THE BATTALIOI jcrats ied from page 1 ority senators, who ts, believe the mapt :s against minorities, our contention thatjo uki disenfranchise I minority voters said. said the map does iugh congressional 4 ig the heavily Hispa ng Texas-Mexicobonk is what you meant hj >alanced plan that loci interest of minorities! 1 to Staples, asbothse in to raise their voices, t a loss today to see criticize this plan and protects the mir is,” Staples shot bad s said the plan pr; nine minority distn. ite — seven Hispaii md two black distric tat it will withstand in court. ;rats have been fighhr in redistricting effor spring but appear: a brick wall in the: lock a bill from get!:: Senate chamber. Democrats blocked: i the regular legislate: hen 51 of them fled i; i to break a quorum:: iber. the first special Ice session, Senai; s had the votes to pi? >ate and vote on rails cause the order of hil ted so that a two-thi e chamber was needd ie bill up for a debt quirement was dropp;: second special sessitr.J Democrats blocked; by fleeing to Ne» here they would (emit Texas law officer at Aggielife The Battalion Page 3 • Wednesday, September 24, 2003 SKikS AUP With ancient origins, tattoos and piercings get updated for the millennium generation By Amy Malone THE BATTALION Kris Bradley's tribal tattoo is all that remains of his fixation with body art. His forays into the tattoo parlor resulted in a tattoo, tongue and ear piercing. By the time he lost his earring on a Spring break trip, he had already taken his tongue ring out and his journey into alternative art had ended. With such large number of undergraduates involved in campus prganizations, Texas A&M encompasses students who wish to make | g difference in one way or another. Whether shown on a fraternity T-shirt, a pink breast cancer ribbon, or a crucifix necklace, it is apparent that each student is marked by his beliefs. Looking close ly, it is evident some students have a different sort of mark. The first identified tattoo dates back to the body of a man found preserved in a glacier. According to www.tattoos.com, testing suggested that he was 5,300 years old, meaning he lived in 4000 B.C. The man wore a cross behind his knee and a series of lines above his kidneys. Found on Egyptian and Nubian mum mies, it is apparent that tattooing was performed and expanded around 2000 B.C. Various cultures used the tattoo in different ways to signify importance, heritage and background. While the ancient Greeks used tattoos to communicate among spies, the Romans used them to brand criminals and slaves. , The Web site also said the Japanese marked lawbreakers with lines and arches so that by the third offense the Japanese character for “dog” had been carved on the offender’s forehead. Around 1700 the Japanese middle class began to cover themselves with full body tattoos to rebel against the law stating only royalty could wear ornate clothing. According to www.cool-tattoo.com. Pope Hadrian banned tat tooing in the eighth century as a barbaric custom. , Captain Cook brought word back to Europe, having seen the practice in Tahiti in 1771, and tattooing spread across Europe. For some people, the tattoo may take the appearance of what they value most in life or what defines them, such as an eagle, a cross or even a swastika. In this way, tattoos are similar to a permanent bumper sticker. According to Bobby “Joker” Warden, an artist at Aggieland Tattoo, these practices may become addictive. The likelihood of a student getting another tattoo or piercing after his first experience is extremely high. Tattoos are also a way to say “I love you." For some people, nothing says commitment like a tattoo. Another motivation Republicans aquon| for a tattoo or piercing is following a trend. Adam Brown, a sophomore architecture major, got a pierc ing to be individual. “I got my piercing first because I wanted to be always a shock how many people don’t ask,” Terri Warden said. An important consideration to make before taking the plunge into body art is that blood cannot be donated for one year after a person has obtained a new tattoo or piercing. Caution should be taken when caring for the area and the artist’s specific instructions should be followed. If the area becomes infected or any emergency occurs, contact the shop. “Joker” Warden said parlors are required to keep a copy of ^ identification on file for two years in case anyone has a reaction to the ink. For those who wish to remove their tattoos, laser surgery may be too expensive. An afford able alternative to surgery is Tat B Gone, which allows the ink to fade without scabbing or scarring. According to www.tatbegone.com. this method is priced around the same range of getting a tattoo and must be performed several times. Though surgery and Tat B Gone may reduce the visibility of unwanted body art, removing an entire tattoo can still be difficult, no matter how many attempts. A volunteer program named D- TAG in Houston and other cities in Texas offers assistance to teenage gang members trying to get out of gang life by sponsoring their tattoo removal. Started by a school nurse, this program uses family and com munity support to redirect the child’s lifestyle from gang behaviors and funds the removal of the tattoo. From solidifying religious beliefs, to simply adorning a toned bicep, tattoos have a become a widely accepted form of self-expression for youth cul ture in America. iluctantly returned last e start of the third sp uive session after® broke away and deci o-peer traffic has beet wed down,” he sale ult to sort out the (P2I i traffic.” aid students trying es online may h “d problems for ti itly that link is \w I,” he said. “It’s not®' it we are aware (oftk nd we will try to fix if in optical cable cl nut the network ours. (work appliance file speed up process® rdered, Putnams rder is cleared e vendor,” he: I arrive in a coupli said CIS continue sidence halls to d of infected c 'ay or another we’s Marti said. “It's Renters arance! 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