DEBATE from page 1 From there, the candidates criti cized each other about the amount the other was cutting and where the cuts were coming from. Whenever the candidates agreed about where a cut should come from, they disagreed over how much and when the cuts should be made. Nelson charged that Hagel’s num bers didn’t add up. Hagel shot back, saying Nelson’s math was flawed. The pingpong match of accusations contin ued to the end. The candidates could not even agree on which numbers to start from — and used the other’s source as a point of attack. Hagel used numbers from the Republicans, Nelson used the controversial Congressional Budget Office’s numbers. When the candidates weren’t quib bling over budget numbers, they were charging each other with partisan poli tics. Hagel tried to tie Nelson to President Clinton, while Nelson said Hagel had an insider mentality. Even after Nelson said in his open ing comments that partisanship should be ignored, the candidates had a lively exchange over each other’s party ties. The trouble started over a question about how much influence a first-term senator could have. Hagel said he would be a majority senator under a Republican Congress and would be given more power. He also said his values were incorporated in his party, unlike Nelson’s. Nelson responded, saying Hagel had already surrendered his judgement to the Republican party’s leadership. “This is one of the clear differences between my opponent and I,” Nelson said. “He’s given his proxy to his party leaders and I have refused to do that.” Hagel said Nelson’s wards sounded nice, but said Nelson’s first vote would be to organize the Senate—which is a vote made along party lines. Nelson closed by saying the time for political bickering must end and that Americans deserved better from the Senate. He then went on to criticize Hagel for partisanship. In his closing, Hagel emphasized his real-world experience as a business man. He also repeated his belief that this election is critical. “A United States senator’s job is about vision, about doing it right and about saying it straight,” he said. “If I didn’t think this country was on the brink of a golden age, I wouldn't be doing it. “I think it’s worth it.” Illiteracy ails Lincoln residents Peter Marhoefer StaffReporter Picture 76,000 screaming Comhusker fans chanting “Go Big Red” in Memorial Stadium. Now imagine that 15,200, or 20 percent of them, can’t spell these three simple words. One in five Lincoln residents is functionally illiterate according to the Lincoln Literacy Council, a United Way agency. Lois Poppe, director of the Lit eracy Council, said illiteracy ap plied to people who had problems functioning with daily life because of poor basic reading and writing skills. On Sunday, International Lit eracy Day, the council gave books to new mothers to encourage them ii Illiteracy is a no win for everybody. ” Lois Poppe director of the Lincoln Literacy Council to read to their children to prevent illiteracy. Men and women of all ages and varied backgrounds are illiterate, Poppe said, but immigrants, refu gees, people with learning disabili ties and elderly, uneducated people are the most affected. “Illiteracy is a no-win for every body,” Poppe said. According to the council, people with reading and writing limitations earn 42 percent less than a literate person and $8 billion is lost in tax revenue every year because of illit eracy. Another $5 billion in taxes support people who are illiterate. Illiteracy can also lead to time in prison, Poppe said, because some people tire of being shut out of op portunities because they can’t read and write so they turn to crime for survival. Poppe said friends of illiterate people should help them identify their problem and seek help. Poppe said the Lincoln Literacy Council offered confidential half-hour screenings where they assess skills and set goals. The council needs volunteers to tutor for one hour a week. Tutoring is done at churches, community cen ters and libraries in Lincoln. Inter ested volunteers can call 476 READ, IDon't miss this award • winning stage production that continues to thrill audiences around the world. Dance, mime, music and technical effects combine to recount an epic tale of good, evil and the fight for mankind. Experience the drama, experience the triumph, experience The Masterpiece, an event for the entire family. J|P A W AM U&& Center • Tuesday • September 17th • 7:00 P.m/N Tickets Available at the Lied Center Box Office • 472-4747 ^1 Sponsored by: Dietrich Printing Company, DaVmci's Restaurants, JCM Electric Inc., Bryant Air Conditioning , KCRO Radio Omaha and Chi Alpha Campus Ministries. . — — ' Tty Papa's Late-Night Campus Special Any large single topping pizza DELIVERED for only $5.99 from 9pm until Close. Not valid with any other offer. Customer pays applicable sales tax. Technology Park kicks off construction of‘incubator’ By Erin Schulte Senior Reporter Nebraska’s new home for high-tech compa nies looking for a place to expand the future of technology began Friday with a few shovels full of dirt. Ground-breaking for the $2 million, 22,000 'square foot main building at the University of 'Nebraska-Lincoln Technology Park took place at 11 a.m. Friday at the 135-acre site north of : interstate 80 near Highlands Boulevard. Lt. Gov. Kim Robak, NU President Dennis ; Smith, UNL Chancellor James Moeser and Lin coln Mayor Mike Johanns attended the cer ;^mony to kick off the construction of the tech nology development center, sometimes referred to as the “incubator” building. Theresa Klein, director of public relations at the University of Nebraska Foundation, said the addition was nicknamed incubator because it would house growing businesses. The businesses will be involved in techno logical transfers between the university and the private sector, Klein said. One communications technology corporation, Transcrypt Interna tional, already occupies a 10-acre site at the park. The Technology Park idea was dreamed up in the late 1980s, Klein said, as a venture with UNL, the city and technology businesses. Klein said UNL students would benefit from the park because the businesses may offer them more internships and jobs. In return, the businesses will use the univer sity for continuing education for their employ ees and access to research facilities. Lincoln will profit from money the businesses bring to the city and state. iHusker fans get fired up before jNASCAR unveiling Friday night - NASCAR from page 1 j f Moeser and Gov. Ben Nelson. All made brief speeches to the crowd. Nelson, dressed in a red sport coat and briefly Wearing a red and white striped “Cat-In-The !