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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 8, 1989)
opinion Knowledge lacking in AS UN editorial “Lacking in knowledge, lacking knowledge about a particular subject or fact.” That is the Random House College Dictionary definition of ig norant. After reading Amy Edwards’ “Knock on Doors” editorial, igno rant was the first word to cross my mind. Edwards stated: “If ASUN mem bers really cared about getting people involved in campus issues, they would be knocking on doors, asking people what issues arc most impor tant.” Now Ms. Edwards, a fire doesn’t get put out by talking about it. If you really think something is unfair about it don’t just moan and groan about everything you dislike. now I am a treshman at the uni versity and my knowledge of univer sity politics is limited, but I do know a thing or two about politics. If you don’t think the individual will do his job, you don’t vote for him. Edwards stated ASUN members should go out and ask minority stu dents to apply for ASUN. That is ridiculous. People who are interested in something will do more than some one who half-heartedly joins. For my last rebuttal, I would like to address Edwards’ comments about grecks. She stated that greeks join ASUN because “among other things, it makes the house look good.” Greeks do many good things, both for the university and the community, such as blood drives, working with the handicapped and the needy. Now if I were to understand Ms. Edwards’ article correctly, and I apologize if I didn’t, she is upset that grecks are involved in campus activi ties. What gall they have to try to contribute to the university. They should all be rounded up and shot. Come on, Ms. Edwards, it sounds to me that you just dislike grecks and this was the only flaw you could find. If someone believes an organiza tion is not operating to their advan tage and that is ASUN’s goal, they would go and join ASUN. Since the opposite is the case, it looks like ASUN is doing fine. David Codr freshman Phi Gamma Delta Action needed to fight homophobia While sponsors who planned the vigil last night were trying to respect the family of J. Eric Jones, they di luted the issue of anti-gay/lesbian violence and the motivation - homo phobia. It is time for people to stand up against crimes against gay/lesbian people. I firmly believe that the Uni versity of Nebraska-Lincoln commu nity and the state have ignored social problems of the gay/lcsbian commu nity through silence, placation, dilu tion and distortion. Gay/lcsbian people at UNL and the global com munity are the “trash of the 80s and 90s.” I think that the vigil should stand up against violence, but specifi cally anti-gay/lcsbian violence. People are reacting out of homopho bia and political pressure to label it otherwise. I have been asked to be silent on this issue, but silence equals death. UNL can make a difference against the core issue -- homophobia. The following programs, policies and actions should be taken to ease the tension and fight a viable "war on homophobia:" a) explicit statement of sexual orientation as a factor for non-discrimination, b) funding for Committee Offering Lesbian and Gay Events and the UNL Gay/Les bian Resource Center, c) an AIDS policy that will prohibit discrimina tion against persons with AIDS and adequate money spent on AIDS edu cation, d) a gay/lesbian scholarship fund, e) a gay/lesbian studies curricu lum, 0 a needs assessment of gay/ lesbian students, g) removal of ROTC, the CIA and discriminatory agencies from the campus that still discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, h) an Office of Gay/Les bian Affairs (similar to Multi-Cul tural Affairs), i) group counseling for students “coming out,” j) strength ening of the Student Code of Conduct to penalize homophobic actions and k) establishment of a Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Gays and Lesbians. I commend ASUN President Bryan Hill for taking some action on this issue, but I think (as many people do) that the vigil Thursday night should be against anti-gay/lesbian violence. Rodney A. Bell, II * chairman University of Ncbraska-Lincoln Gay and Lesbian Alumnae Association Inc. Tax dollars not a censor weapon Andrew Meyer’s argument re garding tax money and the arts (DN Sept. 6) is typical of all those who are behind Sen. Jesse Helms’ legislation. Mr. Meyer asked, “Why should my hard-earned tax dollars be used to support something I don’t like?” Hey, if I had a choice, I’d tell the government to take all my tax dollars out of defense because I “don’t like it” there, and there’s a greater need for it elsewhere. Unfortunately, the government doesn’t work that way. Meyer’s argument is flawed be cause it misses the point of Helms’ legislation. It doesn’t matter whether or not money should go to the arts! If you happen to believe it should, then the money should not be used as a weapon to censor artistic ideas some people don’t have a taste for. The ■ "I ■ I ■" 1 ■■ money should be used to promote creativity in all areas, without stifling it in any way. All artistic ideas should be supported to the fullest without exception, or not at all. Next, “art” means a lot of differ ent things to a lot of people. Oscar Wilde said, “There is not such thing as a moral >x an immoral book. Books are well written or badly written. That is all.” The same is true for all the arts. Just because you find an artistic idea “sacrilegious and dis gusting” doesn’t make it any less a work of art than the Mona Lisa. Why? Art is a means by which the artist can express an idea through his or her individual artistic talents. Art also is supposed to provoke thought. Some times the ideas may not be all rosy and wonderful, but we can’t shield ourselves all our lives from the darker realities that life presents. Perhaps conservatives should start espousing freedom of expression, rather than freedom of suppression. Keith Richter sophomore anthropology Reader questions traffic decisions I wonder who the birdbrain was that thought of installing the three speed bumps and two stop signs in a one-block area at 39th and East Campus Loop west of the Dental College? Mary Glantz Agronomy Department Reader ponders permit sales; parkin'? equations don’t work well,isn tu at special/ Ac cording to the Aug. 28, 1989 edi tion of the Daily Nebraskan, Lt. John Burke said that around 3,000 parking permits were still avail able to be purchased, and more than 4,700 permits were already sold. I have a small problem with that, namely, where are these park ing stalls? I am personally aware that more than 700 permits were sold for the gravel lot behind Abcl/Sandoz. Let’s contemplate this a wee bit: there are six rows of parking stalls with 66 spots per row — I’m no math major; Math 106 strained my sanity greatly - but my calculator says 396 cars ought to be able to pairii there. Maybe if you use inverse sine theta, or figured the positive inte gral from X to Y, and differenti ated, you might be able to park the other 300 cars - but I sure can’t. And we have to consider that we arc still talking theoretically, be cause we all know how well people park in the Abcl/Sandoz lot - try really hard and you too can say “double park.” A reminder for people with small cars: always leave the car in gear, park and use the emergency brake because serious parking mongrels will push small cars into the aisle and take the parking stall, also, four average-sized guys can pick up a Volkie Bug or these new Geo Metros and carry them a fair distance. (But in no way is that an admission of guilt) One final thought: Where else but UNL can one car receive two tickets from two different parking enforcement agencies on the same day in one hour? Kelly Wade * sophomore biology You need money. Pickles needs your used Compact Discs. Top dollar paid. Tickles RECORDS TAPES • COMPACT DISCS 17th & P * 237 S 70th -3814 Normal Blvd SPECIAL AIDDA GUEST ITOflDlf OCTOBER 3 DEVANEY CENTER Reserved Tickets available at Nebraska Union, Younkers, and all Ticketmaster Locations or Charge by Phone: 402-475-1212 A d^M/j<M»/UPC PRODUCTION F ALL .
