THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4,2005
WWW.KANSAN.COM
EDITORIAL
Watch for media scares
Every year, the media focuses all its energy on a new health crisis that has the possibility of destroying the nation. In the past, it was SARS and smallpox, but this year, the media has chosen to seize upon avian bird flu as the next big threat to national health.
There has long been talk about the possibility of a viral outbreak in the United States. Nationwide critics have speculated about the government's effectiveness in handling a national disaster. The department of Health and Human Services has scrambled to update a flu pandemic response plan to accommodate these new threats. If an outbreak were to occur, what if the same thing happened and we didn't have a big enough supply of vaccine to stop the spread of avian bird flu?
Avian bird flu is scientifically known as influenza strain H5N1, a naturally occurring strain in the intestines of birds. The most telling fact about this dangerous strain set to wipe out the US is that it is not naturally communicable to humans.
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It is easy to see why the media is hyping this up as the next big national disaster. But in order for us to believe the unlikely scenario of an avian bird flu pandemic presented to us by the media, we must accept the possibility of a non-human virus mutating, crossing the largest ocean in the world and infecting the nation while our shelves are empty of precious flu vaccine. The facts, however, do not support this highly unlikely scenario.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, "In rare instances,
limited human-to-human spread of H5N1 virus has occurred, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person."
Americans have a greater chance of dying from the common influenza-A strains than from avian bird flu. From December 2003 to December 2004, the World Health Organization reports there were 61 clinically confirmed deaths from avian bird flu, far less than the predicted pandemic levels of a US outbreak.
In comparison, the department of Health and Human Services states influenza-A strains, the type humans are infected with every winter, will kill an average of 36,000 Americans, over 590 times the amount of people who have died from avian bird flu.
Despite the unlikely possibility of a pandemic, the government has bought into the hype and done an effective job of preparing for this supposed pandemic. The Associated Press reports that the Senate recently passed legislation to increase spending on flu vaccine by $3 billion, and the department of Health and Humans services recently spent $100 million to begin large scale production of an avian bird flu vaccine in preparation for a potential outbreak.
The more important story is the economic problems we would face from the deaths of infected birds. A large scale poultry pandemic, a situation much more plausible than a human pandemic and already occurring on a small scale in Asia, would cripple the American poultry industry and have serious repercussions on the economy of the nation, and the world as a whole.
Why then is the human pandemic receiving so much attention despite its far-fetched plausibility?
Journalists are always looking for the next big story and fearful of being out scooped by the competition. Once a single newspaper or network decides the cover a story, the rest of the media must follow suit or risk losing their audience to another publication. In this instance, however, the editorial board feels the desire for a story overtook the basic principles of journalism. Stories based on scare tactics allude to the days of yellow journalism when reporters focused more on newspaper sales than journalistic integrity. Journalism that relies on less on facts and more on emotional appeals is not only unethical but also unfair to the millions of consumers who turn to the media everyday.
In this post-9/11 world, we the public are continuously scared about the possibility of disasters on US soil. We are constantly scanning the horizon to try and get a jump on what the next big crisis will be, thinking we will be better prepared if we see it coming.
The problem is, if you look at something long enough, anything can be construed as a threat to public safety. That is why it is our job as citizens to not buy into the media hype and question the legitimacy of the news presented to us so we can make our own decisions about the real problems threatening our nation today.
Nathan McGinnis for the editorial board.
Free All for
Call 864-0500
Free for all callers have 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 "udkfreeoalr."
So, I play World of Warcraft, and Pawn Noobs almost every day, why doesn't anyone love me?
The moon landing was a hoax, and Chuck Norris was the actor who played Neil Armstrong.
If Google was on facebook.com, I would make him my friend. I just searched he's not.
To the girl whose boyfriend plays World of Warcraft hardcore! feel for you. But as long as he's buying you shoes, he's a keeper!
My advice to any KU student: Give at least one COMS 130 speech drunk. It'll change your life
Why is it that 4 a.m. is so much later when you're studying than when you're drinking?
Girl 1: I wish there was a career in stalking people on facebook.com.
Girl 2: I'd make bank.
Girl 1: Yeah, I'd be a billionaire!
This instant message thing is flippin' sweet!
I had 2 cases of Rolling Rock and two lesbian midgets in my apartment last night. Dreams do come true!
Baby Jesus loves minty goo!
The new Quitkrip is probably the best addition to Lawrence, but why is it half way to Lenexa?
There ain't no party like a Rhombus House party,
'cause a Rhombus House party don't stop.
Instead of doing my homework im going to get some action. Take that Free for All!
So, I walked from the Fieldhouse to Corbin yesterday and every single bus was going in the opposite direction. That's a long time for every bus to go in the other direction!
Jayhawks do it better when wet. Go KU swimming and diving!
I hate you Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center. I hate you.
To the really hot male cheerleader in my stats class: Can I get your digits?
Yeah! Free for All on AIM. Crazy!
I met a guy named Steele at a party. I wonder if his name applies to all parts of his body.
It's Nov. 2, and I'm wearing a tank top. What? Welcome to Kansas folks.
Dude, I so just put Free for All on my buddy list,
but I didnt know if I should put you in my dudes or chicks column. So, you get the dude column.
Congrats!
To the girl who waved at me at McColllum bus stop on Thursday; I went ant.
Dudel What is up with the whistle? I live on the 10th floor at Naismith and it wakes me up every morning!
Matthew Sevcik, opinion editor 864-4924 or msevck@kansan.com
Joshua Bickel, managing editor 884-4854 or jbicket@kansan.com
TALK TO US
Austin Caster, editor
864-4854 or acaster@kansan.com
Jonathan Kealing, managing editor 864-4854 or ikealing@kansan.com
Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing adviser
884-7666 or jweaver@kansan.com
Sarah Connelly, business manager
864-4014 or addirecor@kansan.com
Malcim Gibon, general manager, news
advocate
mgb or mgbian@kansan.com
John Morgan, sales director
884-462 and adorector @ kansan.com
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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.
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Seth Bundy/KANSAN
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Maximum Length: 650 word limit
Include: Author's name; class, home-
town (student); position (faculty
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EDITORIAL BOARD
Eile Ford, Yanting Wang, Joel Simone, Dan Hoyt, Walt Wemterm, Julie Parisi, Naish McGinnis, Josh Gofting, Sara Garlic, Travis Brown, Julian Portillo, David Archer
SUBMIT TO
Kansan newsroom
111 Stuart-Flint Hall
1435 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 60545
(785) 864-4810 opinion@kansan.com
▼ CRAPTACULAR!
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
"Wheels" article needs tune-up
ONLINE
I would like to respond to the errors presented in the article regarding KU on Wheels. KU on Wheels is one of the programs of the Transportation Board.
Each year the Board comprising of students, a faculty advisor, and a member of the parking department selects a single student employee to serve as Transportation Coordinator.
The coordinator and the Board decide routes, contract buses and attempt to find ways in which the system can be improved.
Last Tuesday, The University Daily Kansan misquoted KU on Wheels and members of the Lawrence Bus Company in an article entitled, "Bus System Confrontes Problems."
A large part of the misrepresentation of KU on Wheels in recent UDK articles stems from misunderstandings on part of the newspapers' staff.
The article referred to an incident in which there was a misprint of a route, and a student was forced to walk from a bus stop to her apartment at night.
1. Any bus driver, SafeRide driver, or LiftVan driver is not an employee of KU on Wheels rather, they are the employees of the Lawrence Bus Company, a local transportation company with which KU on
- The article in question can be found online at... http://www.kansen.com/ stories/2005/ oct27/buses/
KU on Wheels is funded by a student fee and user fees (bus passes). Student fees go directly to Student Senate and then are distributed to student organizations. The University never receives that money, it is strictly for the use of students.
Wheels is contracted.
Further, all the vehicles used are not the property of KU on Wheels, but again, that of the Lawrence Bus Company. If I were to say, "The Kansan is the journalism school" or "the journalism school is just the Kansan," neither would be accurate.
2. KU on Wheels was not previously made aware of the problem with the night campus route. But the problem is now being currently corrected on the KU on Wheels Web site map to prevent any problems in future routes.
KU on Wheels is aware that the bus map night campus route does not properly show the downtown loop, but all the times on the schedule still are correct.
3. Funding for the KU on Wheels system: KU on Wheels makes a contract with a company for payment on services.
As for the logistics of the bus' conditions or drivers' pay, those decisions are made within the Lawrence Bus Company.
nancial contribution, well, there is none.
As for the University's fi-
KU on Wheels receives just under $857,000 a year from student fees and about $500,000 from bus pass sales, which is then divided into contracting with Lawrence Bus Company for buses, drivers and Safe Ride and Lift Van services and various other expenses for maintaining the student run transportation system.
We just want to inform the students of University of Kansas that the KU bus system, SafeRide and LiftVan are all student run and student funded. These services are here to serve you to best we can.
If you have any complaints please relay them to kuon-wheels@ku.edu and we will work with you to the best of our ability.
$\diamond$ Thomas H. Cox
Shawnee sophomore in history and political science, Chairman of KU on Wheels.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Kansan apartment fire story opportunistic, condescending
Louis Mora's article featured on the front page of the October 21 Kansan shocked me.
I was appalled first by the headline, "Apartment fire causes students to seek security."
Not only was this the most blatantly obvious and condescending statement the Kansasan has made all year, in my opinion, but it also ridicules the intelligence of the people who awoke in the middle of the night to discover their homes falling around them in flames.
Regrettably, the article continues by suggesting that had the renters spent $20 more each month, they might have never had to deal with the tragic blaze at the Boardwalk Apartments.
And while I am completely positive that Nicole Bingham's family and friends believe her life was priceless, and so much more valuable than $20 a month, how could the Kansan or Louis Mora take the standpoint that the renters were somehow responsible for the acts of one tremendously sick individual?
kler systems, fire extinguisher maintenance, and city firefighting services?
As if that weren't all bad enough, the article then goes on to consult one firm who stands to profit the most from these tragedies.
Are either the newspaper or its writers aware that the law does not allow people to burn houses down, and that the taxes and rent we pay are supposed to go toward sprin-
Just on a whim, I headed over to the Douglas County
"...How could the Kansan or Louis Mora take the standpoint that the renters were somehow responsible for the acts of one tremendously sick individual?"
Insurance and Financial Services Web site.
This site is, according to them, the home of "Distinctive Ideas, Premiere Service." (sic) How much more biased can one source be?
How can the Kansan make this heart-wrenching issue into a marketing opportunity for Douglas County Insurance and Financial Services, a firm that can't spell at a fifth-grade level on professional marketing materials,
and incorrectly assumes that all victims "haven't experienced living on their own and being responsible for their property"?
My first instinct is pure rage. One of my classmates lost everything he owned in the Boardwalk fire, and barely escaped with his life. People I love have been seriously inured in similar fires.
I have lost several hundred dollars of my own property in similar fires.
Even with this experience, I refuse to even attempt to imagine how these victims feel when told that, in hindsight, $20 a month might have saved their lives, their health, and everything they owned.
Responsibility in journalism is a notion clearly lost on Mora. Ethical media behavior is clearly lost on DCI & FS.
Both companies should be positively ashamed at this horrendously opportunistic, heartless abuse of the front page of a once-respectable college newspaper.
Better to have let this matter be unattended in this despicable issue than to have crossed the line into flagrant insensitivity.
♦ Jordan McKlinney Lindsborg senior in religious studies.
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