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University Daily Kansan
Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Fridav. March 7, 1986
Punishment fits crime
Baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth is to be congratulated for his enlightened punishment of baseball players guilty of drug use.
Last week, Ueberroth conditionally suspended for a year seven major-league players who were long time drug users and who aided the distribution of drugs in baseball. Conditionally is the important word in their sentences.
The players will be suspended for a year without pay unless they donate 10 percent of their 1986 base salaries to drug prevention programs, devote 200 hours in two years to drug-related community service and submit to random drug testing for the rest of their careers.
This is a great example of fitting the punishment to the crime. Simply suspending the players would have been easy enough. They would have been punished, but no one would have benefited.
The players, who all maintain that they no longer use drugs, would have lost valuable playing and practice time. Baseball teams would have lost valuable players.
Most important, communities would have lost an opportunity to fight drug abuse and to enhance drug abuse programs.
Devoting time to drug-related community service will allow the players to directly help people who may have a problem similar to their own. Abusers may be helped by someone who has been there.
And the money surely will help, too. Losing 10 percent won't especially hurt a player whose salary is $850,000. But $85,000 might go a long way in a drug prevention program. If the players were simply suspended, that money wouldn't be available.
Punishment can't always be positive, but it's good to keep in mind that sometimes communities can benefit from individual penalties.
Dangerous habit
What was once a looked-down-upon habit has quickly grown into a common sight in today's society. Athletes and executives may be seen with that slight bulge in their lip that signals that they are "going smokeless."
Now, a government study released this week indicates that more young people are using smokeless tobacco, and are starting at a younger age.
Unfortunately, the same glorification of the habit that suckered many people into taking up smoking now is drawing more people into smokeless tobacco.
What is shocking is that children even at grade school age are taking up smokeless tobacco unaware of the dangers. They see Earl Campbell "dippin" on television and think it's OK, just as the younger generation a few
years ago responded to television cigarette ads.
Even more sadly, some of these ads present smokeless tobacco as an acceptable alternative to cigarettes, because it is acceptable in "No Smoking" areas and because "it leaves your hands free without lighting up."
Who knows how long it will be before national consciousness is raised to where people realize the dangers of smokeless tobacco. The realization was a long time in coming with cigarettes.
More and more medical evidence is being found that indicates smokeless tobacco to be just as addictive and just as dangerous as cigarettes.
Let's hope the wait is not long for the sake of today's youth, many of whom now stand the risk of developing cancer while in their teens.
Getting the hint
Maybe petty dictators have learned a lesson from Ferdinand Marcos' quick downfall and flight from luxury into exile.
Chun realized that if it could happen to Marcos, who was a buddy of the United States for so long, it could happen to him, too.
South Korean President Chun Doo Hwan hurried last week to correct some of the pitfalls of his regime after realizing that corrupt dictators, even those backed by the United States, are subject to fall.
He quickly announced to leaders of his opposition party that he really didn't mean to arrest them. Chun also released long-time dissident Kim Dae Jung and opened up negotiations for revision of the country's constitution to allow a free and open presidential election next year.
Just days before, Chun had argued adamantly for the system of indirect elections that would ensure a victory for
him. He also had denounced cries from opposition leaders for an end to military rule and a restoration of democracy.
Those cries in the near past had been answered by arrests generated from the reigns of Chun's government puppets. Two thousand workers were fired and blacklisted for union activity. Poets, artists and novelists also had been arrested for advocating the opposition's cause. Journalists were arrested and beaten for writing stories that had not been approved by the government.
Chun seems to have gotten the hint from what happened in the Philippines. When a country's people want democracy and they are stopped in their pursuit by a power-hungry dictator, that dictator may not last long.
He might also learn that the United States would rather back a people pushing for democracy than a leader who is opposed to their demands.
News staff
Michael Totty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editor
Lauretta McMillan . . . . . . . . . . . Managing editor
Chris Barber . . . . . . . . . . . Editorial editor
Cindy McCurry . . . . . . . . . Campus editor
David Giles . . . . . . . . . . Sports editor
Brice Waddill . . . . . . . . Photo editor
Susanne Shaw . . . . General manager, news adviser
**Business staff**
Bret McCabo . . . Business manager
David Nikon . Retail sales manager
Jim Williamson . Campus manager
Lori Eckart . Classified manager
Caroline Innes . Production manager
Pallem Lee . National manager
John Oberzan . Sales and marketing adviser
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Contra aid may prevent need for war
In Monday's edition, the Kansan rejected the granting of more aid to the "contras" fighting in Nicaragua. The editorial asked for Congress to "heed the lessons" of Vietnam. The Kansan stated that the result of aid to the contras would probably be a commitment of troops later.
The position of the Kansan is faulty on two fronts. Nicaragua is not Vietnam and the providing of aid is not the commitment of troops.
There is a tremendous geopolitical difference between Nicaragua and Vietnam. Nicaragua is a threat to five democratic nations within driving distance of the United States.
Guest columnist
Phill Kline
Nicagara has amassed more than 120,000 troops. This is more than Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Costa Rica combined. This buildup occurred while the United States was still providing economic aid to the Sandinistas and before any significant contra activity. At its height, Somoza's National Guard totaled 14,000. In addition, there are over 10,000 communist advisers in Nicaragua — including Soviet, Cuban, Libyan and Palestine Liberation Organization personnel.
The Sandistas are committed to exporting Marxist-Leninism by force. Nicaragua's foreign minister, Miguel D'Escoto, speaking of the United States, said, "You may look at us as five countries, . . . but we regard ourselves as six different states in a single nation in the process of re-unification."
Their view is evidenced by their efforts to supply the guerrillas in El Salvador. It is also obvious that no other Central American nation is too keen on D'Escoto's idea.
The fear of deeper U.S. entanglement is a consideration when discussing aid, but it alone does not support a policy of inaction.
Those opposing the use of U.S. troops still will have their political voice if the contras receive aid. Additionally, the granting of aid to the contrasts probably will reduce the likelihood of U.S. troop involvement.
If the Sandistas are allowed to proceed with their exportation of revolution unfettered, the result could be disastrous. I don't believe any U.S. administration would watch idly Central America get swallowed by the "revolution."
The Sandinistas have had seven years to show their true colors and one-sixth of the population has responded by fleeing the country. Other Nicaraguans have not been so lucky. More than 10,000 Miskito Indians have been confined to forced labor camps. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., has compared the labor camps to concentration camps.
Those that have remained in Nicaragua suffer from religious and political persecution and a restriction of information and freedoms.
In 1894, the Nicaraguan bishops called for peace and national reconciliation. The Sandistas replied by labeling a bishops' Pastoral the work of the CIA and expelling 10 priests. The official Vatican paper, L'Osservatore Romano, stated, "The church and its institutions have become targets of offensiveness and violence by groups of Sandinistas."
What remains? The revolution. During his Christmas Eve Mass to the Sandinista troops, "Priest" Ernesto Cardenal, who also happens to be the minister of culture, said, "You have to understand that God does not exist ... that God is the revolution and Jesus Christ are you . . ."
According to the B'nai b'Rith Anti-defaismon League, the Sandinistas succeeded in driving the entire small Jewish community into exile and commandeering Managua's synagogue.
The Sandistas are close to completing a transition to a total police state. Political dissidents are being jailed and executed. From 1979 to 1982, the Nicaraguan Commission of Jurists documented 8,655 executions.
Since 1979, 20 radio news programs have stopped broadcasting. Both TV stations and two out of three newspapers are controlled by the Sandinistas. The only "independent" paper, La Presa, is so heavily censored that 50 percent to 80 percent of its stories are never published.
U. S. House Majority Leader Jim Wright said the Sandinistas "have installed in each city residential block an informer . . . reminiscent of Nazi Germany."
The United States carries a heavy burden as leader of the free world, and there is no room for failure. As Winston Churchill II, a member of the British Parliament, said, "If you fail in Nicaragua, we must ask, where will you fail next? If freedom and democracy are not worth defending in your own hemisphere, where are they worth defending? The free world awaits your answer. Its enemies are waiting, too."
Bottom line: Seat belts save lives
I almost didn't make her do it. We were having a great time and we had more fun planned.
Besides limited restriction of movement and an occasional wrinkle in one's clothes. I see nothing but a
We got into the car and I looked at her. She was all dressed up and looked great. I started the car, then buckled up. I expected her to do the same, but she didn't.
I mentioned that she should put on her "safety restraining device" before we went on to the concert. Iurged her a second time and she gave in.
If you fall for peer pressure, you restrict your own personal freedom. Our path to greatest freedom is by not allowing the constraints under which we live.
On the way to the concert, I lost control of the car on a patch of ice and slid into the oncoming traffic. A split second later, my engine was half its original size after an explosion of glass and metal.
Although we suffered minor injuries, they weren't as bad as they could have been. If we were in as bad shape as the car, we would be dead.
A dictionary definition of liberty is "freedom from external control or interference." Freedom is defined as "personal independence."
After suffering this disastrous experience, I can't understand what kind of "civil liberty" there is in not wearing a seat belt.
Jaime Prieto
Guest columnist
Guest columnist
restriction of one's civil liberties by not wearing a seatbelt.
Think — why don't you wear one?
It isn't attractive. It might reveal your insecurities.
In that case, you are being restricted by the same civil liberties you seek; falling for peer pressure takes away from personal choice.
Another reason for not wearing seatbelts is wrinkled clothes.
Although superficial, appearance is an important criterion for judgment in society. Anyone not using seatbelt for the sake of appearance should realize that the face is the first to be damaged in an accident.
Others argue they may need to escape if their car catches fire.
Having mentioned that the skull is the first to suffer, I should add that you usually lose consciousness when your head smashes against a hard object such as a dashboard, a windshield, a steering wheel or a combination of the three. Escaping while unconscious would be quite a trick.
Society does pay for the loss of work time while non-users recuperate from accidents. And the more costly and numerous medical
bills are, the more insurance rates rise.
What about the effect a non-user's selfish behavior has on others Employers suffer, family and friends suffer and your grades will probably suffer, too.
Not wearing a seatbelt is like paying more for something than you have to. What price are you willing to pay for your so-called freedom?
I am glad we have the type of government we now enjoy. If you think something is at stake, contact your congressman. Let's hope the right people are in office at the time of your accident.
As the roads become more crowded and atrophy takes the best of peoples' minds, it would be good to have a law requiring the use of seatbelts.
The law itself won't keep people from driving recklessly. But don't forget the bottom line — it saves lives.
Have you ever been in a head-on collision, with a vehicle three times your size, at highway speeds?
I have.
Mailbox
Praise from coach
As we now direct our full attention to post-season play, I wanted to take this opportunity to offer my appreciation for the tremendous support generated by our student fans throughout the 1985-86 season.
There are not greater basketball fans in America than those who occupy the seats for each home game in Allen Field House and there is no question that the student support was a major factor in our success this year.
There are not greater basketball fans in America than those who occupy the seats for each home game in Allen Field House.
Larry Brown
heed basketball coach
Beyond your vocal support, however, you can be equally proud for establishing a "class" reputation. You certainly dignified yourselves with your response to Jack Hartman's retirement and you again responded with a very meaningful vocal tribute to our seniors in their final home game.
Your backing throughout the year helped carry us over many hurdles and will continue to represent an inspiration into post-season competition. Needless to say, we are extremely proud of our student fans.
Larry Brown head basketball coach
Theologian supported
I am embarrassed that a KU graduate student would write a letter filled with so many blatant inaccuracies (Kansan, Feb. 27).
The letter about the Rosemary Ruether lecture is a "knee-jerk" reaction to feminism. It is not based on knowledge or critical thought, but rooted in dogmatism, emotion and fear.
It is painfully clear that Timothy Williams knows nothing of Ruether's work, nor of her dedication to the eradication of all forms of social, political, economic and religious oppression.
Ruether is best known for her analysis and theological reflection on the positive and negative characteristics of her own Catholic heritage.
In fact, Ruether, in a class earlier that day, stated that she was skeptical of the attempt to ground feminist spirituality in the goddess worship of ancient cultures because the historical evidence is so problematic.
She does this in the context of the firmly established Hebrew tradition of prophetic self-critique. The Hebrew prophets called their own religious and secular leadership to account for the abuses within their religious structures.
The accusation that Ruether advocates the worship of pagan goddesses and radical feminism with an occult twist is reminiscent of the witch-hunt mentality that resulted in the slaughter of more than a million women in the late Middle Ages.
Ruether has this same sort of prophetic courage and insight to point out some fatal flaws in her own religious heritage.
As a graduate student in religious studies, I was pleased that Ruether was invited by the Humanities Lecture Series Committee to speak on feminist theology.
I find Williams' response to her lecture and the massive misrepresentation of what she said interesting from a sociological point of view.
I hope that Christian feminists such as Ruether continue to challenge dogmatism and ignorance in the academy, the institutional church and society.
Sandra S. Wick Lawrence graduate student
Statistics misleading
I'm writing in response to a small United Press International article about a study that said higher drinking ages reduced fatalities (Kansan, Feb. 5).
This does not show that by raising the drinking age, they are reducing the number of irresponsible drinkers; it merely shows that they are reducing the number of drinkers.
I think commissions and agencies can take this type of information only so far. Naturally, by raising the drinking age, the number of people drinking alcohol will decrease, and therefore the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities will also decrease.
But if we are to continue using their logic ("they" being those in favor of continually raising the drinking age); why not increase the minimum drinking age to 31? Even more lives could be saved.
And while we are at it, we could raise the minimum driving age as well. Think of all the lives that would be saved if everyone under 31 was not allowed to drink or drive! But also, think of what kind of lives those people would have to live.
I am not making an argument in favor of driving while intoxicated; I am very opposed to it, and I believe drunk-driving laws should definitely be strengthened and enforced.
However, I think the people in positions of governing power should not make decisions that affect the lives of many people based on their emotional reactions, but rather by looking closely at the real facts. They should take into consideration what effects their judgments could have on the quality of life for those in other age brackets or social standings as their own.
Mark Schmieding St. Louis senior
End of Shuffle
I have decided to cease activity involving the Jayhawk Shuffle at this point at the request of the Athletic Department.
The reason for my decision is based on my concern for the basketball team.
I do not want to jeopardize the hard work they have put into the season.
Since this has been my primary, underlying concern all along, my legal advice at every step has indicated no harm could come to the team as a result of my independent actions.
Unfortunately, my unyielding support for the team has allowed me to be bullied by the erratic; unreasonable and unconstitutional actions of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. :
My decision is costing me con- siderable out-of-pocket expense, but it will be worth it to see the best basketball program in the country take its proper place in history.
I recommend that the NCAA move its headquarters to Moscow where it might operate in an atmosphere more in character with its actions.
A loyal 'Hawks fan.
co-owner of Gammons
Mike Kirsch
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