The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, February 24, 1998, Page 4, Image 4

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    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.
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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
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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
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