Opinion The University Daily Kansan
United States First Amendment Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble,and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010
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--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
To contribute to Free For All, visit Kansan.com or call (785) 864-0500.
--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
Jim Halpert possesses all the qualities of my ideal man. If only you truly existed.
I am entirely amused... You may
--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
Lie to me.I promise I'll believe.
--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
I was lookin, feelin like a million bucks:)
--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
I spent my entire break watching all six seasons of "Lost!" I've never felt so accomplished and lame in my
--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
Perhaps it was a bad idea to watch a scary movie before bed, but now I know why my parents wouldn't let me watch this stuff. I can't handle it, man.
--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
[Insert something witty here.] Sorry FFA, I can't think of anything awesome to say
--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
Baby I like it!!
Just watched the movie "Rudy." KU basketball walk-on tryouts, here I come
It turns out people can still hear you even if you're wearing sunglasses.
--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
Paying for my fall break procrastination...so worth it :)
--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
Meh, this year basketball video is good..but last year's was freaking amazing! Bring it back..or show both!
I never liked seeing you naked.
--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
Breakups are weird. One minute you're fine being naked with someone. The next, you act like you don't know each
--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
To the man over by the Union handing out basketball schedules with Bible verses printed on the back; You are sneaky. Well played.
--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
I can't bring myself to go to the game, even though I have tickets.
--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
I hate running into boys when I am wearing their T-shirts from our one night stands.
--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
Homecoming: just as lame in college as it is in high school.
--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
All right, this whole sniffing of the nose thing is going to get old really fast. Blow your nose people
--thank the we community here in Lawrence for the cooperation and teamwork that allowed the KU football game to be played this past Thursday night.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Cooperation overcame obstacles
To the University Community:
On behalf of Kansas Athletics,
I want to take this opportunity
Lester
Sure, it was fall break, which meant that many activities that
normally occur during the week were not taking place. But there were numerous issues to work through and we believe they were all overcome successfully through outstanding teamwork.
The faculty and staff at KU, the Provost's office...Human Resources and Equal Opportunity...KU Public Safety...University Relations, parking and transit...from them and countless others, outstanding planning and cooperation turned potential roadblocks into manageable speed bumps.
The result of the game was not
And a special thank you to the KU student body, whose constant and loyal support of the Jayhawks makes Memorial Stadium such a special place to play - and watch - a college football game.
what we had hoped. But with the help of the university community, the beauty of our campus was highlighted to a national television audience. Thank you for allowing that to happen.
Sean R. Lester is the Interim Athletics Director for KU Athletics.
WHEN I WAS ELECTED
I TALKED ABOUT A PUBLIC OPTION
IN HEALTH INSURANCE.
NOW I DON'T.
WHEN I WAS ELECTED. I WAS UPSET AT 72 UNEMPLOYMENT NOW UNEMPLOYMENT IS ALMOST 10% AND I SAY WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.
WHEN I WAS ELECTED. I VOWED TO BRING CLEARER GUIDELINES FOR SCIENTIFIC POLICIES WITHIN SIX MONTHS. NOW WERE STILL WAITING 2 YEARS LATER.
WHEN I WAS ELECTED, I PROMISED CHANGE.
Nepalh
DON'T PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE CHANGED?
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Defending evolution litmus test
In Wednesday's UDK there was a response letter to my Oct. 11 letter to the editor. Based on the title of the letter, I was expecting to read a critique of Keynesian economics, which would have been a fine and welcome response despite the fact that I never actually endorsed Keynesianism. What I read, however, was anything but. It was written like freshman who just learned a few new concepts in his Political Philosophy 101 class and decided to name drop them all over his Wikipedia researched letter, in a sophomoric attempt to inform UDK readers that he knows some things about economic theories.
But to the point, nothing I wrote in any way suggests that I think Communism, Marxism, and Socialism are antithetical. From what I can gather this was the crux of his argument. That however, practically by definition, is what's called a 'straw man' argument. Seriously, how can anyone who makes such specious arguments be taken seriously? The very point of my letter was that I didn't think the Tea Partier was debating could articulate
the details concerning Marxism, Socialism and Communism, and hadn't even heard of Keynesianism. I was trying to highlight the fact that, as in the case of evolution, people have the unfortunate tendency to reject theories they clearly do not understand. So regardless of how Keynesianism relates to communism and socialism, the point was that people rush to criticize Obama's policies when they don't fully understand them and proceed to misrepresent them. Of course Keynesianism is not the opposite of socialism, but neither is it coextensive! It has less to do with workers controlling the means of production and everything to do with the idea that stimulus spending in a deep recession is more effective at job creation than tax cuts. I think that difference matters.
Also, regarding evolution, my point was not that belief in evolution alone is a good indicator for electability. I was simply suggesting that when candidates like O'Donnell say completely absurd things about evolution, that should serve as sufficient grounds
to disqualify them. So pointing out that there exist libertarian Tea Party members who do believe in evolution is completely irrelevant. Suggesting that I thought belief in evolution was both necessary and sufficient for electability was yet another straw man argument.
Finally, I hope the author realizes that 'collectivism' is such a generic term that it includes virtually everything but laissez faire economic systems and outright anarchy. Anything rooted in social contract theory is a form of collectivism. So clearly the author is either a misguided Ayn Rand objectivist, a foolish anarchist, or just a very confused Glenn Beck enthusiast with a Napoleon complex. The author's entire response was nothing but one big straw man argument that completely missed the very point of my letter. Ironically, it in fact illustrated my point!
Also, the Tea Partier in question was far from imaginary... it was my Limbaugh-loving dad.
-Aaron Dopf is a lecturer in the Department of Philosophy.
'Glee' gives murky view of religion providing emotions over reason
GUEST COLUMN
Part of the focus of the episode was aimed at the gay member of the group, Kurt Hummel. Coincidentally, he is also an atheist. After his father suffers a heart attack and ends up in a coma, Kurt is accordingly offered support in dealing with the tragedy by his fellow glee club members. Many of the members try to share their personal religious beliefs with Kurt, knowing that these beliefs had proven therapeutic for themselves in the past.
I am a little late to the "Glee" party. My first episode was last week's "Grilled Cheesus." It was slightly hard for me to appreciate the style of the show as many others are able to, what with the singing and musical drama feel. While I can understand the musical talent the members possess, musicals just are not my top priority when it comes to television. Pushing through this, though, the content of the episode was what caught my interest.
It seems that the strongly religious members of the group are also portrayed as the most naive. While Kurt appreciates the fact that his peers are trying to aid him in coping with his catastrophe, he does
While a lack of belief may hold negative implications for them, they lack the ability to realize that others have differing opinions on the subject. Presenting this view of the religious may have been the writers' intents on a meta-cognitive level. However, on the surface it appears that one has to be damaged, as Kurt is with the condition of his father, to be atheist. If this is "Glee's" intent, writers certainly ignored the option of atheists coming to their conclusions without pain and suffering. "Glee" depicts a traditional interaction of atheists and the religious. Another aspect to note is Kurt's singularity in his non-belief — often atheists are in the minority, or even alone in their view when in a group.
not have to accept or believe what they are trying to impart to him. When his religious friends gasp in shock upon hearing he is an atheist and insensitive to their prayers, they forget the fact that not everyone believes in God. Furthermore, they treat it negatively.
The fact that Kurt is gay as well as an atheist paints a mirror-like picture, as both of these stereotypes
hint of an outside or non-majority group. This enforces the common mindset that both of these groups are abnormal. To some, they may even be absolutely wrong. Additionally, it illustrates the opinion that homosexuality leads to atheism or vice versa.
"Glee" writers may be trying to shed light on their views about atheism and religion, be it for better or worse regarding either belief system. Ultimately, the show produces a murky view of atheists and the religious alike, casting into doubt their true intentions. "Glee" is a popular show; it is important for it to present a fair and balanced look at any issues it chooses to illustrate. Then, viewers can rationally reach their own conclusions rather than be emotionally influenced by any biases in the show. Whatever "Glees" intentions may be, this episode gave an accurate depiction of what sometimes happens when the two are seen together.
-UWIRE. Greg Dunbar for The Daily Evergreen at Washington State University.
POLITICS
Society continues to stereotype government
Though it took quite some time—and pain and blood—American society has made great progress correcting stereotypes based on waevard beliefs.
We have moved beyond June Cleaver expectations for women and Jim Crow restrictions on blacks. Granted, there's still room for enlightenment on issues such as immigration and religious tolerance, but I'm confident we will find benevolence quicker than the 144 years it took to pass the 19th amendment.
Despite our progress, for some reason we can't get past one pesky stereotype that has haunted the American psyche since its inception: the fear of big government.
It's sad that old fears may detour such an ambitious and historic presidency.
Many translate our founding fathers' fortitude to escape the rule of a despotic, overreaching monarch into an aversion of any attempt by the federal government to protect its citizenry through regulation. Despite what some conservatives would have us believe, regulation is not the
Starting the Conversation
harbinger to a totalitarian state.
Instead of the Red Scare, we're faced with the Repub Scare. Unfortunately
The aftermath of the financial crisis continues to prove the need for a strong central government—the kind James Madison had in mind.
The aftermath of the financial crisis continues to prove the need for a strong central government—the kind James Madison had in mind.
for the middle class, this paranoid fear of government has hampered the kind of regulation that's desperately needed. In areas such as health care, stimulus spending and financial reform, the government continues to stop short.
How many times does the middle class have to get punched in the gut before the government takes significant action?
When will the middle class be seen as more than just an externality?
They made their billions by repackaging mortgages, including their predatory, subprime mortgages, into securities and selling them with triple A ratings to investors all over the world. In this racket, quantity mattered, not quality. Banks became more interested
Greed trumped sensibility; and the financial service industry began preying upon unqualified borrowers because million dollar profit margins weren't enough; they wanted billions.
BY D.M. SCOTT
in playing the market rather than servicing their loans.
Yet the fleecing of the middle class continues. Banks in a
The financial meltdown resulted from the ravenous greed of Wall Street investors and average Americans continue to suffer the consequences.
The real estate market took off in 2001 when the Federal Reserve cut interest rates to 1 percent. Banks, investors and consumers went all-in on the housing market.
Wall Street investors walked away with bonuses, AND nobody was arrested for the financial firestorm.
Since the financial crisis, more than six million homes have been lost,and more than four million more homes will be lost by 2012. Millions of Americans are currently treating on foreclosure.
When the housing market began to slump in 2006, the adjustable rates on these subprime mortgages took off and the first wave of defaults began. When financial calamity struck, middle class Americans were hit the hardest. They lost their jobs, their homes and their retirements.
rush to process voluminous amounts of paperwork are so woefully behind that they have resorted to rubber-stamping foreclosures.
Also lost in the paperwork are unaccounted deeds, lost in the securitization of the mortgages. Banks have not bothered looking at the paperwork, nor have they made any serious effort to modify loans. In some cases, banks can't even determine the rightful property owner.
This is why Obama's Making Home Affordable Program is failing—banks in a zealous desire to turnover foreclosures and drowning in the paperwork. Homeowners are unfairly losing their houses because banks are ill equipped to clean up the mess they helped create.
It's back to business for the banks, while the American dream for the middle class goes bankrupt.
Keeping Americans in their homes has been a priority for the Obama administration, but the banks are not doing their part. This means more government intervention is needed. As Paul Krugman of The New York Times argues, the federal government needs to step in and clearly define property rights. And if the over-burdened banks cannot devote qualified manpower to modifying loans, then public entities should be created with the power to modify loans directly.
If that takes a federal moratorium on foreclosures, then so be it. It's time the victims of the financial crisis get precedence over their assailants.
D. M. Scott is a junior from Overland Park in journalism.
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members of the Kansan Editorial Board are Alex Garrison, Nick Gerik, Erin Brown, David Cawthon, Jonathan Shorman and Shauna Blackman.