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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 17, 1977)
thursday. november 17, 1977 page 4 daily nebraskan W cii t hcnEis lor fan reduction Our way to spell relief: 1-o-w-e-r t-a-x-e-s. Tuesday the State Bpard of Equalization voted reductions in the state sales and income taxes. The cut was made possible because state aid to education, originally budgeted, ran into resist ance and must be voted on before it can start soaking up tax dollars. Two members of the 5-man board voted against lowering the income tax although they favored lowering the sales tax. Secretary of State Allen Beermann held out because he said he was concerned about the effect of a new federal tax law on Nebraskans. Treasurer Frank Marsh said he wanted to ensure healthy cash balances to help generate interest income. We agree with the reduction. The best place to ensure a healthy cash balance is in the taxpay ers pockets. The state does not need a surplus of money which could encourage otherwise fool ish spending. Forget about Aspen and Steamboat, bite the powder at Chimney Rock! to ulQ letters ditor - In your interview with me Daily Nebraskan, Nov. 1 1). I was misquoted. I indicated that decreased production and exports of U.S. crops would worsen "world food problems" and not "world peace". Furthermore, I did not say the United States had a moral obligation to feed poor nations at lower prices. I said: "Since the U.S. feels morally obligated . . ." Another important aspect of my answer you left out was my support for the views of the former Secretary for Agriculture. He suggested that now that the farmers had received public attention and sympathy for their cause, they should pause for reactions from the appro priate quarters. Richard E. Okosun "How can I have a great time, but spend little money during Christmas break?" you ask. A professional travel agent would advise that you improvise. Substitute a mini-trip for a lavish excursion. For example, try an instead-of ski vacation. Instead of the thrilling Colorado alpine scenery, and the expensive lodges and nightspots, take the posters literally: Ski Nebraska! Yes, Nebraska has many happy downhill ski settings. One latent hotspot is Chimney Rock. It's less famous than Aspen, but think of its advantages over those crowded Rocky Mountain resorts. ron ahrens enjoijmg th scenery Heck, at Chimney Rock there are no lift lines, lift tickets, or even lifts. And no fancy restaurants and their peak-high prices-just bring your lunch in a paper bag. You'll find plenty of lodging in the area, and students receive appropriate discounts at motels. So what if there's no hot water? If the drive clear to the western end of the state is too far, try the exciting Missouri River bluffs. That's right-a skier will find plenty of slopes minutes from Omaha. Ski conditions are always perfect, whether there is snow or not. If the hills are bare and brown, fasten wheels to the skis. But make sure you stop rolling before you run into the river. Cross-country If the streaking speeds of alpine skiing terrify you, then cross-country skiing is your thing. And the perfect olace for this wonderful sport is the Sandhills of Neh. raska. One finds plenty of room in this barren part of the state, and plenty of hills to shoosh over. You say you're not a participant, only a spectator? Well, the Huskcrs are going to a bowl game. So patch the old Rambler together and chug to either Miami, Jack sonville or El Paso. But for true adventure, try hitchhiking instead of driving. Youll know what adventure is when you pass through Tennessee. Its State Patrol is the meanest in the country. After touring a county courthouse and jail you will again head south -on a Greyhound. While in northern Florida, visit Harry's Bar and Min eral Springs. At this spa you can take two cures at once. What about the folks who aren't interested in sports? Some people would rather curl up with a good book. A reading tour of Nebraska is suggested for these biblio philes. Sandoz reading First, drive to Red Cloud, where Willa Gather lived. Peruse her works in the town library. Then travel north through the Sandhills, You might pass some of our cross country skiiers on your way to Gordon. In that town's library read the works of Mari Sandoz. And if you want, continue to the hometowns of other Nebraska authors. A statewide scavenger hunt is a fun idea for larger groups. Begin at the Nebraska Union and head west to North Platte. Get paint chips from the Scout's Rest Ranch. Then drive to the Valentine region and take a part from a center pivot irrigator in the Niobrara valley. Next, fill a cup with coffee from that giant coffee pot on 1-80 near Omaha. Finally, collect leaves from the Arbor Lodge State Park in Nebraska City. The first team back to Lincoln wins a vacation to the East Campus, with accommodations at the fabulous Burr Hall. Certainly, these suggestions won't interest everyone. But if nothing here suits you, plan a cheap and exotic trip of your own. Be imaginative and you can avoid a boring Christmas break. LfA BKKvOWTO tflRTH POPE WA$ I mill I Hckimi SU?f ' ) Soviet citizens' demands keeping USSR honest Washincton-The Soviet Union celebrated its fiOth. birthday last week, and Soviet watchers were telling each other-almost spontaneously-how that enormous totalitarian state has gone conservative. Tempus fugit. The Soviet Union is cautious about the United States, about the People's Republic of China, about that handful of rulers of other Communist states who tend toward extremism. As a superpower with its record of aggres sion, mischief and repression, the Soviet Union is pretty much on good behavior around the globe these days. This is largely because the Soviets earnestly want to expand their economy, strengthen their world trade position and satisfy the increasingly bold demands from its citizens for a better life. Leader Leonid Brezhnev spoke solemnly about Soviet accomplishments but rattled no sabers last week. ; ; a 1 Indeed, the Soviet Union Is an awakening giant. It has far more natural resources than the United States and pro duces more coal, steel and electric power and petroleum than any other country. Its work force, drawn from 260 million citizens representing 100 nationalities, register only fair productivity but Is getting better. The. Soviets expand their global trade everywhere. The University of Miami's Center for Advanced Inter national Studies reports that Moscow is stepping up its efforts to bolster business with Japan, particularly in the development of vast Siberia. The CIA recently reported that Soviet ownership (partial or total) of foreign firm in the West has increas ed from 28 in 1970 to 84 in 1976, signifying Moscow's need to increase its hard currency earnings and expand its commercial presence in the non-Communist world, Soviet tractors Samples: Soviet tractors are assembled and marketed in France. Nine Soviet firms operate in West Germany, including a printing equipment company. The Soviets sell and service jets in Canada. They have a bank in Luxem bourg. In Seattle, the Soviets conduct a firm which catches, processes and sells fish. So Soviet economic activity booms, but its inefficient economy and financial problems make other nations wonder. The Soviet Union will soon owe Western nations about $10 billion. Moreover, the Soviets are burdened with a military budget which takes nearly twice the amount of their gross national product that our military budget does. The Soviets have superior land-strike power, trje world's biggest navy and now edge toward nuclear parity. While NATO fusses, the Warsaw Pact alliance streng thens. And the Soviets have not drawn down forces on the Chinese border. State worship Indeed, if there is any form of state worship in the Soviet Union, it h for World War II which they call the War of liberation. High-rise heroic monuments, epic movies, constant publication of patriotic articles and photographs remind the Soviet citizenry of the suffering and devastation at the Nazis' hands. Up to 20 million Soviet people died in that horrible war, and one-third of their nation was destroyed The Soviets will never forget that. But generations pass and, while the older people are affected by such reminders, the younger Soviet citizens show far more interest in Levis, long hair, rock music and Western lifestyle. Two years ago young Soviets told me they wanted most to travel to the West and next to read Western publications. There Is an understandable and large curiosity about what goes on in the "other" worlj. Similarly, the aging Soviet leadership is confronted with a dissident movement which springs up repeatedly. It embraces Christians and Jews seeking more religious freedom: intellectuals and artists anxious to operate in the sunshine, and ethnic minorities feeling nationalistic urges. Increased travel The Soviet Union cannot . prevent the "openings" in its society which occur as a result of Increased travel, exchange and commerce from the West. It is increasingly difficult for the Soviets to cover up their shortcomings. Dissidents cultivate Western newsmen, International air-traffic control knows when a Soviet plane crashes. CIA space-cameras monitor the wheat crop. , It is also doubtful whether the Soviet Union today could get away with the naked invasions it inflicted on its Eastern European satellites. If President Ford would have acknowledged that in the campaign debates on tele vision, Jimmy Carter might be living in Plain today. Anyway, last week, the Soviet Embassy here put on perhaps its biggest reception to celebrate becoming 60 Up to 1,000 guests arrived to shake hands with Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin (Washington's pet Bol shevik), and try the vodka and caviar. Saudi ambassador For the first time, a Saudi Arabian ambassador came to a Soviet reception. The Israeli ambassador wasnt invited, But an American rabbi, Arthur Schneler, wear ing a yarmulke, was there. Two years ago JewUh militants stormed into such J Soviet reception and chained themselves to fixtures. No such happening this time. But Rabbi Schneler, who lost much of his family to the Nazis and who spent time in a concentration camp, is not complacent about what goes on in the Soviet Union. While the cream of U.S. diplomacy, the military, iifch-powered communicators and business and pro icuional people enjoyed themselves in this festive atmos phere, Rabbi Schncier held calm conversations with anyone who came upon him. Copyhflht 1977, lot Anyli Timi Syndicatf