OPINION
5A
FRIDAY OCTOBER 3 200h
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
LETTERSTO THE EDITOR
JLJ4774@FLICKR.COM
Red Cross should know 'gay blood' doesn't exist
I am not lesbian, but I am in no way "freaked out" by the gay community. Gays should have equal rights. After I read this heart-breaking, touching article, I was completely appalled and a feeling of sadness overwhelmed me (Column: "Why won't the Red Cross take my blood?" Sept. 29).
Getting tested for HIV not only shows that the writer cares about his well-being, but it also showed that he tested negative. Yet, when he was asked one of the billion questions asked by the nurses, he was no longer allowed to give his blood because he stated that he is a "male who has had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977."
Really now?!
The statistics prove that anyone who is not protecting themselves correctly can increase the risk of catching an infection, including HIV. Does Red Cross still live in a stereotypical world? America has gone through some tough times: black rights, women's rights and gay and lesbian rights.
We have an African-American running for president. Women are highly paid executors, but we can't get over a stereotype that was big in the 1970s?
Giving your blood to a sick child, a dying elder or a victim of a tragic accident is one of the best things to do to better your country. The majority of us don't even realize how helpful we truly are being by doing this simple task.
Matt Hirschfeld, the columnist, clearly felt compelled to help in any way he could, and he was turned down even though he has clean blood. I am O-positive, and I know blood banks have been dangerously low of this type. What if he, or any other gay person, had this uncommon blood type but couldn't give and help people because of sexual orientation? Forget that his blood is infection-free and can save a life.
Red Cross needs to take a second look at the questions it asks its donors and consider changing them.
To Hirschfeld and any other gay person out there, don't give up trying because you, like everyone else, should be treated as an equal and not looked down upon just because of a stereotype.
Blood is blood, no matter what race, ethnicity or sexual orientation it comes from. As long as it's healthy, infection-free blood, it can still save a life.
Top reasons why men should take birth control
Ashley DeSandre is a sophomore from Pocono Lake, Pa.
After reading Ross Stewart's column "Top 9 Reasons I Won't Take Male Birth Control," I came up with my own list of why he should.
8. Although condoms are the most effective way of preventing HIV and STDs, they are only about 85 percent effective because of improper use. Oral contraception is 99.9 percent effective when used correctly.
7. Unless your roommates are deeply concerned with the inner workings of your reproductive system, I highly doubt they would be enthralled with how it feels when you ejaculate.
6. Our society assumes that the personal and financial burden of purchasing contraception should always fall on the woman, and that's extremely offensive. Last time I checked, sex requiring birth control involves two people, which means both should be responsible for preventing pregnancy. Perhaps when male birth control gets over the stigma that is presently attached to it, it will be available at a lower cost through health clinics. Also, if purchasing a monthly pill is going to bankrupt you, you may want to consider the cost
of raising a newborn.
5. It is irresponsible to think that just because you are not having a lot of sex, you shouldn't take measures to be personally responsible in your sex life. Millions of women stay on the pill for years, decades even, regardless if they're having "enough sex to warrant it."
4. If I didn't have a word count, you can bet I would school you on how sexist it is to suggest that all women in politics on birth control are "harlots."
3. Women have been going on and off the pill for half a century, and there is no indication that this leads to sterility.
2. If you have any female friends left after this article, I would think that they would find it alluring that you are taking the initiative to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Why would you be carrying your birth control packet with you? It's not a pack of gum. You can take it in the privacy of your own home at the same time every day. It takes a total of three to five seconds.
1. Most women find misogyny extremely unattractive, so I don't think you'll have to worry about having a lot of sex.
Courtney Kivett is a sophomore from Olathe.
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THE EDITORIAL BOARD
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THE EDITORIAL BOARD
FROM THE DRAWING BOARD
Over the course of his campaign, Obama has carefully cultivated his appeal among economically apprehensive voters, and now his efforts are rewarded. In November, national security and foreign policy will be afterthoughts, and financial turmoil and middle-class anxiety will control. Other things staying equal, this election is probably over.
MARIAM SAIFAN
The hazards of runaway capitalism dominate the headlines, and this was not an optimal approach to have taken. In addition, McCain lacks the requisite fluency and background on economic issues that would make his candidacy more appealing to anxious middle-class voters. His embarrassingly under-performing running mate does nothing to help this shortcoming.
who see the shadow of creeping socialism and governmental excess behind all economic evils.
Election was sealed with the last debate
Armstrong is a Dallas senior in business.
McCain easily got the better of Obama when the subject turned to foreign policy, but at a time when national security messages have ceased to resonate, it changed nothing.
Consider moderator Jim Lehrer's introductory remarks in
It's the economy, stupid. Again.
Democratic nominee Barack Obama is winning. And Republican nominee John McCain is losing. This probably is not going to change before election day, simply because foreign policy issues are no longer front and center. The national security anxiety of 2004 that delivered the White House back to President Bush has given way to this year's economic anxiety, an ominous development for a candidacy founded on national security appeal.
It's the economy, stupid. Again.
It's not 1992, but James Carville's famous slogan for former president Bill Clinton's campaign so prophetically captured the electoral insignificance of George H.W. Bush's foreign policy proficiency in the face of Clinton's economic appeal. This was especially relevant in light of the economic turmoil of the past few weeks.
last Friday's debate on foreign policy: "Tonight's [debate] will primarily be about foreign policy and national security, which, by definition, includes the global financial crisis." In college and in less polite corners of the world, this is called bullshit.
Thanks to Lehrer's verbal creativity, the candidates spent at least half of the only debate on international affairs discussing tax policy, earmarks, health care, regulatory frameworks, tuition expenses, electrical grids, ethanol subsidies and the DNA of bears in Montana.
In this altered electoral landscape, the strategic blunders of the McCain campaign have become apparent. Its efforts in the preceding months to broaden the GOP's economic appeal were half-hearted at best, and instead, significant resources and policy positions were sacrificed to reassure the tax-cutting, libertarian wing of the Bush coalition, a school of ideologues
Check the transcript. This was not just a rhetorical stunt by a veteran news anchor. The change in debate content accurately reflected the anxieties of an electorate that has drastically shifted its priorities away from foreign policy.
The percentage of KU students who are originally from swing states. CountMore.org, a Web site that tell out-of-state students where their vote counts the most, says most students don't realize how much of an influence they can have on the election.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
THE CONTEXT
Obviously, Lawrence's liberal vote isn't enough to make Kansas a swing state, but if enough out-of-staters stick around, Kansas has more of a potential to elect a non-Republican.
Here's some of the most important information that you may have missed from this week's news. Check out kansan.com for full stories and to leave comments.
THE BIG PICTURE
THE CONTEXT
The number of U.S. senators and representatives from Kansas who voted to approve the financial bailout package.
THE BIG PICTURE
Rep. Dennis Moore, a Democrat representing Kansas' 3rd district, which includes part of Lawrence, was Kansas' only person in Congress who approved the bill. The financial bailout package defies party and ideological lines, but it's still shocking to see Sen. Sam Brownback and Rep. Nancy Boyda agree on anything.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
THE CONTEXT
THE BIG PICTURE
The number in millions of people who tuned into the presidential debate last Friday.
The most-watched vice presidential debate in history was in 1984 between Geraldine Ferraro and former President George H.W. Bush, which brought in 56.7 million people, according to the New York Times. This vice presidential debate is expected to pull in more eyes than the presidential debate and any vice presidential debate in history.
To contribute to Free for All, visit Kansan.com or call 785-864-0500.
The Athletics Department should have to pay to be associated with the University
sity running.
That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Aside from tuition and state funds, the Athletics Department keeps the University running.
--quit complaining.
I'm totally having ramen for breakfast. Yay, college!
I refuse to accept this isn't the Cubs' year.
To the idiot who complained about the new athletic buildings going up and nothing new for the university: They are two separate entities, so quit complaining.
I miss our Monday laundry dates. I hope you do too.
Ron Paul is still an old douche.
I drank before my sociology test and got a drunk 98 percent on it.
Why are guys only interested in sluts but then complain that the only girls available on campus are sluts?
--replace him. Oh great.
I really wanna make out with a random girl in Anschutz.
After I woke up from my lab today, my butt was in major pain. I wonder what hap-
I'm not worried about second-hand smoke on campus. More like second-hand liberalism.
I have a huge test tomorrow morning and all I've done is YouTube Colbert Report and SNL clips with my roommates Can you say ADD?
The good news is that in a few months Bush will no longer be president. The bad news? Either McCain or Obama will replace him. Oh great.
--per minute?
Yea, you're probably right.
I saw a someone from the parking department writing someone up. They were parked in the handicapped spot. That's what, like $100 minute?
Capri Sun is awesome
The Naismith cafeteria is so strict about taking food out, a girl tried to take out a half eaten ice cream cone and she not chased down.
got chased down.
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