ednesday, September 27,Jo
Wednesday, September 27, 2000
Page 11
THE BATTALION
lobal warming, my foot...
nvironmental concerns exaggerated, unfounded
ANDREW
STEPHENSON
REDDINGThe Battauos
ind flies a kite
's in Brief
industry to
1 violence
at youth
3TON (AP) — The
:ry acted Tuesdayto
nount of violent en-
targeted at under
in the wake of a
ort that found Hoi-
'of undermining its
lobal
warming is
the latest
xample of en-
/ironmental
)aranoia that
las stricken
\merica. De
spite the fact
hat many of the
ictual research findings are incon-
:lusive, politicians have used the
issue” to draw attention to them
selves, so that the public will feel
[hat its elected leaders are actually
doing something. A1 Gore’s main
duty as vice president seems to be
warning the American public of the
dangers” of global warming.
An important distinction to make
before discussing global warming is
the difference between it and the
greenhouse effect.”
The greenhouse effect is a phe
nomenon in which the carbon diox
ide and water vapor found naturally
in the Earth’s atmosphere keep the
surface warmer than it would other
wise be.
The greenhouse effect is a very
real thing, essential to the survival
of life on Earth, while global warm
ing is a theory that states that hu
mans are irreparably altering the
temperature of the planet through
irresponsible actions.
One problem with the theory of
global warming is the lack of
records to prove or disprove the
conclusion. Records such as global
temperatures, ozone levels in the at
mosphere and levels of other at
mospheric gasses are sketchy at
best. Precise monitoring of carbon
dioxide levels was not possible un-
ystem.
>n Picture Assoc'u ^ * 01 exam P* c
ca said eight majoij!. Temperatures on the Earth have
s would ask theater fluctuated throughout history. The
) show ads for fl-raf- Environmental Protection Agency
ing G-rated movies
t include people un
focus groups for R-
without a parent,
dios also have
eview their market
dising practices so
get inappropriately
es at children. The
vill appoint senior
'iripliance officers
se efforts,
are starting a new
t exist before,” said
nt Jack Valenti, who
he initiative among
novie companies.
:o take a fresh look
market our films.'
I the industry would
r easons for the rat-
n print advertising
b sites. Videos and
or rental also will
nations of film rat-
ovie studios are
iter owners to en-
gs system better,
isney Co., Dream-
letro-Goldwyn-May-
ramount Pictures,
s Entertainment,
tury Fox, Universal
Warner Bros, all
ne agreement.
■H
J(EPA) says there have been “ice
ages and interglacial warm peri
ods,” which had temperatures simi
lar to today’s.
According to the EPA’s research,
the world today may simply be going
through a warm period, which has
nothing to do with human actions.
There are also some interesting
aspects of the EPA’s research. One
of the major sources for the infor
mation on this portion of the Web
site seems to be a paper, published
in 1997, titled “The Natural Green
house Effect,” by Jan Schloerer of
the University of Ulm in Ger
many. The paper outlines ba
sic climate change topics
While the article appears
to be informative, in
one of the early para
graphs, the author
states, “Please note
that this is not my
field. I have a fair
idea of the broad pic
ture, but I don’t un
derstand all the tech
nical niceties.”
The question is,
why does the EPA use
as a factual source an
article by someone who
has only a “fair idea
of the broad picture”
when discussing what
is supposed to be a
major environmental
concern?
Even if this can be accept
ed as a viable data source, after
Schloerer explained complicated
topics such as radiation
absorption/reflection and surface
vs. atmospheric temperature, she
wenton to say, “It is currently hope
less to draw conclusions from the
observed temperature record about
the present or future amount of
greenhouse-gas-induced warming,”
as caused by humans.
One tactic is to blame extreme
weather events, such as droughts,
violent storms and even disease out
breaks on climate change, despite
the fact that “they are well within
the limits of natural variability.”
On a Website for Public Interest
Research Groups (PIRG), conse
quences such as health risks from
infectious disease and severe heat
waves, terrible environmental de
struction and catastrophic weather
are all blamed on global warming.
PIRG even compares recent world
events to its predictions. However,
ANGEUQUE FORD/Th r Battalion
the tiny print at the top of the web
page says: “Although factors other
than global warming may have con
tributed to the events below, they
are consistent with scientists’ pre
dictions.” PIRG should remember
that history is littered with those
who made absolute predictions for
the future.
An article from The New Ameri
can, “Hot and Cold Running
Alarmism” by Gary Benoit can put
this whole issue into perspective.
Benoit brings to light some inter
esting facts.
The April 28, 1975, is
sue of Newsweek
warned, “There are
ominous signs that
the earth’s weath
er patterns have
begun to change
dramatically
and that these
changes may
portend a dras
tic decline in
food production
— output could
begin quite
soon, perhaps
only 10 years
from now.
The evidence in
support of these
predictions has
now begun to ac
cumulate so mas
sively that meteorol->
ogist are
hard-pressed to ]
keep up with it.”
The terrible
change in weather
predicted by these
scientists was not the cur
rent trend of global warming,
but global cooling. This article
went on to inform readers, “The
central fact is that, after three quar
ters of a century of extraordinarily
mild conditions, the earth’s climate
seems to be cooling down.”
Other publications joined in
spreading this environmental para
noia. Even Fortune and Time
warned of the coming disasters
from the Earth’s cooling.
When these magazines pub
lished their findings, they cited the
work of many eminent scientists of
the time.
One proponent of these theories
on global cooling was Dr. Stephen
Schneider, a scientist who spent 20
years at the National Center for At
mospheric Research in Colorado.
In 1971, he warned in Science
magazine that an increase in the
amount of dust in the atmosphere
could decrease the surface tempera
ture, and “such a temperature de
crease could be sufficient to trigger
an ice age.”
He also stated that the warming
effect of carbon dioxide in the at
mosphere (greenhouse effect)
would eventually level off, so the
net result of the dust and the green
house gasses would be the cooling
of the Earth.
Schneider has changed his mind,
it would seem, and these days he
supports global warming. This pres
tigious scientist has written a book,
Global Warming. But in 1976, he
endorsed a book by Lowell Ponte,
The Cooling, saying it pointed out
“that the climactic threat could be
as awesome as any we might face.”
Even today, the subject of global
cooling still pops up, often when
bad weather strikes. Time and
Newsweek ran articles in the 1990s
that brought up the possibility of
impending ice ages.
Schneider once stated that scien
tists often “have to offer up scary
scenarios, make simplified, dramat
ic statements, and make little men
tion of any doubts we might have”
in order to generate public interest
in scientific issues.
Before Americans decide this
country needs massive changes to
fight global warming, the public
needs to be told all the facts sur
rounding the issue — not simply
the horror scenarios.
There are not enough facts on
global warming and its effects.
Andrew Stephenson is a sopho
more environmental design major.
EDITORIAL
Editorials appearing in The Battalion reflect the ma
jority 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.
Editorial Board
BETH MILLER
Editor in Chief
JEFF KEMPF
Managing Editor
DAVID LEE
Opinion Editor
MARIUM MOHIUDDIN
City Editor
A Good Investment
Board supports Student Center Fee referendum
for
Kippur
) p.m.
L, 2000
:00 a.m.
ay at 4:00 p.m.
usion of
:ur at Hiliel,
Bush, CS
it telephone
*tel.net>
Oct. 5, 2000
The Battalion editorial board fully supports
the passage of the Student Center Fee Refer
endum during today’s general election.
The Memorial Student Center (MSC) Coun
cil is presenting the referendum to the stu
dent body, asking voters to approve a two-
part package benefiting the University Center
complex.
The referendum proposes:
• a $10 increase in the existing $30 Stu
dent Center Fee and
• an increase in the cap on the fee from
$40 to $100.
The MSC Council has assured students
that the cap will not be reached for approxi
mately 20 years and that each time a fee in
crease is needed, it will consult the Student
Senate.
In the end, additional fee increases will
have to be approved by the student body.
In the immediate future, the $10 fee will
be allotted to MSC operational costs and mi
nor refurbishment — such as repairing bro
ken tiles, recovering torn furniture and replac
ing damaged carpet.
Down the road, the University Center could
see major renovations that will benefit the
student body in general and the variety of
student organizations that meet there on a
f^gular basis.
This is where the cap increase comes in
— it will save the University from having to
consult the Texas Legislature for each indi
vidual fee raise, cutting down on needless
inefficiency.
Students are encouraged to vote “yes” for
the following four reasons:
• As the “living room”of the University, the
University Center complex is used primarily
by students.
Whether it be groups of friends lounging in
the Flagroom or individuals catching a quick
nap before class on a nearby couch, stu
dents treat the place much like their own
home.
Therefore, students should shoulder the
bulk of its maintenance and beautification
costs.
• Aesthetically, serious renovation is need
ed. The 1970s-style interior decorations are
outdated and, at times, an eyesore.
A comparison can be drawn with the reno
vation of Sterling C. Evans Library — its
dusty, neon-themed interior has been re
placed with an office-like, professional atmos
phere that is conducive to study.
Imagine the same outcome at the Univer
sity Center.
In addition, ideas such as a cyber cafe be
ing constructed in the basement indicate
that student-oriented renovations will be
made —justifying the fee and cap increase.
• The MSC must be thought of as the
“front porch” of the University because digni
taries and former students walk its halls on a
regular basis.
From their point of view, the University
Center might present a poor image of our
school because of its outdated condition.
• We must not forget that the MSC serves
as a gateway to our University’s honorable
past.
Whether it be the row of Medals of Honor,
the wood carvings commemorating the differ
ent aspects of Aggie culture, or the upcoming
Bonfire collapse memorial that the MSC will
house, the University Center does not de
serve to fall into further decay.
Granted, any fee increase is a bitter pill to
swallow for any college student.
However, this is a case where the ends
will justify the means.
We, The Battalion editorial board, urge the
Texas A&M student body to participate in to
day’s election and approve the Student Cen
ter Fee Referendum.
Bull Board
Bad Bull — Congratulations to the
Texas A&M Athletic Department. It has
found another way to commercialize and
cheapen Aggie football games at Kyle
Field.
Apparently, the Athletic Department is
so strapped for cash that it has to seek
sponsorship for the "Make Some Noise”
animations on the stadium’s Sony Jum
bo Tron.
Between the “Academy Sports & Out
doors Instant Replays” and the “Exxon
Tigermart Great Moments,” Aggies are
now inspired by the United Parcel Ser
vice to “Make Some Noise.”
It is kind of hard to get pumped about
football, even Aggie football, when goofy
computer-animated delivery trucks and
airplanes are racing across the stadium
scoreboard.
Of course, the Kyle Field
goal-post pads sport ads for
Verizon — why should the
rest of the stadium be any
different?
At the current pace, it
is just a matter of time
before Reveille
starts wearing an
advertisement tiSSS
for the official
dog food of Aggie
football.
Bad Bull
— Can someone
please stop the
Taco Bell market
ing department?
After subject
ing the population
to ads featuring
Little Richard at the piano and a talking
Chihuahua extolling its need for Taco
Bell’s products, the company has un
leashed another horribly annoying adver
tisement upon the innocent masses.
The ad features a woman annoyingly
singing “I want a Fritos Burrito” at least
five times in the span of 15 seconds.
With the maddening intonation of her
voice and its excessive repetition, the
ad does not only annoy its listeners
while they hear it — it stays in their
heads all day long.
While it is great that she wants a
Fritos Burrito, the rest of us just want
her to shut up.
Good Bull — Instead of ignoring
public sentiment, the state of Mississip
pi is encouraging its citizens — especial
ly its children — to participate in the de
bate over the state flag.
MELISSA
BEDSOLE
Students will be able to submit new
flag designs and write essays explain
ing why the current design — which
features a Confederate battle flag on
the upper-left-hand corner — should
be kept.
In addition, an appointed commission
will conduct town hail meetings through
out the state so citizens can give their
opinions on the matter.
Unlike South Carolina, which resisted
attempts to remove the Confederate flag
from its state Capitol before finally giv
ing in, Mississippi is willing to consider
that its citizens might not want a visible
reminder of the Old South on their flag.
While the South Carolina Legislature
appointed itself the defender of the
state’s Confederate heritage, Mississip
pi is doing what
governments
should do — lis
ten to the public
and weigh the
options before
making public
policy.
Whether it
decides to
keep the cur
rent design or
replace it, the
flag flying
above Missis
sippi in years
to come will
unify the state,
not divide it.
Bad Bull
— The Univer-
calcaneo/tih- battm ion sity of Wiscon
sin recently, admitted that it doctored a pho
to used on the cover of a recruiting
brochure to make its student body look
more diverse.
Using a picture of white Wisconsin Bad
ger football fans, the university publications
staff digitally added a black student in an
attempt to illustrate its diversity.
The incident shows that the University of
Wisconsin is not as diverse as it hopes to be.
If the University could not find a single
photo with minority students to use in its
brochure, perhaps efforts should be direct
ed toward creating an actual multicultural
presence on campus — notjust for photos.
Real diversity takes years of effort to
achieve, something even Texas A&M knows.
Diversity cannot be created using a com
puter and photo-editing software.
It takes understanding and acceptance.
— Nicholas Roznovsky
Picky-Picky
Harry Potter books
harmless, overanalyzed
L ast sum
mer, it
seemed
strange when
millions of
adults — with
and without
children —
were complete
ly infatuated
with the latest children’s book se
ries — Harry Potter books.
Strange as it was, there did not
seem to be any problem with
adults reading them — until now.
Recently, school districts
across the nation have been ban
ning the Harry Potter books based
on allegations that they “glorify
witchcraft and the occult and are
incompatible with Christianity.”
Children’s books are being read
by adults with an older mind-set
than the books were intended for
and that are being overanalyzed.
It is doubtful the books’ author
J.K. Rawling intended to provide
children with an inappropriate in
troduction to witchcraft. The sto
ries focus on the adventures of Har
ry Potter, an orphan who attends
the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft
and Wizardry.
They are merely stories about
magic, no different from Alice in
Wonderland or The Lion, The
Witch, and The Wardrobe.
The idea that these books lire
promoting a sacrilegious message
of witchcraft assumes a great
overanalysis by the children who
read them. Children are interested
in the adventures of Harry Potter
and imagine what it would be like
to have his powers. That is all.
Children do not think about
whether it is right to believe in
witchcraft. They think it feels
right to believe in the magic that
ultimately will rescue Harry Potter
from his undesirable life with his
mortal relatives.
Children's books are
being read by adults
with an older mind
set than the books
were intended for
and are being over
analyzed.
Banning any book denies the
public of education. In the past,
books like The Catcher in the Rye
and The Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn have been banned for various
reasons. Each book has something to
offer its readers — the opportunity to
interpret the story and take away
from it what they please. Concern
about foul language or messages of
violence is understandable.
However, these stories are also
filled with messages that have pro
vided great inspiration for many
lives. Sometimes it is important to
look beyond the surface of a book
to realize how much can be experi
enced through fictional depictions
of extraordinary people.
These books have sparked the
interest of many children. This
summer, many children counted
down the days until the next book
in the Harry Potter collection
would be released. These children
spent their summer days reading
instead of glaring at a television.
Aside from likely being better
quality than afternoon cartoons,
reading — no matter what the sub
ject — stimulates young readers to
use their imaginations and think
beyond the words on the pages.
What explanation can be given
to a child as to why he or she can
no longer read about his or her
new friend Harry Potter? No mat
ter what it is, the result will not be
good. Either the children will dis
obey and continue reading the
“witchcraft” material or simply
not read at all. The next major se
ries that comes along may not
spark them to read 700 pages the
way Harry Potter did.
Lighten up a little. This is the
magic of Peter Pan, and adults are
trying to make it the Blair Witch
Project. If adults are going to con
tinue analyzing these stories with
such depth, maybe the parents’
reading needs to be monitored and
restricted.
Cayla Carr is a junior speech
communication major.