Copyright 2000 The Omaha World-Herald Company
Omaha
World-Herald
June 9, 2000, Friday SUNRISE EDITION
SECTION: EDITORIAL; Pg. 14; Public Pulse
LENGTH: 1958 words
HEADLINE:
Public Pulse
BODY:
Unions Protested
From: Mo Anker, Lincoln Two June 4 Pulse letters, whose content I am
in agreement with, pertained to permanent normal trade relations with China. But
first, as a union activist, I would like to correct Charles Gutha on the only
misstatement in his letter. He asked: "Where is the outcry? Where are the union
people?" Being one of about 50,000 union people who peacefully protested the
World Trade Organization in Seattle last year and one of about 40,000 union
people who peacefully protested the Congress in April of this year on
PNTR, I would have to answer his questions by saying we were on
the front lines of the battle helping to lead the charge. Nebraskans
should remember the recent history of another trade deal, promised to be great
for Nebraska farmers and ranchers, known as NAFTA. Since 1994 the farm and ranch
economy has gone further down. The WTO and PNTR are being sold
to us with the same old worn-out line: It will be great for farmers and
ranchers. In reality, the only ones it will be good for are big businesses.
China is a major exporter of rice and corn and a soon-to-be exporter of wheat.
The major export from the United States will be good-wage, family-supportive
jobs. With the WTO and PNTR, your nation's
sovereignty is slowly being sold out from under you to the highest bidders, big
business and the multinationals. Farmers Lack Control
From: William J. Zimmerman, Avoca, Iowa In reference to Steve
Brief's June 3 Pulse letter, the farmer could have a decent price for his crop
if he could control the market and production as the oil companies
do. Leasing Airspace Silly From: Will Maack,
Omaha About the June 6 article about the archway monument over the
Interstate near Kearney: The federal government was kind enough to grant
permission to build over the Interstate - and will charge Nebraska an ongoing
fee for the airspace the arch occupies. How high does the airspace go? Do planes
that fly over it have to pay a fee? The federal government gets taxes from the
vehicles that are driven through the archway. But that is not enough. We must
lease the airspace the arch occupies. That is ridiculous. Visionary
Grand Island From: Brad Ashford, Omaha Congratulations
to Mayor Ken Gnadt of Grand Island and Fonner Park for the vision to go forward
with a first-class arena facility in their city. Congratulations also to State
Sen. Dan Lynch, the Nebraska Legislature and Gov. Mike Johanns for their
leadership in enacting legislation last session that provides opportunities for
communities across our state to access funding for projects of this
nature. Most Gun Buyers OK From: Mark Wiederin,
Omaha I am not a gun-toting member of the National Rifle
Association, but I had to laugh when I read the recent story the Justice
Department and Clinton administration are spinning: 200,000 gun buys halted
in'99. So, 204,000 of 8.6 million prospective gun buys were stopped due to
background checks. Wow, that's a whopping 2.4 percent. Good thing we keep
considering more and more gun legislation. After all, we know the criminals will
obey those new laws. But it seems a little much, considering that 97.6 percent
of those who bought guns did so legally. I wonder how many guns used in crimes
last year were bought on the black market without a background check. More Than
a Privilege From: Ron Shirley, Papillion This is in
regard to the remark by A.M. Schenck (June 6 Pulse) that "the Second Amendment
does give the privilege to own guns." Correction: It is not a privilege; it is a
right. And the Second Amendment does not give - grant - the right; it guarantees
the right. ' Gun Law Little Used From: Rich Howard,
Bellevue On the application to purchase a firearm, it states that it
is a federal felony for a felon or fugitive to attempt to purchase a firearm. Of
the 148,000 felons and 10,000 fugitives who were prevented from purchasing
firearms in 1999, how many were arrested? This is a major gun law that is not
being adequately enforced. There is a felon/fugitive committing a crime, the law
knows exactly where the felon is standing, just waiting to be arrested, and
nothing happens. There is no excuse for having a gun law that is not
enforced. How many violent criminals would be removed from the streets if this
law were enforced by the Clinton administration? Retire the
Eyebrow From: Richard & Betty Rader, Fremont, Neb.
Oh, happy days. After 25 years, the ugly "eyebrow" or sound brow intended to
enhance the sound of the renovated Orpheum Theater is being removed from in
front of the upper stage. You will not get to see what is behind it, however,
because of the way the theater will be draped for "Phantom of the Opera." We
attended the reopened Orpheum on Jan. 17, 1975. To this day, we display the
certificate and original stage weight presented to us for support of the
restoration. At that evening's performance and each time we have sat
in the theater since, we have wished the "eyebrow" would be removed. Maybe it
was needed 25 years ago, but obviously they intend to get along without it for
Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera." Please, please cut it up and don't
ever put it in front of the beautiful proscenium again. What Sort of
Union? From: R.K. "Tom" Thompson, Bellevue When the Rev.
Jimmy Creech tied the knot for Mary and Martha, because they wanted to express
their love in "holy union," I wonder if there was a clause available to allow
them to "untie" the knot less than two years later? How do they accomplish this?
If Nebraska had the same law relative to "civil unions" that the governor of
Vermont just signed to provide gay couples with the same benefits and rights as
"civil marriage," shouldn't they now need to secure a "civil union divorce"
through legal channels, or are they allowed to just move on to their next union
ceremony? If they move on without the benefit of a divorce decree and
later join a new partner in a second "holy union," would this constitute bigamy?
If not, why the big deal about getting joined in a church setting, and was it
all worth it to Jimmy Creech, who lost his ministerial credentials over same-sex
uinions? Very interesting! Place for Consulate From: Beverly F.
DiMauro, Omaha It's great news that there will be a
Mexican government consulate in Nebraska. But in the name of good common sense,
make sure that the offices are in South Omaha, where the majority of people who
can be helped live, instead of 20 miles away. Radio News
Declines From: Anne Boyle, Lincoln Chairman, Nebraska Democratic
Party Another broadcast media outlet has chosen to participate in
the dumbing-down of the public. KFAB radio has gutted its news operation, firing
Mike Wagner, one of a handful of political broadcast reporters still working. A
short time ago, KMTV canceled Joe Jordan's "Face the Midlands." We appreciate
the efforts of Metro Networks to continue to provide political coverage to Omaha
radio stations, but it will not fill the void left by the forced departure of
Wagner and several other KFAB reporters and producers. The motto on
Nebraska's Capitol is, "The salvation of the state is watchfulness in the
citizen." It is becoming increasingly difficult for the citizens of the state to
be watchful when their sources of information are evaporating. In a time of
declining voter turnout and voter apathy, eliminating Wagner's position sends
the irresponsible message that elections and politics have little consequence in
people's lives. Nelson Indeed Partisan From: Chuck
Sigerson, Lincoln Chairman, Nebraska Republican Party Former Iowa
Gov. Terry Branstad said Ben Nelson "has never been a partisan" (June 1 story).
This claim leaves me wondering how well Branstad really knows the politics of
his fishing buddy and lobbying partner, Nelson. Branstad's ceremonial show of
support for Nelson raises questions as to whether he really supports Nelson's
politics or if he's simply returning a business favor. Branstad was recently
hired at Nelson's Washington, D.C., lobbying firm. During his tenure
as Nebraska governor, Nelson appointed seven judges to the Nebraska Supreme
Court. How many of these appointees were non-Democrats? Not one. Also,
"centrist" Nelson has never gone outside his party to support any non-Democrat
presidential candidate. Don't be deceived. Nelson will tell you he's
not partisan. He'll have his friends say the same. But when it comes down to it,
Nelson's empty campaign rhetoric can't hide his partisan record and his ties to
the Democratic Party. We'll Miss Mr. Grimm From: Sherri A.
Louis, Omaha Many people are not aware of a Nebraska all-star who
played Husker football and was one of the best at that. If you had known this
unique man, you would realize he could have been someone in need. He never
griped about his life and tragedy, yet he had every reason to. Not many people
could go through what he went through. He escaped serious injury as a
pilot but became paralyzed for life. But he created an incredible family and had
a very dedicated, loving wife. He flew a B-29 during World War II and the Korean
War. He was awarded the Air Medal for service during World War II. His motto
seemed to be, "Never give up." He was a U.S. marshal when he was paralyzed after
being shot directly in the chest. His strength and ambition kept his spirits
high until they laid him to rest. Many people will miss our friend,
Lloyd Grimm. He was a remarkable man. We've learned a great deal from
him. Not for Lawyers Only From: Allen O'Donnell, Wayne,
Neb. "Court Spouts Theological Hooey" (June 3) is a fine column by
Jeff Jacoby and should be placed in readily available spots in every law office,
especially with the American Civil Liberties Union and the trial lawyers'
association. A point that must be magnified is this: Why should not a fine
philosopher, a good historian, a strong member of the local community serve on
the bench as a judge? The Constitution does not stipulate that only lawyers can
be judges. We ought to remember that it was lawyers turned judges who decided
that we did not know when life begins. Also, those lawyers we used to
refer to as "ambulance chasers" are now honorable members of the trial lawyers'
association. When we recognize how poor McDonald's can be sued over a hot cup of
coffee, we see how truly ridiculous these folks have become and what they have
wreaked upon this society of ours. Lawyers and judges need to be brought under
control. It Helps Bereaved Kids From: Tiffany Sutter,
Lincoln A May 25 article related to the Lincoln KidsKamp, a day camp
for grieving children and their families. As co-sponsor of the Lincoln KidsKamp,
I was elated to see the publicity about our upcoming camp (tomorrow). However, I
was disappointed that there was no mention of Centering Corp., the nation's
oldest grief and bereavement center, located in Omaha. Centering Corp. created
KidsKamp several years ago and continues to hold several successful camps each
year. Last fall I had the opportunity to volunteer at Centering
Corp.'s KidsKamp. I had such an incredible experience working with a 5-year-old
boy who had lost his grandmother that I became determined to bring this
wonderful resource to the Lincoln community. Children's grief is so often
overlooked. Centering Corp. generously shared its KidsKamp name and
model with me so I could bring this experience to families in my community.
Centering Corp. provides invaluable services to those who are surviving the
death of a loved one and deserves full credit for helping KidsKamp into other
communities.
LOAD-DATE: June 9, 2000
