EDITOR
Paula Lavigne
OPINION
EDITOR
Kasey Kerber
EDITORIAL
BOARD
Brad Davis
Erin Gibson
Shannon Heffelfinger
Chad Lorenz
Jeff Randall
i-—
Our
VIEW
Legislative
lessons
Senators eye future,
work in present
On the last day of the 95th legislative
session Tuesday, more than just another
day’s work came to a close.
The day marks a point of transition for
the leaders and people of Nebraska.
The Legislature, along with the gover
nor, cut sales and property taxes and made
reforms to help local government become
less dependent on property-tax revenue.
Senators showed their support for
Nebraska’s educational system by creating
incentives for well-planned education for
all of Nebraska’s school children.
The Legislature also recognized the
importance of the state’s infrastructure by
approving money for improved roads and
new state buildings.
Improved technology and long-term,
sustainable economic development also
demanded attention from senators with
their fingers on the pulse of Nebraska.
With common good for all Nebraskans
as their goal, the Legislature kept its eye on
the future while working through endless
budget projections and tense debate.
But more challenges lie ahead, includ
ing filling the big shoes of several leaders
who have helped pave the path for
Nebraska into the 21st century.
The Legislature alone lost 62 years of
experience and dedication when six sena
tors announced plans not tQ. run for re-elec
tioiv :VWH :
The leadership and expertise of Dave
Maurstad, Eric Will, Chris Abboud, Owen
Elmer, Bud Robinson and Don Wesely will
be sorely missed.
Ben Nelson, who as governor has led
Nebraska from economic downturn to
unmistakable growth during the last eight
years, will step down and make way for a
new leader to maneuver state policy.
Likewise, Lt. Gov. Kim Robak, who
decided not to run for governor in this
year’s elections, will be remembered for
her strong leadership and striking insight
in dealing with seemingly mundane issues.
The loss of many years of experience
opens the door to both new learning and
new ways of thinking.
Old friends and emerging leaders have
already spotted new issues on the horizon.
Revaluation of how Nebraska derives
its revenue from statewide taxes is crucial
in a time when voters are crying for prop
erty-tax relief and business leaders are
threatening to take away our elected lead
ers’ budget-setting power.
As always, the Legislature will have to
continue to decide how to divide fewer
resources among a greater number of
needy recipients.
State leaders merit a pat on the back for
their long hours and endless fight for the
people in laying the groundwork for the
future.
UltmUNHtt
Unsigned editorials are the opinions of
the Spring 1998 Daily Nebraskan. They
do not necessarily reflect the views of the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, its
employees, its student body or the
Univereity of Nebraska Board of Regents.
A column is solely the opinion of its author.
The Board erf 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 who 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
^tA ITS CMKl'Dtl fhu/.
DN
LETTERS
Not a matter of choice
I really hope this is the last time
I have to say this. For me and for
countless others, being gay is not a
choice.
Logically speaking, very few
would choose to be gay in
Nebraska, where homophobia is
praised and basic human kindness
(when directed at gay men and les
bians) is contemptible.
From my own perspective, I’m
glad it’s not a choice. I like who I
am. Thanks to attitudes like
Moenning’s, though, that kind of
self-acceptance does not come as
easy for others.
Moenning says that our
“lifestyles are sinful and unaccept
able to many. ...” That may be his
opinion but speaking for myself,
the only view I’m concerned with
is God’s.
He made me what I am - a
Christian and a lesbian - and I
don’t believe he makes mistakes.
If those who play the sin card
would actually look at the Bible
and at the works of biblical schol
ars, they would find that the whole
“sin” argument is the result of mis
interpretation and mistranslation.
As for the “special rights”
argument, it is my understanding
that things like the right to keep a
job based on ability is a CIVIL
right, not a “special” right.
With this argument, Moenning
has shown us that he has a lot to
learn. Like most knee-jerk conser
vatives, he has merely spouted the
rhetoric of the far right without
showing any evidence of indepen
dent thought.
Alison Knudsen
English and Women’s Studies
More Moenning...
I could not believe my eyes
when I read Josh Moenning’s col
umn on Wednesday, April 15.
To the very end, I was hoping
that it was a prank and some smart
comment would follow the sum
mary of Mr. White’s speech.
But no, Mr. Moenning was
quite serious.
I have just one question for Mr.
Moenning. Now that you and your
idol have labeled everybody so
beautifully, what are you going to
do about all those who don’t fit in
the picture?
I myself, neither “gifted in wor
ship,” nor “family oriented,” nor
“good with money,” nor “very cre
ative,” probably, will end up in the
list of condemned “sinners.”
Perhaps, you and Mr. White
could build some camps with good
gas pipes?
In that case, I could recom
mend some literature, just to make
your job easier. After all, it has
been done before.
Shame on you, Mr. Moenning!
I suggest you use your brain before
choosing your idols. And by the
way, if you can’t live without quot
ing the Bible, don’t forget the most
important quote: “Let him, who
has no sin, cast the first stone.”
(John 8:7)
I don’t believe any of us,
including you and Mr.White, can
claim such rights.
Sincerely,
Lana Pashkevich
graduate student, German
The Edge did have an edge
We beg to differ with Bret
Schulte’s column regarding The
Edge in Tuesday’s Daily
Nebraskan.
While reading the column, it
was obvious to us that Mr. Schulte
did not listen to The Edge, and
does not enjoy alternative music.
He seems to imply that Green
Day is not alternative. What do you
define as alternative?
If nothing else, The Edge pro
vided a source of music that cannot
be found anywhere else, an “alter
native” to everything else. How
many pop rock, classic rock and
country stations does one region
need?
If Mr. Schulte had listened to
The Edge, he would have realized
that amongst the “big-name bands”
were numerous lesser-known
bands that played quality music.
Most of the “big-name bands”
started out as less-popular bands.
Should The Edge discontinue play
ing these bands simply because
they have risen in popularity?
We listened to The Edge
because we enjoyed the music they
played, not because of what they
claimed to play. Don’t most people
listen to the radio for the music
anyhow?
We also liked the disc jockeys.
They may not have been what you
hear from the other stations, but
maybe that was because they had
fun personalities and actually
enjoyed what they were doing and
the music that they played.
Losing The Edge created a lack
of modern rock music in this
region.
We hope that some other station
will pick up where they left off,
and soon!
Jon Mohr
sophomore
environmental studies
Jesse Knutsen
freshman
electrical engineering
P.S. Vv/r/te 3ac/c
.Send letters to: Daily Nebraskan, 34 Nebraska Union, 1400 "R" St,, Lincoln,
NE 68588, or fax to (402) 472-1761, or e-mail <letters@unlinfo.uni.edu.
.Letters must be signed and include a phone number for verification .
