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Tuesday, December 13, 1977
University Daily Kansan
Comment
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Kansan editorial staff. Signed columns represent only the views of the writer.
State needs Amtrak
Amtrak, the federally funded railroad that seems perennially plagued by financial problems, will continue passenger service with Lawrence for at least three more months.
The congressional allocation of money to Amtrak, however, is merely a stopgap measure. The funds will keep the Midwest trains running only until the Amtrak system receives a March 1978 evaluation by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The impact of the railroad on college students in the Midwest cannot be disputed. The proposed December shutdown would have affected not only the University of Kansas, but also the University of Oklahoma, Baylor University and numerous other schools along the Chicago-Ft. Worth Amtrak route.
PERHAPS AMTRAK's financial troubles, well documented by now, do merit the bank evaluation. Perhaps the federal government can help, but really doesn't know how to run a railroad.
One estimate from an Amtrak official indicates that 110 KU students used the trains during the last Thanksgiving break. Such numbers merit consideration, but not everyone does so often care about building interstate highways through their home districts than they do
about mass transit that serves an entire geographical region.
One Department of Transportation statistic is especially enlightening. Amtrak now receives just 1.6 per cent of each dollar the department spends. Having decided to invade private enterprise several years back, the government might at least want to keep alive what it has acquired by legislative flat.
THERE ARE those who will contend that the railroad should be an entirely self-sufficient paying proposition. Nonsense. Amtrak serves enough people for it to merit full support from Uncle Sam. People with limited incomes are especially suited to work for them, bus and train travel is more economical than plane or automobile travel.
Transfer payments are nothing new. Farmers, welfare recipients and multinational corporations all receive them. Surely it is not too much to ask that energy-saving transportation be generously rewarded by tax dollars.
Kansas congressmen recently have pushed hard for continued passenger rail service to the state. They should be encouraged by mail, telegram or personal contact to continue their efforts. The Department of Transportation must be sent a message: Kansas needs Amtrak.
Some will argue that Hildy Johnson, hero of the prototype journalism movie, "The Front Page," had the best grasp of business as a paper work. When he was about to leave the business, John vowed to drop "drinking, cussing, gambling" and all other vices associated with his crazy newspaper business.
Cussing aside, papers satisfying
Hildy Johnson's concern is understandable. But, in a sense, so is all that drinking
and cussing. Newspapering you see, is frustrating work.
Jerry Seib Editor
Is it frustrating for an editorialist to step back and discover that, despite his masterful prose and the rawness of his satire, South Africa, an energy shortage in the United States, apathy among students at the University of Kansas, arrogance Athletic Corporation, inptress at the KU Medical Center and a frightening tendency for col- door the close to public scrutiny.
newspaper that has quite literally been both a home and a constant companion for two men. The condition is particularly provoking.
Why go without sleep to produce a newspaper when your thanks come from a grudge-holding professor who likes to hide behind his office door with witty sayings perched in the margin?
Why strain to mold the opinions of administrators who cajele journalists when they ask them if they don't. Why skip meals to write stories that bring threats of liab suits? Why disapprove of a mother, why do not be doctor or something respectable?
Why, indeed, persist in this foolishness of putting out a newspaper every morning at KU?
The answer must be that the college journalist, besides being a drinker and a cusser, is a bit of an idealist. He likes being among the cries of befuddled students, polished half-truths of administrators and egotistical claims of professors is a grain of truth; courageous journalists are wise enough to know that there are those who will go out of their way to hide the truth; courageous journalists are those who are some who resent the truth; and foolish enough to think
that someone will care if he finds the truth.
The college journalist learns to spell in grade school, learns to write literate sentences in high school and learns to scribble the sentences together. He learns that some of his readers maintain that he forgets it all when he sits down at a typewriter, but the college journalist knows—or quickly learns—that he is talking to the student in intellectual distress and that criticism comes with his by-lines.
n e c o l e e n s t a f i e r is a mixture of politician, egoist and masochist. He endures bad food, poor hours and relegatedinated study. lice because he like a front-page by-line.
To be sure, the college journalist savors his rewards. If he is good, the chancellor greets him, newspaper editors know of his work and students recognize his name. He knows he is telling stories that need a lot ofOLD a book to be known. And, in spite of the frustration, he soon finds that his editorial arguments do help mold opinion in a community of almost 25,000
What the college journalist loses in food and sleep, he gains tenfold in friendship, savvy and satisfaction.
E even tired, out-going editor, trying at 4:30 a.m. to be colorent, must admit that he be done have done it any other way.
Incorrect myths, not women, need to be beaten
To the editor:
As we read Mary Mitchell's editorial of Dec. 8, "Abuse Doesn't Justify Homicide," we were dismayed and concerned that the girls have traditionally kept physically abused women from seeking help continue to be persecuted. It is one thing to express opinions in an editorial. We have written statements about a problem as emotional and serious as wife abuse with little or no background or understanding of the issue. We would like to take this opportunity to respond to the concerns expressed in these statements made by Mitchell.
1. Battered women are definitely not cowardly. The decision to stay is all too "sensible."
It is cloaked in economic, cultural and practical concerns (the survival of her and her children). Because of years of exposure to public rarely even the few options that might be available.
. one battered woman is in constant fear for her life. She is never safe in her own house; attacks often come without provocation or warning. Yes, the police or a women's abuse group. However, only 12 shelter houses exist in the United States and the police respond only after the damage has been over. The order is only a piece of paper and does not stop a fist.
3. We would like to bring attention to the statement that a
"mugging女 can be as destructive as physical abuse." To even respond to such a suggest it contained validity.
Some facts: More than one-and-a-half million women in the United States will be battered with man with whom they live in 1978.
One of the first steps in helping abused women is educating the public. We sincerely hope that as wife abuse comes more to light, we can build a society, attitudes such as Mitchell's will begin to change.
Judy Browder
NAGAELUZI UNICOMMUNAL LAYER SATILO MUNICIPAL
Judy Browder
Judy Browder
Judy Browder
Members,
Coordinating Collective
Women's Transitional
"COME ON GRANDMA, NOT that DUNBONE AGAIN ABOUT THE POST OFFICE, WAUGGING A PROFIT,"
KANSAN
Letters
Rally coverage was inadequate
To the editor:
Mary Mitchell's editorial on Dec. 2, "Women's militancy unfortunate," indicates how unfortunate the media coverage of the National Women's organization is, obvious from the beginning of the editorial that the source of her information was national news coverage, second-hand information and not any understanding of what really mattered to the women journalists to take the word of other journalists as the gospel truth.
At any rate, some information is needed to rectify Mitchell's misconceptions.
There was not a lot of banter and bickering at the conference. What bickering which did happen was well publicized in the news. Unfortunely the news deal of cooperation and unity that took place was never emphasized in the reports.
As for the taxpayers' money used, $5 million is a very small amount when considering that
it paid for all 50 state and six territorial conventions, transportation, room and board for the 1,440 state delegates, and only some of the at-large states gave half a cent for each woman in each state. Most of the state conventions were supplemented by fund-raising drives for the women to be represented. It's unfortunate that Mitchell's editorial only reminded us of his contributions as the map media coverages, and not of its extensive use.
According to Mitchell, Phyllis Schlafly and her supporters didn't try to become elected delegates. Whether Schlafly's family or her family's delegates were elected by many states. Thirteen of Kansas' 20 delegates were backed by a conservative group that supported ERA and abortion. About 20 percent of the delegates to Houston were of a conservative platform, but according to a recent report from a number of American women who are opposed to feminism.
The most common tactic used to invalidate an idea is to say that the idea is associated with a minority of people considered
The Kansan editorial staff thanks readers who have expressed their opinions to us this semester, in person and through letters to the editor. The vitality of the editorial page depends, in part, on reader response, and we acknowledge that fact. Nearly all letters have been printed, but we regret that space and time limitations have prevented our printing some. Publication of letters to the editor will resume after Jan. 18.
wrong or too radical by the majority of our society. This is the very tacit Mitchell used to discredit. Schlafly's followers were allied with the John Birch Society and the Ku Klux Klan. I may not agree with women opposed to such organizations to tolerate people who would automatically associate them with an intolerable group. I may not agree with those men who right to stand up for what they believe.
Interestingly enough, Mitchell uses the same radical minority association to invalidate what was accomplished by the women in World War II. She accuses them of militancy, radical tactics,and representing only a minority of radical feminists. The women there were of all ages, interests and walks of life. They stood up for their rights in dissension and anger, but rather with unity, and voted for resolutions that would benefit all of them and all women. It is the unity which is the greatest accomplishment and will facilitate the acceptance of the resolutions.
Kathy Harris Overland Park junior
Kathy Harris
To the editor:
Majority rule cuts both ways
Jeff Smith in his letter of Dec. 5 expressed his godly desire never to live under majority rule and that he is in fact living under majority rule in the United States. May I also recommend, Mr. Smith, that we desire political nirvana, he effects transfer of power to the
25 million minority blacks in the United States immediately.
Amos Jimwan
Farmers want their fair share To the editor:
The Dec. 5 Kansan page one articles "KU wheatlands unaffected . . ." by Drin Stelim, and "Farm strike goals seen as confusing" by Henry Lockard, and "new topics that merit discussion."
The parity for which the farmers are striking is not cost of production, as defined by Leonard Schruben, K-State agricultural economics professor, in the Lockard article.
"rarity is, rather, a level for farm-product prices, maintained by government regulation and intended to give farmers the same benefits as giving a given base period. As Darwin Dacoff, professor of economics at KU, defined parity in the Steimel article, the increases in prices of all products will be averaged and farm prices will be elevated to reflect this. He would get about the same price for his goods as the non-farmers receive for their products."
As interpreted by the farmers' strike group, "American Agriculture," parity would ensure farmers of more than just "break-even" operations; it would allow for agriculture to be more compatible to investment projects in other industries.
Nigerian graduate student
Apathy makes life easier to forget
Buzz off, sourpuss!
Yes, I'm talking to you. You know who you are. You're the kind who mops around on campus, determined to put everyone you pass in a bad mood. Or you're the kind who stalks the campus where you're sitting to attack the first person who looks at you the wrong way or doesn't see things just your way.
You're the kind who groans, "Oh, God," when you get a B instead of an A on a test or paper. You're the kind who moans and hern-haws around when someone asks how you are.
Moreover, apathy is the Bayer aspirin of emotions. It relieves tension. How can you be bothered by a bad grade, a stained spot on a new shirt or unloved love if you have a sufficient supply of apathy?
It's really pretty logical, sourpuss. Look at all the squishies that go on among people. Why do they happen? Because they care too much about some issue. They don't want to be reasonable. Their misguided concern throws them into conflict.
Worse yet, you're the kind who says, "Terri-
ri when someone asks how you've been feeling
lately."
I see apathy as an outstanding quality. This has been my best semester at college. Why? Because I didn't care enough to get bummed out, mad or disgusted. Well . . . once I poured tap water into a jar of ice tea instead of into the glass and was thoroughly disgusted, but other than that. . .
YOUR FROWNS don't help anything or anyone. Your worries don't change anything or anyone. Your ravings are like those of a madman -self-satisfying, but utterly inconsequential. In fact, all your hostile feelings toward people and situations are foolish.
You know what your problem is, so sourpuss? You are too much. Your concerns are out of whack and you can't figure it out.
Would there be wars if no one cared? Probably not. Would there be oppression of blacks, women or gays if no one cared about categories? I doubt it.
Rick
Tbaemert
Editorial Writer
plan is going to accomplish anything? Forget it. The people making decisions in this world have money and power, and more importantly, they're already on the inside.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, apathy is practical. so you really think spotting off against Anita Barkley is difficult.
Why? Because they're smart. They realize that, despite what political pushes say, their individual votes really don't count. They realize that fighting is not easy. They realize that court battles, not to mention years of wasted effort. They realize that, for outsiders like them, what happens happens and they have little control over it. So, why get out of shape over something that can't be changed or doesn't matter?
What you need, sourpuss, is a good shot of apathy. Oh, I know. Apathy is one of those qualities that people cringe at. They see apathetic people as big, dumb muffins who loaf around and drool. Apathy is associated with nobodies and donnothing in the eyes of most.
Your comments, which dubbed me an idiot and an imbecile at times, affected people even less than my columns. You cared more than I did, and I was the one to notice. Nowhere. Even I didn't read most of those letters.
TAKE THE EDITORIALS I have written this year for example, sourpuss. They were ideas and opinions, yes, but convictions? Hah! Do you think I really believed those things? And to think you and some of your friends actually got mad and responded to what I said. Boy, are you look!
For changes to occur, it would take a mass revolt of sorts. And do you really think that would happen? Try rounding up people and see what happens. How would you handle it if not dare I can't care to be rattle-rouser or martyrs.
The 1974-75 "Handbook of Agricultural Charts" published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture states that since 1950, the following increases in farm values occurred: farm real estate up 425 per cent, farm property up 785 per cent, farm machinery costs up 220 per cent, fertilizer up 160 per cent. To meet these expenses, farm product prices increased by only 75 per cent.
Draft horses are a better investment than tractors, he says? This trucker have a herd of Clydesdales pulling his tractor down the road? Of course not.
The American farmer, suffering the same inflationary investment circumstances, is getting the same prices for his products that he did thirty years ago. In effect, the farmer's purchasing power has rapidly diminished.
Perhaps if you started caring a little less, you'd go get along with more people. You wouldn't mind if it snowed, or your tire went flat, or your fiancee left you for a law student.
A glance at the recent economic history of the unionized or independent trucker as opposed to that of the farmer represents a common feature. The prices of farm machinery and semi-tractor trailers have escalated at nearly the same rate in the past thirty-five years. The trucker's hauling costs are rising, parable rate, not only maintaining but also increasing his profit and purchasing power.
you'd realize that the only fate you control is your own, and all of the bad moods, foul words and scornful looks in the world aren't necessarily going to change any one else's situation or personal
care is going to continue to toss rotten friends, burn luck and disastrous dilemmas at you. Such things aren't going to disappear, but they'll be bearable if you don't let them bother you. Obviously, what you don't care about can't hurt you, sourpuss.
The trucker's generalization that farmers have "bought too expensive machinery and they don't need a lot of it," is unfounded. Larger, better equipment is necessary for increased profit in the industry, which has been forced into volume-based business because of low product market prices.
But I'll warn you, soupsure. Developing apathy isn't easy. It takes intestinal fortitude and emotional suppression. It is said that a person who can be depressed will feel apathy; it is like that—not caring even when you want to.
One examples implemented in the Lockard article are provoking. The reasoning of the quoted trucker, who remains unidentified and whose qualifications to review a situation of this nature remain unclear and misleading. This trucker and Don Horris of Eudora Farmers Elevator Co. accuse farmers in general of living beyond their means. Members of every profession, regardless of specific occupation, can be said to be "living beyond his means" or that of given profession in general? Who is to determine if one is living "beyond his means"?
major cause of the situation.
The problem remains that cost of production by far surpassed that of production by and also surpasses loan levels.
LIKE NOW, for example, I'd really like to tell you to strike out against me and tell me that car accidents could be solved if everyone cared more—but I can't. The complicated minds that try to change the world always seem the most unhappy to me. It's the simplest and perceive only a slight sense of happy.
The striking farmers are not asking for federal government handouts. They are certainly not trying to starve the world. The farmers are only asking that the consumer pay his fair share of the food bill, as he does for any other product.
You see, sourpuss, I just don't care.
it really like to tell you to take up a cause and
get involved, but that would be hypothetical.
However, this is not the issue in the proposed strike, nor is it a
Etta Walker
Sharon Springs freshman
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
KANSAN
Published at the University of Kansas daily August 17, 2014 Subscriptions are due by June 1 and July each except Saturday. Bound and hallmark date is October 16, 2014. 96643 Subscriptions by mail are $ a member or $15 for a student. A year outside the county. Student subscriptions are not available. A year outside the county. County subscriptions are not available.
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