The University Daily Kansan emphasizes the First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. COMMENTARY: Columnist-at-large Kelsey Hayes relishes throwing caution to the wind and enjoying in the journey of life abroad. See Kansan.com for more opinions and Free for All comments WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2007 WWW.KANSAN.COM THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN PAGE 5A 》 OUR VIEW Steer clear of media craze and form an educated opinion in 2008 An already vocal lament about the 2008 presidential campaign, aside from its ridiculously early commencement, is the media's focus on the hypercompetitive "horserace" aspect of it. Policy matters and substantive issues are largely ignored, displaced by endless polls, "favorable ratings" and the imagery of battle. But another aspect of the media's coverage threatens to submarine a candidate before he even stands a chance; the predetermined declaration of who exhibits the best "electability." Sunflower State native son Sam Brownback, his campaign in struggling infancy, is already a victim of this unfortunate trend. Rarely will you see Brownback's name in the media far from any number of demeaning adjectival terms: "fringe," "long shot," "little known," et al. Because he knew the name recognition of more prominent politicians like Rudy Giuliani, Brownback is relegated to the edges of the Republican field, far We are thus presented with a vexing conundrum, electoral and semantic; to what extent does the media's description of a candidate's status simply reflect reality, and to what extent does it unfairly compel voters to dismiss a candidate based on his perceived lack of electability? Does the media's description of a lesser known candidate in fact cement that candidate's obscure standing, barring him from advancing from those to whom the media ascribes "frontrunner" status. toward possible election? There is no denying that Brownback lacks the celebrity of Giuliani or Senator John McCain. But he is at least as accomplished as former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, whose main credentials as a frontrunner seem to be a prodigious knack for raising money and an ever-evolving and politically expedient set of principles. However, the diminutive description of Brownback's candidacy inherently prevents most voters from considering him, much less learning his stances of various policy areas. For example, how many among us know that Brownback has been a vocal opponent of the troop surge in Iraq? Or that he is a leading supporter of aid to Darfur, the humanitarian cause du jour? He is often described as being ardently pro-life, but he also works to help children after birth, sponsoring bills to end sex trafficking and assist refugees. But these talk- mg points are largely lost in the swirling media storm of polls, fundraising, and battleground states. Take care to form your own opinions and interpretations of candidates and their platforms. Don't let our preconceived election story angles—frontrunner, dark horse, long shot, etc. define who you support or how you vote. McKay Stangler for the editorial board. COMMENTARY Enjoy the journey of life, with or without maps According to Herman Melville, the true places can't be found on any map. In spite of this, I'd still rather carry the maps. I'm cautious like that If all is going well, I'm in Amsterdam at this very moment, strolling down the Rembrandtplein or visiting the Van Gogh Museum. I'm towards the beginning of a four-week trek across Europe, which is how I'm spending my spring break There's something amazing about putting together and planning My best friend and I have been planning this for nearly as long as we both planned to study abroad. We evolved from looking up hostels and train fares in coffeeshops to actually booking hostels and buying train tickets. Our parents didn't really believe what we were actually planning until we finally did it. a journey that makes me giddy. The anticipation is almost as amazing as the actual experience. While my friend researched every hostel in Europe, practically I paimak. ingly plotted our course and labeled maps. The result is something that's uniquely ours, something that no one else can ever really share. KANSAN.COLUMNIST OPINION@KANSAN.COM Our trip is elaborate and far-flung. It begins in Paris, winds through Germany and Italy and ends in Lisbon. It involves numerous churches, art that will probably make me cry when I see it and landmarks that helped shape western civilization. Yet at the same time, it's still just use. Two college girls who a long time ago thought it'd be fun to go backpacking. When I imagine our trip, it becomes hard to see all the landmarks. I mostly just picture us wandering foreign streets. I picture the two of us fumbling with our French and German, making a meal of cheap wine, bread and sausage, running to make the trains and dancing in nightclubs. In other words, I picture us exploring the places that aren't on the map. I'm glad that we have the combination of both the known and the unknown on this trip. Obviously the Eiffel Tower, Brandenburg Gate and the Forum will be where we expect them to be. However, it's the expeditions down the back roads that I imagine will define the tour. It's these jaunts that will set our experience apart from all the others. I appreciate the fact that most people will never have an opportunity like this. However, all the Monet paintings and palaces in Europe would be meaningless without a true friend to share them with. A night at home with a friend can be greater than touring the Vatican alone. I suppose I'm just lucky that I get to have both, although I'd choose the former in a heartbeat. Hayes is a Lenexa sophomore in journalism and political science. She is studying abroad this year in Reading, UK. COMMENTARY Lawrence deserves to take part in American tradition of fireworks Fireworks have long been an important part of our society, used to celebrate and, in a way, exemplify our freedom. The act of lighting fireworks is an apt metaphor for the American dream, and the essence of what makes us great. The ability to take a risk, in this case lighting the fuse, but to do so prudently, and for that risk being rewarded with a grand, brilliant display in the sky and to take pride in the fact that you caused it. And this is what we have been doing as a nation for the past 250 years. The founding fathers started a war with an imperial superpower, and then ended up assembling the worlds first democratic republic. Then the settlers 60 years later, moved west, facing the elements, the wildlife, and indian attacks along the way. And as a result, they gave America the size and resources it enjoys today. And since then, it has been the multitudes of immigrants who have given up their lives in their home countries to make a name for themselves here, that have made this country what it is today. BY ZACH WHITE And yet this universal symbol of freedom has been outlawed in Lawrence. This is troubling because the government has once again decided that not only are people BY ZACH WHITE KANSAN COLUMNIST OPINION@KANSAN.COM not responsible enough to take care of themselves, or know what is dangerous, but that the government needs to tell people what is dangerous. Both of these statements are incorrect, and offensively so. This effort, apparently carried out in the name of protecting the people, in that special way only the government can, is just another turn of the wheel on the medieval rack, to which the concept of individual responsibility seems to be strapped. But it's not just the governments fault. The government is a kid that we aren't watching as well as we should. We don't want to be bothered with personally forming an opinion on fireworks, or car seatbelts, or cross-fats, so we pay someone to tell us what to think about these things. I say, America needs to grow some balls. Yet when I have, on a few occasions actually, been witness to a group of drunken party attendees screaming about and eventually detonating fireworks in a front yard somewhere, I realize there's hope for this nation, and it brings a tear to my eye. A little American tear. FREE FOR ALL Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansan editors reserve the right to omit comments. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming Call 864-0500 I'm going back to Washington to take back the White House! calls are recorded. White is a River City, Iowa sophomore in journalism and Japanese Why wasn't anyone smiling when they looked at the UDK on Monday? banker. Now, if you decide to take the money, you go. If you don't you still have one more case which you may open. Free for All, my question for you is this: Deal or no deal? I feel like my Spring Break was uneventful. I didn't come back on Whoever unlocked the roof access door on Strong Hall is seriously disturbed. Free for All, my roommate and I are naked together right now, because it is so hot in Ellsworth, Alrigh, Free for All, you've been given a very high offer from the banker. Now, if you decide to There truly is nothing greater than a girl in a slightly-drenched, white T-shirt wearing no bra. God, I love ing the world down crunch ing the world down ing the world down When Chuck Norris does pushups, he isn't doing a pushup, he's pushing the world down. KU Parking Department, don't you know that I have to eat dinner? I hate you to eat! Okay, so I got a great idea. Since we pay so gosh-darn much for tuition at this stinkin university, we should get five parking amnesties from the Parking Department, Does anyone else think the campus smells like spooge today? 图 because they're evil. --in Iraq is as untenable as a hasty withdrawal, which is why overseeing a partition, which is the only viable role for American troops in Iraq. Several astute observers have recently noted that anarchic partition is already occurring in the status quo. Traditionally mixed neighborhoods in Baghdad and around the country are gradually, and violently, segregate themselves into Sunni and Shia districts. Northern Kurdistan is already a semi-autonomous and relatively stable state anyway, but deserves protection from the spreading unrest to its south. An external force can protect the civilians fleeing sectarian strife while ensuring a reasonably equitable distribution of resources. THE PLATONIC LOVECHILD When homeless people have their period, they use the Free for All section. MRG Grant Snider/KANSAN GUEST COMMENTARY The time for an effective American policy in Iraq is quickly running out, and the country can't afford to let the accelerating partisanship of the presidential campaign preclude a thoughtful strategy for Iraq. A surge in American troops can't address Iraq's political dysfunction, but a quick withdrawal would leave thousands of Iraqi civilians to the mercy of sectarian militias and Islamic fundamentalists. The only viable role left for the United States military is to facilitate Iraq's inevitable partition. Prominent politicians ought to focus on good politics rather than winning politics. Iraq strategy needs improvement The U.S. can't sustain the status quo. The 2005 Dick Cheney claim that the Iraqi insurgency was in "its last throws" was not only demonstrably false, but underscores the White House's misinterpretation of events in Iraq. There's never been a singular insurgency for coalition forces to fight. Instead, various ethnic and religious sects have sought to violently protect their own narrow interests. Throwing 20,000 more troops at the problem can only increase resentment against American occupation at a time when polls show an overwhelming majority of Iraqis of all sects want U.S. troops to leave. Iraqi polls, however, can't dictate U.S. foreign policy. American troops are currently the only obstacle to an even worse disaster in Iraq than the one now on our hands. An immediate withdrawal would unleash a hell failed state that would demand later American intervention An unending American presence A split Iraq is hardly the beacon of democracy President Bush promised in 2003. Partition risks greater intervention by Iran in the Shite areas and Saudi Arabia in the Sunni zone. The Iraqis themselves are more concerned with their families' safety than the geopolitical ramifications of their movements. American politicians need to formulate policy based on these conditions and not on partisan pandering. By offering a political resolution to Iraq's problems, partition frees American troops from policing a civil war and offers them a clearly-defined and short term mission. It's not the perfect answer to Iraq's troubles, but to think that such a solution exists echoes the hubris that motivated the Iraqi misadventure in the first place. 》TALK TO US Gabriella Souza, editor 864-4854 or qsouza@kansan.com Nicole Kelley, managing editor 864-4854 or nkelley@kansan.com Patrick Ross. managing editor 864-4854 or press@kansan.com Natalie Johnson; associate opinion editor 864-4924 or njohnson@kansan.com Lindsey Shirack, business manager 864-4014 or lshirack@ikansan.com Andrew MacDonald Overland Park senior Jackie Schaffer, sales manager 864-4462 or jschaffer@kansan.com Malcolm Gibson, general manager, news adviser 864-7667 or mqbisonii@kansan.com >> SUBMISSIONS Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing adviser 864-7666 or jweaver@kansan.com The Kansan welcomes letters to the editor and quest columns submitted by students, faculty and alumni. The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length, or reject all submissions. For any questions, call Courtney Hagen or Natalie Johnson at 864-4810 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com. General questions should be directed to the editor at editor@kansan.com LETTER GUIDELINES Maximum Length: 200 words Include: Author's name, class, hometown (student) or position (faculty member/staff) and phone number (will not be published) SUBMIT LETTERS TO Maximum Length: 500 words GUEST COLUMN GUIDELINES Instructor Information Include: Author's name, class, hometown (student), position (faculty member/staff), phone number (will not be published) 111 Staferff Flint Hall 1415 Jafray Bldw Lawrence, KS 66045 (7853) 848-4810 oakamsman.ks.com Also: The kansan will not print question columns that attack a reporter or another columnist. Gabriella Souza, Nacole Kelley, Patrick Ross, Courtney Hagen, Natalie Johnson, Alison Kieler, Tasha Riggins and McKay Stangler