thebattalion l monday,
november 18, 2013
l serving
texas a&m since 1893
l first paper free – additional copies $1 l © 2013 student media
ROUTE REDIRECTION Beginning next fall, several bus routes will see alterations in stops and direction, pending approval. William Guerra and David Cohen — THE BATTALION
Transportation readies route changes for Fall 2014
Jennifer Reiley
The Battalion he wheels are turning to enact changes in Texas A&M’s off-campus bus routes in an effort to better utilize transportation resources. Transportation Services has proposed a plan that will affect five bus routes, although the most significant changes are to Routes 31, 33 and 34. The changes, which Transportation Services said will increase efficiency on the routes and decrease the time each route takes, will take effect in Fall
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2014 if approved. Route 31, Elephant Walk, is one of the routes Transportation Services plans to adjust for next year. Southwest Parkway, the route’s main street, only services stops on one side of the road. The proposed change would add stops to the other side so students can avoid walking across four lanes of traffic to get to their stop. Low ridership has also been noted along Holleman Dr., and the change would stop service along that road, which would stop service to the Oney Hervey stop. Route 33, Texas Aggies, is popular among
students on campus because it services a stop at the Walmart Ave. However, other stops along that route have low ridership. The plan proposed by transportation is to combine Route 33 with Route 34, Fish Camp, which runs along similar roads as Route 33 and has shown low ridership data in certain areas. Combining the routes will result in a 15-minute round trip travel time and will allow transportation to reduce the number of buses used for the See Transportation on page 2
service
Philippine group aids storm-ravaged homeland Talent show profits donated to typhoon relief Alexander Newolet The Battalion
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Dee Huggan — THE BATTALION
Visitors watch cultural dances Saturday at Worldfest.
culture
Worldfest meshes B-CS diversity Event featured displays from around the globe Shelbi Polk The Battalion
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he 50 culture displays grouped around Wolf Pen Creek for Worldfest on Saturday provided a colorful and fun way to celebrate BryanCollege Station diversity. The booths were each decorated for a different culture group or nonprofit and educated visitors about cultural customs and traditions from around the world. Jill Palmer, sophomore international studies major, said Worldfest gave her a hands-on opportunity to engage with her field of study and learn about things that interest her outside of the classroom.
“It’s neat being an international studies major and getting to hear people’s firsthand experiences and stories of other cultures,” Palmer said. There were culture displays from all corners of the world, including Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. Many of the culture displays were set up by students and displayed traditional aspects of different cultures and sold traditional foods. The Chinese Student Association offered samples of traditional Chinese tea and other foods as well as a display of traditional Chinese culture involving calligraphy and watercolor painting. Reubin Xu, civil engineering graduate student and association member, said the art was well received by festival attendees. Xu said people were
inside theater | 3 sports | 4 ‘Memphis: A&M tops the Musical’ Houston Hosted by MSC OPAS, the musical will be performed Tuesday and Wednesday in Rudder Auditorium.
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The A&M women’s basketball team defeated Houston 6351 on Sunday behind Courtney Walker’s 19 points.
See Worldfest on page 6
religion | 5 GENTS panel Representatives from seven different religious backgrounds will participate in a panel discussion at 7 p.m. Monday.
he damage in the Philippines by Typhoon Haiyan, which hit land on Nov. 8, has left a great deal of people in need of help. A&M students have answered the call and are joining to collect money and provisions to send to survivors. The Philippine Student Association, PhilSA, donated all the money raised at its 15th annual talent show on Saturday to the Filipino humanitarian organization Gawad Kalinga. The talent show featured performances from campus groups such as Fade 2 Black, Aggie Fiddlers and PhilSA Cultural, along with performances from organizations at the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of North Texas. Liezyl Hinayon, PhilSA philanthropy chair and junior history major, said this event marks a shift in focus for the organization from the traditional talent show
Alexander Newolet — THE BATTALION
PhilSA members sing the Filipino national anthem at the beginning of their talent show benefitting typhoon victims. they put on every year to a show driven by the need to help victims of the typhoon. “Initially the main focus of our show was on the members and PhilSA organizations from other universities,” Hinayon said. “Now we are shifting our focus to something bigger to help
the Filipino typhoon victims by working with Gawad Kalinga.” Hinayon said the event touched home even though not all of the Philippines was affected by the typhoon’s 195-mile-perhour winds and torrential downSee PhilSA on page 6
volleyball
A&M surges to 5th straight win Aggies sweep Auburn with team defense Linley McCord The Battalion
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he Texas A&M volleyball team (16-10, 8-7 SEC) won both its weekend Reed Arena matchups in sweeps, downing Tennessee on Friday before defeating Auburn, extending its win streak to five matches. As the Aggies entered Reed on Sunday against Auburn, the momentum from Friday’s win over the Volunteers spilled over into the quick threeset victory — 25-19, 28-26, 25-17. A&M head coach Laurie Corbelli said the key to the Aggies’ sweep was the group’s aggression throughout the match. “We stayed the aggressor most of the time,” Corbelli said. “Our blocking was superior and I just think we’ve gotten a lot better. Those are two big advantages right there. We have a lot of room for improvement. It’s not a hard sell to work the team out and remind them of how much better they’re playing. That’s built a lot of confidence. Our senior leaders have done a brilliant job of directing the team, and the team has followed beautifully.” A&M never surrendered the lead during the first set and was able to surge past the Tigers to a Bryan Johnson — THE BATTALION quick 25-19 victory. Senior setter Allie Sawatzky jumps for a block See Volleyball on page 4 during a Sunday sweep of Auburn.
11/17/13 8:40 PM
thebattasks Q:
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2013-2014 A&M Campus Directory
Listings of departments, administrators, faculty, staff, and other information.
What has been your opinion on changes to Transportation Services?
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epartments: You may charge and pick them up at the student media office in suite L400 of the msC. Cost is $4 per copy. please bring a student media Work Order. Deliveries on request. Call 845-2646 for information.
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tUDents and others may purchase directories for $4 plus tax each in msC L400 (by cash, check or credit card). Hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
“I didn’t buy a parking pass, so [buses are] extremely useful for that so I don’t get a [parking] ticket. A lot of the time in the morning, it’s hard to get a bus that’s not completely packed.� Zach Adams, freshman biology major
“I really don’t have a problem with the routes. They have been really helpful for me. I wrecked my car a couple of weeks ago, so I have been relying 100 percent on taking the bus to and from campus, and it’s been really helpful. � Marshall Green, freshman agribusiness major
“As far as timing, they are pretty good. They are actually better than everywhere else in Texas. T.u. definitely doesn’t have anything like what A&M has. I don’t have a car, so it helps me a lot to get around and I need to be able to have access on weekends.�
“It’s not bad. It’s easy. It’s quick. I’ve never had a bus late.�
Andrew Jaynes, senior civil engineering major
Nicole Bartke, freshman special education major Photo feature by Jonathan Sheen — THE BATTALION
Transportation Continued from page 1
thebattalion The IndependenT STudenT VoIce
of
TexaS a&M
SInce
1893
Jake Walker, Editor in Chief The BaTTalion is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Tuesday and Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center. News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs. Newsroom phone: 979-845-3315; E-mail: editor@thebatt.com; website: http://www.thebatt.com. Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion. For campus, local, and national display advertising, call 979-845-2687. For classified advertising, call 979-845-0569. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email: battads@thebatt.com. Subscriptions: A part of the Student Services Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1.
buses used for the route from four to three. Madeline Dillard, associate director for Transportation Services, said the changes benefits other routes besides 33 and 34. “The combining of Routes 33 and 34 will allow us to move a bus to Route 36 that carries far more passengers than 33 and 34 combined,� Dillard said. “This change enables us to maximize our resources and move a bus to help handle higher capacity of passengers.� Autumn Graham, junior communication major, rides Route 31. She said this year the bus is crowded and much less predictable than it was last year. “Last year I rode the bus every single day, but now I try to find other ways to get to campus with friends or driving myself to campus rather than having to wait on a bus that is unpredictable, often overcrowded and hardly ever on time,� Graham said. When Graham was told about the
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Better clinic.
This change enables us to maximize our resources and move a bus to help handle higher capacity of passengers.� — Madeline Dillard, associate director for Transportation Services plans Transportation Services has for next fall, she said the plan would have positive effects for students using the bus system. “That would be so much safer,� Graham said. “I seriously get so tired of having to cross four lanes of traffic to get to my stop that is across the street on Southwest Parkway and dodging cars and hoping they will stop. There is no crosswalk or anything like that close to make the walk safer. Also, I think that it would defi-
nitely help speed up the route if they got rid of the Holleman stop.� Representatives from Transportation Services spoke at last week’s Student Senate meeting to inform senators about the proposition. Peter Lange, executive director of Transportation Services, said transportation is making an effort to inform students of the plan now before housing plans can be made for the fall. “We held an open forum for student input last month and will be holding another one on Nov. 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the MSC,� Lange said. “We have signage advertising the forum and the changes at the on-campus stops for the routes affected. We have presented to the Student Senate and the Transportation Services Advisory Committee, which has student representation. We also will present to the Graduate Student Council.� Other changes have also been planned for Routes 35 and 36, but these changes are not expected of have a significant effect on people who ride the bus to campus, Transportation Services said.
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lifestyles
page 3 monday 11.18.2013
thebattalion
reynolds gallery
msc opas
Comic exhibit showcased in MSC art gallery
‘Memphis’ takes the stage Broadway blends music with history in Rudder Auditorium Emily Thompson
The Battalion here was a time when radio was the main source of music, and the kinds of music on the radio were limited to only what certain musicians produced. “Memphis: The Musical” tells the story of one disc jockey, Huey Calhoun, who took it upon himself to break down barriers in the ’50s and introduce “black music” to people who listened to the radio. In the face of tradition and social obstacles, he followed what he knew to be right, fell into a forbidden love, and ultimately changed his world. “Apart from the quality of the Broadway musical, there are some great messages,” said Anne Black, executive director of MSC OPAS. “It’s about the birth of rock ’n’ roll for a broad audience — a great piece about social justice at a time when there was none.” “Memphis” swept away audiences and won the Tony in 2010 for Best Musical. “I feel like it’s a modern musical,” said senior Kelsey Morris, geology major and manager of theatre hospitality for MSC OPAS. “When most people think of musicals they think of old classics, but this is something modern and fresh and exciting.” Jacob de Jongh, freshman sociology major and MSC OPAS committee member, will be volunteering at “Memphis” on both nights it comes to Rudder. “Me, I enjoy the music of it,” De Jongh said. “I’m a music lover. But the historical aspects of it, with the advent of the radio, are also interesting to me. I believe it’s still relevant today.” Memphis will be at Rudder Auditorium at 7:30 on Tuesday and Wednesday evening.
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Tanner Garza — THE BATTALION
Senior computer science majors, Patrick Knauth (left) and Joshua Hanes, look at different pieces of the “Speed Bump” collection in the Reynolds art gallery at the MSC.
Cartoonist’s work on display through Jan. 5 Mikel Moon The Battalion
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he MSC Visual Arts Committee is showcasing comic art from Speed Bump cartoonist Dave Coverly at the student-run Reynolds Student Art Gallery. Coverly combined humorous character dialogue with watercolor and ink illustrations, writing and designing each comic himself. In a pamphlet produced for the exhibit, Coverly said he drew inspiration from his daily interactions. “The characters I use are you and me and our neighbors, families and friends,” Coverly said. “Pretty much everyone. Even animals are fair game. We all have quirks, which can be funny, but more importantly, we have many, many things in common and it’s in our similarities that the richest veins of humor are found.” Comic art is fairly new to the gallery because it is rarely showcased, said Sairah Zia, MSC art resource executive and senior biochemistry major. “We wanted to do something very different and comic art hasn’t been featured,” Zia said. “Usually we’ve just done the more traditional stuff like paintings, print makings. This isn’t something we regularly see in exhibits.”
Eric Clausen, program coordinator and MSC Visual Arts Committee advisor, said the exhibit should attract students because of the universal appeal of Coverly’s work. “He’s more of a commercial cartoonist and this is something that people see in the paper every day,” Clausen said. “This isn’t hyper minimalist, relational aesthetics or anything like that so it’s something that is very direct and approachable, and yet it’s still very introspective into the human condition.” Clausen also said the exhibit is a representation of the work done for students by the MSC Visual Arts Committee. “The purpose of the Reynolds Gallery or Visual Arts Committee, which runs the Reynolds Gallery, is to bring art to campus and have something for students to interact with,” Clausen said. “Having a student voice in what goes up and what’s displayed is pretty important. It also gives the students a lot of really good experience in art handling, arts administration, and how to put together an exhibit and events around it because it’s not just hanging stuff on a wall so people could see it.” A comic book and zine workshop will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday. A panel discussion on comic art starts at 6 p.m. on Nov. 21. The exhibit will run through Jan. 5.
COURTESY
SPECIAL R PRICES FO ! STUDENTS
TUE & WED, NOV 19 & 20 Rudder Auditorium
TICKETS: MSC Box Office 845-1234 • MSCOPAS.org mscopas
BAT_11-18-13_A3.indd 1
MSC OPAS
11/17/13 8:10 PM
sports
thebattalion 11.18.2013 page4
@battsports
w. basketball
A&M handles Houston in road match, 63-51 run during the latter part of the first half allowed the group to retake the lead and surge to the victory. The Cougars would ehind Courtney Walker, preseason tighten the score to 27-23 at the half. All-SEC First Team guard, the Texas Head coach Gary Blair said his squad’s A&M women’s basketball team defeated defensive capabilities bailed it out on a the Houston Cougars 63-51 on the road few occasions, eventually putting Houston Sunday. away down the stretch. The Aggies fell behind for the first time “We’re going to take the win,” Blair this season early in the game, but a 16-1 said. “When they got the lead down to three and had the ball it was getting really tight, but we got a couple of defensive stops at the end.” Walker led both teams with a season-high 19 points. Junior forward Achiri Ade added 18 points and pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds, her first career double-double. Blair compared Walker to A&M’s all-time leading scorer Takia Starks, who played under Blair from 2005-09. “Achiri Ade kept us in the game in the first half, and Courtney Walker was solid the whole ballgame,” Blair said. “When that jumper is going she can remind you of Takia Starks who played for us. We can run a lot of stuff for her.” Houston-raised sophomore guard Courtney Williams grabbed 11 rebounds in front of her hometown fans, sharing the team high total with Ade. Texas A&M (3-0, 0-0 SEC) next heads to the U.S. Virgin Islands to compete in the Paradise Jam Classic. The Aggies are slotted up against Memphis, Syracuse and Texas, marking the first schedCourtesy of The Daily Cougar uled meeting between the Sophomore guard Courtney Walker defends two schools in any sport since a Cougar drive during A&M’s 63-51 win over A&M’s 2012 conference reHouston on Sunday. alignment.
Tyler Stafford
Special to The Battalion
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William Guerra — THE BATTALION
Volleyball Continued from page 1
“I’m just there wherever my team needs me,” Babers said. “If they need me to be bait, I’ll jump up. If Angela [Lowak] or Sierra [Patrick] gets a kill on the outside with only one blocker, I feel like it’s my point because I helped them. It’s a team sport. We had awesome passes by the back row so I was able to get set.” Corbelli said she has seen improvement from her team throughout the season and is proud of the progress. After losing to Auburn earlier this year, Corbelli said it was important that her team was able to prove they have gotten better since the season began. “We made fewer errors this time around,” Corbelli said. “I was really proud of the poise and composure of the team.” Senior outside hitter Heather Reynolds’ defensive performance and leadership helped guide the A&M defense to “out-dig” the Tigers down the stretch. “Before the game, I got all the back row
players together and said that we will out-dig this team,” Reynolds said. Reynolds finished with a match-high 16 digs and the Aggies had a season-high 51 total digs. Babers led the group with 10 kills while Sullivan followed with nine of her own. On Friday, A&M won 25-17, 25-14 and 25-10 over Tennessee. Senior Allie Sawatzky led the charge to earn the Aggies their second-highest hitting percentage of the season, .413 to Tennessee’s .172. Sawatzky had 12 kills with a .550 hitting percentage. “It is really fun to get everyone in and get everyone going,” Sawatzky said. “We have been working a lot of different lineups and different rotations, and everyone is doing such a great job.” Texas A&M will play Kentucky and Georgia on Friday and Sunday in a pair of road matchups before closing out the regular season against South Carolina on Nov. 27 at Reed Arena.
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FOR RENT 3bdrm Deacon Condo, available Jan.1st, W/D included, on bus-route, safe neighborhood, no pets, $1200/mo. 979-451-2819. 4/3, 3/3 &3/2 Houses, Townhouses, Duplexes &Fourplexes, 1250-1700sqft. Very spacious, ethernet, large kitchen, extra storage, W/D, great amenities, marble and granite, on multiple bus routes, now pre-leasing, excellent specials. 979-694-0320. www.luxormanagement.com
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FOR RENT Northgate. Newer 1/1, 2/2, 3/3 and 3/2. Washer/Dryer. Walk to campus. aggievillas.net Call 979-255-5648. Spring lease, $1200/mo, 2bd/1.5ba, built 2011, close to campus, call 979-255-2488. Spring Sublease. 1bdrm/1ba., available end of December. 669sq. feet, huge walk-in closet and balcony. Internet and water is included. $565/month. I will pay HALF of January rent! 5-minutes from campus! 254-405-5241. Student sublease from January to May. $650/month plus utilities for 2bd/1ba duplex on Dominik Drive. Fenced yard, parking for 2, close to campus, pets allowed. Call/text 281-799-4871 for details.
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Christ United Methodist Church, College Station, TX is seeking 4 dynamic Youth Interns to help lead a program of 100+ active youth. Candidates should have prior experience in working with youth, be a sophomore or greater in college, possess solid communication skills, be a team player and comfortable speaking about faith matters. Responsibilities include helping lead Sunday night youth, Wednesday night Bible Study, keeping in touch with assigned youth, and attending trips. Compensation will be up to $13,000 for each intern per year. For more information contact Kevin Rund at 979-690-4673 or to apply, send resumes to kevinrund@christ-umc.org Cleaning commercial buildings at night, M-F. Call 979-823-5031 for interview. FUN JOB installing Christmas lights with a Christian company. Need 3 men immediately, must work full days and climb roofs. $11.50/hr. Send resume to lightscapesoftexas.gmail.com
BAT_11_18_13_A4.indd 1
HELP WANTED Help wanted at Brazos Bingo, shifts available: 5:00P.M. 10:00P.M. Daily; and 1:00P.M. 4:00P.M. Wed. and Fri. Call (979)774-7266 for an interview. Help wanted kitchen staff at Brazos Bingo, shifts available: 4:00P.M. - 10:00P.M. Daily; and 12:00P.M. - 3:00P.M. Wed. and Fri. Call (979)776-8135 for an interview. Jimmy John’s now hiring delivery drivers and sandwich makers. Apply at 200 University Drive or 2002 Texas Avenue. Small business opportunity. Intelligence, integrity, and dependability required, 214-682-3776. STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in College Station. 100% free to join. Click on surveys. VOLUNTEER COACHES NEEDED! The City of College Station is seeking positive, enthusiastic and motivational youth basketball coaches. The season begins early Dec. and runs through March 6. Learn more at cstx.gov/sports or apply today at cstx.gov/sportsvolunteer
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11/17/13 8:33 PM
news
page 5 monday 11.18.2013
thebattalion
religions
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Group to promote understanding of different religions Aimee Breaux The Battalion
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of what they are at their most basic level, so giving people the opportunity to learn even just a little bit about what they are about allows for people to conduct themselves more intelligently around people of different faiths,” Santiago said. Santiago said this event also seeks to stop any unneeded anger or distrust of people from different faiths and encourage an evaluation of one’s own faith. “[The panel discussion] really helps to bring about great questions that you can direct toward your own faith or find out about another faith that you may find you sort of identify more with,” Santiago said. Kyle Robinson, freshman agricultural sciences major, said she sees the event as an opportunity for students but hopes that the discussion won’t be spoiled by closed-mindedness. “If they are capable and willing to educate those who are interested in the subject, why not take the opportunity?” Robinson said.
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n organization founded on the idea of learning more about the world and sharing that knowledge with others is seeking to take on a topic they see as particularly relevant to campus — religion. Gentlemen Enabling Nations to Succeed (GENTS) will hold a panel on religion at 7 p.m. Monday in the Robert Gates Ballroom of the MSC. “The organization generally started out as a group of people who just wanted to learn more about the world and spread that knowledge,” said Javier Santiago, president of GENTS and senior molecular and cell biology major. “I think [the groups origins and the panel] kind of go hand in hand.” With seven representatives from different religious backgrounds, including
a non-denominational representative from Grace Bible Church, event coordinator and senior petroleum engineering major, David Gregory, said the goal of the event is to provide an analysis on the differences and similarities among faiths in an educational setting. The panelists will introduce the various religions they represent, discuss their religions’ response to questions regarding science, afterlife and current issues, and allow students to ask any religious questions they might have, Gregory said. Santiago said the question and answer period offers students a unique opportunity. “The last part of the program is the question and answer forum, in which people can raise questions that they may have thought of during the panel, during the program, or questions that they’ve been thinking over,” Santiago said. “That part especially is really a cool opportunity for picking [panelist’s brains].” Santiago said part of the panel’s goal is to expose students and attendees to faiths that are not as well known. “Most people just lack understanding
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A&M edges Rice at Reed, 68-65
Shelby Knowles — THE BATTALION
Senior guard Blake McDonald surveys the defense during Texas A&M’s 68-65 thriller victory over Rice on Friday night in Reed Arena, improving A&M to an undefeated 3-0 record on the season. The Aggies next take the court Tuesday against Prairie View A&M at Reed Arena.
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page 6 monday 11.18.2013
thebattalion
2013 Aggieland yearbooks are here. If you did not order the 2013 Texas A&M university yearbook (the 2012-2013 school year), a limited number are available at the Student Media office, Suite L400 of the MSC. Hours: 8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday. $85 plus tax. Cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express, accepted. If you pre-ordered a 2013 Aggieland, it has been mailed to your billing address.
Dee Huggan — THE BATTALION
Sophomore communication major, Ileah Guajardo, looks at personalized pendants for sale at the origami owl booth Saturday at Worldfest.
Worldfest Continued from page 1
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You deserve a factual look at . . .
Israel and the United States Is Israel an asset or a burden to our country? The United States is without question Israel’s most important ally. Also, without question, Israel is the staunchest and most reliable friend of the United States. But there are some who believe and vigorously advocate that Israel is a burden to the United States and that, were it not for Israel, peace would prevail in the Middle East.
What are the facts?
Israel is the major strategic asset of the United States in an area of the world that is the cradle of The “Israel lobby.” There are indeed those who Islamo-fascism, which is dominated by tyrants and claim that Israel is a liability, a burden to our permeated by religious obscurantism and shows country. Professors from prestigious universities almost total disregard for human rights. During write essays in which they aver that the United the decades-long Cold War, Israel was America’s States is in thrall to the “Israel lobby.” This lobby is indispensable rampart against the inroads of the said to pull the strings of American policy. Its Soviet Union. It is now the bulwark against the supposed main promoters are AIPAC (American aggressive intentions of Iran. During Desert Storm, Israel Public Affairs Committee) and the so-called Israel provided “neo-cons,” some of invaluable intelligence, whom are indeed Jewish. “Israel and the United States stand an umbrella of air cover They are said to exert an together in their fight against Islamo- for military cargo, and almost magical spell over policy makers, including fascist terrorism. These shared values will had personnel planted in the Iraqi deserts to pick the leaders of Congress and the President. Some bind Israel and the United States forever.” up downed American pilots. even say that the Iraq war Gen. George Keagan, former head of U.S. Air was promoted by this omnipotent “Israel lobby,” Force Intelligence, stated publicly that “Israel is that President Bush was flummoxed into declaring worth five CIAs,” with regard to intelligence passed war on Saddam Hussein, not in order to defend the to our country. He also stated that the yearly $3.0 United States or to promote its interests, but in billion that Israel received in military assistance order to further the interests of Israel. was worth $50 to $60 billion in intelligence, R&D Israel is indeed a major recipient of U.S. aid. savings, and Soviet weapons systems captured and Israel receives yearly $3.0 billion, all of it in transferred to the Pentagon. In contrast to our military aid – nothing in economic aid. 75% of this commitments in Korea, Japan, Germany, and other military aid must be spent with U.S. military parts, not a single American serviceperson needs to contractors, making Israel a very large customer of be stationed in Israel. Considering that the cost of those companies. one serviceperson per year – including backup and America’s staunchest ally. A good case can be infrastructure – is estimated to be about $200,000, made that aid to Israel, all of it military, should be and assuming a minimum contingent of 25,000 part of the United States defense budget, rather troops, the cost savings to the United States on that than of the aid budget because Israel is, next only score alone is on the order of $5 billion a year. perhaps to Britain, by far the most important ally of Israel effectively secures NATO’s southeastern the United States. Virtually without exception, flank. Its superb harbor, its outstanding military Israel’s government and its people agree with and installations, the air and sea lift capabilities, and support the foreign policy objectives of the United the trained manpower to maintain sophisticated States. In the United Nations, Israel’s votes equipment are readily at hand in Israel. It is the coincide with those of the United States over 90% only country that makes itself available to the of the time. The Arabs and other Moslem countries, United States in any contingency. Yes, Israel is not virtually all of them recipients of American largess, a burden, but a tremendous asset to the United almost reflexively vote against the United States in States. most instances. Israel is indeed America’s unsinkable aircraft carrier in the Middle East and the indispensable defender of America’s interests in that area of the world. The people of the United States, individually and through their Congressional representatives, overwhelmingly support Israel in its seemingly unending fight against Arab aggression and Muslim terror. But that support is not only based on the great strategic value that Israel represents to the United States. It is and always has been based on shared values of liberty, democracy, and human rights. America and Israel are aligned by their shared love of peace and democracy. Israel and the United States stand together in their fight against Islamo-fascist terrorism. These shared values, these common ideals, will bind Israel and the United States forever. This message has been published and paid for by
Facts and Logic About the Middle East P.O. Box 590359 San Francisco, CA 94159
Gerardo Joffe, President
FLAME is a tax-exempt, non-profit educational 501 (c)(3) organization. Its purpose is the research and publication of the facts regarding developments in the Middle East and exposing false propaganda that might harm the interests of the United States and its allies in that area of the world. Your tax-deductible contributions are welcome. They enable us to pursue these goals and to publish these messages in national newspapers and magazines. We have virtually no overhead. Almost all of our revenue pays for our educational work, for these clarifying messages, and for related direct mail.
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extremely open to learning about other cultures. “People here are very friendly,” Xu said. “They are buying things and communicating with us, so we are very much enjoying the experience.” At another booth, Japan Club sold onigiri, or rice balls, which are a traditional Japanese festival food. The club also had a “Shoot the oni” game, where children could shoot a poster of a Japanese demon, and “Yukata try-ons,” in which people could try on traditional Japanese formal wear. Randy Ricardo Castillo, Japan Club member and junior biomedical sciences major, said the club’s culture display was aimed at educating many different ages of the College Station community. “We’ve had a lot of families, a lot of students and we’ve had a lot of high school students,” Castillo said. “We had information for them on how to study abroad in Japan, so all the family
got to experience some Japanese culture here.” Castillo said Japan Club works to provide cross-cultural experiences for members of both backgrounds. “We try to facilitate a culture immersion,” Castillo said. “So what we’ll do is we’ll have conversations in Japanese where American students can practice their Japanese and then we’ll have social events where Japanese students can experience American social events.” Worldfest gave the club an opportunity to share its efforts with a larger group of people and connect with the community in a new way, Castillo said. Castillo said he appreciated the opportunity both to display a culture he loves and learn about the other cultures that are represented in the College Station community. “I feel like it’s a very important event, not only because it’s one day where everyone can eat amazing food from every country but also because it shows the diversity we have here in College Station and I feel that’s not something that’s usually something spread and shown around,” Castillo said. “And this event brings everyone to their best and shows their pride for their country.”
PhilSA officers Liezyl Hinayon, Jennifer Nguyen, CJ Velasquez and Edward Jackson stand in front of the Philippines booth Saturday before the talent show. Alexander Newolet — THE BATTALION
PhilSA Continued from page 1
pours. “I don’t know anyone that was personally affected, but my family is from Cibu and the first week after the typhoon happened I didn’t have any contact with them, and that really scared me,” Hinayon said. “But finally they were able to get ahold of me and that was really relieving.” Monet Maguyon, biological and agricultural engineering graduate student, said she was relieved that none of her relatives were injured, but was remorseful that the other regions of her home country
were severely affected. “My family and relatives live in the northern part of the Philippines, so fortunately they were not affected,” Maguyon said. “The central part of the Philippines was affected the most, particularly the province of Leyte.” In addition to PhilSA, the International Christian Fellowship is raising money for relief of the survivors. Tiberio Garza, fellowship president and educational psychology graduate student, said he and his organization are motivated to raise awareness and donations for those hit hard by the typhoon. “Helping those affected by the Philippines typhoon has
stirred our hearts to reach out to them,” Garza said. “As an international student community, we have some insight into the regional needs and established connections with people in the Philippines. What we want to convey is that there are people here in Aggieland that care and are praying for them.” The fellowship will host a booth from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the 12th Man Hall in the MSC to collect donations from students. Members will accept contributions of money or supplies such as toiletries, soaps, sleeping gear, medicines and other provisions.
To receive free FLAME updates, visit our website: www.factsandlogic.org
We’ve got your number 2013-2014 Texas A&M Campus Directory
Listings of departments, administrators, faculty, staff, and other information about A&M. Departments: If you ordered Campus Directories and requested delivery, it will be made within the next few days. If you did not order Campus Directories, you may charge and pick them up the student media office in suite L400 of the msC. Cost is $4 per copy. please bring a student media Work Order. Call 845-2646 for info. stUDents and others may purchase directories for $4 plus tax each in msC L400 (by cash, check or credit card). Hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. mon–Fri.
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