Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 2, 1973)
Nil medical pair vows to continue abortions "Abortions should be a part of the total obstetrical and gynecological care provided for the people of Nebraska." That is the philosophy of at least two doctors at the University Medical Center in Omaha. Dr. G. William Orr and Dr. Marvin L. Dietrich have been the center of a controversy involving the performing of abortions at the Medical Center. Orr and Dietrich were granted part-time status on a 90-day trial basis at the Medical Center by the Board of Regents at its July meeting. The doctors then opened a private clinic for abortions, where they conduct about 30 operations a week. At the regents' Oct. 12 meeting, the two doctors were itiurned to full-time status and to comply with University rules governing abortions. The rules state that no full-time faculty member may perform abortions outside of the Medical Center. The rog or its p :iy had limited the number ui a '. .-.ns that could be performed at the center to 15 a week. According to On, lie jnl !.K PvJi have until Nov. 9 to con piv 'mmi die rules. He said because ihey do out plan to stop giving abortions at their clinic, the regents could legally fin; them at that time. He addetl, Inn vever, that lie "can't predict wha! those people (regents) will do." A memo circulated to Medical Cenlu ;.cpai tiueut chairmen by Dr. Robert Messer, chairman of the department of obstetrics and gynecology, said the regents' actions concerning 1he doctors could lead to a "very .Luus : .us precedent," an article in the Un.jih, World-Herald reported. Orr and Dietrich said they "wholeheartedly agree" with the memo. "A basic principle is being violated by the Board of Regents," Orr said. "The individual departments should govern specific actions within that department. This action by the regents violates that concept." Dietrich said he agreed with Orr. "The question seems to be whether the. Medical Center bus "die ability to make decisions regarding its operations," Dietrich said. "When a lay body takes over and attempts to make these decisions, that is a very serious problem. "Not one regent has the qualifications, experience or expertise needed to run this Medical Center. We have a chancellor just like the other campuses. The system was designed so that each campus would run semi-autonornously tinder the direction of the t.iesident of the system. See abortions, Page 2. dailu ifibffcaskc&ifli v. friday, november 2, 1973 lincoln, nebraska vol. 97 no. 38 YD: Watergate shakes students By Vince Boucher "Bad news, zilch, zero, nil." That's how the quality of Nebraska's representation in the U.S. Senate was described by UNL Young Democrats (YD) president Bob Petersen. Petersen, a senior in the College of Agriculture, said, "I don't think they (Nebraska's senators) have ever thought for themselves." On the Watergate controversy, "Sen. Carl Curtis made an idiot of himself," he said. Referring to President Richard Nixon's firing of independent Watergate prosecutor Archibald Cox, he said the President placed himself in a precarious position. If the public had not made such an outcry, Nixon would have proceeded on his own merry way," he said. Petersen said despite Nixon's announcement that he would surrender the tapes to Federal District Judge John Sirica's court, he thought impeachment proceedings should continue. "The Senate should have a trial, not tor harassment of the President-but if he is guilty, fire him, and if he is innocent, then lei's clear him," he said. He said that he believed the President did know of at least the coverup of the Watergate' incident. Petersen said students have been shaken by the events of Watergate. Nevertheless, he said he thinks they now are taking a more active interest in politics, as shown by this year's increased YD membership. "How to prevent another fiasco is now the concern of students. Many people say politics is a four letter woid," but the democi atic system is the best one for self government, he said. UNL YDs have about 25 members. Last year, only about 10 or 15 students were active memliers, he said. "We're finding a lol of people changing parties, not only the young. I believe, for the first time in many years, the Demociats in Nebiaska will offer a strong state ticket, stronger than evei before," he said. 6 If Democratic Par ty Central Committee Chairman Hess Dyas decides to oppose Hep. Charles Thorn; in the 1974 congressional election, Dyas would be a very desirable candidate, Petersen said. "I think Thone has often foresuken his district to follow a very narrow Republican viewpoint. I think he has been a yesman to the President," Petersen said. Petersen said Dyas is a "conservative liberal" who would have a good chance of defeating Thone. Gov. J.J. Exon will also Ire a very strong candidate in the 1974 state election, he said. "He may Ix; a little ruoie conservative than I like, but for the first time in several years, the people in outstate Nebraska have a governor ihey personally can identify with," he said. "The probelm with YD is that a lot of members are not too realistic. People lend to dismiss them as kids with ideas and nothing to go wuh them," he said. He said, "If the member, beome moie lealisiu, then YD will be a more ciedible organization " f . 'A,'.. - V "1 . .. i .1. ' r f. ' i , ' r i .J if f V' '.V W y A p f, J. w ' 5. v v I ( t " I u Mat It C.innon, campus YR chairman. -.J ' ; "-'ft w ";f ( I:. r ' , I K'v i' - ' . ; ' si YR leader fears big government By Vince Boucher "People think that Wjienjate r. die r - :.ul t of only a few individuals. The government is simply too big. Big government leads lo big coiruppuu." said Mark Cannon, president of UNL Young Republicans (YR). "We're tired of being sen; wed by big government. There is a good chance that future administrations -whatever patty-will be corrupt too," he said. Cannon, a junior in pre dentistry, said his involvement in Young Republicans came after a growing awareness ol actions of Democrats and the increasing strength of tin; federal government. Contending "power has U;en perverted," Cannon said the surge of power in Washington could be traced to President Franklin Roosevelt. "By the year 2000, politicians are liable to do anything to stay in," In; said. Cannon said he sees some pi ogress, though. "I'm finally hearing people say that government doesn't do everything right." According to Cannon, the Republican Party did not play a significant part in the Watergate' incident. Rather the problem was the members of the independent Committee to Re1 elect the Piesident, he said. Cannon said he is digusted by the "hypocritical" viewpoint of most people who see the activities of politicians as distinctly blaek and whit--, "A good example' ol this is that YR und YAF (Young Americans for Ficcdom) posters seem tcj last about 24 hours on this campus," lie said. In the 1974 state election, ihe Young Republicans will be looking for very conservative candidates, he said. "We want a stionij no vote to lestrain power, rather than a yes vote to increase government, he s.iid. Cannon said he was pi otid o! M hi .is I- a's senators for providing negative voles vhir.h h.ivc helped keep government in line and have pi evented it from Incoming too powei ful. He also praised Goveinoi J. James Cxon, a Democrat, as "a pietly luir governor." Cannon was critical of 1st I) is! net Congressman Charles Thone. "On tin's latest mi)eaohment issue, he is recording every phone call be gets. "Once in a while, politician:, should stand on principles of morality and not on public opinion," he continued. Cannon saiiJ impeachment has become a political tool because it is not well defined constitutionally what are grounds for thai action, Cannon said the public Millers Itom a lack of knowledge of national officials' political activities and ultimately because power is not placed in their hands. "Persons who do not vote in elections should I, recorded as both voting against the ,,i idid,itcs and against the whole government." he said. Cannon esliniuled thee ,ie about 120 Young Republicans at UNI.. Memb, i ship ibis yeai has l;cn about Ihe same as last year Most of (hem are ,jaio,t big government, he .ml. I here at " tp 1 1 M d( ! ", di'fi ( in iioi, i-;h rsoii, ciimpus YD chairman. Republicans somi? ol them I ones I y d,-i't M.long in Ihe oigahizatiou," he said.