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.
MONDAY,OCTOBER 9,2006 WWW.KANSAN.COM
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Husker fan and NU student Tyler Maun apologizes for the behavior of Nebraska fans at last weekend's game against KU See kansan.com for more opinions and Free for All comments
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
PAGE 5A
》 OUR VIEW
Policy hurts grad students
Imagine having a policy that dictated the process in selecting faculty for the last 37 years and then, while your back is turned, you return to find a completely different policy. No one communicated the change and no one asked for your opinion.
That's what graduate students went through this semester when Provost Richard Lariviere clarified that a revision to selecting and finding faculty would not include graduate students' votes. It is debatable as to whether graduate students should have a say in faculty hiring, but what's not acceptable is the provost not discussing the matter in a public forum with graduate students.
Certainly, there are departments that don't allow graduate student to provide input, but for those that did this is just another issue that continues to linger between the University and its graduate students.
Graduate students have the right to be upset by the decision. How would you like a decision that directly affects you without your input? Graduate students went from having a vote in faculty hiring to being relegated to "having input."
The importance that was once placed on the votes of graduate students no longer has merit in terms of the revised policy.
The provost said graduate students should still have input in faculty hiring. It's just too bad he didn't feel the same way when changing the policy.
University officials have already demonstrated their lack of respect for graduate students and graduate teaching assistants. The recent policy, coupled with the ongoing negotiations with the Graduate Teaching Assistants Coalition, have shown little respect for graduate students.
This move will definitely require some public relations strategy because it wasn't the brightest move. A word of advice as you continue to move forward in the school year: Include students in your decision making when they revolve around the issue.
Louis Mora for the editorial board.
GUEST COMMENTARY
Register to impact state AG race
University of Kansas students have the ability to make a huge difference in the upcoming midterm elections this November. One of the most talked about campaigns is for state attorney general, which pits incumbent Republican Phill Kline against Democrat Paul Morrison.
The role of a state attorney general is to be the chief of law enforcement for Kansas. Rather than protecting Kansas citizens, Kline has spent his time in office pursuing his narrow personal agenda by attempting to obtain the private medical records of women, and he regularly puts politics before principle.
In a leaked memo to his campaign staff, Kline further demonstrates his misplaced priorities. In this embarrassing memo, Kline shows his desire to mix religion with politics by using church appearances to finance his campaign. He displays interest to "get the pastor to invite five 'money people' whom he knows can help," and that the "goal is to walk away with contact information, money and volunteers and a committee in each church." This dangerous mix of personal agenda with politics is exactly what Kansas does not need, and is why the best candidate for this position is Paul Morrison.
Morrison has been a prosecutor for 25 years and district attorney for the past 15. In that time, he has demonstrated a focus on priorities and exemplary judgment that puts him among the best attorneys in Kansas. Kansans should hope to elect an attorney general with plenty of courtroom experience, and Morrison's pledge is to protect Kansans without letting his personal political ideology get in the way.
The successful election of Morrison is in our hands. In 2002, Kline won by approximately
5 percent, or 4,300 votes. At the University, there are about 30,000 potential voters — enough to swing the attorney general election six times over.
Registering to vote is simple and can make a great difference. The numbers of registered young voters in the state will force candidates to take students seriously and realize they have a huge stake in their campaigns.
To be eligible to vote, students must be registered at their local address, whether a dorm, an apartment, or other residence. All voters are also able to sign up for an advanced ballot, giving them the ability to vote by receiving and sending their ballot in by mail and not having to show up to the polls.
Voter registration is happening at Wesco Beach on Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the process to get involved with your government takes less than a minute. The deadline to register is Oct. 23, while midterm elections, in which voters will choose our governor, attorney general and more, is on Nov. 7.
No vote is a wasted vote — each vote tells our elected officials who is getting involved in local politics and what they are interested to see happen in Kansas. Morrison has a positive outlook for the future of Kansas and will restore a focus on law enforcement to the attorney general's office. The choice is ours
University students can make the difference. Register to vote before Monday, Oct. 23, vote on Tuesday, Nov. 7, and make your voice heard.
Jessica Sain-Baird
Wamego sophomore
Executive member, KU Young
Democrats
COMMENTARY
Edgy, insightful comic strip will be hard to replace
The easily offended can rejoice: America's comics pages are safe, white and bland again.
The Boondocks, the Aaron McGruder comic staring the angry, black radical Huey, is unlikely to return in the "foreseeable future," according to a news release from Universal Press Syndicate. UPS has distributed the comic since 1999.
For six months, I've been looking forward to new Boondocks strips. McGruder took a hiatus in March. New strips should have come in by mid-September, but repeated attempts to confirm a start date with McGruder failed, according to the release.
With little hope left of seeing Huey, Riley and Granddad back, we can return to being entertained by Garfield pushing Odie off tables, teen angst, cute babies and, of course, Snoopy.
Don't even get me started on Peanuts. I loved Snoopy and the gang, but Charles Schultz is gone. Give somebody with a pulse a chance.
The loss of McGruder from America's comics pages can't be overstated. He provided perspective, content and characters unlike any other comic strip. It's not just that he brought minority characters to the traditionally white comics page. He cut through so much of the crap that inundates us everyday.
Boondocks was known for its
BY COURTNEY FARR
KANSAN COLUMNIST
OPINION@KANSAN.COM
Not familiar with Boondocks? Huey's declaration upon learning he is attending J. Edgar Hoover Elementary School sums up much of the attitude of the strip: "Public educational facilities such as this are the cornerstone of the institutionalized racism that continues to oppress black people. Not only will I refuse to succumb to your brainwashing — I will dedicate myself to the eventual elimination of this abomination to the high pursuit of learning," Huey tells his new teacher.
No one else is going to replace that kind of attitude.
Bloggers have pointed out that fans still have the Boondocks cartoon on Cartoon Network. The show will return for its second season in the Adult Swim lineup.
Sure, the characters survive, but McGruder's creation is restricted
to the teens, college kids and other twenty-somethings targeted by Adult Swim.
By withdrawing from print, McGruder loses the chance to preach to millions who otherwise are unlikely to see the show. Those who are most likely to be offended are now safely shielded from contrary opinion.
heavy criticism of the Bush administration, but also regularly commented on black celebrities, pop culture, Internet trends and interracial relationships.
Besides, television has other programs with biting political and social commentary. I can tune in The Daily Show for that. If I want angry children, I can go find South Park or Stewie from Family Guy. No comic in print has the edge of Boondocks.
No one publicly seems to know what is up with McGruder. The daily grind of a comic strip could have burned him out. He could be bored with the strip. He might just like television more.
Even though I'm angry the strip isn't returning, I can't fault him for wanting to move on. Too many comics hold on for years after they turn into stale, formulaic shadows of their former brilliance. No fan wants to see that happen to Boondocks. Better to "keep it real," as Riley would say.
Maybe withdrawing from print will give him the energy and time needed for new creations. I hope so.
Farr is a Scott City senior in journalism.
Fan apologizes for cartoon, bad behavior
As a lifelong Husker fan, I can honestly say that I speak for many in saying that I was appalled at both instances. Nebraska fans hold a reputation nation-wide as among the best in intercollegiate athletics, and many would say rightfully so. Last Saturday night was at least a tragic step backwards in that national perception.
While the editors of the DN may continue to defend such an unthinkable "freedom of the press" expression, there comes a point where people need to realize that the ethical codes of journalism do not promote insults and insensitivity "just because you can". Rest assured that as for the rational minds at this school, in this state, and all across Husker Nation, Eric Washington is in our thoughts and prayers.
The University of Kansas was and always will remain a tremendously respected opponent and friend, and we hope to heal together while brushing aside the opinions and actions of an ignorant minority in the Nebraska community.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
I am sorry. So many people are sorry. Please do not believe that the inconsiderate fans ignorant enough to start the wave during Eric Washington's injury or the irresponsible "satirist" Brent Meier act in the manner that all people attending that game or attending this university feel. The conduct of the fans and Meier alike in those two instances was reprehensible and appalling, and I, for one, felt the need to address the University of Kansas student body and family in the form of an apology. It may not be much, but at least it's something.
FREE FOR ALL
This letter cannot close open wounds or heal injured hearts, but perhaps it can be a start to such things. As a student at the University of Nebraska, I want to apologize on behalf of my school and our fans for the conduct of many individuals during and after last weekend's great game between our two institutions, namely, one idiotic "cartoonist" in our student newspaper and a host of stupid fans in the north and west stands.
There can be no excuses for the "opinion" of Brent Meier in his Daily Nebraska cartoon portrayal of Eric Washington and Mark Mangino. There can be no defense for the fans in the north and west stands who unthinkably started the wave during a terrifying period of injury on the field below. (However, I would like to point out that the student section is located at the direct opposite side of Memorial Stadium.)
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
》TALK TO US
are recorded.
Jonathan Kaalleg, editor
864-4544 or jonathan.kaalleg@kansan.com
Erick R. Schmidt, managing editor
864-4544 or eschmidt@kansan.com
Gahirella Souza, managing editor
864-4544 or gahirella@kansan.com
Frank Tankard opinion editor
--keep n.
Tyler Maun
Senior broadcasting major
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Some girl gave a speech about her sorority today and I almost puked
Dear Trey: Sorry for getting drunk and peeing in your clothes basket. Love always, John.
Dave Reigh, associate opinion editor 864-4924 or draughikansan.com
Frank Tankard opinion editor
864-4924 or ftankard@kansan.com
Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing adviser
864-7666 or jweaver@kansan.com
Lindsey Shirach, sales manager
864-4462 or Ishirach@kansan.com
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864-7667 or molibonikansan.com
Kyle Hoedl, business manager
864-4014 or khoedl@kansan.com
the one-1
Free for All, I don't like the UDK today. My horizon says my day is an eight and to keep moving. I wrecked my car on the way to class today, so it isn't an eight and I can't
Go Tarts? Whoever thought Pop Tarts needed to be more portable needs a life.
Rule number 1: Do not tell Americans how to drink.
Jason: Thank you for coming to class. We like to see your bright and shining face everyday. Sincerely, your English class.
Hello, the article about Free for All that was written last week discouraged people calling in with one-liners and instead they should call in with comments that last 20 seconds, but just like this message it won't get printed. I say bring on
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Eric Jorgenson tries way to hard to be funny. If I'm wrong, someone tell me, but he just crosses the line.
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.
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For any questions, call Frank Tankard or Dave Rught
at 864-4810 or e-mail oolionaniksan.com.
LETTER GUIDELINES
I thought I would never see the day when gas was below $2. $1.99, praise Jesus
General questions should be directed to the editor at editor@ansan.com
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GUEST COLUMN GUIDELINES
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EDITORIAL BOARD
Jonathan Reeling, Erick F. %, Schmidt, Gabbella Souza, Frank Tankard, Dave Ruugh, Steve Lynn, McKay Stangler and Lois Mora
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