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.
THURSDAY,FEBRUARY 8,2007 WWW.KANSAN.COM
VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL: Consumer holiday or time for real love? Send us your opinions in 80 words or fewer about Valentine's Day.
Email. opinion@kansan.com
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
PAGE 7A
》 OUR VIEW
Presidents impact world after office
The power invested in presidents lasts long after their time in office. Years after they leave the White House, presidents can use their influence to address significant national and global issues or, conversely, nothing significant at all. Our votes bestow more than four years of power upon the person we elect and we should be concerned about whom we give political sway. Those who have it can change the world.
There are many examples of recent former presidents and their vice-presidents - who have used their influence in positive ways:
Richard Nixon, despite resigning amidst scandal,
"reinvented himself" by pursuing international affairs, said
Bill Lacey, director of the Dole Institute of Politics. Nixon wrote several books on this topic and was often "sought for advice on international affairs and foreign policy," Lacey said. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library also cites that Nixon was the first former president to relinquish Secret Service protection, an act which saved taxpayers nearly $30 million by the time of his death in 1994.
Jimmy Carter's lengthy list of altruistic efforts won him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Carter wrote numerous books to promote global peace and human rights, and also founded the Carter Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to these
Former Vice-President Al Gore also demonstrated the potential of lingering political power. Gore was recently nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his widely acclaimed documentary "An Inconvenient Truth." The film, which is nominated for an Academy Award, spreads awareness of global warming as a leering and legitimate threat.
causes. Carter has personally traveled around the world to monitor elections, establish health care facilities, encourage sustainable development and to mediate peace negotiations, particularly those involving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In some way, these individuals changed the world. Their influential positions could have been squandered but they were instead used to make the world a better place.
Defying an increasingly partisan environment. Presidents George Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton joined forces to establish a relief fund for victims of the Indian Ocean tsunamis as well as victims of Hurricane Katrina in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. Clinton also founded the William J. Clinton Foundation to address global humanitarian issues such as HIV/AIDS; religious and ethnic, conflict and climate change.
FREE FOR ALL
— Alison Kieler for the editorial board.
Call 864-0500
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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
Hey, KU Baseball, thank you so much for bringing back warm weather.
First of all, Lew Perkins, I love you. Second of all, I love my basketball team, no matter what.
and written by iPod or iPhone-owning professors and professionals. The bag will come with wireless white headphones and a microphone, so you can talk to people on the iPhone discreetly while looking like a crazy person to the rest of the world. But it's Apple. It would be cool, not crazy.
This is for the girl who wrote the article about the humane treatment of mice: I hope you get bit and get rabies.
I would drive to the grocery store and go to the frozen food section. That's what I'd do for a Klondike Bar.
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and written by iPod or iPhone-owning professors and professionals. The bag will come with wireless white headphones and a microphone, so you can talk to people on the iPhone discreetly while looking like a crazy person to the rest of the world. But it's Apple. It would be cool, not crazy.
This is for all the brunettes who dye their hair blonde: Stop it.
Considering I thought racism was over, when is White History Month?
and written by iPod or iPhone-owning professors and professionals. The bag will come with wireless white headphones and a microphone, so you can talk to people on the iPhone discreetly while looking like a crazy person to the rest of the world. But it's Apple. It would be cool, not crazy.
Danny Dearn and Pat, the second floor doesn't like you. Recommend a room change. Hate, the second floor.
and written by iPod or iPhone-owning professors and professionals. The bag will come with wireless white headphones and a microphone, so you can talk to people on the iPhone discreetly while looking like a crazy person to the rest of the world. But it's Apple. It would be cool, not crazy.
I would like to post an obituary for my fish. Yes, the nameless fish lived a short life, but a very good life. He is survived by his two bowl mates, and his service was held tonight at 6:28, may he rest in peace.
and written by iPod or iPhone-owning professors and professionals. The bag will come with wireless white headphones and a microphone, so you can talk to people on the iPhone discreetly while looking like a crazy person to the rest of the world. But it's Apple. It would be cool, not crazy.
Valentine's Day opinion special
To the girl in the gold Mazda Protege with the wildcat license plate: I saw you pick your nose and eat it.
You know you're in college when you have to use a coupon to buy personal lubricant.
and written by iPod or iPhone-owning professors and professionals. The bag will come with wireless white headphones and a microphone, so you can talk to people on the iPhone discreetly while looking like a crazy person to the rest of the world. But it's Apple. It would be cool, not crazy.
It's hockey season, too.
This Valentine's Day the opinion page wants to hear from you. Tell us in 80 words or fewer what you think about February's hearts and chocolate fest and your best and worst Valentine's Day memories. We'll print the best responses in the Valentine's Day issue. Send comments (with "Valentine's Day" in the subject line) to opinion@ kansan.com by Monday, February 13. Please include your name, hometown and year in the e-mail.
Grant Snider/KANSAN
>> COMMENTARY
Sommerville: Apple's ego will take over
If people from the 1950s saw a picture of a modern-day crowd, they would wonder why so many people had pieces of white spaghetti hanging out of their ears. If someone told them that it was a device for listening to music made by a company named after a fruit, the people would most likely think the modern person was insane.
Apple has infiltrated our society with the Mac, the iPod and, now, the iPhone. Apple also has a reputation for being the smoothe member of the technology world, with its iPod-only music format and its fancy Apple exclusive stores. When all other big companies like Microsoft, Sony and Panasonic unveiled new electronic gadgets at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Apple has Macworld in San Francisco, its own conference for all things Apple, incidentally held at the same time.
Because Apple has gone from computers to music to phones, and because it has quite an ego, it's only a matter of time before the company starts branching out. Here are some products to expect in the next few years.
The iPillow! It comes in six different colors, all bearing the Apple logo in the center. It also works with your iPod so you can listen to music as you sleep. It will also work with your iPhone, so you don't have to even move to be awakened by the phone. Because it's an Apple
The iBookbag is next. The six different colors are standard. The standard version will hold about 1,000 books, and the expanded version will hold up to 20,000. But the bag will only carry Apple endorsed books designed on Apple computers
On the smaller end of the scale is the amazing iPencil. The pencil will only come in the classic white and silver finish and will have a writing life of up to one month for consistent users. The iPencil will only write on the also up and coming iPaper — available only at Apple stores — which will only cost 99 cents per sheet.
Next up is the iLaundrybasket. It has the standard sleek white and silver finish, with the Apple logo on the bottom. The regular version will hold about 700 socks, but if you buy the bigger version, it can hold up to 10,000 socks. It also works with your iPod and iPhone so you can listen to music and take phone calls as you are carrying your laundry. It will not be compatible with any clothes bought at Wal-Mart, Target, any thrift stores or Old Navy, however. After all, it is an Apple product. It has to look good.
These products might be a little hard to find in stores. If Apple wants to continue its amazing sales, it will probably have to end up embracing the other members of the technology world. It will have to go to the same conferences and even make its products compatible with other brands. In fact, Apple's computers run Microsoft Office software, so it's only a matter of time before Apple has to come down from its pedestal to mingle with the commoners in the technology world. The only problem is that Apple won't mingle unless money is on the line.
Sommerville is a Hutchinson, Minn., sophomore in journalism
Texas couple discovers Jayhawk magic
BY CALEB SOMMERVILLE
» LETTER TO THE EDITOR
My wife and I have gone to A&M basketball games for many years, so we were excited to make the trip to Lawrence this past weekend. Then I saw the ticket prices on the online auctions and, to say the least, it was a little shocking. I kept asking people, "What is wrong with those people?" But I reluctantly paid the price and we on our way.
I can report to you today — regardless of the outcome, though it did help a lot, every penny of those tickets was worth it.
product — and Apple is notorious for having its products only work with other Apple products — it won't work with Microsoft-related positions like sleeping on your back or stomach. You will have to sleep in the Apple-copyrighted/protected position on your side. One night's sleep will only cost 99 cents.
KANSAN COLUMNIST
DXWONOKANSAN.COM
Natalie Johnson associate opinion editor
864-4924 or njohnson@kansan.com
Gabriella Souza, editor
864-4854 or gsouza@kansan.com
Rock Chalk from the Aggies!
if needed! Her very gracious and friendly company during the game highlighted our experience and was replicated by all the KU fans that we encountered during our trip. Thanks for the experience of a lifetime, and we hope that all the KU fans will take the opportunity to come enjoy our hospitality and the magic of Kyle Field football this fall!
》 TALK TO US
Nicole Kelley, managing editor
864-4854 or nkelley@kansas.com
Jackie Schaffer, sales manager
864-4462 or jschaffer@kansan.com
What happens in that Fieldhouse on game day is special, and although as Aggies and Texans we're primarily football fanatics, we ranked this as one of the most exciting and special experiences we have ever had.
Courtney Hagen, opinion editor
864-4924 or chagen@kansan.com
Lindsey Shirak, business manager 864-4014 or lshirak@kansan.com
Chris and Claudia Morrow Plano, Texas
As if the game weren't enough, just 15 minutes after taking our picture front with Phog Allen's statue, we went to our seats and had the honor of sitting down next to his lovely grand-daughter, who I believed could sub in for Coach Self
Patrick Ross managing editor 864-4854 or pross@kansan.com
Malcolm Gibson, general manager, news adviser
864-7667 or mailbison@ikansan.com
Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing adviser 864-7666 or jweaver.sikansan.com
We are right to laugh at these wackos, but I think they might be on to something with that whole time travel thing. Sometimes I look at my watch in my Tuesday and Thursday classes and I swear it's running backwards.
LETTER GUIDELINES
The Kansan welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns submitted by students, faculty and alumni.
The Kansai reserves the right to edit, cut to length, or reject all submissions.
For any questions, call Courtney Hagen or Natalie Johnson at 864-4810 e-r邮答问kanasan.com.
General questions should be directed to the editor at editor@kanasan.com.
Minster is a Lawrence junior in economics.
SUBMISSIONS
BY BRANDON MINSTER
KANSAN COLUMNIST
OPINION@kANSAN.COM
Maximum Length: 200 words
Conspiracy theorists will tell you that actual "science" is far more advanced than the "government" will let you know. According to these individuals, who can objectively be called "nut jobs," the President has access to an automatically replenishing roll of toilet paper, hot dogs that taste like baked beans and a time travel machine.
SUBMIT LETTERSTO
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>> COMMENTARY
111 Stuart-Hill Road
Kansas City, KS 66045
Lawrence, KS 66045
(785) 404-8495 or (785) 664-8495
Space: the not so final frontier
Some of you are majoring in some type of science, or at least sleeping off your hangover in science class, which is basically the same thing. This is good news, because so far science has been a pretty big disappointment. There have been a few advances, like the food dehydrator, but I'm still waiting for the rocket car and the house on the moon I was promised by my elementary school science classes.
GUEST COLUMN GUIDELINES
Maximum Length: 500 words
Include: Author name, class, hometown (student), position (faculty member/staff) and phone number (will not be published)
Also: The Kansan will not print guest columns that attack a reporter or another columnist.
Sometimes science takes a step backwards. For instance, even though multiple laboratory tests have demonstrated salt's ability to melt ice, KU continues to use sand instead. When used in sufficient quantities, sand can completely obscure the snow and ice making you think you are in sunny south Florida instead of where you actually are, which is freezing off your various reproductive organs on the frozen tundra.
Of course when it finally comes, space travel will look boringly familiar. Space ports will look exactly like airports, complete with overpriced paperback books and a poor magazine selection. Just like airports were designed to look like train stations, which were designed to look like sailing ports. The first cave man to sell trips out of the cave first scratched numbers over the exits and sold packaged sandwiches to the passengers, whose pterodactyl was delayed because of thunderstorms in Atlanta.
The latest promise of science is space travel. For a long time, space travel was restricted to highly skilled astronauts, like Yuri Gagarin and Buzz Aldrin. Lance Bass include expanded that group to include former members of boy bands. Some guy who won a contest almost went, but the taxes were too high. Any day now you too might be able to go into space.
Even when science comes up with some sort of revolutionary breakthrough, scientists try their best to make it look exactly like the technology it's replacing. Scientists know that too radical a change will lead to a riot.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Gabriella Souza, Nicole Kelley, Patrick Ross, Courtney Hagen
Natalie Johnson, Alison Klee, Tasha Riggins and McKay Stangler