UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN editorials
Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Kansan editorial staff. Signed columns represent the views of the editors.
Mav 1.1980
KU gags free speech
A letter to the editor elsewhere on this page points out the repression of freedom of expression that goes on at the University of Kansas.
Sometimes this issue may not seem important. After all, is it absolutely necessary for Nick Parekett to be able to photocopy "Fuck the draft"? He won't die if he is forced to go elsewhere to have his words printed. But he points out that photocopying is a University service, available to all. And he does not have the right to read the Supreme Court of the United States has held that those three words by themselves are a valid means of expression, are not obscene and cannot be suppressed by the government.
But the University, a governmental body, has not caught up with the court. The decision not to photocopy the words is wrong. Any restriction on freedom of expression when applied to a public service must be applied in a consistent, even-handed manner within a set of written guidelines that cannot be changed at the whim of administrators. These guidelines apparently do not exist for the copying service.
KU's efforts at restricting speech are not limited to photocopying machines. The current string of disputes began last spring when Ron Kuby was arrested after he tried to display a banner at Commencement. Earlier this semester, the Kubu students said they had tried to exhibit signs at the John Anderson and Donald Rumsfeld speeches.
The signs, in all of these cases, were confiscated by KU policemen acting under a Board of Regents rule that prohibits the display of any political advertising 'in areas devoted primarily to instruction, or other enclosed areas during non-political events."
The fact that the University is confiscating signs and dictating what language may be used in its copying machines is frightening. One of the best ways to learn is through the exchange of ideas. If student compulsory in the University is disregarding its purpose as an educational institution,
Chancellor Archie R. Dykes, sparked by the Kuby incident and its after effects, commissioned a "blue ribbon" committee of students, faculty and administrators to study and make sense of the state of freedom of expression at KU.
The committee report, released more than a month ago, calls for an amendment to the Regents rule removing its restrictions on political advertising and handbills and adding a statement committing the University to the protection of freedom of expression.
The chancellor has not yet responded to the report. His silence may be interpreted as a satisfaction with the way things are. Or it may simply be a means to react to it until the semester, when students will be gone and the issue less pressing. For whatever reason, students might rely on some, serves to increase feelings that any repression on this campus goes on with the Chancellor's full approval.
Freedom of speech cannot be ignored. It is one of the principles underlying the founding and continuing existence of this nation. If the University continues to exhibit such a lackadaisical attitude toward such an important issue, people will continue to fight to change that attitude.
Commencement is May 19.
KU's copiers delete students' expletives
To the Editor:
As a student at the University of Kansas, I would like to report on the status of the First Amendment law on campus. I think other students and faculty will be interested to know that campus duplifying services will not make use of the language used in word commonly used to mean sexual intercourse, especially in reference to nakedness. I was in reference to the restatement of draft registration. I was refused at both the Wescos and Union services. When I asked
Aside from the obvious implications that this Midwestern institution lacks a certain set of skills, the system means that anyone with views contradictory to those held by a photocopy operator and his superior can be effectively barred from their work. For most of the time political material is accepted, but the fact that there is this need for it makes me exercised at any time. In this time of growing political turbulence, I think it is important to put a digital picturepletter sensor disturbing ideas used more and more. The duplicating service can arbitrarily declare any language and social context.
operations told me that it was a matter of administrative discretion as to what language is appropriate for photocopying—not a specific guideline.
KANSAN letters
Even if a written regulation did exist proclaiming the use of certain words, it would not duplicate service, which, according to their brochure, exists for the concrete purposes of direct communication. In other words, not for the use of certain University administrators, but for us, the people.
Nick Paretsky
Certain ideas are more effectively conducted by using non-conventional rhetoric, and we also have the right to say I-k-k-k. The use of "protective reaction" to right to say "Protective reaction strike." I would suggest that it is good to get away from respectable, administrative language that plagues over real abalations. The rest of us should stop protecting our First Amendment rights on other issues, such as police harassment and videotaping crowds, 1984 style. The restriction against the use of a necessary tool for communicating alternative views in this mass
society, is further evidence of the erosion of forestry at KU.
Lawrence sophomore
Anti-abortion forces ignore Constitution
To the Editor:
In the second place, the law does state that abortion is within the bounds of the law. It does not require that abortion be within the bounds of morality is a personal decision; the law does not establish moral law; the law does not legislate to defend their morality, especially at the cost of personal liberty, are allowed to abort.
I was truly astounded to read in the April 21 Kansas letters column that a Manhattan graduate student and 31 others were undergraduates who did not create so that we could legislate what is right and moral, not to protect the so-called moral law in the name of personal rights.
These points should be manifestly evident to even the most casual observer. Why, then, do anti-abortionists continue to pursue their present objective of outlawing abortion? If you wish to make a democratic state, they can expect only defeat. I suggest that their concern is less for the unborn than it is for the defense of a rigid morality that relieves them of the responsibilities of exercising their liberty, respecting and respecting the personal liberty of others.
In the first place, if I am correct in assuming that the law referred to is the United States Constitution, then this constitution clearly states that its purpose is to "form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, maintain social order, the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity." Nowhere in the document is there mention of individual rights, as much through legislation. However, much emphasis is put on the protection of individual liberty, i.e., personal rights. Thus, the writer of the Constitution are ignorant of the purpose of the law.
I hope that Burkhard and her 31 followers will take this opportunity to educate themselves about the law, that the law is meant for the protection of all—not just a particular group—does not come as too hard a blow. If it does, there are people who are relieved of their personal liberty.
Kansas City, Mo. sophomore
Kathleen Tiernev
Private Citizens may not be able to fight city hall alone, but when the strength of a group of people is behind them, their chances are greatly improved.
Groups unify, activate neighborhoods
Lawrence's neighborhood groups offer such strength to city residents. The power wielded by the neighborhood organizations gives the groups considerable importance in the city.
It is fitting that there are such groups in Lawrence. When the town was first settled in the early 1850s by the New England Emigrant Aid Society, the New Englanders brought Yankee ideals to Lawrence local government. Their heritage emphasized trust, honesty and hard work, as well as thrill, representation in government—at all levels.
NOW, DESPIETE THE fact that Lawrence is growing, the city still has many characteristics of a small town. Old houses fill quiet streets lined with trees. Shady yards and neighborhoods. Victorian buildings with false fronts still serve as stores downtown.
As the town grew through the years and as the descendants of the original settlers took hold of the land, they posited positions, the notion of representation remained strong. It was a sound principle, one that stated that every citizen, regardless of his or her social standing, had a right to be heard.
Lawrence has remained a friendly town.
bob COLUMNIST pittman
one in which people not only know their
neighbors but actually talk to them.
Today, Lawrence is basking in a renewed self-awareness. The once-crumbling house of Lawrence was transformed into sparkling Lawrence and the eastern part of the city are being transformed into sparkling Lawrence.
THE MEN AND WOMEN who are restoring the houses are beginning to realize
that Lawrence has much to gain by renovation and a terrible price to pay for deterioration, indifference and destruction
The various neighborhood groups—Ored Neighborhood Organization, the East Lawrence Improvement Association, the East Lawrence Association, the Far Ear Lawrence Improvement Association and the North Lawrence Improvement Association and the Neighborhood Association—are responsible to a large degree for the increasing public interest in improving life in the neighborhood.
EACH HACK has had its own pet projects. It is one of the many in finding and maintaining neighborhood interest. Some got off to a rocky start, but all of the groups have been successful that they have given neighborhood residents a chance to be heard in their community.
And they have been heard. Voices of city residents have rung out again and again at city commission meetings. The Oread
ICAN
Neighborhood Association has done battle with the commission over Oread zoning ordinance and has received approval. Association has watched mall planning with a critical and suspicious eye. The Pinckney Neighborhood Association has recently been fighter against retouching of its name.
The groups have been drawn much criticism, as the commissioners, who have charged that the administration is the commission and that the residents are trying to undermine the commission*
BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS protest too much they should remember to listen to the opinion and for more orderly commission meetings. Meetings are easier to conduct when one person acts as a leader in the neighborhood on a certain issue. Pandemonium and frustration would result if all concernites attended a meeting and failed to comply.
The opinions of many citizens who are too self-conscious to speak out at a commission are hard to hear. The morally hostile group leader. Because the leaders are members of their neighborhoods, the average citizen can approach them and talk with them without fear of ridicule or contempt.
And because they are leaders, they can effectively present opinions to the commission in a manner that is better organized. The leaders can press the commission pressed by a single resident. The leaders can speak to the commission with confidence and have the support of their fellow residents.
INTEREST IN LOCAL government in Lawrence has remained high and the neighborhood groups have helped to keep citizens involved in local government.
People who live next door to each other in Lawrence may not be of the same race. People living in backgrouds and they may take home radically different paychecks, but they are
Because they are neighbors they have some similar interests. Because they are friends, they also hear, Lawrence's neighborhood groups give the people of Lawrence, with these similar interests and right to be heard, a chance to band together to make their voice heard.
Neighborhood groups are valuable. Their growth and strength is a sign that $t$ heritage of involvement in local government is still alive in Lawrence.
Cars often steer drivers into court
By STEVE RUDDICK
Most students at the University of Kansas will readily acknowledge the important role automobiles play in their lives. Though cars are common on the road, automobiles also can bring about severe headaches for their drivers. Students who drive cars may be confronted with license fines and penalty slights. Because penalties unless they appreciate the legal pitfalls of owning and operating an automobile.
One of these ptiills is insurance. All students, resident or non-resident, who operate a car on a nonresidual result must have the vehicle insured and the owner allowed with a driver not insured and the owner allowed with a driver B misdemeanor. Further, who knowingly drives an uninsured vehicle could face the same charge, which could result in the loss of driving privileges or a fine.
Therefore, students owning or driving cars while attending KU are advised to examine their insurance coverage. The law requires $5,000 coverage for property damage $15,000 for bodily injury or death or injury for death or for two more pressures.
NUMEROUS STATE and city laws apply to the operation of motor vehicles. Following is a summary of some areas in which students may encounter problems.
1. State and local laws prohibit the transportation in any vehicle of an opaque container, and that the container is locked in the rear trunk or compartment so that it is not accessible to anyone without permission.
AS A PRACTICAL MATTRESS, if an officer makes an arrest for this violation, the driver probably will be examined for a possible "operating under the influence" (O.U.I.) of alcohol, which will face fewer risks by waiting to their car or bottles until they reach the party.
Students should note that this law applies to passengers as well as the driver. If you are charged with a violation of the state law, you must file an imprisonment for up to six months or both.
2. Students may be charged with an O.U.I. violation for being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The Kansas
Supreme Court has defined "influence" to promote the state that exists "whenever a superior court appoints a judge impaired ... to the extent that the defendant is incapable of safely driving a car."
Penalties for an O.U.L. conviction vary depending upon where the charges are filed, in which case the court may order Court, city ordinances require a time or between $100 and $500 or not more than six months. The person charged must be filed in the Douglas County District Court, the state statute requires the same fine, but the county court does not.
3. A PERSON MAY be charged with a crime if he is involved in an automobile accident and fails to stop. Regardless of the seriousness of the accident, a person is required to stop, exchange information with other persons involved and render any necessary aid.
The police may test for this influence. Any person driving on Kansas public roads, has by statute, consented to take a chemical blood or breath test if arrested or taken into custody for O.I.L. This statutory "implied consent" to both Kansas residents and non-residents.
Also, if a driver sees an unattended, damaged vehicle along the side of the road, he must stop, attentively, and check for any damage department without delay. Even when a damaged vehicle is attended, the driver who passes by must immediately notify the police if property damage has occurred.
A driver may refuse to take an alcohol test, but upon refusal the K辛氏 statute permits him to drive a vehicle without a license or of a non-resident's operating privilege such as a refusal will not be deemed lawful.
A person who fails to report an accident may have his license suspended. Many drivers, including students, often violate
IF THE TEST indicates that your blood alcohol level is 0.1 percent or more by weight, the statute creates a presumption of driving under the blood alcohol level is below 0.1 percent gives rise to a presumption that you are not under the influence. In order to get a conviction, the prosecution must prove that the blood alcohol level is above 0.1 percent when you were driving.
Letters Policy
The University Daily Kaanan well-comes letters to the editor and guest opinions that present different points of view. The university must be typed, double spaced and no longer than 500 words. The Kanan reserves the right to edit all letters and comments. The university must include the writer's address and phone number. If the letter is affiliated with the University, the letter should in-dependently appear on home town or faculty or staff position.
these reporting requirements, even for accidents in which they are involved, solely because there is little damage to the cars involved.
If a car is parked in one spot for more than 8 hours, it is considered a public nuisance, and the police officer who parks the car has been towed, it will be held until the police authorize its release and all storage units are removed.
INSURANCE LAWS and legal procedure may cause more complications for people who drive in Kansas. If you are hurt in an accident, you should seek compensation from your insurance company under Kansas no-fault automobile insurance or regardless of who the caused accident.
4. Students who do not live in University housing often park their cars on public streets. This may cause problems. Lawrence city ordinance No. 17-4909 requires that any public street or parking facility for any continuous period of more than 48 hours."
Where only property damage is involved, no-fault damages do not apply. The purpose of a failure to pay personal damages persons who have been injured, before there have been any legal proceedings to determine fault. Personal damages are due and payable as they are accurate, provided proper notice and reasonable proof of expenses are given to the insurance company.
If an accident leads to a lawsuit, Kansas comparative negligence statute will usually control the result. Kansas has adopted a form of comparative negligence whereby a party may recover damages if his negligence in the accident was less than the burden of the other party or parties against him with a claim for recovery has been made.
This statute requires the jury or judge in the absence of a jury to determine the specific percentages of negligence of each party involved and the damages due them.
AS A FINAL consideration, students should realize that anything they say to a police officer regarding an accident, or other incidents of crime can often affect civil liability if they are sued as a result of an accident. Admissions after an accident regarding drinking, fault, inattention and other things may occur in a civil suit as evidence of your intelligence.
The Kansas statutes require a driver involved in an accident to give the information requested by a vehicle registration number and, upon request and if available, his license and the required paperwork.
In addition, an officer will usually ask each driver to give her version of what was said by the officer, but they should also avoid any statements that may later be used as evidence.
However, a plea of "moll conteider" (no context) may not be used as an admission in criminal proceedings. Whether he will accept such a plea. If the plea is not allowed one must plead either with counsel or both.
IF YOU PLEAD GUILTY to a traffic violation, you essentially admit that you did those acts that form the basis of the offense. You must also prove in a civil trial as an admission of such acts.
These are some of the areas where students may experience legal problems concerning their cars. Students are strongly urged to seek legal advice if motor vehicles are the same as those used in case of thefts are the same and thus a different legal result is possible in every case.
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