O The Battalion
PINION
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Wednesday • October 1 1997 '
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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
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or on a lunch break. Kettle Restaurants are
always open to serve our Aggies.
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Campus
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1403 Univeristy Dr.
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MON 6am - FRI I Opm ONLY
WEDNESDAY
AGGIE SPECIAL
valid thru 10/08/97
Any 2 PIZZAS for
$ 9.90
Dine-ln Only.
TAMU Student ID required.
Dine in Only - Not Valid with any other offers. • Offer Expires 10-08-97
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1905 TEXAS AVE v SOUTH * 764-8717
Deliveries Daily 11 AM - 1 PM and 5 PM - 9 PM. All Major Credit Cards Accepted.
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Whether ye thirst is hot or cold, for art, knowledge
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(visit our Astral site...if thou knowest where.)
Hours: 10:45-2:30,4-8 M-Th
10:45-8:00 Fri, Sat, Sun
Post Oak Mall
694-0090
Store Hours: 10:45-2:30,4:15-8 M-F
10:45-8:00 Sat & Sun
4401 S. Texas Ave.
846-3729
Donate your coffee cup in exchange for a FREE cup of coffee.
hM
t'AC/I's*
<S>
“The Best Pizza Value Anywhere!”
HO ALL-YOU-CM-EAT
yy BUFFET
Most unique or oddest cup wins $50. Contest thru Oct. 31
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3dnurs
TEuc - TThurs • 1 lam - lam
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We Accept Personal Checks
w/Approved I D
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CONSTRUCTION SPECIAL
Long
John
Silver^
University Dr
TAMUi
George Bi sh Dr
CiCi’s I
Harvey Rd
1713 S. Texas Ave.
694-2424
Buy one box or plate, get second one for
$
1.50
8081 Texas Ave.
College Station
and
3224 S. Texas Ave.
Bryan
We accept checks.
with purchase of two soft drinks
Present this coupon for special. Expires 10/08/97.
Dine-in only.
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
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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.
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