4 Friday, October 12, 1990/ University Daily Kansan Opinion THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Election reform Limiting the number of terms legislators serve would weaken system, not improve Congress The recent inability of the U.S. Congress to draft an acceptable budget agreement has underscored the anger and resentment that much of the U.S. public has for Congress. A manifestation of this anger has been the call by some to limit the number of terms a member of Congress can serve. The logic behind this proposal is that by serving for fewer years, representatives have less chance of being bought by special interest groups and will do a better job serving the people of their district. Although such a plan might diminish the influence of political action committees, it would also cripple the legislative process, shortchanging democracy. Imagine a group of freshmen in control of the University of Kansas. Now put that on a larger scale with much more at stake. A complete turnover of representatives in a short period would leave the House of Representatives with no institutional mor This memory tells members about the many workings of Congress, including the committee system, the floor, the offices and the leadership. Many current members are still not familiar with the parlietary system. They must be coached by professional staff members who sit just out of range of the television cameras. With term limits, the tenure system would have to be abandoned, further weakening the party system and slowing the legislative process. Although many people think that the use of tenure is unfair and used as a political tool, it does guarantee that committees are run by persons experienced about the committees' operations. Admittedly, a 98 percent incumbent election rate and ineffectual leadership have caused problems and should be addressed. A better, more logical way to address these problems would be campaign reform. A cap on out-of-district campaign contributions and a limit on the amount of PAC money incumbents could receive would help make congressional races local elections again. Limiting the number of franked, or free, mailings that congressmen send to constituents would not only make races more competitive but would also save money. A comprehensive program that limits the roles of political action committees and reduces franking privileges could give challengers a chance in November elections. It may be idealistic to think that the influence of special interests can be erased. But instead of a term limit, it is better that voters decide whether their congressmen deserve another term. Brett Brenner for the editorial board Governor's campaign Abortion inevitably will create a single-issue race Although some of us may be too young to remember, 1973 was the year the U.S. Supreme Court decided, with the Roe vs. Wade case, to permit abortions in all states Most everyone still has strong feelings about abortion, and those feelings grip many who plan to vote in this year's gubernatorial election. A Sept. 9 state poll gave Democrat Joan Finney a 13 percent lead over Republican Mike Hayden. In another poll released Sunday in Topeka's Capital-Journal, Finney's approval rating dropped 11 percent. Many critics attribute the drop in Finney's rating to her position on abortion, which she explained in a September 28 news conference. Hayden fans would have reason to cheer if it weren't for one important catch: Finney may have lost 11 percent, but they didn't go to Hayden. His rating only increased a meager two percent. The remaining 9 percent represent the growing ranks of undecided voters, who, as political science professor Burdett Loomis suggested in a recent Wall Street Journal article, will have to choose between "the evil of two lessers" next month. With 37 percent approval each, Hayden and Finney are tied. The polls suggest the abortion issue has changed the character of Finney's campaign. Voters' perceptions of Finney and Hayden during the next three weeks will determine who leads our state the next four years. We hope abortion isn't the only issue attached to Kansas voting levers. Single-issue voting would prevent issues such as the state budget, the environment and education from assuming importance in the election — a rather undemocratic result of a system designed for the representation of an array of issues and interests, not just Commonly blamed for distorting the political process, single-issue voting is a political fact. It is unrealistic to hope for a system in which voters would not choose candidates for their position on one issue. It may be that the outcome of the gubernatorial race will depend on abortion. The race stands to define the future of the abortion issue in Kansas because its outcome will affect profoundly how candidates, advocates, opponents and the media manipulate the controversy in this state. Sally Gibbs for the editorial board Shock cheapens appeal of message The first time I noticed the poster was when I was caught in rush hour Chicago traffic. I looked up to voice my opinion to a driver who had cut me off, when the three young couples caught my eye. There they were, in all their glory, showing their apparent attraction to one another on the side of a bus. I never did like public displays of affection much, but that wasn't what I wanted. It was what was the sentence pronounced underneath. kissing doesn't kill; greed and indifference do." My second run-in with the couples was Monday afternoon. Late to class again and cursing the weather, I trudged by an enclosed bulletin board on Jayhawk Boulevard, Pasted in the window, and looking far warmer than I was, were the six intimate faces. Locked inside a booth, they clearly had an advantage. Not only would I feel a tad awkward making snide remarks to a poster, but they also beaten them to the punch with their deep, yet misdirected message. In most cases of such affectiveon public displays, the best tactic is to mutter something in passing about the case. However, this case was different. Buck Taylor Staff columnist "Kissing doesn't kill; greed and indifference do." Anyone familiar with this poster knows that its intent is to combat the notions about AIDS and provoke “ thought about the virus that attacks the body's immune system, leaving victims susceptible to a wide variety of infections and cancer. Though the intentions might be in the right place, the result is no more than an insult to our intelligence " The three couples — a man and a woman, two men and two women — all are pictured kissing. This alone may shock many people, and that is exactly what the creators of the poster had in mind. Using shock value to trick the reader into tricking the book, but unfortunately it cheapens the appeal of this message. The photographs have a negative effect because they cause dissension in the poster's audience. While people are busy trying to decide whether the poster offends them, the intended message is lost in the confusion. Granted, it's too bad these photos may offend close-minded people, but realistic attitudes must take precedence over idealistic hopes. Attempting to reach the mass audience by shocking it will drive many away. Unfortunately, these are usually the people who need the message the most. Educating the public about ADS prevention is difficult enough without clouding the issues. And that is why this poster has accomplished Kissing doesn't kill; vagueness and confusion do Buck Taylor is a Winnetka, III, major senior in journalism. Ad choice inconsistent LETTERS to the EDITOR I think it's about time you give your advertising staff the BIG TALK. When I read a few weeks ago of your decision against running an Italian delivery restaurant that didn't want to eat me, I understood. Pepe and Mimi can think of something besides two naked 4-year-old boys for their ad campaign in compliance with your standards. But when I scanned the October 5 edition of the Kansan, I was overwhelmed by your blatantly poor decision to run an ad for a male phone-in service that read, "DIAL NOW, GUYS ARE WAITING!" weeks ago? How can you justify turning down Pepe and Mimi's ad and then print "1'900-LOVEMEN"? It's sex, just the same. If you're going to make a decision about something, be consistent. I assume the advertising staff has some list of guidelines or standards that they consistently follow. If that's the case, I question whether the Kanans considered the guidelines at all before running this ad. This type of advertising has no place in the Kansan. So be honest. What were you thinking when you decided in favor of running this ad? Isn't this just another example of what you decided against two Marc Parillo Law, oath do not justify discrimination of homosexuals by Boy Scouts I would like to set the record straight concerning the Boy Scout oath and the Scout law. as an Eagle Scout, I was rather perplexed by Andrew Kenyon's guest column in the Oct. 8 issue of the Kansan. By manipulating the Scout law, he may have said that his own anti-homosexual bias is legitimized and institutionalized by the Roy Scouts as a whole. Scouts do take an oath to keep themselves physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight. Let's back up for those of you who don't believe in morally straight, not sexually "straight". Webster's dictionary Derek VanSchmus Guest columnist defines moral as "sanctioned by, or operative on one's conscience or ethical judgment" To be moral does not mean that you value thirst upon you by others. Another line in the Scout oath pledges obedience to the Scout law. Let me relate to you the Scout law as it appears in my aging (but ever-useful) Boy Scout handbook: "A Scent is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, bravery, brave, clean and reverent I read this through several times, but was unable to locate the word "heterosexual". Indeed, one who would discriminate against individuals in such cases is certainly not friendly, courteous, kind or reverent. (Under the definition of reverent, the handbook further states that a Scout "respects the beliefs of others"(3) Irritational fear of heterosexuals also does not make one brave. Based on the preceding facts, I do not believe that the true spirit of the Boy Scout oath and Scout law can possibly justify or even tolerate barring of homosexuals from either joining or leading Boy Scouts. The problem, then, lies not with the Scout organization but rather in those associated with Scouting who display the unfounded fear and hatred of homosexuals that is all too common in all phases of U.S. society. The American Civil Liberties Union has a legitimate grievance when men are denied access to services based solely on their homosexuality. I fail to see how homosexuality could possibly impair one's ability to teach knot-tying, woodcarving, swimming, first-aid or any of the other skills associated with Boy Scouts. And what of leadership? Planning? Camaraderie? Are these skills essential to homosexuality from homosexuality? Of course not. the very existence of Gay and Lesbian Services of Kansas on this campus is a testament that all of these are qualities to be found in homosexuals just as in anyone else. This is to say nothing of the courage they display as they fight for their beliefs and stand up to the attacks of bigoted people who would harm them their rights as human beings. For all of the above reasons I support the ACLU's attempt to per- sude individuals within the Boy Scouts of America that homosexuals should not be excluded from any aspect of participation in Scouting. I am proud to be an Eagle Scout, but I acknowledge the need for changes in our training programs to any group of people based on their categorization into that group. I would be very pleased to see Scouts learn not to fear or despise those who are different, rather than emerge from Scouting as little cookie-cutter citizens who conform to one set of beliefs. Derek VanSchmus is a Lawrence graduate student studying biology. KANSAN STAFF DEREK SCHMIDT Editor DEREK SCHMIDT Editor JKIRSTY GABRIELSON Managing editor TOM ELBEN General manager, news advisen Editors News Julie Meittenburg Editorial Mary Neubauer Planning Pam Solnier Campus Holly Lawton Sports Brent Maycock Photo Andrew Morrison Features Stacy Smith Editors MARGARET TOWNSEND Business manager Campus sales mgr. Church Dool Regional sales mgr. Jackie Schmalzried National sales mgr. David Price Co-op sales mgr. Deborah Salzer Production mgr. Missy Miller Production assistant Marketing director Audra Langlord Creative director Gail Enbinder Business staff MINDY MORRIS Retail sales manager JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser Letters should be typed, double spaced and超过 200 words. They must include the writer's signature, name, address and telephone number. Writers affiliated with the University of Kansas will be asked to provide their contact information. Gaedel columns should be typed, double spaced and fewer than 700 words. The writer will be photocopied. The Kansan Editor receives the right to object or edit letters, guest columns and cartoons. They can be mailed or brought to the Kansan newborn, 111.Staffer Flint Hall. Letters, columns and cartoons are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kansan. Editorials are the opinions of the Kansan editorial board. Three Imaginary Girls By Tom Avery