Wednesday. March Qj
issmatf
chool OUnsinji
hooting
IND. OHIO
1 said. I le found out minutesl
tlicr of his relatives was sk
t Morris Township is somef
thwest of Detroit
oli contamination
avernrnent said Tuesday thslui
the cattle in the nation's
ts are infected with deadly E
ictena. Here is a look at howh
la can get from cattle to the
table.
the farm
A cow that it is
carrying the E. cot
0157:H7 bacteriah
its intestinal tract
chosen for slaugt
e slaughterhouse
II '
rfe
E coll can escape
the intestines of
infected cattle ate
opened during
processing.
eat plant
The contaminated
meat is mixed witt
■adWBMi
other meat and
ground for
hamburger
iut meal
It the contaminated
meat is undercooked
t/0
the bacteria can
cause severe food
poisoning.
>k all ground beef or hamburgeit
nternal temperature of 160MJs(!
mometer to be sure the meat is
oughly cooked.
id back any undercooked mealyi
served in a restaurant for lurthet
king.
nsume only pasteurized milk,**
ducts and juices.
sh hands, counters and utetsS
i hot. soapy water after theycitf
r meat.
mT^ I
Hon
KIMBER HUFF/Tm Haiiii '
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tar ago to a nine-year lit
ound $30 a barrel, andl^
e highest average U.S.? 35
ic prices ever.
Unadjusted for infW 1
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rding to industry analystd 1
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ks ended Friday, thel lll!
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reported Sunday.
OPINION L
Wednesday, March 1,2()(X) THE BATTALION Page 11
(/(ymete&SAry
rpukAness
NFL arrests demand league attention
T his past week. New Orleans
Saints running back Ricky
Williams was arrested and spent
six hours in an Austin jail after refusing
to sign a ticket for a traffic violation.
Williams’ belligerent attitude towards
the arresting officer and his lack of rev
erence for traffic laws would usually be
asource of amusement to the public and
embarrassment to the National Football
League (NFL). Due to recent events, however, the Williams
incident passed with little fanfare.
The NFL could be called the National Felon League due
to die spate of crimes committed by its players in the last few
months. Most notable are the allegations against former Car
olina Panthers wide receiver Rae Carruth and Baltimore
Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis. Carruth is accused of master
minding the murder of his pregnant girlfriend, while Lewis is
one of three people accused of killing two men outside an
Atlanta nightclub the night of the Super Bowl. %
With the recent arrests of Leonard Little of the St. Louis
Rams, Tamerick Vanover of the Kansas City Chiefs, Michael
Irvin, not to mention league alums like Law rence Taylor and
a Ford Bronco owner named Simpson, the NFL has an All-
Pro lineup appearing on police posters.
Some people are claiming that the NFL itself is to blame
forthese crimes, as the players are a product of the violent
sport they play. This argument is totally ridiculous. People
like Emmitt Smith, Darrell Green of the Washington Red
skins and the late Walter Payton showed that there are also
many quality human beings in the league. This is not to say
that more could not be done to prevent crimes from being
committed by NFL players. The NFL, and the public in gen
eral, could help a great deal in cutting down on these crimi
nal actions.
Many players grew up in difficult circumstances. Their
actions may have more to do with a living a violent youth
than playing a violent game. Many of these players getting
headlines on the Associated Press (AP) and police wires
came from broken homes with little or no supervision.
Gangs and athletic teams became a sort of surrogate family.
Once they got to college, many of these athletes were on full
athletic scholarships.
However, this does not necessarily mean
they had much money to spend, as the
NCAA prohibits scholarship athletes from
holding other jobs. Eventually, some players
make it to the NFL, and tons of money is
suddenly thrown at them.
Now thrust into the national spotlight and
making more money in a week than most
people see in their lives, these players are
then placed on a pedestal by the public.
While able to enjoy more of finer things in
life with their newly found riches, rookie pro
athletes also become increasingly isolated
from reality.
The only people they can actually talk to
person to person, as opposed to person to
icon, are their old friends, many of whom
have criminal backgrounds. These individu
als, with the assistance of a hard-knock
youth, can convince the athlete that violence
is an acceptable option. This is exactly what
happened in the Lewis episode. The Balti
more linebacker was arrested along with two
of his long-time friends, who had extensive
criminal backgrounds.
While there can be no excuse for such ac
tions, the NFL could do a great deal more to
monitor its players' activities. When rookies
come into the league, they undergo a couple
of days of “orientation,” which will suppos
edly adjust them to the ways of the league. Then they are cut
loose to do as they will. The league really does not get involved
again until it is time to discipline a player for his actions.
The NFL has more than enough money to hire some sort
of player oversight director — preferably a former player.
The league’s players’ association would probably not object
to such a person, as they could be someone the players could
rely upon for advice and counsel.
Former Cowboy Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson acts a
counselor for NFL players, and former Redskin Earnest Byn-
er has such a position with the Ravens. However, such influ
ences are too little and, in the case of Ray Lewis, too late.
The public also can contribute to bettering this situation
by having a reality check. While these athletes may be able
to do tremendous things on the field of play, they are still
mortal. Treating them any differently helps add to their mis
taken aura of invincibility.
Just because these players are “public figures” does not
mean they should not be held every bit as accountable for
their actions as someone who is not. Little served less than a
year for killing a woman while driving drunk, while Irvin
and LT escaped prison time. That certain Ford Bronco driver
was acquitted on charges of slaughtering two people.
With these players getting off with a slap on the wrist and
the public willing to quickly embrace them again, the fear of
RICHARD HORNE/Thi: Battalion
serious punishment is often ignored until it is too late.
The NFL is faced with a serious situation, as their play
ers have their pictures showing up on post office walls as of
ten as Sports Illustrated covers. While this problem can.fever
be totally defeated, there is something that can be done. The
league can increase its efforts to ensure that its players act in
a more responsible fashion, and the public can hold the play
ers more accountable for their actions.
It can only be hoped that something is done before “(Jourt
TV” gives NFL players as much coverage as ESPN. •>
Mark Passwaters is a senior
electrical engineering major.
KINE 199 requirement
beneficial for students
U nfortunately, the
trend toward obesi
ty has not passed
by the Texas A&M cam
pus. Now it seems that
with the elimination of ki
nesiology classes, over
weight students could be
come a more common
sight as the required KINE
199 courses often are the only physical activity
students participate in while attending A&M.
Members of the Core Curriculum Review
Committee (CCRC) have recently decided there
is no place for kinesiology classes at A&M.
The existing requirement of four
semesters of KINE 199 would be ^
discarded in favor of classes that
are deemed to be more in the
student’s academic interest. The
CCRC has evidently decided
that allowing an extra
scholastic course to be
added to the core curricu
lum would greatly en
hance the worth of a de
gree from A&M.
The remaining health
and fitness class would
consist of two-thirds
scholastic work and only
one-third physical activity.
The designed purpose of these
health and fitness classes is to
teach the students the value of
athletic participation, rather
than mandate the courses to fill
University requirements.
One justification for this desired change is
that other prestigious universities do not require
any kinesiology classes. After all, if peer univer
sities do not require physical activity, then A&M
students should not have to participate either. If
Ivy League students can be smart and over
weight, Aggies can be, too.
Administrators need to avoid the path of
scholastic conventionality and do what is in the
best interests of the students at this institution. If
students desire to retain the right to participate in
kinesiology courses, they should be allowed to
instead of being forced to lake another humani
ties or upper-level classes in their major.
Many students are severely limited in the
number of electives that can be included in their
schedules. Aggies spend anywhere from four to
| six years in college, and most do not have the
extra time or money to take a class such as mod
em dance if the University does not allow them
to do so within the core requirements.
During the middle of a hectic week full of
term papers and exams, students often relish the
chance to take an hour to go play volleyball or
swing a golf club. KINE 199 courses are some
thing students can look forward to as a change of
pace from a core curriculum that often seems
dry and relatively pointless. The busy schedules
of many Aggies do not allow much spare time to
work out at the Student Recreation Center or
anywhere else. Kinesiology classes provide stu
dents with the opportunity to improve their
health without feeling guilty for not spending the
extra time at the library.
The Surgeon General recommends exercise at
least three times per week. Admittedly, most stu
dents do not participate in voluntary athletics
this often. Aggies often have too many
other commitments or simply lack the
motivation to visit the Rec Center
on a regular basis. However,
kinesiology classes provide
the opportunity for stu
dents to better their health
and well-being. For
whatever reason, partici
pating in beginning ten
nis or even bowling may
be the only workout
many students get.
If the administration
allows the core curriculum
to be tampered with, the
“freshmen 15” could be
come a thing of the past.
The “University 50” could
be the newly coined phrase
for Aggies as they remain stationary
in their desks for four, five, six or more years.
The health of student’s bodies, as well as their
minds, needs to be taken into consideration.
If KINE 199 classes are eradicated from the
core curriculum, students will be at a disadvan
tage. Any outlet for physical improvement will
merely become an extravagance, something stu
dents can only participate in if they have the extra
time and finances. Why should the administration
make staying fit more difficult than it already is?
Elimination of kinesiology classes will in
evitably result in a different atmosphere in Ag-
gieland. Desks will be uncomfortably small,
Hullabaloo will experience dizzying lines of rav
enous students, and incoming freshmen will be
gin to refer to themselves as the Fighting Texas
Fatty Class of 2004.
Summer Hicks is a senior
English major.
EDITORIAL
’"BATTALION
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmt’: :«u ; Mr A* i . u r y a f t«m i’i 3»-) t
Editorials appearing in The Battalion
reflect the majority view of the editorial
board members. They do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of other Battalion
staff members, the Texas A&M student
body, regents, administration, faculty
or staff. Columns, guest columns,
cartoons and letters express the
opinions of the authors.
Editorial Board
MARIUM MOHIUDDIN
EDITOR IN CHIEF
BEVERLY MIRELES
MANAGING EDITOR
STUART HUTSON
CAMPUS EDITOR
ERIC DICKENS
OPINION EDITOR
KYLE WHITACRE
AGGIELIFE EDITOR
DOUG SHILLING
SPORTS EDITOR
JASON BENNYHOFF
RADIO PRODUCER
JEFF KEMPF
NIGHT NEWS EDITOR
GUY ROGERS
PHOTO EDITOR
RUBEN DELUNA
GRAPHICS EDITOR
BRANDON PAYTON
WEB MASTER
MEREDITH HIGHT
COMMUNITY EDITOR
MARIANO CASTILLO
OPINION EDITOR
VERONICA SERRANO
AGGIELIFE EDITOR
DAVE AMBER
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR
JASON LINCOLN
ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
NONI SRIDHARA
ASST. RADIO PRODUCER
CRISTINA PADRON
ASST. NIGHT NEWS EDITOR
JP BEATO
PHOTO EDITOR
ROBERT HYNECEK
GRAPHICS EDITOR
BRENT BARKLEY
ASST. WEB MASTER
A CALL FOR CHANGE
Racial disharmony needs to he addressed by all at A&M
“Typical nigger” — that was the mes
sage someone wrote across Rasheda
James’ car her freshman year at Texas
A&M. It was not just a message of hate
and ignorance, it was a message to
James that A&M is not the close-knit Ag
gie family it appeared to be at the sum
mer orientation she attended and the re
cruiting weekends she was invited to.
While it is easy to agree this is a racist
act to be condemned, would all agree this
type of incident is uncommon at A&M?
Through a recent round table dis
cussion with several African-American
student leaders, The Battalion heard
first-hand accounts of a divisive racial
atmosphere at A&M. While this may
merely reflect existing racial tension in
society, it should be acknowledged that
A&M’s all-white, all-male history makes
the racial tension on campus more dif
ficult to overcome.
In the last 80 years, A&M has made
many positive steps toward the ultimate
goal of being a world-class university.
This progress began when A&M opened
its doors to women and minorities, and
continues through the administration’s
efforts to recruit minorities.
But it is now time for A&M to progress
to the next step. A&M is well-known for
its traditions and conservatism. However,
these characteristics cannot be used as
an excuse for the racially tense environ
ment many minority students encounter.
The discrimination minorities experi
ence on campus is appalling. If A&M
wants to be on par with other universi
ties, and if Vision 2020 is to become a
reality, students and the administration
need to demand further change.
Texas A&M is in need of such im
provements as a greater number of mi
nority students and faculty, a multicultur-
alism requirement in the core curriculum
and a truly desegregated community that
sees intolerance as unacceptable.
It may be hard to admit, but as much
as A&M appears to be a campus united
in its traditions, it is divided by a lack of
racial diversity.
While a solution to racism will not ap
pear overnight, it is the responsibility of
the University, from students to faculty,
to work to eliminate it on our campus.
MAIL CALL
College of Liberal Arts deserving
of campus-wide recognition
In response to Brieanne Porter’s Feb. 28 column.
I am a junior speech communication major and would like
to thank Porter for drawing attention to the efforts of the Col
lege of Liberal Arts (CLA). We have long deserved attention
from the school, which was originally mechanically and agri
culturally based. I have many friends who simply feel the CLA
is full of unnecessary required courses and think I should
have attended the “other” school in the state to get the de
gree 1 desire.
I am here to say that my department alone is ranked
among the top schools in the nation for speech communica
tion. I am proud of my department and my professors. I am
proud to be an Aggie, and I am proud of the degree I will
soon possess. We are not just those classes engineers
hate to take.
This brings me to another point. I am frustrated with the
department for not promoting its strengths throughout the
school. As the article mentioned, the CLA has little recogni
tion, but we need to do more to promote what we stand for.
Two weeks ago the CLA held our annual Liberal Arts Career
Week, and turn-out within the college was great, however we
wanted to hit other colleges as well. Publicity is a huge factor
the CLA should investigate.
I would like the University to know what great efforts liberal
arts students go to in earning our degrees and that the CLA
is not composed of blow-off classes with easy professors.
Clara Kruljac
Class of ‘01
The Battalion encourages letters to the editor. Letters must be 300 words or
less and include the author’s name, class and phone number.
The opinion editor reserves the right to edit letters for length, style, and accu
racy. Letters may be submitted in person at 013 Reed McDonald with a valid stu
dent ID. Letters may also be mailed to:
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