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Mondav. November 3. 1986 / University Daily Kansan
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Do it because you count
One vote
That's all it takes to make a difference.
And the day to make your difference is tomorrow — Election Day, Capital "E", capital "D".
On Tuesday you hold, with your power to vote, the ability to sway the outcome of Kansas history. That's a lot of responsibility for someone who may not be up on current events, who may not know who's running for what or even what amendments are on the ballot.
But your vote, whether it comes from an informed opinion or voting as you hear others are, makes a difference as to whether the state gets liquor by the drink, the lottery, pari-mutuel betting and as to who is going to govern the state for the next four years.
Many candidates are running neck and neck in the final stretch. And vocal opponents and proponents to the constitutional amendments on the ballot are gathering their legions to get out the vote. That makes it all the more imperative for you to make your opinion count.
You can't assume that everything that you want passed will pass or that your candidate is a shoe-in. There are many who believe just the opposite of what you believe — just as strongly.
Responsibility is often an unpleasant word. It may be your responsibility to take out the garbage, or study or write a term paper. But there are responsibilities that are easy to shoulder. The responsibility you have to yourself to have a good life, to take care of your loved ones and to be a good citizen and participate in the democratic process.
At least we scored
It is also your responsibility to make an informed decision tomorrow. You don't need to have a degree in political science. You do need to talk to your friends and gather different opinions. Look at a voter's guide and become familiar with the candidates and the issues. Then make up your own mind and cast your own vote. It can make a difference.
The 64-3 loss to Oklahoma this weekend was embarrassing to begin with, but add the fact that millions of television viewers watched the travesty on ABC and it becomes almost too much to live with.
As the Dallas Morning News so gracefully said the morning after the big, bad Sooners beat the Texas Longhorns 47-12, "Ouch!"
And while members of the KU football team undoubtedly feel rotten about the game, ABC should be ashamed.
The network announcers' excuses for why they chose to show the nation a game that they had to know would be a one-sided contest were weak at best.
It was as if they were literally sticking their network tongues out at us and putting our frustration across the airwaves to every household from coast to coast.
The game got so boring that ABC's little roving reporter had to travel all over campus to show nifty KU trivia items in a feeble attempt to keep viewers entertained.
Thanks, but no thanks, ABC.
This is an official challenge to KU students: boycott ABC television programming for one week in response to the network's rudeness. You can live without "Moonlighting" and "Dynasty" for seven days.
KU has a new coach who's trying his best to build a strong team and who's putting the emphasis back on the "student" half of student athlete.
Bypass Agnes T. Froa
Hey, ABC, come back in a couple of years or for basket-ball season, but until then, keep your national humiliation to yourself.
The race for Douglas County Commissioner gained a fictious write-in candidate and a folk hero of sorts last week: Agnes T. Frog.
The issue at stake is the proposed bypass that will cut through the Baker Wetlands, home of Agnes, a Northern Crawfish frog, and other small animals. Democratic incumbent County Commission Chairman Nancy Hiebert is in favor of it; Agnes and her supporters are against it.
Hiebert was running for the commissioner's post unopposed until Agnes hopped on the scene. And Hiebert will win even if Agnes gets more write-in votes, because the county doesn't count votes for fictious characters. Because enough media attention has been drawn to the plight of some frogs, let's consider the plight of the humans who live, without the bypass, in Lawrence.
The bypass will greatly ease congestion on 23rd Street, where heavy traffic often
creates hazardous driving conditions, and provide access to a rapidly developing area of Lawrence.
Eliminating some of the through traffic with a bypass will reduce the chances of collisions and make it easier to get around the south end of Lawrence where there is a new industrial and high-technology park.
Having a fictitious frog run for an office is a cute idea, for about two days. It's an effective way to generate media coverage without requiring a whole lot of commitment. If so many people are against the bypass, why hasn't a human stepped forward to challenge Hiebert for the position?
The bypass is important to development in Lawrence. Although Agnes' campaign is original, it does little more than make a mockery of the democratic process. If the opponents to the bypass are sincere, they should have presented a candidate for office, not a publicity stunt.
News staff
Lauretta McMillen ... Editor
Kady McMaster ... Managing editor
Tad Clarke ... News editor
David Silverman ... Editorial editor
John Hanna ... Campus editor
Frank Hansel ... Sports editor
Jack Kelly ... Photo editor
Tom Eblen ... General manager, news adviser
Business staff
David Nixon ... Business manager
Gregory Kaul ... Retail sales manager
Denise Stephens ... Campus sales manager
Sally Depew ... Classified
Lisa Weems ... Production manager
Duncan Calhoun ... National sales manager
Beverly Kastens ... Traffic manager
News staff
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Opinions
Britain has right idea on terrorism
I haven't felt so much like singing "God Save the Queen" since Margaret Thatcher threw what seemed like a division of KGB agents out of London.
Now Her Majesty's government has announced that it will no longer be conducting diplomatic relations with that terrorist base known as the Syrian Arab Republic. Not since George Shultz handed 55 Soviet diplomats their walking papers has a free country engaged in such a simple act of self-respect and political hygiene. Can it be catching? The British apparently hope so; they're urging allies to take appropriate support action, and this ally should waste no time.
Happily, the British announcement was followed up almost immediately by one from the White House announcing that the American ambassador to Damascus was being called home. "A state that encourages and takes part in terrorism isolates itself from the civilized world," said Larry Speakes, White House spokesman. "The United States will consult and cooperate with others to bring practical meaning to the isolation — diplomatically, politically, economically."
Paul Greenberg
The main question about such sentiments is why the administration should have taken so long to act on them, considering Syria's record as a font of terrorism. Thanks to the British example, perhaps the rhetoric from the White House will prove more than rhetoric this time.
The immediate cause of this resurgence of self-respect was conclusive evidence of Syrian involvement in a particularly sordid plot to blow up an Israeli airliner flying out of Heathrow. There are still, apparently, certain things with which the British will not put up, and mass murder appears high on the list.
world to take American hostages whenever they believed that American pressure on a foreign government would be useful for the attainment of their own objectives. The result would be to place many innocent Americans at risk."
The statement from the British foreign minister, Sir Geoffrey Howe, had a refreshingly old-fashioned sound to it. Britain, he said, had chosen to sacrifice its diplomatic ties with Russia and plain our repudiation of the wicked involvement of the Syrian government in terrorism of this kind."
Columnist
One doesn't hear much talk of wickedness in diplomatic communiques any more, perhaps because it's so common in the world that the rest of us have about given up noting it. But it would be difficult to come up with a more relevant description of Syria's responsibility in a plot that involved hoodwinking a pregnant young Irish hotel maid into believing she was the daughter in order to marry her lover. Instead, said gentleman saw to it that her suitcase, which was to be loaded aboard a jetliner carrying 757 people, contained sufficient explosives to assure her a trip to kingdom come.
The press is already raising the possibility that British hostages will now be seized in order to gain the
release of this pleasant character. Sir Giofrey's immediate response: "We will take no part in deals about hostages." This is both an admirably concise statement and also the most prudent policy. To negotiate with terrorists may lead only to more terrorism. See the example of France, which gave free transit to a variety of terrorists over the years and dealt with them in the hope they would confine their terrorism to others. The French now have been rewarded by a series of bombings in Paris.
The British have the right idea: Instead of negotiating with terrorists, jail them — and isolate those governments that support them.
Let it also be remembered that the British, unlike the French, allowed American warplanes to take off from British bases when this country retaliated against Libya for its role in a bombing plot against American soldiers in West Berlin. That alone is good reason for backing the British in their decision to isolate another supporter of terrorism, Syria. As for the French, they may demonstrate their opposition to state-sponsored terrorism by concluding an arms deal with Syria.
In this country, the White House is still being pressed to negotiate with terrorists who have seized American hostages in Lebanon. They demand that the United States pressure Kuwait to release 17 prisoners found guilty of bombing the American and French embassies as well as other targets, accounting for six people dead and 86 wounded.
The British have the right idea: instead of negotiating with terrorists, jail them.
As Ronald Reagan explained to those asking that he negotiate for the American hostages' release:
"The kidnappers in Lebanon expect the United States government to pressure the government of Kuwait to free these murderers. To agree to such demands would only encourage other terrorists elsewhere in the
Perhaps the most impressive part of the British announcement is that it was scrupulously delayed until the defendant in this case was found guilty and sentenced to 45 years in prison. Only then did Her Majesty's decrement speak of a conclusive evidence of his guilt. Fair play and all that.
An Anglophile of my acquaintance once summed it up. He was a Polish Jew who had studied in Lithuania and France before becoming a refugee around the world and finally a Mexican national. On the basis of a sojourn in Calcutta under the British Raj, he concluded: "The English are a cold people but they have character."
Mailbox
Runnels active leader
I believe Judy Runnels would be the best choice for the position of Secretary of State because first, she is qualified and second, she would be an active leader.
Runnels graduated from the University of Kansas and is a Lawrence native. She served four years in the Kansas House of Representatives, two years as the Governor's legislative liaison, and seven years as legislative advocate.
At this time, one-third of all eligible Kansas are not registered to vote. This ranks Kansas 26th in the United States in voter registration. With Runnels as our Secretary of State, these statistics can improve and we can have better informed voters.
One thing Runnels plans to do as Secretary of State is to use a voter information guide that is now successfully being used in California and Oregon. She also plans to better inform all registered voters who have pro-con discussions on amendments two weeks before the elections.
How many people in Kansas know what all the amendments are about, or even that there are five amendments? With an active leader, all of us will be able to understand the issues better. That is why I am going to cast my vote on election day for Judy Runnels for Secretary of State.
David Miller best bet
Eric Levitt
Green River, Wyo.
freshman
As students, we observed firsthand the inconsistencies of Bob Miller. We have observed his unfair treatment of many of his students, often chastising them for what they did not know instead of teaching them. Many times, the opinions of students and other faculty members were interrupted because Bob Miller disagreed with them. Often in faculty meetings, Bob Miller would make snide comments during the speeches of those addressing the group because he disagreed with what they were saving.
As former residents of Baldwin and recent graduates of Baker University, we felt compelled to speak out on the campaign race between Republican David Miller and Democrat Bob Miller, who are yiring for the 43rd District seat in the Kansas House of Representatives.
If Bob Miller wins, our only hope is that the people of the district would be spared the embarrassment of the same incident happening on the floor of the House of Representatives.
While Bob Miller advocates a strong education program in his platform, his performance in the classroom contradicts his intentions.
Personally, we would prefer a candidate who is fair, who respects differing opinions, who is willing to listen, and who would work most consistently for his constituents. We support the candidate who has already compiled an impressive record as a representative. David Miller.
Voting for David Miller will eliminate the inconsistencies that many students at Baker have already witnessed in his opponent.
We urge you to cast a vote for consistency — vote for David Miller on Nebraska.
Moore has new ideas
Gabriel and Lori Alvarado Lawrence residents
I am wholeheartedly endorsing the Democratic candidate for attorney general, Dennis Moore. He is eminently qualified for the position because of his experience and innovative ideas for dealing with criminals and victims.
He served on the staff of former Attorney General Vern Miller for two years and has served as the district attorney of Johnson County for the last ten years.
Newspapers such as the Kansas City Times and the Olathe Daily News have called Moore "...what a public defender should be: honest, ethical, hard-working and effective..." and "...a tireless prosecutor and a bright man with an even temper."
Governor Carlin this year. He also led the Johnson County Association for Battered Persons.
During his tenure as district attorney, he established a special unit designed to identify and prosecute career criminals and a victim and witness assistance program. He has also taken the lead in the fight against sexual abuse of children by proposing a measure to allow videotaped testimony of children to be used in court in child abuse cases. The law was passed and signed by
If he is elected attorney general, Moore says he is in favor of establishing a task force consisting of judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officials that would study the sentencing codes and evaluate them. He also is proposing an increase in the number of Kansas Bureau of Injury cases as a creation of a statewide program to deal with career criminals, and an increase in the assistance for victims of domestic violence.
Kansas needs a new attorney general with integrity and innovative ideas, and Dennis Moore is the only candidate who meets these qualifications.
Jeffery H. Chapman Beloit freshman
The actions of the students and fans in Manhattan Aggieville after the KU-KState game were proof of what alcohol can do to people.
Less liquor is better
They simply went wild after the football game. A car was rolled many times and then set on fire. Dozens of business windows and some signs were smashed. In fact, they did a better job of wrecking Aggieville than they in 1984. What do you think about all the damage, the suffering and heartaches, as a result of drinking?
I want to congratulate the students and fans of Kansas State University, the university of Kansas and the soldiers of Fort Riley for giving the voters of Kansas a reason for defeating public liquor by the drink
Can you imagine how much woe it could have been if liquor by the drink was made public — thus making it more available? Availability will increase consumption. For what other reason would the liquor interests want liquor by the drink? When Carlin says it will not increase consumption, he's not giving the true facts.
i urge you to vote "No" on election day. Your vote counts. The outcome will affect you and Kansas for years.
Wilma Kind
Junction City
WASHINGTON — President Reagan has rarely seemed to relish a campaign more than his current "last hurrah."
President spins tales on the trail
In many ways, he is exhibiting a new freedom with the restraints lifted. He is not running for office, but he is telling crowds along the campaign trail that a vote for his candidate is a "vote for me."
Helen Thomas
UPI Commentary
One of his stock laugh lines is he cried to the Three Stooges, and he begged
Saving that some members of Congress need watching, Reagan adds that "some of them remind me of that little story about three fellows who came out of a building and found they had locked themselves out of their car. And one of them said, 'Well, get me a wire coat hanger, can you put it on?' and secure out the handle with it. And the second said, 'You can't do that.' Someone will see us and think you're stealing the car."
He also is telling Americans that it is nice to be away from Washington, to be where you meet the "real people." But most of all he seems to be having fun. He is relaxed and telling his storehouse of old iokes.
"And the third one said, 'Well, we better do something quick, because it's starting to rain and the top's down."
■ Here's another Reagan story that evokes loud laughter:
"There was a Democratic fundraiser, and when the people were coming out of the affair at the end of it there was a kid outside with some puppies, and he was holding up these puppies one by one and he was saying, 'Pups for sale. Democratic pups for sale.'
"And two weeks later the Republicans held a fund-raiser in the same place, and the same kid was there with the puppies, and he was now holding up Republican puppies for sale. And a newspaper reporter who had last seen him two weeks bfore said, 'Hey, kid, wait a minute. Last time here, two weeks ago, you were trying to sell those puppies as Democrat puppies. Now you say they're Republican puppies. How come?' The kid said, 'Now they've got their eyes open.'
While campaigning for Republican candidates, Reagan also hears an occasional plug for himself to run again although he is limited to two terms.
"I enjoyed that six-more-years chant," he told a rally in Columbus, Ga. "There's a constitutional provision involved. I'll settle for two more years of a Republican Senate."
■ Reagan is defending his record for not having made any major agreements with the Russians, in contrast to his predecessors, by urging his audiences to read a book called "The Treaty Trap," saying it is the history of treaties going "clear back before the birth of Christ.
"And history shows that any nation that depended on paper, a treaty, to protect its interests instead of keeping its hardware up — that nation didn't stay around very long to write many pages of our history."