Opinion THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY MARCH 5,2010
PAGE 5A
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--or
My goal in life is to get a bear hug from Cole.
Hello, bio chem. We are no longer friends. The way you are raping me this semester is not something friends do.
Does your backpack really need a chair to itself?
I thought you were so cute until I saw that cigarette in your hand.
I got put in the friend zone twice for being chivalrous. Apparently I came off as too nice because I didn't try to bang her on the first date.
Shut up, woman, and get on my horse. I'm about to rock your universe.
Watching Maury makes me feel better about my problems.
Why would they think Spongebob Squarepants would be a good theme for dinner? Fish freaks me out.
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High socks, tank tops and headbands; Girls, wear those at the Rec and you have the key to my heart.
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Lets face it: We're epic. ROCK CHALKI
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Roomie — I'm sick of you. I can't do this for another year.
Please leave on your own.
I heard "wedding party," "kegs" and "power play" in the same conversation. Now that's a real wedding.
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A baby ate my dingo!
You don't need to be number one when you have
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What I would give to even hang out with Sherron Collins for one night.
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Fanatic: Dressing up as your sister to go to the game. May include a wig, mascara, face paint and a really tight pair of jeans. (See "crossdresser")
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My own guilt is driving me crazy
Let the haters hate Self, and we'll keep putting trophies on our shell.
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None of my three alarms went off and I missed my midterm. Crap, what do I do?
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First, I would learn how to correctly set an alarm.
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EDITORIAL CARTOON
MARIAM SAIFAN
Politically Correct:
Should the government be allowed to use torture when security is threatened?
Liberal Loudmouth
BY BEN COHEN
The question that really needs to be asked when considering the U.S.'s use of torture is "What are we actually accomplishing?"
Supporters of institutionalized torture, which is occasionally referred to as "enhanced interrogation," say it is a pivotal tool in combating terrorism.
But how?
The most common argument in favor of torture is the famous "ticking-time bomb" scenario. This is where there is some kind of impending threat, and the only way it can be stopped is if information about it is extracted by somebody who will only talk if tortured.
Follow that? It's the show "24," in policy form. If we use this as the basis for allowing torture, I believe we should also train a crack squad of Jack Bauers to properly carry it out.
Jokes aside, there is a reason people oppose torture. It is a barbaric practice that does not take human decency into account, regardless of the reason.
If we as a country truly value human rights then we cannot violate them for anyone.
I've never met somebody who didn't cringe at horror stories from any military conflict about prisoners tortured for information.
Torture is given as an example of why a side can be considered "the bad guys."
This is the way many people around the world feel about torture.
So why, if we want to be seen as the ultimate example of a just nation, would we condone it?
Do we gain enough beneficial information to truly justify it?
I just don't think it's realistic.
Political Planet
In our national security discourse, the debate about interrogation has often been framed as either "Should we or should we not torture?" or "What does or doesn't constitute torture?" Unfortunately absent from this discussions is much mention of international human rights language.
Cohen is a senior from Topeka in political science
BY DEVIN LOWELL dlowell@kansan.com
In failing to consider these ideas, both Democrats and Republicans are ignoring the important role America has in defining this language and are instead trading human rights for partisan bragging rights.
Article Five of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reads, "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." Notice that it doesn't read "no soldier," or "no U.S. citizen."
And yet, here we are, with people detained by the U.S. being rhetorically and literally stripped of their humanity. Politicians talk about "detainees" and "enemy combatants," using dehumanizing language to justify to their actions, other's inhuman treatment of others and the use of humans as political bludgeons against the opposing party.
No matter what crime they've committed or what we call them, the people sitting in Guantanamo and elsewhere are human beings. Some are guilty of international crimes and some might know actionable intelligence. But torture, or any act that could be considered torture, should never be employed.
Human civilization, led by the U.S., once agreed to never commit these kinds of acts, no matter the political situation. How quickly we forget.
The Right Idea
BY CHET COMPTON
Lowell is a senior from Concordia in journalism and political science
Let's face it, national security has taken a backseat under President Obama. All he cares about is passing ObamaCare. National security is being treated just like all other issues: as a nuisance.
Is it any wonder Democrats are perceived as weak on national security?
But, unfortunately for the commander in chief, the issue must be dealt with. So his strategy for keeping America safe is to release captured terrorists from the detention facility built specifically to house such enemies, move them to a town near you, interrogate the U.S. service members that were in charge of interrogating the terrorists and grant the same rights to the terrorists as would be granted to American citizens.
Then there was the "underpants bomber" on Christmas Eve. This was a real chance for the administration to prove it takes seriously the job of keeping us safe. But what was its reaction?
After only 50 minutes of interrogation, Attorney General Eric Holder ordered the foreign terrorist be given a right to remain silent and a right to an attorney. Guess what happened? The suspect stopped giving our intelligence agencies information
Janet Napolitano will be remembered as the homeland security secretary who said "the system worked" just after the attack nearly killed 300 people.
Obama refused to speak of the nature of the enemy, which is jihadism. He was unwilling to acknowledge what every American understood was reality. National security is a matter of life and death and the American people want a commander in chief to demonstrate seriousness.
Who is Politically Correct?
Compton is a senior from Wichita in history and political science
Agree? Disagree? Just want to get involved in the conversation? Comment, react or rant at Kansan.com
e-mail opinion editor Emily McCoy at emccoy@kansan.com.
We are also accepting suggestions of topics for our panelists to discuss in future Politically Correct and Sexually (inter)Active panels.
ORGANIC HEALTH
A green spring break
In one week, KU students will embark on spring break activities, whether it be basking in the sun on a sandy beach or skiing down the slopes in Colorado. Others, like myself, will be staying at home or taking short road trips. No matter what the activity may be, everyone can and should be green during spring break.
Just because school is out of session for a week does not mean that pollution stops. But that also doesn't mean that plans need to be canceled. While on whatever adventure, just follow a few simple tips that will make spring break a little healthier for the environment and, in many cases, a little more fun.
Be sure to start spring break off right. Do not just throw everything into a suitcase. Instead, pack efficiently and include eco-friendly items.
For example, pack reusable bottles of shampoo and other body products that can easily be refilled for future vacations. Bring a reusable water bottle to avoid creating waste from packs of plastic bottles. For vacationers traveling to places with unsafe drinking water, still take a water bottle. Chances are the hotel provides filtered water for a small fee.
Remember to pack a towel or two for the bathroom and for the beach, if that is your destination. These can be reused throughout the whole trip instead of wasting the loads of towels that hotels typically provide daily. Just be sure to tell the staff that there is no need to replenish the hotel room with towels.
Organically Speaking
Another essential item, for all spring breakers—beachgoers and snow bunnies alike—is sunscreen. Many sunscreens, such as the Banana Boat sunscreen from childhood, contain petroleum derivatives. This means that when lathering on that SPF 35, sunbathers are covering themselves with ingredients that are derived from the same chemical used for gasoline. These derivatives, which include propylene
BY RACHEL SCHWARTZ
Once your bags are all packed and you reach your destination, sit back and relax. But, remember to stay green.
and paraffin oil, can clog pores, irritate eyes and even cause blood disorders or pulmonary edema. So instead of absent-mindedly packing the Banana Boat, use organic sunscreen brands such as "Kiss My Face" or "Badger." Although these products are not 100 percent organic, they are better than the completely nonorganic alternatives.
One way to do this is by walking or biking throughout vacation, instead of taking buses, cars or cabs. This is healthy for the environment and allows for a little exercise too, which means more guiltless overindulging.
Speaking of indulging, eating and drinking can be green too. Dinegreen.com provides a list of "environmentally responsible" restaurants in nearly every state. Restaurants on the list meet certain criteria, including water efficiency, sustainable foods and reusable utensils.
For those whose spring break ventures may include parties, bars or just casual drinking there are even green tips for drinks. Bars at some hotels offer organic beverages. One brand of organic alcohol, "Square One" organic vodka, can be found at restaurants, bars and stores across the country.
Following those guidelines can add new, organic spice to any spring break adventure. And, being environmentally friendly ensures many more clean and green spring breaks in the future.
Schwartz is a sophomore from Leawood in journalism.
How to define the value of marriage
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
In his latest column, Mr. Cohen complains, "marriage is being cheapened by drive-through chapels and high divorce rates." He also states, "all laws regarding marriage" constitute "legislating morality." These two statements lead to the question "What is the value of marriage?"
Mr. Cohen says, "The protection of marriage is, in itself, commendable. Two people attempting to commit their lives to each other is a nice concept." But why would any society enact laws merely to enforce a "nice concept"?
We know the birds and the bees. Without this boon of nature we would not be here. Marriage has always governed the circumstances in which the union between man and woman, and its subsequent offspring are nourished. Would parents want
a man to abandon their daughter after he sires her child? This is considered a burden on society; law says that men who sire children are required by law to give child support.
Still, child-support alone is not a sustainable norm for society. Marriage answers this problem. It is natural that parents raise their children together, providing them their necessities. This is the bedrock on which Mr. Cohen does not seem to acknowledge he stands.
Children will come with or without marriage, but men should not be beasts who leave once their pleasure has been had. They should be pointed to marriage, under whose auspices society has been sustained
The question we need to ask ourselves now is whether we consider marriage to be an institution that maintains this value.
Mark Preus is a graduate student from Minneapolis.
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