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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.
WHITE: The protests that will recognize the fourth anniversary of the Iraq war represent an annoying, outdated means of expression.
TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2007 WWW.KANSAN.COM
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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
PAGE 7A
》 OUR VIEW
Recent gains in Iraq deserve recognition
Members of the news media, even those of us toiling in the most humble of venues, are often accused of highlighting the exclusively bad news emerging from the war in Iraq. While it may be true that the bloodiest battles get the most ink, let's also acknowledge that those battles are bigger stories and events than the rebuilding of various components of Iraqi infrastructure. It is unfortunate, but also sadly true, that American deaths garner the most press attention in the faraway war, while positive news goes overlooked or ignored.
Let's take time, then, to recognize two important positive developments in the war. In the last two weeks, Iraq has seen major progress in two areas. First, the three major ethnic and religious groups in the fledgling nation agreed in principle to a revenue-sharing accord with regard to Iraq's vast oil deposits. Second, the U.S. and Britain indicated that they are willing to engage in regional diplomatic talks with Iran and Syria, two heretofore blacklisted nations.
These two undisputed steps forward are quite significant. The preliminary power-sharing between the three groups in Iraq's new government has been a tumultuous, and a great deal of the obstruction has stemmed from oil revenue disputes. If the Suns, Shites, and Kurds can find a way to agree in total
ity on a plan to peacefully divide oil wealth, it will mark an unprecedented breakthrough in the rocky relations between those groups.
Similarly, the American and British acknowledgement, however resigned it may be, that seeking regional cooperation and stability with two Middle East powers is of vital importance is encouraging. The evidence of Iran's meddling in Iraq, hyped or otherwise, is troubling and must be addressed. Iran and Syria, despite their radical and lofty rhetoric, have a vested interest in maintaining a stable Iraq. If the U.S. and Britain are prepared to at least concede their relevance in this case, the future of the Middle East looks brighter indeed.
No one will be mistaking Iraq for a placid locale anytime soon. The country remains a horrific place, fraught with peril for American soldiers and Iraqi citizens alike. But before we sound the drumbeat of cynicism once again in our reporting, let us recognize that progress is being made. Someday, we can hope, the cradle of civilization at the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates will flourish once again, and the American presence will be but a distant memory. Until that point, we wish the best for all those working for peace and stability.
McKay Stangler for the editorial board.
>> LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Free for All comment spreads intolerance
This past Thursday, March 1, The University Daily Kansas Free for All printed a most obscene statement that read, "I thought palm ashes came from the Holocaust?" While a quote like this shows the ignorant nature of the caller it also demonstrates the Kansan's complete and utter disregard of their guidelines for the Free for All which state, "Kansas editors reserve the right to omit comments. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed."
The lack of professionalism and discretion shown here by numerous members of the Kansan disappoints
us severely.
As American citizens we would never challenge the right to freedom of speech, but we will challenge the acts of those who are with prejudice and in need of humanizing. We hold it our responsibility, not only as Jews, but as human beings, to bring tolerance and culpability to those who contuse ignorance with humor.
Signed,
Signed.
Liz Cohen, Elliot Kort, Bridey Maidhof, Max Stettner, Allie Stillman, Casey Topol, Sarah Zurovsky
KU Hillel Executive Board
COMMENTARY
New times call for new ways to express discontent
Recently "the wire" has been abuzz with activity concerning the upcoming fourth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, mostly about the numerous and large protests that will recognize this event. People have scheduled and organized gatherings and marches in major cities across the nation, our very own Lawrence included. As you read this, I am sure the countless malcontents are formulating their
the conflict. I mean, it's probably one of the biggest explanations for the recent shift in both the Congress and state governnerships. And a pulsing throng chanting outside people's offices just reiterates this. It is redundant, and at best a nuisance. It will likely be viewed as the equivalent of having millions of 8-year-olds screaming "Are we there yet?" from the back seat of our fine nation.
slogans. But, frankly, I doubt the effectiveness of these measures, and for two reasons. It is just frightfully cliche.People have been gathering, picketing and yelling in unison for decades now. It's kind of old hat
The first
is that the American politicians are already aware of the widespread discontent Americans feel about
The second reason is that it is just trightfully cliché. People have been gathering, picketing, and yelling in unison for decades now. It's kind of old hat.
This means of expressing dissenting opinions has had its time and place, and has now outlived its
BY ZACH WHITE
usefulness
OPINION@KANSAN.COM
It seems that most causes have almost had an intrinsic means of expressing themselves. Gandhi and his fight for Indian independence had hunger strikes, the American civil rights movement had long walks, and bringing back old Coke had apathy-driven boycotts. These particular forms of protest are almost associated with their original purposes, and at worst just cheapen their original uses.
most effective for this particular movement to develop its own, new means of portraying itself to the people and policy makers of America and the world. I think the contemporary satire of "The Daily Show" and "Colbert Report" has done a wonderful job of bringing social and political awareness to the public, so they might be on to something. But it will take something original, and someone really intelligent, to take it the step further. And whoever it is, I wish them the best of luck in overcoming the traditional connotation of the heathen hippy currently associated with the anti-war movement.
This is why it would be
White is a River City, Iowa, sophomore in journalism and Japanese.
Grant Snider/KANSAN
FREE FOR ALL
Call 864-0500
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 calls are recorded.
recorded.
I think classes should be canceled on Friday, so everyone can watch the K1L game.
图
Lawrence should boycott Spani-
bles, because the more money we give those people, the more commercials will come.
I just decided that I'm going to
My girlfriends and I partied like rock stars with the OSU men's rugby team, and we got totally wasted, and they still beat KU
today
vote for the coalition that uses the most square-feet of chalk on Waco beach.
win? Make your shots!
Sitting in your room and making spit bubbles with your roommate is definitely more exciting than studying for a psychology
Free for All, do you know what the word "humina" means? H-U-M-I-N-A. My roommate says that word means uber-hot. I hope she's right!
test
I'm trying to get some studying done at the library, and I can't focus, because the browns totally lifted in Alight.
Free for All, I'm hiding in the closet. It's 8:30 in the morning, and I don't want to go out for the fire alarm, because I have a test.
Does that make me a bad person?
There's a fire drill, and I'm hiding in the closet. Shh, don't tell.
To the person who pulled the fire alarm at 8, in the cold: I will
find you
To the men's basketball team and staff. Thank you so much for making my last home game one
to reme
It's Allen Fieldhouse. I don't understand why people still yell "Chiefs" at the end of the National Anthem.
潮
Hey free-throw-shooters, get your head in the game! I mean, come on man! Don't you want to
Dear Life cereal, where do you
Dear Life cereal, where do you get off? Part of a balanced breakfast and nutrition? Who do you think you are? By now, I hope you can see I'm speaking ironically, and I only have good
things to say about you.
wear!
Ugg boots and shorts. Fashion has just reached a new low.
What, did you just roll off of some guy, and you had to get to class? Get some friggin' shoe-
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EDITORIAL BOARD
Gabriella Souza, Nicole Kelley, Patrick Ross, Courtney Hagen,
Natalie Johnson, Alison Klee, Tasha Riggs and McKay
Stangler
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