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Tuesday, October 19, 1976
University Daily Kansan
Comment
Opinions on this page reflect the view of only the writer.
Beware of the flu
Most Americans don't have to worry much about their health. Outside of an occasional headache and cold, ailments are few.
At least that used to be true. Flu season is coming, and this year it could be especially dangerous. Those who are not aware about their health should be careful.
The virus could turn up again this flu season. Officials are concerned that it could reach epidemic proportions. Are health officials being alarmists?
THEERE HAS been one outbreak of the swine flu, which is contagious. The outbreak itself, like N.J., hit several military recruits, and one 19-year-old soldier died.
They probably aren't. In 1918-19, the swine flu hit and spread rapidly because there was little way to control it. Estimates vary, but the flu apparently killed eight million to nine million people, many of them young.
TODAY, THE flu virus can be controlled. The government will offer vaccinations to almost everyone free of charge except for those allergic to eggs, who must get their shots from a private doctor who specializes in allergies.
Guidelines for giving the shots to people under 18 haven't been developed, but it is hoped that dosages will be adjusted. For everyone else, the shots are free.
So what's the big worry? Until last week, there's not any. But then the program began, starting with elderly people—thought to be the group most endangered by the flu. At least 15 of the elderly who received the shots died.
PREDICTABLY, this caused concern. Health officials began to investigate. Some clinics temporarily suspended their vaccination programs.
The investigation found no connection between the deaths and the shots. This fact isn't hard to believe, because those vaccinated first were elderly people, many of whom had serious health problems and were in nursing homes.
Nevertheless, the government can do more to allay the public's fears. For example, are 15 deaths a higher number than usually occur within a span of few days among such people as those who were seriously ill or recently ment studied the possibility that the dosage of vaccination for high-risk patients should be changed?
**ANSWERING these questions would help strengthen the government's contention that the vaccine is safe. The last thing needed is for people to avoid getting the flu she is just because some people who received them died.**
The vaccine was extensively tested before the program began. No adverse results occurred other than a slight fever for 12 to 24 hours and some soreness around the injection area. Evidence shows the vaccine should be trusted, especially when the risks of not being vaccinated are so high.
The swine flu can kill—millions. It proved that more than 50 years ago. When the vaccinations are offered in some people should take advantage of them.
By Greg Hack Contributing Writer
Deck stacked against McCarthy
In the whole of this smoggy, sulfurous presidential campground, one breath of fresh air keeps you from fuming. Eugene McCarthy, philosopher,
politician and poet His independent candidacy is the victim of the kind of anticompetitive conspiracy that in
Dole shows 'em he's our funny-man
FROM: Rolph Raleigh
Executive producer WGNP/TV Prudie Ken
Bruxis, Kan.
TO: Sen. Robert Dole
Dear Rob.
Congratts on a job well done. You blew that Fritzy fella all over
the congrats and you had us here at WGNF/TV rolling in the
sales, hands up.
That quip about giving burglar the "bummy vote"—well, us folks in Frisus near bent a gut over that one surgery necessary.
And that gem: "When I think of Gov. Carter, I think of loopholes." My secretary, the associate producer, dumped her SOPA license.
You had him going, Bob, o' boy. Probably tickled the ribs of all the fine citizens of Buford County, Kan. Just great.
Which, beating-around-the-bush-wise, leads me to more matters. Suppose. and I'm just supposing now—but suppose you and the President just happen to, well, you know, lose in November. (Heaven for bidi!)
Sure, you've got a couple years left in the Senate after that, and heck, with your sense of humor, who knows? You might just grab the big one in 1980. You're young enough. You're sure funny enough.
But we're taking small potatoes now. Bob. Have you ever thought about a career in show-bite? I surreptitiously have. I mean after FFA, I had a job with the local library.
You see, Bob, we've got this weatherman (and I use the term politely) who doesn't know his you-know what from his pointer. During the six months we've had this turkey on WGNP/TV, he's poked holes in 16 weather maps. And that's not funny—he's obliterated Tula, Joplin, Wichita and Emporia a dozen times or more.
That wouldn't be so bad. But I'm telling you, Bob this guy's got a voice like a jack-hammer. You see, he stuffers. And you can just shout it out. No, he's not.
So how about it Bob? If you can handle a pointer as well as you can handle your tongue, you are a shoo-in.
the industrial world would send its perpetrators straight to jail.
And that's just for starters. You'd also get a chance to show off your comedic talents on our noontime feature movie show, "Chuckling for Change." These people call in, you see, and tell you a joke. If you guess the pachyne, they lose. But if they don't, they win. It's simple. (Frankly, Bob, we can't afford to lose much money.) If you guess the armor, wald stand a better than even chance of coming out ahead.
And the movies, Bob, the movies! We're negotiating with Hope (Bob-wise) for his "On the Road" flips. I tell you, just imagining the whole thing—Bob Hoe, Hedy Lammar and you, your jokes and your pointer on our stage—it makes my mouth water. profit-wise.
There is a small problem. As you mentioned during your thrilling debate performance, Italians are on your mind quite a lot. Well, Buford County don't have too many Italians. Lots of Catholics, but not too many Italians. We do have ninth-generation Czechs though, so maybe you could, instead of thinking about Italians all the time, think about Czeys—you know, PR-wise. There is, by the way, a super place a few blocks from our studio that has an "An the Spaghetti You Can Eat Special."
It's every Thursday night, and I'm telling you, Bob, for $2.75,
you can't beat it with a stick, value-wise.
Give it some thought, Bob, ol' boy.
But whatever you decide, we're on your side, Mr. Senator You've shown 'em - Kansas has its stock of fumy-men.
Sincerely, Rolph
(Note: Mr. Raleigh's letter was intercepted by Bill Suffen, Kansan staff writer.)
In theory, other independent candidates also are being treated unfairly. In fact, McCarthy is the only independent whose candidacy might have a significant impact Under the Election Reform Act, he finds the funds that might permit him to wage an effective campaign. Under the networks make-believe view of a "news event," he is denied access to TV.
THE POLLSTERS have demonstrated for several years that neither of the two major parties commands the allegiance of a majority of the people. The Republicans are under pressure to vote the voters, the Democrats perhaps 38 to 40 per cent. The rest are independents. Yet the Election Reform Act proceeds on the bias assumption that voters matter, so their candidates get $20 million each from public funds. McCarthy is caught in Catch 22. If he had funds, he could attract the votes that would be double for funds—if he had the funds. His campaign is broke.
Exposure on national TV, especially under the dreary circumstances that now exist, might generate a substantial sum. No contrived "news" material would be published. League of Women Voters' debates are not "news events" in the ordinary sense was
embarrassingly revealed when the audio failed in Philadelphia
SUPPOSE the audio had failed in the ninth inning of a playoff game between the
Phillies and the Reds. Would the players have stood around for 28 minutes? Humbug. The Republicans, the Democrats, the League and the networks co-conspirators in a comfy little room inside the fairness doctrine. The effect is to freeze McCarthy out.
McCarthy ought to be heard. He is a man of ideas—mostly misguided ideas, to be sure, but a man of ideas nonetheless. He is a man of ideas—honor and wit; no other candidate can make that claim.
Let me seek to avoid misunderstanding: McCarthy's views are not my views. His views are not my kind of nomenimess. His concept of a strong national defense is far removed from my own. But in McCarthy's case, he is not as strong as he is. He never going to be Chief Executive or Commander in Chief. His usefulness lies in other areas entirely. His role is to educate, to make us think
James J. Kilpatrick (c) 1976 Washington Star Syndicate, Inc.
McCARTHY spent much of this past summer fall landing on a farm not far from the valley. We are in Mountains. We put in some
pleasant hours drinks whisky,
quoting poetry and spinning
baseball yarns. After one such
session, he sent me a quotation
from Plutarch. He added a
covering note.
This was the quotation:
"They are wrong who think that politics is like an ocean voyage or a military campaign, sometimes a particular end in view, something which leaves off as soon as that end is reached. It is not a public chore, to be gotten rid of, but the life of a domesticated political and social creature who is born with a love for public life, with a desire for honor, with a feeling for his country, as long as need be . . .
"IT IS not simply officeholding, not just keeping your place, not just raising your voice from the floor, not just sitting on the rostrum with speeches and meditations. Politics and philosophy are alike. Socrates neither set out benches for his students, nor sat hours for his lectures. He was philosophizing all the time—while he was joking, while he was drinking, while he was soldiering. He was the first to show that all life, all the time, in everything doing, is the time for philosophy. And so also it is of politics."
Value of committees overlooked
This was the covering note:
"This is what it's all about. Best regards, Gene."
By PHIL McKNIGHT
Guest Writer
A few days ago, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Committee on the Advancement of Instruction and Advising met to discuss teaching problems at the University of Kansas. Students, 3:30 to 5 on Monday, ternoon, and its committee nature, many might question the likelihood that anything
HOWEVER, A closer look at the committee's work during the last few years shows many problems. The committee has greatly assisted in improving the Curriculum and Instruction Survey and the procedures for obtaining and using information from "Form B" on last spring's
significant would come from this group's deliberations and activities.
evaluation form was developed by the CAI4 during the 1975-76 academic year, and although I have qualms about the scale, I have no reticence about the committee's involvement.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Published at the University of Kansas daily August 10th, 2004. Subscriptions to this issue June and July each except Saturday, Sunday and Holiday. Subscriptions by mail are $5 a semester or $18 for subscription. A year outside the county. Student subscriptions are a year outside the county.
Yakubul Abukalah Rational Education
Manager Jain Bass
Campus Editor Stewart Branwyn
Associate Campus Editors Smith Barkley
Campus Editor Chuck Alexander
Photo Editor George Miller,
Staff Photographers Steve Koch
Sports Editor Steve Schenteld
Assistant Sports Editor Brent Anderson
Entertainment Editor Alison Gowan
Entertainment Editor Carl Young.
Contributing Writers Caty Young.
Chief Chefs John Fuller, Alison Gowan,
John Fuller, Alison Gowan,
Editor
Debbie Cure
Its commitment to improving the evaluation process has been supportive and much appreciated. The committee's effort in the implementation of Instruction Resources is advantageous in a more indirect but equally beneficial way. Its participation in the work of the office has lessened the need to inefficiency add to the overall effectiveness. Therefore, it can continue to act as a catalyst and coordinator.
Business Manager Terry Hanson
Also, the committee helps to stop the unfortunate attitude that "because the Office of Instructional Resources is in charge of rest of us don't need to worry about it." Instead, I feel that the CAIA's effectiveness has increased interest and involvement in the College through its reports to the College Assembly and the work members in their departments.
Aidant Business Manager Carole Roosterkoeer
Advertising Manager Jace Clements
Administrative Manager Marlene
Claudified Manager Sarah McAnahy
National Advertising Manager Kurt G. Schaff
National Advertising Manager Tamar Turner
THE WORK of the CAIA suggests two things: First, the committee can be a very effective—and, in the end, parsimonious—way of enhancing teaching at this university. Meeting 15 times a year, or about 30 hours, the CAIA has shown how
faculty members can effectively respond to different problems.
(Phil McKnight is Director of the Office of Instructional Resources.)
We should be more tolerant of the inefficiencies of committees and more understanding of their contributions to efficiency could be increased by
eliminating committees and other group activities, the result would be decreased par- ties between students University and fewer opportunities for students to influence University policy and discover the benefits of an abundant democratic institution.
THE QUANTITY and quality of these groups bely the maligned reputation of committees and the nature of the work shows students the democratic way in which a committee is a reliable institution that don't get discouraged by apparent cumbersomeness and inefficiency, they will be rewarded with a clearer understanding and enhanced appreciation of the openness and opportunity for meaningful participation provided by committees. It is fortunate that a committee has have the stigma of never accruing anything. The stigma may be appropriate for some groups but not for committees themselves.
Secondly, KU students and faculty are actively interested in and very capable of, implementing the problem of improving teaching.
The work of the CAIA shows how a committee can realize its unique potential as a group by working together. The efforts of SenEx and University Council on the financial exigency report reflect a similar group accomplishment.
Letters
Theater tour clarified
I am not normal impelled to write letters to the editor, and I wouldn't be doing so now if I were in a position of information was missing from the Oct. 13 article on the intercession theater tour to London—information necessary to be presented in the tour and the course.
enrollment in December.
Because travel arrangements must be finalized well in advance, and because at least 15 people must enroll for the class to "make" at all, those interested should contact Mary Davidson, a professor for the department of English, in 3116 Wescoe Hall, as soon as possible.
To the Editor:
The theater tour is being offered under the course heading English 590: Studies in Current
British Theatre—Drama Symposium and Criticism Workshop. Students will attend symposiums in London on varied aspects of the British theater.
For students taking the course for credit, classes will continue in Lawrence Jan. 10-14.
It should be made clearer than it was in the article that noncredit enrollment is possible for any nonsudent, whether he is actually involved in an adult education program or not. The course is open to all members of the community.
In London, participants will see eight or nine plays, only some of which will be performed at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and the Royal Court Theatre. Others will be shown in commercial theatrical productions.
Finally, to be more explicit about the tour package, the $620 price includes round-trip air fare, transportation between plane and hotel, seven nights at the Tavistock Hotel with private bath and breakfast included, and the price of four of the nine flights. The enrollment fee is a separate $49 for noncredit or undergraduate credit or $66 for graduate credit.
John Bush Jones
Associate Professor of English