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Thursday, September 16, 1993
OPINION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE ISSUE
VIEWPOINT
Sunflower Cablevision will change its service to Lawrence residents Oct. 6.
THE BACKGROUND
Because of contractual disagreements with network stations and new legislation regulating cable charges, Sunflower subscribers no longer will receive KSHB or KMBC, the FOX and ABC affiliates in Kansas City, Mo.
THE OPINION
Sunflower Cablevision should maintain service
Lawrence residents are paying for specific services from Sunflower Cablevision, 644 New Hampshire St., and we deserve to have those services remain intact. Whether paid directly to Sunflower or to a dorm or apartment complex, the money should be a guarantee of continued service.
Some of the shows viewers will miss with the loss of the FOX affiliate will include Star Trek: The Next Generation, Roc, The Simpsons and The Arsenio Hall Show.
The dispute arose when network stations requested compensation from cable companies for money they collected for broadcasting network-affiliated stations. Sunflower claims it cannot absorb these new costs without raising its subscription rates, which cannot be raised under the new national legislation.
Sunflower has completed negotiations with the other Kansas City affiliates but insists that the other two fail to comply. This is not satisfactory treatment of the customer and it will not be tolerated.
Sunflower subscribers have several options. The most drastic action is to request that, as of Oct. 6, your cable be disconnected until the regular programming is resumed.
Other options available are filing petitions, writing group letters (perhaps from an entire residence hall floor) and calling the company.
If enough Sunflower subscribers pursue any of the above options, no doubt a way will be found to complete negotiations with the stations. It is a simple matter of insisting that customers receive the service for which they are paying.
DAVID BURGETT FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
United Way operation takes more than money
Students, you should seize the opportunity to give to the Lawrence community while at the University of Kansas. If you don't have extra money, your time will do. The annual United Way drive going on through September is an excellent chance to volunteer time for one of the many services that it supports.
The United Way of Douglas County is a nonprofit organization that gives 99 percent of the donations back to the county. Many of the organizations the United Way supports provide services to students. Headquarters Inc., a 24-hour counseling service for students, receives two-thirds of its support through the United Way. Other services that benefit students include the Rape Victim Support Service, Women's Transitional Care Services and Consumer Credit Counseling Services.
Even if you would not use any of these services, there are other benefits from donating your time to the United Way. Looking outside academe at the world around you can be a valuable learning experience that you won't get with a degree.
TERRILYN McCORMICK FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
KANSAN STAFF
KC TRAUER, Editor
JOE HARDER, CHRISTINE LAUE Managing editors
TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser
BILL SKEET, Systems coordinator
Editors
Assistant to the editor .. J.R. Clairborne
News .. Stacy Friedman
Editorial .. Terrilyn McCormick
Campus .. Ben Grove
Sports .. Kristi Fogler
Photo .. Klip Chin, Renee Knoeber
Features .. Ezra Wolfe
Graphics .. John Paul Fogel
AMY CASEY
Business manager
AMY STUMBO
Retail sales manager
JEANNE HINES
Sales and marketing adviser
Business Staff
Business Start
Campus sales mgr ... Ed Schager
Regional Sales mgr ... Jennifer Perrier
National sales mgr ... Jennifer Evanson
Co-op sales mgr ... Blythe Focht
Production mgr ... Jennifer Blowey
Kate Burgess
Marketing director .. Shelly McConnell
Creative director .. Brian Fuso
Classified mgr .. Janice Davis
Letters should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 200 words. They must include the writer's signature, name, address and telephone number. Writers affiliated with the University of Kansas must include class and fibromet, or faculty or staff position. Guest columns should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 700 words. The writer will be paired with the student. The Kansan reserves the right to reject or edit letters, guest columns and cartoons. They can be mailed or brought to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Slaffer-Flint Hall.
Ruling on homosexual parents based on history not morals
Is homosexuality an acceptable behavior for a parent to practice while raising children? Judge Buford Parsons, in a Virginia custody battle, ruled that it isn't. Parsons removed the custodyrights of Sharon Bottoms, the homosexual mother of a two-year-old son. This decision was based solely on whether or not the practice of homosexuality is an acceptable or "protected" practice under the U.S. legal system. Parsons' decision is a valid representation of the law that is based primarily on the Virginia Supreme Court precedent set in 1985. This ruling is not an "anti-gay" decision, but it is a decision that is firmly rooted in centuries of Western and Judeo-Christian philosophy and several legal precedents. These same philosophies and legal precedents represent what has made the United States an ideal model of democracy.
The fundamental rights that any U.S. citizen possesses originate from the Constitution. The intended purpose of the judicial branch is to oversee these guaranteed rights and to protect individuals from an abusive executive branch and an overly aggressive Congress. However, the U.S. court system has repeatedly
STAFF COLUMNIST
refused to recognize the practice of homosexuality as a protected "right." Bottoms' pursuit of a homosexual lifestyle is not protected by the Constitution. In addition, due to a Virginia Supreme Court decision, the practices of homosexuality by a parent in Virginia is sufficient grounds for that parent to lose custody of his or her child. Parsons' ruling that Bottoms must relinquish custody of her son, Tyler, because she has admitted to homosexual practices is valid in every sense of the law.
In Bowers v. Hardwick, the Supreme Court upholds the statute that made the practice of sodomy between homosexuals illegal. In Bowers, the Court states that a democracy cannot exist if fundamental individual rights are not protected. But the justices emphasize, "it is obvious to us that neither of these formulations would extend a fundamental right to homosexuals to engage in acts of criminal sodomy." With this precedent now being a foundation from which other courts must rule, it is clear that homosexual practices in Virginia, as well as other states with sodomy laws, have no legal basis as a protected "right."
Homosexual "rights" are not protected in the U.S. legal system largely because of the overwhelming influence of Judeo-Christian and Western thought on the U.S. Constitution and the laws that are drawn from it. It was stated in Bowers v. Hardwick that, "When colonists arrived in the United States from England, they brought with them Judeo-Christian thought, moral beliefs and the common law, which strongly influenced American laws." In reflecting upon history, the backbone of the U.S. legal system is clearly anchored in religion and Western philosophy. In both Judeo-Christian and Western thought, the practice of homosexuality is considered to be a deviant practice. To reject this principle, one also must reject the
philosophical pillars on which this country stands. Parsons chose not to do this by adhering to the Supreme Court's precedent and by refusing to justify Bottoms' illegal and "immoral" homosexual acts as protected "rights."
It is impossible to debate the history from which the United States was created. It is equally impossible to deny the fundamental role Judeo-Christian beliefs played in the thoughts and actions of the founding fathers' philosophy, which still governs this nation. Philosopher Alexis de Toqueville illuminated this point by saying, "I do not know whether all Americans have a sincere faith in their religion, for who can know the human heart? But I am certain that they hold it to be indispensable for the maintenance of republican institutions." Toqueville theorized that both the strength and success of the United States' democratic system rested in its firm adherence to its moral beliefs based upon religion. This thought is still alive today. Parsons' court decision proves it.
Lance Hamby is a Wichita junior majoring in journalism and political science.
Hispanic heritage important for all
Today marks the 183rd anniversary of Independence Day for Mexico. Each year communities across the United States and Mexico re-enact the famous "El Grito De Dolores." On Sept. 15th, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo Gostilla rang the local church bell in the small provincial town of Dolores, in the state of Hidalgo Guanajuato. Moments later, Father Hidalgo announced to the townspeople that New Spain must declare itself independent of the motherland. Thus, the quest for independence began.
With this in mind, the Hispanic-American Leadership Organization began its annual participation of Hispanic Heritage Month by re-enacting "El Grito de Dolores" as the first of many events. The celebration is held nationally from Sept. 15th through Oct. 15th. However, this year will be memorable for Kansas residents because Gov. Joan Finney will officially recognize Hispanic Heritage Month by signing a proclamation at noon this Friday in the state capitol.
GUEST COLUMNIST
This year's theme is "Unidos Por Una Cultura" — "United By A Culture." The common culture that unites Hispanics throughout the world is the Spanish element that we have inherited.
As citizens and above all as students, we have the responsibility of learning and appreciating cultures other than our own. Hispanics, Native Americans, Asians and African Americans, whether straight or homosexual, are the future work force of this nation. We must be prepared to
By celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, we acknowledge the various contributions that Hispanics have made in the shaping of this country. For instance, the concept of zero was developed by our forefathers, the Mayan Indians. Recent history shows that Hispanics have received the most medals of honor for their courage in
Heroes are numerous but some need special recognition, honor and tribute, such as the late Cesar Chavez. Chavez was president of the United Farmworkers of America. He fought to control the numerous chemical substances found in our food. Furthermore, he not only fought to protect the rights of Hispanic farmworkers but he also ultimately strived to ensure justice for everyone. Chavez was a leader and a role model. More importantly, he was a man who taught us to be proud of who we are and to love ourselves. Chavez was neither a tall man, nor did he speak loudly, but he simply spoke from the heart.
fighting for the democracy of this great country.
accept the similarities and differences that exist among these various groups. All of these groups are unique, all of these groups are beautiful. To deny them respect, to deny their equality is simply un-American.
Within the next twenty years in the United States, Hispanics will become the largest minority. Our Hispanic influence is already shaping America by the food we enjoy, the music we dance to, the language we speak, the politics we debate and the prayers we pray. Acknowledging and understanding Hispanics is an investment in our country's future. The celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month provides all students an opportunity to become familiar with our culture. The members of HALO invite you to participate in the activities we have planned in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, dedicated to the memory of the late Cesar Chavez.
For the Birds
Sandra Olivas is a Kansas City, Kan., junior majoring in broadcast news.
by Jeff Fitzpatrick