UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN editorials
Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Kansan editorial staff. Signed columns represent the views of
September 12, 1979
Open public records
An antiquated public records law that has pit journalists against state and local officials for two decades may be on its way to an state statute below.
The law, called the Kansas Open Records Act, defines public records, meaning those records that can be accessed by any member of the public at any time.
The Open Records Act, referred to by Kansas Attorney General Robert Stephan as the "Closed Records Act," is being reviewed by a special interim committee of the Kansas Legislature this fall. The committee is investigating possible revision of the law by the next session of the Legislature.
THE CURRENT records act, adopted in 1897, says that "all state, counties, municipalities, townships, school districts, commissions, agencies and legislative bodies" must keep the records apen for public inspection.
The problem is that the law stipulates that the records must be kept open only if they are required to be published. It is also a local official's have interpreted the
*kept and maintained* stipulation to mean that a specific *law* is required to keep the records open. Otherwise their records may be lost. The officials in charge of the offices in charge of the records.
This has meant that individual interpretations of open and closed records have varied across the state. What may be open in one county is closed in the next. And what is open for one person may be closed to another.
TO ADD to the atmosphere of secrecy created by the Open Records Act are nearly 100 other laws that require confidentiality for a wide variety of records, ranging from barbershop inspection reports to the location of cigarette vending machines.
Understandably, there are some records whose very nature demands that they be kept secret. But there is a definite line between what knowledge is in the public interest and what is not. At the moment, those documents whose availability is considered in the public interest are very limited.
It is hoped that the special legislative committee will realize the importance of having open records and will revamp the records act accordingly.
There has never been a tan tree that was ever barkless, but the boring against nuclear power could have serious concerns. It goes on any longer. We may hope those trees will be gone.
Anti-nuke fad imperils nation's future
Ant-nuke bumper stickers and T-shirts have become more than a little disconcerting.
Citizens who insist on posturing against the nuclear power industry have joined a cause. They have been spurned by the three Mile Island accident in Pennsylvania and are rallying against the possibility that rallied against the possible dangers that could accompany the operation of a nuclear plant.
The supposed nuclear accident, which occurred at the Three Mile Island plant which had been designed to kill all. No one was killed, no one was injured and no side effects have been measured or tested. The bombings and the anti-mikes termed the event a calamity. It hardly deserved such treat-
There are certainly some improvements that could be made in the 72 atomic stations on the border of Israel and Greece. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, together with several scientists and politicians, are working to establish a credible incident that should be implemented into either the construction or operation of the facility.
Their plan, in short, for nuclear experts to be in residence at the plants in the event of an emergency, better backup safety systems that would respond more quickly to a malfunction and more safely to safeguard the possibility of human error.
Above all, the operators of nuclear plants must be scrupulous in their performance as supervisors of an atomic project. Critics of this work have said that too many people at the plant were too blae
Turkey needs democratic aid
Political, economic and religious problems are threatening the government of yet another country in east Asia — Turkey. Turkish government now seems more possible than ever as political and terrorist groups have formed in attempts to right things.
The insurrectionists have been born out of the government's inability to deal with several major problems that face the country—unemployment soaring near 20 percent, annual inflation of about 60 percent, an economy that is almost because of foreign debt and an industrial output that has decreased to 58 percent.
Many Turkish government officials believe that the key to resolving the nation's woes is in the solution of its conflicts. It must be a commitment that support by Western countries in terms
John fische
COLUMNIST fischer
Turkey also is important to the democratic world because it is an important member of NATO and serves as a strategic military point against the Soviet Union. It has also been established there for the surveillance of Soviet missile experiments. But despite its significance in world politics, it appears that the Western powers are not as concerned as they were during its lightly in action of what happened in Iran.
This country is a great democratic stronghold in that part of the world. Consequently, the country's problems are not as severe as their powers. The implications of a takeover by a group antagonistic to those very Western powers are serious. Turkey, under a parliamentary democracy, is an important power and associated with democratic countries.
of economic and technical aid is needed to help reform and restore banks and industry. After these areas are strengthened, the regulatory function will be calmed by public contentment.
But far left and right-wing parties have grown larger and more violent. Last year there were about 1,000 politically-linked killings. The National Action Party, a right-wing party, has increased its share in the vote, although accused of many terrorist acts.
Meanwhile, growing left-wing parties,
composed of communist factions and
supported by teachers and students at the
republican academy are guilty of much
terrorism violence.
A significant point of concern about the vast parties, however, is that they often have their own ideas. In cases, ideas are often against the ideas of democracy, capitalism, so-called Western intervention or free markets.
There also is the possibility that arguments between various religious sects could be used to overthrow the government in a way which would harm many areas of the country last spring to control religious and political violence. Islamic sects took 102 lives in December.
Social unrest also is plaguing Turkey. Since the unemployment rate is very high, the economy has been slow. This has led to such a large increase in crime that soldiers now stand guard at security posts.
Public discontent also has helped increase the size of the extremist parties and intensity the cry for change. Hungry and tired, these people are easily persuaded by their groups, especially when promised jobs, homes and food under a new government.
Further complicating the problems in Turkey is the decline of public services. The lights in the major cities are usually on because there is a lack of funding. In Istanbul, uncollected garbage is piled on streets because there is inadequate collection service and public transport is poor because it does not enough buses to meet the public need.
The crisis in Turkey, then, is serious enough that it cannot afford to be overlooked by Western countries. The current setting is much like the situation in Iran before its government was ousted. And like Iran, Turkey is a key military state. This is important that it remain democratic and protected from communist control.
Aid by Western countries is needed to set the government and the economy back on its feet before the communists or other parties hostile to free countries try to.
The seriousness of the situation is portrayed in the words of one former government official, who said, "If Turkey harbors democracy, it will economically like Germany was in the 1930s, with unemployment, industrial failures and pessimism spread through the country, a right- or left-wing demagogue." The imagination of a hopeless noble.
And by then, another country steeped in the hatred of Western democracy will have been born.
Nicaragua, Cuba not comparable
RV TADSZULC
Times Special Features
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica—The final victory of the Sandinista movement over the Somoza dictatorship in Nicaragua marked a major turning point in American revolutionary social, economic, political and military–in 20 years. The previous great upheaval in the hemisphere led to a new nationalism in 1959. But let us beware of easy (and hysterical) analogies or conventional-ideal narratives.
Nicaragua is not Cuba, nor does it need to become a replay of Cuba unless the United States does so. Otherwise, its alternative, Nicaragua will be a leftist, nationalized nation, but this should not be permitted.
While principal members of the San Juanidad leadership in Managua are of Mexican origin, many of their tendencies, with Marxist moderates probably in ascendance -certainly for the time
HAVING COVERED the beginnings of the Cuban Revolution and having closely watched the development of the Nicaraguan revolutionary process (1 met top Sandinista leaders nearly a year ago), I sense that situations in the US are greater than the similarities.
THE MOST important Sandistain leader is thought to be 49-year-old Tomas Borge, a Marxist lawyer who is the only surviving founder of the Sandistain National
Moreover, this impression is shared by heads of Latin American governments who played, and continue to play, key roles in the Nicaraguan crisis.
Liberation Front, the anti-Somora movement established clandestinely in 1962
Borge does not belong to the five-member junta of National Reconstruction (NCR), but he is the most influential member; he is nine-member national directorate, a member of the newly created three-member junta with armed forces and minister of interior.
Borge and men who think in alike ways can transform the transformation of Nicaraguan society. They realize that the first priority is the rehabilitation of a troubled population, destruced and that this can accomplished only through large-scale foreign assistance, chiefly from the United States.
When the collective leadership is replaced by a permanent government, Borge is the chief negotiator. He is pragmatic, experienced politician, aware of Nicaragua and international realities, such as the danger of touching off a violent United States response should his country
IT IS this that makes Borge, the old and most mature of Sandistrict chiefs, a Marxist moderate. And this, in turn, has led to the development Nicaragua between Nicaragua 1797 and Cuba 1859.
THIS IS the second great difference between Niceragua and Curaçao: Inviting the outside world to help Niceragua survive. (Borge even wants arms from the United States.)
Cuban President Fidel Castro, in a speech on July 27, made it clear that Cuba is unable to shoulder alone the Nicaraguan rejection of U.S. sanctions, and likewise refrained from offering awards.
The third crucial crisis is the new attitude of the United States. Despite its naval dominance, it has been an innumerable errors committed last year (Washington long refused to believe that Anastasio Somali Deby would fail), and this has led to as if it has learned some lessons of history.
The United States has began emergency aid to Nicaragua while refraining from tutorial political advice. The new ambassador, Lawrence A. Pezillo, is developing good relations with Borge and the new foreign minister, a Roman Catholic bishop, Eric Escoto. This time, United States diplomacy is functioning extremely well.
States to standardize his military equipment), the Sandinistas also are inevitably outside political influences.
While there are Cuban military and diplomatic leaders in the region, already has sent a military advisory team to help reorganize the guerrilla forces. Venezuela, a functioning democracy, has said that its military is not ready.
THE LEADER of Spain's moderate Socialist party has just visited Nicaragua. The president and all of its cabinet ministers to establish working contacts with the new regime. It was democratic Costa Rica that served as the front's principal operational base.
Tad Szulc is a Washington writer who specializes in international affairs.
It is obviously impossible to predict Nicaragua's future. But the fundamental point to bear in mind is that Nicaragua need not go the Cuban way.
david COLUMNIST preston
mining. Coal plants emit more radioactive material than nuclear plants are allowed. And those who work in coal mines suffer radiation which is caused by exposure to radioactive particles.
about the situation, even after the malfunction was noted. This attitude is, naturally, inexecutable, just as it would be in the operation of any large plant or factory.
It is important to note that the nuclear energy field has had an incredibly impacable record in terms of lives lost or casualties. It has also introduced new technological advancement. Only one death can be definitely traced to an accident at a nuclear plant and that was in 1976 when a worker at the Bridgton, Mch., plant was exposed to poisonous, but not radioactive, gases.
Compare this record with those of other developing technologies—airplane transportation, coal mining, dam construction and use—and the nuclear industry suddenly took hold.
O trapped in shale is unproven we are poised to be too expensive to be feasible. We should be cautious, even when eventually promising, is still too independent and too expensive for individual purchases.
And even in the worst incident we have seen, and one that was merely the result of the malfunction of an untested system, a very common occurrence closer to the Three Mile Island plant who
But as the anti-nukes continued to cry against this menacing monster of science, they tried to save it. Five plants in the East were closed because the NRC did not have the proof to show that they could withstand the shock of a nuclear explosion or violate thermal earthquake is in itself minute, but no one, it seems bothered to check the nuclear reactor to see if the quakes saved up of to 7.5 on the Richter scale.
sustained exposure to any more radiation than would be present in two chest X-rays. That is no calamity.
Nuclear plants, with the continuing trial and error advancement of their operation and the institution of the NRCS record of energy in this country, as a source of energy in this country. While the plants now put out about 12 percent of the electricity in the United States, there are still many areas where figure could be much higher. Perhaps those who have jumped at the chance to protest the industry would like to explain where we能源 for our future and for our descendants.
Nuclear power can, and has, served the energy needs of communities from coast to coast. It also provides independence on foreign oil for our energy needs, and that is a situation that we must avoid if at all possible. Atomic power is an essential component of our oil corporations from having to put up with the whims of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and panies to spend more money either developing alternative fuel sources or relying on ways to provide more oil domestically.
Coal is abundant, but the mining process and transportation of material has become more efficient. The anti-nuke wanted to put their efforts into something more valid then perhaps the mining process.
To reverse our technological advancement would be serious mental harm. The need to move from nuclear plants in certain nuclear dump sites around the country, the need for new safety standards, would be significant.
Maybe then the anti-nukes would find another fad to cling to.
Group defends plant sale legality
KU Commission on the Status of Women
To the Editor:
Sally Turner
we hope this information helps to clarify
some of the points raised by Mr. Pence and
the need for a more inclusive and
people relationship has always been a
symomatic one, the town benefiting from
students benefitting from town services
and products. It is our anorease desire that this
work can continue.
We, the members of the KU Commission on the Status of Women, deeply regret the recent misunderstanding with local merger and by our fund-raising activities of Sept. 28.
Since Student Senate funding covers only office supplies, other monies are needed to pay for speakers and similar events. (Funds will be raised by a lot of students.) Bella Abugo to Lawrence, an event widely attended by students and townpeople alike.) There seem to be only two ways to raise this extra money. Sell a product or sell it as merchandise. Students with someone somewhere, but such competition is acceptable simply because it is on such a short-term basis. The commission, therefore, would like to take this opportunity to offer future student fund raising packages.
UNIVERSITY DAILY letters KANSAN
We hope the following points will help clear up issues specific to this plant sale.
Nurseryman's License - According to Nurseryman, the Department of Agriculture, only vendors of perennials, trees, shrubs, bulbs and general outdoor greenery are subject to this license.
Property Tax-According to Bob Kempen, the chief and secretary of the State Board of Taxation, in its capacity as a nonprofit organization in its own right, would be eligible for property tax exemption if it were operating on its own property. Thus the tax-free status of state land is not
Vendor's License-According to Donna Junior of the City Clerk's Office, the company has been operating on a short-term basis in its capacity as a nonprofit organization, does not have a license.
Cup racer corrects
1. The course is 0.9 miles long, not 2.7 miles.
To the Editor:
2. All races but the team race were two laps; the team race was four laps.
3. I am not a graduate student. I am a fifth-year senior. Karl Gridley is a freshman, not a special student.
4. Although I would like to hold the 1979 junior championship title, Steve Tiltford won the 1978 championship title and brother Kris placed second. I held the 1975 junior title and the 1978-79 senior title. Steve Tiltford won the 1978 junior title. Steve and Kris each rode a good race and they, not me, deserve recognition.
5. I never said anything like "bike is only as good as his bike," I also as well and Kris, who have done just as well on a much easier bicycle than me, is the mechanical condition. It is the rider, not the bike, that makes a good cyclist. My bike is a standard racing quality bike for when I compete against National and Olympic competition during the bike race season.
6. The Octoginta, which is having its 10th anniversary ride, is not competitive and is in the park only. M. Oread Bicycle Club (the students and Lawrence residents) and is a weekend (Oct. 13-14) of fun riding, touring, design, building and having an enjoyable ride at their own property.
David Conrad
errors in coverage
7. No mention was made of the placings of other finishers of the men's race and the team race. I think they deserve credit for their efforts also.
Cycling is a sport and recreation that is gaining in popularity. Sometimes the errors in the way people ride can be people, but this really hurts me to see unlawful credit and lack of credit when bicycle racers fall.
In the Kansan on Monday, Sept. 10, on who you carved in your carved in the Chancellor's face, I thank you covering the event. However, please get the facts. The errors in order of their creation.
Stiff parking fines
truly are a blessing To the Editor:
John Logan's satirical column. "Parking
service fines a "missing." it is little more than a cheap shot at KU Parking Services, combined with the argument that violation of parking laws should be allowed for KU
I leap to defer. The parking rules and instructions are clear.
One reason is to keep the entire campus from becoming a gigantic parking lot, like some university campuses I've never seen.
Another reason is safety. Every year, people with beliefs much like my Mr. Logan's, park in the parking zone between Bailey and Logan to avoid forcing people off the sidewalk and into the mud, or around the automobile and through an open door. Sometimes covered with ice, which makes it even more difficult to traverse. Unfortunately, winter is also the time that the fire department has to deal.
Mr. Logan suggests that the parking tickets aren't fair, and complains about the 7.50 fee. I think the fine is perfect fair when i consider how many students have purchased parking permits, at $10 to $80, on campus. How many students of people like Mr. Logan. The fee of 7.50 is something for him to think about the time he considers parking illegally.
Todd Zwahl
Todd Zwahl Augusta senior
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Dianil Kaufman, Dianil Hall, The University of Kaman,
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