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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1997)
O The Battalion PINION MifiB Wednesday • October 1 1997 ' IP Aggie philosophy demands discipline, training r ■ There are manv manv vears develnnprl intn n ...... . T here are many aspects of Texas A&M that have since the beginning been contradictions in Aggie philosophy. A school that historically prides itself on it’s small-town charm and friendliness is com pletely at odds with the rest of the world. The world has evolved since the times the beliefs of tra ditional Aggies were common values. The culture that has developed into the A&M of today is a far cry from the principles upon which it was founded. If Sully were to walk across campus today, he would not believe his eyes. Aggies can be described in one word: Unique. No other group of people has the same view of the world as Aggies. This out look has been fostered over decades into a philosophy separate from any other. The typical Ag has been trained to view the world as all other like-minded Ags do. This uniqueness has over the course of many years developed into the myth of the “Red-ass Ag.” As in any other society, these people represent A&M’s pure right- wing element, defining what is morally and socially acceptable in their extremely conservative view. This “true Aggie” has been canonized into the gospel according to A&M. Being a “True Aggie” requires many years of discipline and training. Few peo ple are able to claim this true prize be cause of its intense requirements. From birth to death, the “true Ag” has a respon sibility to his or her fellow Ags to carry on their mission. The first and most important factor in being one of the truly holy is a blind and unquestioning devotion to traditions. To claim “Aggieness,” one must know and believe in all Aggie traditions with out question. This requirement disqual ifies many, since the number and com plexity of the traditions are continually expanding. This problem has forced the founding of a completely separate organization to maintain and update the history of tradi tions at A&M. The Traditions Council has made maintaining all A&M traditions its primary goal. The second prerequisite of true Aggien ess requires even more of the individual. To be a good Ag, one must not only be part of the 12th Man, a person must spe cialize in one field of endeavor and excel at it. It takes more than purchasing a 12th Man towel — it also requires the proper implementation of said towel. The most accepted and well-received way use is to stand through a game at what could be best described as the temple of the Aggie, Kyle Field. One must pay homage to the gods of football to earn acceptance into the tribe of the Aggies. This not only requires the proper amount of enthusiasm, but also the prop er execution of the commands given by those guys in white, the yell leaders. Yes, A&M is the only school manly enough to have an all-guy cheerleading squad. This brings us to the third and most physically difficult portion of true Aggien ess, alcohol tolerance. Only the most tough and brave Ags are able to dunk their rings on the first try. It is not surprising that men excel at this skill, since ladies have been accepted only since the 1960s. The guys have been able to capitalize on this factor, but there is no doubt that in time good female Ags will be able to dunk with the best of them. It takes a few years of tolerance build-up to be able to accomplish a successful dunking, i.e. not digging one’s ring out of a pitcher of puke. It is only after a person has received his or her ring and left Aggieland that the fi nal stage of the process of Aggiefication can be completed. To be a true Ag, one must render unto the University what the University values above all else — money. It is only through sending ones firstborn back to this place of learning that one reaches this pinnacle. This process must begin years before the child is born. Joining the Association of Former Students and the 12th Man Foundation begin the process, but even those financial contribu tions are not enough. The ultimate accomplishment is to be able to write a too-large check for tuition and whatever fees are included. It is only through the realization of this goal that the cycle will come full circle and one can truly become “Red-ass.” J4 TH Y Now, if you find yourself not meeting the requirements to be a true Ag, don’i worry. The best part of being an Aggie p the hypocrisy that is at the heart of thil* faith. Just because you don’t meet the stiffrefipQ j r quirements doesn’t mean you can’t be a true Ag. While Aggies pride themselves onjQSS j I] their traditions and history, every member T[ of the tribe is willing to compromise hisor , e Umv€ her principles. If you still find yourself 15 ' nve t short of the requirements, even with the ^ ' hypocrisy clause, be glad. * Rnh It is possible to survive A&M without f., ? ' being permanently scarred by the conser-! ccelp l,, vative Aggieism, but inevitably everyoni , the rioor who passes through A&M will be changed i DS of rar] in some way. v ... -f, , , The fire w You will either move toward the right and 5:( j en t s j(. become stagnant in your blind faith A&Mii , re damage truly the best place on earth or you will takf wiatt sale the University for what it is, a place to receive motives, an education and not a mythic center o? He said tl some backward faith. L ed abou ■the place r The victi: Dan Cone is a sophomon ithe Quad economics majoi ere is the BUY ONE GET ONE FREE! of equal or lesser value We remember what Family Meals are all about! Whether its before a test, after a party or on a lunch break. Kettle Restaurants are always open to serve our Aggies. RATED BEST TASTING PIZZA BY THE BATTALION! Campus 846-9184 1403 Univeristy Dr. Bryan College Station 822-5507 764-927 1 27 I 2 S. 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Mon. - Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Checks accepted Now serving Ice Cold Beer ALL you can eat Fish or Chicken. P 0 PcOrN Munchers Tuesday’s & Wednesday’s Happy Pie Hour 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Free pie with the purchase of any entree! (you gotta pay for the Blue Bell & Bring in this coupon) * catering * party rooms * tailgate parties * Call for “Same Day Seating” Expires 10/O8/97 2500 Texas Ave. South 694-8826 * Sun, Tue-Thurs 11-9:30 * Fri 11-10:30 * Sat 12-10:30* ■fcvaa Bryan 1673 Briarcrest The Best Pizza In Town, Honest! GOOD ANYTIME! DAY, NIGHT & WEEKEND Freshly made oandwiches, Soups & Desserts HAM 1 Mexican Restaurant •99 BUFFET FREE COOKIE! W/ PURCHASE OF AGGIE SPECIAL (SANDWICH, SIDE ORDER, & DRINK) located at the Preference Inn Hotel Aggie Specialty $6.25 All You Care To Eat & Drink . Offer good for up to 2 people. Not valid in combination with other coupons or special offers. One coupon per order, please. EXPIRES 10/07/97 •Pizza • Pasta • Soups • Salad Bar ’ Desserts • Coffee • Iced Tea & Soft Drinks —a Buy 1 Aggie Special and Get 2“* Sandwich for 1/2 PRICE! : Present coupon before ordering Expires 10/08/97 2416 Texas Ave. S • College Station 696-DELI Fax: 693-6606 Hours: 10 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Delivery available. $20 minimum Now Open! Sinor Frogs o o o One mild Mexican poblano pepper stuffed with cheese, one chicken enchilada, one tamale, o one taco, rice and frijoles a la charra. (with this coupon receive a free O order of bean and cheese nachos) 1601S. Texas Ave., Bryan ° 7754684 o Must present coupon. Expires 10-15-97. e investigs Wiatt said te sent to < The Colle jstigators, 5 investigf bests w jweeks. nirnal Mel Bruce ! The ning New Krthy McVi h. at the J< e Society c sis spons I The barbe ision cost land fir lOfor nonr Ixchar iTexas A& If the Rep |rmal agr< it exchan. I The evem pi Wayne Cileries. 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