The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, April 29, 1981, Page page 5, Image 5

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    Wednesday, april 29, 1981 daily nebraskan P3 5
mm
to the editor
People often close mind, ears to opposition
I knew it. I wouldn't have to wait long
before anti-Moral Majority, anti-Jerry Fal
well editorials came out in the Daily Ne
braskan. I feel I am somewhat called to
respond to the matter.
I find it very sad that people become so
extremely opinionated and self-assured as
Senate . . .
Continued from Page 4
Had anyone doubted it? Even the most
ardent pro-choice advocate will willingly
confess that he or she was once a zygote.
Sen. East, however, maintained the cha
rade that he was conducting a serious
medical inquiry into the origin of life,
instead of an end run around the abortion
issue. In his best schoolboy manner,
he earnestly asked the witnesses whether
they were absolutely sure of their testi
mony. Finally, in exasperation, Mayo
Clinic's Dr. Hymie Gordon said prickly,
"This is the first time I've ever been called
on to argue the unarguable."
The Seante hearings were clearly set
up to ask the wrong questions. They an
swered them in utterly predictable ways.
The Human Lfe Bill raises a host of
sticky constitutional issues about the
relationship between Congress and the
courts. The Congress is trying to dictate
law to the courts. For this reason the
Conference of Catholic Bishops has oppos
ed IILB and even Sen. Orrin Hatch,
(R-Utah), has come down with a case of
the qualms. He dropped out of co-sponsoring
the hearings.
East has promised to call witnesses
about these issues later, but the prospects
for meaningful testimony are slim.
to where they stand on issues or at least
where they think they stand, that they be
come oblivious to anything the side they
disagree with says. A case in point is last
Thursday's rally. I was over on the opposi
tion parties side (partially my blunder)
and there were a few boos when Jerry
The deck is stacked by the language
of the proposed legislation. The fierce,
unabating abortion controversy in this
country is not over the moment one bio
logical life commences. It's over the
tragic moment when two rights conflict.
It's not about whether a fetus has a
claim to protection. It's about whether
the fetus' claim uis greater ihan the wom
an's. Does the Constitution protect the
zygote over the woman? At what point
in gestation does the state have a com
pelling interest in the unborn?
There are those who define "person"
in strict biological terms and those who
define "person" in more complex legal
and philosophical ways.
There are those who believe- that a
woman forced to maintain a pregnancy
against her will is nothing more than a
vessel and those who believe that woman
who has an abortion is a murderer.
But in the Senate chamber, all these
deep political, legal and philosophical
concerns were ignored. Finally, even one
of the witnesses sighed, "I don't know
why I'm here." He wasn't the only one.
(c) 1981. the Boston Globe
Newspaper Co. Washington Post
Writers Group
Falwell said: "I think both sides should be
heard." A few boos?! They should be
applauding that statement. Why didn't
they? They weren't listening.
I am admittedly as bad at it -that is,
closing off my mind whenever issues I
disagree with come up-as anyone else,
maybe worse.
What has this got to do with last Thurs
day's rally? I think maybe Falwell has
fallen into this fault as we all have at times,
but he also had some good things to say,
many good things. The only problem is
some weren't listening. I don't agree with
everything the Moral Majority says either.
But there are many things I do agree with
the Moral Majority on. Primarily the right
for anyone, regardless of his position to
make his views known on whatever issue it
might be. In this case, pastors speaking out
on their concern over who is to be elected.
The freedom of speech has never been nor
should ever be restricted by position. A
strong defense-that too is needed, not to
start war, but to stop it.
Our founding fathers realized the neces
sity of God as our country's core. When
ever we abandon' God, our country will
die.
Lynn J. Wilson, Sr.
History
U.S. tactics need to be closely reexamined
In light of recent developments in
such "Third World" countries as El Salva
dor, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia and Iran,
and considering the historical perspectives
and implications of UJ5. involvement in
Cuba, Chile, Panama, Vietnam, Cambodia
and the Phillipines, (which were fortunate
enough to get press coverage), where UJS.
intervention either through direct military
means, or economic and political subvers
ion through covert activities, has caused
the establishment of governments which
are "favorable" to U JS. policies, economic
needs and military activities, I would like
to pose one question, to which any and
all responses are welcome.
If the United States is willing to con
done such tactics as the murder of govern
ment officials, denial of human rights,
mass genocide, continued military build
up and controlled starvation to trim un
educated masses in foreign nations, in ord
er to preserve "favorable" governments,
what chance, if any, exists for the possi
bility of any change within the government
condoning such measures? It seems the
"government of the poeple, and by the
people," has come a long way.
A political society which allows the
continued domination of minorities, the
perpetuation of war, free choice when it
is the right choice, an eradication of non
violent civil disobedience, needs to be
closely reexamined.
Larry Weixelman
Junior
History
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