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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 24, 1998)
EDITOR Paula Lavigne OPINION EDITOR Joshua Gillin EDITORIAL BOARD Brad Davis Erin Gibson Shannon Heffelfinger Chad Lorenz Jeff Randall Our VIEW Calm amid the storm Middle East tension doesn’tfaze Olympics During the past two weeks, it has been hard to ignore them both. At times, headlines about the looming conflict in Iraq stood beside the spectacular flash and glory of Winter Olympics cover age. Coverage of the two events provided an ironic international balance, and many nations’ citizens were rooting for their countries’ representatives - athletes or ambassadors. Victories and defeats textured the progress of each: U.S. women win gold in hockey and figure skating; Saudi Arabia denies full military support. Britain pledges strong support of U.S. military action; United States fails to win a medal in all slalom skiing events (except women’s super giant). But most importantly, cur rent international tensions again tailed to taint the competitive spirit or the Olympics. Though other nations have argued with the United States and each other over the appropriate action in the Middle East, the Olympics lent some harmony to foreign relations. No teams boycotted the games because of political pressure, and no acts of terror ism, such as the 1996 Summer Olympics bombing in Atlanta, marred the events. The only major disturbance was vandal ism to athletes’ rooms in the Olympic vil lage by members of the U.S. men’s hockey team after its loss to the Czech Republic. Even Asia’s shattered economy could not dilute the enthusiasm of the Japanese hosts - they were some of the most vocal and dedicated fans. Some of Nagano’s civic leaders predict ed the financial frenzy the games typically stir up may give Japan a necessary boost to saddle its wild currency devaluation. Something as short and exclusive as two weeks of sporting events can't cure the world’s problems. But it helps a little. Though the Winter Olympics don’t bring quite as grand a fanfare and celebra tion as the Summer Games, it's at least reas suring that competition can help soothe the seriousness of a potential crisis, or take attention off international anger and fear. a Most importantly; current international tensions again failed to taint the competitive spirit of the Olympics. 919fiTIi Jfifb f29ri9l9ji2 9TtBSid DMtvfalMtef m — n 9*r I IguyjBaKjkji <kjiSiju4«K|jk akajk AIka jkflkukUUkA unsignea eanonais are me opinions or the Spring 1996 Daily Nebraskan. They do not necessartiy refect me views of the university or NeorasKa-uncom, ns employees, Us 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 publsher of die Daily Nebraskan; policy is set by the DalyNsbnwkan Edbortt Board The UNL Publications Board, estabfished by the regents, supervises the production the regent responsibility forthe editorial content of the newspaper ties solely in the hands of its student employees. The Daily Nebraskan welcomes brief letters to the edtor and guest columns, but does not guarantee their publcation. The Daily Nebraskan retains the right to edit or reject any material submitted. Submitted material beoomes property of the Daily Nebraskan and cannot be returned. Anonymous submissions wM not be published. Those who submit letters must identify toemsefves by name, year in school, major andfor group affiliation, if anv. Submit material to: Daily Nebraskan, 34 Nebraska Union, 1400 RSt Lincoln, NE. 68588-0448. E-mail: letters@unlinfo.unl.edu. Haney’s VIEW % dv/pe^fte Cfluer Urs U«/* OxAttbr ^H£®- / VU ^tBsitety^J / c*Aetf l __ —^ ^ ,o O o ^=7THIS l * OBMW^SMf N \ MtOlATiaM 0F ■ ' 1 I jJtottr Hawe Jeoeteo/ J it M*w» F«* A A I fewWA 1iMr w wam tye«i M«-Tt«s To twej DN LETTERS A lesson we could ALL learn I learned a lesson a while ago I’d like to share with you. It’s been said many times, many ways, first and foremost as the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This was demonstrated to me a few weeks ago, when we awoke to freezing rain followed by three inches of snow. I had to cross City Campus to get to the bookstore to buy my books. Because I wear a leg brace, it was quite difficult to stay upright as I inched across the slick surface. I had difficulty getting up after falling a few times. I prayed I would see some one I knew to ask for assistance. My prayers went unanswered only briefly, when a student I don’t know stopped and asked, “Could I lend an arm?” It was music to my ears. Chivalry lives! This student, who I learned is in the Air Force, had nothing to gain. In fact, I could have slowed him down, caused him to fall or kept him out in the cold longer. When we got there, I offered to buy him lunch, but he would not hear of it Thank you for your kindness, friend. We should all, men and women, help those in need of help, even if it appears we have nothing to gain. What goes around comes around. There may come a time when you need help when alone or surrounded by strangers. You’d probably feel bet ter about yourself and may make a friend. We could make this a better world by breaking through the walls of indifference and leading others through by setting good examples. The world is too large to change all at once, so let’s start in our corner at UNL. Barbara Burbach graduate student mm** Doctor, doctor... I have to say I was very disap pointed to go to class and find our teacher, Dr. David Hibler, had been suspended and would no longer be teaching the class. The only reason I I--: .. Melanie Falk/DN enrolled in that particular composi tion class was because he was the teacher. I was even more disturbed the head of the English department would give us no reason why we were to have a new professor halfway through the semester. This is just another injustice imposed on the good Dr. Hibler. At least I can say I have learned a valu able life lesson in his class, and that is to never voice an opinion you know will be opposed, or bad things will ^Sf*rii&iot, by the way, til intending that English class again - sort of my own little protest to the decisions that have been made lately by this-univer sity. Derrick Sheldon freshman English and political science * ■ ' " #" ’‘TSBnflBHBnB ... gimme the news Mr. Anderson, there is no need to get so defensive about Mr. Long’s comments (“You’re just plain wrong,” Monday). He said $40 when it was really $34.50. Big deal. What students really want to know is WHY there is an increase in price. Show us where the money is going and EXPLAIN why we need more. If it is for a good reason, you will find the students will support you rather than criticize you. Additionally, it would seem the Athletic Department is doing us a BIG favor LETTING us stay in our seats. Remember, this is a university because there are students here. Without students, we wouldn’t have any athletic teams. So let us go to our own games and have decent seats. They are our seats, after all. James T. Bayer junior mathematics The wars continue This is in response to Shawn Meysenburg’s column “Boot camp blues” in Thursday’s DN. Shawn, you made yourself very clear that you wasted our tax dollars by enlisting in the Navy. Boot camp is supposed to be a challenge. It prepares our nation’s women and men both men tally and physically for the rigors of war. It’s not supposed to be a walk in the park. Rather than paying so much atten tion to the “physical attractiveness” of your company commanders, maybe you should have applied your skills and training the rest of us paid for. Sgt Fenn A. Ratdiffe United States Marine Corps Reserve Lincoln _...... -.V"' : P< 4: . "—■•••'ill I. ' ni.-M-Mhm—■HU■ ...I .I .. I I j ' I II ' »'n III II .1 ‘.,;M ...... ■ ; ■ £ Ugl . i