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Opinion
The Battalion
Page 11 •
, April 6, 2004
Protecting the innocent
The Unborn Victims of Violence Act does not threaten the Pro-choice cause
W:
ith the stroke of a pen. President
Bush evoked emotions of approval
and condemnation among the polar-
zed party members of Congress by signing
nto law the Unborn Victims of Violence Act.
ks a result, an assault on a pregnant woman
ow levies two charges: one of assaulting the
roman and the other of assaulting a fetus.
The necessity of this legislation remains
uestionable since assault laws already exist,
ndmany states have initiated statutes similar
Dthis one. Nevertheless, the law doesn’t deserve condemnation.
The objective here is to increase punishment of psychopaths
dio assault women. The new law requires no proof that the
(fender knew the woman was pregnant or whether they intend-
dto harm the fetus. Therefore such attackers always face the
isk of a double assault/murder charge. Furthermore, the law
ends a symbolic message that the federal government, not just a
andom state, seeks extensive retribution on assaulters of preg-
ant women.
Does anything sound controversial yet? No. And there is noth-
ng controversial about it.
Violent criminals must be punished harshly. If they direct
leir assaults on pregnant women, the punishment should be
note extensive. This doesn’t imply that the value of a pregnant
roman is worth more than another individual. It simply means
an assault on a pregnant woman inadvertently harms the
inborn child whose well-being unquestionably lies contingent on
slimdoaBhe mother’s. Moreover, why would anyone be reluctant to incar-
erate these sick perpetrators for a longer period of time?
Unfortunately, the reason for the opposition revolves solely
round one element, which is probably making someone’s blood
over right now — abortion.
Two recent comments reported by The New York Times illus-
rate the main concerns. Kate Michelman, president of NARAL
to-choice America, said, “The president’s allies are taking
dvantage of this issue to further their campaign to oppose a
roman’s right to choose.” Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) prophe-
iedthat federal statutes saying life begins at conception may
ultimately lead to a court finding that abortion, even in the first
rimester, is equivalent to murder.
Let’s cut to the chase. Does the new law infringe on a
woman's right to choose? No. The legislative language specifi
cally bars prosecution of “any person for conduct relating to an
abortion for which the consent of the pregnant woman has been
obtained.” Moreover, the law bars prosecution of “any woman
with respect to her unborn child.” Translation: neither perform
ance of abortions by doctors nor a woman’s conduct during preg
nancy are grounds for violation of this law.
However, some gray area resides around the law’s applicability
from the time of conception and the defining of fetuses as people.
Basically, the real fear here is that by granting rights to fetus
es the taboo question of “When does life begin?” may be
answered by the courts.
This concern is unfounded since the law refrains from specifi
cally defining when life begins. Furthermore, if the court truly
wanted to answer that question, it would have done so long ago.
Many people have grown tired of the cliched argument that a
fetus isn’t alive. People subscribing to this view simply wish to
remove culpability from their actions. Nevertheless, it is not the
place of the state or any individual to tell a woman what she
must do with her body. She should have complete jurisdiction
over it. Meaning, if she decides to terminate the life inside her
via medical procedures, fine, that’s her decision, and the state
and everyone else should back off. But don’t try to condemn
future legislation involving unborn children by beguiling others
into believing that fetuses aren’t alive.
Obviously, radical Republicans will use this bill as a means to
undermine abortion, but several important elements must not be
forgotten. The bill specifically exonerates performers and partici
pants of abortions from facing criminal charges, and no time
table on life is presented. Thus no abortion backlash is possible.
Furthermore, if subsequent legislation arises specifically threat
ening “a woman’s right to choose,” don’t pass it.
Abortion proponents should take a sedative and wait to
unleash the fury on legislation that truly thwarts their cause. This
bill is not one of them. Instead, it contains only positive attrib
utes that serve to further protect our loved ones at their most vul
nerable of times.
Nicholas Davis is a senior
political science major.
Graphic by Ivan Flores.
A free press, eventually
Coalition forces right in shutting down Iraqi paper that incited violence against soldiers
ent u
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The most ridiculous claim
nade during the war in Iraq
out >y some conservatives is that
iomehow the U.S. media are
omplicitous in any harm that
ernes to any American
roops. Conservatives argue
hat negative news coverage
lids and abets terrorists and
’ivesthem motivation to
ittack coalition forces.
Conservatives don’t realize how good they
lave it. In Iraq, there are newspapers and articles
invite violence against American soldiers. In
act, one such newspaper, Al Hawsa, was
'orcibly shut down by U.S. soldiers for this very
eason, according to CNN. Although such an
iction might seem antithetical to the coalition’s
nission to bring democracy to Iraq, shutting
lown the newspaper was the proper thing to do.
Those who criticize the shutdown will proba-
)ly argue that it is a blatant act of hypocrisy.
\fter all, the main job of the coalition now,
mowing there are no weapons of mass destruc-
to be found, is to ensure Iraqi citizens will
ive bla^ventually know true freedom under a just con-
titution. A free press is essential to any demo-
:ratic society. However, there are some things to
consider in evaluating why the shutdown of Al
Hawsa was justified.
First, it should be noted that Iraq is not oper
ating under its interim constitution yet.
Therefore, the Iraqi people do not yet have an
explicit right to the freedom of press.
Unfortunately, this situation might exist for
some time. President Bush’s administration has
set an unrealistic date of
June 30 as the time to
transfer Iraqi sovereign
ty. But this might very
well change considering
the growing violence in
Iraq, including the despi
cable attacks on four
American citizens in
Faliujah last week.
Another thing to con
sider is that the shutdown
is not permanent. The
newspaper will be closed
at least 60 days, Alaa-eldin Elsadr, a spokesman
for the U.S.-led coalition, told Knight Ridder
News Service, but it will be allowed to reopen.
The newspaper was run by Shiite cleric
Muqtada al-Sadr, according to CNN. Elsadr
claimed Al Hawsa published articles blaming
terrorists’ attacks on Americans. Specifically,
according to the Knight Ridder article, Elsadr
said a Feb. 26 article proclaimed a suicide
bombing that killed 53 was actually the result of
a rocket fired by an American Apache helicopter.
A substantial number of newspapers have
sprouted up since the ousting of Saddam
Hussein last year, and most have operated with
out incident. A couple of
Iraqi newspapers must
learn the difference
between material that is
simply offensive and that
which incites violence.
Purposely printing false
information that casts the
coalition as the origin of
ten'orist acts is wrong
and calls for decisive
action. Despite what the
president declared last
May, the United States is
currently engaging in war in Iraq and protecting
its soldiers should be its number one priority.
Once Iraq has been sufficiently stabilized and
made sovereign and once U.S. and other coali
tion forces have made a successful exit, Iraqi
newspapers can be allowed to print anything
A couple of Iraqi newspapers
must leam the difference
between material that is simply
offensive and that which incites
violence.
they wish that conforms to their constitution.
The current situation, however, calls for the
occasional trampling of free speech and free
press rights. This is unfortunate, but such is the
nature of war.
Another thing critics of the decision should
consider is the events that transpired after the
newspaper was shut down. As many as 3,000
Iraqis gathered to protest the closure. According
to Knight Ridder, U.S. forces did not interfere
in the demonstration. American troops realized
that the right to protest is essential to freedom
of speech, and they allowed Iraqis to exercise
this right.
The incident with Al Hawsa should make all
Americans thankful that the press is in this coun
try is both free and responsible. Maybe several
years from now, the Iraqis will be able to say the
same thing about the safety of Americans.
Collins Ezeanyim is a senior
computer engineering major.
Losing candidates
indorse Hildebrand
As candidates who made a bid for
Student Body President, we would
like to thank the student body for
ping with such enthusiasm and for
Providing us with the unique oppor-
[unity of running for this position.
Ve are now pleased to offer Jack
fildebrand our support for SBP in
[he run-off elections this Wednesday
and Thursday.
Hildebrand received very strong
Support in the first round of Student
Body President elections, a clear tes-
fament that his message of account
ability, openness and advocacy res
onated with students. His campaign
was a class act, and his platform is
something on which Aggies can hang
|their hopes, dreams and wishes for a
Texas A&M of tomorrow.
We back Hildebrand because he is
committed to representing all Aggies,
loot just those for whom a voice would
Ibe convenient. Hildebrand is behold
ing to nobody but those whom he
represents, and he takes pride in
being their peer. We are confident
he will move SGA toward an efficient
and humble forum capable of hearing
and heeding students’ needs.
In total, we believe Hildebrand is
the right candidate to lead Texas
A&M students. And lead he will with
character, sincerity and a deep love
for Aggieland. For those reasons
and so many more, we pledge to
Hildebrand our vote in the upcoming
runoffs and ask all students to do
the same.
Narietha Carter 2004
Andy Herreth 2004
Aggie killed serving
deserves recognition
It’s been five days since an Aggie,
1st It. Doyle M. Hufstedler, Class of
2001, was killed by an improvised
explosive device in Habbaniyah,
MAIL CALL
Iraq, and there has still been no
recognition of the event by his own
school’s newspaper. There have
been articles about dorm damage,
rap concerts, student elections and
Aggie fashion but still not a word
about a man who gave his life in
service of his country. I don’t know if
it is from lack of effort, lack of infor
mation, or just a lack of caring, but
whatever the reason is your newspa
per has failed to tell the rest of the
Aggie community about this man’s
sacrifice. I think it is about time that
The Battalion did its job and pay
respects to one of our fallen soldiers.
Mark Fargason
Class of 2005
Noise level in the SCC
prohibits studying
Of all the places to study, the
Student Computing Center seems to
be the best. There are plenty of com
puters, couches and tables for study
ing. The only problem is the people.
It is almost impossible to study during
the peak hours because there is
always a phone ringing, a couple
arguing, someone playing music
loudly through speakers they brought
with them or someone tapping a pen
non-stop for hours upon hours.
It’s not that I think it should be total
ly silent, or even close, but when the
noise level inside is higher than the
noise level on the steps in front of the
building, something isn’t right. If I
wanted to study in a noise-ridden
environment, I’d just put on some
comfortable clothes and study by
Highway 6. Is there no more com
mon courtesy left? If anybody has
suggestions of a better place to
study, maybe you could let a few of
us know your secret.
Robert Arndt
Class of 2007