Opinion
United States First Amendment
FRIDAY,OCTOBER 9,2009
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.
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--to get input from the people in the neighborhood.
If one more person flips me off because I "almost" hit them, I might
They tried to pitch a tent in the middle of a blizzard. Needless to say, packages were lost.
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Is it wrong that I masturbate in my roommates' beds when they're not home?
--to get input from the people in the neighborhood.
Best class note I've ever taken: "Girl runs away, stuffs vanina."
To the joggers on Naismith drive: Do you realize how many pollutants you are breathing down there?
To some, the way of the celestial masters might be the way of Taoism. But for me, it is the most badass kung fu on the planet
--to get input from the people in the neighborhood.
I caught my roommate using her vibrator the other day.
I am more fly than the Wright brothers.
They said they were going to put electrodes and gel on my head. I walked away very fast
--to get input from the people in the neighborhood.
I think my ear piercings have transcended the level of acceptable crustiness.
--to get input from the people in the neighborhood.
Dear frat boys: Shorts that go two inches above your knee and are neon colored are not attractive.
--to get input from the people in the neighborhood.
So I was drunk and fell out of my bed. No one came to help. Then my mom gave me a message
Dear roommate: If you want to stop attracting men that are bad for you, you have to stop thinking with your vagina.
--to get input from the people in the neighborhood.
--to get input from the people in the neighborhood.
I just told my brother his friend was hot. He told me everyone else thinks him and that friend look alike. FML
I just found out Miley Cyrus isn't even 17. I feel like such
I judge people on campus by the pace of their walk.
--to get input from the people in the neighborhood.
--to get input from the people in the neighborhood.
I declare Ugg hunting season officially open.
Wait, you pooped in the refrigerator, AND you ate a whole wheel of cheese? I'm not even mad.
--to get input from the people in the neighborhood.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Off-campus lighting will increase safety
The lighting on the streets between campus and downtown Lawrence is insufficient, and action is finally being taken to fix this problem. The City of Lawrence and Student Senate should be applauded for taking a step in the right direction.
Mark Thiel, assistant public works director, said that the City of Lawrence has partnered up with
Student Senate to add pedestrian pathways to this highly trafficked area, but that the project is "still in the planning process."
Elise Higgins, com-
An indirect goal of this project would be to repair the sidewalks, Higgins said, but this would depend on the cost of the light installation. Thiel said the city's involvement in sidewalk repair depends on whether the repairs were on or off campus.
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Elise Higgins, community affairs director for Student Senate, said the lights would be about three feet high and would be close to or on the sidewalk. Higgins also said the lights are "hardy because they don't create light pollution."
Lawrence Public Works is currently conducting a review of specific streets including 14th Street from Louisiana to Massachusetts Streets and 11th Street from Louisiana to Massachusetts Streets. They are looking to see how many repairs need to be made and how much they will cost. Higgins also said the pathways might be extended on Vermont Street.
In a meeting last week, Higgins said the project gained support from the Oread Neighborhood
A meeting will be held Nov. 11; Thiel said the city will present concept ideas and Higgins said the cost of the project would be announced.
Representatives, the Greek Community, the All Scholarship Hall Council and the Oread Hotel. The GaDuGi SafeCenter also joined the project.
The project is applying for a Community Development Grant through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in December for added funding. Higgins said they are "also looking at using some money from the Campus Safety Advisory Board, which is part of Student Senate." These two resources should not hesitate to give their money to this project.
Right now Higgins is working
Emily Moser, Kansas City, Kan., junior, who lives on Tennessee Street, said that when she walks home at night she feels unsafe both because of the lack of lighting and the recent attacks in the area.
"Street lighting is a productive step to creating a safer downtown, which contributes to a reduction of attacks." Moser said.
No time frames have been established for the project so far, but Thiel said that input from the student body would be crucial. He said it's important to know which streets students frequent the most when walking from campus to downtown to determine which streets are in most need of lighting.
EDITORIAL CARTOON
Student Senate and the City of Lawrence are doing the right thing by working toward increasing safety in the area. Lighting is a crucial part of this process, and the sooner it is improved the better. Students should contact their student senators to show support for this endeavor, and urge them to make this a priority in their agenda.
Kate Larrabee for The Kansan Editorial Board
"MY FREE SPEECH COSTS MONEY. I WANT YOU TO PAY FOR IT."
NICHOLAS SAMBALUK
POLITICS
Liberalism versus conservativism
Are liberals and conservatives actually pursuing disagreements? Do our political parties just pick the opposite side of an argument in order to have the opportunity to pick up political points?
Call me naive, but I say no. I think there is a deep-seated difference between the two ideological camps — a broad difference that comes way before we debate issues such as the economy, the environment or health care. This fundamental difference comes from where we believe our rights originate.
The more mention of religion makes the secular left fidgety, especially when the case is made that the United States is defined by Judeo-Christian ethics. It is no secret that many left-wing leaders and the mainstream media have sought to change this perception.
Those on the political left see power residing in an omnipotent, central government. This government is what loans rights to its people.
The political right wing, on the other hand, believes our Creator is the most powerful. It is our Creator who grants "we the people" our rights. Then the people loan their sovereign power to the government.
In a 2007 speech, President Barack Obama said that "Whatever we once were, we're no longer a Christian nation." Earlier this year, the left-wing magazine Newsweek ran a cover story titled "The Decline and Fall of Christian America."
But there is no denying America's religious roots. Religion was very much a part of America's founding. The Declaration of Independence states "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights."
Again, America was founded on the belief that our rights were granted to us by our Creator, not our government. Our constitution safeguards the liberty of the people and places limits on the government, not the other way around.
So what does this all mean? Why does this disagreement about where our rights come from make such a big difference in our feelings on issues such as the economy, the
environment and health care?
It's very simple. The left believes the government comes before the individual and the right believes the individual comes before the government. This is the crux of ideological differences in U.S. politics. This is the reason the left and right disagree on how to better govern the country.
Compton is a Wichita senior in political science.
Former President Ronald Reagan said it best: "I know there have been other constitutions ... most of them contain many of the same guarantees as our own, and still there is a difference. The difference is so subtle that we often overlook it, but it is so great that is tells the whole story. Those other constitutions say, 'Government grants you these rights' but ours says 'you are born with these rights, they are yours by the grace of God, and no government on earth can take them from you.'"
Liberals have long claimed to be the voice of the downtrodden and powerless, but it is the conservatives who fight for the smallest minority of all — the individual. Continued belief in the power of the unabridged human spirit is America's greatest asset. That's the right idea.
NUTRITION
Smart choices today lead to healthy life
We've heard them all college is a journey; the greatest lessons learned are those outside of the classroom; opportunity lingers around every corner.
That is why, possibly more than any other time of life, it is critical to make health-conscious choices in college. Simply integrating routines into life now makes it easier to maintain a healthy body in the future.
But with all clichés aside, I digress. The real point is that college is a time of self-definition, where relationships are developed, career paths pursued and habits formed.
Unfortunately, health takes a backseat all too often. This doesn't have to be the case. Beneficial habits can fit into a schedule otherwise packed with studying, time with friends and occasional fast food.
Not convinced of the significance that decisions made now have on the rest of life? That isn't surprising. College students are infamous for procrastination. I'll even argue in favor of occasional deference — other than the freshness of the printer ink, what is the difference between a paper written today and one written tomorrow?
Yet — for the sake of the metaphor — postponing healthy choices is like waiting to complete a major assignment until the last minute, only to realize it was due yesterday. While professors may be sweet-talked into providing extra time, excuses do not apply to lifestyle choices. Sorry, but saying, "My dog ate my running shoes" is not particularly effective in warding off diabetes or lung cancer.
There are no magic pills or instant fixes in the pursuit of healthfulness. It requires awareness and self-accountability. But healthful habits don't necessitate sacrifice.
Once little habits are tackled, it is time to take on bigger obstacles. Issues vary from person to person, so self-reflection is necessary in determining what to address. From that point, break down larger goals into smaller, manageable habits.
Strugglimg with a diet? Attempt to eat a good breakfast and avoid processed foods. Exercise? Find an enjoyable activity, be it dance or rock-climbing. Mental health? Take time to slow down and think positively. Eventually, small successes add up to a healthier body, without ever having felt the burden of sacrifice.
On the path to a healthier life, you will face challenges. It is natural to fall off the wagon or realize that some goals aren't realistic.
No denying it, "Sunrise Yoga" isn't for everyone. Failing at one habit is no excuse to throw all positive routines aside. Count the completion of every goal big or small — as an achievement.
Ultimately, healthy habits aren't about being seen at the gym or impressing friends. They are about committing to the pursuit of a long, active and enjoyable life. Besides, being "the hottie" at the 20-year high school reunion won't hurt.
McCoy is a Lincoln, Neb., sophomore in journalism.
LETTER TO Leave gay rights to the courts
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
I think it's remarkable how reliant some individuals are on executive power to "change" laws, as Dan Thompson said in his column, "Gay Rights Deserve More Attention." I certainly agree that equal rights are important, but what is President Barack Obama going to do?
First, it's important to understand that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) does not "prevent the federal government from recognizing gay marriages." It says no state needs to recognize a same-sex marriage from another state, which is such a clear and, frankly, stupid contradiction to the Privileges and Immunities Clause in Article IV, Section II of the U.S. Constitution. If a state refuses to recognize the marriage of another state, that couple is taxed at a discriminatory rate and denied the equal protection of laws.
Second, the executive branch
does not make the laws. The President has the power to "carry out" and "faithfully execute" the laws. Thus, it is futile' to place such responsibility on the president.
Third, Obama is a politician, and his motives are in favor of public support and votes. In case anyone missed the phenomenal vice presidential debate of 2008, Joe Biden, who spoke directly for the views of Obama, concurred with Sarah Palin's statement that she "only supports a traditional marriage between a man and a woman." Obama is going to stand for the position of the common voter, not the minority.
Gay marriage should not be "left up to the states," as Thompson suggested. Instead, it is an issue that must be heard by the courts, overturned in states with laws to the contrary of that judgment and enforced by the executive.
James Castle is a sophomore from Overland Park.
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Toline Hine, Caitlin Thornbury and
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