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Friday, April 7, 1989 / University Daily Kansan
Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
States' leaders take steps to improve gas-line safety
Govs. Mike Hayden of Kansas and John Ashcroft of Missouri are taking steps to investigate and correct a recent rash of deadly gas explosions in both states.
Their proposal to hire a consultant to study the gas systems of both states shows foresight and initiative to what could become a national problem.
Unfortunately, the coordination of the governors does not redeem Kansas Power and Light or other state gas utilities of recent mistakes and negligence.
For example, last week a natural gas explosion in Topeka killed a 75-year-old woman and left her son in critical condition. The explosion occurred despite recent complaints from the residents to KPL about leaking gas at the home. KPL investigated twice, and scheduled another investigation on the day of the blast. Obviously, that investigation came too late.
Missouri Sen. Henry Wiggins said the rash of recent explosions has led to a "shouting match between KPL, the federal government and the Public Service Commission as to who is at fault and why, while the causes remain a mystery."
Obviously, name-calling isn't going to regulate or fix an aging system with possibly dangerous, cracked pipes. And as systems in Kansas and Missouri grow older, the dangers increase along with homeowners' fears. Now is the time for KPL, and rural utilities to revamp their systems and ensure that safety is the first focus of the service they provide.
Mark Tilford for the editorial board
Kansas should join states in protecting burial sites
Hundreds of years before Columbus came to this land and the Mayflower pilgrims set foot here to start new lives, native peoples lived and farmed here, grew old, died and were buried here.
Now, descendents of several American Indian groups want to make sure that their ancestors' graves will be left undisturbed. Although 19 states have passed legislation designed to protect unmarked Indian grave sites, Kansas is not one of them, yet. A law mandating the marking of unmarked Burial Sites Preservation Act, would make disturbing Indian burial sites a crime punishable by fines up to $100,000.
American Indians deserve to keep their relatives' remains protected from those seeking to profit from them. Anthropologists who are looking for archaeological artifacts also are at fault in this issue.
Understandably, historians want to examine the remains to learn more about the cultures of early Americans.
The bones and remains are put on display as trophies and specimens, but they are not respected as their descendants would like them to be. Some Indians have said that when unmarked graves are accidentally dug up, letting institutions such as the Smithsonian study they is acceptable as long as the remains are returned and buried with a proper ceremony
American Indians too many times have been pushed out of America by explorers, immigrants and foreigners hundreds of years ago who claimed to discover this land and made their stakes on it.
Indians now have been pushed to the point of not only looking after their living but protecting their dead. Kansas should join the 19 other states who are committed to protecting the ancestors of America's first and true people.
Julie Adam for the editorial board
The editors in this column are the opinion of the editorial board. The editorial board consists of Julie Adam, Karen Boring, Joe Euston, James Parquar, Cindy Harger, Jennifer Hinkle, Grace Hobson, Jill Jess, Mark McCormick and Mark Tilford.
News staff
Julie Adam ... Editor
Karen Boring ... Managing editor
Jill Kates ... News editor
Deb Gruver ... Planning editor
James Farquhar ... Editorial editor
Elaine Sung ... Campus editor
Tom Simons ... Sports editor
Janine Swiakiowski ... Photo editor
Dave Eames ... Graphics editor
Noel Görden ... Art features editor
Tom Ehlen ... General manager
Business staff
Debra Cole ... Business manager
Pamela Noe ... Retail sales manager
Kevin Martin ... Campus sales manager
Scott Fragar ... National sales manager
Michelle Garland ... Promotions manager
Brad Lenhart ... Sales development manager
Linda Production ... Producer
Debra Martin ... Ast. production manager
Kim Coleman ... Co-op sales manager
Carl Cousselier ... Classified agent
Jennie Hines ... Sales and marketing
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New Nautical Terminology
Senate, Kansan serve same entity
The bickering between KU politicians and journalists ought to subside
In a guest column in Wednesday's Kansan, the Student Senate leaders commented on a guest column written by Tom Eblen, Kansan adviser. At the end of the Senate leaders' column, they asked for either a retraction or a presentation of the facts.
The Kansan can't retract comments made by a guest columnist. But we will present the facts
In his column, Eblen said that Senate sources made an "offer" to the Kansan about the type of editorial comments that should be avoided while windfall allocations were being made.
In their column, Senate leaders asked for the specifics of this "offer."
The specifics we could reconstruct are as follows: Kansan staff members were told on more than one occasion by the co-chairman of the Student Senate Finance Committee that the word on the Senate floor was that if the Kansan ran editorials that were critical of the Senate before the fallwind vote, the Kansan's chances for getting money would be diminished
He said that if the Kansan didn't run such comments, then its chances would be good. He told those that he was not his own view that he must be passing the information "out of concern for the Kansan."
On several occasions, senators repeated similar messages to Kansan staff members.
These staff members relayed the information to the editor and to Eblen.
It was then that the seemingly ever-present tension between the Kansan and the Student
Eblen viewed the messages as a type of "offer." The Senate viewed the messages as helpful advice, or as "den-mothering," as they called it. Eblen felt strongly about it, and wrote a guest column, which ran in the March 29 issue of the Kansas.
Senate drained both organizations of patience. Differences of interpretation on both sides drove Senate and Kansan leaders to sit down together to talk it out in what began as heated debate. The student leaders met twice on the day Eblen's meetings were requested by the Senate leaders.
The meetings in some ways demonstrated the classic conflict between press and politics.
The ethics of politics say that the legal advice is helpful gesture made in order to get legislation passed.
The ethics of journalism say that the content or timing of editorial opinions should not be altered.
Would heightened awareness of each other's system of ethics and procedures help these conflicting, but valid, ways of operating to promote more collaborative leaders suggested that it would. We agree.
This conflict is in many ways unique. Student fees, which last year provided 13 percent of the Kansan budget, are controlled by Senate. Therefore, the Kansan's circulation revenue has be met by a political body. This situation is uncomfortable for both sides.
Under the Constitution of the United States, the notion of a free press necessarily separates it from government. News organizations steer clear of financial connections to politics to avoid appearances of having policies set by those holding the money.
In like manner, politicians steer clear of reactive coverage to financial decisions
For the time being, we are stuck with an un-
real "world" relationship between the Senate and
the Kansas. Despite efforts for impartial treat-
ment by both sides, eyebrows will continue to be
raised when financial decisions and news coverage happen in proximity to each other.
Is there a solution to the Senate-Kansan tensions on this campus? The result of the Senate-Kansan discussions last week yielded what we would call hope.
Both sides are intent on improving relations.
We discovered that when leaders are not
communicating, the grumbling of the troops is all
that is left. Off-the-cuff comments made in
frustration become the unofficial "official"
word used to describe how the simplest
applicates the leaders. It is the nature of overworked
and under-rewarded student politicians and journalists
to get frustrated with their systems.
It is the responsibility of the leadership, however, to guard against misinformation. It is important that the leaders keep from basing perceptions on flip comments made in haste.
The Kanans doesn't respect Senate, and will string the Senators up given any opportunity.
"Senate hates the Kansan and wants to cut them out of the budget to hurt them."
The Student Senate and the University Daily Kansas serve the same body of constituents
Let's take up the challenge
The primary responsibility of both groups is to serve and inform the students of the University of Kansas — even if that means making an extra effort to put aside differences and get along.
- Julie Adam is the editor of the Kansan.
- Karen Boring is the managing editor of the Kansan.
K·A·N·S·A·N
MAILBOX
Right to die
Mark Tilford's editorial in the April 4 Kansas, "Doctors must help patients, not show them ways to die," demonstrates an adherence to the antiquated concept that when it comes to death and dying, entrenched societal mores exceeded the individual's right to decide.
Those who oppose the "right to die" don't acknowledge, or refuse to acknowledge, that they are not doing the terminally ill any favors, despite their altruistic motives. This type of self-rightousness "morality" tends to make us feel warm inside at the expense of victims who unnecessarily endure prolonged bouts with pain and anguish.
Consider the plight of the hypothetically terminal patient. If his last wish is to die with dignity, it is likely a deny this wish by subservience to so-called family by family members who well-intentioned wills
only incite feelings of humiliation and despair?
A prevailing notion is that all pain can be.
A prevailing notion is that all pain can be readily alleviated by drugs. This is not altogether true. Many ailments breed pain that is immune to relief. As proud as we are of our advanced medical technology, we must, nevertheless, concede that painkillers have limited efficacy.
And what about the astronomical hospital costs incurred by terminal patients who are physically incapable of functioning outside a clinic? If you undermine even the best laid financial plans.
If I somebody faced with this dilemma, I want the liberty to choose my own fate. But, if at that time euthanasia is still illegal, I will be remembered as "immoral" because I eased the emotional and financial burden of relatives; gave up a hospital bed for a needier person and selfishly desired that I die with dignity.
Sheldon Moss
Sheldon Moss Lawrence senior
Ignoring the facts
In response to Michael McVey's proclamation in the April 4 Kansan, I would like to say, "Wake up, Mr. McVey." Your letter insinuated many things that if one would just think about,
it would be perfectly clear that you have no idea about the magnitude of problems facing women today. The fact that you have had it with all that is going on to promote awareness of these problems proves that you are closing your eyes to the fact that they are happening
If you have ever attended one of these seminars or meetings, you would know that, unlike the image you would like to see painted, these women are not accusing all men of being "sadistic prowlers just looking for someone to rape." All of the support groups and awareness programs are not filled with menhats, but rather women who would like to know how to keep from becoming victims and would like to overcome their victimization. Just as with statistics of male victims does not mean that they are being overlooked, just that the ratio of male victims is not large enough to be considered a societal problem.
And as for your assurid statement about the female friends of yours whom you have hugged, it is not a prerequisite for friendship to tell someone that you have been haired. When only you are told by someone reported to the authorities, how can you expect a victim to tell a mere acquaintance?
Leigh Anne Stout Danville, Ark., senior
BLOOM COUNTY
by Berke Breathed
AND YOU'LL SAY,
SORRY PORT... I DRAFTER
STAY HOME AND VIDEOTAPE
MY KIDS FIRST VOMITING "