artv Want Ads
Is running 5 days, ifyouf®.
ed $1,000 or less (price t.
his rate applies only to nor
ertisers offering personal r
?. Guaranteed resultsoryo;
days at no charge. If item
ar must call before 1 p.m,i
s scheduled to endtoqtiji-
nal insertions at no charje
nade if your ad is cancellet
vlond.
HELP WANTED
j for carhops & other positions.;
512 Harvey Road.
(ORK. Apply online at mmi
mp Counselors Needed Fo'
issachusetts Positions avails
itic, and fun loving students ast}. ;
orts. all individual sports sudiisti
mt and Pool activities, and specs'
art. dance, theatre, gymnastics-
i radio. Great Salaries, room ie
17th -August-t6th. EnjoyagreJ!
s to be unforgettable. MiM
n.com (Boys): 1-800-753-9II11
:om (Girls) 1 -800-392-3752
;wirn instructors Safeguards
Maria Must be certilied. Died!
Melissa Cullum.
LF COUNSELORS NEEDEDFOr
1ER CAMPS IN MASSACHIS
'SHIRE. Positions availableIcr
I lun loving students with speofa
oil GREAT SALARIES, foom.ta
7th-August!6th. Enjoyagreilii
to be unlorgettable Check
on line at www.greatcampjobt.-j
ppiy i
i St2,
Northgate hmng cooks Sn
i person 203-Univ. Drive
Apply Tues -Fn , 2pr-k
ys & Cowgirls to guide torti
le Rocky Mountains. Come*
operation in North Amerca
3300 Airport Road. Bott
website at www sombrerocr
or for improvement Smamtevo
cial web page Experience
esi@ag-gel com
ichnlcal Support Rep needec
Full/part time, email ms
OST & FOUND
all tan male, bobtail. SW Parimii
i, needs treatment Reward'E. r
SCELLANEOUS
. Okinawan Kobu|itsu, Norte - s
ring Mantis Kung Fu. Mcor
i Na. Sell Defense, Weapons E
»kungfu.cc
ylOTORCYCLE
NiteHawk 700cc, ShaltDrive Up
DBO Call 695-1627
rtana for sale. Good condition
-8240 alter 5pm
EX-250 Just broke ini t.l®
695-9678
i Nln|a EXZ50R, 3K-miles,
52800/nego. Matching helmet SS
PETS
es, Kittens, Cats, Dogs. Mani
; Animal Shelter- 775-5755.
rn Christmas Eve. Beautiful bO)i
Call (979)764-6595.
3EAL ESTATE
rroom, carport, large fenced
.500. Allord SCompany Realtc
OPINION
ay, March 27, 2000
THE BATTALION
Page 9
A BURNING QUESTION
The Bonfire Commission recently reported it has reached a reasonable conclusion in its investigation.
As the release date for the commission's findings nears, the administration, students and alumni are
faced with a question that will have a profound impact on Texas A&M.
Two viewpoints are presented here with the intention of initiating discussion before its release.
2000 Bonfire will advance spirit
T he term "Aggie family” is often used to describe the
feeling of camaraderie on Texas A&M University’s
campus. But like most families, the Aggie family has its
dark secrets, and, unfortunately, activities at Aggie Bonfire ac
count for a number of them.
Bonfire is a source of controversy on this campus, and probably
has been since the first one was lit. And when the 1999 Aggie Bon
fire collapsed, anti-bonfire factions were given their strongest rea
son to oppose the tradition. Unfortunately, it would be one thing if
the collapse was the only reason to ban bonfire. Whispers of fights, drinking, sexual
assault and other conduct that conllicts with the Aggie spirit were considered part of
the bonfire tradition.
. If next year’s bonfire is to be built — which it should be — then it goes without
saying several changes must be made. The obvious improvements to rules and reg
ulations must be set and followed. If necessary, the very design of the stack can be
changed. But to truly'grow Irom the bonfire tragedy, the very meaning of bonfire
must be changed. No longer should it stand for the “burning desire to beat t.u..” but
should symbolize the spirit that bums inside of all Aggies.
2000 Aggie Bonfire is the perfect opportunity to advance this’' ^
tradition. Originally it was meant to remind Aggies everywhere
of their burning rivalry with University of Texas. However, it
grew into more of an event in and of itself. The true meaning of
bonfire was lost as. it became representative of Aggies’ burning
desires to drink and party the night before the football game.
It is said that one is known by their rival, meaning the
greater rival a person has, the greater that person is. While
UT and A&M do each other honor, it is time for bon- ij
fire to mean more than that. The collapse was per
haps the greatest tragedy faced by this campus.
Bonfire should represent the overcoming adver
sity. It should show the spirit that lit the way in
the darkest of days of Aggieland. Building
next year's bonfire will be the greatest testa
ment to Aggie perseverance.
Some people would argue that as long
is the collapse is fresh in the student's
minds, the bonfire will continue to be
built safely, but it is only a matter of
time before the collapse becomes a
distant memoryl Maybe so on any
other campus, but not this one. As
rooted in tradition as this school
h, it would be impossible for
to let an event that was
traumatic hide into obscuri-
300MMATES
, $200(deposit. $200-$250/mo.
2196.
t in brand new 3bdrm/2ba mob*'
or Jesse.
e needed end of May. Cali™
) +1/2bills. 696-3104.
>AP! 2bdrm/2bth new mob!
Is. Tammi 485-0746.
eded for house near campts
ent plus utilities. Call
nmer sublease 4bdrm/2bth dnA 1,
'4billS- Pamela 764-7892.
The building of 2000 Aggie
onfire should unite Aggies
the way the col 1 apse of
^ j 1999 Aggie Bonfire
fofihmtght the Aggie family
together. This means no
more alcohol on the cut
ij and slack sites. No more
potty-pots, no more
; corps-lira tern i ty-dorm
fighting, no more haz-
soon as possible, lor luHyk 5 ? mg, HO more SCXUal US-
$200/ma+1Ms '“T sault. Bonfire needs to be
built with behavior that
portrays the Aggie spirit:
unity, devotion to each oth
er and perseverance. No
:e needed! 3bdrm/3b.rid U p«f m0r£ th ^ P ainful
'5-1216. toother Aggies. The collapse
was felt by Aggies all over
the world. It is only fitting,
that from now on, that all Ag-
gies should be able to share in
the pride and spirit of bonfire.
Gig’em, and see you when it
bums.
jmmer only, 2bdrm/2bth
Call 696-8184.
te needed for summer of '00.
Walk-in closet, w/d, $300/iw
128.
seded, Summer sublease,
ments. 2bdrm/2bth, furnisried,
mt, only $300/mo. 694-2371.
3bdrm/2bth, $290/mo+1»iils.
ir, 4bdrm/3bth house close to
6285/mo. +1/4bills. 822-9586»f]
ler sublease. 3bdrm/2bth,
at location, W/D. $300 +113#
694-2225.
2bdrm/2bth, spacious rooms, 1
et, $265/mo. +1/2bills. April lOF
e- $273.33 includes rent!
rthOf ©tamu.edu
SERVICES
E SCORE GUARANTEED! i-
al instruction. 7764-0080.
sive Driving. Lots-of-fun, Uy*
nsurance discount. M-T(6)^
Fri.&Sat.- Fri(6pm-8pm) J
n-2:30pm). Inside BankoW!
r. $25/cash. Lowest price a**
Dr., Ste.217. 846-6117.
3 -0017).
Joe Shumacher is a senior
journalism major.
Pro Bonfire means ending tradition
A Is a writer, cadet and die-hard Aggie, this is the most challenging
column I have ever chosen to write. The position for ending the tra
dition of Aggie Bonfire is the hardest case to make because it seems
to go against an event that lias been an integral part of the Texas A&M ex
perience for 90 years. 1 lowevcr, it is time to examine its history and admit
that the rift between what bonfire symbolizes and the structure itself has be
come so wide that it is best not to build it this year. This viewpoint will also
be the hardest for all Aggies to consider because it is about sacrifice, listen
ing to your gut feeling and choosing what is right for the long term.
The Pro Bonfire perspective should be to close the book on the tradi
tion. If the tradition is to remain revered, November’s collapse should be the final chapter in bon
fire history. A&M students, alumni and administration need to realize that by sacrificing bonfire,
the positive aspects can be kept, and the negative banished.
This may seem like a blasphemous proposition, but we must uphold the Aggie tradition^ of honor,
integrity , respect for students who have gone before us and doing what is right above all else.
How do die ideals of bonfire and honor conflict'? First, because we have to take responsibility for
our mistakes. It is irrefutable that we broke diemles set forth to ensure safety. It is a fact that the stack
was 59 I Let when it fell, as well as tliat there were students drinking and general disregard for safety.
There arc countless factors that could have led to die collapse, if we are serious abotitlt/oiding acci
dents in die (future, we hav e to admit what we did wrong and end bonfire.
ffbonfirebirrns in2000,1 have no doubt that it will be flawless. It will be engi
neered perfectly , cause otttyjninor injuries and posdflft be a fitting memorial tor the
12 victims of the collapse. But k is only naturaMhat astime progresses die negative
aspects of bonlirewill return. It is great tohavHefiy ideals of how bonfire will change
forever, but expecting all future bonfireworkers to retrain from hazing, drinking and
being careless is ludicrous. By continuing die audition the message given gil'in the
long tenn would be that of driving on as if nothiagive* h@|§lhed. RebinTding is
me easy choice to is what we’ve bt^n doing for 90 years. A far greater
statement etf iespect for the Mien is to permanently end the tradition rather
dian temporarily honor diem wkli a bonlifiln their memory.
One of the most memorable stories I was told my fish year
was about an afternoon at cuttsite "back in the day” when a
sophomore in the corps pushed a freshman out of the path of
a falling tree. Tjhe sophomore gave his life for his friend
because he tSWli gut feeling, and he has come to be a
Sy mbol of what an Aggie is.
Immediately after the collapse, the gut feeling that
most of us had was that bonfire would never Bum
again. As time has passed, we have begun to forget
and ignore that instinct.
ft seems that we are trying to replace that origi
nal instinct by justifying the epRtinualiori/||y call
ing i t a memorial for the 12 or using the word
“‘tradition’ as a crutch to keep it. There arc too
many variables in the building hf the structure.
WcdWe it to future generations Mstuderits to
end bonfire so that they do not have to go
through the prttt'Skidjwef yve have. '
Bonfire has t wp sides — the fire itself and
die symbolism ofcomradefie, teamwork and
leadership fktfRftleiflTfit.
Which is Ifyou be
lieve in the symbolic part o:
thing to do is put bortfi
There are
structure's flaws,and ending it is die only
way|o msm another accident will not
claim more lives. The symbolism at
tached to bonfire, however, can remain
for as long as we believe in it
For each student and alumnus, bon
fire plays a different-sized role in their
lives. We all. however, share a heightened
version t
Spirit which, as interpreted on the wall of die
MSC. says " Greater love hath no man dian this, that
a man lay down his fife for his friends (John 15:13).”
The time has come, no matter how painful, to act ac
cording to what we believe.
Actions speak louder than words. So, Aggies, look inside
yourself and lay down that part of you that makes up physical
part of bonfire.
Mariano Castillo is a sophomore
international studies major.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CHAD ADAMS/The Battalion
3 to live? www.housingl01.nti
TRAVEL
perts. www.raildeals.com Cell;
l discount offers, rail
Pink Palace and more,
i.com
TUTORS
tor- Math, Biology,
istios, Botany and more.
18.
EIGHT LOSS
O-lbs. in 30 days. 800-571-1
it to lose weight, try an al s
althyway. Free counseling F
HER LEASES
ooms With All Bills P*'
little to TAMU & BW
The Horizon
y 979-779-7091
Scales of justice unfairly tipped when judges give party affiliation
T
he concept of “checks
and balances” created
by this country’s
ore^t#* ^ 0un ^ n 8 fathers is very
simple — the judicial, exec
utive and legislative branch
es of the federal government
must maintain a separate
and equal balance of power.
In particular, the political
forces that dominate the executive and legisla
tive branches are to stay out of the courts. This
precaution is appropriate because it limits any
jp To 30% o«i Free ^ attempt to sway the law to the advantage of cer-
tion. Credit Cards, Che*
Apparently, the state of Texas does not agree
with this line of thinking. Unlike their federal
counterparts, who are appointed by the Presi
dent and approved by Congress, all Texas state
judges have to campaign within a given district.
Many declare a party affiliation — mostly Re
publican, of course. Just like every other elected
official, they must first win their party’s prima
ry, then move onto the general election.
What is baffling is that few people see this as
^serious undermining of justice. In every top-
level position within Texas including the Texas
Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Ap
peals, the Republican Party reigns. Just like state
legislators and the governor, state judges in Texas
must worry about appeasing their party, cam
paign contributors and constituents.
The lingering thought of re-election
is always in the back of their minds.
The entire concept of “checks and
balances” is non-existent at this
point because these judges are es
sentially politicians with gavels. Is
this system dangerous? Yes. Should
it be changed? Absolutely.
That is why presidents, senators
and representatives are elected by
the public and federal judges are
appointed — in the end, the “ster
ile” thinking of the courts could
trump any of the politically-driven
motives of the other two branches.
An appointed United States
Supreme Court judge does not
have to worry about getting fired,
upsetting constituents or winning
re-election — he or she can impar
tially focus on the law and decide the cases he
or she is presented with accordingly. Without
this setup, the mandated integration of schools
in Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education and the
overturning of Plessy vs. Ferguson would have
never taken place. Basically, justice and politics
mix as well as water and oil.
A perfect example is Sharon Keller of
Austin. As a Republican running for re-election
to the Court of Criminal Appeals, Keller made it
clear that she likes the conserva
tive attitude the court has had in
recent years and wants to kill off
any attempts at returning to the
time when it was “an activist, lib
eral court.”
“The thing that I think is more
important than how I work and
my experience ... is that I’m con
sidered the leader of the conserva
tive wing of the court ... I have
very strong conservative creden
tials ... and what’s important is the
balance of the court,” Keller said.
Balance in the court? Keller’s
statement is extremely hypocriti
cal — how can the highest crimi
nal court in the state be perceived
as “balanced” if Keller and her
conservative cohorts promote
jeff smith/the battalion their biased agenda in their rul
ings? How would their rulings in cases differ in
comparison to those of a moderate and impartial
court? One can only wonder.
Of course, there are many arguments against
this critique. It has been said that even in states
that have executive-appointed state judges,
there is a bias present because a Republican
governor will more than likely appoint all-con
servative judges to the state’s courts. This think
ing could then justify the existing system in
Texas bringing about the same results.
This argument is erroneous in that there
would be one glaring difference — the appoint
ed judges would essentially owe the executive
who appointed them nothing. Therefore, they
have no reason to listen to him or his political
agenda — the governor’s influence dies the mo
ment the judge is sworn into office. Meanwhile,
Texas state judges continue their current course
of imbalance in the courts.
One can only hope that eventually the pow-
ers-that-be will come to their senses and fix this
glaring error. I *
David Lee is a junior economics and
journalism major.