4a
Opinion
Friday, December 8, 2000
Perspective
For comments, contact Ben Voosen Embry or Emily Hughey at 864-4924 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com
Non-voter relies on spirit of democracy
Please, before I dive into my post-mortem pool of defeat, I just want to add an important detail of my contribution to "Decision 2000."
I did not vote!
In my defensive, yet explanatory rendition of a 1600 Pennsylvania street-corner blues composer: "I wrote a column 'bout it. Here it go."
Political policies and political ideologies never have been and probably never will be a distinct part of my agenda.
Lately, I've been on a spiritually submissive path and I have decided that any dealings with a man-made governmental bureaucracy might add more obstacles and speed bumps to my godly mission than an Israeli-Palestinian turf conflict.
First. understand my
First, understand my location during the unveiling of the election results. I was attending a hip-hop concert. Yes, it is true. I was one among those many "heads" that take refuge in "Father Hip-Hop" from the hysterical everyday political rigamarole.
And once again, my refuge offered me shelter in rhythmic bliss. Hip-hop never lets me down. However, for some undeniable rea-
some untenable feel son, my refuge seemed a bit intruded upon, and I developed this eerie feeling that somehow my fellow hip-hop heads' enthusiasm was being rerouted to a lesser power.
Eric M.
Tullis
guest columnist
email:makanan.com
The election results clearly drained the juice from my fellow head-bobbers, and the loss of spirit was evident from the stage to the entrance door. Demeaning catch phrases referring to the Republican's Lancelot echoed even over the captivating sound of the turntable revolutions.
It then became clear that a real culture shock was near and a generation that I take a patriotic pride in was highly apathetic towards America's foreshadowing of doom.
My culture was in danger: I knew that the election of a new-age Republican president means stricter censorship on the material that we crave. Where would I go for refuge? I knew that affirmative action literally might be thrown out of the White House window. What kind of future would this leave for the solidarity and continuance of a generation and culture that thrives on education?
By this point, I should have been giving myself the game-winning field goal kick in the rear for not voicing my opinion by voting against George W. Bush. I went into the "my-vote-couldn't-have-made-a-difference" phase, and honestly, it couldn't have made a difference. I do understand, however, that if everyone had the same attitude as me, then we would be in a heap of trouble. So at this point, I thank everyone.
With this act of courtesy, I also want to chastise the entire country and charge the citizens of this land with overly compulsive dependency. Though it isn't necessary to even begin to discuss one's faith in a higher power, the fact that many of this country's citizens rely and look to an "olligarchy in disguise" to seal their fate really displays a lack of hope and spiritual belief.
The spirit of a movement or a people is stronger than any political policy or office tenure and, historically, proves to be more effective. It was the spirit of the women's liberation movement that made opportunities possible. It was the spirit of the Civil Rights movement that made equal rights a priority.
Among many other issues, it was the spirit of this nation as a whole that has been responsible for the prosperity of its people. This is why I did not vote. I didn't need to. I relied on the rally of spirit. I had an undying belief that even if Sam Houston himself was elected, the spirituality in my values and my faith and in the prosperity of my people wouldn't be taken away.
Tullis is a Wichita junior in communications.
saqk
Steve Sack / TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
Heard on the Hill
What do you listen to in the morning?
"94.1. I listen to country music." Sarah Meckenstock Hays junior
"It isn't what I would choose to listen to, but 96.5. I would prefer it to be Trance."
Jon Parker
Leawood senior
"Whatever's on KJHK or whatever was on my stereo last." Scott Harn Omaha, Neb., senior
"103.3, R&B,
rap."
Kristin Lambert
Overland Park
freshman
Letters to the Editor
'Sex On the Hill' feature cheapens sex, relationships
I cannot believe the Kansan would take a sacred act and profane it so greatly. Has sex become nothing more than a feel-good event? What happened to the belief that sex was for marriage? What happened to the belief that showing all those pictures that the Kansan showed in the recent story on sex in JayPlay had no place in a public newspaper? Showing a wall full of dildos and vibrators while a guy holds his girlfriend's butt?
I shudder to think what my friends and family would think if they saw me in a picture like that. The thought of sinking to the level of visiting Priscilla's, especially to get a toy that showed that I wasnt good enough for my wife, makes me shudder.
There are so many confused statements in this article. First, the physical part of a non-marriage relationship should not be sex; when people have sex before marriage, what makes marriage so special? But, if all you do in a dating relationship is kiss or hold hands, how much more special will your wedding be?
Second, the so-called "sexpert" Dennis Dailey said that "one of (sex's) main reasons for being is physical pleasure." No, sex is meant to unify two people in indissolubility and faithfulness, something that is not present before marriage. Marriage makes two people one, something that cannot happen in a dating relationship, especially when almost all dating relationships end before marriage.
Finally, the viewpoint that these perverse things such as vibrators have a place in society, even so far as to claim "every woman should have a vibrator." sickens me. Just because the sexpert says that no penis can outmove a vibrator is no need to resort to something that takes batteries. If we were all animals, we could succumb to such urges.
Also, sex is open to fertility. Biologically and religiously, everything says that having sex means making a child. Procreation is not welcome before marriage, so don't have sex if you don't want the child that may be created.
On the Kansan's website, they talk about
uncontrollable urges, urges that "cannot be ignored." Hello? Are we not beings with a will that allows us to control our urges? How then do so many people go so long without sex, some even their whole lives?
Maybe the sign of wanting to live in a "sexually uptight world" is the strong will to do what is right. In that case, count me and many others in.
Robert Reddig Kansas City, Mo., senior
Kansan should take responsible stance on sex, drug coverage
I have become very concerned about several articles in the Kansan. The first disturbing instances were the recently published Sex on the Hill and "Different Strokes for Different Folks" (30 November 2000).
Reporters for these subjects have obviously thrown aside good taste and moral decency in exchange for hype and attention. The idea that sex is something to be experimented with and used like any other physical experience is dangerous and ignorant. I challenge you to find anyone in a meaningful and respectful relationship that engages in the cheap, meaningless sex your paper has advertised as "healthy."
I am equally disgusted with today's (6 December 2000) front-page article about the illegal drug ecstasy. I support individual liberties, but I cannot support the disregard of responsibility that this article encourages.
Ecstasy's fatal consequences are barely mentioned, buried in a sea of "information" about feel-good sexual energy and euphoria. Labeling ecstasy as "the drug of choice for a new generation" reflects the author's and the UDK's unwillingness to take a proactive stand against dangerous and deadly "party" trends.
I hope the Kansan will take a responsible position toward sex and drugs at KU, instead of promoting a casual and recreational attitude.
Eric A. Buschelman Edmond, Okla., freshman
Editorial
Holidays allow time for thanks
While shopping is key to the holidays, remember the reason for giving.
Shopping, shopping and more shopping. The holidays bring an emphasis to buying gifts more than any other time of year. However, people should remember to focus on the enjoyment of giving rather than the process of buying.
Shopping has become so important that there is a day specifically dedicated to shopping. The day after Thanksgiving is now celebrated as the official start of the holiday shopping season.
Some stores, such as Wal-Mart and K-Mart, started the season in advance by opening their doors on Thanksgiving night to give shoppers a jump on the sales. While this may be beneficial to merchants, the materialistic character of this time of year often overrides the joy of giving. Is all of the hustle and bustle of this month that necessary for the celebration of the holiday season?
All of the shopping and preparations for celebration add to unneeded and unwanted stress. Many students can relate as the stress factor is much higher because of final week, final projects and working to save those extra bucks for gifts for friends and family.
This year finals week falls with just a few days to spare before Christmas, so there will be a mad rush for students to get everything done.
Amidst all of the shopping madness, we need to keep in mind that the season is not only about giving and receiving gifts, but also time to give thanks for and to the people and things that we already have.
This means that it doesn't take maxing out a credit card or spending your life savings on gifts in order to show someone your appreciation.
Rather than hitting the mall, why not take some time to get creative and make your gifts more personal and meaningful instead of just overpriced.
Katie Hackett for the editorial board
864-0500 864-0500
Free for all callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. The Kansan reserves the right to edit submissions, and not all of them will be published. Slanderous statements will not be printed. To read more, go to www.kansan.com.
--what's up with paying 88 cents for a cup of water at Wescoe Terrace?
It doesn't seem very bright to complain about the Free for All in the Free for All.
I work for the parking department. I just wanted to let people on campus know that we're just doing our jobs. People coming in and being rude doesn't help our day at all. They just need to follow the rules and not ruin our day by coming in and being rude.
My "smart card" fell apart. To get a replacement, I had to pay $15. I don't think it's too smart that they charge that much.
If you don't like yourself, you should do a lot of drugs. Then you'll become a different person.
Don't ever tell a girl that she looks like your grandma.
what's up with paying 88 cents for a cup of water at Wescoe Terrace?
--what's up with paying 88 cents for a cup of water at Wescoe Terrace?
I can't believe I rely on the smell test for my clothes.
It's clever of the University to force students to put money on their KUID to make copies. Since when is 22 cents not enough to make a copy?
--what's up with paying 88 cents for a cup of water at Wescoe Terrace?
what's up with paying 88 cents for a cup of water at Wescoe Terrace?
It should be illegal for a house to have white Christmas lights and colored Christmas lights. It's just tacky.
what's up with paying 88 cents for a cup of water at Wescoe Terrace?
what's up with paying 88 cents for a cup of water at Wescoe Terrace?
Hey Democrat, let's cheer for George W. Bush 'cause four years of G.W.B. equals forty years of a democratic dynasty.
--if you have general questions or comments, e-mail the page staff (opinion@kansan.com) or call 864-4924
The number of KU Info is 864-3506. The number to the University switchboard is 864-2700. Figure it out!
Hashinger's custodial staff is great.
图
Someone should tell the people who live above us that practicing WWF moves at 1 a.m. isn't cool.
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