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Friday, January 18, 1991 / University Daily Kansan
Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Desert storm
Global cooperation, U.S. support necessary in gulf war, not debate on alternative solutions
Now that the United States has plunged into war, the time has come to stop dwelling on whether a peaceful solution could have been achieved or why this war began.
The time has come to pledge our support for the decision our government has made. Whether President Bush's decisions have been right or wrong, the U.S. soldiers carrying out his orders deserve our support. They are staking their lives on the gamble that freedom can be attained for any nation that wants it, and we must respect their dedication and courage.
Recent demonstrations have allowed people to express their feelings about the war in the gulf. Although these demonstrations are necessary for the preservation of U.S. democracy, our soldiers must not become the victims of anti-war sentiment.
Victims of war have so many countries within the United Nations actually taken a united stance to resolve a crisis. International cooperation
on world conflicts could mean an avoidance of war in the future.
But as important as international cooperation during this conflict is, the United States' allies need to be more dedicated to the cause. Although an unprecedented number of countries have pledged their support to Bush's actions, token promises are not enough. The U.S. government must continue to rally for more multilateral assistance in the gulf crisis. More military assistance from these 27 countries would affirm international cooperation.
Despite the reservations and doubts floating in the minds of those who question the military actions we have taken in the gulf, we cannot undo what has been done.
Instead we must continue to support our troops and hope that the alliance against Saddam Hussein can at least be the foundation for greater international cooperation.
The Kansan editorial board
Civil-rights holiday
King's message should be remembered Monday
Most people know classes have been cancelled Monday to honor the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. But most will let the day pass without thinking of the slain civil-rights leader.
The holiday is meant to be a day of reflection. Especially in this time of conflict, we should work to further King's message of peace. Instead of sleeping late and watching soap operas on television, why not find a way to honor King and his ideals.
University Scholarship Halls for Ethnic Reality will present a cultural awareness program at 7 p.m. at Douthart Scholarship Hall. The program will include a guest panel discussion and a video of King's famous sneeches.
In addition, a commemorative service will be at noon at the Ninth Street Missionary Church in Lawrence.
Many other activities have been planned in Kansas Cik.
Take time to be part of one of the events, or at least take a moment to reflect on what King stood for and what his message means.
today.
In past years, racial tensions have run high on campus. Certain incidents have led some people to call Lawrence a racist community. Taking part in events that commemorate King's message brings his dream one step closer to reality.
King's dream was one of peace. He believed in equality for all people, regardless of race, and worked to achieve that through non-violent means. Through his efforts, African-Americans gained many basic rights, including the end to desegregation in public schools and universities.
King once said he wanted future historians to say of the civil rights movement. "There lived a great people — a black people — who injected new meaning and dignity into the veins of civilization."
Make this year different. Do not let his message fall on deaf ears. His ideas were important then and they are still important today.
Stacy Smith for the editorial board
Protests unpatriotic
Wednesday night, the U.N. forces in the Middle East attacked Iraq. We did this to restore a popular ruler, stop atrocities against the people of Kuwait and show that naked aggression cannot be allowed or appeased. This is not an Arab problem, in this modern world, because actions in one part of the world can affect the rest. If you disagree with me, that's OK, but I am appalled at the actions of some individuals who continue to protest American "aggression" shows disrespect for the people of States in the gulf. I ask that anyone who feels similarly to come to the rallies and show support for U.S. policies and troops. This is not a call for confrontation but a call for support, prayer and unity of purpose. No one wants peace more than a soldier, but sometimes force in necessary.
Ken Farris Bloomfield Hills, Mich., senior
Ken Farris
by the following words.
If you are a protester of Operation Desert Storm, you may be offended
Soldiers need support
As a student you may be shocked to find that at least a single person at the University of Kansas refuses to be caught up in the emotions that anti-war movements rely on for success.
Walking on campus the day following the beginning of military action in the Gulf, I was not surprised at the bombardment of war-protest bulletins and fliers. I was not upset by the attacks. I supported support protests, rallies and activism as part of the American system and a unique element to university living.
No matter how wrong the reason for this conflict may be in their minds, do the anti-war protesters realize that a United States divided between war and peace will make a weaker United States? If we are divided on this conflict, as we were in Vietnam, more of our friends, and possibly ourselves, will be threatened. I also ask the protesters, "Are you questioning the right of President Bush to make this decision, or are you not supporting the action overall (including the men and women who are physically involved in Operation Desert Storm)?"
Although I agree in principle with activism as a means of questioning the decisions of our lawmakers and leaders, I tend to question the motivations of the protesters in this situation.
I have friends in Saudia Arabia. I know people who may die if we fight
a prolonged war. For these reasons, I supported negotiations over force.
I wrote letters to both senators Kassbeaum and Dole, and even President Bush expressing my sentiments against war. These small efforts obviously failed. Even now, after the conflict has begun, I believe that the Press are like me. I realize that withdrawing my support at this point would only do more to endanger the lives of many people I care about.
I plead with you, before you join an anti-war protest; know what you are protesting about. Are you so against war that you refuse to support even the women and men who are in the gulf? Because you don't agree with the conflict, will you scorn them if they come home? I say to you that Vietnam was a disaster not only politically and militarily. It also was a disaster because of the way the soldiers were treated when they returned home and because the negative impact of their absence No matter how unpopular Operation Desert Storm must be, I ask you please not to subject our people to the pain caused by an unsupportive public. Ask questions if you feel you must, but now that the conflict has begun, demand a quick victory and a speedy return of the ones we love.
Chad Whiteman Wichita senior
President's reasons for war unrealist.
B black and white, yes or no war or peace. Is that all that we understand? What
that all
that we understand? What
happened to the gray, the depth,
the logic, the truth? Doesn't anyone in
this country ask questions anymore,
and why are they doing so?
our administration knows what is
right for us? I don't even think they
know what's right for themselves.
Didn't we give Saddam Hussein the green light to invade after publicly stating that any problem was solely an Arab problem? Why did George W. Bush fulfill all ordering sanctions against Iraq, just one week before the invasion?
Aren't these direct contradictions to the past five months? In fact, everything now seems to be double-talk. Where was Congress two months ago when they could've done something useful? Their actions are futile now because any bill they pass needs the President's signature.
Didn't we go to Saudi Arabia in a defensive role? Our administration underhandedly manipulated us into an offensive position that we now can't get out of. Doesn't Bush know how Saddam and most other Arab leaders operate? It doesn't matter who or how many die, it's honor
Wayne Spritz
Guest columnist
that's at stake for Saddam. He's backed into a corner, and we put him there.
The idea of economic sanctions is irrelevant. He's not leaving; he can't. His loss of honor will get him killed by his own people. We've challenged him to war, win or lose. Saddam is made into a hero by his people for standing up to the "Great Satan" that is the United States.
Haven't we finally learned that what an Arab leader says and does has been proven separate over the years? In fact, we have been consistent along with the Middle East in the past years, but makes us so blissfully on target now?
Can't we figure out that Western diplomacy doesn't work in the Middle East? Their values are miles away from their life does always hold first priority.
Will someone answer questions like: Is this really a worldwide coalition of support? Where's Japan, the second largest power on earth? They've spent more money buying out the movie industry than on helping our forces. Why don't the Saudis rally more men to help us? This is their war, too, but they seem as though dollar bills will stop bullets. President Bush won't tell you that it was just a few weeks ago that Saudi King Fahd went to visit the troops in his own country! They're paying us for our blood. It's not for sale! Speaking of money, the Saudis are making an oil on profit, but they don't seem to be contributing their share considering that we're protecting their land.
In addition, why was it necessary to be bribed by the Chinese into granting U.S. relations? Actually, they only helped by abstaining from a vote — some help from the largest country in the world. Did we all of a sudden forgot Tiananmen Square? How about China? Kill it and just as bad as Saddam! All these concessions that we've made to hold this coalition
Crazy enough, Americans being held in Saudi priors are tortured for crimes against Islam, and the U.S. ignores it!
together makes me wonder what kind of friends America really has.
We just asked our most devoted friend, Israel, to not retaliate against an Iraqi attack. Ludicrous! Shouldn't a war protect our American way of life, can't see what Kuwait, a marshal can to do with freedom of democracy.
I'm afraid of this war, but I'm also furious at the people who were apathetic and ignorant three months ago when all of this could've been stopped. Sure, those concerned make their voice heard more often than most of these people, whether pre-war or pre-peace, can't answer my questions. Can you?
We must learn to think on a deeper level because nothing in this world is black and white as it appears to be on television. Until someone has answers, a war cannot be justified, and support or not give my body or soul to you.
- Wayne Spritz is an Overland Park junior majoring in aerospace engineering.
Some say hindsight is 20/20. I say that the only sight that I have from behind is Bush and his administration.
College athletes hurt by cuts
I would have to give mixed reviews to the outcome of the NCAA's annual convention last week in Nashville.
The NCAA went into the meetings with a mentality that there was a lot wrong with collegiate athletics and that reform was needed. With cost cutbacks, the NCAA made some drastic changes that could prove to be harmful.
Probably hardest hit by the changes was college basketball. The number of coaches on each team will be reduced from five to four, and the number of scholarships will be reduced from 15 to 13. It makes no sense to add a new MA which would heavily on revenue generated by basketball, to make such drastic cuts in the number of coaches and scholarships.
The reduction of coaches was unnecessary. By eliminating coaching positions, some very talented coaches could continue, and the chance to show their stuff.
By reducing the number of coaches, the NCAA not only gave the student-athlete a smaller number of people to learn from, but also reduced the number of people the student-athlete can turn to with problems.
Staff columnist
Brent Maycock
Also cut was the number of scholarships that can be awarded to student-athletes. Although this cut may provide the parity among schools that the NCAA is searching for, it prevents a number of talented student-athletes from attending college because they cannot afford the costs.
The NCAA did make an effort to save itself by letting each school set its own limits for student-athlete financial aid. This will allow the student-athletes who need more aid to receive it, much like the financial aid that students who are not athletes can receive.
Overall, however, I think the NCAA convention brought forth a lot of new measures that probably will be overturned at next year's convention.
- Brent Maycock is a Branson, Mo., senior majoring in journalism.
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