2 IA = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN OPINION THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2003 TALK TO US Kristi Henderson editor 864-4854 or khenderson@kansan.com Jenna Goepfert and Justin Henning managing editors 864-4854 or jgoepfert@kansan.com and jhenning@kansan.com Leah Shaffer readers'representative 864-4810 or lshaffer@kansan.com Amanda Sears and Lindsay Hanson opinion editors 864-4924 or opinion@kansan.com Eric Kelting business manager 864-4358 or adsales@kansan.com Sarah Jantz retail sales manager 864-4358 or adsales@kansan.com Malcolm Gibson general manager and news adviser 864-7667 or mgibson@kansan.com Matt Fisher sales and marketing adviser 864-7668 or mfisher@kansan.com President Bush is right. EDITORIAL BOARD Measure character, not color Race alone should not be a deciding factor in undergraduate and graduate admissions. Last week, the Bush administration slammed the affirmative action policies currently in place across the nation, calling for the U.S. Supreme Court to declare the admissions policies of the University of Michigan unconstitutional. Though affirmative action policies have had positive and far-reaching effects, the so-called "race-conscious" admissions standards in use actually undermine universities' missions of diversity, often being used as a crutch by university administration to provide easy results. Diversity is important. A culturally and ethnically diverse student body benefits the entire campus community. Universities can employ more beneficial methods to be sure diversity is accomplished. In fact, a university should be searching for not only a diversity of races and backgrounds but also a diversity of ideas. It is important to realize that different racial backgrounds don't necessarily equate to different beliefs, thoughts or opinions. While not specifying a target percentage or number, the University of Michigan says it seeks "to enroll a 'critical mass' of students from underrepresented minority groups in order to achieve the educational benefits of diversity," according to its Web site. Michigan's undergraduate admissions policy offers "a 20-point bonus on a 150-point scale to applicants who are black, Hispanic or American Indian," according to a New York Times article. In its graduate schools, race is also a factor in admission. Universities can continue working on their goals of increased minority recruitment and retention without utilizing "race-conscious" admissions guidelines by using, for example, outreach and mentor programs to a greater extent. These affirmative action policies contribute to a negative mindset that undervalues the person, placing undue emphasis on race. Lurking beneath the surface is the inference that some draw: despite his intellectual capability, promise or accomplishments, this student was able to get here just because of his heritage or skin color. Bush "wants to find a way to recognize the importance of diversity and do so in a way that serves one and all," Ari Fleischer, White House press secretary, said. In this manner, colleges and universities would benefit from blind admissions and race-neutral procedures. By judging applicants by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin, everyone will benefit. Lauren Stewart for the editorial board Monica White for The University Daily Kansan PERSPECTIVI WHITE'S VIEW Affirmative action still needed at colleges The U.S. Supreme Court's challenge to the University of Michigan's admissions policy puts the media spotlight on affirmative action while Americans celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. That legacy stands up for affirmative action as a short-term means toward leveling the playing field for minorities in the workplace and universities, which is not a long-term solution to racial issues within America. With this in mind, we must fight to protect affirmative action. GUEST COMMENTARY Matt Zaller opinion@kansan.com Those who argue that Michigan's policies constitute reverse racism by giving greater weight to racial background instead of academic merit fail to look at the bigger picture. Leveling the playing field has to start somewhere. I went to a successfully desegregated high school as Three white students have filed a suit against Michigan because they think its admissions procedure favors less-qualified minority applicants. Michigan's admissions policies are directed toward increasing minority enrollment by awarding points for various qualifications 20 points for a minority/economic status and 12 points for a perfect SAT score). a result of the Topeka case, Brown v. Board of Education. Therefore, the Supreme Court must also support Michigan. The goal of curtailing racism in this country is much more valuable than a few disgruntled students who don't get accepted to their first-choice school. sent out nearly identical résumés in response to help-wanted ads with "white-sounding names" and with "black-sounding names." They found white-sounding applicants received one response for every 10 résumés sent out, while black-sounding applicants with equal credentials received one response for every 15 résumés. Recent studies show America is moving in the wrong direction when it comes to segregation of communities and schools. The Civil Rights Project at Harvard University revealed that during the last 20 years, segregation in schools has increased severely in African-American and Hispanic-American communities. Affirmative action is necessary in universities because it enriches the student experience and allows minorities opportunities that have not historically been available. The future of affirmative action and King's legacy are in jeopardy. President Bush filed an amicus curae brief to the Supreme Court encouraging it to rule against Michigan's affirmative action procedures. King was successful because he spoke of the deeper problems of our society. Affirmative action is a short-term remedy to a much deeper problem, and this country needs leaders who will move beyond addressing the symptoms of the problem and, in the tradition of King, start tackling the deeper problem. A study by Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Chicago professors concluded that racism runs rampant in the workplace as well. They Zaller is a Tulsa, Okla., senior in political science and humanities/western civilization. 'Kansan' report card Pass: Financial incentives for graduate students. Alumni and the Office of the Chancellor will provide funds for 21 doctoral students by 2005. Fail: The Phelps family. True, the First Amendment gives them immunity to say what they want, twisting Martin Luther King Jr.'s message to denounce gays is ridiculous. - Jeff Graves. He's stepping up in Wayne Simien's absence. And dunking. Who knew he could even get off the ground? - Free bus rides during the first week of school. Hooray for not having to walk through the snow. - Snow removal on campus. Going to class at the start of a new semester is hard enough. Don't discourage us by closing parking garages and leaving sidewalks slick. Sunflower Cable. The company's commercials threaten prosecution for stealing cable. What about those who take advantage of the company's negligence to disconnect? PERSPECTIVI Using war 'toys' makes U.S. vulnerable During the Persian Gulf War, CNN beamed images into our homes of smart bombs so well-guided that they could travel down air vents en route to destroying their targets. The United States used tanks with such sturdy armor that neither land mines nor missiles could penetrate them. Rumor has it that the Air Force is now working on remote controlled fighter jets with all the capabilities of today's F-14's but with the pilot seated at a control booth a safe distance away. We have already heard about the unmanned "Predator" drones used for intelligence gathering (an awfully suspicious name for a surveillance mechanism). As one of the wealthiest nations in the world, it comes as no surprise that our military is capable of such amazing technologies. People rarely question the practical implications of such a highly automated, technologically advanced and undeniably effective military machine. Too often the efficacy of these weapons is used as justification for their implementation. They are highly accurate, deadly and increase the safety of the men and women of the armed forces. Besides, most of us consider these sorts of toys "cool." Steve Ducey opinion@kansan.com COMMENTARY We must raise the question: Just because we can build these weapons, does it necessarily follow that we should? We must consider this question, as the pitfalls of such unchecked military prowess should strike fear in us all. We must consider the danger that such a military poses to the average person. The purpose of any military is to protect the civilians of its country. One enters into the armed forces under the assumption that should the time come, he is willing to fight and die to protect the lives of the citizenry. However, the high-tech military of today and the future endangers the lives of the people it has sworn to protect. When faced with such a formidable opponent, one which has neither the need nor the will to sacrifice the lives of its soldiers to defeat the enemy, the alternative is obvious. Remember Sept. 11? That act of terror on our nation's citizens was a direct reaction to the impervious nature of our military might. If our enemies stand no chance against our military, why should they have a state-sponsored army at all? The days of land wars fought by armies of two nations are over. Our enemies realize this. They know the only way to even make a dent is to attack those who are the most vulnerable, namely the innocent civilians of America. In its attempts to protect us, our government has unwittingly put us at an even greater risk than ever before. This paradox must be addressed if we are to live our lives free from the fear of terror. With such advanced technologies as the ones mentioned above, we have set a precedent of being essentially unbeatable in combat. During the Persian Gulf War, the United States lost 147 soldiers. Eventually, soldiers will rarely see active combat. After a slew of unmanned craft continuously carpet bombs the enemy into oblivion and radio-controlled drones check the area for stragglers and land mines, ground troops will occupy the decimated war zone. Ducey is an Overland Park sophomore in philosophy. Free for All 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. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded. For more comments, go to www.kansan.com. 图 题 To the people who broke into my apartment and stole nothing but the money from our UNICEF box, you stole money from cripples who needed that money. Please, cleanse your soul and donate to some sort of charity. I was just wondering, what temperature does snot freeze at? - Hey, we'd like to give a shout-out to KU from Elvis' front yard, because we're in Graceland. Hope you're all enjoying classes! 脑 My roommate just compared Mario Kart to the Olympics. And I think I'm okay with that. - So my roommate's brother is visiting town and my roommate's walking around the house wearing just her underwear while he's sitting there. What is wrong with this picture? I want to nominate my RA for the Nobel Peace Prize. Is that possible? 图 Does anyone else think it's funny that we have people protesting a war that hasn't even happened? 图 图 If you're eating ice cream and it melts in your mouth, does it come out as pop or pee? □ To Supergirl, with red streaks in your hair — girl, you don't even know. Bush sure is good at passing laws that protect the wealthy, white, top 1 percent of America. A question for President Bush: what is the difference between dropping bombs on Americans and sending Americans somewhere where bombs will be dropped? 图 Attention, women of KU. My roommates and I are looking for a nice young lady, preferably hot, to come by twice a week and give our kitchen a thorough cleaning. We pay $20 an hour and we'll pay time and a half for those who go above and beyond the call of duty. Again, I can't stress the hotness factor enough. Thanks, and we look forward to your call! Could somebody please tell me when Fox became the slut of the TV networks? 图 I just wanted to call and thank the two guys and my friend Lizzie, who helped pushed my car out of the ice in front of GSP. Darn hippies. I mean, seriously, war makes the world go round, so get over it. - 图 I was wondering if anyone else thinks it's funny to prank the AVC, because I do. Jacques Chirac is an oil-mongering terrorist, racist tyrant, and all the oil in Iraq and Venezuela and Iran could never pay for his ego...or his appetizers. . - I'd just like to say that all the hippies should stop complaining about George Bush because they don't know what the hell they're talking about, and if they read the facts they'll see that George Bush is doing it to protect their ass. If you call him a terrorist, you need to wake up. 14 尺 --- 2. .