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Monday, September 14, 1987 / University Daily Kansan
Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Hopes for Pope's tour
Pope John Paul II can expect numerous protesters as well as adoring thumbs to greet him during his tour of the United States.
Opponents of the Vatican's views on such topics as abortion, birth control, Israel and others will turn out in force to make their views known and to share a piece of the media attention that will accompany the paal visit.
There are those who decry the political overtones that are cast on what they see as simply a spiritual mission. But we should be encouraged that such robust debate regarding important social and political issues will occur.
Reagan's administration is the first in U.S. history to extend diplomatic — and therefore political — recognition to the Vatican. Moreover, the pope frequently meets with world political leaders, including such controversial figures as Austrian President Kurt Waldheim. Accordingly, we should not be disturbed that political and social activists wish to express their objections to the views of the none
Indeed, as a man of great spiritual character and leadership, it is only fitting that John Paul II should hear and meditate upon the concerns of the people of this nation, Catholic and non-Catholic alike.
Let's hope that the spirit of open debate and the earnest convictions of the protesters will not be compromised by disruptive behavior or violence. Though it is important that differing moral, social and political views be heard, the merits of a cause, whatever it may be, can never justify barbaric behavior.
The struggle for a just moral ethic cannot be served by resorting to actions which all would agree are immoral.
No pity
Gary Hart dug his own political grave, and now he must lie in it.
residential candidates give up their private lives when they run for office. What they eat, where they go and who they're with are all public information.
The electorate deserves that information so that it can choose who to support. The conduct of candidates shows much about their judgment.
Consider Hart's conduct
He issued a challenge to the press to follow him. What they would find, he said, would bore them. But it didn't.
When the press took up his challenge, followed him and pointed a spotlight on his relationship with Miami model Donna Rice, Hart was not straightforward. It was none of their business, he said.
Hart's faulty judgment led to the end of his presidential quest. In an emotional television interview last week, Hart admitted that he had committed adultery during his 29 years of marriage. He took responsibility for keeping company with Rice. He apologized to his children. He was contrite.
And yes, it was a pitiful scene.
But Hart does not deserve pity. His own actions led him on his downhill path.
Birthday blues
Modern man once again manifests his obsession with anniversaries of technical achievements.
series of technical events. Last week marked the 100th anniversary of yet another lofty invention, which perhaps changed the course of Western civilization as we know it.
This invention, small enough to rest on a thumbnail, gave generations of common people the capability to see far ahead. It allowed most to set their sights high. It transformed the blurry into the crystal-clear.
into the crystal sphere.
Yet, many celebrate this invention because it reveals the beauty nature intended. It allows man to conceal handicaps that were once openly visible.
Those still in the dark about the nature of this invention are merely blinded by its high profile.
The contact lens. Its transparency has dropped many a wearer to his knees in search of the slippery disc. Yet it brings many to their feet as they cheer the invention's cosmetic applications.
And consumers are now eyeing the newest innovation in the contact lens - color. Those blase brownis can now hide behind baby blues.
Perhaps wearers should now join hands and sing the first line of "The Star Spangled Banner."
Editorials in this column are the opinions of the editorial board.
News staff
Jennifer Benjamin ... Editor
Jull Warren ... Managing editor
John Benner ... News editor
Beth Copeland ... Editorial editor
Sally Streff ... Campus editor
Brian Kabelline ... Sports editor
Dan Riettman ... Photo editor
Bill Skeet ... Graphics editor
Tom Eblen ... General manager, news adviser
Business staff
Bonnie J. Hardy ... Business manager
Robert Hughes ... Advertising manager
Kelly Scherer ... Retail sales manager
Kurt Messersmith ... Corporate sales
Greg Knipp ... Production manager
David Dorfelt ... National sales manager
Angela Clark ... Classified manager
Ron Weems ... Director of marketing
Jeanne Hines ... Sales and marketing adviser
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Attitudes sealed Auburn victory
Clubbed like a baby seal.
The nightmare, as easily as it had left, has returned. And we have front-row seats next to the devil-possessed guy wielding the chainsaw. Kansas football has started
Granted, we did open the season with Auburn,
a fourth-ranked team whose linemen eat small
household pets for midday meals, and lost, 49-0.
My problem is the way we lost 49-0
Face it, we have an attitude problem.
Instead of playing Auburn with a vengeful frothing-at-the-mouth attitude, we snuggled up to them like a baby seal waiting to be clubbed into the middle of next week.
Where does the attitude problem start? Let's begin with the ever-graceful Bob "Can't win for losing?" Valesente. Bob, it's time we start showing a little faith in our football team.
Or as Bob elegantly said in Friday's Kansan, "We've worked hard on our puncting game this week." If Bob was in the Army, he'd install back-up lights on tanks and teach troops the proper way of throwing one's hands in the air to
surrender. Truth hurts, huh, Bob?
shelter. Then trust me.
We have to stand tall, Bible in hand, and be proud to be a Jayhawk. Did the men in the Alamo practice their打unting game? Did the men in the first space missions practice their打unting game?
Sure, the world is against us, and we don't have any matched soaks. But does that mean we have to roll over and die? So what if Sports Illustrated called our football program a joke. Also picked the Cleveland Indians to win the World Series, and look at them.
Admittedly, the only reason KU football fans
will be throwing oranges on the field this year is if the team runs out of Gatorade. However, an Orange Bowl is not the only factor in determining pride.
Consider the fans. While watching gridiron giants like Kent State, Louisiana Tech andOU students add to the magicianement by creating a technical illusion of a giant白牙Jawhawk.
Consider teamwork. The KU athletic program is one of the most drug-free in the country. Not to mention, the entire football team is academically eligible. Truth hurts, huh, Mr. Swizer?
Consider tradition. Maybe we don't have a glorious football tradition like Notre Dame, but maybe we can have a football tradition.
Someday, somewhere, the Jayhawks will rise from their youth and take command of the Big Eight.
Take that. Auburn. Wimps
We are KU football fans, hear us roar.
Joel Zeff is a Kansas City, Mo., sophomore majoring in journalism.
Foreign students adapt to KU, culture
After spending the summer in the South amidst the blistering heat, I loaded my luggage with souvenirs and headed back to Lawrence wearily. The strong, cool winds greeted me. The town would be flooded with people once more.
Well, it is fall again and the beginning of another academic year. Familiar August surroundings invoked a flood of memories that marked my first year in the United States.
Experiences with the first taste of American life can be painfully embarrassing at times. My first opponent proved to be an unseeingly formidable one — the water spigot. It turned from right to left before the water gushed out — just the reverse of what I did back home. Old habits certainly die hard for I still have the tendency to turn the tap the wrong way when I am done, leaving wet blotches all over my carefully ironed blouse.
The light switch is just as odd. To turn it on, I had to push it up instead of down. Getting into the car also proved to be a hilarious experience for everyone except me. I always walked to the left side of the car even though I did not possess a driver's licence.
The huge, hilly campus nearly drove me nuts,
too. I have vivid memories of my desperate search for classes and of worrying myself sick about a suspected case of asthma or heart disease
when I panted for breath upon reaching "Wescoe Beach."
A few weeks after arriving, my skin began to look like fish scales because of the dry spell in
'Experiences with the first taste of American life can be painfully embarrassing at times.'
Lawrence. And my hair always looked like a tuft of grass when I reached my first class — thanks to the wind that cut through my hair like a razor blade.
There was also a dismaying amount of breakdown in communication until I picked up some slang and got used to the American accent.
Questions such as, "How's going, man?" used to send my mind reeling with utter astonishment.
On a more serious note, new students who have traveled thousands of miles to attend school here often experience a large dose of homesickness. Communication by phone with folks at home can only happen sparsely because of high costs. Extensive letter writing becomes a norm or duty for most foreign students.
Adjusting to a totally different culture and lifestyle takes more than a willingness to embrace and experience new things. There have been instances where foreign students are ridiculed for not knowing how to converse well in English. Scars like these are hard to erase.
When things go wrong, such as doing poorly on exams, succumbing to an illness, or simply feeling stressed, a foreign student is highly susceptible to a sense of helplessness and isolation.
There are many hurdles to overcome for a student who has decided to enroll at a university where it takes three days to get home — by plane!
My advice to freshmen from all corners of the world is: Be receptive, put your best foot forward and hope it doesn't end up in your mouth!
Janet Neo is a Johor Bahru, Malaysia, sophomore, majoring in Journalism.
K·A·N·S·A·N
MAILBOX
Responsible students
We read with displeasure yet another annual column complaining about the KU advising process. Brad Taylor's remarks regarding the English proficiency of African Studies professors could be construed as racist and reflected his ethnocentrism.
The University of Kansas expects students, who are adults, to take appropriate responsibility in the advising process. It is expected that a student know the basic requirements for graduation or entrance into a professional school
Armed with this knowledge, the student and adviser together can formulate a solid schedule. Additionally, the student should be prepared to seek out the answers they need. No adviser can be expected to learn the requirements for every program. Advisers for specialized programs like pre-med, pre-law, pre-nursing, pre-occupational therapy or pre-physical therapy are available to answer specific questions either at the Advising Support Center or other appropriate offices. Questions regarding professional entrance exams are addressed in the testing booklets available when the student applies to take the test.
These requirements are available in the undergraduate catalog, from the professional school or from the Advising Support Center.
The University of Kansas has many competent, informed and concerned faculty members who have served as advisers without remuneration.
tion. Your column was a disservice to these dedicated people. Moreover, the responsibility of a columnist is to be informed about the subject. It is easy to criticize without substantiation or alternatives. A responsible journalist should learn this lesson early in his or her career.
Dawn Semon, advising assistant at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Advising Support Center and Lawrence graduate student.
Kim Metzger, advising assistant and Lawrence graduate student.
Carol Coburn, advising assistant and Lawrence graduate student.
BLOOM COUNTY
by Berke Breathed
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