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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 26, 1993)
OPTNTON Nebraskan V_/1 XX 1 XV^/X 1 l*o«Ml«yp April 26| 1903 Net?raskan Editorial Board » University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chris Hopfensperger.Editor, 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 ' Missing persons Clinton should pay attention to Farm Aid Country-western star Willie Nelson should be commended for not letting another one of the world’s pet projects come and go with a one-night-only performance. Years ago, Americans’ attention to the problem of starvation in Africa lasted as long as Bob Geldofs one-shot Live Aid concert. . The problem, though, lasted much longer. In fact, people are still dying in Africa even as the issue fades from people’s minds like the news from Somalia fades from the headlines. More recently, the world has come to the financial rescue of the AIDS crisis and other issues with reactionary concerts and special events to temporarily occupy the public’s attention. The Farm Aid organization, however, has given more than $10.8 million to farm groups, hot lines, churches and social service agencies since the first concert in Champaign, 111. And on Saturday, more than 40,000 people filled the stands at Cyclone Stadium in Ames, Iowa, to listen to the 40 acts that had come together for the sixth Farm Aid concert. It is important for people to remember the problems of Ameri can farmers, and the Farm Aid concerts have been one of the only constant reminders. But they have not fixed the problem in everyone’s mind apparently. President Clinton did not send Vice President A1 Gore or Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy to the concert. Neil Young, who has appeared at several of the concerts, said he was upset by their lack of attendance and the sense that the concert had degenerated from a serious event into a party. “Where is Gore? Where is Espy?” Young asked. “I’m not too happy fo be here. ’.. I thought when we got rid of Bush and Reagan there was going to be a change. Then we wouldn’t need any more Farm Aids.” Take notice Americans need to address gay rights During the ’60s, thousands of African-Americans marched on Washington to demand equal rights, rights they de served as Americans. It was the beginning of a process that people have been painfully slow to accept, and all America has suffered because of that delay. On Sunday, another group that has been victimized by others’ closed-minded lack of acceptance marched on Washington — homosexuals. Now is the lime to address the issues of gay rights. The president has made a pledge to end the military’s ban on gays, and the gay-rights movement has quietly solidified into a strong organization. ‘ But the problem remains because people refuse to open their eyes to the truths of homosexuality. Many other low-profile hurdles remain to be cleared. The issues of housing and insurance discrimination against homo sexuals remain an ugly blight on society, the same way they do for blacks and other minority groups. “We’re coming in from the outside to take our place atthe table,” said Torie Osborn, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. “This is the decade. We arc coming home. A USA Today article on Friday noted the progress of the gay rights movement in recent years. It noted the 1987 protest march in Washington, when about 250,000 people marched past the While House and barely anyone outside of the capitol noticed. On Sunday, however, everyone noticed. And it is hoped that the voices of the thousands of people who flocked to Washington will be heard in the near future. , —---. - Staff editorials represent the official policy of the Spring 1993 Daily Nebraskan. Policy is set by the Duly Nebraska! Editorial Board. Editorials do not necessarily reflect the views of the university, its employees, the students or the NU Board of Regents. Editorial columns represent the opinion of the author. The regents publish the Daily Nebraskan. They establish the UNL Publications Board to supervise the daily production of the paper. According to policy set by the regenu, responsibility for the editorial content of the newspaper lies solely in the hands of iu students. The Daily Nebraskan welcomes brief letters to die 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 retains 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 Nebraskan, 34 Nebraska Union, 1400 R St., Lincoln, Neb. 68588-0448. . *----—-- - ‘ ■■ -- • - ~~—• . : * QPeRKTtQ^ Fright I am writing in response to the recent onslaught of letters written to the opinion page promoting conser vatism. I guess I am feeling somewhat frightened lately! I can't believe that UNL students are beginning to be lieve the words of Rush Limbaugh. Here is a man who has hardly any credentials of any sort, and he is lead ing a movement to promote conserva tive thought and the disintegration of all the ideals that America is supposed to stand for. I am really frightened! * I have noticed a trend among the college youth of this campus, and the . trend is leaning toward conservative thought and practice. 1 recently read a letter from a man who said that Mar- - garct Thatcher was his hero, but he did not promote any form of social ized medicine. Now if I am wrong, correct me, but wasn't Maggie Thatcher the prime minister of acoun try that has a national health care \ system? I have attended UNL for five years now, and 1 have noticed a trend that / has been increasing since I began at* this university. Racial tension is at an all-time high; women arc experienc ing sexual harassment, even at a peace ful rally, where men fell that it was all right to “moon" the women who par ticipated; smoking rights arc practi cally denied to students and certain departments face the problem of be ing cut or dropped from the curricu lum. un the national scale, we have people who support cull leaders, people who support the conservative, white supremacy movement and people who want the rich to prosper and the poor to obtain all those hun dreds of well-paying jobs that we all hear about so often. I resent the statement made by Joy Douglas (DN, April 22, 1993) who said that liberals say, “It’s OK, you don’t have to try, we’ll take care of you,” in reference to the welfare sys tem. Liberals (km ’ t promote laziness; we try to promote equality. 1 guess I am just sick and tired of the conservative movement that seems to be gaining support in the Midwest. 1 don’t know how well RushLimbaugh is supported throughout the United States, but hopefully he is not as well liked on other campuses. It is too bad that I can’t remain in the Midwest to continue my educa tion in graduate studies. I think I am going to try the West Coast, or possi bly another country, where the feel ing isn’t so conservative. I don’t want to be part of the “me” attitude that is prevalenton our campus today. I guess I am just sick and tired of all the conservative crap I have to read on the opinion page every day. It’s lime to take another look at Rush Limbaugh. It’s time to start promoting equality among women and people of other races. It’s time to startoremembering why this country was developed: to promote the home lor the free and the land of the brave. Pretty soon, Rush is going to make Waco look like a children’s picnic. Erin E. Egan senior English James Mehsling/DN ‘Emphatic disagreement’ How fitting that Boyd Johnston and Students for America come off praising a “great America” under “Rcagan-ied insurgcnce since like Reagan, they all see social reform as socialism. This line of thinking elimi nates the realization of the political center and effectively creates a state of paranoia. Basically, I stand in emphatic dis agreement with almost every thing and everybody Students for America sup posedly represents, but I still recog nize them as a key ingredient to the political soup on campus. Listening to the claims of political-fringe groups is both fascinating and educational, so long as they remain in the fringe and don’t pose a threat to our 'bivil rights. And who arc these guys going to pose a threat to? Not only does Students for America not represent the opinions of a majority of people in America, they don’t even accurately represent the trend toward moderate conservatism in their own Republi can party. Thus, we can enjoy the political diversity this group affords us, which comes as a welcome supplement to the usually boring two-party system in America. They re even better than The Far Side, and it could be interest ing lo slip into one of their Gestapo meetings sometime. Dan Hull senior English ‘Squawking’ I am surprised at all the noise and squawking about the two College Republicans who inadvertently got elected president and treasurer of the Young Democrats — since when has politics gotten so serious we cannot laugh about it once in a while? When I first heard the story, I thought, “Damn — I wish when 1 was in college, I would’ve had the guts to pull some marvelous pranks like this." Although I am probably in the minor ity, I think the eight students who had a part in this prank should be ap plauded and commended for their re sourcefulness and ingenuity. And as for the comments of Profes sor William Avery, a man for whom I have a great deal of admiration and respect, I am appalled. Professor Avery is a bright and illuminating individual, and I am quite sure he is aware of all sorts of “dirty tricks" practiced by all political parties. All political parties. But really, what is the big aeai There is a great difference between a college prank and authentic “dirty tricks” that deprive people of civil liberties, rights, privileges and legal benefits (such as what happened dur ing Watergate, Lancegate and Tailhook); this was merely a college prank that hurt no one. And so to the people discomforted by this — get a life. It is when some thing is so utterly serious it cannot be laughed at that it is the most laughable and ridiculous of all. It is a good thing not all of us are sour, dour, self righteous people who take everything seriously and think of every cause as a crusade. Fred Grady 1977 UNL graduate Lincoln Appreciation In response to Jan Calingcr’s ar ticle “Caveman” (DN, April 22, 1993), I took exception to his generalization of sports enthusiasts as crotch-grab bing Al Bundy wannabes. By crassi fying the majority of athletes and fans as participants in mindless, violent contests, he expresses his lack of knowledge and understanding of any organized team sports. Anyone who has ever played any team spart appre ciates the time, effort and physical prowess needed to succeed and excel m a televised sport; qualities very similar to those needed to perform in the performing arts. M. Justin Tyner junior criminal justice