4 Mondav. February 3, 1975 University Daily Kansan KANSAN Editorials, columns and letters published on this page reflect only the opinions of the writers. Abortion debated Who among you condones the slaughter of innocent babies? Who among you claims not to do so? How many women the right to govern their own bodies? If the world were only so simple. These loaded questions, of course, are meaningless because they are vague and deceptively two-valued. Either you're for the slaughter of innocent babies or you're against it. Which is it? The abortion controversy has produced more than its share of bad language. For example, if you're against abortion, chances are your vocabulary pertaining to the subject is loaded with "right" to life; murder; "slaughter"; innocent babies; "God," "soul" and "pro-life." To "pro-life" people, Jan. 22, 1973, will long be remembered as the day the U.S. Supreme Court said "unborn babies may be killed." On that day "our Constitution and our Republic of Independence just about died." On the other hand, people who feel strongly that the decision to have an abortion should be a private one probably speak about "women's rights." But if you want to embryo," carrying a fetus" and "interrupt a pregnancy." The controversy about abortion is so emotional that the Supreme Court's decision in 1973 that eliminated illegal abortions during the first six months of pregnancy undoubtedly saved our politicians many hours and many headaches. What is more important is that the decision probably saved the health of many pregnant women. Nevertheless, there are still many people who are determined to get a constitutional amendment that would nullify the Supreme Court's liberal abortion ruling. Most competent observers concede, however, that the prospects for such a constitutional amendment are slim. If the Supreme Court's 1973 ruling is to be reversed or modified, chances are the court will have to do that itself. But the people who favor more restrictive abortion laws don't seem deterred in their zeal. They are fighting for "the sanctity of life," "morality" or "the souls of innocent babies." There isn't much hope of persuading these "moralists" to dispositionally consider how much better off we are now that pregnant women can have relatively safe abortions instead of do-it-yourself abortions or abortions illegally by "quacks." Instead, the self-proclaimed "right to life" people speak less about the world around them and more about the world inside their bodies. For example, Father Daniel A. Degnan, professor of jurisprudence at Syracuse University Law School and a leading opponent of the 1973 Supreme Court decision, has warned that the ruling is the first step toward the destruction of the bonds of society and that it puts in jeopardy all human life and its achievements. Another critic, Paul Ramsey, professor of religion at Princeton University left no doubts in the minds of members of a congressional committee as to where he thought the Supreme Court ruling would lead us. Ramsey quoted a Stanford philosopher who advocated infanticide and then Ramsey pondered whether even the elderly in this country would be safe in a few years. Degnan and Ramsey are two of the more dispassionate critics of the Supreme Court decision. They considered carefully all aspects of the decision and then made extrapolating asses of themselves. Most people see a real need to draw a line past the point where society discourages abortions. Where we decide to draw the line are instances of significant investigation both inside the mother's womb and outside. What should not influence our decision is metaphysical notions about "God" and "soul," which have yet to be scientifically demonstrated to exist anyplace but in our heads. —Steven Lewis Readers respond To the Editor: Natural energy needed S. K. Houdt Associate Professor of English "Where are the atomic energy plants that we have begun to build?" asks columnist Carl Rowan (Jan. 23 Kansan). "If you would see an immense fusion reactor, the sun, located 93 million miles away. That, in my opinion, is as close as anyone should get to a nuclear reactor. The energy we need is Electric we need to have one at Burlington, about 80 miles upwind from here. I would prefer to rephrase Rowan's question: Where are all the alternative sources of energy available? Geothermal, and the list goes on—which deplete no natural resource, which do not therefore pollute, which are safe and therefore democratic? PIHP knocked To the Editor: For an entire fall semester I suppressed public disagreement with the Pearson Integrated Humanities Program for fear that my GPA would tumble at the whims of its professors, (Nelick, Quinn and Senior). Now that I have escaped, I would very much like to add to Bick Hoeh's article of Jan. 27. The three professors, I soon discovered, discussed very rarely anything directly related to the assigned text. When they did, it was to encourage an art teacher who Nickel informed us that we "should love" Odysseus and Achilles. I was one of the hundreds of misguided and typically gullible freshmen lured into the program by an elaborate set of lectures, noteless lectures, waltz balls and trips to forenium. Students attracted by monotelectures soon discovered that little was stated in class that actually was noteworthy. On any subject, whether it was Bernadette Devlin, the superiority of Pearson teaching methods, how great this school used to be or a woman's place, all three invariably agreed. A particularly frustrating experience was repeating poetry for hours without the slightest knowledge of the words. Incidentally, one shouldn't attempt to argue with a devout "Pearsonite" about the program. Last semester Mr. Quinn supplied all students with a stock answer: "Just tell them why you refuse to argue with theirphylogeny and know what he's talking about." Becky Brown Hutchinson freshman PIHP defended James E. Seaver, professor of history, accuses PHI (Pearson Integrated Humanities Center) of appearing as opposed to an open mind which "should be a clearing house of ideas where all ideas are sampled," which open mind he should not be allowed to of the University. Taking a stand for something and rejecting its contrary isn't to be closed-minded. It is to be open-minded. It is to be sigged, open mind, to draw an illustration, is the one which is open at one end and has a sister at the other, whereby the good may be kept, held and cherished but the good may be rejected and discarded. An open mind, to continue the illustration, isn't the one that is wide open at both ends, like a To the Editor: tunnel, where every wind of teaching may blow through it, affirming nothing, deciding for nothing. Nor is the open mind like a piece of fipaper, which can be broken very varied and contrary ideas. IN PHIP I HAVE found more than a mere sophistic prostitution of knowledge or a mere conveyance of facts and data, things which, regrettably, are not in other parts of the University. SEAVER ALSO ACCUSES PHIP of not allowing freedom of choice. That isn't so. To act it is to not think, leaving both the mind and will paralyzed. I am a believer in truth, love, forgiveness and revere my teachers. But I haven't chosen their ideas, nor had them foisted upon me. I have my freedom of choice and I have made a choice. Although it is made less frequently today, I have made all through the history of Western Civilization up to the present moment. It is the assement to the idea that "there is one truth, that it can be identified and that it can be taught." The cognition and reaffirmation of that question is what has given Western Civilization its greatness. in the here is no theology of the student's freedom, but the teachers aren't afraid to give guidance when it is so sought. In PHIP there is a healthy intellectual atmosphere in which the student acknowledges that the teacher knows more than he does, thereby rendering it possible for the student to Michael Flynn Wichita sophomore Letters Policy Letters to the editor should be typewritten, double-space and should not exceed 500 words. All letters are subject to editing and condensation, according to space limitations and the editor's judgment. Students must provide their names, class designations and home towns; faculty and staff must provide their names and positions; others must provide their names and addresses. Conditions in nursing homes have become the latest target for criminals. Newspapers in several cities have run exposes of mistreatment of patients and substand conditions in nurs- --men at the stag night, which is part of "total patient care" at the home, according to Joyce Cristen, the home's social service worker. Aged treated to stag party But apparently things aren't that bad everywhere. Male residents at Fair Oaks Concescent and Nursing Home in Minneapolis, Minn., had a stag night last week. Any car owner knows it costs a lot of the long green to run an automobile these days. Just how much it costs to run a car may surprise many people, because most cars are estimated the cost of operating an average car by the average owner at 24 cents a mile. The estimate was based on three years of driving at 10,000 miles a year. If the car is driven 15,000 miles a year, it drives about 18 cents a mile. Three young models, clad in filmy lingerie, danced for the A full-size car, such as a Chevrolet Imcala. costs about By Craig Stock Associate Editor I guess some might think of the stag night at scandalous, but it's a better sort of scandal than drugged or physically violent. I guess the practice is sexist, well, I guess the elderly ought to be allowed some indiscretions. Anyway, not all the men were impressed with the way they lived, residents said he'd seen wider shows in his 70-plus years. "You ought to go to Hollywood, where they really have the shows. This ain't spit in the bucket for my money. Hell, out there they really strip." 29 cents a mile over three years and 30,000 miles. Small cars, such as Vegas, Pintos or Gremlins, cost about 19 cents a mile to operate for the 10,000 mile figure. Hertz got the estimates by figuring purchase cost of the car, interest on loan to buy it and depreciation, gas oil, insurance and taxes THE COSTS IN Kansas would be less than the Hertz figures, I suspect. The Hertz figures were based on gas costs of 55 cents a gallon and gas expense .41 is possible to get from .43 to 50 cents a gallon. Still, the figures make it clear that every revolution of that odometer is money out by more than one generally figures on. Practice makes perfect, according to the old saying. If true, then Zsa Zsa Gabor would be a darn good wife. She got married for the sixth time last year. She married the millionaire Barbie Doll toy. I know there has to be something clever to write about this union, but I can't think of it. WELL, I'VE WAITED as long as I can. I've just got to ask. What has happened to the "Battle of the Bulge" contest sponsored last semester by Wesco Hall? Students to make guesses of Chancellor Archie R. Dykes' weight. The chancellor was to have been weighed in front of Wescou Hall. The student with the guess closest to Dykes' weight was to have won prize. I don't suppose many people are worrying about this, but I got a pitcher of beer riding the fence to hope the contest is completed. Proud old Texas received a jolt recently when an Arab sheikh tried to buy the Alamo for his son. Sheikh Moulad Al-Sharif Al Hamdan asked a Texas lawyer to arrange the sale, but the state of Texas won't part with the shrine. FRANKLY, I think Texas may have been a little rash. The economy is such that states aren't turning down many sources of revenue. In fact, the federal government might not have to rely on assorted monuments to even up the balance of trade deficit. With a hit of persuasion the sheikh's son might consider buying Grant's Tomb or Plymouth Rock. And if things really get tough, I'm sure the Father of Our Country wouldn't revolt to fast in his grave if he was at the Washington Monument. If it's simply a tourist spot the sheikh's son wants, Kansas could get into the act. The folks at Cawerk市 might be able to use some extra cash and a car (and two would make any kid happy. Wichita has an old B-47 on a pedestal west of town. It's one of those gifts for the man who has everything and Israel wouldn't get too upset if we sold an obsolete jet bomber that can't fly. KU could unload Oread Hall and finally get it off campus, providing much money for better faculty pay or longer library hours. Come to think of it, I've got a baseball autographed by Gus Zerual that I'd be willing to let me have a reasonable price, of course. `IF IT'S TUESDAY, WE MUST BE BUYING BELGUM!` Food stamp benefit cut unfair At present, stamp payments average 23 per cent of recipients incurring costs as much as up to 10 per cent. so the planned The latest bit of miserlisse is a plan to raise the price of food stamps for 95 per cent of the 15 countries who take part in the program. Why is it that every year or two someone in the Department of Agriculture decides to play Scrooge by taking away or slashing food stamp benefits for the poor? which consist mostly of elderly persons, and larger families with very low incomes. For example, a woman with $125 a month net income who DESPIITE OUTCRIES from Congress and other concerned groups, the administration intends to change the food delivery system by adding 1 in order to cut federal spending an estimated $650 million a year. Instead of paying for stamps on a sliding scale based on income and family size, as they do now, except the most desirite will have to pay a flat 30 per cent of their income. By Carl Rowan Copyright 1975 Field Enterprises, Inc. changes will require the average family to pay nearly one-third more, and some that were less affluent. The same amount of stamps. Hardest hit will be the oneand two-person households, now pays $24 for stamps that will buy $46 worth of groceries have to pay $73.50 under the new program. And a family of four with a net monthly income of $7.750 will see its food stamp This is not the first attempt at crippling the food stamp program. I recall problems back in the last years when Lyndon Johnson was president. Food stamps have been hacked away more than once. But each time, Congress and good sense prevailed. Food stamps only have survived but have become one of the biggest obstacles for programs for low-income families in the United States. The Community Nutrition Institute, a private agency which monitors food programs, estimates that 10 per cent of the persons now getting food stamps will drop out because they won't be able to afford the higher prices. contribution rise from $16 a month to $23.25. UNDER NEW PROGRAM, SOME POOR WOULD PAY *#45 FOR *#46 WORTH OF FOOD STAMPS About 15 million people have been helped each month at a cost of some $4 billion this fiscal year. A congressional survey of 4,500 families participating in food programs found that in 70 SURE, THE PROGRAM has had its problems and inequities. A number of middle-income college students have slipped onto the state board of directors that have been changed to prevent that. In fact, the overwhelming majority of those getting assistance are among this nation's poorest—the those who are in need of help. Some sort, for their survival. per cent of the families, no member of the family was working. Two-thirds received some other type of federal assistance such as Aid to Dependent Children or public housing. And as I've reported before, these low-income families are getting clobbered worst of all by the soaring food prices which have all of us mumbling in the suermarket. Instead of devoting their time to figuring out how to take food benefits away from needy people, we should be trying to provide more help. THE FOOD RESEARCH and Action Center of New York reports that fewer than half of the Americans who are eligible for food stamps are actually benefiting from them. The federal government, which pays for the stamp program, and state and local governments, which administer it, are supposed to have outreach programs to find eligible recipients who aren't enrolled. They can't be reaching out very far. A bipartisan group of Senators is moving to stop the administration's plan from going into effect. Let's hope that Congress once again comes to a resolution to elect president Ford changes his mind. It is absurd and shameful to try to save a relatively trifling amount of money by taking food off the plates of the hungry. THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANYSAN An All-American college newspaper Kansas Telephone Numbers Newroom -664-4810 Advertising -664-4358 Circulation -664-3048 Published at the University of Kansas weekdays during the academic year except holidays and ex-works. For additional information, contact Lawrence, Kan. 60045. Subscriptions by mail are $8. Subscription fees for bookings in print are $1.35 a semester, paid through the student activity fee. Accommodations,grades,services and employment opportunities at the Student Services Center must be granted in accordance with the grant's intended purpose. Those granted Editor Associate Editor John Pike Campus Editor Craig Stock Dennis Eldworth Associate Campus Editor Carl Young Assistant Campus Editors Alan McCann Kenn Louden Chief Photographer George Miller II Hilary Pittman Entertainment Editor Kathy Fickett Associate Sports Editor Ann Gardner, Tom Billam, Debbie Gump, Ron Cleverange Copy Chiefs Bunny Miller Smith, Katie Pickett, Wire Editors Sue Frey, Tom Billam Web Editors Michael Willett Business Manager Advertising Manager Assistant Business Manager Tarbahor Acharnes Carlow Howe Classified Advertising Manager Steve Brownbuck Cgi John Lison Assistant Advertising Manager Steve Brownbuck Assistant Classified Manager Dib Lyaught Promotional Manager Mike Holland FUJI MICRO SAFETY N