The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, September 25, 1990, Page 5, Image 5
Letters explore First Amendment rights White foundation has no concern for South Africa While I support the current efforts of the Anti-Apartheid Coalition of Nebraska in its demands that the NU Foundation divest of those compa nies still conducting business in South Africa, I am sure that the founda tion’s board, who are all Caucasians, has no interest in what is happening in South Africa as a result of their in vestments. After all why should a “private” foundation be concerned that its money has helped a government violate human rights for centuries when all of the membersof the foundation are white? Let's be up front about this. These individuals who speak for the founda tion are saying, “Look, why should we care about the plight of black people in South Africa? After all, you should be worried about black people’s plight at the University of Nebraska, and we give them money all the time.” Well, that just shows me what kind of an education these foundation members have received. I just hope that none of them have degrees from UNL. I do not anticipate a swift end to this debate of private support of inhu manity vs. state laws condemning that inhumanity. Because the longer this simple-minded, racist puppet show is prolonged, the more money well-to do, so-called philanthropists will make. A nH ai fAr oil 1 cn ’ f that 1 hn namo nf the game: kill the indigenous people and take the wealth of their land. A page from the history book of genocide and the theft from the American Indians should tell most Nebraskans that this is the same song with an updated version. Walter Robert Gholson, III senior news-editorial Equality should include rights for Caucasians I am writing in response to the article concerning the establishment of white unions at various college campuses (DN, Sept. 19). The Uni versity of Florida student body presi dent termed Uieir white union as “a big joke on campus” and UNL vice chancellor for student affairs James Griesen commented, “I would cer tainly hope none (the white unions) would come to UNL.” Why arc groups that support rights for Caucasians automatically “rac ist” while groups that support any other groups appear as heroes? I am very much in favor of a “black un ion” if it is desired, and equality and co-knnwledcc ainonc Lhc various races populating the earth; but this equality also includes a “white union” if desired. My question is tins: Has the world made any progress in racial relations, or have we taken five steps forward in one direction while going backward in another, reversing roles but mak ing no progress at all? Andy Galbraith sophomore chemical engineering Attacks on column prove initial point about amendment Both Bri Frimodt’s and Andrew Meyer’s attacks on Jana Pedersen’s column (DN, Sept. 13) not, as it was called on Monday (DN, Sept. 17), an article, 1 think may have actually proved Pedersen’s original point about the fragility and necessity of the First Amendment. Frimodt took particular exception to the use of one word. The word homophobic, saying, for example that it sounded like a mental disease How does a single, vehement connotation a reader brought to the text justify this degree of condemnation? Who can demand their own meaning for a word be agreed to by the writer and audi ence or else have the writer face such a rebuke? What is the point of that letter, anyway? How much of it is truly about the column? Meyer, while paralleling Frimodt’s admission that he was not disagree ing with the entire column, proposes the complete abolition of the NEA (DN, Sept. 18). He echoes others’ argument that they should not have to support what they do not agree with or condone. My answer would be that what individual taxpayers are sup porting is not individual artists but the opportunity for many different artists from many different fields to explore and improve. To judge the whole by a single example is to deny the NEA s fundamental purpose. Do we want the only art to be the popular art? Are the only songs to be the ones most often played. I lived in Cincinnati, the city Pcd ersen was referring to, until about a year ago and the kind of blind rage of prejudice Frimodl seems to be sup porting has twisted that community for years. It is the prejudice of a few against anyone who is defined by faith, heritage, philosophy, financial standing or political principle as dif ferent from them that continually finds a way to spoil what could be a great city. Meyer’s solution is just to avoid the problem. These are national is sues that need facts, no accusations, and decisions based on the principles of freedom, not fear. Drn til (\ i /"> Ar r m mrln/ln Aor in whatever form, starves a commu nity from being what that word means; a union of its diversification. It is a conscious choice to live in fear, fear of having self image and identity shaken instead of encouraged by oth ers’ rights to an equally vibrant and independent existence. It is to de mand the right for oneself to deny rights and privileges to others. One of those abstract purposes that we at a university — students and teachers — are to be constantly about is to con tribute to the freedom and quality of life around us. Whatever the example, wherever the incident, we as Ameri cans and members of the human community can not stand silent when others in the community try to howl down a straightforward restatement of our privileges and our responsibili ties. That is what the column, an open piece of opinion, was about. I am not here to judge the quality of writing in Pedersen’s column or to debate strangers’ sexual preferences. I am here to discuss what Pedersen was writing about. That is the First Amendment. That is how each of us here is getting to have our own say. In fact, I applaud the fact that wc all are able to write what we have and this institution provides to have it printed. That is why the law says wc arc free to say and do what wc wish as long as it rln^s not attack the lihertv of others. Words and the freedom to understand arc what this is all about. That is w hat needs defending, not a free market economy. In one of these letters, Pedersen was called “uneducated,” but I think the need of know ledge and understanding weighs heaviest in other comers of this debate. Michael Young assistant professor English Radical solution sought to find time to expand horizons In the Sept. 24 issue of the Daily Nebraskan, Amy Edwards states that imagination yields to information, which is true. But it sickens me tc realize this. Unfortunately this fact is most evident here at a high-level educational institution where we should constantly be learning and expand ing. Since I was little I’ve been taught to expand my horizons and, believe me, I’ve tried and am still trying. But my current situation makes it a bitdifficult. In these next few years of college, all my time and energy will be spent learning one trade. This is necessary so that I can live comforta bly in my future, but it is not the way it should be. We need to know more than what our future employers will expect of us. Sure my freshman year I was allowed to take a couple of classes that weren’t related to my major so that I may broaden my mind, and it is broadened. But these few token horizon-expanders are just not enough to make me an intellectually satisfied person. I have no solution to this tunnel vision effect college has on our lives, but some radical-yct-practical solu tion soon will pop into my head and you will be the first to know. Todd Molvar sophomore pre-architecture Candidates’ debate should not ignore health insurance Disgust, disgust, disgust with the two candidates running for governor of Nebraska. Not only are the junk bonds of little value, so is all the rhetoric we have heard so far coming from the political ads. Let’s hear something of substance. The health care issue in the whole nation is catastrophic. Now we hear a debate on whether the Stale of Ne braska should keep on furnishing insurance for its employees that pays 100 percent of almost all health care with no deductibles. Last year alone health insurance costs paid by the state rose 36 percent. Thirty-seven million Americans are without health insurance. Many in Nebraska. Gov. Kay Orr vetoed LB 187, the Indigent Health bill, during the last legislative session. The escalation of costs is not only affecting the state and the poor, it is affecting all citizens and the workplace. It is one of the most worrisome areas for business in America. The average cost of company-provided medical plans rose to $2,160 in 1988, this representing a 20.4 percent increase in one year. These higher costs cause loss of income for the worker. Many companies are requiring employees to pay a larger percentage of insur ance coverage. My husband and I have been dev astated with the crunch. Our health insurance increased in March to $974 per month. Every three months it has been escalating until it was necessary to cancel the coverage and seek more reasonable insurance with less cover age. The astronomical cost that we have incurred in the last four months for medical expenses will cost us at least $6,000, plus our health insurance premiums are now $450 per month. So ... I ask the two candidates running for governor, what are you going to do about this terrible prob lem that faces all of America. Who will take a leadership role? Will Gov. Orr come forward and take a leader ship role in deciding if state employ ees keep first dollar coverage health insurance? Will Orr consider that some of us have to pay all the costs of our insurance and then pay taxes to cover insurance for state employees that is far superior to ours? Why not answer this question during one of the debates? Let the reporters questioning the candidates sec how each candidate responds. Who will take the leadership role so Nebras kans can all have adequate health care that is affordable or free like the privileged state employees. 1 challenge each candidate to have an answer to this very importan question. Dolores Schiebinge Lincoli Historical capsule should be treated with more respect For the last 17 years the Univer sity of Nebraska-Lincoln has shown itself to be a poor custodian to a piece of our nation’s history: the Apollo 009 test space capsule on display at the UNL campus. A recent article in the Lincoln Star and Omaha World-Herald, told of an organization called “Nebraskans for the Advancement of Space Develop ment,’’ who has urged the university to lake care of this artifact that has been left to the mercy of vandals, neglect and the elements for nearly two decades. The university has responded to N.A.S.D. and other individuals with conflicting historically erroneous information. The university has in formed many that no funding ex ists to take care of the capsule enclosure to protect the capsule. Coincidentally, the same statement was made two years ago and the enclosure was never built due to lack of funds. UNL has also stated that due to a clause in the original loan agreement with NASA, the capsule can not be refurbished; UNL has yet to produce the document to substantiate this claim. A source within the aerospace industry informs that UNL has had an offer from the Kansas Cosmosphcre Space Museum to completely restore the Apollo capsule. UNL has failed to act on this offer or make it known to the public. In its current condition the Apollo capsule has no educational value, in fact many campus residents see it as an eyesore. Why has Chancellor Massengale chosen to leave this piece of history to rot away when viable options are available? l More action, less rhetoric IJNL!!! Timothy L. Balvanz r A concerned Nebraskan for the i preservation of space history Buy an IBM PS/2 before December 31 and you can really take off. Anywhere in the continental U.S. or Puerto Rico for only $149. 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