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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 14, 1995)
Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board University of Nebraska-Lincoln JeffZeleny.....Editor, 472-1766 Jeff Robb.Managing Editor Matt Woody.Opinion Page Editor DeDra Janssen....Associate News Editor Rainbow Rowell. .Arts & Entertainment Editor James Mehsling.Cartoonist Chris Hain.Senior Reporter True grit Clinton shows rare initiative with peso aid The Peso plummeted. And Bill Clinton went down after it. Earlier this month, the president sidestepped Congress and bailed out the moribund Mexican currency. The Mexican government is cheering the move of an American president who, within his own country, has seemed powerless since the November election. But this time, when the Republican-controlled Congress appeared unwilling to support this initiative, Clinton made his own move. Clinton loaned $40 billion, made up of money from a fund he controlled and from help from the International Monetary Fund, to save the Mexican peso, which had been devalued in December. Clinton said his maneuver was necessary to stop a rush ofjobs south . of the border and to protect American exports. Clinton’s maneuverhas its share of critics. Many people would like to see the money used within the country’s borders. It won’t be known for a while whether Mexico can get its financial house in order, but if it does, Clinton’s aid might make Mexico more willing to help solve problems such as illegal immigration and the smuggling of drugs across the border. If nothing else Clinton’s bailout showed that the president might have a few tricks up his sleeve. At least in foreign policy, initiative isn’t something we’ve seen a lot of. And if the move does pay off, it could be a positive step for the country and for Clinton. Name that tune Talk radio becomes powerfulpolitical tool How do our government officials work? We all know about traditional means—like lobbying, polling and holding town-hall meetings—that our representatives use to get what they want and to see what their constituents want. In the 1990s, talk radio has emerged as a powerful tool for politicians, allowing them to reach a larger audience at once. It also has become a powerful tool for others to have their voice heard, whether it be Joe Q. Public or special-interest groups. Many politicians, including President Clinton, have complained about the ever-increasing influence that radio commentators are acquiring. Perhaps most criticized has been conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh. Now it seems that politicians are changing their tune some. According to a Newsweek magazine, before Clinton ordered the bailout of the Mexican peso, a White House meeting between himself, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, House Speaker Newt Gingrich and other congressional leaders contained the following: A recommendation by Gingrich that the best way to gamer support for the bailout was to get the backing of Limbaugh. Greenspan contacted the host, but Limbaugh didn’t buy it; Clinton went ahead with the bailout anyway. This incident is a strange commentary on the power of talk radio, or rather, the perception our government has of it. Instead of going to the people for support, which in theory should get those people’s congressmen to sign on, our government officials went to a radio personality. Rush Limbaugh does not hold an elected office, apointhe has made many times. It is sad to see our government turning away from its people again, but ridiculous to see it turning to a celebrity. editorial policy Staff editorials represent the official i policy of the Spring 1995. Daily Nebraskan. Policy is set by the Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board Editori als do ootnecessarily re fleet the views of the university, its employees, the studentsortheNUBoardofRegents. Editorial columns represent the opin ion of the author. The regents publish the Daily Nebraskan. They establish the UNL Publications Board to su pervise the daily production of the paper. According to policy set by the regents, responsibility for the edito rial content of the newspaper lies solely in the hands of its students. Utter policy 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 ma terial as guest opinions. The editor decides whether material should run as a guest opinion. Leilas and guest opinions sent to the newspaper become the property of the Daily Nebraskan and cannot be returned Anonymous submissions will not be pub lished Letters should included die author’s name, year in school, major and group affiliation, if any. Requests to withhold names will not be granted Submitmaterialtothe Daily Nebraskan, 34Nebraska Union, 1400 R St, Lincoln, Neb. 68588-0448. mn tuM$ iDKH KtUl | - ' riwifiif yffi Appointed regents I must admit, the likeness of me in a Superman outfit is more than a little amusing and strengthens my resolve to stick to my workout schedule. But the Daily Nebraskan’s editorial (Feb. 9) characterizing LR29CA as a personal “power trip” is more than a little misleading. The issues in making the Board of Regents an appointed, instead of elected, group have nothing to do with politics and power. They have everything to do with accountabil ity and good governance. How can it be a power trip when it would not be possible for me to make any of the appoint ments? LR29CA would not go to the voters until 1996, and the first appointment would not happen until after my term as governor is over. \ This idea has not been prompted by any person, institution, interest group or controversy. A bipartisan citizens group recommended the switch more than a decade ago. I have personally been considering it for at least two years. We would be following the lead of 45 other states that have fully or partially elected Boards of Regents. In most of these states, the appointments are made by the governor. Those concerned about the impact LR29CA would have on board members who disagree with the governor need look no further than our state’s other higher education boards. I have appointed members to the Postsecondary Coordinating Commission and the State College Board, and both are functioning well. I agree with the Daily Nebraskan’s assertion that the people of the state shouldn’t be Brel Gottschall/DN fooled. And the truth is that LR29CA will lead to a better University of Nebraska. E. Benjamin Nelson Governor Spoiled dog Cindy Lange-Kubick’s column about her spoiled dog was the funniest thing I’ve read in a long time. Rest assured, Cindy, you are not the only “doggie mommie” out there who slips toast under the table to a four-legged eating machine. Our 10-year-old mixed breed, Muppet, is equally spoiled. Muppy Dog has his own end of the couch — people must scoot over, because Mup has to have “his” spot while he’s Watching TV. He too would steal a greasy chicken bone if your back was turned. He is definitely well-fed, no question about it. Mupper is particularly fond of M&M’s, and comes running when he hears the1 little arm of the M&M’s man go down. Aside from all this foolishness, Mup is my constant companion, my sounding board, my protector when I’m alone at night and my best friend! Mary Ann Holland Greek Affairs office Christian intolerance Abortion holocaust, abortion holocaust! If I read one more letter to the editor referring to die abortion holocaust I think I will scream. How dare the anti-choice movement belittle the Holocaust by comparing it to abortion? Abortion is a woman’s choice. Choice is the issue. I don’t care if you don’t agree with the choice because it simply is not your business. Do I bomb your churches? Do I threaten your ministers? Do I copy down your friends’ and family’s license plate numbers and proceed to harass them with threatening phone calls? Do members of the pro-choice movement kill people who don’t agree with their views? No. Military/violent action was necessary to halt the extermination of an entire segment of the popula tion in order to stop the holocaust; By comparing abortion to the holocaust, you are inciting vio lence. This, I suppose, is a logical solution for Christians when you consider their historic intolerance and bigotry — the Crusades, the Inquisition and their historic persecution of Jews are just a few examples. Heather Tunender senior English The Daily Nebraskan wants to hear from you. If you want to voice your p tttt 'i. -rj 1 opinion about an article just write a brief letter to the editor and sign it (don't i S WntP forget your student ID number) and mail it to the Daily Nebraskan, 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. -