4A the university daily kansan opinion monday, march 29, 2004 EDITORIAL BOARD Should Bush ads use 9/11 imagery? Exploiting crisis Intent was misread Possibly the most tragic day of our lifetime was the most advantageous day of President Bush's political life. Now, images of that day, September 11,2001, are appearing in President Bush's campaign advertisements. This is evidence of what many have suspected all along: Those terrorists attacks will be ground zero of Bush's re-election campaign. The commercials show wreckage of the World Trade Center and flag-draped remains being removed from the scene. Bush's tragedy-laden campaign tactics are terrific politics but horrific ethics. Gaining politically from the rally-around-the-flag mentality of the nation was a blessing bestowed on Bush luckily but not unjustly. However, Bush exploiting the tragedy for political gain in such an overt manner as mixing images from the day in with commercials for Pepsi and Viagra is a temptation he should reject. September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, an organized advocacy group composed of victims' families, agrees as do other families not affiliated with the group. "President Bush promised in a speech he gave in 2002 that he would not use the site for political reasons," said Rita Lasar, who lost her brother in the attacks. "We believed him. We trusted him. He has broken his promise to us. To say that we're outraged is the truth." Defenders of the advertisements say President Bush has a right to tout his leadership. They also say the subject of the terrorist attacks is unavoidable. They are right on both accounts. The attacks can not be ignored in politics because we need to learn why they happened and how we can stop them from happening again. The attacks should not be ignored by society because we need to honor the victims in a dignified manner. Bush should be free to say he showed leadership and should honor the victims with appropriate methods. But Bush's tawdry 30-second spots accomplish neither of these goals. Showing pictures of wreckage and dead bodies in a "vote for me" format shows utter disregard for the unity those images inspired in our leaders in 2001. In 2004, our leaders should again be inspired by the images, not campaign with them. Brandon Gay is Norton senior in journalism and political science. Face-Off is a project of the Kansan editorial board. Two editorial board members argue opposing sides of a hot-button issue that affects students at the University of Kansas. This section is designed to help students understand opposing sides of an issue and make informed decisions. Readers who have a suggestion for a topic that could be used in Face-Off or wish to join the editorial board, please call Meghan Brune or Johanna Maska at 864-4924. E-mail suggestions to opinion@kansan.com. Shortly after the Super Tuesday primaries on March 2, the first wave of President Bush's campaign ads aired. Immediately the story was not the ads themselves. The story was the supposed controversy generated by the ads because they showed images of the Sept.11, 2001, terrorist attacks. None of the images used had the intent of showcasing the event or taking advantage of the victims' families. No planes slamming into the World Trade Center. No bodies jumping out of the buildings to escape. Instead, they reflect the resolve and courage that strengthened Americans during that tragic day. One ad, entitled "Tested," shows an American flag waving with a scene of the aftermath in the background. Its message is uplifting and positive, not a "slap in the face" to the victims. "Some challenges we've seen before, and some were like no others," the voiceover says. "But America rose to the challenge." Another ad, entitled "Safer, Stronger," drew ire for briefly showing firefighters carrying a stretcher shrouded in an American flag. It is a tribute to the heroism of brave men and women who worked tirelessly at Ground Zero, but families have their reasons why they don't see it that way. The families denouncing the ads have been the focus. But it is doing a disservice to discount the families who find Bush's ads appropriate. "These images honor those whose lives were lost," Debra Burlingame said. Her brother, Charles, was one of the pilots of the plane that crashed into the Pentagon. The ads are "a perfect reminder of what happened that day," Deena Burnett said. Her husband, Tom, was on the plane that crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. Zach Newton for The University Daily Kansas The issue is indeed sensitive and it spurs a wave of emotions. But for President Bush not to mention Sept. 11 would be unwise and would give the appearance of skirting the issue. With the recent attacks in Spain, Bush's messages are needed all the more. Alex Hoffman is an Overland Park senior in journalism. 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. For more comments, go to www.kansan.com Dude, she only smokes when she drinks. When the campanile chimes it sings to me and this is what is says, "Classes are done. Let's go get high." 'Ragin' Cajun' Carville at Lied tonight; Politics of both sides will be of issue STUDENT UNION ACTIVITIES James Carville is the foremost political strategist of our time. Beginning with a come-from-beind gubernatorial victory for Robert Casey in Pennsylvania in 1986 and culminating in the consecutive elections of Bill Clinton, Carville has since influenced politics worldwide as a chief adviser for leaders from Ehud Barak, former prime minister of Israel, to Tony Blair, prime minister of Great Britain. Not only has Carville made a name for himself on the international political stage, but he has become a popular movie and television personality, appearing (debating, actually) Will Ferrell in the movie Old School, as well as serving as a correspondent for television programs, ranging from CNN's Crossfire to NBC's Sunday Morning Meet the Press. GUEST COMMENTARY Sean Pauzauskie opinion@kansan.com Tonight, Carville will speak in the Lied Center for Student Union Activities and Student Senate's annual Student Lecture Series. Tickets are $7 with a KUID and $13 without. For more information call 864-SHOW. In addition to extensive political and strategic knowledge, Carville has personality. He has earned the name the "Ragin' Cajun" for his plainspoken, often non-partisan (though he is an unapologetic Democrat) and fierv wit "In the Clinton administration we were afraid the president would open his zipper; in the Bush administration they are afraid the president will open his mouth." Carville once said, pointing out the concerns of the past and current presidential administration. Carville will be of interest to anyone concerned with learning more about either political party. Carville's wife, Mary Matalin, serves as a chief Grand Old Party adviser, which only adds to his partisan/nonpartisan personal dualism. Carville does not just answer questions about politics; he molds and creates the political stage that affects all Get excited about this election year by taking advantage of this rare chance to see the foremost political mind of our time speak to the student body. Pauzauskie is a Topeka senior inEnglish and celluar biology. He is forums coordinator for SUA. James Carville will speak at the Lied Center tonight at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $7 with a KUID and $13 without a KUID. Call 864-7469 for more information. KANSAN So when you ask yourself what you're going to do for the next four years don't forget James Carville's words: "Everybody here is in massive denial that they have anything to do with politics." Michelle Rombeck editor 964-4854 or mburhenn@kansan.com Andrew Vaupel managing editor 884-4854 or vaupel@kansap.com aspects of American life. Meghan Brune and Johanna M. Maska opinion editors 864-4924 or opinion@kansan.com Danielle Bose business manager 884-4358 or adddirector@kansan.com Stephanie Graham retail sales manager 864-4388 or adalesa@kansan.com Melcolm Gibson general manager and news adviser 864-7667 or mgibson@kansan.com Matt Fleher sales and marketing adviser 864-7685 or mfisher@kanan.com 4 Editorial Board Members Kendall Dell Lynze Ford Laura Francoviglia Anna Gregory Amy Hammontree Kally Hollowell Teresa Lo Mindy Geborne Grohmquist Ryan Scarrow Elizabeth Willy Sara Beuhnek Kevin Flaherty Brandon Gay Zack Hemeway Alo Hoffman Kevin Kampwirth Amy Kelly Cameron Koelling Courtney Kuhlen Brandi Matheless Travis Metcalf Mike Norris Jonathan Reeder Erin Riffey Alas Smith Karl Zimmerman 4