4
Wednesdav. July 22.1992
OPINION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FROM THE EDITORS
Perot withdrawl reveals a deep seed of mistrust
All good things (and bad things) must come to an end.
One of the major endings of the summer had to be Ross Perot's abrupt withdrawal from the presidential race. For good or bad, it came rather
Why he finally decided to throw in his 10-gallon Texas hat is unknown. It is also irrelevant. If the man could not stick with the situation when it came to a game, he was going to die.
However, Perot's emergence on the political scene, his sudden popularity, his grassroots campaign, his slim lead in the polls, and his ideas all point to something else: a deep-seated sense of mistrust in the American political system.
Perot came into the political arena at a time when tensions, inflation, unemployment and racial unrest seemed to be high. He promised change. He seemed to give a lot of people the hope for the better life they wanted.
It all comes down to the politicians of today. None of them seem to truly represent the people. Ross Perot said he would do that, and people flocked to him. We will never know whether he truly would have followed on his word.
The point is that grassroots politics is back. People want a home-town boy whom they can feel good about. The Democrats and Republicans don't seem to want to hear it. When a party finally listens to what a majority of Americans say they want, who knows what might happen. The government may finally begin to solve some of the nation's problems.
Justin Knupp
Voters should consider more than just one issue
Last weekend, the political whirlwind created by the Democratic National Convention and Ross Perot's withdrawal from the presidential campaign inspired a little spontaneous behavior.
A friend and I took off late Saturday night and caught up with Bill Clinton and Al Gore's bus tour in Wheeling, W. Va., where we joined other supporters who gathered at a local middle school to hear Gore field questions.
We had hoped to catch a clear glimpse of the vice-presidential candidate as he entered the building, but we had to compete with a substantial number of anti-abortion protesters who were anxious to send a message to the pro-choice candidate.
We had a similar problem at our next stop in Utica, Ohio, where anti-abortion protestors huddled at the back of the other supportive crowd. One protester held the familiar picture of a dead fetus with a caption reading "Clinton's Vision."
Although I cannot be certain, I'm pretty sure these people did not hear anything the governor or senator said beyond the fact that they were prochoice. I am certain that no one in either crowd held signs that addressed any other issue facing the next president of the United States.
This is unfortunate, because Bill Clinton's agenda addresses much more than the abortion question.
Clinton offers specific plans for improving the country's economy, education and environment. Clinton wants to reduce the deficit and streamline the political system. He plans to push for family leave and provide a national health-care system.
While George Bush has not yet been specific or vocal about his plans for the future, he has been clear on one point: he is anti-abortion. This one fact seems to be enough for some voters. I believe it is not enough.
In a New York Times/CNN poll this week, a majority of selected voters said that Clinton was more qualified than Bush to handle every problem facing our nation except those related to defense and foreign policy. But Bush is anti-abortion.
Clinton selected environmentally conscious AI Gore as a running mate, while Bush had to be dragged to the Earth Summit in Rio. But Bush is an environmentalist.
Clinton has balanced 11 budgets in Arkansas, while Bush has raised the national debt to trillions. But Bush is anti-abortion.
In this election year, when crime, unemployment and divorce rates are moving steadily upward, when the nation's economy is in the pits and the national debt has reached unprecedented levels, when rising costs are making it harder to buy food, housing and services, put the nation's future ahead of their personal religious or moral beliefs.
Perhaps in this election year, we should cast our votes based on more than a candidate's view on one issue.
-Gayle Osterberg
1992 SUMMER KANSAN STAFF
JUSTIN KNUPP
Editor
JENNIFER BACH Managing editor
TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser
KIM CLAXTON Business manager
Editors
Campus ... Gayle Osterberg
Astast Campus ... Doug Fishback
Copy Chief ... Alex Blohmof
Contributing ... David Mitchell
Photo ... Derek Nolan
Graphics ... Alimee Brainard
BRIAN WOLF Director of Client Services
Reporters
Reporters
Anne Grego, Kristi Klepper, Ana
Kostick, Becky Lucas, Chris Moeser,
Jill Waule, David Wilson
Photographers
Daron J. Bennett, Jaill Clarke, Doug Hesse, Stephen Pingy, Renee Knober
JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser
Business Staff
Special Promotions ... Melissa Terilp
Production mgr ... Brad Brone
Retail Support mgrs. Ashley Langford
Regional Support mgr. Jane Henderson
Classified mgr ... Kate Burgess
Copy Editors
Randy Ayres, Kristy Dorsey, Kathy
Fehr, Susan Loyacono, Lynne McAdoo
Graphic Designers Sean Tevis, Patricia Floro
Computer Systems Specialist William P. Skeet
Regional Zone Manager Jane Henderson
Retail Account Executives
Cheilan David, Kaml Tatz, Jessica
Lenard, Julie Love, Kathy Maxwell,
Mary Meneelet, Holly Perry, Steve
Perry, Keith Rodey, Mendi Stauffer,
Greg Williams
Campus Account E executive Dalis Van Sickle
**Letters** should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 200 words. They must include the writer's signature, name, address and telephone number. writers affiliated with the University of Kansas must include class and homework, or faculty or staff position.
**Guest columns** should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 700 words. The writer will be
Regional Account Ecuctives Jay Grimaldi, Mendee Morgan
Typographical Artist William Thomas
The Kansan reserves the right to reject or edit letters, guest columns and cartoons. They can be mailed or brought to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall.
Ed Coan, KU graduate, takes down the flags in front of the Kansas Union. Coan is working for the Union while searching for a job related to his major.
End of the day
After four years, KU grad moves on but will never forget the good times
Everyone told me that my four years in college would go by fast. But no one prepared me for exactly how fast, or for how sad I would feel when it was over. And now that it is time to say goodbye, I find myself trying to figure out where the time has gone, and how I can get it back.
When I came to KU's orientation the summer before my freshman year, I stood on Wescoe Beach and saw a bunch of buildings on top of a hill, surrounded by innumerable trees. There were thousands of unfamiliar faces swarming around.
I had no idea that exactly four years later I would be standing in the same spot desperately trying to figure out a way to stay for another four years.
And I hated it.
Unfortunately, all I could manage to squeeze in were two extra months this summer. I guess I shouldn't complain; some people pack up and leave the day after graduation. But nevertheless, I still feel like four years was not enough.
If I can't stay here, I will take KU with me.
rabilia to decorate my entire apartment, not to mention the homes of my family and friends.
I have collected enough KU memo-
I tried to drive down every street in Lawrence and around campus for fear that I might never drive down them again. And I park my car at different spots around campus every time I'm on the Hill, just so I can look back some day and say that I walked across every acre.
I have tried to go to every bar in town this summer, even ones where I never really liked to hang out. And I steal at a café or on mapkin souvenir from every one.
Every moment seemed to be a Kodak moment. I have mounts of
pictures taken throughout four years worth of parties. And I have managed to obtain more KU filters, ticket stubs and handkerchiefs. I'll ever have wallpaper to hang them on.
The only thing that stipped me from buying out all the shot glasses, mugs, sweatshirts, stationery, stuffed Jayhawks, key chains and engraved picture frames is my bank account. And my mom said she would not store all that stuff in her basement when I found I had no room for it.
all of these tiny little treasures are wonderful, and I probably will never thwart them.
But most importantly, I have the memories. What my apartment will not hold, my mind will always have room for.
I will never forget meeting my first pot-luck roommate and the excitement of living in a residence hall with boys right next door. My parents never checked on what time I went to bed. I will never forget the nightmare of rush, the happiness of pledging my sorority and moving into the house for two stressful but wonderful years. Needless to say, I will always
remember the deatening sounds of
my fuzzy home basketball game
Mia Mierczak
How could I possibly forget foregoing a liberal arts degree because of the math and science requirements, my first editing class or the sleepless, frustrating — and oddly enough — fun hours working on The Kansan?
I will remember the little things like skipping class to sit on Wescoe Beach or walking to class from the house with my friends. And how we'd gather at noon in the "tube-room" to watch our favorite soap opera — to or so blown over "Beaches" for the 100th time.
Every weekend, break and vacation will stand out in my mind—they were all incredible I hope everyone enjoys his or her college years as much as I adored them. And as excited as I am about the future, Hate to say goodbye to what I am convinced is the most wonderful University in the world.
I wish I could go back and do it all again. It was that great.
Jennifer Bach is a Urbana, III, seniorgraduating with a degree in journalism.
Men with tunnel vision do not see the realities of abortion a woman's right
Last week in Wichita, a group of anti-abortion activists took to the streets literally.
In rush-hour traffic, the demonstrators crawled onto Kellogg Avenue on their hands and knees. Unfortunately, the drivers on the four-lane freeway had well-serviced brakes.
I admit I am not a tolerant person. In fact, I are easily annoyed. But the fanaticism these people approach their cause with reaches beyond mere
David Mitchell Contributing editor
Last summer, Operation Rescue members in Wichita were arrested 2,657 times. A large number of those were repeat arrests. Though the movement did not succeed in stopping abortions in Kansas, they did manage to waste taxpayers' money, keep police distracted from more important things, such as real crime, and tie up the court system, which was in need of heavier case load.
I realize that both sides of the abortion issue have spread propaganda, manipulated the media, accomplished very little at the public's
expense and been an overall pain in the ass.
However, nothing matches the fervent tactics the anti-abortion crusaders will resort to, such as chaining their own to death or aborting fetuses, bombing clinics, or
One of the most disgusting weapons utilized by both sides has been the use of small children. Children too young to read, let alone understand such a complex issue, are commonplace at demonstrations.
Last summer a Kansan photographer asked a group of children why they were attending an anti-abortion rally in Wichita. The children replied
that their daddies and Jesus had told them they had to save babies.
Ah yes, I recall that Bible passage well, Book of Reactionaries 1:1,
"Thou shalt be backward rednecks and brainwash your children."
How did Jesus tell them they had to be there? Only Jesus and the National Inquirer know for sure. But I am sure their fanatic fathers have been feeding them this message since they were babies themselves.
In fact, the men in the anti-abortion campaign are its most unfathomable entity. These Bible-toting extremists have come to the forefront of what should be a women's issue. Particularly offensive are the priests who lead these groups. Do sexual issues have a great impact on their lives? I would hope not.
Personally, I believe abortion is wrong. In an ideal world, it would be used only in cases of rape, incest or danger to the mother. Of course, if this were an ideal world there would be no rape, incest or unwanted pregnancies. And even if abortions were
banned, women would find a way to get them. Prohibition should have proved that outlawing a product does not end its demand.
Unfortunately, these men who spout Bible verses and damn people to eternal hell fire and other unpleasant destinations, are plagued by tunnel vision. They cannot see that outlawing abortions would simply lead to unsafe abortions and one more impossible task for police to enforce.
They do not see that outlawing abortion would lead to more unwanted, abandoned, malnourished, battered, abused and unloved children. Adoption could not possibly make up for all the babies who would be "saved" under such a law.
Though these men may be too blind to see it, it is a woman's body, a woman's choice and a women's issue.
Of course, as a man, my opinion is irrelevant.
David Mitchell is a DeSoto senior majoring in Journalism
Loco Locals
by Tom Michaud
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1
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