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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 4, 2002)
NATH), HE BMTiUls :ims itorie nisiana and ai • * n September, l other Saturday, fe •s. Gathering in ^ talk of new aq^ speaking quietly nj 1 "Hi how they are 53. very day. When 65.. C( -l to the susp^. 'ey had struggled^ estion: Why? st question wasr n to do this," Sr., whose brc > 53 - was gnnrei • “I’d just X to see what*] ot one, but two mg members bnishede ut mistakes pol swering the alte >pping Muhamnaj estioning him. neason toassienau I. Andrea Wald tr W'alekar. 54.1 lockville. Md.1 advitt says. he was inspired! binet by youngps ivolved in his sts om Students Aa: ik to the daughters lator who spoke r islation that m as young as Id! s. wish for yo: also goes back toh days. He was ooee lent leaders «k 1960s, to get as. miversity’s boaid : "radical” idea a!;! Opinion The Battalion Page 9 • Monday, November 4, 2002 Republicans vs. Democrats College Republicans and Aggie Democrats urge students to vote for their parties JESSICA BERKEY Tohn C. I Fremont, the J Republican Party's first presi dential candidate, ran his 1856 cam paign with the slogan “Free soil, free labor, free speech, free men, Fremont.” A lot has changed since then, but today’s Republican Party still holds dear many of the tenets that inspired Fremont 150 years ago. Republicans embrace free markets, limited gov ernment and the personal freedoms set forth in the Constitution. Today, they are asking for your vote. Texan^fufe facing many issues that will be considered when the state legislature convenes earlj^ext year, including an insurance crisis andthe challenge of balancing the budget while staving off a state income tax. Republicans have the tools and talent to solve these prob lems, and Texas voters must assemble a team that can work together toward those solutions. Gov. Rick Perry should lead that team. When President Bush moved into the White House almost two years ago, he left Texas in Perry’s Capable hands. Perry has a distinguished record of serv ice for the people of Texas and has demonstrated the leadership, experience and vision necessary to overcome the obstacles facing Texans, but he cannot succeed alone. For the first time ever. Republicans have an opportunity to take control of Texas’ legisla ture. Without David Dewhurst as lieutenant governor and Perry in the governor's mansion, Texans' interests will be left to political wran gling and deal-making in the legislature. Only with majority control across the legislature can Republicans accomplish their goals. Likewise, Greg Abbott, the Republican Party's choice for attorney general, and Jerry Patterson, the nominee for land commissioner, are poised to continue their predecessors' lega cies of good work. Five seats on the Texas Supreme Court are also I ontbeballot, and several other Republican offi- f GRAPHIC BY LORI GREEN • THE BATTALION cials are running for re-election, including Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander and Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams. Send them back to Austin so they can continue working. Texans have an opportunity to continue a heritage of fine representation in Congress. John Carter, the Republican nominee for House District 31 who served as a state district judge for 20 years, is ready to carry the Brazos Valley’s r^essage to Capitol Hill. John Cornyn is the OOP's candidate for the Senate seat being left vacant by retiring Sen. Phil Gramm, a Texas Republican who was firsts elected to Congrfe^s while teaching economics at Texas A&M. Gramm has done an outstand ing job representing Texans, and he has endorsed Cornyn as the man to succeed him. Voters should, too. Cornyn has served Texans as a state Supreme Court justice and as attorney general, where he became known as a man who believes in fairness and open, accountable government. Cornyn is a man of the highest integrity, and he has the energy and perseverance to fight for Texans and defend their interests. Unless Republicans regain control of the Senate, lawmakers will likely remain stalemat ed over judicial nominations and homeland security, as well as other crucial issues.; Sending Cornyn to Washington, D.C., is imper ative. Voters can make that happen. Although Fremont did not win the 1856 election, he and other Republicans paved the way for a major political party that believed in liberty and equality, the roots of American democracy. Their work paid off in 1860. when Americans elected the first Republican presi dent:? Abraham Lincoln. Today, like Lincoln, President Bush faces an enemy from within. He needs men like Cornyn in the U.S. Senate, ready to defend America while preserving our way of life. Republicans will stand for Texans. Jessica Berkey is chairwoman for College Republicans. 4 4 ^ 1 The Democratic Party is not a collection of diverse interests brought together only to win elections. We are united instead by a common heritage — by a respect for the deeds of the past and the recognition of the needs of the future.” These words, spoken by former President John F. Kennedy, embrace the core desire of the Democratic Party. This election can determine the future of this state and nation. All Aggies, regardless of political affiliation, should vote for Democratic candidates Nov. 5. There is a clear choice in this election: to maintain a rather dubious status quo or to improve the future. Texas Democrats believe in sustained economic growth, access to affordable health care, consumer protection, reproductive freedom, a cleaner environment, improved education, enhanced opportunity and liberty for every Texan. All of those prior ities are at risk in this election, which is why Texas Democrats need voters’ help to ensure a bright future for our state. The Democratic statewide ticket is the most qualified, experienced, knowledgeable and diverse group of candidates ever assem bled to lead Texas. Topping the ticket is gubernatorial candidate Tony Sanchez, a Laredo businessman and civic leader. As a seventh-generation Texpn, Sanchez knows how important faith, family and community are. He is a long-time advocate of effective public education, qualityirealth care, econom ic development, sportsmen’s rights, a clean environment and strong national defense. Sanchez cares about families and hqs demon strated the talent to build consensus beyond trends: he leads. John Sharp, Class of 1972 and former, stu dent body president, is needed as Texas’ next lieutenant governor to tackle the fiscal and budgetary issues facing the state. Sharp has promised to fix the Texas budget crisis, use JON STEED lottery money to help students pay for college tuition, cut the cost of insurance and protect Texas defense installations and military families. Sharp, along with Sanchez, will refuse further tuition hikes at public universities such as A&M. Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk will serve well in the U.S. Senate. His record as former mayor of Dallas demonstrates he will make the right decisions for Texas. Kirk has proven his ability to work across party lines to get things accomplished. Kirk helped attract 45.000 new jobs to the city of Dallas. As Texas’ next senator, Kirk will keep his commitment to fiscal responsi bility by balancing the federal budget, keeping the United States out of deficit spending, pro moting small businesses and fighting to pro tect veterans and the interests of our military. Kirk is the right choice for Texas. iff Texas Democrats running for other W statewide offices represent the moderation and common sense of the Democratic ticket!, These candidates' views are in the mainstream because most Texas Democrats are moderate In addition to the statewide ticket, there ar also great local candidates. Another Aggie, Jared Copeland, a junior political science major, is running for Brazos County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 3 and will restore fair ness and justice to that office. He will repre sent the interests and needs of college stu dents, who make up a considerable portion of the local population. Another!candidate. Tommy Lyons, is running for county judge and believes college students deserve a greater voice in local government. Please take into consideration the priorities and visions of all these Democratic candidates for the future of Texas. Jon Steed is president of Aggie Democrats. Rec Center 3by Pitch Tobacco testing violates right to privacy ANDIBACA S moking has been a part of almost every aspect of the American culture from the Hollywood screen to the boys’ bathroom. Smoking has also seen its share of restrictions and laws, but the latest may be the most invasive yet. Some high schools are administering urine tests to test stu dents for tobacco use, according to MSNBC.com. While tobacco is illegal for minors younger than the age of 18, schools should still respect teens’privacy and not require tobacco tests. For many teens, smoking is a direct result of peer pressure. High school is a time when students adjust their lives and find out who they really are, and experimenting with smoking might be part of that transition they go through when dealing w ith the teenage years. Students also need extracurricular activities to participate in. According to MSNBC.com, if they test positive for tobacco, students will be kept out of extracurricular activities, something they might need to stay on track and balance out their lives. Random drug testing might make students more adventurous in their attempts to beat the system, and it will not curb their appetites for teenage rebellion. According to Salon.com, teenagers know dozens of ways to pass a drug test. Although smoking is dangerous, forcing schools into the privacy of a stu dent’s life is not the solution to changing a teen’s mind about lighting up. There is little evidence that drug tests have made any impact on students, and statistics show almost no change in drug use, according to Salon.com. Random tobacco tests embarrass and humiliate students. These random tests make every student appear guilty until proven innocent. According to the Christian Science Monitor, schools can require students to take drug tests even if they have no reason to suspect them of drug use. Countless students who do not smoke will be tested, and will have their privacy invad ed in the process. Students should not be forced to prove they do not smoke. Legal or not, tobacco testing should not be confused with the school’s main concern, to teach. If students are not smoking at school, then it should not be part of their jurisdiction. Off-cam- pus smoking should be a concern of police officers and par ents, not the schools. The purpose of school is to educate people, not to serve as a policing agent that holds students’ lives under a microscope. If students are not caught smoking on school property, then they do not cause any interference in others’ ability to learn. Schools should not try to extend their power in this manner. It is honorable that schools want to make an effort to improve the lives of their students. There is no question that the health of students should be taken seriously and that schools should educate students about the dangers of smoking. Education is one thing, but enforcing drug tests is another. The more bombarded with strict rules and guidelines, the less stu dents will want to listen. While smoking under the age of 18 is illegal, everyone needs some level of privacy. Drug testing high school students invades that privacy. Teens will never stop rebelling during their high school years. Schools wil get further by supporting students than criticizing and accusing them will. Andi Baca is a senior Journalism major MAIL CALL Slocum's career record helped b y Southwest Conference play nDk ^ ave not ' ce d the continued degradation th 6 ^ eXas A&M football team in the polls in l P ast several years. Many are blaming individ- a players because of an interception they nrew here or a bumbled catch there. However, e problems our football team is experiencing st°ff 1U k Ch dee P er ' straight into the coaching a t themselves. For a while now many stu- alumni have been hoping for a aching change, yet nothing has been done. e . ^ ave stood in the stands and been disap pointed with loss after loss, but we still show Jh i ttle 8 ames to support our team all the lle fninking "maybe we'll turn it around this s me.' nothing of the sort occurs. Ip e PP e claim our coaching staff is of high 'because of the overall winning record of r head coach. One thing most individuals ^ nt r t^' Ze ' s t ^ iat most °f those games were n while we were in the Southwest n erence (which, by looking at who we were 7'ng, was a total joke). ' need to stop blaming the players and au . 0 °k' n g at who's in charge. 1 believe the trat‘ 10 ?. needs to be P ut forth to the adminis * lh • l0 P' "Does Texas A&M want to turn around hirin T 0t ^ a H P r °g r am like Notre Dame did by with k^ rone 'AfiH'ogham, or do vve want to be m the likes of Bobby Williams and his failed ch, ng of Michigan State? Kyle Bigelow Class of 2003 Halloween costumes are no excuse for wearing hats in MSC As much as 1 enjoy seeing everyone in Halloween costumes walking around campus and through the Memorial Student Center, why is a Halloween an excuse to where a hat in the MSC? The sign in the MSC states that people are to take their hats off, not to take your hats off whenever it is convenient. The MSC is a memo rial to all those Aggies that have died fighting for America, the least we can do is take off our hats when we go into the MSC, Halloween or not. John Wilson Class of 2005 Ags brought Aggieland with them to Oklahoma State game I recently moved to Stillwater, Okla., when I graduated in May. It has taken some getting used to just being away from my true home, Aggieland. I went to the game on Saturday against Oklahoma State, and although we were outscored, it was an awesome experience. As I heard the band play, saw the yell leaders and was in good company with former and cur rent students alike, I felt that although I was not home in Aggieland, a piece of Aggieland had been brought to me. I just wanted to say thanks to all those who make it possible for the band and yell leaders to make the trips out of town. Jennifer R. Bailey Class of 2001 Not everyone will comply with Aggie traditions on game days In response to Ryan Reynold's Oct. 29 mail call: There are 80,000 fans that pack Kyle Field when we play at home. Of course there are going to be people who leave early, do not remove their hat and do not hump it with the rest of the student body. Instead of complaining constantly about "2-per centers," Aggies should just realize that there are going to be a few people that are not in compliance with Aggie standards of tradition. Therefore, by remaining at the games, removing your hats, and humping it with the student body, that is the exam ple that should be set rather than constant com plaining and yelling at those that choose to do oth erwise. Benjamim Channels Class of2002 Residence Hall Association only allows elected officers to vote I am writing in regards to the travesty of justice that occurred Wednesday night at the Residence Hall Association (RHA) general assembly. I am embarrassed to say this group of people repre sent me as a resident on this campus. Currently, there is a group of representatives called the board of directors who are not elected by the campus residents. These people carry 17 percent of the votes in the general assembly. Last night, the people that represent us had the chance to correct this. An amendment to the con stitution was voted upon that would have taken the votes away from these unelected "representa tives." Unfortunately, the amendment failed due to speeches condemning it by several executive officers, including the president. The main reason given for non-support was the fear of unforeseen consequences. I fail to see what catastrophic events the board of directors in their infinite wisdom has prevented with their voting power in the past. In fact, can anyone think of anything at all that RHA has done in the last three years besides the catastrophic flag incident after last Sept. 11? If you live on campus, let your hall council rep resentative know that you want the people you elected to represent you. Carrie Edstrom Class of 2003 The Battalion encourages letters to the editor. Letters must be 200 words or less and include the author's name, class and phone number. The opinion editor reserves the right to edit letters for length, style and accuracy. Letters may be submitted in person at 014 Reed McDonald with a valid student ID. Letters also may be mailed to: 014 Reed McDonald, MS 1111, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-1111. Fax: (979) 845-2647 Email: mailcall@thebatt.com. Attachments are not accepted.
