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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2007
WWW.KANSAN.COM
WHITE: America and Corporations were doing fine. Now they're broken up.Will America get its act together anytime soon?
See Kansan.com for more opinions and Free for All comments
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
PAGE 7A
OUR VIEW
'Troop'abused as term for human life
In an era of televised wars and violent video games, it's easy to become desensitized to military deaths. We see snippets of combat on the evening news, hear brief recitations of the week's deaths on the radio and — barring some personal connection — move on. But the linguistic battle about current military policy transforms an entire generation of fallen soldiers into little more than numbers.
The vernacular of American political debate has often lent itself to obfuscation and reductionism. Today, the usage of the word "troop" is the latest victim of this disturbing trend. The word has supplanted most other terms for military personnel because of its simplicity, rugged associations, and proud blue-collar connotations, as well as its convenience for bumper stickers. The word permeates the current debate about Iraq policy: "support the troops," "de-fund the troops," "bring home the troops," et al.
Even the internal struggle within the Democratic policy machine centers on the term. Resolutions opposing the escalation center on the political ramifications, lest the lawmakers be perceived as being "anti-troop." The Democrats, weary of playing Salieri to the Republicans' Mozart on national security policy, clamor to be seen as the party that most "supports the troops" Republicans, for so long
the party of military support, insist you cannot simultaneously be "anti-war" and "pro-troop"
Lost in the semantic donnybrook is the precise nature of exactly what we are discussing. A "troop" is not an emotionless automaton, sent into a combat zone to accomplish a task and then assured a safe return. A "troop" is not merely a unit of measure used to determine the size of our fighting forces. A "troop" is certainly not a political pawn, worthy only of lip service, some distant entity to which you publicly pledge your unfailing support.
A "troop" is a human being: a friend and neighbor, and an American. The men and women fighting and dying in Iraq are not faceless warriors. They are policemen, mechanics, attorneys, receptionists and plumbers. Before you denounce or praise the latest surge in Iraq, stop to consider what is at stake. To put a human face on the situation, picture the entire undergraduate population of the University being sent to fight in a foreign land. The surge does not consist of 21,000 "troops". It is made up of 21,000 American citizens, whose sacrifices are too noble for linguistic dehumanization.
McKay Stangler for the editorial board.
Archaeologists Uncover the Origin of Mardi Gras
Grant Snider/KANSAN
>> COMMENTARY
Surge will help Iraq, America
President Bush's proposal to increase the number of American troops in Iraq has been approved. The troops will stabilize the country prior to relinquishing security operations to Iraqi defense forces. This plan has met with stern opposition from congressional Democrats — and from some Republicans — but it is the only viable option.
America is involved in a war on terror — the first war of the 21st century — and Iraq is an integral part of it. This war demands a proactive America to choose the time and place of the confrontation.
No one should forget how this war began: when our opponent attacked white-collar men and women in their workplaces. Now they are fighting our professionally trained volunteer armed forces on the other side of the world. Anyone who says American involvement in Iraq has not made this country safer is disingenuous at best and dishonest at worst.
America did not start this war. The first attack was made against us, not by us. And the front line of our defense that day was office workers and airline passengers. By taking a proactive defensive posture we are now defended by those most capable to perform the job.
The surge seeks to create a safer Iraq wherein domestic security forces can function.
A destabilized Iraq would become another Somalia or Afghanistan, a lawless state rife for terrorist activities. It would signal to our enemies that our complacency has undermined our vigilance, and it would return the front line of this war to the American high-rises and
Anyone who says American involvement in Iraq has not made this country safer is disingenuous at best and dishonest at worst. America did not start this war. The first attack was made against us,not by us.
airports where it began.
Critics say that not only should our forces not increase, but they should return home, leaving Iraq to its own devices.
American troops have remained in Germany and Japan for more than 60 years now, with no indication of when those "occupations" will end.
Our troops' presence in Iraq is not a problem. The problem is the continuing violence against them and the Iraqi civilians. When an American city becomes more dangerous, community members demand more police. But when Iraq became more dangerous, critics demanded a withdrawal.
If protecting America's most dangerous cities is vital, protecting Iraq is even more so.
When inner cities become more violent, there is little threat of those neighborhoods becoming terrorist bases. Most Americans could avoid the danger by staying out of the area.
Avoiding seedy neighborhoods is relatively simple, but avoiding a terrorist attack would involve staying out of skyscrapers and airplanes, shopping malls and sporting arenas. In short, it would mean quitting modern American life.
Should we abandon Iraq to the terrorist influences now vying for dominance there, the average American would become much more threatened.
Minster is a Lawrence junior in economics.
>> COMMENTARY
Will America get off the couch and woo Corporations back?
dopest girl.
Well, it's been almost a week since Valentine's Day, the day on which we feel as though we've been soaked in Egon's pink goo, that is to say, full of romantic notions and goodwill, but at the same time gross and slimy. And as this beautiful holiday approached, and even in its aftermath, I couldn't help but think about one particular relationship that I see every day. Frankly, I'm worried about how it will turn out
There's this guy named America. This guy used to be, like, the badest dude in town. Everybody liked him. He had everything: the biggest car, the thickest moustache and the
Now the guy had this friend, The American People. And this friend was usually cool with everything. He was always in with America, and therefore received certain luxuries he might not have otherwise afforded, like driving America's cars, getting moustache advice, etc.
She was named Big Business, but her friends called her Corporations. She maintained the same popularity as America. Together they were the perfect king and queen, with so much sway and influence they could do anything they wanted.
But one day something struck
this friend. He thought America wasn't being friendly at all. He thought America was spending too much time with that woman, and he needed to keep it real. So after
much deliberation, The American People took America aside and told her affectionately, "Dude. Bros before hos, dude."
This bothered America. America had always been really proud of its relationship with The American
People. And that his friend felt this way made America confused and sad.
In the end America decided that his friend was right. After all, they'd been buddies for a lot
longer than Big Business had been around. So America started treating Corporations differently. He wouldn't return her calls. He stood her up on some dates, and when they did go out, he took her to restaurants he knew she didn't like.
At first this seemed great. America was getting his space. He was hanging out with The American People more. And that woman was learning her place. Unfortunately, she didn't like that place. Rumors began to circulate about Corporations running around with other guys, and apparently she had an affinity for Asian guys. Who would've thought?
Last I heard, America spends most of his time on his couch playing Halo or napping. Having lost his love, he's sunk into depression, or at least recession. The American People don't want to be seen with
such a whiny mess, so they're off doing their own thing. And Big Business seems happy with her suitors. But most people think if America could just get up and get itself back together, shed come running back. And the two could live happily ever after.
I hope America can find a way to foster and maintain a strong healthy relationship with Corporations without alienating or losing the respect of The American People, don't you?
White is a River City, Iowa sophomore in journalism and Japanese.
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.
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North Carolina is a little fruity.
Not only do they wear baby blue uniforms, but they're argyle.
a map, dumbas
Chuck Norris has a go-cart that runs on the hopes and dreams of orphans. It is very fast.
a map, dumbas
Dear Anna, please poop in your own bathroom. You have a suite for a reason. Love, third floor Ellsworth.
The other day, on the crossworld puzzle, it said the largest continent on the world was Asia, but it's not. It's Antarctica. Check
Let me make this very clear: I do not care about Anna Nicole
I am not a doomed lesbian.
To you four, slutty freshman in your black tank tops: We want our handle of vodka back, or else we are going to get you on campus.
Where is my Wall Street Journal? This is some kind of goddamned conspiracy! I'll find you!
Hey, KU, you know what we don't need? A football training facility. We need parking lots.
I think it's funny when people
buy groceries at natural foods stores, and go outside and light up a cigarette.
Wait, did I say "Family Circus"? They suck too, but I meant "Damaged Circus."
Admit it, "Family Circus" guy,
you're so much of a loser that you
called in that positive comment
about yourself. You suck! No one
would ever say that you're cool.
two years of your life to
two years of your life to
two years of your life to
I think I just saw two people hanging from Eaton Hall.
To the guy from Nebraska who wrote in about KU being unsportsman-like: If our bench players would have started with your starting five, we still would have kicked your ass! Gcry to my mommy, you big baby!
To people driving around with parking tickets on their cars: Do you really like to advertise that you suck that much?
To whoever called in about Teach for America: Who are you to judge? What have you devoted
you suck the
two years of your life to
(Sung) It's shorts and flip-flops weather! It's shorts and flip-flops weather! It's shorts and flip-flops weather! I'm excited. Can you tell?
I don't mind that you parked too close to me, as long as you don't mind that I hit you.
KU has made me a nun.
Ellsworth Hall makes people nuns.
It's a good thing I don't ride the bus to class. Otherwise, I couldn't bring my gun with me.
ful.
》 LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Jayplay sex issue offends
As a graduate student who recently returned to school after a 31/2 year hiatus, I am appalled by the change that seems to have overtaken education institutions. This change is the encouraging of students to engage in promiscuous sex, through erotic images and articles printed in this school's newspaper.
The picture on the front of Jayplay (Feb. 8) was offensive. The material inside was equally offensive. Since when is it OK to have sex in the library? Since when should a school newspaper write about different positions to try during sex? The advertisements and articles seem to encourage licentious behavior. Today's newspaper desecrates that which is otherwise holy and beautiful.
Sexual intercourse was given as a way to express love between husband and wife and to bring children into the world. This act brings a couple closer together and is an important part of a healthy marriage. Sexual intercourse should be treated as something sacred, not casual.
》TALK TO US
Perhaps you and others on this campus will consider me out-of-touch and old-fashioned. However, I know I am not alone in my feelings on this matter. As a new lajayhawk, I call on this newspaper to stop encouraging lasciviousness by printing such offensive material.
Virginia Dilworth Shawnee graduate student
Gabriella Souza, editor
864-4854 or gsouza@kansan.com
Nicole Kelley, managing editor
864-4854 or nkelley@ikansan.com
Patrick Ross, managing editor
864-4854 or pross@kansan.com
Courtney Hagen, opinion editor 864-4924 or chagen@kansan.com
Natalie Johnson, associate opinion editor 864-4924 or njohnson@ikansan.com
Lindsey Shirak; business manager 864-4014 or lishirak@kansan.com
Malcolm Gibson, general manager, news adviser
864-7667 or mglsbon@iksan.com
Jackie Schaffer, sales manager
864-4462 or jschaffer@kansan.com
Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing adviser
864-7666 or jweaver@kansan.com
>> SUBMISSIONS
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 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
SUBMIT LETTERS TO
Include: Author's name, class, hometown (student)
or position (faculty member/staff) and phone number
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111 Staircase Flint Hill
1453 Jaysburg Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 60045
874-834-6058 or kukanam.kam.com
**Include:** Author's name, name (class), hometown (student); position (faculty member/staff), phone number (will not be published)
**Also:** The Kanman will not print guest columns that attack a reporter or another columnist.
GUEST COLUMN GUIDELINES
uabellonia Souca, Nicole Kelley, Patrick Ross, Courtney Hagen,
Natalie Johnson, Alison Kieler, Tasha Riggins and M.Kay Stangler