UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN editorials Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Kansan owners. Signed columns represent the views of only the writers. February 18,1980 Reject death penalty If there is one thing in Kansas that has more lives—and deaths—than a cat, it has to be the bill for a death penalty. The state's criminal justice system. Last week the House Judiciary Committee killed a bill that would have reinstated the death penalty. No one has been executed in Kansas since 1965. This is the sixth consecutive year that a bill calling for reinstatement of the death penalty has been introduced in the Kansas Legislature. At least 18 similar bills died or were defeated in the last five legislative sessions. This time around, even proponents of the bill followed its legislative path with marked pessimism. Rep. Richard Brewer, D-Topeka, a death penalty supporter, said legislators should not be afraid to vote against it because chances of their mustering enough votes to override a vet by Gov. John Carlin were slim. The bill, sponsored by House Majority Leader Robert Frey, R-Liberal, called for execution by injection for persons convicted of injury or of felony murder and is identical to the plan Carlin already vetoed once. Gov. Carlin is an outspoken opponent of the death penalty in Kansas and has proposed, instead, a plan to impose a minimum sentence of 30 years in prison for a convicted felon premeditated murder. This plan, as well as a bill in the Senate calling for the death penalty in seven specific cases of murder and a penalty plan recommended by Attorney General Roberts, is still under active consideration. Nevertheless, despite opinion polls that show that the public generally favors capital punishment, a majority of Kansas legislators continually kills the perennial propositions by a minority of their peers to institute a death penalty in the state. Their logic is ethical and morally understandable. Although supporters of the bill contend that a death penalty would do much to deter crime in Kansas, killing someone for killing seems somewhat counterproductive. Patrick McManus, Kansas correction secretary, however, has supported an alternative plan to deter crime—community correction systems in which communities work together to rehabilitate criminals. It is an idea worth giving a chance. Society is the ever-abused scapegoat for the misdeeds of its individual members. Society is blamed for alienation that turns to hate that turns to violence that turns to murder. Consequently, society almost never is given credit for anything beneficial or productive. Community correction may prove not to be the answer to high crime rates, but it would give society at a chance to redeem itself in a way that will less reprimant by emptying a syringe into the arm of a convicted killer. UNIVERSITY DAILY letters KANSAN New ticket prices no bargain for fans To the Editor: I was disappointed to read your justification and support of KUAC's recent decision to hit kU students with a 59 percent increase in the price of student season basketball tickets. The tone and text of your editorial ("Ticket is bargain," Kansan,) encourage KU students should consider themselves fortunate to be subjected to such an increase. First, you compared the price of a KU student season ticket with that of student season tickets at the other Big Eight schools. The prices would not be so bad. Your logic suggests that since the price of gasoline is higher in Europe than here in the U.S., Americans should support recent and future increases in gasoline prices to reduce "grumble rub" or two is understandable. Second, your comparison shopping failed to note that one alternative entertainment—the Lady Jayhawks—cools only $1.50 per per semester. Now, there’s a bargain! As someone who has purchased season football and basketball tickets over the last five years, I resent any suggestion that I should welcome a 99 percent inflation, rate increase in sports equipment and In fact. I fear that this increase will be followed by other increases until most KU students opt for some of the other kinds of entertainment that you mentioned. Such a change would be beneficial to KUAC, since they can recoup their $100,000 deficits by selling student season seats to the general public for five to ten times the student price. But then, college athletes doesn't need students—except to play and provide it with a guaranteed audience. At some point, dear rainbow, "bargain" may cease to be one—even according to your standards. I choose to voice my objections now (rumble-grun-ble), rather than to wait until it is too late. David Seely David Seely Lawrence, First-year Law Student Kansan impresses Penn student editor To the Editor: While night editing for the Daily College here at Pennsylvania State University, happened upon the Jan. 29 issue of the University Daily Kansas Naturally. I scanned it to see if it matched the journal's theme. I like to think the college often achieves. I had to look no further than your editorial page to be duly impressed. Brenda Watson's editorial concerning the reinstatement of the Vietnam War was well-conceived, realistic point of view, instead of an emotional one. I shudder at the thought of being trained for military action, which would have been on overalanced reactions from those who refuse to think things through worked quite well. This is not Vietnam revisited and so I found Watson a well-signed and well-spoken. I also truly enjoyed Kate Pound's column on your state. Not only was it written with great clarity and precision from point to point, but it also was extremely informative. Coming from a small seaside resort in southern Iberia, I found myself in a strange picture for me of an obvious horn of plenty, unscathed by Northeastern bastle and fortress, so well-formalized and her argument strongly made, without ever becoming overbearing or condescending. I stype those popey people who are not afraid of being pointed from point to point. Recently, I checked out more issues of the Kansai. I applaud you on your fine student newspaper. Thank you for rescuing me from the doldrums of night editing. Justin Catanoso Daily Collegian staff writer THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN (904796408400) Published at the University of California Davis August through May and November and Thursday December 12, 2023. The price is $50. For information regarding registration for a course or for enrolment in a course, please contact us at rs@ucdavis.edu or call (904) 796-4084. For subscription fees are租售 to RS for all students or RS a year in Dudley County and £E for each student. Subscriptions may be non-refundable. Postmaster: Send changes of address to the University Daily Kannan. Flint Hall, The University of Kannan. Lawrence, KS6040 Editor James Anthony Pitts Manager Editor Diana Wileman Composer Editor Anthony Wileman Composer Editor Austin Campbell Editors Assistant Campus Editors Darrell Hearn Director Amy Hallward, Ellen Vanwood Sports Editor Michael R. Pearl Sports Editor Mike Earle Business Manager Vincent Coultrie Retail Sales Manager Elaine Stratford Campus Sales Manager Diane Traet Marketing Sales Manager Mike Murphy Classified Representatives Tammy Heim, Natalie Ihane Jade General Manager Advertising Manager Rent Manager Chuck Mason My favorite presidential candidate is Edward Kennedy. Kennedy's ideals transcend politics But the problem with politics, even for an avid Kenyon fan, is that it's so bloody political. Political campaign managers are no more than crused use-car dealers who have a lot of political skills in political hacks—a sorry fleet of backed-up刑工 junk heaps with altered odometer. These sleek saiesemain shamelessly push their presidential products like so much more than they think. It's so squelchy overall the soft Soviets won't be able to resist giving it a tender tweak in the turmry; on the other hand, it's strong and hard, and because of the raging winds of political change. Ivory soak is the most qualified candidate because it's almost 100 percent pure. And susana COLUMNIST namnum Ever since the mid-1960s, Kennedy has consistently clamored for aid to the world's refugees and for a halt to our nation's tragic Am toothpaste, although a relatively new face in the oral arena, would hold its own in the White House because it contains good whitening agents. It's the form of a new, exquisite, blue-green gel. Take a look at his record and see fo. yourself what he stands for. A PERVERSE fascination with Joan Kennedy's bout with alcoholism has overshadowed her struggle of struggle for such knee-jerkness as causes peace, human dignity and a crackdown on the military-industrial complex, which so frightens权势 our land. And to make matters even more offensive, a proliferation of untimely presidential polls, caucuses and primaries is happening in and into a year-round Millennium Blvd suite. KENNEDY DESERVES credit if only because his campaign tactics have been so poor and pathetic. It is refreshing that he was once able to flow than flowing. It is heart-warming that his rough, ranting, spirited image puts Jimmy Carter's grinning drawing inarta to And the American press, squirming with glee in the mire of Chappaquiddick, has all but discounted those outdated, implourable ideals which Kennedy clearly While Carter is held up in the Oval Office selling himself as the tough, true leader that he isn't, Kempner is at the political pulp, preaching his time-worn liberal notions. habiting of boobing repressive regimes. He has predefined medicine, he referred to a Cameroonian medical doctor and to right-wing dictatorships such as Argentina, Chile, Somalia or Nicaragua and Colombia. Although Carter has uttered humanistic muttering to the wind, his compassion for the animals he encounters with the TV networks decisions to focus their cameras on both people or animals. WHEN CARTER harbored the despotic genius, he was told that people were upset. Kennedy pleaded for at least a graceful admission that bolstering murderous detritus was perhaps a less than pleasant experience. And while Carter revels in his new-found role as world policeman, Kennedy historically has kept the big stickashed away in the attic. supported full normalization of relations with China. He also favored security guarantees for Taiwan. He has opposed: the Vietnam war: CIA funds to anti-communist rebels in Angola; and U.S. militarization of the Persian Gulf. He supports: the Iran nuclear deal, Kennedy has been against aid to Turkey DURING HIS nearly 17 years in the Senate, he has fought to curb the barrage of mushrooming military toys which prove that, at heart, the United States is still a world leader. He also supported on the antitheft missile system the I51 bomber, the AWACS early-warning system, cruise missiles, aircraft carriers, Trident missile submarines, Mark 12A nuclear warheads, the Sangune communications missile submarines and the neutron bomb. last year backed a 3 percent increase in defense spending, the first time he had ever favored anything but a slash of military resources. He made himself made my patience wear thin. Kennedy was either a diplomatic public back or was that he is not himself as the mckeeper that he is." In short, Kennedy is either a warmonger nor a fan of the military. In fact he supported a 1978 amendment to transfer 4 million Pentagon's budget to domestic programs. ENOUGH IS enough. My faith in Edward Kennedy goes above and beyond one mealy vote in the Senate, just as it transcends the common sense of the electorate. I support an unawnering humanist who has not been afraid to fly in the face of adversity. I support the threat that threaten to make official monopolies of all our industries. I support an idealist who has found the notion that good medical care is the best way to live. But surely I've been duped by the old Kennedy charisma. Besides, Kennedy is a New England patrician who can't carry an coherent conversation with the mob. How does Kennedy know or care about the pledges of the powers behind it? But to all good liberals' horror, Kennedy KU must clean up after AMS fiasco AMS's contract with the Lawrence campus expired Dec. 1, and its contract with the University will expire April 1. Even though AMS will be out of the picture, the entire episode will remain a murky, unexplained fiasco. At least, that is, until UF officials do some research. The controversial American Management Services soon no longer will provide its services to the University of Kansas. The housekeeping company has supervised KU custodians since 1977. But it officials say that its staff is not fully renewed the University's contracts with AMS. Examining the background of the AMS-University ties is the only way one can begin to understand the muddled mess. In 1978, an interim committee committee asked the University to look into the possibility of hiring an outside company to manage the research facilities at the Med Center and the Lawrence campus were described as atrocious. at best. In April 1977, AMS assumed management of the Med Center custodians. Eight months later its operation at the Lawrence campus TO PUT IT mildly, KU custodians intensely disliked AMS. The company instituted significantly increased supervision and workloads for the custodians. Custodian at KU raised a big fuss, but for the most part, their complaints, valid or not, were unanimous. The professor who soon would be flying to Iran on a peace-seeking mission appointed him. Forer led the Custodians Action Committee, a group of so-called concerned COLUMNIST david lewis citizens. From October to December of last year, the CAC was embroiled in a battle against KU officials concerning the cancerope attack. At this point, the mystery begins. THE CAC alleged that the AMS perpetrated some aberrant deeds, such as overworking the handcuffed custodians in an attempt to make them quit. A number of complaints were filed, including one by a custodian who said he was harassed while he worked in bed. The AMS supervisor, the custodian said, was trying to persuade him to quit his job. But only a few days later, KU officials issued an emergency declaration of the AMS's contract for the Lawrence campus. Last week, KU officials expressed their intentions not to extend the agreement. The University responded to these serious reports and issued an official report. The report contained that the University had no evidence of wrongdoing by AMS. It also said the University was still taking steps to investigate. THE UNIVERSITY's action does not necessarily prove the CAC's allegations. A few days certainly was not enough time for the University to conduct a thorough investigation of such serious crimes. KU officials did not explain why the contract was not renewed. Sources close to the CAC said the Legislature was infirmed by the publicity controversy. Perhaps ridding itself of AMS was an underhand attempt by the University to ward off the angry legislators. The university has a contract in late November, when upcoming budget hearings that determine the fate of the state's laws had to be foremost in their minds. Poor communication between KU of important factor in the severity of AMS-KU ties. It is obvious that when the custodians outstalk against AMS, KU officials were ignorant to the risk. WHEN KU decided to hire a management company to supervise the custodians, it should have monitored the AMS much more closely. Instead, AMS supervisors apprehended the issue. The power of AMS must have grown to be too much for KU officials to stomach. The University community may never know all the reasons for ending the AMS contract. Now that AMS is on its way out, the school is considering hiring custodians. So far, there have been few, if any complaints. What remains to be seen is whether the University can maintain its reputation. While AMS was under contract, housekeeping at KU improved significantly. Before AMS arrived, housekeeping here was able to monitor the custodians properly. If they do not, KU officials will be forced to clean up their act again. We all receive mail we could happily do without. The telephone bills, parking fine notices and overdue library book reminders arrive with depressing regularity. Mail offers tempting. but watch out You may have little sympathy for Ma Bell (you do, remember the company's recent misdeeds) and you're entitled to ask for what youowe them. They're entitled to ask for what youowe them. The most annoying mask is the junk you don't expect—all that you're punched, as pulpy in content as in appearance. COLUMNIST david mould A recent shower in the constant deluge came from the United States Marine Corps. He was a graduate student, to be personal. The style was condescending, as he trouble to insert the student's name and the words "college men from the University of Kansas." But it was a form letter all the The invitation was to find out more about the Marines. Evidently, "the Few and the Proud" need a few more people with pride. But it looked like all the other unsuspecting recruits at the base would be inviting you to subscribe to news magazines, to buy life insurance, to receive credit cards and to expand your mind with encyclopedias or your body at a health club. THE ISSUE is not the right of public or commercial organizations to send out material. To restrict direct mailings would not be in the spirit of the First Amendment and would run counter to the principle of a free market in products, ideas and trash. Theenders are bound only by the laws of the United States, and obscene photos or a free sample of cocaine. But the methods employed in direct-mail selling, whatever the product, are sometimes disturbing. Companies can learn life insurance try to exploit our guilty feelings. Do you want your employees to be more risky or something should happen to you? Well, of course. Then it's your duty to take out life insurance. MEDICAL INSURANCE companies take a different task. They send out impressive-looking charts and statistics that purport to show that treatment for anything more than an ingrown toenail will put you in an excellent position you take out coverage with that company. Insurance is a necessary service, but answering a direct-mail solicitation isn't the best way to buy it. The consumer has no yardstick with which to compare the offers from different companies. It may look like a good deal, but there may be a better one. EVEYONE LIKES a free gift, but once you've accepted the exciting introductory offer, it may be difficult to refuse the 20-cast gown. The dress is part of the Wonderful World of Minor Russian Direct mailings attempt to create a need that, whether it exists, is generally unreserved. When you receive the material, it is essential that you keep the insurance, if its desire for security. When you're behind with the rent, are repaying a loan or have lost your credit card may seem to be a good idea. Poets/Philosophy Between Meals/Musical Appreciation for the Tone-Deaf series. The direct-mail invitations may be tempting, but it's wiser to shop around. There's nothing you can do to stop the flow of information lists or computer memories somewhere. Unless you are seriously interested in the product, service or career, resist the temptation. You can be ecologically cool, and use the stuff for scratch paper, uneven lettering, or glossy liners. Or you can file it—in the circular tiles that contain more traditional trash. Letters Policy The University Daily Kansan welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be typewritten, double-spaced and include a title. Letters should include the writer's name, address and telephone number. If the writer is affiliated with the University, the letter should be addressed to the home town or faculty or staff position. The Kansan reserves the right to edit letters for publication. Letters can be typed directly on letterhead. Kansan newsroom 121 Flint Hall.