Opinion
The University Daily Kansan
Laura Roddy, Editor
Sarah Hale, Managing editor
Kristi Elliott, Managing editor
Tom Eblen, General manager, news adviser
Shauntae Blue, Business manager Brad Bolyard, Retail sales manager Matt Fisher, Sales and marketing adviser Scott Valler, Technology coordinator
4A
Thursday, February 3, 2000
Steve Sack / TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
Editorials
Legislature should pass proposal hang up on telemarketing firms
The Kansas Legislature soon will consider legislation that would regulate and limit the activities of telemarketers. The state should pass this proposal.
Residence and scholarship halls often bear the brunt of telemarketing calls in Lawrence, with some students receiving several calls each day. There no doubt that off-campus faculty, staff and students also receive sales calls on a regular basis. Regulation would help.
Much-needed state legislation would regulate sales calls
The proposed regulations would require telemarketers to identify themselves more clearly immediately after the phone is answered, without an extensive pause. This silence occasionally occurs because some telemarketing companies with only a few employees use a system that places numerous calls at once, betting that not everyone will pick up the phone. If more phones are answered than there are employees, some people hear nothing for several seconds. The proposal would prohibit this pause.
In addition, the legislation would require telemarketers to identify themselves on consumers' caller IDs.
Telemarketers aren't malevolent in nature, but the profession seems to be a necessary evil of our economy — a tool utilized for commerce by many local and international companies. So how can our reactions to these sales calls be so heated? Telemarketing calls often are viewed as an invasion of privacy. Some of the calls seem very cold and impersonal. The telephone often is considered to be a way for us to "reach out and touch someone," not necessarily the other way around, especially when those reaching out to us are trying to
sell us something, or are subjecting us to what seems to be pointless questioning.
No one likes being hustled, and credit card sales professionals seem to be the apex of hustle salesmanship. Telemarketers hardly stop to breathe, are able to rattle on ad nauseum with delusions of grandeur about special offers, and they may even have your social security number before you've managed to utter a simple, "No thanks."
These calls largely are an annoyance for Lawrence residents. There is no way to get rid of telemarketing, and we are left with the choices of staying on the line or simply hanging up. However, the proposed regulations would make receiving these calls a less hassling experience. This legislation is necessary and welcomed. The customer is always right, and the customers have spoken loud and fiber-optically clear.
Matt Dunehoo for the editorial board
Feedback
STDs, nicotine side effects other cons of contraceptive
In response to your article, "Contraceptive Cons" by Katie Hollar on Jan. 31, I think that there should be a couple of additions to the story. Although the article is very much in tune with the subject of contraception for the college woman, I think that the subject of STDs should have played a role in the article as well. Hormonal contraception does not stop the spread of any STD.
Another issue concerning oral contraceptives was also left out of the article. This is the fact that women who smoke cigarettes are at an increased risk of side effects, including blood clots, stroke and heart attacks. This is more likely with women who are heavy smokers (more than 15 cigarettes per day), and this risk increases with age.
Of course, most doctors and pharmacists would counsel women receiving a prescription for oral contraceptives. Every oral contraceptive case has the warning about HIV and other STDs listed on the package, or in the patient package insert. But with such a large article on the side effects of hormonal contraception, there was no mention of STDs or cigarette smoking at all.
Warren D. Smith
Greensburg graduate student in pharmacy
The pill can be abortive
The recent "Contraceptive Cons" story about the "pill" was informative, but unfortunately, it left out an important piece of information. What makes this even more fortunate is that doctors often don't mention this information to their patients, either.
However, there is one more way that the pill prevents pregnancy. According to the 1995 Physician's Desk Reference, the pill also causes "changes in the endometrium which reduce the likelihood of implantation." In other words, the pill can often act as an abortifacient, keeping a fertilized egg from attaching to the walls of the uterus.
The Kansan reported that the pill prevents "pregnancy by stopping the ovaries from releasing eggs and by keeping the cervical mucus thick so sperm can't easily pass through it." This is indeed correct.
In this same manner, "morning-after pillis" and other "emergency contraception" (a misnomer, in that conception has already taken place at that point) aborts an already fertilized egg by keeping it from implanting.
Doctors and drug companies should make this information more clear, so that women can decide for themselves whether or not the pill is for them.
Carrie Johnson Oklahoma City, Okla., junior
Jaybowl full of memories for University alumni
The idea to replace the Jaybowl with a "cyber cafe," under the guise that the cafe will attract more students, thus creating more revenue, is absurd. People involved with the Jaybowl know that renovating it into a spacious, modern facility with an array of recreation, entertainment and concession services, would attract students in droves, as it does at other universities. A cyber cafe could be included in either a Jaybowl renovation, or built into another rarely used area of the Union, but there is no justifiable reason to remove the lanes.
As undergraduates at the University of Kansas, the Jaybowl was where we first met. For four years it was where we worked, socialized, pursued bowling on a competitive level and attended bowling classes. Over the last half century, thousands of students and alumni could share similar stories about how the Jaybowl became an important part of their college lives.
The ultimate decision lies with the Student Senate and the Memorial Board to determine if the Jaybowl is worth saving. If removing the lanes for a c雅 café is their vote, it will be clear that money speaks louder than student interest.
Samuel B. Hill
KU alumnus and Wichita resident
M. Crystal Phillips Hill
KU Medical student and Emporia resident
How to submit letters and guest columns
Letters: Should be double-spaced typed and fewer than 200 words. Letters must include the author's signature, name, address and telephone number plus class and hometown if a University student. Faculty or staff must identify their positions.
Guest columns: Should be double-spaced typed with fewer than 700 words. The writer must be willing to be photographed for the column to run.
All letters and guest columns should be submitted to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall, or e-mailed to opinion@kansan.com. The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length or reject all submissions. For any questions, call Nadia Mustafa or Seth Hoffman at 864-4924.
Cássio
Furtado
columnist
jpionition@tansan.com
If you have general questions or comments, e-mail the page staff (opinion@kansan.com) or call 864-4924.
Perspective
Germany-France alliance leaves rulers powerless
The American media has given extensive coverage of the scandal involving the illegal donations received by the former German chancellor Helmut Kohl. The donations came through the organization he led for more than 25 years, the Christian Democratic Party.
The donations supposedly started in 1992, and Kohl continued to receive them until he was voted out of office in 1998. However, most news sources fail to show specifically why and when such donations happened.
Kohl, who led Germany for more than a decade, only declared that he had managed illegal funds exceeding $1 million during his term in office. The recent audits made by the
Mitterrand wanted to extend France's influence to Germany and, above all, to be sure that by reelecting Kohl he would be assuring that the Euro would be accepted by Germans as the new European currency.
"I would be extremely obliged if you would use your personal influence so that Erik carries out this project, without hesitation, as envisaged by the contract." Kohl wrote.
Central Democratic Party indicated that the illegal donations surpassed $7 million and lasted for nine years, from 1989 to 1998. Even admitting that he managed such illegal funds, Kohl refuses to identify the individuals or companies who donated the money to his party. He apparently gave his word to them that he wouldn't reveal their identities. And by honoring his word, he dishonored all citizens of Germany.
Last month, the French weekly Paris Match published part of a letter in which Kohl asked Mitterrand to intervene and ensure that EIF would buy the German refinery.
The case would be simple if it involved only Germany, its lobbyists and corrupt politicians. The problem is that the illegal donations came from France — Germany's neighbor and former enemy — when the French president was the socialist Francois Mitterrand, who ruled France for 14 years. Mitterrand and Kohl led their countries for 13 years and were close friends.
According to The Washington Post, a third of this money ended up with the campaign treasury of Kohl's Christian Democratic Party. Kohl feared the communists in eastern Germany and desperately tried to seek funds to guarantee his reelection in 1994.
In 1992, the French then-state-owned Elf Aquitaine oil company agreed to buy the Leuna refinery and the Minol gas station in the former East Germany. This deal supposedly generated nearly $40 million in commissions to lobbyists and politicians.
That's why he helped the German chancellor in his reelection plans. Both leaders sought more power and influence. Their plan succeeded. Kohl was reelected in 1994, and Mitterrand paved the way to implementing the Euro in both countries. However, analyzing their actions in the long run, we can see that they completely failed. Kohl was voted out of office in 1998 and recently was removed from the Christian Democratic Party leadership because of his corrupt actions. Then Mitterrand was forced to privatize Elf Aquitaine in 1994. This ended with all the undue privileges Mitterrand used to give his allies, using the company as a nest for corruption, illegal actions and shame to the French population. Unfortunately, most of Mitterrand's dark side was only revealed after his death, in January 1996.
The Euro reached its lowest level ever last week, alarming most of the members of the European Union that gathered for the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. This decrease of the Euro value worries everyone so much because it makes European exports cheaper and inflation widespread in the countries that adopted it as the official currency.
Furtado is a Pelotes, Brazil, junior in journalism and political science.
Baseball player deserves harsh penalty for actions
D diversity matters. I sat in disbelief, astonished by what one man could say—how his words could infuriate me so much. I don't know why, but I was ticked beyond belief. I had just heard what John Rocker told a Sports Illustrated reporter, and was beside myself.
Rocker had put down everyone in America with his comments except for white heterosexual males. He had personally offended me, a minority and the son of immigrants, as well as millions
Amit S.
Parekh
guest columnist
opinion@kansan.com
I have always thought that I was on the outside looking in. I understand the enormous advances this country has made dealing with racial acceptance, but I know that we are far from reaching true equality in everyone's minds. So, after some time passed and I repeatedly read the statement Rocker had made, my astonishment diminished. Don't get me wrong—I am
of others. What makes him think he is so much better than I am? Someone has to set him straight.
still furious, without a doubt. However, I know people such as Rocker are out there and think they are free to voice their idiotic opinions.
Initially, I did not think major league baseball could do anything to Rocker because of the first amendment, which guarantees our freedom of speech. I was wrong. According to Harvard Law School professor Paul Weiler, Rocker's comments are not protected because he does not belong to a public organization. Private organizations have the right to punish their employees or members according to their rules and regulations.
Therefore, commissioner Bud Seig has the authority to suspend Rocker. However, I believe this is the wrong move. I wouldn't mind if the Atlanta Braves fired him because that would make a strong statement. It would show Americans that there are things more important than winning.
If this doesn't happen, I would not be too depressed because I think there is a better reprimand. In my mind, the fiercest punishment would be for him to face the wrath of his teammates, opposing players and baseball fans.
He still did not understand the severity of his comments. The only way to show him what a Neanderthal he was would be to put him in front of a jury. Not a jury of peers, but a jury of various people, ranging from minority teammates Brian Jordan and Andres Galaragga to baseball fan such as you and me. Then, and only then, will Rocker realize how much of an idiot he has been.
Rocker publicly apologized and said he was responding to the actions of New York fans, But I still can't understand what Rocker was thinking of when he made these comments. Even after the damage was done, and he had a chance to somewhat reconcile with everyone during an interview with Peter Gammons, his mental inability to understand the seriousness of his actions kept him as a disgrace to his family, town and country.
I personally am looking forward to the end of his suspension. I am eager to find out how his teammates will react to him. Even some of his Caucasian teammates have spoken out against him, such as Chipper Jones and Tom Glavine. Can you imagine the response from his minority teammates? Not to mention his supposed friend he referred to as a "fat monkey." And what happens when he plays against other teams? I possibly could understand that his teammates might find it easier to forgive him, but opposing players have no reason to care. Picture Rocker accidentally hitting Albert Belle with a baseball. That will be one to remember.
I would like to see Rocker punished just as much as anyone else does. But if think suspension is the wrong answer, because that only saves him from the fierce punishment he deserves. Dealing with what he said is what will teach him a lesson — one that a suspension alone will not.
News editors
Parekh is an Overland Park freshman in business and journalism.
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Broaden your mind: Today's quote
"I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it." — Pablo Picasso