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OPINION
5A
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2008
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
How we can deal with our obsession with sin
G. K. Chesterton, a British writer, converted to the Catholic Church in 1922 because he said he could not ignore the truth in its teachings, and he was attracted by the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where sins are forgiven. "It is almost a joke," he says in his writings on conversion, "that it is only in a dark corner and a cramped space that any man can discover that mountain of magnanimity."
In Thursday's Jayplay, Heather Melanson wrote an article on her experience of an obsession with sin. The Catholic Church's Sacrament of Confession is not solely to focus on
one's sins, though taking a few minutes at the end of each day to examine our actions and our failings teaches us to be better. No, the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, "The whole power of the Sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God's grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship."
— Emily Jaumard is a 2008 graduate from Lawrence.
In this sacrament we ask forgiveness of God and he responds with an unimaginable, merciful love.
Think about the person you love most in the world. If you hurt their feelings, how long would it take you to ask their forgiveness?
editorials around the state
Client and Vice President
United States
Can Office
for one pair
Barack Obama and Joe Biden Democratic Party Nomin
John McCain and Sarah Palin Republican Party Nom
ASSOCIATED PRESS
How long is it until we finally grow up?
When America grows up, it no longer will be necessary to ask if this country is ready to elect a black president, if we're capable of electing a woman as president or if a candidate's sexual orientation should prevent him or her from serving on the state Board of Education.
When such discussions cease, that is when America grows up. Sadly, our immaturity still shows every time we argue these irrelevant issues.
But the end of Hillary Clinton's quest for the presidency didn't end the silly talk.
Over the last 21 months, we've witnessed a viable female candidate for president lose her shot for the nation's top job to a man who out-organized her and, some would say, outwitted her. Yet during that time we found ourselves debating the gender issue, completely ignoring the fact that more enlightened voters in Germany, Great Britain and other counties no longer debate the gender of their leaders.
The conversation quickly turned from whether the nation was ready to elect a woman as president to whether we're ready to elect a black man. And that needless conversation turned ugly in recent weeks when some Americans started showing
their true colors and their deep-seated racism. They absurdly shudder at the thought of a black man occupying the White House.
Kansas has not escaped the ugliness of this campaign season. In a state Board of Education race, a supporter of incumbent Kathy Martin decided to make an issue of Democratic challenger Christopher Renner's sexuality. Renner is gay.
Martin's supporter, Carolyn Simms, said she thought Renner's homosexuality is a relevant issue
Martin stated publicly she disapproved of Simms making Renner's homosexuality a campaign issue. But her disapproval came with a caveat.
It shouldn't be an issue, and Martin should have underscored that point.
When America grows up,scenes like this no longer will play out in political campaigns.
Relevant issues, candidates' experiences and leadership qualities will be debated, which will allow voters to make informed decisions. When America grows up, we no longer will see a candidate's color, gender or sexual orientation. We will see the person, the candidate, instead of labels.
But until that time, we ought to be embarrassed by our lack of maturity.
The Hutchinson News Oct. 31 editorial
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TYLER DOEHRING
Increasing obesity in moderation
To compete with other political ads exposing the "truth" about life as we know it, the Corn Refiner's Association launched an ad campaign promoting the "truth" about high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), America's favorite fattener, err, sweetener.
The commercials go something like this: One person is enjoying something, presumably with HFCS in it, and another person incredulously calls into question their commitment to good health. The syrup junkie asks the health fanatic what's so bad about HFCS, and the fanatic is suddenly at a loss for words. Junkie then chides Fanatic in a mother-knows-best sort of way that there's nothing wrong with corn syrup. It's tasty, all natural just like corn, and so gosh-darn American! Fanatic, seeing the error in her ways, immediately drinks or eats as much corn syrup as she can get her hands on.
bit more subtle. But the message they intend to drive home is simple: Corn syrup is the same as sugar and is harmless — in moderation.
Perhaps the commercials are a
Here's a short list of other things that, when consumed in various degrees of "moderation," probably won't kill you: crayons, gasoline, rat poison.
Or, think about how effective slapping the "drink responsibly" label onto beer commercials is the next time you see someone do a keg stand. It's just another vague "pass the blame onto you" catchphrase.
Using "in moderation" is a pathetic way to legitimize preaching the good news of corn syrup to a nation battling obesity, especially in children, who bring big money in the sweetener market.
They're playing a bizarre health card to get you to purchase more of their unhealthy product — and that's just tasteless.
The other issue is the natural deliciousness of HFCS, which the Corn Refiner's Association constantly repeats is just as good as
The Corn Refiner's Association is right on one thing. Corn syrup doesn't cause obesity, just like alcohol doesn't cause fatalities from drunken driving.
And finally, there's the issue of whether HFCS is actually more harmful than sugar or other actually natural sweeteners, sweeteners not chemically reconstructed from something that was once plucked from nature. HFCS is metabolized differently from other sweeteners, but whether that's a bad thing or not, scientists still aren't sure.
Besides, how is the average consumer suppose to consume HFCS "in moderation" when it shows up in nearly every processed food? Not just the obvious foods, like soda and breakfast cereals, but "simple" foods like bread and crackers, and even medicine. There's HFCS in my damn three-cheese whole wheat tortellini, and I have no idea why.
sugar because they're making no profit off sugar. But if you've ever tasted a Coke made in Mexico, where HFCS use is heavily restricted, you know the delicious difference between a product that's corn sugar-based and one that's not.
But although they preach moderation as a way to get around obesity, the elephant in the room, they sure don't want you to moderate your purchasing of products containing their sweet ooze.
McConnell is a Dallas junior in English.
Is this really what we are most worried about?
ASSOCIATED PRESS
To take a phrase from comedian Lewis Black, taking issue with gay marriage should be on page six on the list of things that this country needs to consider, right behind "Are we eating too much garlic as a people?"
Why is this on my mind? Because Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin recently brought up that she is all for banning gay marriage.
For those of you who haven't heard, Palin was asked by a third-grader the duties of the vice president, and she said the VP was in charge of the Senate and could work to direct legislative policy and didn't mention succession or the tie-break vote, which are the only powers given by the Constitution.
What does discussing gay marriage accomplish? Palin should be more focused on brushing up on what her constitutional duties are instead of getting served by a third-grader.
If we're going to start banning select people from getting married because that's how we set up a foundation for success, we should at least give the gays a chance. How
do we know they can't successfully raise a family?
If we're going to start banning people from getting married, why not start with alcoholics? I am the son of an alcoholic father who has not been in my life since I was 13 years old.
Since my mother divorced him, I rarely get phone calls, never receive birthday presents (and have to remind him how old I am each time, if he calls on the right day), and after 1 returned from living in Europe and surprised him and my grandmother on Christmas, he promptly passed out at 11 a.m. He left my mother with three kids and $17,000 in child support debt, still unpaid.
I'm not hesitant to say I'm a tad resentful, but does he seem qualified to raise a family?
Or how about someone who has
a history of domestic violence? As many felony assault records these people may have, they are still permitted to marry. And then if they happen to have a child, they beat the hell out of them. They may go to prison, but they are free to marry once they get out. Should they be allowed to marry?
This country needs to prioritize. How about this? We figure out Iraq and Afghanistan. We repair our economy and get an energy policy. We get a decent educational platform and health insurance reform. We upgrade our bridges, levies and highways. We fix social security along with Medicaid and Medicare
Suddenly gay marriage doesn't seem that important, now does it?
Graham is a Columbus, Ohio graduate student in exercise physiology.
To contribute to Free for All, call 785-864-0500.
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