Opinion
Page 4 University Daily Kansan, December 3, 1980
Mideast problems grow
For the umpteenth time since World War II, the Mideast is on the verge of an explosion.
The Syria-Jordan border has become a tense front, as both nations mobilize for an armed conflict that many observers think is inevitable. Syria's assurances that it would never attack "an Arab brother" believe the fact that it has called its army reservists to arms.
And as in the past, the United States is keeping its hand in the area by offering Jordan ammunition to offset the Syrian threat.
Whether a new Mideast war is inevitable or not, the United States will continue to be drawn into the area's problems. This country's continuing commitment to Israeli autonomy, recently reaffirmed by President-elect Reagan, its arming of Saudi Arabia and its stake in the area's energy affairs guarantee continued involvement.
How far the new administration will take this involvement remains to be seen. Armed intervention with a poorly trained and supplied Rapid Deployment Force is out of the question, as the aborted Iranian hostage rescue proved. Full-scale military involvement, as opposed to the massive supplying of favored nations, probably will depend on the severity of the regional crises.
If the Syrians and Jordanians go to war, Lebanon is likely to become one of the battlegrounds, as it has in the past. Israel surely would be drawn into the fray through either defensive actions or attacks on its forces in Lebanon.
And what of the recent Syriac-Libya alliance? The Libyan leader, Mosmayer Qaddafi, if he remains true to his words, may join his Syrian ally in combat. Such actions would give him an excuse for the exercise he has wanted to engage in for years: a war with Egypt.
Unlike previous wars in the Mideast, a major regional conflict involving several nations would have an added factor. The Soviet presence in Afghanistan grows more dangerous as each nation becomes more involved in a Mideast war. The United States is hard-pressed for a counter to the already positioned Red Army.
The situation is a mess, and the United States would do well to let the nations involved resolve it themselves. But this country is too deeply involved in the area to let that happen. So all that is left is to hope that the inevitable does not happen, that the Syrians and Jordanians do not go to war and possibly ignite the parts of the region that are not already on fire. For if they do, the ensuing explosion will be felt not just in the Middle East but around the world.
National social weaknesses create pessimistic outlook
Presently, the nation is beset with problems that are not of the kind that cry out for immediate attention but nevertheless have a debilitative effect on the society as it exists.
If they are let go and proliferate, Americans will become known as a collection of Sibarites, idol-worshipers and seekers of instantaneous eudaemonia.
Those problems take refuge in the souls of the weak-willed and the directionless. They are
TED
LICKTEIG
harmful to those who might come into contact with a correspondingly low level of air direction.
Most of the following are afflicted by the problems:
What is singular about the problems is that there is no method to eradicate them without killing them.
Fringe fanatics of political candidates, most noticeably in the recent presidential election, the followers of Edward Kennedy. They stare at Kennedy like a swain staring at his mistress. Each looks for a paradise on a platter and is offered it. Another notable among the fanatics is Mrs. Ronald Reagan. A good punch line is to mimeserize her. The fanatics are the ones who say he should have a candidate could or would deliver on his campaign promises. These same fanatics can be found each day in front of a television set watching "All My Children."
Right-wing extremists and mothers with the summer camp mentality. Such a mother in Houston, thinking that her sons were in safe hands at a camp and that those in charge would be as naive as she about thinker knacks, had a strong sense of responsibility and presureable sons. The sons informed her that as explorer scouts, they were told by those in charge that they might go on a mission to the Mexican border to watch for illegal aliens crossing the border. One of those in charge
evidently thought the Mexicans who did cross inevitably had in mind rape and plunder. He had an inherent dislike for the color light brown, distrusted anyone who did not blend the words "you" and "all" into one, had been convicted in a federal court in Memphis for the illegal sale of automatic weapons and was serving a probated sentence.
Weather forecasters and their groupies. To watch a weather forecaster in action, one gets the impression that he is trying to slip a wind ring onto his audience for the following day.
Forecasters' groups are given the next day's topic for their conversations. Low pressure systems descend on their heads when the forecaster, who is perceived as the only person left who can somewhat accurately predict what will happen tomorrow, is wrong on the downside.
The groups ineluctably look upon their forecasters in the same light as garbagemen when the weather should happen to dare to be rainy or cold.
Pompon-shaking, bell-rattling football enthusiasts. At times their enthusiasm becomes robotic. Thousands of them sit, tongues hanging out, wondering, "Will they run? Will they pass?" and then asking for the ball to be bitted upon entering the stadium and welcome him, violence and fiv patterns in their place.
Visual-aid, show-and-tell television newscasters. To their surprise, if someone were ever to tell them, the Federal Communication Department would the N-K to the recesses of the gray matter that contain four-letter words. Prudence would demand that television, being the medium with the most impact on its consumers, would place on itself the most stringent standards of content and formatting advertising dollars speak louder than such abstract, complicated notions as responsibility.
Blinkered, money mongering corporate executives. If an issue or decision takes more than 15 or 20 minutes of their time, forget it. Give them the bottom line and they will take it. Means? Ends? Consequences? What are you, a socialist, or worse, a liberal Democrat?
Fanatics, extremists, groupies, and money-mongers. No wonder the Iranians thought they were terrorists.
The University Daily KANSAN
(USPS 5604) Published at the University of Kansas daily August through May and Tuesday and Thursday, July 12-18. Subscriptions pay a $20 per mail passage fee. Subscription to Kansas 6045. Subscriptions by are for $13 as an月 fee or $2 a year in Douglass College. Subscription to $3 a year outside the county. Student subscriptions are $2 a semester, paid through the student activity fee. Subscriptions change of address to the University Daily Kansas, Fint Hall, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 6045
Editor Business Manager
Carol Beter Wolf Elaine Stratford
Manual Better Editor Qyud Hughes
Editorial Editor David Lewis
Campus Editor Judy Weisman
Associate Campus Editor Jeff Javen
Assistant Campus Editors Don Munday, Mark Spencer, Cindy Whitmore
Sports Enthusiast Gene Myers
Associate Sports Enthusiast Patty Armold
Entertainment Editor Kevin Mills
Manual Editors Bob Schand
Wire Editors Tom Tedesch, Loa Wiskhanne
Copy Chiefs Gail Eggers, Ellen Iwamoto, Tammy Turner
Photo Photographer Gail Podd
Photo Disk Assistant Lea Leagley
Staff Photographers Ben Rigler, Lee Cooley
Dave Kraut, Drew Torres, Robert Poole
Columnists Amy Holwell, Ted Lickle, Bill Menzeres, Brett Conley
Editorial Cartoonist Scott Faust, Fred Markhahn, Susan Schoenmaker, Blake Gungkeen
Staff Artists Joe Barton
Michael Wunsch, Bret Bolton, John Richardson, Lauren Newman
Staff Writers Dan Torchia, Shawn McKay
Retail Sales Manager Kevin Koster
National Sales Manager Nancy Clauson
Campus Sales Manager Nancy Light
Classified Manager Tracy Coon
Advertising Makeup Manager Jane Wendredt
Staff Artist Jody Seller
Photographer Brian Waktnik
Teacher's Manager Barb Spother
General Manager and News Advisor Rob Masoner
Kanan Advisor Chuck Clowns
Sexuality important for handicapped
Sexual problems of the handicapped are only now receiving the appropriate attention that they have long deserved. In the past, it was believed that sex and the handicapped should be a topic discussed only in the individual's home, not in public.
Knowledge and acceptance of sexual realities are indispensable to sexual fulfillment and honesty. First comes the
FRED
MARKHAM
willingness to recognize biological facts, including practical knowledge of the sexual organs and their functions. More important is acceptance of sexual feelings as legitimate biological and psychological variations, affinities that must be excused or only rudruntily tolerated.
Next is the willingness to accept behavioral facts, to recognize how people behave, regardless of how we think they should behave. People have a remarkable capacity for self-deception. When an investigator reports statistics on the prevalence of some socially unacceptable behavior, there is always a public outcry. People do not object because they have more reliable data but because the findings "don't make sense."
*my ignoring or denying behavioral realities we merely felt ourselves. Recognizing reality is the only way to live.*
Of all the various phases of our sex lives, perhaps the most crucial is how we face up to our own sexual feelings. It is not possible to come to terms with ourselves as long as we refuse to confront our own sexuality. Some extraordinary individuals willingly recognize their needs, yet inhibit those needs for what they consider higher causes.
That is one thing; simply to look away is another. We must be honest with ourselves and others in all things, but especially in sex, for in this area pretense wears thin, bravado sounds hollow, and in blushing others we bluff ourselves.
Persons having difficulty identifying their sexuality often cannot find qualified counselors. Society simply lacks professional service in this area.
Initially, different levels of sexuality must be distinguished. One must not think of genitalis or bedroom activity. Instead, two broad areas must be considered -private and public sexuality, as suggested in the 1975 fall edition of "Rehabilitation Literature."
Genital satisfaction, love, reproduction and marriage are quite different and separate things, although they obviously can be related. Sometimes, however, individuals want to engage in premarital sex, or a married couple may not desire or may not be
The private level would involve the genital sexual responses and inner problems not usually discernible. This includes the ability to obtain an erection, have an orgasm, give and receive genital and sensual pleasure and receive sexual tensions in oneself and in his partner.
On the public level, how the individual acts around others and the role of the role person is to play becomes a major concern for the handicapped individual. More important, the disability may interfere with the individual's personal and public acceptance of his or her masculinity or femininity. For instance, a local radio or television personality without an arm or a leg may or may not be accepted by the public.
able to have or care for children. This can be true, and couple, but especially han- dened couples.
Sexual counseling for the disabled has been artificial. The counseling is diluted now to minor details and treated as if the clients need to be educated in terms of or have the need to be educated in this field.
The professional therapists, nurses, social workers and others who are involved with assisting the disabled all are crucial in helping clients become self-sufficient. However, sexual counseling has remained by default—almost exclusively in the hands of physicians, who may not always be authorities in sexual counseling.
The client usually considers his problem to be quite personal. He considers his sexual problem separate from his handicap and of no concern to the professional. Professionals often look at the problem as being outside their profession and outside the client's legitimate concern. Their training has been directed toward setting the client to walk.
Therapists, social workers and other professionals must realize their obligation to counsel the disabled person who confronts them with sexual problems.
Next, we must consider the perspective of the client's family. The members of the client's family consider sexual problems to be private. They become quite ambivalent when the handicapped family member talks to a professional about sexual difficulties.
The family realizes the validity of the issue, but generally wishes to ignore discuss it in hopes that the situation will disappear. Often, the family imagines that if sex is not
uissued, it will never be experienced by the individual. The family does not know how to handle overt sex, whether it be masturbation or vaginal intercourse, and a sexual sex partner. Strong conflicts can develop.
On one hand, family members want to treat the disabled individual like other family members. On the other hand, they don't want to give false hope, as they consider all hope to be. Last, it is difficult for parents to recognize the sexuality of their children.
Finally comes the "second person." This is the perspective on which the client focuses. This, too, is considered private. But here the handicapped individual is concerned about how he may be involved sexually, although he may not be detected in the second party.
The main question passing through the potential partner's mind is how he (the second person) can make the situation more enjoyable and whether he can discuss this openly. Instead of speaking to each other about their sexual concerns, couples should avoid loud discussions. This may lead to more problems if and when actual sexual encounters take place.
Both parties should talk about their religious beliefs and expectations. What type of relationship do they have and what type do they want in the future? These questions should be directed to counselors who assist the couple. Sexual counseling for the handsome person is a common hope that this situation will be changed in the future and that sexuality and the handicapped will become recognized as a vital part in the counseling of disabled individuals;
Senate committees need students now
Guest Columnists
BY BERT COLEMAN and BREN ABBOTT
County College
Student Senate has a new year ahead of it. In the year ahead, we will see whether Student Senate is to become a viable and responsive body or a victim of the same criticism leveled in the past. As the newly elected student body president and vice president, we intend to make every effort possible to make Student Senate a workable body for students at the University.
But no matter how many hours or how much money you put into Senate programs, they will and will always get more funding.
Sixty-seven representatives of the student body have just been elected to represent you. However, we still need your help. The Senate standing committees must now start organizing.
The standing committees include: Academic Affairs, Culture, Communications, Finance and Auditing, Student Rights, Sports, Student Services and Minority Affairs. These committees will deal with such things as the sale of beer at football games, freedom of speech, the add-drop policy, campus safety, transportation and parking problems, plus-minus grading system, or even the internal workings of Senate, such as the budget process.
These are just a few examples of Senate functions that you can have a voice in. Obtaining an appointment on these committees is as simple as submitting to the Senate office (Level 3, B106 Kansas Union).
It is important to have many students on these committees because of the power the committees gained recently when the former Senate passed a bill calling for all legislation to be
Every one of us at time or another has complained or wished we would have done something about a problem. Now it is your chance. We challenge you to get involved, to do some good for your fellow students in the field and to gain skill. The student activity fees pay our and the staff's salary, we are here to work for you. We sincerely hope you use the resources available to you. Join us.
passed by committee before it can go to the Senate floor. Also, we plan to utilize the committees like never before. We are going to give committees more responsibilities and power.
B
Bert Coleman, student body president, is a Wichita senior major in engineering and business. Bren Abbott, student body vice president, is a Wichita senior major in journalism and political science.
After reading many editorials and news stories supporting the Affirmative Action program, I wish to make the views of the opposing side known. First, however, I want to clear up misconceptions held by some that people opposed to Affirmative Action are narrow-minded, enclosed conservatives. Many advocate programs that change but do not believe that AA is the answer.
Those who favor the AA program support a type of reverse discrimination that is supposed to make up for past social sufferings of minorities by giving them preference based on race. The hardiness of minorities led to believe that discrimination was what they were fighting, discrimination based on race and sex.
To the editor:
Letters to the Editor
Affirmative Action promotes racism, sexism
I also was shown that a person from a minority race or sex that had my abilities was virtually assured of a General Motors Institute Scholarship, while I had, just because I was born a male and white, (two things I had no part in), virtually no chance of securing one.
my chances for obtaining scholarships were seriously impaired because of my race and sex (I am a white male). He cited many examples of discrimination exclusively to women, blacks and other minorities.
I and many other people have been victims of this brand of discrimination. I was told at a court hearing in August that I had been a victim.
Please don't misunderstand me, I am not bitter. I am able to attend college with the help of lending institutions that have invested in my future, for which I am thankful. But there has been talk of bringing AA to the Guaranteed Student Loan Program.
I do believe, however, that America's minorities have been discriminated against in the past. I do not advocate, as some would
believe, that we revert to the "good ole days" when blacks were enslaved and women were second-class citizens. That was a crime against America and humanity.
Those who work in support of AA programs are supporting the opinion that America's women and minorities are helpless without special help. I truly believe that all people have the power to raise themselves. They are not second-class morons who require special aid.
They are strong people and have shown that in past accomplishments. I cannot believe those who say otherwise. I also cannot believe that supporters of the Affirmative Action programs truly are against race and sex discrimination. I advocate a different kind of racism and sexism.
Daniel Vincent Grelinger Kansas City, Kan., freshman