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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 13, 1975)
thursday, november 13, 1975 page 4 daily nebraskan edibrial pwn : long hard climb Revolutionary movement needed for Bicentennial By Marsha J ark In Lincoln, as in many cities, the Bicentennial seems likely to be celebrated with pewter candle snuffers, liberty bell candle holders and other memorabilia hawked by every business from Avon to national banks. We are being lulled into forgetfulness by pretty new toys. The Centennial of 1876 had some striking parallels to the present year. Recent struggles (Reconstruction, the Civil War, corruption in government) seemed forgotten as the Pollyannas came out in full force to assure everyone of the progress America was sure to make. President U.S. Grant left office in 1876, pleading he'd been guilty of "errors of judgment, not intent" in an effort to excuse scandal in his administration. Like Richard M. Nixon, he had been elected by an overwhelming majority in the previous election. It will be a pity if 1976 is not a year for Americans to assess where the nation has been and decide where the nation might go. We should lock at the federal government and decide if we want that large, remote bureaucracy running social programs such as welfare. We might revive the issue of state's rights so that such statesas New York and Nebraska have more money available to pay their bills. When the Declaration of Independence was written, it was a very unpopular idea. Not unlike in the present situation, the hope of easy money outweighed the possible rewards of the struggle for personal freedoms. The Constitution was seen not as an ironclad book of truths, but as a means to flexibility in government so that it could never become hateful and oppressive to its people. People can make the difference in the Bicentennial if they renew a revolutionary spirit. The People's Bicentennial Commission is publishing a book this year called Common Sense II, which compares today's giant corporations to King George III and his monarchy. Discussions generated by such literature might prompt us to ask why the defense budget is still $90 billion when we already have the military might to destroy the Soviet Union twleve times. So tlw next time a fire hydrant painted like an Indian smiles at you, smile back. But consider also the current situation of Native Americans. Consider what the govern ment should be doing to solve its problems. Thoughts engendered might prompt a thoughtful letter to your senator or congressman. Wet t-shirt craze turns our stomach Reports from New Orleans on the latest Sin City bar fad rather turn our editorial stomach. The craze is "wet T-shirt" contests. Its main in gredients are young women in thin white T-shirts, pitchers of water, judges and prize money-yes, prize money-presumably" for the woman who looks most attractive after being watered. Impromptu striptease acts are the reported re sults of most of these unabashed promotion stunts. We. realize quick cash is hard to come by these days, and there have always been some people who would do anything for money. But the night-spot owners in New Orleans who are promoting such displays-we'd include in the same category the local bar owners who sponsor amateur strip nights-are exploiting women for their own profit. They are no better than pimps. By the same token, women who-apparently with great enthusiasm-participate in these stunts, allowing their bodies to be exploited for their own or another's gain, are not doing much for those of their sisters who have more than just bodies to be proud of. WE'VE gEV WUTING FOR WE GREAT LWQ TIME, TOHB. HIM OUT OF 6X0UMS. SO Ufs TRY SOME Of WIS STUFF. r T'VrclrT,-i-r- - r?A Excitina schoolbus ventures I t mm? 4W J By Arthur Hoppe Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Dick and a little girl named Jane, who were very, very good. They had a wicked Stepmother, who was very, very wicked. She was so wicked that she plotted how best to do away with Dick and Jane. She thought of many wicked ways to kill them-such as forcing them to eat turnips or making them take baths every single day. But none was wicked enough to suit her. At last, she thought of the wickedest plot of all. "Wake up, Dick. Wake up, Jane," she said one morning with a fiendish cackle. "Today I am sending you to school!" Dick and Jane suspected nothing. They were very excited. "Oh, thank you, Wicked Stepmother," said Dick. "We wish to go to school to prepare ourselves for life when we grow up." "Yes," said Jawi. "We do not wish to be drop cuts, fcr then we would become juvenile delinquents." So Dick and Jane put on their best clothes and went to catch the school bus. "Look, Jane," said Dick. "There is our friend the National Guardsman." "Where is our friend the policeman?" asked Jane. "He is on strike, Jane," said Dick. The nice National Guardsman helped Dick and Jane on the bus with his bayonet. The kindly bus dria'r was a little grumpy. So was the kindly tail gunner. That was because a group of patriotic, loving mothers stood in front of the bus. They sang, "God Bless America." They shouted, "Nigger lovers!" Dick and Jane took their places under a seat. That was because bricks were flying through the windows. "Do those mothers hate us, Dick?" asked Jane. "No, Jane, they don't hate us," said Dick. "They hat buses." "Maybe, Dick," said Jane, "we should have taken the streetcar." "The first day of school, Jane," said Dick, "is always very exciting." It was a bumpy trip to school. That was because all the tires of the bus had been slashed. But the kindly bus driver was very good at avoiding the automobiles in his way. That was because the automobiles were overturned and burning.. "Look, Dick," cried Jane. "There is the school. Now we can prepare ourselves for life when we grow up." But the school was closed, of course, by the teachers' . strike. Jane was very sad. "Oh, Dick," said Jane, "now we are drop-outs from school." "No, Jane," said Dick, brushing the broken glass from his hair. "The school is a drop-out from us." "But, Dick, how can we prepare ourselves for life when w.4 grow up?" asked Jane. "We will become juvenile delinquents!" "Frankly, Jane," said Dick, picking up a brick, "I think that is the best way." And Dick and Jane and their Wicked Stepmother lived happily together ever after. (Copyright Chronicle Publishing Co. 1975) Our kudos of the week goes to the UNL Faculty Senate for passing a resolution requiring faculty members to conduct regularly scheduled classes, barring emergencies or university business appointments. When students cut classes, they generally hurt only themselves. But when professors or instructors cut classes they hurt all members of their classes. Still, it might not be a bad idea for the ASUN Senate to pass a resolution endorsing, for students, the spirit of the Faculty Senate action. Wet T-shirts may be a regional fad, but pet rocks are becoming national nuttiness. Advertising man Gary Dahl's rocks, attractively packaged and accompanied by a "Care and Train ing of Your Pet Rock" manual, are taking the country by storm-and making a bundle for their creator. Well, we've got news for Mr. Dahl. Almost two years ago, Daily Nebraskan column ist Keith Landgren thought up pet rocks, and pro moted the idea on Dec. 6, 1973, in his "Desperate Remedies." To wit: "Rocks are comfortable in closets if you don't have a back yard. Unlike most pets, they can be painted to go with the furniture. They don't chase cars. "Rocks won't do tricks or come when they're called, but then no one expects them to. They don't eat much, or bark or go into heat. And they don't have to be house broken." Remember, you read it here first. Rebecca Brite Dear editor, In regard to the Arts and Sciences College's proposed Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree, I wish to voice . my support for its acceptance as an essential part of UNL's Appreciate f OOu educational commitment. This proposal is directed toward a specific group of students and is by no means a substitute for the traditional Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degrees. I can appreciate some persons' concern regarding students obtaining a well developed college education. I can under stand faculty members' fear that students might use the BGS to avoid certain areas of study they possibly dislike, but are basic to a well rounded education. be aware of what I can do with it. The university offers no established program in the area of study I am pursuing, but through the Integrated Studies Program and the BGS Program I would be able to achieve whit 1 desire from a college educstion. I believe I can handle the reponsibility associated with this program, but the Arts and Science's faculty first must allow me and others the opportunity! Donald W. Macke It is my belief that there are students like myself within the Arts and Sciences College with definite goals and educational objectives, who are capable of utilizing the available counseling and displaying good judgment to deter mine a well developed program that will meet our personal needs. r It is my belief that there are students who would be more than able to realize the implications of their involve ment in the BGS Program. As a participant in the Arts and Sciences Integrated Studies Program, I would be a fool if I did not realize where that program will allow me to eo and what impact it will have on my life. Thus this proposal would allow me to determine what I wish to pursue educationally, but at this same time I must Dear editor, Referring to the article in the Nov. 6 Daily Nebraskan on the food and nutrition gourmet foods course, we would like to give some additional information, Your article generated many telephone calls, leading us to believe some confusion exists about the intent, purpose and clientele the course will serve. This course is primarily a food appreciation course open and of interest to both food and nutrition majors and others in the university and community. S. R. Haddal, the Instructor, plans to discuss food dishes from a number of different countries and demonstrate preparation of several items. It will involve several gourmet dinners, which accounts for the $75 materials fee. Wines will be an integral pait of the course, but this is not its sole purpose. We are delighted that an expert such as lladdal is willing to share his knowledge with the university community and we think this course will add a new dimension to our program. Professor Hazel Fox