August 2007

By Paul Fell

This is the second essay in a series discussing the state of newspaper and the newspaper industry.

By Eli S. Chesen

This is the first in what I hope will be a succession of columns, which might entertain and provoke the reader with unusual and sometimes offbeat scientific and philosophical ruminations.

Some thoughts on violence and peace October 25, 1973

By Richard Lamm I have just participated in the greatest embezzlement in all of history. In my seventy-plus years, I have never seen such a perfect crime. Like most other master criminals, I am heady with success and feel a need to brag. I kid you not—never before has one group appropriated as much money that belonged to another group in the history of crime. The victims, while they are increasingly suspicious, still do not know they have been had. It was literally and figuratively as easy as taking candy out of the mouths of babies.

By Don Hanway Like its parent, the Church of England, the Episcopal Church in the United States has been a missionary body, founding and supporting many new churches overseas. These younger churches are now growing up, in numbers and assertiveness, and are feeling their powers, notably churches in Africa. It is a situation not unlike that of parents and their teenage offspring, who are adult in size and inclined to question the judgment and authority of those who brought them into being.

Review by Chad Smith

Ogallala Blue: Water and Life on the High Plains
William Ashworth

Review by Stephen M. Buhler

The Patience of the Spider
Andrea Camilleri
Penguin Books

By Deborah Derrick

Loren Eiseley once likened the brain of a writer to an attic that stores pictures from the past—pictures that are later recalled and woven into story. Many of Eiseley’s stories in the books that won him international fame originated with experience he laid away in his early years in Nebraska. It is only fitting, then, that a tribute to Eiseley in his centennial year would take place in his home state. On Sept. 7 and 8, the Friends of Loren Eiseley, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Bison Press and other friends will hold a series of events in Lincoln to educate the public about Eiseley and his work. Now, more than ever, his message about humankind’s relationship to the environment is relevant in light of global warming, pollution, population growth and resource depletion. Eiseley may even prove to be a modern shaman as he calls for us to remember our roots and seek our “sacred center” in nature.

By Gene Zuerlein

Nebraska’s obligation to protect streams and fish and wildlife resources (recognized as the Public Trust Doctrine) originated in the 6th century A.D. in Roman history. Justinian, emperor of Rome at the time, codified a law stating “By the law of nature, these things are common to mankind—the air, running water, the sea, and consequently, the shore of the sea.” England adopted this Public Trust Doctrine as common law, which was subsequently exported to the original 13 colonies here in the United States. Following the fight for independence, the Public Trust Doctrine was adopted as part of the basic laws in each state. Under U.S. Constitutional provisions, rights and obligations not specifically reserved for federal jurisdictions were transferred equally to all new states joining the union. When Nebraska accepted statehood in 1867, it accepted certain rights, common laws and obligations provided to the 13 original states and each additional state. Among others, each state accepted the common law known as “The Public Trust Doctrine (PTD).

By Katie Blesner

People and their communities enjoy many benefits when hiking/biking and equestrian trails are located nearby. Despite numerous benefits, trail advocates often face many obstacles in their quests for trail development. These challenges have prompted supporters to build partnerships and develop connections with other supporters to implement their dreams for more trails.

By Joel Sartore

Preserving endangered species saves all of us in the long run.

By Sally Herrin

You can’t imagine the happiness it is to me to be accosted by a Gentleman of Color of the old school, apparently insane in the nicest possible way and spilling over on a Sunday morning with the Spirit of the Lord and the love of all Creation, including the Brothers and the Sisters, including even me.

“New Orleans is open for business,” was the buzz phrase that many were repeating before we departed for a relief trip to New Orleans. It was nearly a full two years after Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent floodwaters, but the call to assist still came out loud and clear. The Times Picayune published an article while we were there that exclaimed that, though the French Quarter was back in operation and tourism was almost back to full steam, it was important to remember that the lives of everyday, ordinary residents of the New Orleans metropolitan community were decidedly not returning to normal, and it would take years and billions of dollars before they did. It would also take the interest and dedication of Americans like my group and me to exact lasting change to systematic problems that continue to be the obstacle to relief, rebuilding and moving on.