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Thursday, October 1, 1992
OPINION UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
IN OUR OPINION
Children's values mean the most in our society
The recent courtroom decision granting 12-year-old Gregory Kingsley a divorce from his biological parents was a case that caught the eye and pulled at the heartstrings of many.
The case was unusual because the suit was pursued by an underage boy rather than by a foster parent or the state, and legal experts agree that it established an important legal precedent.
It was apparent after a quick two-day hearing that the sympathies of the legal system and the U.S. public were with the boy. The general consensus is that children are not property to be abused, neglected or abandoned without severe consequence.
It is interesting to note that we as a society were all in agreement.
The consensus is that every child deserves to have their most basic needs fulfilled.
What we are not in agreement with as a society is the much talked about family values platform that has become so prominent this election year. The problem is the unclear definition of the catch-all phrase family values, dreamed up by today's politicians.
We are a diverse and ever-changing country that cannot be defined or classified in traditional terms. Defining family values is like trying to define who we are as Americans, and that is not possible.
We are a country made up of different colors, races, cultures, religions and family situations. What is traditional and works for some assuredly will not even be possible for others.
Instead of seeking to define who we are traditionally as a country, let's concentrate on trying to heal the real wrongs in our society. In Gregory's case, all sides agree that the best solution would be to improve the way government oversees the child-welfare program. If the government was doing its job, state advocates would have stepped in on Gregory's behalf, and he wouldn't have needed a lawyer.
Gregory fell through the cracks of the child-welfare system. There are others like him. What is needed is fundamental reform in all areas, including child welfare.
As a diverse nation, we could not possibly have a consensus definition of what family values are, but we do agree that we all have basic human needs.
At best, lets drop the political definition of family values. If someone wants a definition then let it be that we value our children.
JENNY MARTIN FOR EDITORIAL BOARD
NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Promises by candidates need to be examined
As campaigns across the country heat up for the last mad dash to election day in November, the race seems to be fueled almost exclusively with a lot of promises. promises.
Voters would be wise to get in the habit of responding to these promises with three questions:
1. How much is it going to cost?
2. Where's the money going to come from?
3. Where's the money going to go?
PINE BLUFF (ARK.) COMMERCIAL
Candidates' double talk mirrors one-night stand
I have a confession to make. I voted for Mike Dukakis. Since I was probably the only guy in Kansas to vote for the donkey candidate in '88, I feel like I should explain that choice. Oh, I have a few excuses — I was young, it was my first presidential election, my biorthystrum were a bit off. But, in truth, my decision came down to this: I voted against George Bush. Krusty the Clown could have been the Democratic candidate and he still would have received my vote.
I hasten to add that this was not because I am some fanatic Democrat who spits when he hears Barry Goldwater's name mentioned. My family is predominately Republican, and although I am a political heathen without membership in any political party, I am sympathetic to some of the Republican agenda.
My vote was cast not on a partisan basis nor out of any personal dislike for George Bush. I simply suspected that George Bush would do or say absolutely anything in order to become president. This was the man, after all, who in 1980 went in a matter of weeks from ridiculing the Reagan plan as "vodooo economics" to being suddenly converted to the faith when offered the vice presidency.
So my heart sank and my mind made up when I heard Bush confidently proclaim that there would be "no new taxes." This promise was the
MARK COATNEY
political equivalent of saying "I'll call you" the morning after a one-night stand. Everyone knows that such a promise is unlikely to be kept, but they want so desperately for it to be true that they fall for it.
That Bush could make such a cynically manipulative promise sealed my opinion of George as an opportunist with few convictions except that he should be president. Mike had his problems. That M-1 tank thing was awful. But even if I disagreed with some of his principles and programs, at least I knew that he had some.
Which brings us to this year's election. Bush is his old self. He did raise taxes, he hasn't been what I would consider the environmental or education president, and he slips in and out of campaign modes with bewildering rapidity in an effort to find a persona that will work like the "no new taxes" one did in '88. This, as I've said, is nothing new.
What is distressing and disappointing is that Bush's opponent this time seems to possess the same faith as George, that no stance is firm and a candidate should do and promise whatever it takes to get elected. Clinton's flops on the issues, what Newsweek's 'Joe Klein calls the "squish factor," have become legend. His refusal to take a stand on the North American Free Trade Agreement and his insistence on admitting only what he has to about the draft — are uncomfortably Bush-like. What can one do when both candidates are equally unprincipled?
It has come to this. Rather than being the chooser of the lesser of two evils, the American people during this campaign season find themselves to be the lessor of two evils, with an option to buy on Nov. 3. In the continuing one night stand that our campaigns have become, the candidate who gives the most convincing lie is successful. And of course this is because, at least on some level, the U.S. people want it this way. They want to be able lie back in bed, smoke a Camel, and have George or Bill promise to call later.
As for me, I don't smoke, but I am starting on Nov. 3.
Mark Coatney is a Uniwood graduate stu dent majoring in political science.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Liquor by the drink will solve problems
The Lawrence Pub Crawl this past Wednesday and Thursday was great for local bands and live-music lovers. More than 30 bands were on the reasonably priced ticket. And yes, they were all within crawling distance of one another.
But this event pointed out the major problem with the Lawrence music scene—private clubs. Some of the locations were private clubs that only let in members or guest
It's an outrage to be turned away from seeing a group solely for the lack of a membership card. The idea of having to belong to every club that has a band you want to see goes against the spirit of live music. Memberships only limit access to bands and create headaches for clubs.
members. If you aren't fortunate enough to be in either of those categories and can't scan your way in, then you've missed the show.
What can you do? A liquor-by-the-drink proposal will appear on the November ballot. Voting on the
proposal would end the member ship problem and allow more people to enjoy live music.
Remember to register to vote by Oct. 19, then vote in the local and national elections and vote yes for humor-by-the-drink.
The Pub Crawl has the makings of a popular addition to the local night life. Maybe next year, it's up to you to make the difference.
Chuck Knowles
Lawrence junior
KATE KELLEY
Students highlighted by their school garb
There are many ways to spot a nontraditional student around campus. Some are obviously more mature looking. Most look at their watches a lot, since they are usually on intricate time schedules that provide only the most minute amount of time between classes, jobs, picking up kids and taking care of the vast off-campus responsibilities they have.
Then there is the assortment of hard-covered books. These are not only heavy but also are difficult to stuff any number of them into one
In my backpack, for instance, I carry all my books for the day. There is no running home between classes to drop off what I do not need. Since I am an English major, every semester I get another Norton's Anthropology toug around. This little treasure weighs in at about 10 pounds. At least seems to after a few hours hanging from my shoulder.
But you can almost always spot Non-traditional students, particularly the commuting variety, by the enormous backpacks we lug around. We must carry half our lives around in these bags, giving us the appearance of some species of adult-mutant-student turtles.
But books are only a fraction of the load. Kansas weather being what it is, I usually cram an umbrella into the pack. I was caught in one downpour this fall and got to drive for an hour in soaking wet clothing, so now the umbrella stays close by.
Then there are the extra clothes. When you get dressed at 6 a.m., when it is 40 degrees outside, you look pretty silly about 2 p.m. in your sweater and parka when the sun is shining and the temperature has climbed to 80 for those skins to layer. As you peel off those skins, they go into the backpack.
STAFF COLUMNIST
Or when it is a satry 90 degrees outside but subzero inside Wescoe, it is prudent to carry around a sweatsuit or risk hypothermia during classes.
Plus there are the tissues, aspirin, sunglasses, reading glasses, hand lotion, combs and extra pencils that are essential to many of us.
KANSAN STAFF
Most of my friends know they can come to me for nail files, bandages and cough drops. I have the Mary Poppins carpet bag of the backpack world.
My bag weighs up to 20 pounds on some days. I am developing muscles that could put Arnold Schwarzenegger to shame.
Last semester, I remember several Student Senate candidates spouting off about lockers for commuting students. Funny, but I have not heard another word about it since. Was this just another empty campaign promise designed to lure the votes of the oppressed turtle-people?
I think I speak for many of us when I say I would like one of those lockers. I would like to once again walk freely and fully upright across campus, properly dressed for the weather, distinguished from other students only by my crows feet and that nervous habit of looking at my watch.
Kate Kelley is a Fort Leavenworth junior majoring in English.
BILL SKEET. Technology coordinator
ERIC NELSON
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GREG FARMER
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TOM EBLEN
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HILLLEIBEGOOD
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Sales and marketing adviser
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