;
j
PORTS
RATIOS
m
Opinion
The Battalion
Page 5 • Tuesday, June 4, 2002
Bl has lost its superhero image
1 foot loij
'runcescl
minuief
ter. VieJ
pass ar;|
oalkeepe:
ker’sini.||-^he story is all too familiar. A
block* plane is hijacked and lives are
ball kepM threatened. But in the 1996
al- VienBjvie Executive Decision, Kurt
t anotht| uss ell and the good guys recover
wav
CAYLA CARR
i also ltd
five goal;
>y, Calif.,
whistlecj
four yd
plane from the terrorists, land it
jtl save the day. Unfortunately, this
not the case on Sept. 1 1,2001. These tragic events were no
ubt unexpected. However, prior to 9/1 1, society was quite
fort able with the superpower, invincible guise that movies had
ated for America. Perhaps even the Federal Bureau of
estigation was complacent with its insuperable image. Citizens
Iwed the FBI as resilient and trusted the bureau to keep them
â– fe. The American people were living in a bubble until that fateful
o made ; Bptember day.
;t minuiriOn May 27, FBI attorney Coleen Rowley released a lengthy let-
oatia.!!):«• that had been sent to FBI director Robert Mueller, as CNN
>ur yei ported, “accusing the bureau of deliberately obstructing measures
esulted mit could have helped disrupt the 9/11 attacks.” In Rowley’s letter,
|e blames the bureau for neglect and raised doubts as to whether
public should place their faith in the FBI. According to
ftwley, agents had dismissed her requests to wiretap and search
[tcarias Moussaoui, who was later discovered as a conspirator in
attacks.
]â–  The Washington Post reported on May 29 that numerous warn-
ceLuJi. p s were issued by field agents about al Qaeda members in flight
ovic 2i’:P' n ' n g- There is no explanation as to why the FBI overlooked
spot. P se l ea ds, but Mueller described 9/11 as inevitable. Since the
: ball inw ac ^ s ’ Americans have grown accustomed to living in uncer-
nerof!t: B nt y ant i ^ ear °f the likelihood of future attacks. Prior to 9/11,
r StiK» se altac k s were thought by most as unlikely, placing too much
rone waw 51 ' n g overnrnent funded investigative agencies.
Nii-JmThc Council on Foreign Relations released a survey that sug-
jsted most experts agree human intelligence is the most
tfidence
would ft
it with;
of Clin:
ns' mO'
midfield-
icir mo'
owngrad-
d an
;ft knee
leyna hi
ps.
lly in the
aid. “It
important factor to “penetrate terrorist organizations.” It is obvious
now that human intelligence was inefficient prior to 9/1 I. Several
other FBI blunders have been made before and after the attacks
that managed to avoid the public eye. The Russian spy who infil
trated the FBI, Robert Hanssen, was not discovered by his peers
for almost two decades. In April 2002, The
Washington Times reported that FBI senior
executives ignored periodic warnings to
investigate Hanssen and revamp
internal security.
The most puzzling case in the
aftermath of 9/1 1 has been the Anthrax
epidemic. In March, a statement was
released by Mueller explaining that
investigators had not yet solved the
Anthrax puzzle. This was a blow to
the American public. Citizens had
placed a great amount of trust in the
FBI before 9/11, but now, that trust
has dwindled.
It is indisputable that real life is
not like the movies. Citizens have
seen too many movies where
the American superpower
saves the day. The
American government has
not had the technology
to watch every move
Americans make
like the movie
Enemy of the
State suggests. If this were the case, terrorists plots might have
been easier to detect.
The Austin American-Statesman reported on May 29 that an
overhaul proposed by Mueller is expected to make terrorism
prevention the top priority of the bureau. One-fourth of the agency
will be permanently assigned to counterterrorism measures. It
is a relief to know that the FBI recognizes its need to
change. Americans have learned their nation is susceptible
to outside attacks and it is not invincible as movies portray.
Americans are agreeable to the fact that Supennan and
Spiderman are fictitious characters, and America
cannot be saved by a single man.
Cayla Carr is a senior
speech communications major.
JEFF SMITH • THE BATTALION
rid engine vehicles worth consumers’ money
s open!,
idnesda)
G S
N:
bnnally when you say the
word “green” in association
with environmentalism, the
MICHAFX WHITLOW
3A Pts
0 3
1 1
1 1
8 0
GA Pts
0 3
1 1
1 1
1 0
3A Pts
GA Pts
0 0
0 0
pical reaction is indifference,
noyance or outright hostility.
| For all the power of the envi
ronmental lobby and the relative
support of the general populace
for breathable air. drinkable water and activities
such as recycling, there is still a social stigma
lajtached to environmentalism. However, as far as
vehicles are concerned, more Americans need to
open their minds and their pocketbooks to so-
called “green” vehicles, which are quickly pro
gressing from the realm of the fantastical to the
truly practical.
I The most common of these vehicles utilizes
an engine that combines gasoline-combustion
power with electrical energy. These hybrid
engines never need recharging and consume a
fraction of the amount of gas that similar-sized
cars with standard engines do. This saves the
driver money on gas and limits the amount of
exhaust emissions released into the air. The
problem is that most people do not know about
these vehicles or assume that they are naturally
interior in terms of size, power or affordability.
I One of the first hybrid cars to be mass marketed
in the United States was the Honda Insight,
which boasts upwards of 60 miles per gallon of
gasoline. However, this two-seater has a horse-
Dwer rating of around 70, so many Americans
can easily dismiss it for lack of size
and power.
Since the Insight’s release,
Toyota and Honda have released
sedans with hybrid engines that get
48 miles per gallon. The Honda
Civic Hybrid is the exact same size
as its gas-powered counterpart with
the exact same safety specifications. The hybrid
Toyota Prius can, in terms of spaciousness, hold
its own against such American standards as the
Ford Taurus. However, the Civic Hybrid and the
Toyota Prius get almost double the gas mileage
of most cars on the road. All three of these cars
run about $20,000, which is cheaper than most
new vehicles on the market.
The Prius and the Civic Hybrid are rated at
about 85 horsepower, which leaves a big problem
in the mind of the American consumer: power.
The country that spawned muscle cars has
always been, and probably always will be,
obsessed with cars that can muster more power
than the driver will ever need or use. Therefore,
under the guidance of the environmentally
conscious Bill Ford, Jr., grandson of Henry
Ford, the Ford Motor Company is developing
the Ford Escape HEY, an SUV with a hybrid
engine rated at 40 miles per gallon, four-wheel
drive capabilities and the comparative power of
a 200 horsepower gasoline engine. This vehicle
is slated for release in 2003.
This release date and the increased number of
“green” vehicles is beneficial for consumers
because Congress is currently considering the
adoption of the Climate Change Technology
Initiative. If adopted, during the four-year span
of 2003-2006, consumers may be able to take
tax credits of up to $3,000 for buying such envi
ronmental ly-conscious cars.
On top of all of this is money the owners will
save at the gas pump. Citizens of Maryland that
purchase “green” vehicles get an additional
$1,500 off their state income tax. In California,
drivers of hybrid and electric vehicles can use
carpool lanes even if they are the only person in
the car, and many places have parking spaces
with the same relative vicinity as handicapped
parking reserved for drivers of these eco-friendly
cars. More states are also considering adopting
such incentives.
More reasons not to buy such vehicles are
being alleviated, and many perks are being
offered to sweeten the deal.
Car companies are wisely aiming their devel
opment at the areas important to consumers. Now,
the consumers need to make sure this attention
is rewarded. Hybrid cars may not be exactly
what the public is used to, but time and research
have improved them considerably and more
development will only make them better. There
needs to be a market base to justify this initiative.
If Toyota, Honda and Ford can show that
“green” cars will turn a profit, more companies
will begin offering their own, leading to even
more improvements in the design and capabilities
of these cars. This success can also inspire other
environmentally conscious pursuits.
In the past 20 years, BMW has been conducting
extensive research into the energy-producing
capabilities of liquid hydrogen. Liquid hydrogen
has proven to be a very effective energy source
and has been used as fuel for a small fleet of
prototype cars developed by BMW. Moreover,
when the liquid hydrogen is combusted with
oxygen, the waste product is water. In the past
four years, Aston Martin has switched from the
solvent-based paints used by most car companies
to water-based paints, resulting in less pollution
and a safer workplace. In the past two years, the
Ford Motor Company has begun renovating its
historic Rouge complex. Employing a team of
architects and environmental experts. Ford has
spent billions to make the plant as environmentally
conscious as possible.
If these companies can take such measures,
then other companies can as well, especially if
they think it will improve sales. Consumers need
to start exercising the most powerful public opin
ion tool in America, their wallets, and show sup
port for the cars and companies that are doing
more than their competitors to protect their
workers, their customers, and the planet.
Michael Whitlow is a senior
english major.
bod stamp users must be educated
114 merica is world-renowned
p O for its diverse population of
I -1-millions of people, but with
'll these millions, some need a little
I jancial help. The U.S. govern-
1 lent has a compelling compas- JAMlh UUht
ion for the needy. Welfare programs
ertainly help take care of impoverished citizens, but people are get-
too comfortable with free handouts and food stamps, and this
rtll eventually lead to an array of unhealthy and still needy —
®>- citizens.
I The Food Stamp Program (FSP), began in the 1930s and
^Bntually became a nationwide entitlement program in 1971. ^
according to Foodstamps.org, this welfare program was founded “to
e lp people buy and eat nutritious food, be strongei and make up a
!ore productive society.” Requirements for food stamps include such
-Strictions as no more than $2,000 in a household s countable
-sources and a gross monthly income of less than 130 percent of the
-deral poverty guidelines. Anyone who meets all the requirements
as a right to receive food stamps. .
I This program, along with other welfare programs, has certainly
la de its mark in helping those in need. After paying its bills, a fami-
ilwith food stamps will have something to eat.
| Food stamps, which are available in paper form or with an elec-
|nic benefits (EBT) debit card, can be used to buy foods tor the house-
<|d such as breads, cereals, fruits and vegetables, meats, dairy products
nd even seeds and plants which produce food. They cannot, however, be
Ifed in purchasing any alcohol or tobacco products, any non oo i ems
«h as pet foods soaps, paper products, or household supplies, vita-
hns and medicines, or hot foods that are alreac y picpaiec.
Iy part of FSP’s objective that is not met is the heahh ^pect.
'lople who use food stamps are not using them to uy Cc y ,
but instead tend to stock up on junk food and snacks.
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program safeguards
the health of low-income mothers and children up to age five by
providing nutritious foods and supplements, information on healthy
eating and referrals to health care. The U.S. Department of
Agriculture, which administers the FSP at the federal level through
its Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), needs to supply the same kind
of healthy eating information to their recipients. With all the junk
food available now, it is easy for anyone to live an unhealthy
lifestyle, so every individual receiving food stamps should attend a
food preparation course. We as a nation, and especially the govern
ment being in a position to do so, need to take initiative and educate
those who are less privileged on how to take care of themselves
through proper nutrition and diet.
People have gotten used to the government helping them with
few questions or regulations. They are dependent on the government
to take care of them financially and physically. Our government
needs to start informing its welfare recipients on what is healthy
and what is not, so the needy citizens of this nation will live longer
and healthier lives.
Educational classes on healthy eating need to be available to all
participants in the Food Stamp Program, as well as nutritional counseling.
This nation was founded on the idea of freedom, but freedom
comes with a price. With freedom comes responsibility. We have a
responsibility to take care of those in need, and the needy have a
responsibility to take care of themselves. Unless we start educating
on healthier lifestyles, this countiy’s efforts at charity will continue to
weaken the health of those that depend on us.
Jamie Duff is a junior
english major.
The Battalion encourages letters to the editor. Letters must be 200 words or
less and include the author’s name, class and phone number. E-mail attach
ments will not be accepted.
The opinion editor reserves the right to edit letters for length, style and accu
racy. Letters may be submitted in person at 014 Reed McDonald with a valid stu
dent ID. Letters also may be mailed to:
The Battalion - Mail Call
014 Reed McDonald, MS 1111
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-1111
Fax: (979) 845-2647
Email: mailcall@thebatt.com