The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, December 11, 1980, Page page 4, Image 4
page 4 daily nebraskan thursday, december 1 1, 1980 ODD 00( ASUN encouraged to continue efforts UNL's student government this semester has dealt with a wide range of issues, including state and city government concerns, in its effort to serve students responsibly. When the actions of the current ASUN Senate are compared to previous years, an effort is seen to deal with relevant campus topics, with a healthy mix of outside concerns. This effort is appreciated. ASUN's effectiveness is another matter, but student representatives cannot be blamed for the fact that administrators and regents often follow their own course of action despite student input. Partly, because of the concerns expressed by ASUN President Renee Wessels and the Senate, Interim Chancellor Robert Rutford pledged that money would be found for affirmative action on campus, even though that line of the proposed budget was eliminated. That effort illustrates the kinds of issues ASUN has tried to deal with. The success in getting a ver bal commitment must, of course, be followed up to make sure the money is allocated to affirma tive action. We believe that ASUN, under Wessels, is well-enough organized that such follow-ups are automatic. In other specific actions, ASUN passed a reso lution urging that women's and ethnic studies be made a graduation requirement. We think that action was wise and innovative, and that such a requirement would do much to eliminate insen sitivity and prejudice. The greatest accomplishment of this semester's student government is the move toward forma tion of a state student association. We believe such an organization would be very helpful to all Nebraska college and university students, and we have been very impressed with the efforts made so far. We sincerely hope that momentum is not lost or that those involved do not lose their enthusi asm . Overall, ASUN has tried very hard to open new lines of input for students within university poli tics and retain those lines that exist. One such effort is to keep the Publications Board appoint ment process public and accountable. We hope that the student body is concerned with a pro posal before the regents that would give the chan cellor, rather than the senate, power to approve student pub board members. ASUN has made a good effort on this topic, but it can only be made effective in its appeal to the regents if students mobilize behind their re presentatives. A major achievement by student government this semester is that it has decided on a student government election system that allows students to make only one choice, rather than expressing their top two or three or four preferences. The last two elections have been marred by un necessary controversy. We believe that the new system will enhance ASUN's credibility to stu dents and to the regents. Our biggest disappointment was in a push for students to call U.S. Sen. J.J. I'xon and urge him to vote for a House version of a higher education bill. The problem was that he didn't have a vote. We consider this a major error, even though we applaud the attempt to lobby federal legislators. ASUN certainly damaged its credibility with both students who made the calls and with Exon's office. An attempt to gather correct information for such future efforts is absolutely necessary. That major error, however, does not over shadow sincere efforts so far this year that ASUN is encouraged to continue. Liberal quits cold turkey I hadn't seen my old liberal friend Mart in Allhart since he tried to sell me 10 raffle tickets on a Volvo filled with Perrier water to benefit the Anderson-for Presid ent Campaign. At the sight of him, three questions popped into mind. What was he doing at a patio party drinking beer? Why had he shaved off his beard? And where had he purchased that leisure suit, golf shirt and white leather shoes? "Hi Martin." I said. "Condominiums."' lie said, shaking my hand. "Beg your pardon?" "Condominiums." he said determinedly. "I know a fellow who bought a condo lor $100,000 only two years ago. Guess what he sold it for last week?" "Martin!" I said, shocked to the core. "What kind of talk is that for a lifelong liberal?" "Not so loud." he said. "Anyway, who's a liberal? I quit cold turkey. I haven't blocked a nuclear plant or saed a whale in two weeks, three days and two hours." "After all the sit-ins, protests, and vigils you've been through, Martin," I said indecredulously. "What came over you?" "My wife, Midge," he said. "She told me that she wasn't about to stay married to the last liberal in America. And she was right. Nobody was inviting us to part ies anymore and they were beginning to whisper behind my back at the of fice. Who wants to talk about boat people these days?" "Well, I have to admire your willpower, Martin," I said. "It must lie hard for you not to criticize President-elect Reagan." Martin swallowed hard. "Speaking of Reagan," he said quickly, "have you seen the Woody Allen retrospective. Banana Memories, down at the Cinema Verite?" "Especially the way he wants to cut back on welfare in order to increase de fense spending." "Miduc and I thousjht it was better than Antonini I'elliiii's new movie I mean film 12-1! " "And it looks as though the Moral Maj ority will be able to kill LRA and push through their anti-abortion amendment." Several beads of sweat appeared on Martin's upper lip. "Speaking of restaur ants.'" he said, "Midge and I have found a wonderful new place. Le Petit Gourmand." "It's just around the corner from Aubergc a Trois." said Martin, his hand trembling slightly. "We had a great dinner with a carafe of Rouge et Noir and got out for 520." laoomiLiiON? H "I'm amazed at how you can talk about restaurants. Martin, when the Senate is going to put prayers in the schools, unleash the CIA and probably try to retake the Panama Canal. Did you see where Jesse Helms, who will probably head the Senate Agricultural Committee, is promising to cut the food stamp program for the poor to the hone?" "Food?" said Martin, his eyes glazing. "I hear brunches arc out ami so are quich es. We're into lighter foods now sushi, spinach salads. . ." "Good for you, Martin," I said. "You've got it licked. You probably don't even care that Strom Thurmond plans to repeal the 1965 Voting Rights Act that enfranch ised the blacks in the South." "Arrrggghhh!" said Martin. When I left, he was huddled alone in a corner, dazedly sipping white wine and singing "We Shall Overcome." Midge says she's going to get him into a Liberals Anonymous program. With luck, in several years he may be able to attend parties again and perhaps even have an occassional social conversation about the sues of the day such as condominiums, films, restaurants and food. (Copyright Chronicle Publishing Co. 1980) Rhino boots put cruel and inhumane bite on cars In Saudi Arabia, police routinely lop off the hands of pickpockets. In Russia, criminals get a one-way ticket to Siberia. But here in Lincoln, the campus cops have a punishment that would make a KGB agent drool. Using a special device, the police can confiscate a large piece of property without ever moving it from where they found it. The device will drive a person insane without the person ever coming in contact with an officer. waO srjfrrtofi The device is called a Rhino Boot. For those of you who have never seen one, it looks like a pair of cheap earphones attached to the front wheels of a car. Police just slap it on and the car is rooted there until the owner pays his overdue parking tickets. I've never found one on my car, but I understand they are very frustrating. A student, in a hurry to get to work, dashes from class only to discover a boot putting the bite on his or her auto. The student has two choices: let the car sit there and rust, or walk to the cop shop and make good on the overdue tickets. What these sadistic misfits fail to realize is that to most students lucky enough to own one. a car represents all that is important in life to them. Their "wheels" mean mobility, getting them from one bar to another. Their cars are status symbols. The pampered few whose parents gave them a really nice car-not a rust bucket that has trouble against a mild headwind- never have problems attracting a crowd. Everyone wants to be his or her friend. Then there's the deeper physical aspects of owning a car. Where would those who live at home be without a backseat? Do the cops really carefully consider the rami fications of depriving a normal, healthy student of a backseat? It's obvious that there are few punishments worse than a Rhino Boot. How would the police like it if a student put a boot on one of those cute little white cars the cops patrol in? Obviously, failure to pay parking tickets is a serious ' crime, and those who commit such a crime must be dealt with harshly. But there are more humane punishments. horce the officers to attend a 7:30 class every morning. Wire their jaws shut and make ihem drink theii beers through a straw. Take away the television sets in the Ne braska Union. There are many punishments worthy of such a serious crime. But gluing their cars to the pavement is going too far. After all. students are people too most of them any way and they deserve a little more respect from those in positions of authority. MitiW nebrasEiait UPSP 144-080 Editor in chief: Randy Essex; Managing editor: Bob Lanmn; News editor: Barb Ri-hardson; Associate news editor Kathy Chenault; Assistant news editors Tom Prentiss and Shelley Smith, Nighty news editors: Sue Brown. Nancy Ellis. Bill Graf; East Cam pus uureau Chief: Jim Garrett; Assistant night news editor Ifejika Okonkwo; Entertainment editor: Casey McCabe; Sports editor Shelley Smith; Photography chief Mark Bilhngsley; Art director David Luebke; Magazine editor Diane Andersen. Copy editors: Sue Brown, Nancy Ellis. Maureen Hutfless. Lori McGinnis. Tom McNeil, Jeanne Mohatt, Lisa Paulson Kathy Sjulm, Kent Warneke. Patricia Waters. Business manager: Anne Shank; Production manager Kitty Pohcky; Advertising manager Art Small. Assistant advertising manager: Jeff Pike. Publications Board chairman Mark Bowen, 475 1081 Pro fessionai adviser: Don Walton, 473-7301 . The Daily Nebraskan is published by the UNL .'ubheations Board Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semes ters, except during vacations. Address Daily Nebraskan, 34 Nebraska Union 14th and R streets. Lincoln, Neb . 68588 Telephone 472 2588 Material may be reprinted without permission if attributed to the Daily Nebraskan, except mater.al covered by a copyright. Second class postage paid at Lincoln, Neb 68510