OPINION
9A
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2008
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
COMMENTARY
Save TV give us new episodes not new shows
I know you're out there, Grey's Anatomy fans.
No matter how much we've been mocked for watching a show that seemingly spends more time revealing the sexual escapades of its characters than showing events related to its hospital setting. I know that like me, you still love it. Maybe even for that reason. If my Addicted to Grey's Anatomy application on Facebook with more than 600,000 members is any indication, I'm not the only one out there in love with the show.
I'veheardyou in theUnderground, talking over Chick-fil-A sandwiches about the latest upset between Meredith and Derek. I mean really, when will she just commit? What more could she want in a hot neurosurgeon?
Yet we won't be hearing anything new about Meredith and Derek for a while. As anyone who hasn't been in a coma for the last few months knows there's a writer's strike going on, or maybe you gasp, actually spend your free time productively rather than watching T.V. So for those of you who aren't aware, while the writers continue to hold picket signs rather than pens, most shows that have run out of previously written episodes, like "Grey's," are managing on re-runs.
Although I support the writer's strike and the reasons behind it, with "Grey's" on re-runs I've started to crave something, anything new. So, I have added to my typical "Grey's Anatomy" Thursdays by watching the shows preceding and following it.
"Ugly Betty," a show about an unglamorous, but optimistic girl trying to fit in with the world of high fashion can't quite compare to "Grey's," but is a nice prelude, fitting in well with my girl's night theme.
However, right after "Grey's Anatomy," while I'm still on my girlly show high, comes the show "Big Shots." I don't know what ABC mastermind thought that a show about four CEOs who do little but play golf and talk about their problems with women would fit in with the "Grey's Anatomy" crowd, but her or she was wrong. Viewers seem to agree. According to tvbythenumbers.com, after "Grey's Anatomy" finishes and "Big Shots" comes on viewers significantly drop. On Thursday, January 24 for example, "Grey's Anatomy" had about 7 million viewers, but when "Big Shots" came on viewers dropped to about 5 million.
Despite criticism, mediocre shows on the same night and lately, constant reruns, we still watch "Grey's". Maybe we like this show for more than the constantly changing sexual adventures of its characters after all.
At least I know where I'll be Thursday night, on my couch at 6:59, counting down the seconds to another delicious episode of "Grey's Anatomy."
Hudson is a Wichita Junior in journalism and business.
THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Last chance for students to speak against inn
Tyler Doehring
On Feb 12 the Lawrence City Commission could remove the Oread Inn's final road block
The fight to maintain the status quo in Lawrence has been grim. Recent motions towards paving wetlands and constructing a second Wal-Mart have marked harsh defeats in both of these multi-year battles. Yet among these there is a relatively new and rapidly progressing plan in the Oread Inn, whose dissidents are just now starting to really speak up, even though it is quickly becoming too late to stop.
Unlike the aforementioned controversies, which have been held up in courts and public forums for substantial periods of time, this
plan has flown through its planning phases in the past few months with comparatively little fuss. The plan has received so little attention from students in fact, that prior to a recent Student Senate bill, the only knowledge most people would have about the Inn likely came from the closing night blow-out at former student watering hole, the Crossing, late last semester.
Though it apparently didn't have much of an effect, as less than two months later that Student Senate bill, written to express the student body's dissatisfaction with the construction plans, was voted down 22-30.
But with the plans mostly approved, and the requisite businesses shut down, there are few opportunities left for those opposed to delay the plan before it becomes fully operational.
The most important of these opportunities is a City Commission meeting on February $12^{\mathrm{th}}$ to discuss the use of Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, in funding the construction of the Inn and the infrastructure therein. And this financing would be crucial as,
according to the Lawrence Journal World, the construction company handling the Inn has said it could not continue without the TIF.
So for any of the apparent multitudes opposed based on aesthetics, students' interests or the ol' Lawrence Spirit, the meeting on February 12 is the last real opportunity to articulate the arguments against the Oread Inn, that have been gently mumbled to this point.
COMMENTARY
No rest for the wicked,religious
HAILEY OSTERHAUS
Yet, there needs to be an increase in respect for people who lead a religious life. I don't understand why people look down on those that try to improve themselves by following Biblical examples, which sure, they might not be fact or there may be no God, but what's wrong with striving to improve oneself with religious approaches?
Congratulations. It looks like if you're not religious, you're a part of the "in crowd."
claims himself or herself an agnostic or atheist.
Over and over, I've heard the classic story of the person who was brought up Catholic, and then later,
In the early years of grade school, I actually wanted to become a nun. I remember in first grade I rode the bus for an hour to school every morning, and to pass the time, I prayed the rosary. I was infatuated with Catholicism, and I was determined to go to church every Sunday, too. If I didn't, my grandmother said that Jesus would cry. So I went to mass, I prayed, and after a while, I became an agnostic, but not to keep up with a trend.
In fact, I'm living proof of this.
Many nonbelievers have personal stories about why they choose not to participate in religion, but I feel that some, if not most, have a pretentious way of delivering their views. This can also be taken at the opposite angle when Christians, or people of any faith, force their religious views upon others, but I've come to know more arrogant atheists than pompous Christians.
If someone bravely admits that he or she is religious, he is she gets negative reactions from the James Dean esque atheists and agnostics who say, "You are? That's lame," or "Why the hell would you submit yourself to that?"
I asked a fellow student if he went to church, and to my amazement, he sheepishly answered 'yes' like he was ashamed to tell me he actually had a spiritual side to him. It broke me heart to see this, and I knew instantly, that this was very wrong. No one should ever be embarrassed when sharing beliefs with others.
Why the hell not?
I recently observed a Christian church called Vintage Church at the Lawrence Art Center at 940 New Hampshire St. The structure of the sermon was extremely modern. I was greeted by a huge group of incredibly warm and accepting Christians. They opened with a talented band playing religious songs that I actually enjoyed listening to.
(It was no Radiohead, In Rainbows but nevertheless enjoyable). Then, the preacher said that he was happy to receive the company of those who came to explore their church. As he spoke, there were no implications of what was fashionable concerning religion. He was simply saying that the church welcomed anyone, even if they didn't have a relationship with God. When the hour was finished, I decided this church was open-minded and tolerant, the way that everyone should be.
I really hope that some day people will become more accepting of religious and non-religious views. Yes, it's wishful thinking, but hope and faith are beautiful things, no matter where one chooses to place them in their lives.
Now, to all you "trendy" people out there, can I get an Amen?
Osterhaus is a Seneca sophomore in journalism.
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