UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN editorials
Unsigned editors represent the opinion of the Kansan editorial staff. Signed columns represent the views of only the writers.
OCTOBER 12,1978
Divest Africa holdings
Profit apparently means more than human rights at the University of Kansas Endowment Association.
Questions on the University's holdings in companies that have economic interest in South Africa have produced only the explanation that the Endowment Association is simply doing its best to raise the maximum amount of money. So far, at least, concerns that economic ties to South Africa support that country's official onboardage have had little impact.
INDEED IT MUST be difficult—and somewhat surprising—for endowment officials to find themselves caught between demands they divest stock in some of the nation's largest companies and the mission to raise money for the University and its students.
"We feel some moral obligation," Todd Seymour, association president, said earlier this week, "but our obligation to the University is to maximize income to support KU."
The association's priorities, then,
must be amended so that its goal is to
make money only after all ties are cut
with companies that operate in South
Pressure for such a change at KU so far has been relatively slight, in contrast to the protests at other universities where South African divestiture has become a campus-wide
issue. The KU Committee on South Africa, now calling for divestiture, counts only eight persons as members.
But the committee's small size doesn't weaken the validity of its argument.
The Endowment Association should be made to feel more than "some" moral obligations.
AT LAST REPORT, the Endowment Association had $8.5 million invested in 27 corporations with economic interests in South Africa. Continuing investment in those companies is indirect endorsement of those corporations' operations in South Africa and, in turn, of their part in maintaining the oppression of apartheid.
Where donors are asked to contribute in the name of such "moral" causes as better education and financial aid to students, use of that money in investments should be considered under equally high moral standards.
An initial step by the South Africa committee is to request a meeting to discuss divestiture with Endowment Association officials. The proper next step is for the committee to be granted the meeting and to be accepted with open ears and minds.
And when the morality of South African investment is questioned, the only answer should be that the University would not sink that low.
Petty sexism complaints hurt equal rights cause
To the editor:
The Kansan's constant drive of certain readers' paranoid pseudo-complaints alleging malicious sexism behind every advertisement or cartoon suggestive of female sexuality is pointless, boring and central to the cause of equal rights for women.
It is unfortunate that this forum has become a petty dialogue obscuring the legitimate issues in the equal rights movement.
That Hilil should feel compelled to apologize for its aid for the movie. "What do You Say to a Naked Lady" is almost as ridiculous as any reason complaining about it. Who would complain about a similar ad in reference to men?
If women are going to achieve passage of the Equal Rights Amendment, it won't be because a loud mini-minority of frustrated females burns Playboy and censors the Kansas. Popular acceptance of women's rights will be the result of the dedication of women and men who present authentic social and political lives that expresses Hunting trades against cartoons can only distract and detract from the cause.
in thursday's edition of the Kansan,
Elizabeth Banks said the Kansan had shown
a "low sensitivity level" by running the
Hilad ill, the Susan B. Anthony cartoon and a parlor bearer of sensitivity on her part and that of others who are so easily bent out of shape.
I don't bear anyone bitching about Mr. America competition, Playboy magazine, the exposition of Burt Reynolds or the female fans ignoring the Dallas Cowboys, so let's get off this nonsense before some disillusioned males start demanding equal time.
Banks did make one rather astute observation: "It is no wonder that the ERA
Judson R. Maillie
Lawrence law student
KANSAN letters
Candidate received misguided criticism
To the editor:
John Whiteside's recent treatment of the capital punishment topic was no more than a thinly disguised pretext for airing his views, but as attorney general candidate Bob Stephen.
While Whaleside was correct in stating that Bob Stephen has been a law-and-order advocate (most attorney general candidates are), he was incorrect in saying that an attorney general is responsible for capital punishment legislation.
Having been a state judge for 13 years, Stephan understands that the solutions do not reside in sentencing alone. He has long been a proponent of penal reform and the reorganization of our juvenile justice system. Stephan supports the building of a minimum security prison to ensure security for rehabilitation of the non-violent offenders currently incarcerated with violent criminals, murderers, sadistic criminals and the like.
Stephan has clearly maintained throughout the campaign that he would enforce the State's legislation as long as it is not violating any person's constitutional rights.
Whiteides suggested that Stephan would favor a return to the ancient African custom of separating one's fingers from one's hands—if the public calls for it. Whiteides should reassess our (the public's) appreciation for his column.
Wichita law student
Jeff Roth
Two weeks ago President Carter stood before Cindelraella's cast at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., and told a gathering of business and economic leaders that "justice and human rights" is the wave of the future.
Bill would protect rights violations
It was an appropriate setting for his speech, for in reality Carter's human rights campaign, started soon after he took office. "The whole city is a place of disruption," he
By his selective application of standards Carter has repeatedly proven that human rights is in the eyes of the beholder. He has professed deep compassion for the oppressed in Russia, but at the same time he continues his support of South Africa's apartheid regime and has even gone so far as to welcome with open arms the Shah of Iran, one of the world's worst transgressors against human rights.
OF COURSE, despite Carter's occasional outbursts, his acceptance of the kind of oppression dialed out in Iran and South Africa is not surprising from a world leader concerned with pragmatic political issues as with rights and intuition.
What is less understandable, and certainly much less blatant, is the Carter administration's continuing approval of projects and proposals designed to erode the basic rights of citizens here in the United States.
one such proposal is contained in legislation drafted last year by the Justice Department. If enacted, the bill would protect federal officials from civil suits filed by citizens who the officials had infringed upon their constitutional rights.
Not coincidentally, the bill, officially an amendment to the Federal Tort Claims Act, comes on the heels of a civil suit filed against Henry Kissinger for wiretapping a home telephone without a warrant.
IN DEFENSE OF the bill, the administration argued that: "Sinense government employees are now inhibited in the performance of duties essential to the nation by the threat of vindictive lawsuits which, although seldom successful, always cost much time, money and peace of mind to defend."
Imagine that. Those poor, sincere government employees can't even invade someone's privacy without worrying about getting sued for it. No wonder government has such a hard time functioning properly.
Needless to say, the new legislation has not been a big hit with the liberal watchdog groups in Washington. In a joint response to the bill, nine groups—including Common Cause and the American Law Institute—wrote a letter to the administration denouncing the plan.
came to office promising to end an era of government lawlessness and official misconduct should now propose to insulate federal officials for their conduct—even where those officials had violated the constitutional rights of citizens," the letter said.
the administration denouncing the plan.
"IT IS ASTONISHING to us that an administration which
Another interesting facet of the bill is that it would be retroactive, thus wiping out all civil unions now pending against Henry Kissinger and the FBI agents who placed so much money into their phone tapes against radicals in the 1980s and early 1970s.
Intelligence agencies like the FBI and the CIA have already displayed no great inclination to investigate their own lawlessness, and the secrecy and remoteness of their actions it hard for other agencies to investigate their actions.
THIS NEW BIT of legislation, then, will make it nearly impossible for governmental activities to be exposed through the testimony produced at a civil trial suit, thus shutting off one more avenue to investigate the actions of
One keeps hoping that the continuing disparity between what the Carter Administration says and what it actually does is more the result of a continuing unfamiliarity on the part of the business professionals working of their new jobs than with any delicatenate offer.
But as Carter nears his third anniversary on the job that possibility grows less likely. And that doesn't bode well for him to take a break.
Med students shouldn't quit fighting
Students at the University of Kansas Medical Center should not give up their fight against an enormous and unfair tuition increase, even if their chances of winning
Med Center students, who have been fighting the increase since May, lost part of the latest round last week to the Kansas Board of Regents. Shawnee County District School Board has three counts of a student-filed lawsuit protesting both the tuition increase—about 300 percent—and a scholarship fund designed to alleviate the doctor shortage in Kansas. He also lifted a court order that had ordered KU from collecting the extra tuition money.
However, all has not been lost. Carpenter said the second of the counts, which questions the reasons behind KU's decision to suspend the team, is And that count, according to Gerald
Allen Holder
Jesherch, attorney for the medical students, is the root of the entire case.
THE CONFLICT began early this year, when the Regents and Kansas Legislature increased tuition at the university and set it up for a study in an effort to eliminate the state's doctor shortage.
Tuition was increased by an enormous amount, reportedly the highest of any state-supported school in the nation. Fees for instate residents in the traditional four-year university rose from $1,130 to $1,500. For out-of-state students, tuition increased from $2,250 to $1,600.
In the accelerated four-year program.
U.S. should sever ties with Somoza
First of all, the U.S. government can break off relations with the Somoza regime. The next move is simply to allow
But what can the United States do without becoming interventionist?
By BLASE A. BONPANE
N. Y. Times Feature
And now, Anastasia Somoza Debayle, his son, is willing to kill everyone in Nicaragua rather than to get out of the country, together with his national guard. Unsurpassed for their bravery and consistent in contempt for their own country and its people.
Discussion is rampant concerning possible solutions to the Nicaraguan situation. It does not appear that the matter will be resolved by the Organization of American States. The president, Sir al-fazl, 21 simply proved that major powers support Somoa.
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—"I'll give this country peace if I have to kill every other man in Nicaragua to get it!" Anastasia Somoza said while trying to put down the San-dinata natriata in the 1300s.
Hence, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, whose military governments are in partnership with the upper classes and the multinational corporations, will continue to uze the OAS to stay out of Nicaragua's "s internal affairs."
PARAGUAY DID NOT even want the CAS meeting to take place. The reasoning is simple: If Somoza can continue his internal affairs, then other military dictatorships can continue their efforts, and could use rape, forgery, or execution of dissidents.
The Sandhina government to work out a satisfactory solution with the Broad Front of the Twelve. These two groups have a similar interest in the future.
National guard atrocities of recent months are consistent with those of the past 40 years. Before the current civil war, Somoza would claim that villagers massacred by his national guard were really killed by guerrillas posing as guardsmen. Today, he cannot mention that myth. The international press has seen and reported the reality.
A government formed in this manner could be quickly recognized by the United States. The Broad Front has never been in opposition to the Sandistas. It has recognized the necessity of armed resistance to tyranny and demanded that the Sandistas participate in forming the new Nicaragua.
SOMOZA AND HIS national guard, however, must be excluded from all negotiations, or there will be no new government.
Despite the exclusion of the national guard, Point 24 of the Sandinista program includes a gracious invitation stating, "We are happy to work with you to collaborate with the Sandinista government and who cross our lines to surrender will have the right to participate in the peace process."
THE UNITED STATES has cut off aid to Nicaragua and this is a positive step in accord with a recent request from the Nicaragua Catholic bishops. But it is incumbent on the Salvadoran government to assist Somoza with arms and personnel.
Reports from a Sandinista priest, the Rev. Ernesto Cardinal, state that Guatemalan and Salvadorian troops have landed at Cossiga Beach on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua. But he insists this is not independent action.
Such assistance is a violation of the conditions under which U.S. military aid was given to these Central American nations.
It begs us to the intervention as an action of CONDECA, the Central American Defense Council—a CIA coalition of Central American armies. The U.S. State Department has denied the allegation.
The stated objectives of the Sandinista government are moderate and represent an entirely new position in this hermisphere. They include expansion of the land, the present percent of Nicaragua's arable land and which, alone, would feed all of Nicaragua's people.
By allowing the Sandinistas and the Broad Front coalition to operate without interference, the United States could pave the way for a peaceful Central American future.
Basic rights include a job with an adequate minimum wage, medical care, education and decent housing. The Sandistas government assures all Nicaraguaans the right to organize politically and religiously and extends equal rights to women. The right for everyone to express their opinions as they wish is fundamental to the Sandistas.
Blase A. Bompie was a Married kool priest in Nicaragua. He was also political science at California State University Northridge.
tution rose from $1,500 to $4,000 for Kansas resident and from $3,000 to $8,000 for non-
BUT WITH THE INCREASE, the Legislature came up with the scholarship program as a way for students to avoid paying the extra money. It was set up so prospective doctors would think twice before they decided to set up practice outside Kansas.
Under the plan, students who agree to practice in Kansas receive full tuition for each year they agree to practice in the state. And, as an even bigger incentive, students who agree to practice in an area designated as medically underserved, receive full tuition plus a $500-month stipend from the state when they promise to practice in Kansas.
Even with the nearly tripled fees, however, many senators were concerned that the Med Center' tuition was not high enough to afford students to apply for the tuition waivers.
It's high enough now to encourage student protest too.
The students filed a three-count suit, only to have two counts struck down by Carpenter. He dismissed a charge saying the Regents could not raise tuition and a charge that the scholarship program would restrict those intersate travel after graduation.
MORE THAN 200 second-and third-year medical students have been involved in the challenge since the increase and scholarship team were passed by the Legislature.
But Carpenter did not dismiss the second
count, which questioned the Regents' reasons for raising tuition. The count also said that the Regents acted arbitrarily in enforcing it and that the fee increase was unjustified.
Obviously the scholarship program will bring more doctors to Kansas. And Kansas needs more doctors, Kansas City, Kan., is the only area in Kansas that is not medically underserved, according to a recent report from the Department of Health and Environment.
BUT WHAT THE increase also does, no matter what its intention, is force some medical students to take the scholarship and pay a fee. In order to avoid the exorbitant fee increase.
Jeserich said he was concerned that some students would have to drop out of medical school if they did not sign up for the scholarship's program. Many will be forced to take the scholarship, committing them to practice in Kansas.
Kansas will gain more doctors, but its gain will be at the cost of those doctors. Some will leave as soon as their sentence is completed. Others will be bitter, simply because they had no choice but to stay in the state.
The Med Center students, especially those who aren't from Kansas, have been vicious. They almost as much as some communities that have too few doctors. The doctor shortage cannot be overlooked, but it could have been solved without also hurting medical resources.
They shouldn't quit fighting yet.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
KANSAN
Published at the University of Kansas daily August through May and Monday through Thursday during June and July except Saturday, and Sunday and holidays. Second-class postage paid at Lawrence, Kansas 69045 Subscriptions by mail are $15 for six months or less. Student subscriptions are $2 a semester, paid through the student activity fee. Student subscriptions are $2 a semester, paid through the student activity fee.
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