OPINION
WWW.KANSAN.COM
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2005
THE CROSSWORD CAN WAIT
Global tensions have real consequences, even for us
PAGE 7A
Rafik Harari was a selfmade billionaire, almost an anomaly in the small Middle-Eastern country of Lebanon. He had enough money that he didn't have to ever go back. He could have cut all ties to his native country, Lebanon, and I don't think anyone would have blamed him
MATT SEVCIK
msevcik@kansan.com
He became their Prime Minister from 1992 to 1998, and again from 2000 to 2004. During this time, many of the financial operations conducted by the newly formed Lebanese government were initiated and funded through his political and fiscal power. Time and again he put money into Lebanon.
But Harari's sacrifices for Lebanon are not limited to money he contributed. On Feb. 14, 2005, while people across our nation thought they were having a bad day just because they didn't get a Valentine's Day card, the explosive equivalent of 650 pounds of TNT went off in the direction of Harari's limousine, killing him and nine others.
The Syrians have been blamed inconclusively, but due to their occupation of Lebanon and the military presence they maintain, Harari's death has sparked an outrage amongst the international community.
Just to give some background, there are over 15,000 troops currently occupying Lebanon, and the Lebanese have never been very happy about it.
Neither has the United States. Shortly after Harari's assassination, the United States recalled its ambassador. In international politics, this is a diplomatic slap on the wrist.
In a series of about the smartest political moves ever, Syria feels the noose tightening around its neck, and decides to ally itself with Iran. Very smart, Syria.
Iran, if you have forgotten, just recently signed a deal with Russia where Russia would provide them with material that could be used to create nuclear arms. Very smart. Russia.
Iran says that it wants to use the nuclear material to power the country, but last time I checked, OPEC's second largest oil contributor doesn't need nuclear power that desperately.
President Bush, our resident diplomat, has not ruled out military force with Iran and Syria, but said "we're in the early stages of diplomacy" with them.
Unfortunately, the only Bush diplomacy I've seen is the kind of diplomacy that involves rushing into war, despite any doubts to the intelligence that said war's justification is based on, not to mention adhering to policies that I believe blatantly disregard the troops' well-being. Very smart, Bush.
And because they didn't want to feel left out, middle-eastern hate magnet and simultaneous United States ally, Israel, has decided to help ease
the tension by claiming that they are ready and willing to attack Syria. Very smart, Israel.
And last, North Korea announced that they have nuclear weapons, and the reason they possess these weapons is to protect their country from what they called aggressive
American foreign policy. Very smart, North Korea.
The reason I point out all of these very smart moves is to show you that if our American leaders do not conduct about the best diplomatic negotiating possible in the next few years, more war is not only possible, but I think it's imminent.
Unfortunately, our President has lost almost all of his credibility as far as convincing us when we need to commit our troops to a worthy cause. There are a lot of people out there that understandably say "there is no justification for bloodshed ever," but remember that they are only free to say this as a direct result of the bloodshed of America's military.
The ultimate goal of any peace-keepers, America's military especially, is to live in a peaceful world where everyone jumps up and down and shares their candy. But we won't be in a position to achieve this goal unless we maintain the freedoms we currently have, even if that means by force.
I hope we don't go to another war, but our world is a tempest right now, and few realize it. They will realize it when their draft notice comes in the mail.
Right now, our military is an all-volunteer organization. It is full of men and women who believe in America, and believe in protecting the liberties it provides. I think everyone should know that if we enter another war, justified or not, we will need more men and women. If Iraq has taught us nothing else, it is that our most precious commodity, personnel, is not an infinite resource.
We all have a question to ask ourselves right now. Will our generation have the courage and will-power to stand up for nations around the world that don't have the freedom to choose their own government? Will we stand up for people who face genocide and poverty for no better reason than their leaders are greedy, power-hungry assholes?
I know the current administration's recent actions don't have a lot of people confident that we are fighting the good fight, and there are a lot of people that are mad as hell that Bush has lost that confidence, but can we really sit back and watch countries like Syria and North Korea threaten and bully people into submission? Do only the wealthy citizens of America deserve freedom?
I'm not calling for a war. I'm calling for us to be aware. Be aware that there are people in this world that hate democracy. They hate that it takes away their power, and gives it to the people.
There's writing on the wall. America needs to start reading it.
♦ Sevcik is a Leavenworth junior in English.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Universitybowlingcoach'sdedication will be missed by both bowlingteams
After 21 years of service to the Kansas Union Jaybowl and the University of Kansas men's and women's bowling teams, Mike Fine will be leaving the University of Kansas at the end of this academic year.
During his tenure, Mike Fine has overseen the transformation of the Jaybowl into a bright and popular student recreation center.
From his very early days at the University, Mike Fine's dream was to renovate the Jaybowl with 12 new lanes, new automatic scoring, seating, gutters, and modern interior design.
All of these improvements have happened under his leadership at the Kansas Union Jaybowl.
Mike Fine also had a strong desire to build his bowling program into a national powerhouse that would compete for the Intercollegiate Bowling Championships title every year.
But what we'll miss most about Mike Fine at the University is his leadership and mentoring to the students of KU. In my years as a University student and athlete, I have never seen someone affect student's lives in a positive manner as much as Mike Fine. While his coaching and mentoring abilities have turned some of his athletes into fantastic bowlers, his leadership qualities and skills have made so many students into great human beings.
Under his leadership, the men's team won its first national championship in 2004, and the women's team has advanced to the national championships several times. His coaching, organization and knowledge of the sport have put KU bowling in the national spotlight.
I only wish I had learned as much about the game of bowling from Mike as I learned about being a good person.
Jeff Ussery University of Kansas Bowler 1995-1999
BENSON'S PERSPECTIVE
Wes Benson/KANSAN
EDITORIAL BOARD
Students protect pocketbook vote down CLAS referendum
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences wants money to renovate buildings on campus, but it will have to look elsewhere than student's pockets.
University of Kansas students were given the opportunity to vote on an online referendum that was dressed up as a survey. Voters overwhelmingly rejected it: only 25 percent of the 1,247 voters thought it was a good idea.
CLAS called the vote "an unprecedented
CLAS called the move." Talk about overstating it. It is, after all, the student's money they're asking for. Why shouldn't they have a say, and why would it be considered unprecedented?
Perhaps it is because the University has arbitrarily raised tuition faster than the rate of inflation over the past several years that students are soured about the prospect of paving more
Maybe if the quality of education here had actually gone up, perhaps the money would mean something. But to Baxter, the only thing he can see that's been done is the Student Recreation Fitness Center. That was built after Student Senate passed an initiative, but it still came out of student's pockets. Baxter's priority isn't having a nice gym or a building with bells and whistles, but what goes on in the classrooms in that building.
The differential tuition act got three out of four thumbs down. Wilcox got the proposal wrong, but did the right thing in not pursuing against student's wishes.
money. It's gotten to the point where some students feel they're getting priced out of an education they once thought was a value.
Kris Baxter, Wichita junior, said the price of his education isn't what he bargained for.
Baxter came to the University in part because of what tuition was at the time. He knew how much he was going to have to pay, and what amount of work it would take to pay tuition.
"One of the reasons I came to KU was it was a good deal; you didn't have to worry about paying these fees." Baxter said. "If I would have known I was going to pay this much, I wouldn't have come here in the first place."
"One of the reasons I came to KU was it was a good deal." Baxter said.
Working 20 to 30 hours a week used to suffice, but now he has to take out loans on top of that because of incremental tuition hikes.
Baxter said the $50 per hour increase for CLAS classes didn't seem bad on the face of it — "maybe a few beers" — but even beyond the money, there is the princeple that the University raises costs anyway.
"They keep doing it," Baxter said. "It's the University asking themselves 'How are we going to get more money here, more money there?'"
"It's nice to go to classes in good looking buildings, but I want to go to school." Baxter said. "Meanwhile, the quality of education hasn't gone up."
fruits of their checking account's labor?
CLAS dean Kim Wilcox has said that better buildings will attract better faculty. But what about those students who are sophomores and juniors, whose money will go into CLAS's pot, but won't be around to see the
Wilcox said those students should shell out the differential tuition because they should have pride in the University. It is in this respect that Wilcox has failed to enact a reasonable request for the increased tuition.
Does Wescoe look horrible? Yes. Could other campus buildings use a facelift? You bet. Would it help make the University better? Probably. Should students right now have to pay for it? According to 75 percent of the respondents, no chance in hell they should, at least not the way Wilcox dressed it up.
Wilcox should be commended for his effort. No one can say that Wilcox and the students who spent countless hours with to devise and present the proposal don't care about the University. But maybe most of all, he should be commended for finally listening to what students want. Wilcox could probably push the hike through without anyone's input, but there's a lot to be said for someone who puts the wishes of others in front of their own initiative. But then again, three out of every four people are fairly hard to argue against.
- Steve Vockrodt writing for the editorial board.
TALK TO US
Andrew Vaupel, editor
884-4104 or avaupel@kansan.com
Donovan Atkinson, Misty Hube, Amanda Kim Staleart and Marissa Stephenson managing editors 864-4810 or editor@kansan.com
Steve Vockrodt
Laura Francoviglia
opinion editors
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EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS
David Archer, Viva Bolova, John Byerley,
Chase Edgerton, Wheaton Elkies,
Ryan Good, Palge Higgins, Matt Hoge,
John Jordan, Kyle Koch, Doug Lang,
Kevin McKernan, Mike Mostaffa,
Erica Prather, Erick Schmidt,
Devin Sikes, Gaby Souza, Sarah Stacy
and Anne Weltmer.
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Happy Birthday, Allen Fieldhouse!
To the girl on 9th Street who flashed her lights at me to let me know there was a cop ahead, I don't know if you go to KU, but I just want to say thank you so much. The guy in front of me should thanking you, too.
I'd rather be driving drunk than waiting outside the Wheel for Saferide for 30 minutes in 30-degree weather.
In response to the smoking article on the front page, I'd just like to say that you should go after the three custodians who are always behind Fraser Hall. Thanks!
✨
Yaah, we just snuck a keg into our frat. That beats the hell out of McCollum.
fifty-second liter of whiskey for the year.
I don't even know what day it is, but
I do know that I'm working on my
whiskey for the year.
So I guess there was an election today for city commission positions. Where were you on that one, P. Diddy?
Momentum does not equal mz, the work-energy theorem is bunk, and Newton kicked dogs.
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