Opinion
Wednesday, April 17,1996 Page 4
Daily
Nebraskan
Editorial Board
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
J. Christopher Haiti.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
James Mehsling/DN
Living histoiy
Holocaust survivor teaches lessons
It would be hard to challenge Elie Wiesel’s point of'View on
fanaticism. History has made him right.
Wiesel won a Nobel Peace Prize. He wrote “Night,” a book about
his experiences at the hands of Nazis during World War II.
He survived the Holocaust.
For that reason alone, his words about fanaticism carry more
weight. Even now, 50 years after the end of WWII, his wisdom
bears great importance on society.
And it should be that way.
The scars of history teach the greatest lessons, and Wiesel bears
some of the 20th century’s worst. We all should take heed to his
words like children to their parents.
Unfortunately, fanaticism still exists in our world. “Genocide,” a
word spawned by the very horror Wiesel survived, is still part of
headlines all over the worid.
Bosnia. Rwanda. Names that will go down in history books with
that word, genocide.
Wiesel says genocide is the result of fanaticism. Fanaticism is
when one group takes their beliefs too far.
Fanaticism breeds a feeling of superiority. Superiority breeds
knowledge — a distorted knowledge — that turns into power.
And power is dangerous.
Like in Nazi Germany. Like in Bosnia.
If the world were to listen to Elie Wiesel like children — with
open minds and open eyes — the world would be a better place.
The world would be a safer place.
Wiesel is living history, something to be treasured. We all should
listen to his wisdom before he is no longer able to teach the lessons
that need to be taught.
Acceptance. Anti-fascism. Anti-fanaticism. Human rights.
“One right I won’t grant anyone is the right to be indifferent.”
Teach on, Mr. Wiesel. Hopefully, we will listen.
Editorial policy
Staff editorials represent the official
policy of the Spring 1996 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
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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
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,
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Nebraskan retains the right to edit or reject all material
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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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i '
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Horrendous!
Whether one agrees, disagrees or
is indifferent to Bishop Bruskcwitz’s
controversial edict, I found the
“political cartoon” in today’s DN to
‘ be an example of extreme poor taste.
Pam Murray
Coordinator, Center for Grass
land Studies and Center for
Sustainable Agricultural Systems
Outrageous!
I have had it. This outrage you
call a newspaper has gone way too
far. The cartoon, if you can call it
that, on yesterday’s editorial page
was not only an outrage but very
crude, incorrect and offensive.
Bishop Bruskewitz wants to bring
his flock back to Jesus. Whether you
agree or disagree with him, the
Bishop only wants what is best for
his people. Through Catholic
definition of original sin, Catholics
must follow the ways of Jesus Christ.
The Bishop felt that some members
of the flock were not doing that and
asked them to change their minds or
leave the flock. You are a Catholic
by choice; if you do not like the
rules, then go somewhere else.
To close, I am deeply outraged by
the blasphemy that you spread about
my faith, and I am even more
embarrassed to read the DN. Please
in the future, avoid covering topics
that you do not understand.
John P. Hogg
junior
political science
Egregious!
The DN supports censoring a
display of a U.S. flag wrapped
around a toilet. A newspaper
1
Brel Gottschail/DN
supporting censorship — how ironic.
I would assume that such a bold and
hypocritical move would come with
good reasoning, but it doesn’t. The
DN argues that the First Amendment
has been abused by going beyond
the “bounds of respectability.”
The DN seems to have lost sight
of how the country our flag repre
sents has gone beyond the “bounds
of respectability.” How respectable
was it for Americans to brutally
murder 14 million Native Americans
and then herd the survivors like
animals into “reservations”? We also
bought and sold human beings.
Today, old glory represents a
country that boasts of having the
best medical system in the world
while tolerating a significantly
higher infant mortality rate than
Cuba. And how respectable is a
country that holds back its people to
maintain the doctrine of bigotry
through racism, sexism and hetero
sexual supremacy?
America defecates on its people.
In protest, Americans can and should
return tne tavor symbolically. It s a
shame that the DN doesn’t agree.
I’m now going to wrap the DN
around my toilet.
Andy Bossclman
junior
advertising
Looks like
it worked
I’ve never had much respect for
the opinions of the Daily Nebraskan
editorial staff, but now they’re really
clutching at straws.
Tuesday’s “Flag Defamation”
column was a cheap attempt to raise
a discussion on a controversial issue.
In fact, I’m disgusted with myself for
even bothering to write in. But, for
the record, the U.S. flag is little
more than colored fabric and is an
excellent substitute for toilet paper.
Kevin Gregorius
junior
broadcasting
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