4
Tuesday, April 16, 1991 / University Daily Kansan
Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wolf Creek Plant
Incompetent nuclear power operators risk safety of all area residents; public should be informed
T the possibility of a nuclear disaster in Kansas came too close to reality because of gross incompetence within a nuclear power plant.
More than one-third of a group of 22 operators failed to pass a licensing test last year at the Wolf Creek nuclear power plant. Federal regulators considered closing Wolf Creek, which is near Burlington.
The federal test administered last fall proved that Wolf Creek had the worst results in a 14-state region. Operators at the plant had a failure rate higher than the national average for the year ending in September 1990, federal officials said.
Five of eight employees who failed the initial test were retested by the company with federal supervision and passed. They are back at their jobs now. Federal regulators decided last week to allow the company to continue to operate.
How long Wolf Creek operated with incept employees and what kind of nuclear risks were allowed to mount are uncertain. But any risk should have been evaluated carefully long ago.
The public would never have known about the results of the federal test if it were not for the inquiries of a local newspaper.
The exposure of Wolf Creek's negligence displays the sad truth about the plant's standards of employment and ethics. The company should require employees to be tested at least twice a year. These results should be made available to the public.
The federal regulators, who are scheduled to inspect Wolf Creek again in August, should continue to keep a watchful eye on the company. If such gross inadequacies are uncovered again, more direct and punitive action should be taken.
Carol Krekeler for the editorial board
Peace negotiations
Middle East talks must begin with compromise
Since the modern state of Israel was created by the United Nations in 1947, the Middle East has been racked by instability and violence. Today, an opportunity for lasting peace could be within reach in the Israel and the Arab nations choose to seize it.
In the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War, the Palestinian question again has surfaced. This time, Israel has agreed to peace talks, but with very specific conditions that could jeopardize any meaningful progress.
The United States and the Soviet Union must participate in the talks. For that to happen, the Soviet Union must re-establish full diplomatic ties with Israel, a minor sticking point.
The United States and Israel have agreed that the Palestine Liberation Organization would not be allowed to take part in the talks, but residents of the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip would be represented.
A plan created in May 1989 calls for Israel to discuss limited autonomy for the occupied regions, the most important aspect of the negotiations. But if such an agreement is reached, final negotiations would be delayed for three years. Unfortunately, improved relations could deteriorate in that time, negating any progress.
Restoration of autonomy, although limited, should begin immediately but should be restored incrementally.
The Israelis also are hedging on U.N. resolution 242, which calls for Israel to withdraw from territory taken in war. But Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy said
that the resolution was open to interpretation and that interpretations could be discussed only at the end of the peace talks.
For any negotiations to be successful, the meaning of the U.N. resolution must be clear and agreed to at the beginning of the talks. Any disagreement at the end of the talks on such a basic tenet of negotiation could destroy any hope of peace in the region.
And there is already in-fighting among Israeli leaders about who will take part in the talks. Levy said that Israel would prefer to negotiate with a joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation but would meet with an independent Palestinian team.
However, Housing Minister Ariel Sharon said Israel would not meet with an independent
Until Israeli leaders can resolve disputes among themselves, no progress can be made.
The talk of peace between Israelis and Palestinians is good to hear, but no sincere effort has been made to gain that peace. On the surface, the current plan for peace talks appears to be a genuine step toward peace. But there is no foundation for the talks yet.
No Arab nations have agreed to take part in peace talks. Israel refuses to recognize U.N. resolution 242. And Israel has yet to decide to whom they will talk, except for the United States and the Soviet Union — two nations that have nothing to do with achieving lasting peace in the region
Israelis and Arabs are solely responsible for sculpting peace. And neither appears ready to begin carving away their differences.
Rod Griffin for the editorial board
X X X X X
NOW NEEDED : SMART FOOD.
Society should decide what to do about police brutality
Police brutality is a hot current topic that a certain segment of this society does not want to discuss.
When I asked about Black police violence upon white civilians he quickly responded, "It would never be tolerated." It can be safely said that this is a reflection of the major impact this country's police departments
So, for more than 80 percent of this campus's population, you can rest safely and soundly tonight because you do not have to worry. The Big Blue is on your side. However, for a smaller campus percentage, but a larger one, it might sleep with one eye open or maybe not even sleep at all. For you never know when you'll be the next Rodney King. For you innocent or ignorant, oh so
Recently, I was talking with a St. Louis police officer of 16 years. He spoke very nonchalantly about the double standards of racism that exist within the police department. He said he never could have imagined or would have believed the things that go on in the police department before an officer took becoming part of the system to be responsible for internalize the harsh truth that the system is not fair and for some, it just does not work.
Unfortunately, the "some" orch which it does not work, African-Americans, includes this officer. He said that he has to constantly tell new African-American officers, "that badge doesn't cover your butt." One of the biggest problems, he sees is white police violence upon Black civilians, which he strongly believes that nothing is being done to eliminate and he believes there will never be anything done.
Staff columnist
Ardra Tippett
gently naive, sincerely concerned or shallowly unconcerned, and you alightly liberals who have Black friends but cannot recall who Rodney King is — even though the name sounds really familiar.
King is the African-American man who was pulled over by Los Angeles' finest for a suspected traffic violation and was nearly beaten to death with night sticks by four white police officers. Can you believe it? Nice, big white men with badges who are supposed to protect everyone, the men your teachers told you in grade school were your friends. There's just one thing your grammar school teacher left an, ever so necessary qualifying statement. "Only if you're white, boys and girls."
Now the Rodney King incident is one of those things this society likes to cover up or swears in an exaggeration. Heaven forbid the officer would do such a thing, he's our friend. This kind of self-absorption was what was on our side. It's all on tape
The citizens of L.A. even had the audacity to have a support rally for the L.A. police chief. They were holding signs that read, "We feel safe
No one can deny it this time, but they can try and qualify and justify it, and by golly, that is exactly what the police officer and the white citizens and their others and sisters all over this great land of opportunity are trying to do.
with you," "We love you." and "We need you." The entire audience was white
I feel like I am in Soweto, South Africa, Tianjann Square, China, a Palestinian in Israel or simply and sadly enough, just an African-American in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Detroit, Chicago, St Louis or Kansas City, all of which are in the good old city. I have been raised, educated and educated in a society where I have to constantly be on guard and fear for my life.
Heaven forbid I give birth to a son, all my fears are instantly quadruple. Please don't patronize and be belittle my might by saying you understand if you are not African American, because there is no possible way you can feel my pain, there is no way you can hurt me, say you feel bad when you read this and then put the paper down and forget who Rodney King is.
Each time that video scene is flashed across a news program I see my father, my brother, my old high school classmates and my present college colleagues I feel a mother's choke on my breath because I want to have a son, but I am scared to the point of frenzy.
As we discussed, I feel right now. I have the right to discuss issues that affect you and me. I have a right to expect you to do something to change the situations you cause directly, indirectly or by association, ones you agitate or just allow to exist.
It is also only fair that I execute
change 'by any means necessary' if
it is possible.
Ardra Tippett is a St. Louis senor, majoring in African studies.
Commencement organizers should find indoor location in case of rain
"C commencement is one of the most important events in the life of the
events in the life of the University and in yours as a student. This tradition provides a special occasion for students with their families and friends to commemorate the accomplishments of their academic programs," reads the commencement letter mailed to this year's graduating seniors.
Despite the above declaration, the University Commencement Committee does not deem graduation important enough to warrant some type of alternative plan in the case of inclement weather. This year, if it is raining at 5 p.m. on May 19, commencement will be canceled. Not postponed, not moved indoors, but canceled. Those graduating may
Juli Watkins
Staff columnist
pick up their diplomas in Strong Hall. Talk about going out with a whimper.
After spending four years working toward my degree, I find this repulsive, inexcusable and cheap on the part of the Commencement Committee. The class of 1991, as well as every class before it, has worked hard for four or more years and put a stake in the institution. We deserve a graduation ceremony.
canceled in KU's history. In 1928, 1943, 1972 and 1981, inclement weather moved commencement indoors. Most recently, in 1981, the graduation ceremonies were moved to Allen Field House. This year's commencement booklet states that the field house will not be used for commencement exercises in the case of bad weather.
KU Information Services has no answer. The Commencement Committee would not return my phone calls for a week. It is difficult to determine if they are, but if they cannot be made aware, they cannot be that pressing.
If it is a problem of expenses, why isn't the class '91 consulted? A certainly has the potential mind power to come up with some sort of
The class of 1991, as well as every class before it, has worked hard for four or more years and put a lot of money into this institution. We deserve a graduation ceremony.
Commencement never has been
fundraiser.
The cost to open the field house for three hours could not possibly exceed $5,000, and if each senior contributed the bill, the bill would be more than paid.
It cannot be a problem of numbers. Although approximately 5,300 students graduate each year, only 3,500 actually make the jump to college and can hold nearly 16,000 people for basketball games, it can surely accommodate 3,500 gra
duating seniors and their families
Some of those families will travel many miles to see their loved ones graduate. But if it is raining at 5 p.m., there will be nothing. Not only will these families have come all the way to Lawrence for nothing, they probably would not have been aware of the possibility of cancellation because the University failed to make it clear.
This proclamation is buried in the
booklet accompanying the letter, and has probably gone largely unnoticed. The possibility of cancellation is not mentioned anywhere in the letter, and most students are probably not aware of it. Canceling commencement is a pretty big move, and the decision should have been more public. Not only is it a bad decision that would affect a lot of people, but it was not brought to the attention of those it affects directly.
If it is a problem of money, numbers or whatever, the members of the class should have been addressed a month before the month before commencement.
Perhaps we could have developed a more creative solution.
KANSAN STAFF
- Juli Watkins is a Praire Village senior majoring in journalism.
by David Rosenfield
CHRIS SIRON
RICH CORNELL Managing editor
TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser
Editors
AUDRA LANGFORD Business manager
Sketch
Business staff
Editors business staff
News. Melanie Matthes Campus sales mgr. Sophie Wehbe
Editorial Tiffany Harness Regional sales mgr. Carmen Dresch
Planning Holly M. Neuman National sales mgr. Jennifer Claxton
Campus Jennifer Reynolds, Co-op sales mgr. Christine Musser
Pam Sollin Production mgrs. Rich Harshbarger.
Sports. Ann Sommerlater Kate Stader
Photography. Keith Thorpe Marketing director. Gai Embinder
Graphics. Melissa Unterberg Creative director. Christy Hahs
Features. Jill Harrington Classified manager. Kim Crowder
Name should be typed, double-space and fewer than 200 words. They must include the writer's signature, name, address and telephone number. Writers affiliated with the University of Kansas
MINDI LUND
Retail sales manager
JEANNIE HINES
Sales and marketing adviser
Guest columns should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 700 words. The writer will be photographed.
The Kansan reserves the right to reject or edit letters, guest columns and carnations. They can be mailed or brought to the Kansan newroom, 113 Staffer-Fin Hall.