Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 20, 1997)
SPORTS ARE_ Caged Bears Defining ‘The Norm’ February 20,1997 The Nebraska women’s basketball team beat Michael Jantze, the artist behind the syndicated Baylor 91-73 Wednesday night. The Huskers won daily comic strip “The Norm,” is celebrating Black WINDS OF CHANGE for the first time in three outings. PAGE 10 History Month in print next week. PAGE 12 Breezy and bleak, high 43. Cloudy tonight, low 25. VOL. 96 COVERING THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN SINCE 1901 NO. 105 Gay marriage debates heard in committee By Erin Schulte Senior Reporter Quotations from the Bible and pleas for equal rights were heard by the Ju diciary Committee on Wednesday on two proposed same-sex marriage bills — one to legalize them and one to pro hibit them. “One must be narrow-minded and mean-spirited indeed to try to limit to heterosexual couples the thrill of mar riage and the agony of divorce — or vice versa,” Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha said in support of his bill LB407, which would legalize same-sex marriages. LB280, proposed by Sen. Jim Jensen of Omaha, would outlaw same sex marriages in Nebraska, and would not recognize same-sex marriages from other states. “Marriage is the bond that keeps the family together, and I’m deeply con cerned about marriage and the family,” Jensen said. Most who opposed same-sex mar riages cited religious reasons and said marriage should be limited to hetero sexual couples because of tradition and because only those couples could pro duce children. Guyla Mills, executive director of the Nebraska Family Council, said the Legislature should remember senators represented people who believe in the Bible and its teachings against homo sexuality. The committee heard that argument from both sides. “Why should I pay taxes to a state that refuses to support my issues?” UNL student Jeffrey Krotz, who testi fied in support of same-sex marriages, asked the committee. Doug Patton, executive director of the Nebraska Christian Coalition, said same-sex marriages would threaten the marriage institution. But Chambers said just because homosexuals marry does not mean they threaten married heterosexual couples. “Does what they do in their rela tionship negatively impact you and your wife?” Chambers asked Patton. “No,” Patton replied. Others in opposition to same-sex marriages were against the actual sex act. “The question of sodomy is a ques tion of sensation,” said Norman Dority, who testified against same-sex mar riage. “The only reason people want it is because they like it. “Mouth to genitals, genitals to rectum...they bring disease. Please show me that sodomy is good, then I might relax my opposition to (LB)407.” Chambers had said in his introduc tion of the bill that “if people could pry their minds away from other peoples’ crotches, it could be seen that more is involved in this issue than sex. “Marriage fosters the stabilizing and regularizing of relationships.” Please see MARRIAGE on 7 Author says caregivers need time off the job Editor’s note: In honor of Black History Month, the Daily Nebraskan is profiling prominent black leaders in the Lincoln community. Today is the fourth in a five-part series. By Tasha E. Kelter Staff Reporter Lela Knox Shanks has some advice for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. She doesn’t call them “pa tients” or “victims.” She prefers to call them “people with Alzheimer’s disease.” Shanks has been caring for her husband, Hughes Hannibal Shanks, since he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1988. Her experience is first hand. In hopes of passing on the knowledge she’s gained, Shanks Please see SHANKS on 3 Matt Miller/DN LELA KNOX SHANKS kisses her husband, Hughes Shanks who has Alzheimer’s disease. Shanks is the primary caregiver to her husband, and has written a book on the subject. Visiting Fulbright Scholar addresses security Speaker says future of Europe unstable By Lindsay Young Staff Reporter Looking to the future of European security was the focus of a lecture given by a visiting Fulbright Scholar Wednes day. Maurizio Cremasio of Italy spoke to faculty and students on “The Fate of European Security” in Oldfather Hall. Cremasio is a visiting professor this semester teaching the political science course “Politics and Policy of European Common Market/European Union.” He has held such positions as the senior scientific adviser for security affairs in Rome, and served as a major general in the Italian air force. Cremasio has also published a number of studies on European security. fluid,” he said, “It is still in movement. We will not know the final outcome of many things.” Risks to European security include regional instability, ethnic wars, inter national terrorism, illegal immigration and international criminal organiza tions, he said. Because of the new European re Please see EUROPE on 7 fct There are more questions than answers right now ” Maurizio Cremasio visiting professor Cremasio presented his ideas on the fate of European security to more than 25 listeners Wednesday. He focused on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which will be holding a summit where new candidate countries will be open for nomination to NATO in July. The security issue for these new countries is unstable, he said. “There are more questions than answers right now. The situation is so Jay Calderon/DN MAURIZIO CREMASIO speaks to a group of students and faculty Wednesday. Read the Daily Nebraskan on the World Wide Web at http: / / www.unl.edu /DailyNeb
