Opinion
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United States First Amendment
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16,2009
United States First Amendment Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Brown: Adderall tempts students as a quick fix
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I firmly believe that all dorm rooms should come equipped with flat-screen TVs.
Somebody give the football team the Heimlich maneuver because they're choking.
Somebody should just call Mangino and let him know the marching band is ready to scrimmage against the football team. I'll put my money on the band.
Win or lose,you still live in Nebraska.
I passionately hate snuggies, but on days like today, I start to see the logic of such
It smells like my roommate crapped his pants.
So I just saw a commercial for Barbies in which they used the song "Barbie Girl" and changed the lyrics to make it more kid-friendly.
So it's supposed to be cold all week. What girl wants to keep me warm?
--students and graduate students can quickly reach this limit.
I love the fact that my roommate will not remember a thing tomorrow morning and I get to be the one to show her the pictures revealing exactly what she did.
There is no feeling like peeing off a balcony.
--students and graduate students can quickly reach this limit.
When life gives you lemons, give lemons life. Lemonster!
I have no idea how to get a girlfriend.
--students and graduate students can quickly reach this limit.
It's times like these I wish I had a Snuggie.
My Saturday night consisted of my mom and I texting each other about how January Jones couldn't keep a straight face on SNL and eating an entire sleeve of saltines. How did my life get so exciting?
Bad news: I missed the game because of work. Good news: I definitely plowed over a Nebraska fan while I was running.
You know, there is such a thing as looking unnaturally tan. Particularly in November.
Convenience was the theme of my Saturday night.
I wish we could all just skip the whole "working" phase and move right on to retirement.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Health care reform and students
With debate in Congress and across the nation discussing the benefits of health care reform for the nation's citizens, students should also consider the impact of such legislation. Though it is complex, health care reform demands that students at least consider some tangible impacts it will have while they're in school and as they look ahead to their post-college life
The most important and direct change affecting students might be the increased security they can expect while they are in school. Many students lose coverage under their parents' plans after their 22nd or 23rd birthdays. Although the majority of undergraduates might not reach this age during their collegiate careers, non-traditional
NICOLE MCCLURE
Under proposed legislation included in the House of
Representatives' version of the health care bill, full-time students could maintain their coverage under a parent's plan for longer. Health care reform, including subsidies and possibly a public option from the government, will make it much more likely that students could afford quality care even after they are no longer eligible under their parents' plan
situation for anyone, but for active students in their 20s who are accustomed to that safety net, it could be especially bad.
One of the larger challenges facing students in their post-collegiate life is a lack of health insurance. If students cannot find a job offering health care coverage right after graduation and they are no longer full-time students, they are often left without coverage. Not having health care is a dangerous
New health care legislation would most likely require everyone to carry health insurance, with subsidies and competition making it affordable. This would help students with the transition into
KANSAN'S OPINION
the post-collegiate world, especially if they cannot find a job offering health coverage directly after graduation.
Students also have a responsibility to engage in the health care debate because of social and cultural issues. These issues, though not directly a part of reforming health care, have accompanied the issue since legislation was proposed this summer.
The liberal support of universal health care is founded in the belief that health care is a civil and human right. Though others might disagree with health care being considered an inalienable right, it is obvious that our current system is not fulfilling the needs of many citizens.
Conservative students, or those who otherwise disagree with
Democratic proposals, need to consider how this situation will be fixed. Poor health coverage affects our economy, social stability and our unity as a nation.
While liberal-leaning students might support efforts for universal health care, they also have to decide what level of compromise they'll accept to achieve it. This challenge is manifesting itself in a debate concerning coverage for abortions under federally run or subsidized insurance plans.
Federally run plans, such as Medicare or Medicaid, are prevented from covering abortions under the Hyde Amendment. New amendments to the current House legislation would extend this prohibition to any possible federal public option as well as any plan purchased in the insurance exchange with federal subsidies.
Though there is disagreement about how this might restrict abortion, it does seem liberals would have to accept some compromise on an issue they hold dear in order to achieve victory in the House and Senate.
Students have a number of compelling reasons to at least be interested in the health care debate, ranging from their positions as students, their needs after graduation, their responsibility as a generation and their political and cultural beliefs. Students should consider these concepts and decide where they stand. If they do not, they risk becoming a victim of the system rather than one who has influenced its transformation.
EDITORIAL CARTOON
Alex Doherty for The Kansas Editorial Board.
NICHOLAS SAMBALUK
CULTURE
Locally owned still on top
Welcome to Lawrence,
Noodles & Company!
Finally, I don't have
to resort to the long, frustrating
drive to Olathe to enjoy your
delicious globe-trotting noodle dishes.
Now all I have to do is hoof it
down to the corner of Eighth and
Massachusetts streets.
There's just one problem: Why would I go to a chain restaurant for my noodle fix when there are perfectly good local alternatives just down the street? After all, that's what Massachusetts Street is all about: Quality local establishments with devoted local owners serving tasty local food to loyal local customers. It's not like a noodle restaurant is a new concept in downtown Lawrence. Places such as Zen Zero offer up Thai noodles and Mad Greek handles Mediterranean varieties.
On top of that, with new-found competition from chain restaurants who can say the newest won't run the locals out of town? An arguably similar situation occurred when Jimmy John's contributed to the closing of Mass. Street Deli, a Lawrence fixture for 34 years. Is there anything stopping Noodles & Company from doing the same?
ZACK MCQUISTON
Actually, there is. Just look at nearly every other recent instance of this familiar scenario.
Silas and Maddy's Ice Cream has been holding its own against corporate competition since 2003 when Cold Stone Creamery opened down the street, and doubly so since Ben and Jerry's opened in 2006. Jefferson's has withstood Buffalo Wild Wings' presence admirably. Mad Greek seems to be doing fine despite Pita Pit. And La Parilla doesn't seem to be feeling the burn from Chipotle. In fact, the local businesses appear to be thriving in spite of the competition.
Here's where the anti-chain argument, loses ground. In recent years, there haven't been that many downtown restaurants driven out of business by national chains.
With these examples in mind, maybe this newest chain isn't such
a bad thing for the downtown area People recognize chains, which attracts new customers to Mass. Street, who in turn find their way into local, sometimes better, restaurants.
I'll admit I found my choice for the best cup of coffee in town, La Prima Tazza, by leaving behind Starbucks at the suggestion of my brother. I was going to Buffalo Wild Wings long before I made my way to Jefferson's, which is technically a chain, but only the second store. Heck, I even made do with Cold Stone before I ever had Silas and Maddy's. Those were dark times, believe me.
As long as the loyal amongst us keep shopping where we choose to, then all that can happen is an influx of customer traffic to downtown Lawrence. I don't think anyone would argue that's a bad thing. The original, truly local options in town have no reason to be worried, and the locals don't need to contemplate financial donations to keep their favorite places afloat. There's enough room downtown for big and small businesses alike.
McQuiston is a Shawnee freshman in journalism and Spanish.
STUDENT LIFE
Surviving the flu
Last week, the swine flu finally got to me. At least that's what I think it was. It might have been the seasonal flu or a really, really bad cold. In any case, whatever it was knocked me out of classes for a couple days.
1. Shower. Hopefully this is something you do anyway, but I find a hot shower can at least temporarily soothe the body aches that come with the flu.
While I rested in my room in my scholarship hall, I grew restless. Though I definitely felt ill, a Tylenol salvo helped me feel well enough that lying in my bed all day was not an option. I found that passing the time waiting to get well can be hard — I can only sleep so much. So in an attempt to help avoid this fate, I've compiled the following list from things I've done in the past while sick:
2. Drink 7UP. When I first began to feel ill, I bought a 12-pack of the lemon-lime soda to drink if my stomach became unsettled. Although my tummy felt fine, yours might not, and it's good to be prepared. This got to me to wondering, though, does anyone actually drink 7UP? I mean when they're not actually sick. If you exist, I want to meet you.
3. Read the entire newspaper. Every morning I read The University Daily Kansan and The New York Times. Unfortunately, I usually don't have time to finish The Times. Being sick changes that.
It also provides a sense of accomplishment when there's not really a whole lot you can accomplish. You can hold your throbbing head a little higher knowing you made it from the front page to the last page of "Dining."
4. Watch daytime TV. You can learn a lot. Did you know "The Today Show" is four hours
5. Watch a movie. If you feel as if you might doze off at any moment, just pop in one you own; then you won't feel guilty. Otherwise, the less mental effort required, the better
long? I can eat lunch white i'm watching. Also, did you know there used to be a show devoted to Tom Selleck's mustache? It was called "Maumu, PL."
7. Work on homework.
Actually, never mind.
6. Spend copious amounts of time looking up your symptoms online. It's the Dr. House effect. Learning about symptoms you don't have can make you feel better.
Actually, never mind. 8. Facebook. Sickness cramps the social life. Facebook provides the necessary link to the outside world to keep you sane. It may be tempting to try to use Facebook chat to an obnoxious degree — resist this temptation.
9. Wear pajamas all day.
Other than Thanksgiving or Christmas, when do you get to do this?
10. Read a non-school-related book — it may be your only chance.
Having the flu isn't fun, but that doesn't mean it has to be a multi-day slog without meaning.
Hopefully, one of the things on this list can help you forget you have the flu, at least for a few minutes.
Shorman is a McPherson sophomore in journalism.
Climbing buildings breaking the law
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
On Nov. 12, the Jayplay printed an irresponsible article, "Eight things to do before you graduate," by Francesca Chambers that included as number two: "Climb the buildings on campus." I want to remind the campus community that students have tragically died or been seriously injured attempting such foolhardy stunts. Furthermore, such activities can damage KU property. Roof damage can lead to leaks that are often difficult and expensive to fix. Entering or accessing prohibited spaces such as roofs is a form of trespassing, an unlawful act that results in prosecution by the University of Kansas.
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ITALIAN BOARD
Member of the Kansan Editorial Board are Benna Hewson, Jesse San-Baard, Bennard Tortline, Malene Jones, Caitlin Thornburg and Michael Holtz.