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University Daily Kansan/Monday, October 28, 1991
OPINION
Helping is easy
KU students should support community
A recent KJHK radio program focused on the homeless problem in Lawrence. A student called in to ask about programs to help the homeless. It is wonderful that he wanted to get involved, but unfortunately he did not know how to make his intentions a reality. The reply to his question included suggestions of many ways to help, but one significant way was overlooked.
The United Way agencies of Douglas County include 28 services. Students use many of the services, such as Headquarters, which provides counseling and other emergency services 24 hours a day, and the Douglas County Child Development Association, which grants
day-care scholarships to low-income students.
You may have noticed the colorful Jayhawk signs around campus publicizing the University Campaign, which is now taking place. This year's goal is $1,700,550. Last year's was $900,162. Most donors want to know where the money goes. It is important to note that donated funds are used to meet local needs. The Victory Celebration, signifying the completion of the drive, is scheduled for Nov. 22.
dents, (perhaps because they know the state of our finances) but donations and volunteers are welcome. Donations can be sent to P.O.Box 116, and interested volunteers should call the Roger Hill Volunteer Center.
Contributions from faculty and special events like Rock Chalk Revue make an impact on the campus drive. The United Way does not solicit from stu-
The community and KU are intricately linked, and the support should be mutual. Even though you do not stumble over the homeless in the streets as you might in big cities, there are needy people here. The United Way is just one example of how easy it is to help people in Lawrence.
Ellen Kuwana for the editonal board
Robinson Center
Non-organized activities need consideration
Intramural volleyball and other athletic programs at Robinson Center are taking playing space away from students who come in for free-play basketball.
Sunday through Thursday each week, starting at 6:45 p.m., intramural facility workers set up volleyball nets at midcourt of each full basketball court and ask those students occupying the courts to leave so that team-play volleyball can occupy the courts.
There are no alternative courts for students to play on. The only other gym at the center is occupied by team handball or some other organized activity.
Because the gym officially opens to students at 5 p.m., that only leaves about two hours for students to use the facilities. There are usually from 30 to 40 students playing between this time, and at 7 p.m. they have to find alternative plans.
Sports programming is a major aspect of Robinson's recreational facility, yet the programming also should accommodate those students who choose to participate in non-intramural sports activities.
An attempt was made at creating a day that University faculty and staff could come in and play on a pick-up basketball team. Notices were posted on
gym doors that stated that if a faculty or staff member were present, he would get first crack at playing in a game.
During intramural tournaments of any kind, consideration should be given to those students who choose not to participate in organized activities and, space should be reserved for students to continue pickup basketball games.
It's fine to give the faculty such consideration, but this failed attempt at proper programming, which is an insult to those students who play everyday, proves that the Robinson facility is unsympathetic to the athletic needs of some students.
Editorials reflect the opinion of the University Daily Kansan editorial board. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the board.
Opinions expressed in guest and staff columns and cartoons are soley those of the author or artist. Views expressed in columns and cartoons are not necessarily shared by the Kansan.
Editorial board members are: Benjamin Allen, Anita Bajaj, Kevin Bartels, James Baucom, Michael Dick, Amy Francis, Clarissa Jackson, Ellen Kuwana, Holly Lawton, Holly Neuman, John Noltensmeyer, Karen Park, Jennifer Reynolds, Jennifer Tanous, Jose Vasquez, Julie Wasson and Frank Williams.
Frank Williams for the editorial board
LETTERS to the EDITOR Banning guns can't end crime
In response to Halden Moon's letter concerning weaponsbanning, I cannot imagine any feeling individual who could remain unaffected by the tragedy in Killeen, Texas, either.
However, Moon's solution assumes that had possession of firearms been illegal last week, this incident would never have happened. No justification exists for this assumption.
We cannot know why George Henryn killed, but his intent was clear. Those 23 unfortunate people would be dead had he run them down with his truck or had he slashed their throats with a machete.
There is no evidence that suggests outlawing guns would prevent their possession or use. The vast majority of guns used in crime are ALREADY illegally possessed. Given the number of guns in existence and the ready availability of so many other controlled substances, we cannot assume that banning firearms will prevent any but law-abiding citizens from possessing them.
We cannot simply legislate mass murder away or vainly insist that the government protect us from every danger. Certainly, violating the rights of U.S. citizens as they are guaranteed in the Constitution will not stop people such as Hennard from taking lives if they insist on doing so.
Steven Allen
Kansan shows hypocrisy
Steven Allen Lawrence graduate student
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, the Kansan printed on the front page several articles pertaining to sexual harassment. One article was about the harassment women law students have to contend with at the University and the other was about the Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas situation. Surprisingly, as I further read the paper, I discovered a quarter-page ad by Playboy. This ad was requesting interviews from women of the University of Kansas who would like to pose for Playboy. To my understanding, Playboy, as stated by the Kansan on Oct. 23, is soft pornography. It is also common for the Kansan to print ads promoting Triple XXX Videos, which is a video store for adults only. Which side of the issue does the Kansan support? strongly disagree with the hypocrisy the Kansan promotes. Why should the Kansan print a full, front page article pertaining to sexual harassment while further on there is an ad for Playboy? Playboy is soft pornography, and yet, the Kansan printed its ad. Tame, anything which exploits the human body for material gain is not consistent with the idea of defending women against sexual harassment.
Amy Windju Kansas City, Mo., senior
Grow up, dump Playboy
Some things in America make me sick. and Playboy is one of them.
When I was 14 years old, I would join my friends in one of their fathers' dens and flip through his Playboys. What made them intriguing wasn't great stories or articles, but the parts of a woman's body they so boldly displayed. There, right before our eyes, was flesh. We didn't read about her personality, because it didn't matter
not to us or anyone else looking at her faults or any of her experiences in her faults or any of her experiences in
life. Her identity meant nothing. Her breasts meant everything.
It's a body's nakedness that anyone reading *Playboy* cares about. They goggle at it and fantasize about having sex with it. They don't think about an intimate relationship with the person, but just sex with her body. And, eventually, they completely forget about this body in the touched-up photographs, because after a short time, looking at it gets boring. After a while, no one cares.
Such superficiality is perpetuated by one of the supposed great things about our country: a free market, or laissez-faire economics. Big businesses with greed at their helms launch huge campaigns. Mission: make as much money as possible. Strategy: make the people of our society want a product by appealing to them in whatever way possible. And if that means redefining inherent values through brain-washing, then that's what greed will do. Playboy is no exception; its illusion is sophistication and "art," but the truth is actually very simple: sex sells.
It's been time for the readers of Playboy to mature out of the rut they are in. It's been time for them to realize that a person matters more than a body. It's been time for them to start searching for more solid things in their relationships — things like good communication, a deeper knowledge of themselves and their partner, and a sense of security and identity. It's been time for collective maturity to weed out the negative aspects of our free society. It's been time to grow up.
David Caruso II
Lake Waltons sonhomore
KU needs glass recycling
I don't understand why the University has not made any effort to recycle glass. Trash containers around campus contain glass bottles, many are juice bottles that are sold at the Kansas Union or the Wesco cafeteria. Theoretically, the University should set a positive example for the recycling issue; students and the surrounding community would benefit and follow suit if the University was more sensitive to issues concerning the environment. There is absolutely no excuse for not having a complete recycling program; how can we expect the individual to be responsible for conservation of resources when an institution of higher learning is lax in itself?
Steven Lamar
Lawrence junior
Code of ethics is necessary
Because of the recent Thomas trials, it seems that a large percentage of the male population feels an atmosphere of paranoia is revolutionizing a "feministic" code of ethics in the work place.
Is it such a radical desire for a woman to expect courteous and respectful behavior from her co-workers, male or female? Is it old-fashioned for a woman to appreciate professional conduct in the office?
If these are considered views of a ranting feminist, then maybe we should observe the daily behaviors that govern our lives. It is common practice to hold doors for others, step out of the way for those in wheelchairs and yield to pedestrians. All of these require a rudimentary grasp of social etiquette.
The English language is no more complex. There are certain boundaries of conversation that every man and woman understand to be appropriate in given setting. It doesn't take any in-depth research or policy making to redeem the reverence that is vital to working relationships.
AmyRew Pensacola, Fla., senior
KANSANSTAFF
HOLLY LAWTON Editor
JENNIFER REYNOLDS Managing editor
TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser
KATIE STADER Business manager
Business Staff
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Last Hurrahs
byMike Romane