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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 24, 1997)
EDITOR Paula Lavigne OPINION EDITOR Matthew Waite EDITORIAL BOARD Erin Gibson Joshua Gillin Jeff Randall Julie Sobczyk Ryan Soderlin Guest VIEW Quality education Learning three R s just isn’t enough Kentucky Kernel University of Kentucky. LEXINGTON, Ky. (U-Wire) - Reading, writing and arithmetic have served as the foundation for the tradi tional American education for genera tions. The skills provided by a solid grounding in these subjects were as essential in 1776 as they are today. Unfortunately, the quality of an American elementary education consis tently ranks below that of other modern, industrialized nations. However, signs of improvement have begun to appear, but it’s difficult to say if they are momentary blips on the radar or true signs of success in the class room. If we are to continue making progress, we must continue to look for innovative and effective means to ground students in the basics. In addition, we must also begin to integrate new skills into the curriculum that are fast becoming a necessity for students of the next century. This is where the debate begins. What subject areas are so essential to future success as to be ranked up there with the three R’s? Most likely, the one skill everyone ^an.^gree upon involves comp.utersr and ejffpjfs are being makie across the coun try to provide computer access and instruction in every classroom. But what about other subject areas? We’ve seen debates flare up through the years about sex education, evolution versus creationism and now diversity education. This past week President Clinton issued a national call to implement diversity education across the country. It’s a call we sympathize with but can not wholeheartedly endorse. We fully support diversity education that fosters understanding among a diversified population; however, any mandatory implementation of such a program would turn the classroom into a political battlefield with students caught in the crossfire. Such a requirement would have com peting political interests debating the inclusion of cultural relativism, politi cal ideology and religion, along with the degree to which such topics should be explored and in what light they should be presented. Admittedly such discussions have the potential to benefit society, but there are enough problems in providing a superior elementary education with out adding a new burden that will only stretch precious resources even thinner. Edltarial Policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Fall 1997 Daily Nebraskan. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, its employees, its student body or the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. A column is solely the opinion of its author. The Board of Regents serves as publisher of the Daily Nebraskan; policy is set by the Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board. The UNL Publications Board, established by the regents, supervises the 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 student employees. letter Policy The Daily Nebraskan welcomes brief letters 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. Submitted material becomes property of the Daily Nebraskan and cannot be returned. Anonymous submissions will not be published. Those whb submit letters must identify themselves by name, year in school, major and/or group affiliation, if any. Submit material to: Daily Nebraskan, 34 Nebraska Union, 1400 R St. Lincoln, NE. 68588-0448. E-mail: letters@unlinfo.unl.edu. Haney’s VIEW Sports shuffle Changes imagined in pro lineups AARON COOPER is a junior English major and a Daily Nebraskan colum nist. I’m the CEO of a new broad casting company - Sports World. It’s the new cable channel recently added to boost interest in televised sports, and I was elected top dog by major sports conglomer ates around the television industry. I’m going to take pro sports by storm and deal them a much needed facelift. OK, so maybe I’m not the CEO of a nonexistent channel, but if I were I would seriously think about shaking things up a bit. Sure, baseball, basketball and volleyball aren’t going anywhere, but maybe it’s time to add a little spice. What would happen if Dennis Rodman all of a sudden were thrown into hockey? There would be new meaning to the word “brawl” and we’d have to hire pit bulls to rip him off opposing team mates - assuming they were the opposing teammates. Something tells me that he’d be thrown out of the game in fewer than five minutes. Maybe he should try ice skating. Kristi Yamaguchi meets Dennis Rodman - the figure skating duo of the year. Enough picking on Dennis. How about Larry Bird? * You see, retirement is just not Jg thrilling endugh for our old Boston pal. Nope, we heed to throw him , into the wide-out position for tl\e > 49ers and see if he can snag a bullet r1—■. A • -h— from San Francisco’s finest. Can you say “Bird sandwich?” Maybe fencing is more up his alley. Even better, let’s dig deep into the tennis world and pick out some one who we can really have fun with - Monica Seles. I have sympathy for what the lady’s been through, but man does she pack a grunt. I wonder how well that grunting bit would sit with the members of the LPGA Tour. Monica watches as a rookie sets up for a putt, pulls her club face back and “HAW-EE!!” She might take a beating or two, but it would make for some damn good TV. But we can’t just leave the tennis men out of things. I’d pull Andre Agassi out of the French Open (which he’s not going to win anyway) and throw him into Ping-Pong.^ Let’s sefenow the Chinese do with the Grand Master of Returns! While we’re at it, let’s grow you some hair back, Andre. How can Brooke sleep at night with the god of peach fuzz? And whatever hap pened to those cool shirts? Guess image isn’t everything, hey Andre? Don’t think for a minute I’m going to forget about the prodigal son of Nike. Nope, he’s got basket ball under his wing and I’ll grant him the effort put forth in baseball. But that’s too easy. I want to see Michael Jordan, in the ugliest faded green-and-red shoes we can find, standing at the beginning of his approach as he attempts to knock down ten pins on the bowling alley. Tell you what, Mike. I don’t„. think you need your share of Nike anymore - I’ll bowl you for it. Winner takes all. Now that we’ve got a partial foundation laid for the facelift of the century in professional sports, let’s put Tanya Harding in there just for kicks. But where should we put her? Who would want her? I know. Let’s see how Tanya does against a Nomo fastball. Just try to make it to first base without crying, I dare you! What would really be the icing on the cake is to see a big fat Macho Man Randy Savage at a world bil liard tournament. Let’s see how he fares against the “Miz” or Ewa Mataya, the queen of the masse. But someone better quickly explain the concept of “breaking” in pool to our Macho Man, otherwise we’re gonna have 911 on the phone before the end of the opening rack. Now I bet you’re thinking, What about those golfers? Right. Can’t let them get off too easy. I’m gonna take Payne Stewart (because you got to love those socks!) and let him get in the ring with Mike Tyson. OK, that’s just plain cruel. How about John McEnroe? McEnroe. TKO by complaining! On that note, I’d like to bring this'session to a close with an obser vation from America’s most promi nent and highly respected sports analyst, George Carlin. :“Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World. Well if it’s undisputed, what’s all the fighting about?” * : For you, George ... bullfighting. 7?-Mmug-;.*.!! I!! 1!!!! ■ -—-1 What would really be the icing on the cake is to see a big fat Macho Man Randy Savage at a world billiard tournament PS. Write Back letters to: Daily Nebraskan, 34 Nebraska Union, 1400 "R" St., Lincoln, NE 68588, or fax to (402) 472-1761, or e-mail <letters@unlinfo.unl.edu. Letters must be signed and include a phone number for verification ' • !' .. I:"' i