4A
Monday, October 24, 1994
OPINION
UN I V E R S I T Y DA I LY K A N S A N
Editorial undermines operation of a free press
KANSAN EDITOR
STEPHEN MARTINO
In editorializing against disclosure of the chancellor candidates, the Kansan wrote against a free press
Friday the Kansan made a mistake that all the correction boxes in the world won't fix.
We didn't misspell a name or use inappropriate grammar. We editorialized against a right ensured by our Constitution that you, as readers of this newspaper, appreciate and that we, as journalists, base our livelihood on.
In some distorted view of how this tax-payer supported University conducts its business, the editorial board decided the best interests of the University community — students and faculty — would be best served by not releasing the names of the finalists to be the next chancellor.
For running such a poorly rea
soned, fascist-thinking editorial, students and faculty only have me to hold responsible. Despite seeing the editorial before it ran, I let it run because of deadline pressures although it was counter to my own personal beliefs of access to information and a free press
The editorial's basic premise is bunk. Although the quality of candidates the University might attract for the chancellor's position may be slightly decreased because of public disclosure about their interest, the editorial board seems conveniently to forget that this is a public-financed institution, whose members pay for the privilege to attend. They deserve the right, along with faculty members
and staff, to know who the Regents are considering. The Kansan has an obligation to the University community to run that information. However, you would never know that by reading our editorial page.
Lovely.
The Kansam has come out in favor of withholding the names of the five finalists for chancellor.
Friday, when I came in the newsroom, the following was posted to all four door leading to the newsroom. It more succinctly and powerfully conveys the mistake we made Friday than I ever could:
Here at Stauffer-Flint Hall, I don't care what your personal ideology happens to be. But if you think ANY-
THING about the functions of the University should be kept secret from the students and faculty, I strongly suggest that you apply for a job at University Relations, where the sun always shines. You have no business dribbling your ridiculous ramblings on the pages of any American newspaper. Pravada, yes. Kansan, never.
One concept I've been learning about in my media law class is the balancing of rights, where the law attempts to balance free speech rights with others, such as the right to privacy.
In the case of the chancellor search, we are faced with the most laughable "right" ever conjected — the "right"
of applicants not to have their precious feelings hurt if they aren't selected. The right of students and faculty to at least have a glimpse of who will be the next chancellor of the University of Kansas outweighs that right a thousand times over.
I'm keeping my eye out for future editorial demanding that the First Amendment be stricken from the Bill of Rights.
Well said. However, I wished we would have said it before we made such asses of ourselves.
Stephen Martino is an Olathe senior in ournalism and political science.
VIEWPOINT
Judge's sentence trivializes husband's murder of wife
Maryland man was sentenced last week to 18 months in jail for murdering his wife.
At a time when Ameri-
At a time wica's lawmakers are calling for tougher penalties for domestic violence, this judge, husband and sentence remind us why.
penalty for adultery is death, and premeditated murder deserves only a short prison stay.
Cahill remarked he was reluctant to give the murderer any jail time at all because he wondered how many men in a similar situation could "walk away without inflicting
LENIENT SENTENCE
A Maryland judge is a perfect example of why citizens are crying out for tougher domestic violence laws.
Judge Robert Cahill said in his decision that the murderer was justified in committing the slaying because of his wife's infidelity. Apparently in Cahill's courtroom, the
some corporal punishment." If Cahill cannot make the distinction between "some corporal punishment" and murder, perhaps he is not fit to serve on the bench.
JASON McCLURE FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD.
If Simpson can't get speedy trial, he should receive bail
O. J. Simpson's defense brought up an interesting point last week amid the controversy and excitement that continues to
too long? Simpson has been in jail for more than four months already, and a trial looks further away everyday.
The chance of O.J. jump-
surround the case. What about Simpson's right to a speedy trial? Unless the court can assure the defense that this case will
SIMPSON TRIAL
If the court cannot give Simpson a speedy trial, the Constitution demands he be released on bail.
go to trial within two months, O.J. should be given bail.
ing bail is unbelievably small. It would take the Heisman Trophy winner's best move ever to elude the media.
Incarceration for a time is expected during a murder trial. But how long is
The Constitution is not multiple choice.
If the court cannot provide a speedy trial, then they must offer bail to O.J. Simpson.
RICHARD BOYD FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD.
KANSAN STAFF
STEPHEN MARTINO
Editor
CHRISTOPH FUTIRMANS Managing editor
TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser
JEN CARR Business manager
CATHERINE ELLSWORTH Systems coordinator
CAMERON DEATH Retail sales manager
JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser
Editors
LEADERS
News ... Sara Bennett
Editorial ... Donella Heame
Campus ... Mark Martin
Sports ... Brian James
Photo ... Daron Bennett
Melissa Lacey
Features ... Tracil Carl
Planning Editor ... Susan White
Design ... Noah Muster
Assistant to the editor ... Robbie Johnson
Business Staff
Campus mgr ...Todd Winters
Regional mgr ...Laura Guth
National mgr ...Mark Masto
Coop mgr ...Emily Gibson
Special Sections mgr ...Jen Pierer
Production mgr ...Holly Boren
...Regan Overy
Marketing director ...Alan Stigler
Creative director ...John Carlton
Classified mgr ...Heather Niehaus
**Letters** should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 200 words. They must include the writer's signature, name, address and telephone number. Writers affiliated with the University of Washington are required to type their names and addresses.
**Guest column** should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 700 words. The writer will be photographed.
The Kansan reserves the right to reedit or edit letters, guest columns and cartoons. They can be mailed or brought to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Stuart-Flall Hall.
A LOOK AT BILL GRAVES' IDEA OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR
Sean Finn / KANSAN
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Graves committed to better schools
I have been an educator in Kansas for 25 years, 22 as a social studies teacher and the past three as an administrator. I am strongly committed to high quality education in Kansas.
Therefore, it concerns me that recently there have been unfounded attacks upon Bill Graves' commitment to Kansas schools.
He always has found the time to visit schools, to discuss citizenship and voting with students and to increase voter registration among students.
He specifically has been to schools in which I taught and served as principal three separate times. On each of these occasions, he expressed his belief that the future of our state, both economically and culturally, rests with our youth.
I personally am convinced that Graves will do everything within his powers of governor to strengthen the role of education in Kansas.
Also, Bill and his running mate, Majority Leader Sheila Fralm from Colby, believe strongly in local control of education and restricting the
Bill Graves is a strong supporter of the youth of Kansas and the schools that educate our youth.
federal government's interference in local decision making.
In only one month, we will go to the polls to elect a new governor. I would ask that before you vote, please talk to others like me who know Bill Graves.
I believe you will discover that he is an outstanding man, dedicated to what is best for Kansas, especially the youth of Kansas. There is no question in my mind that he will be a strong leader for better education in Kansas.
Glenn Walker Hiawatha, Kansas
Marijuana abuse has killed people
Green states that, "There has never been one death attributed to the use of marijuana." Well, perhaps it is time for Green to get her own facts straight. Back in the early '70s, one of my neighbors "mellowed out on Mary Jane" and left her baby to drown in the tub.
I am writing in response to Laura Green's letter concerning Matt Hood's cartoon. Her ice is directed toward his obvious criticism of marijuana's recreational use and suggests that he "get his facts" straight.
Furthermore, one of cannabis' most prominent medical uses - the suppression of nausea in chemotherapy patients - has been responsible for several deaths when used as a recreational drug in conjunction with alcohol. When someone drinks too much, the body often rids itself of alcohol by producing nausea, which causes an individual to vomit. If marijuana is used sufficiently, and side-stream smoke also affects those in the vicinity, the individual may die of alcohol poisoning as a result of not being able to vomit at a critical time.
Whether or not cannabis is addictive is an arguable point. There are proponents for both sides. However, one point is not arguable. Marijuana use does impair the brain. This is what causes the mellow, laid back and relaxed physical condition. The impaired reflex and reaction time may be fine if you are home in bed or sitting on the couch. But how safe will you be driving a car, piloting a plane, driving a speedboat, lighting a fire or giving your baby a bath?
I have been a program coordinator for Douglas County Citizens Committee on Alcoholism and have done research on the biological effects of marijuana use.
Carmela M. Sibley
Graduate Admissions
Electrical Engineering and
Computer Science
COLUMNIST
DAVID JOHNSON
Gubernatorial debate gives little insight
Very few times in my life have I ever taken an interest in the office of the governor of Kansas. And when I do, it's always after the fact. Joan Foinny did what? Mike Haydon passed that? Of course, I also swore that I never would get too political in this column, but the time has come.
When I found out that I had to attend the Jim Slattery/Bill Graves debate Tuesday for a class, I thought I would try to take an interest in the race.
Truthfully, all I knew about the candidates prior to the debate, other than their party affiliations, was what I had seen in a negative Slattery ad on television. Graves apparently took donations from some grossly fraudulent insurance company called Torchmark. I also had heard that Slattery used to serve in Congress.
The propaganda started before I even walked in the Kansas Union doors. Some guy was handing out fliers with a photo of Graves standing next to Attorney General Bob Stephan and Insurance Commissioner Fletcher Bell. Bell? The briefcase guy? Now, that name I knew.
"Birds of a feather flock together," said the headline. Did Gravens pull a hamstring on his Nordic Track? And at the bottom of the page was written, "Paid for by the Kansas Democratic Party," of course!
Walking into the Union Ballroom, I was hit again, this time by people passing out campaign stickers. Being a snobbish Democrat, when the Graves people offered a sticker to me, I replied, "No thanks. Not that one." The Slattery-ites smirked and handed me one of their stickers, which I promptly applied to my shirt.
Wearing my sticker proved to no avail. Slattery passed right by me. But nevertheless, I kept wearing it.
The debate got under way after boastful opening comments. The first question was something about higher education. I'm not sure what the panelist was asking, but he loaded his question with, "Students are paying more and more and getting less and less." Duh.
After an out of control trade by Sluttery about the Torchmark think and audience questions, the debate was over. I could think of only two things. They actually agreed on every issue and Dana Carvey could do a really good imitation of Graves. So I was stuck. Who gets my vote? Ask me on the way out of the booth. Let's just say I'm not wearing my sticker anymore.
David Johnson is a Coffeyville senior in magazine journalism.
MIXED MEDIA
By Jack Ohman