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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