4
Thursday, February 12, 1976
University Daily Kansan
KANSAN Comment
Ontions on this page reflect only the view of the writer.
In their opinion Beer's a bad idea
REPRINTED FROM THE JAN. 28
MANHATTAN MURCERY.
Regardless of what you may have read or heard, there has been no final and official decision about selling beer on the Kansas State University campus.
That action, however is expected to come before the week is out when KSU president Duane Acker acts on a recommendation (6-2) of the Student Union Governing Board that malt beverages shall not be sold, despite the option to do so granted last year by the Board of Regents. It is hardly likely that Acker would go against such a strong recommendation—and especially so since all indications pointed to an even heavier negative vote had more members of the board been present when the action was taken.
At the time the Regents declared their policy of local option on beer sales, we expressed generally an opinion of no particular alarm if K-State did take an affirmative action—that stance being based on our strong belief in the rationality of beer pricing and staff which could be charged with exploring the possibilities and proposing procedures, if any, for sales and consumption.
So too apparently, did Acker, who rather than making an immediate and personal decision promptly appointed a consultant. You also recommendations are now in hand.
This action probably was not satisfactory to the extreme thinkers on the issue, including the small minority who wanted to tap the keg immediately apprehensively flooded the presidential office with letters and calls in verbal volleys against the sale and consumption of beer on the campus.
Thus Kansas State has once again demonstrated the administrative wisdom for which it has become well-known and respected in the handling of controversial matters. In this particular case, it happened to be the emotional issue of beer sales that could easily have gotten out of hand. With the help of a colleague from the same effective procedure (getting genuine campus input) that have calmed the waters in the past, yet another potential crisis has been avoided, thanks to practicing all-campus participation rather than giving mere lip service to it.
It is, of course, to the credit of the KSU administration that it was not to be stamped into action in either direction. While we still believe that through proper controls, beer sales probably would not unduly disrupt the campus, schools in the state system like the University of Michigan headlong to establish birtubes, paid—and are still paying—the price for their unplanned and precipitous actions.
Beer sale was clearly a matter that required special study by those directly affected and the recommendation awaiting President Acker's action, in our opinion, is not only conclusive but obviously well thought out from the perspective of those who know the situation better than anyone else. The KSU president should be proud to have such solid ground for his decision.
We daresay they are lamenting having been so eager to "get with it." It is a moot point now, but those institutions followed the KSU process they'd probably be having fewer problems, even in the event beer sales were initiated. (The Kansas's emphasis added.)
In our opinion
Beer idea not bad
from the land of Aggleville comes an editorial slamming University of Kansas officials for quickly authorizing the Kansas Union to sell beer.
The "get with it" attitude of University administrators who "rushed headlong" to establish a "bierstube" in the union has caused some problems, but implies, but exactly what problems the union has encountered is specified never
BUT THE EDITORIAL does not say that despite a random sample of students that showed 38 per cent for and 28 per cent against beer sales in the K-State Union, those "judicious and effective procedures" have determined that there will be no beer at all in the K-State Union. In the same way, those of the union said they favored allowing beer in their union for private parties.
It is implied that the issue of student union beer sales, could have "gotten out of hand" without "judicious and effusive preparation," being taken at Kansas State University.
The implications that KU officials the beer business are, simply not true.
The Union Board of Directors has considered for several years the possibility of selling beer. When the Regents approval came, student and staff members of the Union Building Use and Program Concept Committee
presented guidelines for selling beer in the Union, which were then approved by the Board.
THE "RUSH" THE editorial mentioned came not from a hurried desire on the part of the Union's directors to sell beer, but from a need for quick solutions. But the Union helps relieve the crowd problems at 14th and Ohio after home football games.
The crowds at the taverns in that area were disturbing residents so much that the Lawrence City Commission asked them to buy beer sales in the state's student unions.
AND WHY WAS KU singled out for attack in the editorial? Fort Hays State College started selling beer in its union and in a residence hall recreation center, but no mention was made of that.
The editorial cheap shot from the Mercury came during a legislative session that will determine how much money the state colleges and universities will get for the next fiscal year. Supporters of higher education in Kansas should be working together on important issues such as funding, not bickering about trivialities such as student union beer sales.
Yes, Manhattan Mercury, KU students and officials have "paid-and are paying" for beer in the Union. It only costs about 40 cents a glass.
By Carl Young
Editor
Assault on pruderv
The Kansas Senate took the first step Monday toward bringing the state into the 20th century. It passed a bill legalizing sodomy and repealing the state's adultery and unlawful cohabitation statutes.
The law, as its sponsor Sen. Elwain Pomeroy, R-Topeka, describes it, would "get the state out of the bedroom" by decriminalizing sexual acts between consenting adults. Cases involving an unconsenting party or sodomy for hire would still be illegal. Also, sexual acts with animals would be replaced in the statutes by bestiality and would be illegal.
THE PASSAGE of the bill can be considered a qualified victory for individual freedoms. But a damper is placed upon that victory when the vote, in accordance with consideration. The result can hardly be considered a blow to this state's prudence.
of marriage licenses to two persons of the same sex was also passed by the Senate Monday. But under the provisions of the first bill, criminal penalties for cohabitation and sexual acts between consenting adults without regard to sex would be removed from the law. The new law allowed to live together but they wouldn't be allowed to call it a marriage.
THE LAW as it stands now has caused few problems because it is generally ignored. After all, how could the police effectively enforce such a law without having surprise bed checks or using other ridiculous methods? But even though the present law isn't enforced, it is dangerous because it doesn't prevent a law enforcement official from arranging an attack that doesn't like the circumstances of a particular case. The Senate bill would prevent arbitrary enforcement.
A second bill prohibiting the issuance
The issue isn't settled yet. The bill must be approved by the House of Representatives and signed by the governor before it becomes law. Maybe then Kansas can really get out of the bedroom and stop worrying about who is important there, there are many important matters that the state's legislators and law enforcers. They shouldn't waste their time worrying about individual morals.
By Marne Rindom Contributing Writer
TV news a schlock job
WASHINGTON — David Schoumacher, the long-time much-respected correspondent for CBS and ABC News, has left the networks to become an anchorman at a local Washington, D.C. The brief station. The prestigious job. Anchor people. Anchor people in "major markets," as the industry revealing calls big cities, make a quarter-of-a-million dollars a year.
Schoumacher brings knowledge, class and decorum to local news, an occupation that is often closer to vaudeville than the ballet casting Magazine reports that Max Roby, for 15 years the anchorman on KOMX, St. Louis, and a gentleman who bought it was a man who petted on the air with the rubber chicken."
"THE LATER WAS featured in a station promotion that had him reciting his nightly news sign-off to his (actress) wife in bed," the magazine said. Thus life does lift the art of Ted
Baxter. Mr. Roby, it need not be said, is doing his act here骤. Last April, another St. Louis television station hired as their news director a chap who had been head writer for the
Q. All I know is what I read in the papers, so I guess I'll just have to take your word for it that some Senate officials are saying that every one-in-a-while the Senate has to vote on something
the contrary, news is a hot commodity. It is estimated that daily newspapers reach 60 per cent of most stations' revenue but even that is misleading.
(C) King Feature
By Nicholas
von Hoffman
Station managers have
A. Because student government isn't quite that simple. Sure, there are just dozens of students who want to debate stupid issues are debated for a ridiculously long length of time, but important issues come do up now and then, and it's your job to argue the very least, you should care which ego is running the show. Not only that, but there really are people in the Senate who honestly want to help students
Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and producer of the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. Considering Ronald Reagan's background, this may be the shortest to cover the campaign.
THESE EFFORTS ARE not made to induce people to watch otherwise dull news programs that TV stations are forced to show. They are often with the Federal Communications Commission. To
discovered that the size of their audience for the later primetime, network entertainment shows is strongly influenced by how many people watch the preceding local news programs. It is said that no station with a weak local news operation can be ahead of its competitors in the contest for highest overall ratings.
MANAGEMENT HAS found out that news doesn't have to be boring. Actually, it has many
Election unexciting but worth considering
Q. What do you mean, Bates,
you're going to vote in the
Senate election? You're not
running. You're not even Greek
A. Yes, q. that's true. And I realize I'm going to be part of a minority, but I suppose I can't help it. After all, I do work on the Kanan and I did cover the Senate as a reporter.
Q. Can't help yourself, huh?
A. I guess.
Q. So why should I want to know anything? I'm carrying 17 hours this semester, and I've been at work for two years on social life. Why should I be concerned about a stupid bunch of Senate politics changing one thing one year and changing it another year just to gratify their own eos?
Q. I suppose you're going to give me a lot of crap about how I ought to be voting and don't I care about how my money is spent and don't I care about the University.
A. Not really. No offense, but you probably wouldn't know anything about the candidates or the issues any way.
that concerns me—the bus system, for example. OK, so the Senate is worth something. Suppose I decide it's worth my time stopping at a voting booth in Wescoe or someplace.
Q. What are they like on the issues?
A. Closer than they then think they are. Both are in favor of the ticket subsidy and against joining a lobby with the other
By Jim Bates Contributing Writer
Suppose I vote. Give me a quick rundown on the candidates. Are they worth anything? What are they like?
A. You're totally crazy if you expect me to give you the complete political and psychological profiles of Tadese Tashé and Dave Shapiro in this short of a column.
Q. Try.
A. TASHEFF, Petra T,
definitely has got more Senate
experience than Shapiro (she
has probably been on just about
as many committees as anyone
in the history of KU). Her
strong point, though, is her
intelligence. She always seems
to know what she is doing.
But she also seems rather cold and
has trouble talking with students in
the superficial one-on-one way
a candidate has to. Still, she
is very, very competent.
Q. And what about Shapiro? A. SHAPIRO, David, has only been in the Senate one year; B. He has been very important, you consider important, he has also been president of Oliver Hall and a Senate committee chairman. His strong point is that he is a very smart man. He is pretty good with people.
Kansas colleges. One important difference between them is that Tasheff thinks the present president, Ed Rofls, did a lousy brush with the phrases it less bumpy in. Edroh thinks he did a good job.
Q. Your candidate profiles haven't exactly filled me with a holy desire to get out and vote. It doesn't sound to me like it would make much difference whether I voted.
A. Maybe not, Q. but I wish you would. If more students voted this year, even 30 per cent of them will vote the election the most issue-oriented and exciting in the history of the Senate.
Q. How?
A. Because it would mean an end to all the backroom politicking. Candidates spend as much time now worrying about which house their running-mate should be from as they do about anything else. It almost becomes a kind of game. Maybe if people other than you are in power and Kansan reporters voted, there would be more reasons to vote.
Q. That sounds like a backward way of doing things.
A. Maybe that's because it is.
elements that make it more interesting than that which is called entertainment. The sex appears in the dramatic show is permissible for news shows. Under the rubrics of sociology or lifestyle, some other materials may also appear the TV reporter can come close to damn well showing it all. That's how the massage parlor moved from being a quirky place to an accessible status of a national problem.
A good news story also par-takes of the suspenseful continuity of the soap opera. Tune in the same time tomorrow to find out what happened, but, unlike that episode, it's a prime time—with the news you can't be sure of a white hat victory.
THE BAD GUYS DO win, which makes the program ever so much more interesting and the occasional triumph of right and justice ever so much more satisfying.
There are complaints about the quality of broadcast news. Compared to a New York Times reporter, 19 out of 20 local TV news people are illiterate, uneducated puff-heads, innocent of art and ignorant of science, history or political science. They differ from sportscasters only in that they stick their chewing gum behind their ears when the little red light goes on.
BUT KNOWLEDGE OF the subject is a handicap to most broadcast journalists, for it can complicate the task of reducing a news item to 40 to 50 seconds of speech. The essential tasks of a broadcast reporter are theatrical and logistical.
An ability to get cameras and crews to the right spot is a skill that must be developed, think up entertaining diversions and then performing them. The last several years have seen the media report how people never report. They're always
doing little skits showing you what it's like to be a laundry man or a pimp.
THE CLOWN REPORTER to cover the clown politician, the vaudevillian with a press pass provokes the worried concern of those whose standards of journalism are the same as the clown. The hard-dash has never been the norm. The reporter as hack, hero and ham is the creation of the newspaper business, and schlock journalism existed before the invention of the vacuum tube. Tasteless, wilted and sick, it lacks far less harm than Charlie and all the other Ivy League tunes with good taste.
ONE DOES WONDER,
though, where we are going to
get enough news to broadcast.
We're going to have a new
standard. Many stations
give you two-and-a-half hours
with the possibility of yet
more TV and radio networks
add an extra 30 minutes
to their nightly shows.
In addition, there is radio news and the all-news radio station which began in the big cities but is now in places you wouldn't believe. NBC is currently serving 58 all-news radio station in towns like Rochester, N.Y.; Truxton, Tenn.; Wichita Falls; Richmond, Va. How are they going to generate enough material locally to keep the folks entertained? They're not.
THAT'S WHY THE definition of local news has been pushed back to include rooming house fires and gas station holdups one thousand miles away from the Angola crisis, because we're certainly getting more war news than there are wars. Every time an Arab mug another Arab's cannel in the Sahara, they tell us it's Morocco versus Nigeria and settle back from the war crisis. And that's the way it is. Thursday, Feb. 12.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
An All-American college newspaper
Published at the University of Kansas weekly journal, *The KU Journal*. Periodicals postage. Second-class postage paid at lawrence.semester and $1 a year in Douglas County and $1 a year in Kansas City. Subscription fee $0.00 a semester, paid through the subscriber's account. One a semester, paid through the subscriber's account.
Editor Carl Young
Carl Young
Associate Editor Campus Editor
Betty Haegeelin Yael Abuohalkah
Associate Editor
Cameron Edwards
Yao Anshihua
Associate Campus Editor
Greg Hack
Assistant Campus Editors
Stewart Bramant
Don Pierce
Staff Photographer
David McKinnon
Sports Editor
George Murphy Jau Kooher
Associate Sports Editors
Ken Stone,
Associate Sports Editors
Entertainment Editors
Kole Rappert
Copy Chiefs
Mary Anne Huddleston
Mary Anne Huddleston
Jacqueline Glenn Wear
Artist
Jacqueline Glenn Wear
Westphal
John Hickey
Artist Keen Weissa
News Editors John Hickey, Brent Anderson
Business Manager
Assistant Business Manager Advertising Manager
Cary Birch Linda Bankhill
Assistant Business Manager Advertising Manager
Associate Client Support Manager
Classified Manager Debbie Service
Manager Promotion Manager Scott Bough
Promotion Director Omar Campos
Assistant Classified Manager Jim Marquardt
Assistant Classified Manager John Mangarten
Jolene