Friday, October 10, 1986
Page 4
Daily Nebraskan
itoria
Nebraskan
lfk .1
Ji-tf Korbelik, Editor, 4721706
James Rors. Editorial Foot' Editor
One Gentrup, Manayiny Editor
Tammy Kaup, Associate Sews Editor
Todd von lumpen, Editorial rap' Assistant
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
ASUN vs. religion
Groups should have exemption
The proposal that UNL reli
gious student groups should
be exempted from strict
adherence to ASUN's "non-discrimination"
clause isn't as
unreasonable as some would have
you think.
ASUN certainly had good in
tentions last year when it passed
a provision that student group
constitutions, in order to be rec
ognized, must say the group "does
not discriminate in the selection
of members or appointments"
due to age, race, national origin,
color, gender, creed,
handicap or place of residence.
According to a Sept. 22 guest
opinion in the Daily Nebraskan
by ASUN Sens. Greg Dynek and
Joanie Eickhoff, the clause wasn't
"an invention created by ASUN
to harass organizations" and deny
them the use of student fees,
access to the Nebraska Union
and other privileges.
But from the viewpoint of the
religious groups, it sure looks
like it. The problem for those
groups isn't that they're out to
discriminate, but that they often
have to answer to a higher
authority than ASUN. And doing
so doesn't automatically mean
racism, sexism or some other "ism."
In the case of University Luth
eran Chapel, J510 Q St., the con
stitution was rejected because
women and non-Lutherans are
ineligible for some offices in the
chapel assembly. That policy,
Pastor James Bauer says, is based
on the biblical interpretation of
the chapel's governing body, The
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod,
which doesn't condone sexism
but says women shouldn't be
pastors or lead congregations or
assemblies.
Because ULC is not a regular
Candidates and UNL
Voters deserve more than generalities
At least students and faculty
members know a little more
now about Helen Boosalis's
and Kay Orr's beliefs on higher
education. They need to know
more before they can make an
informed choice for Nebraska's
next governor.
The first two Boosalis-Orr
debates brought little more than
vague generalities on higher edu
ction issues from both candi
'diSs. In Monday night's final
debate in Omaha, Boosalis and
Orr gave the viewers an idea of
where they agree and differ on
the most pressing questions, such
as budget priorities and the
thrust ofNU's mission. But it was
only a fleeting glance.
As was noted Thursday in t 4s
space, both candidates a,rtd
with Gov. Bob Kerrey that i e
higher education budget cuts
will be needed next year. Rather
than dwell on that point again,
let's repeat that NU has suffered
too many cuts in the last few
years for excellence to not be
damaged by another round.
Orr proposed something that
would help NU indirectly. She
congregation of its synod but is
run directly by the synod, those
who attend it can't just change
the constitution on doctrinal
matters. But when the issue at
hand relates to a crucial aspect
of a religious group's beliefs,
that group shouldn't have to
change at all especially if
they're not discriminatory in
spirit.
The "real discrimination,"
Dynek and Eickhoff say, would
be to set up a double standard
for religious organizations. But
the First Amendment put such a
double standard into the Consti
tution. In addition to saying,
"Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of
religion," it also says, ". . . or
prohibiting the free exercise
thereof." Based on the latter
clause, religious groups have
enjoyed tax-exempt status and
other special rights that help
them carry out their mission.
Failure to adhere to ASUN
regulations won't force UNL stu
dent religious groups out of
existence. But they aim to ac
complish their mission specifi
cally amongthe UNL community,
which makes the advantages of
being a student organization quite
valuable. Denying them the full
freedom to work among their
target audience unless they
adhere to government-dictated
standarts would be "prohibiting
the free exercise thereof."
ASUN should find a way to let
student religious groups enjoy
equal access to UNL facilities
without forcing them to com
promise their beliefs. Its goal of
non-discrimination is laudable,
but its methods aren't appro
priate if they violate the First
Amendment. .
favored returning authority to
set sales and income tax rates to
the State Board of Equalization,
which had that power until the
Legislature took it away early in
Kerrey's term. Since the Legisla
ture has been setting tax rates,
political fears have helped cause
no end of revenue shortfalls and
mid-year budget cuts.
On NU's mission, Orr said
research should be of first im
portance, . while Boosalis put
undergraduate education at the
top. But neither talked about
what those priorities would mean.
Students want to know whether
a research emphasis would force
cuts in academic programs, while
graduate students wonder if
stressing undergraduate educa
tion means their programs will
be first on the chopping block.
Students and faculty members
deserve to find out what an Orr
or Boosalis administration would
mean for their interests. We hope
both candidates move away from
generalities in the campaign's
fins! days and tell these voters
what they think.
'u enqtib
Ummdihl food tattle comtiraes
More dramatic than UNL student protests during Vietnam
It is a serious time at UNL. Very
serious.
A compelling problem faces the
students and faculty at this universi
ty. A problem that could change our
lives.
It's been the cause of lovers' quar
rels. It's torn the Daily Nebraskan edi
torial board into shreds, even turning
conservatives against conservatives and
liberals against liberals.
The only other event in UNL's history
that can rival this issue was the
Vietnam-era student takeover of the
Military and Naval Science building.
This somber, potent topic happens
to be the Union Square restaurant and
the battle over which franchise should
open in that location.
We're talking big stuff here. The
stuff that, when digested, becomes our
hair follicles, our red blood cells, our
cholesterol, our reflexes.
And because of the issue's urgent
nature, I've taken it upon myself to
spend 13 days intensely researching
the alternatives that we have: Hardee's,
Burger King, Taco del Sol and Runza.
I've spent long nights battling with
my conscience, long days putting fin
ishing touches on my patented Ad-o-tasto-meter
to help in my search for the
ultimate franchise. '
My findings are as follows:
BURGEE KING: The Whopper,
Burger King's premier burger, ranks a 7
on the Ad-o-taste-o-meter. (Highest pos
sible score is a 12).
Actually, I think Burger King is a
classy act. It's red and yellow colors
usually fit well in any neighborhood
and would complement the Union's
interior. I also like its ads that ran on
television when I was a kid. Remember
the ones with the woman, complete
with Nancy Drew-like haircut, who
would sing "Hold the pickle, hold the
lettuce, special orders don't upset us." I
always liked Cissy (the older sister) on
the television show "Family Aff-iir."
The woman in those singing commer
cials locked like her, so Burger King
holds a special place in my heart.
There is, however, a ?edy side to the
Home of the Whopper. I once had a
wreck in front of a Burger King. It was
an unpleasant experience. And, regret
fully, I have to subtract two points from
Burger Kings' rating because of it.
to koi3 tit, wtii
RUNZA: Definitely a hefty compet
itor. This is the franchise the Daily
Nebraskan endorsed, mainly because,
they said, Runza had fresh, "quality"
food.
Runza is the local kid on the block.
The chain originated in Lincoln and
still has its headquarters here. I think
that's pretty cool. Also, add three
points to Runza's score because it's
considerate enough to have a restau
rant within 10 blocks of my house,
complete with a drive-up window. I can
Ad
Hudler
get a Runzaburger (which ranks a 7.6
on the Ad-o-taste-o-meter) with fries
while sitting in my underwear within
the security of my darkened car. One
bad point: when they designed the
drive-up window at the 13th Street
Runza restaurant, they constructed the
building so that it's difficult to turn
around the curve and get close to the
pick-up window. Sometimes I actually
have to get out of my car to reach up for
the sack of food. I tell them I'm wearing
a swimming suit.
TACO DEL SOL: An interesting
entry. I think I have to agree with the
DN editorial board on this one, despite
its usual conservative slant. A Mexican
food menu lacks variety.
And I'm kind of worried about fair
ness here. Why shouldn't other ethnic
groups have their foods represented
also? In fairness, we shouldn't exclude
anyone.
I suggest a rotating restaurant,
should the powers-that-be pick Taco
del Sol. In April, we could feature Mex
ican food. In. March, Greek food. In
December, Vietnamese food.
What "well-rounded" students we
wc 14 become.
PARDEE'S: This, I believe is the
underdog of the great Union Food
Fight. Hardee's was popular when we
were kids. Remember that jingle,
"Come to Hardee's where the burgers
are charcoal-broiled?" Over the years,
eWf&frt TfV
Brian BarberDaily Nebraskan
Hardee's kind of dropped out. But it's
coming back strong now. Hardee's res
taurants are popping up all over the
place. And, what's better, they're cheap.
I really have no problems with any of
the four choices we're looking at.
But I do have a more sensible alter
native. I think we should approach Lincoln
General Hospital and ask them to open
a Lincoln General Hospital North Res
taurant. The place has a lot of pluses. Parts of
"Terms of Endearment" were filmed
there. I think that's kind of cool. And
because it's a hospital, we would be
served safe, non-cancerous foods. Yes,
sir, 1 think they would be genuinely
interested in our well-being. Kind of
makes me feel good inside.
We could have Debra Winger come
back for the grand opening. Something
weird probably would attract David
Letterman's attention
Let the Great Union Food Fight con
tinue! Hudler is a senior news editorial major
and Daily Nebraskan Sower editor.
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