THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2005
PAGE 5A
WWW.KANSAN.COM
THE CARDINAL DIRECTION
One woman's protest reignites war discussion
Cindy Sheehan, once humble grieving mother, has now turned into a talking head for the anti-war and anti-Bush movement.
Cindy is the mother of an American soldier killed in Iraq.
Every day, as her entourage grows, the authenticity that won her prominence in the first place has diminished, but the national debate about the War is heating back up because of her actions.
She has been camping out in front of President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, in symbolic protest, demanding to meet with the President to ask him one simple question: What is the noble cause behind the Iraq war?
She departed the ranch Thursday, when her mother had a stroke.
Her actions have re-ignited anti-war and anti-Bush sentiment during a time when the movement has been waning, lacking the galvanizing symbol to inspire action.
Now, Cindy has become that symbol, but at a cost.
Her one woman protest has turned into a circus of interest groups controlling her message, which in turn is destroying the legitimacy of her personal mission.
Groups such as MoveOn.org, which works to bring real Americans back into the political process, its public relations firm Fenton Communications and Democracy for America have all stepped in and taken over.
Cindy is no longer the lonesome, grieving mother the media portrays her as, but rather a talking head for the people giving her support.
The demands of one woman, standing alone in front of the President's ranch on a country, dirt road have inspired thousands to act.
CHRIS CARDINAL
opinion@kansan.com
The message machine Fenton Communications came up with a simple, catchy analogy for Cindy as stated by Tom Matzzie. MoveOn.org's Washington director, "Cindy is the Rosa Parks of the peace movement in 2005.
Cindy, Rosa Parks, Paul Revere — they're people who try to start something."
Comparing Cindy Sheehan to Rosa Parks is a vast stretch.
Rosa Parks' problems resulted in her arrest and trial, a 381-day Montgomery bus boycott, and, finally, the Supreme Court's ruling in November 1956 that segregation on transportation is unconstitutional.
Cindy's actions will not result in any precedent-setting Supreme Court cases.
What Cindy has started, although highly influenced by outside groups, is something that has the potential to focus the apathetic American public's eye onto the substantial problems in front of us.
Grieving mothers who have lost their children and loved ones in war hold an important place in history, with momentous achievements in Latin America and abroad.
Every movement has a single moment when it torques up, and Cindy's effort may have broken the camel's back here in the United States.
The demands of one despairing, enraged woman, standing alone in front of the President's ranch on a country, dirt road have inspired thousands to act.
According to MoveOn.org, last Wednesday, tens of thousands of supporters gathered at 1,627 vigils to acknowledge the sacrifices made by Cindy Shee-
Her one-
woman protest has turned into a circus of interest groups controlling her message which in turn is destroying the legitimacy of her personal
message.
han's son, Casey, and more than 1,800 brave American men and women who have given their lives in Iraq — and their moms and families.
Cindy will never be an idol, looked up to by middle school children in history class, but her persona, twisted by the deconstructive nature of the media, will be carried on through political experts to promote their pre-fabricated message.
We are no longer being shown the heart of a mother grieving the loss of a child; instead, we are being sold the idea of that mother, which is marketable by the interest groups who are spending days developing the perfect sound bite and visual for Fox or CNN.
Cardinal is a Salina senior in political science.
We are no longer being shown the heart of a mother grieving the loss of a child, instead we are being sold the idea of that
mother ...
High-tech library loses its charm
"This place is suitable only for technocrats,not for scholars,and the administration could do better than this soulless lobby."
I am just back from a research mission that took me to several European libraries, one of many such trips in my career across several continents because I am a career literary scholar and a past Guggenheim Fellow. It was nice to come home, however, and enjoy our beautiful campus, as well as the neo-Gothic architecture of Watson Library, centrally located to be our showcase. That library was the specific reason I came to the University.
what libraries are supposed to be for: books. The reference volumes had been shoved far to the back, with only the wooden ends of their cases showing.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Now that the books are behind the scenes, what we have is a replica of a post office or an Internal Revenue Service building. I wonder how much all these computers cost, considering that most faculty offices and students already have them. This place is suitable only for technocrats, not for scholars, and the administration could do better than this soulless lobby.
ter, displaying the word, "Information." Rows of apparently brand-new computers replaced
Beverly Boyd Professor of English
Once inside this neo-Gothic building, I wondered if I had blundered into the wrong place. The reference desk, vital to scholars, was gone. A sign hung over the former check-out coun-
Beverly M. Boyd Professor of English
Transcript provided by: Demoralizing Television (DTV)
Joan: I'm here live on the Red Carpet outside the extravagant Philistine Theater where DTV's 2005 Fashionable News-Media Awards are only minutes away. The celebrities are all arriving...
Fashionable News Media Awards
Kobe: Bryant! You were the winner of the 2004 award for "Most Trendy Trial." Any predictions for who might be taking home the trophy tonight?
CULTURE SHOCK
Kobe: Although the trials of Scott Peterson and Martha Stewart had allure, I pronounce America's favorite defendant, Michael Jackson, will reign as king of the trial courts.
Joan: Darling, I couldn't agree more. His was some of the juiciest news to rave over this summer. And he promised that if he won, he would open a summer camp for underprivileged boys who could only dream about gratuitously appearing in the news. He has a flair for generosity. Do you think he was guilty? You look absolutely fabulous by the way.
General questions should be directed to the editor at kansan.com.
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SUBMISSIONS
The Kansan welcomes letters to the editors and guest columns submitted by students, faculty and alumni.
The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length, or reject all submissions.
For any questions, call Austin Caster at 864-4810 or e-mail opinion@kansan. com.
Love Life." Without these stars, we wouldn't know who they were dating and the news would suck.
Kobe: Oh, as Johnny Cochran used to say, "Innocent until proven broke."
(Drum roll)
Austin Caster, editor
864-4854 or acaster@kansan.com
TALK TO US
And the nominees are: Brad Pitt, for being a delicious divorcee; Katie Holmes, for energizing Tom Cruise and the Scientology craze; and, finally, Paris Hilton, for being rich and having a fiancé also named Paris.
(applause)
Maximum Length: 200 word limit
Include: Author's name and telephone number; class, hometown (student); position (faculty member); phone number (will not be published)
Paris: That's hot.
Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing adviser
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Elis Ford, Yanting Wang, Julia Melim Coelho, Dan Hoyt, Anne Weltmer, Julie Parisi, Nathan McGinnis, Joo Goetting, Sara Garlick, Chase Edgerton, Ray Wittinger, David Archer
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(Takes out paper and reads) I am flattered that the American public follows worthwhile news and is so informed on my issues. My self-indulging posh lifestyle must be an inspiration to their mundane existences. Thank you to my fans and the media for their lavish attention and to God for making me important!
(Sentimental music plays. Pictures of Amber Frey, Terry Schiavo, Jennifer Wilbanks, Natalae Holloway and Michael Jackson fade on and off the screen.)
Anna Nicole: It's now time to close with a video tribute to those involved in the most vital news of 2005.
Anna Nicole: And the award goes to Paris Hilton!
Anna Nicole Smith: "That is our show. Kudos to all the winners who dominate our news (grabs left breast) and touch our hearts."
Joan: How marvelous! Raise your martinis! It's Pope Benedict XVI! Over here, your holiness! What a chic tiara you are wearing! Were you weeled by Tiffany's?
Claire, you're our Fashionable News-Media analyst. What are the must-know events of the season?
(The Pope walks past Joan)
**Joan:** How sinful! He better not receive the award for "Hottest Name in the News."
Announcer: (The sounding of horns) Demoralizing Television is proud to present, the 2005 Fashionable News-Media Awards, with your host, the classy Anna Nicole Smith.
On with the ceremony. Watch my gossip program afterward for the best- and worst-dressed highlights!
Joan: (forced fake laughter) Later! Smooches!
SUBMIT TO
Kansan newsroom
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Lawrence, KS 60545
(785) 864-4810 opinion@kansan.com
Anna Nicole: There are lots of current events. They happen all the time; even currently. Yet only a few of them are sufficiently fashionable and entertaining enough for us to watch; and watch, (bends lower on podium to display cleavage), and watch on the news.
Claire: Well, Joan, tsunami gossip is out. The Live 8 concerts have recently popularized AIDS and Poverty. And certainly terrorism remains modish.
(Music and applause)
SARAH STACY opinion@kansan.com
(Focuses on cue card and reads slowly) The first award is "Media's Most Influential
(Joan signals to cut off Claire)
EDITORIAL BOARD
- Stacy is a Germantown, Md., senior in political science, Spanish and international studies.
Call 864-0500
Free All for
Tell your text columnist that Bob Dole did Viagra commercials, so he probably wouldn't be upset for a little penis talk. (Editor's Note: That was the opinion editor's doing, not Jamie Epstein's, and he apologizes to the readers and Epstein for the distracting comments.)
Free for all callers will have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansan editors reserve the right to comment. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded.
For her first topic, Sara Garlick has decided to miss the forest for the trees. Claiming that all the mascots are all indicative of people who are "hostile" or "abusive" is to truly miss the point.
So, I'm running a little bit late today for class today, and I'm kind of hungry. So I go down to the Wescoe Underground and notice tons of lines for everything, and I think to myself. "Wow, this would be a great time for the hotdog cart to be on Wescoe Beach. That's right; let the campaign for the hotdog cart resume.
India got independence 58 years ago, not 48 years ago, as seen in Friday's Kansan.
Hey, Free For All, guess what's more annoying than new freshman? New bus drivers.
I want to tell the sex columnist that Bob Dole is a solid bipartisan, he has done a lot of great things for KU and he is a genuinely nice guy. I'm a Democrat and I think there are a lot of people who didn't appreciate that.
(Editor's Note: See above.)
What's up with those giant sunglasses that girls wear now? Are they trying to look like bugs?
I just saw a guy wearing a popped collar . . . I thought that sad, sad time in our history was gone. Perhaps he did not get that memo.
I just saw "March of the Penguins," and I've got to say that the love scene in that has got to be the most sensual thing I've seen since "9 1/2 Weeks" with Kim Bansinger and Mickey Bouke.
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Hey, Free For All, guess what's more annoying than new freshman? New bus drivers.
woman
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That guy that went to alternative lifestyles night at Liquid is definitely gay.
I was going to say something really wonderful to the Free for All, but then I was going to address it as "Mr. Free for All," but then I answered, is free For all a man or a
What? Huh? Oh my God, I think I just accidentally called the Free for all guys, and it's on speakerphone, and I don't know how to hang it up, and it's tataly recording what I'm saying right . . . (click).
It's totally stupid that sorority chicks can't do boys, bars or booze during rush weak! Come on, I'm trying to get laid here!
So I'm sitting home alone, by myself, watching "The O.C." Do you think it could get much better than this?
Why are kegs the most popular people on campus?
So I just saw three Milpec cops bust up a party at Jeff-Co, and everyone who left the party had a keg cup in their hands. Glad to see that our authorities are saying, "Stop drinking here and take it to the roads so you can endanger the rest of Lawrence." Just a thought.
endanger the rest of Lawre
A unicorn is 10, a whale is one. IOWERed my standards to whale
I hate to be stereotypical, but why are cowboys always drunk?
To all the girls out there, holler back and let me know what the best pick-up line is?
Hey, I got two girls coming over; the only problem is,
you're going to have to lower your standards to whale.
Why is everyone excited for the girls to be able to do beer, bars and booze? As soon as they can, I'll still get the same amount: none.
OK, you raised my tuition, you raised my parking pass,
do you really have to take away my 10-percent discount
on the KU Cuisine cash?
My best friend since seventh grade just had sex with a girl on my bed, so I guess I'm sleeping on the couch.
The hills here suck.
There is an unusual amount of dead squirrels on 19th Street.
I'm an English major, and my books are so heavy that I literally cannot carry them. Help me!
Is it a good thing when my astronomy textbook starts referencing "Star Trek" in chapter one?
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