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Wednesday, October 12, 1988 / University Daily Kansan
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Opinion
Minority task force report kev to future improvement
Last week's news regarding minority enrollment wasn't great, but we will take what we can get. For now.
According to statistics released by the University, Hispanic, Asian and American Indian enrollment was up; black enrollment
The overall increase in minority enrollment is welcome news. The slightest indication that the University of Kansas is becoming even a little less monochrome is as welcome as rain during a drought.
Although the increase in three categories is at least a sign of some improvement, KU still isn't anything close to a model school in dealing with problems in recruiting, retaining and being responsive to minority concerns on campus. The tensions that exploded out of the Ku Klux Klan controversy in the spring point out all too painfully, that something is wrong.
If there is good to be found in the aftermath of the Klan debate, it is that it at least made the University realize just how much need to be done. The report on just that is due by the time the election comes around, headed by Executive Vice Chancellor Judith Ramsey.
That report is an excellent opportunity for University leaders to explain how KU is going to make itself more inviting to motivate students.
Plans to deal with minority issues need to be well-developed and aggressive. The report should include specific ways to develop active minority recruitment programs, such as a statewide symposium last October, sponsored by the Hispanic Association, visualization, that brought Hispanics to the KU campus and seems to have done an excellent job attracting Hispanic students.
The report also should include plans to work more closely with the rest of Lawrence because any changes that need to be made need to involve all of Lawrence, not just people on Mt. Oread.
Finally, the report needs to charge somebody with making certain plans are implemented.
The little progress that was seen in some areas won't satisfy people at this University. Unless all the problems brought to light in the past year are to have been for nought and the writers of the task force report want to see racial problems continue to grow, the task force plan for action needs to be one that is as bold, direct and thorough as can be.
Michael Merschel for the editorial board
Democracy 1, Pinochet 0
Not often does a ruthless, bloodthirsty dictator get voted out of office, but it happened last week in Chile.
Chilean president Augusto Pinochet is a cruel dictator with a long history of human rights abuses that include the torture, dismemberment and mutilation of victims.
Since Pinochet violently overthrew Marxist president Salvador Allende in a violent military coup in 1973, Pinochet has led Chile with an iron fist and has never reserved presidential elections.
The vote that brought him down was carried out under a constitution that he imposed on Chile in 1800. If Pinochet had won the vote, he would have extended his term, uncontested, until 1997. Perhaps he miscalculated his support when he could not bear the referendum because many believe that he wouldn't have risked loss of power unless he was sure that he would win.
But he did lose, and big the question is whether Pinochet will step aside by March 11, 1990, as the constitution demands, or devise a reason to stay in power. He conceded defeat after the results of the vote were released; but as he spoke, his troops fired tear gas at crowds celebrating his loss. Two people were also shot to death, and dozens were injured and arrested.
The opposition wants Pinochet to resign now and move up the date of presidential elections, but he refuses to give up power until March 11, 1980. Many observers think that he'll try to regain his power after his reign or by running for president again in the 1989 election.
Before Pinochet came to power, Chile had the longest tradition of democracy in Latin America. Last week, after 15 years of dictatorship, nearly 7 million Chilens went to the polls and renewed democracy. Let's hope that Gen. Augusto Pinochet listens to his people and steps down peacefully without the loss of more lives.
Julie McMahon for the editorial board
News staff
Todd Cohen ... Editor
Michael Horak ... Managing editor
Jule Adam ... Associate editor
Stephen Wade ... News editor
Michael Merschel ... Editorial editor
Noel Gerdas ... Campus editor
Craig Anson ... Sports editor
Scott Carpenter ... Photo editor
Dave Eames ... Graphics editor
all Jill Features .. Artist editor
Tom Eblen .. General manager, news advisor
Business staff
Greg Knipp...Business manager
Diana Cole...Retail sales manager
Chris Cooper...Sales manager
Linda Procter...National sales manager
Ken Presentation...Salesman
Sarah Giddish...Marketing manager
Brad Lehmann...Production manager
Mike Production...Art production
Michael Lehm...Classified manager
Sara Wilson...Sales man
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Some speeches instantly great But don't be surprised by ones that start less glamorously
It is said that journalists write the first draft of a book, and historians interpret, reorganize, and further investigate scopes. With almost goddish power, historians structure the past: events originally reported by journalists.
Come to think of it, historians and editors are a lot alike.
These experts generally do a laudable job. But there are exceptions. Based on exhaustive research of documents never before examined, these authors found evidence straight on a 125-year-old historical misconception.
History books have omitted important details about Nov. 19, 1863. Stillness ensnared the crowd in 1864. In the next few months, a
"Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation," began Abraham Lincoln in his thin, high voice, "that the proposition that all men are created equal."
Derek Schmidt
"Hold on Mr. President," barked Salmon Donaldson, a little known reporter whose descendant would someday achieve fame. The journalist's eyebrows made him resemble a Romanian from the television series "Star Trek," although nobody knew that at the time. "Unofficial reports show your administration is considering replacing General Meade with General Grant. Any comment?"
Lincoln ignored the question, but the press corps freight train had begun to roll.
Staff columnist
"What about your failed businesses, Mr. President, querdial Franklin Sesso, 'Don't they raise issues in a new way?'
"Mr. President," interrupted correspondent Helena Thomas, "several acclaimed experts have revealed that you suffer from chronic depression. Are you fit to hold office?"
Lincoln nodded sadly, then tried to continue.
"When?"
"About the war. Mr. President," interrupted Dane Rather "Fifty-one thousand Americans died on this battlefield four months ago. Yet only today we arrive to conserve the ground. Why the delay?"
"My hat was at the cleaners." Lincoln quipped
The one-liner ended the interruption, and Lincoln
cooked the meal.
Two journalists' conversation was later over heard.
Tim Brokaw: How do we report on this one, Brett? Abe was dull today, but it's hard to catch that in print. I sometimes dream about a medium that would capture events as they happen and ser*
their image into every American home. Someday, it'll happen.
Bret Hume: Dream on. Dim, those politicians would never let themselves be seen in raw form. But from our standpoint, that's a great idea. I'd like the people to see me one-on-one with that Hamlin Brounzil. 'Mr. Vice President,' I'd say, since you just be a heartbeat away from me. Don't you tell the people what do it if something happened to Mr. Lincoln? That'd get him.
The Gettysburg address fared poorly on editorial pages.
"The ceremony was rendered ludicrous by some of the sallies of that poor President Lincoln," wrote the London Times. "Anything more dull and commonplace wouldn't be easy to produce."
An American paper was more judgmental. "We pass over the silly remarks of the President. For the credit of the nation, we are willing that the veil be removed," he said, and that they shall no more be repeated, nor removed.
Somehow, history has been rewritten since that time. The address of the American masterpiece Gettysburg Address is an American masterpiece.
How will our posterity remember the Bentsen?
Quayle debate in 2113?
Derek Schmidt is an Independence junior major ing in journalism
K·A·N·S·A·N
MAILBOX
Quayle feared
Fluff. Hollow nationalism. Plane ticket to an open fascist regime.
These are but a few of my recurrent nightmarish images after the debate between Bentens and Alain. The debate over Quayle dogging civil rights issues, Quayle dodging queries of the horrenthooded burial, Quayle eating the fire of the iron-confraud scam. But as with the human sawl, the debate was far from humorous.
When Lloyd Bentens of Texas shook Quayle's hand, he had to wipe the flu from his hand. Danny came across as the Vanna White of politics. When Bush or the speech writers say the word flag, Quayle responds to the secret earphone in his brain (and I use the term flag) and then asked what he did it catapulted into the heart of a catastrophe. Quayle actually had to think
Qaylie says that the United States is the 'envy of the world.' They probably envy our $1 billion debt, our record of civil rights and fast money. Only 30 million below the poverty line! Wow!
"...uh. uh. uh. . . I'd pray "Even we atheists would pray!
of this nation. I just poked my middle finger drawing the blood of virile ancestors.
Before the many thousands of KU students and dozens of KU teachers, I, Forest Loree Tackle do irreverently promise to leave the United States. And I'm confident Dan Forthquile III is sworn to the presidency
Forest Bloodgood Stillwater, Okla., senior
I thought this was a democracy. I thought Americans were supposed to have a choice. Theoretically we do it is between the constituent bodies of Congress and the facist hollow fifthe of Bush and his Frankenstein.
Controls work
Gina Sibley, in her Sept. 29 letter to the Kansan, criticizes Jill McMahon's statistics on handgun control but then proceeds to provide some dubious statistics of her own. For example, she says that a majority of gun owners, 99 percent, have never accidentally shot someone else, and never commit crimes with a gun." Where did this statistic come from? "The National Rifle Association?" And, as I recall, the issue being that a seventy-day waiting period for handguns
Handgun control laws have proven effective. Studies by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the justice Department show that after a 1977 law, handgun control was weak in Washington, D.C., took effect, handgun deaths in the District of Columbia fell 30 percent. According to the Chicago Police Department, that city's 1818 handgun control law has contributed to an overall decline in handgun deaths. Unfortunately, unless a uniform federal law is enacted, such local measures can only go so far toward preventing handgun violence. In New York, for example, more than 90 percent of homes without handgun laws come from states with waker gun laws.
Bill Sharp
What Sibley fails to address in her letter
and I have yet to hear a rational response from "an avid shooter" on this issue — is why she insists upon the unconditional right to buy a handgun instantly, no questions asked. Why should a seven-day check for a criminal record so offend the true "gun enthusiast"?
Bill Sharp Lawrence graduate student
Team never quits
63-10. It was another typical Kansas-Nebraska football game Saturday afternoon. One thing is certain. The Jayhawks were heavily outmanned by the "Big Red Machine" in this contest, and this also is certain. Although the score was logged in, the team never until the final gun sounded.
I believe that this football team is committed to winning. The coaches and players work hard every day to compete on Saturday. I was disgusted with the behavior and attitude of some players. They made me laugh. They made jokes about our team and criticized our players and coaches. Our team needs support and encouragement, not derogatory remarks from its fans. There is enthusiasm and hard work on the field, and this eventually will be earned by the players, staff and talent players who want to win.
I *attended KU* football games since I was 8 years old, and Ive sat through good times and bad ones. I remember to remember a one-victory season. Regardless, I am "true blue." Unfortunately, some are only a few months old.
Drew Swisher Lyons sophomore
BLOOM COUNTY
by Berke Breathed
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