Wednesday, February 7, 2001 The University Daily Kansan 1 Section A · Page 5 Letters to the Editor Editorial relies on 'alien' political theory to promote cause of abortion rights The Kansan's Jan. 24 editorial regarding President Bush, abortion, and the Roe decision ("Bush already showing he will threaten Roe") warns President Bush to "remember this: It is unconstitutional to restrict a woman's right to an abortion" and goes on to criticize Bush for disagreeing with this "underlying but unwritten" right. This argument that a president cannot challenge the court's interpretation of the Constitution – is alien to American political theory and tradition. In 1861, a new president took office. He also had a bone to pick with a ruling Supreme Court decision, one that found owning slaves to be an "unwritten, underlying" constitutional right. Operating consistent with the Kansan's separation of powers theory, Lincoln should have simply rolled over and let Dred Scott stand without challenge. Fortunately, Lincoln knew that it was a president's responsibility to stand up to a Court that substituted its own will for the rule of law, under the auspices of finding some "underlying" right. Finally, the Kansan argues that Bush's belief in preserving unborn life contradicts his goal that all children would be welcomed into life and protected by law, apparently on the grounds that many of the women who seek abortions are poor. What we really have is not a contradiction, but a difference in philosophies. Bush (and the pro-life cause in general) wants a society in which these unborn babies and their mothers are aided by a supportive, loving, civil society consisting of churches, synagogues, charities and neighbors. The Kansan evidently prefers to defend the hollow "right" to destroy the unborn, while pretending it is a victory for their mothers. Kate Ramsey Leavenworth senior Scott Wallisch St. Louis senior co-leaders, KU Students for Life University should devote resources to clearing Stouffer Place sidewalks This letter is in regard to why the sidewalks and steps at Stouffer Place cannot be cleared of snow and ice after a snowstorm. By leaving virtually all of the sidewalks and stairs covered with snow and ice, long after all of the other sidewalks at the University of Kansas have been cleared, the University is creating a very hazardous situation and allowing it to persist. We are now on our fifth or sixth storm of the season, and the University still is leaving the snow and ice on the walk Monday morning, after I watched a young mother carrying her infant child try to negotiate the slippery sidewalk and steps in front of her apartment. I had to ponder the reasons for this situation while I walked to class. I came up with the following multiple-choice test (with hints) for the reason or reasons for the persistence of this negligent situation: ways around Stouffer Place apartments. The one time the sidewalks were cleared was at least three days after the snow quit falling. 1. The University is unaware that it snows at Stouffer Place. (Stouffer Place is off the beaten path for the KU administrators.) 2. The University forget that people live in these apartments. (But they do cash my rent check every month.) 3. The University does not have the resources (money or people) to clear the sidewalks and steps at Stouffer Place. (But they do have the resources to clear the bike paths on the west side of Iowa by 8:30 a.m. after every snowstorm.) 4. Clearing the snow is the responsibility of the residents of Stouffer Place and not the University. (I have noticed several residents who have done this, so maybe this is the correct answer.) 5. The little green tractors that they use to plow snow else where do not fit on the sidewalks and they won't go down the steps. (To clear the steps and narrow sidewalks would require old-fashioned manual snow shovels, and maybe there is a shortage of them.) 6. None of the above. (The University just won't clear certain sidewalks, and we should wait for the sun to come out for snow removal. This is the status quo.) Maybe someone from the University can select the correct answer and inform the people who live in Stouffer Place why we cannot get the sidewalks and steps cleared off after snowstorms. Gary Hecox Lake Charles, La., graduate student Law school bears no responsibility for student's unethical behavior The Kansan used better judgment than did the local newspaper's editors in its coverage of the Pete Hunter matter last week ("Giving false election info could become an illegal act," Thursday). While the local newspaper headlines pointed fingers at the law school, the Kansan stayed focused on the real problem and proposed solutions. While the local paper permitted a selfappointed spokesman to speak unchallenged on behalf of all Green Hall, the Kansan ran a balanced article by including Professor Webb Hecker's sensible analysis. Mr. Hunter has certainly "disgraced" himself by his conduct. He may have "disgraced" his family or those who associated themselves with his campaign. But contrary to Mr. Holstin's claim, his actions have not "disgraced" the law school." Talk of "disgrace" suggests that the school possesses some sort of collective conscience and that it is culpable for Mr. Hunter's conduct. Those suggestions are wrong. The law school is not a private association or a church or (despite the fundraising metaphors) a partnership or a family. It is a state agency that must admit and retain students on the basis of measurable criteria. The admissions office cannot speculate on each applicant's latent character. The administration cannot exercise parental responsibility over each of 500 adult students. Faculty cannot redirect each student's moral inclinations. New students do not take a fraternity-style oath to answer for one another. As a state agency, the law school — practically and constitutionally — can only respond to misconduct with due process; it cannot reshape each student's conscience. Therefore, Mr. Holstin has no grounds to invite guilt by association. Mr. Hunter acted for himself, not the law school, just as Mr. Holstein properly speaks for himself, not the law school. Mr. Holstein may have simply been careless with his words, but if he really meant "disgrace," he improperly invokes collective blame when it is clear, even to Mr. Hunter, that this was individual conduct. I was embarrassed both to learn of Mr. Hunter's deceit and to read about Mr. Holstein's blustering in Topeka — but I have no control or influence over either gentleman's conduct and therefore have no cause to be "disgraced" by either. Nor does anyone else associated with the law school. Robert J. Drumm Lawrence second-year law student Columnist's argument supporting conflict ignores damage of hate-based actions Shaun Peterson is wrong ("Bush's promise of unity ignores human nature," yesterday). Conflict is good assuming it produces a finer product or concept. It is not good if it pits people against people in the fits of personal hate. Furthermore, conflict is not good for the economy. Let's say Shaun owns the widget store on Massachusetts Street. Say the "down with widget club" throws a rock through his display window. Shaun would have to buy a new window, admittedly giving the window company business. But Shaun was probably going to spend the window money on new lights or better widgets. Either way, his money was going to contribute to the economy; hate or conflict just directed it in a way he was not expecting. Joe Walberg Shawnee senior LIBERY HALL 654-3700 719-1912 CROUCHING TIQER, HIDDEN DRAGON (PG-13) 4:30 7:00 9:30 SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE (PG) 4:45 7:15 9:40 www.libertyhall.net Kansas Union Jayhawks Thursday 9-11 Saturday 10pm to Midnight Sunday 8pm - 10pm $7 w/KUID or $2.50 a game We take reservations! W Hollywood Theaters SOUTHWIND 12 3433 I/OWA 842 8390 BARGAIN MATINEES INDICATED BY () STADIUM SEATING *ALL DIGITAL* Sat - Sun Daily 1 Sugar And Spice $^{b,c}$ (1:20) 5:00, 7:45, 9:55 2 Cast Away $^{b,c}$ (1:00) 4:00, 7:00, 10:10 3 13 Days $^{b,c}$ (1:05) 4:55, 7:55, 10:55 4 Valentine $^{b,c}$ (1:10) 4:20, 7:35, 10:50 5 The Wedding Planner $^{b,c}$ (1:55) 4:50, 7:30, 9:55 6 Finding Forrester $^{b,c}$ (1:15) 4:15, 7:10, 10:55 7 Head Over Heels $^{b,c}$ (1:25) 4:25, 7:20, 9:40 8 Skratch $^{b,c}$ (1:35) 4:35, 7:25, 9:50 9 Save The Last Dance $^{b,c}$ (1:30) 4:15, 7:45, 9:45 10 Miss Congeniality $^{b,c}$ (1:45) 4:45, 7:25, 10:00 11 O Brother, Where Art Thou? $^{b,c}$ (1:50) 4:40, 7:20, 9:50 12 Traffic $^{b,c}$ (1:50) 4:40, 7:25, 10:10 PLAZA 6 2339 IOWA 841 B41 6000 Sat & Sun Daily Find it, sell it, buy it in the Kansan Classified or just read them for the fun of it!!!!!! Sat & Sun Daily 1 What Women Want*12 (1:45) 4:35) 7:05) 9:35 2 The Family Man*10,12 (1:45) 4:30) 7:00) 9:30 3 The Gift*1 (1:50) 4:35) 7:05) 9:35 4 The Emperor's New Groove*12 (2:00) 4:45) 7:15) 9:25 5 The Pledge*12 (1:46) 4:30) 7:00) 9:30 6 Chocolat*12 (1:55) 4:40) 7:10) 9:40 - NO VIP / PASSES * SUPERSAVERS SHOWT WES FOR TODAY ONLY Photo ID required for R movies Photo ID required for R movies We Buy, Sell & Trade USED & NEW Sports Equipment 841-PLAY 1029 Massachusetts Don't Be Left In The Cold $29 99mo. LAST CHANCE 100 bonus minutes for the first month on any monthly plan excluding nationwide plan Bring in ad - 200 Anytime minutes - 200 Anytime minutes - Mobile to mobile with Free Long Distance or 1000 weekend minutes For more information please call: Cingular Wireless (785) 832-2700 520 W. 23rd Street, Suite H cingular WIRELESS limited time offer, Taxes, tolls and other restrictions may apply. Requires new activation and 2 yr contract. Pre-approval and may be required. Nationwide long distance valid when calling from home coverage area. Free activation not on valid ID Credit USA, Business Talk or Balance Changer. For additional details, contact one of the above locations What do you have to say? All movies are shown at Woodruff Auditorium, Level 5 of the Kansas Union. Tickets are available at the door thirty minutes before each show. Admission is $21 free With SUA Movie Card. Movie times and dates are subject to change. Please check our website at www.ukans.edu/~sua for final schedules. For more information about movies or any other SUA program, please call the Box Office at 864-SHOW. The KU School of Fine Arts and Kansas Union present Brown Bag Classics Make your lunch a classic. Join the Music & Dance Department for free noon-time performances. Just bring your lunch because drinks are on the Kansas Union. January 17 Abigail Dinin, Piano January 24 Mike Hall, Prof. of Trombone January 31 Ben Sayevich, Prof of Violin, Peter Chun. January 31 Ben Sayevich, Prof of Violin, Pcl Prof of Viola, & John Boulton, Prof of Flute February 7 Ed Laut, Prof. Of Cello, February 7 Ed Laut, Prof. Of Cello, & Toni Marie Montgomery, Piano (Dean SFA) February 21 Jack Winerock, Prof of Piano February 28 Jazz Combo I March 14 Larry Maxey, Prof of Clarinet Alice Downs, Prof of Piano, & Linda Maxey Piano March 28 Sarah Fox and Guy Montes, flute April 4 Julie Mealiff, Piano April 11 Paul Stevens, Prof. of Horn April 25 Jessica Smythe. Piano May 2 Allyson Walters, Piano Wednesdays, 12:30 pm to 1 pm, Alderson Auditorium, Level 4, Kansas Union Piano courtesy of Vaccaro's Piano and Organ of Overland Park School of Fine Arts University of Kansas University of Kansas ---