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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 6, 1972)
Letteri appear In the Dairy Nebruiaui at the editor's discretion. A letter's appearance is based on Its timeliness, originality, coherence and Interest. All letters must be accompanied by the writer's true name, but may be submitted for publication under a pen name or Initials. Use of such letters will be determined by the editor. Brevity Is encouraged. All letters are subject to condensation and editing. Paraphrase or plagiarism? Dear editor: "With him in there, there's hope. Vote John Vihstadt. . . ."I quote from the Daily Nebraskan, March 22, 1972. 1 am careful to note my source. This is a letter on plagiarism Which I do not support either in regents or editorialists. While putting together some information regarding gun control, it occurred to me that there is more than a superficial resemblance between the Differnt Drummer in the Daily Nebraskan, March 22, 1972, and an item recently circulated around UNL, Newsletter, Vol. 1, No. 1 , issued 6y the National Citizens' Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. While it is obvious that people writing on the same topic may cover similar information or put forth similar ideas, the strong parallels between the articles seems unlikely, especially when one considers such remarks as: "Should this data be collected, the results could be nationally disastrous. If it fell into the hands of those who lead us into despotism and tyranny. Like information was gathered by Hitler and Lenin while in the process of seizing power in their respective countries." (Vihstadt). Compare: ". . . .but should that information be collected, the results could be nationally disastrous should it fall into the hands of those who would lead us into tyranny." . .such information was gathered by Hitler and Lenin prior to the consolidation of then dictatorships." (Newsletter). Both sources are responding to Sen. Edward Kennedy's concern with gun registration. Proposed legislation by Celler and Mivka, reference to the Bill of Rights and names of the organizations supporting gun control occur in both articles. The same organizations are named in both-ADA, National Council for a Responsible Firearms Policy and Fellowship of Reconciktion-which is identified in both articles as "an organization of left-wing clergy." I do not oppose editorialists reading-indeed it is to be greatly encouraged. But I would like to know how independently these great (?) minds arrived at the same thoughts. Paraphrase and quotation are defensible in scholarly use. Is the Vihstadt article defensible? Pat Burch Editors note: Columnist Vihstadt acknowledges the use of the committee's newsletter as a reference source. The nature of the information utilized, however, was pure historical fact, and as such can be found in any history book or government publication or document. This is not a question of opinion or value judgment, and as such, does not agree with the definition of the word plagiarism. NEBPIRG support Dear editor: I have become aware of a group of students who are seeking to organize the Nebraska Public Interest Research Group (NEBPIRG) as an attempt to help many students become interested and knowledgeable in government. As a state senator, I wholeheartedly support this concept. I feel that there is so much research and help that these young people could offer to government that I believe their contributions could and would be truly astounding. In closing, I understand this group is asking you to help them collect their contributions to the organization when other school payments are being made. I sincerely urge you to honor this request which I feel to be very modest. David H. Stahmer S enator 8th D istrict Keep off the grass Dear editor: This is an emergency, in fact, a matter of life or death. Would all you environmentally concerned students take a look at yourselves from the viewpoint of grass plants? To us you look like a herd of clod hoppers. You are killing us. It is spring, and we are striving to breathe and grow and yes, even multiply. Give us a chance to beautify your campus and purify your air. Or would you really prefer more bare dirt or concrete? It doesn't matter to us whether you are black or white, male or female, in a hurry or just strolling. You pack down our soil and crush our tender blades. A straight line may be the shortest distance between two points, but it isn't necessarily the most interesting or beneficial. Give us a chance to do our thing. Your neighborly grasses il ft hie snuirDuoS off sfto I a rock opera presented by kosmet klub apr. 14, 15, 16 8 pm u of n coliseum tickets available at: the hitchin' post nebraska union $2 advance $2.50 at the door COLOR IN THIS "MINI- PEBSIDENTIAL 1. Buy a bunch of Flair pens. You need orange, purple, brown, red, blue and ol ive. (You need them anyway for school.) 2. Now color in the picture according to these color guide numbers. (6). Orange (9). Purple (5), Brown (2). Red (3). Blue (12). Olive. Piease do not color unnum bered areas. . . g POSTER" OF ONE OF THE I CANDIDATES! Ml 3. Congratulations! You have created a H genuine full color portrait of someone you know and love. Maybe. If he or she is not your tavonte presidential cancn- date, have patience. You'll see yourfavor- i ite soon in the Flair Election Collection! (Don't forget to ask about Flair's running mate, the Flair Hot Liner.) Gillette Company PaperMate Division Q 1972 r : J I -ft ! ! hi II K 4 THURSDAY, APRIL. 6, 1972 JB&OAIL.Y NtRASKAN