OPINION
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2005
WWW.KANSAN.COM
PAGE 9A
▼ AUSTIN, YEAH BABY!
Lighten burden on wallet environment with Hybrids
AUSTIN CASTER acaster@hansan.com
If you want a reason why gas prices have increased to
A tear almost welled up in my eye as I saw the meter on my gas pump reach more than $22. What makes it so sad is that I drive a four-cylinder Ford Escort. I remember a time when gas was 99 cents a gallon.
more than $2 a gallon recently, consider the number the sport utility vehicles on not only the streets of Lawrence, but throughout the United States. Hybrids might not impress the girl you want to date, but they are the clear choice for a fuller wallet and cleaner environment.
Hybrid cars use two power sources: an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.
According to gm.com, the engine charges the battery, which reduces the load of the engine causing a "lower gas mileage and fewer emissions.
To put it mildly, SUVs don't get great gas mileage. According to Ford Motor Company's Web site, most SUVs average 20 miles per gallon. The faster Americans burn through fuel, the more prices will increase.
Benefits of SUVs, however, are apparent. They have the highest safety ratings and the most cargo space. If you have three or four children and
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think this is a stereotype, count the number of SUVs in any fraternity, sorority or residence hall parking lot on campus. The keeping-up-with-the-Jones' syndrome has gone too far.
Those who have enough money to buy an SUV in the first place may not be as wor-
groceries to pick up, SUVs can be appealing.
ried about increasing gas prices as those of us who live paycheck-to-paycheck, but the future of the environment is something everyone should consider.
With gas prices skyrocketing, Hybrid vehicles save cash and keep the environment cleaner. They're especially a good option compared to sport utility vehicles, which guzzie gas.
The Hybrid Toyota Prius averages about 48 mpg, according to toyota.com. By investing in a Hybrid, drivers would conserve more gas throughout time and save money in the process. If con-
groceries to pick up. SUVs can be appealing.
So SUVs are useful, but what I don't understand is why 20-year-olds who have no children and nothing to haul need one. These SUV owners waste gas just to keep up with a trend. If you
sumers use less gas, then prices will be cheaper, for everyone. It's simple supply and demand.
And for those of you who can't muster up the will power to separate yourself from the SUV trend, Hybrid SUVs have arrived. Though they are not as fuel-efficient as the Prius, the Ford Hybrid Escape can reach an average of 36 mpg.
So trade in that clunky old SUV and help out the environment along with your bank account. Your friends are going to start
making fun of you if you keep driving a 2004 model anyway.
- Caster is a Shawnee senior in journali.m. He is a copy editor and designer for the Kansan.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Column's message regarding Shiavo case shouldn't be missed
I understand the timeliness of Devin Sikes' recent column, which was published on Monday, was compromised by Student Senate election coverage, but I was nonetheless glad to see coverage in The University Daily Kansan on jurisprudence and the bounds of moral thinking. Sikes asserts that the U.S. legal system, despite its deficiencies, is "the best system to ensure that citizens are equally protected." Obviously, Sikes understands the founding fathers' ideals of justice and equality. His words, even in the aftermath of Mrs. Schiavo's passing, still carry instructive value.
Next week, the U.S. Senate will vote on the "nuclear option" of judicial review. If it passes, the Senate majority will have the prerogative to place extremist judges that serve their interests into federal seats. Some of these nominees have no experience as judges, have worked to undermine environmental protections, and/or have threatened civil liberties and women's rights.
Readers of the Kansan should take their cues from Sikes' moderation and careful appraisal of equality. They should visit MoveOnPAC.org to learn more about the legal system that affects their lives. If they feel concerned about the consequences of radical change to the checks and balances of our legal system, they should call their senators now.
Mike Parrott Austin, Texas senior
Permit price increase positive for campus parking situation
Students, faculty, and staff are upset about the Parking Department's increase in parking prices. Those who drive to campus are understandably miffed at the prospect of paying more and wonder if they are really getting
Higher prices benefit the on-campus parkers. With higher prices, fewer people will buy permits. Those who buy permits will see more value because there will be more available parking spots. Also, part of the money from permits will go toward improving existing lots and creating more lots.
value for that $140 to $235 they must pay next year for parking permits.
In spite of this, I support the parking price increase. This seems counterintuitive, but allow me to explain why.
Higher prices benefit the University. Parking is a luxury when most students and faculty could use public transportation, walk or bike. Part of the money paid for this luxury will go toward campus improvement projects that benefit everyone, not just drivers. Higher prices may also mean less traffic on campus, which improves student safety.
There are also big-picture benefits. If higher prices cut down on those who drive to campus, then that would indicates that students are polluting less. If it means that more students take public transportation, then those systems would benefit from increased revenue. If more students walk and bike as alternatives to driving, then they would benefit from the additional exercise. Finally, if fewer people drive to class, that means the University has cut down on the average gasoline consumption of its students and faculty. This means that we are slowing our use of a nonrenewable energy source, and lessening our financial support of unstable OPEC countries including Iran and Saudi Arabia.
So quit complaining and pony up the cash, ride your bike or rent an apartment closer to campus.
Meredid Vacek Lawrence Non-traditional student
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SACK'S PERSPECTIVE
Steve Sack/STAR TRIBUNE
▼ GUEST COMMENTARY
Sudanese genocide tests humanity of everyone
Today, 1,000 Sudanese people will die because of forced starvation and military slaughter. In a genocide that may have already claimed up to 400,000 lives, the government-supported Janjaweed militia continues to slaughter black Africans.
MARK LYDA
opinion@kansan.com
This is not a conflict about
religion or ethnicity. It's about power: The Sudanese government is attempting to create a tyrannical state and it sees black Africans' tribal affiliations and moderate Islamic practices as a threat to its dominance.
In order to blur tribal identities and command fearful loyalty, Janjaweed has forced people from different tribes to rape each other, destroyed crops and cut off food supplies on a massive scale. This is in addition to tens of thousands of brutal military killings.
When a crisis of this magnitude occurs any-
When a crisis of this kind where in the world, it tests the dignity of humanity. We must stand with courage against genocide. We must not stand idly by as witnesses.
But how can we help? How can we, on a college campus in the middle of the continental United States, effect change halfway around the globe?
History will remember the way in which our generation responds to the first — and, God willing, last — genocide of the 21st century.
ence.
It may seem impossible.
letters to our leaders makes a difference — it tells them that the Sudanese genocide is a priority to us.
The Sudanese government is murdering hundreds of thousands in its genocide. It's up to us as citizens of the world to take action and speak out for human rights so that this attrocity does not continue.
It may seem impossible, but the opportunities are boundless. Several student groups, including Amnesty International, UNICEF and Circle K, plan programming such as benefit concerts, letter-writing campaigns and fundraisers for humanitarian relief.
The Center for Community Outreach is holding a letter-writing campaign called the Sudan Call to Action Project. It is one of many ways to make a differ-
On three nights, we are providing education about what is happening in Sudan and encourage participants to write letters to their elected leaders. The last event will take place on Thursday in the third-floor dining area of the Kansas Union.
Our elected officials do take into consideration correspondence from their constituents. Writing
A recent news story that has garnered a great deal of attention is the Terri Schiavo debate. It is a tragic situation in which Schiavo basically starved to death in a semi-vegetative state. This story inspired strong feelings and fervent debate.
Many priests and ministers included her in their homilies. It dominated the news for weeks. One thousand fully conscious people die each day in Sudan, mostly by forced starvation. Where is the public outcry?
I challenge religious groups to stand up and speak out against this modern-day Holocaust. I challenge our elected officials to take a stand as well. I challenge our Student Senate coalitions to get involved in the Call to Action Project. And I challenge each and
every one of us to demand that our elected leaders — at the University of Kansas, in Topeka and in Washington D.C. — take action.
- Lyda is a Centennial, Colo., senior in English and music. He is co-director of the Center for Community Outreach.
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Can someone please explain to me why braids are outlawed at clubs?
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The only thing better than a beautiful girl in a beautiful dress is a beautiful girl in a beautiful dress accompanied by a beautifully timed gust of wind.
Why aren't they called "togetherments" instead of "apartments"?
Math test plus no calculator.equals royally screwed.
Hey, everybody, I'm missing my dog cart and I'd like it back. If you've seen it, please return it to me. Sincerely, Wescoe Beach.
I remember a time when you could call KU Info at any time and get an answer to anything. "Stump KU Info" isn't a challenge anymore.
What's the KU football record for arrests by a single player?
This is an intervention. Please don't wear Spandex when you know you shouldn't.
Is there anybody in this town who hasn't been punched by John Randle?
I was going to go out to the bars tonight, but I'm afraid I'm gonna get the crap beat out of me by John Randle.
We just had a great idea for a drinking game. You watch "Hollow Man" and you drink every time it sucks.
North Carolina State just elected The Pirate Captain as student body president. Where have we gone wrong?
I've been watching Pope coverage for the last four hours. Is that bad?
KUnited still sucks.
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