4A
Friday, September 22,1995
OPINION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VIEWPOINT
THE ISSUE: DOWNTOWN
Merchants should extend hours
Stores in Lawrence should take a lesson from stores in other similarly sized cities, which have seen their downtown shopping districts succumb to the variety and convenience of malls. Lawrence retailers should seriously consider extending their hours in order to compete for the dollars going to huge one-stop national retailers and the malls that inevitably will spring up in and around the city.
Many people are unable to shop downtown because of its inconvenient hours. Downtown stores close before many people get home from work. As the shoppers and their shopping habits change, the downtown merchants need to change to compete.
Customers are interested in convenience, and they are going to shop where they can get the goods and
Downtown store owners should expand hours to stay competitive
services they want when they want them. If retailers are going to keep their competitive edge, they need to expand their basic services to keep the consumers here in Lawrence.
But not only consumers benefit from later hours. Students who often find the Lawrence job market extremely competitive will have a better chance of finding a part-time job with extended hours.
Now is not the time for complacency. Retailers should not unrealistically rely upon past successes to plan for an uncertain future. Downtown businesses should actively court the new consumer and should continue to use the formula that has brought success in the past
long-term planning.
BRIAN RUNK FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD.
THE ISSUE: DEVELOPMENTAL PLAN
Changes would make KU safer
The proposed improvements to Jayhawk Boulevard
Improvements to Jayhawk Boulevard would solve many problems on campus, as well as help to lead the University into the next century. By narrowing the street and establishing it as oneway, the University would be well-prepared for the future of KU's campus.
The proposed changes would expand existing sidewalks, allow for the creation of bike paths and leave room for green space.
Bikes, buses and pedestrians share the same dangerous, crowded roadway. The abolition of through traffic during school hours, removal of parking and the creation of one-way traffic would ease the mass of vehicles running through the pedestrian campus. The buses and authorized vehicles still would be allowed to pass through but only in one direction, thus saving the student from fighting
Changes to Jayhawk Boulevard would benefit campus pedestrians
scooter and bike traffic from two directions.
Although the changes seem to be drastic, they are exactly what the University needs to maintain a pedestrian campus. With the opening of Budig Hall, as well as growing traffic congestion in Lawrence, improvements will be necessary. This plan will make the changes in a way that is beneficial to the University and, more importantly, to the students.
Any change to the University, especially something as beautiful and treasured as the campus landscape, will generate apprehension. But the changes are necessary and should not be feared. This plan will make the campus safer for pedestrians while maintaining the beauty of the campus that always has been highly regarded.
Shawn Trimble / KANSAN
KELLY DIETRICH FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
FBI crackdown on pornography on the Internet too little, too late
I would like to issue a warning to all students to be on the lookout for jack-booted thugs roaming campus.
It seems the FBI is enforcing laws again, by going after child pornography on the Internet - pornography which is found easily on our own computer system at the University of Kansas. While this is a nice change from murdering women and children and entrapping the local political fringe, one has to wonder why the FBI has waited so long.
In all probability, pornography was placed on the Internet about five minutes after Joe Sexist Pig figured out how to scan his porn magazines. I first ran across this situation seven years ago when a guy living across the hall from me took 40 minutes to download a picture Madonna would find revolting. Then, it took 40 minutes to get a picture, now it takes two. It's five times the trash in a fraction of the time.
And it's a fairly easy process, too. With the right software, in less than five minutes, one can go from cruising the newsgroup alt.binaries.pictures.erotica.teen to committing a felony by viewing a teen-ager flashing a camera in the back of her parents' minivan.
The FBI is justified in arresting those vermin who trade in the innocence of youth, yet the problem has
STAFF COLUMNIST
existed for years without it doing anything. Could it be that its image needed polish after the recent Senate subcommittee hearings on the murders in Randy Weaver's family? Maybe it's trying to get more public support so that Clinton's misguided plan to increase
the FBI's power will sail through Congress unchallenged. People forget about bombings so quickly these days.
Whatever the reason, it's not enough to excuse the FBI's past negligence. I am sick of causes waxing and waning with the tide of popular opinion. White America is outraged that Fuhrman used the word "nigger" and may have planted evidence. Child pornography is the latest threat to morality everywhere. And China, to everyone's horror, is doing bad things to women. Wake up. America.
These things have been going on unchallenged for decades. Just because the white middle class is now filled with righteous indignation, it doesn't change the fact that it turned its backs on these things for years. Maybe the middle class is trying to pimp its image as well.
Certain places on the Internet are flooded with illegal pornography, and finding those who put it there is easy. I hope the FBI continues its crackdown on these purveyors of filth. I hope the American people will sustain their fervor at least through the introduction of the new fall television shows. But I doubt that will happen.
Next week, the FBI will be back to shooting unarmed women and planting illegal bugs, and white America will be outraged at a whole new problem that it has no intention of helping to solve.
Meanwhile, minority groups will continue to be beaten and harassed by their purported protectors; the Chinese government will continue to enjoy "most favored nation" status while enslaving its people; and your niece or nephew will be approached by some nice man who just wants to take a few pictures.
On the bright side, at least you will be able to update your wallet photos with a picture right off of KU's computer system. And it will only take two minutes.
Todd Hlatt is a Lyndon senior in social welfare.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Editorial paints wrong picture of coalition
This letter in response to the editorial by Tara Fitzpatrick on the Christian Coalition in the Sept. 14 issue. The article claims Coalition members advocate closing the Department of Education, cutting loans for students, and oppose public schools. Alarmed by this news, I called the Christian Coalition to get the story straight.
The Christian Coalition does not propose shutting down the Department of Education. They do propose streamlining it by bypassing the bureaucracy and giving money directly to schools.
The Christian Coalition does not oppose cutting loans to students. They do advocate transferring loan funds from the Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services. And they support allowing parents to choose
whether their child attends a private or public school.
Fitzpatrick warms of the dangers of letting the Christian Coalition influence American politics. Hasn't she ever stopped to think who makes up the coalition? It is Americans. God forbid that our great government would ever operate without accountability to its constituents, liberal or conservative.
Edward Harvey
Lawrence graduate student
Proposed bill would smooth transition for new mothers
Twenty-four hours isn't enough time to recuperate from childbirth. I should know; my daughter is four years old. But, unfortunately, most hospitals give new mothers and their babies the o'l heave-ho a mere day after delivery. They say longer stays aren't necessary and cost insurance companies too much money. In many cases, a pregnant woman is brought in for delivery at 10 p.m. one night and is wheeled out to her car by noon the next day — with not much more to look forward to than a houseful
STAFF COLUMNIST
Recently, however, Senators Nancy Kassebaum and Bill Bradley sponsored a bill that would keep mothers and newborn babies in hospitals for 48 hours after a normal delivery and 96 hours after a caesarean.
of chores and a screaming baby. Believe me, the last thing on any new mother's mind right after she delivers a baby is doing laundry, preparing meals, cleaning house or tending to a new baby — all that she is interested in is getting some rest! The fact that politicians on Capitol Hill have to debate this only reinforces the idea that women's issues just don't matter.
One sad couple addressed the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee and told of the tragedy they experienced when they were forced to leave the hospital 24 hours after the delivery of their daughter. Within hours after settling in at home, their baby suddenly died from complications that are still unclear to the couple. If only they had been allowed to stay in the hospital and have the baby monitored for a while longer.
New mothers and fathers need time to understand how to care for their newborns. Although some may think instinct will just kick in, the reality is that there are very common questions — from nursing difficulties to colic — that all could be answered and dealt with if mothers and fathers had extra time with professionals. Kassebaum and Bradley also included in their measure the option for a follow-up home visit. Many young women go home with no idea of what to do. Babies have suffered because frazzled mothers become frustrated when things don't go exactly as they have planned. Postpartum depression is a reality, and it is logical that the feelings of inadequacy that come with being a new parent are multiplied when the mother is alone. How far behind can abuse be?
It seems almost inhuman to put women out on the streets so soon after giving birth, to place a price on a child's chances for survival is most cruel. Instead of setting new mothers up for failure, Congress must empower women to do the most important job of their lives. This bill is a step in the right direction.
Donna Davis is an Overland Park graduate student in education.
Editora
Managing editor, news...David Wilson
Managing editor, planning and design...Ashley Miller
News, special sections...Deedra Allison
Campus...Virginia Margolaim
Editorial...Heather Lawrence
Sports...Jenni Carlson
Photo...Paul Kotz
Wire...Robert Allen
Associate editorial...Sarah Morrison
Associate campus...Paul Todd, Teresa Vazey
Associate sports...Tom Erickson
Associate photo...Kathleen Dreitcoll, Edmine Rodriguez
Copy Chiefs
Greg Johnson...Mary Beth Kurzak
Charles Mentee...Amanda Traugher
Designers
Gerry Fay...Brian James
...Nosh Muster
Graphic Artists
Kelly Cannon...Jodie Chester
Ed Kowalski...Milch Lacker
Andy Rohrback
KANSAN STAFF
...Kim Crabtree
Reporters
Copy Editors
Kimberly Becka ... John Collar
Ken Gates ... Robbie Johnson
Kathleen McGee ... Ryan McGee
Irena McBhane ... Grey Montgomery
Michael Park ... Amy Southlander
Debbie Stain ... Amanda Traxier
Jeffrey Auslander...Chris Austin
Joann Birk...Phillip Brownlee
Spencer Duncan...Dan Gelston
Adam MacKinnon...Matt Iwin
Bill Kenneyman...Craig Lang
Hannah Naughton...Brendan Sagar
Robert Sinclair...Novela Sommers
Jason Strait...Tara Tronny
Sarah Wiese...Scott Worthington
John Tennant
Mike Alvarez ...Cothy Bartlett
Jenny Brannan ...Matt Cowen
Richard Devinld ...Andy Direksk
Pam Diehman ...Matt Flickner
Brian Plink ...Chris Hamilton
Tim Namee ...Boost Harper
Cheery Hill ...Jimmy Harper
Steve Puppo ...Andy Rulastad
Carol Thibaea ...Adam Ward
Photo 1 technicians
from 1 alibuster
Business Staff
Campus manager ... Meredith Hennin
Regional manager ... Tom Dulac
National manager ... Heather Barnes
Internship/Co-op manager ... Kelly Connelya
Special sections manager ... Heather Nielhaus
Boston, Atlanta assistant ... Nancy Euston
Marketing director ... Konan Hauser
Creative director ... Brigit Bloomquist
Classified manager ... Heather Valier
Public Relations director ... Beth Cahill
Special sections assistant ... Norm Blow
Quadrant Trust
Marketing assistant ... Gary Bresloff
Photographer ... Paul Kotz
Zone Managers
Cady Bush ... Mark Cohen
Laura Freest ... Jennifer Karkota
Troy ...
Michael Bell...Tonya Barnes
Cary Broelsoo...Dana Centeno
T.J. Clark...Debbie Greenfield
Quinn David Gregg...Dennie Haupt
Dan Hammett...Dan Hammett
Heather Morgan...Adrienne Morton
Lisa Quebebeman...Christine Rahder
Robin Richardson...Amy E. Richmond
Heady Smart...Scott Williams
William
Campus Account Executives
Regional Account Executives
Account Assistants
Angle Adamson...Karen Gersch
Eric Johnson...Mark Oztmek
...Carrie Searat
Caren Crockett...Brian Pagel
Sarah Rose...Ulvie Entrade
Laralisa Ayesae...Mark Brockstein
Christina Gibba...Nicole Hartshorn
Allison Perle...Michele Polich
Sarah Schervinfeld...Carrie Simpson
Shelly Wechter...Steeve Weingarten
Creative Account Assistants
CATHEINE ELLSWORTH
Technology coordinator
BRANDON HAMILIN
Systems Administrator
STEPHANIE UTLEY
Business manager
MATTHEW SHAW
Retail sales manager
JAY STEINER
Sales and marketing adviser
PAT BOYLE
Business coordinator
John Dohrmann...Lorin Horeau
Ed Kowalakki...Dena Pleciotta
Mindy Story...Sara Taylor
Crystal McWirt...Todd Bigler
Justin Prosolone... Anne Laumeno
WILLIAM THOMAS Production