THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2005
WWW.KANSAN.COM
STAND UP
PAGE 6A
Involvement with the opinion page yields valuable life lessons
Every day you can count on one thing when you open the Kansan; two to three people will voice their opinions about a certain topic of interest.
These people share their ideas with the student body and open themselves up to the criticism of others.
The choices of topics are broad, ranging from racism to different vibrator styles.
People write about what interests them and share their opinion with others.
I am a regular columnist, and I have realized a few life lessons in the short semester while writing for the opinion page.
Everyone on this campus has a voice, from Chancellor Robert Hemenway all the way down to the person who cleans the bathrooms in Budig.
But of this immense population, only a small percentage of people seek to publish their opinions for others to see.
There are two potential reasons for this: First, a person may not care or have a strong feeling either way on a particular issue.
I am glad people like that choose not to write columns, because without passion in someone's writing, the ideas will not be expressed effectively and would consequently be uninteresting to read.
Secondly, a person may not choose to publish his opinions because he is afraid of what others might think. I understand this argument fully.
JOEL SIMONE
opinion@kansan.com
The decision is not easy as it seems because if one chooses to speak his mind, he is going to have to deal with the reprecussions of his comments.
Most people do not want to become outcasts for their opinions, but a wise man once said, "I speak my mind, because biting my tongue would make my pride bleed."
These columns and letters might be meaningless comments to some but life lessons to others.
There is an age-old question that asks whether one would rather be liked or respected.
This decision is not as easy as it seems because if one chooses to speak his mind, he is going to have to deal with the repercussions of his comments.
But heading your opinions could also cause you to lose respect, maybe not from others, but from yourself.
If you believe in something and choose not to be vocal about it, no one will ever criticize you for it; but consequently, no one will ever know what your ideas were.
Since I started writing this semester, each column I have written has seen numerous letters and guest columns from people refuting my opinions.
People have called the Free for All and said less than admirable words about me.
Someone called the editor of the Kansas about a column of mine, I've lost a friendship and a lawyer representing the Miss Kansas USA pageant contacted me about the integrity of the pageant.
While I am obviously upset about some of these situations, I still will not take back anything that I have said.
I am the type of person whowhowould rather be honest to someone's face than act fraudulent behind his back.
If you've got something to say, write in to the Kansan. Just remember that no one's writing or ideas are infallible; but contributing your letters or guest columns, you can help the University see a topic from a different perspective.
It may even cause someone to change his mind about an issue. So, if you got something to say, stand up and let your voice be heard!
♦ Simone is a Chicago Heights, IIL., junior in journalism.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Criticism of class un-Christian
The recent e-mail from Dr. Paul Mirecki has generated quite a stir amongst the religious crowd and the response has been over-dramatized, hypocritical and, ironically, un-Christian.
Rep. Brenda Landwehr (R-Wichita) said, "If you read his e-mail, it's not a short e-mail... It's venomous."
As a member of SOMA whoreceived the e-mail in question, I can say this claim is nothing short of a lie.
The e-mail contained six paragraphs, of which only two sentences were the ones repeated various times by the media and could be construed as "venomous." The rest of the email is informative. It gives time, location and content of the course. It asks for input on textbooks or guest lecturers.
misunderstanding of science.
People who are up in arms about Dr. Mirecki's comments need to get off their high horses.
His comments were meanspirited, but pale in comparison to the vitriol of the fundamentalists. The comments were made in a private forum, while fundamentalists slander anyone opposing their agenda as "evil-utionists," "God-haters," "unpatriotic" or a laundry list of other names.
Dr. Mirecki's letter was not intended to offend all Judeo-Christians as has been claimed. The target of ire was only those who seek to undermine education and the scientific process through a blatant
These comments are publicly and proudly displayed on the Web sites of intelligent design proponents.
Christians don't want to take this "slap on the right cheek" lightly. More than one member of our legislature has discussed slashing funding for the University in response to Mirecki exercising his right to free speech.
Again, this isn't a case of Christians being attacked, but instead, a reminder that what goes around, comes around.
Jesus said something about turning the other cheek. Perhaps it's time for these believers to start acting like the Christians they claim to be.
I don't condone the mud-slinging of either side and I'm not going to venture an opinion on who started it.
Instead of acting like children, both sides need to discuss the matter in a mature manner.
Forgive me if I'm mistaken,
but I seem to remember that
This isn't going to happen until fundamentalists realize they hold no moral high ground and are just as covered in mud as their opponents.
Someone is going to have to take the first step and ignore the accusations and name-calling from the other side long enough to re-establish communication.
Who bears this responsibility? I don't know. But for you religious types out there, try asking yourself this: What would Jesus do?
♦ Jon Voisey
St. Louis junior in
physics and astronomy.
TALK TO US
Jonathan Kealing, managing editor 864-4854 or ikealing@kansan.com
One of the first subjects discussed in the Introduction to Evolutionary Biology class this semester is how the implications of intelligent design do not fit inside the paradigm of empirical, scientific inquiry. Under the scientific method, the supernatural cannot be used to explain the natural and vice versa.
Austin Caster, editor
864-4854 or acaster@kansan.com
In an institution such as the University, politics and a student's right to academic freedom should be kept well apart. There is a reason why separation of church and state is so important. It is to prevent events such a these from occurring.
Don't students at a secular university have the right to take a class that is skeptical of religion? Politicians and activists may see victory in the withdrawal of this class, but there are plenty of other courses which hold intelligent design and creationism in a critical light.
Sarah Connelly, business manager
864-4014 or adddirector@kansan.com
may have been crude and inappropriate, but there is a deeper meaning to be found at the heart of this controversy. It is a matter of freedom versus censorship. Does freedom of speech extend only up to the point when religion is criticized?
Joshua Bickel, managing editor 864-4854 or jbickel@kansan.com
Matthew Sevclk, opinion editor
864-4924 or msevclk@kansan.com
John Morgan, sales director
864-4462 or adddirector at kansan.edu
SUBMISSIONS
The fact that state legislators would even be willing to cut funding to the University over the institution of a class that questions certain religious philosophies is an outrage. All of this amounts to conservative censorship of what is viewed as liberal propaganda.
Malcolm Gibson, general manager, news
84-766-796 or mgibson@kansan.com
wno wants the religious studies department brought under the control of a private religious organization and the University's Society of OpenMinded Atheists and Agnostics dissolved, should raise serious concerns.
- Abramovitz is an Overland Park sophomore in English and philosophy.
Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing
adviser
564-7666 or jweaver@kansan.com
Conservative agenda causes controversy
▼ GUEST COMMENTARY
The Kansan welcomes letters to the editors and guest columns submitted by students, faculty and alumni.
The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length, or reject all submissions.
For any questions, call Austin Caster at 864-4810 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com.
Politicians and activists may see victory in the withdraw of this class, but there are plenty of other courses which hold intelligent design ... in a critical light.
GUEST COLUMN GUIDELINES
Maximum Length: 200 word limit
Include: Author's name and telephone number; class, hometown (student); position (faculty member); phone number (will not be published)
General questions should be directed to the editor at editor at kansan.com.
Maximum Length: 850 word limit
Include: Author's name; class, home-
town (student); position (faculty
member); phone number (will not be
published)
LETTER GUIDELINES
Was there a violent cry for redress last June when Vice President Dick Cheney publicly accosted Congressman Leahy on the Senate floor with the "F" word? Or when Pat Roberts, a prominent conservative television evangelist, demanded the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on his television show, "The 700 Club?" Or when President Bush, at the Middle East Peace Summit in 2003, made an even more outrageous claim: Justifying military action in Afghanistan and Iraq as a direct divination from God?
EDITORIAL BOARD
Also: The Kansan will not print guest columns that attack another columnist.
No actions taken for these incidents match the ones in response to Dr. Paul Mirecki's divulged e-mails. To cut to the chase, the United States is controlled and dominated by the Christian conservative right and is why critics have lambasted Dr. Mirecki so fiercely.
ZACHARY ABRAMOVITZ opinion@kansan.com
The words of Dr. Mirecki
Elite Ford, Yanting Wang, Joel Simone, Dan Hoyt, Annie Wettermute, Julie Parisi, Nathan McGinnis, Josh Goeting, Sara Garlick, Travis Brown, Julian Portillo, David Archer
SUBMIT TO
Kansan newroom
111 Stauffer-Flint Hall
1435 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 86045
(786) 844-8190 opinion@kansan.com
This whole ordeal is not a matter of a professor's ill-chosen words, but an affront against a self-proclaimed liberal whose dissent stands in direct contrast to a conservative political and social system.
It is disgusting to see the ways in which politicians have interfered with the operations of an institution such as the University. Calls from conservative activist John Altevogt,
Free All
Call 864-0500
Free for All callers will 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansan editors reserve the right to omit comments. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded. Instant message the Free for All at "ukidforeal.org."
Cassie, I just tore your Christmas lights down with my telekinesis again!
I am the Fantasy Football God!
If we beat St Joseph in New York City, I'm flying to Madison Square Garden and tearing down the baskets! It's new a KU tradition right?
I'd like to order some Micah Downs with some Christian Moody on the side.
I want something that says, "Dad likes leather!"
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To the guys who keep proposing to the red-headed girl who swipes the cards at Mrs. E's: Why are you not proposing to me?
I miss Coolio.
Free For All, I am making a cheese sandwich ghetto style.
Oh my God, dude! Is that a box crossing the street?
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To the guys in the front row at the game: our colors are blue, white, and red. Don't ever show up painted turquoise and white again.
7. 30 a.m. is an ungody time to have a final scheduled.
My roommate owns a black and white polka-dotted moo-moo.
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I feel sorry for Broncos fans, not because they are Broncos fans (an affliction that warrants pity from all), but because their quarterback has, at the same time, the dirtiest 'stache and the greasiest mullet on earth.
My roommate just tried to beat her computer to death with a three-hole punch. The fractured royalty of Oliver strikes yet again!
Everyone should watch Survivor at 7 p.m. on Thursday on CBS. Danni the KU alum is one of the final five!
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1.
College could be so productive if it weren't for AIM and facebook.com.
So, I went to Manhattan this weekend,and I think my vocabulary shrank by 98 percent.
OK, people, the creation stories of the Bible are mythology. It has nothing to do with being true or false. Get a dictionary.
Here's the deal: We are the Jayhawks, not the Chiefs. If you want to have to say something at the end of the National Anthem, then at least say
Eat
I'm dating the drive-thru girl, so back off
Let's try each other on to see if we fit.
Last night, I walked around The Hawk in a formal dress. Boy do I feel classy.
Clutch rocked my socks off Wednesday night, and anyone who didn't go should be ashamed.
My roommate doesn't understand that 85 degrees is how hot my Grandma keeps her house.
Mrs. E's has Ego waffles, and that makes me ridiculously happy.
Bobby Douglass said "Rock Chalk" to me in the bathroom of Soldier Field.
The Chiefs won't lose another game this year, I guarantee it!
My friends and I all agree, an angry Larry Johnson could take Vin Diesel.
Hey, school, it's me. I know that we've known each other for many, many years now, but I have something I need to tell you. I'm sorry, and this may or may not come as a shock, but I just don't feel the same. I just don't care like I used to, and I'm completely over you.
Michelle Goodrick is my hero!
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Let's keep it clean at the games and watch our mouthes. We're not trash.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. All, Thank you for conceiving Free For. You guys are swell. Love, Nick.
I smoke because it's cheaper than therapy and the priest won't return my emails.