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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 3, 1997)
EDITOR Doug Kouma OPINION EDITOR Anthony Nguyen EDITORIAL BOARD AnneHjersman Paula Lavigne Joshua GiUin Jessica Kennedy Jeff Randall i, ■ ■ ,, y*. •. i-' r . Quest VIEW ! lotting peace Nonviolent movements in Serbia commendable From The Minnesota Daily MINNEAPOLIS (U-WIRE)—Recov ering from years of war and teetering on the verge of economic collapse, Serbia held democratic elections in November. The rul ing Socialist Party, led by President Slobodan Milosevic, annulled opposition victory. Considering its bloody past and uncer tain future, Serbia is not a place where there should be much optimism, let alone humor. But despite the immense challenges faced by the people of this nation, the persever ance and spirit of protesters in Belgrade is truly inspiring. - Demonstrations demanding restoration of the Nov. 17 election results are now en tering their 11th nonstop week. Protesters are also calling for the establishment of an independent media and die dismissal of Uni versity of Belgrade Chief Dragutin Velickovic, who threatened to expel student protesters. Although last weekend there was some low-level violence, the demonstrations have been characterized by little bloodshed and remarkable cleverness. Milosevic has fu tilely attempted to drown out the protests. He banned demonstrations during the day. He tried to stop groups of citizens from walking down the street in “an orderly fash ion.” In late December, he called out the police force in full riot gear. But the pro testers responded with good humor and cre ativity as they continued their daily rallies. They began sitting down in the streets to play chess and chat. They began dancing in stead of marching. They began greeting the 7:30 nightly news with a cacophony of whistles, drums, car horns and garbage can lids. They staged a mass automotive break down, as thousands of protestors started changing “flat” tires. They elected “Miss Protest 1997” and even sent pets to join the march. Meeting Milosevic’s formal tactics of oppression with cheerful anarchy makes the government look ridiculous. But it also helps the movement gain popularity. Of the 65,000 students in the city, about 50,000 have been involved in the protests, emptying classrooms at the University of Belgrade. They have been joined by other citizens; almost half a million were present at the rally on the Seibian New Year. And last Monday, Patriarch Pavle, the 80-year-old head of the Seibian Orthodox Church, marched with the demonstrators. The church has traditionally backed the gov ernment, and the Patriarch’s gesture was an important show of support Since the early 1990s, Seibia has been a symbol of blood shed, hatred and brutal violence. But in the past months, the Serbs have reminded the world of the power of nonviolent protest. The government has not yet met the de mands for democracy, but the demonstra tions can still be called a success. Editorial Policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Spring 1997 Daily Nebraskan. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the Univer sity of Nebraska-Lincoln, its employees, its student body or the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. A column is soley die 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, established by the regents, supervises the production of die paper. According to policy set by the regents, responsibility for the edi torial content of the newspaper lies solely in the hands of its student employees. 4^ Letter Policy The Duly Nebraskan welcomes brief let ters to the editor and guest columns, but does not guarantee their publication. The Daily Nebraskan retains the right to edit or reject any material submitted. Sub mitted material becomes the property of the Daily Nebraskan and cannot be re turned. Anonymous submissions will not be published. Those who submit letters must identify themselves by name, year in school, major and/or group affilia tion, if any. Submit material to: Daily Nebraskan, 34 Nebraska Union, 1400 R St. Lincoln, Neb. 68588-0448. E-mail: letters@unlinfaurd.edu. , • ^ ' * V" A i-’"’ A ■ : Cartoonist’s^ VIEW , _ New^*-S«m /-* CsTY/T-1 c^?zi^y- $a«vt<* DN LETTERS / Not Above the Law Patrick MacDonald’s Wednesday column “Handcuffing the System” on the Renteria case exemplifies a dangerous deference to the police that is all too common in our community and society. Mr. MacDonald blindly adopts Police Chief Casady’s version of the incident, despite the fact that Casady’s own troops were the people who killed Mr. Renteria. No one, including Tom Casady, is above suspicion when his or her reputation and prestige is on the line. I also question Mr. MacDonald’s platitudes such as “police need the support of the community,” and “we, as members of the community, should stand behind their (the police department’s) decision.” My understanding of civics may be poor, but I thought that the • police, as tax-funded public ser vants, were paid to support and stand behind the members of the community — including innocent pedestrians like Franciso Renteria. Joel Nelson Third-year law Rethinking Tradition Perhaps Dan Massara and Sigma Chi should rethink the issue of racism. It is only your defense of ignorance that “continues to permanently damage Sigma Chi and the rest of the greek system’s image” —not the {Mess. 1 understand that Sigma Chi was merely re-enacting “their history” and that it is a tradition to do so, but maybe it is time to rethink those traditions, too. Like it or not, Confederate memorabilia and cross-burnings are Aaron Steckelberg/DN symbols of racism used by the Ku Klux Klan. While they might not be used with the same intent, does Sigma Chi really want to share the symbols used by a group of people who promote hate? Sigma Chi members say that they were celebrating brotherhood, yet they do so with symbols that represent hate and division. Let us not forget that the Civil War era was about power and hate, and that these symbols will only represent as much — never love and brotherhood. It is time that we start developing new traditions, because unintention ally or otherwise, there are some things that are just not worth celebrating. Priya Nataraj freshman biochemistry Nobody’s Business In ha column, “Shattered trust” (DN, Thursday), Anne Hjasman writes that ha “trust was violated” by her discovery of Bill Cosby’s extramarital affair. I have two words for her — and for anyone else who feels the need to pass judgment on this situation — BUTT OUT! The state of Bill Cosby’s marriage is no one’s business but his and his wife’s. If Hjersman and people like her would mind their own business, paternity suits (such as the one filed against Cosby) and the like would become a much less profitable business because they / wouldn’t generate so much publicity (a novel thought, I’m sure!). As for Cosby’s morals, those are his concern as well. Hjersman writes, “I don’t think it is terribly unfair to expect faithfulness from a man who plays himself up in his comedy as a real family man.” Guess what? Cosby is an ACTOR. What you see on television is not necessarily the person he is. For Hjersman to “expect” anything from him is simply unreasonable. Her feelings are her own concern, not Cosby’s or anyone else’s. Bill Cosby’s job was (and is) to entertain us, not to preach or provide us with moral guidance. I have always looked up to my OWN father (and mother) for my moral education, not to a man I saw on television once a week. To expect that from a person I don’t even know is simply ridiculous. While I don’t condone Cosby’s cheating on his wife, I do respect his right to privacy, whatever he might have done (I might feel differently had he committed MURDER...). After all, if his wife has forgiven him, what right do we (who don’t even know the man) have to pass judgment on him? Carrie Ann Moritz sophomore music/speech-pathology and , audiology ...: —H.U..1 u" i.. --- lit p Big s# ' • II
