OPIN^ Nebraskan
1 XI 1 XvaI 1 Thursday, December 9,1993
Nebraskan
Editorial Board
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Jeremy Fitzpatrick.Editor, 472-1766
Kathy Steinauer.Opinion Page Editor
Wendy Mott.*.7.Managing Editor
Todd Cooper. .Sports Editor
Chris llopfensperger. .C°Py Desk Chief
Kim Spurlock.. .Sower Editor
Kiley Timperlev.Senior Photographer
We need NASA
America should continue exploring space
The Hubble Space Telescope received the most expensive
eye operation in history Wednesday. It is hoped the repairs
will allow the telescope to see into the mysteries of the
universe.
At a time when NASA is accused of no longer being vital to
the United States, the Hubble repairs provided the space agency
with a breath of relief. But the question still is whether the
exploration of space is a goal we can afford.
While finding the answer to the mysteries of the universe is
worthwhile, that effort must be balanced against pressing domes
tic challenges. The United States cannot spend what it once did on
space exploration.
But the space program should not be abandoned. The benefits
from the United States’ efforts in space arc countless. The techno
logical innovations generated by NASA have improved the
quality of our lives.
There are other benefits as well. Space can provide an outlet in
an increasingly crowded world. There is nowhere to go but up.
The United States can no longer afford to pursue the stars as
aggressively as it once did. Disappointments and setbacks must be
endured. But we also must not abandon efforts in space.
The exploration of space is one of the next steps in the evolu
tion of man.
Space efforts are difficult and expensive. They require the
wisdom of a people capable of seeing long-range benefits. But
they arc worth the financial sacrifices they require. We can delay
the exploration of space, but we cannot avoid it.
Whose values :
Media not responsible for state ofsociety
President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore separate
ly have defended former Vice President Dan Quayle’s
criticism of single motherhood, and Clinton lectured
entertainment-world leaders about the need for more positive role
models in movies and on television at a recent Beverly Hills
fund-raiser.
An Associated Press story about these comments asks, “What’s
going on here?”
Critics are saying that while Clinton was quick to criticize
Quaylc last year, now he’s suddenly an advocate of family values.
But the important issue is not that Clinton and Quayle seem to
have something in common. The issue should be that Clinton is
focusing at the messenger rather than the message.
Clinton is wrong to think that because Hollywood portrays
negative role models, movies and television arc responsible for
US. social problems. In the infamous case of “Murphy Brown,”
television is simply reflecting reality.
Clinton should spend more time trying to fix problems with his
governmental powers than wanting movies and television to
introduce positive characters. Regardless of the characters and
programs on television, problems like single motherhood, crime
and welfare will continue.
In an interview with Newsweek, Clinton said, “Wouldn’t we be
a better-off society if the babies in this country were bom to
married couples? You bet we would.”
Perhaps the president is right. Regardless, the reality is that
many babies are not bom to married couples. The president and
the rest of the government and society should face this reality and
try to improve our country through the powers they do have,
rather than concentrating on what the ideal situation would be.
The ideal situation is not reality.
SUIT editorials represent the official policy of the Fall 1993 Daily Nebraskan. Policy is set by
the Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board. Editorials do not necessarily reflect the views of the
university, iU employees, the students or theNU 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
theregenU, responsibility for the editorial content of the newspaper lies solely in the hands of
its 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 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.
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Children
In the past we had decided not to
expend time or energy on responding
to Pat Hambrecht. This letter is not in
direct response to his column (DN,
Dec. 7), as he is obviously not worth
the effort, but to other people who arc
more capable of critical thought.
We are two women who have indi
vidual ideas and desires about our
reproductive futures. One of us is
single with possible plans to have a
child in her future, and the other is a
married woman who has chosen to
remain child-free. What Hambrecht
holds to be the meaning of human life,
having children, both of us find to be
threatening and degrading to all wom
en, regardless of their child status.
Hambrecht doesn’t acknowledge
the physical sacrifice and transforma
tion women must undergo during preg
nancy and child rearing. The time and
energy required of the man during
procreation is limited to30 seconds of
ejaculation. The man has the option to
walk away anytime, including during
the nine months of pregnancy and
anytime during child rearing. He has
fulfilled his meaning of life by pass
ing along his genes in one fell swoop.
What Hambrecht succeeds in do
ing, in one fell swoop, is to devalue
everyone. Children are reduced in
meaning to genetic material, men are
only as good as their fertility, and
women are only worth their reproduc
tive output.
The claim that “no matter what, a
human life is pointless without pro
ducing children” is contradicted by
the very existence of our academic
studies. Was Emily Dickinson’s life
pointlesseven though she had no chil
dren? What is emphasized in history
books about Abraham Lincoln? His
parental status?
Could it be Hambrecht has really
answered the age-old question of the
meaning of life? If it is as obvious as
he makes out, why has it stumped
humanity for centuries? Why have so
many art ists, musicians, ph ilosophers,
writers, poets — everybody — dedi
cated so much of their time and ener
gy in pursuing this age-old question?
Hambrecht has given us his reduc
tionist and simplistic philosophy of
1 ife. We prefer a more complex, broad
and enduring philosophy of what con
stitutes meaning in our lives. Happy
procreating.
Thelma Ross
senior
women’s studies
Nell Eckersley
senior
women’s studies
Mother Teresa
I would like to commend the Daily
Nebraskan for printing the story and
photographs on Mother Teresa (DN,
Nov. 30). It gives us hope in mankind
to hear of such charitable works tak
ing place all over the world. Mother
Teresa and her order provide an in
credible example for us all to follow:
unselfish behavior, love for neighbor
and perseverance for what is right all
being rooted in faith.
Thank you for recognizing this
modern-day saint and model for all.
Amy Kamphaus
senior
secondary education
James Mehsling/DN
Student regents
I’m glad the student regents arc so
on top of issues important to their
constituents, like demanding they
personally get to go to the Orange
bowl at university expense. Boy, that’s
showing them! Meanwhile, the regu
lar student football seats are still in
Dougl as Coun ty, aren ’ t they? No. I’m
sorry, that’s student parking. Student
football seating is in the basement of
Oldfathcr Hall.
The one unfortunate thing about
A SUN presidents not running for a
second term is that we cannot vote
against them in huge numbers.
Trevor McArthur
senior
teachers college
Fijis
I’m very frustrated and disturbed
with the portrayal of the Fiji house.
The investigation is supposed to seek
the truth and cover both sides of the
accidental tragedy.
The first priority is the health, safety
and continued improvement of Jeff’s
health. No one feels worse about this
accidental tragedy than the young
men directly involved.
The third priority is seeking the
truth in the investigation so that it
docs not occur again at the Fiji house,
other houses on campus and houses
across the nation.
No person is perfect, we ’re human,
and no house is perfect because a
house is only as good as the collec
tive, diverse members that are affili
ated with the house.
The Fiji house in Lincoln has a rich
history and is traditionally strong.
The house has molded individuals to
become better, think for themselves
and be responsible members of the
community.
I do not appreciate righteous indi
viduals putting themselves on a ped
estal and being judgmental when they
have their own closets to clean. The
Treaty of Versailles comes to mind.
The proud current members and
alumni who have done nothing wrong
and know the difference between right
and wrong and who have high moral
standards will continue to hold our
heads high while at the same time
being humble for the gifts we have
been blessed with. We will continue
to support Jeff in his recovery. Wc
hope justice prevails.
Todd Unde land
senior
marketing
Feminism
Thank you, Kathy Stcinauer, for
your insightful article on feminism
(DN, Dec. 7). Just recently, during a
conversation with a friend, the fact
that I consider myself a feminist came
up. The reaction 1 received was one of
disbelief. You are right about the neg
ative stereotypes associated with this
movement, many of which came about
during the conservative ’80s and are
perpetuated by Rush Limbaugh to
day.
Yet 1 have a hard time understand
ing what is so wrong about wanting
equality. I do not believe women arc
better than men. I do believe women
deserve the same opportunities and
salaries as our male counterparts. If
that can only be achieved through
activism, awareness and law, so be it.
Jennifer Walters
senior
art history
Christmas
This year, as in years past, the true
cause for celebration this time of year
is taking the back seat to shopping,
holiday specials and football.
We would be well to remember
that the first six letters in Christmas
are not “Target,” but “Christ.” Like
wise, the greatest present to be found
lies not under a Christmas tree, but in
a manger. Especially this time of year,
he should not come first in name only
but for those of us who identify our
selves with him. I believe he beckons
us to rise above the secularly of this
season and prayerfully consider giv
ing our father this greatest gift one can
give — ourselves.
Brian Schwarz
junior
English
