Opinion THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WWW.KANSAN.COM
PAGE 5A
FREE FOR ALL
To contribute to Free for All, visit Kansan.com or call (785) 864-0500 or try our Facebook App.
--one of the most common myths about vegetarian diets is that vegetarians don't get enough protein and are, therefore, weaker than omnivores. However, the abundance of successful, strong, vegetarian athletes rising above omnivorous competitors is becoming increasingly prevalent.
I'm out of Midol. Be on guard,
Why do boys smell so good after they work out?
--one of the most common myths about vegetarian diets is that vegetarians don't get enough protein and are, therefore, weaker than omnivores. However, the abundance of successful, strong, vegetarian athletes rising above omnivorous competitors is becoming increasingly prevalent.
I'm wearing new socks!
College life to me is eating pineapple chunks out of the can while waiting for the oven to preheat so I can cook my taquitos and tater tots.
--one of the most common myths about vegetarian diets is that vegetarians don't get enough protein and are, therefore, weaker than omnivores. However, the abundance of successful, strong, vegetarian athletes rising above omnivorous competitors is becoming increasingly prevalent.
Today KU Info told me the meaning of life.
--one of the most common myths about vegetarian diets is that vegetarians don't get enough protein and are, therefore, weaker than omnivores. However, the abundance of successful, strong, vegetarian athletes rising above omnivorous competitors is becoming increasingly prevalent.
Is it wrong to date my friend's sister?
--one of the most common myths about vegetarian diets is that vegetarians don't get enough protein and are, therefore, weaker than omnivores. However, the abundance of successful, strong, vegetarian athletes rising above omnivorous competitors is becoming increasingly prevalent.
I hate it when a girl writes "single" as her Facebook status and then I ask her out, and she says she is seeing someone.
--one of the most common myths about vegetarian diets is that vegetarians don't get enough protein and are, therefore, weaker than omnivores. However, the abundance of successful, strong, vegetarian athletes rising above omnivorous competitors is becoming increasingly prevalent.
Dear girl on the bus who smells like diapers. You smell like diapers.
I wish my Art History teachers would remove the word "quite" from their vocabularies. They obviously can't differentiate between use and abuse.
--one of the most common myths about vegetarian diets is that vegetarians don't get enough protein and are, therefore, weaker than omnivores. However, the abundance of successful, strong, vegetarian athletes rising above omnivorous competitors is becoming increasingly prevalent.
Who loves orange soda? Kel
loves orange soda! Is it true? I
do. I do. I do-oo!
--one of the most common myths about vegetarian diets is that vegetarians don't get enough protein and are, therefore, weaker than omnivores. However, the abundance of successful, strong, vegetarian athletes rising above omnivorous competitors is becoming increasingly prevalent.
--one of the most common myths about vegetarian diets is that vegetarians don't get enough protein and are, therefore, weaker than omnivores. However, the abundance of successful, strong, vegetarian athletes rising above omnivorous competitors is becoming increasingly prevalent.
I must know this immediately: Do they have Dr. Pepper in Japan?
One of these days, red head,
I will talk to you. I'll probably
embarrass myself, but at least
I can tell my grandkids I talked
to the cutest guy on campus
when I was a youngin'.
What percentage of people at the library are logged on to Facebook?
You know what's lame?
People who take things from video games, movies, books or TV and put them on FFA. Like we all haven't heard it.
--one of the most common myths about vegetarian diets is that vegetarians don't get enough protein and are, therefore, weaker than omnivores. However, the abundance of successful, strong, vegetarian athletes rising above omnivorous competitors is becoming increasingly prevalent.
The cake is a lie.
Is it bad that whenever I hear "serial rapist" I giggle because I picture a person who rapes
I feel like a NASCAR driver on my way home from school every day because of all the swerving I do from the notches.
When I said I wanted to see you Monday night, I meant I wanted to see what was in your pants on Monday night
EDITORIAL
Closing schools is not the solution to budget deficit
The Lawrence School Board faces the daunting task of cutting $5 million in funding before next school year. Deciding where those cuts will come from remains a difficult decision and one that deserves careful deliberation.
Although the board needs to consider a wide range of viable options, closing neighborhood schools falls far outside that range. The long-term costs of closing schools greatly outweigh any short-term benefits.
Opponents, such as the group Save Our Neighborhood Schools, have cited the strong connection between schools and their corresponding neighborhoods. One specific scenario discussed at a meeting Monday entailed closing two elementary schools and the East Heights Early Childhood Center. Closing those schools would detract from the identity and functionality of their respected neighborhoods.
The importance of those schools spans beyond neighborhood and enrollment boundaries.
As Chancellor Bernadette Gray Little expressed in a letter to Superintendent Rick Doll, local schools are of vital importance to the University as well.
In her letter, Gray-Little rightly asserted that "The high quality of Lawrence public schools is one of the hallmarks of the Lawrence community and a key recruiting tool."
Prospective faculty and staff members, as well as students with families, are more likely to join the
University knowing that "they can send their children to a first-rate school," as Gray-Little said.
English as a Second Language, a program designed to improve the English skills of international faculty, staff and students, may also be threatened by the possibility of closing Hillcrest and Cordley elementary schools, two schools near campus. ESL attracts international employees and students and provides a unique volunteer opportunity to students involved.
Students in the School of Education also rely on local schools for volunteer, student teaching and practicum opportunities. About 45 students volunteer weekly at local schools as members of the School of Education Student Organization.
Though the scenario outlined on Monday excluded closing those schools, a final decision has not been made on which schools would ultimately be closed.
Closing one elementary school would save the district only $400,000 to $600,000. Although the budget deficit is severe, it is only temporary. The minimal gain that would be received does not justify the very permanent consequences of closing the schools.
Alternatively, programs and teachers are easier to bring back than entire schools.
District administrators have proposed a list of possible program, administrative and classified staff cuts totaling $3 million in savings.
Adding one student to the student-teacher ratio would require 20 fewer teachers, allowing the district to save an additional $1.1 million.
Though not ideal, the proposed cuts to faculty, along with several additional cuts proposed by Save Our Neighborhood Schools, are enough to cover the $5 million deficit and keep all schools open.
The decrease in state aid and rise in insurance costs are to blame for the Lawrence school district's budget cuts, but they are temporary problems requiring temporary solutions.
No solution will be perfect considering the extent of the district's budget woes. The $5 million cut presents considerable obstacles, and we greatly admire the Board's diligent efforts in finding the best way forward. But it remains possible to reach a satisfactory agreement without closing schools, an imprudent solution the Board should avoid entirely.
Michael Holtz for The Kansan Editorial Board
Students should express concern with the proposal to close Lawrence schools
Public forums to discuss options for the school board budget cuts will be at 7 p.m. Monday at Central Junior High and at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, at West Junior High.
GUEST EDITORIAL CARTOON
Courtesy of The Daily O'Collegian/COLLEGE NEWS NETWORK
HEALTH
Vegetarian diets don't have to limit athletic excellence
Vegetarian diets are growing in popularity among athletes for numerous reasons. One study by the Yale Medical Journal found that vegetarians are often more capable of maintaining athletic endurance than their meat-eating counterparts.
The following individuals have accomplished astonishing athletic feats and largely attribute their success to their vegetarian diet:
Men's Fitness Magazine dubbed Danzig one of the fittest men in America in 2008. Danzig follows a strict vegan diet and largely attributes his triumphs to his diet.
"A lot of people don't realize how hard milk, whey and other dairy products are on the sinuses and respiratory system, and the dairy industry would like you to believe that you need milk to get calcium. That notion is as oxymoronic as you can get," Danzig has written online.
MAC DANZIG, UFC FIGHTER
BY SARAH GROSS
MARINE CAPTAIN ALAN JONES,
CANDIDATE FOR THE WORLD'S
FITTEST MAN
Jones was diagnosed with polio at 5, yet he still went on to be an incredible vegetarian athlete. Between September 1974 and January 1976, Jones set the world record for continuous sit-ups and push-ups, lifted a 75-pound barbell over his head 1,600 times, swam 500 miles in 11 days, skipped rope 43,000 times in five hours and many other incredible feats of strength and endurance.
CARL LEWIS, WINNER OF 10 OLYMPIC MEDALS IN TRACK AND FIELD
Lewis, one of the most successful Olympic athletes of all time, credits his diet for his athletic accomplishments.
Lewis wrote in Very Vegetarian Magazine, "My best year of track
competition was the first year I ate a vegan diet. Moreover, by continuing to eat a vegan diet, my weight is under control, I like the way I look."
Being a vegetarian isn't just for prominent athletes. Embracing a well-balanced vegetarian diet can significantly improve a person's athletic abilities. But it is important that — like with any diet —vegetarians eat a variety of nutrient rich foods.
Protein is paramount to building muscle mass and staying in shape. What most people don't realize is that the vegetarian diet is full of protein-packed foods. Beans, lentils, nuts, soy, quinoa and whole grains top the list of natural protein powerhouses.
There are some great options for those who want to eat tasty, affordable and nutrient-packed food. Local grocery stores, such as Hy-Vee and Dillions, also provide a variety of veggie burgers, vegan jerky and meatless chicken nuggets.
Students who want to become leaner and stronger should consider giving the vegetarian diet a try.
Gross is a freshman from Lindsborg in international studies and journalism.
RELIGION
Some relief efforts overlook real issues
In the face of disaster, small organizations are usually able to react with more speed and precision than large groups or governments.
This was especially evident in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina.
Many of these smaller groups are religious groups.
Although the individual contributions of these groups might not be much, collectively they represent a crucial piece in disaster recovery.
The efforts in Haiti seem to be more balanced among religious groups, governments and other organizations than Katrina was.
These groups provided essentials to the victims including food, blankets, shelter and evacuation assistance.
Many religious groups were on site and already helping days before some government agencies arrived.
However, once again, religious groups have played a huge part in providing relief.
Nonetheless, there is a line between helping and taking advantage of a terrible situation.
Objective Ministries has launched a "relief effort" with its new product, The Proclaimer.
Objective Ministries, along with a handful of other organizations, have crossed this line.
According to its website, the Proclaimer is a "rugged, self-powered audio Bible that can broadcast the New Testament in the jungle, desert, or even on the moon!"
The Proclaimer can be powered by battery, solar power, a hand crank or an AC adaptor.
The group is currently asking for donations to send these $157 glorified radios to Haiti.
On its website, the main marketing point of Objective Ministries is that the Proclaimer
God to God
BY SHAUNA BLACKMON
shackmon@kansu.com
The validity of this statement is questionable at best.
"produce enough comforting decibels of Gospel to be clearly heard by 300 homeless and injured people."
It doesn't matter if five or 500 people can hear the radio.
For a society in which the vast majority of its citizens live on a dollar a day, $157 could be spent in a multitude of better ways.
To say that this tragedy is an opportunity to promote a religion seems to undermine one of religion's main purposes: to show compassion to humanity.
Objective Ministries also promotes this program by saying how "we can turn this tragedy into an opportunity to release Haiti from the bonds of Voodoo and it's [sic] Satanic pact."
In fact, my favorite thing about religion is its capacity to help others.
But there is a difference between genuine help and a religious marketing ploy.
Churches and religious organizations should do what they can to help those in need.
The people of Haiti don't need fancy solar-powered radios.
They need food, clean water and a place to sleep.
Blackmon is a junior from Olathe in journalism.
I would like to clarify the position of the American Red Cross with respect to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) policy regarding the indefinite deferral of "men who have had sex with men since 1977."
This policy is written into the Code of Federal Regulations, is enforced by the FDA and written in FDA guidance.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Defending Red Cross' Policy
It does not represent the views of the American Red Cross.
-
The American Red Cross is dedicated to fairness and equity in the formulation and administration of donor selection criteria to ensure a safe and plentiful blood supply for all patients regardless of beliefs, race, gender or sexual persuasion.
In late 2005, the Red Cross worked with the AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks) and America's Blood Centers to petition the FDA to review the above policy.
AABB, ABC and ARC think the
deferral period for men who have had sex with other men should be modified to be consistent with deferrals for those judged to be at risk of infection via heterosexual routes.
Please know the American Red Cross fully supports the promulgation of fair and equitable donor selection criteria that enhance blood safety without the appearance of prejudice against any group.
The Red cross continues to lobby through the AABB for reconsideration of these policies.
On May 23, 2007, the FDA reaffirmed its support of a lifetime deferral for MSM.
I encourage you to champion blood donation by eligible donors to celebrate those that are able and willing to donate.
—Scott L. Caswell is the Central Plains Region CEO of the American Red Cross.
HOW TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR
LETTER GUIDELINES
Send letters to opioniakansan.com
Write LETTER TO THE EDITOR in the e-mail subject line.
Length: 300 words
The submission should include the author's name, grade and hometown.
Find our full letter to the editor policy online at kansan.com/letters.
CONTACT US
Stephen Montemayor, editor
R64-4810 or smontemayor@kansan.com
Brianne Pfannenstiel, managing editor
864-4810 or bpfannenstiel@kansan.com
Jennifer Torline, managing editor 864-4810 or itorline@kansan.com
Lauren Cunningham, kansan.com managing editor 864-4810 or lcunningham@kansan.com
Vicky Lu, KUJH-TV managing editor 864-4810 or vlu@kansan.com
864-841 McCoy, vlue.kansan.com
Emily McCoy, opinion editor
864-8424 or emccoy.kansan.com
Kate Larrabee, editorial editor
< 864-8424 or larrabee.kansan.com
Cassie Gerken, business manager 864-4358 or cgkerkenekansan.com
Carolyn Battle, sales manager
864-4477 or cbattleshansan.com
Malcolm Gibson, general manager and news
687 or mgbis@kakanan.com
Jon Schmitt, sales and marketing adviser
864-7666 or mgbis@kakanan.com
THE EDITORIAL BOARD
THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Members of the Kansas Editorial Board are Stephen Morntenagay, Brian Plenneman, Jennifer Tornell, Lauren Curningham, Vicky Hammond, Jeffrey James, James Carnes, Andrew Hammond. Michael Holt, Stelaine Penn and Catlin Thornburgh.