Monday, October 16, 2000 The University Daily Kansan Section A·Page 5 Letters to the Editor Chalk messages contradict Queers and Allies' purpose As director of KU Queers & Allies, I was dismayed and disappointed by the statements by a few members of our organization. Many of these chalkings were not endorsed or approved by the organization of the whole, nor do they reflect the intentions of Q&A in publicizing National Coming Out Day events. By presenting negative and offensive statements, these individuals managed to defeat the day's entire purpose: to celebrate and find joy in our individuality and in our lives. The chalkings directly contradicted Q&A's purpose: to provide support services, educate about queer issues, sponsor social activities for the queer community, encourage the reform of discriminatory laws and policies, and most of all, to provide a friendly and accepting atmosphere for all. We also want to promote the understanding of differences among individuals and groups in the queer community. While recent events amply demonstrate these differences, Q&A has resolved to accomplish its goals in a positive manner. Certainly, most of the statements chalked around campus failed to do so. I would like to emphasize that the queer community is about the understanding and celebration of differences. We encourage people of all different political beliefs, ethnities, races, religious beliefs, ages, abilities, appearances and gender identities to participate in Q&A. However, we are not a political organization and we do not advocate offending those with whom we communicate or those we wish to educate. Andy Anderson Lawrence junior Columnist's Boy Scout argument founded on bigotry, segregation As a former Scout and troop leader, I've been saddened and embarrassed by the Boy Scouts of America's decision to discriminate against gay members. Thus, upon reading "Tolerance groups foster intolerance" (Sept. 25), the usual scratch of the head I give to John McCool's logic this time broke the skin. According to McCool, those who have publicly criticized the Boy Scouts (radicals!) or encouraged corporate sponsors to withdraw funding are guilty of the same intolerance the Boy Scouts has shown in banning certain people from its ranks based on the irrelevant issue of sexual orientation — irrelevant, that is, to camping and good citizenship. So, if you're attacked and defend yourself, you're morally on par with the schoolyard bully! Logical? McCool seems to be calling for turning the other cheek, an argument I'd come closer to tolerating if it came from someone whose beliefs on this issue weren't based on the uncivil and indecent qualities of bigotry and segregation. Alan Newton Montgomery, Ala., graduate student this matter. It refreshes me to know that these individuals care about the well-being, livelihood and safety of both unexpectedly pregnant women and their developing children. Both editorsials Wednesday proved that abortion is not a safe surgical OR chemical procedure. As a female, I shudder at a society which leads women to believe that suffering the physical, psychological and emotional trauma of abortion is their only choice when facing an untimely pregnancy. Emily Vieyra Marysville senior But at least those women on tables enduring the deepest violation and degradation of their life-bearing capacities and their own offspring are suffering in controlled medical settings with doctors present. I wonder, will women who take RU-486 experience the drug's severe short- and long-term complications easily, safely and/or privately? I think not. Letter oversimplifies issue of helping the 'little guy' This is in response to Brandon Bell's Wednesday letter to the editor "Conservatives falsely claim to stand up for 'little guy.'" Mr. Bell makes a very simple argument: The issue of helping the little guy is handled by the liberals. Simply utilize the government to give the little guy more money/health care/college tuition and the problem is solved. Simple, right? Anyone with "a modicum of political insight" can plainly see that conservatives who vote against these programs serve only big corporate interests. It follows from this argument that every single conservative Republican in America is either brain dead or interested only in the wealth of corporations. Certainly, they can have no concept of morality. Seeing the problem in such simple terms shows that Mr. Bell isn't interested in both sides of such complex debates. To take just one example: Look more closely at the minimum wage issue. A higher minimum wage is not free money. It creates a surplus of labor (unemployment), because it fixes the price of labor above the market price. If the government were to declare a high minimum price for apples, there would be a very high supply (lots of people willing to grow and sell apples) and a very low demand (few people willing to buy apples at the higher price.) Why is labor any different? Additionally, a minimum wage necessarily increases the price of commodities. If an apple picker is paid 15 percent more, there must be a resulting rise in the price of apples because of rising labor costs. What good are higher wages if everything costs more? For those who disagree, take your beliefs to their logical extreme: $50 per hour minimum wage. Then we'd all be rich, right? Every issue has complications such as these. By not acknowledging them, Mr. Bell assures us that his "lens of reality" sees only in black and white. Ben Mohr Colorado Springs, Colo., senior I want to applaud the women and men of the University of Kansas Students for Life organization for their defense of women and children in Wednesday's Kansan. Abortion pill fails to solve emotional, physical trauma Exchanging ideas is the hallmark of college life First I wanted to say how good I think the Kansan does. Lately I've heard complaint after complaint about how liberal the newspaper is. Being very conservative myself I have accepted that KU is a very liberal campus. It is impossible to deny that. So, I just want to say that going to college is about learning from other people and sharing new ideas. It isn't about saying who is right and who is wrong. Acceptance, acceptance, acceptance is what it is all about. Instead of bickering about how liberal or conservative things are, learn from each other instead of complaining week after week. It gets old, and it doesn't get anything done. Disgustingly enough, before this factual editorial on RU-486, I'd not read in this newspaper of any person, female or male, voicing concern for women's physical and emotional health in Kevin Oakleaf Overland Park sophomore Palestinians deserve a defense after coverage University sends wrong message by cleaning up sidewalk chalk After all the sidewalk chalk messages that have been written already this semester, the chancellor and this University decided to send the water truck out to wash off the messages about Gay Pride and National Coming out Day. What a great message that sends: It's National Coming Out Day. Guess what? The University of Kansas doesn't want you to. Katie Griffiths Lawrence senior I am responding to the deplorable coverage that the Kansan has given to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. Not only has there been a blatant disregard of the issue, when the conflict is brought up it is considerably biased for the Israelis. Although I believe that there is fault on both sides, I think the Palestinians deserve a defense. My husband and I have a satellite that broadcasts several Arab stations. The coverage of this conflict has been extensive. Although I don't understand the language I understand the visual images. I understand the young man with blood dripping from his face onto the pavement as he tries to stand and fails. I understand the vision of 12-year-old Muhammad huddling in his father's arms before he is fatally shot. I understand the other film of other children with bullet holes in their legs and chest and feet. As an American, I understand the Palestinian protest marches, so similar to those that have always taken place in this country but have rarely been confronted with live ammunition fired into a crowd of men, women and children. This is what I see taking place in Palestine. These people are marching on their land. They are not invading Israel. They are not attacking Israeli civilians. The rocks being thrown at Israeli soldiers are in response to the occupation that Israel has set up in Palestine. These rocks are being answered with bullets and armed helicopters paid for by the American government. According to a Nightline report, America gives $4.1 billion in aid to Israel while Palestine receives $75 million. Meanwhile, Clinton tries to convince Palestine that America respects both nation's rights equally. This doesn't make sense and the Palestinians aren't stupid. I understand that both Israel and Palestine have legitimate concerns regarding their places in the Holy Land. I wonder, though, how much more blood can saturate the soil of the Holy Land before it ceases to be holy. Amanda Tbaba Rose Hill senior 646 MASS. 749-1972 www.libertyhall.net CELEBRATE WITH US! 2 FOR 1 VIDEO RENTALS* OCT.15 - 21 *equal or lesser value membership required The KU School of Business and Rudd Foundation announce an opportunity for student entrepreneurs. The foundation has set aside $1,000,000 for outstanding student business plans that benefit the Kansas economy. For more information, visit the Rudd Foundation web site, www.ruddfoundation.org, then contact Sanjay Mishra at the KU School of Business, 864-7528 or smishra@ukans.edu. Deadline for expressing interest is October 29. The University of Kansas School of Business and,oh yes . . . funding. Now all you need are business plans . . . You've got the ideas. Clinton Parkway & Kasold ◊ 832-9600 ◊ Great food, Daily drink specials! Sports Page Brewery Budding entrepreneurs: Looking for seed money? BUY IT ROOM SPORTS We Buy, Sell &Trade USED 841-PLAY 1029 Massachusetts & NEW Sports Equipment Enrollment for Spring starts October 20th. Make an appointment to see your advisor. Make her ineligible for anyone else's team Propose already! Rumor has it another scout is getting ready to make her an offer! 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