The Public Pulse, February 6

UNO students lost opportunity

Seventeen years ago, along with 25 or so other young men, I signed a letter of intent to play football at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. UNO coach Pat Behrns took a chance on a raw kid from South Omaha who had yet to reach his potential. It was one of the biggest days of my life.

We were part of a turnaround, resulting in many wins, several conference championships, lifelong friendships and, most importantly, a college education that allowed us opportunities to become community leaders.

As I read a Feb. 2 Sports story the morning after national signing day, I couldn't help but mourn the loss of those 25 or so UNO kids who weren't mentioned. With players signing elsewhere, many opportunities to stay in Nebraska, play close to home and get an education are not being replaced. They are just eliminated.

How sad for our kids that, in a time when football is bigger than ever and a college degree is a prerequisite for a good job, UNO chose to downsize its program and rob our children of their chance at success.

The impact of that decision was evident on signing day and will be compounded every year.

Chris Bober, Waterloo, Neb.

UNO football All-American, 1998-99

National Football League, 2000-08

Wish star athlete well as coach

I wish former Bellevue West star athlete Erick Strickland, the first boy athlete to be All-Nebraska in three sports (football, basketball and baseball) during his four-year career at Bellevue West High School, the best in his search for a basketball coaching job — be it at Nebraska or somewhere else.

I know this much: His job will be made much easier if he gets to coach players as gifted and tenacious as Erick Strickland.

Bob Winkler, Omaha

Spring prediction was bit early

Even though my brother, Layne Yahnke, clearly understands that one shouldn't carelessly jinx the spring-like weather we've all been enjoying, he went ahead and did so in a Feb. 2 letter.

Tsk, tsk, brother dear. You just had to rouse Mother Nature from her daydreaming, didn't you? Now see what you've done!

Scott R. Yahnke, Omaha

We all need to help each other

I was shocked at Laurie Barber's Feb. 3 letter about children who aren't Catholic attending Catholic schools and that these parishes need to help themselves.

Why can't children attend Catholic schools if they aren't Catholic? Maybe the guidance and teaching would help them become the best they could be.

Many of these schools and parishes are in low-income areas. Does anyone ever stop to think that maybe some of these families need their money to put food on the table?

I am sure that the parishioners don't think the community owes them anything, but some compassion and help from other wealthier parishes would be welcome.

Janice Mohs, Omaha

One must be in war to know it

It is ridiculous for Stuart Williams (Jan. 20 Pulse) to suggest that the United States apologize for its actions in the Korean War.

North Korea invaded South Korea and would have annihilated the South Korean army and controlled South Korea had it not been for the United States and other United Nations countries.

As in any war, unless a person is there, one does not know what transpires. Ask someone who was in Korea at the time.

If the North Koreans were given food, what assurance would we have that the civilians would get it, rather than the military? If they can maintain such a large military, why can't they provide sufficient food?

Before these do-gooders express opinions, they should visit with the servicemen and servicewomen who were in the thick of things to preserve this privilege of freedom.

As a Korean War veteran, I agree wholeheartedly with Mike Malone's Jan. 24 letter that it's too soon to forgive North Korea.

Orville E. Schmidt, Cozad, Neb.

Start cutting military from top

To make cuts in the U.S. military budget, start with the Pentagon. We have more generals and admirals now than in World War II.

Stan W. Janousek, Norfolk, Neb.

All must play by the same rules

An Associated Press news story (Jan. 28 World-Herald) about President Barack Obama targeting the rise in college costs finally gave me the clarity I need for my vote in November. The president would strip federal funds for colleges that continue to raise tuition and fees.

Since the federal spending rate has increased during his term, President Obama must be of the same cloth as those dastardly colleges. And therefore, the president must accept that his federal funding also must be stripped away.

The only way I can help him accept the same rules is to vote to remove him from office. No re-election equals no federal paychecks going his way. Case closed.

Dean Bower, Omaha

Try to give credit where it's due

I am sick and tired of people bad-mouthing President Obama. They won't even listen to facts about our country's economy improving since he took office or the fact that the president got us out of a useless, senseless war that was started by a previous administration.

There are too many pluses as to why Obama should remain our president, instead of Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich.

Instead of constantly criticizing President Obama, we should focus on the positives he's accomplished in only three short years. I plan to vote for him in November.

Caline Dolan, Omaha

Bruning deserved endorsement

Attorney General Jon Bruning has rightfully earned the endorsement of the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police in his campaign for the U.S. Senate.

As attorney general, Bruning has put the interests of Nebraska families first and followed through on his campaign promise to tackle the illegal drug problems in our community.

Working with the Legislature, Bruning has tirelessly and successfully reduced the number of methamphetamine labs in our state. He is a man of his word, and his leadership is desperately needed today in Washington, D.C.

As Don Stenberg touts his support from a senator in South Carolina and launches his dirty campaign tactics, Bruning continues to run a positive campaign focused on the issues, while garnering more and more support from Nebraskans.

As a member of the law enforcement community in Sarpy County, I'm proud to stand with Attorney General Jon Bruning.

Russell L. Zeeb, La Vista

Questioning Omaha Steel move

I thank The World-Herald for a Jan. 29 follow-up Money story on some of the reasons why Omaha Steel chose to move to Wahoo, Neb., instead of staying in Omaha.

The bottom line was money — from land prices to electric hookup and rates. To stay in downtown Omaha or near downtown does cost more, but part of the cost-benefit analysis should include contributing to improving the quality of life in Omaha, as well as the resulting synergy of being involved in a dense urban community.

Employees will face increased transportation time and costs, which increase the costs of car maintenance, road maintenance and air pollution. The whole community pays for the latter two.

While alternative modes of transportation would probably be available if Omaha Steel stayed in downtown Omaha, that is not an option in Wahoo.

As I hope that Omaha Steel lasts another 100 years, I must ask, does the move out of Omaha represent the best decision for the company and its influence on a sustainable, high-density community and quality of life?

Dale Rabideau, Omaha

Old remedies might kill bedbugs

I wonder if any older people recall being told by their parents or grandparents how to get rid of a bedbug epidemic, such as the one infesting some of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln residence hall rooms.

Such infestations coined the old saying, "Sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite." We need to know what was done in the past in order to eliminate bedbugs today. UNL certainly could use the information.

Kate Hall, Omaha

Mandate jeopardizes freedoms

Laws are to a society what bones are to a body. Laws observed in compliance with natural law ensure a healthy, functioning society. Laws written in opposition to natural law cripple a society and can even be lethal.

Some bureau heads seem to believe that they can hand down mandates that curtail religious freedom. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has declared that religious institutions must include abortifacients, contraceptive pills (which can be abortive) and sterilization in their health care insurance policies.

As everyone already knows, this directly impacts the core values of certain religious organizations, which do corporal acts of mercy and have many institutions of higher learning. Furthermore, if religious freedom is infringed upon, what other constitutional rights are at risk?

This ill-advised mandate is a punch in the nose to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The First Amendment guarantees religious freedom that citizens of our great nation have enjoyed for 236 years.

Our wise founders realized that a person's religion is part of his two highest faculties — rational intellect and free will. This mandate must not paralyze our nation.

Georgia C. Ebel, Omaha

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