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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (March 8, 2000)
OPINION Wednesday, March 8,2(KK) THE BATTALION Page 9 Political parties on the beach n ad). This rate applies get an additional 5 uled to end to qualify^ Spring break offers students opportunity to get to the election polls LP WANTED /hour average. Also hiring sply Tues.-Fri., 2pm-4pmatG) iTIC TECHS needed lo work ids. Supervises the aquatc? ill pool exercise classes. Pte>] rd. will consider aerobics expev exercise. Maintains treatmedr Apply at the St Joseph Rest r 2601 Osier Blvd., Bryan.EOt college focused internet confmi ing for innovative individtiils entreperneural and businasi qurred Great experience, pj) t o@uconnections.com /ELLANEOUS ur dog? Outside. 12x20ft to nation call 279-2833. IRE OFTEN with MYBYTESCJ get a free CO of cool music ;s, turnout, Shay dressage ir, emises 279-2833. TORCYCLE Hawk 450. $1,200 764-0187 a 600cc. Runs perfect, deary ;k/yellow, D&O slip-on, 7,008™ 731 PETS I bull mix w/kennel and sjppi led. playful, sweet. goodwMn Kittens. Cats. Dogs. Mam p; mal Shelter- 775-5755. “uppy. 2 months old, has sMsI sred $300/O.B 0. Call KeaBit ialifornia-Rex beautiful, whte is comes with cage, accessrc AL ESTATE n, carport, large fenced badgs . Alford SCompany Reatorsf OMMATES irand new 3bdrm/2ba mobile W isse louse, CH&A, w/d, fenced,fortes $250 +util. +deposit. Lori i/1.5bth, $150/summer, $200t 5 oint, on shuttle 696-5694. mer sublease, Call 680-0597. n @ $325/mo. +1/3bills. 106 Con. S pring break is fast approaching and thousands of Aggies are planning to spend their week of freedom just enjoying the fact that they will not have to get up and attend those dreaded eight o’clock classes. For some, the week will be spent at South Padre Island soaking up rays, while others will return home to earn a little extra cash. Unfortunately, for most Aggies, spring break will not include voting in the Texas primary and local elections on Tuesday, March 14. Although many students will spread across the country next week, many others will be in their registered voting precinct, whether it be here in the Bryan-College Sta tion area or at home. Unlike the Non ember elections when stu dents have to either go home to vote early or cast their ballot by mail, they have the chance next Tuesday to walk into their local polling places and cast their votes. Despite the opportunity created by spring break, many students will still choose not to exercise their power to participate in the electoral process. Citing a lack of time or in terest, they will not take the few minutes it takes to vote, and in doing so, they will miss an important step in choosing the future leaders of Texas. Many believe there is nothing more to next Tuesday’s elections than choosing who the Republican and Democratic nominees for president will be. Although it may seem a given that George W. Bush and A1 Gore will capture their respective parties’ presidential nomi nations here in Texas, the rest of the ballot is wide open. Yes, that last sentence was correct. There is more to next Tuesday than just voting for one of the big guys. Those who make it out to their polling places for the primaries will find that a large number of state and local positions are up for grabs. From U. S. Representatives to local school boards, many candidates for a variety of important positions will be tested and eliminated by the electorate next week. In some races, including a number of mayoral contests across the state, the winner on Tues day will be the one taking office. The local and state races may not have the grandeur or the media coverage of the presidential election, but they affect the com mon citizen to a much larger extent. To any student who pays local sales taxes, has a younger sibling who attends public schools or has an interest in a topic up for debate in Congress, next week’s elections represent a chance to help ensure they have a valid choice to vote in November. Many Americans do not vote in Novem ber because they say none of the candidates on the ballot represent their beliefs or what they want in an elected official. If they would vote in March, chances are they would find the names on the ballot in November a little more appealing. Like anything else, it pays to get in on the ground floor. Students in particular seem to show the greatest apathy towards voting. At a time in their lives wfien idealism and activism is supposed to be at an all-time high, few stu dents actually care enough to go out to the ballot boxes on election day. Perhaps this year will be different. This year, a large number of Aggies have a chance to participate in one of the funda mental duties of citizenship — voting. There will not be any banners in the MSC pro claiming the need for students to vote, but voting next week will be just as important as planting a tree at Replant or raking a yard of leaves for The Big Event. There will not be any T-shirts handed out to the participants, just a feeling of good citi zenship and the knowledge that they will have had a say in what happens to them in the future. Perhaps most importantly, the vot ing process represents a chance to gamer more of the “other education” which Aggies are supposed to hold so dear. Next week, students with the opportunity should take time out during their spring break to vote. It takes just a few minutes and, unless there is an accident with the ballot puncher, is completely painless. It may not be the most exciting thing college students can do during spring break, but chances are it w ill be the most important. Nicholas Roznovsky is a junior political science major. MATT ROY/Thk Battalion for brand new 4bdrm/4bth coni 680-1776. wanted. $290 +bills, W/D, privs 1-7801. emale roommate, brand newapa' + 1/3bills. Call Andrea 695-6643 South Carolina decision a victory for ignorance $273.33 includes rent Shills. Ff 4@unix.tamu.edu By Nick Zeckets ERV1CES (U-WIRE) TUCSON, Ariz. — South Carolina has made a state- SCORE GUARANTEED! $199 p ment, and it's a racist one. Last week, the South Carolina State istruction. 7764-0080. s Driving. Lots-of-fun, Laugh-a-t*' rrance discount. M-T(6pm-9|)iT' &Sat.- Fri(6pm-8pm) &Sat(10a' :30pm). Inside BankolAmeite >25/cash. Lowest price allowedR , Ste.217. 846-6117. Short 017) live? www.housing101.neL.Viif fRAVEL Breakl! Luxurytownhousestei ver, Angel Fire, Rio Costilla. Si 1 ' i or Tommy 846-8916. 'UTORS - Math, Biology, Chen# cs, Botany and more. Appiofte* 2 tutor. Call Sean @ 823-0163 GHT LOSS bs. in 30 days. 800-571-TRM ght. Wanted: 43 people to 1 * 1 amended, #1 in Europe 899. ng Break! Metabolife 356 f 1 great energy boost! Same jit* : ree delivery in B/CS. Checks* 1 d. Open 24/7 695-6983. Legislature voted to continue Hying the Confederate flag and al low state employees to choose between either taking off'the new ly named “Civil Rights Day” or one of three Confederate holi days. South Carolina needs to mature into a modern state in this union and realize that racism is not a substitute for state pride. Rep. Joe Neal, House leader of the Legislative Black Caucus attacked racist pride, stating that, “The prevailing sentiment here was that there would be no holiday honoring a black per son in this state.” As hard as South Carolina legislators try to convince the nation and the world that this bill is for the greater good of the state, all know loo well that there’s no good to come ofthe legislation. Debate over the flag is focused on whether it stands for racism or state respect. Southerners who proudly display bumper sticker renditions of the Hag on their bigfoot-like pickup trucks argue that it signifies pride for the region. These are the same worthless white trash that drag black men from the backs of their trucks un til the bodies are limp. It’s no coincidence. Surroundings have a profound effect on actions. For the majority of this nation, the Confederate flag signifies not pride, but hatred. It is the hatred that drove an entire culture to battle, to bleed, in order to maintain the suppression and op pression of a whole race. Neal pointed out that “The Confederate flag is racist. It has been perceived as racist by millions of people across this counffy and around the world.” How does a state body validate keeping such a symbol flying? Republican Rep. A1 Robinson tried, finding that “there is also a need to acknowledge that the War Between the States is of... significance to many Rednecks ofthe world, celebrate. South Carolina is leading the way to "racistville," and showing the rest ofthe countiy just how to get there. South Carolinians as well.” Significance? South Carolina's future is looking bleak as racism is being heralded. To all the Billy Bobs and Sally Sues in that great south ern holdout, I send my deepest sympathies. The state is officially and legally a victim of sanctioned racism. Legal papers that “rep resent” the views of all South Carolinians prove as much. Additionally, the holiday name change reeks of bigotry. State officials decided to remove the label “Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday,” to replace it with the more general “Civil Rights Day.” The label difference isn't of the greatest import, but it does strip the real value from the holiday. It no longer honors a man who arguably had the greatest impact on civil rights reform and racial equality, but rather trivializes King's place in history. Far more upsetting is the fact that Confederate-related holi days can be taken in place of the new civil rights day by state employees, again allowing prejudiced sentiments to replace civ il rights observances. Clearly, the Confederate spirit will die hard, if ever, in South Carolina. Allowing employees to choose lets them forget about a civil rights day, having already lost sight of Martin Luther King, Jr. The importance of racial equality is slowly and systematically be ing phased out. Rednecks of the world, celebrate. South Carolina is leading the way to “racistville,” showing the rest of the country just how to get there. Honkey-tonks the nation over can pull out the white sheets and pointy hats, dancing the boot scoot boogie with their siblings. Hell, spring for an extra can of Skoal and regular Bud — no light beer tonight at the hootenanny. Please Rep. Robinson, as a government official, don’t lead your colleagues, your state and your nation into the gutter. Remember the Civil War and the lives lost there, but don't remember them as he roes figtying for right. Remember them as men who knew no better. Legislators of South Carolina, the bill is being reviewed and you, as leaders, can usher South Carolina into modernity. Stamp out racism and restore the Martin Luther King, Jr. holi day. Take down the Confederate flag. Nothing is gained from exhibiting the mark of hatred. By doing these things, nothing can be lost, but a great deal can be gained. Remember the past and celebrate the heroes. • Sororities • Clubs idem Groups earn $1,000-$2,000 with the$ i three hour fundraising event, ^ using dates are filling quickly, so^ iLisfiindrasier.com, (888) 923-3$ indmiser.com ESIGNERS 3NISTS 1C ARTISTS RITERS ’S iat matter to pens. rmalism field, irience. dcDonald, m. SGA worthy of praise, support In response to Eric Dickens' Feb. 29 column. Prior to my employment with the Student Government Association (SGA), I had little knowledge of the activities of Student Senate or the other branches of SGA. My thoughts and opinions were similar to those ex pressed by Dickens in his col umn. Flowever, the previous year that I have spent in the stu dent government office has drastically changed my views on the role of the various committees in Texas A&M student government. Student senators spend countless hours drafting legis lation that will impact the en tire student body in a positive Way to improve the University that we all hold so dear. Student Body President Will Hurd and Student Senate Chairs spend large amounts of time attending meetings to voice the opinions of student government to the appropri ate sources. The Senate Chairs and Hurd, along with Hurd’s staff, endlessly dedicate their ef forts to improve the technolo gy and quality of resources available to students in order to maximize our education. Each committee in student government strives to main tain the traditions and culture that has made Texas A&M one ofthe most recognized univer sities in the country. Their loyalty in preserving many activities we take for granted is often overlooked. 1 applaud each member of the SGA in their efforts to com plete the duties of their re spective committee. 1 am proud to be associat ed with student government MAIL CALL and the improvements that have been made to our cam pus as a result of student government. Dean Jousan Class of '00 Touchstone a reputable paper In response to Mariano Castil lo’s Mar. 1 column. Why does Castillo believe that The Battalion is the only publication on this campus held to professional standards? Personally, I find The Touch stone’s articles to be consid erably more professional and informative than those of The Battalion. They provide an al ternative method of reporting that runs much deeper than that which The Battalion usu ally ventures. Often, the editors include copies of official correspon dence and affidavits between Dr. Ray M. Bowen and various members of the faculty or student body. This allows the readers to see the different issues first hand and decide for them selves what conclusions should be reached. Additionally, I have never seen The Touchstone report factual information without documenting exactly what re source that information came from. Does that not qualify as a professional standard? If so, how does The Battalion rate? Controversial topics are of ten discussed, but most often the inflammatory statements come from the submitted es says of readers, a situation sim ilar to The Battalion’s mail call. Most importantly, it is pos sible to read an issue of The Touchstone without encounter ing multiple grammatical er rors and typos. This was made possible through innovations such as competent editing, ar guably the most fundamental quality of any “credible source.” Is it possible that The Bat talion is worried about the competition, or is Castillo sim ply venting a little steam? Aaron Lauver Class of ’OO 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 accuracy. Letters may be submitted in person at 013 Reed McDonald with a valid student ID. Let ters 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 ViEW POiNTS PETA campaign insults students, masks agenda A new campaign by People for the Ethical Treat ment of Animals (PETA) is urging college stu dents, with a nudge and a wink, to pick up a frosty beer instead of a chilled glass of milk. A junk mail advertisement sent out through PETA’s College Action Campaign touts semi-serious results from a nu tritional comparison of beer and milk. Among the handful of findings listed are such mind-blowing facts as beer has less fat and cholesterol than milk and beer is lower in sodium than the white stuff. According to PETA’s bad attempt at humor, these are acceptable reasons why consuming beer is better for a student’s growing body than drinking milk. But wait —just when a thirsty college student would start to feign interest or think about chuckling, the PETA advertisement hits its reader with the punch line: “Of course, while all [these reasons] are true,” the advertisement states “PETA recommends fresh juices, soy milk, and mineral water — even soda — over milk or beer.” Hopefully, PETA will forgive its young readers if they do not laugh or buy into the campaign’s message. In truth, this hip new image of PETA is just an empty front employing cheap and low-brow pandering to the stereotypical image of beer-chugging college students. In an effort to reach the youth of America and slide them their vegetarian propaganda, PETA has come to a new low by playing to the tired image of students as depraved and drunken know-nothings that should, as PETA puts it, make sure their foam moustache is “from a brew, not a ‘moo.’” However, PETA’s “humor” is just a segue to the real campaign which follows the gag nutritional com parison. This second PETA message is chock-full of scare tactics, graphic imagery of slaughter houses, slick word play and gross-out stories ofthe cruel treat ment of dairy cows. Now this is the PETA people have come to know and loathe. PETA’s little pro-beer gimmick may have given a few undergraduates a creative new reason to drink, but it also continued the corporate-world trend of selling down to college students. PETA cannot be faulted for trying to reach younger supporters, but if it really wants to convey its message then it should not insult its readers in the process. PETA should stick to its tried and true methods of garnering attention for its campaigns. After all, nothing says “respectable organization” like throwing red paint on unsuspecting bystanders. — Eric Dickens Bob Jones U. students en titled to their opinions T pxas A&M students understand how it feels when the media romps through a university’s belief system and then rips it apart on national news. During the aftermath of the 1999 Aggie Bonfire col lapse, many students felt anger and confusion when the media ridiculed the school in the midst of heartbreak. This is why A&M students should consider the me dia’s rampage through the values of Bob Jones Univer sity (BJU) in the name of politics. BJU is a private 73-year-old Christian university that is academically successful. It contains six colleges with more than 100 majors. Ninety-five percent of its pre-med students are accepted to medical schools, ac cording to WorldNetDaily. And the BJU press publish es more home-school curriculum than any other pub lisher in the U.S. So why did the media make BJU sound like a swarm of idiots? Much of the flak came from John McCain and Alan Keyes, who both criticized George W. Bush for not condemning some of the school’s policies when he spoke at BJU several weeks ago. McCain did not mention that he had also consid ered a campaign speech at BJU, and Keyes forgot to mention a stop he made there four years ago. “Keyes revealed his hypocrisy and insincerity in the fact that during the 1996 presidential primaries, he also spoke here and never uttered a word of re proach against the university,” said BJU school offi cials in The Truth About Bob Jones University, a statement released to explain the school’s position on the recent criticism. The first criticism stemmed from BJU’s previous policy against interracial dating on campus. The policy, created in the ’50s, was based on BJU’s religious be liefs that world unity leads to the rule of the “An tichrist” alluded to in the Bible. “The warning against interracial marriages is not about the couple, but about the one-world system,” school officials said. Because of recent criticism, how ever, BJU decided to delete this policy. BJU has also been labeled as a “Catholic-hating.” university. The school admittedly disagrees with Catholicism because Catholics teach salvation by works and also consider the Pope’s words equal to the word of God. But since when does disagreement equal hate? Labeling groups that openly express alternative opinions as “bigots,” as the media has done, does noth ing to further acceptance of all. American’s unalienable rights give BJU freedom to form and hold its own opinions, not to mention its own religious beliefs. Americans, and especially Aggies, should em pathize with students at BJU. Everyone has the right to believe as they choose, and ungrounded criticism can lead to misunderstanding. — Jill Riley
