4 Wednesday, January 20. 1993 OPINION UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN IN OUR OPINION Inauguration brings optimism for future Today, as Bill Clinton is inaugurated as the 42nd President of the United States, U.S. citizens are hopeful. Hopeful for a tomorrow that's better Although we often view the presidency as the office solely responsible for our successes and failures, in reality, the power of his office is limited. On this inauguration day, hope abounds, but without putting our own energies toward improving the new era, these hopes may be futile. Clinton's most powerful tool as president is to inspire and challenge the people of this great nation to seize the opportunities that lie before us. Standing by and waiting for miracles, won't move this nation. We must all take a personal sense of responsibility in the future to ensure that Bill Clinton's presidency is a successful one. Repent for a tomorrow that's better than yesterday. Much like John Kennedy 32 years ago, Clinton has inspired a growing sense of optimism for a brighter future. After years of divisive politics and rhetoric based on the limitations of government, Clinton has spoken of the efficacious nature of government and the positive changes that can come when we reach across the lines that divide us and work toward the common good of all people. JEFF HAYS FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD Among young people in particular, Clinton has instilled a degree of belief, engagement and possibility that has been unequalled in years passed. He has encouraged all U.S. citizens to take a personal responsibility for the future of this nation and reinstitute the feeling of community through which we can thrive as a nation. Closed classes cause add-drop difficulties Once again a new semester has arrived at KU, and once again students are faced with the impossibilities of the University's add-drop policy. A severe lack of class availability combined with less than desirable weather conditions has amounted to a very dismal beginning for many KU. students. The frustrations caused by the University's adddrop process are all too familiar to many K.U. students. The problem is simple: because the University can't find it in it's heart to provide adequate class space for the its students, many are forced to find ways to squeeze themselves into already filled and overburdened classes. These poor souls spend their time attending countless class sections in hopes of obtaining openers, begging equally-frustrated instructors for space in their classrooms, and standing in line for countless hours at Strong Hall. Although nobody really knows exactly why there isn't enough available space, fingers have been pointed in many directions. Some say that the state's open admissions policy is the root of the evil. They contend that more selective admissions standards would eliminate the students that don't belong at K.U. and thus, would alleviate classroom pressure. Others suggest that the lack of funding for educator's salaries is creating a shortage of teachers, and in turn, is limiting the available class space. The bottom line is: Excuses are as easy to find as closed classes. The problems K.U. is facing with its add-drop policy aren't new. Misdirected funds and continued neglect have maintained the ongoing tradition of K.U.'s poor enrollment policy. With the upcoming budget proposals of Gov. Finney, it will be imperative that decisions be made that will rectify the mistakes that have led to this current fiasco the University calls enrollment. MICHAEL TAYLOR FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD Movies of 1992 leave viewers with good and bad impressions Movies 1992. From "JFK" in January to "Hoffa" in December, the year was filled with many notable features. Throughout the last year, many have left lasting impressions, both good and bad. In case you didn't get out much, I have taken the time to compile a list of the best and the worst of the year. STAFF COLUMNIST One of the best movies of 1992 was "The Player" starring Tim Robbins. This movie gives us an inside look into Hollywood from a slightly different angle. It has been re-released recently, so it's still around. Get this a film with Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis and every other big star imaginable in parts that make the movie one of a kind. Robbins gives an excellent performance, and mixed in with even better direction, movies like this only happen in a dream. "Mr. Saturday Night" with Billy Crystal was a great surprise. Crystal plays Buddy Young Jr., an aging comedian who is still trying to be funny. This is Crystal at his best. He is quite funny in a somewhat sad movie. If you are into old Jewish guys telling jokes, this movie is for you. Watch for Crystal's excellent makeup and the great dialogue he produces with the other characters. "Husbands and Wives" with Woody Allen and Mia Farrow is another success. Allen beats the odds and complains for two straight hours in his comedy about relationships. The writing and dialogue is great, while the camera work, unconventional as it is, makes for a wonderful movie. Gee, I wonder where he gets all his ideas from? "Malcolm X," one of the year's most anticipated films, did not disappoint. What makes the film great is Spike Lee's directing and Denzel Washington's acting. What makes the film worth seeing is the message behind it. Not seeing this movie is a travesty. This film is about education. It is important to see this movie no matter what you think of Lee or Washington. Much like "JFK," "Malcolm X" gives us perspective we need to see, a perspective which can change people's attitudes and actions. Honorable mention: "Reservoir Dogs" with Michael Madsen. A movie which is an odd cross between "Good-Fellas" and "The Krays," which is a movie about two brothers who are gangsters in Great Britain. Although brutal in some scenes, this movie is worth the price of admission. Of course there were some not so good movies, too. The worst was "Patriot Games" with Harrison Ford. I'm not a big fan of action movies in the first place, but this one makes "Die Hard II" look like a classic. This was an action movie, but the action was boring. I like Ford, but I was hurt to see a good actor in a bad movie. One recent movie that was not as good as expected was "Dracula" with Winona Ryder. Other than great costumes and scenery, there was nothing really special about the movie. It was a bad story that dragged on with no real direction. My advice: go see "Straight Talk" with Dolly Parton. It's got to be better. Movies are a great way to learn more about people and culture. Even bad movies are sometimes good experiences. I encourage everyone to see more movies because the feeling after seeing a great one is worth much more than the $4.50 it costs to get in. Look for plenty of the same in 1993, and who knows what you might learn from "Home Alone III." Andrew Gilman is a Norman, Okla., sophomore majoring in English. People in U.S. tend to overrate England I think it must have been my last way of last term when the management of the KU Bookstore, cackling gleefully to themselves, flipped me 25 cents for a truck load of books. They would promptly sell back to some poor punter for maximum profit. That I finally came to the conclusion that I just wasn't going to be able to afford the air fare home for Christmas this year — home being England. So, I sampled the American Christmas experience although it wasn't a mass culture shock. Nothing much was different, people in the United States celebrate commercialism just like the Europeans. Presents are still hoarded over fake plastic Christmas trees, and I received the usual quota of garish socks from my relatives. My plan was that I would hop in a car to see a bit of the country and immerse myself in the American culture. I had an excellent time although admittedly, I need another holiday to recuperate from the one I've just had. The strange thing was that I met more people from Scotland and Ireland on my travels than I would have done in England. Everywhere I went there were Brits hurking around the corner. Yet suspiciously enough, they spoke with pronounced American accents. Despite having been born in the United States, the people with whom I talked preferred to say they were from somewhere else. One bartender in Washington D.C. claimed to have Irish Scottish roots. However, when I asked him where he was born, it turned out that it was his grandmother who had the highland heritage. I always believed that a person came from where he or she was born. However, one iron man soon put me straight when I tentatively suggested that his Milwaukee birthplace made him a little bit more American than Irish. He explained in no uncertain terms that his grandmother was Irish therefore he was Irish and proceeded to drum his point home with more colorful language and a few ominous gestures. I didn't argue. Personally, I think that if you were born and raised in the United States then this makes you about as Irish as Scooby Doo. One Virginian woman told my Irish friend that her grandparents were both Irish so what did that make her? My poor friend got a few dirty looks when she flatly replied, American. England, Scotland and Ireland are so overrated in the United States. It is so romantized, and I've lost count of the number of people who have asked if the country halts at a 4'clock for a spot of hot tea. I know that British history goes back much further than the United States', but it is not the idealized place that people make it to be. Our economy is down the drain, it is overpopulated, there are no jobs and it rains all the time. In fact it rains all day, everyday. Of course there are the quaint plants and 'Ye Old Tea Shops' but these are so obviously catering for the tourists that an our locals steer clear of them and head for the nearest Burger bar. One person I stayed with this Christmas mentioned that last year he traveled 3,000 miles to see the Scottish highlands. Yet, the first thing he saw as he got off the bus in Glasgow was a McDonald's with wall hangings of Chicago inside. Even Dublin has it's quota of Burger Kings, Mickey D'ys and Wendy's not to mention that veritable culinary establishment — Dunkin' Donuts. Most of the city centers have been invaded by international chain stores, which has not made them any different from others in the rest of the Western hemisphere. People also forget about the bitter conflicts in Northern Ireland when they romanticize about the supposedly Leprechaun inhabited, Guinness swilling old country. Why anyone should want to associate themselves with England, Scotland and Ireland is a mystery to me anyway. Personally I'd much rather be Welsh. Francesca Glynn-Jones is a London junior majoring in American studies. KANSAN STAFF GREG FARMER Editor GAYLE OSTERBERG Managing editor TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser BILL SKEET. 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