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Monday, March 4, 1991 / University Daily Kansan
Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Casualties of war
Government censors refuse to allow journalists onto Air Force base as soldiers' bodies arrive
Something has happened to journalists. The "watchdogs of society" have become the lap dogs of the government Because of the censorship that has been imposed on journalists covering the gulf crisis, they have inadvertently become George Bush's cheerleaders for war.
We watched "smart bombs" attack the enemy's headquarters with pinpoint accuracy.
We saw courageous pilots give the thumbs-up sign as they roared off in our million dollar planes to "kick butt."
We cheered when the news was splashed over the nation's newspapers that KU graduate John Marks had a record 23 tank kills. Tank kills?
No one mentioned the fact that each tank had a crew of five human beings — 115 dead. Iraqis, Tanks don't die. Only humans.
This is what was missing from this sanitized, censored war.
The dead.
This is a war. But it is easy to forget because the images we have been shown could be rated "G" by the Motion Picture Association of America.
This war is not reported to us by Cable News Network, but rather PNN - Pentagon News Network.
And now, in one more example of the blindfolding of the public to the horrors of war, media access to the arrival of the dead at Dover Air Force base has been blocked.
This is the first time in history that the United States has prevented media coverage of the arrival of soldiers killed in battle.
The government said the press had no constitutional right to access on government property
But the real reason access has been blocked is that the government has not forgotten the public outcry when the coffins arrived after the Panama conflict.
The government fears that support for the war will be lost if the reality of war is broadcast into the living rooms of the United States.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, what will photos of the dead from this war tell the public?
That this war is real, and the ultimate cost was paid — life.
Elicia Hill for the editorial board
Rock Chalk Revue
Annual talent show gives $35,000 to United Way
ou'd be surprised.
Fluorescent guppies swam on Hoch Auditorium stage, mouths pursuring in pursuit of food; a statue came alive, revealing the secret of hidden gold, and Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, waiting patiently for his great fall. All of these things were made possible by Rock Chalk Revue cast and production members.
Because of hundreds of hours spent in planning, rehearsal and production, $35,000 will be donated to the 1991 United Way fundraiser, meeting the $30,000 goal and surpassing last years' Rock Chalk contribution by $7,000.
Because of students' unwavering energy and enthusiasm over an eight-month period, 26 health and social service agencies in Lawrence and Douglas County will benefit and help others. The dedication, despite midterms, finals and papers, ensured that a Mount Oread tradition continued for its 42nd year.
The Rock Chalk Advisory Board should be
commended for implementing a new aspect into Rock Chalk Revue — actively involving cast members in the United Way. The cast members were asked to fill out a group information sheet at the beginning of the semester. The information was then used by the Roger Hill Volunteer Center to place people with volunteer organizations. Between November and February, the ten living groups that participated in Rock Chalk put in over a 1,000 hours of community service in addition to time spent on stage.
The Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority captured the Most Volunteer Award for contributing the most volunteer work, in addition to selling the most tickets for the three Rock Chalk performances.
All of the people involved with Rock Chalk Revue deserve a standing ovation. The production itself was short-lived, and the moments of glory were fleeting. But the production's financial and humane donation will last for years to come.
Jennifer Schultz for the editorial board
The Kanan editorial board members are Juli Watkins, Stacy Smith, Mayniday Mccoy, Amy Zamierwik, Melanie Bottle, Tiffany Harness, Rod Griffin, Chris Shrion, Rich Cornell, Melanie Matthee, Clare McGinn, Elicia Hill, Jennifer
- Editorials reflect the opinion of the University Dalkan Kaisan editorial board. Editorials appear in a box on the left side of the page. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the board but not necessarily the opinion of the signed editor.
Opinions expressed in guest and staff columns and cartoons are solely those of the author or artist. Views expressed in columns and cartoons are not necessarily shared by the Kansan.
Other Voices
A setback in Nicaragua
Violeta Chameroil's hopes for national reconciliation in Nicaragua received a shattering setback when a former Contra leader was assassinated in the heart of Managua Feb. 16.
Since assuming the presidency, Chamorro has gone to enormous lengths to heal the wounds of the civil war. She has done everything she could to resettle the Contras, the U.S. backed guerrilla movement that fought against the Sandistas, allowing the left-wing party to retain control over the armed forces and the police.
The murder of Enrique Bermudez, who once commanded the Contras and was attempting to begin his life again in Nicaragua after spending more than a decade in Miami, was clearly intended to sabotage President Chamorro's plans to end violent political confrontation.
If men such as . . . Bermudez cannot begin their lives again in their
native country, then the specter of civil war looms on the political horizon. Naturally, radical Sandinists are suspected of killing . . . Bernudez. That is one reason why it is important that the Sandinista security forces find his killers and bring them to justice.
Chamorro has alienated many of her own supporters because she has held out the olive branch to her former bitter enemies, the Sandinistas. She hoped to restore trust and brotherhood. The murderers of Enrique Bermudez seek just the opposite.
The News & Courier, Charleston
Saddam should resign
Saddam Hussein and his regime should no longer remain in power. More miseries will befall the Iraqi people if Saddam continues to rule.
Saddam is a threat not only to the Iraqis but to the people of the entire region. If Saddam remains in power
after the war, this will impede Iraq's efforts to overcome its economic problems and end its political seclusion.
It is an imperative demand of the Iraqi people that Saddam should give up power. The Iraqi people alone should topple Saddam.
From the Al-Nadwa, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
U.S. role went too far
The fact President Bush did not want to agree to (Soviet peace initiative) shows that the Americans and their allies in the gulf conflict never were concerned solely with Kuwait but just as much with destroying the Importer's power base. This war immediately lies outside the U.N. mandate.
New student group contradicts itself, needs to define stand
From the Tages-Anzeiger, Zurich, Switzerland
Last Friday I read an article in the Kansan about a new organization on campus called the Oread Society, and quite frankly, I wasn't sure how to react. The position of the group is that there is too much radicalism on campus, and they don't like being made to feel guilt. It appears that they think minority groups are just overly sensitive.
So the members of the Oread
And what they really don't like are protests. We all know how bad those are. Protests threaten the stability of this wonderful society in which we all live. Protests create turmoil and unrest among the people. Open criticism of the establishment is subversive and downright hostile.
Brian Doyle
Guest columnist
Society have a new and brilliant idea. They are going to hold their own protest to demonstrate to all people of sound mind "the lunacy of some of the past protests." The members of the Oread Society admit this may seem hypocritical, I guess I agree. It is hypocritical.
If one looks at what they are doing, what is so different? They have created and identified a campus organization. Not very new. So have
the black Men of Today, the February Daughters, Gay and Lesbian Services of Kansas, the Hispanic American Leadership Organization and many others. They have made a public statement concerning their perspective on campus issues. Again, not very new. They are going to hold a protest. Definitely not that original of an idea.
So I wonder, is it really the protests that the Oread Society is mad about or is it the fact that the protests don't reflect the views of its members? I didn't see mention of pro-war activism in the article. It seems they don't mind that. And why should any of us? There is nothing wrong with expressing an opinion. Unless, that is, too many voices voiced conflict with
your own.
But, this got me thinking. Imagine how utterly boring this campus would be if no one expressed an opinion. How many people are disappointed when they turn to the opinion page of the Kansan and find no letters to the editor and no juicy commentary? It's what makes the book "Literary Journal" those letters but literary protest? We thrive on the challenge of conflicting opinions and values. It's what gives us a purpose and identity.
Which brings me back to the Created Society. What is its purpose? All they have said is that they don't like the stand of other campus organizations. But what are their stand? I see no wrong in the formation of a conservatively oriented student organization on campus. In fact, I would commend one. It is true that the balance of political activism is bent towards the liberal end. But who is to blame for that? The Oread Society seems to blame the liberals. They are mad at their leaders, making them feel guilty. But honestly, I don't believe that anyone on this campus has the power to make students feel guilty unless the seeds of guilt and doubt already exist.
So, I say to the Oread Society and to anyone who might identify with its opinion, don't look for a scapegoat. We are not all scapegoats; we allow some people the chance to express their opinions who otherwise might not get that opportunity."
What's stopping those people? Anyone can hold a picket sign or write a letter to the Kansan. It is not the same as setting up a soapbox for you to speak on.
There is a saying that goes, "You reap what you sow." Those who are active in expressing their opinion earn their spot in the limelight. If you conservatives are unsatisfied with the political climate of this University, then come out of the woodwork and say something; something subversive. You do not degrees. Find a purpose beyond telling us liberals to shut up, because I'm afraid you'll find that it's not going to happen.
Brian Doyle is a Chicago junior majoring in psychology and African-american studies.
KANSAN STAFF
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raman reserves the right to reject or edit letters, guest column and cartoons. They can be marked or brought to the Kranawien newsroom, 111 Staffer-Finn Hall.
AFTER PROFESSOR COLLIN NOTED SIMILAR PERIENCIES WHILE READING THE STUDENTS' ESSAYS. EVERYONE JOINED IN A CHORUS OF SEVERAL SPIRITUAL SONGS.
ENLIGHTENED
EVE WITNESS
NOTE