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Monday, February 22, 1993
OPINION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
IN OUR OPINION
New military channel will wrongly glorify war
The advent of cable television in the United States came with the ability for networks to specialize and focus on the narrowest of audiences.
Channels committed to the 24-hour programming of news, weather, sports, comedy and even shopping have all survived because of dedicated viewers.
Now, because of supposed interest, a newcomer wants to add another channel.
A Tennessee entrepreneur hopes to create a channel dedicated to viewers who thrived on the CNN coverage of the gulf war. Along with shows about Operation Desert Storm, the new channel will offer a constant barrage of classic war movies, documentaries and programs similar to those currently seen on the Discovery Channel like "Wings" and "Firepower."
Although a clear demand may exist for military programming in the two-year wake of the gulf war, one must question the inherent entertainment value of such programming. Like so many programs that have showcased death and destruction in the name of entertainment and cleared sizable profits at the box office, these programs' glorification of violence have a widespread effect on society.
More importantly, the audience that tends to receive its strongest impressions from the television, our children, will receive the strongest messages behind the idea. The Kansas City Star described the idea as a "non-stop parade of combat, weapons, and war heroes." This suggests that the show is intended to glorify war.
Remembering those who fought and died in the defense of our country is an important part of history. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington Cemetery, the Vietnam Memorial, along with Veterans Day and Memorial Day, all serve to commemorate and honor those fallen in service to our nation and the democratic principles it embodies.
More importantly and distinctly, they serve as somber reminders of what war is truly about - the tragic loss of life. A 24-hour channel devoted to showcasing the constant death and destruction of war does not.
SIMON NALDOZA FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Company downsizing contributes to job loss
But there is a big catch in the unemployment story.
"Jobs, jobs, jobs" were the overriding issue in last fall's presidential campaign. Jobs remain an important issue in spite of an economic recovery that is gaining momentum.
According to the U.S. Labor Department, all the improvement in the unemployment rate was attributable not to a growth in jobs but to the fact that a half-million workers dropped out of the labor force.
Many large companies are increasing productivity with fewer employees — through technology, reorganization and other factors.
This is all part of a historic
restructuring of the nation's economy as companies adjust to become more competitive. That is why job growth has been slower in this recovery than in previous ones and is likely to remain so.
President Bill Clinton is determined to go ahead with an economic stimulus package in an effort to create more jobs.
The latest unemployment figures, while superficially encouraging, provide little to discourage the president's efforts.
Times-Plcayune New Orleans
KANSAN STAFF
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"The air. Must be a lot of pollution or something. It goofs up my contact lenses."
He was bent over a sink in the office men's room, poking a finger into his eye and muttering. I asked him what his problem was.
Please refrain from poking grubby fingers in your eyes
No, his problem wasn't the air, I scoffed. His problem was the vanity of those who insist on wearing contact lenses because they think it makes them look better and conceals a minor physical flaw.
They can't be like the rest of us — the normal, well-balanced, weakeyed people who are not embarrassed about perching regular glasses on our noses.
They are so concerned about their appearances, so lacking in self-fidence, so vain and filled with conceit, that they go to the trouble of sticking tiny pieces of plastic to their eyeballs.
And I used to hear it from a handball partner, as he crawled on all fours, peering into the cracks between the floorboards.
I used to hear the same stuff from the right fielder on my softball team every time we had to stop the game while he crawled around on all fours, looking in the grass for a lens that had somehow leaped from his eveball.
While poking at his eye, he indignantly offered a long, lame explanation about how much better he can see with contacts.
The danger is this; what is to prevent those things from sliding off your eye and up behind your forehead and even farther up and into your cranium? What do you do then, when this tiny object is up there in your head, rattling around between your skull and your brain? Think about that. And be careful about rolling your eyes.
I've heard it before. But there is only one reason to wear them - vanity
There alois the golf partner, who in the midst of a game will suddenly clap his hand over an eye or begin poking at the orb with a finger.
— when they stick their fingers in their eyes.
Finally, I have long suspected that there is a potential health menace in contact lenses. Eye doctors will deny it, but logic tells me it exists.
their eyes.
Never once in my entire life have I touched either of my eyeballs. Nor have I permitted anyone to touch them.
And I never will. To touch the eye is against the laws of nature. No creature on Earth wants its eyeball touched.
That's the most offensive part of it
You can make a test to confirm that statement. Take the nicest, gentlest cat you can find, or the most docile, tail-wagging, drooling, happy dog. You can pet them. You can rub their ears. You can ruffle the fur under their necks. You might even be able to get away with pulling their tails. But just dare to try to touch their eyes. Those friendly little beasts might nip off your finger, as they should.
Or try it with a friend. You can pat a friend's back, put a hand on a friend's shoulder, take a friend by the arm, even pat a friend on the cheek. But try the test. Go up to any friend, even your best pal, and try to touch his eyeball. He will leap away.
They have to mess around with their eyes to remove them. Then they put them in a miniature cooker and simmer them, or whatever they do overnight. Then they go through the whole thing again in the morning.
And it isn't more surprise that causes that reaction. Give them warning.
Ask your friend, "Would you mind if touch your eyeball with my finger?"
A person would look pretty foolish saying, "I don't have to put up with your guff," and then begin poking himself in the eve.
And we've all heard the stories about people who awake thirsty during the night and, in reaching for a glass of water on the nightst and, accidentally drink their contact lenses. There is something else they can't do. When provoked in, say, a barron debate, they can't make the menacing gesture of removing their glasses, putting them on the bar and serving notice that the talking is over. Now there is action.
friends will shun you.
There also is the inconvenience. People who wear those things can't just yank them out and toss them on the dresser or under the bed when they go to sleep.
You do that once or twice and you
Mike Royko is a syndicated columnist with the Chicago Tribune.
Former student favors current admission policy
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
As a KU graduate, I cannot agree with the premise and evident conclusion of your editorial about qualified admissions.
So Kansas is the only state with open admissions. I call that democracy; populist tradition, if you like. And as has been pointed out, good grades always are not the best indication of an education of merit. If we close doors to some, we may
university with its present system but whether it will continue to be with its climbing open enrollment, which in the past it has encouraged. The question now is money.
The question does not seem to be whether or not KU is an outstanding
miss many potential greats, and if not greats, at least many who would benefit from a college education in many ways.
As for money, colleges never have enough money, even those which are the most exclusive. There are many ways to economize if we have the heart and will to do so.
Ada Sage Laverty Alma, Kan.
STAFF COLUMNIST
Mouthy fans should keep quiet, stop with insults
It matters not what sport or in what city. It knows no boundaries, indoors or out nor discriminates by sex or age. It's the curse of the obnoxious fan.
1906 FM
There is nothing that can be said or done. Even try speaking with a delirious irrational person? It's not easy to do. These people don't listen to reason, they argue with it. It is impossible to ask these people, "Uh..could you please refrain from using bad words?" This dialogue won't ever work.
It never fails. Wherever I am, be it an Oklahoma City hockey game, Boston Red Sox baseball game or a Kansas basketball game, it seems as though the most unintelligent person I've ever heard is behind me. The interesting thing is, every game it gets worse.
Be afraid. These people are everywhere. They look no different and they may be sitting next to you at the next game. None of us are safe. The obnoxious fan is a menace to society, one that hinders instead of helps. Let's wise up and realize this has no place at games, here or anywhere. Further let's encourage sportsmanship not showmanship.
I'm not talking about being loud. Loud is good. It's the uninformed local people that get me. Cheering for a team is one thing. But complaining the whole game about anything and insulting players the whole game is another. Both are completely unjustified.
I understand that people are quite passionate when it comes to competition and that people are even more so when watching their favorite team live, but this does not give one free reign to act as though it's more than a game. Emotions are a big part of every game and sometimes even I get carried away. But, when it comes to personal attacks like "the ref looks small boys," then just pull the plug because you're taking up space. I don't pay money to go to a game and hear that the referee is a pedophile.
What really is amazing is that this behavior happens everywhere. Insulting players happens all the time, and it's ridiculous. Besides, it makes the establishment they're cheering look bad. This isn't good-natured booing. This is a call for injuries.
Officiating is not easy. Granted some of the guys look like they came right out of Foot Locker, but I have rarely heard a person who actually knew more than the referee. This doesn't stop most people, for they are always sitting right behind me yellling obscenities that have no bearing on anything. It's impossible that every single call can be wrong or every player for the other team is out to mainm the good guys. It just doesn't work like that.
I'm not saying that everyone is like this, far from it, but I'm talking about the small few who turn an enjoyable game into an ordeal. It's all about ignorance mixed in with a little need for attention. Does it really allow the team to play better if more profanities are shouted? Because if it does, I'll start. As far as I know, all it really does isturn a lot of heads and accrue some small chuckles. Again, this happens all over.
Is this what sports is about? I hope not. My question is why are these people right next to me, complaining about every basket, strike or call?
Andrew Gillman is a Norman, Okla., fresh man majoring in English.
by Moses Smith