Monday, February
OPINION
day, February 21,2000
THE BATTALION
Page 9
i found dead!
Worth hotel I
’ WORTH (AP)
teen-ager who wal
rth to compete inarf
soccer tournament
ead Saturday morni^
■I room,
tigators are awaiting)
suits to determine!
the death of Jennifi
18, a senior at
oo racy for the rack
[roger sets good example by concealing sexual topics
roger has picked
its side in the rev-
ailution against
Isexual revolution.
Hall, a private schc;|t 'ought to be com-
onio.
in’s roommate rei
was dead just befe
heir room,
irently, the alarm wenli
ning, and she didn't
I Lt. David Burgess,a
■sesperson. "There
rent signs of trauma
t signs of anything."
n was among dozens
from private schools
id Oklahoma compet
hded.
hanks to the pres-
: of Morality in Me-
[ a non-profit, inter-
i organization based
CALEB
McDaniel
lew York City, the grocery store chain has
ided to allow local managers to conceal
covers of magazines like Cosmopolitan
Glamour in check-out lines.
Other supermarkets are paying attention,
they would perform a valuable eommuni-
iervice by following Kroger’s lead.
inter championsliipsI A ^ er al 1 ’ the line between pornography
hwest Preparator)w s P ec ' a * ' nterest magazines is becoming
ire blurred every day. Publishers are push-
;the limits of the appropriate with each
iv issue, splashing half-naked models and
lacious headlines on each new cover.
There is rarely a magazine these days that
not have the words "sex," “orgasm" or
osition" featured prominently on the front,
a real tragedy to eveliJ there is apparently a growing impression
)mas said. “She was® as long as certain anatomical parts are
ing scholar, a dancer-laiegically covered in a photograph, the rest
lible dancer who was rathe female body can be bared for all to see.
[ to go on to profess!)! This careless, commercial approach to sex
a great athlete a^flamentable for at least two reasons.
a three-day, coed ah
ament hosted by Trii
id Country Day schi
f orth.
ames included a
all, wrestling and sw
e model."
I follows suit
ices increast
STON (AP) - Atli
Hta Air Lines annoui
ise in ticket prices ft
, following the leadr
tal Airlines,
irlines blamed risingje
i. Other airlines werea-
join in the fare hike,tot
no confirmation Sunda,
pecific increments of
)ket prices werenotan-
but the increa.«« j
: are to those
elta spokeswoman®
said.
i very dynamic sill
said. “The historyo L
an airline files higte
other airlines
es," Delta's Dervin said eHolocaust,
ntal’s price hikes on baa hich is definitely
fares took effect R
m $5 to $15 one way.
ce increase is the set
aar; both were
mental and blamed®
pushed higher by tigN
plies.
uary, Houston-base:
al levied a “fuels®
boosting domes!
on one-way fares,
und trip fares.
First, even though it is out of vogue to fight
irfamily values, it is becoming more crucial
laneverto speak up on behalf of children.
Most college-age people can at least re-
lember a time when sex was somewhat sa-
ed—when a kid could ride in a grocery
lit without seeing skin on every side. But the
f urrent generation is being raised in a society
saturated with sex. And the worst thing about
graphically sexual magazines at the grocery
store is that they literally cannot be avoided.
Their location is carefully calculated to catch
the eye. Consequently, parents’ ability to con
trol when their kids learn about sex is being
constantly eroded.
These days, the conversation moms and
dads dread most is no longer started with the
question, "Where do babies come from?"
Now, the birds and bees get introduced right
in the grocery store as kids ask for explana
tions of sexually explicit words.
Surely it should not be hard to see why this
reality is unfortunate. Children are the owners
of curious and impressionable minds — a
combination both wonderful and dangerous.
Their eyes take in images that are retained for
better or worse in their memory. And as they
begin to discover the joy of reading, they are
eager to digest every word in sight — even
the ones Cosmopolitan intends to be “for ad
vanced lovers only.”
The inevitable result is children who are
confused about sex and its significance. But
on the other hand, this result should not be
surprising. The ubiquity' of raunch in the mag
azine racks of America ultimately shows that
adults are confused about sex as well.
The second problem with graphically sex
ual headlines is that they dishonor the very act
they exalt. Pulp magazines regularly degrade
the sexual act from a special consummation of
love to an acquired skill.
I leadlines advertise articles on how to
have good sex with the same detachment with
which one might discuss how to make good
chicken noodle soup.
The consequence of this approach is the
connotation that sexual prowess is tire main
thing — whom the sex is with becomes a sec
ondary concern.
Rags like Cosmopolitan promise to teach a
woman how to please men in general rather
than her man in particular. Magazines like
Maxim teach men how to drive women crazy
— not how to satisfy their wives. And tell-all
sex surveys of several thousand people can
only mean one thing: The opinions of a large
number of potential partners are important be
cause modem men and women seldom intend
to share their beds with one.
But if sex has become little more than a
tool or a talent, it has lost all that made it
special in the first place. It has traded per
manently fulfilling love for temporarily
satisfying lust.
And maybe the fact that men and women
must turn to magazines for sexual instruction
is evidence of a sadder fact. Couples have lost
the desire to share the intimacy that comes ex
clusively when married people spend life
times teaching each other what is pleasurable.
Perhaps behind the sexy headlines
lurks the sordid truth — copulation with
out communication and promiscuity with
out promises.
So hooray for Kroger.
They have realized that married, commit
ted sex should be a beautiful thing, rather
than something sold next to the National En
quirer and Snickers bars.
Because Americans are as attached to free
speech as they are to cheap thrills, magazines
that misrepresent sexual relationships will al
ways be a reality in this country. But stores
do not have to pitch them and customers do
not have to purchase them.
Caleb McDaniel is a junior history major.
EMILY HARRELL/The Battalion
European Union decision to
isolate Austria’s Haider too hasty
- n | eoptc world-
y§-^w]de won}'
about the re-
urrance of some-
filing as awliil as
valid concern,
owever, con-
mning Austria
ces.
r freely electing an official whom oth-
nations deem as holding questionable
linions about World War II solves
idling. Other nations have no right to
volvethemselves in another country’s
Jnocratic process.
The citizens of Corinthia, a
ovince in Austria, recently elected Jo-
« sVuTedoJieraW nati< ™f. istic fj eedonl
iity as their governor. Since that tune,
European Union (HU), the United
ales, Argentina and several other
entries have shunned the nation be-
rase of statements made
Haider about
'odd War II and
e Holocaust. The
Hand others froze
political
ntacts, denied
ustrian ambas-
dors access to govem-
entministers and withheld support
Austrians seeking jobs in in-
mational organizations, according
Reuters.
Haider made several comments refer-
igtothe role Austria’s military had in
'odd War II and the Holocaust —
awing fire from people around the
—which is the reason these coun-
esdo not support the new government,
cording to the Associated Press (AP).
Haider has since retracted some of
e misunderstood comments, but labels
^|ch as “neo-Nazi” and “fascist” con-
lue to flood the newsways.
By freezing contacts with Austria
isedon the personality of an elected
, the nations have forgotten sev-
al issues—Austrians operate a
iniocracy, and Haider has no national
licy-making power.
Millions of Austrians voted for
members of the Freedom Party mid the
People’s Party in the last election. Now
the two parties combined outnumber
the Social Democrats, 110-63. The So
cial Democrats do not like the new
arrangements because they no longer
hold the majority, but from the election
results, it is clear that the Austrian citi
zens wanted a change.
Austrians chose a nationalistic gov
ernment against foreign encroachment
instead of a socialist democratic gov
ernment. In other words, the citizens are
not in favor of the EU taking control of
their country. In a democracy, they have
the right to vote for whomever fits their
beliefs. The hooplah generated by the
election is just another example of other
nations sticking their noses where they
do not belong.
Austrian citizens
know more about
the situation
'ideo series o'
ROMANCE.
rried,
tic relationships'
-8:15 p.m.;
ACA 3/20:402 Rud^'
I, C.S.
cle. Moser feels that 1 laider receives
more attention than he should and that a
lot of the attention he receives is due to
his outspokenness.
According to Pat Buchanan in an AP
article, Haider opposes the “global new
world order,” which refers to the EU.
“Europe is overreacting. We’re not a
bunch of Nazis here and neither is
Haider,” said Monika Bauer, an Austri
an citizen, in an AP article. “Look
around. Does this look like a place
where bad things are happening?”
Without Haider, the Austrian parlia
ment recently demanded companies that
used slave laborers in World War II
compensate their victims, according to
Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel in his
first speech to parliament. Most feel this
act is something that should have been
taken care of long ago, but
now unnamed skep
tics question the
timing of the de
cision. Because
of Haider’s state
ments, Austria is
being criticized for
its decision to rapidly
compensate Nazi slaves
used by Austrian compa-
robert hynecek/The Battalion nies. The criticism is totally
ridiculous.
“Tills is an obligation of Austria, whether
it’s a socialist government or a neo-Nazi gov-
emment,” said Elan Steinberg, a spokesper
son for the World Jewish Congress in an AP
article. No matter the timing, those who were
wronged in World War should be compen
sated as soon as possible. They should have
been compensated years ago.
The EU should take a deep breath and
give Haider and the rest of the Austrian
government a chance. Clinton and his ad
ministration will follow their lead. The
world saw the horrifying reign of Hitler.
If Haider starts dictating national policy
and killing innocent people in Austria,
then will be the time to criticize and sub
due the new Austrian government.
in their own country than outsiders, but
the London Guardian insinuated that
since the province Corinthia already has
low crime, low immigration and a high
degree of wealth, Haider’s platform for
such things was unnecessary.
Austrian citizens agreed with
Haider’s anti-immigration, anti-state
supported welfare, anti-tax and anti
crime platfonn and exercised their right
to vote. A foreign paper should respect
Austrians enough to allow them to think
and vote in any manner they want.
Austria’s ambassador Peter Moser
made another valid point: Haider does
not formulate national policy. Haider
is only one province’s governor. The
national parliament holds the reins to
Austria’s policies.
“Haider is not Austria, and Austria is
not Haider,” Moser said, in an AP arti-
Punishments fit the crime
University policy for student criminals meets expectations
L.
JESSICA
CRUTCHER
T he way Texas A&M Universi
ty deals with student criminals
has recently been criticized as
not being strict enough. When stu
dents are caught breaking the law on
campus (driving under the influence,
being in possession of drugs or a va
riety of other crimes) they are turned
over to the University Police Depart
ment for punishment. Some people
argue this is letting the students off too easy, failing to real
ize the UPD is a fully staffed law enforcement agency that
is just as capable of dealing with criminals as the College
Station Police Department.
For example, a student caught on campus with marijua
na will face not only criminal
charges but also University disci
pline that could be as severe as be
ing expelled from the University.
The only exception to strict po
lice discipline is the possession of
alcohol in dorms by underage stu
dents. If an underage A&M stu
dent is caught in their dorm with
alcohol, there is a good chance the
police will never be notified. In
stead, the incident will be recorded
by the RA, the student will receive some form of mild dis
ciplinary action, and a letter will be sent to the student’s
parents to notify them of the occurrence.
Some people would argue that the current system does
not force students to take responsibility for their actions. An
RA filling out paperwork undeniably commands less fear
and respect than a police officer handing out MIPs on
Northgate. But demanding tougher penalties for student al
cohol possession on campus overlooks the serious conse
quences students still face.
When a college freshman leaves home for the first time,
they find themselves seemingly without any sort of authority
to tell them what to do. The reality of dorm life is that there
are people in charge: they are called residential advisors
Demanding tougher
penalties for student
alcohol possession on
campus overlooks the
serious consequences
students still face.
(RAs). The RAs are a sort of parent figure for the other res
idents, providing help and enforcing dormitory rules.
When an RA catches a student with alcohol, the illegal
substance is confiscated and a report is filed on the student.
Repeat offenders face eviction from their dorm. But there is
more: A&M has a policy of notifying the parents of any
student caught on campus with alcohol. Critics that think
A&M is letting the students o IT too easy should think back
a few years, to that critical time when their parents con
trolled virtually every aspect of their life. Although there
are exceptions, many students would rather be sent to jail
than have their parents notified when they have done some
thing illegal. '
Parent noti fication is in many cases a better way to
keep students from misbehaving than any other form of
law enforcement. Most students
rely primarily on their parents
money for tuition and living ex
penses. Without the support of
their parents, most students
would be out of luck.
Certainly, underage students
should not be in possession of al
cohol in their dorms. But with all
the talk about what these students
are doing wrong, apparently no
one has noticed what they are do
ing right. Students that are drinking in their dorms have at
least had the intelligence to not wander drunkenly down
Northgate, causing a danger to themselves and passing mo
torists, or to decide to drive themselves. It hardly seems ra
tional to use as strict of disciplinary procedures on students
not causing nearly as much of a disturbance as those who
really are endangering themselves. Campus authorities
have thankfully realized this.
Campus RAs and the University Police Department
are quite capable of doing their jobs. The UPD is a pro
fessional police department, and their decisions should
be regarded as such.
Jessica Crutcher is a sophomore journalism major.
COLLEGIATE ROUNDUP
Jill Riley is a senior
journalism major.
The Battalion encourages letters to the editor. Let
ters must be 300 words or less and include the au
thor's name, class and phone number.
The opinion editor reserves the right to edit letters
‘for length, style, and accuracy. Letters may be submit
ted in person at 013 Reed McDonald with a valid stu
dent ID. Letters may also be mailed to:
The Battalion - Mail Call
013 Reed McDonald
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX
77843-1111
Campus Mail: 1111
Fax: (409) 845-2647
E-mail: battletters@hotmail.com
From The Daily Iowan at the Uni
versity of Iowa
(U-WIRE) IOWA CITY, Iowa — “Ken-
sucky” is the word of the day for
late night talk-show host Craig Kil-
born. That’s how he referred to
Kentucky during an “In the News”
segment last month, earning him
yet another notorious backlash to
his self-described “frat boy comedy.”
On Jan. 3, a tornado blew
through parts of Kentucky, including
the city of Owensboro, where the
brunt of the anti-Kilborn sentiment
began. The Kentucky House of Rep
resentatives has since passed a
measure asking for an official apol
ogy from the talk-show host.
Kilborn has made derogatory re
marks before in the face of tragedy.
When World Wrestling Federation
wrestler Own Hart, known as Blue
Blazer, died in May of last year, Kil
born’s response was an “In the
News” anecdote. “Blue Blazer’s
partner, White Turtleneck, was un
harmed,” reported Kilborn.
Kilborn received more letters
about that one than Kris Kringle.
Admittedly, the “White Turtleneck”
and “Kensucky” jokes may have
been insensitive and in bad taste,
but they were not intended merely
to offend people —just to receive
a chuckle. Laughter is the best
medicine, right? Apparently not.
The question is, why can a single
joke on a late night talk show of
fend so many people?
There seems to be two levels
of comedy, one conservative, the
other uncensored. Innocent jokes
such as Kilborn’s anger people,
while comedy written for the sole
purpose of offending people is
lauded as genius. “South Park,”
Tom Green and Howard Stern are
All-American icons making mil
lions by consistently conquering
the shock value of comedy. That’s
what they’re expected to do.
When Green threw his precious
piggy off the hill, I didn’t see any
animal-rights activists clamoring
to the foot of the hill to catch the
poor piggy before it got smashed
to a pulp. Green’s comedy is ex
pected to be offensive or out
landish. As a consequence, he is
allowed to cross a line beyond oth
er comedians such as Kilborn and
David Letterman.
People who don’t find Green’s
type of humor amusing are
learning to ignore him, giving
him more of an uncensored free
dom.
But when innocent-looking
Kilborn insinuates that Ken
tuckians didn’t lose much in the
January tornado because all
they had were trailer homes to
begin with, he’s lambasted with
criticism from fans who may not
have expected such “irrever
ence” from him.
When did this double standard
in comedy come about? If you find
it funny, laugh.
If you don’t, there’s a simple
solution: Throw the television
off the hill and see if you can’t
hit the piggy.