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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.
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2007 WWW.KANSAN.COM
EDITORIAL: Twenty years ago students across the country were vocalizing their opinions. Today, many aren't physically speaking out. See Kansan.com for more opinions and Free for All comments
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
PAGE 7A
》 OUR VIEW
Students need to voice their opinions
Student protests that were so powerful in past decades have become all but non-existent here in America today. Maybe it's the new medium, maybe it's the issues or maybe it's just apathy. Today's student groups are either working for a cause so far detached from their every day lives or they're using various mediums to connect rather than standing on a street corner yelling with a sign.
Students in Iran, Chile and many other countries still protest. American students are noticeably lacking in this category. While we do not see the atrocities day-in and day-out that many of these other active student protesting countries do, American students have an abundance of issues right here in the United States to get loud about. So why do we walk to class with our iPods in rather than a sign in our hand?
Students in America have access to modern technology that allow them to post their frustrations on a blog. Instead of
standing outside a local official's office with signs, students can protest by posting on a blog that speaks out against their issue of choice. Supporting the people of Sudan has been reduced to a Facebook group now. Acknowledging that the ethnic cleansing going on in Darfur is wrong is a start. Feeling passionate enough about the issue to take that extra step is even better.
We're extremely lucky as Americans. We have it better than most. Yet, there are still many issues in our own backyard that need addressing. The old adage "Actions speak louder than words" is sometimes true. Letters, blogs and Facebook support shouldn't stop. However, there's something to be said about a group uniting under an issue that they all feel passionately about. Not to mention, people yelling with signs always garners attention.
— Tasha Riggins for the editorial board.
Call 864-0500
almost every scene, "Pirates" may have been amusing and pleasing to watch, but "Crash," which cost $6.5 million to make and grossed $54.5 million, was just as enjoyable to watch with its intricate plotline and bounty of popular actors; plus it gave attention to a subject often ignored; the rise of racial hostility.
FREE FOR ALL
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansas editors reserve the right to omit comments. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded.
Chuck Norris donates blood, and the blood drive is not can-
almost every scene, "Pirates" may have been amusing and pleasing to watch, but "Crash," which cost $6.5 million to make and grossed $54.5 million, was just as enjoyable to watch with its intricate plotline and bounty of popular actors; plus it gave attention to a subject often ignored; the rise of racial hostility.
In response to "I thought the palm ashes came from the Holocaust": I thought Free-for-All doesn't print lewd and obscene
almost every scene, "Pirates" may have been amusing and pleasing to watch, but "Crash," which cost $6.5 million to make and grossed $54.5 million, was just as enjoyable to watch with its intricate plotline and bounty of popular actors; plus it gave attention to a subject often ignored; the rise of racial hostility.
To whoever called in and said that Delta Force hates greeks: I'm not even in Delta Force, and I know that's stupid and wrong.
Maybe if Brandon Rush spent less time drinking at The Hawk and more time shooting some jumpers he had better games.
almost every scene, "Pirates" may have been amusing and pleasing to watch, but "Crash," which cost $6.5 million to make and grossed $54.5 million, was just as enjoyable to watch with its intricate plotline and bounty of popular actors; plus it gave attention to a subject often ignored; the rise of racial hostility.
To the so-and-so that knocked off my side-view mirror and tossed it on top of my hood like it was nothing; I cast an infertility spell on you, so check your sex
organ
My roommate's room just caught
That is probably the bubbliest urine I have ever seen.
on.
To the girl in the green jacket, who is peeing outside GSP: We saw you! Haha!
I can't believe you printed that comment. Since when did the Free-for-All become anti-Se-
Low-budget films in spotlight
Free-for-All, why don't you go back to your home on Whore
mitic
>> DECONSTRUCTING MEDIA
Island
The old saying goes like this, "You have to spend money to make money." But the movie industry is figuring out that the saying isn't always right.
You're a greek in Delta Force?
Traitor! Turn in your polos and flin-flin now.
I just saw my girlfriend making out with another guy at the Hoo kah House. What a frickin' slut.
almost every scene, "Pirates" may have been amusing and pleasing to watch, but "Crash," which cost $6.5 million to make and grossed $54.5 million, was just as enjoyable to watch with its intricate plotline and bounty of popular actors; plus it gave attention to a subject often ignored; the rise of racial hostility.
Do I look like a sorority girl to
you?
Free-for-All, sorry I haven't called
If you haven't noticed, low-budget films have been taking over movie theaters in the last decade and have been garnering impressive numbers in the box office, too. Huge budgets are no longer required to make outstanding, highly praised films.
almost every scene, "Pirates" may have been amusing and pleasing to watch, but "Crash," which cost $6.5 million to make and grossed $54.5 million, was just as enjoyable to watch with its intricate plotline and bounty of popular actors; plus it gave attention to a subject often ignored; the rise of racial hostility.
Matt Klienmann is not white.
He's clear
"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" cost $140 million and grossed almost $305.5 million. "The Blair Witch Project" cost $35,000 and grossed $140.5 million — that's 4,000 times what it cost to make.
The blood drive is not cancelled,
Spring has come again, which means the start of another base ball season, and guess what? The Yankees still suck.
Cocaine is a hell of a drug.
My roommate has the biggest head in the world.
Hey Tim, stop putting crap in the UDK. The Free-for-All is not a toy.
almost every scene, "Pirates" may have been amusing and pleasing to watch, but "Crash," which cost $6.5 million to make and grossed $54.5 million, was just as enjoyable to watch with its intricate plotline and bounty of popular actors; plus it gave attention to a subject often ignored; the rise of racial hostility.
To the person who suggest we get an amphitheater: Yes, let's! And while we're at it, let's get a colosseum! We can fill it with water and stage mock sea battles, or our own version of
almost every scene, "Pirates" may have been amusing and pleasing to watch, but "Crash," which cost $6.5 million to make and grossed $54.5 million, was just as enjoyable to watch with its intricate plotline and bounty of popular actors; plus it gave attention to a subject often ignored; the rise of racial hostility.
almost every scene, "Pirates" may have been amusing and pleasing to watch, but "Crash," which cost $6.5 million to make and grossed $54.5 million, was just as enjoyable to watch with its intricate plotline and bounty of popular actors; plus it gave attention to a subject often ignored; the rise of racial hostility.
Gladiator!
Free-for-All, I gave up sex for Lent, and it's not going to well. Does that mean I'm a slut?
While low-budget films often lack the thrill of computer-generated graphics, popular songs and famous actors (though this last trend is diminishing), the plots are most often character-driven, making the stories more detailed, intricate and intimate.
These films are beautiful in how they capture the little moments of everyday life. They're not about some hero saving the day. They're about people making difficult decisions that affect the people around them. These films mirror everyday life more accurately by focusing on the problems of one or two characters. Sometimes, the problems are resolved, sometimes they're not.
With Johnny Depp as the lead and special effects involved in
BY JODI ANN HOLOPIREK
KANSAN COLUMNIST
OPINION@KANSAN.COM
Most notable in low-budget films is the profusion of acclaimed actors jumping on the bandwagon. Years ago, when prominent actors were seen in low-budget, artsy films, rumors would circulate about their careers being in trouble. Now, famed actors vigorously search out films like "Crash" because they know it will add depth to their filmography.
Their hard work for little pay has proven successful for them, too. Just last week, the Academy Awards gave the Best Supporting Actor award to Alan Arkan for his role in "Little Miss Sunshine" "Pan's Labyrinth" won for Best Art Direction and Cinematography. And Ryan Gosling was nominated for Best Actor in "Half Nelson."
And that's just a partial list of low-budget films in this year's
Blockbusters such as "The Departed," "Casino Royale" and the "Harry Potter" films won't be going away anytime soon. However, with low-budget films becoming more popular, audiences should expect more artsy, character-driven movies flooding the theaters soon.
Academy Awards. Last year, "Crash" won Best Picture.
And I couldn't be more happy about it.
Holopirek is an Otis graduate student in journalism.
Succesful low-budget films
— "The Blair Witch Project"
—"Napoleon Dynamite"
— "The Blair Witch Project"
Budget: $35,000 Gross: $140.5 million
— "Nanoleo Dunnite"
Budget: $400,000 Gross: $44.5 million
—"Saw"
Budget: $1.2 million Gross: $55 million
—"Garden State"
— Lost in translation
Budget: $4 million  Gross: $44 million
— "Hostel"
Budget: $2.5 million Gross: $26.7 million
"Lost in Translation"
Budget: $4 million Gross: $44 million
Host
Budget: $4.5 million Gross: $47.2 million
Budget: $4.5 million Gross: $47.2 million
—"My Big Fat Greek Wedding"
Budget: $5 million Gross: $241.4 million
—"Crash"
Budget: $6.5 million Gross: $54.5 million — "March of the Penguins"
Budget; $8 million Gross; $77.4 million
"Little Mice Sunshine"
Little Miss Sunshine
Budget: $8 million Gross: $59.6 million
"Good Will Hunting"
Budget: $10 million Gross: $138.3 million
Grant Snider/KANSAN
>> LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Everyone should consider all smoking facts
After reading the commentary piece by Cassie Gentry, I got a little frightened that I may be killing people inadvertently! Then I wizened up and decided to do some research.
In the Surgeon General's Report from 1987, it states that "sustained exposure to second-hand smoke was equivalent to smoking about two cigarettes a day". Scary, until you learn that sustained means to "maintain at length without interruption or weakening". In other
words, if you sit in a room for more than thirty minutes and are continuously breathing in second hand smoke, you are at risk for much of the same health risks as a smoker. Smoking is obviously bad, because there is little to no ventilation.
Gentry also mentions how many chemicals are found in second hand smoke, and how detrimental to non-smokers these are. This is also scary until you realize "(smoke) is diluted by the air
in the room before it is inhaled and is therefore less concentrated than second hand smoke (alone), according to the Office of Health and Safety.
If you are merely passing through a cloud of smoke on your way inside a building, or vice versa, even the Surgeon General wouldn't deem that a serious health risk.
Tera Carlile
Liberal junior
The trio made up of former Dispatch front man Chad Urmstom, Chuck Fay and Mike Naianian create uncommonly good music about uncommon topics. All three members of the band are incredibly talented and they play their reggae-rock inspired music with energy and sing-along melodies. Their Web site describes them as combining the "anti-establishment politics of Rage Against the Machine (with) the revolutionary lyrics of Bob Marley." At the Bottleneck, they demonstrated their ability to address uncommon issues eloquently by playing songs about everything from war to elderly rights and challenges of the lower class.
Anti-war rhetoric can often get overwhelming and frustrating, especially as the situation in Iraq gets worse and worse, but the song "Camilo," performed on Feb. 23, offers a breath of fresh air. Urmstom wrote the song in 2004 after Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia was imprisoned for refusing to fight in Iraq.
It is a beautiful song, but what makes it special is that it is more than just an song: it's an anthem for action. Listening to the ecstatic crowd sing along with Urmstom, "oh my country won't you call out?" cannot help but inspire both hope and faith. It inspires not only faith in contemporary music, but hope that no matter what problems our country faces we can overcome them.
》TALK TO US
>> COMMENTARY
Gabriella Souza, editor
864-4854 or gsouza@ikansan.com
Stuewe is a Lawrence junior in political science and American studies.
BY LIZ STUEWE
KANSAN COLUMNIST
OPINION@KANSAN.COM
Nicole Kelley, managing editor
864-4854 or nkelley@ikansan.com
Patrick Ross, managing editor
864-4854 or pross@kansan.com
I complain a lot, in print, to my friends and to anyone who will listen, about the sad state of contemporary music. I have called it "shallow" and "heartless." But after seeing the band State Radio I know now that I am wrong. On Feb. 23 the Boston, Mass. band State Radio played to a loyal, rowdy group of fans at the Bottleneck.
Natalie Johnson, associate opinion editor
864-4924 or njohnson@kansan.com
Band rocks out with a conscience
Courtney Hagen, opinion editor 864-4924 or chagen@kansan.com
Lindsey Shirak, business manager
864-4014 or lshirak@kansan.com
》 SUBMISSIONS
Jackie Schaffer, sales manager
864-4462 or jschaffer@kansan.com
LETTER GUIDELINES
Malcolm Gibson, general manager, news adviser 864-7667 or mgibsonsjksansan.com
Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing adviser
864-7666 or jweaver@kansan.com
Anti-war rhetoric can often get overwhelming and frustrating especially as the situation in Iraq gets worse and worse, but the song Camilo' performed on Feb. 23, offers a breath of fresh air. Chad Urmstom wrote the song in 2004 after Staff Sargeant Camilo Mejia was imprisoned for refusing to fight in Iraq.
The Kansan welcomes letters to the editor and guest 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 Hager or Natalie Johnson at 846-4810 e-mail opinionkansan.com. General questions should be directed to the editor at editor.kansan.com.
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EDITORIAL BOARD
Gabrielle Souza, Nicole Keley, Patrick Ross, Courtney hagen, Katalie Johnson, Alison Kieler, Taash Riggins and McKay Stangler
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