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Thursday, October 19,1995 Page 4
Daily
Nebraskan
EditorialBoard
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
J. Christopher Haiti. Editor, 472-1766
Rainbow Rowell.Managing Editor
Mark Baldridge...Opinion Page Editor
DeDra Janssen.Associate News Editor
Doug Kouma.Arts & Entertainment Editor
JeffZeleny...Senior Reporter
Matt Woody.Senior Reporter
James Mehsling..Cartoonist
Too soon
Phillips’ return needs time
Way back in September, when Lawrence Phillips turned himself in
to authorities who were seeking him for the beating of a fellow student
athlete, Coach Tom Osborne didn’t even wait to hear his plea to
“dismiss” him from the team—so sure was he that the 220 pound I
back had done what witnesses later reported: dragged a former
girlfriend down a flight of stairs among other things.
Within days, however, the
dismissal had become a “sus
pension” and there was talk about
the conditions under which the
former Heisman Trophy candi
date might be allowed back on
the team.
“You never say never, but
he’s certainly got to get some
things accomplished,” Osborne
said. “There’s no time limit on
his suspension. Obviously, if he
did return, it would not be any
time real soon. He will not play
for quite a while, if at all.”
Many applauded
- „ Osborne’s handling of this po
ret ottschaii/DN tentially explosive situation,
while others questioned his sincerity—just what conditions would
allow this violent character to once again represent the university?
Osborne clarified a few days later: “I told Lawrence that he
definitely needs to have some sort of treatment where he can look at
how to control his anger. There are several things he has to get ironed
out. It’s possible that in a month or so, in the best-case scenario, he
could return.”
Some people felt this was too soon, that the issues raised about
Phillips’ behavior—and the responsibilities of coaching staffs toward
student athletes — had not been answered.
Still, it remained to be seen what kind of professional help Phillips
would receive.
The answer came shortly.
After a week of secrecy itwas revealed that Phillips hadspentthree
days at the prestigious Menninger Clinic, where Osborne said he
received “rather intensive counseling.”
Thus the stage was set to readmit Phillips to the team.
Three days of counseling are supposed to counter what Osborne
and Phillips’ own attorney have referred to repeatedly as a terrible
family background and repeated violent explosions.
Meanwhile, disturbing questions remain about Osborne’s previous
knowledge ofprior violence, or threats ofviolence, by Phillips—such
that he even offered, at one time, his home phone number to Phillips’
former girlfriend; the very person he has been found guilty of
attacking.
Obviously, if s just too soon.
Too soon to allow Phillips to return to play —while the athletic
department remains concerned enough for the safety of Phillips’
victim to offer her round-the-clock protection.
Too soon to pass Phillips off as somehow “cured”—three days in
Menninger is no panacea for a history of violence.
T oo soon to forget all the unanswered questions and looming doubts
that have arisen over what has been a very dark month for all of us.
Editorial policy
Staff editorials represent die official
policy of die Fall 1995 Daily Nebras
kan. Policy is set by the Daily Nebras
kan Editorial Board. Editorials do not
necessarily reflect the views of the
university, its employees, die students
or the Nil Board of Regents. Editorial
columns represent die opinion of the
author. The regents publish die Daily
Nebraskan. They establish the UNL
Publications Board to supervise the
daily production of the paper. Accord
ing to policy set by the regents, respon
sibility for the editorial content of die
newspaper lies solely in the hands of its
students.
Letter 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 mate
rial 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 re
turned. Anonymous submissions will not be pub
lished. Letters should include the author’s name, year
in school, major and group affiliation, if any. Re
quests to withhold names will not be granted. Submit
material to: Daily Nebraskan, 34 Nebraska Union,
1400 R St Lincoln, Neb. 68588-0448.
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Jamie Karl
In response to Jared Solomon’s
letter (Oct. 16) about the choice of
Jamie Karl as a columnist:
Although the articles written by
Karl were often bigoted, racially
biased, arcane, and outdated —just
to mention a few positive attributes
— I am sure that there is at least
one of the remaining 24,999 UNL
students (25,000 was Solomon’s
number, 24,999 excluding Karl)
who share Jamie Karl’s views.
Even though I am not one of
them, 1 commend Jamie for having
the courage to voice his opinions.
It was in his ability to spark
intelligent thought in others that
Karl showed at least some educa
tion.
Medea Harmann
Graduate student
Biology
Neldd ladies
It always brings a smile to my
face when the DN prints a letter in
which someone (most likely of the
female gender) complains of the
“dehumanizing” strip club ads
which “treat women like sex
objects.”
These strippers have chosen that
line of work. They entered employ
ment knowing what the require
ments of the job were, what was
expected of them, and what
methods their employers used to
bring in business.
If these women were uncomfort
able with any aspect of the job they
would have quit.
Money may or may not be a
factor they took into consideration
when picking a career.
But maybe (dare I say it?) these
women might actually enjoy their
job and appreciate the amount of
business walking in and out of the
club.
I, as a female reader of the DN,
do not feel as if the paper has
treated me with complete disre
gard.
Amoree Lovell
Senior
Broadcasting
Home for homeless
As a warm and compassionate
Nebraska citizen, I would like to
take this time to announce the
arrival of Lincoln’s newest home
less shelter.
It’s called the Nebraska Student
Union and is located on 14th and R
streets.
This fine facility features a
newly installed big screen televi
sion to give the homeless some
thing to look at while they do
absolutely nothing all day long.
There are vending and arcade
machines to scrounge for loose
change and even complimentary
trash bins providing three' meals a
day.
There may also be some young
college men and women milling
about in the shelter, but these are
just local riff-raff and their only
purpose is to be panhandled by he
homeless within.
Scotty Knutson
Sophomore
English
FreeT.P.
To Kwee Tew (Letters, Oct. 16)
on the misuse of toilet paper, my
sincere congratulations.
You have placed your finger on
the most pathetic, petty and
meaningless argument I have ever
heard.
If the villainous students you
speak of insist on “trashing their
front yards as a means of decora
tion” let me remind you that there
is indeed a viable solution:
Toilet paper hanging from tree
branches is still toilet paper —
come on over and clean up the
yard.
You’ll be doing me a favor —
but more importantly our environ
ment will be miraculously saved.
And you’ll have some free T.P. to
boot.
Craig Vacek
Sophomore
Biology
Bret Gottschall/DN
Send your brief letters to:
fs-\ the* Daily Nebraskan, 34 1
,,./u // /t/ Nebraska Union, 1400 R St.,
- Lincoln, Neb. 68588, or Fax
to (402) 472-1761, or email
cletters @ unlinfo.unl.edtL>
l L—_--- Letters must be signed and
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| JLXC Ul dOJVdll verification.
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