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University Daily Kansan/Monday, October 7, 1991
OPINION
House scandal
Bounced checks indicate abuse of power
Say that you are a duly elected official in the House of Representatives of the poor, downtradden masses. Looking in the refrigerator one morning, you decide that you need to go to the grocery store. You write a check for, oh, $1,000 or so, and it bounces. Whoops!
But wait, it is not a problem because you are a member of the House Bank checking plan. Take as long as you want to pay the money back with no penalty to pay. Ever. Pretty nice, eh?
This is yet another tasty little scam from our friends in Washington. From July 1989 to June 1990, House members bounced 8,331 checks, and the House
Bank covered all of them without penalties, according to the General Accounting Office. Additionally, 134 lawmakers bounced 581 checks for $1,000 or more. One representative bounced a check for $25,000, and others took as long as four weeks to pay back the bank.
And these are the people who are responsible for, among other things, trying to solve the federal deficit. Yes, anyone can make a mistake, and politicians are certainly not exempt from that rule. However, 8,331 checks are not the results of simple mistakes. They are the result of calculated abuse. To top it all off, House sources have reported
that more than 100 "letters of exoneration" were printed by the office of the sergeant-at-arms, which administers the bank, so that representatives could say that it was not among the check-bouncers!
It is comforting to know that the fine tradition of graft and thievery has not been forgotten in our nation's capital. But surely this scandal will produce reform, right? The next crop of would-be politicians will no doubt promise to uphold the Constitution, truth, justice and the American way if elected to office. Besides, they could use that type of credit.
Kevin Barteis for the editorial board
Responsibility, patience are the best contraceptives
Not too long ago I received in the mail the "BEAK HEAL/THY" newsletter (Volume 6, Number 4, Fall 1991) distributed by Watkins Memorial Health Center. I give such mail little more attention than I do the large amounts of junk mail (especially that addressed to "current resident") sent to my office. I edit, along with my other more important postal articles, and proceed back into my apartment and up to my room to sort out the pile.
As I was about to throw out the aforementioned newsletter, something stopped me. Perhaps it was latent maturity finally developing within me and cautioning me to give a cursory glance at the Watkins bulletin, in case there really was something that might be of use to my lifestyle. The first three pages seem to contain needs at this moment in my life, but as I proceeded to the last page, I couldn't help noticing the topic of sex being addressed.
Being a young adult male, I was, of course, intrigued (a refined term for caving in to the largest masculine drive next to eating). I was further interested by the scene which the first lines described of a young couple sitting close together in a dimly lit room. As I read through the conversation the
David
Lies
Guest
columnist
couple was having, a "syntax-error" signal flashed through my mind. I couldn't believe the reserved, paced, and, well, boring dialogue. Here's the basic conversation, all rights reserved for "BeAK HEALTHY:"
"We've been going for awhile,
and I was wondering how you feel
through it."
The other replies, "Well, I think that it's all right as long as we're safe about it."
"What do you mean safe? You want me to use a condom?"
"I don't have any, do you:
"As a matter of fact, I do."
Yes.
"I don't have any doyou?"
Now, the conversation itself is enough for a whole other editorial comment. What I want to discuss is the fact that this skit, staged by members of a Peer Health Advising class, is as far off from a real sexual encounter between two individuals as their proposed methods of solving issues of
social responsibility.
Today, emphasis is placed upon preventative measures instead of true solutions. Today, our teaching institutions, from grade school to the college and university level, are defining responsibility as having all the fun one wants as long as a headache isn't created for one's superiors (i.e. parents, teachers, political representatives). These "headaches" range from teen pregnancy to drinking-related accidents to drug addiction.
Children and young adults are being told to use contraception instead of abstaining from sex. Civil and governmental authorities are even championing the elimination of the "ultimate headache" known as the fetus, also known as the unborn child. It is OK as long as you don't get caught with your pants down and your "protection" absent. Oneminute sight can help them navigate marched up passion. (If you want to know if your partner really cares for you and not your sex, see if they stick around for a true relationship.)
Promiscuous values abound in society, and there is dwindling integrity for those who choose to preserve virginity until marriage. Forgotten are the building blocks of a life commitment to one person. Trial-run relation
ships to ensure compatability (and good sex) are more simple and more fun. People argue that this is better than committing permanently to one person without knowing what that person is really like. However, if two people can develop an honest and loving relationship based on communication, respect, empathy, need, and the big step of marriage is made with the gift of one's self to be offered, a gift of love and something truly unique and special.
There is no doubt that answers to these questions will vary according to one's own beliefs and morals. Yet, stop and address the issues of drug, alcohol and sex. Next, look at the many problems stemming from them. Now take into account the possibility of never even coping with a large majority of these problems if true trust and moderation are exercised. Doesn't it seem to make a certain amount of sense? Instead of living a life which hides problems and mistakes under the rug, why can't we live responsibly and patiently and wait for the many treasures to be opened to us in good time?
Alumnus says racism is alive and well at KU
It used to be that the only time u. University of Kansas was mentioned in the newsroom of the Arkansas Gazette was in reference to the Jayhawks' defeat of the Arkansas Razorbacks in last year's NCAA semifinals.
Thathaschanged.
Now, conversations in this new room, home to these Kansasas alumni, including myself, frequently turn to KU and its newest controversy, "The Trials and Tribulations of Darren E. Fulcher."
Controversy and KU have become good friends in the past several years. That relationship didn't start with her. It started time a smoldering affair was rekindled.
Then came Ann Dean and the incident at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and other lesser known happenings, such as the attack on an
I am no stranger to controversy, Darren Fulcher or the politics of the KU campus. Therefore, as I sit here in Little Rock, Ark, so失望 but yet so far from the situation, I am not at all surprised at the events that are unfolding
And now enters Darren Fulcher, who wasn't a KU to the Klan but was swept up by the residual racial hat that has at times divided the camps.
Imet Darren Fulcher, at that time a little-known transfer student, on Wesco Beach.
David Lies is a Wichita senior majoring in English.
He struck me (morally speaking) as a real Black man, concerned about the lack of unity he saw among his KU. A man after my ownheart.
We've been close friends since and learned together the political nuances of KU, from the administration on down through the Student Senate.
With the help of Mark McCormick and John Lewis, we founded Black Men of Today and ourselves became the center of controversy.
The accusations — racism, Anti-Semitism and sexism — flew for as long as the organization stayed in the night, but we all weathered the storm.
Eventually we all went our separate ways, but Barren stayed with a higher salary.
And just as it was when he first stood up, a strong Black man, speaking out on what he believed in, Darren has again drawn fire. This time from
Cory Anderson
Guest columnist
those, who I believe, would rather not see Black man in his position.
To put it simply, the charge is racism.
Many times, in the four years I spent on that campus, I bit my tongue and couched my real feelings in terms like "attractivity" and "unavoidable ignorance."
But now, from the outside looking in,
I feel it isn't long my responsibility to perpetuate the "all is well" image of that campus.
Racism is the reason that the people wouldn't sit by me or my friends on the bus when I was a freshman. Racism is the reason Ann Dean was attacked and racism is the underlying reason for the attempts to discredit Darren.
The KU campus has a serious problem that the calls for cultural diversity do not even begin to address. The problem is embedded within the power structure, which includes the Student Senate.
The problem is inherently perpetuated by an educational system that is failing in its mission.
Darren's situation is only the most recent manifestation of KU's dirty secret.
I'm beginning to think that I lives in the tunnels that run under the campus and emerges every few months to feed on the insecurities of the ignorant.
But rest assured. We have triumphed over this monster before, sending it scurrying back to the darkness of its lair.
Actually, it's not Darren that I worry about. He's strong Black man, and I'll always support him. The people I worry about are those who live with me. Some day it will turn on them and use their own hate to devour them.
Those who live in the light of knowledge will see the political maneuvering behind the effort to oust Darren. Those who live in the dark (with the monsters) will continue on blindly.
Cory Anderson is a 1991 KU graduate. He is the education reporter for the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock, Ark.
Cheer up! Stressed world needs to try enjoying life
some recent political episodes which are at the forefront of students' minds have been inspiring much thought and discussion. Among these hot issues are such controversial topics as the right to life versus the freedom of choice, morality and responsibility to the public as it pertains to the gender of white, the gender of Pat, that heartwarming "Saturday Night Live" character who recently has encouraged many of us to have fun with androgyne.
Although generally try to avoid politics, the plethora of debate which is going on about me has caused a random and possessive response. In the name of a happier world, I would now like to share that very thought with you.
After routinely picking up the newspaper on my morning stroll to class, I was suddenly beset with an unpleasant feeling of doom and gloom. I was shocked to discover that the majority of headlines were not relaying positive news about the state of affairs in the world. Most of the items seem relate tales of someone jumping up and down people who attempt to get their own way. As I believe that the likelihood of most of them ever getting things to go completely their way is slim, many of them will remain angry and frustrated.
Perhaps the world would be a much
TOMEBLEN General manager, newsadvisor
JENNIFERREYNOLDS Managing editor
I would like to conduct a little experiment for fun. Let's see what happens if everyone will take just 20 minutes out of their tight schedule of belly-aching, view-imposing and general bummed-outness. We could all do something silly such as go to the playground and swing, turn cartwheels across Wescoe Beach or juggle a few test tubes at the chemistry lab.
KANSANSTAFF
HOLLY LAWTON Editor
My guess is that tomorrow's front page might have a little more to offer in terms of cheerful images of old fashioned fun is what we all need to cure those blues.
Editors
News Erik Schutz
Editorial Karen Park
Planning Sarah Davis
Campus Eric Gorski
Sports Mike Andrews
Photo Brian Scheoni
Features Tiffany Harness
Graphics Melissa Unterberg
Business staff
Campus sales mgr  Bennie Bryant
Regional sales mgr  Jeanclaxton
National sales mgr  David McWilhelm
Co-op sales mgr  Lisa Keeler
Production mgrs  Jay Steiner,
Marketing director  Althee Behee
Creative director  Jennifer Clauser
Classified mgr  Jennifer Jacquoin
*Letters should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 200 words. They must include the writer's signature, name, address and telephone number.* Writers is affiliated with the University of Kansas
JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser
Business Staff
RICH HARSBARGER Retail sales manager
KATIESTADER Business manager
tongshi Board
The Kanman reserves the right to reject or editi letters, guest columns and cartoons. They can be mailed to the Kanman newsroom, 111 Stairer Pint Hall.
matter place in which to live if people would start their contribution to a peaceful world internally. So many folks try desperately to achieve international stability, yet rarely do they step back and consider it. I think it would be fun to do some work on that sort of peace which exists inside of you.
Laura
Nuttmann
Staff
columnist
Loco Locals
- Laura Nutzmann is a St. Lolius junior majoring in education.
by Tom Michaud