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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 4, 1998)
: EDITOR Erin Gibson OPINION EDITOR Cliff Hicks EDITORIAL BOARD Nancy Christensen Brad Davis Sam McKewon Jeff Randall Bret Schulte i—!——--— Our VIEW Walk the walk Johanns must deliver campaign promises Tuesday’s elections awarded most of the state’s available top offices to members of the Republican Party, including the governor’s chair. Although the Daily Nebraskan endorsed several candidates on Democratic tickets, we call on the elected Republicans to keep the best interests of the entire state - not just spe cial interests - in mind as they pursue their political careers. Despite some Nebraskans’ opinions, we live in a state with a richly diverse population composed of gays, blacks, Hispanics and non-Christians, among many others. Yet Mike Johanns, governor-elect of Nebraska, refused to sign a proclamation for Lincoln Coming Out Day in October 1997. The petition was submitted to him by mem bers of a local gay rights group seeking sup port for its cause. His justification was simple: He is a Catholic. It is an easy statement to make in a state heavily populated by Roman Catholics and devout Christians of other hard-line denominations. But they are not the only Citizens who count. As governor, Johanns responsibilities include defending minorities as well as repre I S f - table for all Nebraskans regardless of creed, color or economic status. We hope Johanns picks up on this dedication to the people of the state he governs, not a select few who have similar convictions - or access to his wallet. Big business fueled his campaign to victo ry that cost nearly twice as much as Hoppner’s. Now Johanns must prove he will not be a slave to the money that helped him guarantee his gubernatorial victory. Johanns must follow through on his cam paign commitments to fanners apd to educa tion. He also should keep close the work ethic and sincerity that defined him during his campaign. He must work through his introverted nature in order to lead and to hasten the deci sion-making process, when necessary. He also must remember that, hough his party refused to take a stance, he opposed Initiative 413. He should continue to oppose similar measures that threaten education - the greatest determinant of citizens’ success in an increasingly competitive global economy. Though he has promised to keep tight reins on the state budget, Johanns must stay true to his promise that he will not sacrifice quality education. If he remembers education and the inter ests of the common Nebraskan, Johanns will end his gubernatorial term as successfully as he ended this campaign. idlttrial Policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Fail 1998 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 who submit letters must identify themselves by name, year in school, major and/or group affHiatjoo, if any. Submit material to: Daily Nebraskan, 34 Nebraska Union, 1400 R St. Lincoln, NE. 68588-0448. E-mail: letters@unlinfo.unl.edu. Mook’s * VIEW % J m mu m wi m, iff I mi mi m aw to mum \ H \ ml m & m omm \ |\ QIKt K&tiT TO OfflJjRk fcBOUT 1 l/Srr5^* T m I viwhom- I DN LETTERS Class act I’m a University of Texas alum who attended the Nebraska-Texas game last weekend. It was die first time that I had flown to Lincoln to watch a football game. Not only did I take away with me the memories of a great game but also one lasting impression: Nebraska fans ^ are just about the classiest fans I have , ever hadihe pleasure ofmeetihg" Decked out in iny UT gear before the game, I have never had total strangers who were fans of the other team come up to me and wish me good luck before the game, let alone con gratulate me after the game. If you watched the game on TV, you saw Nebraska fans clapping for Ricky Williams and die Texas squad as they left the field. I was embarrassed to think that it would be highly unlikely for Nebraskans to have received the same treatment if die game had been played in Austip. While I can’t change all my Texas brethren, this is one Longhorn fan who will greet you warmly and wish you good luck when you come down to Texas next year. Thanks for a great time. H.RPan Houston Pay to play? (Cliff Hicks’) column (“Adding To Apathy,” Tuesday) spoke volumes on the issue of paid political advertising. I currently reside in the state of New Mexico, but lived in Nebraska for 37 years. , I’ve lived in New Mexico only three years and have been utterly appalled at the campaigning here. I realize it’s probably just as bad in Nebraska. But take this example from (New Mexico). We have die son of the wealthiest family in New Mexico running for a seat in the (federal) House of Representatives. He is running on the Democratic platform and has person ally spent more than $6 million of his own dollars on his campaign. That does not-include the monies that the Democratic Party or the PACs have given to his campaign. This guy may have a lot of integri ty, but J don’t know that from his record or his experiences. All I know is that he’s been a career politician (and he’s young) and probably has never had to work to support himself. I question how can he relate to the people’s needs. He is running against a career mili tary officer who did not have this kind of access to cash. But that doesn’t Ik ■ mean that the Republican Party has been lacking in helping her. This trash ing campaign has been going on since the early part of this year. You ask why so soon? We had an unusual situation here: The incumbent died while in office the early part of the year. His term was going to be finished this year, but they needed a replace ment from June until now. According to New Mexico few, a; replacement had to be elected from the New Mexico population, so they held a special elec tion in June. Whoever got the most votes total in June was going to be sent to the House of Representatives, and whoever got the most votes of each party was going to have to run again in die general election (Tuesday). From the day that the honorable Steve Schiff died, we’ve been bom barded and blasted with nonstop attacks. They’ve been using telemar keters, mailings, TV, radio, you name it. The ad agencies covering both of them have profited significantly. We’ve had not only President Clinton here three times in this state in one year, but have also had the first lady visit on separate occasions, A1 Gore was here last week, etc. It was all in the name of promoting their party to get votes for their party candidates. Yes, I exercised my power to vote and am so thankful I won’t have to hear the disgust for awhile. I’m beginning to also dunk along your lines about the need for more oarties. At least down here we have strong groups with the Greens and the Libertarians. There was a Green or Libertarian candidate in almost every category for offices here. In Nebraska, I used to be a regis tered independent, but you can’t do that here and vote in primaries. I did not vote straight party line even though I was registered as such, because I felt it more important to vote for the best qualified person. I’m all for cutting them off from paid advertising in any form - let them beat the streets and take their talks to the people instead of via the ad agency pockets. Jan Bostelman Albuquerque, NJVL Not location, state of mind Sarah Baker, I’m actually very happy that watching “The Brandon Teena Story” made you feel uncomfort able (“Nebraska bashing: Stereotypes ruin ‘Teena Story,”’ Tuesday). It is sup posed to do exactly that. However, it’s too bad you completely missed the point of the film as you worried about the “unflattering” way in which rapists, murderers and their accessories (as all of us who standby and do nothing about hate and violence indeed are) were por trayed. Hate crimes “aren’t exactly pretty.” You’re worried about scenic shots? Did you realize that Teena Brandon, Lisa Lambert and Philip Devine were mur dered in cold blood on a farm surround ed by* “barren snow-covered fields?” Perhaps fhat is why Such scenery abounds in the film. Homophobia “as a whole has an unflattering and unwelcoming feel to it, [and] fee story it tells is by no means a happy one.” This story is not just about Falls City or Humboldt or Lincoln or even Nebraska. A small nucleus of intolerance? Is that what you think allowed Teena Brandon to be raped, and consequently ridiculed and murdered when she talked about it? Obviously, you have never heard of institutionalized oppression ‘The Brandon Teena Story indicts our entire society %u compare the mo^ vicious manifestation of hatred and intolerance to common stereotypes about Nebraskans. How insulting. When was the last time you heard about someone being fired from a job, beaten, raped or murdered for being a “trashy, homophobic chain-smoker” who listens to “annoying” country music? Would you feel better, a little more distant and safe from association with homophobic violence, if t! v film woe set in Iowa, or perhaps Wyc* ag? This film made you, as a Nebraskan, fed uncomfortable. Again, I say good. That is exactly what it is sup posed to do. Hatred and violence exist in Nebraska, and in every state. Acknowledging oppression and unlearning it is very uncomfortable. Susan Muska and Greta Olafsdottir made a courageous and important film, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for doing so. Nebraskans, Americans, should feel very ashamed about hate crimes, for we are responsi ble for their existence. Until we all accept this responsibility, hatred and violence will always exist here. By the way, the Ross Theater is showingiour extra screenings, not two, as you mentioned. It is unfortunate that there is only time for two more nights of this film, as it should be seal by every Nebraskan. V Andrew Ascherl freshman women’s studies Mary Riepma Ross Film. Theater employee