4a Opinion Monday, October 30, 2000 For comments, contact Ben Voosen Embry or Emily Hughey at 864-4924 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com Perspective Queers have same rights as Phelps how wonderful it will be when queens are free to express their sexuality, and it is Fred Phleps' hate signs that it intends drive down ornate and instead draw widespread outrage and columns of protest in the Kansan. When Fred Phelps arrives on campus with signs of hate, as he has on many occasions, a majority of the students are offended and disgusted, yet he is allowed to stay and express his opinions. They are allowed to stand, attacking and persecuting queer students and disturbing many others, because under our Constitution they are protected with the right to free speech. Fred Phelps and his followers display signs with messages such as "God laughs when fags die" and "AIDS = God's solution to fags." As a queer woman, signs and messages such as these are not only offensive but also frightening, alienating and disturbing. Yet time and time again we see these groups on campus, never once censoring their signs or asking them to go. To do so would be in violation of their First Amendment rights — the same rights queers are entitled to. Fred Phelps' message is extremely offensive and disturbing to me. Seeing such hate is saddening to me, yet I would never ask his right to express his opinions be taken away. Lea Carland guest columnist opinion@kansan.com Unfortunately, the consti- utitional respect Fred Phelps is given when he expresses his message was taken away from a group of students on "Coming Out Day." Since then, "queers and their obscities" have been hot topics around campus. Every day there has been something in the Kansan by a student who encourages the University that is taking away our rights and who condemns us for expressing them. Yet Fred Phelps freely and openly expresses hate towards queers, and the students, acknowledging Phelps' right to do so, say nothing. The queer community and lifestyle are routinely either shunned or ignored by the "mainstream" heterosexual population. Every day I must accept heterosexual lifestyle as the norm, and I sit silent, respectful of everyone's sexuality, because queer sexuality is not only ignored but also thought of as "vulgar." For one day, on a "queer holiday" of sorts, I wanted to have queer sexuality in the open and celebrated. The point was never to offend but to spread the word that being queer isn't always fear and alienation but also fun. For one day we wanted students to confront sexuality other than their own, as we queers do everyday. But our messages were erased under the assumption that our messages about queer sexuality were "explicitly offensive," and queers were once again alienated and silenced. It is interesting what our society and our campus commonly accept as "offensive." It seems to be blindly accepted that the word "pussy" (especially when written before the word "power"), is offensive. It is not only labeled as offensive, but also offensive enough to take away our First Amendment right to free speech. Even more intriguing is that the word "pussy" was deemed more offensive than a sign that says, "All fags will burn in hell." When we begin to limit free speech, where do we draw the line as to what we can censor? Where will it stop once we start selectively taking away basic rights based on personal views? I fear of regressing to a place of further systematic inequality; it is time to learn from the past and realize free speech is for all, even if you don't have the message someone wants to send. To truly have "liberty for all," we must all have equal rights and be free from selective censorship. What started out as members of a group happily and freely expressing their lifestyles, sexualities and beliefs has turned into a silencing of opinions different from the majority. This, to me, is the truly disturbing and offensive message that has been sent throughout our campus. Once again, queers here and everywhere have gotten the message that we are sick, our sexuality is offensive, and our voice should not be heard. However, we will no longer accept this as truth. As we wrote on the sidewalk, "We are everywhere" and "We will not be silent," with or without sidewalk chalk. Cartland is a Lawrence junior in women's studies. Steve Sack / TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES Kansan.com poll Last week's question Were homecoming organizers justified in banning the Stephenson Hall Float of Doom from Friday's parade? No, the University should not censor students' voices. No, even though the float was inappropriate for the occasion, the organizers don't have the right to remove it from the parade. Yes, homecoming is no time for such obscene floats. I don't care what goes into the homecmoing parade. 12 percent - I don't care what goes into the parade. Next week's question: 9 percent - Even though the float was inappropriate, organizers don't have the right to remove it. Next week's question: Whom do you plan to vote for in the presidential race? Log on to www.kansan.com to cast your vote. note This poll is not scientific. Numbers may not add up to 100 because of rounding, 222 people voted. Perspective Vote 'none of the above' in race for the presidency I turned 18 years old in 1981 and was able to vote in a presidential election for the first time in 1984. I was very proud to have earned that right and have faithfully fulfilled my patriotic duty every four years in the presidential election Granted, neither has the charm or magnetism of the current president, but considering his faux pas, that might be a good thing. I doubt either of them will have White House interns showing him their thongs. both of these men and see the same thing: rich boys with influential parents, each of whom is so far removed from the majority of the citizenry that I cannot really see what difference it would make, no matter which one gets elected. Each time, although I may not have liked everything about a specific candidate, I was able to find enough to like about at least one of the candidates to vote for him. This time, frankly, I am stumped. I have been a good citizen and watched all three presidential debates between Democrat Al Gore and Republican George W. Bush, but I find myself in a quandary. I look at Then there are the other two candidates. Green Party nominee Ralph Nader Karen Boyd columnist opinion@kansan.com and Reform Party candidate Pat Buchanan. Well, need I say more? At least Nader has a reputation for actually caring about individual citizens and has spent his career working to ensure that they are treated fairly and has fought for them. But does that make him presidential? So where does that leave us? For the first time since I've reached voting age, I really see no purpose in voting because there isn't one of the four candidates that I could, with good conscience, vote for. And let's be totally honest here: Who in their right mind would vote for Buchanani? Once again, he may have quite a following, and as a Christian, I respect him for his work in that community, but does that make him qualified to be president? I don't think so. The only idea I have is one I got from an old movie I saw recently: *Brewster's Millions* with Richard Pryor. In it, he runs for office, hoping to lose using the slogan, "Vote None of the Above." Not such a bad idea considering what we have to work with this time around. Think about it. If all people wrote on their ballots, "none of the above," maybe a second crop of politicians would come out of the woodwork and at least give us something to work with. Am I going to vote? Probably, because I feel strongly about supporting this system of ours. How am I going to vote? I haven't a clue. Bovd Kansas City, Kan., senior in sociology Editorial Replacement needed for Menninger Menninger's move hurts local treatment options The Menninger Foundation's move from Topeka to Houston will leave a vacuum in psychiatric treatment in northeast Kansas. When the foundation relocates in 2002, it will take with it the only comprehensive center for inpatient treatment in Kansas. A new center must fill this vacuum. Although outpatient services are stronger than ever, following a national trend that emphasizes keeping people in the community while they seek treatment, some people need constant care. Meningen is the only area center that offers inpatient care for eating disorders, trauma, drug addiction, anxiety, multiple personality disorder and schizophrenia to Kansans. Across the nation, state mental health hospitals are closing. Topeka has already lost its state hospital. People on disability are not receiving the treatment they need in Kansas. Although emergency treatment is available throughout the state, it helps only people who have been suicidal within the last 24 hours, leaving them without long-term help. Unfortunately, Menninger chose to relocate to Houston instead of joining the KU Medical Center campus because of a $2.9 million loss in 1999. KU Medical Center should have jumped at the chance and offered a better deal. Gov. Bill Graves supported an incentive package worth about $100 million, put together by the KU Endowment Association, The Hall Family Foundation of Kansas City, Mo., and the state Department of Commerce and Housing. A representative of Menninger said the foundation might have received only $25 million of that money for construction of the new campus, a figure the foundation thought insufficient. The best alternative for Kansas is already gone. Now Graves should create a financial package to establish new psychiatric inpatient services in Kansas. The 242-acre Menninger campus will soon be empty, and Topeka could use it as the site for a new clinic, staffed by Menniger employees who don't make the move to Houston. Kansans wouldn't accept a lack of medical hospitals and shouldn't accept a state without adequate psychiatric services either. Erin Adamson for the editorial board Free for all callers 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. Slanderous statements will not be printed. To read more, go to www.kansan.com. I'm intellectually offended by the Free for All. - People. flush the toilets! - - - We aren't allowed to have pets in the residence halls, but half the guys who live there are animals. Finally, the KU band is in the student section. --- Is it wrong to date a drug dealer? 图 Places on campus should serve coffee so that I can stay awake when I study. Has Lawrence ever considered a recycling plan? - Why is abbreviation such a long word? Thanks to the guys handing out the Bibles, I will never need to buy Zig Zags again. - Safe Ride needs to improve. 图 Why do all the guys on campus wear the same cologne? - Napster should be banned because music in general should be banned. 图 Playstation 2? What? When was there a Playstation 1? - - Someone stole my pants while I was doing laundry. A booth on Wescoe Beach should give out bikini waxes. --- - I found three used condoms in Snow Hall today. --- The paper should have a doodling section. I support Womyn Take Back the Night. - Suicide is a true philosophical problem. Don't you think truth.com needs to focus on other issues? How to submit letters and guest columns Letters: Should be double-spaced typed and fewer than 200 words. Letters must include the author's signature, name, address and telephone number plus class and hometown if a University student. Faculty or staff must identify their positions. Guest columns: Should be double-spaced typed with fewer than 700 words. The writer must be willing to be photographed for the column to run. All letters and guest columns should be e-mailed to opinion@kansan.com or submitted to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Stauffer Flint Hall. The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length or reject all submissions. For any questions, call Ben Embry or Emily Hughey at 864-4924. If you have general questions or comments, e-mail the page staff (opinion@kansan.com) or call 864-4924. 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