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.
EDITORIAL: Even if you aren't Angelina Jolie you can still make like a celebrity and put your name behind a charitable cause. See Kansan.com for more opinions and Free for All comments
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2007 WWW.KANSAN.COM
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
PAGE 4A
》 OUR VIEW
Follow celebrity lead and volunteer
As of 2005 Oprah has donated an estimated $253 million out of her own pocket, nearly 20 percent of her net worth. Most students can't fathom 253 million of anything; textbooks purchases, 253 million pot holes...nothing. While this donation is commendable, other celebrities making that kind of money should use their fame and fortune to give back to others.
We should expect rock stars, athletes and actors to be socially accountable. Not all celebrities can be Bonos or Oprah, but they can all do something. Even if they're only donating time, fame and money for appearances, at least they are donating. Backing a good cause always offers more of a reason to admire that person. Perhaps backing Angelina Jolie for her work with the United Nations' High Commission for Refugees can rub off and inspire not only a new hairstyle, but also a giving mood.
The average KU student can't donate $253 million, nor can the average American, but we can donate our time. For those hardcore do-gooders there's the Peace Corps. For those that care just as much but aren't able
to commit that kind of time. Lawrence has many local philanthropy groups for students to volunteer. You may not be a Super Bowl XLI champion like Tony Dungy, but you can volunteer as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters, Dungy's choice philanthropy project. Here in Lawrence (785-843-7559) the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization is always looking for volunteers to be a positive role model in the lives of kids. Most of us won't have a television career like Zach Braff, but we can donate blood or clothing to the American Red Cross, his choice charity. The local branch of the American Red Cross (785-843-3550) always needs assistance in any form.
While most of us cannot control our income, we can control our legacy. We can't choose what problems plague our world, or even our neighborhoods, but we can choose to do something about them. We may not have the bling, or the private jet, but comparatively, we can do just as much good as our favorite celebrities do, or should.
— Tasha Riggins for the editorial board.
COMMENTARY
Newspapers changing to lighter Internet content
The printed newspaper, whats good about it these days? Its the preferred method of fish wrapping, and it can function as the poor man's wrapping paper. But when it comes
BY BRANDON MINSTER
KANSAN COLUMNIST
OPINION@KANSAN.COM
to getting up-to-date information the printed newspaper is, as the kids say these days, broke and busted.
Internet news is the new hotness.
In today's action-packed world, up to-the-minute news reports are a necessity. Just the other day Britney Spears checked into and then back out of rehab before the printed newspaper could be bothered to get my fingers inky.
As any talk show pundit will yell at you, the American economy has entered the Information Age, meaning pornography is more valuable than ever before. Plans to list Internet porn providers on the NASDAQ were scrapped when it became apparent there was no computer powerful enough to handle the trading volume expected.
The Internet has at least a dozen non-porn related uses, and one of them is news. Even the University Daily Kansan has a Web site, where my disturbing black-and white mug shot is rendered in all its grotesque full-color glory.
Of course, the proliferation of Internet news sites has led to a new, looser definition of news I've seen summaries of "American Idol" "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" presented as news. I've seen analysis of a hypothetical presidential election
match up between Barrack Obama and Megatron, even though the election is 20 months away and Megatron isn't even constitutionally eligible, as he is a native of
Cybertron.
News agencies are not in business to lose money. Like any other industry, they see something that sells and they market it to death. Right now what sells is "news lite," a brand of information that fills the head without requiring any actual thinking.
Why read what presidential candidates have to say about issues when you can read what Jay Leno and David Letterman have to say about presidential candidates? In the Information Age the following qualifies as news:
George W. Bush is stupid.
Hillary Clinton is a woman Barrack Obama is black Iraq is Vietnam. Britney Spears is bald Gasoline is expensive.
I could go on all day writing tomorrow's news headlines, but I've got more pressing concerns. I found an "Amazing Race" article with a discussion section and I want to post a bunch of uninformed opinions. Then I'll do some serious research on an Internet news site that summarizes the platforms of the Deception and Autobot parties. In this election, my future is at stake.
Minster is a Lawrence junior in economics.
COMMENTARY
Students should visit centers to become better writers
When I first heard about the KU Writing Center, I imagined it as an exclusive hang out for writers. I thought it would have sort of a mystical, Bohemian atmosphere where
BY JENNY HARTZ
creative individuals could search for truth and change the world one work at a time.
However, when I found out it was actually a center for students to go to get advice and help with papers, I thought, "Oh well, I need not to go there. I write English good."
Although I may be a strong English student, that doesn't mean the writing center can't be helpful to me. It is open to all students who should all take advantage of this free service.
BY JENNY HARTZ
KANSAN COLUMNIST
OPINION@KANSAN.COM
The center helps students focus on the writing process from all aspects ranging from brainstorming, to revising to banging your head on the wall in frustration. You can go in with just your assignment sheet and blank brain and the writing center can help you.
I should probably define what I mean by help. I'm currently enrolled in the class you take to become a writing consultant, and I was surprised at what the role of a writing tutor really entails. We've discovered the tutors' main focus to help produce better writers, not better writing.
The tutors are not there to do the work for you. They are not grammar Nazis who will take a pen and shoot down all your imperfect punctuation marks leaving your paper to earn
an 'A' They will, however, show you techniques you can use to help your ideas flow better. They can teach you how to fix your mistakes and ask you a lot of questions which
might get you thinking in a new way, or just thinking in general.
The center not only teaches how to write, but it can be a good place to have someone take a fresh look at your paper and get critical feedback. Although a writing consultant probably doesn't understand quantum physics (who does?) they can still read your lab report and tell you if it makes sense. In fact, having someone who doesn't know what you're writing about can help because if they come out of your paper completely understanding what's going on, then you've written a great paper. If he or she doesn't understand, you now know you need to make your points clearer.
The main writing center is on the fourth floor of Wescoe; yet there are many places on campus called Writer's Roosts. To find the center nearest you, go to www.writingku.edu.
Remember, going to the writing center doesn't mean you are accepting defeat and admitting you're a bad writer. Collaboration is a key element to writing. You're being a smart writer by using your resources. It's the "write" thing to do.
Hartz is a sophomore in creative writing.
FREE FOR ALL
Call 864-0500
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansas editors reserve the right to unit comments. Slenderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded.
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The Price is Right. Are you kid ding me? A trip to London. Are you kidding me?
Screw his beauty! Bob Barker is one sexy bitch!
beware.
I am the Plinko master!
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I just saw a cat disappear before my very eyes. It moved behind a pillar, but it didn't come out on the other side. I went around the pillar, but it wasn't there. It's pretty freaky.
I would like to know where these people were fixing potholes, because I've hit every one I normally hit, and I'd like an
One dollar, Bob!
I've got some rank gas coming out of my butt, so roommates howeve
Chuck Norris could divide by
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It is absolutely horrible that the KU Blood Drive is being cancelled on account of homosexuals complaining that their rights are being broken, because they can't give blood. Now everyone else won't be able to give blood so that, someday, maybe those homosexuals can live.
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You go to the University of Kansas, not the University of Pink
Cameron, why don't you stop pissing on the toilet seats on the fifth floor?
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It is four in the morning on a Tuesday night, and I just need to know if dogs get hangovers, because that's going to be really important in a couple hours.
Can someone please tell me why facility vans intend to drive ten miles an hour all the frickin' way across campus.
Why does it smell like burnt hair outside of the Underground?
I just heard some girl say her skankiness was inversely proportional. Would someone please explain to me what this means?
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What's that? What's that?
Bob's gay? Huh? Oh.
The smell of burning puppies is overwhelming.
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It isn't ironic that Delta Force hates Greeks yet uses greek letters in its name?
These tampon commercials are really getting out of control.
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Wed like to request that you stop boob-feeding your baby in Murphy Hall. Thank you.
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》 TALK TO US
Free for all, comma, learn your comma rules, comma, this is ridiculous, exclamation point.
I thought palm ashes came from the Holocaust?
The University of Kansas needs to get an outdoor amphitheater. Not only would we be as cool as the Greeks and Romans, but we could also have classes outside!
I was just on the bus to class, and my bus driver started puking That's gross
Who's emo? Is he the red one?
To the guy who answered most of my questions with," I don't know"; "I like you.
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This goes to whoever is in charge of the tampon dispensers: Put some in Budig Hall!
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Gabriella Souza, editor
864-4854 or guouzaitikansan.com
Nicole Kelley, managing editor
864-4854 or nkelleyikansan.com
Courtney Hagen, opinion editor
864-4924 or chaguen@kansan.com
Patrick Ross, managing editor
864-4854 or prossu@kansan.com
Natalie Johnson. associate opinion editor
864-4924 or njohnsonujkanan.com
Lindsey Shirak, business manager
864-4014 or lshirak@kanan.com
Malcolm Gibson, general manager, news adviser
864-7667 or malibushikansan.com
Jackie Schaffer, sales manager
864-4462 or jschaffer@kansan.com
>> SUBMISSIONS
Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing adviser
864-7666 or jweaver.tikkanan.com
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 Hagen or Matiele
Johnson at 844-6810 e-mail opinionkanan.com.
General questions should be directed to the editor at
editor@kanan.com.
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Maximum Length: 200 words
**Include:** Author's name, class, hometown (student) or position (faculty member/staff) and phone number (will not be published)
SUBMIT LETTERTO
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1435 Jayhawk Bird
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GUEST COLUMN GUIDELINES
4
**Maximum Length:** 500 words
**Include:** Author's name, class, hometown (student); position (faculty member/staff); phone number (will not be published)
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EDITORIAL BOARD
Gabrielle Suzua, Nicole Kelley, Patrick Ross, Courtney Hagen,
Natalie Johnson, Alison Kieler, Tasha Riggins and McKay
Stangler
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