4
University Daily Kansan/Friday, October 25, 1991
OPINION
Gun control
U.S. House defies reason in rejecting ban
It defies comprehension. How the elected officials of the U.S. House of Representatives could persuade themselves to reject a proposed ban on 13 types of semiautomatic weapons in the wake of one of the bloodiest killings in recent memory is a complete mystery. That is, unless you are a part of the group of representatives that remains in the pocket of the National Rifle Association. Everything, after that fact, becomes quite apparent.
White House spokesperson Judy Smith said of the proposed ban that "you can't legislate behavior." Presumably, however, legislation can be created that prevents murder. At least, that's the idea behind the creation of laws that
punish certain forms of behavior.
And yet, the means to commit murder is readily available at any gun shop. The NRA likes to call that means "the constitutional right to bear arms." Yes, indeed, who could question the divinely-given right to bear a weapon — such as the Glock 179 mm pistol, with requisite 17-round clip — that can empty its clip in 10-20 seconds in the hands of an experienced user? Old Tom Jefferson sure could have used one of these beauties to finish off some of those uppity British, eh?
The tragedy of the Killeen, Texas murders is that no laws are being proposed to ban semiautomatic weapons. The excuses given by lawmakers are sotired
and poorly thought out they insult the intelligence of almost everyone subjected to them. There is absolutely no reason for the existence of these weapons except to murder other human beings. The rejection of the ban amounts to nothing less than giving carte-blanche to every kill-crazy freak who ever harbored an unkind thought toward his neighbors. As Sarah Brady, the wife of former White House secretary Jim Brady, has said of the House decision: The message from Congress is that it is now "open season."
Kevin Bartels for the editorial board
Haskell on course for a promising future
Mending injustice
"Haskell Cemetery" is a place that should remind us of some of the injustices that the native people of this land have endured. Situated south of 23rd Street and Learnard Avenue, the cemetery is where some of the first American Indians who attended Haskell Indian Junior College were buried.
When Haskell was established in 1884, conditions at the school were terrible. But in 1889, Daniel Dorchester became superintendent of Indian schools for the United States and conducted an investigation reporting Haskell problems to
Today, the future of Haskell again is beginning to look more promising. Under the direction of President Bob Martin, Haskell is on the verge of receiving $3.97 million for program development and construction of a new residence hall.
the federal government. After Dorchester's report, money for school improvements arrived and Haskell's future began to look promising.
Two years ago, Haskell formed a task force to develop long-range goals for the college. The resulting plan was "Vision
One of those goals is to increase its enrollment from 900 students this year to 2,000 by the turn of the century. Because 85 percent of Haskell's students live on campus, the school must build at least three new residence halls. The current funding request for a new hall is a step in that direction.
2000," which consists of 21 long-range goals that Haskell would like to achieve by the year 2000.
It just goes to show that planning and preparation yields concrete results.
James Baucom for the editorial board
LETTERS to the EDITOR
Buses a noisy, ugly nuisance
Kurt Laurie's letter to the *Kansan* about buses on campus is a welcome contribution. My name for this species is SNUPmobile for smelly, noisy, ugly and poisonous. The congestion they cause could be a source of more adjectives, some pertaining to the ancestors of drivers who stop side-by-side in their buses to talk about whatever bus drivers talk about...
Finally, I want to praise Laurie's common-sense observation that the buses need not come on campus. Terminals near the two unions is an excellent idea. The students who get on the bus at Martvin and ride to the Union will doubtless be outraged, but we can live with it.
Another source of pollution on our campus is that ridiculous whistle. I know it is viewed by the thoughtless as a KU tradition, but not all traditions are sensible. In our own USA we have abandoned such weighty traditions as slavery, not educating women and packing a six-shoot in-socket. Surely we can rid ourselves of an inanire irritant like a steam whistle.
While we are on the topic of the drivers, let me suggest more driver training. Many of the drivers have yet to figure out how far they are from parked cars and accordingly tend to drive down the middle of the street.
Edwin Martin Psychology professor
Mass transit the right choice
I wish to offer this response to Kurt Laurie's letter of oct. 21, regarding the death of her husband, a professor at UCLA.
Mr. Laurie is apparently lacking in knowledge of diesel-driven vehicles. Diesels do not burn coal, they burn diesel fuel. They do not, however, belch any more carcinogens (those are cancer-causing fumes, in case you didn't know Mr. Laurie) than the average Chevrolet or Honda. Also, I have yet to see diesel exhaust deface the campus of the University. In fact, I've noticed that KU has the healthiest looking trees in the city of Lawrence
As a student at KU and frequent passenger on the mass transit system, I am personally offended, as I'm sure many others are, at your calling us "lazy %&' &@s. I am sorry to hear that you are too good to ride the bus.
When I lived in the residence halls several years ago, I was prone to walk to campus when the weather permitted. When the weather was bad, I was quite thankful for the bus because I didn't have to worry about catching pneumonia. How do you get to campus in bad weather Mr. Laurie? I suppose, judging by your letter, you drive. Are you aware of how much fuel you would save by riding the bus?
Although I am not an art student, I would be offended at you for telling me that I look funny walking to class with my "awkward stuff" as you so freely call it. I'd like to see how fancy you'll look walking to class from the residence halls with your, "awkward stuff" in 10 degrees weather with 10 inches of snow on top of an inch of ice.
Finally, stopping the buses at the unions would defeat their purpose. A purpose to get students to class as soon as possible and as close as possible so they don't fight the traffic in the parking lots, which as you know, Mr. Laurie, there aren't enough of any-way. As I said before, I'm sorry to hear that you are too good to ride the bus with the rest of us. If the exhaust
outers you that much. Mr. Laurie,
perhaps you should take your "better
than you" attitude and move where
there are no buses to bother you.
David Carson Lawrence Senior
Sports column unprofessional
Unprofessional. That's the only word that can describe last Wednesday's column by Mike Andrews concerning the change of quarterbacks here at KU.
As a recent graduate of Kansas' football team, Understand all too well that sportswriters will express their criticism of a team and its players. However, your personal attacks such as "See ya, Chip Hilleary" were uncalled for.
Yes, certain facets of Kansas' offense were suspect in the losses to Virginia and Kansas State. That's why Coach Glen Mason thought a change at the quarterback position might provide that little extra something against Iowa State. By doing so, Mason did not abandon Hailer, Nor did he say "See ya" to the player who has an eight rushing touchdown record. Rather, he simply said Nate Fholler desired a shot at it. Period, Mason did not personally degrade Hailer like your article did because he knows he needs two confident quarterbacks to compete in this league.
Maybe you've forgotten that Chip and Nate are regular students who attend classes up on the Hill just like you. The only difference is they both bust their buurts every day after class trying to bring respectability back to KU football rather than scribbling about what should be done behind a typewriter in Stauffer-Flint Hall.
They are not professional football players right now ... and from comments such as "See ya, Chip" it is pretty obvious you are not a professional sports writer.
Bryan White Leawood law student
Homecoming is best on the Hill
KU Tradition Keeps On Going, and Going and Going ... was the theme for this year's homecoming. Thirty-four entries were part of the largest homecoming campus in several years at the university of Kansas. The parade was brought to the campus by the traditional tradition that was interrupted eight years ago when the parade was moved to downtown Lawrence.
The philosophy behind moving the parade to campus was if students could take an active role in programming and engineering the activities, then the student body would support it. That is exactly what has been done. Through the guidance of Sue Morrell, SAU adviser and homecoming director, homecoming at KU's alive once again. Dean Newton, SUA president, worked extremely hard on creating a student, worked extremely hard on creating the E.X.C.E.L. award and working out the logistics of moving the parade to campus Friday afternoon.
Because of the framework established by these individuals, many of us had the opportunity to go on and complete the weekend's activities. Student Union Activities, Student Alumni Association and the Board of Class Officers did a fantastic job of bringing home back to campus and reviving such an important tradition to our campus.
Many thanks go to Coach Mason, Dr. Shankel, Max Kalfenstein and the Parents' Day Homecoming Committee to respond to the students of KU.
Rob Bletscher
Homecoming Chairperson
Student Alumni Association
KANSANSTAFF
HOLLY LAWTON Editor
JENNIFERREYNOLDS Managing editor
TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser
Editors
Editors
News ... Erik Schultz
Editorial ... Karen Park
Planning ... Sarah Davis
Campus ... Eric Goraki
Sports ... Mike Andrews
Photo ... Brian Scheoni
Features ... Tiffany Harness
Graphics ... Melissa Unterberg
KATIE STADER Business manager
RICHHARSHBARGER Retail sales manager
JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser
Business Staff
Campus sales mgrs | Leenny Barr
Regional sales mgrs | Jennifer Claxton
Co-op sales mgrs | Kyle Cox
Co-op sales mgrs | LaKeer Lee
Production mgrs | Jay Steiner, Wendy Stertz
Marketing director | Mila Behee
Creative director | David Hagerty
Classified mgrs | Jennifer Jacquoit
Business Staff
**Letters should be**, 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 Kansas must include class and hometown, or faculty or staff position.
Guest columns should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 700 words. The writer will be pho-
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 Stuart-Flint Hall.
Loco Locals
byTom Michaud
/