Letters to the Editor Feb. 1

Greek bedbugs also need consideration

I read your coverage about the bedbug infestation in the dorms and the subsequent reports of the UNL Housing cover up. I must say, while I applaud the Daily Nebraskan for taking a strong stance and calling for the housing director's resignation, I think you are missing an important angle in your reporting.

Your stories have covered the bedbug problem at Selleck and Abel residence halls, but you've said next to nothing about the reports of bedbugs at Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Why?

I think I know why: because of the continued prejudice the Daily Nebraskan has against the UNL greek system. It is troubling to know that because of your biased coverage, some truly great stories about greek bedbugs have gone unreported. Case in point:

Did you know that greek bedbugs have not only a rich tradition at UNL, but also played a significant role in developing institutions for higher learning around the world?

Did you know that greek bedbugs benefit from social interaction with other greek bedbugs and display an overall higher social aptitude than their independent counterparts?

Did you know that, because of active member status requirements and the encouragement of rigid study habits for pledges, greek bedbugs have a higher cumulative GPA than independent bedbugs?

Did you know that greek bedbugs hold more campus bedbug leadership positions than non-Greek bedbugs?

Did you know that greek alumni bedbugs often provide internship and career placement assistance for undergraduate greek bedbugs?

It seems to me that you either do not know these generally accepted facts about greek bedbugs, or you choose to ignore them. My question is: Why? Were you denied membership in a greek organization? Are you intimidated by greeks?

Thanks for hearing me out.

Derek Lippincott

UNL Class of 2004

Jan. 30 birth control column discounts human dignity

I challenge the author and any reader to research the dangers associated with birth control. The Roman Catholic Church recognizes Natural Family Planning (NFP) as a safe and ethical method of fertility regulation; it doesn't endorse a "pro-birth at any cost" position. Also, to cite population concerns as a reason why to promote birth control demonstrates a naivete in the understanding of population growth trends. Lastly, describing abortion as a charity that prevents the suffering of poor children discounts dignity of human life, regardless of their socioeconomic situation. The Church wants to be able to protect this dignity; that is all.

Jonathan Prather

Latin American studies and Spanish major