OPINION
Coming Friday, September 21..
Editorial: Compensation for Student Senate officials is examined in the context of other Big 12 schools' policies.
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.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN WWW.KANSAN.COM THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2007 PAGE 7A
Editorial: Improper disposal of personal records and private information cause for alarm.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Increases in ATM fees unreasonable
With banks considering following Bank of America's decision to raise prices, alternatives must be considered
During years, have
have spent slightly more than $4 billion in ATM fees. That number puts the average American's expense at roughly $200 a year in fees. With banks aggressively recruiting student customers, especially towards the beginning of the year, it's all the more important to recognize hidden fees and assess other options.
the last few Americans
Bank of America, the nation's largest bank-owned network, increased ATM fees from $2 to $3 for non-customers. That means that in addition to the fees that most banks charge for using another bank's ATM, some users could pay more than $5 per withdrawal.
I LOVE EVERYBODY
Although Bank of America has more than 17,000 ATM's nationwide, only 10,700 of these will adopt the fee increase. While Bank of America ATM's on college campuses will continue to be assessed the $2 fee, most others will go to the new, higher fee. The Bank of America in Lawrence is not on campus; it is located at 900 Ohio Street.
As pricey as it is, it is going to get worse. Those students who are frequent ATM users and plan on maneuvering their way around the fees by not using a Bank of America ATM are not going to have success for very long. Other banking institutions have stated that they would like to raise their fees as well, but they are awaiting the public response before doing so. Wa-
chovia ATM charges range from $1.50 to $2.50; they are also considering a fee hike to $3 in certain markets. Citigroup and Wells Fargo have kept their fees at $2 for the time being.
Accessing an ATM is obviously convenient, and they are readily available in many locations, including on campus. However, to avoid handing over hard-earned money to withdraw more money, here are some of the available alternatives. Begin using a debit card in basic transactions instead of just using it to access money. The card automatically deducts money from a checking account. Although it may be an inconvenience, there is also always the possibility of going to the bank and withdrawing money there.
If those two options are not viable, change banks. Certain banks charge no ATM fees, and as spokespersons have stated, banks are waiting for public reaction. If a bank realizes that all of its customers are leaving due to fees, they may reconsider the increase. Allow the power of market economics to take over. Banks raise their fees because of assumed inelasticity; if customers show no change in demand, the fee increases will remain.
Obviously, banks have to make their money as well, but this shouldn't come at customer expense. Students who do not want to continue paying the rising fees should take advantage of the other available choices.
DRAWING BOARD
BURRITO-MADE EPIPHANIES
MAX RINKE
An open letter to Garrison Keeler
Ross Stewart asks if the "A Prairie Home Companion" creator is considering a successor
Dear Garrison Keeler,
I'm writing you
I'm writing you with the wish to make a bad situation for you a great one for me. Out of mere curiosity, who's going to take over "A Prairie Home Companion" when you retire? I know. I know, it's a rather forward question, all apologies on my part, but honestly, who's going to take over?
I'd like to offer you my services in taking over your program when you become either too old or to worn-out to continue on. Your vocal style has been noted to be that of a slow hypnotic dynamic and I fear with the onset of age it will only proceed to get
slower and more hypnotic; the tempo change would probably limit you to telling one story per hour and could imminently lead to the deaths of many listeners from being overly hypnotizing; I can see the headlines now:'Man hypnotized dies while driving,' 'House wife in intensive care after zoning out while using electric hand-mixer;' 'Bunt cake ruined.'
Though I know I'm years away from being anywhere near the writer that you are, I think I could keep the bar high with my creativity and still keep it in a Midwestern scope. You see, you and I are not all that different, but I feel that we are different enough that I could continue onward in your tradition but improve upon the show for decades to come.
I don't have any radio experience, but already this semester, two professors have told me that I should get involved in radio, with one of them telling me that I have a "radio voice," the kind of voice that I believe melts butter, similar to that of the machines in movie theats. Suppose the theatre we're recording in wants me to multi-task—well, I can melt butter, can you? I have musical background, having acted in a few musicals in high school, only one of which I sang in; but rest assured whenever "The Sound of Music" is on I sing along before the Nazis get NFL star Jim Brown (on
second thought I may be thinking of "The Dirty Dozen"). I'm even enrolled in a fiction writing course this semester, and though my professor and my peers haven't workshopped one of my pieces, I know what they'll say already, "Ross, you should mail Garrison Keeler a letter and ask him to let you take over for him later on in life, you're just that good."
I even have a feel for bringing in talent for the program. Just the other day was I walking downtown with my roommate when we passed a person playing maracas without a rhythm for spare change. Many a passerby didn't
quite feel what she was putting down. I even chuckled at first until I listened to the rhythms she was not playing; the absence of measure and time allowed my imagination to run wild. Solo avant garde maracas would be stellar programming for "A Prairie Home Companion."
So I'm set. When do you think I can start? Is there an apprentice program? Oh and do I have to wear red shoes? I think it washes me out. I'm more of a green man. Hear from you soon.
I fear I may not be able to keep up with your sense of style, for I do not own a pair of red shoes. This can be changed; there are places that sell red shoes, places that I assume take Visa.
Sincerely, Ross Stewart
Stewart is a Wichita junior in journalism.
Waxing nostalgic about childhood becomes cliché Having Nickelodeon withdrawal triggers endless—and annoying—reminiscing
The following is a conversation that is statistically happening in at least two separate locations on campus at this very moment.
Youth One: "Hey, you guys remember old school Nickelodeon? Man, it used to be so awesome back in the day. It used to have all the best cartoons, and game shows and real shows. You remember Stick Stickly, that Popsicle stick with the face and the googleeyes? That was so cool. Stick Stickly ruled."
Youth Two: "Did you guys ever watch "Rocko's Modern Life?" That was such a great cartoon. He was a wallaby and stuff, and his dog was Spunky. You remember Heifer, his best friend, the fat cow whose family was all wolves? You remember his friend Philbert the turtle, who said, "I'm nauseous" and "fishsticks" all the time? Man that show was so awesome. That show was the best show ever."
Youth Three: "Do you guys remember 'Salute Your Shorts,' that show about the summer camp? It had Donkey Lips, and that guy from 'Terminator 2' and Ug the counselor. You know, I heard that guy from Rilo Kiley was on it. And the theme song, that was so sweet. "Makes me want to fart" and all that. That show was so awesome. That show was the best show ever."
Youth One: "They had so many awesome game shows too. They had "Double Dare" and
"What Would You Do?" witt all the obstacles and slime and things. I totally wished I could have gotten slimed back then. It had Marc Summers. He was so awesome. Have you guys seen that new show he has on the Food Network recently about candy or something? He is so awesome. That is the best show ever."
Youth Three: "There were the other games shows like 'Wild and Crazy Kids' with Omar Gooding, Cuba Jr.'s brother, "Guts" with the Aggro Crag and 'Legends of the Hidden Temple" with those guards, Olmec and some guy hosting. Those were so awesome. Those were the best game shows ever."
Youth Two: "Do you guys remember "Nick News" with Linda Ellerbee? That show was kind of lame."
Youth One: "Oh man, remember Snick? That was totally awesome. The orange couch up the hill, and the old purple and black logo. Remember when they had the old "All That," back when it was actually good and with funny people on it? Old Kenan and Kel, and their Good Burger stuff. That was so great. And "Are You Afraid Of The Dark?" was great. There was that campfire that they all sat around and then whoever had the story would throw the dirt into the fire and it would get all weird. That show was terrifying. I remember one about aliens or something. Snick was so awesome. That was the best block of programming ever."
Youth Three: "Man, what happened to Nickelodeon? It used to be so good back in the day. But if you watch it now, it's like it sucks now. What the hell?"
White is a Colorado Springs, Colo., junior in journalism.
FREE FOR ALL: 864-0500 OR KANSAN.COM/FACEBOOK
To the girl I just soaked with my car: cancer is probably going to be given to me by karma.
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.
I just saw a girl that looked like Sissy Spacek in "Carrie" and she kept staring at me. It was really creepy.
My favorite part about riding the bus is listening to all the inane crap that people spew out and don't realize that it's inane crap.
Free for All, I'm losing my skills!
The Athletics Department is trying to kill us on elevators by giving us Crocs.
Finally, someone else realizes that Crocs are the root of all evil.
cops, they're gonna Taser you. It doesn't matter what you did.
Two tests and a big quiz in one day? KU, wanna play hard ball? Bring it on!
Guess what, Mr. University of Florida Dude? If you try to fight the
I'm really sick of my roommates listening to N'Sync and dancing around while I'm trying to study.
Oh crap. I forgot what I was gonna say. Oh yeah, I hate you Criss Angel!
My roommate just offered to shave the Nike emblem into my chest hair. I didn't get it. Or did I? Ladies?
We definitely were driving on Mass Street, and a cop did not use his blinker, and it was hilarious.
And Royals are not in last place The White Sox suck!
To the guy at the parking garage whose car alarm went off as he was starting his car. You just made me laugh. Thanks.
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