Monday, October 2, 2000 The University Daily Kansan Section A · Page 5 Letters to the editor Letters to the editor Abortion comments distract from sexual assault issues As a member of the KU Choice coalition, I feel urged to write this letter in response to the caller from "Free for All," who so blatantly criticized this organization for participating in the protest against Terry Allen. The coalition does not "promote the slaughter of millions of unborn, helpless babies," as the caller unintelligently pointed out. What we do support is a woman's right, and when these rights are being taken away, then it is our duty to make people aware of this. Terry Allen is a good coach, and he is a good man, but his actions last spring were unjust and should offend every woman on campus. How can running extra laps make up for the fact that a woman was sexually assaulted? Shouldn't these football players get a punishment that fits the crime instead of being let off the hook so easily? The young woman who was assaulted had her rights infringed upon, and nobody is doing anything about it. I find it funny that my father wanted me to go to school at the University of Kansas because of its lack of assaults and violence. Yet when it does happen, people pretend that it doesn't. Jayme A. Aschemeyer Denver freshman I am very disturbed by Jay Buzhardt's recent letter concerning Robert Nunley, professor of geography. Not only is Jay ignorant of Nunley's actual policies, but he also clearly has no understanding of the values of education. First of all, how does one make education objective? Tests and quizzes are the obvious answer, but who chooses the test questions? Who designs the grading scale? Perhaps the professor? Literature, history and political science tell us that neutrality is impossible. Educators are subjective. Students must learn not only what is taught but also what is not taught to truly understand a subject. Professor's methods may seem strange, but they are effective Secondly, as many disgruntled scholars spout, the purpose of a university is to educate, not to evaluate with grades. Did Buzhardt ask any of the many who have taken a class from Nunley? The class is about learning. Everyone does his or her best job to teach and grow, as well. Few of Nunley's students can claim that they did not receive a grade they deserved. And I doubt anyone has ever failed a course taught by Nunley. Poor Jay Buzhardt. What would he do if his doctor had earned his or her undergraduate degree from St. John's University? St. John's doesn't teach any "real" subjects but only has students read classical texts and discuss them. Are reading and discussion really what we want in education? most learned and learning-focused of professors. I can say, quite objectively, that Numley's view of education is infinitely superior to that of Jay Buzhardt. I, and any student of Nunley, would gladly board an airplane or "get under the knife" of any pilot or surgeon who had taken a class from this Joe Plese Overland Park sophomore Sen. Sam Brownback claims that media violence is the root problem to be solved. Guns, not media, are responsible for violence in American society What makes the American culture of violence unique is not movies, nor music, nor video games. These facets of Americana are, in fact, exported to the four corners of the earth and are increasingly part of the popular culture abroad. Yet this does not seem to pose the same "public health risk" as it does here in the United States. Why? Because the real threat to public health comes not from the media, but from the millions of guns in America that Brownback and his fellow Republicans have refused to regulate. If Sen. Brownback really wants to "appeal to the better angels of our nature," he should work towards ridding the United States of handguns, not movies and music. Erin Simpson Lenexa senior Not all Asian students offended by iokes in Mr. Wong cartoon I am a full-blooded Chinese citizen who was born in America. I am personally not offended by the Mr. Wong ministeries. I personally feel that the University Daily Kansan needs to collect the opinions of many, not just one person. If a person can't take a simple joke, then hey, I don't know what to say. I would have to say that the article was blased and to a certain extent stereotypical because the article claims that all Asians are "offended," but I am not. The article did not analyze both sides of the story and is poor journalism. I even have a Mr. Wong poster on my door. By the way, my last name is Wong. Patrick Wong Lawrence freshman Cartoon contains stereotypes personally offensive to Asians The article in the in the Kansan's Sept. 27 issue dealt with a Web-based cartoon strip located on icebeb.com that exploits stereotypes of Asian Americans. This personally offends me because I am a full-blood Vietnamese. I have spent my entire life here in America, and I can tell you that not all Asians are "yellow with a humched countenance." During my lifetime, I have been fully aware of the reactions that some people hold towards people of different ethnicities and race whether it be Latino, African American or Asians I'm sure other people can relate to when they were teased in elementary school for their appearance; the only difference was that children knew it was wrong to slender an African American and yet failed to recognize the same treatment toward Asian Americans. The time it takes to end racism and ignorance has been long but it has also progressed since I was a child. I am supposed to say, "I can understand your point of view," but when it comes to the topic of race, I can't. It's not right to associate certain races or ethnicities solely based on appearances or by what they eat. And to add on to the matter of eating dogs, cats or whatever other four-legged animals, I'll end it right here: Some of us Asians are vegetarians. Natalie Nguyen Lenexa freshman Sometimes "intolerance" is necessary to boost tolerance I am writing in response to John McCool's Sept. 25 column entitled "Tolerance groups foster intolerance." McCool, in a circular and specious argument, reasons that groups which speak out against intolerance are themselves intolerant. In particular, he decries groups which protested the Boy Scouts of America's decision to bar homosexuals from membership. After all, if these groups are so tolerant, they would have allowed the Boy Scouts of America to quietly hold their own opinions, right? Wrong. If we lived in a world where all actions were considered to be of equal worth, his argument might hold some value. But fortunately, the majority of American citizens recognize that actions that harm the physical, emotional or spiritual well-being of another person or group are not to be encouraged. In other words, there are situations where "intolerance" is not only acceptable: it's an imperative. Americans hold a variety of religious and personal viewpoints, and we have the legal right to express our opinions, even offensive opinions. That's why hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan are allowed to rally in public places. However, that does not mean that we should not speak out against actions that we feel are harmful. Although I acknowledge the right of the Boy Scouts of America to limit their membership, I find its decision to ban homosexuals from membership to be insulting and mean-spirited. McCool would like to pretend that the Boy Scouts' decision is not intolerant but merely an expression of principles. And he laments that gay-rights groups "simply won't tolerate any person or group who believes homosexuality is wrong." Ah, there's the rub! Notice that gay rights groups are asking for respect and equality and are not accusing nongays of being "wrong" or morally bankrupt, as McCool accuses of gays. The first request is an expression of compassion, while McCool's position is definitely, in my opinion, harmful to the spirit. Kristin Brumm 1996 graduate at ECM Center with doubleday campels, center and sea 9-11 am workdays study areas or conversation Council Travel Voted #1 by Students 749-3900 622 W. 12th St. | Sat - Sun | Daily | | :--- | :--- | | 1 Bring It On H | (1:50) 4:20, 7:15, 9:45 | | 2 Duets I | (1:15) 4:10, 7:00, 9:35 | | 3 Bait II | (1:35) 4:25, 7:15, 10:55 | | 4 The Watcher III | (1:30) 4:30, 7:15, 10:10 | | 5 Almost Famous IV | (1:00) 4:30, 7:00, 9:40 | | 6 Remember the Titans V | (1:35) 4:10, 7:00, 9:45 | | 7 Urban Legends-Final Cut VI | (1:55) 5:00, 7:35, 9:55 | | 8 Almost Famous VII | (1:40) 4:40, 7:30, 10:10 | | 9 Nurse Betty VIII | (1:25) 4:35, 7:20, 9:50 | | 10 Woman On Top IX | (1:20) 4:50, 7:45, 9:50 | | 11 What Lies Beneath X | (1:10) 4:10, 7:10, 10:00 | | 12 The Cell Y | (1:20) 4:40, 7:20, 10:00 | | | Sat & Sun | Daily | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1 Scary Movie x¹ | (1:55) | 4:45>7:15>9:45 | | 2 The Art Of War² | (1:55) | 4:35>7:05>9:35 | | 3 Nutty Professor 2ⁿ⁸ | (1:45) | 4:30>7:05>9:30 | | 4 Saving Grace⁴ | (1:55) | 4:45>7:10>9:40 | | 5 The Original King of Coney³ | (1:55) | 4:40>7:05>9:35 | | 6 Space Cowboys⁶⁷⁷ | (1:50) | 4:40>8:00> ★ NO PASSES OR SHURE WAVERS ★ SWIMMER IS RECOMMENDED RETIREMENT INSURANCE MUTUAL FUNDS TRUST SERVICES TUITION FINANCING TIAA-CREF provides financial solutions to last a lifetime. 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