Opinion United States 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. TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2010 Follow Opinion on Twitter. @kansanopinion WWW.KANSAN.COM T PAGE 5A FREE FOR ALL --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. To contribute to Free For All, visit Kansan.com, call 785-864-0500 or try our Facebook App. --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. This guy is passed out in another guys bed. Can someone please teach him how to drink? It's actually Fraser like Fraiser and Haworth like Hayworth, but ok --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. Never compliment her on her looks. She'll just think you're shallow and only after sex. Of course we're after sex. However, I can't let the girl know that or it will ruin my game. So I pretend to be interested in her "personality" --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. Let's go ladies, show me what you're made of ... --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. I'm sorry you hate people... but I thought you were cute. --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. Isn't it a crime to knowingly spread HIV? --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. I swear, if I see one more girl crocheting , or knitting, or whatever in class, I'm gonna stab her with her needles... --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. I love it when idiots get confused ... --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. Someone needs to help the girl in my class wearing the bright purple pant suit or else she will be a virgin forever. --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. I like pot and apple juice, but hate potatoes. --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. We're going to play a drinking game. It's called "Senior Year of College" Too bad neither of us are single. We'd be a good time --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. I hate living so close to the bathroom I always hear my roommate banging his girlfriend in the shower. --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. Can you take me back to summer, please? Tell her she looks beautiful today, go from there. --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. First weekend in senior year and I didn't get laid ... WTF? --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. All I want for my senior year is to be in FFA. Still waiting ... --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. Some random guy was passed out in the backseat of my car this morning, what a great start to the school year. --the nationwide controversy has recently gained attention due to the approaching anniversary of 9/11. I have read one page of HWC and already hate it. Boring ... EDITORIAL BOARD Tolerance important during religious tension As a high-profile dispute ensues about the potential building of an Islamic cultural center near New York's Ground Zero, it's important to remember to remain nondiscriminatory toward people of all faiths — including Muslims. The proposed center wouto include meeting rooms, an auditorium and mosque. Building plans have been in the works for a while now, but "During the dispute, it's important to remember religious freedom." Critics claim Critics claim that placing an Islamic center two blocks north from the hallowed ground where radical Muslims killed nearly 3,000 people is insensitive and an affront to the victims' families. Those who support the building of the estimated $100-million center contest the very goal of the project would be to help bridge the gap between non-Muslims and Muslims, not broaden it Either way, it seems that intolerance of Islam is continuing to grow. Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., has gained significant media attention regarding a protest he will be leading with his church to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 Jones organized "Burn a Quran Day," where he is encouraging others to burn the Islamic holy book. terrorist attacks. sophomore from Leavenworth and member of the Muslim Student Association, says that she sees various displays of intolerance. Reem Stewart. "I have witnessed anti-Muslim sentiment with my friends and personally," Stewart said. more because they are afraid that the mosque means that Muslims are declaring some kind of victory over Ground Zero, which is totally untrue". "I think people are acting out Although the fiery political issue about the New York Islamic center is resulting in nationwide attention, Stewart describes Lawrence as relatively nondiscriminatory. "I feel like most of Lawrence and KU students are respectful of my beliefs and opinions on the matter, which I really appreciate." Although the hostility toward Muslims may mount around the country, it is vital that students continue to recognize and value the religious freedom of all including members of the Islamic faith. EDITORIAL CARTOON That way, both Lawrence and the University can continue to be welcoming to all. Stefanie Penn for The Kansan Editorial Board Together, we stand for FREEDOM OF RELIGION. MARIAM SAIFAN RELATIONSHIPS 'Mr. Big' is unrealistic view about undeserving boyfriends T Typical Text from Typical "Mr. Big" Ex: Just saw fill-in-the-blank-cheesy movie and thought of you... How've you been? Miss you What every female wants to respond: That sucks. Maybe you should have been more considerate the past 100 times you've hurt me. Similar to many other Generation Y women, upon starting dating, it didn't take long for realism to cloud my fairy tale dream of an instant happily ever after with my Prince Charming. What most females actually respond? Aw. I've been okay. Miss you, though. Soon, I realized I wasn't alone. Dozens of girls in my sorority would crowd around the TV, vocally sympathizing with the adventures and misadventures of Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha. It wasn't until I got to college that I began to relate with the girls of "Sex and the City." If not Disney, who could I trust to tell me what relationships are really like? Particularly, many of us compared our ex-boyfriends to the one man Carrie can't let go: Mr. Big. Mr. Big is the ex-boyfriend who never goes away. He's manipulative. He's attractive. He can never commit, but can always find the words to defend his antimonogamist views. BY MANDY MATNEY mmatney@kansan.com Positive or negative, he provides the attention Carrie craves. Mr.Big provides a temporary fix,but that never translates to long-term satisfaction. He's a great liar, a charmer and fleeting thrill ride. But, Mr. Big isn't simply a fictional character. He is also the epitome of almost every example given in "He's Just Not That Into You," a popular book from a screenwriter of "Sex and the City" Carrie and Mr. Big's ultimate marriage is nothing but Hollywood deception. It misleads women into thinking our undeserving exes still have a chance of changing. The behavior that Mr. Big demonstrated throughout the series was so realistic to the games that guys often play in real life. So, if we could trust that to be true, can we also believe that they can change? Maybe I'm wrong, but from what I've seen,guys will continue with their ways as long as they can get away with it. Just like on "Sex and the City," my own Mr. Big has done his fair share of line crossing. I've sworn him off dozens of times, created different plans of defense, such as labeling him in my phone as "the asshole I should never talk to" and even defending him on Facebook to decrease chances of possible communication. I know this because I've been Finally a thought crossed my mind that marked the end of our game: I was holding on to a hopeless Hollywood ending. I would never be satisfied being emotionally attached to who he is now. that girl that forgave too quickly too many times. In doing so, I only set myself up to get hurt again. Yet, time after time, he sneaks his way back into my life. What's worse is that he has an impressive ability to do this in the moment that I'm happy and almost over him. There is a reason that Disney movies are so popular: We all like to believe in happy endings. But, in reality, this isn't always the case. Maybe some people do change, but it's a wasteful and exhausting attempt to try to rekindle what's broken based on future hopes that might not happen. Matney is a junior from Shawnee in journalism. HEALTH Natural remedies ideal for stress relief It's that time of year again school is back in session. While some students are jumping for joy,the majority of us are worried about how we are going to find a peaceful moment amidst the chaos. Juggling family, work and our social lives is much more difficult with the added pressures of doing well in our classes. Stress can rear its ugly head in the form of headaches, digestive trouble and heart disease, to name a few. Most of us are inclined to turn to some kind of drug — such as caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol — to try to cope with the added stress. These substances are highly addictive and are often abused. Instead of consuming these common "quick fixes," I urge you to try some healthier alternatives. All students have access to the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center, which has classes to fit a variety of interests from Yoga to Zumba. According to Prevention Magazine's Julian Kesner, exercise is one of the best ways to reduce stress. Kesner cites a study conducted at Arizona State University, which found that moderate to vigorous exercise is the best way to reduce stress. Stress also weakens the immune system. Changing diet can be a key factor in managing this. Students often turn to cheap, sodium-laden foods that are overly processed and provide little nourishment. Ramen noodles, Easy Mac and McDonald's dollar menu are typical staples in a college student's diet. Paula Ford-Martin and Rebecca J. Frey, PhD, of the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine attribute high levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, which are hormones associated with stress, to eating too much meat. In contrast, whole grains produce serotonin, which is a feel-good hormone. Quinoa, black beans and brown rice are a couple nutritional, cost effective foods that students should try to feel full, and reduce stress hormones. The Contentious Consumer BY SARAH GROSS sqross@kansan.com Xanax, for example, can cause weight loss or gain, drowsiness, trouble concentrating and constipation. Severe reactions can include suicidal thoughts or actions, trouble speaking, muscle twitching, or seizures. These are only a few of the many side effects, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Although diet and exercise are very important in balancing a hectic life, there are times when students need some additional help. Prescription anti-anxiety medications can be very helpful for some students, but they are not for everyone. These medications can come with many undesirable side effects. For some people, natural alternatives may be more beneficial. In an article published in Life Extension, author Tiesha D. Johnson recommends lemon balm extract and theanine, which are derived from green tea. These alternatives have no reported adverse reactions, and studies have shown that they are quite effective. However, never go off of a prescription anti-anxiety medication without consulting a doctor, as there can be severe reactions. This semester investigate healthier alternatives when contemplating "quick fixes," such as caffeine, tobacco, alcohol and prescription drugs. While these may ease stress in the short term, the long-term effects can be undesirable. Stress is inevitable, but if you make time for exercise, invest in healthy foods and explore natural alternatives, balance can easily be restored within your chaotic life. Gross is a sophomore from Lindsborg in journalism and international studies. Views from campuses around the country Views at Large "The right of couples, same-sex or otherwise, to marry is a fundamental one, and we agree with Walker's finding that civil rights of our fellow citizens should not be subject to a vote. While the ruling indicates important progress, there have been troubling claims about Walker's own sexual orientation in regards to the validity and fairness of his decision. Walker has declined to discuss his sexual orientation, and it is completely irrelevant to his responsibility as a judge. It seems unlikely any such outcry would be made if a black judge were ruling on a race-related issue, and questions of the judge's sexual orientation have no place in a debate about his ability to interpret the law" - The Daily Californian at The University of CaliforniaBerkley on August 9 about the overturning of California's Proposition 8. HOW TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR LETTER GUIDELINES Send letters to Kansanopdesk@gmail. com. Write LETTER TO THE EDITOR in the e-mail subject line. Length: 300 words Find our full letter to the editor policy online at kansan.com/letters. The submission should include the author's name, grade and hometown. CONTACT US Alex Garrison, editor 864-4810 or agarrison@kansan.com Nick Gerik, managing editor +1-214-810 or ngerik@kansan.com Erin Brown, managing editor 864-4810 or ebrow@kansas.com David Cawthon, kansan.com managing editor 864-4810 or dcawthon.kansan.com Emily McCoy, Kansan TV assignment editor 864-4810 or emccoy@kansan.com Jonathan Shorman, opinion editor 864-4924 or jshorman@kansan.com Shauna Blackmon, associate opinion editor 864-4924 or sblackmon@kansan.com Joe Garvey, business manager 864-4358 or jgarvey@kansan.com Amy O'Brien, sales manager 864-4477 or aobrien@kansan.com Malcolm Gibson, general manager and news adviser Jon Schlitl, sales and marketing advise 864-7666 or jschittl@ikansan.com EDITORIAL BOARD Member of the Kansan Editorial Board are: Alex Gearin, Nick Gearin, Emin Brown, David Cawton, Nick Sharma and Shauna Blackman.