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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 17, 1992)
War of words starts over environmentalism Last week I mentioned the “Wise Use” coalition. With a name like that you might expect them to advocate the conservation of natural resources, but their em phasis is less on the “Wise” and more on the “Use.” It’s coming down to a war of words, which shape the way people think, which determines the decisions that get made, which lead to very real environ mental impacts that will limit the quality ofUfe for the next genera tion. There seems to be a frighten ing number of people who be lieve we need not worry about using things up because the end of the world is inevitable, people will be saved or condemned, on an individual basis, regardless of the condition of our planet. One of the thoughts that the “Wise Use” folks like to spread is that environmentalists worship thecreation, not the creator. “En vironmentalism is the new pa ganism,” according to Alan Gottlieb of the Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise. “Trees are worshipped and humans sac rificed at its alter: It is evil. And we intend to destroy it.” (The Boston Globe) I believe “environmentalism” originated with a very human sehse of what was more pleasant for humans and had something to do with kindness toward other creatures in thespirit of St. Francis, for example. It’s only been recently that “radical environmentalists” have talked more about other living beings having something like rights — a right to life — and nature, or the Earth, as some thing like an entity. Those thoughts have led to a defensive reaction from people with fi nancial interests in various natu ral resources. Those interests are ■N. very powerful. Whoever came up with the headlincfor my column last week misinterpreted or misrepresented my words. “Environmental law allows ‘playing God’” is the way a “Wise Use” member mightthink of environmental protection. My suggested headline, “Who will we let play God?" was supposed to be a rhetorical question. What "playing God” means to me is to knowingly allow the extinction of some organism by authorizing a project that will alter or elimi nate that creature’s last remain ing natural habitat. Despite the nature-worship ping niche that Mr. Gottlieb would put me in, I must say that it’s the natural selfishness of hu manity that bothers me, and I believe the point of Christianity was to oppose that “nature." I must also add that religion is not < the only basis for morals. --DanielClinchard head. “Well, it doesn’t hurt quite that much.” I’m reasonably certain he’s never given birth to any children. “Thanks,” 1 say. I show Ray the design, tell him where I want it, and we discuss how much it will cost. Ray finishes tracing my design and transfers it to my upper leg. I check the mirror to make sure it’s where I want it. I then am instructed to recline on the vinyl-covered table and^ get comfortable. Comfortable? Yeah, right. By now, the full impact of what I’m doing hits me. “Michelle, what am I doing?” But then Ray is inking up and posing above the transfer. “We’re just going to start small, okay?" he says. Well, Danny was right. The out line is the worst. I try not to think aboutwhat’shappeningonmyhip. It does hurt. But not as badly as, say, dental work. I’d rather gel a tattoo than have my wisdom teeth yanked any day. Within the next 25 minutes, Ray fimch^c ihn r\i itli nn *i ic filli’e'WY t r\ my new artwork with a piece of cellophane, I am thinking, “1 am among the tattooed.” After 1 have inspected his handi work and we have gone over the care instructions, 1 ask Ray ques tions about his trade. “How much does it usually cost to set up to do tattoos? I ask. “If you do it right, now it’s going on about $ 1,000 to $ 1,200,” he says, “to get all the stuff you need.” "I suppose everyone asks you how you got started,"J say. “Yeah, when I first got started, it was more like 1 just did it for fun, Ray says. Ray says he’s been doing tattoos since 1983 — for nine years. “I knew how to draw before I did this, so that helped a lot,” he says. “There’s a lot of people that don’t know how to draw, and they just jump into it/’ “That doesn’t make a lot ofsense,” I say. “Well, somebody might be a better tattoo artist than they can draw,” he says. We also discuss thesanitary con ditions of his equipment. FILM/HEATER Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery; University ot Nebraska-Lincoln I M 12th & R Streets; Lincoln. NE 68566 0302; Film Information Phone: 402/472-5353 AIR FORCE ROTC UNITS FILLED TO CAPACITY NOT! Don't believe everything you hear. The Air Force continues to seek outstanding students to fill fu ture officer requirements. See yourself becoming a leader, graduating from college as an Air Force officer with fully developed qualities of character and managerial ability. Notice, too, the opportuni ties. Like eligibility for scholarship programs that can pay tuition, textbooks, fees. . .even $100 in tax free income each month. i Visualize a crisp uniform that reflects pride in your ■ self and your ability to accept challenge. Get the picture? Now make a call! 472-2473 AIM HIGH - AIR FORCE Tattoo Continued from Page 12 I try not to watch the needle play across Kurt’s back or listen to the electrical buzz of ink being injected into Kurt’s skin. In short, I try not to look ner vous. All too soon, Kay and Kurt finish up their weekly session, and it’s my turn. Kurt asks if this is my first tattoo. I say yes. He offers me some words of comfort. “Do you have kids?” I shake my the spaces. The filling in is, for the most part, not painful, but cause? merely an annoying sort of sensa lion. Ray’s birds keep up a fairly steady chatter while he is working. Al though I don’t want to distract Ray (I didn’t want to make him screw, up), I have to ask him if the bird? can talk. “Only when they want to," Ray says. “Havetheylearnediosay'ouch?” I ask. And then it is over. As Ray i? rubbing Ncosporin and wrapping 1 UOV I IV ** W J he says. “A lot of other places just • kind of sterilize them.” “These days, that's important,” I say. 15 September 1992 11:31 p.m. It’s been five days since I got my tattoo. I still like it and suspect I will forever, or at least for a long time. Good or bad, the harmless sounding question Mark asked me a week ago has indirectly left its mark — a permanent piece of art work I can enjoy forever. 1 — Shannon Uehling Is A&E editor and a ; Diversions contributor. 1 1 1 —^——1 WOW VOHOS THE new Guv? J vlvXX.i ^1 |VXPaulTisdalc/DNj
