The University Daily Kansan emphasizes the 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.
FARR: Candidates nationwide have raised more than $1.37 billion for this fall's elections. Why bother when it's your money, not your vote, that counts? See kansan.com for more opinions and Free for All comments
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2006 WWW.KANSAN.COM
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
PAGE 9A
OUR VIEW
KU buses should better accommodate disabled
Imagine being treated differently than the rest of the student body, having to ride in a van to classes and not getting to ride the bus like other students.
That's the problem students with disabilities have when using the LiftVans provided by KU on Wheels, rather than an adequate bus that can accommodate their needs. Disabled students have long been overlooked and it's time we pay attention to their needs.
For years now, leaders from AbleHawks have pleaded with KU on Wheels to make changes to the bus system, but their concerns have not been addressed. Obviously, just look at the buses as they continue to spew black fumes as they crawl through campus.
It's unfair for students with disabilities to be cast aside. That does not constitute fair treatment. KU on Wheels toes the line when it comes to violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, which stipulates that public transportation systems must
The LiftVans provide an inadequate answer. Students don't have the leisure to decide which bus they will hop onto. They are stuck with a fixed schedule.
Providing new buses that adequately fit the needs of disabled students could also provide another solution, as they could be an environmentally-friendly form of transportation.
provide access to those with disabilities. If not accessible, then comparable transportation is required.
A $150,000 study is working on how KU on Wheels and the city's public transportation system can merge. The study has received input from students, but as it continues to move forward it should especially listen to those who have been forgotten. It's time it listened to AbleHawks leaders and other students with disabilities. It's been way too long since we listened to their needs.
Louis Mora for the editorial board.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
LiftVans better than buses, not a'consolation prize'
A recent letter to the editor noted how the KU on Wheels buses are "accessible only to able-bodied students." While I agree with this point I must object to the description of the LiftVans as "a kind of consolation prize." Speaking as a student who has had to use this service, it is better than the KU buses. Let me explain;
1. The LiftVans will pick you up at your place of residence. The only rule is that "All rides must originate and terminate within the city limits of Lawrence."
2. LiftVans will take you anywhere on campus. There are currently no buses that stop at Watkins, Spencer, JRP or Blake Hall and only two buses that service Robinson, Summerfield, Haworth, Computing
Services Facility and the Dole Human Development Center.
3. The LiftVans are operated by just a few drivers. When the same two people drive you to all of your classes, you get to know them pretty well. With that, there is a possibility that they will call you when you're late instead of just driving off. The same cannot be said for the buses.
As a student body, we should be aware of those among us who struggle to do what we take for granted. We should lobby for buses that are accessible to students with disabilities. And we should support the LiftVans as an alternative to the sometimes overcrowded and undependable buses.
Suzette Runyon, Lyndon senior
Grant Snider/KANSAN
Money matters more than votes
COMMENTARY
Your vote doesn't mean much when weighed against $1.37 billion.
Every election season, I read editorials and columns emphasizing the importance of voting as your civic duty. Student newspapers particularly love this call to action. Vote! Or you're a crappy American.
I'd love to tell you how great the democratic process is, how special we are to elect our own leaders. But I just don't have a lot of faith in that process or its special-ness when I think about it as a $1.37 billion industry.
BY COURTNEY FARR
KANSAN COLUMNIST
OPINIONKANSAN.COM
You never see much of the big picture of campaign finances.
That figure is how much congressional incumbents and hopefuls have collected so far during the 2005-06 campaign cycle, according to figures from the Federal Elections Commission. That's not even the end of it. The reports from the FEC are only current to Sept. 30. The millions raised in the final month of furious campaigning aren't included in that total.
I couldn't find this figure anywhere by itself. I looked at campaign finance for this column and started adding the numbers up. I included the money raised by every national congressional candidate who raised campaign contributions of more than $1,000 in the last two years.
Newspapers love to contrast how much this candidate raised versus that one. Who's on top this week? When you talk about the campaign industry in big numbers, it's depressing.
For some context, that's more than the combined wages of 40,000 Kansans, based on an average wage of $33,844, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
It would also pay for a year's tuition at the University for more than 241,000 students.
That still doesn't tell the scope of how big this industry is. Individual contributors and Political Action Committees dump millions more into races for governor, state legislature and local office.
Politics, the industry, doesn't care about your vote. Phill Kline's recent "church memo" reveals that.
"Get the pastor to invite 5 'money people', whom he knows can help," Kline wrote in the memo, according to the Lawrence Journal-World. While Kline has been roundly criticized for the religious orientation of his efforts, his attitude isn't unique to any politician or party. You just don't usually get that blunt of a peek into a candidate's campaign thinking.
You are a check before you are a vote or a constituent to any politician.
I wish my vote mattered, I really do. I'll vote, but when weighed against the billion-dollar behemoth that is our political landscape, I just don't really think it will mean much.
I don't want to feel this cynical or angry about politics. But I believe in the power of money much more than I believe in politicians' promises.
My advice to those of you who want to make a difference in politics: Don't worry about your vote. Get your education, the more the better. Pile up the letters behind your name. The more letters, the more money you'll make. Knock down a six- or seven-figure salary. Better yet, start the next YouTube. Then let your money speak in place of your vote. It might actually get the attention of your politician. It'll definitely go a hell of a lot further than just your vote.
Farr is a Scott City senior in Journalism.
FREE FOR ALL
Call 864-0500
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansas editors reserve the right to omit comments. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls
are recorded.
I had a dream last night that Mark Mangino came to a bar wearing K-State clothes and started
Hey student housing: Could you please turn our heat on?
asking me for football advice Should I take that as a sign?
Hey Fran, it is Z. Will you marry me? I love you.
Don't worry guys, I hear the new football building they are building comes with a "what do to with a 14-point lead" situation
The next person to honk at me while I'm crossing the street is getting a backpack through the
Why does The Kansan hate the Kansas City Chiefs so much? Not even a mention about the most exciting ending all season.
windshield.
my backpack. I have had this back pack for five years.
Can someone please explain what is going on on the third floor of Snow? Because it is loud as hell.
room
--my backpack. I have had this back pack for five years.
图
Did you know there is a town in Kansas called Liberal? It is funny when you think about it.
Hey, basketball season is right around the corner. Do you think we will make it to the second round this year?
To the KU football team: I still believe you have what it takes to get to a bowl.
I just found a secret pocket in
This is to the guy who sits outside of Wescoe every morning to smoke his cigar: Get a girlfriend.
fifth grade
What is more secure, Mark Mangino's job or the Mexican border?
fifth grade
fifth grade
fifth grade
fifth grade
I'm convinced that I am the only person on campus who can walk to class without listening to music.
fifth grade
To the girls who live on the fifth floor of Elsworth: Wearing ponytails with clips underneath is so
To Megan: I love you.
fifth grade
door.
I think we should start a class at KU called "How to open your car door without dinging another car
To the guy in the Dodge Durango: Add some oil. It is smoking a little.
Are all the city workers that fix the road on break?
Monday's Free for All sucks.
I just skipped all of my classes today because I was up late watching Star Wars.
Jonathan Kealing, editor
864-4854 or jeailing@kansan.com
BY ABBY CARTER
KANSAN COLUMNIST
OPINIONKANSAN.COM
There are no quick fixes, miracle pills or diet secrets. When it comes down to it, it's all common sense. Eat sensibly and in moderation. If you don't deprive yourself, you'll be less likely to overindulge.
》 TALK TO US
Carter is a Shawnee Junior in health, sport and exercise science.
Erick R. Schmidt, managing editor
864-4854 or eschmidt@kansan.com
COMMENTARY
Gabriella Souza, managing editor 864-4854 or nsouza@kamsan.com
Common sense, moderation keys to a healthy diet
It's hard to tell what's actually healthy for you to eat these days. As soon as there is evidence of something having health benefits, the media grabs hold of it and spins it out of control.
Frank Tankard opinion editor
864-4924 or ftankard@kansan.com
Dave Ruigh, associate opinion editor
864-4924 or druigh@kansan.com
Kyle Hoedl, business manager
864-4014 or khoedl@kansan.com
After researchers found that diets rich in whole grains reduced incidence of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and some forms of cancer, every food company came out with "whole grain" foods. There are now whole grain cookies, goldfish, chips cereals and more.
Lindsey Shirad, sales manager
864-4462 or shirad@kansan.com
Maicolim Gibson, general manager, news adviser
864-7667 or mgibson@kansan.com
》 SUBMISSIONS
Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing adviser
864-7666 or jweaver@kansan.com
But when people see a food item without fat, they think they can eat a whole box of that product. This doesn't mean it is calorie free. Removing trans fats from your diet can make you forget that foods have calories, and when it comes to obesity, the amount you eat is more important that what you eat. It's better to eat one brownie than a box of trans-fat-free cookies because one brownie contains fewer calories than an entire box of trans-fat-free or fat-free cookies.
The Kansan welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns submitted by students, faculty and alumni. The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length, or reject all submissions.
LETTER GUIDELINES
This all sounds great, but how healthy can they be? If you take a closer look, the fine print often says "made with whole grain," or "contains whole grain," instead of being a 100 percent whole grain product. Some food manufacturers even color their food to make it look whole wheat when it's not. Unless whole grain is the first ingredient (whole wheat or rolled oats), the product is not whole grain and you aren't going to benefit
For any questions, call Frank Tankard or Dave Baugh at 864-4810 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com.
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Include: Author's name and telephone number;
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SUBMIT LETTERS TO
Trans fats can be found when food manufacturers add hydrogen to vegetable oil, a process called hydrogenation, to increase a product's shelf life.
111 Starfire - First Hall
1435 Jaylawn Rivard.
Lawrence, SK 60045
(785) 664-4890.ojonismansk.ca
GUEST COLUMN GUIDELINES
Another confusing topic is fat. Unsaturated fats are the good fats; these include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, which can be found in nuts, olive oil, avocados and fish. Saturated and trans fats are the enemy. While unsaturated fats provide health benefits when eaten in moderation (key word — moderation) and raise HDL (good cholesterol), saturated and trans fats raise cholesterol levels, which can lead to heart disease in some cases.
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Author: Invoice name; class, hometown ('student'); position (faculty member/staff); phone number (will not be published)
Also: The Kansan will not print guest columns that attack a reporter or another columnist.
Recently, there has been a trans fat hype, and almost every type of food containing fat now advertises "trans fat free" or "no trans fat." Why the sudden change? On Jan. 1, 2006, the Food and Drug Administration required the listing of all trans fat on nutrition labels.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Jonathan Kaeling, Erick R. Schmidt, Sabriella Soura, Frank Tankard, Dave Ruigh, Sleeve Lynn, McKay Stangler and Louis Mora
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