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John
Burton
columnist
Asa student taking an
A upper-level political
Vscience course, I have
opportunity to have class
the new George Bush aca-
mic building — located
iveen West Campus and
rpus Christi.
The facility is isolated
mthe mainstream and
cult problems of the real
kind of like most
publican voters.
Tastefully modern design
lines from every wall. Outside is a nice lagoon,
th a “trickle-down” waterfall, which, if you
wit from the “ultra-right” angle, a silhouette
Ronald Reagan appears. The classrooms in-
are equally pleasing: they feature more pro-
tors and “points of light” than the average
nee club.
While the facilities are immaculate and new,
me problems still need to be corrected. For in-
nce, in the Oliver North computing center, the
nters seem to shred all of the documents. The
hnical staff doesn’t seem very knowledgeable,
her: all they say is “I do not recall.”
However, the main reason for the building is
hold educational programs, which is why the
litical science and “voodoo” economics pro
ms are located there. In fact, several special
lies are offered at the Bush school.
One example is the study-abroad program
the Nicaraguan Sandinistas, which offers
it-hand experience in high-level corruption,
other exciting activity is the Iran-Contra con-
iracy re-enactment. As a Central Intelligence
ent, it is your duty to transport drugs and
apons in and out of the country without get
ting caught. This is really easier than it seems,
because the government will run a huge public
relations campaign called “the war on drugs” —
nobody will believe what is really happening.
Cultural aspects of the Bush center include
artwork, diverse employees and facilities to acco
modate the hearing-impaired. A Persian Gulf-era
portrait of Bush with Norm Schwarzkopf and
Colin Powell adorns one of the hallways.
I think it is an oil-based painting, actually. In
accordance with conservative values, classrooms
feature chalkboards rather than dry-erase
boards. The diverse swarm of people who wear
black sunglasses and seem to talk into their ties
can be found roaming the building. And for the
hearing-impaired, a George Bush “read my lips”
tour is available to explain the facilities
This facility has received some very “un-pru-
dent” controversy because of its namesake. Well,
I would like to correct the whining liberals who
say that George Bush was a wealthy president
who only benefitted the richest citizens.
They overlook the fact that, although Bush
was born into a wealthy family, he was five years
old before he got his first set of golf clubs.
Also, you have to appreciate why he lowered
taxes for the rich — the idea being that if treated
similarly, the poor and middle classes would
spend their money foolishly: on food and rent,
for example.
' The historic symbolism of this facility is amaz
ing, and we are fortunate to be a part of it. Of
course, the education facility is only the begin
ning. In less than two months, the Bush Li
brary/museum/CIA complex will open to the
public. I can’t Kuwait.
John Burton is a junior bioenvironmental
science major.
explore historic symbolism
je^i.
GUIDE
ION IS VAUK
:PT. 22-25. tt
7:15 9:55
Students have responsibility to serve
jublic through notion of civic duty
“A ;
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“D
General
Franklin
columnist
sk not
what your
country
an do for you, but
dial you can do for
our country.”
Those immortal
vords convey the
obligations we all
ave as citizens to
ontribute to (he
letterment of soci-
ty through volun- ' 1
eerism and other
Jublic works.
Former president George Bush also
inderscored the importance of civic
luty to his development during the
ledication of the Bush School of Gov-
rnment and Public Service. Aggies
hould aspire in greater numbers to
erve the community and public at
arge who subsidize a significant por-
ion of their education.
As college students, we perhaps have
he greatest opportunity to serve
hrough various student organizations
ike the United Way, Habitat for Human-
tyand Alpha Phi Omega to name a few.
Because of the space of school sched-
tles, most undergraduates have ample
ime to commit themselves to projects
and activities to enhance the overall
quality of life in the community.
In spite of the hundreds of Aggies
nvolved in either formal or informal
iervice groups, much more can be
lone and more participation should
)e expected.
Surely, a school of 43,000 students
:an muster civic involvement greater
ban the small percentage of students
vho now contribute their time and ef
forts to local community projects.
Unfortunately, many people are dis
couraged by public service because
they believe it is all consuming and be
cause the task of helping others seems
daunting.
Both of these notions are false. Many
projects such as the Big Brothers Pro
grams, or community outreach pro
grams require only hours of week and
therefore can be integrated in the active
life of the typical college student.
Given the ample recreation students
manage to squeeze from their sched
ules, is it unreasonable to expect stu
dents to make more of a commitment to
serve people other than themselves?
The second perception is false be
cause for every grandiose act of philan
thropy there are thousands of dedicated
individuals, whose small acts collective
ly have an invaluable impact on the peo
ple whom they serve.
Besides, true commitment is not a
measure of wealth, but it involves the
commitment of time and effort which is
more sublime and personal than money.
Although, it may not seem very signif
icant, the power of compassion and per
sonal interaction does more to inspire
than any monetary contribution.
Many opportunities exist in the area,
and should be explored by all students
at least once during college. Volunteers
are always welcome at schools, hospi
tals, community centers and churches,
particularly to provide leadership to the
young, guidance to the wayward, and
comfort to the infirmed and lonely.
During his address to the inaugural
class of the Bush School of Govern
ment, the former president emphasized
how we must strive to serve in small
and ordinary ways.
He recognizes that all cannot possi
bly serve through elected office as he
did. So we must examine the more com
monplace avenues for civic duty which
are more meaningful to the community
as a whole.
Students should especially feel in
clined to serve their community because
of the tremendous public investment
that is made in their education. Without
federal and state funding, most students
could not afford to attend this school.
Furthermore, the enhanced public
commitment to higher education has
broadened opportunity to those who
otherwise would have been denied
higher education.
In light of this debt we owe to society,
we should feel obligated to illustrate our
gratitude by lending our talent and
skills to the improvement of our com
munity as a token of generosity to those
whose sacrifices have made our own
achievement possible.
Unfortunately, the greatest obstacle
to service here is the set of priorities
many students have. Some of our con
cerns are of a selfish nature as they do
not extend past our own goals, desires,
and interests.
Because our objectives are hyper-fo
cused on our own reality, we tend to
blind ourselves of those whose lives
could be enriched by our generosity
and compassion. It is very discouraging
that students are more concerned
about yell practice, parties, deceased
Reveilles and football games than they
are about their duty and obligation to
serve the less fortunate.
Until civic duty and public service are
extolled just as honorably as the most
noteworthy of traditions, the potential
we have to meaningfully enrich our lives
as well as society will remain unfulfilled.
General Franklin is a junior
history major.
4ail Call
7
sreeption differs
xn personal opinion
'response to Michael Saw-
Wsky’s comments in the Mon-
tSept. 22, Battalion:
lam not quite sure what of-
>ds me more: the comments
fesor Lino Graglia made or
fact that Michael Saw-
'vsky believes Graglia’s com-
nts are truthful.
On behalf of my Mexican
mother and my African-Amer
ican father, who is Sawilowsky
to say African-American and
Mexican-American cultures
do not encourage superior
academic achievement in
their children ?
Has he ever spoken with an
African-American or Mexican-
American student and learned
what “exactly” our families
have done and are doing in or
der for us to be at this universi
ty and others?
My family constantly asks
and encourages me to go that
extra mile and praises me at
every step. And it is my family
that struggles to ensure that I
have financial resources in or
der to stay at this university.
What may surprise you Saw
ilowsky, is that my family is not
the exception but is following a
strong tradition in our cultures
that encourages children to
strive for success and superior
achievement, whether it be
academic, philanthropic or
spiritual.
As for your comments on
the “proof,” let me pose these
questions: Can you afford to
attend Harvard, Yale or MIT?
Do you believe that A&M can
not produce the same quality stu
dents as the Ivy League schools?
And, even after Hopwood,
do you honestly think that all
those high school graduates
who applied to A&M and other
universities are sitting at home
doing nothing? No.
Because of Hopwood, a sig
nificant number of talented
African-American and Hispanic
students have chosen to attend
other universities in order to
obtain the collegiate education.
Before you decide to sup
port such a bold statement, I
ask that you look beyond what
you “perceive” to be true and
find out the truth. Because
anything can be distorted
when you look at it from the
wrong angle.
Margaret Denise Cunningham
Class of ’98
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opinion editor.
Bush School must
adhere to Aggie
protocol, traditions
T he
George
Bush
Presidential
Library is a
wonderful
boost for
Texas A&M
and for
Bryan/Col
lege Station.
If any presi
dent from
James Polk to
Abe Lincoln offered us their library,
we would be foolish not to leap at
the chance. Although we should
warmly welcome the new library,
we should accept it on our terms.
We must remember that the new
Bush School is part A&M —A&M is
not part of the Bush School.
The new Bush School and Presi
dential Library fits in well with at
this campus. Millie the dog, George
and Barbar a’s pet during the White
House years, is buried near the plots
where the former president and first
lady will one day be interred. While
this seems bizarre to many people,
Aggies are used to holding dogs in
such high esteem. Just ask any stu
dent about the Reveille graves.
Since the new school is practi
cally in its own zip code, students
will have to work harder to inte
grate the new program into the
unique A&M experience.
After listening to the speakers
who came to help dedicate the Bush
School, it seems that Aggies are in
danger of conforming to the addi
tion, instead of making the addition
part of Aggieland. The lecturers
hosted by the Bush School seem
unfamiliar with this University and
the traits that make it special.
To make the integration a little
easier, here are a few suggestions for
anyone speaking at Texas A&M:
1. Begin every speech with a
hearty “Howdy.” It’s friendly, it
shows you know you are at a
unique location, and if you’ve nev
er spoken here before, you may be
surprised by the response this
greeting receives.
2. Never criticize the football
team. This should not be a prob
lem this year, since the Aggies are
on their way to becoming confer
ence champions, but speakers
should know that the football team
is sacred.
3. Other topics to avoid include
the health of our mascot, the Fish
Drill Team and on-campus park
ing. It’s safe to discuss religion
and politics.
4. Yankees should be aware that
those wildflowers you know as
“bluebells” are called “bluebonnets”
here in the great state of Texas.
5. Never tell the audience that
you are going to be brief. It’s amus
ing to hear a nationally famous
speaker who has been anticipated
for months begin by saying his
speech will be short. As the speaker,
you are the sole reason audience
members donned a tie, walked
across campus and arrived thirty-
minutes early. They want to hear
you talk. Don’t let them down. Even
in those instances where brevity is
appreciated, don’t waste the audi
ence’s time telling them you won’t
waste the audience’s time.
6. The University president’s last
name is Bowen. The name bears
little resemblance to an Illinois
town called Bolin.
7. You may hear a few unusual
noises from the audience. Don’t be
alarmed. The sound that resembles
an owl is actually a “Whoop.” It can
be roughly translated as applause,
and it means the audience agrees
with you or appreciated the last
joke. The noise that sounds like a
tire going flat is a friendly way of ex
pressing disagreement. Its technical
name is a “hiss” or a “Horse Laugh.”
Be aware that these sentiments may
not be directed at the speaker.
When George Bush spoke at com
mencement several years ago he
seemed hurt when the Aggies were
actually “hissing” a heckler who was
being escorted out.
Llaving explored the essential
rules for campus speakers, the audi
ence should realize they have a few
responsibilities as well:
1. Don’t be intimidated. Feel
free to shout “Howdy,” “Whoop”
or “Hiss” as circumstances allow.
This is Texas A&M. Show some
Aggie spirit.
2. If questions are allowed, that
means the audience is supposed to
ask questions, and the speakers are
supposed to provide answers. This
is not an opportunity for audience
members to launch into a diatribe,
complain about the air-condition
ing or say “hello” to mom. If you ask
a question, you should listen to the
speech first. Don’t embarrass your
self by asking something that was
already addressed. It is not unwise
to write down your question before
walking to the microphone.
3. Enjoy yourself. The Bush
School is an exciting addition to
A&M, and its opening is a unique
opportunity for all students. Attend
these programs, go listen to speak
ers. This is not just a chance to wear
a tie, but a way to collect great sto
ries to tell the grandchildren.
Dave Johnston is a senior
mathematics major.
Dave
Johnston
columnist