4A
Monday, September 26, 1994
OPINION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
How do cynics spell relief? I-S-O-L-A-T-I-O-N
MATT GOWEN
Polls reflect overwhelming attitude of cynicism among Americans,but how can
you not be cynical?
After such a "Gump-y" summer, you would think that American good will was at high tide.
Apparently not, at least according to a recent Times Mirror Center poll. There is a wave of cynicism crashing across America, the pollsters have concluded. "America in dark mood," sobbed the headlines. So I asked my good friend Sludge, who prides himself on his pleasant demeanor, if he thought the country should be down in the dumper.
"I dunno. Everything looks fine to me. Of course, I'm not dragging a balsa wood raft out of the Gulf so that I can eat army hash at Guantanamo."
That's a good point, Sludge. America's foreign policy is a source of concern, the poll says. But what about
politics in general? The poll says we are more skeptical of government now than we've ever been.
"Business as usual, I guess. Now that you mention it, though, I guess a country where Ollie North may be headed for the Senate after running a war in Nicaragua..."
You mean, "low-intensity conflict," Sludge.
"... and Marion Barry can come back after getting caught with a big, fat crack pipe is getting kind of messed up."
Symbols of resiliency, perhaps? We ask for people of conviction and instead we get people with convictions, which is not exactly the same thing. But what about television and newspapers, Sludge? More than 70
percent of Americans believe the media hurts the country more than it helps
"Well, usually I just read the sports page."
Really? It sounds like you're fairly well informed.
Don't you mean Haiti?
"I pick up a few things here and there. Don't tell anybody, though. Besides, reading about the Chiefs and the 'Hawks is a lot less stressful than trying to keep track of whatever the frang Clinton and his cronies are doing down at The Bahamas."
"No, not the troops, you glonkierhead. Clinton! I saw it on one of those afternoon news shows. He's been spending his nights with Panetta the boys down at The Bahamas, it's this
new tropical lounge on Pennsylvania Avenue where they put umbrellas in your drinks. Oh, and Gennifer Flowers is the opening act. I guess she's trying to reklink her singing career."
So you don't think we have reason to be skeptical of the media?
"The only thing I'm skeptical about is how the heck Martin Short got his own TV show. What is that all about? It's like a Saturday Night Live/Dave Letterman rip-off without the iokes."
Let's get back to the poll. Only 42 percent now believes government is run for the benefit of all people. The poll also indicates a decrease in sensibilities toward minorities, immigrants, homosexuals and the poor. Are we a nation blinded by hate and
fear, headed for anarchy?
Sludge, you can't live in isolation.
"Look If you watch TV you'll seeive suicides and grisly murders. You'll see transvestites, sex abusers, lunatics and nude pictures of the Royal Family. Read the newspaper and you'll think that the world is about to spill over with people and that the sun is going to turn the planet into a big piece of Kingsford charcoal. Cancel your subscription and turn off the TV, then see what you think."
"You're right. We could see a flick. I think Natural Born Killers starts in an hour. You'in?"
I guess it can't get any worse.
VIEWPOINT
Matt Gowen is a Lawrence senior in Journalism.
More must be done to gain peace, democracy in Haiti
The Clinton administration should be commended for exhaustively pursuing a peaceful policy toward Haiti and avoiding bloodshed. However, talks must continue if democracy and a civil society are to be established in Haiti.
tary groups such as the "Tontons Mocoutes" remain to threaten possible democratic institutions.
These groups must be
HAITI POLICY Many militant groups hostile to democracy in Haiti have been left intact, threatening the possibility of achieving democracy
The agreement between the Carter team and the Haitian junta still leaves the organs of terror intact. The police, military, security organs and paramili-
democratized or disarmed and dismantled, and the Haitians must understand democratic principles if democracy is
to be achieved. To this end, talks must continue with vigor and seriousness with the realization that much remains to be done.
MICHAEL PAUL FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD.
Students should venture outside of ordinary world
The University of Kansas offers exciting, stimulating and varied opportunities for active engagement in activities of a cultural, spiritual, academic and
recreational flavor.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
For example, a series of films sponsored by LesBiGayS OK will be featured in the month of
Often, these events are not frequented by KU students. Many students attend KU for four or five years without exploring many activities outside their own cultural or
social group.
September. The months of September and October will be sprinkled with events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
Film series and Hispanic Heritage Month are two examples of the many opportunities for students to get involved on campus.
We should participate in events outside our experience. The implication of this action is limitless: increased
awareness of diverse groups, stimulating peer interactions, an extended knowledge bank — and personal growth.
BARBARA STREETS FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD.
KANSAN STAFF
STEPHEN MARTINO
Editor
JEN CARR Business manager
CHRISTOPH FUHRMANS Managing editor
CAMERON DEATH Retail sales manager
JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser
TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser
CATHERINE ELLSWORTH Systems coordinator
News ... Sara Bennett
Editorial ... Donella Heine
Campus ... Mark Martin
Sports ... Brian James
Photo ... Daron Bennett
Melissa Lacey
Features ... Treti Carl
Planning Editor ... Susan White
Design ... Noth Musser
Assistant to the editor .. Robbie Johnson
Editors
Business Staff
Campus mgr ... Todd Winters
Regional mgr ... Laura Guth
National mgr ... Mark Mastro
Coop mgr ... Emily Gibson
Special Sessions mgr ... Jan Perris
Production mgrs ... Holly Boren
Regan Overy
Marketing director ... Alan Stigler
Creative director ... John Carton
Classified mgr .. Heather Niehaus
Guest columns should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 700 words. The writer will be photographed.
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 Minnesota must include their name and telephone number.
The Kansan reserves the right to reject or edit letters, guest columns and cartoons. They can be mailed or brought to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Stauffer Flint Hall.
Jeff MacNelly / Chicago Tribune
Immorality is in the eye of the beholder
I was making copies, that's all. I wasn't trying to piss anyone off.
I was at the copier in normal attire, which happened to include a T-shirt that depicted two stick figure men above the caption "Adam + Steve." Anymore, I wear the shirt without a second thought. The most anyone has said to me before is "Oh, that's cute" or "I don't get it."
I was just in Watson Library for a scholastic purpose, and I was attacked. Of course, I exaggerate the situation, but it felt like an attack.
I looked around as though she might be speaking to someone next to me—no such luck. "Yes," I replied, looking down at my shirt.
But this woman said something different that caught me completely off guard.
"You know, I really respect you and others who live their lives as who they want to be," she said. "Homosexuals still have to put up with a lot of discrimination"
She noticed me, smiled and walked over to my copier. "Are you gay?" she asked in what seemed like a yell but was a normal tone.
And then I saw it coming from a mile away. "But you should also try to live a moral life," she said.
"Yeah, I know." I was feigning the pitiful fag for dramatic effect.
And before I knew it, she was gone.
COLUM.NIST
DAVID JOHNSON
But for some reason, I felt really bad and wanted to apologize. Usually when I offend people (more times than I care to count), I never give it a second thought. But what this woman said really got to me.
Fifteen minutes later, I broke out of my awestruck trance and tried to analyze what had just happened, as I often do.
Why did I really wear this shirt? Was it to tell the world that I was proud of my sexuality? Or was it to express my
I figured out that while she was saying that she was tolerant and empathetic, she was offended by the knock at Christianity my shirt made. And she assumed that my intention was to knock Christianity. OK, who wouldn't assume that? I am wearing the shirt.
So on the way home, I began debating with myself.
So now, I do not apologize. Wherever you are, Offended Woman, please don't condemn me. (It would be in vain — I've already been condemned!) Instead, I offer this: It is unreasonable for anyone to completely accept anyone, for whatever reason. We all hold strong opinions. And yes, I do have morals. I just conform to a different set.
distaste for the way I was treated by the majority of the Christian faith. (It's okay to be gay, just don't practice it!)
I grew up attending a Christian church and have read the Bible and all that. I made what I believe to be a proper decision to leave the church, as I had too many questions that too many people could not answer.
Or was it just to make people laugh? Well, I couldn't decide, so I figured that it was all of the above because I felt equally as strong about each of these questions.
But I really do respect people who hold true to their divine beliefs. I really respect David Zimmerman for having the courage to share his views on the same opinion page with mine.
On a campus like this, his views are as, or more, unpopular than mine.
David Johnson is a Coffeyville senior in magazine journalism.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Mistake snubs Hispanic culture
But the United States didn't gain its independence from Canada!!
Yes, that's true, but how would you feel if a newspaper printed an article implying that the United States of America gained its independence from Canada? And if the newspaper printed this on July 5th, a day after the independence celebration?
You would probably like to see a significant correction, not just a small box on the second page. Of course, we all know that no paper would print a thing like that. But if The University Daily Kansan did commit such an immense mistake, the latter is the only recourse that the paper would take, in accordance with any other typo.
Well the Kansan hasn't printed that yet, but it did write something that is just as bad, at least it is for Central American students. On Friday, Sept. 16, the Kansan printed an article "Chancellor opens Heritage Month" that implied the Central American countries gained their independence from Mexico, instead of from Spain as they really did on Sept. 15, 1821.
It is interesting that this appeared in an article related to Hispanic Heritage Month. Just the day before, Thursday, Sept. 15, the Kansan printed an article, "Hispanics hope to show diversity," in which the reporter interviewed some students, including the organizers of the event, who stated they hoped to educate people that Hispanics have separate, distinct cultures. People sometimes lump all Hispanic people into the Mexican culture.
Speaking to the managing editor, Christoph Fuhrmans, I explained the degree of the mistake. He, however, informed me it could be given no more attention than a line in the correction box.
The Kansan has the ability to reach, inform and influence many readers. Hopefully, by the end of Heritage Month, it will.
More consideration should be given to this, not because Costa Ricans are on a self-righteous crusade to promote one historical fact but because an error of this type is indicative of the generalities about Hispanics in this country. Mexico is undoubtedly rich in culture and history, but it is only a part of a multitude of various cultures and countries that form all Latin America.
HUBIE
It is disappointing that the Kansan falls into a misconception of this kind. But even more disappointing is its attitude regarding it. This paper errs, treats it routinely, writes a correction box and then it's back to business.
Gustavo Alvarado San Ramon, Costa Rica, senior Public Relations of the Costa Rican Student Association Uyen Nguyen Overland Park senior Editor's note: The Kansan printed a correction for the Sept. 16 story on Monday, Sept. 19.
Gustavo Alvardo
TRUTH IS STRONGER
THAN FICTION: ON
WED, SEPT. 15.
A JUDGE DECIDED
THAT MCDONALD'S
MUST PAY 81
YEAR-OLD STELLA
LIEBECK $480,000
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By Greg Hardin