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University Daily Kansan / Wednesday, March 4, 1992
OPINION
Core of abortion issue is respect for all of life
It's odd, but as I sat down to write this column and thought about how it might refute certain arguments, I found myself persuaded by them. I finally realized once and for all that at the very core of the issue of abortion lies many people's fundamental attitude of respect. That is, respect for humans and respect for all life, everywhere.
At first when I sat down, I was thinking that although I believed that abortion was entirely despicable I had no right to force that belief onto others who disagreed, which would include a good number of people.
David Carusoll Staff columnist
But then it occurred to me. The "tissue," as so many cold, desperate people like to call a fetus, is actually so much more, just as we as adults are so much more than walking, talking "tissue." The one in the womb is just as much of a person as we are. Just like every single one of us, that one had to start somewhere. It is so obvious that it is most overlooked. That the one will grow in to another stage and leave the womb, then grow into another stage and walk and talk, then gradually become older until the final stage of death.
If some ever were to argue that the one in the womb doesn't achieve full human status because he or she cannot live outside the womb, then I challenge them with this: A baby, considered human with all the rights and privileges of life as a human, cannot live without the care of another. And just like a baby, there are, of course, many people who could not survive completely — adults who would be helpless without all the conveniences and protection their society affords them. In essence, these people are like the ones in the womb, dependent, only to a smaller degree. No one may
escape this dependency, because at one point we were all at the initial stage where we depended on the ones that came. And there is nothing wrong with this.
It is now understood that a human being is created at conception — every person of every class, every race, every country, at any time; it is a part of everyone's past. And since this entity in the womb is a person, it therefore has acquired by default all the rights and privileges that are granted each of us — the most important being the right to live.
It is truly because of a lack of respect for any life, that we, as humans, can so easily justify the killing and destroying that we take part in. It is at the heart of this disrespect that some believe they can end another's life simply because that one began his or her life inside of them. It is entirely selfish and disrespectful that any woman would want to do this, knowing that she herself had at one time been in almost exactly the same position. It is selfish because an abortion means a quick solution to much of the pain of pregnancy and childbirth.
Although I would support laws that are largely anti-abortion, I would not be too unreasonable and assume that society as a whole is ready for a time when all life is respected simply because it is life. Such life would include animals, plants, the Earth as a
whole, and even those humans who may be spawned from highly disreputable deeds such as rape or incest. Therefore I would not presume to argue that abortion should be illegal in every single case. But I would definitely support laws that prohibit abortions that are performed simply as a method to escape the consequences of irresponsible actions.
The complexities of the abortion issue are extremely great. People ask, what about respect for a woman's right over her own body? What about the man's part in all the responsibility of which I speak? I hear the cries claiming men cannot understand because they don't have to deal with the trauma of having a baby and in many cases, the hardships of raising a person. Yet despite all of these arguments, it always comes down to this simple fact: A fetus is not simply tissue, but a person in the primary stage of growth, or at the very least the vital dynamics of a separate, unique life, that is fully human. This person deserves the rights that we take for granted.
Perhaps with stricter anti-abortion laws we may all get the push we needed to re-evaluate our own respect for life, and instead of abortions we may work on ways to remedy the problems of unwanted pregnancies. I don't think it is unreasonable to say that people are not beyond education. I do not think it is impossible for us to teach our children responsible behavior. And only in my nightmares would I ever think that people are beyond all sense of respect for life. Life simply for the sake of being alive.
David Caruso II is a Lake Waltana sophomore majoring in psychology and English.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
China should earn free trade
Bush compromises U.S. ideals by favoring free trade with China despite human rights violations
Congress currently is considering legislation to severely curtail U.S.-Chinese trade relations. In dispute is the most-favored-nation, or MFN, trade status. The hesitation of Congress to extend this to the Chinese is in response to China's habitable violations of human rights and arms trading. Granting the Chinese most-favored-nation status would create a reward for these undesirable actions. This shouldn't be allowed to happen.
If China maintains its MFN status as President George Bush wants, the Chinese would be extended the right of free trade with the United States. Without MFN, the Chinese would face higher tariffs and a decreased ability to export their goods. For a nation seeking to improve its economy and world image, the ability to avoid massive trade tariffs with the United States is an incentive to cooperate with U.S. foreign policy.
China has a consistent history of human rights violations. This summer will mark the third anniversary of Tiananmen Square, where pro-democracy demonstrators were
killed by the hundreds, possibly thousands. Since then, numerous trials have sent pro-democracy men and women to prison. This vicious attack smacks against the basic values of Americans: to support any and all foreign actions that lead to the creation of free, democratic governments.
Recently, U.S. intelligence has learned that the Chinese have been exporting arms and nuclear technology to terroristic nations such as Libya, Syria and Iran. Trading arms with these nations could destroy the fragile peace and coexistence of nations in the Middle East. This trading of arms is against the firm beliefs of the United States. China knows this, but it prefers not to recognize American requests.
The fact remains that the United States can do little to influence Chinese domestic or foreign policy. However, we can control the way we deal with repressive regimes. We can choose to make free trade between the United States and China impossible until the Chinese government develops a commitment to basic human rights, internal political reform, and stop arming the entire Middle East. Trade with China should be free only if they agree to play by our rules.
NEA is too good for politics
Stephen Martino for the editorial board
Arts will suffer from the loss of a leader in the expansion of federal sponsorship
George Bush went hunting last week. He was hunting for an issue that could help him win the 1992 election. As he fired John Frohnmayer, chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts, he fired a salvo of shots at the future of federal support for the arts in the United States.
He wasn't alone. In fact, he was a little late arriving on the scene. Right wingers like Sen. Jesse Helms have been taking target practice at support for the arts for years.
The dismissal of Frohnmayer came in response to Pat Buchanan's pledge to make federal support for the arts a campaign issue in the Southern primaries. Buchanan has attempted to portray Bush as supporting pornographic and obscene works of art.
In the South, Bush is being bombarded by Buchanan campaign commercials that contain images of art financed by the NEA, including a crucifix suspended in urine and photographs with homosexual themes.
Even though Frohnmayer authorized funds for the projects, he is by no means liberal. He repeatedly instituted restrictions on federally financed art that went well beyond suggestions made by conservative members
of Congress. He even required artists to sign pledges of allegiance to decency laws.
Clearly, questionable projects have been approved by the NEA in recent years. But to restrict or eliminate the agency would be a serious mistake.
During the last 26 years, the NEA has been a significant force in promoting the arts by sponsoring countless numbers of symphonies, dance companies and artists. Since 1965, the number of professional arts organizations has grown 700 percent. The number of professional orchestras has increased from 58 to 145; professional opera companies from 31 to 109; professional dance companies from 35 to 250; and professional theater companies from 40 to 500. More people today attend museums, concerts and theater each year than attend athletic events.
The NEA has cost-effectively played an important role in the expansion of the arts. The United States spends less each year on the arts than Vienna, Austria - a single city. The endowment is a rare example of an agency in Washington, D.C., that has fulfilled its duties with minimal federal spending.
So as George Bush climbs on the art-bashing bandwagon, he attacks a loyal friend of American culture. The NEA must be protected from the demagoguage of politicians.
Chris Moeser for the editorial board
KU players rude, too
This letter is in response to Rex Walter's comments following the Feb. 22 game between Kansas State and Kansas. Walters was quoted as saying about the K-State crowd, "I don't think they're the classiest bunch. I think they have a total lack of respect." This quote was in response to the ice-throwing incident at the end of the game. I admit that our students who threw the ice were totally wrong in their actions. They made the entire university look bad.
However, the students' response was brought on mostly by the actions of two Kansas players, Richard Scott and Rex Walters. I happened to be an usher at the game and I was standing beside Scott as he stood no more than five feet from the student section taunting the
student body. As Scott stood there pointing his fingers at the crowd and saying various things about K-State, his teammate Walters came over to join in the fun. I can also state that the majority of the ice was thrown after Scott and Walters began their taunting of our students. Rex, is this your definition of class? Roy, what were you doing during this entire incident? How can you lay the entire blame on the students of K-State? With the way your players were acting this could have happened anywhere, including Allen Field House, Richard, what kind of reception did you expect when you pranced over to the students' side?
Both the students and the Kansas players were wrong in their actions. However, it is unfortunate that only the actions of the K-State students are being reported in the media. The Kansas players' actions were just as wrong as
Lettersto the editor
the actions of the students who threw the ice. I believe that the actions of the Kansas players should be made public to the entire state so that everyone will know the truth about what happened Feb. 22 in Manhattan.
Kansas State University
Players behave poorly
As a stamina fount of college basketball and a lover of the K-State-Kansas rivalry, I was appalled by the behavior after the Jayhawk victory in Manhattan on Feb. 22.
Admittedly, debris should not have been thrown onto the court after the game. The Wildcat fans displayed a total lack of class, and they epitomized what is known as poor sportsmanship.
But the 'Cats weren't the only ones.
The post-game taunting of the home crowd by the Jayhawk basketball team was tasteless. Several members of the squad, including the likes of Rex Walters, were seen flipping off the student section.
AndRichardScott'schildlikeanticswerenot only uncalled for but also an indication of his immature self.
Other players were involved, but I think you get the point.
It is unfortunate that their behavior directly reflects on Coach Roy Williams, one of the Big Eight's most respected coaches, and on the entire basketball program at the University of Kansas.
To all of the Jayhawks involved, grow up. Your behavior was atrocious, and your decision to taunt the Wildcat fans showed the entire
It's a shame that such a fantastically competitive game had to be followed by such immature and inane behavior.
state of kansas how much of a classless group of winners you truly are.
What's worse, however, is that the image of the Jayhawks, which has always been considered one of the classiest teams in the Big Eight, has been shattered.
Those players responsible should take a good look at themselves. They let down their team, their coach, their school, and ultimately, themselves.
If postseason tournament bids were based on sportsmanship and maturity, the Jayhawks would be lucky to be invited to a high school tourney somewhere in Topeka.
KANSAN STAFF
Kansas State University
TIFFANYHARNESS Editor
VANESSA FUHRMANS Managing editor
TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser
Editors
Editors
News...Mike Andrews
Editorial...Beth Randolph
Planning...Lara Gold
Campus...Eric Gorski/Rochelle Olison
Sports...Sports
Photo...Philo Jacobson
Features...Debbie Myers
Graphics...Aimee Brainard/Joe Meesey
JENNIFER CLAXTON Business manager
JAYSTEINER Retail sales manager
JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser
Business Staff
Campus sales mgr ... Billie Lebengo
Regional sales mgr ... Rich Hearbarharger
Co-op sales mgr ... Anne Johnson
Co-op sales mgr ... Kim Wallace
Production mgrs ... Lisa Keeler
Marketing director ... Kim Claxton
Creative design ... Leanne Bryant
Classified mgrs ... Kip Chin
Business Staff
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Stick
by David Rosenfield