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Opinion
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Tuesday, November 21, 2000
For comments, contact Ben Embry or Emily Hughey at 864-4924 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com
Perspective Activist urges cooperation in Tibetan plight
have been involved in Students for a Free Tibet at the University of Kansas for two years. We get together weekly to
hear what is going on, to discuss what is to be done and, occasionally, to put up fliers on the walls to attract more members.
Although our work is not difficult, I had a special difficulty because I lived in Jayhawker Towers. Jayhawker Towers is a fascinatingly international place, and you can make as many friends as you want from diverse a number of countries as you can imagine. My problem was, however, that there are Chinese residents who might be unhappy with the Students for a Free Tibet flier saying, "In 1959 the Chinese government invaded the peaceful Buddhist nation of Tibet. As a result of the illegal occupation of Tibet, over 1.2 million Tibetans have died, thousands have been falsely imprisoned ... "So I thought it might be better to be sterile.
The fliers put up at the towers were removed in a few days, which made me uncomfortable because it might be a sign that my job, against my intention, made them uncomfortable. It is a weird situation, but I did what I think is correct.
Jong-Kwon Yi
guest columnist
otation@kwanan.com
Finally, my secret
Finally, my secret activism became noticed when a Chinese classmate of mine happened to see a bunch of fliers on my table. She was hurt "What are these?" she said. "Do you want to separate my country?" Totally embarrassed, I could not find words to respond for a while. Finally, we sat together, and I tried to make her understand our activity. She told me the reality of what it is like to be a person from the country in question.
I said our aim was not to separate China but to improve the human rights situation in Tibet, and we never criticized China in our meetings. Even the Dalai Lama says he does not want to be independent but to be autonomous.
For me, it was fruitful to talk with her because I could get out of the possible pitfall of prejudice. She said that the Chinese government had a more generous policy toward the minorities than outsiders might imagine, and that she was sad because her country was stigmatized as aggressive by Western propaganda.
I concluded that it is China that will eventually be responsible for Tibetan issues, however vocal we foreigners may be about it. None of us has anything against China and none of us thinks China will be impaired by our tiny activism in light of its brilliant culture and history. Rather, what we try to do is to help China come up with solutions with which everyone concerned will be happy. On this path, I realized, it is essential for Students for a Free Tibet to have Chinese friends to help correct our prejudices and misunderstanding and to make our understanding balanced so that we can act righteously. With this in mind, I cordially invite Chinese friends to Students for a Free Tibet meetings to talk about our common problems.
Upon hearing her talk, I suspected I had been blinded by one-sided information. Frankly, it was painful to hear her asking, "Have you ever been to Tibet? How do you know that 1.2 million Tibetans died?" True, all my knowledge about the issue came from Western sources rather than Chinese sources, which might have made me unknowingly partial. I suggested she come to a group meeting and share her ideas with us. To my disappointment, my suggestion was rejected right away.
VI is a third-year graduate student in American Studies from School, South Korea.
Last semester, Students for a Free Tibet had two events. On March 14, we invited a Tibetan monk who had been imprisoned for 30 years in Tibet, and he gave a public talk to 100 people. On April 17, we served free Tibet food to the public at Ecumenical Christian Ministries. In retrospect, however, I do not remember if there were any Chinese at these events. And I thought to myself. What are we doing? The Tibetan problem is also a Chinese problem, and are we working on the Tibetan problem without Chinese participation?
By the Numbers
Dana Summer's TRAINEE MEDIA SERVICES
1621
Year in which the first Thanksgiving was celebrated
535 mil
Hyperloop is a proposed
ponies of turkey American
conference on Thaichatriving
45 mil Average number of turkeys cooked and onion during Thanksgiving
365,000
Minimum received per
year from his subjects
86 lbs.
Large ducked weight
(cooked, with dressing)
recorded for a turkey by the
California Book of World
Records
2.74 bil
Pounds of family present
in the U.S. last year
Source: wwwwoolbridgethehigs.com/taufkayyivia
Source: wwwwoolbridgethehigs.com/taufkayyivia
Letters to the editor
Kansam editorial reveals inaccuracies and bias
On the editorial page in Thursday's edition of the Kansan, the Pass/Fail segment of the page gave a failing rating to Katherine Harris, Florida's secretary of state, for not allowing manual recounts submitted after the statutory deadline of 5 p.m. last Tuesday.
The Kansan questions the integrity of Ms. Harris, asking if a Republican secretary of state appointed by a Republican governor can be impartial. Perhaps the Kansan assumed that since the secretary of state of the United States is appointed by the president, that Florida's secretary of state is appointed by the governor of Florida.
A small amount of research would reveal that, in fact, the secretary of state of Florida is not appointed, but elected at-large by the people of Florida. She was not appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida.
A little more in-depth research would have revealed that in addition to the facts above, Gov. Jeb Bush actually endorsed and campaigned for Ms. Harris' opponent in the Florida Republican primary for secretary of state. To suggest, as the Kansan has, that Ms. Harris is an appointed partisan, beholden to the Republican governor, couldn't be further from the truth. The Kansan should do a better job in the future to make sure that even seemingly insignificant sections of the paper, such as the Pass/Full segment, are fair and accurate.
Curtis Sample
Lenexa senior
Machine counting ballots removes human error, bias
Friday's editorial "Recount in Florida is Necessary" misses many major points. Both parties were aware of the type of ballot used in the Florida election long before the election. Both parties had an opportunity to protest the ballot, but neither did. Only when the machine count was against Gore did he protest.
The advantage of machine-counting ballots is that it takes out the factor of human error and human bias. Although this process is not perfect, it was decided that this was the best way for Florida.
Since the hand recount has begun, the chads have fallen off, tainting the ballots. The problem with hand recounting in Palm Beach County is there is no good reason. Regardless of confusion over the ballot, recounting by hand won't remedy this problem. Al Gore wants a hand recount in Palm Beach County because in any hand recount, the totals rise, and since this county is heavily Democratic, it will benefit Gore.
John Strawell
Omaha. Neb., junior
Before this election, the standard of machine counting was established in Florida, and that is how we should decide the results. If there was something wrong with the ballots, it should have been remedied before the election.
Columnist's attack on Houston based on ignorance, prejudice
I am writing in response to Amanda Kashcule's article on the NFL selection of Super Bowl sites. I was born and raised in Houston, and, having great pride in my city and state, I was truly offended by her slanderous comments and uninformed opinions about both.
It would seem to be common knowledge in journalism that a writer needs valid arguments to support his or her opinion, or it has no merit in the eyes of readers. I found no such arguments to support her bashing a city that more than four million people have found to be pretty and "hip" enough for them.
Houston has so much to offer, such as Enron Field, the Astrodome, Bayou Place (a downtown entertainment complex), the Galleria, Hermann Park, Houston Zoological Gardens and incredible museums and theater districts. We also have a wonderful mix of people from every walk of life.
But not only was Houston disparaged, Texas was as well. I am one of many out-of-state students from Texas attending KU, and calling our home state an "abomination" reflects an extremely ungracious attitude and none of the ideals of the "United States" of America. Next time you think a state should seclude, you might want to take the time to visit it first.
Sarah Fax
Houston junior
Editorial
SUVs bring unknown dangers
Despite the popularity of SUVs, they carry risks most consumers overlook.
Before buying a sport utility vehicle, drivers should understand the risks involved. SUVs are four times more likely than cars to roll in an accident, and they account for one-quarter of the 42,000 automobile deaths each year.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other lawmakers have not passed adequate regulations to prevent these accidents. According to www.suvsafety.com, SUVs do not have to meet the same safety standards as passenger cars, because federal rules classify SUVs as light trucks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began to research the possibility of universal standards for SUVs in 1994 but stopped because it would have required redesigning nearly all SUVs, proving there are serious problems with the vehicles.
The most recent regulation to protect passengers requires manufacturers to place a graphic label in SUVs warning drivers that the vehicle has "higher rollover risk."
SUVs have a high ground clearance and low track width, making the top-heavy vehicle difficult to control and more likely to roll over with more weight in the vehicle. Joe Kimmel, consultant for USA Today, said a 4-inch increase in most vehicles' track width could decrease the likelihood of rollover for vehicles expected to roll more than 34 percent of the time.
Safety consultants have reported that roofs must be strogg enough to resist severe compression when the car rolls over, but they have not mandated a roof crush test or regulations that would force manufacturers to make changes in newer models.
Some manufacturers refuse to strengthen roofs because of increased weight and cost. However, adding rollbars would add only 50 pounds, cost approximately $250 and prevent deaths.
Regulation standards should be passed to include roof safety features and clear information of driving risks. If not, consumers should consider an alternative vehicle until manufacturers and lawmakers make changes that save lives.
Erica Hawthorne for the editorial board
Free for all cameras have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. The Kansan reserves the right to edit submissions, and not all of them will be published. Stendon statements will not be printed. To read more, go to www.kansan.com.
If prostitution is the oldest profession,why isn't it taught at the university level?
II
After enrolling, I wondered how could KU be No. 1 in technology? Who did we beat out, the Amish?
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Everyone should look up their name on the Internet and see how many other people have the same name.
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Why do Gore and Bush get to decide what happens in Florida? They are the two people who shouldn't have a say.
There's a 50 percent chance that God exists. That's a better percentage than me meeting the girl of my dreams at the Hawk on Thursday nights.
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Kansas drivers need to take a drivers ed course, and people need to wait their turn in line.
Why does your nose run and your feet smell?
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People in stone houses shouldn't throw glass.
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Why do sorority girls in Kansas talk like they're from Wisconsin?
If government and religion are supposed to be separate things, why do we vote in churches?
To all the Big 12 players who don't want to play for Roy: Get off your jealousy kick because you weren't recruited by the best basketball coach in the country.
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Thanksgiving Break is finally here. I can't wait to eat turkey. I love turkey!
If I see it on an Old Navy commercial, I know I don't want it.
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A Facts of Life marathon should be on every night.
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