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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 12, 1996)
EDITOR Doug Kouma OPINION EDITOR Anne Hjersman EDITORIAL BOARD Doug Peters Matt Waite Paula Lavigne Mitch Sherman BethNarans SB&giK&isSL Senate bowed out on same-sex vote With the disposition of a sick child in a hospital waiting room or a football fan in church on Super Bowl Sunday, Congress has put on its “I’d rather be fishing” hat Fishing for votes, of course. Its actions this week are evidence of that. With Tuesday’s passage of the “De- ,, fense of Marriage Act” ••_ and the rejection of a bill that would have 7/* Q+nn diner banned discrimination Sianaing against homosexuals in up for civil the workplace, the Sen- & ' ate has bowed to elec- rights is an tion-year posturing. That the Senate endorse would give its stamp of approval to legislation JTICnt Of denying homosexuals the same rights and OJiy benefits as married het- 7» foetalo 9 erosexual couples is Ll/SSiyie, "Tut that it refused ^t it be OIK the anti-discrimination 0f equality * bill — saying that dis crimination is, in fact, justified in some in stances — is unconscionaoie. Sen. Edward Kennedy, a chief sponsor of the anti-discrimination measure, said the bill was in line with civil rights legislation that has protected women, minorities and the disabled from prejudice in the workplace. Such rights should be available to all “Wfc have a rea%iflipoitiftit opportunity to turn bur back on bigotry, to turn our back on intolerance and to turn our back on dis crimination,” Kennedy said. Indeed, the Senate had such an opportu nity, but for whatever reason, it squandered the chance to stand up for the rights of all Americans. Some said die anti-discrimination bill represented a “massive increase in federal power” If saying no to discrimination in any form constitutes “big government,” then let gov ernment grow huger Some said the bill would endorse a “ho mosexual lifestyle.” If standing up for civil rights is an en dorsement of any “lifestyle,” let it be one of equality. Some said the bill would elevate homo sexuals to a “special protective status by the federal government” If creating an equal playing field in die workplace provides protective status to any one, let it apply to all. In this election year, same-sex marriage and gay rights havebecome “hot button” top ics. America's leadens in Washington have successfully capitalized on that It's a shame they did so at the expense of a group of citizens who seek only the same rights every other American already has. Editorial Policy Unsigned editorials die the opinions of the Fall1996Daily Nebraskan. They do not nec essarily reflect the views of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln,,its employees, its stu dent body or the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. A column is soley the opinion of its author. The Board of Regents serves as publisher of the Daily Nebraskan; policy is set by the Daily Nebraskan Edito rial Board. The UNL Publications Board, es tablished by the regents, supervises the pro duction of the newspaper. AccorfBng to policy set by die regents, responsibility for the editorial content of the newspaper lies solely in the hands ofits student employees. Letter Policy The Daily Nebraskan welcomes brief let ter to the editor and guest columns, but does not guarantee their publication. The Daily Nebraskan retains the right to edit arrqectany material submitted. Submit ted material becomes the property of the Daily Nebraskan and cannot be returned. Anonymous submissions will not be published. Those wtto submit letters must identify themselves by name, year in school major and/or group affiha tion, if any. Submit material to: Daily Ne braskan, 34 Nebraska Union, 1400RSL Lincoln, Neb. 68588-0448. E-mail: letters 0unhnfo.unl.edu. Don’t cast aside your right to vote Editor’s Note: This guest column was written by Congress man Cleo Fields, D-La., and submitted for publication by the College Democrats of America. In 19881 was die youngest state senator in Louisiana. I was so young that on my first day in the chambers, one of the senior senators, mistaking me for a page, asked me to get him a cup of coffee. “You’re a page, aren’t you?” he asked me. “No,” I said, “but if you find,one, get me some coffee too.” So you know I know what it’s like to have people disre spect you because of your age. I ran for Congress in 1992 and won. I will complete my second term this folk As one of the youngest members of die 103rd and 104th Congress, I have found my two terms in the House of Representatives to be both exciting and challenging. Today, however, I’m speaking to you in a . new capacity. I will not run for re election this November. Instead, I will be working with the Democratic Party as a National Youth Coordina tor. I will be advising the Clinton/ Gore *96 campaign on youth issues and the most effective ways to communicate with young people. So that you understand why the youth vote is so important to me, I need to tell you a little about my background. I attended Southern University, a historically Made college in Baton Rouge, La., where I served as student government presklent during my senior year. « Throughout my two terms in Congress, I’ve never forgotten the people who put me in office. I’ve never forgotten the importance of the student vote.” After graduating from Southern, I decided to run for state senator at age 24. During that election, I went to my alma mater to ask for the students* support—and they gave it to me. I registered 7,000 out of 10,000 total students, and with the help of those students, I won by a close margin of just 215 votes. Throughout my two terms in Congress, I’ve never forgotten the people who put me in office. I’ve never forgotten the importance of the student vote. I wouldn't be where I am today without student organizing, and I’m going to make it my focus this fall. So as the election ap proaches, I will be reaching out to students at colleges and universities all over the country, encouraging them to fulfill their civic responsibil ity and vote in the November elections. I want to ensure that young people have a voice in our govern ment, and I am devoting the next two months to achieve this goal. I think sane students have the feeling that die government and what it does has little to do with them. Well let me tell you—and I’ve been there—it matters who you send to the nation’s capital to represent you. It matters a la. The issues that will be debated in the election and then in the Cqritol building and in the White House will affect you personally—I guarantee it. President Clinton and Vice President Gore will be talking about education, the environment, repro ductive rights, the economy, jobs, crime and violence—all of the issues that affect you on your campus. It’s time to pay attention. The youth vote will be crucial in the upcoming election. The candi dates know it, and you should too. Don't squander this opportunity to make your voice heard. As eletgjon day approaches, I want you to think about the issues that you care about. It's up to you to choose the candidate who you think will serve you best. And then get out there and cast your; vote. ■ ■ - , a --1 I Write 3ac/cI Send letters ter Daily Nebraskan, 34 Nebraska Union, 1400 "R" St., Lincoln* NE 68588, or fax to (402) 472-1761, ar e.mail^etU»n^inlin&.unle&. _Letters must be signed and include a phone munlwrOT uerificatiani^ ...