Page 4 University Daily Kansan, September 8, 1980 Opinion The IDs strike back Those dreaded student identification cards are in the news again, and, this time, they are going to have pictures on them. For the past year, the University of Kansas has been waging an all-out battle to conquer the ID problem once and for all. But winning certainly won't be easy. KU's ID dealings have been a comedy of errors. To this day, there are between 7,000 and 8,000 red, white and blue IDs waiting to be claimed by students. After the latest batch is produced, KU may have enough IDs to build a plastic Mount Oread. In the summer of 1979, KU decided to replace more than 25,000 student IDs for use with KU's computerized library system. A Maryland company was in charge of the project. Students were given temporary IDs at enrollment last year. The IDs were made of filmsy cardboard, but students were told that the IDs would be replaced by mid-September. However, a number of complications at the ID plant caused many delays. In the meantime, most of the temporary IDs were either shriveled in washing machines or just plain lost. Before KU knew it, the University had itself a genuine ID dilemma. The IDs were to be delivered by truck, but in yet another misce, the truck got delayed. Somewhere between Maryland and Lawrence was a truck full of IDs. Not until mid-November were students told to pick up their IDs. By then, most students had forgotten them or did not care to pick them up. The ID situation took a new twist recently when the University announced it would print pictures on future IDs. At enrollment this fall, freshmen were given temporary IDs again. The University wants pictures on the IDs because the IDs did not provide ample identification for students outside the Lawrence area. The current IDs also make it difficult to identify students in large classes and, therefore, cheating is more difficult to stop. The new IDs are being produced to iron out the problems with the current IDs. But if the University's problems with IDs are a good indicator, the ID saga has not seen its last chapter. U.S. needs to wave 'adios' to foreign language ignorance It was at the age of ten while on a trip to Europe that I first made the unsettling discovery that the world wasn't American. No water fountains, no peanut butter, expensive soda pop, narkomine, whine culture with an eye to its inconveniences, white cherishing盼s of an early end to vacation. I was unwavering American, especially in the face of a foreign language. My patience with Europeans generally ran out in the restaurants, where I, militantly ingentil at the unintelligible menus, developed a stubborn palate. I refused to order anything except tomato soup. Tomato soup was reliable. It could be readily identified in any language on any menu, and it promised predictability. Tomato soup with parsley, thick tomato soup, tomato soup with vegetables; I amlyly spooned my way through this dish. This can be to the fickle fate of food in a foreign language. My family tried to discourage my taste for tomatoes in the interest of a more varied diet. After about six tomato soup dinners, I surrendered and reluctantly ordered mushroom soup. The dish was served as a "plize soup" was mushroom soup, although it could not be confirmed by the menu. My worst suspicions concerning the identity of the alleged mushroom soup soon were confirmed. The soup that the waitress served, which consisted of hot water with mushrooms in the bottom of the bowl, certainly bore no imbalance. Campbell's cream of mushroom soup was disgusted by plumped my spoon in the imposter soup and announced the resumption of my tomato diet汤. Today, eleven years later, my embarrassment over my American behavior has faded to a few dull chuckies at family slide shows of Europe. My embarrassment over America has sharpened Tongue-tie in any language but English, Americans overseas disdainfully brush aside other cultures and languages, demanding English tours, English signs and English stores. The arrogance abroad, which at its zenith influenced the language, is reflected by the fact that we are the only major industrialized nation that does not routinely require the study of a foreign language. As long as American demands overseas are backed by the dollar, the English language will continue to suffer. as the oil crisis continues to crack our economy, previously unruaved American power is now unraveling. The future for English as an in- ternational language does not seem so secure. Yet the question of whether English will remain the dominant world language masks a deeper consideration of the benefits of a bilingual America. Although it cannot be locked into statistics, few deny the link between language and culture. A nation's language—its vocabulary, idioms and slang, bear the flag of its culture. Language study, the first step toward command of culture, could prove an invaluable ally as Hispanics at home and Iranians and Russians as well as the thin veneer of American understanding. Consider the fact that only two of the Americans taken hostage in Iran are able to speak Farsi. When trouble broke out in Afghanistan, we had to negotiate through the Russian ambassador because nobody on our staff spoke the language. If the temper of the times demands internationalism, American academia is responding with indifference. A smaller percentage of both high school and college students study foreign languages today than at the turn of the century. According to a study released in 1979 by the Presidential Commission on Foreign Language and International Studies, fewer than one percent of American high school students study a foreign language for four years, and only 15 percent take any language at all. The shadow of those statistics falls heavily over Kansas. In Kansas, only half of the state's high schools even offer a second language. Nationally, 75 percent of public high schools have at least one English course, though only eight out of 50 states require that a second language be offered at all public schools. The University of Kansas language departments have demonstrated a resiliency that defies national and state trends. All of KU's major foreign language departments have registered gains in the past few years, with the most dramatic rise in the French department. From 1974 to 1979, enrollment in French language courses jumped 25.5 percent. But hold the bravs, KU. Our national responsibility doesn't run out with the end of class. Those of us who have taken a second year of study of America to fan enthusiasm for foreign study. As the President's Commission on Foreign Languages summed it up, "The United States' incompetence in foreign language is scandalous. Less is at issue than the nation's security." As Americans, the world will always know us, whether by our bubblegum, politics or tennis shoes. But they needn't and they shouldn't know us by our ignorance. Japanese car sale quotas unfair Japan has taken another step toward pre-emination nation in the non-conservative war. Last week, the Japanese moved ahead of the manufacture in production of total automobiles manufactured. In fact, U.S. auto production is at its lowest point in 22 years. The Japanese production total clearly shows that the Japanese automakers, not the deeprooted executives in Detroit, can make cars that are as hard to drive at a price that Americans can afford. Deadwood car companies such as the Chrysler Corporation; which has seen 152 of its dealers fold in 1980, should be allowed to wither away because of their rejection in the marketplace. In this day of mass transcontinental shipping, nations that can produce the best product at the lowest cost should be allowed to market their product unmanacled in other nations. If the Carter administration were to heed calls from Detroit for import quotas on automobiles, one result would be decreased consumer choice. Ordinarily, such quotas would cause alleged free market advocates, such as General Motors, to suffer displeasure. But they quickly change their minds when they see more Datsuns on the streets of Detroit. One-third of all U.S. assembly plants now are shutdown or are operating intermittently, yet General Motors has opened a new plant near Dallas and is building another plant near Kansas City, Kan., or near Olathe. Considering the ability of the Japanese to export their automobiles relatively cheaply and the inability of Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler to sell their products at reasonable prices in their home country, U.S. car buyers should have the choice of driving a Japanese car. the consumers' choices undoubtedly would cost some U.S. auto-workers their jobs. However, TED LICKTEIG U. S. autoworkers with extended unemployment compensation now can change jobs if they have to without severe loss of income. Perhaps some of the unemployed auto workers could find jobs at foreign-owned assembly plants in the United States, although foreign companies are understandably hesitant about building plants here after they have glanced at the United Auto Workers' high pay scale. A possible way to attract foreign-owned auto companies would be for the auto workers to form an international union with their Japanese counterparts. Even Chrysler President Lee Iacoca's $1-a-year salary is not a sufficient sacrifice to justify spending up to $1.5 billion in loan guarantees to keep the Chrysler ship afloat. UAW President Richard McGee, president of directors, says the U.S. auto industry has suffered permanent damage from the recession. Chrysler's woes are a case of a company in a free-market system that has been victimized by a large mistake—not anticipating consumer needs and car—and the company should pay for its mistakes. The payment must be the dissolution of the Chrysler Corporation. The corporations's managers have been given a message—straight from the consumers' mouths—that poor management decisions are not accepted, and managementagers are required for inptem management policies with their jobs. Tax dollars should not be used to finance Chrysler efforts such as the K car, the company's new product that is intended to compete with the imports. As the world's nations become increasingly dependent on each other for raw materials and manufactured products, the importance of removing all trade barriers increases. This is especially important in regard to the Japanese. The United States cannot afford, particularly when the capability of U.S. defense is in question, to antagonize an important alloy such as Japan. Japan completes a triumvirate with France and Germany, others being North America and Western Europe. Imposing quotas on Japanese cars or raising tariffs on Japanese goods would only weaken the U.S. link to Japan. Even though Japanese tariffs are lower, they can still make Japan more dependent on Japan to make or break their profit margin. The size of a business that fails and the social impact of unemployment should not trigger a stream of cash into Detroit coffers or lead to sympathetic quotas. Letters to the Editor Benefits of 'Equal Rights' are misleading To the editor: Lest anyone get the wrong idea of what the Equal Rights Amendment is all about, I would like to respond to Amy Holloway's Sept. 3 article, "What are You Expecting From Me? What I consider to be misleading information." For those not familiar with it, the ERA simply reads, "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by a state on account of sex." Hollowell mentioned four rights that she implied would be made available to women upon passage of the ERA. First, "equal pay for equal work." Current fair labor laws and legislation such as the Equal Opportunity Act currently provide channels by which all laborers can seek justified positions, salaries, etc., from their employers. Second, "day-care programs for our children." After reading the proposed amendment, I am hard-pressed to see how it would provide for daycare centers. One might be able to make assumptions on the side effects of the ERA, but they do not necessary for funding day-care programs. Third, "equality in athletic funding." Certainly, with all the recent uproar in the KU athletic department, people are aware that Title IX has the ability to hurt, as well as to help, women's athletics. What will happen when six men seeking equal opportunity try out for the women's volleyball team (there being no men's team) and make the first string? Though tended as a boon for women, let's not forget that ERA is for both sexes. Fourth, "to control our own bodies." Score one for your side, Hollowell. I assume your phrase is simply semantics and that you shield away from saying the right to abortions. But with abortion, you not only control your body, but also that of your unborn infant. Who is protecting his or her equal rights? Abortion is a crucial point for both pro- and anti-ERA forces. Proponents fear the strength of the pro-life movement and know that ERA will all but lock abortion-on-demand into the constitution. The fact is, once again, that it is already extremely easy to get an abortion, which is why pro-lifers are still fighting for passage of a Human Life Amendment. So poor has support been over the past few years that an unprecedented court-ruled extension was granted pro-ERA forces to win ratification. Moreover, at least five states have called to rescind their prior approval, another court imposed move currently being battled in the courts. There are a myriad of other points that can be raised regarding the direct and indirect effects an ERA would have on women and men alike. Suffice it to say that of the 35 states now living in the US, more than those passed it in a wave of "Let's-be-for-menners and show-or-support-for-omenitis." Celeste Broytes Long Island, N.Y., graduate student The University Daily KANSAN (USPS 600-640) Published at the University of Kansas daily August through May and Thursday during June and July except Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Second-class postage paid at Lawrence, Kansas or Delaware. Student subscriptions are $2 each, or $5 per year outside the county. Student subscriptions are $2 each, paid through the student activity (ee). Postmaster: Send changes of address to the University Daily Kansas, Flint Hall. 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