The Rambler (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 9, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 1, 2001 Page: 2 of 4
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2 The Rambler November 1 2001
Opinions
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If you had the oppor-
tunity to study or
travel abroad, where
would you go?
Judy Armstrong
Senior
Interdisciplinary Studies
"It would be Scotland because that's
where my heritage is. My family is
Scottish and I'd love to go see the
castles and find where my family
originated from."
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Martha Fanner
Assistant cataloger
Eunice and James L. West Library
"I would go to Germany because
that's where my great-grandfather
came from. I would just love to go
and see the part of Germany that he
came from."
Gwendolyn Flowers
Supervisor
Quizno's
"I would travel to the Holy Land. I
support the charity groups and I
would like to see where my money
is going."
Denelle Rodriguez
Administrative Assistant
Athletic Department
"If I could go anywhere, it would
be to Italy. Why? I have been
there and also because of the histo-
ry and culture involved."
Robert Crownover
Setup and breakdown
Maintenance Department
"Jamaica. I'd like to go to Jamaica if
I decide to go. I'd go there to study
and to understand what's really going
on, as far as this world, with all the
war and stuff going on."
Scott Rodriguez
Sophomore
Education
"I would go to Israel. I want to see
what Jesus saw, where he walked.
I'd also visit the Middle East in order
to see what's happening in terms of
the other people who are Islamic and
involved in this war. I'd like to see
what their side of it is."
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Ridge: America has to continue to be America'
Early this week FBI Homeland Security
Director Tom Ridge issued a nationwide terror-
ist alert after receiving "the convergence of
information from credible sources." He advised
Americans to be on alert and remain vigilant,
but also admonished that "America has to con-
tinue to be America."
OK...but he forgot to
tell us exactly how we
were supposed to achieve
this feat of mental dexteri-
ty
Without any in-depth
analysis, the activation of
the "Terrorist Alert
System" seems well
thought out and prudent.
After all, the Emergency
Broadcasting Signal has
warned us for years of
approaching tornadoes and other natural disas-
ters. The Amber Hagerman Alert System has
advised citizens to be on the lookout for a miss-
ing or abducted child.
These are two examples of advanced warn-
ing systems that have been proven to be
invaluable life-saving tools time after time.
But can the same be said of the FBI acti-
vated "Terrorist Alert System"? True, there
were no loud, droning sirens and not much of
an interruption to regularly televised programs.
Unless you were a CNN addict, advanced
notices were pretty much limited to news
teasers before the nightly news.
However, the state of panic and the call to
action invoked by the predictions and warnings
donna
haney
of a terrorist attack shares a commonality with
the reactions whipped to a frenzy by the sirens
and whistles during a tornado.
There is one notable difference among
these situations, and therein lies the crucial
problem to this advanced warning system-
exactly what action can we take to avoid the
predicted terrorist-induced disaster?
Suspend reality for a moment and imagine
what you would have done differently if you
had been told there was to be "some terrorist
attack" the week of Sept. 11-no specifics, only
that "the decibel level was louder" in routine
intelligence information? Would you have
stayed home from work? Kept your kids out of
school? Honestly, would you have varied your
routine in any significant manner?
The U.S. government does have an obliga-
tion to diligently protect its citizens. It should
pass along information necessary to our well
being or to our survival.
However, when the intelligence reports
cannot tell us from which direction the terroris-
tic "tornado" is approaching and it cannot tell
us where we should go to seek safe shelter,
what possible good does this high-tech
"advanced warning system" do us?
Sometimes too much information in too
many hands is a detriment to a society. Through
the years, we have grown indifferent to the reg-
ular monthly tests of the Emergency Broadcast
System.
We are told, "This is only a test. In the
event of an actual emergency, you would have
been instructed where to tune in your area for
complete instructions."
The "Terrorist Alert System" sounded the
siren prematurely. Ridge and other highly
placed officials told us repeatedly that this was
NOT a test, but they forgot to tell us where to
turn for those all-important instructions.
That is tantamount to sounding the Amber
Hagerman Alert when news bulletins can only
tell us, "A child is missing somewhere. We
don't know if it is a boy or a girl and we don't
know the child's age. We don't know the
nationality or have a description of the abduc-
tor. But all of us should be alert and vigilent.
And while we are on the alert, don't forget to
continue living life as we always have."
This convoluted message will NOT assist
in the recovery of a missing child, but more
importantly, it will probably lead the general
public into a state of apathy, resulting in the
overall decline of what should be a brilliant
program.
At face value, it sounds like a good idea to
warn the American public of potential terrorist
activities. But Ridge and the other government
officials should have waited until the informa-
tion they passed along was a little more
informative.
Perhaps if they had brainstormed a little
while longer, someone might have come up
with a viable way for the citizens to function in
the predictable ensuing panic. Perhaps they
would be able to tell us exactly how America
is supposed to continue to be America.
Donna Haney is a graduate student in the
M.Ed, program and news editor for The Rambler.
Journalists deserve homage
The Rambler
Founded in 1917 as The Handout
Harold G. JeJfcoat, Publisher Dr. Marian Haber, Adviser
Melanie Manning, editor in chief
Donna Haney. new s editor Kathryn Keaton, events editor
Jaclyn Gonzales. entertainment editor Jose Valdez, managing/photo editor
Elizabeth West, advertising manager Emmanuel Narh, webmaster
Member of the Associated College Press and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.
Opinions expressed in The Rambler arc those of the individual author only and do not neces-
sarily reflect the views of the Texas Wesleyan community as a whole.
Letters to the editor: The Rambler, a weekly publication, welcomes all letters. All submis-
sions must have a full printed name, phone number and signature: however, confidentiality will be
granted it requested.
While every consideration is made to publish letters, publication is limited by time and
space The editors reserve the right to edit all submissions for space, grammar, clarity and style.
Letters to the editor may be subject to response from editors and students on the opinions
page.
"We are not afraid to follow the truth...wherever it may lead." Thomas Jefferson
Address all correspondence to:
Texas Wesleyan I niversify. The Rambler, 1201 Wesleyan St., Fort Worth, TX 76105.
Newsroom: 531-7552 Advertising: 531-7582 Fax: 531-4878
E-mail: §dUor®twurambhr.com
Kristina C.
tatum
With ghastly images of air-
planes crashing into and utimately
collapsing the World Trade Center
Towers, the disturbing reality that
thousands of innocent human lives
were lost hit home.
Soon police officers, fire per-
sonnel and emergency crews were
hailed for
their heroism.
People
lined the
streets cheer-
ing and
clapping,
holding ban-
ners and
saying prayers
for their con-
tinued
strength and
emotional
endurance during the search and
recovery efforts.
As a society we felt sympathy
for the experiences these men and
women were facing.
They were and are preforming
tasks that the majority of us would
have no desire to participate in.
These service men and women
undoubtedly deserve these acco-
lades, but let us propose a different,
less obvious, hero: the journalist.
These men and women also
responded to the call of the first
plane crashing into the north tower.
They also were emersed in
ground zero after the collapses.
And they too saw the devastation
caused by the terrorist attack.
During this time they did their
best to describe to the public the
latest news and to display pictures
detailing the mass destruction.
At times they inadvertently
revealed their own sorrow that mir-
rored what all of America was feel-
ing.
Despite the journalists' code of
honor to be unbiased and unemo-
tional, they balanced their anger,
shock and sadness to show that
they too feel and were affected by
the horrific tragedy.
Society witnessed ABC's
World News Tonight anchor Peter
Jennings tear up as he explained
the importance of family during
such crises.
News anchor Dan Rather
broke down on Late Night with
David Letterman when asked
about the attack. And Good
Morning America's Diane Sawyer's
gasp of "Dear Lord," as she
watched the second plane hit the
south tower will resonate in our
memories.
These men and women, while
emersing themselves in filth and
death, brought the public an invalu-
able service by reporting the facts
with human emotion.
Just as police, firemen and ser-
vicemen job descriptions require
being on the scenes of wars and
disaster sites, so do journalists'.
However, their work rarely
receives the recognition it deserves.
So here are our claps and
cheers, our banner proclaiming a
job well done, and our prayers for
you all in the hope that you are also
coping with all you have seen,
heard and reported dutifully.
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor,
I wish to convey my appreciation of Elisha Betz. senior elemen-
tary education major, for the actions she took on the night of Oct. 16
at about 10:30 p.m. Elisha was in the computer lab in the lower level
of the library when she detected several juveniles attempting to bur-
glarize the candy machine in the lounge.
She confronted the suspects and immediately called security.
This resulted in the apprehension of one of the suspects who was sub
sequently turned over to the Fort Worth police. Thanks to Elisha for
the help.
Richard D. Toth
Security Department
Kristina C. Tatum is a senior
majoring in psychology and is a con-
tributing writer for The Rambler.
5
Rambler Ratings
Thumbs Up for effort goes to Quiznos. In response to
students'...uh...comments, they are now offering a
"Quiznos Quickie," pre-made sandwiches (one selec-
tion each day) that can be ordered and served a little bit
faster. However...
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A.
Thumbs down to Quiznos for not raising the acceptable
standard for service to students. Are your employees
civil servants that have no fear of losing their jobs?
Thumbs Up to graduating senior, Lisa Orlando. You
never fully appreciate what you have until it's gone.
You did an amazing job organizing and disseminating
contact information when you were president of SOAC.
Thumbs way down to the "Thief of Dan Waggoner." It
has gotten to the point that there are warning signs
posted throughout the building warning students that
someone is stealing cash.
High Five to the men and women of all the student
organizations who have begun collecting canned goods
for area food banks. Thanksgiving is closing in fast.
There will be a lot of families who will be more thank-
ful because of your efforts.
If you have a suggestion for Rambler Ratings, please submit it to
opinions@twurambler.com with the subject line "Ratings."
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Manning, Melanie. The Rambler (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 9, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 1, 2001, newspaper, November 1, 2001; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth253262/m1/2/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Wesleyan University.