1 Monday. April 19. 1993 OPINION UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN IN OUR OPINION Aid to Russia is needed to preserve democracy Dangerous winds are blowing in Russia. They almost swept Boris Yeltsin from power in recent weeks. They come in the form of virulent nationalism. The kind that preys on the hearts and minds of a people struggling day by day for survival. The kind that blames the horrible economic conditions not on the failed policies of the past, but on Jews or Ukrainians or whatever ethnic group is a convenient scapegoat. It's the same kind of nationalism that brought Adolf Hitler to power in Germany in the 1930s. That's what could be at stake. And it's why President Clinton's $4.5 billion aid package is so crucial. But the winds of nationalism are howling in America too. Budget cutbacks and two years of hearing politicians rail against foreign aid have left many wary of helping Russia. Many feel it's time to put America first. That isolationist trend is reminiscent of the United States of the 1920s — shirking responsibility abroad while focusing attention at home. Clinton has realized the pitfalls of isolation and has acted accordingly. Clinton's leadership has been critical in obtaining pledges of an additional $28 billion in aid from Western nations and international organizations. But Russia needs more than empty promises — it needs cash. Last year, President Bush promised $24 billion in aid, but only about half of that money was ever delivered. The hesitance of the West for the past two years has compounded the economic situation in Russia. Inflation stands at 20 to 30 percent a month. The value of the ruble is plummeting as the government prints money as fast as it can to pay for enormous budget deficits. And as the Russian economy fails, the Russian people's patience for the transition to democracy and free markets is wearing thin. So thin that Yeltsin's fate as president is in doubt. It hinges on an April 25 referendum on his policies for reform. A defeat for Yeltsin would be a defeat for the West. And it could signal a missed opportunity of historical proportions to help Russia make the transition from communism to a reliable democratic ally. Clinton must continue to make his case to the American people for Russian aid. Although the initial $1.6 billion U.S.commitment has been approved, the remaining $2.9 billion in aid and loans must be passed by Congress. Too much is at stake to turn our backs now. We must help Yeltsin and Russia now to avert a crisis later. The United States stands to gain immensely through continued cooperation on nuclear arms reductions. In addition, a healthy Russian economy would provide billions in trade opportunities for U.S.businesses. President Clinton should continue to press the world community to help Russia. Congress should approve the aid package despite grumblings from constituents. The costs of sending aid now greatly outweigh the dangers if Yeltsin fails. That road, as Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk said recently, "is full of blood." CHRIS MOESER FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD Kansan Editorial Board: Greg Farmer, Vered Hankin, JeffHays, ValHuber, Kyle Kickhafer, T.M. Knight, Stephen Martino, Jolinda Matthews, Colleen McCain, Chris Moser, Simon Naldoza, David Olson, Jeff Reynolds, and Chris Ronan Kansan Cartoonists: Michael Irvin, Michael Paul, David Rosenfield, Rob Tapley and Moses Smith Messes on Earth caused by God's drinking habit Looking up from his newspaper, Slats Grobnik shook his head and said, "You ever wonder if God has a drinking problem?" A what? "You know, if he goes on benders once in a while really gets tapped up." No, I have never wondered about that or given it a passing thought, and I don't think it is an appropriate topic of conversation. I don't even know why you would ask such a question. "OK, I'll tell you why. I'm reading the paper about this guy in Texas who shot it out with the federal agents." Yes, the leader of the Branch Davidians, a rather violent religious sect. What about him? "Well, he was going to surrender. But then he said he talked to God and God told him not to, so he's going to stonewall it for a while." What does that have to do with your question about God's drinking habits? "Lemme go on. Now I look at another story in the paper, and I read about people who are worried about the national debt. So some of them are sending their own money to Washington to help cut it." "So this. There's this woman in North Carolina, and she's putting the arm on her friends to send in some dough, and you know why she's doing it?" A misguided sense of patriotism, I assume. Yes, one can make a donation of that kind. So? "No, she's in some religious group and she says, here I'll read it to you, she says: The Lord talked to me about COLUMNIST it and I asked what I should do, and that's what he told me to do. Now, I ask you, can you picture that?" Picture what? "God looking down and telling some woman in North Carolina! Know you and your friends work hard for your money, but here's what I want you to do. Everybody chip in a few bucks and send it to Washington to reduce the deficit so Congress don't have to cut out some of the swindle projects they put in for their lobbyist pals. Does that sound like something somebody sober would say?" You should put your questions to an expert on such matters: a theologian or maybe a bartender. "And if he was sober, would God say to that guy in Texas: 'Look, young man, don't surrender to those federal agents. You got enough good ammo to hold them off for another week, so do it.'" Obviously, that would not be rational advice. But you can attribute two separate incidents to heavenly imbibing. "I'm not. But it's part of a pattern. I look at the news, and I see people all over the world doing crazy things because they say God wants them to. You got Israel and the Arabs, and both sides say God is on their side. Then you look at the countries around India, and they're going at each other because they say God wants 'em to do it. Something thing in Bosnia. And you're saying you don't see a pattern?" What kind of pattern? "A guy gets loaded, and the next day he says; 'Oh, boy, did I say that? I told them to have a war! I told"en"to shoot it out with the fed's? I told them to send their money to Washington? I think better go on the wagon." Except with God, time not being too important when you got eternity to play with, the binge could last 50 years before the hangover sets in." I suppose if you believe all the individuals, the religions and the nations that attribute their action to God, one might think that booze could be the problem. Or even a malicious sense of humor. But I really doubt it. Look. I don't think either of your theories are credible. Nor would most theologians. "Why not?" Because the more reputable ones believe that God lets us determine our own destinies. "You mean God is sort of an innocent bystander?" I suppose that is one way to put it, you "Then I'm right about God being a houseof all." What makes you think that? "Because situp up there watching what goes on down here would be enough to drive anyone to drink." Mike Ryko is a syndicated columnist with LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dr. Barrientos-Monzon. I immediately called the editor to inquire about it. He said that he had already received a couple of phone calls regarding the matter and that it would be taken care of the following day. His death constitutes a great loss to the University. I just cannot understand why this great man has been ignored. Is it because there was not enough space on the front page, of which 80 percent or more was reserved for basketball on Karima Benremouga Lawrence graduate student March 25? I am a big Jayhawk fan, but I also believe that the University's loss of one of its prominent professors is at least as important — if not more — as the University winning in the NCAA tournament. Or is it because it happened over spring break and no one from the Kansan staff knew about it? If so, doesn't anyone read the Journal-World? STAFF COLUMNIST Kansan's coverage of professor's death lacked timeliness I picked up a copy of the *Kansan* Monday, March 29, eager to read about Dr. Barrientos-Monzo who died Thursday, March 25, and whose memorial service I attended on Saturday, March 27. To my great surprise and disappointment, there was not a single word written about Campaign provides a few days full of fun A couple of the most interesting days on campus have come and gone in the past week. Of course most think that they are annoying, but campus elections are nonetheless exciting. What is important to note is that they provide a couple of things: first, they give KU a new group of leaders for next year, and second, they allow for an amazing amount of entertainment for those of us who think walking to class will not be as exciting as it used to be. There are a number of different activities one can partake in during election time. My favorite is seeing how many different pieces of literature I can attain in one trip across campus. By the time I get to class, I not only have plenty of reading materials, I also have the entire color spectrum in fliers and such. I'm not trivializing the importance of elections. It's a matter that we should devote our attention to as we attempt to further the doctrines of democracy. But really, enough with the political rhetoric, walking on campus during election days is downright entertaining. For those who like confrontation, it's always fun to wear a pin or button endorsing your favorite coalition, watch them come at you with vigor, see who you endorse, and promptly turn away. There is no interaction or communication involved, just pure fun, and the great thing is you can change buttons after each class and the fun increases. Then there's always just trying to ignore as many people as possible by looking the other way. This may not be as exciting, but it serves the purpose of getting you to class. It's not as easy as it may seem. It's actually quite a challenge. The people who donate their time to hand out stuff on campus have a tough job. It's difficult to gauge how people will react when approached. It takes a certain degree of assertiveness, but also enough common sense to know when people are just not interested. Suddenly these people have become interested in what I think, "Hey, who are you voting for?" "Don't forget to vote," "Here, take a look at this." And they say all this by the time I've walked a hundred yards. This whole idea of people I don't knowing talk to me is foreign, but I do like it. It makes feel special, and that I've been assimilated into the University system. It's really something else. I hope everyone had a chance to get out and vote last week. And whether your coalition won or lost remember, it's not often that people you don't know pay attention to you, so take advantage of the situation. Who knows, you may make some new friends. Andrew Gilman is a Norman, Okla., sophomore majoring in English. KANSAN STAFF GREG FARMER Editor GAYLE OSTERBERG Managing editor TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser BILL SKEET, Technology coordinator Editors Asst. 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