OPINION
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11,2004
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
EDITORIAL BOARD
www.kansan.com
Kansas vs. Missouri a war, not a one-time 'Showdown'
Last Monday, Lew Perkins, Kansas athletic director, and Mike Alden, Missouri athletic director, decided to forever change the infamous Border War to a more politically correct term of Border Showdown. They thought using the word "war" to describe intercollegiate sporting events was too insensitive to the real post 9-11 wars occurring overseas.
Giving respect to their decision this change would be more suitable for other universities that refer to their border rivalries as wars, such as Missouri and Illinois. But here's the truth: the rivalry between Kansas and Missouri began with a real war.
No one should neglect the fact that 150 years ago border ruffans from Missouri ransacked Lawrence — and burned it to the ground.
Alden should know that historical fact. After all, two years ago on Oct. 23, 2002 — one year and 12 days after 9/11 — he, along with former Kansas Athletic Director Al Bohl, announced the official Border War Series, sponsored by Midwest Ford dealers.
and bursaries We have a showdown with Kansas State. We have a war with Missouri.
The trophy will just not read the same. Border Showdown Series
does not accurately represent the fierce rivalry that has lasted since 1891 to become the second oldest in the nation.
Students, faculty and staff, both here and at Missouri, should have the highest respect for the soldiers fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, but not using the word "war" is a ridiculous way to show that respect. Changing the border war, now, to show respect to the current wars, in turn, shows disrespect to the soldiers who fought and died in wars past.
Why didn't anyone officially change the name during the Vietnam War? A war is a war regardless of the effect it has had on the United States. Will the name change back after the wars have finished? Athletic officials should not change or deny history to have the University acquire a more "politically correct" persona. In 2002, the rest of the country did not condemn our "insensitivity" after the announcement of the official Border War Series.
People around the country are aware of the intense hatred between Kansas and Missouri. A showdown is a one-time encounter. A war could last much longer. Do not change this 113 year-old Border War over a current situation abroad.
Free for All
Call 864-0500
For more comments, go to www.kansan.com.
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansan editors reserve the right to omit comments. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded.
returning to college later, but that does not always happen. People tend to get caught up in a cycle of earning and spending money, or get used to working full time, or get promoted and begin earning significant salaries. Obtaining a college degree becomes less of a priority as time passes.
Does anyone else laugh every time they go to Anschutz and see the "No pizza delivery" sign? Come on, now. If you're gonna get a pizza delivered to the library, you're pretty lazy.
品
How do you say, "Dude, I will give you 10 bucks for that couch" in Chinese?
When is everyone going to realize that the world is changing whether we like it or not and that being such a conservative republican is becoming as obsolete as the 8-track?
Hey. Haven't you ever woken up and said, "You know what? Nobody has ever recognized me the last few years. Maybe I should wear a wolf costume?"
I think my teddy bear, Raymond, stole my wrist watch
returning to college later, but that does not always happen. People tend to get caught up in a cycle of earning and spending money, or get used to working full time, or get promoted and begin earning significant salaries. Obtaining a college degree becomes less of a priority as time passes.
The population of New Jersey residents at the University of Kansas must unite.
回
Hey, this is Osama Bin Laden! Vote for Kerry!
returning to college later, but that does not always happen. People tend to get caught up in a cycle of earning and spending money, or get used to working full time, or get promoted and begin earning significant salaries. Obtaining a college degree becomes less of a priority as time passes.
图
Skirts and jeans. If that's not a fashion faux pas, I don't know what is.
As Charles Barkley once said, "I am not a role model."
returning to college later, but that does not always happen. People tend to get caught up in a cycle of earning and spending money, or get used to working full time, or get promoted and begin earning significant salaries. Obtaining a college degree becomes less of a priority as time passes.
I don't understand why it's 60 degrees out there, it's raining, and people are wearing flip-flops. Wow.
Run away and join the Wescoe Beach circus. Monday nights at 9 and yes, most of us go to KU.
returning to college later, but that does not always happen. People tend to get caught up in a cycle of earning and spending money, or get used to working full time, or get promoted and begin earning significant salaries. Obtaining a college degree becomes less of a priority as time passes.
Anschutz Library is so cold, I froze to my desk.
I'd just like to say Bill Cosby rocks my face off!
TALK TO US
Henry C. Jackson
editor
844-810 or hjackson@kansan.com
Jennifer Weaver
sales and marketing adviser
884-7686 or jweaver@kansan.com
returning to college later, but that does not always happen. People tend to get caught up in a cycle of earning and spending money, or get used to working full time, or get promoted and begin earning significant salaries. Obtaining a college degree becomes less of a priority as time passes.
Malcolm Gibson
general manager and news adviser
864-7867 or mgibson@kansan.com
By golly gge whiz, it's raining cats and dogs.
Stephanie Graham
retail sales manager
864-4358 or advertising@tansan.com
Donovan Attkinson and Andrew Vaupel managing editors
864-4810 or datkinson@ksans.com and avupek@ksans.com
Anna Clovis and Samia Khan opinion editors
864-4924 or opinion@kansan.com
Justin Roberts business manager 864-4358 or advertising@tansan.com
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS
Laura Rose Barr, Ty Beaver, Ryan Good, Anna
Gregory, Jack Henry-Rhodes, Kelly Hollowell,
Nate Karian, Jay Kimmel, Stephanie Lovett,
Taylor Price, Noel Rasor, Ryan Scarrow, John
Tran, Anne Weltmer and Michelle Wood
The Kansen reserves the right to edit, cut to length, or reject all submissions. Letters to the editor should be no longer than 200 words and guest columns should not exceed 650 words. To submit a letter to the editor or a column, e-mail the document to opinion@kansen.com with your name, hometown, year in school or position and phone number.
For any questions, call Anne Clivia or Samian Khan at 884-4294 or e-mail at opinion@kansan.com. General questions should be directed to the editor at editor@kansan.com.
The Kansan welcomes letters to the editors and guest columns submitted by students, faculty and alumni.
**Maximum Length:** 650 word limit
**Includes:** Author's name
Class, hometown (student)
Position (faculty member)
Also: The Kanan will not print guest columns that attack another columnist.
GUEST COLUMN GUIDELINES
LETTER GUIDELINES
Maximum Length:
200 word limit
200 Word limit
Include: Author's name and telephone number
Class, hometown (student)
Position (faculty member)
STAYSKAL'S VIEW
SUBMIT TO
E-mail:
opinion@kansan.com
11 TO
Hard copy:
Kansan newsroom
111 Stauffer-Flint
As homecoming celebrations took over campus last week, alumni returned to their alma mater to look back and appreciate the time they spent here.
Mix of ages adds to campus life
COMMENTARY
These alumni spent four or more years of their lives at the University, earning a degree and living the college life. They have come back to honor and reminisce about the place that was home to them for a significant time in their lives.
Another ongoing "event" is the phenomenon of the non-traditional student. More specifically, it is the student who returns to school at the undergraduate level after time living outside the university atmosphere. This classification can also apply to married students and those who commute from a distance to the University. Some of these students have lived in the "real world" for longer than the majority of undergrads have been alive.
SARA ZAFAR
opinion@kansan.com
Many of these men and women started out just like most undergraduates. They went directly to the university after graduating high school, and most likely, intended to finish a degree program in the shortest amount of time possible, and move on, either to graduate school, or into the working world.
Often, financial situations force students to stop going to school because they cannot afford tuition, housing, food, and living expenses at the same time. Many of these students work full time to save money, with the intent of
Not everything works out exactly the way it is planned, and different circumstances can cause a student to leave college before they have completed a degree.
For other non-traditional students,returning to college is a choice they make for further enrichment of their lives even if they already completed a degree.
Other situations that cause a student to leave college before graduating are military duties, marriage and parenthood, the decision to follow a spouse or significant other who must move away, or simply being unable to handle the stress and pressures of college.
Whatever the reason, students leave college with partially finished undergraduate degrees lingering over them.
For others however, the call to return to school and earn their degrees is so compelling that they return, even after decades of never setting foot in a college classroom.
For some, the need to complete that degree is not important; they are settled in their lifestyles, content, and making a living.
lege classroom For other non-traditional students returning to college is a choice they make for further enrichment of their lives, even if they already completed a degree. They re-enter the college atmosphere to pursue a subject that always interested them, and now they have the time and resources to fully enjoy what the university has to offer.
More and more commonly, undergraduate classrooms are morphing from the groups of 18-22 year old students, fresh out of high school, to a more mixed group of men and women of all ages, including people in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and older. This mixed demographic provides a new range of ideas and perspectives that allow a broader understanding of a topic.
All people stand to gain from the perspective and opinions of someone who has lived longer than they have. Ordinarily, different age groups would not interact with each other on such a level, discussing philosophy, literature, history, even science and mathematics
The newer face of today's typical undergraduate classroom provides the perfect atmosphere for such interaction, and students of all ages should appreciate and embrace this opportunity.
Zafar is a Wichita senior in history.
Dear editors,
Religious beliefs don't always align with political parties
I'm writing regarding Andy Hyland's article "Different religious beliefs alter voting" in the Oct. 8 Kansan.
Kansen.
While I agree that religious views definitely play a role in politics, I disagree with the commonly held view that those who are religiously dedicated and active must vote Conservative. I am a very dedicated Christian, yet I plan to vote for John Kerry in the upcoming election. In fact, I align myself with the Libertarian party.
myself with the diocesan party It seems that the correlation between Conservative and Christianity is more of a tradition than a well thought out relationship between the values of a religion and a political party. One of the basic tenets of the Christian religion is free will. The religion is based on a personal relationship with God.
Throughout the Bible, the point is stressed that an individual must choose to follow God. To force others to hold the same values and beliefs is a mistake. My Christian beliefs are the
Making a judgment for another person directly contradicts Christianity's belief that only God may judge. I only hope that religious students will look at their candidates and evaluate them against what they believe, not merely follow the traditional voting choices of members of their religion. After all, most religious figures and leaders were absolutely radical for their time.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR reason that I am Libertarian. While economic considerations and foreign policy affect my choices, it is my belief that morality should not be legislated that determines many of my political choices. In the words of Peter McWilliams, "Consenting adults should not be put in jail unless they physically harm the person or property of a nonconsenting other."
Daniel Colbert
Oltahe sophomore
political science
Homeless services provide answers,don'tcause problem
Dear editors,
Arrah Nielsen's opinion column in the Sept. 30 'Kansan' saddened me.
Humane services for the homeless do not create the homeless people. The mylad of services in San Francisco and surrounding areas created by people of good will for the homeless did not cause the dearth of housing for the working poor.
I have a mentally ill son. When he was homeless and mentally ill it meant he did not have a roof over his head and a door that he could lock for safety nor a bed to lay upon nor cooking or bathroom facilities. Now that he has housing he has安全, security, water for cleanliness and cooking, warmth and an address. He is still mentally ill.
Criminalizing being poor and homeless only causes more grief. IF affordable housing, health care, drug treatment and a livable wage were available there would be no homeless problem.
Joanna Taylor Treatment Advocacy Center Buffalo, Wyoming
0
The Kroan wellcomes letters to the editors and guest columns submitted by students, faculty and alumni.
I
.