Monday, May 6, 1985
Page 4
Daily Nebraskan
MAI "ft I CIM & At tm
'To be a noncomformist is to be
a man ' Henry David Tlwreau
It's a grand sentiment; one we have aspired to
the last two semesters.
We've tried to present divergent viewpoints
from all ranges of the political, and even
personal spectrum, in our editorial columns and
in our stories.
And we've tried to be different. The Daily
Nebraskan has added some features, dropped
others and created a little controversy here
and there. That's something newspapers don't
do enough these days.
It seems to us that many papers are "bland
izing" themselves for economic reasons. Afraid
to lose readers, some papers hesitate to run a
story or photo that might make some people
angry.
We've tried to be fair, tasteful and worthwhile.
But we stepped on some toes along the way. And
that is healthy. It makes people think.
We quickly learned that someone would be
mad about just about anything we did. It's one of
those inherently true cliches: "You can't please
everybody."
A few examples:
O Our stories and columns about the gay
community
Bill Allen
O The photo of State Sen. Shirley Marsh of
Lincoln asleep
The Women's Resource center controversy
0 Columns and letters about abortion.
Even the "fat" controversy of last semester,
which drew more letters about physical appear
ance than the election did about politicians,
made people think; helped people define their
opinions, and maybe, just maybe, re-define their
opinions.
Not everything we did was right, or fair, but we
always tried. We hire the best people that apply
to us, and generally, they do the best they can.
They came to learn and they did. In the process, I
hope you did too.
1 owe this semester's staff thanks, and a round
of applause. They have been grand, and the
paper showed it.
Here you will find their virtues extolled.
Michiela Thuman, news editor, took pain
staking care with the news section every day.
During her reign, the number of corrections
dropped dramatically, and as evidenced by
letters to the editor, her readership increased.
Joel Sartore, photo chief, has incredible
talent and dedication and his work speaks for
itself eloquently.
Vicki Rugha, copy desk chief, ran a tight
desk. Her careful and thorough editing made
many a novice reporter look like Edward R.
Murrow in the morning. Her depth magazine, The
Sower, brought Insight and intelligent writing to
our readers.
A special thanks goes to Ward W. Triplett
III. His name would be enshrined in the DN Hall
of Fame if there was one. He has written more
quality copy than any reporter in memory and
brought new variety to the sports page. Triplett
is graduating. His passing will be a drought on
the existence of this paper.
That's also true of Christopher Burbach,
editorial page editor. Since the creation of the
editorial board, and the start of Chris' term at
the helm of the page, the volume of letters has
increased dramatically. He'll be missed. His
humor and companionship were just as valuable
as his talent.
The breadth and variety of campus coverage
grew in leaps and bounds this semester that's
attributable in large part, to Lauri Hopple,
campus editor. She took over a newly created
position and handled it like a veteran.
Steve Hill, graphics editor, and his partner,
Tony Schappaugh, dramatically improved
the appearance of the DN during their tenure.
Judi Nygren provided well-edited wire sto
ries and well-written depth stories.
The night news editors, who are often malign
ed, deserve a big thanks. The job of proofing an
entire newspaper after a long day of class is very
demanding, and they decreased the number of
typos this semester. Three cheers for Julie
Jordan Hendricks, Ad Iludler, Gah Y.
Huey and pinch-hitter Chris Burbach.
The entertainment desk a well combined
duo, Stacie Thomas, editor, and Bill Allen,
reporter, provided a lively, complete section
every day.
The senior reporters, or at least their tattered
remains, deserve a hearty "heigh ho, silver!"
Gene Gentrup, Mike Eeilley and Bill
Allen brought experience and speed and their
contributions have been immeasurable.
A special gold star goes to these staff reporters
who excelled: Jon Taylor, ASUN beat, Ann
Lowe, general assignment, Julie Liska, Scott
Harrah, and Paul Morin, entertainment,
Bob As in us sen and Jeff Apel, sports.
Thanks to the copy editors, to the artists, the
advertising department, the production staff,
the secretaries, the letter writers and all other
readers.
It's been an interesting 10 months at the
helm.
Chris Welsch
Editor in Chief no more
ASUN policy should prohibit
discrimination against gays
After the Association of Students of the Uni
versity of Nebraska passed a resolution
that would prohibit discrimination when
selecting ASUN-appointed officials, Gerard
Keating, president, is threatening to veto it.
The ASUN policy currently defines discrimi
nation as "defying individuals membership or
appointment on the basis of physical or cultural
characteristics, where such characteristics in
clude but are not limited to age, race, color,
gender, creed, sexual orientation or place of
residence."
EDITOR
GENERAL MANAGER
PRODUCTION MANAGER
ADVERTISING MANAGER
ASSISTANT
ADVERTISING MANAGER
CIRCULATION MANAGER
NEWS EDITOR
CAMPUS EDITOR
WIRE EDITOR
COPY DESK CHIEF
PUBLICATIONS BOARD
CHAIRPERSON
PROFESSIONAL ADVISER
Chrte Wctsrh, 472-1786
DanM Shstttt
Katharine PoHcky
Tom Byms
Kelly Mangan
8 lav Meyer
KHcHela Thuman
Laurl Hoppw
Judl Nygran
VtcklRuttga
Chria Choata, 472-7U
Don Walton, 473-7301
The Daily Nebraskan (USPS 144-080) is published by the
UNL Publications Board Monday through Friday in the fail and
spring semesters and Tuesdays and Fridays in the summer
sessions, except during vacations.
Readers are encouraged to submit story ideas and com
ments to the Daily Nebraskan by phoning 472-1763 between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The public also has
access to the Publications Board. For information, call Chris
Choate. 472-6763.
Postmaster Send address changes to the Daily Nebraskan,
34" Nebraska Union, 1400 R St., Lincoln, Neb. 63569-0448.
Second class postage paid at Lincoln, NE 6S510.
ALL MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 194 DAILY NEBRASKAN
It's a straight-forward piece of legislatioa
Keating is considering striking "sexual orienta
tion" from the resolution. He has the power to do
so and can veto by Friday. We ask Keating not to.
As ASUN Sen. Jerry Roemers pointed out, UNL
student groups do not fall under state or city
authorization. State and city laws probably do
not prevent ASUN from passing such legislation.
Keating said he is seeking opinions from the
city attorney and state attorney general. That's
fine. If either office recommends against it, he
can present those arguments to the senate or
veto the resolution. But even if that is the case,
Keating and ASUN should consider gays as a
minority that is discriminated against one
that needs protection. ASUN can be a leader in
this respect.
The Daily Nebraskan has a similar policy for
advertising. We do not accept ads that discrimi
nate on the basis of sexual orientation.
The editorial board agrees that there is ample
evidence of homophobia in Lincoln and on
campus.
Every time a letter or story on homosexual
issues appears, we get letters condemning gays
as "unnatural, hell-bound, sickening, perverted"
and many other unsavory adjectives.
No one no one knows for sure why gays
are gay. It might be genes or environment, or
both or neither. It's time gays are accepted as
people. They come in all shapes and sizes, and
have as long as history records civilization. Like
racial minorities, they have been, and are cur
rently discriminated against unjustly. ASUN
should afford them the same protection it
affords other "minorities."
WAi( KAVc VOli BSEN
CtAREP B9 W5F0OPA"!
Women smdl tfke dfesri
Columnist says service not degrading
I saw that commercial again the one that
reminds young men that they have a duty to
register at the post office for a military draft.
I find myself agreeing with former President
Jimmy Carter. We should register young women,
too.
I understand the outrage of those who are
opposed to drafting women, but I find their
arguments narrow, tiresome and ultimately more
dangerous to the American woman than a draft.
Clearly, a draft and the prospect of war
are anathema. But there is a fairness issue here.
If the registration of men i3 required, so should
the registration of women be required. If world
conditions necessitate a draft, women should be
among the drafted.
James A.
Fussel!
The issue of women in combat is less clear.
The generalization that women are less physical
than men is not without validity. Therefore, I do
not favor making combat duty obligatory for
women. I support a system that would allow
women to participate in combat situations if
they have the desire and the ability to do so.
Lastly, I call for a total exemption for married
men and women.
Many people disagree with me. My opinions
are not beyond reproach. It would, however, be a
mistake to suppose that I arrive at my position
without considerable thought and pain.
I understand Phyllis Schlafley when she
says that President Carter demeaned American
womanhood when he called for the registering of
women. I understand American Legionnaires'
when they say that women are not cut out for
military life. I understand Richard C. White,
former chairman of the House Sub-Committee on
Military Personnel, when he says that women
need not be drafted because there are enough
men. I simply disagree.
It is clear to me that the benevolent discrimi
nation agaist women in this military context
partially causes a more malicious discrimination
in a societal context Excusing women furthers
their second-class status, ignores the 200,000
women that currently serve in the armed forces
and invidiously discriminates on the basis of
sex.
Phyllis Schlafley, the anti-Equal Rights
Amendment leader, is concerned with protect
ing good and worthwhile qualities the nuclear
family and the certain specialness that is uni
quely a woman's. I certainly do not wish to
destroy these qualities. However, I'm dubious
about whether my plan would affect them at alL
A woman is, first of all, a person. She is special
because she chooses to be. No one can take that
away by making her eligible for a draft.
I do concede, that in a general sense, women
are less physical than men. I would net, there
fore, compel them to fight in combat where such
physical strength is important I would, however,
give them the option to fight in combat if they
are willing and could prove their abilities.
Further, my exemption of married couples actu
ally protects the nuclear family. My concern is
equity for, not demeaning of, the American
woman.
In a larger context, my suggestions would
help break down certain prejudicial attitudes
about women. Many men feel a sense of chivalry
and protectiveness toward a woman. But, if atti
tudes of superiority manifest themselves in this
feeling of protectiveness, the wonderful, chival
rous man suddenly turns into the awful, patron
izing master. He may, therefore, come to see the
woman, as not up to his measure. This, I contend,
happens all too frequently. My suggestions
would not erradicate this attitude, but would
win women more respect.
Also (liscriiniiistinfg against women
are the American Legionnaires, who take the
position that women arc not capable to cope
with the rigors of war. To them, I feel obligated to
point out that 7.4 percent of American military
personnel is comprised of women or about
200,000. They are drivers, non-combat pilots,
technicians, parachute riggers, radio operators,
nurses and mechanics not to mention 19,000
officers.
In fact, M. Kathleen Carpenter, the former
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, states
from experience that women in various branches
of the service are smarter, better educated and
better behaved than the men. Women already
have proved themselves to be both efficient and
versatile in our military.
As for Richard White's contention that women
are not needed because of the surplus of men,
isn't that like saying "We don't need the second
team because there's enough of the first team?"
I think so. Again, we need to be reminded that
women are men's equals.
White says that we do not need women
because of any future shortage in possible draf
tees. We do not. But I say it is a matter of equity,
not a matter of numbers. Women have a right to
equality. Maybe equal responsibility will win
them equal rights. It may be the back-door
approach, but so far, the front door has been
locked.
My argument is this. Women, who are as tal
ented and capable as men, should not be
excused just because they are women. Whether
it be because of sex, race, creed or national
origin, I firmly believe that, in a democratic
society, there has never been any place for arbi
trary discrimination, and there never will be.
Therefore, I deem the inclusion of women, in
military processes like the draft, an unfortunate
necessity.
Editorial
Policy
Unsigned editorials represent official policy
of the spring 1935 Daily Nebraskan. Policy is set
by the Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board. Its
members are Chris Welsch, editor in chief; Chris
Burbach, editorial page editor; Michiela Thu
man, news editor; Vicki Ruhga, copy desk chief
and editorial writer; and Kelly Mangan, assistant
advertising manager.
Editorials do not necessarily reflect the views
of the university, its employees, the students or
the NU Board of Regents.
The Daily Nebraska's publishers are the
regents, who established the UNL Publications
Board to supervise the daily production of the
paper.