THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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OPINION
FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2006
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OUR OPINION
PAGE 5A
West Campus progress deserves more attention
Believe it or not, West Campus is good for more than just additional parking lots. There you will find buildings like Higuchi Biosciences Center, Youngberg Hall Center for Research and the Smissman Research Building. Any of these ring a bell? Didn't think so. Yet all of these institutions house cutting-edge research projects that will put the University of Kansas even further into the national spotlight.
Its eventual goal is to achieve a National Cancer Institute designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Such a designation requires an institution to conduct programs in all three areas of research basic, clinical and prevention and control. So far, only 39 cancer centers throughout the nation meet the requirements.
Phrases such as "top-flight research park" and "research megacomplex" have been tossed around as descriptors for this 480-acre scientific theme park. And serving as Cinderella's cast to this scientific version of Disneyland is the recently dedicated Multidisciplinary Research Building, or the MRB. This three-story, 106,000-square foot study wonderland cost $40 million.
For example, did you know that the University conducts more than $36 million in cancer research? The KU Cancer Team, housed in the Higuchi Biosciences Center, is pursuing ambitious goals such as determining causes of cancer, developing drugs with fewer side effects and new therapy techniques
Issue: University research and development west of Iowa Street
Stance: Students should familiarize themselves with West Campus.
Unfortunately, most undergraduates could care less. True, we are not directly involved with the activities happening on that side of campus. Nonetheless, students should take some time to familiarize themselves with news coming from West Campus to gain a greater understanding and appreciation for achievements made in research by the University. After all, their research is making a lot of our degrees much more valuable.
Obviously the University would not invest heavily in something unless it had a good reason, which it did. This building is being touted as a model research site for promoting collaboration and innovation. It is intended to house about 200 scientists from disciplines including chemistry, pharmaceuticals, geology and biosciences. This is only the beginning, though. Proposed plans for West Campus include the addition of a pharmacy building, said Kevin Boatright, director of research communications. He also said a third phase of construction has been confirmed for the Structural Biology Center.
— Malinda Osborne for the editorial board
Cartoon misrepresents illegal immigrants
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
I am writing to express the anger and disappointment I felt when I saw the cartoon about in-state tuition for "illegal residents" on Tuesday's opinion page.
While I respect the right of Kelli Sparks to present her opinion on this vital issue, I feel it was irresponsible journalism to present such a clearly biased cartoon on the day of the election that determined whether undocumented immigrants can receive in-state tuition in Kansas. Without any other articles or information on this controversial topic in Tuesday's paper, this cartoon delivered a powerful and uncontested message: Illegal immigrants don't deserve instate tuition.
Upon close examination, the cartoon promotes many negative stereotypes regarding undocumented immigrants. The white, presumably blond-haired American girl is portrayed as attractive and tragic. She has fulfilled her patriotic duty by working in the National Guard, and is now being penalized for it by being denied in-state tuition.
The "illegal resident," on the other hand, is portrayed as less attractive and ignorant. Her eyes look devious and her mouth is open in what seems to be anger. The only words she speaks are "No English," which suggests that since she does not
speak English, she does not have a side in the debate and does not deserve in-state tuition. Keep in mind that the proposition that would make in-state tuition possible for undocumented immigrants requires three years of study at a Kansas high school. I sincerely doubt that the only words that one would learn in those three years are "No English."
The American girl also mentions that she paid Kansas taxes while in the National Guard as a further reason why she should be given instate tuition. The immigrant's curt reply insinuates that she has not paid taxes and therefore is undeserving of the tuition break.
The cartoon glosses over one vital fact: Undocumented immigrants almost always DO pay taxes. In both sales and income tax,immigrants typically contribute more money to the federal government than they cost it in social services.
What's even more important, these immigrants are paying taxes for programs they can't even take advantage of, such as Social Security and Medicare. The cartoon is not only offensive, it's incorrect.
Kelly Carson
Littleton, Colo., senior in Spanish and Portuguese
Trial opens old wounds prompts review of terrorism
As Zacarias Moussaoui entered the courtroom, a slowly healing wound on the American psyche was ripped open. Moussaoui, the only person to have charges brought against him stemming from the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks, stood defiant in front of the court. He said he was a member of Al-Qaeda and admitted to six accounts of conspiracy.
▼ COMMENTARY
Arrested shortly before the Sept. 11 attacks took place, Moussaoul has been charged with responsibility for the attacks. The government prosecutors are calling for his execution, claiming he is directly responsible for the 3,000 deaths because he kept quiet. Although he did not have a hand in the actual plans, or the execution of them, prosecutors allege he was aware of them. And he kept quiet.
For almost five years, the United States has dealt with the monsters that were created on the day the towers fell. We watched in horror as live TV brought the images of the collapsing buildings into our homes.
Free speech crashed face first into the gravel of good taste. Should the newspapers have run the photos? Should artists claiming artistic license be allowed to sell the images of a person falling to their death? Soon, the tragedy
Should Moussaoui die? I can honestly say I don't know. I wish I did. Will one more life taken fill the void of a person you've spent every single day of your life with? My gut tells me he should die. But one last twinge of humanity tugs me back.
and death. The events that took place on Sept. 11 are unforgivable. But, we've been marinating in a society of fear and anger for so long, there's a "Lord of the Flies"-esque desire to find at least one more scapegoat.
If he is guilty, he deserves punishment. But if he's killed, he becomes a martyr for his cause. He is spiritually prepared for death. Yes, he is an evil man, convicted of being part of an abandoned plan to fly an airplane into the White House. Yes, he's morally reprehensible. But what does death accomplish?
For God's sake, as a society we have to use our head and not our hearts. I'm not condoning his behavior. I'm not giving aid or sympathy for the terrorists. But, as Siddhartha Gotama, better known as Buddha, said, "Hatred does not cease in this world by hating, but by not hating; this is an eternal truth."
Vierthaler is a Dodge City junior in journalism.
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Instead of Daniel Berk's opinion on who the Big 12 first team is,why don't we use the real results instead of the made up ones that
itself became snowed under with the verbal volleys of politicians and citizens alike.
Bomb the bastards. But, who were the bastards? Soon, after an extended stay in Afghanistan, the United States deployed troops to Iraq. A brand new controversy sprang up and election campaigns were bludgeoned over our heads day after day. Eventually, the public eye began to glaze over. The deaths incurred in Afghanistan and Iraq were used as a political lever, not only by those in charge, but also by those attempting to discredit those in charge.
People still died, though. The World Trade Center is still an incredibly poignant hole in the ground. The families that lost loved ones are still searching for answers. In this muted, uncomfortable silence, we're still looking for revenge.
MARK VIERTHALER opinion@kansan.com
Patrick Ross, associate opinion editor
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It's time for the United States to truly find what defines it as a country. For too long tragedy has begotten violence, anger
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don't even include our own player?
Kiosk 34 can put it down, flip it, and reverse it multiple times. There's no
TALK TO US
hype in that, for sure.
Delta Force, we get it. There's so many chalk markings on the entire campus that I could jump from one Delta Force sign to another. We don't need that much advertising
Bye.
that much advertising.
To the girl in my congress class, smile more. It brightens the world.
Hey, this is for the Freer-All. Christian Moody, sorry I almost hit you with my truck. I didn't see you. You kinda just popped out.
ing think so. There aren't white people there now, let alone 2,000 years ago.
All right, what is with all the white Jesuses everywhere? Jesus did not live in Europe, people. He lived in the freaking middle of Israel. You ever been to Israel? You ever seen a white person there? I don't freak-
No, Bill, I would say the way your team played against Texas is the textbook definition of Bush League, brother.
I think all those people that are against military recruiters on campus should grow up and be men and get over it. Enough already!
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Hey Free-for-All, am I putting out some desperate and easy vibe? Because I've been asked out by four guys in the last 10 days.
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EDITORIAL BOARD
Jonathan Kealing, Joshua Bickel, Nate Karlin,
Jason Shaad, Patrick Rose, Ty Beaver, John
Jordan, Malinda Oborne
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1435 Jawhay Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 68045
(786) 864-4810, opinion@kansan.com
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For any questions, cell Jason Shaad or Patrick Ross at 864-4810 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com.
SUBMISSIONS
COMMENTARY
Fear shouldn't dictate aspiration
YELENA PAVLIK opinion@kansan.com
While dead corpses and evil villains cause us to turn heads and cover our eyes during movies, real-life fears are not as easy to conceal.
We read horror novels, spend hundreds of dollars a year supporting the newest terror boxoffice hits, and have an entire holiday dedicated to celebrating the scariest of our nightmares. People love fear.
Reservations about flying or public speaking are broad and may limit some from taking a trip across the ocean or expressing their opinion in front of a group. A majority of the fears that limit us, however, are not as easy to resolve as taking a boat instead of an airplane.
The uncertainties that hold many back are often emotionally based. Fear of getting hurt: One misses out on a fulfilling relationship. Fear of trusting: One misses out on a reliable friendship. Fear of rejection: One misses out on a promising career opportunity. Fear of losing someone: One holds on too tightly, and looses anyway. Fear of change: One fails to live.
Doubts, inhabitations and worries restrain us from living life to its fullest potential. Our psychological response to limit ourselves is normal. We instinctually maintain a sense of safety. In the end, though, it leaves many with regret and remorse for not pursuing what they believed they should have.
The goal, then, becomes not just to tackle endeavors for the sake of overcoming fear, but to understand the reasoning for certain actions and to decipher ways in which to push the boundaries.
Not to say that we need to take a hundred-foot bungee-jump and follow it by running across burning coal. Simply look at life and question what it is that you could be doing right now, but are not doing because of uncertainties.
If right now your future seems to be a business suit, brief-case and a 7 a.m. alarm five days a week, but you're really an artist at heart, perhaps you should find time to paint the Eiffel Tower in Paris before your love for art fades.
Often overlooked in daily life is the idea that we may be living a back-up plan that we created in case we couldn't accomplish what we really wanted in the first place. The problem lies in a lack of faith. We're not confident our goals and ambitions are attainable.
Pavlik is a Plano, Texas, freshman in journalism.
True, a steady job and the weekly pay check are needed to get by in the daily grind of life, but what are we getting by?
Tell the one you are in love with that you love them. Start writing that short story. Learn to play the guitar. Go out on a date with a crush. Go sky-diving, take a trip to Europe or audition for a musical. Wake up tomorrow morning and carpe diem.
Life.
General questions should be directed to the editor at editor @kansan.com.
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