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Friday, December 8, 1989 / University Daily Kansan
Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
U.S. bases in Philippines prove beneficial to Aquino
Philippine President Corizon Aquino is breathing a little easier since the most serious challenge to her power ended this week. So are U.S. citizens with interests in the Philippines.
The rebellion of part of the Filipino army succeeded in capturing some military bases, causing panic in the government and forcing the United States to take a stand about supporting Aquino.
In the early hours of the revolt, Aquino requested that the United States provide air cover to allow her forces to regroup. At the time, rebels were strafing and bombing the presidential compound in Manila.
The United States, under presidential order, provided cover for Philippine air force bases. U.S. Phantom F-4 fighters pinned down the rebel planes without firing a shot. This allowed the Philippine air force to regain control of the skies and the Aquino government to stay in power.
President Bush was correct in granting Aquino's request for military assistance. The United States has, for a number of years, taken an interest in Philippine affairs. This has not always turned out for the best. U.S. support for Ferdinand Marcos could be called a terrible policy at best.
But Aquino rose to power in 1986 through free elections and, unlike Marcos, enjoys widespread support. She therefore deserves U.S.support in fighting those on both the right, Marcos loyalists, and the left, communist insurgents, who would like to see her fail.
As the United States and the Philippines move toward negotiations concerning the future of U.S. military installations in that country, the Aquino government should keep in mind the role that U.S. forces played in putting down this revolt. The best interests of the Philippines, both economic and political, are served at the moment by the presence of the U.S. bases.
Brett Brenner for the editorial board
Summit provides pattern for dissolving intolerance
President Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev have each made promising strides on the road to peace by attending the summit meeting last weekend.
Although most arms reduction agreements are scheduled to be decided at a potential multinational summit in Europe next summer, both leaders, by meeting in Malta, have ignited the spark that could open East-West borders.
Bush said he hoped that both superpowers would cut their conventional forces in Europe in the near future and cut an additional 50 percent in long-range nuclear and chemical weapons.
As a result of their meeting, and the likelihood of future arms and trade negotiations, the superpower leaders have elevated us to a new point in history, a point where East and West attempt to communicate instead of dominate. Although Bush said U.S. troops would remain in Europe with ally approval, he was optimistic about the significant meeting between himself and Gorbachev, calling it the beginning of a "new era."
As we enter this new era, we should encourage our leaders to act responsibly and communicate freely and openly with one another. Allow them to remember the past events in Eastern Europe which have demonstrated people's desire for a free world and one which allows them to actively participate in their governmental system.
The people of the world are calling for a world without boundaries, one not divided by East or West, but a world which is united. It is hoped that the future actions of our leaders will reflect the will of the people to negotiate and dissolve the wall of intolerance which has existed between East and West.
Thom Clark for the editorial board
Members of the editorial board are David Stewart, Stan Diel, Brett Brenner, Ric Brack, Daniel Niemi, Craig Welch, Kathy Walsh, Thom Clark, Tiffany Harness and Scott Patty.
News staff
David Stewart...Editor
Ric Brack...Managing editor
Daniel Niemi...News editor
Candy Neumann...Printing editor
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Christine Winner...Artist/Feature editor
Tom Eblen...General manager, news advisor
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Eric Hughes ... Creative director
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'Atrocious' acts not too uncommon
Sometimes it is difficult not to comment on columns which appear in the University Daily Kansan, but when I read James Madison's recent guest column, I could not resist.
First, let me correct what I think are some errors. Mr. Madison was obviously not raised on a farm. Although he found two male dogs attempting sexual intercourse "atrocious," he errs in concluding that this small sample proves that "nature was the victor" because the act was not achieved. In rural Kansas, such an act is frequently achieved and frustration is not the consequence, as far as we humans can tell. So maybe his comments about the "design of dog" making it impossible for such an act to be completed needs re-examination, unless, of course, he has a narrow definition of what constitutes sexual interactions. I suppose Mr. Madison could find anal intercourse between females "atrocious" because his erotic preferences do not include such sexual choices between consensual partners.
Dennis M. Dailey
Second, he refers to sexual "preference" as the "whole confrontation, between the heterosexual and homosexual community." Erotic orientation is not an issue of preference, which implies choice. Mr. Madison did not wake up one morning as a child and decide he was going to be straight or gay. He just discovered as he grew that his erotic orientation was either for the same gender or the opposite gender, whichever the case may be for him, and then he elected or did not elect through
Guest columnist
time to act on that orientation in his interactions with others. He asserts that this “preference” is nothing other than “sexual gratification, regardless of form,” and concludes that sexual interactions between same gendered persons is contrary to “form” (read unnatural). I wonder what Mr. Madison would say about those persons in our society who “believe” that sexual interactions between persons of different racial backgrounds (read Black/white) is also “sexual gratification, regardless of form” (read unnatural). Would it not be “against nature” for Blacks to be sexually attracted to whites and whites to be sexually attracted to Blacks? Clearly, no such “preference” exists and clearly such sexual attraction is not “against nature,” even if the heterosexual oriented, interracial couple preferred anal intercourse as an expression in their relationship.
Finally, he raised the issue of "other types of sexual vices, such as sex with animals," reasoning that affirmation of homosexuality as an erotic orientation means that there would be no boundaries in the expression of sexual feelings. That is
hardly the case, since, for example, any coercive sexual acts would not be accepted. Animals cannot give consent; however, two men or two women can give consent and that is the issue.
If Mr. Madison would simply say that he has a religious belief that directs him to not "lay down my moral beliefs" and as a result he has a belief that homosexuality is a sin, I would have no quarrel with him. To each his/her own when it comes to theological belief systems. To step outside of his "moral beliefs" and argue from a moral standpoint, he supports a support of his "moral belief" regarding his sexual orientation is another matter. He has tried to argue "regriddess of form," making it easy for me to reject these errors in thinking, yet grant him his moral belief system.
I suspect that Mr. Madison's quarrel with gay people using minority status is much more of a product of his moral belief system, and yes, his homophobia, than it is a matter of "the gay and lesbian community to falsely equate our (African American) positions." Maybe gays and lesbians held out the hope that one oppressed minority would possess the capacity to empathize and support another oppressed minority. Obviously, that is not the case with Mr. Madison, and one can only hope that he is but a small voice amongst his oppressed minority.
▶ Dennis M. Dalley is a professor in Social Welfare
LETTERS to the EDITOR
Madison missed the point
There I was, reading your Dec. 4 column James Madison, when it occurred to me that you missed the point. Somehow you mistakenly equated the word "diversity" with the word "minority." The Celebrate Diversity campaign was not intended to support just minorities but to support diversity in all areas, in all humans. This includes, among other issues, diversity in race, in spiritual observances and in sexual orientation.
The more I read, the more appalled I became. Never mind the triviality in defining "nature." Never mind the complications with your dog story. Never mind the fact that many of your arguments do not-make sense. Never mind the fact that you think in terms of "sexual preference" as opposed to "sexual orientation." Never mind your assumption that a social breakdown would be an undesirable occurrence for this country. And, never mind your homophobic tendencies.
pointing out "the dangers that homosexuality poses for society." In reality, you pointed out the dangers that take place when one group of people considers itself better than another. We are all humans, and we all deserve to be treated with respect and equality. If we regard certain people as being lesser humans than ourselves, then we are in effect playing the role of "little Hitlers." For these reasons and for the sake of diversity, it is imperative that we open our minds before we open our mouths.
The problem, Mr. Madison, is quite simple. You claimed to be
Becki Elkins Lawrence senior
Nature not diversity issue
James Madison, in his column of Dec. 4, titled "Gays shouldn't use minority status," in incorrectly assumed that he was the subject of my column of Nov. 10 supporting the Celebrate Diversity campaign. The person to whom I referred was not African American. I also suspect that he has mistaken some other person for me. If not, he is the first person in my life to describe me as being "frail" given the fact that I stand 6 feet tall and weigh 170 pounds.
As a master's degree candidate studying evolutionary botany, as well as holding undergraduate degrees in biology and cultural
anthropology, I found his argument for what is natural and unnatural to be very simplistic.
Warren Hauk
Warren Hauk St. Charles, Mo., graduate student
Insulted by homosexuals
In response to James Madison's comments on the use of the term "minority" by homosexuals, I am in wholehearted agreement. As an African American, I have long been insulted by homosexuals' use of the term "minority" in order to try to attain the same rights previously accepted minority groups have fought long and hard for.
The term "minority" originally was based on the number of members of a distinct part of a group relative to the collective numbers of the whole group. However, as American English is apt to do, the meaning has transcended the simple numerical meaning and has become a term for non-Caucasian individuals.
However, homosexuals do not fit this description. In terms of numbers they are smaller, but to call themselves "minorities" is an insult to all of us who struggle daily for racial equality. The question of homosexuality is a phenomenon that is contrary to the moral, ethical and religious foundations I have acquired.
Munro C. Richardson Kansas City, Mo., freshman
Oppressed should unite
I am completely outraged by the unjust stance taken by James Madison in his recent column concerning gays. He claims that to equate the positions of gays and lesbians with that of Blacks is false. I must stongly disagree. Oppression takes but one form.
Social movement organizations such as the NAACP and NOW are reluctant to join forces with the Gay Rights Movement. This is a very unfortunate decision. There are an estimated 10 to 40 million gays and lesbians in the United States today. Those figures represent quite a large constituency, even that composed of Black Americans, who advantage of all oppressed groups to form a single coalition and to present a strong, united front against those who oppress them.
I would like to question why Madison felt the need to describe the gay male behind the petition table as being "fail'?". This appears to be nothing more than a senseless, empty stereotype that all or most gay males are effeminate or weak. There is no purpose in perpetuating these stereotypes or those of any other group.
Kirsten E. Schwab Aurora, Colo., graduate student
CAMP UHNEELY
RAYMOND BRUCE OR K.C. MO...
WENT THROUGH
ENROLLMENT AND I GUESS
GOT EVERY CLASS
HE WANTED -- ALL
SEMESTERS!
A CARONCE SAT
ON CAMPUS FOR FOUR
DAYS WITHOUT A PERMIT.
AND WAS COMPLETELY
OVERLOOKED BY
PARKING SERVICES!
APRIL A WHOLE
SEMESTER, ONE
FRESHMAN STILL
CONSIDERS
ORIENTATION
AS A WORKH-
WHILE WAY TO
SPEND A
DAY!
PARKING SERVICES!
2 DOGS ONCE FORNICATED IN FRONT OF WESCOPE HALL FOR TWENTY MINUTES — UNAWARE THAT THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS WERE OBSERVING THE WHOLE TIME! WHEN IS SOPHOMORE ORIENTATION?
BY SCOTT PATTY
LICKVITALE
SPORTS PERSONALITY FOR
ESPN, NEVER ONCE
WIS CAREER AG
IN THIS CAREER AS
A BASKETBALL ANALYST
USED A METAPHOR WHICH
HAD ANY IMPLICATIONS
TOWARD BASKETBALL!
1
DOUBT IT OR NOT.