4A the university daily kansan
opinion
monday, december 8, 2003
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Self-centered columnist ignored important concepts
Jonathan Sternberg's article in Wednesday's edition of The University Daily Kansas ("No need to change status quo, Bush should say," Dec. 3) illustrates the exact reasons that President George W Bush should not be in office. Sternberg, like Bush, has no vision and is completely selfish.
Sternberg argues that in an election year, we should not think about the burdensome issues that don't affect our daily life, but rather should only concentrate on the issues that affect us as individuals. Personally, I am left wondering if Sternberg understands the concept of community and civilization.
I agree, our policy on terrorism is not likely to have a significant impact on my life in the next four years, but I would never tell a fellow student from New York that terrorism is not a big deal. Forgive me if I care about my fellow man.
Sternberg, you as a history major should understand how much powerful leaders' decisions can affect our world, not just in the next five years, but decades and even centuries down the line. This won't be the last time that our economy is bad; economies rise and fall like the tide. But the decisions that a president makes regarding "irrelevant" issues like foreign policy and terrorism affect the world forever.
Matthew Zolton first-year law student Overland Park
Fiscal policy not main issue columnist ignored others
I am all for the expression of people's opinions, but only within the boundaries of respect for the other side. When reading Sternberg's commentary, I felt disrespect toward my own personal values — toward what I choose to live my life for. The world is run by money, yes, this is true; but I choose not to view it as the most important thing in life.
Ask those too poor to see the doctor and those ambiguously discriminated against because of race or sexual preference what issues are most important to them. I believe the answer would be equality, not fiscal policy.
Imagine if we, as college students, all aspired to get rich and accumulate wealth. Where would equality fit into the equation of society? Where would the caring teachers be, those who educate the next generation out of caring rather than greed? If fiscal policy is the most important thing and everything after is secondary, how do we proceed as a nation to have that very home of the free, the brave and the pursuit of happiness we so often as Americans gloat about?
Michael Graham education
Topeka junior
Nielsen's wording childish; shouldn't name-call
After reading Arrah Nielsen's column ("Living wage leftist, not the answer for workers." Dec. 2, The University Daily Kansan), I feel compelled to retort. It wasn't the argument necessarily that bothered me (however, I do think she's been reading too much Anne Coulter). It was when, in the final paragraph, Nielsen called me "stupid" that motivated me to take action.
Is calling people who vote Democrat "stupid" supposed to be her version of a sound argument? (Wow, she called me "stupid." That cuts deep. Nielsen 1, Democrats 0.) I'm no journalist, but I was always under the impression that in order to be one, you better know how to write. Nielsen wants to throw around childish names, she should wait until someone isn't sharing their shovel with her during playtime in the sandbox.
Michael Tedesco graduate student in urban planning Spokane, Wash.
harper's view
WYATT HARPER
Wyatt Harper for The University Daily Kansan
perspective
Past artists can help soothe through experience, music
Three different times this year, I found COMMENTARY
Three different times this year, I found myself pulling up an Internet news site, opening a newspaper or watching the television and getting this same sad twinge. You see, I love music, and on every single instance when this happened I found another artist had been silenced. Before this year began, Warren Zevon, Johnny Cash and Elliot Smith were all living and breathing artists. Now, as they've all been gone for a matter of weeks, things do seem a little bit different.
To find a bit of peace at the end of this semester, perhaps it might be good to remember them and others who have passed on. This column is for them.
As a kid, I could remember leaning into the seats of my parents' cars and listening to the music that would pour through the speakers. Often I would watch the sometimes-bland scenery of western Kansas pass by and have it all interspersed with music from The Beatles, The Doors and even Zeppelin. But always I'd get a kick out of hearing Zevon's tune, "Werewolves of London." I think it had something to do with either the unearthly howl Zevon's throat produced for the refrain or maybe just the general fascination with werewolves, vampires and the supernatural that seems to attract all kids.
I rediscovered Zevon, so to speak, a few months before he passed on. I read a news story on Yahoo! that said he was sick, and with flashbacks of his song on the car radio, I knew he was worth checking out. Unfortunately though, it slipped my mind again until I listened to NPR one day and heard some snippets from his last album, The Wind. His voice seemed more haunting and powerful on this album than it did during a 100 listening of "Werewolves." Specifically, his cover of Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" was all the more moving considering the album was released mere days after he
Patrick Cady opinion@kansan.com
passed on. Man.
Then, on an average Friday afternoon, I heard the news that Johnny Cash had died. I was surprised that I had such a big reaction. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. He was one of those great, mythical artists. In a pre-goth revelation, he wore black before black was cool, and his life in the late '60s became a constant protest to the lives, love and happiness lost during the Vietnam War.
His music, full of the great tradition of the old cowboy singers, always remained current. Especially with his cover of Hurt, originally by the industrial group Nine Inch Nails, the pain of his lost love and past poured through poignantly. Though I'm pretty stolid emotionally, the video brought a tear to my eye. I was surprised when I heard that he'd attempted the cover, but I remembered he also did a rendition of Soundgarden's "Rusty Cage." His last album is full of beautiful tracks and covers performed by his gritty, roadworn voice.
More recently, I heard of the tragic end of indie rock legend Elliot Smith. His music, too, I have known through college. His voice has reverberated through The Granada and The Bottleneck and personally touched many local residents. I always dug his melodies and song construction, and knew his tracks from countless mix
tapes. Perhaps his most widely known work is the song "Miss Misery" from the Good Will Hunting soundtrack. His final album, Figure 8, also contained the popular "Son of Sam." His is a deep loss to the ranks of modern independent music.
These people have all shaped our culture and our lives. Their work deserves to be held up and carried on to future generations. If you have time, relax to their strong voices, revel in their pain and healing and do not forget.
submitting letters and guest columns
Cadv is a Shawnee senior in journalism
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Arrah Nielsen: Bottles of wine come in boxes, but boxes of wine do not come in bottles.
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The streets at KU are not safe. Some old guy just ran me over. Thanks a lot old guy.
I don't like that the Jayplay section of the Kansan shows girls how to knee a guy's balls. That is just not cool.
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If you ever print the crossword puzzle in the wrong place again I will hunt you down and eat your liver like a wild rabid dog.
I just want to say if you walk across the street in black at night time you deserve to get hit.
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I would just like to second the notion for a Men of KU calendar.
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Jonathan Sternberg writes conservative B.S. I am tired of it in this liberal town. His voice should be heard, but his commentary should be kept silent.
Fo shizzle nizzle. Who says that?
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Is it really weird that I have kissed my roommate?
I need another credit to fulfill my class schedule, and I was wondering if there was underwater weaving here.
I wish so much that I was Zack Morris on Saved by the Bell so that I could time out and have everyone stop and listen to me. I love A.C. Slater.
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We be coming around the corner with that boom, boom, boom.
Is there sugar in syrup?
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I am a girl, but my psyche is a boy named Max.
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This is for all you pedestrians on campus: Quit getting in the way of bicyclers, because it would hurt more to hit by a car, but bicyclers get momentum and you completely mess that up by walking in front of us.
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My roommate has fully jumped into a pool with no water. Can someone please send her to the loony bin, please?
I am at my apartment's annual pink party. It looks like a sorority exploded in the living room.
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I went to the movies tonight and some girl actually answered her phone and started talking during the movie. That is so disrespectful. People shouldn't do that.