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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 29, 2000)
THE BATTALION TBALL Continued from P,, Fijday. September 29, 2000 leaders' ultimate goalo;;B 1 Practice into a familyeiB aid. npson said the only corafil ■ceived about yell practice! am former students v ck with their families 1 by students’ actions, d said deciding how to "Would you come d do tljat stuff?” ig Yell Practice, only a can be on the track thatei c Field. ipson said the tradidonofl 'orps of Cadets juniors ;ed because they were the to the band. Their present; ■c symbolically represen tiding against those com : Field. .A. THE BATTALION utting their foot down ore unlikely to crack down on Hollywood because of questionable donations 1 Gore is a wonderfully talented actor. If the election does not result in a Gore victory, he should seri- sly consider loading up Tipper and the Ids and heading for the Hollywood hills. I There is no better example of Gore’s , Jcting prowess than a recent production C luyburn, head t mm ^ w hi c h he threatens to crack down on nor construction scienceM, ,, . he band has designated c x . first 16 rows of sectionl 0n Se P l - 11 ’ the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) re- si deck Those sittiiminft ased a re P ort titled "Marketing of Violent Entertainment to tion need to move wherfp'ldren. chesin. I I le Football Game ast year’s 21-19 Texas iJ ver the Aggies in Lubbj be some intense rivalrJ j this weekend, Woodsel weekend will be a el show A&M's spoitsmaf'l rid. he said, adding that J treated terribly in Lubki nd that Aggies shouldac| y when the Red Raifl )wn. t to be nothing but polit| Tech fans," he said, ts should use discreti it they say and should cJ ts, such as prospective si mini and their childnl i. aid alcohol is prohibite;T imes and Yell Practice. I ly is public consumption 1 egal. but Wood said it w-' image of Texas A&Mal espect to the team, ill games are a socialevenl 1. “But at the same tiin here is a need to have if e a football game fun.” [ the previous two honi ■re were instances when assed back and then car ;>d said yells are canceiei is insufficient timetoc®- 11 before die next play staS the Texas Tech game v arly interesting because! me for television comin* at students shouldkeepll yell leaders so they®' a yell has been canceledl ;as Tech band is slatedl iring halftime Saturil ts performance willbf!| ppropriate for studemT Hours later, CNN showed live coverage A1 Gore demand ing that Hollywood and the entertainment industry clean up their act. Gore said, "I call on these industries for an immediate cease-fire. Stop targeting, advertising for adult material to young children... Joe (Lieberman) and 1 are going to establish a six-month period to hold the industry accountable.” Gore, a Hollywood darling, making demands on the in dustry? A very strange situation, indeed. The Clinton-Gore administration has collected millions of dollars in campaign contributions from Hollywood glitterati. One might be inclined to think that in this case, and Gore could be biting the hand that feeds him. Just two days later. Gore and Lieberman were sched uled to make an appearance at a Democratic National Committee (DNC) fund-raiser packed with big- time Hollywood entertainers and later attend a larger fund-raiser in Beverly Hills that same week. This might seem like a pretty precari ous situation for Gore to put himself in. In sulting a group of people, blaming them for school shootings (the original pur pose of the FTC report) placing restric tions on their means of employment — and then asking them to pony up mil lions for a campaign fund-raiser? It just does not seem logical. The Hollywood fund raisers were a great success. The DNC raised more than $9.2 million dollars straight out of the pockets of the same Hollywood big shots that just last week their nominees were publicly trashing. How did this hap- . pen? It sure does not work like that in the real world. The reason is that the whole thing was an act, make-believe, it was all part of one big orchestrated show. Hollywood and Gore knew it was just an act, but millions of voters were left seriously think ing that Gore is going to crack down on Hollywood and protect their children from media violence. “I've been in politics all my life,” said Jack Valenti, presi dent of the Motion Picture Association of America. “I know that when you trash the entertainment business, your poll numbers go up.” When asked about the recent attack on Hollywood at a re cent entertainment industry fund-raiser, Lieberman replied gently, “We will nudge you, but we will never become cen sors... A1 and I have tremendous regard for this industry.” Quite a change in message from the high profile stump speech. Only one Hollywood insider did not seem to catch on. Screenwriter Joe Eszterhas, whose credits include Basic Instinct and Showgirls, asked his peers not to donate money to the Democratic presidential ticket until the threats of cen sorship are clarified. Will someone in Hollywood please make sure Joe gets brought up to speed? His email must be down. There are rumors around Hollywood that Democratic pres idential hopeful A1 Gore is going to be nominated for an Os car. With the way he is running his campaign, he surely de serves one. Everything Gore says or does sounds entirely scripted. He delivers his lines like a seasoned thespian. His aids probably tell him to “break a leg” before he goes on stage. In a recent appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Oprah asked Gore what he slept in. Gore’s well rehearsed reply? “A bed”. His screen writers and prep team seemed to have over looked that as a possible question, but rest assured that the ’ Gore camp'was probably up all night polling and coordinating focus groups trying to find out what answer would best appeal to the American people in case he is ever asked that question again. Then again, it is possible Gore did not get the script. According to FTC Public Affairs Specialist Mitch Katz, the “Marketing of Violent Entertainment” report was a non public investigation and the FTC does not schedule the re lease of their findings based on political influence. Having no prior knowledge of the report, it must have been quite a daunting task for the Gore production team to read the report (all 346 pages), analyze and orchestrate a live CNN stage show all within the span of five hours. This sounds like the work of a professional production team (or someone with close ties to the FTC). Next time Gore should sit on the information for a day or two so it does not appear as suspicious. Researchers have been warning of the negative effects of media violence for many years. If Gore was serious about cleaning up the entertainment industry, he would have tried to do something about it during his past eight years as Vice-President. As they say on Broadway, "the show must go on.” Steven Gilbert is a senior speech communication major. 1 she expects attendant ne to be about 83,1 acity of Kyle F t King said field-];•' ting accounts for the aw Vision 2020 threatens Aggie uniqueness Correction y's Battalion article j the freshman eld tits listed Mereditli one of the run-off s and listed theruf g day as Monday, didate is Meredith ] md voting will be day and Thursday * v v v* Masters’ Mali,] I I V/> ( IliFTMAIS 'S GA1JERY' ; oollis of Mumlcraftedl Items ^ * Nmllm aft • Stained Glass ^ ins • Floral Arrangements * j is • WearaWe Art • Jewelry ^ lemorative Coins • Aggie Items ^ EM AGGIES! * BEAT 4 ft,,.,,,. THE HELL OUTTA ) TEXAS TECH! I llii,,.. 11rv„ • ,',7'H77<,-(>«:" tf A^V- AA* ision 2020 is a simple plan that, like all profes sional docu ments, takes sev eral hundred pages to explain. Therefore, with typical col lege time restric tions, most Ag gies have not dissected or examined a document which intends to alter Texas A&M in a major way. Whether the changes are good or bad depends on each individual’s view on the success and capabilities of the school today. In general, Vision 2020 is the name given to President Dr. Ray M. Bowen’s goal for A&M: to be ranked in the top 10 of the best public universities in the nation by the year 2020. While A&M is very close, ranked 15th according to Vision 2020 data obtained from a 1998 is sue of U.S. News & World Report the administration wants to make changes to climb higher on the charts. By comparing the school to oth er top public universities — such as University of California at Berke ley, University of Michigan, Uni versity of California at Los Ange les, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and others — Bowen hopes to attain this goal. While this is a prestigious mark er for a university to set its sights upon, can the faculty and students, both current and former, ensure it is reached without greatly changing a school so many know and love for its uniqueness? Will the creators of Vision 2020 elevate academic standards while maintaining a campus strong in lead ership, tradition and loyalty? It is im portant that Aggies everywhere make sure the culture on this campus does not suffer at the hands of “in creased excellence.” After all, while some students are Aggies for the superb engineer ing program, the unmatched agri cultural education opportunities, or A&M’s mere affordability, many have other reasons why their blood runs maroon. • For some, it was being raised by Aggie parents that made going to this school right. For others it is the conservative, “down-home” atmos phere unavailable at most other uni versities. It is important that Aggies everywhere make sure the culture on this campus does not suffer at the hands of 'increased excellence.' For many, it is the unique tradi tions like Silver Taps, the 12th Man and Bonfire that left a lasting im pression. Whatever the reason, Ag gies need to keep the heart of the Aggie spirit fresh in their minds while change is being discussed. If it is not broken, do not fix it. This is a rather appropriate cliche for Vision 2020. While supporting above-average academic standards and faculty pay raises is noteworthy, Aggies everywhere must be attentive when administration opts for change. Vision 2020 states, “the need for change is real. We (Texas A&M) are good, but not good enough.” Who decided that A&M is not good enough? This University is respected around the nation — not for having students with the highest grade- point averages or most intense study habits, but for the outstand ing, well-rounded Americans it cre ates. While it is important, A&M represents so much more. Competitive organizations en courage leadership; expert athletic facilities promote stamina; Bonfire cut once held an honorable work ethic. Students also learn valuable time-management skills and diplo macy important to their futures. They study for three exams on Tuesday, prepare research for a club meeting Wednesday, and make it to work Thursday. They find time to teach illiterate children and adults and stand for the team on Saturday. Are all of these things not equally important and part of a great college experience? While many aspects of Vision 2020 are honorable, the idea of change should always be ques tioned. Students come to this school for what it offers. They choose A&M because it is not just another school. A&M is different, and that is what makes Aggies different. This begins a serial examination of the focal points of Vision 2020 to expose students to the anticipated change on their campus. A com plete copy of Vision 2020 — its foundation and goals — is available online by clicking “Vision 2020” on the A&M Website. This way, the lifeblood of this and all universities — the students — can decide what is, and what is not, “good enough.” Jennifer Ramby is a sophomore journalism major. YWOOD USA i, Fri, Sat: All shows after 11pm only EEmamiEM (R)' 11:30 2:00 4:45 7:35 H** 1:15 4:05 7:05 9:45 P Diamond Darlings speak in their defense ; In response to Eric Dickens’Sept. 26 column. • As last year’s Diamond Darling captain, I |read with dismay Eric Dickens' bashing ath- Jletic support groups. was particularly bothered by his complete- : INAL CUT (R)* 12:05 2:25 4:55 7:25 955 12:40 3:05 5:30 8:05 1035 1:40 4:25 7:2510:05jy inaccurate portrayal of our organization. I 12:25 2:55 5:25 8:00 It'l 1 13) 11:50 2:15 4:45 7:20 9:45 I!! 4E LAST CRUSADE (PG13) HE TEMPLE OF DOOM (PG13) - , 11:40 2:05 4:40 7:30 I3 f l 'STARK (PG13) 12*1 11:40 2:15 4:40 7:1510:00 lH| (PG13) 1:25 4:10 7:10 9:55 ^ 11:35 2:00 4:30 7:20 9:50 ^ TANS (PG)* 11:35 2:05-4:357:15 9:50tf 12:10 2:40 5:10 7:451^ 3 (PG13) 11:45 2:20 5:05 7:40 1020 12:20 2:45 5:15 7:50 10:25 1^ I (PG13) 1:00 4:00 7:00 ■ To say our members are “subservient Women” who “stand by their men and little else” is extremely insulting. The Diamond Darlings have a professional working relation ship with Athletic Department employees in | the ticket office, grounds crew, administration, poaching staff and marketing department. • We are a part of the team of men and Women in the A&M athletic department who make the Aggie baseball team the strong tradition that it is, not “tag-alongs” Mail Call who simply cheer from the stands. Dickens questions the fact that our group has no male members, but Diamond Darlings does not restrict its membership to women and should not be criticized because men choose not to apply to the group. The members of Diamond Darlings are not brainless groupies with “antiquated view points." We are women with a strong interest in the sport of baseball who dedicate our time to showing the campus what an fine tra dition A&M has in its baseball program. Kathy Lineberger Class of ’01 “Flava U” tasteless In response to Jason Bennyhoff’s Sept. 26 column. Bennyhoff may be a senior at Texas A&M, but you (Bennyhoff) are also one of the most uneducated people here. You think because you have watched a few “black shows” that you have the right to box our race, “culture” as you call it, into your age-old stereotypes? It seems that you have the misconception that every black person on this campus is some butt showing, gold-tooth having thug. I suppose you think we are only here be cause of basketball and football scholar ships, too. Well, the actualization is that we are a great deal more sophisticated than you have perceived. We have earned our place into this Uni versity by working just as hard, if not harder than you. We are well educated with vocab ularies that extend far beyond.the insulting colloquialisms that you attribute to us. If you were trying to say that A&M should work to make us feel more accept ed, then fine, say that. Instead, you made us feel more alienated. Yes, we do like to see articles that apply to the African American population here. However, we take strong offense to the kind that degrade, belittle and stereotype us. After all, I have never seen an article about the Caucasian men here portrayed as wild, spoiled, binge drinking fraternity men who take advantage of the eager freshman girls. Did that offend you at all? Then take that offense and multiply it to the 10th power, and you will feel as offended as we do. If you did appreciate what our culture has, you would look further than BET and URN. I truly believe you owe every African American on this campus and anywhere else an apology. Unlike your article, this is the real deal. Maxine Haynes Class of ‘03 Page 9 Work It Baby U.S.workweek fatigues employees fll mericans ■Mare seeing ex hausting new trend within the work force — the end of the 40-hour workweek. In 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act de clared a 40-hour workweek as a fair and necessary amount of time spent in the workplace. This is not the case anymore. Some companies require their employ ees to work a mandatory 10 hours of overtime per week without re ceiving overtime pay. America is exhausted. Com panies should realize that too many hours in the workplace.can make their employees feel over worked and fatigued, causing employees to perform poorly and creating accidents. Companies need to respect the American workers and their right to a bal anced life of work and play. With increasing technology comes a faster way to produce goods for America. This technol ogy creates a problem for compa nies becausp now there is a need to get their products on the mar ket faster to be competitive. Instead of hiring more work ers, companies are using the em ployees they already have be cause it is cheaper. Companies do not want to hire, train and pro vide benefits for new employees, so they just make the current em ployees work overtime. Congress has recently been dealing with workweek issues. The only problem is that aims to help the employers, not the em ployees who need assistance. Congress is seeking to reduce la bor costs for employers. To do this, Congress is considering re ducing overtime for employees. Congress needs to wake up. Too much strain is placed on workers, and the quality of their work is deteriorating. The 9-to-5 workday should be re instated in the American work place. Too much strain is placed on workers, and the quality of their work is deteriorating. There is increasing discontent in America’s work force. Within the year has seen such major workstoppages as the United Air lines strike, Verizon Telephone strike and the Los Angeles Trans port Authority strike have taken place. Such actions harm consumers as well as companies. The solu tion is simple. Companies should to give their workers a break. Employers misunderstand that their employees have lives out side of the office. Many workers are being se verely injured on the job due to fatigue. On Sept. 20, Brent Churchill became a tragic piece of evidence for lawmakers argu ing against mandatory overtime. Churchill only had five hours of sleep jn two days after working back-to-back shifts. He was severely fatigued from the amount of overtime he was putting in. He was killed after grabbing a 7,200 volt cable while not wearing protective gloves. Now the Maine Legislature is considering restricting mandatory labor hours. ChurchilTs death should be a warning for all em ployers to back off before more injuries occur. Americans should not have to compromise their leisure time be cause they are required to work too many hours. This creates problems for the company and the employee. Americans should not have to feel fatigued, stressed and over worked. When employees are se riously injuring themselves, something has to be done. If companies do not change policies soon, they might find American workers are not only tired but enraged. Sunnye Owens is a junior journalism major.