Section A · Page 6
The University Daily Kansan
Friday, October 30, 1998
Book studies special interest groups
KU professor looks at role media plays
By Chad Bettes
Kansan staff writer
With millions of dollars of special interest money flowing in Kansas and across the country, a University of Kansas professor has written a book that addresses the influence special interest groups have on public policy.
Burdett Loomis, professor of political science, co-wrote the book, The Sound of Money: How Political Interest Groups Get What They Want, with Brown University professor Darrell West. It was published this fall.
Loomis and West examined the issue of special interest groups and focused on cases such as health care reform, the Contract with
America and telecommunications reform. In each case, the authors documented the strong influence special interest groups exerted on legislation.
A key theme of the book is the increased effectiveness special interest groups are having on issues and campaigns because of their use of modern technology.
Loomis said media, such as television and newspapers, are used by special interest groups to tell stories that are easy for people to understand. In some cases, the public is urged to call political representatives and express a specific opinion.
"Instantaneous communication is important." Loomis said.
Several options outlined in the book for dealing with special interests range from doing nothing to increasing regulations.
giving candidates free air time on public airwaves are in order.
Loomis said he thought some regulations such as speeding up the financial disclosure process and
While special interest groups do not limit their attention to campaigns, the book is timely in light of the special interest groups that have focused their attention on local races such as the 3rd congressional district of Kansas.
In the 3rd district race between U.S. Rep. Vince Snowbarger, R-Olathe, and challenger Dennis Moore, D-Lenexa, campaign spending by outside groups has been a contentious issue.
The Snowbarger campaign claimed that labor unions from across the country have supplied tremendous backing to Moore.
Kevin Yowell, Snowburger campaign manager, estimated that unions would spend $1 million by the end of the election on Moore's behalf. He said that figure is in addition to another $250,000 that has been given directly to Moore's cam
paig by labor political action committees.
Yowell said the money had been spent on two television advertisements, two phone banks to support Moore, eight mailings and paid staff members who are working in the district.
Particularly troubling to Yowell were phone calls he said the union phone banks have been making to senior citizens that criticize Snowbarger's positions on issues such as Social Security.
Mark Nevins, a Moore representative, said that he did not know how much labor unions had spent independently of the Moore campaign but that Moore welcomed the support of working men and women.
"You have no control over independent expenditures," Nevins said.
Loomis agreed it was difficult to quantify independent expenditures and questioned whether the $1 mll-
Burdett Loomis, professor of political science, co-wrote the book, The Sound of Money: How Political Interest Groups Get What They Want with Brown University professor Darrell West. The book addresses the influence of special interest groups on public policy. Photo by Joseph Griffin/KANSAN
lion was accurate.
He said the Republican National Committee had spent a great deal of money on Snowbarger's behalf. PACs also have poured large contributions into Snowbarger's campaign. Loomis said.
"The methods of special interest groups are very sophisticated," Loomis said.
Healthy diet possible with creativity
By Sue Franke
Kansan staff writer
Eating healthily can be tough for busy students, but dietitians said it is possible if they use a little imagination.
"If students are eating in the dorm or out on their own and running from place to place, nutrition gets left behind, but it doesn't have to be," said Robyn Stuewe, a registered licensed dietitian for the Midland Dairy Council.
Stuewe recommended a bagel with peanut butter, a banana or baby carrots as easy-to-carry snacks that students could throw into their backpacks on their way to class.
Before students start their day, dietitians said breakfast was the key to brainpower.
"Breakfast means 'break the fast' because you've gone without food for seven or eight hours," Stuwee said. "It gets your body going, and it will help you learn because you'll be more alert."
Ann Chapman, Watkins Memorial Health Center registered dietitian, suggested a smoothie with yogurt and
blended fruit or orange juice as alternatives to an entire breakfast.
Although Chi Dong, Tulsa, Okla., senior, eats a healthy breakfast, she said she neglected one food group.
"I don't get enough dairy products because I'm not a milk drinker," she said.
Chapman said milk was 70 percent water and helped keep people hydrated but said alternatives to milk for hydration were water, broth, soups, juices and decaffeinated sodas.
She said the food groups most neglected but most important were fruits and vegetables.
"You have to be more imaginative in working them in," she said. "For example, if pizza turns you on more than raw carrots, then add green pepper or some other vegetable to it."
She said one reason fruits and vegetables were neglected was because people were eating on the run.
"If you're in a rush, you make a sandwich with meat or peanut butter, but the fruit and vegetable are missing," she said. "I think we're ever taught that
Jason Benavides/KANSAN
a complete meal is bread and meat."
Because meat has fat that clogs arteries, Chapman said it should be more of a side dish, with a primary diet built on plant-based foods, which include whole grains, fruits and vegetables. She said research shows a diet rich in those groups results in less cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, 40 to 60 percent of all cancer cases are related to diet.
KU professor discovers team may help prevent cancer
By Julie M. Sachs
Kansan staff writer
Enjoying a cup of green tea could help reduce the risk of cancer.
Lester Mitscher, distinguished professor of medicinal chemistry, discovered that antioxidants found in green tea protect cells and DNA from the harm of everyday air pollutants that damage cells.
"We found in literature, especially in the Orient, that drinking tea was pleasant, and it had health benefits." Mitscher said.
Green tea also helps repair the damage that caium-blacked foods have on the body.
Mitscher said that all these toxins build up in the body. As an individual ages, the toxins start to take their toll on cells.
Mitscher delivered his findings last year to the American Chemical Society that antioxidents found in green tea were superior to antioxidants found in various vitamins.
Since Mitscher's discovery, his work has been
quoted in magazines such as Women's Health Magazine and Esquire.
His work also has been noted in stores in Lawrence.
Hal Sears, herb and vitamin specialist at the Community Mercantile, said that green tea was one of the top-10 bestselling antioxidants at the store.
The reason for the popularity, Sears said, may stem from Mitscher's findings.
"Older people are more interested in it," he said. "Mortality is staring you in the face. Whereas students get sick, but they are not so worried about cancer."
Like many herbs, green tea can be purchased in tablet, capsule and raw form. But Sears said the tea bags were the most popular.
Although the tea is more popular among middle-aged individuals, Sears said that some students were interested in the drink.
As far as health risks are concerned, green tea does not have adverse effects, Mitscher said.
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In his first interview after the Republican primary, David Miller said his candidacy had served the cause by keeping Governor Graves' supporters from turning their attention to the State Board of Education until it was too late to prevent John Bacon's controversial defeat of Dan Neuenswander in that same primary.
One Man's Opinion
Bacon now faces Jack Davidson in the November general election.
Governor Bill Graves
Davidson
Dan Neuenswander
State Board of Education, Dist. 3
Valuing Education...
Jack Davidson
Jack Davidson is the retired Chair of the KU Physics Department. Yet even more than his remarkable career, Jack Davidson's entire life has been about valuing education. Jack worked his way through school with help from the GI Bill. With Mary, his wife of 49 years, he poured himself into boy scouts, camping trips and helping with homework. Jack taught
and lived personal responsibility. Jack and Mary saw four sons through public schools, college and graduate school. Now Jack devotes that same love and attention to his grandchildren. Jack Davidson asks for your support and your vote for State Board of Education on November 3rd.
Too Much Partisanship...
Many believe the ten-member State Board of Education should not be partisan, yet in 1996 Bacon's ultra-partisan allies won four of five races. They installed one of their own as Chair. This year, having seen what Bacon's allies did with real power and responsibility, Republican voters across Kansas sent them packing in primaries in every other district, voting to forego politics and focus on school improvement. Still, the four ultra-partisans elected in 1996 have two years of their terms remaining. Your vote for Jack Davidson is crucial.
David Miller
John Bacon
...because improving schools is more important than partisan excess.
Advertisement paid for by: Jack Davidson for State Board of Education, M.M.T. Henderson, Treasurer.
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