4a
Opinion
Monday, August 28, 2000
For comments, contact Ben Embry or Emily Hughey at 864-4924 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com
Perspective
Candidates ignore ideals of Lincoln
America's two major-party candidates for president won't talk much about the economy. Rather than dwell on the prosperity of the past eight years, they would prefer to pontificate on the particular deficiencies of the Clinton era, namely things such as honor, purpose and values. George W. Bush's speech accepting the Republican nomination laid out his vision to renew America's purpose, warning that the current good times could act like "a drug in our system — dulling our sense of urgency, of empathy, of duty."
Al Gore promised many times to fight against powerful forces and interests and for "families who are struggling with things that money can't measure" in a "culture with too much meanness and not enough meaning."
As a nation born of a political philosophy whose tenets are captured as self-evident truths in the document declaring independence, the last thing America should endure is a sense of purposelessness. Sadly, it does.
Abraham Lincoln, our greatest president, was so precise because he understood in thought and demonstrated in deed that this was a nation dedicated to "the father of all moral principle" — that "all men are created equal."
Northern victory in the Civil War and subsequent adoption of the 14th Amendment formally incorporated the principle of equality in the operation of government. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 which completed
Andrew Marino columnist opinenko.kansan.com
1854, when the victory of Lincoln's thought, sought to regulate the private behavior of individuals — to inculcate a moral sentiment — and is, perhaps, the most successful attempt to legislate morality ever undertaken in America.
The present conduct and oratory of the two major parties and their candidates calls into question whether they continue to be dedicated to the equality of man. Gore's Democratic Party explicitly endorses affirmative action that manifests itself in practice as nothing more than preferential treatment—and therefore discrimination—on the basis of race. One will search in vain for a reasoned, principled defense of it anywhere in Gore's rhetoric or the party platform. Preferential treatment is instead sold to the public as an innocent expansion of opportunity to historically disadvantaged minorities.
The other party, Bush's, sells out the sound principles consistent with the Declaration's view of equality on the advice, given by consultants and its left wing, that minority groups will not vote for its candidates unless they cease their opposition to preferential treatment. The most egregious example of this whipped-dog approach to electoral politics occurred during Gen. Colin Powell's lecture to the Republican convention. The good general chastised his fellow Republicans for not carrying the mantle of Lincoln while proceeding to demonstrate his ignorance of the man's thought.
Republicans created cynicism, he said, because some "miss no opportunity to roundly and loudly condemn affirmative action, but you hardly hear a whimper when its affirmative action for lobbyists." The argument makes no sense because A has nothing to do with B and because, in the context of the speech, one has no business evoking Lincoln to promote a program of racial discrimination.
What's missing from the case for affirmative action is an explanation of how one can extend preferential treatment on the basis of race to one human without discriminating against another human. Such a practice conflicts inherently and directly with the moral lesson our civil-rights laws attempt to teach.
In May 1854, Sen. Stephen Douglas of Illinois, Lincoln's opponent in a series of famous debates during the 1858 U.S. Senate campaign, helped pass a law that taught citizens that slavery was so morally inconsequential, the settlers of Kansas and Nebraska should decide the fate of slavery in their midst
The law sparked a mini-civil war in Kansas between pro-slavery and free-state settlers, including the sacking of free-soll Lawrence. So why should we, who sleep, shop and sometimes even study as equal citizens of that town, in that state, in that nation — all dedicated to that proposition tolerate politicians who are not?
Marino is a Pristine Village senior in English and notical science.
Kansan.com poll
Last week's question
What effect will Napster have on the music industry?
It will significantly increase musician's profits.
Some artists might make a few bucks.
- It will have no significant effect.
Some artists might lose a few bucks.
It will cut deeply into musicians' profits.
Note: This poll is not scientific. Numbers may not add up because of rounding. The total number of people who voted in this poll was 85;
12 percent -- Some artists might lose a few bucks.
This week's question:
Does Lawrence need a casino?
Log on to www.kansan.com to cast your vote on this issue.
Perspective
University experience is more than classes
Someone recently said to me, "So you can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Aren't you happy to be graduating?" Although I will be very happy to graduate next spring, barring a disaster during my final two semesters, I honestly don't think I would have been able to get this far without becoming immersed in the campus and the community.
Initially, it is important to recognize that
the modern university setting offers students many electronic academic opportunities and activities. Take advantage of this. Of course, we all try to have a master plan as to why we are at the University. Graduation is generally the ultimate goal, but who says we can't make a few spontaneous choices to explore things that we are interested in as students? The experiences we gain inside and outside of the classroom are essential to success in a career and in
If your goal is to graduate in four years with a bachelor's degree in business administration, why not diversify your academic experience by taking an obscure film course or a social welfare class? It may not be the reason you get hired to an upper-level management position, as your degree will speak
life. Too many students today do not stray from the paths set forth for them by course requirements and peer interests. It is far too easy as students to be so intensely focused that we don't expand our horizons.
Corey
Snyder
columnist
opinion@kansan.com
Similarly, the activities we engage in outside of the classroom have a large effect on what we will do in life and even reflect on our personalities. Volunteering in the community is a unique way for students to delve into new situations, which can lead to possible career choices or interests. Volunteering also increases social consciousness, whether it be from working for a recycling drive or with the homeless. With the University's large student population, participating in a club or student group is not difficult, as there is something for nearly everyone. Even if the club is purely for recreation, the connections you will make are a good way to network.
for itself, but those classroom experiences could be helpful in a crucial conversation during an interview.
The first few weeks of the fall semester are great because campus organizations hold meetings and set up information tables. Take a few extra minutes on your way to class to stop by a table and find out what a group is all about or how you can get involved. It won't hurt your college experience. In fact, it's more likely to enhance it. Regardless of the choices you make during your time at the University of Kansas, realize that the opportunities at the end of the tunnel are always a little brighter if you get involved.
Perhaps if you are especially daring, you'll just say "the heck with school" and take the often-shunned semester off. Frankly, there is nothing wrong with missing four months of college to travel, work or explore who you are. This time away from school can help you recognize what you need to do to prepare yourself for the future.
Synder is a Topeka junior in pre-physical therapy.
Editorial
Rush week time slot must move
Sorority recruitment prevents women from concentrating on class.
Although sorority recruitment can be a positive experience for college women, the week when they are recruited into sororities should not overlap with the first week of classes at the University of Kansas.
For all the women who participate in Fall Formal Recruitment, the recruitment distracts from the purpose of attending a university the first week.
Fall Formal Recruitment, which overlaps with the first two days of classes, requires women to wait two days to find out which chapter they will be a member of and distracts them from focusing on academics.
Although the actual recruitment process is complete Wednesday evening for prospective members, the rigorous schedule leading to Friday keeps women from having time to find and prepare for their classes and purchase books ahead of time.
Though already adjusted to college life, returning members have an equally demanding schedule. Most chapters require their members to attend workshops and meetings from early morning to late at night the week before recruitment. All-chapter sessions sometimes last for hours after the last party during recruitment week.
Recruitment should not force members to divide their time between preparing for classes and selecting the organization that will be part of their lives for years.
Though the National Panhellenic Association reduced the length of recruitment from five days to four this fall—a change for the better—it should now consider moving recruitment to a different time in the school year.
Other schools hold recruitment later in the fall, when women's schedules, goals and priorities are more established. Other universities begin and end the recruitment process a week before classes even start. The University should examine the possibilities of repositioning recruitment so both active and prospective members can focus on the academics that bring them here.
Emily Hughey for the editorial board
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I hope to God that another column of (Scott Kaiser's) never appears in the Kansan again.
an 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.
Thank you to whoever is responsible for putting the (crossword puzzle) answers on the following day's page.
an 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 somebody asked you, "Do want a cookie?" and you say, "yes," you should have to buy him a cookie.
I just wanted to suggest maybe having a paper dedicated to the clubs and organizations of KU. I've been up here several years, but some of the kids might not know what clubs and organizations are out there. So I think it would be a good idea to just let everybody know.
an 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.
What's up with KU bus drivers yelling at students to stop walking so traffic can get through? Last time I checked, pedestrians have the right-of-way.
an 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.
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The most important piece of information I have learned is: Profanity makes talking fun.
Great applause for the (Student Organizations & Leadership Development Center) staff for doing such a great job with the information fairs here at the Kansas Union and at Beach and Boulevard. ... I think they are a benefit to all students at KU. Thanks, O&L. You rock!
So many freshmen girls, so little time.
an 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.
We are Siamese if you please. We are Siamese if you don't please.
I'd like to encourage everyone to save all their marijuana seeds and then plant them in the spring so that marijuana is the most common weed you see when you drive around. It'll be legal in no time.
--an 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.
What's with this $1 for pop?
Doesn't anybody remember when pop used to be 75
cents? Those were the good old days.
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