4
Monday, April 6, 1987 / University Daily Kansan
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Senate in Synchronicity
In the past term, it seemed as though the Student Senate had moved decidedly away from the adjective which describes it, the students. Attractive promises that were made were forgotten completely, money was spent foolishly and, at times, it was difficult to determine whether student leaders were working for the students or for themselves.
But with the upcoming Student Senate elections, the students have the opportunity to elect leaders who will try to bring back responsible campus government, the kind of leadership and government that WILL work for the benefit of the students. These leaders are Phil Duff and Glenn Shirtliffe, presidential and vice presidential candidates for the Synchronicity coalition.
Synchronicity has presented a sound and workable platform focused on the welfare of the students. Its goals are not "flashy, vote-getting" ones. They have not chosen goals that sound attractive to the students, yet are financially irresponsible, impractical and probably never will be allowed to be instituted at the University.
Instead, the platform Synchronicity has chosen to run on is made up of issues that have been thought out carefully and intelligently. They are issues that can be accomplished or that can get a good foundation in the coming year, so that they will be instituted in the future.
The main plank in Synchronicity's platform is a change in the structure of Student Senate. The two leaders, both long-time members of the Senate, are concerned about the unproductivity and infighting that take place at the meetings. This attitude problem, which consistently is ignored, is what prevents ideas and programs from
being implemented. A cohesive Senate, which knows who it is working for, is a must before changing and enacting programs, and Synchronicity is willing to work for that type of Senate.
The coalition also plans to take an intelligent approach to the never-ending parking problem. Where other coalitions in the past merely have mentioned the subject and decided that it was too hard to tackle, Synchronicity plans to do more than just talk. Duff, presently a member of the parking board, knows how to approach the organization and make changes in an effective way.
The group also wants to put blue phones in areas of campus where lighting is poor; raise the issue of safe sex and discuss how to combat sexually transmitted diseases; lobby the legislature to keep out-of-state tuition at a reasonable level; make improvements on Course Source; set up a judicial branch of Senate and divide campus organizations into two groups, athletic and academic, to help simplify the financing of these clubs and organizations.
These goals make up the most sensible and responsible of the platforms in the coming election. And when voting, students need to keep this in mind Yes, the "flashy" issues look great, but are they really attainable? Do they benefit all, or at least many, of the students? Are the leaders of the coalitions sincere, or are they looking for something to add to their resumes?
Many people think student government is a joke, and it is because people don't care enough to change it. They think they can't change it. But they can. Before going to vote, think the issues through. Vote for a student government that will work for you. Synchronicity is that group.
Playing Russian roulette
They might just as well point a gun to their heads and hope it isn't loaded.
Many drivers routinely ignore the issue of railroad safety. They go through crossings without bothering to slow down or look both ways. They try to race trains, either for excitement or to save time. Some even drive around railroad crossing gates.
Sound extreme? Not when you think about the many needless deaths each year from car-train collisions. But the collisions, the deaths, the pure waste will continue until drivers take railroad safety seriously.
Traffic signals can help remind drivers to be more careful and Douglas County is to be commended for its plan to erect signals at four crossings, including the crossing where four KU students were
killed March 27. But with more than 8,000 railroad crossings in Kansas alone, it would be fiscally impossible to put signals at each crossing.
Drivers need to remember to slow down or stop before a crossing and check for trains. If a train is in sight, they must remember that, especially in sparsely populated areas, it may be traveling as fast as 70 mph. Finally, people should take for granted the fact that even if a train's engineer sees something in the way, most likely there will not be enough time for the train to stop.
If this most recent tragedy teaches anything, it is that railroad crossings can be dangerous if drivers don't take the appropriate precautions. Whatever the excuse, excitement, forgetfulness or haste, it just isn't worth it.
News staff
News staff
Frank Hansel . Editor
Jennifer Benjamin . Managing editor
Juli Warren . News editor
Brian Kaberline . Editorial editor
Sandra Engelland . Campus editor
Mark Siebert . Sports editor
Diane Bulmeier . Photo editor
Bill Skeet . Graphics editor
Tom Eblen . General manager, news adviser
Business staff
Lisa Weems . Business manager
Bonnie Hardy . Ad director
Dennis Stephens . Retail sales manager
Kelly Scherer . Campus sales manager
Duncan Calhoun . Marketing manager
Lori Coppel . Classified manager
William Mannski . Production manager
David Nixon . National sales manager
Jeanne Hines . Sales and marketing adviser
Letters should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 200 words and should include the writer's name, address and telephone number. If the writer is affiliated with the University, include class and hometown, or faculty or staff position. Guest shots should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 700 words. The
Opinions
IMF's policies have harmed debtor nations.
Treasury Secretary James Baker said at the annual meeting of the IMF and the World Bank in 1985 that austerity measures alone would be self-defeating in the long run. Baker emphasized that debt crisis could be resolved through "sustained growth by the debtor countries."
The Kansan reserves the right reject or edit letters and guest shots They can be mailed or brought to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Staffer-Flint Hall.
The University Daily Kansan (USPS 650-640) is published at the University of Kansas, 118 Stauffer Fhall Hlaw, Kaness, Kan 60045, daily during the regular school year, excluding Saturday, Sunday, holidays and finals periods, and on Wednesday during the summer session. Second-class postage paid in Lawrence, Kan 60044. Subscriptions by mail are $40 per year in Douglas County and $50 per county. Student subscriptions are $3 and are paid the student activity fees.
POSTMASTER  Send address changes to the University Daily Kansan, 118
Stauffer-Flint Hall, Lawrence, Kan. 66045
Finding a cure for an economic disease
In the early 1980s, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank were lending money to Latin American countries, but in trying to help them develop, the two institutions began to face a critical economic situation in that region.
Carlos Chuquin Columnist
In the past eight months, two heavy blows have been dealt to Latin America that further have worsened its economy and also raised the question of whether Latin America ever will be able to pay its foreign debt.
Two years ago, Alan Garcia, president of Peru, announced that his country would pay its foreign debt, but in a manner consistent with the economic growth of the country. Garcia added that Peru would pay
Baker's plan prescribed programs of economic reforms and structural adjustments for the debtor countries. This would mean a greater reliance on international credit, state subsidies and price controls, measures to stimulate both foreign and domestic investment and export promotion and trade liberalization.
only 10 percent of the country's export earnings.
But the biggest blow came in August 1986. After Garcia rejected an IMF ultimatum to pay a higher percentage of Peru's export earnings, the country became inelegible to receive future loans. This decision was the kiss of death in the international financial community.
In past years, the IMF had interfered in Peruvian economic affairs. As a result, Peruvians have been hostile toward the IMF's austere measures that had deteriorated its economy and imposed extreme hardships on the poor. However, García but a stop to the IMF interference.
Six months later, Jose Sarney, president of Brazil announced that his country indefinitely was suspend the trade debt to foreign commercial banks
In the past two years, Brazil was becoming the economic star performer of Latin America with Sarney's anti-inflation program, the "Cruzado Plan." Today, Sarney is searching
for "a definitive and lasting solution" to Brazil's debt problems in negotiations with creditor banks. Brazil has a foreign debt of $108 billion.
But the IMF also is responsible for the Latin America foreign debt. In the past years, the IMF's policies on collecting from troubled debtor nations were centered in economical austerity measures and the constant devaluation of the country's currency. Also, the IMF is following a narrow, free-market approach to external imbalances in trade.
These two catastrophic events have alarmed the international financial community and have raised the question of whether the two countries ever would repay their debts in full.
The IMF is indifferent to the social and political consequences of its so-called stabilization programs. Most of the IMF programs hardly can avoid politics. National strikes, riots, upheavals and social unrest have been attributed directly to the implementation of austerity measures advocated by the IMF. Definitely,
Whether the Baker plan will have any positive effect in Latin America remains to be seen. Today, Latin America is desperately seeking a better way to battle its disease: foreign debt. A change in either the IMF's or the World Bank's policy could be the best medicine to fight the disease.
Many thanks to Bakkers
Dear Jim and Tammy Bakker, Thank you.
You know, it's amazing. Just when I thought I had run out of column ideas, just when I was at my lowest, just when I began to think that no one in the public eye would ever again do something embarrassing and ridiculous., the two of you came along and restored my faith.
Bob Hart Columnist
I must admit that I was surprised. You two really had me going with that evangelist of yours. But then, I fell for Oral Roberts, too.
Tammy, you are the stuff that television movies are made of. Can't you just see it? "She sang for the Lord by day. At night she lived her own private Hell — Angie Dickinson in 'Amphetamines and Mascara: The Tammy Bakker Story.'"
Now. I'm not making fun of drug
therapy in a very serious and very
serious context I glue it on.
But Tammy, we're talking about 17 years here. And for a good part of those years, I listened to you preach about a lifestyle that definitely did not include popping pills by the handful.
OK, so I wasn't a regular viewer. But on those nights when I couldn't sleep and happened to flip on the television at three in the morning, there you were. I always wondered why you were so much makeup, but it never occurred to me that we cover up drug-induced bags under the eyes.
And Jim! Shame on you. A good husband might have noticed, just once in those 17 years, that his wife had become a walking chemical substance. But not you, Jim. You were too busy making nice-nice with secretaries and telling me what a sinner I was. To quote Gomer Pyle, "Shame, shame, shame."
Well, guys, you're in a real pickle now, and I hope you've learned your lesson. But I did want to write and offer my thanks. The next time you and the other evangelists get together for a barbecue or an orgy or whatever it is you folks do, please tell Jimmy and the rest of the gang that I'm counting on their cooperation, too. I'll have to write another column soon.
Mailbox
Getting all the facts
Since KU's homosexual practitioners are so intent on making us "aware" of their presence, here are a few facts that they should be made aware of:
1) God has declared in His Word that unnatural sex drives and practices are a sign of judgment He forgives His disciples by taking His victory (Romans 1:37-27).
2) God plainly has stated that people who practice homosexuality will not inherit His kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10).
3) True Christians will continue to believe and confess these truths irrespective of opposition from those with differing viewpoints.
4) God has provided a way of escape from homosexuality and all other sins through repentance and forgiveness. 5) Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-24).
Joe Vusich Lawrence resident
Note the difference
The gay and lesbian community would like for you to believe that Thursday's "Wear Blue Jeans if You're Gay" day proves that they are no different from anyone else. Under their logic, some heterosexuals will "forget" and wear jeans, which means that both groups will be in jeans and nobody really can tell which is which. On the contrary, the differences lie in sexual preferences and not in the clothing preferences.
Only a "Sleep With a Heterosexual if You're Gay" day would come close to shedding doubt on those differences. In addition, I wore jeans Thursday not because I "forget," but because I refuse to let the activities of a minority group govern the style of dress of the entire campus.
The very fact that the gay community needs to designate an entire week to express its feelings is indicative of our differences. The observation that both groups wear similar clothing does not dispel those differences. Why are they so adamant in proving their similarity, anyway? I doubt if many heterosexuals would claim that homosexuals are just like them on the basis that the gay community could "forget" and
wear khakis on "Wear Khakis if You're Straight" day. Who is kidding who?
Darin McAtee Great Bend junior
Coverage a letdown
Hey! What happened? National Orgasm Week was newsworthy enough for the front page, too bad it arrived four days later. Is this the responsible journalism that the University of Kansas is known for? We feel we have been cheated out of more than a billion celebrations! Can we catch up? Or get an extension? Next year, let us know in advance. Everyone mark your calendars and get your fair share.
Peggy Gayler Lawrence resident
Mark Tallent Hiawatha senior
Rhonda Smith Lawrence resident
Jim Strobl
Jim Strobl Lawrence resident
Tom Moran
Overland Park freshman
Mike Chapman Lawrence resident
Re-evaluate view
In reference to the Crimson Girls article Wednesday. We would like to propose a question to Barb Heck. Have you ever visited a high school basketball game? Those adolescent females enjoy high school involvement by playing, they don't incorporate the same 'dance moves' in their routine, as our own Crimson Girls.
Mrs. Heck, we also question whether you really would enjoy changing the Crimson Girls' program. You seem to be in the minority because "the men in the stands enjoy the 'burning and grind.'"
May we suggest that if you truly are offended, that you leave during that segment of halftime and return when they have finished their performance. These girls are getting involved with the University, while doing something they enjoy and presenting themselves in a ladylike manner, not as "barmaids." The Crimson Girls took fifth place out of 75 teams competing at Nationals using the same routine that they performed at halftime. Obviously, the judges were not offended!
Mrs. Heck, everyone is entitled to their opinion. This is guaranteed to us in the Constitution. We would encourage you to re-examine your opinion of the Crimson Girls because as we previously have stated, the majority of the people enjoy their performance, and the girls enjoy performing and demonstrating their talents as dancers.
Andv Solem
Andy Solem
Lincolnshire, ill. sophomore
Joey Jurden
Kansas City, Mo. sophomore
katz
Unqualified remark
Who is Barb Heck? A Lawrence resident and KU alumna? It doesn't seem to me that she is really qualified to dictate to the Crimson Girls what to wear or how to dance. And more Lawrence residents are going to form a panel to judge the appropriateness of the group's attire. As Lawrence residents, they really have no say about a campus group. As KU alumni, well those are the same people who complained last year about students standing up and showing some spirit at basketball games.
As some of the girls said in the article Wednesday, many national squads wear unitards, and they adopted their movements from those taught at a national cheerleading competition. If they can place fifth out of 7 squades in the competition, they must be doing something right. Obviously, they know more about dancing and performing than most of the rest of us. So WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?! If Barb Heck can do better, let her be a Crimson Girl. If not, she should leave the Crimson Girls alone.
Maggie Stenz Wichita senior
k. l. thorman
BLOOM COUNTY
by Berke Breathed
TV DINERS WERE WARMED
WHILE THE STREETS OF THE
ROAD SLOWLY GAVE WAY TO THE
SHARED COMFORT OF MALE
COMMANDER.
EVENTALLY, CONVERSATION
TURNED TO THE SORT OF THINGS
INTROSPECTIVE, SENSITIVE MEN
TALK about OVER WARM
ROOT BEERS at 2:37 a.m.
}