The Public Pulse, Feb. 6

Focus on Whiteclay is beginning

I’d like to express my appreciation for The World-Herald’s focus on the problematic issue of alcohol sales at Whiteclay, Neb.

A Jan. 14 editorial, “A sensible path forward,” and recent news stories reflect an increased awareness of the need to do something about the social problems on the Pine Ridge Reservation, to which alcohol sales at Whiteclay contribute.

For those who have been to Whiteclay, the images of the problem remain with them. “Skid Row of the Plains” is an apt description. I encourage those who haven’t been to Whiteclay to watch the locally produced documentary, “The Battle for Whiteclay,” which examines the problem at length.

While I agree that the proposed legislation won’t cure the problems at Whiteclay, it is reaffirming to learn that the issue is being discussed by our elected officials and that funds may soon be available for much-needed services.

Nebraskans certainly need to start somewhere to address this issue. I hope continued news coverage will further raise awareness and prompt others to take an active interest in this issue, as well as support efforts to improve conditions on Pine Ridge.

Kerry L. Beldin, Lincoln

Deciding on how many children

I was intrigued by the Jan. 30 news story about the 6,000 pregnant women in Nebraska. How many children am I responsible for? My wife and I decided when and how many children we could and should have. Two was the number.

Now, I’m being told that I must be financially responsible for the prenatal care, delivery and postnatal care of 6,000 kids.

Remember, taxpayers are responsible for funding state and federal programs. There is no money tree.

How about placing more responsibility on those who can’t afford to have children but have them anyway? That way, I won’t have to get a third job. I can continue to pay my fair share of taxes and exercise my right to choose which charities get my donations.

Having children is truly a privilege, but the financial part is only the tip of the iceberg on responsible parenting.

Tim Kelly, Omaha

University standards will slip

Expansion plans of University of Nebraska athletic departments in Lincoln and Omaha are breathtaking. I agree that UNO needs to build its brand. I do not agree with the big cuts our leaders plan for our academic programs.

Imagine what our universities could accomplish if we had athletic administrators in charge of the academic budgets. We had that chance.

By electing Tom Osborne as governor, a friend of both academics and athletics, we might have built a stronger, more prestigious university system. Imagine if Osborne’s considerable talents had been directed to advancing the goals of our government and academic programs.

Instead of visionary leadership at the top of our state government, we’ve settled for shortsighted, false economies. We should know that money spent on education doesn’t cost. It pays.

From Gov. Dave Heineman on down, we seem determined to cut salaries and programs that will drive away the best teachers and students.

Unfortunately, the subtle damage we are prepared to unwisely accept in academic programs is not as obvious as the damage to our state when our athletic teams decline. Our leaders should see the folly of cutting back our universities, especially during a recession when education efforts should be redoubled.

Al Kammerer, Omaha

Helmet OK, not extra insurance

I thoroughly believe that anyone, no matter the age, should be required to wear a helmet when on a motorcycle.

I know a man who was riding on a gravel road. His motorcycle spilled and threw him headfirst into a metal mailbox post. Without a helmet, he would have been killed.

James A. Monaghan (Feb. 3 Pulse) said it would be hypocritical to mandate wearing a helmet on a motorcycle and not in an automobile. What does he think seat belts are for? Seat belts should be worn by everyone in an automobile.

I do not agree that a person should have to purchase a $1 million medical policy to ride a motorcycle without a helmet. The money paid for the policy could greatly help on covering medical bills.

Nancy Lyons, Kearney, Neb.

Don’t expand the seat-belt law

In response to Alan H. Goodman’s Jan. 31 letter, the last thing we need is expanded seat-belt laws. Seat-belt laws don’t save lives — only the use of seat belts does.

Expansion of the seat-belt law would mean taking more of our busy police officers away from preventing serious crimes, like looting, robberies and assaults.

The only reason Nebraska enacted that law was because the federal government held us hostage: No seat-belt law, no highway funds.

Let’s get our priorities straight and start concentrating on important issues.

Dave Grund, Omaha

Another month, another award

I certainly hope Nebraskans are aware of the notable prize recently given to one of our state’s political leaders.

U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson was named January’s “Porker of the Month” by Citizens Against Government Waste, the nation’s largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.

The organization believed Sen. Nelson was a slam-dunk winner this time around for “his Cornhusker Kickback boondoggle, opening the door to a congressional stampede to try to fully federalize one of the most wasteful government-run health care entitlement programs ever conceived.”

Congratulations, Sen. Nelson.

Denny Hartford, Omaha

Snowbank is not a soft landing

Be aware that those formerly white and fluffy snowbanks at the sides of streets have become dark and firm.

I witnessed a car that was crowded by traffic into one of them. Instead of being deflected by the bank, the right wheel was forced up the snowbank, tilting the vehicle, which promptly rolled onto its side.

J.F. Johnson, Omaha

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