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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 25, 2001)
nt Fuesday, September 25, 2001 Page 11 momn UT line with numbers day’. Hi Bureau of Lah nbers, such as s nt rate and emple ■s,” Reynolds sak au announced!:: percent, which cent from Jul; icricans had i unemploymr : of 1.2 percem largest increa I profile index expects the ne rrs not to improi uture. ■thcoming nun kely to be to; we are ju to the cum: downturn rir Ids said, is appointment!: D.C., Reynoli sor of econowi: at A&M . in to return i VI University d. lat extending h: of one year, t tion that he ma lie future. CHARITON WIMBERLY sekend Rates 3 at $400 /ents • Parties ons • Meetings 31-8155 eranda.com I n the Houston Chronicle recently. University of Texas- Austin professor Robert Jensen wrote that the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 were “no more despicable than the massive acts of terrorism — the deliberate killing of civilians for political pur poses — that the U.S. government has committed.” He went on to list countries such as Iraq that have been “terrorized" by the United States. To equate America’s role in the Persian Gulf War w ith the terrorism perpetrated on the U.S. last Tuesday is utter insanity. W'hile taking lives during a war is regrettable, it is the nature of war. In no way does it compare with the atrocities wit nessed last week in New York and Washington, D.C. Aldous Huxley wrote, “The most shocking fact about war is that its victims and its instruments are indi vidual human beings, and that these individual beings are condemned by the monstrous conventions of poli tics to murder or be murdered in quarrels not their own." He is largely correct. Many who died in Iraq were probably not directly responsible for the invasion of Kuwait. But wars take place between countries, not government officials. Perhaps Jensen would like to have seen former President George Bush and Saddam Hussein get in a ring and slug it out, — but unfortunately, that is not the way the world operates. America gave Iraq ample opportunity to avoid going to war. Iraq was the aggressor; it provoked the attack, and it refused to stand down when America threatened retaliation. And Jensen believes this parallels terrorist actions? How did America provoke the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon? It was not given the chance to avoid conflict. Saddam Hussein chose to go to war with America, knowing that his country would pay dearly. If anyone is to blame for the deaths of innocent Iraqis, it is Hussein. Jensen also said in his article that while he was saddened by the deaths in New York and Washington, D.C., his “primary anger is directed at the leaders of this country, and |hisj fear is not only for the safety of Americans but for the innocent civilians in other countries. When will the United States, without regard for civilian casualties, retaliate?” Jensen needs to be reminded that the ones who are “without regard for civilian casualties” are the ter rorists who attacked America. Even UT’s president, Larry Faulkner, wrote in a letter to the Houston Chronicle that “Jensen is not only misguided but has become a fountain of undiluted foolishness on issues of public policy.” Jensen believes that retaliation by the government for last week’s attacks simply would be another act of terrorism. Once again, he is wrong. While our nation’s Christian heritage may require that individu als turn the other cheek, it does not require the same of govern ments. Even in Biblical times, the purpose of government was to administer justice. As far back as the time of Noah, God said, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed.” The apostle Paul later wrote, “But if you do wrong, be afraid, for (the govern ment] does not bear the sword for nothing. |The government] is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” Here in the real world, there must be a penalty for crime. Otherwise, government becomes irrelevant. It is understandable that Jensen does not like war. No one does — war is hell. But it is a necessary evil. Freedom is not free. The pur poses of government are to protect its citizens and administer justice. Last week’s attacks were not car ried out solely by the hijackers, who are now dead. There are many other people in the world, and perhaps entire nations, who contributed to the death and destruction, and it would be unjust for our government to allow them to go unpunished. The U.S. government must bring them to justice. Jensen’s editorial was a slap in the face of all the brave men and women who have defended this great nation with their blood. Aggies should start a fund to buy Jensen a plane ticket out of this country that he so greatly loathes. Bon voyage, professor. Charlton Wimberly is a graduate student in accounting. Big Brother is watching... V ideo surveillance in the workplace is not a new occurrence. However, unknown to the everyday worker, covert video surveillance by business managers and owners has greatly increased in recent years and is more common than ever before. In fact, cameras have been popping up everywhere lately. Most Americans are aware of the debut of the cameras mounted on stoplights to catch traffic violators and were less than enthused at the government’s “Big Brother” tactics of implementing the law. Hidden cameras exist at ATM’s, in toll- booths and, very likely, at places of employment. Video surveillance sur rounds many of our mundane daily activ ities, but when unregulated in the work place, an employee’s privacy unnecessarily is violated. Employers often have a legitimate rea son for installing cameras in the work place. For years, visible video cameras have deterred employment theft and shoplifting. According to AI Colombo, author of Hidden Cameras in the Workplace, “shoplifters cost merchants more than $10 billion a year.” It is no wonder that employers wish to diminish their losses as much as possible. Since most shoplifters steal when they think they are alone, and most employees are more productive when they know their boss is watching them, video surveillance resulted in two desirable outcomes — a reliable loss prevention plan and greater productivity and efficiency among workers. Video surveillance in the workplace did not become overbear ing and disturbing until more sophisticated technology allowed employers to install tiny, hidden cameras in the workplace with out their employees knowledge. As long as management has a “legitimate interest” for installing hidden cameras, it is perfectly legal. Unfortunately, these “legitimate interests” have sometimes led to hidden cameras in many unreasonable places such as bath rooms and dressing rooms. In addition to installing hidden cameras, an employer can read employee’s email, screen their phone call, and monitor their activity through use of special computer software. Even though these events take place without the worker’s knowledge, they usually are legal. This is because there is not much to federal laws that protect privacy in the “private” work sector, much like many state laws. According to a 1986 amendment to the Federal Wiretapping Act, employers are prohibited from deliberately eavesdropping on employees personal telephone calls. However, this amendment only states that an employer must hang up when the call turns per sonal (not likely), but in essence, it presents no real protection from hidden cameras. American workers today are subjected to other forms of employer scrutiny. Managers use computer data banks to track employees’ past employment records, financial status and med ical histories. Although there are laws that prevent an employer from sharing personal employee information with people outside the company, there also are few restrictions on an employer’s right to share it with the people on the inside. Computer monitoring is another common way for employ ers to keep track of their workers. “It is like being connected ADRIAN CALCANEO • THE BATTALION by an umbilical cord to the computer,” said one airline reserva tions clerk describing her experience with computer monitor ing in the workplace. The scary part is that as technology continues to become more sophisticated, management will continue to utilize it to greater heights. On the horizon are “active badges" — clip-on microcomputers that allow an employer to track a worker’s movements electronically. If this trend toward intrusive workplace monitoring is allowed to continue, members of the American workforce simply will become pieces of equipment. The industry for newer and better “spy” equipment is a huge one. One cannot browse the Internet without running into an advertisement for tiny cameras that are lodged inside of real alarm clocks or pens. Given these circumstances, it is not likely that the producers or the consumers of this industry are likely to surrender their hold on this supply and demand equation. Instead, workers should take an active stance and make things happen in their favor. The American Civil Rights Union suggests working toward adopting a policy that includes informing the compa- - ny’s employees of their electronic monitoring practices, use of a signal to let an employee know when he or she is being monitored and the right to dispute and delete inaccurate data. Absolutely no hidden cameras should exist in areas designed for health or comfort of employees, and the disclosure of per sonal data to others without the employee’s consent should be restricted. Whether a manager installs hidden cameras in the workplace to catch dishonest employees or shoplifting customers, Americans must be aware of the ramifications of this technology. Jennifer Lozano is a junior English major. MAIL CALL College Station 680-005! 605 S. Texas Ave. Culpepper Plaza Comic strip was offensive, Corps members are patriotic In response to the Sept. 24 cartoon “Manumation:" As a member of the Corps of Cadets, I am offend ed by the comic strip “Manumation." The strip was in poor taste. It suggested that the Corps forgot what the colors of the flag were just because we did not wear those shirts. For those who did, a heartfelt thank you is in order for showing undying patriotism. For the rest of us priv ileged to be in uniform, we show our love for this country just like everybody else. In fact, we respect the flag and its deep meaning when we raise and lower the flag every day. Many will be commissioned as officers to put their lives on the line to protect the greatest country in the world. Some of my fellow cadets will undoubtedly show the color red when they shed their blood for the country they so dearly love. I challenge everyone if they have the chance to visit the Corps Center and read the stories of seven Aggies who were bestowed the Congressional Medal of Honor for giving their lives in World War II. These men wore a uniform just like the rest of us. They never did wear a red, white or blue shirt to a game, but through their disregard for for their own lives they showed what the colors of the American flag were by dying upon the alter of freedom so that all of us could live free. The Corps of Cadets shows its patriotism as well as anyone else. We all bleed maroon, but more impor tantly we all bleed red, white and blue. Jordan Enger Class of 2002 Accompanied by 120 signatures I was extremely offended and angered by the “Manumation" comic strip on Sept. 24. It made the Corps of Cadets look unpatriotic and ignorant. Those Khaki uniforms are worn by people who take great pride in the uniform they wear and the American flag. Many members of the Corps of Cadets will be going to the Armed Services in order to defend everything that flag represents. The Corps of Cadets has been a haven for patriotism ever since it was founded. So when asked what the brown part of the red, white and blue was, I'll tell. We are the people who pay respect to that flag everyday and the keepers of the spirit. Travis Rape’ Class of 2003 I am a member of the Corps of Cadets and a future officer in the United States Air Force, and I took great offense at the recent cartoon in The Battalion question ing the Corps' patriotism. I have a few simple questions for all those out there that think this way. Who raises the flag every day at the Academic Building, Administration Building and on the Quadrangle? The Corps! Who rais es all 55 flags around Kyle Field before every home game? In fact, how many even knew there were 55 flags flying at each football game, not to mention, why 55? Ask any Corps member, and they will tell you. Who gets up early every morning and returns at 6:00 pm every night to pay proper honor to the flag and what it represents at formation when it is raised and lowered? The Corps! Who trainees military officers who com mit to laying their lives on the line everyday to protect this freedom you hold so dear? The Corps! I would think very hard next time about what the Corps, and our uniforms stand for before shooting off. And I would thank God everyday that it commisions hun dreds of American officers sworn to protect your freedom every year. Derek Sean Woodley Class of 2003 Contrary to the opinion displayed by the cartoon, the Corps of Cadets has forgotten neither the colors of the American flag, nor what those colors represent. When the Twelfth Man began its coordinated effort the stands of Kyle Field in red, white and blue, the Corps wholeheartedly supported the resurgance of patriotism among the student body. In fact, it was a welcome sight to see our campus share the same dedication to our country that has called thousands of Aggie Cadets to serve in the Armed Forces. By wearing its unique and traditional uniform to the game, the Corps in no way attempted to separate itself from the rest of the A&M student body. Our proud display of khaki in a sea of red, white and blue was a lasting tribute to those killed in the recent tragedy and the thousands of Aggies who have given their lives to preserve our freedoms. For 125 years, the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets has produced more defenders of freedom than any other institution other than the U.S. military academies and we are proud of that heritage as we are of Texas A&M’s support of our great nation. Regan TurnetZ Class of 2002Z Deputy Corps Commander”. College Station not Northgate businesses out to get In response to Tim Dyll’s Sept. 18 column. Throughout every stage of development of the! Northgate garage, city officials met with Northgate; merchants to consider their input, and the City! Council has placed the parking garage issue on,' their agenda numerous times for public discussion.; Included in these discussions were the many ben-; efits the garage would provide for students, such as:; 1) Location: just one block from campus; 2) | Daytime hourly rates lower than those of garages on; campus and 3) A place students can park their cars when they are required to move them off campus for; home football game weekends. Parking in the garage is .50 cents per hour from 6; a.m. through 7 p.m. and $1.50 an hour from 7:00 pm; to 2:00 am. The garage is closed from 2 a.m. through ; 6 a.m., but to encourage students not to drink and* drive, vehicles left in the garage between these hours; are only charged .50 cents per hour. Parking on Sundays is free between the hours of 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. The city also offers monthly,, semester and yearly parking leases for daytime use . only or 24-7 parking. In addition, Texas A&M pro-, vides shuttle service on the "Ring Dance" route, from the garage to campus during the week and for; home football games. Kelley Cole! Class of 1990
