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Monday, September 13, 1993
OPINION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VIEWPOINT
THE ISSUE
Governor Joan Finney announced last week that she would not run for re-election in 1994.
THE BACKGROUND
Finney's term will expire at the end of 1994
THE OPINION
Finney's decision not to run good for voters
Joan Finney should be applauded for finally taking a firm stand and making a decision that will please voters.
From a questionable stand on abortion that seemed to change before and during her gubernatorial campaign to her first major action of school-finance reforms, Finney has done little to benefit the people of Kansas.
In addition, there is the issue of nepotism in the capital brought about by the surprise hiring of several of Finney's relatives, hiring that only served to reaffirm the people's need for a new governor.
Finney's announcement came as a surprise because she failed to give any indication she was not determined to continue her "work for the people."
Perhaps Finney finally came to a realization that she had not been working in the interest of her constituents. Perhaps she realized her chances of re-election were virtually nonexistent in nearly every county across the state.
In a hope to salvage something out of her political career, Finney would not even admit to the people the reason she is not running again. Her weak excuse was that a re-election campaign would interfere with her work plans for the 1994 session. One more lie added to the heap won't have that much of an effect.
As Kansans, we need to lick our wounds, let bygones be bygones and applaud Finney's accurate assessment of the situation. And let's hope she will not be another Ross Perot and re-enter the election.
DAVID BURGETT FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Students should visit art museum to learn
Works of art have been called better teachers than books and classes. Whether this is true or not, it does elevate art to a position it deserves: essential.
Essential to the education of both the mind and the spirit. The University of Kansas boasts one of the best collegiate art museums in the country, and the Lawrence community also has several excellent galleries spotlighting local art.
While at KU, students who do not take advantage of the opportunity to see some of the reputable works at the Spencer Museum of Art are missing out on an essential part of their education. Two special exhibitions are at the museum now — Native American Baskets and Contemporary Czech and Slovacian Photography.
Students who have not visited the museum, located behind the Kansas Union, should take the opportunity to view these exhibitions and find out firsthand what makes this museum one of the best in the nation.
It does not take an art history degree to appreciate and learn from art. Whether it is in a local gallery or the art museum, students should go out and enjoy the beauty of art available to them.
TERRILYN McCORMICK FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
KANSAN STAFF
KC TRAUER, Editor
JOE HARDER, CHRISTINE LAUE
Managing editors
TOM EBLEN
General manager, news adviser
BILL SKEET, Systems coordinator
Editors
Editors
Assistant to the editor. J.R. Claiborne
News ... Stacy Friedman
Editorial ... Terrilyn McCormick
Campus ... Ben Grove
Spiritual ... Kripti Foster
Photo ... Kip Chin, Kreee Knoerbe
Features ... Erza Wroth
Graphics ... John Paul Fugel
AMY CASEY
Business manager
AMY STUMBO
Retail sales manager
JEANNE HINES
Sales and marketing adviser
Business Staff
Campus sales mgr . Ed Schagar
Regional sales mgr . Jennifer Perrier
National sales mgr . Jennifer Evenson
Coop sales mgr . Blythe Focht
Production mgrs . Jennifer Blowey
Marketing director . Kate Burgesa
Creative director . Shailesh Gandhi
Classified mpr . Brian Funco
**Letters should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 200 words. They must include the writer's name, address, name and telephone number. Writers affiliated with the University of Kaisa must include class and homework, or faculty or staff position. Guest columns should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 40 words. The writer will use them.**
The Kaiwan reserves the right to request editable letters, guest columns and cartoons. They can be mailed or brought to the kaiwan newsroom, 111 Saffner Fink Hall
THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD
Government benefits not worth paying taxes
There are times when, as a taxpayer,
I have to put my head between my legs
and weep with joy at the benefits I'm
receiving from the federal government
("Official Motto: This Motto
Alone Cost $13.2 Billion").
You'll feel the same way when I share some news items sent in by readers concerning government agencies servicing the public in ways that the public could never have thought of itself without powerful narcotics. (As is often the case when discussing the government, I need to stress that I'm not making these items up.)
Our first item:
EARCANDLES
COLUMNIST
The Food and Drug Administration recently seized 100 ear candles from a Columbus, Ohio, health store. A few months back I wrote a column about ear candles, an old home remedy consisting of wax-covered cotton cones that you insert into your ears, after which you set the cones on fire. This supposedly creates a draft that sucks the wax out of your ears. Many people claimed they've used ear candles for years with great results; some people claim that it it's a fraud and that all the "earwax" is produced by the candles. Another menace that the FDA is pro-
NUTRITIONAL MISINFORMATION REGARDING TEQUILA-FLAVORED LOLLIPOPS CONTAINING DEADINSECTS
Another menace that the FDA is protecting you from is:
Perhaps you have seen these novelty lollipops, which consist of a clear, tequila-flavored hard candy, inside of which is what appears to be a dead worm. If so, you no doubt asked yourself. "What assurance do I have, as a consumer, that this worm is identified with federal terminology?"
Rest easy! According to the May 13 issue of Food Labeling News, the FDA sent a warning letter to the manufacturers of the "Sugar-Free Hotlix Tequila Flavored Candy With Genuine Worm," because the company failed to properly identify the worm as "insect larva." Not only THAT, but the FDA says the product is NOT sugar-free.
We can only imagine how much harm has been done to innocent consumers who bought this product in the mistaken belief that it complied with nutritional programs requiring the consumption of low-calorie-candy-encased worms that are NOT insect larva. Perhaps we should ask the government to set up a program to locate these victims and award each of them $1.4 million. Why not? We're taxpayers!
Now, let's salute the Occupational Safety and Health Administration office in Idaho for its prompt action regarding: *
IMPROPERLY ATTIFIED RESCUE
PERSONNEL.
Here's what happened, according to an article in The Idaho Statesman: On May 11, two employees of Best Rest, a plumbing company,
were working at a construction site in Garden City, Idaho, when they heard a backhoe operator yell for help. They ran over, and found that the wall of a trench — NOT dog by DeBest — had collapsed on a worker, pinning him under dirt.
"We could hear muffled screams." said one of the DeBest employees.
So the men jumped into the trench and dug the victim out, quite possibly saving his life.
What do you think OSHA did about this? Do you think it gave the rescuers a medal? If so, I can see why you are a mere lowlife taxpayer, as opposed to an OSHA executive. What OSHA did remember. I am not making this up
— was FINE DEBEST INC. 87,875. Yes, OSHA said that the two men should not have gone into the trench without 1) putting on approved hard hats, and 2) taking steps to insure that other trench walls did not collapse and water did not seep in. Of course this might have resulted in some discomfort for the suffocating victim ("Hang in there! We should have the OSHA trench-seepage-prevention guidelines here within hours") But that's the price you pay for occupational health and safety.
Unfortunately, after DeBest Inc complained to Idaho Sen. Dirk Kempthorne, OSHAbacked off on the fines. Nevertheless this incident should serve as a warning to would-be rescusers out there to comply with ALL federal regulations before attempting to rescue people.
ESPECIALLY if those people are in a burning OSA Office.
Dave Berry is a syndicated columnist with the Miami Herald.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
University needs policy against harassment
I am writing this letter in response to Tisha Heyka's column on Sept. 2. Students, she believes, "should take responsibility for themselves to make intelligent decisions."
When it comes to relationships, even the most intelligent, independent students do not necessarily make "intelligent decisions," especially when an authority figure is
This summer I was a victim of sexual harassment. When I would not comply to a boss' advances, choosing to keep our "professional relationship professional", he fired me. Even though I made the ethical choice not to date a boss, I still got burned. Unequal power relationships simply cannot work.
involved. As we saw in the Tonkovich case, it can be intimidating and embarrassing to speak up even in an unethical situation.
ships shipy carriers The University of Kansas is not
saying students and faculty cannot date. Once the course is finished, they can continue relations as they wish.
On Oct. 5 at noon in front of the Kansas Union, there will be an anonymous sexual harassment speak-out. Perhaps Heyka (as well as anyone else who denies the need for a sexual harassment policy) should attend and learn a few things.
Vered Hankin
STAFF COLUMNIST
Overland Park junior
HURT The college experience is what you make of it
As college students look at the syllabi for their classes, it may appear that this is going to be a long semester. But I know better. It will be final time before we know it.
But I believe that life is what you make it. If you sit back and watch life pass you by, it will. As a college student, it is up to you to get everything you can out of your college career.
As I enter the final year of my college career, I can't help but minceise on the past four years of my life. The goals I've achieved and the mistakes I've made have truly college the best and the worst time of my life.
Getting involved with organizations and activities can strengthen your character and your ability to work with other people. If you choose to hold an office in an organization, it can also develop your leadership skills.
The skills you develop from being an organization will add to your development as an individual. They are the same skills that you will need when you graduate (and hopefully) find a job. The Organizations and Activities Center in the Union is the headquarters for most of the organizations on campus. Out of about 250 activities, I am sure that there is an organization for everyone.
The advisers, professors, deans and other officials in the professional school or department of your major are there to help you. Get to know them. Take advantage of their expertise and advice. They can make your life a lot easier.
No problem is too big or small. The Student Assistance Center located in Strong Hall, provides a variety of workshops and other services to counsel and support students with academic problems and other difficulties.
As an African-American female, there are two other services in Strong Hall that I personally have found to be helpful: the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center and the Office of Minority Affairs. The resource center focuses on equality for women. It provides workshops and other services on a variety of topics.
The Office of Minority Affairs strives to help minorities succeed at the University. It holds a variety of programs for all students, which are designed to meet the needs of minorities.
These are just a few of the many services that are available to you. Make it your mission to seek the others. It may make your life easier.
College should teach you how to think. But you have to do your part. You can not get the most out of your college career if you do not put all of your effort into it. Get the most you can out of your college money. Have.
If you leave this University without getting the best education you can and without learning how to survive on your own, you will have failed College 101.
Make sure that you adequately prepare yourself for the world that awaits you. And never let anyone or anything prevent you from obtaining your education.
University of Mars
Tiffany Hurt is a Overland Park senior majoring in Journalism and English.
by Joel Francke