Thursday, October 26, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 5
Letters to the Editor Free For All useless facilitates pointless banter
Several months after its debut, I'm still uncertain as to the point of the Free For All feature. No person can present a cogent argument or opinion in the 20 seconds alotted to do so. This necessarily results in, at best, trite or inane statements of observation ("Don't drink orange juice after you brush your teeth,") or questions ("Why is my belly button lint always blue?")) and at worst, off-the-cuff, knee-jerk political statements, both "conservative" and "liberal," regarding issues that deserve significantly more careful thought and consideration.
Is the point of this feature to amuse the University community with the superficiality and simple-mindedness of our members or to shock us with the proof that we are so? Or is it, perhaps, simply to cater to our vanity, allowing some two dozen or so of us our 20 seconds of fame each day?
Political, social and economic dialogue is lacking on this campus and should be encouraged. However, 20-second sound bytes do not answer this need. Please consider replacing this feature with an expanded editorial section so that some of the very timely and important issues raised in Free For All get the space, time and attention they truly deserve. At the very least, consider adding the disclaimer "For amusement purposes only, not to be taken seriously."
Zack Falin Ithaca, N.Y., graduate student
Obscene sidewalk graffiti deserved to be removed
You want an apology for having your pornographic graffiti cleaned from our public sidewalks? You ought to give us an apology for having put it there in the first place.
I'll grant that our principle of freedom of expression subjects us to having to listen to a lot of foolishness. That's the price society pays for freedom of expression. But there are limits. Do what you want in the privacy of your own home. We honestly don't care. But when you come out into public, show some discretion.
If you aren't ready to assume personal responsibility for the foolishness you subject the rest of us to, perhaps you aren't yet ready to leave the protection of your parents' wings. Pay the bills for cleanings these sidewalks, then tell me about your First Amendment privileges.
Dean Mielke Lawrence graduate student
Voters should choose based on politics, not personality
After watching the presidential debates, I get the feeling that Americans are tired of the consummate politician Al Gore. They apparently prefer a Washington outsider, someone they can relate to such as George W. Bush.
This has led me to an analogous question: If you needed heart surgery, would you chose as your cardiologist an expert who has worked in our nation's best hospitals for a majority of their life? Or would you choose a charismatic, yet inexperienced, surgeon who has worked at the local clinic for a few years?
Somehow, politicians are trying to sell us personalities instead of policies. They try to "relate" to us and make us feel like they're one of "us." The bottom line is that they are not one of us, and as nice or charismatic as George W. Bush or Al Gore appear to be, they are still politicians with whom we would be lucky only to shake their hand, much less share a conversation or a cup of coffee. Enough with the personality polls. I want issues, facts and figures not a "friend," in Washington.
We hire teachers to teach our children.
lawyers to defend our rights and cardiologists to operate on our heart — charismatic or not. So why don't we want to hire a politician to make our policies? (And here's the cheese): The heart of our nation needs an experienced cardiologist, and not just any old doctor will do.
Tadd Aschenbach
Sheboygan, Wis., graduate student
Abortion drug may increase number of overall abortions
The licensing of RU-466 gives women and men even more access to terminating the lives of their unborn children. Many argue the need for greater access, but few will argue the need for more abortions.
People on both sides of the issue seem to support programs that will make abortions less common (i.e. adoptions). However, the logical consequence of free, unobstructed abortion will be more abortions. RU-486 may lower the number of surgical abortions, but it will not lower the overall number of abortions. People need to be aware of the distinction between surgical and non-surgical abortions as statistics begin to come out in the years following the RU-486 decision. People on both sides of the issue will be more disaapointed if there is a rise in the number of abortions.
If the numbers do rise, will this be cause to celebrate true freedom? Or will it be a cause for remorse over one of the greatest human rights violations still widely accepted in a country renowned for its human rights stance?
Chad Meitner
Hoisington graduate student
Fire alarm irritates residents but should be handled gracefully
Since last night's sleep was disturbed by the piercing sirens and flashing lights of the fire alarm, I was hoping to take a nice nap this afternoon. I slipped into my most comfortable boxes and a T shirt and snuggled into my bed. Dreams of Mat Damon serving me strawberry lemonade on the beach were just beginning to make their way into my subconscious when a shrieking noise knocked me off the top bunk and on the floor.
After severely beating my alarm clock, I came to the grievous conclusion that this was yet another fire alarm. My fire alarm-designated outfit was waiting for me on my computer chair. I threw on the clothes and joined the grumpy herd down eight flights of stairs.
The only thing more annoying than the sound of a fire alarm is the bitching, cursing and complaining that never fail to accompany it.
"This sucks. Why does this always have to happen to me?"
Gee, I feel sorry for you there. I know the other 900 residents of McCollum love to make you personally the victim of the alarm.
My other favorite is, "I swear, if this happens one more time..." You'll what? Move out? Oh dear, what will we do without your words of inspiration and encouragement during times of an alarm?
My point is this: Fire alarms suck but get over it. The authorities are doing the best they can.
I'm tired of listening to you complain. Everybody in McCollum has to go through the same thing you're going through so stop feeling sorry for yourself. Try to look at it as a mandatory party. Everyone's there so have a good time.
Kelly Parker
Olathe freshman
Truth about sidewalk chalk cleansing should be revealed
Unless I misunderstood it, Tuesday's article regarding the chalk messages erased from campus sidewalks appears to contain a blatant lie
According to the article by Meghan Bainum, Facilities Operations director Doug Raint claims that the only writings removed were those on the walls and steps around Wescoe Hall.
However, if you have classes in Wescoe you may notice that there are messages on the walls and steps from as far back as August. It does not appear to me as if anything was removed in that area.
from a University official.
In addition, there must have been hundreds of students on October 11 who saw a big green KU water truck driving around campus spraying every chalk message off of nearly every sidewalk.
If I am misinterpreting Riat's comments, then I apologize. Otherwise it seems as though he is not being quite honest with all of us. Some students want an apology from the University; I just want the truth.
Sean Ringey Clearwater sophomore
KU graduate asserts Gore is the best choice for rural areas
I am a farmer from northwest Kansas, and I support AI Gore for president. These are the reasons why:
Interest rates. Al Gore will not squander our $200 billion federal surplus on tax relief for the wealthy. He will pay down our national debt, and this will lower interest rates for everyone.
Ethanol. It is difficult to believe that G.W. Bush and his running mate will support ethanol because of their strong ties to big oil. Iowa's Sen, Tom Harkin said, "If Bush is elected, you can kiss ethanol goodbye," but Gore, on the other hand, is "a strong supporter of ethanol and other renewable fuels."
Environment. Farmers are our nation's greatest environmentalists. They know the importance of the environment because they depend on it for their livelihood. AI Gore will assist farmers and ranchers who voluntarily practice environmentally sound land management practices. AI Gore will expand the CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) to at least 40 million acres and will increase funding levels and acreage for EQIP (Environment Quality Incentive Program).
Freedom to farm. Al Gore believes that the 1996 Farm Bill known as "Freedom to Farm" is seriously flawed. He wants to increase countercyclical supports to family farmers while maintaining market-oriented crop planting flexibility. He also would like to increase loan support for on-the-farm storage to increase marketing options for family farmers.
Anti-Trust. Al Gore supports the creation of the Special Council for Agriculture within the Department of Justice to focus more attention on agribusiness mergers. The megacorporations that sell to farmers and buy their products have grown so powerful that the farmer's share of the food sales dollar has shrunk to the lowest level in history.
Global Trade. Al Gore wants to increase free trade by removing barriers, tariffs and unfair trade laws. He has pledged to never use food as a unilateral sanction or diplomatic weapon.
Education. Children are the future of this country. Al Gore wants to increase spending on public education, and this will be an excellent investment. Al Gore's proposals will especially help rural areas because our tax base for funding education continues to decline. G.W. Bush's plan for vouchers will hurt public education and would be absolutely worthless for rural areas because private schools are rare, and they are not cost effective.
Al Gore is the best choice for our country and rural America.
Tim Peterson
'77 KU alumnus
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