editorial odinion
II H. w I
m w m
Good will here again
Goodies replaced
Take the money and runto the nearest
department, stereo or clothing store.
That has been the pre-Christmas message for as
long as most UNL students have been around. And
until this year at least, Americans have obeyed.
Christmas has evolved from a religious
celebration and a time of remembering one's
fellow human being to a contest to see who can
stockpile most under the fir tree.
School kids call each other on Christmas morn,
eager to compare their "hauls." Parents run up
charge account bills that sometimes take mores
ihan a year to pay.
And everyone is supposed to be happy.
But this year's recession has thinned holiday
shopping crowds. Stores have cut down on
part-time sales help, and many are promoting
previously unheard-of pre-Christmas specials.
Even big-time businesses like Macy's and
Neimann-Marcus are bringing out the bargains.
Other stores, with unusually high inventories of
unsold goods, have brought back last year's
energy saving and are cutting down on costly
Christmas lighting displays.
Gloom has descended on many shoppers,
unable to justify extravagances in the face of
recession.
Perhaps the economic situation has brought
something else with ita return to sanity. Until
now, Christmas commercialism has run rampant
at the expense of Christmas spirit.
With no bucks to burn, Americans might have to
start putting good will before goodies. That's the
way it should be.
Jane Owens
WXZ- J?" X K jZIHj! .s. S S III y f III
I BUM , , M 'v tf Iff .-OMASX hff tff 1 ' III
east emr m (wm- im ia:t
Forty females not forced
Dear Editor,
In regard to the recent uproar over the
-Water HoT3"r44 the:'OraM-day, tfiiT
righteous ferals roFuttajsTof.-Jane Owens
and Amy Strutheis have omitted Iwo
significant points. - -r
Dear Editor,
I'd like to reply to the editorial by Jane
Owens and Amy Struthers "Broadside"
column. (Daily Nebraskan, Dec. 6) By writing
this letter, I'm sure I'm doomed to be labeled
a sexist, although I believe that the women's
movement has..and will effect a great many
positive and necessary societal changes.
Until recent times, men in our society have
had many more opportunities than women to
choose the kind of life they wish to lead.
Traditionally, women have been limited to
the homemaker role, while men could choose
from among a myriad of careers.
The goal of the women's movement should
be to expand the choices available to women
to equal those of men. No feminist should try
to dictate to other women what kind of role
choices are unacceptable.
If a woman knows the options available to
her, then makes a conscious choice to be a
Suzy Homemaker or to be a sex object down
at the Water Hole by going braless in order to
get a free pitcher, she shouldn't be
condemned because of her choice. She
should be free to do as she pleases, as long as
she makes an informed, conscious choice.
In an ideal society, both men and women
chniilH have all rnlo hnioe in fhom mUhAiit
First, why did the Daily Nebraskan print
the ad if it was so offensive? Undoubtedly,
the ad was what made the event successful.
Second, why don't you get your own house
in order before attacking all of the sexists?
None of the 40 females were forced to do
what they did.
Seymour Teatz
Jumping Jockstraps!
Dear Editor,
I believe all people should have equal
opportunities, whoever they are. I believe it
is bad to demean any group of people. I also
believe you and Amy Struthers are too
sensitive in equating being a sex object with
being degraded.
All people play different roles at different
times. Sometimes men and women change
from "a nice person to talk with" to "a sex
object." Virtually everyone does. That is why
we dress up, why we act sexy and think sexy.
fear of condemnation.
n Generally like to be
Bob O'Neal
'Bra Day' a gross gimmick
Dear Editor,
As a student and reader of the
Nebraskan, I would like to express a sincere
concern regarding The Water Hole "Ban the
Bra" Day ad printed In Wednesday's paper.
This ad is degrading to my self-respect and
human dignity 33 a woman and as a thinking
and feeling individual.
I have talked to The Water Hole's
bartender, and he says "it's just a gimmick."
Well, if it is just a gimmick, they can use
something else for the boost. Women and
their sexuality has been abused and exploited
by advertising media long enough.
Above all, I am disappointed that the Daily
Nebraskan staff did not have enough concern
and insight to stop this ad from being
printed.
I, as well as many other readers, want to
see more social integrity and concern
expressed in the paper.
Yuko Yates
page 4
Men and wo
inougni or as sex objects sometimes. I
believe I have been thought of as one
occasionally, and it doesn't bother me at all.
In fact, I would love to become a "sexual
plaything." Granted, not all the time. I do
need to be loved as well, but once in awhile,
I think it's very healthy.
Also, yes I would be willing to jump up and
down without my (jock) strap, if it would
entrtain the ladies at The Water Hole.
Jeremy Bell
Estrogen excitment raised
Dear Editor,
Right on, Amy Struthers! ("Broadside,"
Daily Nebraskan, Dec. 6)
As a male chauvamst pig, I still am
appalled by the extent to which a commercial
establishment will -jo in an attempt to
bust-out promotion.
I am even mere appalled (shaken out of my
jock strap) by the women who allowed
daily n't-rat;;-n
themselves to be exploited in the manner in
which they were.
If jumping up and down in front of the
Water Hole bartenders to prove braless
"imsfattbh isnbt a step right back into the
stigma of the brassiere, then what in the, hell
is r What does it ta,ke for these women to feel
demeaned?
It's damned near enough for a bys'tandlntj
male to want to take mass doses of estrogen
and raise a fist in protest!. .
MattKush
'Bra Day' sequel planned
Dear Editor,
Well women, we guess we're going to be
forced to meet your demands. A public
apology? No. A "Ban the Shorts Niqht?"
Yes! a
On Tuesday, Jan 14, (the first Tuesday
after vacation) The Water Hole will sponsor a
"Ban the Shorts Night" where any male who
can prove to the satisfaction of the judges
that he is shortsless will receive a free pitcher
of beer.
The judges we request are Amy Struthers,
Jane Owens, and two or three other women
of their choice. These judges may drink free
for the evening and will be given Water Hole ,
T-shirts to cherish forever.: ' .
.,J.he.dges may request .the guys to Jump
up and down, stretch, or do any otfV type Of
Pn,2in9 activity, thlfel Is
to rfiifv ??rJHJ? "WWi WOUJd like
or fy a tew points,. fmt;m advertised
HOie for two weeks and -did not receive one
complaint. Apparently SmA?I
TrHaye ihnr r been" Wbnt "tK
Water Hole in the first place. . v. . ' . , :
crowdTndm'rreh!i?d bi996sr. Wednday'
SnTo AnnpX-c hrlJyeo' even bigger than
bpiro Agnew s birthday partv) and a -flood'"
h?mW.hn? aM C4 rsione.thi?d0Of
tnem being women rom sororities ir-
dependents, and working girls
student! 9 atmosPnere for college
As for having another such even' in thP
hPeXrtiSi?n WMJ be when wl
near whether or no the moM vnni
compla.ners (mainly Amy Struthers and Uai?J
Owens) accept our challenge to he iuda?s aSd
have "Ban the Shorts Night ' S
Dr and Mrs. RobbCloc
Owne, The Water Hole, Inc.
rnonday, december 9, 1974
' 4 0- 4 4 4 ' ' " if- if