The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, January 25, 2000, Page 4, Image 4
' "J;VJ Tuesday, January 25,2000 ^ Page 4 I Editor: J.J. Harder (402)472-1768 The new history Lectures give students chance to learn outside of class UNL students have a unique opportunity today. As part of the E.N. Thompson lecture series, Archbishop Desmond Tutu will visit Nebraska to talk about the struggle for justice in South Africa. Securing an appearance by the man who helped lead the movement against apartheid in South Africa isn’t too shabby for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Students, faculty and staff can gain some insight from the man who became the first black Anglican Dean in Bringing world renowned speakers to campus is part of raising the academic bar. Johannesburg in 1974 during apartheid. It’s probably even worth missing class to hear from a man who is con sidered a moral authority around the world and won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. It’s nice to get a speaker with such influence and experience here at UNL - a place where sports events often dominate the number of intellectual events. UNL seems to be making a con stant effort to raise the bar academical ly by emphasizing research and creat ing a more rigorous academic environ ment. Bringing world-renowned speakers to campus is part of raising the academic bar. It encourages students to be inspired and challenged intellectually. It helps them become aware of current events and apply the knowledge they are learning to a constantly changing world. Thanks to the E.N. Thompson lectures, students have many opportunities to hear from people who have played cru cial roles in history. On Feb. 8, Former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara will be on campus. Serving under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, McNamara will share his views about the lessons learned from the Vietnam War. Another speaker in February isn’t coming to town for a Thompson lecture, but is worth seeing anyway. Rubin “Hurricane” Carter will speak on campus. Carter spent years in prison on a wrongful conviction. His story is the basis for the movie, “The Hurricane.” We hope UNL continues to attract compelling speakers. We’re thankful that support for the E.N. Thompson Forum on World Lectures exists, giving all of us who live in Nebraska a chance to think about issues that affect us outside our state borders. Editorial Board Josh Funk (editor) • J.J. Harder • Cliff Hicks • Samuel McKewon • Dane Stickney • Kimberly Sweet • Lindsay Young 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 submissions.Submitted material becomes property of the Daily Nebraskan and cannot be returned. Anonymous mate rial 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, 20 Nebraska Union, 1400 R St., Lincoln, Neb. 68588-0448 or e-mail to: let ters@unl.edu Editorial Policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the spring 2000 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 acts as publisher of the Daily Nebraskan; policy is set by the Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board. The UNL Publications Board, established by the regents, super vises the publication 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. The Daily Nebraskan strives to print fair and accurate cover age; any corrections or clarifications will be printed on page three. Obermeyer’s VIEW | th£ li£d cenreR... ; I . i __J i jl 5 i OF \ if pi JV]|f40RiTV f ) 1 $W*g / A ^mipw / t lav Ha?e-V f Presidential potential Quotes of George W. Bush show ‘leadership ’qualities Warning: You have entered a 100 percent cocaine-free zone. Not really, that’s just a little joke between me and my good friend, George W. Bush. We all know that W. (as I will refer to my main man) does actually love the nose candy, (but never on the Sabbath). Since he is a presidential candi date, he is often ambiguous and vague in responding to questions con cerning drug use or other “hard-hit ting” topics. It’s for his safety and yours, the American people. W. and I are sure you’ll understand. I hope most of you realize that the presidential election is coming up in a few short months, so I have not wast ed any time in picking my favorite liar... uh, I mean respectable leader, that can best meet the needs of this great capitalist whorehouse ... uh, I mean nation. I have proudly and securely cho sen to vote for the second greatest man on earth - George W. Bush. And the greatest man in the world? Well, I do declare that it’s his father. You know, George W. Bush sans the W., i.e. George Bush, but for clarification we’ll just call him Papa Bush. Some think W. is a loser like his father, but I think Papa Bush was a wise patriarch of our country who loved being honest and forthright. He wasn’t afraid to tell the people about how he won the presidency, except perhaps exactly who he slept with to win. Eschewing that little fact, he is forward and honest. One of the wisest things he imparted upon us all (and that ostensibly won him votes) were the words, “Let me give you a little serious political inside advice. One single word. Puppies. Worth the I have proudly and securely chosen to vote for the second greatest man on earth - George W. Bush. points.” Note: I didn't make up that quote or any quote you will read in the future. The love of puppies (shoes and animals) was a definite sympathy gainer for Papa Bush, but what are W.’s means for tugging on the ol’ heartstrings? Well, I have gone through several of W.’s campaign speeches from the past 10 months and compiled quotes that I think will help push us into the new millennium - with W. doin’ the pushin.’ Austin, Texas - March 7,1999. W. is a self-conscious dude who wakes up every morning wondering if his wife has cheated on him yet. Basically, he’s a normal guy. The people of the world can relate to his apprehensive decision to run for the presidency in the first place; we can all agree it’s a “big job.” I urge you all to consider his concerns for his family when he stated, “Many of you know I had doubts and concerns about what a campaign would mean for my family. Laura and the girls and I have talked about this a great deal, and they have concluded that if I run, they will probably vote for me.” I have four words for y’all: tears in my eyes. This statement is so endearing, and not at all pathetic in content. I just want W. to know that not only does he probably have his wife and children’s votes, but if I roll my ass out of bed on ballot morning, he probably has mine, too. Cedar Rapids, Iowa - June 12, 1999. One issue that W. wants to tackle like a madman is education. He’ll start in the state he governed, Texas, where there is no education. He says he will “praise success - but shine a spotlight of shame on failure.” I can foresee his spotlights of fail ure burning out mighty quick from overuse (especially in Texas), but if it gets those children to be successful like W., then it must be done. Shame the kids! While speaking of his state, W. even boasted heartily of his two biggest tax cuts in Texas history, announcing that, “If Texas were a country, it would be the 11th largest economy in-the world.” What a statis tic! And all from the man who’s first concern was to surround himself with “smart, capable people.” California - Sept. 2,1999. On issues concerning educational stan dards, we know where W. stands (not in a classroom). But how about the issue of penis size? W. summed it all up quite nicely by saying, “We must measure to make sure standards are met. In Texas, we measure.” Shame the citi zens! Des Moines, Iowa - Dec. 1, 1999. W. has not forgotten, in all the hubbub, about old people. W.’s idea of protecting Social Security benefits is not a bad idea. And, as W. announced, “I happen to know two senior citizens very well.” Just two? > “One of them, at the age of 64, was elected President of the United States. At 75, he jumped out of an air plane.” Papa Bush! Don’t you see how cool these cats are? Why, my grandfa ther can hardly even pull out his den tures and change his skivvies, let alone jump out of a plane. I hope you all make the right deci sion in November. I know I will. Vote W. and vote for the “compassionate conservative” with the crazy idea that, “Drugs will destroy you. Alcohol will ruin your life. And hav ing a baby out of wedlock is a sure fire way to fall behind. We’ll love the babies.” And W., we’ll love yon. I Karen Brown is a senior English andfilm studies major and a Daily Nebraskan columnist.