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Letters, 3/13: Calendar men distasteful

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Monday, Mar 13, 2006 - 12:08:59 am CST

Half-naked calendar men? How utterly distasteful! I cannot believe that the Journal Star has nothing else to print. How do I explain to my daughters who are 11 and 13 what these pictures depict. They do read the paper for school.

If one of those was my father, I would be so disappointed in him. Could this small town not find any other way to raise money?

There are so many other interesting things going on in Lincoln, one of them being state tournaments. Do we really need to print such trash?

Rolanda Kortan, Lincoln

Use money for lake study

Since the State of Nebraska is the recipient of $9 million due to the Powerball payout, this could easily pay for the proposed lake study, near Ashland.

Granted, the thought of this lake is upsetting to some, but having a Lake Okoboji or Lake of the Ozarks type of attraction in eastern Nebraska would be fantastic. This could be the destination attraction this state is looking for.

Yes, there would be some hurdles to overcome with a project of this size, but we have the technology to do so.

If Ashland wants to stay, maybe a levy or dike could be proposed. If they decide to move, they could have their choice of any piece of shoreline they want, with a marina and waterfront district. Sounds like a win for everyone, especially if you own property in the area.

Matt Mittelstadt, Lincoln

We need new businesses

I believe the majority of Lincolnites agree with Councilman Dan Marvin, that the downtown area is “our community’s calling card” and that there is far too much invested to just “let the downtown go.” It should be preserved and continue to provide commerce and entertainment for our town. Common sense dictates that. But at the expense of the rest of Lincoln?

Common sense also dictates that in a time of factory closings, the loss of jobs/businesses to Omaha and our city’s current unemployment/underemployment rate, this is the time to welcome new business and industry to Lincoln, not drive them away.

The current theater policy is just one way Lincoln is showing the world a backwoods, small-minded attitude that will continue to keep companies from coming here, broadening our tax base and providing a much-needed boost to our local economy and work force.

Rich Kostner, Lincoln

Regent should get trial

We have a regent who broke the law, maybe fraudulently defeated his opponent, by using more money for his campaign, and then a judge in our justice system uses his authority to silence the case. Are we living in a democratic country? Has the justice system changed?

He has been asked to resign many times and hasn’t. It is time for a jury trial and let jurors decide his fate.

If guilty, maybe some prison time with the regular prison population would help him understand what happens when laws are broken. There should not be special prisons for the white-collar workers and the rich.

A crime is a crime, and they do not deserve any special treatment.

John Chrastil, Hallam

Learn before you argue

I would like to thank and criticize the reader who wrote in about intersex. I thank this reader because he made me more aware of the issue. But he also used poor reasoning that will lead to more misunderstanding.

All religious people who think homosexual acts are immoral do not hate homosexuals or people who are intersex. All religious people do not hate adulterers or sodomizers or any other kind “izer” or “erer.”

Religious people believe and try to practice a kind of sexual life that is about self-sacrificial love. If you go to the Intersex Society of North America Web site, it says that they don’t recommend the term hermaphrodite because it is technically incorrect and physically impossible. It is really a much more complicated issue than I imagined. And it deserves much more awareness and discussion by those involved, which could be any of us.

Sexual love is about giving to each other sexually. Sacrificial love is about forgetting one’s own agendas and needs for the good of another. The ultimate use of sexuality for this kind of love results in new life. Even in a heterosexual relationship, this real meaning of sexuality can be obscured and hurt the purity of the relationship.

This is the philosophy and belief of many religious people, many of whom may even be intersex. The ISNA Web site said many people who are intersex don’t learn about it until adulthood or may never know.

So both religious people and readers that write in to bash religious people need to be on their toes so we are only fighting battles that need to be fought.

David Essay, Lincoln

Fix election mistakes

Can we afford the same mistakes? I was angered when I read about the unsigned ballots mailed out by our Cass County Election Commissioner, Nancy Josoff. This is just not working! Didn’t we learn anything from the last major election problems?

The outcome of the Elmwood/Murdock levy override could possibly be altered by this mistake. Our kids’ education could be at stake! This is no different than the 135 Manley voters not being allowed to vote for the levy override within the Weeping Water school district nearly two years ago. And no different than voters within Cass County not receiving signed ballots the last time.

Now, it’s up to the voter to make the effort to correct the mistake that should not have happened in the first place. How many of the voters will actually take the time to get a notary’s signature or make a trip to Plattsmouth? These additional steps should not have to happen to make our votes count!  We cannot stand for this sort of continual mistake.

For those voters within the Elmwood/Murdock district — beware! Once the votes are taken and the mistakes are found, there’s no going back. It’s time we take another look at our Cass County Election Commissioner’s office and make sure it’s done correctly. We cannot afford the mistakes that don’t allow our votes to count. We live in a country that prides itself with the vote of the people.

Tracy Zeorian, Manley

Nelson, make up mind

What is our pro-life Sen. Ben Nelson doing voting with Sen. Barbara Boxer to give away our federal tax dollars to foreign agencies that support abortion?

Sure, he has voted for some pro-life legislation here in Nebraska and now he’s suddenly pro-choice while in Washington?

Sorry, Ben, you can’t have it both ways. I, for one, am disappointed.

Mary Jo Bousek, Lincoln

Vote for Rick Poore

I am writing to express my support for Rick Poore, a candidate for Legislature in the 28th District. Rick is the right man to follow long-time Sen. Chris Beutler because he has the passion, energy and resolve to get the job done.

I have met Rick and can say that he is ready for the challenge and responsibility of representing his constituents. I know he is eager to meet each of you in the 28th District. Rick has a message to share, and it’s one that every Nebraskan should hear.

Rick, a small-business owner and father, will be a strong voice supporting economic development, education, and the low income in the Legislature.

Rick Poore is serious about his legislative candidacy because he understands the everyday effects state policy has on its citizens. With Rick’s help, Nebraska can be a better place for all of us.

Liz Dixon, Lincoln


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Thom Payne wrote on March 13, 2006 5:55 am:
" I don't know why Rich Kostner thinks downtown has any problems. Granted, it's virtually empty when I go through it in the evening on the way to Omaha ... but we were told that once we drove those pesky smokers out, that they would be replaced by the sanctimonious busybodies who supported the ban. Guess they must be hiding in back rooms. I sure ain't seeing them. Way to go, Lincoln! "

 Steve R wrote on March 13, 2006 8:38 am:
" David: Thanks for responding to my letter. I will admidt that my letter was little more than a jab at the religious right. I just get saddned when so much negativity gets aimed at the 5% of our population that is homosexual. It is very nice that you help spread the information about intersexed people. I had a great teacher who helped us have a understanding of these people. I should not have used them for my little gotcha. My friend asked his pastor about my question: "an intersexed person would be just fine so long as they choose one mate and stuck with them monogamously. Really, it's the same standard we'd apply to any other "single-sexed" person." Which is pretty much inline with your letter. "

 Tom wrote on March 13, 2006 9:26 am:
" Oh NO! Naked people - OH the shame. Geez I hope my young children grow up to be so traumatized by the human body like the authors of the letters Sunday and today. I would much rather have my kids watch TV and see people get murdered or cut to pieces for so called entertainment. Oh my eyes - they burn - please don’t make me look at pictures of the human body. Oh I forgot - this is American after all, if I don’t like them I can just turn the page or not look. It just amazes me how prudish some Americans are. "

 GMP wrote on March 13, 2006 9:30 am:
" Yes, we have run the smokers out. Now we are going to run out the people who can't afford (or will not pay for) full price movies. Soon there will be tumbleweeds on "O" St. "

 Allen T. wrote on March 13, 2006 10:10 am:
" John Chrastil: While I certainly sympathize with your position, the judge here believes that his hands are tied. The Regent in question entered into an agreement to pay back certain monies, in return for no prosecution. If anyone is to blame here, it is the people that entered into that agreement with the Regent, and not the judge, who is bound to follow lawfully executed agreements. I'm as annoyed as you are, but I can't blame the judge for following the law....that's what they are supposed to do. "

 Jason wrote on March 13, 2006 11:44 am:
" Wow, I can hardly believe that people are actually getting upset about the Magnet calendar. I do agree that the pictures I saw weren’t exactly pleasing to the eye I do think that it was mad in jest. It was a humorous way for the residents of that small dying town to raise money so they could repair the one building in town that everyone gathers for many occasions. Can people not take a joke anymore? Were has America’s sense of humor gone? If we can’t laugh the terrorists win. "

 Mitchell wrote on March 13, 2006 11:45 am:
" Almost forgot: I think there were entire sections devoted to the state tournament all week long. I hardly think Magnet's story overshadowed that fact. "

 peb wrote on March 13, 2006 11:54 am:
" For gosh sakes, has Rolanda ever heard of "humor?" Life is too short to take it so seriously. Such seriousness could cause a stroke! "

 Allen T. wrote on March 13, 2006 12:05 pm:
" Tom: Usually, the type of people that would complain about seeing nudity in a paper are also the type of people that won't let their children watch murders and violence on television. "Son...is the woman that is being beat on television clothed? Yes mom. Watch on then." That's not really a likely scenario. Also, your comment that if people don’t like seeing the naked body they can just “not look” doesn’t really make sense. This is not a situation where the author of the letters took his/her children to strip-clubs, or let the read Penthouse, or watch the Playboy channel. In such instances, it would make sense to say…you got yourself into this, if you don’t like it...don’t look. However, people are not able to “not look” when offensive material shows up in places that most people would not expect it to, i.e. local newspapers, Anna Nicole Smith strips on Sesame Street, etc. "

 Kay wrote on March 13, 2006 12:11 pm:
" Rich Kostner is right on target. Lincoln, Nebraska and economic development have become an oxymoron. Our community leaders are so out of touch with reality, it's no wonder that viable businesses take their jobs and tax dollars elsewhere. "

 Lindsay wrote on March 13, 2006 3:42 pm:
" After looking at the picture, I really don't see what is so upsetting. The men are covered where necessary. You would see the same amount of skin on a summer day at the pool or your neighbor mowing the lawn. The picture wasn't distasteful...there was no overt sexual overtone. I find it funny that we are so uncomfortable with nudity in this country. I've been to Europe, where is a much more relaxed view on nudity. I've been to nude beaches there, and there was nothing sexual or unnatural about the way people behaved. It's the human body...it's how we were born, and it's the way God made us. I would have had a problem with the photo if they were overtly sexual, but c'mon...what is so unnatural as those men? "

 amused wrote on March 13, 2006 4:33 pm:
" Hey, Rolanda. I hate to cause you undue stress, but I'm pretty sure your 13 year old has seen far worse, and probably could teach you a thing or two. "

 John wrote on March 13, 2006 4:52 pm:
" "Usually, the type of people that would complain about seeing nudity in a paper are also the type of people that won't let their children watch murders and violence on television." yes- but what is most odd is that these same folks seem to have no problem with Real Violence. Abu Ghraib photos? Sheesh just some frat type pranks, right? But to be fair, some conservatives did get outraged over the whole deal.. at the press for showing publishing them though. How totally awesome would it be to have our priorities straight for a change? War, torture, lies = bad. Quirky fundraiser featuring the implication of Naked small town men = simply funny. "

 Allen T. wrote on March 13, 2006 5:18 pm:
" John: Please do not put words in my mouth. Most of the people I know, myself included, were outraged at the Abu Griab (spelling?) photos. Being a former soldier, I do not think that torture, or humiliation, is acceptable. The people involved in this dispicable act were rightfully convicted to terms in Leavenworth...not your cushy Federal prison by any means...they still make big rocks into little rocks there. However, I do have a problem with the media exploiting isolated cases of abuse to suggest that the military, as a whole, engages in torture. The suggestion is an insult to American soldiers and irresponsible in light of the military objective here...to create a peaceful government in Iraq. "

 D wrote on March 13, 2006 6:21 pm:
" To the lady whho is worried about explaining the picture to her daughters---they are probably things the girls already know that you are not aware of! That picture is not a big deal! We cannot guard our children from all things but we can teach them what we want them to learn..both right and wrong. If you are worried about that pic than you need to go to schools more and see what kids know already! "

 Frida wrote on March 13, 2006 10:15 pm:
" Ms. Bousek, Hypocrisy? Wouldn’t it be more hypocritical to be pro-life and then refuse to fund the only programs that may be available in certain regions of countries to prevent the spread of AIDS and other disease? What are we trying to accomplish with family planning and condom programs (that may or may not include abortion counseling) abroad? Are we trying to spread our values or are we trying to prevent the decimation of the most productive members of a society (AIDS in Africa). I vote for the latter and I think that it is very short sided to judge all programs by one standard without taking into consideration the individual characteristics of a problem and the needs in a certain area. I believe that welfare should be maximized in our aid efforts without being inhibited with such regulation. "

 Allen T. wrote on March 16, 2006 5:03 pm:
" Frida: I don't find her position hypocritical. While I am concerned about the plight of AIDS I still should have a choice in how my money is spent on correcting that issue. Just because some organization does some good, it does not mean that I am obligated to ignore the overbearing evil that it does, ie. the slaughter of children. "

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