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f any campus organization
required participants to be
a particular height, weight,
gender or race, it is unques
tionable that protests would
ae raised. However, if a sports
am required a level of phys-
al capability to participate,
ioquestions would be asked.
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Hefty issue raises debate
Corps of Cadets’ new weight requirement is a necessary addition to the program
It is undoubtedly a campus organization, but
the same instance, it is a physically demanding
nilitary organization. The ensuing question that
snow apparent is which characteristic of the
dips dominates: the military, physical side or
the fact that it is a student organization that any
one can join?
All branches of the U.S. Armed Forces have
weight requirements in place — guidelines that
lictate which candidates are fit for admission,
lowever, the Corps of Cadets have never had a
eight guideline or a weight management pro-
am. Until now.
On March 11, Commandant of the Corps Lt.
Gen. John Van Alstyne issued a memorandum
fc ixplaining a weight management program that
illtake effect in Fall 2003. While reactions
etiiavebeen mixed among cadets who do not fall
the weight guidelines and among non-reg-
students who do not fully comprehend the
son and necessity for this measure, it is never-
an action that has needed to take place for
me time.
Standards are needed in weight management
urthe Corps not only to assist the cadets in main-
a healthy lifestyle, but to ensure that each
member is physically able to maintain the energy
level and physical performance requirements.
“We need to be moving on from the current
level of physical training and we’ll have to let go
of those who are not able to keep up,” said fresh
man, nuclear engineering major, cadet Justin
Hatton of Company P-2.
Those cadets who do not comply with stan
dards have most likely noticed the complications
that may arise, such as difficulty participating in
physical training exercises.
In addition to the energy level that is desired
to be set at a standard level, physical appearance
is important in sending the right message about
cadets, said junior history major Paul Ramirez of
Company E-l.
“Appearance plays a big part in the respect
you receive and if your appearance says T’m fat
and lazy,’ no one will respect you,” he said.
The program does not set unreasonable goals;
they are derived from the most liberal allowances
for heights among each military branch and a
health insurance company, Van Alstyne said. By
beginning the initiative with relatively loose stan
dards, he has room to tighten up the standards
later on, a possibility he said he will consider at a
later time.
The mere belief that the standards now are
“not strict enough,” Ramirez said, indicates that
the majority of the Corps supports this relatively
meager initiative.
The program calls for those who do not fit the
weight requirements (posted on cadets.tamu.edu)
to participate in a three-part program that aims to
change the individual’s overall fitness level. A
minimum loss of four pounds per month, as well
as a remedial physical training program,
described by Van Alstyne as a “defined program
focused on weight reduction that is more aero
bic,” is required of those cadets in the program.
In addition, nutrition analysis and counseling will
be provided.
While this plan may seem strict or discrimi
natory, it is simply a means of ensuring that
cadets can successfully participate in the organi
zation. Physical fitness is a centerpiece of the
Corps, and a cadet who holds others back
deserves to be brought up to standards.
Standards, however, must somehow be
implemented, and the enforcement of those
requirements translates into dilemmas. Cadets
in the program who fail to lose four pounds
within the first two months or do not keep a
consistent weight loss pattern will face dis
missal from the Corps.
Junior Patrick Mireur of Company B-l is on
staff for the 3rd Battalion, which could possibly
be in charge of enforcing the standards for that
regiment. Mireur said he had “no mercy” for
those who could not lose weight.
“You enter the Corps knowing it will be phys
ically demanding and if you can’t keep up,
there’s not a place for you,” he said.
Van Alstyne admitted there would be cadets
who choose not to lose the weight and are
released from the Corps as a result, but said that
was not the desired result.
For the Corps to operate effectively, it is
logical and understandable to put these stan
dards into place. Although the Corps is an open
student organization, good health and the ability
to participate in all activities is a central compo
nent. The program will not only relieve the
Corps of those not willing to commit to health
fitness, but will help those who desire to get
into better shape.
Sara Foley is a sophomore
journalism major.
Graphic by Leigh Richardson.
■■iA new Cuban crisis goes unnoticed by U.S.
Posits
Castro’s actions must be addressed by the Bush administration and world
DAVID
SHOEMAKER
I n the current tumultuous world environment,
the United States has quite a few foreign
policy wildfires to contain. Iraq, Israel,
Afghanistan and North Korea are the big ones,
but there are smaller ones that require the atten
tion of the country as well. One of these is
Castro’s recent crackdown on dissidents in
Cuba. In the past few weeks, 75 dissidents have
been arrested, tried and sentenced for meeting
with U.S. diplomats and thus collaborating to
“undermine the communist government,”
according to an article in the Houston
Chronicle. The United States needs to defend the rights of those
who wish to meet with diplomats in other countries and join with
other countries, especially in Latin America, in a show of solidari
ty against Castro’s police state.
First, the United States must protect the right of citizens in
other countries to meet with official U.S. State Department per
sonnel. The United States needs to take decisive action to protect
the rights of its Foreign Service agents and those who wish to
meet with them. The most recent problems with Castro’s govern
ment began when U.S. Interests Section Chief James Cason began
“assuming a higher profile in his support of the opposition,”
according to the Houston Chronicle. According to BBC.com,
Cason agitated the communists by meeting more regularly with
dissident elements, which made him the target of a “personal
vendetta” by the Castro government. Stung by his open support of
opposition, the Cubans reacted violently, arresting and trying 75
people. According to the BBC, Cason’s movements were being
restricted by the Cubans, ostensibly in retaliation for similar
restrictions placed on Cuban diplomats in the United States.
Among the options being considered include ending cash pay
ments and all direct flights to the island from the United States,
according to the International Herald Tribune. These sanctions are
a good start, but now might be the time to take a page from
Theodore Roosevelt’s book — the philosophy of “talk quietly, but
carry a big stick” — and apply some “gunboat diplomacy.”
Perhaps major military exercises or a passage of warships through
the Florida straits will send the right message about the U.S. atti
tude about this matter. But other countries in the region, especial
ly democratic ones, need to weigh in against Castro to let him
know he is alone in his actions.
Other countries in the region need to express their displeasure
with the Cuban regime. In the past, Latin America countries have
supported the actions of Castro’s Cuba, either because of the poli
cies of their own totalitarian regimes or to counter American
power in the region.
But now, many of these countries have changed their govern
ments to democracies and the United States needs to make a final
break with its Cold War policies in the area. Some countries have
already come to realize the need to stand up for democracy in
light of changes in their own countries. Mexico, for example, had
a policy of sticking by Cuba during the Cold War.
But now, according to an article in the Houston Chronicle,
Mexico will vote in favor of a U.N resolution asking Cuba to
respect the human rights of its citizens. According to the article,
Mexico was going to vote for the resolution because of its disap
pointment with the recent ferry hijacking and jailing of dissidents.
Other countries need to follow Mexico’s example and stand up to
the police state in Cuba. The United States needs to make sure it
does not leave countries that stand together on this issue political
ly exposed at home afterwards, either. If the United States wants
to see more success for its Cuban policy, it needs the support of
other Latin American countries.
The United States and other countries in the region need to
show Castro that abusing his people has a price. The communists
need to realize that now is not the time to pick a fight with the
United States, especially now that Iraq has been liberated and
North Korea has adopted a more conciliatory tone. If Cuba wishes
to be the main course on our foreign policy plate, it may not like
the kind of attention it will receive.
David Shoemaker is a junior
business management major.
Armenian deaths were not
genocide, but terrorism
In response to an April 25 U-Wire col
umn:
I would like to highlight several facts that
are unfortunately not mentioned in Chris
Guzelian's article. Turks recognize the
Armenian tragedy. However, the events
that happened between 1915-1923 can
not be termed as genocide. In the First
World War, a front was opened in the east
where most Ottoman Armenians lived.
Some Ottoman Armenians were focusing
on can/ing up an independent state with
Russian help.
The Armenian terrorist groups attacked
the Turkish villages and killed many
innocent people, mainly children and
women because the men in the villages
were fighting on different fronts as a
part of the Ottoman Army, leaving their
families behind.
In one recent documentary, a Turkish
lady who witnessed these mass killings
said everybody in her village including
pregnant women, children and animals
was killed. Our Armenian friends always
quote the tragedy their grandparents
endured, but don't acknowledge the ter
rorist attacks by the Armenian militia in
MAIL CALL
Turkish and Kurdish villages. The Ottoman
government decided to transport the
Armenian population in different parts of
the empire until the war ended. Many
Armenians unfortunately died.
The number of deaths is also controver
sial. The documentary proofs don't sup
port any claim more than 300,000
Armenian casualties. I believe the
Ottoman action against the Armenians
cannot be termed as "genocide" because
first, most of the Armenians who lived in
other parts of the empire were not deport
ed (i.e. in Istanbul). This proves that depor
tation was local and didn't aim at mas
sacring people.
Second, genocide is used for one-sided
acts. Armenians also caused local atrocities
and many Turks and Kurds suffered.
Finally, there is no indication of anti-
Armenian sentiment in Ottoman docu
ments before these incidents. No clear
proof of a "genocide order" has been
found.
I believe the Armenian and Turkish peo
ple should remember the tragic incidents
and give credit to their recollection of
events and make research based on the
documents. History shouldn't be merely
written by the memories of our grandfa
thers and grandmothers.
Niyazi Onur Bakir
Ph. D. Student
"Back-alley" abortions
were not common
In response to an April 25 mail call:
According to the National Center for
Health Statistics, this statistic is incorrect
Actually, only 39 women died from abor
tion-related injuries in the United States in
1972. Your entire argument is based on
the fear that women will revert to "back-
alley abortions," but according to a June
1960 article in The American Journal of
Public Health, "90 percent of illegal abor
tions are being done by physicians."
The real question is how you value
human life. If someone is considered
dead when their heart stops, why should
a child not be considered alive when his
heart starts beating after only 28 days?
In America we often debate abortion
philosophically, but I challenge you to
look at ultrasound pictures of a baby
developing in a mother's womb. Then,
after you hear that child's beating heart,
reexamine your belief that that child
could be killed out of convenience. That
child has rights that should be protected
as yours and mine are.
Kelley Norton
Graduate Student