Opinion
Page 4 University Daily Kansan, October 22, 1981
13
Opposing the unopposed
Things were close there for a while. It looked as though the Student Senate's debate over ballot box bills might be moot for all but individual senator elections.
Just two days away from yesterday's filing deadline for student body president and vice president, only one pair of candidates had filed for the important campus posts.
But on Wednesday two outsiders to campus politics announced they were ready to take on the early Perspective Coalition entry of David Adkins, Student Senate Executive Committee chairman, and David Welch, Nunemaker Senator.
The newcomers, David Phillips, Overland Park junior, and Monte Janssen, Solomon junior, call themselves the Groucho Marx Coalition and are running on a 23-word, ad man's nightmare of a slogan.
Their slogan, and their campaign, largely center on preventing Senate elections from becoming a "mockery" and keeping students actively involved.
"We're not going to let us Aukun you unopposed," the slogan begins.
In spite of the seeming tongue-in-cheek quality of the duo's candidacy, they insist that they are not playing a joke on the student body.
If Adkins and Welch had felt some relief at the prospect of an unchallenged rise to power, their collective Senate experience no doubt left them itching for the quiet fury of political battle. Now they shall have it.
Minutes before the filing deadline, another president-vice president team entered the race. The Working Alternative Coalition is represented by Loren Busy, Finance and Auditing Committee chairman, and David Cannatella, graduate senator.
The crime in all this is that it took the prospect of a bloodless Perspective Coalition victory to bring forth competitors. The plum of student office and leadership in student affairs apparently means little to those who shrug off Senate and what it could offer.
Thanks Groucho Marxists, for daring to be different.
'Mekong' festivities just a hint of deep insensitivity to vets
MEKONG. The thick, bold letters seemed to jump off the newspaper page, only to be trapped by the ominous black border. My first thoughts were organizing a memorial rally or service,
Then in Friday's Kansas, an advertisement, proclaiming "Mekong '81," with two KU Jayhawks wearing boots and Army helmets and carrying guns, filled the bottom quarter of the
This was no Vietnam memorial, but a KU
KARI
ELLIOTT
fraternity announcing an annual party with a Mekone Delta setting.
I don't know whether I was more mad or nauseated that Americans, especially college students, were doing the same.
A Mekong party is offensive and insults every man and woman who served in Vietnam. The thousands of veterans who came home with low legs, one eye or scarred bodies are not celebrating. The Vietnam War was no party for them.
"This fraternity is celebrating a devastating defeat," a Vietnam-era veteran said. "They are getting drunk over something that was a gore. They're celebrating gore and mutilation."
In addition to having a party based on a Vietnam battle zone, the partygoers dressed in Army fatigues and "decorated" the area with sand bags and bunkers.
Why just stop at fatigues and bunkers? Get into the real spirit of war and spray Agent Orange on the guests. Play "Shoot the gook." Or play another game. Or play a daring game of Viet Cong roulette.
If they want to show real insensitivity and crassness, have a My Lai massacre party, a napalm party or a POW party. Somehow the bad fadiness of a Mekong party wears thin.
Would the parents of the nearly 58,000 Americans who died in Vietnam think such parties cute? Would crippled veterans in VA hospitals want to attend?
Mekong parties make light of a very tragic time in American history. It's not as thoughtful the
Soldiers were fighting in Vietnam when many of these fraternity members were in grade school. Possibly they have an older relative or friend who served in Vietnam.
Vietnam War were some ancient conflict that college students had to read about in History 101.
Because the Vietnam War was so recent, it is difficult to believe that college students would take a devastating war and make it a frivolous party theme.
The fraternity members are not to blame for having Mekong parties. They are only exemplifying America's attitude toward the Vietnam War.
Ten years ago students were protesting, not
fearing being targeted. We seen to
howler. How soon we want to forget.
It was not a noble war. Its soldiers were not called heroes, but baby-killing drug adnids.
The Vietnam War was an ugly debacle that many Americans would like to forget. The
Vietnam veterans came home to the cry of "loser." Americans" attitudes that winning is everything and that America is always number one need this country's disrespect for the Vietnam vet.
In our hurry to forget that blemish on America's war record, we are emphasizing this country's lack of caring and gratitude for the men who fought and who died in Southeast Asia.
Mekong parties are just one more slap in the face of the Vietnam veteran.
First, it was hostility that those soldiers were killers and losers. Then after the war, there was anger and rejection. Look how long it took American troops to build a Vietnam veteran memorial in Washington.
Now the Vietnam veteran is being ridiculed.
Somehow ridiculizing the Vietnam War is more accepted. But what if college students had an Auschwitz or Batanen or Hiroshima party? It has, in some places, been criticized. I, but the idea of such parties still is outrageous.
This is at a time when the psychological problems of fighting in Vietnam are beginning to surface. Stories of violent personality changes, violence and aggression are showing up in newspapers and magazines.
Even Louain, Gottsburg or Valley Forge parties are repulsive.
But the Vietnam War and its veterans apparently are fair game for collegiate ridicule and national abuse. The tragedy of the Vietnam War continues.
Welcome to
TV an education with 'Misterreagan'
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor, would you be my
Hi, boys and girls! Welcome to my neighborhood. Whew! I'm just getting back from work. I worked three hours today. We had another crisis. Some mean, cranky old senators that want to sell WAACS to our good business in war. I will say 'WAACS' There! I knew you could!
Well, why don't we go into the kitchen and fix ours yourself a little snack? What do we have here? Jelly beans, my favorite! But boys and girls you should always eat a vegetable every time.
Oh, and be careful with those plates.
They're $800 apiece. Mommy picked them up.
Speaking of food, we haven't fed the fish today. Do you see the fish? But they look fine. You can't see their ribs yet, so they must not be truly hungry.
What's that? Did you hear a knock on the door? Who do you suppose has come around to pay Mister reagan a visit? Why, its our good friend, Mr. Haig. How are you today, Mr. Hair?"
Oh, you use such big words, Mr. Haig! I know all the boys and girls learn a lot from you. Tell me, Mr. Haig, what brings you to my part of the neighborhood?
in the back of the refrigerator. Be careful not to drop it, Mr. Haig! 'And boys and girls, take a tip from Mr. Haig—always be careful when you're handling dangerous radioactive isotopes. Well, so long, Mr. Haig. Have a good day, neighbor!
"It is unquestionably a beneficial day for ventures of a military or strategic nature."
"We are contemplating a pre-empressive strike against the land-based nuclear forces of the hegemonic Soviet Union. We must continue convincing Communist conspirators."
Gee, that sounds fun, Mr. Haig. Children, you see, can comming immune constituents in their bodies.
"It is my request for the borrowing of a cup of plutonium."
Boy, if it brightens up the day to have a neighbor call, doesn't it? I think neighbors don't need it.
Why, sure Mr. Haig, what are neighbors for! Yes, we have here some plutonium, way
DON
MUNDAY
now want? You're my neighbor, too. You's
special, too. There's only one of you. That's
right, you're a minority. There's only one of
this big, huge world, and you're all alone.
Oh, there's the telephone! I wonder who it could be. Hello? Yes, this is Mistereregan. Why, it's Mr. Watt, our good friend and neighbor! What can I do for you, Mr. Watt?
... You want to cut down all the trees in Oregon? ... Why, yes, I can see how they must be a fire hazard ... Sure, go right ahead, Mr. Watt ... Thanks so much for calling me and having this little chat. Goodbye!
Mr. Watt is such a nice man! He's looking for more resources that we can exploit. And he does it all for you; you're the one. He's finding energy for a strong America.
Say, boys and girls, why don't we go to the land of Make-Believe now? Oh, trolley! Trollley? Golly, I forgot! The trolley hasn't been running since we cut mass transit subsidies. Now, how do you suppose we can get to the Land of Make-Believe? We can use our imaginations, that's how! Pretend you're in the Land of Make-Believe. . .
OWL PUPPET: You know cat, ever since we balanced the budget, I've never been happy.
CAT PUPPET: Mew mew mew mew.
OWL PUPPET: The sky is blue, the roses are rosier . . . and all because we balanced the budget by 1844.
CAT PUPPET: Mew mew mew mew mew
Mew.
. . . Did you imagine that? That's how it will be once our neighbor Mr. Stockman balances the budget. Do you know why that's such an important job? Because it'll end inflation. Can you say "inflation"? I betcha can. Go ahead and try. There! I knew you could say it!
Have you ever thought about big business?
Big business is a good, good thing. I provides jobs for people, which is better than welfare.
Welfare is like stealing, and I just know you'd never accept any welfare, because you're good boys and girls.
Do you know what infiation is, boys and girls? It's a bad, bad thing that eats up profits. The easy liberais started it. But industry is leading the way! 'Isn't that excitement?
Well, the clock on the wall says it's time to go ride my horse. Have you ever ridden a horsie? Maybe you can ride a horsie sometime.
But let me take off my sweater and put on my western jacket. And remember, boys and girls, always hang up your clothes when you're done with them!
Gosh, I'm sorry to have to go. These times with you are very special to me. And you know why? Because you're so very special to me now! I come by to visit me again real soon, okay?
It's a beautiful day in my neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor, would you be my
The University Daily KANSAN
(USPS 5050 460) Published at the University of Kansas daily August through May and Monday and Thursday during June and July except Saturday. Sunday and holiday June through December. In Lawrence, Kansas 6045. Subscriptions by mail are $1.25 a year in Douglas county and $1 for six months or $8 outside the county. Student subscriptions are $3
Daffman: Send changes of address to the University
Patterson Kansan, First Hall, The University Kansas
Lakeway.
Editor Business Manager
Scott Cunningham Larry Leibengood
Scout Editor Michael J. Schaul
Campus Editor Tummy Turner
Editorial Editor Katy Brussel
Editorial Editor Katy Brussel
Assistant Campus Editors Kate Pound, Gene George
Cymbal L. Currie
Art Director Head Copy Chief Dot Munday
Entertainment Editor Pam Howard, Vance McNeil
E Entertainment Editor Karen Schuster
Sports Editor Treese Hamilton
Makeup Editor Cindy Campbell, Amy Collins
Makeups Editor Jane Pemberton
Retail Sales Manager Terry Koebler
Sales Manager Sales Cunley Judd Calle
Classified Manager Production Manager Amna Huehnerberg
Production Manager Amna Huehnerberg
Staff Artist John Keeling
Retail Sales Representatives Melissa Rader
Jan Johnson, Kelly McCarthy, Beth State Lenie Dickie, Ethel Cooke, Nanny Cookey Diane Thompson, Barb Baum, Howard Shanklin Perry Beal, Jerry Wendorc
Letters to the Editor
Sales and Marketing Advisor  John Obertan
General Manager and News Advisor  Rick Musker
Coleman questions timing and sources of criticism
- Also notable is the fact that the persons leveling the criticism are individuals who themselves have positions of responsibility and duties to discharge. If these persons were dissatisfied with my performance, the very fact of their positions gave them accessibility to me on a daily basis. This makes it all the more important to keep up their careers come forward with their complaints publicly, when they have never voiced their concerns to me personally.
To the Editor:
In viewing the criticism that has been leveted against my administration and me in the last few weeks, I find several important points that deserve further consideration:
- I find it extremely curious that the criticism has surfaced only in the last few weeks and was virtually unheard, or at least unexpressed, until now.
- All the more disgusting are the comments, printed in the Kansan, of certain administrators at the University with whom I have tried so hard to establish a relationship of understanding and respect in order to best serve the interests of the student body. Now I discover that instead of mutual trust and respect, I am accused of being a fumbling, know-nothing who not only doesn't know how to push the "buttons" of power, but doesn't even know that they exist.
- Finally, and this is not by way of defense. I remind all members of the student body that
individuals whose term of office is at an end make especially easy targets, particularly when the election to choose their successors is in the offing.
Every moment that I have spent as student body president has been a joy and an honor. I make no apologies to anyone for either having the office or for the manner in which I have discharged.
Robert B. Coleman
Student Body President
Let sleeping fans lie
I made it through Hamilton's column in which she cried not about being able to interview (along with male reporters) naked football players after the game.
Tracee Hamilton strikes (out) again!
I stayed silent after reading her account the KU-ASU game, which said that one of the things that boosted KU to victory was a "defensive" cloning call that thwarted its defensive drive.
But last Thursday's column, "Song could ease KU fans" , apaely , "one insult-to-intelleclet too much"
Let me first make it clear that I whole-heartedly agree that the KU football crowd could and should be more vocally supportive of its team. It is not a question of how many suggestions are to move her column "stuffed."
Here's a look at some of Hamilton's babbling:
- During the waving of the wheat there's not a lot of noise. And while arms are waving, hands aren't clapping." So what? Let the fans celebrate the touchdown however they want. Who cares if there's no snow during a celebration? Besides, if there is much noise, it would drown out one of the nation's finest bands playing the "Touchdown Song."
By the way, have you ever tried to wave your arm around your head and clip at the same time?
*What we need is a good song... if Washington can *laugh* Kansas?* --  
- "The hallowed Rock Chalk chant is basically monotone!"-Great! It's supposed to be monotone! Rock Chalk is a unique and 'hallowed' cheer. To start a game without having done the Rock Chalk chant would be a crime.
- "The cheerleaders are cute, but unimpressed." The KU spirit squad, like the band, is one of the best in the country, and we're lucky to have talented cheerleaders, capable of entertaining, yelling and beating all at the same time, than the cutie bun-bun squads most schools have.
This is not a television commercial and it is not American Bandstand. This is football. Heart-of America, Saturday afternoon, rab-rah football. I am here to tell you that fans don't enjoy their fight songs. I am on the
field when the band comes off to the student side playing "I'm a Jayhawk," and the crowd on its feet and clapping. Tracee. It is a unique-to-KU, upbeat, excitable fight song.
- Finally, as for Hamilton's charge that KU fans are "apathetic ... lethargic, conceited, persnickety (persnickety?) and downright stupid. ..." Hamilton has obviously never been to a KU basketball game. KU b-ball fans are rowdy, loud, boisterous and downright fun. Why basketball and not football? Because when the crowd gets behind the roundbullers, they usually respond to the charge; the football team usually does not!
Have you ever watched the football players on the sideline? It's like a funeral down there. They don't respond to the crowd no matter what the game is going to be, well and scream and shout and nothing happens!
We want to be loud and obnoxious, Trace, but what good does it do? The answer to crowd apathy is not a new song, it's an emotional team! Enough already.
Okay, Hawks, we'll be there Saturday. We'll be ready to scream, and about to unbear wrestle. We love the show so much.
I don't know about Trace Hamilton, though I suspect that she'll be up in the press box humming old beer commercials or practicing her the-wheat and-clap-at the-same-time* routine.
Steve Gibbs
Lawrence sophomore