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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 27, 1993)
Si "1 , Daily, Nebraskan Tuesday, April 27,1993 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 __ _ - ■ - ' >r. ■ Delayed reaction U.N. sanctions implemented way too late Apparently the violent battles going on in Bosnia weren’t enough to spur the United Nations into taking further action against the Serbs. Apparently the 134,000 dead or missing people weren’t enough to lead to stronger sanctions against the Serbs. No, to this point the United Nations has responded to the murders and rapes in Bosnia with further attempts at humanitarian aid. But on Monday, following the most civil act on the part of the Bosnian Serbs in a long time, the U.N. wheels began slowly turning toward increased sanctions against the Serbs. The actions come after the self-appointed Bosnian Serb assem bly voted unanimously against accepting a U.N.-sponsored peace plan — a plan that had been signed by Muslims and Croats. It can’t be explained why the United Nations goes almost a complete year without taking stronger steps against the Serbs while people die. But after a simple, peaceful vote, action is finally taken. > The plan — advanced by European Community mediator David Owen and U.N. negotiator Cyrus Vance — would have Bosnian Serbs surrender more than one-fifth of the 70 percent of Bosnia-Herzegovina they now occupy. They would also have to accept a multi-ethnic Bosnia in which the Serbs, Croats and Muslims would each be given control of three provinces and share the administration of Sarajevo, the capitol. Under the new sanctions, set to go into effect this morning, Yugoslav public and private funds in overseas banks will be frozen; Yugoslav ships will be prohibited from U.N. members’ territory; ships, trains and aircraft already abroad will be detained and Yugoslav goods on the Danube River, a vital supply route, will be frozen. Unmentioned, but still possible, is the use of military force against the Serbs. Over the weekend, British officials said they would use air power to protect 150 Canadian troops helping provide humanitarian aid in Srebenica. The United States and NATO allies arc set to meet this week to consider air strikes against Serb positions. The new sanctions are a positive step, but their timing is * ridiculously late. In common American, Russian sacrifices will pay off Gtizens of Russia voted Monday to support the reforms of President Boris Yeltsin. About 68 percent of the voters said they supported Yeltsin, and about 56 percent supported his market reforms. That support comes after two years of economic hardships caused by Yeltsin’s attempts to push the former Soviet Union into modem times. Here in the United States, Americans are also evaluating their leader. Bill Ointon. An Associated Press poll reported that 49 percent of Americans consider Clinton a strong leader, while 37 percent do not. It is encouraging to see the citizens of Russia still supporting Yeltsin after all the hardship they have had to endure. Eventually, their sacrifice will pay off. It is also encouraging to see that Americans still stand behind Ointon. We also may have to sacrifice, but our efforts will pay off as well. SufT editorial* represent the official policy of the Spring 1993 Daily Nebraskan. Policy is set by the Daily Nebraskan 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 regenu publish the Daily Nebraskan. They establish the UNL Publications Board to supervise the daily production of the paper. According to policy set by tha regenu, responsibility for the editorial content of the newspaper lies solely in the hands of iU students. The Daily Nebraskan welcomes brief letters to the 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 reuins the right to edit or reject all material submitted. Readers alto 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. - „ tW5,u B . 'M: • v * ■ ■■:♦’ I. • Here ? Doe’s TWtf VAfcA^ NNt NNON OR UX5T? ‘Irreversible’ To whom it may concern: I do not know you. Nor do I need to. But I know I am writing to a scared, confused woman who may be reading this paper to pass time, or to catch the national headlines. Not matter what the reason, you may happen across the discreet ad in declassified section for “Women’s Services P.C. Abortion Care.’’ It looks good, simple, painless. About these things, I don’t know, for I am not in your shoes, nor have I ever had an abortion, although I have ex perienced an unplanned pregnancy. But this I do know—it is irreversible. The positive pregnancy test you had—that was your child’s only way of telling you he or she was there. Touch your stomach — that baby’s heartbeat and development is proof that he or she wants to live. I cannot comprehend what you arc going through, but I can write to plead with you on behalf of that child, a fellow human, who in less than two years could be tottering first steps; in six, waving good-bye to someone on that first day of school; in 20 or so, be enjoying what you do right now and eventually perhaps pass the torch of life onto another generation just as you have the opportun i ty to do. Please think long-term. Please look past that abortion ad and find instead the adoption services section. Let some human being’s life be a “thank you’’ for making the tough choice. Brian Schwarz sophomore English Sticker “Hate is not a family value.” — Bumper sticker seen on cam pus. Think about it, Boyd Johnston and writers of the Ideal. Mellisa Castro junior broadcasting Limbaugh I’d like to begin by responding to one question Erin Egan posed in her letter (DN, April 26,1993). I moved to Lincoln nine months ago from Maryland, where I had never heard of “The Rush Limbaugh Show.” So I do believe there are places you can go to escape his particularly abrasive brand of idiocy. The first time I caught Limbaugh‘s act, having inadvertently tuned in, I saw a pompous, flatulent creature spouting off about ‘The Year of the Woman” and how the disappointing number of women candidates elected was an unmistakable indictment against women’s abilities in general. Syllogism noted. But I think it’s unfair to attack Limbaugh as a conservative. He’s simply a fool. And it shocks me that intelligent conservatives — I know they exist — condone the Neander thals who applaud Limbaugh in the name of good-natured ribbing. Conservatives, you don’t want to be associated with these people. I have seen them; usually males, their eyes as they begin to speak become dimly opaque, their mouths fall agape like somerpaticnt exiting a dentist’s office with a jaw full of novocaineand spittle glimmering on his lower lip. They say,“Duh-huh, he’s funny. Can’t women take a joke?” As if women haven’tbeen taking the jokes of over bearing and fragile male egos in poli tics, business and society long enough. Egan is right. It’s lime we examine what it means for a man like Rush Limbaugh to have an adoring, de voted audience here. The popularity of this man is directly proportional to the amount of cretinism extant in Nebraska. Will Famer graduate student English Brian Sheflito/DN ‘Traditional views’ Scou Carpenter is right. Students for America is “just what we need. (DN, April 21,1993)” Unfortunately, it seems that Carpenter has become infected with the same ignorance which he so openly accuses Students for America of manifesting. Students for America had its first meeting less than two months ago, and its faithful members have since been working diligently to support basic constitutional rights, beginning with the First Amendment. Students for America docs have other things to do besides protesting the speeches of liberals. The officers and members have been literally work ing day and night on The Ideal, the completely student-run official news paper of Students for America. The Ideal uses the First Amendment as a medium for expressing traditional views to all students and faculty. This paper supports the con servati ve cause in many issues and speaks out for all student’s rights. If I were you, Mr. Carpenter, I would be thankful that at least one group on campus was work ing to improve our educational expe rience at UNL. Above all, the First Amendment applies to all Americans, not just to liberal groups. However, when con servatives utilize freedom of speech and freedom to assemble, they are “immature” and these rights don’t apply in the same manner, concerned Americans suddenly become the re cipients of undue criticism. As a female and copy editor of The Ideal, I am deeply insulted that Car penter feels that the protest of Hillary Clinton's speech was rooted in her femaleness. The protest was orga nized because there is an opposing viewpoint that many students wanted to make known. It nas nothing to do with Hillary’s gender; it is a disagree ment based on principle. II Muoenis ior America was iruiy a racist and sexist organization, it would be gender and race exclusive, and it is neither. A gender exclusive organiza tion would not have allowed females to attend meetings, let alone hold a ' power position. Carpenter should get his issues straight before he tries to plan our next [ “gig. A pro-life stance on abortion has little to do with our neutral stance : on birth control, so to assume we would go to Planned Parenthood to protest the distribution of condoms is approaching absurdity. An opposing stance to gun control does not warrant the organization of such groups as “AK-47s for Tots.” This was an un necessarily childish comment to make, and I suggest if Carpenter is going to insult us iq the future, come check us out first; learn about who we are and what we stand for. 1 would wager that Carpenter has never been to Students for America meetings or ever spoken to a member thereof least of all a constituent of our esteemed executive board. I would also wager that all his knowledge concerning students for America has its roots in, to quote Sam Kepfield, “the handy-dandy, full-service cam pus newspaper,” The Daily Nebras kan itself. Dot ’t believcevcrything you read, Carpenter. ;■ Elizabeth Harder sophomore pre-medicine