OPINION UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
5
The perfect gift for your Valentine could be right there under your toes
Instead, my mind wandered off to Valentine's Day itself. I began to cigaret its purpose in our day and age. At first, my current prejudice toward the holiday led me to deem it frivolous and outdated. However, upon further consideration, I decided that a day devoted to expressing love for a companion might be worthwhile. After all, people rarely take the time for such things. But how is this done?
Prepare yourselves, Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I was reminded of this fact last week when a friend asked for a suggestion for a Valentine's Day gift. I was outraged. How dare she ask for my advice knowing damn good-and-well that I didn't have the same problem? Was this her little attempt at making me feel useful this Valentine's Day, or was she merely trying to make me feel like some sort of Father McKenzie? I wasn't sure, so I didn't justify her question with an answer.
Sadly, many people are confused about the methodology of expressing their love on Valentine's Day. Like my friend, they have been tricked into believing that true Valentine's Day
STAFF COLUMNIST
happiness is derived from a consumer product. Their simple minds have been manipulated by the quick wit of self-centered businesses looking to make a fast buck.
Well, that might be exaggerating my point a bit, but who cares. For someone to profit from the love shared between two people is just plain sick — sick,sick,sick.
Anyway, getting back to the subject at hand; we all know what I'm referring to when I say "consumer products" flowers, cards, stuffed animals
— your basic gift shop junk. Now, these products can be nice as spur of the-moment type gifts, but we've had an entire year to prepare for Valentine's Day (not that people sit around all year anticipating its arrival). Still, even a reminder this close to the day provides ample time to prepare something original — something that will leave a lasting impression of your true feelings.
For example, last year I chose to give my girlfriend a valentine that would reflect my vehement feelings for her. The gift was nothing expensive and making it was no arduous task. You see, as luck would have it, I had been playing raucquetball the week before Valentine's Day and acquired a nasty blister on one of my big toes. As the week went on, the blister popped and turned to a huge piece of dead skin.
When Valentine's Day arrived, the skin had ripened to perfection. So, with scissors in hand, I gently cut the dead skin from my toe and presented it to my valentine. Of course it was given in a nice handmade Valentine's Day card which read: "To my Valentine" outside and "a little piece of me." inside
Now, some may fail to see how this qualifies as a show of affection. Let
me say this, with the protective covering removed from my toe, I thought of her with every step. Not only that, but the skin was small enough for her to carry wherever she went, allowing her to be reminded of me all day. If that's not a display of tenderness, then I don't know what is.
Although we're no longer a couple (proving that even the most precious Valentine's Day gift cannot keep two people together), I'm sure that the toe skin is still in her possession. A gift like that will be cherished forever.
Soyousee, a special Valentine's Day doesn't involve giving of a consumer product. It requires a bit more thought and consideration than that. It requires something special, something that no one else can give — like a little piece of yourself!
Now I believe to each his own, and should you choose to do differently then go ahead. Just don't say I didn't warn you. After all, the ruin of your Valentine's Day will be no skin off my toes.
Marvin McNett is a Hutchinson senior majoring in aerospace engineering
Writer criticizes Limbaugh fans for blind loyalty
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I am writing in response to Lisa Cimillo's Jan. 19 column. As a longtime listener of Rush Limbaugh's show (since 1988), I find it inspiring to learn that thinking people have finally responded to Mr. Limbaugh's peculiar form of conservative buffoonery.
The term "feminazi" has been prevalent in Mr. Limbangh's vernacular for many years. He has stated that he uses it to describe only a select group of radical feminists. However, I must note that one aspect of his appeal is the entre nous dissimulation he has developed as part of his persona that allows him to use this term to describe any woman who should disagree with him. In other words, he says one thing, winks at his "ditto heads" (i.e., sycophantic enthusiasts) and does another. After hundreds of hours spent listening to him, I have grown less appalled by what he says than by the fact that his listeners have allowed him to continue speaking, ex cathedra, in direct contradiction with what he has previously said. This blind loyalty to a man who uses control of the broadcast to viciously attack people who are not allowed to respond smacks more of Nazism than anything I've ever encountered in feminism. Granted, he doesn't denigrate callers after they hung up. Any "ditto head" who would dispute this obviously hasn't listened very long.
I would like to suggest to Ms. Cosmillo that she should not take the term feminazi too seriously. It is valid only in the sense that it serves as a
term devised solely for the purpose of provocation, as is most of the content of Mr. Limbaugh's work.
I must commend Ms. Cosmillo for seeing beyond the puerile name-calling to which followers of Rush Limbaugh so often resort. It is an alienating and divisive tactic, and I am happy to know that instead of responding in kind, Ms. Cosmillo has used this unfortunate word as a tool to inspire pride in herself and her beliefs.
Kenneth P. Willard Hays graduate student
Some useful advice for servicemen who fear gay soldiers
President Clinton stands firm on his promise to end the ban on lesbians and gays in the military. Consequently, the primary concern of many heterosexual servicemen is that gay men might look at them or try to "approach" them, even when they have not solicited such attention. In other words, the biggest fear is that other men might treat them like women. (Hmmm, That would be bad!) I suggest that a way to fend off attack or flirtation is to take the advice often given to women: Don't make eye contact, don't smile at anyone, don't wear revealing clothing, always ignore catcalls, and most importantly, don't walk in a provocative manner. Ultimately, remember that if you are victimized, you were asking for it and it was your own fault.
Tim Brownlee
Lawrence graduate student
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