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.
JORGENSEN: I give you the ultimate gift guide. Read and you will discover what he or she really wants (Playboy and diamonds always score big). See kansan.com for more opinions and Free for All comments
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2006
WWW.KANSAN.COM
PAGE 9A
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OUR VIEW
OPINION
Holidays time to help others
It's easy to get a bit depressed about the state of our country when reading the "Neediest Cases" series in The New York Times.
The profiles of the poorest citizens in the New York area is not exactly pleasant holiday reading, but is instead a stark reminder that poverty knows no holiday season. Luckily, it also gives us a chance to embrace what is so great about our country, and to remind us what the holiday season is all about.
The late winter months bring with them a bombardment of commercialism, throngs of frenzied shoppers and a strain on our credit cards and bank accounts. It is tempting to allow these negative influences to dominate what has traditionally been among the happiest times of the year.
It is also easy to be discouraged by our nation's mounting problems: colossal debt, a wearisome foreign conflict that claims young lives, and a growing gap between the rich and poor classes.
But before you allow the spirit of Scrooge to dominate your December, take time to remember that for millions around the world, America remains a shining city on a hill, a beacon of hope, freedom and opportunity that represents the realization of man's dreams of liberty. America is perfect by no
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Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansan editors reserve the right to amit comments. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all
KU band just cut off the car in front of me and almost caused an
measure, but our collective lifestyle is also the wealthiest, most healthy and generally most pleasant of any civilization in world history. For many nations around the world, we are living the most perfect lives imaginable, and we should be thankful for those lives.
I think it is about time we started Kleinmann.
I just watched a squirrel climb up the Wescoe wall.
Let us also take time to recognize the fundamentally charitable nature of our citizens, and to use the holiday spirit as a catalyst for helping others. America should never tolerate a starving child or ignore the upward mobility of a determined dreamer. Be it through public or private assistance, our country has made it a priority to foster success, ease pain and suffering and improve the lives of even the smallest among us.
best dessert ever.
This is Jeff. To the two girls that wanted to have sex with me on Saturday, I'm available and on Facebook. Hook me up.
In the end, it comes to this: Ours will always be an imperfect nation, but that does not mean we cannot strive for perfection.
Has anyone else seen that guy that buys five cases of Natural Light, pushes them across the street, then drinks them? I wish!
--best dessert ever.
was hi.
Before you plunge into finals week or rack up some holiday debt and extra pounds, take time to think of all those who have never been fortunate enough to attend a fine university or indulge in holiday snacks. Add up your blessings this holiday season, and you will see the intrinsically good nature of ourselves and of our nation.
Thank you Sonic for making the
TALK TO US
McKay Stangler for the editorial board
Jonathan Kealing. editor
864-4854 or jkealing@kansan.com
Erick R. Schmidt, managing editor 864-4854 or eschmidt@kansan.com
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I think we need to up our acceptance standards. I just watched someone drive into a pole in front
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Gabriella Souza, managing editor
864-4854 or qsouza@ikansan.com
I have lost 30 pounds and if someone doesn't say something soon, I am going to scream.
Ffank Tankard opinion editor
864-4924 or ftankard@ukansan.com
Anyone out there that works at McDonald's: What is it that you don't like about me? No matter where I go, I don't get a straw.
--friend is not with you, he is playing video games. Thus, a recliner with a cup holder, sewn in speakers and massaging back could make any gamer-boyfriend extremely happy.
As a lifelong Browns fan to the Kansas City Chiefs; Thank you.
friend is not with you, he is playing video games. Thus, a recliner with a cup holder, sewn in speakers and massaging back could make any gamer-boyfriend extremely happy.
To the car that actually hit me: I was in the crosswalk. Jackass.
Anything the sixth floor says is
friend is not with you, he is playing video games. Thus, a recliner with a cup holder, sewn in speakers and massaging back could make any gamer-boyfriend extremely happy.
I think my ex just called the cops
My penis may be a disgusting growth between my legs, but a really, really disgusting growth? Come on.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Christian decoration inappropriate at Rec Center
KU has gone out of its way, in recent years, to deck Strong Hall in multicultural, inclusive, non-religion-specific holiday decorations. So I was a little surprised Monday to see a Salvation Army "Angel Tree" in the Student Recreation Fitness Center lobby.
The "Angel Tree" appears to be part of a (laudable) charitable fundraising effort on the part of this Christian denomination. But surely cute little paper angels with halos on a tree in December in a state university building is flirting with the appearance of a state endorsement of a particular religion. And surely the Salvation Army could use a plain red bucket.
Either that, or, when Eid Al Adha rolls around, perhaps we'll see some beautiful calligraphy of a Koranic verse in the gym, alongside an appeal from a Muslim charity (if the government hasn't shut them all down by then).
Joseph Harrington Associate professor of English
>> COMMENTARY
I found the perfect gift...
We've come to the end of another year. With it comes the holiday season and all the family animosity, bankruptcy and broken bones from sledding mishaps that come with it.
Many people consider the holiday shopping to be the most stressful and difficult part of this month, especially when it comes to finding gifts for your boyfriend or girlfriend. Well, it's not as hard as you think. Read on to find the perfect gifts for your significant other this December.
Gifts for men
In case you still don't know what to get your boyfriend, here are some ideas.
Playboy has been a staple of male life since the 1950s. Show him you understand and appreciate his history and get him the gift he'll brag about to his friends. You'll be known as the "cool girlfriend" to all of his friends—mega brownie points.
I've often heard women say, "I don't know what to buy my boyfriend. It's so hard to shop for a guy" If you've said that, then you're not smart. Do you know how easily entertained men are? You can literally buy them anything and they will be fascinated with it.
Dave Ruigh, associate opinion editor 864-4924 or drulgw@kansan.com
Kyle Hoedi, business manager
864-4014 or khoedi@kansan.com
The gift that gives 12 issues.
A true sign of love is to give him
naked lady to entertain him when
you're not around to do so yourself.
Lindsey Shirack, sales manager
864-4462 or Ishirak@kansan.com
Playboy subscription:
Maicolm Gibson, general manager, news adviser 864-7667 or mgibson@kansan.com
A recliner:
Half the time when your boy
BY ERiC JORGENSEN
Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing adviser
864-7666 or jweaver@kansan.com
KANSAN.COLUMNIST
OPINION@KANSAN.COM
When he is autosaving his Madden 2007 online profile, making sure his cable connectivity is at three bars and checking that his USB headset is plugged in (it came free with SOCOM), so he can trash talk on that junior high kid he just beat down, he'll remember it was your chair that made it possible.
A Segway:
Anyone who watched the late, great "Arrested Development" knows Gob was the best character on the show. Why? Because of his mode of transportation — a Segway
For those who don't know, a Segway is pretty much a podium with a steering wheel that is rollin' around on 22s. It has two tires and can go almost anywhere.
Gob understood how overrated walking is. Walking is like side ponytails and scrunchies — it's outdated.
Segways are the new "it" way of moving from one place to another. No longer will we have to make unnecessary leg extensions and waste our energy swinging our arms
Plus, every man knows deep in his heart that if he had a Segway, he would ride that thing from class, to work, to the bars. As far as I know, you can't get a DU1 on a Segway. That would be embarrassing, though.
Gifts for women
When used properly, the pillows will actually produce tiny-to-largesized feather explosions, fogging up the air with feather clouds, which thus increases giggling and tickling.
to and fro, looking like a Richard Simmons workout video. Instead we will just roll everywhere, and your boyfriend should be one of the first to do so.
Shopping for women can be tricky. The reason it is so tricky is because it is difficult to find cheap gifts women like. The general rule is if it is shiny, she wants it.
If you're one of those guys who thinks you don't need to buy your girlfriend any gifts, prepare to be broken up with. You're dumb and you deserve the scolding coming your way.
There you have it. Now everyone has a back-up plan for holiday gifts. Have a good break and we'll see you next semester.
There are few things women like that aren't made of diamonds. Try these gifts out this holiday season.
At $498, it's practically a steal for what it would provide your girlfriend. It would reflect her cuties, yet edgy personality. With its magnetic snap closure, leather strap, white shearling trim and suede texture, it would totally set off her faux-fur lined Ugg boots.
Also, most women will admit naked pillow fighting is best with feather pillows.
They're good for sleep. However, the main reason women want giant feather pillows this year is because pillow fighting is all the rage. Plus, you want to send your girlfriend to Naked Pillow Fight Thursday with the best possible weapon.
"Saratoga" Hobo hand bag by Michael Kors:
Macys.com viewers rated this delectable little tote five stars out of five. It's the perfect winter inspired gift this holiday season. It's either
Jorgensen is a Baldwin City senior in journalism.
What Viagra does for men, this movie does for women. She'll love you for it, and it won't break your bank account.
It's practically the equivalent of your girlfriend buying you porn. Brad Pitt riding toward the screen on a horse with his long, golden locks flapping in the wind is the perfect gift.
"Legends of the Fall":
this or a diamond necklace. At least get her something she can smuggle alcohol into the movies with.
Note: With this gift it may be important to let your hair grow out, dye it blonde and learn how to ride a horse.
Giant feather pillows:
>> 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 Frank Tankard or Dave Rughn
at 864-4810 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com.
General questions should be directed to the editor at
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GUEST COLUMN GUIDELINES
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**also:** The Kansas will not print guest columns that attack a reporter or another columnist.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Jonathan Kealing, Erick R. Schmitt, Gabriella Souza, Frank Tankard, Dave Ruigh, Steve Lynn, McKay Stangler and Lois Mora
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