4A
Tuesday, December 6, 1994
OPINION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VIEWPOINT
Making criminals pay for services is a smart idea
The state of Kansas could make criminals pay, literally. Under a program being developed by the Department of Corrections, inmates in Kansas prisons would be required to pay for some services they now receive free.
Inmates in Kansas would be charged $1 a month as an administrative fee to manage their savings accounts, $2 for any self-initiated medical visits, the full cost of any mandatory drug test that showed a positive result for an illegal substance and a maximum fee of $25 a month to cover the costs of supervising inmates on parole, conditional release and probation.
Charles Simmons, Department of Corrections acting secretary, said that the implementation of this program of fees for services
PAYING THE PRICE System would bill criminals
would put Kansas in the company of several other states whose corrections agencies are looking for new ways to hold criminals accountable.
While other measures such as longer prison sentences also seek to hold criminals accountable, this program has the added benefit of costing nothing. It would save the taxpayers money. Under the present system, Kansas taxpayers bear the full cost of keeping the approximately 6,000 inmates in the prison system and monitoring a similar number on parole.
The Department of Corrections should be applauded for its innovative plan and encouraged to explore other ways that criminals can be held accountable for their crimes.
JASON McCLURE FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Student Senate name tags would be a waste of money
At the beginning of this school year, the editorial board warned Student Senate about frivolously overspending the funds it receives from the students' pocketbooks. Senate has, at least up until now, listened to this advice and miraculously put together a budget that is on-line with its estimated expenditures for the fall semester.
However, last week the finance committee proved that old habits die hard.
If Senate passes this bill, it
STUDENT INTERESTS Does Senate care about us?
This absurd creation of "feel good" legislation that is reminiscent of the'60s is a waste of students' money that should be voted down tonight.
It approved a wasteful bill that will be voted on by Senate tonight. The bill would allocate $100 for buttons. The buttons would be worm by our elected student senators in an attempt to help students become better acquainted with the peers we have sent up to the Hill (Campanile hill that is).
will set a frightening precedent for passage of any bill no matter how inane the idea is. One can only imagine if the purchase of name tags for all KU students to promote campus unity is on the agenda for next semester.
But even if one likes this fruitless idea, its ultimate flaw lies in the fact that it has no enforcement measures. It already is tough enough for some apathetic student senators to attend Senate meetings. If senators want to wear buttons, let them buy them with their own money.
To some, this bill might not seem like a big waste of money, but if history serves as a predictor of the future, then this wasteful bill will quickly lead to a multitude of other "great" ideas. Then Student Senate will have more in common with the big-spending Senate in Washington than with KU students.
LANCE HAMBY FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD.
KANSAN STAFF
JEN CARR Business manager
STEPHEN MARTINO Editor
CHRISTOPH FUHRMANS Managing editor
TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser
CAMERON DEATH Retail sales manager
JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser
JEANNE HINES
CATHERINE ELLSWORTH Systems coordinator
Campus mgr ... Mark Masto
Regional mgr ... Laura Guth
National mgr ... Mark Masto
Coop mgr ... Emily Gibbon
Special Sections mgr ... Jen Pierer
Production mgrs ... Holly Boren
... Regan Overy
Marketing director ... Alan Stigle
Creative director ... Dan Gler
Classified mgr ... Heather Nohause
EDITORS
News ... Sara Bennett
Editorial ... Donella Heame
Campus ... Mark Martin
Sports ... Brian James
Photo ... Deron Bennett
... Mellasea Lacey
Features ... Traci Carl
Planning Editor ... Susan White
Design ... Noah Muuser
Assistant to the editor ... Robbie Johnson
Business Staff
Editors
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For the First Discussion of Sexuality: Plan B, Phase 1 of Operation Liberate. I had decided that in lieu of actually trying to try my parents down and "come out" I would try a more unique approach: a T-shirt. "Have a Gay Day" it says.
Sexual liberation requires game plan
Then the First Discussion came into being. It was beautiful, and I remember the words exactly, even though the event had a sort of euphoric effect on me. The best high I ever had.
I still can't believe I was stupid enough to wear it an entire 24 hours in my little hometown of 11,000. But that was how it happened.
"You shouldn't be wearing that around here. You never know what people will do," was all the response my mother gave at first.
But I knew I would have to take that second step someday.
"yes" then I'll unfortunately have to make up a name.
"Well ... yes." I'm so positively evil. "There's this guy I've been seeing for a while."
Notice the vague and nebulous language — "this guy" not "name," "seeing" not "dating," "a while" not "three weeks."
The scene is as follows: Thanksgiving dinner in Coffeeville. Parents and family of Dave and extraneous others sit comfortably with their significant
"I guess we wouldn't have any problem with it."
others (my siblings' husbands, wives,
girlfriends, boyfriends, etc. — all
straight combinations, of course.)
Cut to the kitchen table, where Matriarch
sits with Gay Son and Gay Son's
Little Straight Brother, discussing Little
Straight Brother's Steady Girlfriend.
That's it, that's the only thing we can talk about this visit. We have this monothematic relationship in reference to my sexuality — one topic at a time.
DAVID JOHNSON
"Where's she from originally?" I ask. "California," my mother pipes in, having obtained all the necessary biographical information at a very early
"What is she doing in Kansas?" I ask in a snotty tone, therefore relieving my brother of discussing his girlfriend any further.
"I'm glad she had some place to have Thanksgiving, being so far away from her family and all," my mother says warmly. "Make sure you tell her that she is always welcome here."
stage in their relationship.
It enters Gay Son's mind immediately: "Deploy Plan B, Phase 2 of Operation Liberate."
"What would you think if I brought someone home for Christmas?" I ask, always trying to push the proverbial envelope.
It probably seems bizarre to some that I have planned all these little discussions, but the only way I can work up to do them (even with the relatively accepting nature of my family) is to do a little advance research and planning.
"Well ... I suppose that would be fine with us." Big breath. "Anyone in particular?"
I didn't expect that. What should I say? She never asks names!
Long pause.
OK, OK, stay calm. If I say “no” then it will look like I was just trying to push an issue (which I was), if you say
David Johnson is a Coffeeville senior majoring in magazine journalism.
Sean Finn / KANSAN
Holidays and semester's end can encourage skepticism
Thank you for reading my columns this semester. I have enjoyed having this outlet to state my opinions. I also have learned a lot from this whole experience.
Stories have always been a large part of Christmas time. I immediately think of Dickens and various classic Christmas movies. With that, I felt inspired to share a story with you.
The dialogue takes place in the mind of a college student. The student can be anyone of a number of skeptical people. The end of the semester and the oncoming of the holidays may seem to lead only to more confusing and skeptical thoughts.
By the way, Merry Christmas.
Man, I don't feel like studying for this final tomorrow. I am so burnt out from all those finals this last week, can't I just blow this last one off?
Why do I always have a final on the last day anyway — it’s not fair. All my friends have gone home. There’s no one around. I’m tired and just want to get this semester over with.
"Well, its that time of year again — it's Christmas! And to help you get into that Christmas spirit, here's a classic carol for you. It's one of my favorites — I hope you enjoy it, too."
Maybe something good is on the radio...
That's right, it's Christmas time — I had almost forgotten. With all these
DAVID ZIMMERMAN
finals, papers, and projects due, that was the last thing on my mind.
Harm: the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn Kinn
Ugh! I don't like those religious Christmas carols — why couldn't he have played "Grandma Got Run over by a Reindeer?" Besides, what a dumb idea anyway.
Like God would really come to earth to live here. Why would he do that, I mean, if heaven is so great — a paradise — why would he leave that for this place? War, starvation, disease. Why come here?
I'd just stay in heaven where I had everything I wanted.
Besides, if God is as great and loving, as all those hypocrites say, why doesn't he do something about all the bad things in this world? Why does he let these things go on?
Then again, why should God care, he's in "heaven."
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.
"Peace on earth," na! Whoever said Christmas was a time of peace and joy didn't see those two women the other day.
I was walking through Wally World for some supplies, when I saw them. They were literally fighting over the last Power Ranger in the store — it took that cop to break them up! So much for "Christmas Spirit."
And there's that 'sin' thing again. Why is that all Christians talk about? Who are they to tell me what I'm doing wrong? Are they any better than I am? O.K., so I'm not perfect — no one is. But I'm a pretty good person.
At least I'm better than that Dahmer guy — he ate people, gross! I'm no Hitler either.
And I don't go around telling everyone how much better I am like those Bible-beaters do.
Hail the heaven-born Prince of peace!
Hail, the Son of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that man no more may die,
born to raise the sons of earth,
born to give them second birth.
Hark the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
David Zimmerman is a Wichita junior in communications studies.
LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR
Joke not funny to Italian student
Everyone enjoys a good joke once in a while, but the one played on Joey DeMarco was uncalled for.
As a proud member of the Italian American community, I was offended by the actions of Mr. DeMarco's teammates and so-called friends. Stereotyping italians as Mafia members or having any relations with this ugly group is an embarrassment and an insult. My advice to you, Mr. DeMarco, is to be more cautious in your selection of friends, teammates or not, and to rethink this "practical joke" before you give your approval.
Andrea Brancato Lawrence senior
Reader condemns welfare reform
Hey Newt, I was reading an outline of your welfare reform proposals in the Kansas City Star the other day, and I saw the suggestion that we eliminate all assistance to unwed mothers under the age of 21, and the states can then use the money we save to build orphanages.
What an ingenious idea! Too bad you can't take credit for it. It's not yours.
I understand that the Soviets tried something remarkably similar to that a few decades back. Unfortunately for them, it turns out that in the long run, the maintenance of these money-saving facilities far outpaced the cost of the assistance programs they replaced.
Not only that, but then they discovered that they had created a huge, bureaucratically managed mass of uncared for and unloved children.
But then in another flash of enlightenment they solved that little conundrum by shipping all the kids to Romania. No longer a problem!
Let's one up them and designate a specific location to dump all our unwanted babies before we even embark on this glorious endeavor.
How about, oh let's see, maybe .. Georgia.
Yea, that will work.
Congratulations Newt! We're 113 percent behind you.
You are so brilliant. You have an intellect we haven't seen the caliber of since...Joseph Stalin!
Lee Likins Graduate Student
MIXED MEDIA
By Jack Ohman