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Thursday, October 15, 1992
OPINION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
IN OUR OPINION
Clinton's rally message emphasizes need to vote
Of all the large crowds that have gathered on the hill this semester, perhaps none was more welcome than the one of an estimated 6,500 that
showed up Tuesday to see Hillary Clinton. All the partisan rhetoric aside, the overriding and very important theme of the rally was summed up by the "Register and Vote" sign that hung on the stage behind the speakers.
It is a sad but true fact of demographics that collegeage students as a group have been one of the most apathetic voting groups in the United States. No matter what one thinks of the other messages presented by Jim Slattery, Gloria O'Dell, Joan Finney or Hillary Clinton, their message that college students need to be a part of the electoral process should be heeded.
Hillary Clinton noted that people all over the world continue to struggle, sometimes violently, for the right to have some say in their government, a right that we all too often take for granted. Participation in the political process does matter.
Not since Robert Kennedy spoke in Allen Field House in 1968, Slattery said, has student turnout at a political rally been so high. It is great to see such a high level of student interest, and it will be even better for us all if this interest is manifested again on Nov. 3. You have until Oct. 19 to register and two weeks after that to decide how you want to affect the way we are governed for the next four years.
MARK COATNEY FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Most preachers aren't like Phelps
The headline writer for the letters to the editor missed the boat with the headline for the letter by Andrew Gilman on Tuesday. Gilman criticized — rightly, in my opinion — the preaching by a man outside Wesco Hall as insulting and irrational. I don't know Gilman, nor his views on any other preachers, but it was clear in his letter that he was only writing about this one person. The headline, however, gave the impression that Gilman was against all campus preachers.
That is unfortunate, given the number of highly professional pastors present on the KU campus as campus ministers. In contrast to the preacher at Wescoe, these pastors provide an ongoing ministry dedicated to students and the campus community.
Recognized campus ministers are a permanent part of the college community. They represent their denominational bodies in this community. They lead worship and educational programs and offer social ministry opportunities, one-to-one counseling, and fellowship gatherings for students.
The Kansan's coverage of the Rev. Fred Phelps is another situation in which the Kansan has done a disservice to the campus ministries at KU. In the past 10 days, four articles, an editorial and now this headline to a letter have given one consistent picture of "preachers" — confrontational, combative and unwilling to listen to anyone. Such a picture is far from accurate when one considers the ministry that takes place every day on this campus.
I'm new at KU as the ELCA Lutheran campus minister, but if you want another version of "campus preachers" to compare with Fred Phelps and the man at
Wescoe, take a look around at the preachers who are on campus all the time. In the seven weeks I have been in Lawrence, I have been impressed by the ministry offered by my colleagues in campus ministry. They show true commitment to college students, they address themselves to the needs of students, and most of all, they listen.
Not all pastors on campus fit the mold of a Phelps or the preacher at Wescoe. Come by and visit with me or any of the other campus pastors, and I think you'll see what I mean.
Rev. Peter W. Rehwaldt Lutheran Campus Ministry
Love, not hate, is taught by Jesus
Have seen a lot of condemination toward those who are not Christians being spread across this campus. I would like to show non-Christians what I believe is the true meaning of Christianity. Being a Christian does not limit us from being human. Thank goodness Christianity is not based on humankind, but on Christ and His love for all of us: Christians and non-Christians alike.
John 3:17 says, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
More assurance such as this can be seen in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates his own love for me; we are still sinners, Christ died for us."
I would like to assure you that Christ loves everyone unconditionally, that He desires to be a part of your life and that He can meet your every need. To those of you who are Christians, let us strive to be like Christ and love unconditionally.
Mark T. Winton
Leavenworth Freshman
KANSAN STAFF
O'Dell's attacks on Dole show she lacks leadership qualities
With most of the nation's attention focused on the race for the presidency, it is frequently overlooked that there are elections for other offices as well.
Many people are upset with what they have seen from their senators and representatives. In the current Congress the American people have been witness to one scandal after another. As a result, the national mood is one of unhappiness, and many incumbents will spend the next term in some law firm or lobbying for an interest group instead of serving on Capitol Hill.
States across the country are in heated campaigns for governor, state senator and governor.
Thanks to the strong desire for the incumbents to vacate their posts, there is a new breed of challengers for a seat in Congress. Incumbents who appeared untouchable are now fearing for their political lives. However, this mood is often taken to an excessive point, where the good senators who have dutifully served their constituents are being questioned by those who wish to take their seat.
Editors
Assist. Managing...Almoe Braindal
News...Alexander Blohmholf
Editorial...Stephen Martino
Campus...Gayle Ostargberg
Study Salon...Shailyn Salon
Photo...Justin Knupp
Features...Cody Holt
Graphics...Sean Tevis
This is the case for self-boot job. Several weeks ago, Gloria O'Dell came to the University of Kansas to discuss her platform and reasons for joining the office. Unfortunately for the people who heard what she had to say, O'Dell showed her inability to successfully point out any failures Dole may have. Instead, she needed to resort to attacking his strong points. Sound like good politics? I guess that's your only alternative when you are running against one of the most respected senators in the land.
BILL SKEET Technology coordinator
Before criticizing O'Dell, it is impor
To show how shortsigned O'Reilly, we need look no further than her plans for additional funding of education. What are they? She asserted the need to reduce the defense bó get by $25 billion and to channel those funds into rebuilding our infrastructure and reducing the federal debt. If she is so concerned about education, why not realocate defense money into this arena? The answer is clear and typical of a Democrat. Create another new program that has costs we cannot afford while pretending to care about an issue for which you cannot even offer a solution.
In her speech at KU, O'Dell said that education was the most important tool for us to understand ourselves and the world. Listen to your own message, Gloria O'Dell. Understand that you are outclassed and overmatched. Anybody who would chose you over Bob Dole does not understand the purpose of electing a leader.
Business Staff
David Frankel is a St. Louis senior majoring in political science.
MOLLIEHANA
Business manager
BILLLEIBENGOOD
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JEANNE HINES
Sales and marketing adviser
ERC NELSON
Editor
GREG FARMER
Managing editor
TOM EBLEN
General manager, news adviser
Campus sales mgr. Angela Cleveren
Regional sales mgr. Melanie Tervil
National sales mgr. Brian Wilkes
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Marketing director Ashley Langford
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Status quo nations will have to change
Is she out of her mind?! What is that two-year-old building on lower campus called? The University did not dedicate a building to Dole because he does not care. If O'Dell wants to point fingers at people for the educational problems in Kansas, she need look no further than her fellow party member Joan Finney, who sat on her procrastinating rear in Topeka while KU was begging for assistance for rebuilding Hoch Auditorium.
If you want to question someone's dedication to education, use Bob Dole as a role model, not a target for criticism.
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
The importance of the U.S. presidential election lies in the fact that it is the first election to be held in the New World in the post-Cold War era. The president of the world's only superpower is being elected.
Letters should be typed, double-space and fewer than 200 words. They must include the University of Kansas name and a title, such as "M.D." or "Doctor of Medicine." The University of Kansas must include class and hometown, or faculty or staff position. Guest columns should be typed, double-space and fewer than 700 words. The writer will be required to submit the right to reject or edit letters, guest columns and cartoons. They can be submitted electronically.
One of the issues that O'Dell raised that drives me crazy is the funding of education. As students, this is something we all care about, so we should all be knowledgeable about this topic. However, O'Dell must think we are clueless, because she had the audacity to come to this campus and assert that Bob Dole does not care about educational concerns.
Why would anyone think of voting out one of the most respected leaders in America for an inexperienced, incompetent liberal who has a platform full of empty promises and no idea how to achieve what she aims for?
DAVID FRANKEL
tant to stress the accomplishments of Dole in his previous four terms in office and to comment him for representing the wishes of his constituents so well. As the Senate Minority Leader, Dole has had the experience not only of participating as a member of the Senate but also of being a leader. People admire and respect this man, who has been involved in almost every aspect of the government through his positions on congressional committees. Dole has fought to keep the uncontrollable levels of mandatory spending at a minimum.
George Bush keeps on talking to U.S. voters about the past while
STAFF COLUMNIST
Status quo supporters wishing Bush to win will have to wait for God's miracle.
Anyone who closely followed the developments in the United States during the past few months can clearly see Bush going downhill and the Democrats walking to the White House.
To borrow from the man himself,
I'm all ears.
Since U.S. elections are kind of elections for world presidency, Bush will drag down with himself status quo-supporting friends. No self and country-loving politician would link his destiny to that of Bush's.
However, it remains difficult to see how Perot's presence will change the election one way or another. Ross cannot claim the credit for any of the discussion of the "issues," however little, during the debates or at any other time in the campaign. After President Clinton takes office in January, will anyone remember Mr. Perot? More importantly, how will his presence in the '92 presidential race have effected any important changes in Clinton's economic, military or social policies?
Sabah Istanbul, Turkey
they want to look to the future. He doesn't say anything new and gives no vision. He thus represents the status quo.
Kevin Bartolier is a Louisville, Ky., graduate student majoring in English.
KEVIN BARTELS Wandering Perot adds nothing to the big race
Ah, yes — here we are at last. The debates. And what have we learned? We have learned that Bush wants just one more chance to make things right, Clinton wants just any chance to make things right and Perot — well, he wants to talk about the "issues."
And yet, during the debates Bush and Clinton seemed very reluctant to criticize or contradict Perot. Bush groveled constantly, and even when Perot harshly criticized Bush directly, Bush constantly backed away from making any aggressive attack on Perot or his positions. There was considerably less mudsling than anyone expected, and maybe that was due to the presence of Perot as well.
Despite my fervent hope that the entirely irrelevant issue of Bill Clinton's character of more than 20 years ago has been laid to rest, I am not convinced that Bush is going to let that one go, Clinton, to his credit, gave a good response to Bush when he told The Evil One that he "was wrong to attack my patriotism." But little Ross had the best response of the three when he said that "it was very important to measure when things occur" and that mistakes of judgment made while in office, a sly allusion to Bush's duplicity during the Iran-Contra affair, were "on our ticket." No doubt about it, the Texas billionaire with Dumbo-sized ears and ego was the star of Sunday night's debates.
Too bad Ross isn't running for president.
What? Perot has never really commanded the votes necessary to carry him into the Oval Office. Why, then, is he spending so much of his time and money to wage what seems to be a hopeless campaign? Questions, questions, but no one can say for certain is going on in the Perot election effort.
We know that Perot wants to raise taxes, we know he doesn't like George Bush. Anything else about Perot, his ambitions, his leadership ability, or specifically he would do once elected has not been forthcoming.
Perot has not ever been a politician, and he lacks the necessary fortitude to campaign actively for the presidency. In short, Ross has been and continues to campaign for none other than Ross. His "United We Stand" organization continues to remain an enigma. While it ostensibly exists for the election of Perot, it has at times seemed a coalition of the disaffected, and what real political influence it will retain after the election is questionable. The essential question here is will Perot continue to bankroll "United We Stand" after Nov. 3?
Grace
By David Rosenfield