4 Tuesdav. November 20. 1990/ University Daily Kansan Opinion Cruel and unusual Louisiana court has to decide whether prisoner should take drugs to be competent to stand trial Louisiana court faces a new challenge: Can states force mind-altering drugs upon an insane prisoner to make the prisoner eligible for execution? Four years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that executing insane prisoners was unconstitutional, but now a Louisiana court must decide whether an insane prisoner can be forced to take anti-psychotic medication to be mentally competent for execution. The case. Perry vs. Louisiana, involves Michael Owen Perry, who on July 17, 1983, murdered five people in Lake Arthur, La. Early that morning, Perry walked to a residence where his cousins, Randy Perry and Bryan LeBlanc, were sleeping. He entered the unlocked house and shot Randy Perry in the left eye and LeBlanc in the head. Then he walked two houses away to his parents' home, broke into the house and waited for them to return from a trip. Upon their arrival, Perry shot his parents, Grace and Chester Perry, as well as his 2-year-old nephew Nephron. Hein. Hit each twice that they play. The U.S. Supreme Court took the case but didn't allow it, so it returned to the Louisiana court. Perry was convicted of five counts of first-degree murder and subsequently was sentenced to death. He appealed the conviction. The U.S. Supreme Court instructed the Louisiana court to consider another case, Washington vs. Harper, which was decided in February. That case gave prisoners a limited constitutional right to refuse mind-altering drugs. The Louisiana court should extend that right to Perry and those like him. Forcing drugs upon prisoners is questionable. Making a prisoner sane only to make that prisoner's execution legal leaves no question: Forcing drugs upon Perry is cruel and unusual. Sarah Bly for the editorial board LETTERS to the EDITOR Homeless aren't happy I am writing in response to Kathleen Stolley's guest column about homelessness in Thursday's Kansan. Rarely have I see or read such a cold-hearted approach to such a woman. And yes, homelessness is an issue. The largest growing segment of the homeless are mothers with children. Is it really possible that someone could be so misinformed as to think that a homeless woman with children is happy with her situation? If so, then I believe that the word "happy" needs to be redefined. Stole seems to have a chronic case of blaming the victim. Never mind the facts: A majority of the homeless are in their present situation because of circumstances beyond their control. I suppose I could be called a "do-gooder" or a "bleeding heart," but I prefer to use the word "compassionate." Compassion is something Stole sadly lacks. Diane M. Westerhaus Eudora junior Condom editorial amiss Mary Neubauer's editorial in Thursday's Kansan about the University's decision to place condoms in vending machines in residence halls but not all campus buildings deserves some criticism. She thinks that the University administration's wish not to be responsible for minors buying condoms is unreasonable. Neubauer should expect such behavior because our administrators, as bureaucrats, are obligated to cover themselves whenever the opportunity presents itself. But is their decision really all that unreasonable? University buildings other than residence halls do not seem to be appropriate places to dispense condoms. I can just imagine my surprise when I reach into a vending machine for my mid-morning package of bar-bread that I discover that I instead have pressed the button for a jumbo pack of Troians. In addition, free access to condoms might encourage under-age persons to descend upon the University en masse to avoid the mean lady at the drugstore who will undoubtedly petify them with a stare. I do not wish to make light of the problems of teen-age pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. But I will take a look at some same buildings in which we attend classes when they are available in so many other places? Tim Damewood Lawrence graduate student Photo was pornography I am writing to complain about the photo that appeared on Page 3 of Wednesday's Kansan. Because of the way the photograph was cropped, it took the singer from "Black Cat for Love" and had sexual on a very microphoneophone. Either the Kansan didn't realize what the photo looked like, or it was cropped that way on purpose as a joke. I guess. I suppose it could have been a mistake. In that case, it's too bad that the Kansan photographer didn't have a better eye for photography. But I suspect Kansan staff members knew what they were doing. It is a very skillfully played photo — for pornography. This is very inappropriate behavior for the Kansas. Aren't its staff members serious? Kansan staff members work for our school's big, well-respected team and are responsible to the students and faculty. They must be serious. Russell Smith Lawrence senior School bond deserved defeat I have been reading with grown-ups frustration editorial comments about the defeat of the school bond issue. As an individual greatly concerned with education, the fool-hardiness with which this issue has been approached disgusts me. It is for intelligent, concerned people that I am asking for more evidence and valid reasons for people to have voted against the school bond issue. - No new teachers — The bond issue as written does not allow for the hiring of any new certified personnel to staff the new high school, the new classroom space at Wakara山 Valley Elementary School or special services at Sunset Hill Elementary School in a building without hiring new teachers. Is this a move toward quality education? No new taxes — Property owners, read "homeowners," would bear the brunt of the cost for the new facilities. The population of Lawrence is growing, but it is also changing. Many homeowners are on fixed incomes. Additionally, state tax rates are lower than they were very hard; they cannot bring themselves to vote to increase their taxes vet. No essential materials The bond issue provided for the new structure and physical education programs. No additional provide for additional essential educational materials such as books, computers, typewriters, gradebooks, planning materials, copying machines, paper, staples, paper clips, pens, pencils and all those other things we never really think about and cannot do without. They add up to a great deal of money. Mary Rose-Shaffer Guest columnist No new middle school — In the Lawrence Public Schools Special Report sent to voters in the Lawrence area, the district states, "Lawrence High School — as well as Central, South and West junior high schools — is full." All post-elementary schools are full! We need a new middle school as well as a new high school in Lawrence; the bond issue never addressed the problems of overcrowding in junior school. In enactment fourth-grade students in the high school would relieve this problem, but this would be a very temporary solution to an increasing crowding problem. would expose children now in junior high to some of the harsh realities of life in high school too early. I think many of them already know about reality. Ask the 14-year kids in Alcoholics Anonymous; ask the 15-year-old girls expecting their second child; ask the kids who have to leave school to check in with their parole officers. These are the same kids who are being "protected" by staying in the junior high schools. No transportation — A growing problem for many Lawrence-area students is transportation to and from school. The location of the proposed high school is a factor for many students and their parents. I want a new high school and a new middle school in Lawrence as well as all of the important improvements to already existing buildings. I'll fight to pass the right bond issue (or take it up) because all the needs for the best education in Lawrence public schools. The cost for construction will be high but can be managed. A bond issue is not the only way that Lawrence schools can use to raise the money for these projects. This time to regroup and explore all of the options for a better educational future in Lawrence. Mary Rose-Shaffer is a substitute teacher in the Lawrence Public School system and a KU graduate student in education. Other Voices Deployment necessary War against Iraq would be no quick fix intervention on the order of Grenada or Panama. It could be long and bloody. The magnitude of the force being built up in the gulf sends a necessary message, too, to all enemies. The war is irrevocable — and may be costly. Whatever lies ahead in the Persian Gulf, the large new deployment of forces ordered by President Bush is justified. . . President Bush, who has handled many aspects of the gulf crisis with skill, has yet to level with the possibility of the possible sacrifice ahead. From the Birmingham (Ala.) Gulf needs diplomacy It would be reassuring if Bush toned down the rhetoric while he built up the armies as well. There may yet be a diplomatic solution to this crisis. There have been suggestions that Iraq might be satisfied with better access to the sea, control of an uninhabited sandbar and an indemnity for Kuwait's well-cocumented theft of oil and its sheenanigins in the oil cartels. With these conditions, Kuwait could be restored as an independent nation, perhaps with a U.N. peace-keeping force stationed there. If such a settlement is possible, it ought to be sought. It is far more attractive than war. From Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald Saddam may yet reject it, of course. Then the consequences are on his shoulders. If it is not offered before thousands of lives were lost, he is required to explain his failure as a diplomat to his people and to history. Critic of homeless lacks insight and credibility I felt a little sad after reading Kathleen Stoll's summary of the U.S. homelessness problem. Her guest column in Thursday's Kansas reminded me just how much ignorance and misinformed stereo-hunt is among group, such as U.S. people who do not have homes. In her article, Stolle paints a picture of the "happy" homestead, "wiping away the last bits of their free meals from their faces." She says that one-third of the U.S. homeless are mentally ill and that the remaining 70% are homeless because they are too lazy to get a job and enjoy living off the system. And on what did Stoll base this simple-minded conclusion? Her research consisted of interviewing "several" people coming out of a soup kitchen, where an "overwhelming majority" told her they chose to be homeless. Her little "survey" led to a lot of power for her to give the impression that this was the way most homeless people feel (after this shoddy excuse for research) is a blatant example of irresponsible journalism. Laura Moriarity Guest columnist If Stolle wanted to write about homelessness, she should have researched her subject just a little. Tom Harmon, staff member of the Salvation Army in Lawrence, said that only about 22 percent of the homeless choose to live that way. The remaining majority is forced to live without a home because of individual situations. I'm sure that Harmon, who works with homeless people on a regular basis at the Salvation Army, is a much more credible source of information than most of the students who turned-up nose has probably never spent more than 10 minutes in a shelter for homeless. It must be very easy to sit back with a full stomach and judge the plight of someone from the comfort of an apartment. Stolle, in all her wisdom, offers some brilliant solutions to the U.S. homelessness problem. She says, "Get a job." At least 22 percent of the U.S. homeless have jobs. They are the working poor — a large group of U.S. citizens whom Stollie fails to recognize. Of our country's 88.5 million households, 9.9 million cannot afford to pay rent and still meet their basic human needs. This may come as a result of being a lived lived lived lives, but if you are not male, educated employment can be rather difficult. Harmon also says that an estimated 500,000 children in the United States are suffering from malnutrition. Does Stolle want these children to "get a job?" Ms. Stolle, get your facts straight. According to the May 1990 National Review, the Center for Media and Public Affairs reported that only 12 percent of the homeless are unemployed. Their survey involved 103 stories about homelessness and was broadcasted during a 30-month period. More evidence credit Stoll's interviews. Too many children? Stoll says "birth control" or "adoption". Excuse me, but when someone says they have too many children, that means the children are already alive. Birth control doesn't work at that point. Adoption is a good idea in some cases. But to suggest it as a blanket solution to poor people with children who need no respect for their basic human rights. I am in full agreement that birth control, education and jobs all need to be emphasized more into the social welfare program. And there always will be people who abuse the welfare system, just like with freedom of speech or any good system. I like standing on the stairs and stand on their own two feet. But without intelligence, compassion and understanding this cannot happen. Stollie, and others like her, are the ones who need to get on their own two feet, come down from their ivory towers and do something about the suffering of their fellow human beings. > Laura Moriarity is a Lawrence junior majoring in social welfare. KANSAN STAFF DEREK SCHMIDT KJERSTIN GABRIELSON Managing editor TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser Editor News. Julie Mottenberg Editorial Mara Neubauer Planning Pam Salmer Campus Holly Lawson Sports. Brent Maycock Photo. Andrew Morrison Graphics Brett Brener Features Stacy Smith MARGARET TOWNSEND Business manager Campus sales mgr. Chris Doolan Regional sales mgr. Jackie Schmalzried National sales mgr. David Price Co-op sales mgr. Deborah Salzer Production mgr. Missy Miller Production assistant Julia Axland Marketing director Audra Langford Creative director Gail Einbinder JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser MINDY MORRIS Retail sales manager Letters should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 200 words. They must include the writer's signature, name, address and independent number. Writers affiliated with the University of Kansas will be required to submit their resume. Guest columns should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 700 words. The writer will be photographed. The Ketaness warrant the right to inspect or edit letters, guest columnists and they can be in charge of all documents sent to the Ketaness. The answer is the question of the writer and does not necessarily affect the views of the Ketaness. Individuals are the answer. Home Remedies By Tom Michaud