THE BATTALION
Page 9
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Aggie 5 should sing first verse of War Hymn
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verse. Ironically, it was the second verse of the “Aggie War Hymn” that was first
viitten by J.J. “Pmlcv” Wile/™ imo T
It was only after Wilson returned from
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aer 13,2001
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,^rse. Ironically, it was the second verse of the “Aggie War
r ^ " Pinky ” Wilson in 1918 ' 11 was on| y ^
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e Aggies decided
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challenged by a Residence Hall Association
(RHA) resolution.
It is not as if Texas A&M has nothing to sing
about. Because of its traditions, military history
and Texas A&M’s well-deserved reputation for
unity, the University does not fall short of attrib
utes worthy of song. Instead of singing about such
qualities, however, students choose to waste their
breath by singing about the Longhoyns.
It is embarrassing for the student body to sing a
song that focuses on another school. Some have
argued that by singing the second verse, Aggies
attract the attention of outsiders due to its unique
nature. However, the attention Aggies attract is dis
belief at how jealous the War Hymn makes Aggies
sound. The second verse makes the Aggies sound
like a little brother trying desperately to equal their
superior bigger brother through mindless taunts.
As a result of the derisive song, visitors find it
more difficult to take Aggies seriously. Anyone who
scoffs at such concerns needs to realize that a lot of
these outsiders whose opinions do not seem impor
tant now are either potential Aggies or will be paying
for some potential Aggie’s education in the future.
To attract the highest-caliber students. Aggies
must display professionalism. While the “War
Hymn” is not as embarrassing as being a Texas
Tech fan, it does not portray classy behavior. The
“Aggie War Hymn” is a very visible aspect of
A&M. Aggies sing it at every football game,
which is the most publicized event on campus.
When other people hear the student body singing
about UT rather than their own school, it sounds
petty and immature, damaging the reputation of
the school they should be singing about.
While the RHA is unlikely to enact a change
in student behavior. Aggies should have enough
pride in the school to sing a song which focuses
on A&M. To do otherwise makes the University
appear ridiculous.
Richard Bray is a junior
journalism major.
alert’ causes economic panic and paranoia
n Oct. 29, President George W. Bush called
for Americans to be on a “state of high
alert.” According to CNN.com, Attorney
:neral John Ashcroft said that intelligence sources
(1 gathered credible information that more attacks
uldtake place on the United States within the
Mfew days. Five days later, Homeland Security
Director Tom Ridge said that this
previous alert was extended
indefinitely. On the same day,
California Gov. Gray Davis
revealed to the public an FBI
warning of a terrorist threat to
many bridges in the West.
For Americans involved
directly and indirectly in
September’s terrorist attacks,
ese warnings do nothing but upset their nerves,
lese warnings also contribute to a struggling
onomy and contradict statements made previ-
isly by officials encouraging Americans to
sume their normal lives.
It is understood that government officials
ant to keep Americans informed on issues that
rectly relate to their well-being, but most of
ese warnings are unspecific and can only bring
>out miniscule changes. However, the econom-
Kaffects could be drastic. Alan Greenspan,
chairman of the U.S. central bank, said, “all
modern economies require the confidence that
free-market institutions are firmly in place and
that commitments made today by market partici
pants will be honored not only tomorrow but for
years into the future.” As expected, the shock of
Sept. 1 1, markedly decreased consumers’ confi
dence in the future
of America’s mar
ketplace.
Unfortunately, every
time a “high alert”
warning is issued,
consumers’ faith in
the marketplace is
tested once again.
In addition,
instead of going about their normal activities,
such as going to the mall, many Americans are
tempted to stay at home and watch the news. If,
as The Associated Press reports, “consumer
spending accounts for two-thirds of the nation’s
economic activity,” the effects of these warn
ings could be devastating. To a nation that has
been shaken into a permanent state of high
alert from the events of Sept. 11, these non
specific warnings leave Americans wondering
exactly what degree of precautions should be
taken and only add to economic troubles.
A similar warning was also released prior Oct.
11. According to CNN.com, Ridge said, “we’ll
never know” if the alert may have “thwarted or
frustrated an attack” on the United States Ridge
is correct that we will never know if the warn
ings had that effect; one thing we do know is that
the warning for most civilian Americans only
increased paranoia and panic
among an already shaken
nation. As for the California
FBI warnings, the information
that prompted the alert began
with a call to the U.S.
Customs Service Office in
Boston, Mass., from what
officials call an apparently
reliable source. The warning
passed on by the FBI was of uncorroborated
information regarding the possibility of addition
al terrorist attacks against the West Coast, specif
ically targeting suspension bridges including the
Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, the
Vincent-Thomas Bridge and the Coronado
Bridge in San Diego, Calif, between rush hour
on Nov. 2 and continuing through Nov. 7.
Although these warnings were slightly more spe
cific, they did not suggest specific action that
Californians should take to be “on guard” against
potential terrorist attacks.
The question that arises from these warnings
is, who are American’s on guard from?
Is one supposed to fear being in skyscrapers,
driving on suspension bridges, or doing other
mundane activities like opening the mail? Instead
of resuming normal lives, this unprecedented war
and its well-meant but futile warnings are caus
ing Americans to do just the opposite.
As a result, Americans are sending the
already-weakened national economy further
down the recession spiral. Americans are
aware that the environment in which they five
has changed drastically since Sept. 11, and
they do not need additional warnings for every
threat the FBI encounters. Instead, warnings of
a similar nature to these should be communi
cated to state and local law enforcers so that
they take necessary measures to protect the
general public.
After all, they have the means to do so.
Government officials should do their best to
encourage citizens to be observant and informed
of national news. Most importantly, they should
be reminded to spend time with friends and
family, to enjoy the beautiful fall weather and to
go on living their lives.
Jennifer Lozano is a junior
English major.
For Americans involved directly
and indirectly in September’s hor
rific terrorist attacks, these warn
ings do nothing but upset
their nerves.
Column lacked MSC
research
In response to Brady Creel’s Nov. 9
column:
Had Creel spent less time try
ing to fake competence and more
time fact-checking, he would
know that the MSC president
always has been appointed after
an application/interview process,
not elected.
Creel makes a point about how
the students deserve to know
how and why their money is
spent, and the closed sessions
regarding the position of the
president disallow that. This is
not true. Closed sessions of the
MSC Council are held only to fill
a position or remove a person
from office. This is not to save
face for the University, it is to
protect the image of the students
being considered in the event
that unpleasant facts about
them surface. In this case, Josh
Rowan was dismissed in closed
session so the whole University
would not have to know that he
is entirely devoid of character.
All other meetings, including
budgeting discussions, are open
to the public.
Additionally, Jennifer Brashares
was appointed “in secret" because
she was the natural successor to
head the organization. She was
the executive vice president of pro
grams, which is the number two-
person of MSC Council.
Finally, as a former student, I
am not enraged by the actions of
the University or the MSC, but at
the utter contempt and disregard
Rowan has shown for everybody
other than himself. Every former
student I have spoken to shares
my feelings.
Therefore, the next time you
write a column, you should con
sult more than old Battalion arti
cles for information, because it
is evident that you know nothing
about the MSC.
Corry Clinton
Class of2000
Editorials need
serious focus
I think it is great that The
Battalion has decided to run many
more editorials this year. Whether
we like it or not, the opinions read
in The Battalion comprise the only
organized voice on most A&M
issues.
Saying that, I’m disappointed
that the editorials are completely
lame, expressing opinions that are
readily available without the ampli
fication of the opinion page.
Recent editorials have focused on
such hard-hitting issues as “We
* A
love Web registration," “We love
the Corps,” and "We love Red,
White and Blue Out.” Although
appealing sentiments, these edito
rials need to be balanced with dis
cussions that people may (gasp!)
disagree with.
A recent graduate of the
University of Texas-Austin who
now lives in College Station
remarked that students here do
not seem as worldly as those in
Austin — she never hears anyone
talking about current events, and
tons of people talking about the
next big party. As the media
source for most A&M students,
The Battalion is the best agenda-
setter at this University, and has a
duty to cover intellectual, contro
versial issues for the students to
unravel in their spare time. Keep
the editorials coming, but give
them more substance.
Anthony Garza
Class of2002