Tuesday, December 5, 2000 The University Daily Kansan Section A·Page 5 Letters to the Editor Editorial mocks basic premise of democracy Ben Emby's editorial of Nov. 28, "High courts should rule on election," is dizzying in its contradictory nature. Ostensibly, he is arguing for the protection of the "spirit of the democratic process" (whatever that might be), but he calls for the "courts" (plural, so which ones?) to "deliver the last word on the election." So the most undemocratic institution in the country — whose members serve for life in most cases, whose members are unaccountable to the people — should decide the election. Hooray for democracy! election. Fellow of the Mr. Embry attacks Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris for certifying the election — but she did so in compliance with Florida's highest court, presumably one of the "high courts" he loves so much. loves so much. He claims to seek to protect the "credibility of the democratic process" by making sure "politics are ruled by law"—but he simultaneously acknowledges that the courts must enter "unexplored legal territory" in making a decision. Hardly rule by law or democracy! Harry L. by law. The only violation of the democratic spirit is a violation of the Democratic spirit: The Democrats didn't win. Mr. Embry's illogical, meandering and ill-informed piece demonstrates quite clearly the real failure in American democracy: The people, the voters, don't have a clue. Aaron D. Profitt Overland Park senior "Sex On the Hill" promotes sexual irresponsibility I wish I could respect the Kansan. I really do. But with features such as "Sex on the Hill" and Jayplay, I'm having a little trouble with that. As sexual propriety declines, STDs, divorce rates, unwanted pregnancy and abortions increase. With the two previously mentioned special features, I believe the Kansan has imparted a destructive philosophy on its readers. desirteffective I strongly believe the *Kansan* should be presenting the real facts. Maybe a headline on the front page reading "Over half of sexually active people have genital warts." Or "20 types of STDs can't be prevented with contraceptives." Maybe the *Kansan* should do a feature on why every new marriage has a 43 percent chance of ending in divorce. Why doesn't it mention that four of every 10 females get pregnant before they turn 20? I did 20 minutes of searching on the Internet, and I found enough information to realize beyond a shadow of a doubt that premarital sex is stupid. And that doesn't even take into account the religious and psychological consequences of such actions. In Jayplay, I read that Dailey claimed sexual sparks are of lasting importance in a serious relationship. The entire article argued that sex was important because: 1) It's fun. 2) It's fun. 3) It's necessary for a relationship. The story didn't mention STDs, pregnancy, or abortion. It didn't mention how premarital sex leads to infidelity and divorce. Important to a relationship? More like important to a loosy relationship. Let's face it: If you base a marriage on sex, you're going to have problems when you start getting older. Sexual responsibility is abstinence. Period. Sexual responsibility is abstinence. Period. Andrew Pull Colfax, N.D., freshman Students can live full lives without the risks of alcohol Reading in the Kansan Nov. 29 about the student who was raped in her residence hall room left me with a deep sense of sadness. According to the story, alcohol played a major role. I have worked on this campus for 17 years, and in that time, I have read story after story about students under the influence of alcohol who rape or are raped, run over by cars while crossing streets, killed from falling out of windows, horribly injured or killed in car accidents, die from alcohol poisoning and are injured in fights. Yet little has changed in the attitude of students toward drinking alcohol over the years. Students still drink to get drunk, oblivious, it seems, to the dangers that exist to them and their friends. their friends: Let me say there is a better, safer way to live life. Many students on this campus live full and exciting lives without the benefit of alcohol. The students with whom I work find satisfaction and fulfillment in their relationships with Jesus. They wake up in the morning with a clear head, a clear conscience and a calm stomach. They know where they have been the night before and with whom. Although they still live in an often-dangerous world, they are avoiding the dangers that come with losing control of your senses. I implore all KU students who love to party to rethink what you are doing, not only for your own sakes, but for those who care deeply for you. Enough of the heart-breaking stories of death and abuse. There is a better way of life. If you want, I will help you find it. Jim Musser campus minister Coca-Cola's beverage domination of campus isn't quite complete As most everyone who has set foot on Jayhawk Boulevard knows, the University of Kansas is a Coke campus. This means that our beverage options available in any academic building, cafe or on-campus dining center must be branded with that "classic" script logo. (I have internalized any and all advertising from the galore of bright red vending machines and soda fountains. Only a "classic" beverage is good enough for me, even though "image is nothing.") I bow down to the beverage gods most days on campus. However, in the mornings I don't always feel like paying homage to the Coca-Cola gods. When I make my daily breakfast stop at E's Express, I am usually craving something a little less brown, syrupy and gaseous. Would I be making too much of a generalization if I said that juice is a widely consumed and possibly choice beverage for many in the morning? During my freshman year, I was able to eat my bagel and drink my little carton of orange juice at E's Express every day before class. When they took away my orange juice and instead gave me cans of Welch's, I was OK after a brief period of mourning and adjustment. Just last week, I went to my wonderful basement eatery for a bagel and my newly beloved Welch's orange and pineapple juice to find I had been deprived of this juice as well. Coca-Cola is now sponsoring my breakfast, too. A nice bowl of Cheerios with Coke, brought to you by Coca-Cola. Or I could always have some toast washed down with a large bottle of Sprite with the added bonus of maybe one day collecting the cap that will send me to the Super Bowl. the Carpenter. After overcoming strong feelings of hysteria and vitamin C withdrawal, I realized something. The final phase of total Coca-Cola domination on campus is not yet complete. True, E's Express can no longer serve my cherished Welch's juices. They do not wear the brand name of our generous neighborhood dictator. I'm not yet showing in Diet Coke and brushing my teeth with Mr. Pibb, though. Coca-Cola still has some work to do. I love our super-despot of caffeinated soft drinks, even after my juice was viciously stolen away. I realize my morning dose of a non-Coke liquid is not conducive to an effectively run beverage tyrann. Well, problem solved. In fact, after we've converted the plumbing system in residence halls, we could always fill the Chi Omega fountain with Coke, just in case Coca-Cola isn't quite convinced of their monopoly on campus. Lindsay Thomas Fort Collins, Colo., sophomore Closeness of Florida race makes recount paramount I am writing in response to Jimmy Lightfoot's Nov. 20 guest column. As an American citizen, I get the right to vote when I turn 18. More than that, I also have the right for that vote to be counted in favor of my candidate. This laughing stock of an election may be caught up in legal turmoil, but it has not lost its purpose. Al Gore heard the complaints of his constituents in Florida and acted on their behalf. He is not "attempting to find any manipulation of the law that will lead to his presidency," as Lightfoot stated. He is only trying to unclamp George W. Bush's hand from the mouth of this country. Any race as close as the one in Florida should be under this type of scrutiny, and determining a winner is the obviously the main objective. When the two machine recounts provided distinctly different vote counts, Al Gore asked for a recount by hand. In fact, George W. Bush signed a law in his home state of Texas stating that if any vote was disputed, a hand recount would be more accurate than a machine one. Bush has put up a lot of fuss for someone who is sure he has won the presidency. If there is truly no question about who received the most votes in Florida, Bush should have no problem allowing as many recounts to take place as deemed necessary. He is the winner ... right? Cydney Anne Fowler Topeka freshman 638 MASS. 832-CAFE Expresso Cafe Gourmet Coffee & Tea Hollywood Theaters SOUTHWIND 12 3433 IDWA 832 0880 BARGAIN MATINEES INDICATED BY () STADIUM SEATING * ALL DIGITAL PLAZA 6 - NOVIE • PASSSES • SUPERAVAILS SHOWTIMES FOR TODAY ONLY Sat-Sun Daily 1 The 6th Day* *w** *c** (1:20) (1:30) 1:40) 1:50) 2 Little Nicky* *c** (1:15) 4:10) 7:00) 9:30) 3 Remember The Titans* *c** (1:40) 7:10) 9:50) 4 Auguries In Paris* *c** (1:55) 4:55) 7:20) 9:20) 5 102 Deltamines* *c** (1:50) 4:15) 7:05) 9:25) 6 Unbreakable* *c** (1:35) 4:55) 7:30) 10:05) 7 How the Ginch Sleide.* *c** (1:30) 4:20) 7:15) 9:45) 8 Bounce* *c** (1:40) 4:45) 7:25) 9:55) 9 Men Of Honor* (1:10) 4:55) 7:00) 9:50) 10 The Legend of Bagger Vance* (1:30) 4:00) 7:10) 9:55) 11 Meet The Parents* *c** (1:45) 4:50) 7:00) 10:00) 12 Charlie's Angels* *c** (1:25) 4:25) 7:05) 9:35) Sat & Sun Daily 1 Almost Famous a¹ (1:50) 4:30) 7:00,9:30 2 The Excist² a¹ (1:45) 4:30) 7:00,9:30 3 Bedazzled⁽³⁾ (2:00) 4:45) 7:15,9:45 4 Pay It Forward⁽⁴⁾ (1:45) 4:35) 7:05,9:35 5 Billy Elliotª (1:55) 4:40) 7:10,9:40 6 Red Planet ¥ (1:50) 4:40) 7:10,9:40 Savannah Lingerie Don't let credit card debt control your future. If you use your credit card over winter break, please remember: - Credit card interest can double or triple the final cost of a purchase. - A $1000 balance on a credit card charging 18% interest will take 7.8 years to pay off if you make only minimum monthly payments. The University of Kansas • Division of Student Affairs Office of Student Financial Aid 50 Strong Hall • 1450 Jayhawk Blvd. • Lawrence, KS 66045-7535 • (785) 864-4700 www.ku.edul~osfa Illustrators The University Daily Kansan Now hiring for several positions Editorial board members Columnists JayPlay writers Sports writers Graphic artists Cartoonists Designers Photographers Movie, CD, book and Online staff video-game reviewers Deadlines vary depending on position but all are due soon Applications are available in the Kansan newsroom 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall