To the editor:

Good grief! We have become so politically correct it is nauseating.

I want to commend the president of the Kansas University Student Senate for leading the battle to retain a long-standing tradition dealing with the oldest rivalry west of the Mississippi. Having been an active participant in this rivalry for 60 years, I will attest to the fact it is a “war” and not a “showdown” or “tea party.” It goes back to our proud state history.

Does this mean I want to shoot my Missouri friends? No. Does it mean I want to beat them? You bet! As a friend told me, there are all kinds of wars: war on poverty, war on drugs. Certainly, my KU education taught me the difference between a shooting war and a rivalry. I wish Joe Reitz and Coach Fambrough would explain this rivalry to Mr. Perkins as they have to many new coaches.

What is next? If we follow the athletic department’s current reasoning, I guess we will no longer talk about “shooting” the basketball but rather “throwing” it. What about the past “Sprint Shoot Out”? Since the Missouri athletic director has agreed to go along with KU’s suggestion, I presume he will want to rename the Mizzou Tigers to the Mizzou Pussycats so he won’t offend the real fierce tigers. Say, that is not such a bad idea!

To me, regardless of current thinking, it will always be the Border War. “Go Jayhawks. Fight Jayhawks. Win Jayhawks.” In all sports. Rock Chalk!

Scottie Lingelbach,

Lawrence