Ford
Monday. September 25. 2000
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.‘p. Fred Upton, m
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c of the U.S. auto in
THE BATTALION
For members only
Debates should be opened to all receiving public funds
I n Boston on Oct. 3,
the First of three
presidential debates
etween presidential
ominees Vice President
d Gore and Gov.
leorge W. Bush will be
he said will have:,
:ing the legislation; \
) has been criticized r
; its investigation j
lay even though la- (
:k a decade incku field,
eparation on the ire'. Third party candi-
has said Brideftates will be missing
and Ford didnotrJfrom all debates. Apparently, the debates'
i regarding the tire: Iponsor — the Commission on Presidential
eas problems.CoiiW)ebates (CPD) — is not the nonpartisan
obligated to reptwommission it claims to be.
nts and Ford didc ;| Rather, it is a bipartisan effort by the De-
locrats and Republicans to monopolize
residential debates and promote their can-
lidates.
The CPD’s tactics of suppressing third-
arty candidates should be stopped imme-
liately.
The CPD was founded in 1987, on the
Jiasis of two reports, “Electing the Presi-
ent: A Program for Reform,” by the Com-
lission on National Elections, and “For
ireat Debates: A New Plan for Future Pres-
^^dential TV Debates,” by Newton N. Mi-
tuent columnse> tow and Clifford M. Sloan.
relations anc j. “Electing the President” states “candi-
vil rights, diedSa; l) a te forums in the pre-nomination period
75. '|j|ftave now become a fact of political life,
about 3 a.m. atfriie process of selecting presidential nomi-
■lospital Center :|iees can be enhanced by using them more
‘sman LeRoy TiH »- a th er than less.... Popular interest can be
Increased by testing the candidates in a va-
of natural causes, l iety of ways /’
rl Rowan Jr. His fa-1 “T 0 achieve this goal, the commission
-d from a vari etyo ,| iriies tw0 p ar ti e s to set up a mecha-
ont years, inclu(f| ism> S(Jc j 1 as a j 0 i nt committee.”
d heart problemsi yi ie seconc j report, “For Great Debates,”
r. sai e ait l ncoura g ec j muc h the same plan as “Elect-
deter a man who" .u n vi . -ru n, p jd
irriinarv work pfh- ln § t ^ le Prestdent: The Democratic and Re-
l l unhrineint l u blican parties should establish a biparti-
it Depression ^ san P res '^ ent * a ' Debates Organization now
st Rowan
age 75
DN (AP) — Car
an, a well-knowr
>nce called Amer-
ible black joun
to administer the 1988 debates.”
The report also addressed the role the
third parties would play. “The question
of third-party candidates should not un
dermine the goal of institutionalizing de
bates between the Democratic and Re
publican Party candidates.”
The CPD Website states, “Following
the recommendations of these two re
spected panels, the Commission on Pres
idential Debates was established in 1987.
A nonpartisan, nonprofit, tax-exempt
coiporation, the CPD is not affiliated
with any political party.”
It is ironic that although the CPD was
founded on clearly bipartisan ideas, it
still sustains that it is nonpartisan.
Further evidence of the bipartisan
stance is its co-commissioners. Frank J.
Fahrenkopf Jr. was the former head of
the Republican National Committee, and
Paul G. Kirk Jr. is the Chairman of the
National Democratic Institute for Inter
national Affairs.
To ensure that third-party candidates
could not participate in their debates, the
CPD said a presidential candidate must
hold at least 15 percentage points in na
tional polls.
This threshold effectively eliminates any
third-party candidate from participating.
The CPD justifies the 15 percentage
point threshold by stating, “The purpose
of the criteria is to identify those candi
dates who have achieved a level of elec
toral support such that they realistically are
considered to be among the principal rivals
for the presidency.”
The elimination of the third-party is an
attempt to ensure that third party candi
dates do not take percentage points away
from the Democratic and Republican
candidates.
John Zogby, a nonpartisan pollster, stat-
No Independent Parties!
ed, “If you look at all third parties, they to
tal from 6 percent to 7 percent. A total of 7
percent could decide the election."
Last Thursday, Gore led Bush by only 4
percentage points in a Zogby poll. This poll
had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9
percentage points.
That means that Gore could be leading
by 6.9 point^or behind by 1.1 points. .Sud
denly, the 7 percent of the country
that could possibly vote for a third party
becomes more important than the CPD
would like.
Third parties are important, and they
must be allowed to participate with major
candidates in debates.
The limit against third-party candidates
must be eliminated.
In its place should be a system that al
lows candidates to participate if they are on
the ballot in enough states to have a mathe
matical chance at winning.
Reid Bader is a junior political
science major.
)
Better than the Giff
W
Dennis Miller worthy ofMNF
hen
ABC
an-
Ifiounced the
I lineup for the
{£000-2001 sea-
ion of long-
running sports
[broadcast
TMonday Night
frootball,” one could almost hear
|he jaws dropping around break-
last tables in America,
j “Monday Night Football,” long
'beloved by sports bars and sports
lanatics alike, was going to break
'|the mold this season with the ad-
Idition of foul-mouthed comic
■Dennis Miller.
1 Critics around the country
■voiced their opinions, confident
[that Miller had no knowledge of
the game of football and that his
■ unique form of nomenclature
(would have Americans scratching
Itheir heads and censors covering
Uheir ears.
i Finally, three games into the
'2000 season, it seems ABC has
^accomplished its goal of spicing
Jup the weekly broadcast. Basical-
fly, Miller has begun to silence
Ithose disheartening voices.
| Miller is a welcome addition to
I the world of sports broadcasting
1 and should be supported. His
quick-witted and intelligent quips
ihave helped to liven up what was
1 once a dull and drab broadcast.
Miller first gained the laughter
and love of his many devoted fans
through the widely popular televi
sion series, “Saturday Night
Live.” It was during his 1985-
1991 SNL career when he an
chored the recurring skit “Week
end Update,” that the public began
to notice Miller’s knack for hu
morous sarcasm.
His current project, HBO’s
“Dennis Miller Live,” features
Miller’s love for political satire
and scrutiny.
Now co-hosting “Monday
Night Football,” Miller has made
apparent to the nation that he is
more than a talented social critic
and walking dictionary — he is
also a credible sports nut.
Miller is very familiar with all
the rules and regulations of pro
fessional football, and he is no
slouch with recognizing players
and making references to past
football greats.
Many critics feared that Miller
would be left speechless during
the fast-paced action. Miller could
not have proven them more
wrong. He is always quick to
comment on the action, and he
does not monopolize the camera.
Often, the laughter of co-com
mentators Dan Fouts and “Mon
day Night Football” veteran A1
Michaels can be heard over the
action after many of Miller’s hi
larious comments.
During last Monday’s broad
cast, Miller made references to
everything from Dante’s “Infer
no” to Eminem’s “Slim Shady.”
Miller, a true aficionado of his
tory and literature, showed he is
not unfamiliar with pop-culture.
Miller’s sly wittiness with the
conventional stylings of Fouts and
Michaels has proven to be a win
ning combination. The comedic
commentary Miller provides fits
Some have speculated that
Miller’s complicated comparisons
might clash with the traditional
manner in which Fouts and
Michaels tend to handle the foot
ball action.
Thus far, the result of teaming
Mail Call
well with the system of play-by-
play and statistics that has grown
static in the world of sports broad
casting.
While it is true that Miller’s
seemingly random remarks and
allusions to everything from ar
chitecture to 19th century litera
ture may leave some viewers
wrinkling their foreheads, he nev
er ceases to add some sort of
comedic element to each and ,
every comment he makes.
Those who do not understand
Miller’s historical references and
language can turn to ABC’s Web
site which features a link to the
“Encyclopedia Britannica.” Once
there, viewers can look up
Miller’s comments from the past
week’s broadcast and learn the
history and vocabulary behind
them.
As for the concern about
Miller's tendency toward foul lan
guage, ABC censors have yet to.
edit any of Miller’s comments.
What Miller brings to the
“Monday Night Football" lineup
is timely comments, insightfully
inspired by the action. ABC
Sports has made a step in the right
direction by following the good
example of ESPN’s “Sportscen-
ter,” and allowing Miller to do
what he does best for “Monday
Night Football.”
His innovative style of com
mentary blends well with the more
traditional styles of Fouts and
Michaels, giving “Monday Night
Football” a balanced and refresh
ing brand of good sports commen
tary and hilarious comic relief.
Marcus White is a sophomore
general studies major.
Praising Bowen alludes
to breach of integrity
i In response to Melissa Bedsole’s Sept.
122 column.
; It seems to me that most of The Battal
ion staff has sold their integrity to a higher
[authority — Texas A&M President Dr. Ray
jM. Bowen.
I A number of articles have been written
in past weeks exalting Bowen to the status
,of savior. I think many students do not
ishare The Battalion’s views. Bedsole’s col-
' iumn seemed to sum up all of the one
sided views supporting Bowen.
It seems everyone in a position which
[allows them to speak to the student body
a are sucking up to Bowen — i.e. Student
'Senate, Student Body President and Bat
talion columnists.
i I think Bowen should not be around to
'make any decisions for our school. A&M
was found to be negligent and partially re
sponsible for the Bonfire collapse. I recall
Bowen promising to step down if A&M
were found responsible. I am still waiting.
Bedsole writes that by not obeying
Bowen’s “directive,” Keep the Fire Burning
(KTFB) is not respecting the tradition of
Bonfire and disrespecting the victims.
It is good to know that Bowen is the
real-life manifestation of the spirit of Bon
fire and the sole representative of all the
victims. Thus, “As Aggies and human be
ings, it is important to respect his decision
and stand behind him in support.”
I always thought that as a human being,
I had to follow only one law. I guess not
while at A&M.
Bedsole also writes, “The people disre
specting other Aggies and the campus have
yet to realize exactly what they are doing."
I agree, but then Bedsole goes on to
call KFTB members rebels, (obviously be
cause they do not worship Bowen).
Apparently, she alludes to the idea that
they would be sub-human if they did not
give Bowen their undying support. Who is
disrespecting who?
Sfudents should ask themselves,
“What has Bowen done for this school
that has been so great?”
Tom Nowak
Class of ‘02
Editor’s Note — Allegations concerning
the journalistic integrity of Battalion staff
members are taken very seriously. In this
case, the allegations are unfounded.
Unlike student newspapers at private
ly funded universities, The Battalion en
joys complete editorial freedom from
University administrators.
For example, Bowen submitted a guest
column on Sept. 3 for publication. The Bat
talion editors deemed this as unacceptable
— to honor his request would give the Uni
versity some semblance of editorial control.
Ultimately, Bowen's letter was edited
down and published under Mail Call — no
different than any letter sent in by a student
Therefore, any support or criticism con
cerning the administration by columnists
are personal views only and do not neces
sarily reflect the opinions of other Battalion
staff members.
— David Lee
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 per
son at 014 Reed McDonald with a valid student ID. Letters
may also be mailed to:
The Battalion - Mail Call
014 Reed McDonald
Texas A&M University
1111TAMU
College Station, Texas 77843
Campus Mail: 1111
Fax: (979) 845-2647
E-mail: battletters@hotmail.com
Columns and letters appearing in The Battalion express
the opinion of the authors only. They do not necessarily re
flect the opinion of other Battalion staff members, the Texas
A&M student body, regents, administrators, faculty or staff.
Page 7B
Temptation
Vending of condoms a bad
idea, avoids real problem
T he A&M
HIV/AIDS
Committee is
advocating a proposal
to set up vending ma
chines in residence
halls. They are intend
ed to peddle condoms
and other “medicinal
items” to students.
These machines would cater to the
spontaneity of a sexual encounter and es
sentially cover up the irresponsible nature
of such behavior.
However, supporters, including offi
cials at A.R Beutel Health Center, are
forced to focus strictly on numbers and
statistics in contemplating such a move.
Hypothetically, numerous sexually
transmitted diseases could be prevented,
and unplanned pregnancies could be cur
tailed to some degree, but this impersonal
solution does not realistically address the
health of students.
Condom machines do not belong in
dormitories. Easy access to condoms is
not the way to keep students safe.
Supporters of the proposal are fooling
themselves if they believe presenting the
condom is the answer to many sex-related
problems on campus.
The idea is a clear endorsement for
condoms, which unavoidably and unfairly
endorses premarital sex. In fact, placing
condom machines in hallways makes an
immediate demand on the moral character
of resident students. I*
To allow condom machines in dorms is
to advocate them and their usage. If the
University displays them in the places stu
dents live, it is clearly endorsing their use.
While it seems reasonable to have conve
nient access to condoms because they re
duce risk in spur-of-the-moment sexual
encounters, how much more often will it
encourage sexual activity?
It seems to be a greater injustice to
tempt abstaining students than to force
those who choose to have sex in a dormi
tory to provide their own protection.
Condom machines do
not belong in dormito
ries. Easy access to con
doms is not the way to
keep students safe.
Premarital sex is not, by any objective
measurement, a good thing. Condoms are
not perfect; there are too many STD pa
tients and unplanned pregnancies to place
trust in their infallibility.
The element of danger is never absent
from sex before marriage. It is impossible
to avoid wondering if an unwanted preg
nancy or an unknown disease will result.
In addition to the risk involved, studies
show Americans are not as happy with sex
outside of marriage as they are within a
marriage.
A 1994 study by the University of
Chicago titled “The Social Organization
of Sexuality” reports that married couples
experience the greatest enjoyment and
quantity of sex.
The survey also states that about 40
percent of married people report having
sex twice a week, compared with 25 per
cent for singles. Married couples also in
dicated a far greater enjoyment than un
married couples.
If sex is more fulfilling and frequent
within the context of a marriage, then why
should Texas A&M feel the need to justify
the hormone-driven lack of willpower in
our residence halls?
A&M must also consider the impact
condom machines in residence halls will
have on incoming freshmen in future
years.
Decisions the University makes estab
lish norms for those entering A&M. Stu
dents intending to enter school and estab
lish themselves as members of the student
body will inevitably follow the lead their
school has set for them.
Condom machines are a silent, yet un
mistakable pressure on students who are
in the process of entering a college atmos
phere —just like everyone else.
Suggestions to install condom dis
pensers in residence halls should be ig
nored and set aside.
If A&M is truly interested in protect
ing students from the spread of diseases
and possible unwanted pregnancies, stu
dents should realize the people having
sex now do not represent a majority, nor
do they represent a happy and satisfied
minority.
Matt Loftis is a sophomore journalism
and French major.