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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 31, 1993)
OPTNTON Nebraskan 1 1 1 Vlm4n—dmy, March 31,1993 Nebraskan Editorial Board University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chris Hopfensperger. E<£tor, 472-1766 Jeremy Fitzpatrick.Opinion Page Editor Alan Phelps.Managing Editor Brian Shellito.Cartoonist Susie Arth. Senior Reporter Kim Spurlock.Diversions Editor Sam Kepfield...Columnist -1 - Bad timing Clinton should avoid tax and spend label A handful of Democratic senators, including Nebraska’s Bob Kerrey and James Exon, are doing what they can to legitimize President Clinton’s economic plan. They are doing it by joining a Republican effort to pare $104 million from Clinton’s $16.3 billion jobs bill. The bill, which would fund a package of summer jobs, community development and other programs, is half of Clinton’s plan to fulfill his cam paign promise to resuscitate the U.S. economy. The other half — much less palatable but equally important — is a package of tax increases. That is the part of the program that the administration should be focusing its efforts and attention on. Exon said he objected to some of the projects in the spending plan, including funds for golf courses, but the problem — as Kerrey says — is not the spending. The sticking point is the project’s timing. Because the United States is so far in debt already, the government will have to borrow more money to fund its economic stimulus program. That seems almost backward. Ginton must be especially careful to avoid any moves that would earn him the “tax-and-spcnd liberal” label. He did not earn an overwhelming mandate in last fall’s election, and with Ross Perot (Mi the loose, the American public is hypersensitive to the government’s actions on the economy. Kerrey is right when he says that the huge spending plan sends a message that the government is trying to opt for the easy way out of the budget morass. Hopefully, he is also correct when he says that Americans will'be willing for pay a tax increase to help solve the budget problem. In comparison to most universities the size of Pitt, the percentage of students in fraternities and sororities is small — around 10 percent. But just because they are small in number does not mean they can’t make a difference. Greek Week is an annual event in which the Greek Week board decides upon the charity which it wishes to represent. This week, the Pitt greeks will be participating in a number of athletic events trying to raise money for the Special Olympics. Most non-greeks don’t understand what it means to be a member of a greek organization. Clichds like “I don’t have to buy my friends” or ‘‘You lose all sense of independence” arc fre quently stated by those who don’t belong to a fraternity or soror ity. But those statements are hardly fair. Sure, there are some questions concerning greek life; but what institution is not blem ished? To be a member of a greek organization also means being a part of your community and learning how to help those who cannot help themselves. There is a lot at stake for the various fraternal organizations taking part in this worthy event. The winner will take home a trophy and the distinction of having been named Greek Week champions. Those who don’t take first place will wait anxiously until the next year, when they will get their shot once again. In this event, however, there are no losers. And both greeks and non-greeks should show their support for this event. Community activism and friendly competition are what will make a difference in this world. The Pitt greeks are doing all they can, and we salute them. — The Pitt News. University of Pittsburgh Publications Board to supervised* daft) production of ihc paper According to policy set by the regenta, responsibility for the editorial content of the newspaper lies Solly hi the hands of available. The Daily Nebraskan imams the right to edit or reject all material submitted. Readers also are welcome to submit material as guest opinions. The editor decides whether material should run as a guest opinion. Letters and guest opinions sent to the newspaper become the property of the Daily Nebraskan and cannot be returned. Anonymous submissions will not be published. Letters should included the author's name, year in school, major and group affiliation, if any. Requests to withhold names will not be granted. Submit material to the Daily Nebiaskan, 34 Nebraska Union, 1400 R St.. Lincoln. Neb. 68588-0448. 'ACADEMY MRP FOR BEST ONGOING vKAnfr _:_ LB110 Anti-abortion advocates say that a woman seeking an abortion should have the right to know about the pro cedure, its risks, the development of the “unborn child" and alternatives to abortion. What proponents of LB 110 won’ttell you, however, is that women in Nebraska already have — and use — these rights. Doctors are required by law and by their professional organizationstogive their patients information about any medical procedure, including abor tion. If they fail to do so, they can be charged with malpractice. Abortion is still a safe and legal procedure in this country. Because pro-lifers know that most Americans want to keep it that way, they are instead trying to subversively make it as difficuitas possible to obtain; hence bills like LB110. If you think women have the right to control their own bodies, tell your state senator to vote against LB 110. Rebecca J. Roberts Batie Lincoln Support Writers should be supportive of other writers. In the frenzy of compo sition, though, it can be hard to lake the time needed to recognize fully and accurately the achievements of oth ers. The March 30 issue of the Daily Nebraskan demonstrated this diffi culty in two different articles. I he wnterol the Academy Awards summary neglected to note who won for writing screenplays: for the best adaptation, Ruth Prawcr Jhabvala, “Howard’s End,” and for original screenplay, Neil Jordan, “The Crying Game.” Not even Tim Rice’s lyrics for “A Whole New World” received mention. Elsewhere, in wrapping up a nicely appreciative faculty profile, another reporter misread some notes and cred ited Lugi Pirandello, one of Professor Walter Centuori’s specializations, with a 1935 Nobel Prize for grammar. The prize was awarded to Pirandello in 1934 for Literature, especially for his innovations in drama. I admit that while he never garnered a prize for grammatical excellence, the play wright could nevertheless whip up a mean subjunctive. Again, writers should be support ive of other writers. One form that support can take is (I hope) construc tive criticism. Stephen M. Buhler assistant professor of English Still more India This is is in response to Dan Clinchard’s letter (DN, March 15, 1993) in defense of Mark Baldridge. Clinchard finds the article written by Baldridge on India“in formative, hon est, enlightening.” It is surprising that a person who has never visited India comments on the vcraci ly of the v ie ws expressed by Baldridge, and only God knows how he was enlightened by the irrational, imbalanced and radical pic ture presented by Baldridge. It is necessary for anyone, and especially if one is writing in the capacity of Arts and Entertainment editor, to present a balanced and truth ful picture. People who fail to do so merely earn a sobriquet of extremist. ' Incidentally, sacred cows make great hamburgers was said in a Satur day Night Live episode (if Clinchard wants to know) and was hardly hu morous. Although such remarks would not offend me personally, lean under stand how they might ofTcnd a few. Cow is one of the Gods for Hindus. Replace cow with Jesus Christ, and tell this to a devout Christian and watch his response. Nitin V. Kulkami graduate student chemical engineering David Badderi/DN Cult As the world watches the develop ments of the standoff between the Branch Davidian cult and federal agents in Waco, Texas, citizens of Nebraska need to be aware that there is acult, quite sim ilar to the Davidians, which is actively recruiting members in many cities around the world, in cluding Lincoln, Omaha and Fremont Thankfully, this cult does not yield weapons, and is in no way violent, but it is otherwise just as dangerous and destructive with mind control of its members being its primary device with which it functions. This cult is known as the Lincoln Church of Christ. It is not connected with the mainline Christian churches or Churches of Christ in our commu nities. Our young people are approached in classrooms, cafeterias, dorms and on the sidewalks of our college cam puses. The cult members pursue our kids in our workplaces, in our high schools, restaurants and shopping cen ters. The members are friendly, at tractive and sincere, but their primary goal is to lure unsuspecting victims to join them in a Bible study or church service, truly believing fthey are of God’s kingdom and know the way to true salvation. I am a member of the Support Group for Families and Friends of Members of the Lincoln Christian Church because my son was caught in their web of deceit for nine months. I am writing to you from my heart of the horrifying and helpless fear and grief of experiencing the loss of my son to their mind control tactics. They sucked him from the ability to rationalize, question and think for himself, replacing it with obedience to his “discipler” who controlled his belief in God and the Bible. This “discipler” controlled his physical activities as well, including advice regarding seeing his fam ily and friends outside the cull, who he could date, what classes he could take at UNLand the amount of money he was expected to give for “the Lord’s work.” On other words, they controlled his life. Every day I thank God that my son has been able to tear loose from their web of falsehoods and distortions of God’s word. My son, his family and friends have found strength and cour age for healing and to work toward educating others that this dangerous scourge is among us. I am writing to ask you to take care to warn those you care about. Every one of our young people is at risk if they remain uninformed. As quietly and methodically as a spider spinning a w$b. the Lincoln Christian Church continues to snare our youth. Some of our top scholars, our most friendly and outgoing kids, our best athletes and our most devout Christians have been deceived into believing that if they disobey their discipler and the church leaders, that an disobeying God. Nebraskans, do not say “not my child” or “not my community.” Make it your responsibility to educate those who may be affected. The Office for Student Affairs at (JNL can provide you with more information and con nection to the support group. The Cull Awareness Network of Chicago is another source of information. Jan Larson Lincoln