Opinion
Tuesday, November 29,1994 Page 4
Nebraskan
Editorial Board
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
JeffZeleny.Ettitor. 472-1766
Kara Morrison.Opinion Page Editor
Angie Brunkow..Managing Editor
Jeffrey Robb.Associate News Editor
Rainbow Rowell.Columnist/Associate News Editor
Mike Lewis.Copy Desk Chief
James Mehsling.....Cartoonist
Tragic implications
Proposition 187’s victims indicate flaws
The first casualties of California's Proposition 187 have oc
curred.
Last week, a Hispanic man's son died when the father was so
frightened of the proposition's implications that he failed to get his
son medical help. Other illegal immigrants arc staying away from
medical centers in droves.
Unfortunately, Californians arc finally seeing the real results of
a quick fix idea.
California does have a legitimate problem of funding medical
and school tabs for thousands of illegals in the state. They arc also
not out of line to insist on federal aid for their immigration situa
tion. But denying medical assistance and schooling to illegal
immigrants has proved inhumane and even fatal.
And although proponents of the proposition deny that it has
racist implications, it is clear that Hispanics in California arc being
unfairly targeted by the proposition. Legal Hispanics are frequently
being asked to produce their green cards on site — a demand to
which one man promptly produced his American Express.
Yet, one of the largest groups of illegal immigrants in California
other than Hispanics is Canadians. School teachers and doctors,
however, are not pinpointing Canadian children as illegals and
throwing them out of hospital emergency rooms and schools
because they don't look ‘foreign’ — particularly Hispanic.
The proposition is on hold pending a decision by California’s
courts. Hopefully, they will rule the proposition null and void, and
California, along with other states, will find better ways of han
dling immigration.
A bitter pill
Criticism is part of politician’s job
Newt Gingrich can’t get enough media coverage.
Or, at least, that was the appearance he gave until an editorial
cartoon by The Atlanta Constitution's Mike Luckovich ran on
Nov. 7.
The cartoon showed Gingrich with two racily dressed women,
labeled “D C. high rollers,” at the hospital bed of a sick woman
labeled “Georgia constituents.” Gingrich says, “1 want a divorce.”
The cartoon ran the day before this year's general election and
makes reference to an incident where Gingrich visited his first wife
in the hospital to discuss details of their divorce.
Reacting to the cartoon, Gingrich banned The Constitution from
covering him in the future, until it runs an apology and retraction.
While the cartoon is somewhat questionable with its takc-no
prisoners selection of subject, it seems almost appropriate when
Gingrich's similar attitude toward his foes is considered.
Gingrich's indignation over the cartoon has garnered him even
more national press attention But the barbs will get even sharper
when Gingrich becomes Speaker of the House of Representatives
in January.
He should quit complaining and accept the fact that criticism is
just part of the job.
Staff editorials represent the official policy of the Fall 1994 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 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 regents, responsibility for the editorial content of the newspaper lies solely in the hands of
its students.
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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
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itthold names will not be granted. Submi I material to the Daily
. 1400 R St.. Lincoln. Neb. 68588-0448.
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Cars should holdowner’s junk
In 18 days, I will receive my
Bachelor of Journalism degree from
the news-editorial department of
the College of Journalism and Mass
Communications at the University
of Ncbraska-Lincoln.
That sounds good, but I need a
job. I guess I shouldn't complain
too much about not having a job
because I have only sent out two
resumes.
I just can’t seem to Find any
good jobs to apply for.
1 know the perfect career for me,
however. A design specialist for
one of the big three car makers.
Mind you, I know nothing about
designing cars. I know more than
most of my female friends about
cars, but I know about the motors,
not the designs. *
But, as a friend recently brought
to my attention, I spend more time
in my car than is natural. It’s true. I
run a lot of errands, and I drive
when I’m upset.
So who better to decide what
amenities should be standard in a
car?
American car makers do a better
job with amenities than most
foreign car makers They at least
remember the cup holders. I really
like cup holders.
If I had cup holders (my car was
made in Korea), I would use them
for Pepsi cans — which brings me
to the first piece of standard
equipment 1 would design: A
recycling center.
There are dozens of Pepsi cans
on the floor of my car. I feel guilty
throwing them away when 1 get to
where I'm going, and I seldom
remember them by the time I get
home. So they live in harmony on
the floor of my car with all of the
Daily Nebraskans I also keep there.
Newspapers of all kinds habitu
ate in my car. They could also use
/ run a lot of errands, and I drive
when l’m upset. So who better to
decide what amenities should be
standard in a car?
the recycling center.
Next, I would be sure to include
undcr-thc-scat drawers for all of the
spare clothing loitering in my car.
Currently, there are two sweat
ers. three jackets, a pair of pants
and a blue Jockey bra. I really don’t
remember how the bra got there,
but I’m sure it’s not what you’re
thinking. I once had a man’s belt in
the back seat that I really couldn’t
explain. But that’s off the subject
A cooler that doesn’t need ice
would be nice. I realize that a lot of
naughty people would use this
device for beer, but that’s not my
intent.
I was thinking about a place to
put my lipsticks, so I don't keep
melting the dam things.
I don’t wear makeup very often.
About the only time I think about
putting on lipstick is just as I’m
pulling up to wherever I’m going I
decided one day to just keep the
tube in my car.
It seemed logical up to the time
when I found it melted all over my
little cubby hole. One would think I
would have given up that idea, but I
have successfully melted five tubes,
one on my passenger scat. Will I
ever learn?
The answer to that question is
obviously no, since I’m 99.9
percent sure there is a tube in there
now.
An optional item that 1 would
pay extra for would be a craft
storage center. It defies all logic,
but 1 nave three unfinished cross
stitch projects in the trunk of my
car.
I feel compelled to explain why
they are there, but I can’t for the
life of me dream anything up. It’s
more of a mystery than the bra.
Last, but of course not least,
would be a telephone.
Pay phones are so hard to find
and generally outside. Try having a
conversation on a phone outside on
Cornhusker Highway. It ain’t easy.
Car phones or cellulars should
be standard equipment. They are
practical for students who travel
home for weekends and holidays.
What if you have an accident?
Don't think a friendly trucker is
going to stop and forget about the
State Patrol.
I just want one so I can find out
what time Target opens and if Taco
Bell takes checks. But if you sec my
dad, tell him about the other stuff,
OK?
The next time you’re shopping
for a car and you sec some strange
piece of standard equipment, you’ll
know that someone actually hired
me. Cool.
Arthur la a arnlor news-editorial major
and a Dally Nebraskan column!*!.
The Daily Nebraskan wants to hear from you. If you
want to voice your opinion about an article that
appears in the newspaper, let us know. Just write a
A brief letter to the editor and sign it (don’t forget your
J student ID number) and mail it to the Daily Nebras
kan, 34 Nebraska Union, 1400 R Street, Lincoln, NE
68588-0448, or stop by the office in the basement of
the Nebraska Union and visit with us. We’re all cars.