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Friday, December 3,1993
OPINION UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VIEWPOINT
Hillary Clinton expands importance of first lady
After 10 months in the White House, Hillary Rodham Clinton has redefined the role of the first lady. While former first ladies have generally been content to be supportive companions, she has shown that she is a competent and influential woman, independent of her husband.
Though critics initially quipped that she wears the pants in the Clinton household, she has struck an appropriate balance between promoting her husband's ideas and working to accomplish her own goals. Rodham Clinton is a respected political figure in her own right, but she is also committed to working on behalf of her husband.
This is evidenced by her inarguable dedication to instituting much-needed health care reforms. She has consistently impressed political enemies and allies alike with her intelligence and her knowledge of our nation's health care system. Together, Bill and Hillary Clinton are working to ensure that every person has access to affordable health insurance.
Politics aside, Rodham Clinton is an admirable female role model. She has proven that women can be competent and assertive without seeming inappropriately domineering. Her intelligence and strong work ethic are unquestionable and have won her the respect of both men and women.
Rodham Clinton's reformation of the role of first lady is a positive precedent, and she should serve as an example to all women. She has shown that the first lady can and should be politically active without overshadowing her husband.
COLLEEN MCCAIN FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Gridlock losing its grip on federal government
The governmental gridlock of the last few years is breaking up. During the last few months, federal lawmakers have debated and passed several pieces of significant legislation, including NAFTA and the Brady Bill. They also are poised to resume debate on national health-care reform and other important issues during the next few months.
President Clinton and members of Congress should share the credit for the growing spirit of bipartisan compromise in Washington. Clinton has proven himself to be adept at addressing members of both parties when working to pass controversial legislation. Congress also has approached new legislation with the good of the country in mind, rather than focusing on strict party loyalties or campaigning concerns.
Regardless of your opinion about each of these pieces of legislation, when viewed together they form a progressive and aggressive body of legislation that could signal an end to the partisan politics that paralyzed the government of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
CHRIS REEDY FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN EDITORIAL BOARD: DAVID BURGETT,
JR CLAIRBORNE, CHRISTINA CORNISH, CARSON ELROD, TOM
GRELINGER, MANNY LOPEZ, COLLEEN MCCAIN, TERRILYN
MCCORMICK, MUNEERA NASEE, NATHAN NASSIF, KIRK RED-
MOND, CHRIS REEDY, RANDALL REITZ, MIKE SILVERMAN, EISHA
TIERNEY, KC TRAUER, DAVID WANEK
MANY RIBBONS WILL BE TOSSED ASIDE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
During Thanksgiving break, my father and I made a pact. Because he has paid for my four years of college, I will allow him to take the family to Furrs Cafeteria just once before I graduate.
Dad's desire: to savor Furrs' fried-food buffet
Yes, my mother, sister and I have agreed to swallow our pride and venture into that no-mans land of white, tasteless food, where equally tasteless people repeatedly slide up to the trough, giving new meaning to the term "all you can eat." Just once before I leave the University of Kansas, we will partake of that buffet of chicken, instant mashed potatoes and tapioca pudding where everything is deep-fat fried and pleniful. We will do it for Dad.
My father, a simple man with simple tastes, truly believes Furrs is the Mecca of fine dining. Dad, a die-hard Wildcat fan, was skeptical of my decision to attend KU until, on the way to my dorm, he spotted that brown sign on 23rd Street. "They have a Furrs!" he exclaimed with glee that quickly was squealed by the groans and laughter of myself, my mother and sister. If Dad had any hope of crossing Furrs' threshold that day, Mom put it to rest with an ignorant snort.
COMMENTARY
But Dad is tenacious. Every time he and my mother visit Lawrence and the subject of where to eat arises, he finds a way to surreptitiously suggest Furrs. "Well, Furrs is right on the way," he says, or, "You know whose seafood I really like? Furrs!" And my mother, sister and I always respond with the same condescending laughter. "Oh, Daddy," my sister and I sigh. "Really, Tom," my mother scolds. "We are not going to Furrs!"
Yet Dad persevers, and it is in tribute to his bravery and persistence that
I struck a deal with him. Perhaps I felt like a snob for thumbing my nose at a place where people can eat as much as they want and never taste a thing and where Jell-O and succotash are featured menu items, not undesirables to be pushed under a napkin. Perhaps I felt guilty for denying my father his simple dream of visiting what is, in his eyes, KU's one redeeming feature. Perhaps, deep inside, chocolate cream pie and Salisbury steak really do sound good.
Whatever my motive, the deal has been sealed, and the date has been set. This Sunday, Mom and Dad are coming for Vespers. Afterwards, we are going to Furrs.
Mom and my sister and I have made a deal as well. We have agreed that Sunday is Dad's day, and we will let him enjoy his meal at Furs without laughter or snide comments. Dad has paid for four years of college. The least we can do is pay for him to eat at Furrs just once before I graduate.
Sara Bennett is a Manhattan senior majoring in Journalism.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Christianity portrayed as superior by teacher
The following lines are taken from the syllabus of Ann Jurcyk, Western Civilization instructor:
"It is the perspective of this instructor that Western Civilization and the history thereof is in fact better represented by the phrase 'The Rise and Fall and Subsequent Renewal of Christendom' ... It is the purpose of my course to give credence to the fact that objective Truth is a real and knowable, and thus qualifiable fact.
It is also the intent of this instructor to show that, in fact, Christian culture best represents this objective Truth and that had said culture not been derailed by the 'Reformation,' many of the great evils of the world (such as racism, nationalism, communism, or imperialism) would not have come into existence.
I can't believe that a graduate teaching assistant with such radical views is distracting a fundamental liberal arts course into a forum for ideology more commonly heard from the steps in front of Wescoe Hall. I would like to congratulate the Western Civilization program on its recruiting abilities: It must not have been easy to pry Jurczyk from the Phelps ministry.
... Bear in mind that it is the opinion of this instructor that Christian culture can objectively be defended as a superior cultural model. That is
not to say that other cultures possess no Truth, but rather to say that Christian culture at its height possesses the fulness of Truth."
Besides my personal disagreements with Jurcyk, there are many philosophical and pedagogical arguments against having such a person teach a required course at a large university.
Jurcyk must have realized that her beliefs would be challenged. In fact, this syllabus is a revised edition; her original syllabus was unacceptable with the higher-ups in the Western Civilization program, so she toned it down to this version.
What about Jurczyk's argument that supporting her beliefs does not
constitute discrimination against other beliefs? If this were true, then another professor would be free to teach a course from the perspective that Nazism "possesses the fullness of Truth" or that homosexuality "can objectively be defended as a superior cultural model."
I think that teaching a course by emphasizing a narrow ideology as proper standard or better than others is discrimination against those who do not share that ideology.
This kind of intolerance and inconsideration for cultural sensitivities of diverse students at the University can have only one effect: the perpetuation of dislike and misunderstanding among groups with different ideologies and different cultures. I think Jurcyk may be a nice person. But I also think that she has no business teaching classes at the University. Too many people with equal or better qualifications can teach the course with the proper objectivity and an acceptance of divergent viewpoints.
Lawrence senior
COLLEEN NATHAN McCAIN OLSON Spring 1994 Editorial Co-Editors
Kansan looks for diversity in hiring for opinion page
The students of the University of Kansas represent a myriad of backgrounds and beliefs. Many ethnic, religious and political groups are found among KU's 26,000 students.
Accordingly, the Kansan strives to represent a varied cross-section of students' viewpoints. The opinion page, in particular, attempts to reflect this diversity.
At times, though, the page isn't successful. Some people claim that the page is too liberal, others that it is too conservative. Now critics have the chance to change things.
The opinion page is changing next semester. Next week we will be hiring a new editorial board, new columnists, strip cartoonists and editorial cartoonists. All students, whatever their beliefs or ideas, are encouraged to apply.
Many students hesitate to apply for positions because they think only journalism majors can write for the page. That simply isn't true.
Students from all areas of study are sought to form a more heterogeneous group. All students should have the opportunity to express their views, and by contributing to the opinion page, they will do exactly that.
The editorial board will consist of approximately 15 people. The board will meet twice a week to discuss and vote on issues. Board members must be able to write logically and concisely. They must also be dependable and committed to serving on the board.
Diversity is an essential element to the editorial board. By selecting board members who represent many different perspectives, we will be more able to effectively discuss the issues. Second, the different perspectives will allow editors to reflect the entire University.
A varied group of columnists is also needed. Columnists create an interesting and balanced editorial page. Each semester, new columnists are hired to present fresh perspectives.
COLUMNISTS
All types of columnists are encouraged to apply. Humor columnists could offer a light-hearted look at local or national events or even share amusing personal experiences. Issue columnists may write about issues at every level - from campus politics to international politics.
Columnists must also be able to write clearly. They must be able to offer relevant, well-supported arguments to current issues.
To complete the page, opinion and strip cartoonists are necessary. Opinion cartoonists draw political cartoons that respond to editorials and current events. Strip cartoonists must present an original comic strip that can be continued throughout the semester.
Completed applications for all positions on the opinion page will be taken until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8. Applications are available at the Kansan newsroom, 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall. Interviews will be conducted beginning Dec. 10.
Each of the editorial board members, columnists and cartoonists is integral to the strength and success of the page. Take the initiative and apply.
Colleen McCain is a Salina sophomore majoring in journalism. Nathan Olson is a Chicago graduate student in English.
KC TRAUER
Editor
JOE HARDER, CHRISTINE LAUE
Managing editors
TOM EBLEN
General manager, news adviser
BILL SKEET
Technology coordinator
Editors
Assistant to the editor...J.R. Clairborne
News...Stacy Friedman
Edith Hall...Terrian McComlock
Campus...Ben Grove
Sports...Kristi Fogler
Photo...Kip Chin, Renee Knoeber
Features...Zur Weile
Graphics...John Paul Fogel
Wire...Alexander Bloemhof, Vicki Bode, Kevin Ettrada
Assistant Editors
Associate editorial...Colleen McCain
Associate campus...Dan England
Assistant campus / planning...Jesa DeHaven
Associate sports...Todd Selfert
Associate features...Almee Estrada
Copy Editor
Alexander Bloemhof...Allison Lippart
Tracey Ritchie
News Clerk...Teresa Veazey
Reporters
Scott Anderson...Sara Bennett
Mark Button...Tracel Carl
Cheesey Dohl...Matt Doyle
Anne Fellet...Gerry Fey
Christoph Fuhrman...Donella Hearne
Krishnan Jainfield...Rafan Jamie
Liz Klinger...Shan Schwartz
David Stewart...Kathleen Stolle
Carlo Tejada...J. Watson
Copy Editors
KANSANSTAFF
Elizabeth Beary ... Craig Boxx
Kevin Butter ... Dan Carver
Lisa Countrito ... Jesse Delvaken
Dan Rockland ... Jack Palmer
Matt Hydenman ... Matthew Martino
Stacy Mortord ... Sarah Nagi
Mumeera Nussar ... Barbara Schultz
Todd Seffert
Photographers
William Alix ... Valerie Bontrage
Julla Clarke ... Richard Devinki
John Gamble ... Doug Hesse
Paul Kotz ... Melissa Lacey
Tom Leininger ... Holly McQueen
Susan McSpadden
Dave Campbell ... James Frederick
Michal Leasker ... Dan Schauer
Designers
John Paul Fogel...Steve Friedman
Will Lewis
AMY STUMBO Retail sales manager
JEANNE HINES
Sales and marketing adviser
PAT BOYLE Business coordinator
BILL THOMAS Production
Business Staff
Campus sales manager...Ed Schager
Regional sales manager...Jennifer Perrier
National sales manager...Jennifer Evenson
Co-op sales manager...Blythe Focht
Production managers...Jennifer Blowey
Kate Burgese
Marketing director...Shelly McConnell
Creative director...Brian Pusel
Classified manager...Gretchen Koestelmich
Nearsection manager...Judith Standley
Teesheets manager
Retail assistant...Triola Bumpus
Creative assistant (photographer)...Andrew Amone
Zone Managers
John Carlton ... Jason Eberly
Justin Garberg ... Josh Hahn
... Robin Kring
Retail Account Executives
Mindy Blum ... Chris Bulgren
Chris Butler ... Kelly Caffrey
Jennifer Carr ... Jenni Goorke
Laura Guth ... Allison Kaplan
Jason Kort ... Mark Mastro
Chris Morrissey ... Frank Muller
Paula Ostrowski ..Heather Richetto
Jenny Schwab ..Andrew Shriver
Dave Smith ..Stacey Stricklin
Campus Account Executives
Keri Kimmal ... Beth Pols
Shannon Reilly ..Troy Tarwater
... Jeanne Toohey
Regional Account Executive
Arville Crawford ... Alex Kolb
Brian Platt ...
Account Assistants
Shelley Falevits ... Bradley Felnberg
Dean Hownd ... Mark Slothick
... Matt Spett
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