Opinion
Kansan
Published daily since 1912
Ann Premer, Editor Jamie Holman, Business manager Gerry Doyle, Managing editor Sara Cropper, Retail sales manager Angie Kuhn, Managing editor Dan Simon, Sales and marketing adviser Tom Eblen, General manager, news adviser Justin Knupp, Technology coordinator
Wednesday, April 7, 1999
Jamie Patterson / KANSAN
Editorials
War defense system would upset world's nuclear balance of power
The idea of a missile defense system is appealing on its face. After all, who doesn't want a system that could protect the United States' allies from nuclear attack? But a closer inspection reveals that the risks involved harm the plan's usefulness.
First, such a system is prohibitively expensive. No one knows exactly how much a full-scale theater-missile defense system would cost, but dollar estimates range into the hundreds of billions. Former President Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative, better known as the "Star Wars" project, was derailed by its cost. The current Congressional push for missile defense simply is a modified version of that program and is a huge tax burden.
But wouldn't a guarantee of safety from attack be worth a large tax burden? Maybe, but a massive missile defense system would not provide that guarantee. Early testing of missile defense systems has not provided encouraging results. In many tests, missiles have
Problems with the proposed missile defense system create too many risks.
recorded more misses than hits.
Worse, the new system would alter the delicate balance of nuclear deterrence that has helped prevent nuclear war until now.
Nuclear deterrence operates on the principle of mutual assured destruction, meaning no country with an adequate level of nuclear weapons will attack another because it fears a debilitating counterattack. For deterrence to work, both sides must have equal footing. A missile defense system would give the United States an advantage because, in theory, we could drop nuclear weapons on other countries without repercussions.
That potential advantage enrages other nuclear powers. China and Russia are both vehemently opposed to any
defense system.
U. S. relations with China and Russia already are strained, and a missile defense system would further antagonize them. That could send us into a nuclear war.
At the least, it could stall progress on initiatives aimed at reducing nuclear arsenals and cause countries to renegade on weapons treaties they have signed with us. The potential scenario for rapid rearmament is frightening.
Committing to a missile defense system also increases the likelihood of nuclear attack in the short term. Some political observers argue that a country might decide to attack the United States before the defense system is deployed, adopting a now-or-never nuclear philosophy.
The likelihood of nuclear attack is the lowest it has been in decades. A missile defense system is a step back. The antagonism it would cause in our relations with other countries is not worth the risk.
Nathan Willis for the editorial board
Ventura a model of changing times
After less than a year in office, Gov. Jesse Ventura of Minnesota already is the most quoted and probably the most well-known governor in the country.
Ventura has been a refreshing change, and many people believe he will win re-election easily. But, as many new trends, Ventura has had his share of controversy because of his out-spoken nature.
A former professional wrestler, Ventura was elected as an Independent. He does not possess the usual ties that bind most politicians to
The governor sets the stage for non-traditional politicians.
political parties.
Minnesota bumper stickers claimed that their governor could beat up your governor. Souvenir stores in the state's Mall of America proudly proclaim that they sell Ventura merchandise.
needed to stop complaining about their salaries because they enjoyed summer holidays as well as other holidays.
Many of Ventura's views have caused some alarm. The governor was quoted as saying that teachers
But Ventura maintained his relevance because people enjoy hearing something different from a politician.
It will be interesting to see if Ventura starts a trend of electing unorthodox politicians. After the election and success of Jesse Ventura, many people now cannot think of any reason that other non-traditional politicians would not be able to attain a political office.
Kansan staff
Emily Haverkamp for the editorial board
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Broaden your mind: Today's quote
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The weather finally is warmer, most people are beginning to get over their first or second bouts of the flu, and I, as a columnist, cannot find anything to
Perspective
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Our society could use Kosovo history lesson
Even more upsetting, there just happens to be a major world event taking place: the bombings in Kosovo.
I read, I watch the news,
I am an aware person,
but Kosovo does not compel me.
as a columnist, cannot find anything to write about
More importantly, I am not alone. Nobody wants to talk about Kosovo, because few people fully
Jenny Oakson
opinion @ kansan.com
I caught myself watching the Party of Five Family Album show, where a medley of episode clips sum up the plot developments of the last four years with a Top 40 soundtrack.
"That's what we need," I thought. "An MTV produced Fox special on the history of the former Yugoslavia with 'N SYNC and Brandy."
understand it enough to take a side.
I suppose I am taking a very young, naive and apathetic viewpoint, but it truly is hard to figure out our country's involvement in world politics today.
Obviously I am not alone, because I know that several KU students — the more bronze ones — returned to school having boozed themselves silly in Jamaica. I hear Jamaica is beautiful. I don't know, my Chevy Corsica didn't make it down there this year.
I think Spring Break is important as is any anti-stress activity, but it is a fact that Jamaica is one of the most impoverished nations college students visit for Spring Break.
Granted, many U.S. dollars were spent, but where did they go? I'm sure they did not go to the hungry, unemployed or homeless. What is our country doing for Jamaica besides sending tourists? I ask, because I don't know. Some tourists can hide behind the knowledge that they tipped well. But I can't.
Also, I know that my government wants me to be under the impression that Cuba is a bad place. Again, I am confused, as I saw happy government officials and Baltimore Orioles enjoying the balmy breezes of Havana.
More so, I saw Fidel Castro rooting on his baseball team in the company of smiling Americans.
Only 90 miles off the U.S. coast, Cuba,
with its poverty-stricken people, sunny
oaches, surreal architecture and classic automobiles, seems like another possible candidate for a spring break love-fest.
Yet, we are not allowed to visit Cuba or even more important put any U.S. dollars into their economy.Again, I don't know why
On the other side of the coin, Stewart Copeland, drummer and founder of the band The Police, is leading a full-scale antiNATO campaign in Kosovo.
Then again, at my age, the actions of a rock star seem more important. But don't start shaking your head just yet. College students aren't the only clueless U.S. citizens.
Copeland and other musicians are defiantly playing concerts in town squares above the safety and confines of bomb shelters. I like the Police, and I love Sting. And it signifies to me that a famous American, such as Copeland, with the money to stay out of the Balkan tinderbox, must have a good reason for taking a stand.
There are countless adults who are misinformed. It was easy to have an opinion about the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Almost anyone can have sex or get someone to have sex with them.
It's sad and somewhat disenchanting, but we seem to turn our heads and close our minds in most conflicts with immense historical background, such as the case with Israel and the Middle East. The war in the Balkans revolves mostly around land designated to, and coveted by, certain ethnic groups after the break up of Yugoslavia.
But in this country, or at least in Lawrence, ethnic slaughter doesn't touch everyday lives.
People who are living in areas that are important to their religions and culture don't want to leave. Now they are being killed
We don't see that here. No one is going to tell me that I have to move to a sorority house tomorrow. NATO seems as though it is acting with good intentions to stop the slaving of these people.
As I said before, I don't know much about Kosovo. I do know that we can't just ignore these conflicts. It's our duty to admit we're ignorant of the situation and try to find out the information with which we can make educated decisions.
But realistically, people live in the areas being bombed. So, either way people get killed.
Just remember, decisions will be made either way.
Oakson is an Overland Park senior in English.
Suits against companies precedent for later cases
Sure, many people think that it is a joke. Gun makers are not seriously being held responsible for gun related
crimes,right?
Nope, it's true. If I am the victim of a gun crime, during which I am shot and live, I can (and should) sue the person who shot me. If I am shot and die, then my family can (and, I hope, will) sue the person who shot me.
But also, with recent legal precedent, I have the right to sue gun makers. Think of it as one of the greatest class-action suits of all time. After
Joe Walberg
Guest columnist
a11; it was their product that enabled my injury or death.
Compound this with cigarette makers that are held responsible for people who develop health problems from smoking, and things can get messy.
States successfully have reached court rulings against tobacco companies, and there even was a successful class action suit by former smokers against the cigarette giants.
This could be the break that I've been looking for.
I just received a speeding ticket in Iowa. When the trooper pulled me over, he asked whether I knew I was going 98 mph. I had to honestly reply that I didn't. The speedometer on my '88 Chevy Nova stops at 85.
The trooper was as surprised as I was that my little hoopty could reach that relative warp speed. It was unfortunate my speedometer didn't have another 13 tickmarks on it.
He wrote the ticket anyway
But, following the reasoning behind the gun makers/tobacco producers' suit, am I really responsible for having a heavy foot?
My car was capable of breaking the law. Furthermore, my car is a potential threat to my health or life, similar to cigarettes. It also is a potential threat to the health or life of every other person on the road or near it, similar to a gun. What really is all that different?
I can guarantee that studies connecting health problems to be hit by a car are more conclusive than those connecting health problems to second-hand smoke.
I think that General Motors (and Toyota — the ones who actually built my car) should have to pay the $126.36 fine, take my $100 driver's improvement class, and assume my one-year probation in the state of Iowa.
(
After all, it is not my fault.
The Nova is a defective product because it cannot keep its relative speed under the legal limit. Tricycles have been recalled for lesser threats to life and health. It was the car that was breaking the speed limit, not me. Furthermore, the seat belts (and the airbag, if I had one) lured me into the same false sense of security as low tar cigarettes and safety trigger locks.
What would have happened if I drove drunk and hurt someone? Would Coors be responsible for inhibiting my ability to drive? It was the $1.50 Coors Light Draws that made me the intoxicated driver.
I am looking forward to seeing more gun makers get sued. Cigarette makers too.
Can't wait until scissor makers get sued for people who run with them. Maybe I should change my major to pre-law.
Walberg is a Shawne sophomore in communication studies and political science.