President's Peace Commission

Father John Moder, President of St. Mary's University, hosts this panel discussion featuring David Dittfurth, J.D., of the School of Law at St. Mary's University, and Dr. Stephen Calogero, of the Department of Philosophy at St. Mary's University. Dr. Calogero speaks about independence and freedom. Mr. Dittfurth then poses a hypothetical question in which, while riding a bus an elderly woman gets on, but must stand in the aisle because all the seats are taken; he asks what "rules" require him to relinquish his seat to the woman. Presented as part of the President's Peace Commission fall 1994 program, "My Rights or (Y)ours: Rights, Responsibilities, and Interdependence." (70 minutes)

Host: J. Willis Langlinais. Panel discussion featuring James Sauer, Dept. of Philosophy, St. Mary's University, and Zaida Martinez, School of Business, St. Mary's University. Dr. Martinez speaks about the maquiladoras in Mexico and NAFTA. Dr. Sauer discusses the more philosophical aspects of business, including the underlying self interest everyone has. Presented as part of the President's Peace Commission fall 1994 program, "My Rights or (Y)ours: Rights, Responsibilities, and Interdependence." (68 minutes)

Yamin Aguilar, of the President's Peace Commission, hosts this panel discussion featuring Robert Rivard, the Assistant Managing Editor of the San Antonio Express-News; Ron Aaron, talk show host at WOAI radio; and T.J. Connally, the Vice President of Public Affairs for Paragon Cable. Mr. Rivard begins with a demonstration indicating the fundamental contradiction between the First Amendment and the ability to say any thing about any one any where at any time. Mr. Aaron explains the difference between his talk show program's intent and the news programs' intent and obligations. Mr. Connally speaks about the effects of deregulation and comments on the high ratings of the O.J. Simpson white Bronco car chase and the ability to view the bombing of Baghdad a few years earlier. A question and answer period concludes the panel discussion. (78 minutes)

Dr. Stephen Calogero, of the President's Peace Commission, hosts this panel discussion featuring Dr. Miguel Bedolla, M.D., of the Department of Philosophy at St. Mary's University; Susan Zinn, J.D., of Texas Rural Legal Aid; and Brother Stanley Culotta, M.D., of the Holy Cross Health Centers. Ms. Zinn speaks first and shares why many poor must go to the emergency rooms for non-emergency health care. Dr. Culotta then speaks about the insurance companies, who are out to make money not to provide health care. Dr. Bedolla then speaks about the past, present, and future of universal health care. A question and answer period concludes this panel discussion. (89 minutes)

Brother Paul Combest, of the President's Peace Commission, serves as the host for this session. He introduces Martha Fitzwater, J.D., who speaks about the exclusion and inclusion of gays and lesbians and some common misconceptions of homosexuality. (48 minutes)

Cecilia Aguilar, of the President's Peace Commission, serves as the hostess for this address by Amy Hartman, a Medical Social Worker at the Centro del Barrio. Ms. Hartman discusses the various homeless programs in San Antonio; she also discusses the prominence of homelessness in San Antonio. A question and answer period concludes this session. (31 minutes)

Judy Geelhoed, of the President's Peace Commission, hosts this panel discussion featuring Dr. Cynthia Gentry, professor in the Department of Sociology at Trinity University, and Deputy Chief Al Philippus, of the San Antonio Police Department. Chief Philippus speaks first and presents many devastating statistics about the use of guns and gun-related deaths around the United States and within San Antonio. Dr. Gentry proposes much stricter legislations, restricting the use of guns, and suggests that such legislation would drastically decrease crime. A question and answer session concludes this presentation. (48 minutes)

Dr. Colleen Nolan, of the President's Peace Commission, hosts this panel discussion featuring Dr. Jim Ginger, of the Department of Public Justice at St. Mary's University, and Judge Carmen Kelsey, of the 289th District Court, Juvenile Division. Judge Kelsey asks to consider at what point it is permissible to use deadly force. Dr. Ginger presents numerous statistics regarding crime and punishment in the United States and in Texas. A question and answer period concludes this session. (49 minutes)

Kathleen Taggart, of the President's Peace Commission, hosts this panel discussion featuring Ernani Falcone, Coordinator of Amnesty International in San Antonio; Richard M. Casillas, the District Director of Immigration and Naturalization Service; Dr. Lee Teran, professor in the School of Law at St. Mary's University; and Dr. Gilberto Hinojosa, the Dean of the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts at the Incarnate Word College. Mr. Falcone suggests that most anti-immigration is based on economics; however, he states, immigration provides for the needs of the quality of life for the middle class, such as housekeepers, and landscapers. He explains what Amnesty International stands for and supports. Dr. Teran dispels many common misbeliefs about immigrants and comments on the legislative and treaty-related the United States has in regards to refugees. Dr. Hinojosa speaks about the push/pull forces in the U.S. economy and how public opinion about immigrants correlates to the bust or boom status of the economy. A question and answer session concludes this discussion. (65 minutes)

Dora Ybarra, of the President's Peace Commission, serves as the moderator for this panel discussion featuring Dr. Albert Cortez, the Director of the Intercultural Development Research Association; Al Kauffman, J.D., Mexican-American Legal Defense Fund (MALDEF); and Brother Peter Pontollilo, the Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Diocese of Victoria. Mr. Kauffman explains that the title of the presentation, "A good education for my child, whether yours gets one or not," summarizes the way of thinking for most of Texans throughout the past years; he provides examples to support this statement. Dr. Cortez then speaks about the choice of education -- private schools and public schools. Brother Pontollilo then speaks about the parental choice education system, which he believes is on the horizon and he believes will bring about competition. A question and answer session concludes this panel discussion. (72 minutes)

Sister Christine Catron, professor in the English Communication Department at St. Mary's University, serves as the moderator for this panel discussion, which is comprised of four St. Mary's Seniors and Alex Delgadillo, the Associate Dean of Students at St. Mary's University. Mr. Delgadillo makes a few introductory remarks about the rights of students, but also the responsibilities of students. Two other students on the panel then concur and add a few remarks. Sister Christine then hosts questions and answers from the audience. (70 minutes)