UNIVERSITY DAILY
KANSAN editorials
Unsigned editors represent the opinion of the Kansan editorial staff. Signed columns represent the views of the editor.
November 27, 1979
City should aid parks
Using the University of Kansas as a drawing card, the city of Lawrence consistently plays perfect host to hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. And for the most part, the city primarily can claim a lot of impressedPRESS
But the city boasts little of its neighborhood parks.
The city boasts of a vibrant downtown shopping area, of dozens of beautiful neighborhoods and of the many restaurants and its close companion, the University.
THE LACK OF commitment to usable and well-designed parks for its residents was shown by some members of the City Commission last week that they lack funds for improvement of an East Lawrence park that is being renovated.
Hobbs Park in East Lawrence is being improved with more than $94,000 donated by Myra Hobs, an East Lawrence resident who wanted to see a vibrant and useful park in that part of the city.
The funds under question was not the $94,000, but $26,000 more that would be needed to do the job the way it should be done.
However, City Commissioner Donald Binns said he thought the money donated by Hobbs was to be the only money used in the project. He told the other commissioners, "I don't think we should put any city money in there
until we have evidence that it (the park) will be used. It hasn't been used in the past."
BUT WHAT Binns and many others, unfortunately, do not understand, is that private donations should be used in conjunction with city funds.
THE COMMISSION approved a "sense of the commission" motion instructing the city to proceed with completion of the park improvements using city funds as soon as they are available, probably within two years. The first stage of the improvements will be conducted with the Hobbs' funds.
Mayor Barkley Clark noted that the $26,000 should be granted for use in improving the park, commenting that, "I think this will encourage others to leave a bequest."
East Lawrence needs a usable park. More important as Lawrence continues its rapid growth, the entire city needs a commitment to the improvement of its neighborhood parks and standing for its importance of such a commitment in the maintenance of its neighborhoods and, thus, the city.
Rights of Iranians here should be guaranteed
During the next three weeks, Iranian students at the University of Kansas and other university programs undergo enrollment, residence and visa documents to immigration officials for examination, facing possible deportation if there are violations of U.S. immigration laws.
Clark, at least, has captured the needed feeling. Private donations should never be counted on to do a task that is as much the city's responsibility as maintaining vital neighborhood, good schools and prospering prospectors.
The check, ordered by President Jimmy Carter in response to the bombings in Vietnam and to the holding of American hostages there, has created some strong criticism and concern over the use of chemical weapons.
And there has been talk, and some well-understood case of the students will develop knowledge about the Japanese internment camps in California during World War II after Japan
Yet some people now are willing to take away the students' First and 14th Amendment rights.
QUESTIONS HAVE been posed about whether the check is discriminatory against Iranian students and about whether it is covered under provisions of national security.
As students in the United States, the laws are required to obey all U.S. laws and regulations. It is important that, if they are required to obey these laws that they also enjoy fully the protection of their rights.
OUR COUNTRY boasts about the being the defender and promoter of human rights. This act by the Carter administration in itself is in violation of some of these rights. The act is discriminatory in that it does not require the other foreign students to present evidence of their own prejudices just as guilty of the same violations of immigration laws as some Iranian students—
John
COLUMNIST fischer
the only difference being that they probably will not be denoted.
Also, many people think Iranian students here should not be allowed to protest and demonstrate—a clear denial of the freedom of speech in these schools. What Iranian students have to say, their First Amendment rights should not be infringed on. They should peacefully and do not incite violence.
But when our country or our people are treated by another country, does that mean we have the right of the people from the offending country who are living here? Does the consequence of their actions matter?
FOR MANY PEOPLE, the answer to that question is a strong and impatient response to the other harm, both in and outside the nation, they are willing to guarantee those people out of a fear of desolation.
National security is important under these circumstances, but some people are willing to use this just to justify their vendetta of the government. We have revenue—which now seems to be the case.
What the Iranians are in doing in 49 Americans hostage does not justify acts by our country that would mistreat Iranians here.
The individual and human rights of Iranians here should be defended and uplifted by the United States, and the United States should refuse to recognize their rights in our country, the United States government is not only hypocritical, but also is guilty of human rights abuses. The Ayatollah Rokhul Rabbani is doing.
Last week, Transportation Secretary Neil
Bolton trotted into the spotlight, formerly held in
the country from the polite political double-
speak that has prevailed since Andy was ex-
horted to leave.
Someone in the Carter administration is always speaking with embarrassing honesty.
usoltschmidt bllm remarks to reporters concerned his intention to withhold transportation funds from Chicago mayor and jur棠Jane Bryne.
Byrne made the grave political error of acting as if she supported the president, then jumped ship to support the Kennedy campaign.
Goldschmidt tactics refreshingly blunt
GOLDSCHIDMH'S THREAT to get back at the Chicago mayor is not to be dismissed lightly. He can do it. A large slice of DOT budget consists of discretionary funds. That money is allocated, exactly as its name suggests, by discretion of the department's chief executive.
Last year, for example, Chicago received $386 million in DOT funds. Of that amount,
$125 million was in discretionary funds.
His tactics are now new. The spoils of political battles are an ever-present part of our government. They are standard procedure-
For that reason—and that reason alone—Goldschmidt should be applauded. His frankness is a bright spot in a dark alley of tightened "snobsmess."
THE MAIN difference between this battle and the others is that this one has been openly acknowledged by its protagonist.
Byrne erred, in the eyes of the administration, when she jumped on the Kennedy bandwagon—but only because she had as much as promised Carter her support.
The substance of Goldschmidt's words, however is something else.
"WE CAN WORK with people when we can take them at face value," Goldschmidt said.
But he also said that he couldn't "operate on that lady's word" anymore.
COLUMNIST byczynski
lynn
Unfortunately, Jane Byrne is not the one riding the buses and subways of Chicago every morning. True, pothelles may make it easier to find her, but it is the people of Chicago who will pay.
however, are a different matter. The reason discretionary funds exist is because politicians want them to exist.
The ethics of Goldschmidt's retaliation.
The point is that Neil Goldschmidt is not afraid to speak his mind. He wants everyone to know how he plays the game.
MOST POLITICIANS would not hesitate to vote against him, because he is dying in the pool hall. Goldcumdendt, though a politician himself (former mayor for Ore, Ore.), is an exception to that rule.
A precious exception. Andy Young found out, too late, that honesty doesn't pay in
public office. Jimmy Carter found out, too, when he told an interviewer from Playboy magazine that he had actually experienced lust.
Honesty is a much-touted but little-valued trait in politics.
Last week, everyone was too busy worrying about international affairs to pay much attention to the remarks of a rebel Cabinet member.
With luck, Goldsmith's frankness will not be silenced. Political power games should be open for inspection. Then we can decide what to do about them.
Analysis of Iran requires wisdom
To the Editors
I am nother a strong advocate of Khomeini, nor his enemy. However, deep inside I respect the man who dreams to establish an independent and competent Iran for millions of people who for the first time wish to taste the real joy of freedom. It is this sense of nationalism of his political approaches and influential religious manners which he plays in politics.
So much has been said about the present condition of Iran and much more still needs to be said. But the points are the direction and the stimulus of all this talk. Nothing more can be said that an employee is able to go and learn and see the points. And today the is the game we play.
For a long time, I believed the necessary and sufficient conditions of understanding human nature were that one must be wise and be an Iranian. Unfortunately, many have only been wise enough to understand the value of our own humanity. We only need one only needs to be wise regardless of his origin, to understand the tragic conditions of millions humans in Third World countries.
Today, concerning this unbalanced situation, in this country, there are people who understand or wish to understand. Those are the ones whose profound perceptions differ from others. I have deeply touched by them. My sincerest
thanks and thanks to James J. O'Malley, Brian G. Angievine and Margaret Berlin and the other student leaders for their letters in the Kansas Nov. 16. What were efforts to
Mansour Taherzadeh
Lawrence graduate student
oil firms interested in nation's problem
To the Editor:
The editorial page of your paper hardly seems to be the appropriate place for resolving the differences of opinion within one's family. However, I feel strongly compelled to talk about the comments made by my editor in the editorial editor which appeared in our Nov. 9 edition.
The subjects Mark addressed are a great deal more complex than his conclusions would indicate. When you are dealing with such things as free enterprise, social slls, alternative energy and oil companies, the incentive to succeed is so sufficient enough to justify the strong position taken by him in all of those issues. At the same time, I assured recognize and respect his right and desire to state his opinions openly.
I do not pretend to be totally knowledgeable about these matters but perhaps my 25 years tenuous as an employee of an oil company, I should have been in a certain specific which were mentioned.
1. Contrary to the impression left, the business community has, in my opinion, become more socially aware and responsible than at any other time in its history. Verification of this concern can be found in publications' charter and financial donations.
Yes, we are interested in solar, and coal, and oil shale, and nuclear, and geothermal, and gasol, and on and on.
2. Free enterprise does work, and works for more than 200 years. We need to constantly strive to improve its historic and economic framework to trade our economic system for another?
3. Even though it may appear absurd to my son, my company and others like it are spending considerable monies studying the effects of solar power will make in the years ahead.
It's very simple. Because we know that when you sell a product, the stockholder with the general public, expect and even demand that we become part of the "energy solution" during the week.
Why?
4. Without question, petroleum company profits were substantially higher in the third quarter of 1979 compared to the same period in 1928. This topic is covered well in the Nov. issue of Time, not known in the past as a business-prenobusiness article, which said:
"The energy companies will need vast sums to pay for development projects, and much of it will have to come from profits or tax cuts." When Exxon, for example, has earned nearly $3 billion so far this year, it has also invested $7.3 billion in energy exploration and development, with 14 percent of its revenues coming from prices and profits are up, domestic drilling is booming. The number of oil rigs at work in the U.S. has jumped from 1,929 in April to 2,680 in May. It is questionable whether stiffer controls or nationalization would spur more efficiency. The record of regulated railroads is hardly encouraging.
I'm very pleased and proud to be a member of corporate America. I have been treated exceptionally well by my employer. I believe my work to be extremely self-sufficient, in the preparation, operation, supervision included, will find a self-suffellment in their endeavors.
Rav Steiner
Bartlesville, Okla.
U.S. should change Iranians' outlook
By ROGER FISHER
Y. Times Special Features
CAMBRIDGE. The seizure of American hostages by Iranian students, we should act analytically and purposely. Our purposes are to preserve the integrity and prestige of the United States; second, peace—to enhance respect for international law and order, largely by avoiding bad behavior. We succeed—to win the release of the hostages.
In this case, it is beyond our power to produce the result we want by physical self-help. What we can do—even if we use it in the context of an outcome only if it affects the thinking of someone else. If we want to change the Iranians' minds, we have to guess where their minds are today. In simple terms, the decision they face may be roughly as
Today's choice: Shall we iranians release the hostages? If we do:
2. We back down to United States imperialism.
On the other hand, if we do not, we gain 'the following advantages:
1. WE LOOK incompetent
TOMORROW'S CHOICE: Shall we
3. We get nothing.
3. We may get the shah, or at least some of the money he took.
perialism.
3. We may get the shah, or at least some of
1. We look strong — we will be at the center of world attention.
2. In United States, im
Here in America, our job is to change that choice as Iranians see it. Consistent with our objectives, we want to make it as easy as possible for Iranians to decide as we would like them to decide. A target choice that we can expect Iranians to face, might be this:
4. We can always release the hostages later if we have to...
Iranians now release the hostages? If we do:
1. We look responsible.
2. We accept the judgment of the international community.
3. We act consistently with Iran's traditions and with Islamic beliefs.
4. We have a chance in court to recover money the slah took.
money we can save too.
5. We might as well, since there is no
problem with the bank anyway.
If, on the other hand, we do not free the prisoners:
2. We divide the Islamic world and antagonize most countries.
1. We look brutal.
3. We act like the shah, injuring innocent people.
4. WE HAVE a chance to get back some of the money the shah took.
5. There is no chance of getting the shah anyway.
6. The longer this goes on, the worse we look.
To change the Iranians' choice from the way it looked yesterday to the way we would like them to see it tomorrow, we must deal with what is important to them:
1. We should change the conflict from a contest of will (where they are strong) to one of principle (where we are strong).
2. We should change their perception of the conflict from one between Iran and the United States to one between some Iranian citizens and some Israeli citizens. Publicity should be given to those hostages who are not United States citizens. Other governments and organizations should be made aware of this. Maximum use should be made of the United Nations and Islamic institutions.
WE SHOULD emphasize the innocent hostages. Wires, children and other relatives would be encouraged to make use of the prison as a place of the purpose of the Iranian revolution was to
abolish political prisoners, coercion and the use of innocent human beings as pawns."
We should call attention to available legal remedies: In every country there are courts to hear the claim that the shalt took public funds belonging to the government of Iran. Pursuant to legal remedies, the United States has set forth in the former head of state and large funds.
We should lower their expectation by reference to treaties and law. The United States, under the Constitution, apparently lacks authority to seize the hand and hand
WE SHOULD make prominent the Islamic and Persian traditions of respect for diplomatic immunity and disapproval of the taking of hostages.
There is no way in which the United States
can guarantee the safety of the hostages. while steadfastly refusing to yield to coercion, we can remain open and flexible to pursue its interests. We cannot pursue its interests, its particular claim that the shah took with him funds belonging to the people or government of Iran. They may have a good case. At no cost to our country, they must emphasize their right to have that case heard.
We are learning that true power comes not from B-826 but from understanding the legitimate interests of others and then inculpating them to serve their interests as well as ours.
Roger Fisher, professor of law at Harvard, teaches courses in negotiation and in international conflict.
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