Wednesday, October 11, 2000 The University Daily Kansan Section A · Page 5 5 Opinion Letters to the editor Standards for nation's leaders should be higher It is a sad state of affairs when presidential candidate George W. Bush only has to not "screw up" in order to have a "successful" debate. Could you imagine if all you had to do to have a successful day is not screw up? Have our standards for a national leader come down to this? Conversely, Vice President Al Gore only had to restrain himself from mudsling in order to have a successful debate. I suspect Al Gore had to bite his tongue several times during the debate. But can you blame him? Governor Bush's political career has largely been a spoonfed failure. After obtaining an education from Yale and Harvard (did his father have anything to do with this?) Bush made an unsuccessful bid for Congress in 1978. His first political experience came 10 years later as an aide to President Bush. This was followed by his present position, since only 1994, as governor of Texas (his father had everything to do with this). Under Governor Bush, Texas leads the nation in pollution and hazardous waste, touts an education system that is mediocre at best, largely ignores public health, has some of the highest rates of poverty yet spends the least amount on social welfare, and either incarcerates people or executes them. Hey, but you can carry a gun. Is this what we can expect from Governor Bush if he becomes our next president? I don't think this is the vision that most Americans have for the United States. Governor Bush has had his entire, albeit limited, political career handed to him, yet failed to make positive changes. I suggest we elect someone who has the experience to lead our nation down the right path. And what can we expect from someone with such limited political experience? As a governor, how much of a relationship does George W. have with members of Congress, much less world leaders and diplomats? Al Gore was dealing with U.S. and international policy makers even before Bush was hunting for oil or playing with his major league baseball team. Todd A. Aschenbach Sheboygan, Wisconsin I'm glad to see that Ramona DeNies thinks that children should be controlled and harvested like some sort of crop. "Controlled propagation of the species?" What are we, farm animals? Should we start hunting people like we do deer to keep our population in check? No, of course not. But for some reason, we can justify killing a tiny human with a pill. Abortion does not kill an embryo; it kills a baby. From the moment of conception, a human life is present, and it scares me to think that the life of a child has become so meaningless that we can end it with such ease. Population argument neglects rights of unborn So many people are against the government interfering in the life of a child, but if the courts were to decide that Dr. Kevorkian was right all along, what kind of an uproar would that cause? Society takes life for granted, whether it is the life of an unborn child or the life of a terminal-ill senior. DNies' column perpetuates the societal belief that the rights of the living take precedence over the rights of the unborn and those who can't speak for themselves. for comments, call 864-4854 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com So, Ms. DeNies, if you think that the landscape of Earth is more important than the life of a child, more power to you. But there are some of us out there who disagree — for the sake of the unborn children, who are screaming to be heard. Jayhawker Towers should provide residents with heat Collette Pomeroy Topeka freshman I would just like to inform you about a current inhumane practice to which students at the University of Kansas are being subjected. I live in Jayhawker Tower A, and along with my roommates and the rest of the building. I'm freezing. These brick walls act as a refrigerator holding the cold inside. My sweat pants, sweat shirt, socks, a quilt and a comforter were not enough to keep me from shivering all night long. How is a person supposed to sleep in these conditions? I'm sure the people making the decision to not turn the heat on go home to toasty warm houses, but we are stuck here to suffer. My roommate ate her breakfast this morning in front of our oven that we have had to open and turn up to 500 degrees just to help us shew the ice that has formed on our eyelashes. Apparently, the rationale for not giving us heat is that the weather may yet turn warm and we might want to use the air-conditioning. This is not going to happen! Even if the weather does warm up for a few days, it will still be cold in here. No one will want air-conditioning for the rest of the year. This kind of abuse would not be happening in any other kind of apartment living in Lawrence. Why does the University think that this behavior is acceptable? Does the University do just whatever it thinks it can get away with? I would like to know the temperature right now in the Chancellor's home, or is he waiting for his heat to be turned on too? Christina Pruitt Lawrence graduate Student Conservatives falsely claim to stand up for 'little guy' In his letter "Colummit reveals ideological ignorance," John McCool attempts to point out the differences between liberalism and conservatism. He charges that in actuality, the conservatives "protect the little guy," meaning that the Republicans are supposedly standing guard against the interests of the common citizen against the bleeding-heart liberals and all their government interference. This argument, of course, falls flat on its face when looked at through the lens of reality. Conservatives regularly vote against such measures as minimum wage increases, which are designed to give aid to "the little guy." Why? Because of corporate interests. Conservatives also have a pattern of voting against strong anti-HMO measures, and only under the mounting pressure of this election-fever did the conservative Congress adopt anything resembling HMO reform. Why? Because of corporate interests. The conservatives can't have it both ways, and it's clear to anyone with a modicum of political insight which ideology speaks for the little guy, and which one speaks for the big money. McCool goes on to cite violations of the Second and 10th Amendments. Let it be clear: handguns and assault rifles exist for no other reason than the taking of human life. The Second Amendment is an antiquated statute that was drafted to protect citizens from the abuses of government through the use of possible insurrection. While a critical right at the time, the idea of an armed uprising in America now is laughable. And there are enough violations of the 10th Amendment on both sides of the fence to render this issue moot as a differentiating topic between the two ideologies. All this aside, the most iniating statement by McCool is his reference to liberal "asiine social programs." Is Social Security an asinine social program? What about financial aid for college tuition? Heating the homes of those who can't afford it? How about food for parents who cannot feed their children? Is it Generalizations, of course, are just that. These sorts of characteristics do not fit to all conservatives, nor does the title "bleedingheart" do justice to all liberals. However, I take issue with the statement that conservatives stand up for the "little guy." They are the voices of the privileged; those who can afford to criticize social programs that yield benefits that they have never tasted. They represent a small minority of Americans who through providence, privilege or pedigree have managed to secure a future for themselves. And they are, most assuredly, not the patrons of the "little guy." asinine, sir, to make medical care a right and not a privilege? Perhaps you would prefer we let the sick die in the street. Branden Bell Tulsa, Okla., sophomore Vagina Monologues' answers bring about more questions Says here in a college newspaper some woman wrote a whole play about vaginas, The Vagina Monologues. Spent three years traveling the whole world asking women about their vaginas. Must have been some sort of medical experiment, or maybe one of those ideologically crazed feminists we read about. Says here the play posed questions, like what would a vagina say if it could talk. Well, it can't talk. That's why it's called "monologues." Not that a lot of people try that. The play also explored "where the vagina is." Well folks, where I come from we have no problem on that. Fact is, half the people in town have one, everyone knows where it is and seems the other half of town is always trying to get their hands on it. And nobody is confused as to what it is for. Our president thinks its for storing cigars, but folks in my town say it's for making babies. "Look at it cross-eyed," they say and "yup, a small replica of yourself will emerge into your area of responsibility." And you know what that means — slavery. Nor do the vaginas in my town seem to need much "empowerment." Seems to me they're the most powerful things in town. That's why they keep them hidden — so no one can steal them. The play also explored "why it is so seldom talked about." Now that is serious. I'm simply stunned at how women clam up when I ask, "How is your vagina today?" "Our sexuality is very important and something we should acknowledge," says the play's coordinator. Oh boy! No problem there in my town. But that was all back in the days when vaginas were reasonable. Nowadays, just to look at one you have it all in writing and notarized. There are some things about vaginas the play left out. Probably not "vaginally correct." president, Sons and Daughters of Vietnam Veterans Critical Mass crossed the line As I picked up the the Kansan , I read in shame about the actions of the Critical Mass bike ride. I can understand how a group of cyclists could become frustrated with the City Commission about a lack of bike lanes in Lawrence. I'm an avid cyclist myself. In fact, I raced in the Junior National Olympic Team Qualifying race in 1996. What I can't understand is how some of the cyclists could commit the actions in the article. The actions of those cyclists who violated the law by crossing the center line of traffic and riding more than two abreast holding up traffic are defeating the basic premise of the ride to begin with: safe cycling awareness. Barry Whitley lawrence - Tuition Reimbursement . Paid Vacation FedEx Ground offers: DESPERATE FOR SOME CASH??? Starting Pay $10-$11/hour NOW HIRING PACKAGE HANDLERS! - Medical & Dental insurance - Advancement opportunities TO APPLY CALL 785-843-3200 Or Stop By 7291/2 Massachusetts Lawrence, KS 66044 Office Hours TUESDAY, THURSDAY, & FRIDAY 1:00PM - 6:00PM Highlights of our April Beijing Trip will be presented. And the best part is the price - $1,189 per person based on double occupancy. Price includes airfare from Wichita or Kansas City. Taxes, fees and options additional. Hurry! Space is very limited. Monday, October 23, 2000 VISIT CHINA Walk the Great Wall See the Forbidden City All Shows Only $2 + Purchase Ticket outside the show grounds. 5, Kaiyuan Road Come visit with our General Tour China expert and see just how easy and affordable China can be. Hollywood Theaters BARGAIN MATINEES INDICATED BY () STADIUM SEATING * ALL DIGITAL SOUTHWIND 12 3433 IOWA. 832 A22 Set - Sun Daily 1 Bring It On™ (1:50) 4:20, 7:19, 9:45 2 Urban Legends Final Cut™ (1:55) 5:00, 7:35, 9:55 3 The Watcher™ (1:50) 4:30, 7:15, 10:55 4 Meet The Parents™ (1:45) 4:50, 7:30, 10:00 5 Almost Famous™ (1:45) 4:00, 7:00, 9:40 6 Remember the Titans™ (1:05) 4:15, 7:05, 9:45 7 Meet The Parents™ (1:15) 4:35, 7:00, 9:30 8 Get Carter™ (1:35) 4:45, 7:25, 9:50 9 Digimon: The Movie™ (2:00) 4:25, 7:10, 9:20 10 What Lives Beneath™ (1:10) 4:10, 7:10, 10:00 11 Nurse Betty™ (1:25) 4:35, 7:20, 9:55 12 Almost Famous™ (1:40) 4:40, 7:00, 10:10 PLAZA 6 2339 DOWA Sat & Sun Daily 1 The Original Kings of Comedy* (1:55) 4:40) 7:00, 9:35 2 Woman On Top** (2:00) 4:40) 7:10, 9:40 3 Bait * (1:45) 4:30) 7:00, 9:30 4 Duets * (1:45) 4:30) 7:05, 9:30 5 The Cell ** (1:55) 4:30) 7:10, 9:40 6 Space Cowboys**NST (1:50) 4:40) 8:00 — NON-INFLATION REPAIRS AND REPAIRS WIRES NON-INFLATION REPAIRS AND REPAIRS WIRES ---