
with the Republicans’ $12 billion increase
in student loan funds. He then went on
the campaign trail, labeling the largest in
crease in the history of the student loan
program a "cut.” Clinton said he was
proud to have vetoed what would have
been more money in your pocket. He then
proposed to tax investments into prepaid
tuition funds. This means less financial
aid and a fatter tax bill for students.
So much for thinking about tomorrow.
Elementary education will not fare
any better. Students in a Milwaukee, Wis
consin school-choice pilot program
score 5 percent higher in reading and 21
percent higher in math skills than similar
children in Milwaukee’s public school.
One would think Clinton, “The Educa
tion President,” would be ecstatic at the
result. Well, he is far from it.
Clinton vetoed Republican school-
choice legislation. He killed school vouch
ers for disadvantaged children in Washing
ton, D.C. while sending his daughter to an
exclusive private school at taxpayer ex
pense. And for the grand finale, Clin
ton has Justice Department-prose
cuted
claims to care about school kids.
Now we know what he meant
when he told the NEA RAC
(the liberal educa-
Sooft
BRIDGE To
fM 24"
COfliKY
the state of Ohio
for requiring a 12th grade competency test
for students to graduate from high school.
These are curious actions for a man who
tion bureaucracy which contributes mil
lions to his campaign and just happens to
oppose school choice and school vouchers
for the poor). He said “I won’t
[make] any education deci
sions that you’re not a part of
making. I won’t forget
the people (the
NEA) who
brought me to
the White
House.” 1 guess
we can’t have
“little Johnny”
learning to read
if it means end
ing “Big Gov
ernment.”
It makes one
wonder where
Clinton’s priori
ties are. He
must keep
them in his
wallet.
A bankrupt
Medicare system,
college costs sky-
^ rocketing even faster
and failed public edu
cation system which
will continue to im
prison children — this is
all courtesy of the suave,
factually-challenged
rhetoric of Bill Clinton.
So start dropping spare
change into a jar and hope the
IRS doesn’t find it, because we’re
going to need it. And for those who
so lovingly Slapped a Clinton/Gore ’96
bumper sticker onto their Geo, stock the
medicine cabinet with aspirin, because it’ll
be a four-year hangover.
The Battalion
Established in 1893
J policy is acceptf
t students from
rd.
ge of Busim ommunity.
icy to theAcadei
Committee
is currently bei
te deal,” Fuerst#
EAGUI
dents.”
, a sophomore pi
said an advisei
Liberal Arts won!
) declare a busine
ester.
te they were
she said. “I wan#
i more practical fi ^
back on to given
of felt cheated.’ Words of contemplation and in-
ed that the newp light were spoken at the close of the
ct students whoi linth annual Southwest Black Lead
ring in a busint irship Conference this weekend.
One student “gained a greater
ense of direction” and an awareness
ifthe impact he can have within his
Editorials Board
Rachel Barry
Editor in Chief
Michael Landauer
Executive Editor
Tiffany Moore
Managing Editor
Alex Walters
Opinion Editor
Debit system quickly leads to debt
Aggiehucks are convenient, hut dangerous
Columnist
Unity St Focus
Leadership conference encourages unity,
aises awareness, and provides inspiration
Stephen Llano
Senior History major
Another defined his parting br
ight as a “sense of obligation to
ducate others toward greater
ichievement.”
Yet another, firm in purpose, de-
lared “somebody else will be helped
nd strengthened by my life.”
These comments reflect the im
mense pride, empowerment, inspi-
ation and knowledge that such an
vent instilled in the hearts and
minds of its participants.
This conference is important be-
:ause it provides a forum for African-
imericans to discuss solutions to
iroblems within their own commu-
ities. An event this noteworthy at-
cted speakers such as former
'ashington, D.C., mayor, Sharon Kel-
Pratt, and civil rights leader Julian
lend, who both emphasized the im-
'ortance of defining minority issues
to achieve a broad unity throughout
all of American society.
The concept of this leadership
conference evolved at the University
of Texas, but when UT could not host
the conference, it was moved to its
current and permanent home, Texas
A&M, in 1989.
The purpose of the gathering is
threefold: to raise awareness and in
sight of issues within the African-
American community, to promote
empowerment and inspiration
through unity, and to promote an un
derstanding of minority concerns in
the context of broader society.
During the conference, students
attended workshops on African-
American history, values, and cul
ture. In this intellectual environment
participants were able to challenge
and evaluate the merit and validity of
ideas as they confronted provocative
issues such as affirmative action, ed
ucation, media, and racism.
The speakers also articulated the
obligation of students to maximize
their use of knowledge when ad
dressing difficulties in life because, as
one student proclaimed, “Knowl
edge is not power. Power is the appli
cation of knowledge.”
C aptain Kirk noticed the
coin slots on the news
paper stands. His ex
pression turned to
concern.
“They’re still using money,”
was his response
In the movie Star Trek TV, the
crew of the Enterprise had to
deal with the unfamiliar con
cept of currency.
But if Kirk and his crew landed
at Texas A&M, they might have
come to a different conclusion.
Today, the futuristic vision of a cashless
society has already been with us for a
while and, thanks to the Aggie buck debit
card system, is a reality for students.
The debit card system makes buying
textbooks to Big Macs painless, quick and
convenient. Many times students have
said, “Oh, I’ll just use Aggie bucks — It’s
not real money.”
The convenience of Aggie bucks is
something that students use in significant
numbers. According to Dale Witenhafer,
Debit Card Administrator, 25,000 to 27,000
students use Aggie bucks — roughly two
thirds of the student body.
And the system keeps expanding. Recent
ly, McDonald’s and Inspirations have joined
the fold of businesses that accept Aggie
bucks for goods and services. All off-campus
bookstores also accept the debit card.
“Quite a number of businesses have in
quired [about Aggie bucks]Witenhafer
said, “But most hold off. Right now we’re
looking at changing how Aggie bucks
work, so we can’t guarantee the equipment
for more than a year.”
The cost of getting your business in the
system is about $2100 for installa
tion (Hope that TCA cable doesn’t
read this column). With such a
sizable investment up front, cou
pled with the lack of a guarantee,
this high installation cost is a
stumbling block for small busi
nesses.
“We haven’t considered it yet,”
said Tara Sopasakis, part owner of
Burger Boy. “We’re a very small
business and we wait to see how
things are going before we leap.”
If Aggiebucks continue to ex
pand only to businesses that can handle
the cost, local small businesses would def
initely suffer from
a lack of student
income.
McDonald’s
and Inspirations
did their home
work and decided
the Aggie bucks
system was the
way to go for
them. On the sur
face, the card is
really taking the
It seems that in the name
of convenience I forgot
one of the consumer's
basic economic duties: to
buy at the lowest price.
place of a cash transaction. Putting up
such a large sum for just another way to
accept cash seems foolish. That’s where
convenience comes into play.
After reviewing my receipt for my text
books this semester, I noticed something
interesting. Right there, in bluish dot-ma
trix and white, was the fact that I paid over
two dollars for a single subject spiral note
book. How could my better shopping
sense be usurped this way?
After thinking back over my academic
career, I remember comparison shopping
for textbooks only once. Ever since then, I
used Aggiebucks for that purpose.
It seems that in the name of conve
nience I forgot one of the basic economic
duties of the consumer: to buy at the low
est price. When using Aggie bucks it can be
very easy to lose sight of the fact that cash
was paid up front on that account. And
economically, if businesses don’t see any
reason to be price competitive, they won’t
lower their prices. Unfortunately, it’s all to
easy to swipe that card without thinking
about making a real economic impact on
the community. Even if you save only a
couple of dollars, it’s still money in the
bank. And on a na
tional scope, with
the recent introduc
tion of the check
card, a debit system
of sorts, as well as
being able to pay
with an ATM card
at the grocery store,
it will be in every
one’s best interest
to keep abstract
electronic money as
mentally concrete as possible. Currently,
large transactions occur daily without any
currency physically exchanging hands. We
will see less and less of it as we graduate,
move into the job market and begin to
make large purchases.
Convenience is not something wrong.
But thinking about every purchase in a re
sponsible way is the only way to preserve a
true free market system. A cashless system
isn’t wrong, it just takes more careful con
sumer consideration.
then Call
ails.
)N CLASSIFIEDS
Iggie spirit helpful
G. Rollie White
As the coach of the Texas
l&M Men’s Basketball Team, I
ranted to thank you for your
upport at our Texas game. The
lectricity generated by the stu-
ent body was a motivating fac-
or in our team’s performance.
You can imagine how difficult
Mail
it has been for our players, espe
cially in light of the effort they
put forth over the last three
heartbreaking losses. We dre re
ally three plays away from being
3 and 1.
We recognize that the bottom
line in sports is to win. You can
never forget that fact. I have to
tal confidence in this group of
young men. I would ask you to
continue your vocal support.
You as a fan will be a difference
maker for us as we move through
the rest of our schedule.
The “true spirit” of Texas A&M
is really based on the emotional
involvement of the student body
in the various activities on cam
pus. I hope that you will “keep the
faith” and continue to give our
team a chance to capture your
support.
Tony Barone
Head Basketball Coach
Texas A&M University
Ebonic vernacular
is weak solution
When I opened the Battalion
on Friday to the Editorial Section
and saw another article extolling
the virtues of Ebonics (the current
catch phrase for a type of black
ethnic slang), I was ready to read
yet another inane, banal, poorly-
written column on why this new
form of making concessions to
and excuses for, the degenerated
state of education in this country
should be implemented. However,
much to my surprise and dismay, I
was mistaken. The article was ex
ceptionally well-written with the
intelligence the author clearly re
flected. Furthermore, to the gener
al reader, the validity of testing
Ebonics programs seemed to be
substantiated with various cita
tions of evidence of its success. To
the naked eye, this a very convinc
ing argument. But don’t be fooled
into believing tripe, simply be
cause it is served in an appealing
manner — it still remains tripe.
The fact of the matter is Ebonics
is not a foreign language, it is a form
of vernacular. Ebonics is no differ
ent than Texonics, Arkansasonics,
East Coastonics, or Hispanonics.
What it is instead, is a message to
the black community that they are
not intelligent enough to speak and
learn standard spoken English. Fur
thermore, it basically says the
American school system is giving
up, no longer making the effort to
teach, because it is not worth the
time it takes to educate our youth.
Whether blacks’ test scores are a re
sult of poor teachers, cultural chal
lenges, or the lack of demand in
American schools to achieve and
conform to some basic principles
and codes is definitely worth inves
tigating. However, to even insinuate
that further concessions and pan
dering to underachievers in Ameri
can schools should be considered,
strikes a direct blow to those work
ing to achieve true equality in this
country. The school system in this
country is in desperate need of re
pair and I, as a taxpayer, would be
willing to go to any length to hear
any viable suggestion to reach this
goal. However, lowering expecta
tions further and attempting to
falsely boost scores to ease the con
science of the black and white
community by designing and creat
ing a curriculum around common
street slang is absolutely ludicrous.
Please, give all those involved a lit
tle more credit. Ebonics is doing no
one any favors.
Garrett C. Higley
Class of ’97