Opinion
ZM/yNebraskan
Since 1901
Editor Sarah Baker
Opinion Page Editor Samuel McKewon
Managing Editor Bradley Davis
Political Systems
Getting rid of electoral college
won't make elections easier
Today, in the wake of the mess that the
2000 presidential election has become, nor
mal folks and talking heads alike are calling
for the abolition of the electoral college.
On CNN, MSNBC, at the dinner table -
thousands of voices united in their opposi
tion to this antiquated system.
Hold on. While the electoral college may
seem to be a gross violation of common
sense at first glance, it isn’t that simple.
In fact, changing the system would alter
the entire political landscape of our coun
try. Before making snap judgments about
any alternatives to the current system, let’s
take a step back and look at just what we
would be getting into.
The main alternative suggested to
replace the electoral college is the popular
vote.
It is simple, to the point. There are no
designations by state or dis
But trict.
supporters The popular vote is some
of the what beautiful in its simplici
vooular *y« A North Dakota vote
counts as much as a
vote California one.
may be a Nebraska Democrat, for
failing to instance, could have helped
see the far to elect A1 Gore to the presi
reaching dency. With the electoral col
political lege system, he or she did
implications nothing more than make
of changing Nebraska look a tiny bit less
tn nno conservative, a hard task
ll/ t/flw . 1 1
these davs.
person, one But supp0rters 0f the p0p
vote. Any uiar vote system may be fail
aecent ing to see the far reaching
political political implications of
scientist will changing to one person, one
tell you that vote.
a popular Any decent political scien
vote system tist will tell you that a popular
will create vote system will create many
splinters from the current
\ two-party system, especially
splinters if th£wi'n'r is required to
from the receive a certain percentage
current of the vote in order to claim
two-party victory.
system ... So, if a candidate doesn’t
get the required percent to
win outright (40 percent is
often suggested), there must be a runoff
election between the two highest finishers.
This means that those splinter groups,
which often mean little now (although the
Green Party obviously did Tuesday), will
suddenly have more influence.
The major parties will have to cater to the
splinter parties’ demands in order to gain
their support, and therefore, their votes.
We could, of course, just give the presi
dency to the winner of the popular vote,
however many votes they received. This,
then, would open up the possibility that the
President of the United States may be a per
son that not only the majority, but the vast
majority of people, did not vote for.
Had you thought of all that? Neither had
we, until Tuesday. We're not saying that the
electoral college is an infallible system. We
are saying that every system is fallible,
whether the political analysts and mailman
recognize it or not.
Editorial Board
Sarah Baker, Bradley Davis, Josh Funk, Matthew Hansen,
Samuel McKewon, Dane Stickney, Kimberly Sweet
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Political ANALYSTS SWINE THE Ti£
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NealOtameyer/DN
Recall electoral college
We, as United States citizens and conscientious
voters, need to take a look at the voting process. The
idea of the Electoral College needs to be reevaluated.
It is not only archaic, but clearly does not represent
the majority of the citizens who vote.
This year’s election shows that discrepancy. Gore
leads in the popular vote, but due to the Electoral
College he may very well lose the Electoral vote.
The position of the Electoral College has been
challenged many times over die last several decades.
It does not represent the popular vote in reality. We
need to reform or abolish this institution.
The United States was founded on the idea of
democracy. We maybe a republic now, but the ideas of
our founding fathers still hold true with the majority
of the citizens. Majority rule means the majority of the
voters, not the majority of the large states’ allocated
Electoral votes.
I urge everyone to take a look at this system, chal
lenge it
Rev. Philipp J. Kessler
Lincoln
Does Bush have honor?
Until and unless all Florida vote irregularities are
satisfactorily addressed, a person of Gov. Bush’s
“honor" should not accept the Presidency. Gov. Bush
has insisted he is the candidate to return "honor” to
the White House, that he will attain and maintain a
higher standard. Let his actions now prove his words.
Will he adhere to the same high standard he has
implied Vice President Gore has not? Gov. Bush has
talked the talk; lethim now walk the walk. Waituntil all
questions are answered, improprieties ruled out. If
the election is tainted, will the quest be abandoned?
Remember Governor, a Man Who Would Be
President "Leads.”
RoyConant
Portland, Ore.
A modest proposal
With the passage of the Defense of Marriage
amendment, it's now time to move on to some new
initiatives.
Since Nebraska voters have resoundingly voiced
their non-acceptance of gay and lesbian relation
ships, let's get to work on amending the state constitu
tion to simply outlaw gay and lesbian relationships so
we never have to deal with this marriage thing again.
I’m sure that initiative would pass in this state as well
While we’re cleaning up society and making it safe
and non-confusing for our children, what the heck,
let’s also ban all marriages between inter-racial cou
ples and any marriage where one of the parties is
more than 20 years older than the other. Let’s also ban
all secular marriages (if you don't know what secular
means, ask your clergy member).
And do we really need to allow Jewish and other
non-Christian marriages? Let’s at least put it to a vote.
You know, since we’ll already be campaigning, let’s
also work to ban all non-white marriages. Maybe all of
the minorities in die state will concede and just leave.
There, that should do it for now. With these won
derful new initiatives, which would probably all pass
in this state full of “do-gooders,” we can really protect
the sanctity of marriage in Nebraska. At least the mar
riages of white, Christian Nebraskans would be pro
tected. And isn't it their rights that really matter in this
state anyway?
Bryan L.SkaIberg
Lincoln
Winning the war
Everyday since June I have been engaged in a bat
tle - a battle against Initiative 416, trying to convince
youth that this initiative’s intent was not about “pro
tecting marriage” but about stripping away personal
freedom, fundamental human rights.
This is the first time I write a letter to the editor
regarding this initiative. I write because I harbor
incredible gratitude to the hundreds of youth across
the state who have helped myself and other coordina
tors of United Students Against 416.
Please remember that we may have lost the battle,
but we will win the war. To this end, I encourage all of
you to stay involved. No law that the “Christian” Right
proposes can “legislate love.”
Do not be fooled by “the Lord did this” to heart.
Indeed, it was not “the Lord” at all, but $600,000 from
the Mormon church in Utah. Is it not curious that
according to the theology of fundamentalist
Christians believe that both homosexuals and
Mormons are going to hell?
Bitterness, though, won’t help us in our fight And,
our fight is about nothing other than the freedom to
love. To this end, we can find encouragement from the
Bible that is so often used to damn. “The greatest
commandment is to love.” Jesus said that He also said
“though shalt not judge.” So, take heart, and do not
allow the so-called “Christian” Right to “steal Jesus”
who is die epitome of love and compassion.
Angela Clements
junior
political science/history
A lesson in self inspection
In the middle of the clinic
room, on the edge of my mind,
there’s nobody but me here.
What does “me” mean,
anyway? I’m hoping you can
answer that, petaluma. I feel
the necessity to strip away all
the pretensions of what has
come before and just deal with
the truth, whatever may come.
In thinking, and your direction
of my thinking, I dropped
down to nakedness. Come to terms, so to speak. This
is your directive. And my truth, as you've written.
The truth is I am beautiful.
The truth is I hate it
The truth is nobody has ever told me howto
handle it
The truth is everybody expects me to already
know.
The truth is I’m barely holding on here.
The truth is that beauty trades on itself, like a
bartering system, like its own currency. The truth is
/ that it serves as a burden to maintain, because
there’s no greater shame - is there? - than beauty
lost
The truth is the beautiful are the damned. That
we are your tiny pawns to slip through the wringer
time and time again, to exact your revenge upon for
whatever slings and arrows you’ve borne for your
lack of physical fortune.
That you’ve come to me, petaluma watson, in
this vision of elongated perfection is a ruse, your per
petration, a subversion of my confidence. I get it
Make me want what they want of me. Put me in a
position to be degraded and humiliated like what?
Like you once were? Maybe. Except your perversion
takes me further; this display is like a hall of your
horrors, all your secret desires - porcelain dolls,
dancers, plotting sickos who prefer to float jars of
puke down a river. Plastic creatures who dab their
suckers up and down. Soft, cooing mermaids who
breathe and raise their eyebrows dramatically.
This is your lesson to me, is it not? fm reading
you, reading me. For what purpose this plan? Oh,
sweet, sickly perfect little pawn, it remains to be seen.
Drawing the shades is such a kick isn't it? To dark
en the hopes of a universe where I, even as a charac
ter, could find hope in a happy ending. What pain
would there have been in my pleasure? Would it have
hurt you? Thken away from die enjoyment of creat
ing this tale. If I feel as though I've been used, almost
uniformly, by all that surrounds me, the purples, the
yellows... and I know now that you’ve placed me in
this two-color universe on purpose.
I understand Calvin, the cowboy, my fate con
spiring against me, turning scenarios upon me. And
Nadia, my Nads, my teacher, sage and counterpart
in bulimic devastation. _
I’m becoming self-aware, I suppose that’s the
term, to the situation that surrounds me. That the
clinic is a set That Nadia's house is right next door.
That the scenes like water mirages on the highway,
paint right before me. You, petaluma watson, as
you’ve been deemed by yourself and now, me, whom
you must deem your own, are the painter. I am the
object, the canvas, this room, or any room, or no
room at all, just maybe my dreams. Or whatever.
You’ve put me in the position to see it And
excuse me, but I hold a brewing curiosity as to why.
What doors that have been unlocked to me reveal
others. I come closer and closer into view, a reality
from the abstract from simply beautiful to physical
traits of height and weight Am I, petaluma watson, a
figment of your perceived perfection? Do you, like,
want me? Are you allowing my ego to drive to the
force of this column for your lack of will? Has your
motivation been worn down? Is all that is left within
a need to relent?
Where are you taking me? Or maybe, you’re sig
naling, it's time for me to take you.
My dear literary mother, may I?
Body image
never equals
perfection
Thursday,
March 30,2000.
She refused
to eat. She
refused to listen.
I was a resident
assistant. She
was a resident. I
was upset. She
was more so.
r 1_i.i j_
Emily
^^^Moran
unc me
to leave her alone. I did. But all I could
think about was her. Her thin frame.
Her hollow face. Her size two.
I wasn’t obsessed. But I felt
responsible for her. Salad. Salad.
Saltine cracker. Water. Salad. She
dodged floor dinners. And me.
I offered to help. She rejected me. I
left her alone. She never reached out. I
think she was ashamed for someone
noticing. I was ashamed for not doing
more.
Saturday, Oct. 14,2000.
I was alone for the night. I decided
to tackle the bedroom closet. I tried
on clothes for hours. I sucked it in. I
tried to fit.
I counted what remained. Five
sweaters. Ten shirts. IWo dresses. Four
skirts. Three pairs of jeans that fit. Six
that didn’t.
I had gained eight pounds in three
months. I wanted to fit into these
clothes. But I
couldn't. I was too
fori f lues♦ But I craved
clothes. I felt out
of control. Control. I
Defeated, could be a
i thought i perfections
would be sexier if I f anorexic
was thinner. I or a aehiUS
be happier. I bullYhlC. I
thought I would chose
be in control. So I ... D
had to choose. Did neither. bUt
I want to be was frUSt
anorexic or bulim- f-Qtcd /
Neither Wanted tO
appealed to me. fa f/
But I craved con- , , .
trol. I could be a thought 1
perfectionis t needed it.
anorexic or a _
genius bulimic. I
chose neither. But was frustrated. I
wanted to be thin. I thought I needed
it.
Monday, Oct. 23,2000.
I double-knotted my laces and
headed to the second floor of the Rec
Center. I was going to run. Run off the
fat.
I entered the second floor. I sucked
it in. I didn’t want the others to notice
me. I was ashamed that I needed to
exercise. I regretted wearing shorts.
I sat on die other mat and looked
at the person $ext to me. She was hot.
She had a tight figure. I should have
worn sweats. I wanted to be her.
She did 50 crunches. I did 12. She
did 50 more. I wheezed. She touched
her toes. I touched my knees. She did
50 crunches. I quit.
I spent two minutes on the
Stairmaster. I was so tired. I returned
to the mats. I recognized a runner.
This person was thin. Rail thin.
I knew her. She was beautiful. But
she looked sick. Her weight didn’t
match her bone structure. Her eyes
were sunken in. But she smiled. She
smiled at me. I stared.
She was in control. She was not
defeated. Or bloated. She was happier
than most. But I knew better. I knew
she shouldn’t be running. She should
be eating.
Wednesday, Nov. 8,2000.
I am not perfect. I want to be per
fect. I want to be thin. But I’m not. I
think I will be happier if I am thinner.
But I should be smarter than that.
I refuse to be anorexic. I refuse to
be bulimic. You should refuse, too.
Tell us what you think.
E-mail your letters to :
letters@unl.edu or call us at
472-2588.