editorial
Back of the bus
It appears that Congressional spending
directives are not the only measures going
unenforced by the Nixon Administration. In a
report released this weekend, the U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights cited a lack of
presidential leadership as the primary reason
that the federal government's enforcement of
Its own civil rights laws has slowed to what
the commission called "a snail's pace."
In his recent State of the Union message,
President Nixon stated that his policies
"represent a pragmatic rededication to social
compassion and national excellence."
Contrasting with that declaration is the civil
rights commission's evaluation: "Federal civil
rights enforcement lacks creativity, resources,
a sense of urgency, a firmness in dealing with
violators and-most important a sense of
commitment."
The report complained of various
governmental civil rights inadequacies; among
them:
there, is currently no full time civil rights
staff in the Office of Management and
Budget, which overseas all federal agencies;
-removal of the threat to withhold funds has
made the Department of Health, Education
and Welfare's school compliance program
ineffective;
some private schools where discrimination
exists still receive tax-exempt status because
of the Internal Revenue Service's relaxed
enforcement of federal guidelines;
In the address tha marked his second
inauguration, President Nixon promised that
the shift to new policies would "not be a
retreat from our responsibilities, but a better
way to progress . . . And I pledge to you that
where government should act, we will act
boldly and we will lead boldly." Historically
civil rights issues have made up one of those
areas where "government should act."
If the report of the Commission on Civil
Rights is given any credence whatever, it
becomes obvious that the President has been
less than bold in this area. Regrettably, civil
rights enforcement has become another of
those matters relegated to the crowded seats
in the rear of the Nixon bus for the long trip
through the next four years.
Budget casualties
President Nixon, who recently revealed a
$268 million "no fat" budget request, has
become his own chief lobbyist in a drive to
cut federal spending for what he believes are
ill-advised or irresponsible programs. And,
somewhat ironically, the man who just a tew
weeks ago admonished Americans to be proud
of the 2.5 million U.S. soldiers who served in
Vietnam has now imtiarea muvc w..
successful, would severely decrease
government benefits currently given to
disabled Vietnam-era veterans.
A proposal drafted by the Veterans
Administration and currently being
considered by the House Veterans Affairs
Committee would cut payments to the
soldiers maimed in Vietnam by aPPrxmately
$160 million a year. The nearly 335,000
disabled Vietnam veterans become the
primary victims of the budgetary cutbacks
because their injuries were suffered recently
enough so as not to be covered by a law
which forbids a reduction in a disability rating
that has been held for 20 years or more.
In the cold language of fiscal mathematics,
the new plan would reduce the loss of a leg
from a 90 per cent to a 40 per cent disability
rating. Such a crippled veteran could see
government benefits for his family cut from
approximately $6700 to around $1300 a
year.
For a man or woman who cannot work,
President Nixon's recent call for a national
reliance upon hard work is little more than a
reminder of their own disability. A soldier
who is victimized by both the war and budget
battles may find "peace with honor" a rather
elusive concept and life with dignity
unachieveable. Tom Lansworth
on
Dear editor:
If you're like most students these days, you're
probably interested in getting as much out of your
educational dollar as possible. I think I've finally
discovered a way Jo make that money stretch, though.
', I must give credit to ASUN and the University Child
Care Centers, for without the inspiration they
provided last Wednesday, I doubt this plan would
ever have been conceived.
The point was brought home to us earlier this
month in a letter (Daily Nebraskan, Feb. 5) from a
Ms. Cromer, that she, as well as all of us who attend
this noble institution, pays $50 each semester in
student fees. These fees are used to provide the
student with certain services, like the Daily
Nebraskan, University Health Center, and last, but
not least, ASUN. Whether or not every penny of this
fee money is put to good use is really not our
concern. It's a form of school tax that everybody has
to pay, each one an equal share. What we are
concerned with is just how many more services we
can get for that equal investment, even if it's at the
expense of our fellow students.
Since ASUN is the student's voice, it seems
reasonable to start there in looking for a solution.
During Wednesday's meeting, a figure of 43 cents was
cited as the amount ASUN gets from each student per
semester to use soley on student programs that serve
all of the students' interests. Out of that 43 cents,
ASUN has budgeted about $6,500 to campus
organizations, or a return of 31 cents (a 12-cent loss,
but red tape isn't free).
A 31 cent return also assumes that all the
organizations funded can serve all the students. Now
if you want to increase your personal return, that's
where a nifty little group like the Day Care Center
This Administration is Bullish on America.
comes in. You see, they, and it would seem ASUN,
assume the less students you serve, the more money
you are entitled to. If their request for the additional
$702 is granted, their investment of 43 cents'will
bring the 76 students served by the Day Care Center a
$22.40 return, or an increase of 5,209 per cent. Not
bad, but if you're like me, and don't have a little
darling, and can't borrow one either, how can you
cash in on this gold mine? Well, if ASUN figures that
the fewer you serve, the more you need, simply form
your own organization, serve only your own interests,
and you should be granted a yearly budget of
$J, 166.82. . Still,. ASUN only has $6,500 to work
with, so they can only aid six students in this manner,
and if you want a slice of the pie, you had better be
quick.
Now if you are slow, and aren't among the first
six, there's two things you can do. You can wait till
next year, and hope that you'll get there first, or you
can give a call to your ASUN senators, and tell them
you only want your fee money spent on project, that
serve the interests of all the students. I prefer the
latter, but then, I probably won't be one of the first
six students to make the request. If you aren't either,
why not give your senator a call? It's your money.
Tuition proposal Name wi,hheld by reques'
Dear editor:
Two meetings ago ASUN passed and sent to the
administration a resolution that could have positive,
far-reaching consequences on the UNL campus. Jagan
Kaul's proposal was to treat foreign students at par
with in state students with respect to tuition rates.
Using the University of Texas' experience as a guide,
we could expect two major benefits.
After an initial drop in tuition revenues received
from foreign students, Texas then experienced an
increase in revenues when many more foreigners were
attracted to its campus to pursue their studies.
Secondly, the increased number of non-U.S. students
on campus resulted in much greater exposure to new
ideas and diverse culture to the native Texans.
If interested students and faculty will work
energetically to follow this bill through, UNL could
benefit in the same wasy Texas did. In the long run it
would cost the University no extra money to effect
this positive addition to UN L's educational and living
environment.
ASUN revisited Ken Cobb
Dear editor;
The letter by David McClymont (Daily
Nebraskan, Feb. 8) in response to a letter co-authored
by Joe McCarty and Scott Cooper begins by
proclaiming their lack of insight into the ASUN
situation. Fortunately, for the reader, McClymont
does give us an -Insight: that of the utter
incompetency and self-deception of himself and the
present ASUN administration.
McClymont uses the low 25 per cent voting
turnout for last year's ASUN elections and what he
sees as student apathy to explain away the overall
administrative bankruptcy on the part of ASUN.
One should ask, "Why all these excuses, paid ads,
etc."? Has ASUN decided that if it worked for the
Nixon administration (on Watergate, grain deal, et.
al.) that it will work for ASUN?
Can't ASUN and McClymont accept the likelihood
of a low turnout as fact and work from there?
Previous ASUN administrations have been quite
capable of operating under such a condition. Most, in
fact, with less than a 20 per cent turnout.
If ASUN personnel cannot operate effectively
under these conditions, then perhaps they should
resign and let a more competent and more
representative group take their place. We should not
be playing little political games with our student
government.
Editorials by Bruce Beecher claiming credity for
actions of previous . administrations, other
organizations and events that just happened to occur
during his term in office should not and will not
satisfy those of us who expect true competence in
our student government.
Having attended this Univeristy for four years
now, I will unreservedly state that the present ASUN
administration has done the least for the University
of Nebraska and its students of any I have known.
Let's throw the rascals out.
Robert L. Brehm
pEf' It!
I A st SJ si
Another U.S. Withdrawal
MUN
Dear editor:
Model United Nations (MUN) has always been a
good excercise for students who wish to study other
nations and parliamentary procedure in a model
session. This year I have been involved through a
group of students in the Centennial Education
Program who were delegates. I am proud of them for
their excellent performance: they received two of the
nZteS d? J?"?! award8 for Panama and Somalia'
and four of the 12 best delegate awards at the session
SEn. ST' J?1 MiMer' Paul Jones and Jack
Mason). These students and others who were involved
now want to continue their efforts by going to other
MUNs I sincerely hope that the University will
support and encourage this in the future.
Robin West
page 4
daily nebraskan
monday, february 12, 1973
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