FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012
PAGE 5A
Text your FFA submissions to 785-289-8351
Thought I just saw Bon liver in front of Wescoe. Turned out to be just an Occupy KU member.
That awkward moment when your sentence lacks a predicate.
opinion
I roll up to the Hawk with a Capri Sun in my hand, feeling like a bad ass.
FREE FOR ALL
Why is it that the days I don't bother to shave are the days I get paired with a cute lab partner?
I think the University should hold an epic game of musical chairs.
Finally, hookah weather.
I was happy and then your sister threw a sea fish at my TV.
You lied to me, FFA. I thought you said no more hashtags. You were my last bastion of truth.
Editor's note: I make the rules, I can break them when need be. *dealwithit*
I understand that your "swag" is on,
but my class is across campus...move
I feel like a ninja turtle with my backpack on.
Watching hipsters at the gym is easily one of my top three favorite pastimes.
I like to read the Lawrence police reports and seeing "case open." Lawrence needs a hero. I am that hero. I am Batman.
Ron Weasley shares a birthday with Allen Fieldhouse. Life has finally linked my passions of Harry Potter and KU basketball.
I like my women how I like my pen tips, ultra fine!
The squirrels of KU now have a twitter. I will be going into hiding until further notice.
Sometimes I like to cover myself with lame-sauce and pretend I'm the person who complained about these kinds of EEAs.
Being sick and studying is the second worst combo ever. The first being Anthony Davis' right and left eyebrows.
Using big words for the sake of using big words is pompous and pretentious.
I spent the last 45 minutes of class hoping someone would crash through the ceiling. Is that too much to ask?
Fortune cookie: Traveling to the south will bring you unexpected happiness...in bed.
When cuddling with someone, I wonder if Thomas Robinson is the big spoon or little spoon.
The only time it's acceptable to find newspaper in my bra is After a Kansas basketball game.
Buying jewelry from Malaysia might take 30 days to get to you, but the wait is worth it when the seller is named "pinky" and they throw in some glitter
One of the biggest mysteries at KU to me was discovered today. I saw the people who do the sidewalk chalk. They had cool shoes on.
Economic freedom on the down slide
POLITICS
The United States is the most free country in the world, right? Well, not
exactly.
For the past 18 years, the Index of Economic Freedom, published by the Heritage Foundation and Wall Street Journal, has measured the degree of economic freedom in all 184 nations around the world.
country is evaluated and scored in ten different categories covering the openness of markets, the intrusiveness of government, regulatory efficiency, and
dynamic growth, and less poverty. The bottom line is that free-markets, lower taxes, less regulation, property rights, and free trade mean a better quality of life for everyone.
The idea goes back to 1776 and Adam Smith. In "The Wealth of Nations," Smith inquired as to why some 18th century societies
were more prosperous
"The United States has been, and continues to be, one of the most prosperous nations in the world. Unfortunately, while much of the world is chasing us, we are regressing."
the rule of law. Now admittedly, this criteria is heavily predicated on supply-side economic policy (think "Reaganomics"), but that is precisely the point.
Each year the statistical data shows a strong positive relationship between economic freedom and prosperity. Countries with greater economic freedom have a higher GDP per capita, more
than others. His explanation began with the division of labor.
At the local level, people developed trades which allowed them to specialize in one craft, produce a surplus, and then sell that surplus to other members of the community. Because of the increased efficiency that came with specialization, the price of goods and services dropped, benefitting the entire population.
Applied at a macro level, entire nations began to specialize and trade freely with one another, allowing consumers in both
countries to mutually benefit from lower prices. Nations that imposed tariffs on imported goods could not reap these benefits.
The underlying force driving the success of these markets was Smith's famous idea of the "invisible hand." In the free-market, self-interested individuals compete with each other in order to obtain the greatest returns for themselves and their families. This competition offers greater opportunities and choices for individuals, and ultimately a higher standard of living for everyone in society. "The Wealth of Nations" became the blueprint for modern capitalism and influenced the likes of Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson
The United States has been and continues to be one of the most prosperous nations in the world.
Unfortunately, while much of the world is chasing us, we are regressing.
When the Index was first published in 1995, the United States had a total score of 76.7 out of 100 and was ranked fourth in the world. By 2008, the United States had increased its score to 81.0 and was still ranked fifth, but in the past few years our score has been steadily declining. We have now fallen to tenth in 2012 with a score of 76.3, ranked behind countries such as Hong Kong (1), Australia (3), Switzerland (5), Canada (6), Chile (7), and Ireland (9).
Why is our economic freedom declining? The Index of course cites our growing national debt, increased government spending, and high marginal tax rates as major areas of concern, but it also attributes our decline to several other factors.
First, the increased regulatory burden on U.S. businesses since 2009 has raised compliance costs and created an uncertain business climate. As a result of legislation like ObamaCare and the Dodd-Frank financial reforms, which have given the federal government vast discretion to promulgate harmful regulations, A.U.S. businesses have been forced to incur news costs at the whim of un-elected and unaccountable federal bureaucrats. The Index estimates that new regulations cost U.S. businesses $38 billion annually.
Another major factor cited by the Index is the corruption that stems from crony capitalism and economic-rent seeking, undermining the rule of law and the effectiveness of markets. Giving special tax breaks, earmarks, loans, and bailouts to certain businesses and industries is a bipartisan problem that has plagued Washington for years, and it is only getting worse. Adam Smith's invisible hand cannot work when government forces it one way or the other.
The United States is a country blessed with great wealth, natural resources, and human capital. We have everything necessary to climb back up the Index of Economic Freedom if we will simply return to the principles of 1776 and allow the free-market to work. The question is whether voters and politicians alike have the fortitude to let it happen.
Corrigan is a third year law student from Wichita.
FOOD
Throwing a dinner party without the high cost
Throwing a dinner party is a skill I believe everyone should have, and it's also a great way to spend time with friends and family. The Lawrence restaurant/bar scene can grow old fairly quickly so if you want to change it up for a night, invite your favorite people over for a dinner party. Try keeping it a slightly intimate gathering especially if you don't have a lot of experience cooking for others; large amounts of people can make this task seem much more intimidating.
A few things to keep in mind: Timing; it's good to shoot for everything being done around the same time so that nothing gets cold before you serve it. Table settings, it looks great and impressive to have all the places nicely set before your guests arrive. Stress; don't do it. While it might seem a bit overwhelming just remember, this is supposed to be a fun and relaxing night with friends. If you don't think you're up to planning
and executing an entire meal on your own, make it a potluck and have everyone bring something.
It can be as casual or as formal as you want but it doesn't have to be fancy or expensive, it just has to taste good! So here is my simple Dinner Party 101 menu guide: baked ziti, a salad, and garlic bread (and for those who would like, don't forget the wine!) This meal is delicious with lots of variations to suit you and your guests.
Pred is a junior in political science and peace and conflict studies from Kansas City, Mo.
Baked Ziti
1 pound dried ziti pasta
3 cups marinara sauce
(bought or homemade)
1/3 yellow onion, chopped
1 cup mushrooms, chopped
(optional, you could also use broccoli florets, peas, or spinach)
1-2 fresh tomatoes, sliced
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1 package fresh mozzarella,
sliced
Salt and pepper, to test
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Boil pasta until al dente, meaning still slightly firm. Saute onion and vegetable of choice in a few tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat until tender. In a large bowl combine cooked pasta, marinara sauce, veggies and onion, and parmesan cheese. Place mixture into a 9x13 baking dish. First cover with sliced tomatoes, then cover the tomatoes with the sliced mozzarella cheese. Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is slightly brown and bubbly.
Garlic Bread
1 large loaf crusty bread (French or Italian) sliced in half, lengthwise
4 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
4 tablespoons butter
1 Tablespoon olive oil
Shredded Italian cheese blend (mozzarella, asago, parmesan, etc.)
Combine garlic, butter, and olive oil and microwave for 1 minute or until soft. Spread mixture on bread and then add as much or as little cheese as you would. Put the bread on the top rack of your oven and broil until golden brown and crispy, this should only take a few minutes. Keep a very close eye on anything broiling in your oven; there is a fine line between crispy and burnt.
Salad
You can make this very simple with just a pre made salad mix and dressing but I like to make mine a bit more special.
1-2 bags lettuce, depending on the number of people. Stay away from iceberg lettuce, it has almost no nutritional value. Dark greens are much better for you and actually have flavor. I like to use a spring mix or spinach.
Add as many chopped up veggies as you like, the more the merrier! You can use almost anything (carrots, cucumber, red onion, broccoli, cauliflower, fresh herbs, cherry tomatoes, radishes, bell peppers, etc.)
You can also use any dressing you like but I like to make my own vinaigrette ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, ½ cup lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, a nice pinch of salt and a little black pepper. Whisk together and use as much as you like, keep the extra in the fridge for later.
Searching for Ramen
E very college student's go-to food is a package of Ramen noodle
age of Ramen hoodies. It's cheap, easy to make, and not completely disgusting. Such a staple of college life needed to be investigated. So my search began to discover the "best" choice of Ramen for college students.
But before I went out to actually discover which Ramen flavor would win the title, I thought a student's opinion would be important, as I am not too much of a Ramen noodle fan.
"After the death of my entire family and my slow descent into the world of crack cocaine, I never thought I'd find a friend in the dark abyss that had become my life. Little did I know that a friend would find me. That friend was Ramen noodles," said Shelby Webb, a freshman from Ottawa. Clearly, Ramen noodles covers the entire spectrum of college life.
I know many who practically live off it. "It's a student's steak. It's the greatest invention of all ever," said a sophomore from Houston, Aaron Glass. Not only is Ramen considered a means of sustenance, but also a form of comfort.
Hunger hits and it is finally the sacred hour. I make a trip to the store to begin the debacle of finding just the right flavor of Ramen
By John Dillingham jdillingham@kansan.com
Who would have guessed purchasing Ramen would be such a startling task, but in case you are unaware, Ramen comes with seemingly infinite options. There's individual packaging, bulk boxes, to-go options, not to mention all the flavors available.
Onto the flavors, which is really the crucial decision in a quest for Ramen noodles. Maruchan, the company behind the infamous instant noodles, really spared
noodles. After weaving through aisles, I stumble upon what could be considered the most visited aisle in any college town, known in Lawrence as "Aisle 5: The Ramen Aisle."
For the over all college convenience, I chose the instant lunch cups; all that is needed is water and a microwave, so no need to deal with dishes. They can be taken anywhere, whether it be a quick lunch on campus or on break at work.
no options in the flavor creation process. The flavors range from chicken, beef, and really any meat imaginable; but also there are vegetarian options, such as Chili, Vegetable, and Oriental (soy sauce) flavor.
Yet amongst all these flavors, how was I going to discover the "best?" So again I turned to student opinion.
"Hot and Spicy or bust," said Andrew Feigenbaum.
"I think the Chili flavor would be the best choice because it has a great flavor and everyone can enjoy it because it's not meat based," said Alec Swall, a freshman from Overland Park. So the decision was tough, but taking all factors into consideration, I reached for the Chili Lime flavor and hoped for the best.
After a two-minute preparation, my taste buds were overwhelmed with a delicious mix of spice and tang. So concluding the story, the "best" overall choice of Ramen was deemed the Chili Lime Instant Lunch, for its convenience, universality, and the much-appreciated $1 price. But really, can you go too wrong with Ramen? With the expansive options, flavors, and amounts, Ramen noodles can meet any college students' needs for a great price.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Today I read an article depicting the student organization, the Society of Open-Minded Atheists and Agnostics (SOMA), of which I am co-president.
I am not merely writing because this article spoke against the club but because the article was poorly (if at all) researched, stated no evidence other than a snide anecdote, and created new definitions for words like "open-minded" and "dogmatic."
To clear up some confusion, I would like to tell you a bit about what SOMA really does. SOMA (whose relation to "Brave New World" is nothing but a coincidence) is first and foremost a safe place for nonreligious students to go. We provide a community where it is not frowned upon to criticize and question religious ideas but actually encouraged.
We do in fact promote open-mindedness (which by taking the time to type "open-minded" into Google, one will learn that the definition is "ready to entertain new ideas") as well as rationality. One does not forfeit
Dillingham is a freshman in film and media
There is nothing dogmatic about SOMA. We do our best to present all valid arguments in any public discussion we have. We never say with 100 percent certainty, "I'm right and you're wrong." We will say, "I'm right because 'x' and you're wrong because 'y'"
What SOMA has so right is what Obermeier has so wrong: we do not insist you believe like us, but that your opinions are the product of reason and research.
Yes, we have done protests and said some things that probably offended people, but it wasn't with closed minds. There are always members on hand that are willing to discuss the reasoning behind their actions. It is not easy to tiptoe around everyone's feelings when our mere existence as nonreligious people is offensive by default.
Michaelyn Everhart is a sophomore from Burlington, Kan.
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Write LETTER TO THE EDITOR in the e-mail subject line.
Ian Cummings, editor
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an open mind by criticizing ideas they feel are without merit.
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8643-4358 or gilan@glanan.com
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THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Members of the Kanman Editorial Board are Ian Cummings,
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