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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.