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ERICKSON:Darfur could soon be left without a peacekeeping force, unless college students start letting lawmakers know what they think See kansan.com for more opinions and Free for All comments
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2006 WWW.KANSAN.COM
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
PAGE 5A
OUR VIEW
How about not ignoring fire safety?
You wake up and smell something burning.
Flames leap from the grease-filled frying pan that your roommate left on the hot stove and have spread to the wooden cabinets.
It's 9:30 a.m. and your roommate, who always cooks bacon for breakfast, has already left for class. You jump out of bed and open your door — smoke stings your eyes.
Why didn't the smoke alarm go off? Where is the fire extinguisher? Where will you exit? What about the neighbors?
Students have plenty of reasons to prepare for a fire today; the recent tragic deaths of five people in a Lawrence house fire, the Boardwalk Apartments fire last year and Kansas ranking of fifth in the nation for the number of fire deaths in on-campus and off-campus student housing by the Center for Campus Fire Safety.
Take these steps to stay safe:
Take these steps to stay safe:
- Make sure you have a smoke alarm on every floor.
- Test smoke alarm batteries every month
- Replace batteries once a year.
- Remember, 'the law requires your landlord to provide you with a working smoke alarm, whether you live in a house or apartment. You are responsible for maintaining the smoke alarms in good working condition.
- Be careful when drinking. Alcohol is the most common element in fatal off-campus fires.
- Own a fire extinguisher and put it where fires are most likely to start, such as the kitchen.
- Put out your smokes. Cigarettes are the leading cause of fire deaths across the nation.
- Never leave candles unattended and put them out before bed.
- Many fires that kill students are intentionally set for fun. Tell your dumb friends not to set fires.
- Look for a place with sprinklers next year. Studies show that sprinklers decrease fire deaths by 82 percent.
Sources: Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical, USA Today
Steve Lynn for the editorial board
KU image not tarnished by Playboy
COMMENTARY
The recent "Girls of the Big 12" Playboy issue, featuring several KU girls, has sparked a lot of talk across campus.
lege.
Some people think this will reflect negatively on the University. Louis Mora's Monday editorial, "KU playmates don't represent University," said, "it's unfortunate that people will come to associate the University with topless women." There are many people who might agree with this. But on the other hand, I can't help but think this is a gross overstatement. Because in all reality, this issue of Playboy will have little or no effect on the University's image.
Think of all the other schools represented in the "Girls of the Big 12" issue such as Nebraska, Colorado and Oklahoma. I really doubt anyone's first thought is, "Those school students are full of scantily-clad women." It's very unlikely high school students across the country are taking this Playboy issue into consideration when picking a col-
What a lot of people might not know is that Playboy did a "Girls of the Big 12" issue in October of 2002 featuring a girl from the University. If any effect has happened because of this, it's certainly not all that apparent.
So much focus has been on the girls in Playboy that most people probably don't even know another KU student was featured in the issue. Nick Connell's short story "Ozark Lake" won the Playboy College Fiction contest. This talented writer's story can be found in the current issue.
The association might be there, but the effect is not.
So, if you're going to associate the actions of a few girls from a school of more than 26,000 students, then you really have to question whether that makes sense.
Chris Brower is an Overland Park junior in journalism.
FREE FOR ALL
Call 864-0500
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.
To the drilling outside of Ellsworth: Please stop.
What the hell is the drilling outside Ellsworth?
Day two: The boy is still wearing red crocs.
First of all, I saw a commercial for Cheerios, but they are fruit flavored. Aren't those called Fruit Loops?
No guys should wear socks with sandals.
OK, cryptoquip, you are back giving us bad clues. Stop it.
Grant Snider/KANSAN
I definitely smoke to look sexy. It has nothing to do with me being addicted.
This girl is doing a slow march to the music of the Campile. I am confused.
Joel can definitely pull off the red crocs.
I would like to thank Commerce bank for closing at 4:30 and not letting me cash a check at 4:34.
I thought Lawrence had hippies, but Boulder has mountain hippies.
I never knew boys had drama. Until I overheard some guy bitching about a run-in with his ex.
图
I don't mean to toot my own horn, but beep beep.
HOW TO TELL THAT YOUR PARENTS HATE YOU
COMMENTARY
Time is running out in Darfur
As the conflict in Darfur, Sudan, reaches a breaking point, now is the time for the rest of the world to take notice and to find a solution. And the students on this campus have as much power to make this happen as anyone else.
In about three months, the citizens of the Darfur region might have no protection against the government forces that have bombed them and the Janiaweed militia that has raped and slaughtered them for more than three years.
According to BBC News, more than 200,000 people have died and about 2 million have fled their homes since the conflict began in 2003. Other organizations have claimed the death total to be as high as 400,000.
The Arab Sudanese government and the Arab Janjaweed militia backed by the government have committed genocide against the black African citizens of Darfur, according to the Bush administration and Congress.
These troops will remain in Darfur until the end of the year, but they can't promise anything after that. And according to BBC News, the African Union troops aren't equipped to handle the Darfur conflict.
The Sudanese government refuses to allow United Nations peacekeepers into Darfur. About 7,000 African Union troops currently fulfill duties such as protecting women from rape when they leave refugee camps to collect firewood.
Brent Steele, assistant professor of political science, said he fears the worst if Darfur is left without a peacekeeping force. He estimated that 100,000 to 200,000 more people would die, many from disease and starvation.
"The biggest problem is that so many people are going to die because of a lack of humanitarian aid," said Steele, the faculty sponsor for the student group FIGHT:
We need to convince Sudan to allow U.N. troops into Darfur, and we need to do it as soon as possible.
BY MATT ERICKSON
KANSAN COLUMNIST
OPINION@KANSAN.COM
Fighting Ignorance of Globa Humanitarian Threats.
The U.S. mainstream media have covered the conflict a bit more as it has moved toward its crisis point, but chances still are that you've heard little to nothing about it.
The United States has led the effort to persuade Sudan to admit U.N. troops into Darfur, but we can always do more. Darfur is far from the top of our agenda.
This must change — too many lives are at stake. Darfur should be one of our biggest concerns.
We could pressure Sudan to admit U.N. troops in many ways, Steele said, but politicians will not act until the public demands that they do.
The situation in Darfur is an emergency more serious and urgent than any other in the world. It's time it was given the proper attention.
"Of all the demographics in the United States, college students are the most active" politically, Steele said.
Several campus organizations, including FIGHT and Amnesty International, have made Darfur a focus of their activist work. But students can also help on an individual basis.
Even as college students — especially as college students — we can work to make this happen.
Steele said that dozens of groups — evangelical Christians, Catholics, other religious groups, secular nonprofit organizations — would care deeply about this issue if only someone would awaken them to the seriousness of the situation.
We students can awaken them.
We students can awaken them.
First, read up on the conflict.
BBC News (news.bbc.co.uk) provides background information and daily updates on Darfur, and The
New York Times, free on campus,
runs Darfur articles most days.
Tell the people at your church or other religious meeting place about the conflict. They're bound to care. Let everyone know that the people of Darfur need our help now.
Write to your U.S.
Congresspeople — and their opponents in the upcoming election
— and tell them your vote hinges on the issue of Darfur. Tell them to prove they're committed to ending the conflict in Darfur.
DarfurScores.org provides evaluations of each U.S. Congressperson's action on Darfur-related issues and gives contact information for them.
Write to local newspapers and television stations telling them that Darfur deserves more coverage and that politicians should act on the issue.
One way to pressure on the Sudanese government is to divest from companies that operate in Sudan. This means to withdraw investments from companies that do business in Sudan. Divestment can encourage companies to leave Sudan, putting economic pressure on the government.
Many pension plans include investments in companies operating in Sudan. This could include the pension plans of professors at the University.
Steele said many professors were political activists during college and might listen to you about the subject of divestment. Just tell them you're concerned about the Darfur conflict and ask them to investigate the possibility of divestment and to talk with other professors about it.
"You should get a pretty sympathetic ear from individual professors." Steele said.
Don't wait until tomorrow to do these things — do them today. The people of Darfur don't have much time.
Erickson is an Olathe sophomore in journalism and political science.
COMMENTARY
Greeks learn to lead others in community
BY SARAH BROWN
KANSAN COLUMNIST
OPINION@KANSAN.COM
My friends that aren't greek often inquire into the regular activities that we take part in. "I thought all you guys did was plan tailgates and socials," they say.
Well, I am here to tell you that Greek Endeavor is one activity that needs to be recognized by more than just fraternities and sororites.
Greek Endeavor is a retreat held each fall for all new members of each Panhellenic, Interfraternity and National Panhellenic Council chapter. The purpose of Greek Endeavor is to prevent stereotyping between chapters, educate with team building exercises and provide several ways to get involved on campus and throughout the surrounding communities.
So what exactly am I getting at with all this endeavor nonsense? To start off with, Greek Endeavor is a non-alcoholic event that brings together almost 200 members of the greek community.
This weekend we were lucky enough to hear David Coleman speak. Coleman is the love doctor whom the movie "Hitch" is based on. No, he didn't give us love advice (though he shared quite the pick-up lines after the session). Coleman brought to Greek Endeavor one of the most breathtaking and interactive workshops that I have ever been a part of. By the end of the session, everyone felt like they personally knew each one of the 200 participants in the room.
The theme for this year's Greek Endease was "Treasure Island." OK, so this event already sounds cheesy to all of you, huh? And yep, you guessed it, we had the opportunity to dress up for the theme in ridiculous pirate outfits that I have to admit were quite impressive.
Greek Endeavor is one of the most crucial events of the year for Greek life. Within a two-day period, we are taught a mass amount of information that focuses on enhancing our leadership skills, which in return we utilize within our surrounding communities.
Greek Endeavor is the perfect chance for us to bring our ideas to the table and to share them with the rest of the community. It allows us to get involved and understand what your opinions and concerns are. From this weekend's events, it is not just a matter of ending the stereotyping between chapters but rather between communities. It is of such utter importance to quit viewing our communities as two separate beings. Our activities of choice and views are not legitimate reasons for continually stereotyping one another.
It is important to have a better understanding of our surrounding communities, not just the one we personally take part in. Next time you are doing some sort of activity, whether it be volunteering or attending meetings, look around you and recognize the greek community that is working side-by-side with you to attain the same goal.
Brown is an Omaha, Neb., junior in business.
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