6
Tuesday, February 23, 1988 / University Daily Kansan
Community splits on textbook ruling
By Kim Lightle
Kansan staff writer
Although local school teachers praised yesterday's action by the Supreme Court requiring Christian fundamentalist children to read public school textbooks, some Lawrence religious groups were disappointed.
The court threw out an appeal by seven Tennessee families who said their religious freedom had been violated because their children were forced to read "godless" textbooks.
See related story
D. 7.
The families contended that they should be able to ask public school teachers to supply alternative books when they felt their children were being taught from material that violated their religious beliefs.
Many Lawrence teachers, including Janet Meyn, an English teacher at Lawrence High School, said they were relieved.
"I was very pleased," Mody said. "It would have been very dangerous thing if their view had been upheld."
She said she was concerned that some textbook companies, to avoid lawsuits, would cut out material that included sections from activists on either side.
Although she has assigned individual students alternative readings
when they found a book objectionable, Mody said she couldn't do that for all students.
Darrell Ward, who teaches the Bible as Literature at Lawrence High School, said the school seldom had parents or students object to material because Lawrence was a liberal-minded community.
But many members of the local religious community viewed the court's action less favorably.
Joe Bucha, director of the Campus Crusade for Christ, said the uling concerned him as a parent.
The action was a violation of human rights and ought to concern not only Christians but all parents, he said.
Tim Folds, pastor of the Faith Southern Baptist Church, 1000 New York St., said that he didn't think the stories read in school had hurt his children but that parents should have some say in what their children read.
"It should be the parents' prerogative," he said.
Laura Oakes, president of the Baptist Student Center, 1629 W. 19th St., said that although deciding what books children could read was a controversial issue, it was sometimes acceptable to ban books.
"Somebody has to draw a line."
"You make children look so hard to make children read they will be blown away."
Democratic chairman criticizes caucus system
By Jill Jess
Kansan staff writer
Area primary would boost participation
Although a presidential primary system would cost taxpayers more money than the caucus system, a primary would allow more participation, the Democratic state chairman said last night.
The speech to 17 people in the Kansas Union's Alderson Auditorium was the second of a three-part series in which party representatives were invited to speak on campus. Fred Logan, state Republican chairman, spoke Feb. 16 and Steve Marshall, of the Socialist Worker's Party, will speak at 8 p.m. tonight in the Union's Jayhawk Room. The series is sponsored by Student Activities.
The 1980 presidential primary cost Kansas about $1.1 million, Parrish said, again citing the
Citing Kansas Secretary of State Bill Graves' statistics, Chairman Jim Parrish said that 479,316 people voted in the 1980 presidential primary, while 40,000 are expected to participate in caucuses in both parties this year.
"We have to ask ourselves the question of whether this caucus system is really all that it's cracked up to be when few people are participating." Parrish said.
W,
We have to ask ourselves the question of whether this caucus system is really all that it's cracked up to be when so few people are participating.'
Jim Parrish
state chairman, Democratic Party
secretary of state's figures. Party caucuses cost the state nothing, he said, and cost the party about $50,000.
In 1976 the Legislature passed a bill allowing for a presidential primary in 1980, but with a "sunset" clause. According to the clause, all presidential primaries after 1980 would have to be approved by the Legislature.
Democratic county caucuses in Kansas will be March 19. Delegates from these caucuses will go to the state Democratic convention April 23 in Topeka. Delegates will be chosen there for the national convention July 18-21 in Atlanta. Kansas has 43 delegates for the national convention.
Stephen Wade/KANSAN
delegation would have an influence on the choice of the Democratic candidate.
Jim Parrish
Parrish said that the Kansas
"I think Kansas is going to have a voice in the selection of the nominee. We've been ignored; there's been Iowa and there's been New Hampshire; there's Super Tuesday where 22 states are going to be jumping in the parade," Parrish said. "And then along come
Kansas with it's 43 delegates.
"Forty-seven percent of the delegates will have been selected by the time we get to Kansas, and I predict there'll be no clear front-runner. In fact we'll probably still have five candidates still in the race at that time. And all at once Kansas and other states like Kansas begin to look pretty important."
CASTLE TEA ROOM
1307 Massachusetts 843-1151
All Reservations 24 Hours In Advance
COMPLETE COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Hyundai Monochrome Monitor
Monochrome Monitor
640K
360K Drive
Serial Port
Parallel Port
6 Expansion Slots
Multi-Video Card /
Clock/Clock Manager
$895
Included With Computer
GW-BASIC 3.2
MS-DOS 3.2
Spreadsheet
Data Base
Word Processor
Telecommunications
842-6379
Did you know that your student activity fee funds a law office for students? Most services are available at NO CHARGE!
Legal Services for Students
- Advice on most legal matters
- Preparation & review of legal documents
- Notarization of legal documents
- Many other services available
8:30 to 5:00 Mon. thru Friday
148 Burge Union 864-5665
Call or drop by to make an appointment.
Funded by student activity fee.
STUDENT UNION ACTIVITIES
TODAY IS SUADAY
STUDENT UNION ACTIVITIES
9:00 PM
KANSAS UNION BALLROOM
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT SUA OFFICE
AND WE'RE CELEBRATING OUR 50TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH AN OPEN
SUA INFORMATION TABLE
LOCATION: KANSAS UNION, SUA OFFICE FREE PENCILS
BROCHURES
OPEN HOUSE INFO
TIME: 9 AM - 3 PM
FREE POPCORN W/ COUPON 9 AM - 2 PM
(COUPOP AVAILABLE ON COUPOP PAGE
9-3:30, KANSAS UNION GALLERY
FREE
JOIN THE JAYBOWL FOR
MIDNIGHT
MADNESS
7-CLOSE 4$/3 GAMES
3-7 PM 50 CENT LANES
WINTER PARK RESORT
500$ OF PLAY MONEY
AT THE DOOR
ROULETTE, BLACK JACK,
YOU NAME IT...
NO ADMISSION CHARGE
7 PM - 9 PM
ENTERTAINMENT BY CHUCK BERG'S JAZZ BAND
PRIZES EVERY HALF HOUR
GRAND PRIZE DRAWING AT 9 PM FOR A SPOT ON THE SUA SKI TRIP!!
(MUST BE PRESENT IN ORDER TO ACCEPT PRIZE)
SUA LECTURE STEVE MARSHALI
MEMBER OF THE SOCIALIST WORKER'S PARTY IN KANSAS CITY
8:00 IN THE JAYHAWK ROOM OF THE KANSAS UNION