Thursday, December 9, 1982
Page 4
Daily Nebraskan
Editorial
ASUN evaluation- we
ess 'talk,' more 'do5
As the semester draws to an end, so
too does the work of the student govern
ment here at UNL.
Yes, members of the ASUN Senate
will serve until next March. But for all
practical purposes, the terms of senators
and executives end with the fall semester.
Major projects are either done or dead
by now; when school resumes in January,
the only student government business
apparent will be the selection of new mem
bers. Thus, now is a good time to assess the
contributions of the ASUN president
and troops during their term. In fact,
since nothing much happened in the
senate between the March elections and
the start of the fall semester, let's start
"assessing" in September.
On Sept. 1, the senate passed a resolu
tion supporting an override of President
Reagan's veto of a supplemental spend
ing bill. The bill contained appropriations
for major student aid packages. Senators
debated whether the resolution was too
political.
At that time, the ASUN second vice
president asked for suggestions on how
to distribute an ASUN newsletter.
On Sept. 8, the senate passed a resolu
tion to help with the University Health
Center's Wellness Week. On Sept. 15,
the senate hosted a speaker; the topic
was now a congressional attempt to over
ride the supplemental spending bill.
On Sept. 22, the senate passed a resolu
tion opposing changes in federal protection
of education for the handicapped.
On Sept. 29, the senate passed a resolu
tion supporting longer hours for Nebraska
Hall. On Oct. 13, senators heard a pro
posal to close a portion of R Street to
build mall. On Oct. 20 they decided to
wait to communicate with Nebraska
Union and university officials before
taking a stand on the R Street Mall.
On Oct. 27, the senate passed a resolu
tion calling for an investigation of alleg
edly personal phone calls made by Re
gent Robert Prokop of Wilber.
On Nov. 3, senators passed a resolu
tion against cutting the NU budget. They
planned to visit students and ask them and
their parents to contact state legislators
to oppose the cuts. They also planned two
lobbying days at the state Legislature.
On Nov. 1 1 , the senate heard about a
new program to patrol some campus
buildings and areas at night. And the se
cond veep again announced that ASUN
newsletters were forthcoming.
The week of Nov. 14, it finally hap
pened: The newsletters were published
and circulated on campus.
On Dec. 1, the senate tabled a resolu
tion calling for a freeze on nuclear wea
pons. The senators also learned that
presidential candidates for the upcoming
elections (a mere four months away)
could spend more on their campaigns
while senate candidates could spend less.
In addition, the senate (successfully)
conducted its twice-yearly book sale,
worked with the Lincoln Transportation
System to get students free bus rides
and helped with projects undertaken
by some organizations connected to
ASUN.
Now unless we've missed something
major (and we sincerely apologize if we
have) what is listed above is the bulk of
what ASUN representatives have done
since being elected March 4.
Not altogether breathtaking. A hand
ful of resolutions, a few guest appearances,
some heated discussions and a newsletter.
We recognize that ASUN members are
students subject to the time constraints
and pressures all students share. We re
cognize that ASUN is basically power
less; the senate cannot make policy and
therefore is relegated to passing resolu
tions. But we also recognize that this senate
and the senates before it have ignored
the oft-repeated campaign promise -to
give students something tangible, to
give them as much "service" as "repre
sentation." $
Thus, we recommend that before next
March, this senate attempts to offer
more services and fewer resolutions. We
recommend that senators don't waste
time debating things they can't realisti
cally change. Yes, resolutions on student
aid and nuclear power have a place; their
passage can send a message to the people
who do make policy.
But resolutions aren't action. And
most students - the ones who as a body
paid more than $53,000 in student fees
to ASUN this fall - want action.
In sum, we want more "do" and less
"talk." Thus far, the ASUN. senate mem
bers have failed to offer that.
if the country fo over ZSZT
attacked, we'll be the I
itfl
Child molesters
too often go free
Jenny is a beautiful child, all any parent could hope
for.
At age 6, she is not, her mother admits, the neatest
kid in the world, but she is cheerful and affectionate. She
has a cat and a new puppy and has been careful to divide
her time equally so the cat will not sulk.
Jenny likes art and sports and is entertaining thoughts
Roger Simon
It's been a real pleasure. Amen.
I've been pleased, no really pleased, to have received
so many nice cards and letters from readers of the Daily
Nebraskan since I started this column in August. Most
of them have been quite complimentary, and, of course,
have included significant sums of money. A typical let
ter: "Mike: Just a quick note to let you know that me and
my buddies, Sparky and Roger, really like your columns.
Jr Mike Frost
Your
go now.
friend, (signed)
Here's $20. I have to
Francois Mittcrand."
I always keep these letters to myself. (I give the money
to the Nil Foundation, of course. You wonderful readers
have contributed $203,516.18 during the course of this
semester.) But occasionally, and I'm not ashamed to
admit it, I get negative letters. There's always a few rotten
apples that spoil it .fpr.jhe rest, aren't thee ,
Howewf, larit'mfri(l4ilem. I feel lhat.l benefit
from anSC'fjitictfnh hp matter how childish and per
snickity'U'.rtaJ " "beT'Sol have taken all .the criticisms
I have received throughout this semester, and from them,
have consrjt&fed the $ erfect column. T -"
Before ! 'tffcgin withr -this week's column, a prayer:
"O, Lord, you have guided me through the darkness
and kept the sunlight from blinding my eyes. I pray
now that you, in your infinite mercy, will guide me
through the coming paragraphs, now and forever,
Amen."
My topic for today is Ronald Reagan, lie sure is a
funny kind of guy, isn't he? God (the Lord, who art in
heaven) knows, I don't mean his policies or anything.
His economic policies have once and for all saved us
from the hell that the path from socialism leads. And
certainly not his military proposals. Through his re
commendations, we have learned a great deal about the
peoples of the worlds and about ourselves as well. Who
knew that Wyoming or Utah or western Nebraska even
existed before MX?
No. what strikes me as odd is how he could wait un
til he was 70 years old before he became president.
How could he watt so long to be the head of a great
land such as ours? What if he had been our president when
he was 35? He could have guided us through the dark,
confusing days following World War II. Or when he was
60? Watergate would be nothing more than a fancy
schmancy hotel with a check-out tune of noon. Or when
he was 65? Iran would he a Christian slate, full of love
and goodness and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
No, we had to wail. But, we've got him now. And
God bless him. And you all. And our great nation. And
ritimtrtf Miict Amin
Actually, I forgot to adapt to the major criifctsAf iiJ,e Hw ere called.. And the hospital did a hard,
get. For example, this gentleman writes: XWP" m- They refused to allow Jenny to go
"Dear Mike. I love your column. Here's $'But;. i TP?- ah ,,er molhcr That is bccausc in nnnl SCX
you should get more personal in it. You know'ifo5f'"if eyases, someone in the Imme is the abuser. Twcnty-
the UNL campus really wants is to better know Mfte?;Vi, jf.r V "l,wcvcr a"cr u,c nospnai aim
We want to see what makes you tick
of becoming cither a ballerina or a gymnast. She reserves
the right to change her mind.
Jenny's mother loves her very much. Which is why
she blames herself so very much for what happened to
Jenny.
"I'm ;i fool," Jenny's mother said. "Just a fool. When
I think of what that slime did." Her voice broke with
tears and tiny. "What I think about it, I just want to . . .
well, I'm just a fool."
She is not. She is just a parent trying to do the best
she can. She works. And therefore, at various times, she
must find people to stay with Jenny. Not long ago, she
found the wrong person.
He was the relative of a neighbor, a young man well
liked around the apartment building where they live.
"He was always helping people out," Jenny's mother
said. "He was always asking if he could do the dishes or
the laundry or take the dog out for a walk. He was con
tinually coming around."
The afternoon it happened, Jenny's mother was gone
for just a few minutes. "All I did was go to the store,"
she said. "It is only about three minutes away. And well,
he was around the apartment anyway. The jerk was
always around."
Si) Jenny was left with the man, ihe man everyene
liked. About a week later, the story came out. Jenny
told her mother the man had done things to her. A
modern child, Jenny knew all the correct words for
the parts of hei body and the parts of his body.
"I fell sick to my stomach while she was idling me."
Jenny's mother said. "It was hard for her. I kepi idling
her I wasn't mad at her and it wasn't her fault. I mid
her that I loved her."
Jenny was taken to the hospital, where no permanent
physical injuries were found. The psychological injuries
will be more difficult to determine.
Frost the man
No, make it $40. Love, Marty Massengale
So, for you Marty: To Shelley, MS, Eric, Ben, Mike,
Tom, Marty, Beth, Joni, Patty, Diane, John, Chris, Bill,
Chuck, Brian, Lynette, Kal, another Mike, Mary Louise,
Glenn, Tish, Tana. Il-S-S Food Service, Grandpa, Auntie
Alice and Emmylou: Thank you. Have a Happy New
Year.
hai 'Investigated, Jenny was allowed to return home.
Two police officers came out to talk to Jenny. They
brought anatomical dolls with them to help Jenny tell
her story.
"The policemen were very, very good," Jenny's mother
said. "I want people to know that. Jenny real'y like
them very much now. The police did a good job."
Continued on Page 5