The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, October 28, 1993, Page 5, Image 5

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    M \ I I ZlMMI KM \\
Scary extremists haunt holiday
Just when you thought it couldn’t
get any stranger, right-wing and
left-wing extremists alike have
begun to succeed in their campaigns
to mandate thought and expression
with, of all things, Halloween. It seems
we have been fooled about the true
clandestine nature ofHalloween, folks.
Contrary to the misguided opinions of
the general public, this holiday is not
really about swarms of pre-adoles
cents mobbing unprotected homes in
mad attempts to satisfy frantic sugar
habits. No, it isn’t even about going
on nightlong tours of haunted houses
or taking part in house-egging con
tests.
Depending on which ticked-off
parental group you talk to, Halloween
is either a) a bigot outlet where people
have the opportunity to reinforce sex
ist, racist, homophobic and other gen
erally insensitive attitudes in masses
of unsuspecting children, orb) a thin
ly veiled excuse to hold a devil-wor
shipping sess ion/seance/w i tchi ng hour
to prepare the youth of America for
the coming of Dragorr, devourer of
beasts, ruler of the underworld, and
suspected father of she-devil/femi
nist Sen. Pat Schroeder.
Iowa City started off the mild me
dia frenzy a week or so ago when its
school district voted to frown on any
one dressing up in questionable or
offensive costumes. The list of offen
sive outfits included gypsies, hobos,
devils, witches and the elderly (or as
we like to say back home, the chrono
logically challenged). Apparently, the
pro-witch and pro-devil lobbies are
pretty strong out there in Iowa, and
lawmakers don’t want to do anything
that might upset their chances for re
election. Boy, who can blame them?
Suggestions for acceptable outfits
included friendly monsters, animals,
crayons, pencils, flowers and food.
Yes, food. Mind you, these were only
suggestions, and none of the black
listed outfits have been banned per se
— but who in his or her right mind
wants to risk the vengeance of the
Iowa City PTA? Scares me just think
Mind you, these were only sug
gestions, and none of the
blacklisted outfits have been
banned per se — but who in his
or her right mind wants to risk
the vengeance of the Iowa City
PTA?
ing about it.
The real tragedy in all of this,
however, is that I feel forced to give
up trick-or-treating this year. Yes, sad
but true. If people can get offended by
gypsies, then the situation is hopeless.
However, we here at the special Hal
loween think tank did come up with
some great alternative costume sug
gestions for those of you still planning
to go out and who still are stumped for
ideas. We’re pretty sure they will
offend a few people, but what the hell
— it’s obvious that you can’t avoid
that any more, so there’s really no
point in trying. Here are a few ideas:
• Mr. Butts, the lovable character
that really makes the Doonesbury
world come alive. You could dress up
as a giant cigarette, and instead of
handing out candy to trick-or-treat
ers, you could hand out packs of
Marlboros, introducing youngsters to
a fantastic lifelong hobby! “Hey, kids!
Ever wonder why there’s so much
peer pressure to smoke? It’s because
your friends don’t want you to miss
out! Getting hooked on cigarettes is
fun — and surprisingly easy!”
• How about you and a group of
friends going out as agents from the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire
arms? Who wasn’t thrilled at the sight
of those agents bravely cooking out
that maniac David Koresh? Now you
too can dress up as a member of this
proud agency. The one twist to this
activity is that before you go trick-or
treating, egging or causing other types
of mischief, someone has to call ahead.
You know — kind of let them know
that you’re coming.
• Bill Clinton. Sure, everyone
will have a Clinton mask this Hallow
een, but how many of you will have
the mask that really puts you one step
closer to the White House? Make sure
to get the special Clinton mask with
out the eye holes. That way, as you
stumble from house to house, aim
lessly wandering to and fro without
anyperceiveddirection.you can truly
feel what it is like to be part of the
current administration! Stumble from
door to door, blindly putting your fate
in the hands of others. Heck, you’ll
feel like you’re actually making a
Clinton foreign policy decision!
• How about Rush Limbaugh for
those of you on the other side of the
political spectrum? Again, not a very
original premise, but a special thanks
goes out to Fox’s “In Living Color”
for suggesting a great way to stick out
in a crowd of your fellow ditto-heads.
You see, once your bag gets so full of
candy that you can’t put any more in
it, just take the white hood off your
head. Works great as a backup candy
bag!
Feel free to steal any of these ideas
for your selected Halloween activity.
But if the P.C. hordes come knocking
on your door, I don’t know you. Have
a good time this Halloween, and be
sure to ignore all the wonderfully
helpful suggestions of our surrogate
consciences. A little awareness and
sensitivity is a good thing,but some of
these people let all their good will go
to their heads.
Zimmerman Is a junior English major
and Dally Nebraskan columnist.
\\M SIM I K
No trial can bring Harms back
When I walked into District
courtroom No. 2 Monday
morning — after handing
my backpack to a deputy and passing
through a metal detector—I thought
I was prepared for what was to come.
I thought I had been hardened by
hearing about the case in the news
room for the last nine months. I was
wrong.
Monday marked the beginning of
the trial of Roger Bjorklund, who as
most people know is standing trial for
the kidnapping, sexual assault and
killing of UNL student Candi Harms.
I had followed the case closely
since Candi was first reported miss
ing. Her boyfriend, Todd Sears,
worked in the advertising department
of the DN, and we had talked about
Candi’s disappearance, and subse
quently, the loss of her life. So I knew
him, if only slightly.
That slight familiarity was enough
to make Candi real to me.
And that familiarity was enough to
slice right through me when opening
statements began.
And it was enough to make me cry
when her dad took the stand.
Stan and Pat Harms impressed me
with their first statements after Candi’s
disappearance. When he sat in that
witness box and talked of his daugh
ter, responding to each question with
respect and great care, I was only
more impressed with him.
And I hurt even more for him.
When his voice broke after identi
fying Candi’s picture, I couldn’t hold
tears back, but I wasn’t alone. It
seemed anyone with a heart could not
help but be moved by his pain. Eyes
reddened and observers sniffled.
The prosecution asked him about
his daughter, her education, her ca
reer plans, her clothes and her disap
pearance. He answered carefully, hold
ing himself with quiet dignity. It was
obvious it was difficult for him, but he
continued.
The judge called a recess after
what seemed like forever. It was good
timing — I knew I couldn’t nave
watched any longer.
Todd was called and was asked
to describe his last evening with
Candi—a scene he has undoubt
edly replayed over and over again
in his mind. And in his heart.
I’m glad 1 didn’t go back. From all
accounts, it was a difficult afternoon.
Pat Harms testified and told of her
fear for her daughter. Knowing now
what happened to Candi, those fears
were certainly justified.
Todd was called and was asked to
describe his last evening with Candi
— a scene he has undoubtedly re
played over and over again in his
mind. And in his heart.
He struggled to speak through his
emotion and tears. Two jurors were
brought to tears — and understand
ably so.
At the time Candi disappeared,
they were in the honeymoon stage of
their relationship, as my friends al
ways call it. They were at that point
where everything about each other
was new and exciting, where they
wanted to be together all the time,
talking and walking, sharing thoughts,
dreams and kisses.
Their relationship had yet to be
tested, to weather any of the “newly
wed” storms. And it never will be.
Todd will never have the opportu
nity to fight with Candi about stupid
little things. They won’t get to bicker
about what todo for dinner or whether
or not he’s romantic enough or she’s
too possessive.
They will never have the chance to
do the making up, to hold hands in the
wintertime, to share a Christmas cel
ebration.
They won’t have the chance to
discover if they truly were “right” for
each other.
Someone robbed them of those
chances. According to the state pros
ecutors, two someoncs are responsi
ble; one of them stands accused this
week. Whether or not he is guilty
remains to be seen.
But one sure-fire certainty of this
case is that a young life filled with
love and promise was snuffed out. All
the hopes and dreams Candi Harms
had died with her, snuffed out in a fit
of freakish violence.
Certainly the rights of the accused
are important, as his rights represent
ours as well. His attorney told the jury
to put the tragedy aside and concen
trate on the facts — facts that will
point to Bjorklund’s guilt or inno
cence.
But there is one fact equally as
important as Bjorklund’s presump
tion of innocence: An innocent wom
an was killed.
That one tragic fact cannot be put
aside. Candi’s parents will have to
hold memories of their daughter close
to their hearts, since they will never
hold her again.
They will have to let go of their
hopes for her. Now she will never
finish college. She will never choose
a career, a husband, a home. She will
never have children. She will never
grow old.
Candi Harms is dead. Nothing this
trial does will ever change that. No
evidence will find it was all a mistake
and she’s just been busy somewhere
else. No evidence will show it was the
“humane” thing to do. No miracles
will occur.
Unless, of course, by some mira
cle, justice is served.
Stayer b a Mater Eegjbb aad history
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