OPINION
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN.
7A
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008
You read this daily,so you might as well work for it
The Kansan is now hiring for columnists, editorial cartoonists and editorial board writers for the summer and fall semesters.
Columnists: write a bi-weekly column
Editorial cartoonists: create art and graphics for the opinion page
Editorial board writers: write editorials representing the voice of The Kansan Previous experience at the Kansan preferred but is not required
Applications are available online at www.kansan.com/opinion or in the newsroom, 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall.
Call or e-mail questions to (785) 864-4810 or kansanopdesk@gmail.com.
editorials around the state
Conserve instead of complaining about energy
In the past 30 years, our electricity consumption has doubled. It's risen almost 10 times a person since 1950, from 474 kilowatt hours to 4,571 in 2006.
Not to get stuck in the "good old days" or "when we were young" mode, but we have to wonder, what are we using all this power for? And we also have to wonder, are we happier for it?
We'll certainly be poorer for it.
Energy rates are expected to climb significantly as consumption drives utilities to build or buy new power generation, upgrade aging infrastructure and respond to climate change.
Utilities routinely brush aside the assertion that efficiency and other demand-management measures could curb the rising demand for power.
It doesn't pay utility companies to promote efficiency. Their job, after all, is to sell electricity and natural gas.
But conservation has been proven to work. Kansas is one of only 10 states that, in 2006, reported having zero cumulative savings from efficiency. That means 40 states have found a way to save through conservation and efficiency.
We suggest not waiting for the Legislature. We suggest taking matters into our own hands and save whatever power we can at home and in our businesses.
Let's see if we can beat that 30 megawatt-hour savings of 2006.
-Salina Journal April 28
Regents must keep tuition increases in check
The Kansas Board of Regents should put pressure on state legislators to adequately fund higher education, but it also should stand by its decision to limit tuition increases regardless of how much state funding legislators approve.
If that funding is not forthcoming, it will be tempting for the regents to use that action to justify higher increases in university tuition. That would be the wrong move.
Lawmakers are facing significant financial challenges of their own. The latest state revenue estimates were $130 million below earlier predictions, and lawmakers have been told it will cost about $30 million more than expected to cover the state's social service programs.
During tough economic times is exactly the wrong time to shift more of the financial burden of a university education to students and their families. Many Kansans are struggling to pay for higher education.
In February, the regents told university leaders that they would not accept tuition increases of more than 6 percent.
However, even if legislators fail to approve additional higher education funding, the regents should stick by its insistence on tuition increases of no more than 6 percent.
Lawrence Journal-World April 23
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CONTACT US
Darla Slipke, editor
Daria Slipke, contor
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THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Member of the Kansan Editorial Board are Alex Doherty, Bryden Dykman, Matt Erickson, Kelsey Hayes, Lea Kneth, Darla Slipke, Dianne Smith and Ian Stanford.
The (d)evolution of Free For All
I read Free For All when my geology class is particularly boring, but now it has just turned into an outlet for students who are sexually frustrated. The comments I enjoy are the thank you're from the speaker to a complete stranger. My favorite comment of the semester was: To the person who wrote "lava" between the lines in the crosswalk, you made my day.
So here is my thank you to a random person. When I was a freshman, I took a night class and would walk to the dorms. One night a guy started walking straight at me holding up his fist. I thought I was going to get to use my mace for the first time, but then he opened his fist to hand me a small flower, and walked away. He made my day even though I almost maced him. I was so surprised I didn't say anything. To that guy: Thanks for the flower.
Should I be turning to Free For All for dates? I've read the entreaties for dinner and sex, but do any of these requests actually work?
I may try it out, because if people continue to ask, someone must be getting some. There are those who say that this current Free For all trend is lame, but if everyone needs a date so badly then by all means we should use The Kansan to aid us in our efforts. Many people use online dating services, and others just creep around coffee shops or bars looking for someone to pick up, so why is this any different?
Hey, long-haired Okie with glasses: Let's get coffee sometime.
Admittedly I would be flattered to read in print that someone had noticed me from afar. Free For All is about being shameless, so say what you have to say and hope it will land you a date.
I really, really do not like the Free For All. Actually, let me rephrase that: I am very, very jealous of the Free For All.
Most students say that they only read the opinion page, and for that matter, the entire Kansan, for that little daily strip of non-sequiturs. Things that people actually put a lot of work into writing are second fiddle to a constant barrage of things like "Hey, there is a cute guy/girl/crazy old hippie in my chem lecture."
Maybe I'd appreciate the Free For All if the content was more relevant to me. As much as I've wanted to see it, there has yet to be a comment published along the lines of "Ben Cohen is a sexy beast and the best columnist ever," despite the hundreds of times I've called in to make this totally true statement.
This comment made me think about how much people today value marriage in the context of romance. If a guy got down on one knee and told me to check the Free For All, I'd die of laughter.
"I wish my boyfriend would propose to me on Free For All."
It's basically a social construct, a pile of legal documents that two people decide to bury themselves in. And those documents can be shredded, just look at the divorce rates.
But comments like these confirm my belief that marriage has nothing to do with romance today.
Marriage secures a union only in the government's eyes and has little to do with love. A happily- ever-after is a Disney fantasy.
If I get married, a romantic proposal won't be necessary, especially one on Free For All.
Are plaid shorts the new Ugg boots? Even if you read the Free For All just once in the last six months, undoubtedly you saw a comment ranting on the ridiculousness of Ugg boots.
I agree, at least when they are paired with shorts, sweatpants or capris. Yet, when it comes to simply keeping my toes warm in subzero temperatures, I don't care how many Ugg boots insults are called into Free For All. I'm proud to say I'm an Ugg boots owner.
A new trend emerging in Free For All, posts criticizing guys for wearing plaid shorts, such as "Dear boys of KU: Please, for the love of all that is good in the world, STOP with the plaid shorts."
Before you criticize too much on your fellow students clothing choices just remember, it could get worse. Maybe next year the trend will be high-high Ugg boots or guys in plaid kilts.
This is all done anonymously, with just a description of what each will be wearing so they can find one another. I've dreamed up a way for us to end this — the next time someone sets up a make out session in Free For All, everyone reading this needs to show up for some good old-fashioned pointing and laughing. Then we can all make out. Sound good? OK, break!
When did Free For All become an anonymous dating program? People are asking one another to make out somewhere at a certain time (if you haven't seen this, check out Free For All at kansan.com) or talking about their loneliness and then suggesting making out.
Hire this honey bee!
Good journalists are like buzzy bees. Publishing is pollination. We create a sweet, healthy product (best consumed in moderation). A queen bee leads the newsroom hive. Snoopiness is a stinger (and we die if we lose it).
And, like bees, journalists are a dying breed. But it's not cell phones, fungi or pesticides that kill us — our demise lurks in the World Wide Spiderweb. Good thing I've been tangled up in the Internet since pizza.com was an available domain.
Most of my college courses have revolved around writing. Indeed, I very much like the writing lifestyle, minus the times when I'm bee-littled by the hive queen.
But I'd think that prospective employers would look past my ability to write and focus on other traits I have: video, music, pictures, graphs, galleries, blogging. RSS. I dig learning new webby presentation tidbits.
I can even work an Intertubel Take that, 1996!
And if that's not enough for
Friend of Jim
you, just check my officiation ad:
Currently marrying and burying folks as they please! Can oversee baptisms, circumcisions, wedding ceremonies and funerals! Bi-lingual and flexible. Can also double as the wedding photographer and reception band.
Brian Lewis-Jones
@KANSAN.COM
See the entire post online
To contribute to Free For All, visit Kansan.com or call 785-864-0500. Free For all callers have 20 seconds to talk about anything they choose.
I'm so excited that in 10 days I will never have to listen to the person under me blast their techno music again.
--pay you monthly.'
--pay you monthly.'
I know it's been a hard year for us, but thanks for being there. Love you. P.S. At least one good thing happened: The basketball team won the championship.
Free For All, we're almost done with school. Will you go out with me now?
Ten bucks says that girl with the hair is from Aquinas High school.
--pay you monthly.'
--pay you monthly.'
My level 70 Shadow Priest could kick Tony Lewis' Restro Druid's ass
--pay you monthly.'
I secretly hate all of my roommates.
During finals week, I go to the library just to take naps.
A guy and a girl were going out. She is hit by a car and has to get blood to live. The guy gives it to her. They break up, and he is pissed so he asks for his blood back. She says, "I'll
--chicken.
--chicken.
--chicken.
I swear the elevator door in Murphy is making fun of me.
There's nothing more efficient than QuikTrip.
If Lazer 105.9 is proposing that the 19th Street between Iowa and Louisiana be named Bill Self Boulevard, can they at least fix that damn road before doing so?
--chicken.
Kudos to Thor Nystrom for publishing his story. And blessings to him for getting life back
--chicken.
This was the worst semester I've had at KU.
--chicken.
Finally, an editor's note. Wahoo! I've missed you this year
--chicken.
Don't be a bitch to me when you want to date me. I'll bang your best friend. Aqain.
To KU Housing Department:
Thanks for your rude and bad attitude. I have a better apartment with the price lower than this dang dorm.
I just want to "Man vs. Wild" it mv entire life
--chicken.
Doesn't that crazy guy yelling on Wescoe Beach look like Colonel Sanders? Now I hate
@ KANSAN.COM
Want more? Check out Free For All online.