4. Wednesday, March 4, 1987 / University Daily Kansan Opinions The assault on the pocket-books of the students in Kansas continues. The first shot in the latest round of fighting was a 3.8 percent budget reduction for state-supported schools. Then the Legislature landed an insulting blow to the University of Kansas by granting only half of the $1.2 million fee release recommended by the Board of Regents. A dent in the pocketbook Now, there is a bill in the Legislature calling for students to pay higher tuition to cover more of their educational costs. The bill would force out-of-state students to pay 60 percent of their educational costs, and Kansas residents would pay 25 percent. Residents now pay 20 percent of that cost. One supporter, State Rep. Robert Vancrum, R-Overland Park, expressed concern that the state paid about half the cost of non-residents, who then leave the state after graduation. But apparently, he has no complaint about the money put into the state's economy by out-of-state students. State Rep. John Solbach, D-Lawrence, estimates that out-of-state students contribute $400 million a year to the state. How can legislators and other state officials talk about strengthening the state's educational system when they are too cheap to spend any money on it? Maybe state universities could upgrade their programs with increased tuition, but what good is it if no one can afford to take advantage of it? The death penalty may not be so bad after all, particularly when it's being administered by the NCAA. Last week, the National College Athletic Association banned Southern Methodist University's football program as a result of repeat offenses of NCAA rules and regulations. The move, referred to as the "death penalty," was a necessary remedy to discourage cheating in college athletics. Perhaps it is time for state officials to take a refresher course on the importance of the state university system before they take another unfair swipe at students' pocketbooks. An NCAA 'death penalty' The SMU football program has a history of NCAA rule infractions. Since 1958, the university's program has been put on probation seven times for violating NCAA recruiting rules. Criticisms of alumni involvement have mounted in the recruiting violations, and in 1985, an SMU alumnus was banned from booster activities after contributing about $61,000 in cash payments for student athletes. But the threat and realities of these penalties did little to deter repeat offenders. In a probationary period, the program merely incurred the loss of scholarship, bowl and television benefits. The benefits of the additional alumni financing and the ability to attract quality athletes made the violations well worth the risk of such light sentences. In 1985, the NCAA member schools approved the harsher "death penalty." It said that a two-time offender of NCAA rules runs the risk of being shut down for a maximum of two years. When discoveries were made of SMU players receiving illicit payments of up to $725 monthly, the NCAA had no choice but to enforce it's policy. It cancelled SMU's 1987 schedule, reduced its coaching staff, and enforced traditional probationary penalties. SMU's violations are not uncommon to NCAA football, but with strict enforcement of threatening penalties, they may be a thing of the past. The NCAA showed good judgment in enforcing their "death penalty" and in encouraging integrity in college football. The U.S. Supreme Court again has steered the country toward practices of equality. A decision for equality In a controversial 5-4 decision, the court approved an affirmative action plan to promote a black for each white in the work force. The decision satisfied civil rights groups, but frustrated the Reagan administration. The administration has said that it would continue to fight affirmative action programs, which it refers to as "reverse discrimination." programs become an important effort to ensure fairness for minorities in the work force. Supreme Court supporters of affirmative action say the programs are essential to remedy discriminatory treatment of minorities, especially racial and ethnic groups. opponents consider the program unfair to the majority. The United States has come a long way, but still is far from reaching equality. In a perfect society, this program would be unnecessary. But society isn't perfect, so affirmative action A majority of the court has continued to support affirmative action programs and has made up its mind for the moment. The court's decision is a much-needed reminder that employers must be sensitive to discriminatory practices, intentional or unintentional. 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 Dulmeier Photo editor Bill Skeet Graphics editor Tom Eblen General manager, news adviser Business staff Lisa Weems Business manager Bronn Hardy Ad director Denise Stephens Retail sales manager Kelly Scherer Campus sales manager Duncan Calhoun Marketing manager Lori Copple Classified manager Roger Mumanski 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 a university, provide its name and email address. 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. w The word should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 700 words. The Guest shots should be photographed. w The word should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 700 words. The The University Daily Kansas (USP5 650-640) is published at the University of Kansas, 118 Stairwater FIll-Hall Law, Kanon, K6045, 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, Kanon, K6045 by mail or $40 per year in College City outside the county. Student subscriptions are $3 and are paid through the student activity fee POSTMASTER. Send address changes to the University Daily Kansas, 118 Stauffer-Fint Hall, Lawrence, KA 66045. Looking for new White House leader I don't hear much talk anymore about repealing the 23rd Amendment, which would allow Reagan to run for a third term. Christian Colbert MHS14QQ Orgid Form Columnist Even right- wingers are indicting Reagan's "management style" George Will, a columnist and friend of the president, is calling him lazzy and ill-informed. The Detached Management Style. I am neither surprised nor distressed about the crippling of the imperial presidency of Reagan. When one considers that the president's two key advisers have been Don Regan and Nancy, it's hardly surprising why both the foreign and domestic policies are in such disarray. What's more frightening, though, is that Ronny might decide to follow the advice of TV commentators and friends, who are pleading for him to take control of the reigns. Do we really want a president in control who, during staff meetings, either doodles, naps, talks in anecdotes, is either indifferent, or just plain unable to understand policy ramifications; who thinks bombing the Soviets in five minutes is a good joke? Insofar as the interests of democracy are concerned, the weakening of the Reagan presidency is the result. Since the resignation of Nixon The president, after all, has flouted the tenets of democracy. While paying lip service to checks and balances, accountability and honesty, the president has tortured us with a secret government, run by a bunch of lying, bumbling incompetents. Reagan's "management style" has disgraced our country. He has no credibility and no longer deserves our trust. Trust is not earned by deceit, unaccountability, laziness and false emotional patriotism. We deserve more from our government. The Irangate riddle, far from damaging our country, has provided us with the opportunity to see through the facade of Reagan's policies. Perhaps, now, we can awake and stop the madness of killing innocent people trying to build democracy in Nicaragua, of an out-of-control arms race, of a mindset that ignores the peace of Soviet Union and of deficit spending that is jeopardizing our future. At this point, the highest patriciate duty anyone could perform would be to call for the impaction of Reagan. If a student or worker had the "management style" of Reagan, he would flunk out or be fired, respectively. Why should the president should be treated any different? Impeaching Reagan is the only way to pick up on a government where public purpose overrides private interest. Thomas Paine wrote in "Common Sense," "We have it in our power to begin the world all over again." The first step in exercising this power must be the repudiation of Reaganism. Exhibit serves as reminder of the Holocaust On Thursday, I went to see the Anne Frank diary exhibit at the Museum of Anthropology. Even though I already had seen similar exhibits countless times, I found 45 minutes to look at the striking images and words of Anne Frank's Daniele Fiorentino Guest Shot story. I saw in a few pictures the horror of Nazism. I saw what humankind can degrade itself to. I saw the fear of the people who were deported to extermination camps. I had seen other exhibits before, as well as films and documentaries. I had read books about Nazism and the plight of the Jewish people. I had heard many stories. I was raised in post-war Europe by parents who were contemporaries of Anne Frank and who were fortunate enough to escape the terror of a world of darkness — a world that was killing reason. Many of my parents' friends and relatives disappeared in Auschwitz, Treblinka and Bergen-Belsen. Twenty-five percent of the Jewish population of Italy died in extermination camps. Although many people do not know, and do not want to know, Germans built, with the help of Italian Fascists, an extermination camp in northern Italy. The camp was located near di San Sabina many Jews and political opponents of Fascism were killed and cremated there. escaped the raid. In Rome on Oct. 16, 1943, the Nazi went house to house to take away Jews whose names they found on a roster that listed the members of the Jewish community. About 6,000 people were herded into prisons and warehouses that day. In the following days, they were shipped to their deaths somewhere in Poland or Germany. I grew up hearing stories about mass deportation, hiding and fear of the Nazis. For a long time, I dreamed about the SS coming to take my parents and me away. But sometimes, I also dreamed of resisting the Nazis, of opposing this irrational, hideous and overwhelming force of death. When I was destroyed the lives of millions, a darkness that was created by man. It is hard to understand the reasons for what happened. There is no rationale that can help the world cope with such a tragedy, as there was neither rationale nor hope in the extermination camps. Such brutality has justification in the human world is human. It is perpetrated by men. My parents went into hiding and During my childhood and adolescence, I learned never to forget what happened to the Jews of Europe between 1933 and 1945. Although everyone should know about the horrors that the people of Europe suffered at the time, I have learned that many do not know. I went to see the exhibit, but I realize that most of my friends on campus did not go. I had heard many stories similar to the one told in the exhibit. I knew the story of Anne Frank. I personally experienced the frightening presence of fascist, anti-Semitic movements. Yet I went. I realize that many people do not know who Anne Frank was or what exactly happened at that time. But they should know — they should learn about the aberrations of humankind. People should remember and bear inside the pain and sorrow of what happened. Remembrance is the only instrument we have to resist the horror of man's hatred against man. We must never forget. Remembrance should help us avoid a recurrence of the horrors of mass extermination. The world has yet to learn this lesson. Daniele Fiorentino is a graduate student in history from Rome, Italy. Mailbox Being fair to the fans Once again, we, the loyal fans of the Kansas Jayhawks, find it within our hearts to give thanks to the Williams Fund Foundation and the University of Kansas Athletic Department. We thank them for devising this wonderful post-season basketball ticket lottery because, as Assistant Athletic Director Richard Konzem said, "Last year's policy was not fair or sophisticated." (Kansan, Thursday, Feb. 26). Welcome to the age of sophistication! I happened to be one of the first campers in line for Final Four tickets last year, and it was perfectly fair. Those who cared enough and made the personal sacrifice were the ones who got to go. I feel sorry for the deserving fan at last year's regionalists who may have been cheated, but now no one wins. This lottery system destroys the intensity that "camping out" can produce from a truly hungry basketball fan. And, even if you and one of your friends both happen to be selected by the lottery, there is still no guarantee that you will be sitting together. Sitting alone among 70,000 strangers in the Superdome sounds really comforting. The next time all you KUAC folks sit behind your Round Table and pass legislation concerning the student body, think about being "fair" to your loyal fans. Michael Gentemann O'Fallon, mo. senior Brad Oliver Leawood senior Michael Dervin Leawood senior Tom Kipnberger St. Louis senior Kevin Dervin Leawood junior Todd Glimore St. Louis senior I just can't believe Kris Kurttenbach could write anything as shallow or as inaccurate as her article on the movie "Platon." "Platon" is a film of the highest quality and depth. It doesn't have to tell the viewer why the action is taking place or the thoughts of the movie's characters. Likes blood and guts Part of the charm of "Platoon" is its subtlety. The viewer must think And what's the matter with blood and guts? I saw "Commando" and the Rambo movies and, as is the case with "Platoon," the impact of the movie is just that much more forceful because we get to see our noble U.S. patriots ice those worthless foreigners. for himself, and he will discover what Kurtenbach was unable to figure out for herself. Nancy A. Navran Overland Park junior In my mind, there's nothing better than seeing some good of' boys blow the brains out of the enemy. I'm sick of hearing bleeding heart liberals spew their pacifist drive. Print this one in favor of the M-16. Real point of show I would like to commend the participants of Rock Chalk Revue on a great job, but I think that they missed the purpose of the show. Instead of donating all of the profits to the United Way, the participants spent part of their earnings buying trophies for themselves. The Greek system constantly is reminding us of how they contribute to the community, but in the case of Rock Chalk Revue, we were reminded of only who was giving and not what they were giving. I wonder what percentage of my ticket went to the United Way and how much went to purchasing trophies? I think that the spirit of giving was lost in selfishness. At the end of the show, I was inspired when the entire cast came out and sang the United Way theme song, "We Can Move the Mountains," but the real attractions were the trophies and bottles of champagne behind the curtain. The show also featured a character than a charity fundraiser I left when they began to present awards. I didn't care who won. Maybe they did deserve something for working hard to put on the production, but why couldn't their prize happen when the satisfaction of helping others? BLOOM COUNTY by Berke Breathed --- -