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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 13, 1999)
EDITOR Erin Gibson OPINION EDITOR Cliff Hicks EDITORIAL BOARD Nancy Christensen Brad Davis Sam McKewon Jeff Randall Bret Schulte i Our VIEW Cultural culpability Everyone responsible for capital punishment It would have been one day until some one - one man or woman - would have been physically responsible fopthe death of Randy Reeves. Only one anonymous correctional work er would have flipped the switch that would have sent the electricity through Reeves’ body to execute him for the murders he committed. The anonymity of Administering the death penalty is fitting, jeally. No one - and everyone - would be responsible for the death of Reeves. In simplest terms, the Daily Nebraskan - does not support the death penalty. We don’t support the use of the electric chair, which has in the past inflicted torture upon its vic tim. But there is more to the death penalty than just the execution itself. There are few who will take culpability in Nebraska - from Gov. Mike Johanns to the common household - for the death of Reeves. It sometimes seems as if Reeves were flipping the switch himself. Finally, someone listened. The Nebraska Supreme Court. It will at least hear argu ments concerning a motion that contends the death penalty is culturally biased. But there is still a problem with the lack of responsibility taken in the execution of a human being. Look at the system. At every turn, there are safeguards against claiming responsibil ity in a state that supports the death penalty. Governors often pass the final decision of pardon to the two other members of the board or the state’s Supreme Court. The other board members pass the responsibility back to the governor. It plays out as a mor bid, unfortunate game of hot potato. What about the state senators who turn down bills to stop the death penalty each year? Their common response: They are simply the voice of the people they repre sent. Common citizens, on the other hand, say the decision is one better left to elected officials. , . But at no level does anyone claim true responsibility for ending a prisoner’s life. We all play A role, but no one wants to admit as much. Even if there were such a thing as vigilante justice, which appeals to some of us, it has a person or a motive behind it. The result is an unfortunate end to a problem we think could be solved with life in prison. It’s cheaper, it’s punishing the criminal just for the rest ofhis or her life, and it doesn’t attach the moral responsibility of a death. The death penalty may never be over turned in Nebraska, but all of us need to take responsibility. Reeves’ life was deemed unworthy of living long before he would have been executed. He has been granted a stay. For now. But it’s time recognize our selves as the judge and jury, rather than just recognizing die executioner. Editorial Policy Unsigned editorials are the opinio the Spring 1999 Daily Nebraskan, do not necessarily reflect the views University of Nebraska-Lincoln, its employees, its student body or the University of Nebraska Board of Re A column is solely the opinion of its; #he Board of Regents serves as pu . 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. ' ' x loner Policy 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. .K \ ^ ‘ 'W -- .-A - , M , * Lapp’s VIEW 1 " ‘ ’ I ‘ 9 J *•“ - . ’ , y : 1 Resolute action Simple quiz shows where resolution loyalties lie a a Daily Nebraskan columnist. We all make them - a series of promises at the beginning of a new year that we might even make more “possible” because we write them down: New Year’s resolutions. 01 X 1X1U VTXXXIV TTV 1UHOV n’t mean we keep them. Many New Year’s resolutions are doomed to fail tic them what I believe (and a five-minute Internet search concludes) to be the first “New Year’s Resolution Dedication Test” ixuw yuu imj wui iiuu uui : whether you’ve got what it takfes to make those promises stick. Simply check the answer for each question ij that best fits your scenario. 1. EATING _a. I have resolved to watch what I eat _b. I’ve had a few candyhars, but only ones with nuts (I think they’re more nutritious). _c. I consider four Big Macs to be an excellent appetizer for “All You-Can-Eat” night at Bubba’s Big Bam of Ribs and Ricecakes. 2. ACADEMICS _a; I have resolved to put more time into my stud ies. _b. I nodded off in a few class es already. _c. I’ve already missed four classes and made the mistake of telling one of my professors that he/she was pretty hot. 3. SLEEPING HABITS _a. I have resolved to get eight hours of sleep each night. _b. I tried to get more sleep, but there was an N-SYNC video on televi sion. _c. I had to pick between sleep and a three-hour Bowflex infomercial. Sleep lost. \ 4. FRIENDSHIPS _a. I have resolved to get along better with my friends. _b. My best friend and I have had a few spats so far, but we’ll survive. _c. He/she slept with my signifi cant other and a “Blow-Up Brtty” doll on New Year’s Day. We’re scheduled to appear on “Jerry Springer” in early February. 5. WEIGHT _a. I have resolved to lose at least fivepounds. m , __ b. I think I’ve made a little progress - my jeans no longer prevent me from breathing. _c. I drink 13 of these dang Slim Fast shakes a day, and all I get is fatter. What gives? 6. FAMILY _a. I have resolved to get along V, better witn my lamiiy. _b. Aside from a fight about who was the messiest baby, we’re doing all right _c. I’m 22 years old, but some how I’ve been grounded eight times since New Year’s. 7. TIME MANAGEMENT _a. I have resolved to waste less time and get more done _b. Instead of watching “Judge Judy,” I read a book (even if it had a lot of pictures). _c. I invented a new game yester day that involves plastic bowling pins, a Frisbee and a life-sized cardboard cutout of Princess Leia. 8. PARTY HABITS _a. I have resolved to act a little more responsible at social gatherings. _b. I only danced on die table a little. _ c. In one weekend I was banned from every Lincoln business serving anything “wet,” which I suspect had something to do with my drunken mud-wrestling match with a midget (he won by pure luck). \ 9. SMOKING N\ _a. I have resolved to stop 1 smoking. _b. I’m on the patch. * ' _c. It’s the Marlboro Man’s fault! He tempted me! Evil cowboy! Evil cowboy! 10. SUCCESS _a. I have resolved to be more of a success this year. _b. That tattoo thing was a bit of a setback, but I can still be a success. f _c. After a horrendous first l date with a body piercer, I’d be sur prised if this year amounts to as much as a Pop Tart SCORING SCALE: ■ Majority of A’s - You will do well, grasshopper Always follow high expectations, and be sure to stock up on stress-relief herbs. ■ Majority of B’s-Average. Nothing more, nothing less. ■ Majority ofC^ - If you don’t have a straitjacket, I highly advise buying one. Contrary to most crazy people’s beliefs, they don’t come in just white anymore. Choose any ^ color your unstable mind deems fit. S^™elanie Falk/DN