NEWS
THE BATTALION
EWS IN BRIEF
iad info before
ihoma bombing
HINGTON (AP) - Two fed-
i/v enforcement agencies
ormation before the 1995
ma City bombing suggest-
t white supremacists living
were considering an
on government buildings,
e intelligence was nevei
on.
headquarters officials in
gton were so concerned
rhite separatists at the
City compound in
w, Okla., might lash out
ril 19, 1995 - the day
y McVeigh did choose-
month earlier they ques-
a reformed white
racist familiar with an ear-
t to bomb the same Alfred
jrrah federal building
h chose.
nk their only real concern
ien was Elohim City," said
Joble, the witness ques-
by the FBI on March 28,
- just a few weeks before
h detonated a truck bomb
the building and killed
nan 160 people.
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'‘When cadets are
olved in something that
rrants a grand jury
estigation, it‘s a con-
n. but it‘s still too early
say how this will turn
he said.
Burke Wilson, the Corps
)lic relations officer and
enior speech communi-
ions major, said thehaz-
allegations against the
/airy was not reflective
behavior among the res!
he Corps.
it was an isolated inci-
it,” Wilson said.
The unit, founded in
^3, was a revival of
:M’s storied horse cav-
/, which was disbanded
1943 after the U.S.
ny eliminated its
/airy branch.
Love.
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ate... personal..,
leart Package
your choice of
ic Champagne
;t Chardonnay
gne Glasses,
Strawberries,
:sh Baked Breads
SSY QUARTET
S DICK, pianist
? to be followed by
idience members
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tat 7:30 PM
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PAS.org
Opinion
The Battalion
Page 9 • Wednesday, February 12, 2003
DOCTORS LEAVING THEIR MARK
Kentucky doctor who branded uterus with his alma mater cheapened profession
Exhibit A
ne shouldn’t
brand a
uterus. It is
tacky, disrespectful,
and can get you
into trouble.
Dr. James Guiler
of Lexington, Ky. is
facing a lawsuit
after his patient,
Stephanie Means,
discovered that he
had used a cauteriz
ing instrument to
brand the initials of his alma mater
— University of Kentucky (UK) —
on her uterus to distinguish
between the organ’s left and right
side, The Associated Press report
ed in January. Means discovered
the markings after viewing a
video of the procedure.
Marking the uterus before
removing it is a standard hys
terectomy procedure, but such
markings have traditionally been
limited to stitches or burn marks,
Kim Alumbaugh, chairwoman of
the Kentucky chapter of the
American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists, told the AP.
What Guiler did was in bad taste
because it not only cheapened the
value of the organ, but it also
showed utter disregard for the digni
ty and self-worth of his patient.
The uterus is important; it con
tains and nourishes during develop
ment before birth. When Stephanie
Means went in for surgery, she
trusted Guiler to perform the opera
tion in a dignified manner. After
having two children, parting with
her uterus was surely difficult. She
was about to lose a
part of herself that
had helped bring her
two children into the
world.
When we brand
something, we strip
the item of its intrin
sic value and replace
it with some condi
tional worth. Marking her uterus
“made her feel insignificant - as if
she did not matter,” Means’ attor
ney, Brenda Popplewell, told the AP.
u
Doctors are not
artists, and they are not
expected to sign their
work Others expect
them to perform their
job — to heal people as
best they can — hut not
to leave markings so that
they can be identified for
a job well done.
Doctors are not artists, and they
are not expected to sign their work.
Others expect them to perform their
job — to heal people as best they
can — but not to leave markings so
that they can be identified for a job
well done. Dr. Nick Kafoglis, a for
mer Kentucky state senator and
retired gynecologist, told the AP
that he agrees that most people
would consider the branding of the
initials “UK” on a uterus grossly
inappropriate.
What is even more outrageous in
this case is that Guiler chose to use
the initials of his alma mater to
mark a body part. Guiler has every
right to be proud of his accomplish
ments and of being a graduate of the
University of Kentucky College of
Medicine, but that in its own right
does not give him license to mark
“UK” on any and everything that he
wishes. There are appropriate times
and places to use the initials of
one’s alma mater: on a letterhead, a
pen case, or a nameplate. Not only
is it inconceivable to brand people,
people should not be branded with
the initials of a university - no mat
ter how honorable someone believes
this to be.
Means was right in speaking out
against Guiler. For a man in a pro
fession where human life is regard
ed with the utmost dignity, he man
aged to debase a rather vital organ
and transform it into a piece of col
legiate paraphernalia. It was not fair
to Means or the University of
Kentucky, for neither gave their
consent to use these initials on
human organs. If sensible, rational
alumni have to seek permission to
use a trademarked symbol, what
makes Guiler an exception?
If Guiler needs to be reminded of
his past accomplishments in medical
school, rather than brand uteri, it is
recommended that he simply hang
his diploma on his office wall. Then
he can look at it and be reminded of
his achievement whenever he pleases.
Reflections on Powell’s speech
Does Bush administration’s case against Iraq merit war?
S ecretary of State
Colin Powell pre
sented the most
articulate case yet against
Iraq and for this he
should be lauded. He had
much to show and even
more to tell. His presenta
tion was intelligent,
engaging and further
proof that not only is Iraq
not complying with the U.N.
Resolution 1441, but the time for
action is now.
“I cannot tell you everything
we know,” Powell was quoted as
saying according to Fox News.
“But what I can share with you is
deeply troubling.” Indeed it was.
Powell unleashed his evidence in
a brutally revealing look at the
current Iraqi regime. Tape record
ings, satellite images and intelli- .
gence from clandestine sources
formed the brunt of his presenta
tion.
U.N. Resolution 1441 requires
Iraq to grant unlimited access to
any and all buildings and facili
ties that the U.N. Inspection Team
wishes to examine. However, Iraq
is not complying.
Satellite images substantiated
the United States charge of Iraqi
non-compliance. Powell pointed
to certain signs on close-up pho
tographs of Iraqi munitions, fac
tories and bunkers. “The two
arrows indicate the bunkers are
storing chemical munitions. The
truck is a decontamination vehi
cle in case something goes
wrong,” he said.
But why did the U.N. inspec-
n team not find this? Powell
showed a later picture — the
image of the bunkers as they were
on Dec. 22, 2002. The signature
items of a chemical munitions
twere gone, including the
truck. Clearly visible, however,
were U.N. vehicles driving up to
the gates of the facility.
Coincidence? According to
Powell, this phenomenon was
repeated at nearly 30 different
sites. All of this is, of course, in
clear violation of U.N.
resolution 1441.
Like a teenager in a
furious and panicked state
stuffing his Playboys
under the bed as he hears
the turn of the doorknob
to his room, Powell
revealed that Iraq moved
damning materials outside
the back door as inspec
tors walked through the front.
Juvenile antics merely prolong
the inevitable. Eventually, mother
will discover Miss December;
eventually, the United Nations
will discover stashes of chemical
and biological weapons. One
hopes that the United Nations
will realize that resolutions, like
rules, are worthless without con
sequences for noncompliance.
Powell revealed, in detail, the
extent that Iraq and al-Qaida are
associated. According to
detained members of the terrorist
group, Iraq and al-Qaida have
been conspiring for the past sev
eral years. Their strength has
been building, and their resolve
has been growing.
Powell made it clear that time
has become too expensive for
anyone to buy. “Given what we
know of his terrorist associations
and given his determination to
exact revenge on those who
oppose him, should we take the
risk that he will not some day use
these weapons at a time and the
place and in the manner of his
choosing at a time when the
world is in a much weaker posi
tion to respond,” Powell said.
The promises of President
George W. Bush's State of the
Union were not empty. Powell
engaged the world and presented
the strongest case yet for forceful
action in Iraq. His evidence was
irrefutable; his poise, honorable.
It is with great optimism that one
hopes his words did not fall on
deaf ears.
Michael Ward is a senior
history major.
L ast week, Secretary
of State Colin Powell
presented evidence
for the United Nations to
convince the U.N. Security
Council that Iraq is in
material breach of U.N.
resolutions. His presenta
tion had the intent of justi
fying U.N. military action
against Iraq, even though
the United States and its few allies
are already planning the inevitable
war with Iraq, which could occur
as early as March. While Powell’s
speech offered damaging evidence
about Iraq’s actions, it did not
offer enough concrete evidence
that justifies military action at this
time. Instead, U.N. inspectors
need more time — possibly
months — to find conclusive proof
that Saddam Hussein has not only
violated U.N. resolutions, but has
biological, chemical and nuclear
capabilities.
There is a distinct consensus
among most of the world after
Powell’s speech: Iraq is not fully
cooperating with the United
Nations or its inspectors. However,
many still do not believe this is rea
son enough to attack Iraq. Director
of the Wisconsin Project on
Nuclear Anns Control Gary
Milhollin said, “I think he made a
strong case that Iraq is not cooper
ating with the U.N. and is in mate
rial breach of Resolution 1441, but
Mr. Powell had not demonstrated
that the U.S. faced an imminent
threat from Iraq,” according to The
New York Times.
While many agree that Iraq has
not been complying with U.N.
Resolution 1441, weapons inspec
tion only began on Nov. 27, 2002
— less than three months ago. The
inspection teams have just begun
their search and have not had the
chance to thoroughly investigate
Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.
While inspections may continue for
weeks, Powell warned the council
that the United Nations has little
choice but to act in the face of such
evidence of Iraqi behavior, essen
tially serving notice that
the Bush administration
has made up its mind and
is ready to launch an inva
sion of Iraq to force
Saddam from power with
or without formal U.N.
backing, according to The
Washington Post.
Powell’s speech and the
Bush administration’s
stance have made it clear that
regardless of the evidence of an
Iraqi threat, or lack thereof, nothing
is going to stop the war machine
from rolling into Iraq. As for the
Iraq/al-Qaida link, it has not been
definitely proven. According to The
New York Times, Powell asserted
that Osama bin Laden met with
senior Iraqi intelligence officials,
and he even went as far as to add
that ‘extremists’ affiliated with al-
Qaida have taken up residence in
Baghdad and set up a base of oper
ations there. Yet, this evidence does
not provide concise or compelling
connections between the terrorist
groups and the Iraqi government.
Many countries, because of their
diverse inhabitants, are both unwill
ing and willing homes to terrorist
cells without being directly
involved with those groups. It is
hard to conclusively say whether
Iraq is linked to al-Qaida with the
evidence Powell offered, but it is
clear that it is a claim that should
be investigated by U.N. inspectors.
Instead of setting March as the
possible start date for the war,
inspectors should be given adequate
time to investigate the allegations
and evidence provided by Powell’s
speech. War is not inevitable. If
anything, Powell’s speech has
shown the need to allow weapons
inspectors more time to do their job.
If Iraq has biological, chemical or
nuclear weapons, then appropriate
action should be taken, but not until
the U.N. inspectors find sufficient
evidence.
Brieanne Porter is a senior
political science major.
Melissa Fried is a sophomore
international studies major.
MAIL CALL
Ross Volunteers are men of honor
I learned via e-mail the reasons surrounding the
suspension of the Ross Volunteers as reported by
The Battalion on Feb. 6. Also included in the e-mail
was a letter by a non-Corps student present at the
location the rally was held. As a witness, he is
adamant that no confrontation took place between
the Ross Volunteers and those gathered for the
peace rally. I hope that the investigation takes this
witness into account.
I was not present, so I make no pretense to offer
judgment. However, I would like to ask those press
ing complaints some questions. Are you aware of
who the Ross Volunteers are and what they do? Are
you aware that they drill with inert weapons? Are you
aware that they, as well as other Corps units, run and
march around the campus at regular intervals (at
least they did when I attended) accompanied by
their cadence calls?
I know that this may sound trite to professors, stu
dents, and others heavily involved in a "peace move
ment," but are you aware that most of those young
men have probably obligated themselves to serve in
one of the branches of the Armed Forces that will
work non-stop to preserve your right to gather and to
protest war, government policies, and about any
thing else you can come up with? Are you aware that
they well may literally put their lives on the line at
some point in their service to defend the freedoms
and liberties we all hold so dear? Everyone should be
aware that the statue in the vicinity of the rally is a
statue of Sul Ross and, subsequently, that it makes
sense that the Ross Volunteers would regularly drill
in front of said statue.
I was not aware that such public areas could be
"reserved." Protesters gathered to protest one nation
attacking another nation, but found it necessary to
press an attack against another legitimate University
organization that happened to be in the same place
at the same time. Even if you received an unfriendly
look or two during the course of your rally, certainly
you could find it in your hearts to give these young
men a break.
The Rev. Charles A. Layne
Class of 1977