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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 2, 1996)
Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board University of Nebraska-Lincoln J. Christopher Hain.Editor, 472-1766 Doug Kouma.Managing Editor Doug Peters.Opinion Page Editor Sarah Scalet.Associate News Editor Matt Waite. Associate News Editor Michelle Garner.Wire Editor Jennifer Mapes.Columnist r i V1£U^IT HNaTO &0 SOItevJHEKE. J BretGottschall/DN Difference maker School jam supporters deserve thanks The School is Cool Jam continues to be a smashing success. Since its inception in 1992, the annual event encouraging elementary school students to make education a priority has grown dramatically. Five years ago, it was a small event involving a handful of UNL students and student-athletes and 300 local school children. On Monday, it featured a collection of Nebraska sports heroes and a near standing-room only crowd of 14,000 children. Such success doesn’t just happen. Congratulations and thanks arc in order to a number of parties. To the role models — not only student-athletes like Tommie Frazier, Michael Booker and Christy Johnson, but also those whose claim to fame is classroom excellence. To the organizers of the event—the UNL athletic department, the UNL chapter of the Golden Key Honor Society and the Lincoln Public Schools Department of Special Education. And, of course, to the sponsors — former UNL standouts and current professional football players Trev Alberts and Will Shields, • and corporate sponsors CablcVision, National Bank of Commerce, Lincoln Telephone, Nebraska State Department of Education and Runza. The combined efforts, talents and resources of all these groups and individuals result in a much-needed program for the state’s youth. And the efforts go beyond Lincoln. Today, another Jam will be held at Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte. Organizers expect about 2,000 kids to attend. Children growing up in Nebraska face a growing number of challenges — drug and alcohol use, teen pregnancy and juvenile crime, just to name a few. By reaching these children early in their school careers, the School is Cool Jam can give them a vision of what the future can hold. Positive messages delivered by influential people can provide inspiration for children to make the most of their young lives. It is encouraging to see people make a difference in the lives of youth. The School is Cool Jam does make a difference—just ask any of the 16,000 children who attended the two events this year. Editorial policy Staff editorials represent die official policy of the Spring 19% Daily Ne braskan. Policy is set by the Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board. Editorials do not necessarily reflect the views of the university, its employees, the stu dents or the NU Board of Regents. Editorial columns represent the opin ion of the author. The regents publish the Daily Nebraskan. They establish the UNL Publications Board to super vise 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 l ands of its students. I ■ ■ -■« Loner 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. Excommunication In the Daily Nebraskan editorial “Ultimatum,” a statement was made that the Lincoln Diocese should promote dialogue with the 12 groups whose “Catholic” members face excommunication. The simple truth is that the items that some of these groups wish to promote and autho rize, such as abortion, birth control, women priests, etc. are not matters that are negotiable because they are incompatible with the Catholic faith. Throughout its history, the Catholic Church’s beliefs and doctrines have been carefully preserved and protected by its hierarchical structure. The Church docs not operate as a democracy where its teachings and beliefs are “up for vote.” A Catholic cannot choose the teachings he wishes to follow and ignore those he dislikes or finds difficult. Rather, he must embrace and practice the faith in its entirety. Tracey Hcitz class of 1995 Lincoln Obey the Church Your editorial comments regard ing the local Roman Catholic bishop’s interdiction and threats of excommunication were shallow and perhaps just another attempt to confuse the public. The Roman Church is a small reflection of the true order of things and the way this hierarchical and authoritarian universe really works. We children here in the West forget that so-called liberal democracies are not the natural or normal order of things. Because of some greedy politi cians some time ago now, someone named Luther was successful in a nasty little revolt against this divinely established authority — the I Jason Gildow/DN Catholic Church. My question is, why do those with basic tenets so at odds with the Roman Church desire to continue to call themselves Catholics? Of course, we’ve all heard their answer, “But we LOVE the Church.” Fine. If you love the Church, OBEY IT! If not, believe me, the Protestants would love to have you join them. Fredrick Porter . Lincoln Bishop’s stance outdated ♦ It is rather disturbing to find medieval sentiments such as Karen M. Benes’ (‘“Cafeteria style’ Catholicism” March 27) alive and well in the Roman Catholic Church. Although she rejects “heretical” views and demands acceptance of all dogma (of which there is no complete listing), her own subjuga tion by the church is a heresy that goes by the name of fidcism. On the books of the church is a feudalistic hierarchy that is taken far too literally in our American legalistic society. Italian law is under the philosophy of “if it’s outdated, ignore it.” The church is not a lifeless hierarchy, but the Holy Spirit uniting a community. Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz obviously is trying to repress change, as all human institutions do. I can only hope that the Bishop and his diocese decide to include themselves in this post Vatican II laity movement and stop treating parishioners like mindless serfs. Charity H. Dredge Creighton University Facing reality In r'n editorial “Rape reality” (March 29), I cannot agree more. First of all, it is very saddening that although most of us in our society look down upon rape, it is still as prevalent as it is. Unfortunately, I think a lot of people turn their heads, and don’t pay attention to what a serious crime it is. Rape ruins so many lives, both physically and psychologically. Although I think it is still necessary to teach women how to protect . themselves, I do agree that the problem lies within men. Guys, what’s the problem? One-third of us “would COMMIT rape if they definitely could escape detection.” That horrid statistic places shame and disgrace upon our entire sex. To me, a rapist, or anyone who would consider committing rape is a worthless, disgraceful coward who doesn’t deserve to bear the title of being a man. I wish all rape victims would report the crime. Like Bob Ray, I too wish that there was a way to make these so-called “men” endure the hell that lies within each and every victim. Dan Payzant freshman elementary education i ...to the Nebraskar 4 Send your brief letters to: Daily Nebraskan, 34 Nebraska Union, 1400 R St., Lincoln, Neb. 68588, or Fax to (402) 472-1761, or email cletters @ unlinfo.unl.edu.> Letters must be signed arid I include a phone number for L verification.