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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 11, 1987)
Ohhh! that bad, bad, bad Bill Allen! Reader questions bigotry dilemmas The American Heritage Dictionary defines a bigot as “a person who is rigidly devoted to his own group, reli gion, race or politics, and is intolerant of those who differ.” In that sense Bill Allen’s now infamous article on the Greek little-sister program is close to being bigoted, though it’s not clear which group he is “devoted" to. What is surprising, though, is that for all the name-calling in letters by Bruce McFarland and Kathleen Oenb ring, they have not answered the ques tion: “Is the Greek system an institu tion of bigotry?” Let’s dispense with the dogma here and concentrate on facts. As an objective bystander, I want the following questions answered: • How many blacks, Hispanics, Latvians, etc., has the Greek system inducted in proportion to whites? And how does this relate to how many minor ity members tried to join? Letters • What is the average income of a Greek system member, including wages, scholarships, gifts from parents, etc? How does this compare to the rest of UNL? • Is there a correlation between hair/eye color and height and whether one gets into a fraternity or sorority? Give me numbers here. (Note: This is affected by the statistics in question one.) • What amount of money is spent on parties and entertainment each year in a Greek house? How much is taken in and distributed as "philanthropy”? What was the nature of these "practi cal and emotional problems among the members” which caused the demise of the little-sister program? Were they related to outward appearance, income, etc.? And what programs do Chi Phi and other Greek houses want to replace the little-sister program with? As an American citizen, 1 DEMAND honest and complete answers to these questions and will reserve judgement until then. Bigotry, whether in news papers or instit utions, has no place in a country where people are. in Mr. McFar land’s words, "just the same as anyone.”’ Craig Riecke graduate student computer science/English Allen did it again, ‘he are so great’ Bill Allen — columnist, graduate student and Daily Nebraskan arts and entertainment editor — penned the following paragraph in Wednesday’s edition: “Sad to say, none of these letters to the editor are as well written as my columns." When used in this sense, “none” takes a singular verb. Bill should have written: “Sad to say, none of these letters to the editor is as well written as my columns." Billy and his pen has did it again. He are a great writer and our hats is off to him. Steven M. Thomas senior journalism He’ll write those Allen hate letters This is a voice from behind the democratic facade, Bill Allen. I thought that your column about the little-sister program in the Greek system was very funny. I believe those that know call this comic device “exaggeration.” The situations you related in your column were so ludicrous, off the mark and, well, exaggerated, that 1 had to laugh. The fact that some people found something extra in their DNs the day after is even funnier. Whoever wrote that is more amusing than you are. I suggest that the DN find the people who slandered Mr. Weepy by putting his quote on the same paper as a caric ature of Bill Allen and hire them to write editorial columns. Surely the foul things (read; humorous items) those people could come up with would far outdistance anything of Allen’s and thus boost readership of the editorial page. ny wic way, mr. Alien, 11 yuu warn, i could write those lettrs criticizing you for 35 cents a piece. That would give you more time to think about what you write. Chuck Rogers sophomore biology Stifle ‘superiority’ on editorial page I am aware that the editorial page of the Daily Nebraskan is used as a pro vocative stimulus for change. I respect everyone’s right to express his opinion. Once again, this is the corn'd con ceptual use of the editorial page as we know it in the “facade of a democratic system’’ — the expression of ideas and opinion. However, it is not a tool to prove one’s views are superior, nor can one change the minds of everyone on this campus by using an editorial. Every time I read this page of the DN I am amazed by Hill Allen's attempts at the aforementioned, and I don’t ignuce the lack of finesse and skill he displays with his columns. There are many, many individuals at this school who are as versed in the English language as you are. I er\joy editorials full of sar casm and wit, ones that discuss essen tial issues with knowledge and insight. I have yet to read such an editorial column from Bill Allen. As a patron of the arts, 1 hope I will be able to better identify with your arti cles in that area of your inestimable expertise. As a member of the Greek system, I hope that your next scathing editorial will be as thought-provoking (provoking the thought that I hope I stop laughing before my sides burst) as the last ones have been. This, sir, is my opinion, which I wrote myself to save money. KJ. Cronn freshman I Allen’s psychic insight tells it like it is, sorta ALLEN from Page 4 Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) A Dear Abby column will be about you, though you had no idea your warts were so offensive to co-workers. Moon positions suggest a religious cult will steal a loved one. You will turn in your home work assignment on time, but to the wrong professor. ASUN will do nothing for you today. Pisces (Feb. 10 March 20) You will find $100 on the sidewalk, try to spend it and get arrested for passing counter feit money. Put emphasis on self awareness, relaxation and discount stores. A letter you wrote to Shaun Cas sidy as a 12-year old will find its way into your hometown newspaper’s edi torial page. Aries (March 21 April 19) You will be caught necking in the mud under the construction of the football team's new indoor playing field. No one is with you. ASUN will do nothing for you today. You will walk under the neon lights at Burger King and accidentally be beamed up to the Starship Enterprise. You still won’t find what you’re looking for. Taurus (April 20-May 20) A st ranger will say hello to your girlfriend. . .or so she says. A letter home will be returned with ‘ Not At This Address” marked on it. ASUN will do nothing for you today. Gemini (May 21June 20) You will wake up with a stranger. No, a real stranger. You don’t remember going to bed with this person, or anyone else. You will respond to a late-night televi sion offer to buy part of John F. Kennedy’s brain for $19.95. You will not be allowed to enter a beauty contest. Cancer (June 21 July 22) ASUN will do nothing for you today. You will go to an “artsy” film at Sheldon, but be disappointed when there is no nudity in it. Buy her the Bon Jovi album; you won’t regret it. A small child will point at you and laugh. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) For health reasons, you probably shouldn’t eat meat today, and you shouldn’t stick with that silly vegetarian diet. An old friend will show up drunk and blame you for an accident that happened a long time ago that he always said wasn’t your fault even though you always thought it was. You will be elected to ASUN. Christ will accept you as his personal savior, entitling you to half of the television profits. Letter Policy The Daily Nebraskan welcomes brief letters to the editor from all readers and interested others. Letters will be selected for publication on the basis of clarity, originality, timeliness and space available. The Daily Nebraskan re tains the right to edit all material submitted. Readers also are welcome to sub mit material as guest opinions. Whether material should run as a letter or guest opinion, or not run, is left to the editor’s discretion. Letters and guest opinions sent to the newspaper become property of the Dailv Nebraskan and cannot be returned. Anonymous submissions will not be considered for publication. Letters should include the author’s name, year in school, mqjor and group affi liation, if any. Requests to withhold names from publication will not be granted. Submit material to the Daily Ne braskan, 34 Nebraska Union, 1400 R St., Lincoln, Neb. 68588-0448. Good Looks 27.99-29.99 Rio & Ivy Add Wash Jeans Reg. $38-$40. Five pocket acid wash jeans. Blue or black. ♦ Modern Art Sweaters. Reg. $32 $52, now . 24.99-39.99 Cardigans, cropped and boxy styles. Jean Jackets 25% Off. Reg. $40-$98, now. 29.99-72.99 ^ ; ♦ ♦ Levi’s® 501 Pre-Wash Jean Reg. $24.99 Levi’s classic pre washed jean. Blue denim. 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