Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
United States First Amendment Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29. 2009
Boultinghouse: Media fail to focus on important issues
WWW.KANSAN.COM
COMING FRIDAY
CORRECTION
The writer of yesterday's column "Handicap (in)accessibility: Winter months raise concerns" does have a first name, and it's Melissa — Melissa Lytton.
PAGE 7B
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--for the direction of the country and a stoppage of your "pass the buck" mentality.
All I want is for the front desk guy at Robinson to talk to me
--for the direction of the country and a stoppage of your "pass the buck" mentality.
I cried tonight at "seven" in film class. Brad Pitt in tears = me in tears
--for the direction of the country and a stoppage of your "pass the buck" mentality.
Once again, girls, leggings are NOT pants.
Did anyone else see the girl painting her nails pink tonight in film while the guy sitting next to her held the bottle for her? Whipped.
I do nothing but Facebook and it sucks,but I admit it.
I am going to get so unbelievably drunk this weekend, like the stuff of legends drunk.
Sex once a week. Is that too much to ask from my man?
--for the direction of the country and a stoppage of your "pass the buck" mentality.
Don't call me hot. Call me beautiful, sexy or pretty, just not hot. It's just so cliché.
--for the direction of the country and a stoppage of your "pass the buck" mentality.
Some sicko is looking at porn in the Budig computer lab. Not cool
--for the direction of the country and a stoppage of your "pass the buck" mentality.
--for the direction of the country and a stoppage of your "pass the buck" mentality.
There's nothing like Sudoku and orange juice in the morning!
It just occurred to me how mediocre I actually am. I think this means I can just stop trying in general now.
--for the direction of the country and a stoppage of your "pass the buck" mentality.
Who knew that getting laid could be so difficult?
I thought girls would be better at giving hickeys. Apparently not.
--for the direction of the country and a stoppage of your "pass the buck" mentality.
You are the six to my nine.
--for the direction of the country and a stoppage of your "pass the buck" mentality.
To the bus drivers: McCollum is not the only dorm. Lewis would like a ride, too.
--for the direction of the country and a stoppage of your "pass the buck" mentality.
Bop Its are proven to increase sexual arousal.
--for the direction of the country and a stoppage of your "pass the buck" mentality.
At least you don't have a porcupine up your vagina.
I fucking hate SafeRide.
--for the direction of the country and a stoppage of your "pass the buck" mentality.
--for the direction of the country and a stoppage of your "pass the buck" mentality.
POLITICS
Obama: It's time to lead
Dear President Barack Obama,
Things must be getting desperate at the White House. You are suffering the worst poll ratings drop in the last 50 years and you lack any accomplishments on which to hang your hat. As a result, you have resorted to lashing out at your political opponents.
Your administration has openly declared war on anyone who disagrees with your policies — most recently, Fox News.
Your Communications Director Anita Dunn, Senior Political Advisor David Axelrod and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel have all taken their swipes at Fox News
When it was your turn, you said that the Fox News Channel is "operating basically as talk radio" rather than acting as a news outlet.
But Fox News isn't all you and your team have systematically attempted to demonize. In recent weeks you have also targeted the Chamber of Commerce, the insurance industry, doctors, Rush Limbaugh and Wall Street executives to name a few.
What is your goal? In the end, who wins? Even some Democrats on the hill are starting to get frustrated with your Chicago-style attack machine.
Mr. President, your poll numbers aren't falling because of Fox News. Rush Limbaugh or a lack of likeability. Please get to work. You have a huge majority in the House and a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. Now lead! Forget Fox News.
Please, Mr. President, take off your politician-in-chief jacket for once and try on your commander-in-chief jacket. That is what the American people are yearning for. In these tough times, America wants a leader in the White House, not a politician.
This is not an easy task. This requires taking responsibility (gasp!)
At a certain point, a president must own his presidency. Just last week, you told supporters in San Francisco that you were busy with a mop "cleaning up everybody else's mess." We know that drill all too well — "It's Bush's fault," right?
With your approval numbers decreasing and your disapproval numbers on the rise, the American people are beginning to hold you responsible. It would be wise for you to do the same.
very disturbing about going after Fox News harder than the Taliban. Last March, you handpicked General Stanley A. McChrystal to develop a strategy for winning in Afghanistan. He came to you two months ago with an urgent request for more troops. He bluntly told you that without more troops, the conflict "will likely result in failure."
If you are not willing to make a decision because of potential political ramifications in this November's elections or if you are going to kowtow to far-left pacifists, then get our soldiers out of harm's way now. If you are willing to wear your commander-in-chief jacket and put the country before politics, send our troops in the field the backup they are waiting for. Its time to be a leader. That's the right idea.
Mr. President, there's something
Obama's numerous remarks about "cleaning up" after the prior administration have started to cause concern in Washington.
EDITORIAL CARTOON
JAMES FARMER
Compton is a Wichita senior in political science.
When you travel or study abroad, you usually adapt to the local culture and social norms. It is important, however, to be smart and flexible when adjusting yourself to social cues. Failing to do this may lead to social embarrassment or even worse.
NICHOLAS SAMBALUK
Social cues misunderstood
CULTURE
In Asian societies, people seldom greet friends and relatives with much physical contact. Asians generally think of Westerners as being more socially passionate and enthusiastic as hugs and kissing are common greeting behaviors.
Social rituals can sometimes be offensive if used in inappropriate social contexts. Some people even take advantage of others under the guise of cultural differences.
I'm bad at saying no because' I don't want to turn down anyone and put that person in an awkward situation. However, my "too nice" personality often gets me into trouble.
For example, during my freshman year I got to know a middle-aged man on campus. One day he approached me and started
Despite my reluctance, I gave him my number. He called me several times, but I didn't answer and naively thought our story had come to an end. I was wrong.
talking. We ran into each other almost every day but didn't talk to one another until then. He asked for my phone number and said he would call to see if I wanted to go out for ice cream.
I ran into him again last year, and before I realized it was him, it was too late to turn around. His sparkling eyes scared me. We talked for a while, and he asked why I never answered his calls.
When it was time to leave, he said,
"It was so nice to see you again, and
I want to kiss you on your cheeks to
show my happiness."
him kiss me and I felt discomforted for days.
I was too stunned to react. I let
When I told one of my American friends about it, she was shocked.
I refends about it, she was shocked.
"I did not push him away because
I thought this is a Western way
to greet as I saw on movies,
and it seemed rude to refuse," I
explained.
"No, Josie. It's not. We only do this with our boyfriends or girlfriends and relatives. You should have said, 'No, I'm not interested,' she said. "If he keeps harassing you, you should call the police."
To those who are overly enthusiastic: Figure out whether the other person has a different cultural background before you show your affection. To those who are too nice: Learn to protect yourself.
Having been living in the states for three years, I'm open to the American lifestyle and culture. I'm comfortable to hug my good friends as long as we show ambiity and respect to one another. Mutual consent is very important.
Ho is a Macau, China junior in journalism.
FASHION
Piracy leaves a stain
In the heart of Chinatown are little garages and shacks run by vendors selling postcards, "I heart NY" T-shirts and other cheap souvenirs. But the stacks of Chinese slippers and Hello Kitty toys are only three to hide closets full of knock-off designer hand bags, shoes and jewelry.
When I was in high school I was desperate to own anything Louis Vuitton, Coach or Chanel, but could barely afford to dream about buying the real thing. After doing some research, I learned about the "deals" Canal Street had to offer. The shopping experience was glorious. I bought bags for $25 and $40 that elsewhere cost thousands.
To me, this was the next best thing to owning couture. But to the fashion industry, I was aiding the design piracy business. Much like pirating music or movies, design piracy is the reproduction and distribution of apparel without any credit or compensation to the original designer. This is applicable to anything from gowns to luggage.
When I was 15, I went to New York City for the first time since I was a little girl. I fell in love with the city's energy, people. History and most of all, shopping. But I never went into a single store on Fifth Avenue or any soHo boutique. I did all my shopping in back rooms and out of trunks on Canal Street.
Unlike other art producing industries, fashion is not protected by copyright laws in America. However, in 2007 a bill was presented to charge that
Passing the Design Piracy Prohibition Act will extend "copyright protection to fashion designs," according to
"Fashion has always been about inspiration," states StopFashionPiracy.com, a Web site dedicated to raising fashion piracy awareness. "Designers are inspired by nature, by culture, by events, by other designers, but there is a difference between inspiration and plagiarism."
Some see clothing as the first clean pair of jeans and T-shirt they come across in the morning. But for the people, who after years of school and hard work, finally create something innovative enough to make them designers, each unique piece they compose is an original work of art. The people who sell reproductions of designers' works are stealing and destroying everything设计师s work for.
France, Italy and other fashion capitals of the world enforce laws against design piracy, and it's time for America to support its branch of this billion-dollar industry.
OpenCongress.org.
I support the Design Piracy Prohibition Act because plagiarizing a fashion design is more than copying a product; it's stealing someone's unique creation, devaluing it and diminishing what it means to be a designer. Although I like the idea of making couture accessible to everyone, supporting fashion piracy diminishes the value of the couture I'd love to own.
Esposito is a Overland Park sophomore in journalism and film.
Unfortunately, as of the recent subcommittee hearing in May, the bill is still not passed.
For high school graduation my cousin gave me a Coach hipster, my first real designer bag. Last summer I carried the purse around the New York City, but after seeing all the fakes, my bag seemed less special.
Follow columnist
Alexandra
Esposito at
twitter.com/
TheHemileKU
LETTER TO In defense of conservatives
Modern international terrorism got its start under the liberal president Jimmy Carter who thought of Yassar Arafat as a George Washington. Carter also
Has anyone noticed the number of foiled terrorist attacks in the news? I thought that this was all going to change with the presidential election of Barack Obama. The last two weeks there have been attacks, in this paper, on the conservative philosophy by students who have no idea how it works. So now it is my turn to point out the obvious.
The liberal philosophy has said that all it takes to defeat terrorism is respect and understanding. It was the fault of the U.S. that international terrorism exists. They said Obama would "reset" the world stage and we would all gather and sing the "Coca-Cola Song" (ask your parents). If any of this were true, Osama bin Laden or any terrorist leader could just cancel any and all attacks.
Calvin Oyler is a senior from Lenexa.
forced out the Shah of Iran in favor of the Ayatollah Khomeini and his fundamentalist beliefs.
Even on TV liberalism fails.
"The West Wings" President Bartlett was most presidential when he struck back against terrorism like a conservative. For those who attacked conservatives in these pages, I would like to see a reasoned defense of liberalism, but I doubt you have the stomach for the fight.
Clinton denied the requests from his general for tanks and troops to protect his forces. The tanks requested would have likely saved the lives of many of the 18 American soldiers killed in Mogadishu after a blackhawk helicopter was shot down. But those tanks were still sitting in the United States. Clinton ignored attacks on our embassies, naval vessels, military barracks and and fled Somalia afterward.
Another liberal president, Bill Clinton, asked that Sudan send Bin Laden to Afghanistan where he would not be able to do any mischief until at least 2001.
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THE EDITORIAL BOARD
members of the Kanan Editorial Board are
Jessica Jensen, Sian Bard, Jennifer
offline莉琳·甘德林, Gatlin Therrien,
Alcohol Hatz