THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
WWW.KANSAN.COM
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2005
TAKING A STAND
PAGE 5A
What in the world
Flipping through the news channels, I see only one kind of news, and that is — you guessed it — Hurricane Katrina. Thanks to this natural phenomenon, it seems that lately the rest of the world has disappeared.
Even when there are no natural disasters troubling the United States, Americans seem to care more about the latest miracle weight loss pill than the 4,000 people in Ukraine potentially dying because of radioactivity.
This disinterest in the rest of the world is made more evident when a disaster occurs in U.S. territory. I am not saying that Katrina isn't an enormous tragedy. People affected should be helped as soon as possible.
But to look at the situation from a global point of view, natural disasters happen all the time in countries where students do not have the privilege of transferring to a different college because theirs' is flooded.
In Indonesia, a country struck by the tsunami last year, the gross domestic product is $827.4 billion, according to the CIA's World Fact Book, while the United States' is
ALAIDE VILCHIS opinion@kansan.com
$11.75 trillion.
$11.75 billion.
By looking at these numbers,
it is easy to realize the advantage
the United States has in order
to recuperate from such a disaster.
Newspapers, including our own the University Daily Kansas, seem to portray that because American citizens are not involved in a disaster, the event somehow matters less. That is why we do not hear about events such as the genocide in Rwanda where 800,000 Tutsis died.
What makes a tragedy a tragedy? Is it the fact that we know about it, or is it because it's occurring in our world?
Just this week, the British Broadcasting Network reported that 14 immigrants died in a fire in Paris. This is only the latest in a series of fires in the Paris area involving immigrants.
Two days ago, 190 people died in a plane crash in Indonesia, and five Islamic militants were killed by Syrian troops in an environment that has killed more than 1,000 people in Afghanistan this year.
It does not require much effort; students have immediate access to the Internet and national newspapers on campus. Reading the international section of any newspaper will make students well-rounded and aware human beings.
Yes, this is what is happening around the world: deaths that you do not hear about on TV. Tragedies that involve people outside of the United States who, just like the dead in New Orleans, had parents, children, friends and a story to tell.
If the information doesn't easily come to you, seek out the information somewhere else.
As a person with the privilege to attend a university, make sure you are informed, not only of what affects Lawrence but also of what is happening in the rest of the world.
Vichis is a Shawnee freshman in journalism and international studies.
Free for All
Call 864-0500
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansan editors reserve the right to omit comments. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded.
Hey, Brian, where you at?
My roommates are spending nearly $1,000 dollars made from parking on beer. What a waste considering there are still people in need.
Hey entertainment page, if Jessica Simpson is an actress, then I'm a scholar. Shut up!
In response to everyone talking about a lack of National Guard for Katrina, do some research. Less than a tenth of the National Guard is in Iraq, most of them are here, helping out.
Vote for Big Jay at www.capitalbowl.com. We can't lose to a cougar.
These bagpipes in front of Wescoe are social suicide for KU.
So I'm sitting at Wescoe Beach, and someone just whipped out a huge blunt. I just don't know what to say.
This is to the girls running around in togas at 12th and Ohio: That was hot.
The guy who always calls in about the hotdog cart likes weiners way too much.
I just saw a bus driver looking at a map.
Is that a problem?
Can we please have the old crossword back?
This one sucks.
Rick the Frat Guy is a complete idiot, and this shouldn't be in the paper.
Will Taco Bell please stop using the adjective melty because I don't think it's a word.
Greetings Free for All, I hope to see this in print tomorrow. That is, if you want the antidote! *ominous giggling*
I just got my new books this last weekend, and I saved $300 on Half.com.
Dear freshman: Tipping is not optional, it's customary
Can anyone tell me where I can get an application to be the person in the chicken suit on Iowa street?
The hotdog cart is being set up in front of my very eyes!
(Editor's Note: Behold the power of the press.)
So 15 freshman pledges from Sigma Nu just ran through the Delta Gamma house stark naked. No wonder you're getting kicked off campus.
I just wanted to say to the guys playing the bagpipes outside of Wescoe: I like that. Bagpipes are cool.
Bush: Bring out soldiers and fuel back home where they're needed.
It's 2 a.m., and I'm wondering what happened to Broadband-man. What a life I lead.
I wish the blue men would go away forever.
Laura Watking, the Lazer didn't switch over because of money, it was because the owner of it started doing a nationally reknowned environmental project. So before you go posting an ad in the Kansan, get your facts straight.
So Kanye West calls President Bush racist for not sending troops or food or anything there the second that the hurricane happened. So what about the mayor, who's African-American, is he racist for not sending the buses when he should have?
♦
TALK TO US
Hey editor: Garlic doesn't kill vampires, it repels them. Watch a movie or something.
(Editor's note: I wonder why they avoid it. Probably because it's deadly, genius.)
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Hey, Tori, I'm right here, where you at?
Austin Caster, editor
864-4854 or acaster@kansan.com
Malcolm Gibson, general manager,
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Matthew Sevick, opinion editor
884-4924 or msevk@kansan.com
Jonathan Kealing, managing editor
864-4854 or kealing@kansan.com
★
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EDITORIAL BOARD
Elli Ford, Vanning Wang, Julia Melia Cootho, Dani Hovt, Annie Weltner, Jia Palain, Nathan McGinnis, Joah Goatting, Sara Garlick, Chase Edgerton, Rw Willittinger, David Archer
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BEST OF THE WES
REID BETWEEN THE LINES
How to cheer at games 101
It was impressive how we the students were excited and loud before and throughout a part of KU's football home opener Saturday against Florida Atlantic.
Yet, when the Hawks really could have used us we didn't do our job.
Yes, it was hot. Yes, the team was struggling a little bit. Yes, the game wasn't exactly action packed and down to the last second thrilling. Still none of these excuses are valid.
Many of us left the game when it was still close. Many of us decided we were simply too tired and sat down during the actual game.
Noise factor was a problem as well. When we really needed to be loud Saturday
I know we are a basketball school, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for football. This year's team has a lot of potential and is going to surprise people.
I'm not talking about during timeouts either. (Feel free to sit down and rest during timeouts, but be back on your feet before the first play starts). Could you imagine seeing students sitting down for one second in a one-point game in basketball at Allen Fieldhouse?
REID PETTY opinion@kansan.com
we simply weren't. There were times when there was no noise at all when FAU had the ball.
Also, third downs aren't the only big downs. It should be loud each and every down. The crowd really can make a difference in a close game. The crowd sure played a big part in last year's thrilling victory over K-State.
If you didn't attend that game, the crowd noise caused them to use two timeoutes that they sure could have used near the end of the game. That's the kind of homefield advantage we need to create at Memorial Stadium.
There are times when there should be no noise. We were sometimes louder when our team had the ball then when they were on defense. This isn't basketball where the goal is to stay loud the whole game.
In football, we as fans actually do get a break, and that break comes when our side has the ball. I liked the
attempts by some to help when they were on offense by chanting "Lets Go Jayhawks", with claps following, but save the positive energy for when we're on defense.
The offense needs silence when they take the field so they can hear if the quarterback has to audible and change the play, or communicate with other players who aren't standing right by him.
I know these things don't apply to everyone and don't take this the wrong way, but these are important things that could make the difference in a victory or loss.
Teams really thrive off the crowd. Ask any one of our players and they will tell you the crowd really does make a difference.
From now on, let's be our own team in the stands and work together and make it a point to fill the student section at Memorial Stadium for the entire game, and make it a hostile environment that our opponents won't want to come back too.
I'll see you Saturday against Appalachian State. Rock Chalk Chalky hawk!
Petty is a Liberal sophomore in journalism.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Director of athletics, coaches thank students for enthusiasm
On behalf of our coaches and football student-athletes, I want to thank you for your terrific support at Saturday's football game vs. Florida Atlantic.
Dear student body:
are truly our 12th man!
You came early — in very large numbers — you stayed late, you were loud, and many of you showed your true colors by wearing Kansas blue. You
That's just the kind of support our football team will need as we progress through the season.
We hope you enjoyed yourselves, and we hope you continue to come out to Memorial Stadium to cheer on the Jayhawks.
We look forward to seeing all of you at the game against Appalacian State at Memorial this Saturday at 6 p.m.
Thanks again, students, and Rock Chalk Jajhawk!
Lew Perkins Director of Athletics