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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 9, 1970)
Terry's law goes to pot While gubernatorial candidates Tiemann and Exon were in Kearney stating their opposition to the legalization of mari juana, a district court judge was passing down a ruling that declared LB2 (Terry Carpenter's marijuana law) unconstitu tional. District Court Judge John Runs of Kimball found the law unconstitutional because of alleged technical defects, according to a story in the Lincoln Journal Judge Kuns also ordered Stuart W. Greenburg of Los Angeles released from custody. Greenburg had been arrested in August, 1969 on charges of possessing 191 pounds of marijuana, estimated by the State Patrol at a value of $76,400. Which, if nothing else, goes to show that the State Patrol would be paying five times the going rate. Carpenter is extremely upset about the ruling, even to the point of asking for a special session of the legislature. His main point of contention is that the release of Green burg "throws a cloud on the law" because "It seems to me that if the revision of a law is declared invalid, that auto matically puts into effect the previous law, which is far more stringent than this one." LB2 changed the charge of marijuana possession from a felony to a misdemeanor and reduced the penalty from a minimum of two years to a seven day sentence for first offenders.. Possessors of more than 25 joints or more than half a pound of marijuana could be charged as "pushers" and convicted as felons. It would be a curious circumstance if Carpenter's law, designed to encourage the prosecution of marijuana users, created a situation where possession of cannabis sativis was legal. However, Lancaster County Attorney Paul Douglas issued a statement that Kun's ruling applies only to the 19th judicial district and predicted that county attorneys in other districts would still prosecute under the provisions of LB2, at least till the Nebraska Supreme Court issued a ruling. Some questions must be cleared up: Was Greenburg convicted under LB2 or the previous law? Does Kuns' ruling negate both laws or just LB2? Are there now no laws that will be upheld concerning marijuana possession in District 19? Terry Carpenter's cries that the decision "will turn the whole state loose" and "I know of nothing more important generally than to control marijuana,'' seem a bit hysterical. They give marijuana a position of far too great importance and tend to ignore the more important problems of physical violence, highway traffic deaths and injuries (half of which are attributed to the use of alcohol), increasing crime rates, etc. Last year a Canadian group completed an exhaustive study of drugs in Canada. One of their tentative recommenda tions was that marijuana and hashish, be legalized for a trial period of two years. Predictions were that the suggestion would never be implemented because of the probable severe reaction of the United States. It wouM be most interesting if one of Nebraska's judicial districts bus now backed into a position, that the Canadian government was afraid to implement. THE NEBRASKAN Telephones: Editor: 473-25M, Buslheae: Newat 4T2-2SM. Second date pnilonir paid at Lincoln) Nod, Subscription ralrn are 3 par ismastar or tt.50 par year. Published Monday, Wudnandny, Thursday and Friday during tha achoul yaar meat durlna vaca tion and exnm periods. Metnbw or mo Intercollegiate Praia,. National Educa tional Advertising Service, The Nobraattan la a student publication. Indapandant of ttia University of N Co rnelia's administration, faculty and student government. Addrau: The Nebraska!? 3 Nebraska Union- ' University of Nebraska Lincoln, Nebraska oUCf editorial Staff Krtiior: Kallov Baker; Monaaina Edlturr Connie Wlnfcleri News Editor: Bill Smllhnrmnn; Sparta Edltnrit Jim Johnston and Boonr Rlfftf Natonrokan Staff Writers: Gary Seacresti John Dvorak, Mick Morlarfy, Cava- Brink, Slav Stroasar, Sua Scholar, Stave Kadel. Pat Me Tee, Carol Ooetschlus; Phutuora. pl)tra; Dun Ladoiy. Mlka Heymenf Sltterta.nment Editor: Free) Elsenherti Llturary Editor: Alan Boyei Nawa Aealatant: Marsha Baneerts Copy editors: Liure Pnrtsch, Jim Cray, Werrsn Obr, Biythe Ertckioni Night New Editor: Turn Lanaworlh; NlHhr Newe Aailstontt Merrill Bendlow. Baalnes Staff Buslhesa Mnnarjerv Paf- Dl Natal; Coordinator: Sandra Carter) Subscription uiiu ClnnolHed Ad Manoqeri Jan Boatman Salesmen! Srea Scott, I, Jane Kiiluell J. J, Shields. ? 9 : W" MM cr Wr' I S ComMndcr.e.1hcsx? ) 1 Jj5$T Scored dSlnf T Wo A mediocre milestone for MiUkouis by STUART LONG At first glance, Nixon's "major new initiative for peace" in Indochina (and the world) isn't very exciting. Close study confirms this. Of course, some skeptics will re ject it out of hand as a typical Nixon trick to win a few key Senate seats , for the Republicans, but, in all fairness to the President, he's not likely to think he can keep using this "just peace" dodge forever. (We don't want a just peace, we just want peace.) Even Nixon couldn't believe the American public is that gullible could he? Well, perhaps what we'd best do is take a close look at his "five proposals." The first is a "ceasefire-in-place"; if you won't shoot, neither will we (until after the November election?). U'This ceasefire proposal is'put forth without preconditions," Nixon said, and immediately began listing some )"general principles," he called them): international supervision, no reinforcements, must be over all of Indochina. Our President isn't a man to burn his bridges; he always has an out. The second proposal is for an international Indochina peace conference. One wonders just ' how Hanoi is supposed to regard this, after having agreed in 1954 to a "temporary partition" of Vietnam to organize for national elections two years later elections which never came off because the American puppet Diem declined to discuss ar rangements with Ho Chi Minh. (Curiously, the International Control Commission set up to supervise the '54 Accords cited the U.S. in its first report for violating the ban on arms im portation.) One suspects that Hanoi's patience and trust may be wearing thin. Nixon's third proposal reads: "We are ready now to negotiate an agreed timetable for com plete withdrawals as part of an overall settlement" Not bad, except that the Viet Cong has consistently held out for Viet n a m e s e self-determination; how do you say "Yankee, go home" in Vietnamese? One also wonders just what special definition the Pentagon has in mind for "complete." The fourth proposal urges "a search for apolitical settle ment that truly meets the aspirations of all South Viet namese." Once again we see the U.S. mastermiding permanent division of Vietnam. When the communists are out numbered, as in Germany, we depore such a partition; when the opposition has the upper hand, as in Vietnam, we do a quick shuffle and redefine "nation." President . Eisenhower once said that, ac cording to all accounts, Ho would have won at least 80 of the Vietnamese vote in 1956, which may have had something to do with out lack of emphasis then on "free elections.") In his final proposal, Nixon may have at long last found the "forgotten American" he's been looking for those inno cent victims of misfortune who were shot down while dropping bombs on the North. One can't agree more with the President when he says "They and their families have already suffered too much," but the thought does intrude, what about the tens of thousands of Vietn amese who also "suffered too much" under the proud Pen tagon's "greatest air bom bardment of all time?" Still, Nixon's offer to free all prisoners of war is a noble gesture, and Hanoi ought to be impressed by his desire "to establish good faith." Not that Nixon actually put forth anything new in his "proposal for a just peace," but, as one White House official put it, the plan should be judg ed on its merits rather than its novelties. Well, what are its merits? That's a difficult question, particularly when each of its components has already been, rejected by the communist negotiators. But, the Pentagon assures us, this time they have to talk turkey. Military studies conclusively show that Hanoi is unable to continue the war (the generals must have a thousand versions of this study by now), and that we can expect them to capitulate in the very near future. That's a little hard to believe, but one hesitates to question the Pentagon's in tegrity; dire consequences are rumored to fall upon such nay sayers. A couple of other aspects of the President's prime-time television appearance (what is this, No. 6?) provoke some in terest. His use of the phrase, "a generation of peace," must indicate something or other. It's not a very optimistic phrase, as such speechwriting goes, but then perhaps Nixon knows something we don't. One certainly hopes so. Still, it's curiously unsettling . . . Another, thing: in the prepared text, Nixon wrote that the new plan had been discussed with the governments of South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. "It has their full support," he wrote, but reworded it in the speech to the less confident, "All support it." Must have taken a devil of a lot of arm-twisting to convince those dapper dictators. And whoever said that the peace movement has had no effect on Nixon? The word "peace" appeared 19 times in his speech. Could we ask for more? Clip & Save by MARY ALLNDER Sexual relations are a personal matter. But unless one is prepared, pregnancy will result Decide whether or not you are ready for pregnancy and if you are not, use birth control. Each man releases millions of sperm at a time but conception only takes one. Children need love and security and the world does not need another unwanted child. You don't need the anguish of an unwanted pregnancy. i Here is a list from Planned Parenthood of the types of birth control and one's chance of pregnancy with each, Each of these figures is accurate only if the method is correctly used. pregnancies per 100 women method per year if nothing used 100 ' rhythm ......... 22 foams,, creams & jellies . . . . v 20 diaphragm & jelly ..".. 17' ' condem . . 15 4' ' intrauterine device (IUD) 3 pills less than 1 If you want to get pregnant use no birth control method. THE RHYTHM METHOD is the practice of abstaining from intercourse during and around the woman's fertile per iod each month. To find out when this fertile period is for you consult a doctor. Don't guess! Foams, creams and jellies can be bought without prescription at any drugstore. They are inserted into the vagina before Intercourse. Their action is spermaeidal; they kill sperm.. " THE DIAPHRAGM is a small disc that a doctor must fit for each woman. It is inserted before intercourse along with spermicidal jelly and covers the cervix opening. Condoms (also known as prophylactics or rubbers) can be purchased without prescription at any drugstore. They are used by the male during intercourse. The condom covers the penis and then holds the sperm after ejaculation. THE IUD must be inserted into the uterus by a doctor. It is commonly in the shape of a loop or coil which remains in the uterus and a doctor can easily remove if if pregnancy is desired. It is not known exactly how the IUD works but it prevents the egg from lodging in the lining of the uterus.. It is usually not inserted unless the woman has bad at least one child. Pills are a drug and so must be prescribed by a doctor. The pill stops ovulation, the releasing of eggs by the Problem pregnancies: how to avoid them r Clip & Save p ovaries but women still have a monthly discharge similar to a period. EACH OF THESE methods works only if used correctly. It is necessary to obtain expert advice (as from a doctor) on the use of whichever method is best for you. Many people think that coitus interruptus is a birth control method and use it as one. Don't Coitus interruptus is the practice of withdrawing the penis during intercourse before ejaculation but sperm can be released before ejacula tion, and then pregnancy is possible. Douching is absolutely not a birth control method, it is simply a cleansing of the vagina. No matter how quickly is is done after intercourse it is not at all an effective birth control measure. c Where can a university student go in Lincoln for help or advice? It is true that many gynecologists in Lincoln refuse to prescribe birth control devices for a woman unless she isi married though it is quite easy to obtain help if one is married. 5 UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTER (UHC). A student carrying seven hours or more is entitled to visit the UHC and to consult one of the physicians regarding birth control measures. The doctor will counsel the individual and discuss indications and contra-indlcations for birth control methods. . If in his opinion the pill is indicated, he can prescribe the pill. Whether or not birth control: devices are prescribed to single women is up to the individual doctor there. If you are not satisfied with the decision of one doctor you can see another doctor. The UHC docs have a pharmacy and fills any prescript ' tion written by a licensed physician in the state of Nebaska for any student. This would also include prescriptions written by a physician for the pill. Approximately 25-30 of the students at the University of Nebraska are married. Pregnancy tests are conducted in the laboratory at the UHC. Pregnancy tests are positive after six weeks from the date of conception and it takes approximately two hours to obtain the results of the pregnancy test The UHC docs provide diagnostic and therapeutic services for patients with venereal disense. The cost for diagnostic services which Include laboratory procedures is 50' of the going rate in Lincoln. The UHC does observe strictly the ethics of con fidentiality. No medical information is released without the written consent of the patient THE DOWNTOWN YWCA at 1432 "N" Street has a Planned Parentlwod Clinic on the second floor. Clinic hours are from Oum-noon, Wednesday mornings. They prefer that you call and make an appointment ahead of time. The clinic has a doctor, nurse and trained advisors. Examinations can be performed and they can recommend the best birth control method for each person. They have all types of birth control devices there. Everything is free if one meets OEO (Office of Economic Opportunity) guidelines and many students do meet these guidelines. Go down and they will help you and tell you if you are qualified. If you do not meet the guidelines, birth control devices can be purchased there at reduced rates. The clinic also administers pregnancy tests. Come in when you believe you would be about 6 weeks pregnant A woman must bring in her first morning urine specimen for the pregnancy test Venereal disease testing and treatment are performed there. The clinic also has a good lending library on the subjects of birth control and abortion. Everything is treated completely confidentially. Parents are not contacted. : For more information or to make an appointment call 432-2802 and ask for extension 001 or 002. ABORTION is a form of birth control. It can be a backstop measure if the birth control method that you used has failed. Use birth control, but if you didn't or it didn't work, abortion can be considered. It is against the law In Nebraska for an abortion to be performed unless a woman's life is threatened by the pregnancy. The only chance of obtaining an abortion in this state is if there are sound medical reasons in accordance with' the state laws. So, compared with the demand for abortions there are few performed. It is also against the law in Nebraska to advise a woman to have an abortion. There are places which do not advise any . woman to have an abortion but do counsel alternatives to pregnancy, including telling where a legal abortion can be obtained. OVER A MILLION abortions are performed each year in the United States, and most are illegal. There are an estimated 8000 deaths each year from these abortions. Most of these are performed by butchers, by quacks, where infection is likely and sterilization or death possible. However, under medical supervision and with hygenic condi tions, abortion is safer than carrying a pregnancy to term. The concern of problem pregnancy counselors is that a woman who wants an abortion should know where she can obtain a legal, safe and sane one, Instead of seeking by herself and probably finding a haphazard, unclean, un- professional solution. If you are considering an abortion it must be performed before the twentieth week of pregnancy. The earlier, the easier and cheaper, for you. It is best to have one before 12 weeks, indeed as soon as you find out about the pregnancy and have made your decision. Before 12 weeks, the two methods of abortion doctors use are dilation and curettage (D&C) or suction. With both methods the cervix is dilated; then, either the walls of the uterus are scraped with a curette and the pregnant tissues removed, or these tissues are sucked out through a tube using a vacuum pump. A general anesthesia is usually administered. These two methods take from 5 to 20 minutes and leave no scars or marks. The woman is usually able to return home a few hours after the abortion. After 12 weeks, termination of pregnancy becomes in creasingly difficult, until at 20 weeks most doctors refuse to perform an abortion. The two methods used are "salting out" and hysterotomy. With "salting out" a salt solution is injected into the utrus, killing the fetus and inducing labor. A general, anesthesia is usually used. There are no scars or marks. In a hysteretomy an incision is made into the abdomen and the fetus and placenta are removed. This is a major operation and so the patient must remain . in the hospital for about 5 days. Abortions before 12 weeks usually cost around $290 'plus about $200 for transportation and a bit more for expenses. It is perfectly possible to fly out for an abortion on one day and return the next. After 12 weeks the cost increases as the lateness of the pregnancy Increases, up to $1000. INFORMATION on abortion can be obtained by calling the Counseling Service for Problem Preganacies in Omaha, 112-453-5314. Say that you are from Lincoln and you will be assigned a counselor from Lincoln. The counselors are trained and experienced persons, females and males. Many are ministers. University Health Center and the Planned Parenthood Clinic also counsel alternatives to pregnancy. YOU ARE PREGNANT. What are your choices? 1. You could marry and continue the pregssscy. 2. You could bear the child and raise it without mar riage. 3. You could complete the pregnancy and give the child up for adoption. 4. You could terminate the pregnancy. Abortion la best performed before the twelfth week. If your choice Is to complete the pregnancy and give the child up for adoption there are state licensed agencies that provide services to unmarried parents. Two of them in Lincoln are Family Service Association, 1133 "H" Street, 432-3227 and the Catholic Social Service Bureau, 215 S. 15th Street, 432-4581. ena-srararerara tmnmm i a wara-am-a) a era-snai irra ai a a a PAGE 6 THE NEBRASKAN FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, T970 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1970 THE NEBRASKAN PAGE 7 r areta n -ana a