05
OPINION
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MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2005
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SACK'S PERSPECTIVE
TRAFFIC TICKETS? GO DOWN THE HALL TO THE 10 COMMANDMENTS MONUMENT (LUTHERAN VERSION) TILL YOU REACH THE KORAN DISPLAY TAKE A LEFT AND CONTINUE PAST THE BUDDHIST SHRINE UNTIL YOU SEE THE 10 COMMANDMENTS MONUMENT (JEWISH VERSION). GO RIGHT AT THE AZTEC SACRIFICIAL ALTAR AND ON TO THE VISHNU STATUE, WHOSE THIRD ARM POINTS TO A DOOR BETWEEN THE DRUID STONEHENGE.REPLICA AND THE 10 COMMANDMENTS MONUMENT (CATHOLIC VERSION)
THE MONK INSIDE WILL DIRECT YOU FROM THERE.
Steve Sack/STAR TRIBUNE
JORDAN'S JARGON
Conscription can provide opportunity to unite classes
Last October, a bill to reinstate the draft by Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., was crushed in the House 402-2. Apparently the draft is more unpopular than the war.
Nonetheless, draft supporters like conscription because it distributes the burden of wartime service
JOHN JORDAN
jjordan@kansan.com
to all Americans. The draft would assemble an army of people from all walks of American life. Yet even if the draft supports equality it still sends people to war.
But what if every young man and woman, like all of us on the campus of the University of Kansas, served a year of national community service?
After they graduated high-school or turned 20, whichever happened first, they would go on a tour of manual labor, disaster aid, social work, medical work or some other task of need. We'd have the equality of compulsory service without the moral hang-up of sending people to war.
Before you quit reading because you saw the words 'compulsory' and 'community service', let's consider the benefits of mandated national service.
Wealthy families can put their children on an exclusive track of schools and connections to success.
First, compulsory service eases class separation in America.
Inversely, poor migrant families often must put their children on another path of hard labor to support the family.
Regardless of how one feels about each situation, the contact between the two groups is next to nil.
But compulsory service would bring together every person in the country for the same work and purpose. For one year, Jane Millionaire and Joe Migrant Worker would share the same duty and be in the same boat.
Second, compulsory service gives the nation a huge foundation of improvement for the nation. Two million people turned 18 last year. Two million people can build a lot of homes, clean a lot of communities, give aid to a lot of people and respond to a lot of emergencies.
Third, compulsory service gives all Americans opportunity.
Many who couldn't otherwise travel would see parts of the United States
they never thought about. Young people sheltered by wealth would glimpse on the rest of America.
Finally, compulsory service provides structure to every young person. The scale and organization would give work experience, as well as accomplishment, to young people right at the moment they need it.
The college-bound would experience manual labor before going to school and the working classes would get to work to improve the nation, not just to put food on the table.
In truth, one year of mandatory service seems like an enormous burden to most youth. Who wants to give a year to the government?
ROCK TALK
But it would be a shared burden. Who could complain if everyone had the same requirement? At least everyone could complain together. Compulsory service would give a free topic of conversation to all.
Bob and his friend could be lifelong friends thanks to their service. Like army buddies, but without the horror of battle and death. Rich and poor, black and white. All together in one huge national graduating class into adulthood, every year.
"Hey Bob, remember working in '09? Can you believe we had to do that crap! We built that VA Hospital after that skyscraper fell on it during the earthouake."
Think about it. We could get a lot done, meet a lot of folks and help unify young people with a program of good will.
It'd be like Tom Brokaw's Greatest Generation — only every generation and without a war. Who can argue with that?
- Jordan is a Salina junior in journalism.
Reality TV audition shows falsity of television genre
ERICA PRATHER
eprather@kansan.com
While my roommates were busy helping The Wheel run out of beer during Homecoming last year, I was sitting alone in a Los Angeles hotel room, getting a play-by-play of Kansas' victory over Kansas State via text messaging.
I was in L.A. for a
screen test and psychological testing for a brand new show called "The Starlet" on the WB. This show has just wrapped up its second episode.
Now that I have watched two episodes of this debauchery, I am thanking my lucky stars I was not chosen to be one of the "fortunate" 10 women competing for the title of "The Starlet."
When I initially received the phone call informing me that I was one of the 24 semi-finalists and that I was going to receive an all-expenses paid trip to Hollywood, I was ecstatic. I began to envision myself waltzing down the red carpet, a small time Kansas girl turned star, posing for paparazzi and flirting with hot celebrities. This could be my big break.
Once I arrived in L.A., I was sent to a room filled with beautiful and skinny women. We all took a psychological test to make sure we were "sane" should we be chosen to live with each other for a few months.
After three hours of testing, we were all escorted individually to our rooms where we were to stay at all times so that we could not interact with the other contestants.
The remaining 48 hours of my trip consisted of sleeping, watching TV and living vicariously through my friends during a fun-filled Homecoming weekend back in Lawrence.
I performed a monologue for the producers on camera and had an interview. This interview consisted of questions such as, "What kind of people really make you angry? Would you ever do a lesbian love scene? Nudity?" I found it interesting how few questions were asked about my actual acting experience. I would know whether I was chosen for the show within two weeks.
During those two weeks, I had so much to think about. If I were chosen for the show, I would have to temporarily drop out of school. What if I made that commitment—and wasted money on college loans and living expenses—only to be the first girl cut from the show?
What if I made it and got an acting contract in L.A.?
My wish came true: I was informed that they had
My parents were not excited about this idea they were scared I would be ridiculed on national television. I began to wish I wouldn't be chosen.
their cast list, but they would keep me in mind for next season. While a part of me was disappointed, a part of me was relieved.
The experience gave me a unique insight into the world of reality TV. It seems as though everything can be seen as entertainment on television now; If it bleeds, cries or yells, it sells.
According to thewb.com, last Tuesday's episode of "The Starlet," consisted of "eight remaining aspiring actresses are put through a passion and seduction training session to prepare for a love scene." This love scene happened to be a lesbian love scene in a steamy hot tub.
This episode was built in because society just can't seem to get enough of hot, straight girls making out, not because some kind-hearted producer wants to give someone their lucky break. Only one of the girls on the show had a college education, so what happens to those people once their flash-in-a-pan life is over?
Perhaps I wasn't chosen because I wasn't dramatic enough, because I lacked starlet quality or because I just dyed my hair from blonde to brunette. Whatever the reason, I am grateful that I was not the one being called a "crack monkey" as was one of the poor contestants. While reality TV may be amusing, it is also a disgusting reflection on our society.
I have learned through first-hand experience that it's really not all that it's cracked up to be, and if you really want to pursue the art of acting, don't take the reality TV route. Shows such as "Laguna Beach," "The Real World," "America's Next Top Model!" and "The Starlet" all focus on the "interesting" lives of beautiful young people, and all have their appeal as a guilty pleasure. But take my word for it, reality TV is not real. The life you lead as a student in an awesome college town is much more exciting than any temporary small screen D-list fame.
- Prather is a Wichita senior in English.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Blanketsupportformilitaryshouldnot serve asaprerequisite forpatriotism
As one who purports to teach students how to write clearly, I thought that Brian Pearson's letter was actually quite good.
He encourages students to go beyond the headlines and easy labels, to think independently, and examine closely the issues facing our country.
He suggests that extremist statements made by someone like Ward Churchill ought to be balanced by the equally inflammatory rhetoric of an Ann Coulter. His letter was attacked by Lt. Laura Jefferies and I would like to respond to her letter.
One of the first lessons that I try to impress upon students is that they answer the question.
However, instead of addressing Pearson's key issue — those U.S. actions and policies which provoked the murderous hatred of the Sept. 11 terrorists — Lt. Jefferies, like many today in our professional military, begins to wave the flag and appeals to a not-so subtle desire for revenge.
Examining her letter closely provides a blueprint for understanding how this country traversed from the attacks of Sept. 11 to the war in Iraq, as though the two were somehow related.
She rightfully laments the loss of innocent life on Sept. 11, but then jumps to the statement
that "our military didn't attack Iraq's churches."
Between these two statements there is an abyss of either monumental ignorance or willful deceit.
The 9/11 Commission clearly stated that there was no connection whatsoever between the attacks of Sept. 11/Al-Qaida and Saddam Hussein/iraq. Still, the unprovoked attacks of Sept. 11 provide those who advocate the use of force with a powerful argument-regardless of the enemy.
Lt. Jefferies then goes into a long patriotic dia tribe, describing her sacrifices and why this country is so great, playing the star-spangled banner and sneering down at those spoiled college kids, who, unlike herself, have been called upon to "put their life on the line" to protect our freedoms. Please!
As a 20-year Army veteran myself, and one who loves this country, I would caution Lt. Jefferies that overt, flag-waving patriotism is often the last refuge for scoundrels. And that as a citizen of this country, whether in uniform or not, you have an obligation to not merely salute and move out smartly, but to sometimes question those policies and actions which may be detrimental to this country.
Ray Finch
Assistant to the Director Center for Russian and East European Studies
Free All for
Call 864-0500
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansan editors reserve the right to omit comments. Standand and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded.
For more comments, go to www.kansan.edu.
Hey KUinited, just because you can chalk every inch of campus doesn't mean anyone wants to vote for you.
or more comments, go to www.kansan.com.
Ugh, another McColllum fire alarm. Hey prankster, why don't you go to Missouri where there's a school full of clowns just like you.
Did that many people care so much about this fraternity being banned that it needs to be front-page news every day?
Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded.
Unicorns are not illegal.
I just wanted to thank Michael Lee for an amazing four years. I've enjoyed his talent and his hotness.
I'm living in constant fear that
everything I see on TV is just a Geico commercial in disguise.
To the men of Phi Kappa Theta, yes, every fraternity on this campus has at some point had a keg party. But most of them were smart and didn't put up signs on streets that cops drive by advertising the party. Better luck next time, guys.
TALK TO US
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