OPINION
The University Daily KANSAN
February 20,1984 Page 4
The University Daily KANSAN
Published since 1889 by students of the University of Kansas
The University Dayak Kunan (USBP 650-640) is published at the University of Kkan, 118 Stauffer-Finn Hall, Lawrence, Kan. 60042, daily during the regular school year and Monday and Thursday during the summer session, excludes travel to places outside the university for registration or by mail are $15 for six months or $27 a year in Douglas County and $18 for six months or $8 for a year outside the university. Student subscriptions are a $3 semester fee through the student activity page. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the USBP Office, 900 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
DOUG CUNNINGHAM
DON KNOX
Managing Editor
SARA KEMPIN
Editorial Editor
JEFF TAYLOR ANDREW HARTLEY
Campus Editor News Editor
DAVE WANAMAKER Business Manager
PAUL JESS *
General Manager and News Advisor
CORT GORMAN JILL MITCHELL
Retail Sales Manager National Sales Manager
JANCE PHILIPS
Campus Sales Manager
DUNCAN CALHoun
Classified Manager
JOHN OBERZAN Sales and Marketing Adviser
First battle won
The fight to reform Student Senate elections entered its second month last week, and it's nice to see that the students have won the first battle.
The Senate voted Feb. 8 to remove itself from its own elections process. When students return to the polls later this month to select a student body president, the Lawrence chapter of the League of Women Voters will supervise the elections.
Some might argue that the decision will hurt students in the long-run. They contend that this action, like so many others in the past, will prove that students do not have the foresight or the knowledge to handle anything on their own.
We refuse to think that wav
The work of Roy Goldberg and the Student Senate's recently revamped Elections Committee proves that students can learn from the past.
The Elections Committee, of which Goldberg is chairman, acted swiftly and decisively in planning a new presidential election. The entire Senate, in fact, accepted without argument the committee's proposal to use voting machines and to have the League supervise the new election.
Most important, the cost of the elections won't be substantially higher than those in years past. Again, the credit goes to the Elections Committee.
The reforms recommended by the committee ensure that the next presidential election will be timely, well-organized and fair — just as Chancellor Gene A. Budig wanted them when a new election was ordered Jan. 5.
Of course, the work of this Elections Committee doesn't necessarily mean that Senate elections will be free of the problems that have been associated with them in the past. The changes instituted in the past two weeks are merely the first steps toward resolving an almost perpetual problem.
The Senate must continue these reforms by educating poll workers and by enforcing rules regarding write-in candidates. The Elections Committee also must devise an impartial way to impose fines on coalitions that break election rules.
Nevertheless, the committee's latest work is a welcome change to the who-cares approach to Senate that so many senators have had in the past.
Catholics compromise
The Saint Lawrence Catholic Center has demonstrated the art of being good neighbors.
They have had to use a variety of places off and on campus to hold services for KU's Catholic community.
For years, Catholics at the University have been without a building large enough to accommodate everyone who wanted to attend services.
After a great deal of planning and extensive fund-raising efforts, the idea of building a Catholic church for University students was close to becoming a reality.
Several years ago the center decided the congregation needed to have a permanent site for church services and activities.
The people at the Catholic center worked with an architect to develop building plans that would be compatible with the neighborhood. They developed a site plan that was in compliance with the city's building code.
A neighborhood group, the
Crescent-Engel Neighborhood Association, was formed after learning that the church was to be built in their area and voiced opposition to the church's plan.
The group mounted an extensive campaign to prevent the Catholics from building in the neighborhood.
Upon learning of the neighborhood's negative attitude towards the building proposal, the Catholics made many attempts to work with the neighborhood association to arrive at a compromise.
Numerous revisions have been made in the Catholics' original plan after efforts to work with the neighborhood.
The Catholics could have stood firm their ground and refused to negotiate with the Crescent-Engel Neighborhood Association. Instead, they chose to meet with the neighborhood people and then even altered their original building plans.
The church took the lead in the fine art of compromise. Such actions are something every good neighbor should be willing to do.
Promise not sufficient
The real question about acid rain is whether most Americans will succumb to terminal boredom with the subject before the lakes, streams and forests succumb to the damage it causes.
Last year alone, three large scientific reports on the subject were released.
In his State of the Union message, President Reagan said, "On the question of acid rain . I am proposing a research program that doubles our current funding."
But Congress is torn by conflicting regional interests. Northeastern members want quick action; Midwestern members, wanting to protect their local industries, want no action.
In other words, another study and a rather vague promise.
The Keene [N.H.] Sentinel
The University Daily Kansas welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be typewritten, double-spaced and should not exceed 300 words. They should include the writer's name, address and phone number. If the writer is affiliated with the University, the letter should include his class and home town or faculty or staff position. The Kansan also invites individuals to submit past columns and letters can be mailed or brought to the Kansas office, 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall. The Kansan reserves the right to edit or reject letters and columns.
LETTERS POLICY
The mammoth abstract sculpture leaned away from Youngberg Hall, the home of the KU Endowment building. The stairway stumbled over its steel body.
The 'Flashdance' of modern art
I made my pilgrimage to West Campus last week, and, in the darkness of a cool night, I encountered "Salina Piece."
"Salina Piece" features a delicate steel slab gently held over the ground at a 45-degree angle by graceful steel arms. Two sturdy metal "guns" are mounted on the surface, and they fly out toward open sky.
The thing was truly awe-inspiring.
A row of small bushes separates it from the parking lot less than 20 feet away, and much of the grass in the immediate area has been torn out.
But the most striking thing about
"Salina Piece" is its size. It is 35 feet tall, has a base of 776 square feet and weighs about 40 tons.
Height adds something to "Salina Piece" and gives the sculpture its unique power.
JOHN
HANNA
Staff Columns
sitv of Kansas in 1981.
"Salina Piece" is the "Flashdance of modern sculpture. It is a true masterpiece.
But this shining example of modern art also has been the subject of controversy since John Simpson, a Republican legislator, donated it to the Univer-
P. Mendelian Mutations
The sculpture was created by artist Dale Eldred in 1969. Originally, it has been placed in a cemetery and is surrounded by Ipidapa streets and Sunflower Road. It is
And those who still complain about the sculpture's appearance probably do not understand it. "Salaina纸" is a work of art, a manifestation of the creative spirit. The sculpture should be exhibited for all to see.
Questions of safety arose when "Salina Piece" sid to the ground during an attempt to raise it. A Kansas City, Kan., structural engineer, was struck and killed by a safety check, and the sculpture's structure was later strengthened.
Neighborhood residents and alumni also complained. Vandals even attacked the sculpture, painting graffiti, such as "I am an eyesore," on its surface. Apparently, people thought it was ugly.
But this piece of art is something more. It represents an idea.
After I had studied it for a short time, I was hit with the realization that "Salina Piece" is a subtle symbol. It represents the immortal soul of man that tries to reach God and perfection as it struggles against the metal checkerboard of its own deficiencies.
Because it probably does incorporate such important ideas, the "Salina Piece" is a significant work that deserves to be recognized as such.
Perhaps it could have been erected near the Campanile or in front of Stauffer-Flint Hall. Better yet, it could have been placed on a large block in the middle of Potter Lake and surrounded by fountain jets.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Quit being naive about Lebanon
To the editor:
I have no intention of analyzing the sorrowful Lebanese crisis or attacking U.S. foreign policy.
I would like to respond to Michael Beck's editorial that appeared in the University Daily Kansas Feb. 15.
Syrian policy is always set in Damascus and never dictated by Moscow. A few months ago, Syria issued a message of making reported damage the Lebanon crisis
Furthermore, Syria was the dominant force in Lebanon for a long time, and that should be ideal "brutual imperialism," in Lebanon.
Moreover, Syria never claimed Lebanon as "southern Syria" and has no intention of doing so.
However, "heritage" has always existed because the Lebanese and
Initially, the Syrian army was invited into Lebanon to help restore peace. In fact, the United States paid Syria to remain in Lebanon.
the Syrians share a strong cultural heritage.
Mr. Beck is also naive enough to believe that the U.S. involvement is "noble" and to see the "moral value of our attempts at peace."
But he forgets that when political decisions are made, noble considerations are usually dismissed.
President Reagan admits, after the bombing of Marine headquarters in Berent: "nothing will deter us from protecting our inter-
The New Jersey, while shelling guerrilla positions, demolished a village inhabited by Christian and Druse civilians.
But Reagan failed to mention anything about peace or moral values.
The U.S. involvement may or may not be helpful or sincere, but it is hardly noble.
I would like to see the prompt ending to all hostilities in Lebanon,
with the Syrian army helping or withdrawing.
I would also like to see moral values influence decision makers, but I still do not want to be naive. Thank you.
Damascus, Syria, graduate student
Making it clear
My letter about the selectivity of news coverage (Feb. 14 University Daily Kansan) seemed to indicate that the violent death statistics in Antioquia, Colombia, were all the result of "political" violence.
I would like to make it clear that the majority of these murders are the result of activity by the drug mafia and other low-life.
Only a part can be attributed specifically to paramilitary political factions.
To the editor:
Timothy Goring
Lawrence graduate student
Squabbling over state pride not over yet
Appalling action
To the editor:
I was appalled to witness the behavior of my fellow Midwestern students.
I'd like to respond to all the concern voiced over the recent defamation of Kansas' character.
I would like to see all the publicity put to rest, but a few incidents have led me to respond.
The letter of Feb. 7 from a Detroit freshman was written by a good friend of mine. I consider myself a believer if not, at least a Midwesterner.
Ms. Coffey was voicing her
opinion on an issue she felt close to. This is her right as a student.
I'm sorry to see that these people did not try to sway her with the educational opportunities, beautiful scenery, intense interest in culture and normally good-natured people that I've come to know in Kansas.
Whether I agree or disagree is of no importance, but for those people who must try to sway Ms. Coffee's opinion through late-night phone calls and name-calling, the issue is obviously more heated.
Hopefully this incident will soon come to rest, and we can all enjoy the peaceful home I've come to know. Tasha Gulick
Kansas City, Mo., sophomore
A dead horse
To the editor:
Chris Burmeister
Hoisington freshman
Because its content fails to change many of the attitudes and impressions we have of either state, it is a wonder that is selling well as of all
In response to those defensive individuals who feel compelled to uphold and reject virtues of Kansas or Michigan, may I suggest the book, "1001 Ways to Beat a Dead Horse," a potpourri of various arguments stemming from the original Carlin-Blanchard ordea?
A vacation not possible for Reagan
WASHINGTON — President Reagan is beginning to believe there is no such thing as a vacation when you live in the White House.
"But I enjoyed the change of scenery," Reagan said with resignation.
"I was on the phone more than I was on a horse," Reagan complained to a visiting foreign leader who asked about his four-day California vacation at Rancho del Cielo near Santa Barbara.
A couple of days later, he was awakened to learn that Soviet President Yuri Andropov was dead.
Reagan was in California when he first sent the Marines into Lebanon.
Over the past three years, Reagan's vacation trips repeatedly have been interrupted by crises.
During an August vacation in California his first year in office, the United States shot down two Libyan planes in the Gulf of Sidra off Libya.
United Press International
HELEN THOMAS United Press International
He also was in California when the Sovietis shot down the Korean airliner last Sept. 1, killing 269 persons.
Reagan was on a golfing weekend in Augusta, Ga., when terrorists blew up the Marine barracks in Beirut, killing 241.
On the same weekend, he gave the go-ahead for the invasion of Grenada.
He was in California last week when he signed a statement relocating the Marines from Beirut airport to the 6th Fleet.
Reagan's aides, like their predecessors for the past several decades, have maintained that a president can operate just as well out of Washington as he can at the White House.
It is true that with the wonders of modern communication, the Signal Corps is prepared, and does in fact, serve as a beacon, abode, wherever it be for sound.
When crises occur, Reagan needs to consult with his advisers. He needs to get a variety of opinions. He must also make sure he has touched all bases.
Aides said Reagan had not been happy with some of the criticism he received because presidential spokesman Larry Speakes, and not the president, made the announcement on the troop withdrawal from Lebanon, particularly since Reagan was the only president to House Speaker Thomas O'Neill of wanting to "surrender" for urging a pullout from Beirut.
Since it was a large policy pronouncement, some observers believe it would have behaved Reagan to make it personally.
Once the president on horseback was shown on television, image-conscious aides speedily suggested Rengan head back to Washington.
And he did. The excuse was that he had to consult with congressional leaders.