Opinion THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2010
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--current state laws need strengthening. Students should not only act responsibly when behind the wheel, they should support the strengthening of the punishment for fleeing the scene of an accident
To contribute to Free for All, visit Kansan.com or call (785) 864-0500.
--current state laws need strengthening. Students should not only act responsibly when behind the wheel, they should support the strengthening of the punishment for fleeing the scene of an accident
Four hours is not enough sleep
Those are my nachos, cat.
Not yours.
Nothing says, "I'm bitter and lonely and fishing for compliments" like calling it Single's Awareness Day, I'm looking at you, best friend.
--current state laws need strengthening. Students should not only act responsibly when behind the wheel, they should support the strengthening of the punishment for fleeing the scene of an accident
Speed dating may not have worked for you in the past, but this time, try it without so much methamphetamine in your system.
I understand that holding out will better my chances of a relationship, but is it so bad that I simply love sex?
Finding a guy who wants a relationship increases your chances of a relationship.
--current state laws need strengthening. Students should not only act responsibly when behind the wheel, they should support the strengthening of the punishment for fleeing the scene of an accident
Everyone loves sex. Just don't be a slut about it.
Thank God the Chinese New Year is also on Valentine's Day. Now us single people have something to celebrate,
--current state laws need strengthening. Students should not only act responsibly when behind the wheel, they should support the strengthening of the punishment for fleeing the scene of an accident
I literally cannot remember anything from last night.
I miss the days when everyone handed out the little paper Valentine's Day cards.
I wish we could just fast forward to spring break!
I want you to know how beautiful you are.
I wish we could just fast forward to summer break!
My apartment plans for next year fell through, my car got totaled and my best friend shut a car door on my head. Worst weekend ever.
--current state laws need strengthening. Students should not only act responsibly when behind the wheel, they should support the strengthening of the punishment for fleeing the scene of an accident
Have you ever tried to put on mascara without opening your mouth? It's really, really hard.
--current state laws need strengthening. Students should not only act responsibly when behind the wheel, they should support the strengthening of the punishment for fleeing the scene of an accident
The Summer Olympics are far superior to the Winter Olympics.
--current state laws need strengthening. Students should not only act responsibly when behind the wheel, they should support the strengthening of the punishment for fleeing the scene of an accident
You don't realize the quality of The Kansen until you try (and fail) to read other schools' student newspapers.
--current state laws need strengthening. Students should not only act responsibly when behind the wheel, they should support the strengthening of the punishment for fleeing the scene of an accident
I'm ok with being average.
Chicken Pot Pie: three of my favorite things.
--current state laws need strengthening. Students should not only act responsibly when behind the wheel, they should support the strengthening of the punishment for fleeing the scene of an accident
--current state laws need strengthening. Students should not only act responsibly when behind the wheel, they should support the strengthening of the punishment for fleeing the scene of an accident
EDITORIAL
Punishment for hit-and-run drivers should be increased
The recent string of hit-and-run accidents in Lawrence has made it clear that
The most recent driver versus pedestrian hit-and-run accident on Jan. 31 left 32-year-old Krystyn Renfro in critical condition. The offender remains on the loose.
In the past four years there have been three fatal hit-and-run accidents, including the death of Rachel Leek, a 20-year-old former KU student. The drivers fled the scene in all four cases.
Leek's death has led her family to advocate for tougher hit-and-run laws. We support the Leek family in its efforts.
Under current state law, fleeing the scene of an accident involving great bodily harm classifies as a level 10 Person Felony Offense
— the least severe felony under Kansas sentencing guidelines. Fleeing the scene of an accident resulting in a death is merely one level higher.
Kansas lawmakers have come a long way in legislation concerning hit-and-run accidents. Before
2007, leaving the scene of an accident where someone had been seriously injured or killed classified only as a misdemeanor. As the recent hit-and-run accidents show, this is still not enough to deter drivers from driving away
The law then-governor Kathleen Sebelian signed into effect in 2007 was a good first step. But harshal punishment are needed to dissuade drivers from fleeing the scene of an accident.
Police said the drivers in the three fatal accidents had been drinking before the crashes. Each would have faced more serious alcohol charges had they stayed, but because they fled prosecutors had no evidence. The drivers' jail sentences ranged from just 14 to 90 days.
Given the current law, fleeing the scene remains less risky than staying and seeking assistance. Those laws need strengthening so drivers have a greater incentive to stay and seek help for injured victims. The three deaths may have been avoided had the drivers sought immediate medical assistance.
Joel Hernandez, the driver who hit Rachel Leek in October, has been charged with vehicular homicide, a misdemeanor under Kansas
statutes and may not face prison time. Had police located Hernandez at the scene of the accident under the influence of alcohol, prosecutors could have charged him with involuntary manslaughter — a level four felony carrying three to 14 years in prison
The existing loophole that encourages drunk drivers to leave the scene of an accident demands an immediate fix.
These four hit-and-run accidents in Douglas County and the resulting sentences makes it clear that the law deserves major overhauls. Strengthening the law in a way that dissuades drivers from fleeing is one of the best ways to help prevent future deaths.
Michael Holtz for The Kansan Editorial Board
On the lookout:
Police are still looking for the suspect involved in the Jan. 31 accident. Police described the car as a silver or light colored 2004 to 2006 Mazda 3 with possible front end damage. If you have any information, please call the Lawrence police at (785) 830-7430, or CrimeStoppers at (785) 843-TIPS.
EDITORIAL CARTOON
TECHNOLOGY IS SO GREAT! I CAN TALK, TEXT, OR TWEET ANYBODY—WHENEVER, WHEREVER! NOW THAT IS TERRIFIC COMMUNICATION!
... AS SOON AS PEOPLE WILL ACTUALLY COMMUNICATE CLEARLY...
NICHOLAS SAMBALUK
TECHNOLOGY
Technology intensifies complications in dating
Text from typical college male: We should hang out soon :) .
Yeah, they probably wouldn't have much insight.
Thought process of typical college female: What's with the smiley face? Does that mean he likes me? Or does that mean I'm just a future booty call? What does "hang out" mean? Go on a date or sit and watch his roommates drink and play "Madden"? And what's with the "soon"?
Welcome to the confusing dating culture of Generation Y. Here we are thinking that technology was supposed to make life easier, while, in reality, it is just complicating it. All of the digital communication that now dominates our social world is blurring the already obscure lines of dating dos and don'ts.
How would Dad respond to questions on the appropriate waiting period before sending a Facebook request to the hottie from the Hawk?
What would Mom have to say about the winky face a boy sent in a text?
Parents used to be able to teach their children basic rules of courtship. Not anymore.
Consequentially, we're a culture inventing our own rules of pursuit.
Texts and the City
How reassuring. I no longer blame the average college male's level of immaturity or my own over-demanding nature to be the reason why I have yet to find love in college.
BY MANDY MATNEY
I blame technology. I'm hating the game and not the player.
All of this pseudo-communication is complicating the male-female dating pursuit. Dating has dissolved into "hanging out." Authentic conversations are dwindling into texting, Facebook chatting, tweeting and poking.
Back in the pre-cellular/Facebook days, the rules of pursuit were simple. If a guy had interest in a girl, he would ask for her number. Within a few days he would call her and ask her out on a proper first date.
If he didn't have interest, he wouldn't call. His intentions were that clear.
A Seventeen Magazine article
written by a male in 1959 demonstrates the simplicity of old school dating;
"Once he meets a girl and becomes interested in her, a boy must indulge in a sly, artful practice called pursuit."
Compare this to the men of our generation who consider an artful pursuit to be a Facebook poke and short inbox message.
Back then, "sly, artful practice" required effort, time and consideration.
Call me old school, but I don't think humans were meant to communicate like this. Since birth humans pick up crucial non-verbal and communication skills. Tone of voice, eye contact and body language create the meaning of nearly everything we say.
Unfortunately, most of this meaning is lost via texts, e-mails, Facebook chats and the like. I mean, 160-character messages with smiley faces and LOLs can only say so much about a person.
Honestly, I couldn't care less whether I find love during college. What scares me, however, is the increased dependence of our culture on pseudo-communication.
Matney is a sophomore from Overland Park in journalism.
CAMPUS LIFE
Men: Step up to help ensure female security
Guys, sometimes I think we come off as scary. I'm not talking about
crazy, good looking" scary or "you've been playing World of Warcraft too long" scary. No, too often men can unknowingly make women anxious during the evening and at night.
One night last fall I was walking alone through the Oread neighborhood. At one point during my walk I passed a college-age girl. I could tell she was tense and nervous as she passed me. She had her cell phone up to her ear but she wasn't actually saying anything.
According to Rape Abuse Incest National Network, close to 75 percent of sexual assaults and 66 percent of rapes are committed by someone the victim knows. It would be easy for me to say that because of this statistic, it's unreasonable for women to have a high level of anxiety while out at night.
Hawk Life
Later, as I was reflecting on why the whole situation seemed odd, it occurred to me that she was probably unnerved by my presence. After all, here I was, walking down the street late at night with my head down and hands in my pockets. I was unknowingly playing into predator stereotypes.
But, the fact remains that between a third and quarter of sexual assaults and rapes, respectively, are committed by unknown individuals. Also, a recent report by the Lawrence Police Department shows the number of rapes in Lawrence was up 51 percent in 2009 from 2008. Clearly, the concerns and anxieties of women are legitimate.
There's been much written on what women can do to stay safe when out. Although that is
BY JONATHAN SHORMAN
jshorman@kansan.com
So, guys, here are some common sense tips:
very important, it doesn't mean there aren't things that men can do make themselves appear less foreboding and make women a bit less anxious as we go about our business.
— When walking past a woman, give her a generous amount of space, preferably as much as the street or sidewalk will allow.
— Try to stay within some kind of light, such as a street-light.
- If you're wearing a hoodie or hat that obscures your face, take it off. Personally, I think hoodies feel stereotypically predator-ish, but more practically it allows women to see your face. Many women are aware that rapists often try to prevent their victims from seeing their face in hopes it will make it harder to be identified.
— The same goes for sunglasses. And you shouldn't be wearing sunglasses at night anyway.
Contribute:
Shorman is a sophomore from McPherson in journalism.
By no means is that an inclusive list. Rather, I hope it gets us guys thinking.
Visit the Hawk Life blog on Kansan.com to post your own tip or suggestion.
Responses to the news of the week on Kansan.com
Chatterbox
"Excellent background for those who do not know Haskell's history or comprehend native perspectives on the SLT controversy. My one criticism is that the impression was left that this fight is a hopeless cause, as though this were a replay of 19th century native resistance to our country's preoccupation with Manifest Destiny."
— "Swamplover" in response to "Preservation or progress" on Feb. 10.
“"Sischlag" in response to "Bornstein: Sense of security should be equal opportunity" on Feb. 11.
"I'd like to see these preachy "no GMO" people go tell starving Asians and Africans that they need to die so the rest of us can eat organic. Or we could tell the starving people that GMO food is no good for them, they need "real" organic food instead. I don't think people who are dying of starvation would really refuse any food, GMO or not."
— "KUjayahawk" in response to "Folmsbee: Genetically modified food needs" on Feb. 9.
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THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Members of the Kansan Editorial Board are Stephen Montemayer,牛腾策划员, Fortune Lara Cunningham, Vicky Lu Emily, Mike James, Janice Castle Andrew Hammond, Michael Hitz, Stefanie Penn and Caitlin Thornbill.
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