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Show Editorial At least know I'm free V 1 dpy. By Necia Palmer Editor-in-chief of The Sgnpost It's almost a clichd, but it is so true: You don't appreciate what you have until you lose it or leave it. I was part of the delegation that went to Vytautas Magnus University to share what living in a democracy with freedom of the press, is like. In the Soviet Union, life means nothing, the state means everything and media is a big public relations project. Lithuania's seasons are about two months behind our's. Winter's storm clouds still hang in theair-as do the effects of communism. Actually, socialism is a good principle. In a perfect socialist society, there are no poor. People have what they need, help each other and maintain their individuality. Yet, when monsters like Stalin, Hitler or present Soviet leaders have power, socialism becomes deadly. It kills intelligence; it kills ingenuity; it kills individuality. When Stalin spread his communist government over Lithuania, thousands of people disappeared overnight. They were either sent to Siberia or taken to the woods and killed, simply because they appeared intellectual. They were teachers, students or people who simply wore glasses or carried books. An evil dictator's socialist society cannot allow individual thought to be fostered since power is then transferred from the dictator to the individual. This society teaches technical skills only. People in a Communist society don't learn to solve problems, don't develop personal value systems, don't know how to think Public perspective weak To the editor The massive response to our Honors Issues Forum of 16 May was quite interesting. The goal of Issues Forum is to stimulate thought on a variety of topics and expose the campus community to differing approaches to politics, policy and basic philosophical questions. Social Science Building room, 119 generally has students sitting on the floors during Open Hour. This quarter we have debated such Athletics necessary but can cut back spending Tohe editor: I am writing in response to the article in the May 1 7 issue on athletics and academics. Yes, in my opinion these do mix with one another. For the athlete they must mix. This quarter I have had an opportunity to have some athletes, both male and female, in a few of my classes. To me they seemed to get involved in the discussions and for the most part they did respectfully well. Athletes earn their credit just like everybody else. Athletes are required to take at least 12 credit hours per quarter. On top of that they spend countless hours studying plays and techniques, practicing and conditioning. They have pressure to keep their position, pressure from the coaches to do well, to win on game day. All this with studies. anything contrary to the State's philosophy. We visited Alytus Vynas, a champagne factory in Lithuania. Their machinery and all the grapes needed for production come from different parts of the Soviet Union. Therefore, the state dictates most of what is done there. Despite the Soviet hold on the company, Lithuanians running the plant are breaking every Soviet tie possible. While there, they told us they had a problem. One of their champagnes had the word "Soviet" in it and they wanted it out. As we proceeded to brainstorm many ideas, I noticed that none of the Lithuanians were "in" on the fun we had. They just watched. Steve Anaya, the husband of VMU's pro-rector, Liucija Baskauskas, told us later that what we were did was open rebellion. The Lithuanians either didn't dare or know how to think beyond the state. We, on the other hand, thought nothing of it. There, people's individuality is eroded away in amazingly subtle ways. Students who sent their addresses with us in order to correspond with Americans wrote their names only after writing USSR, Lithuania, their city and their street. The state is first; they are last. How incredibly fortunate we are in this country. Life is valued by our government. In the Soviet Union, people's lives mean nothing to the state. Oh! that we stand behind the principles our constitution is founded upon and protect, not abuse the freedoms that we have. God bless Americans to live up to the American ideal! God bless the Lithuanians in their stuggle for freedom. issues as: gun control, legalization of drugs, euthansia, police brutality and the current political situation in South Africa. The Signpost reported on these Forums with no resulting letters to the editor or comment from the sports editors. All cultures hold their clan totems and sacred cows very dear. I will pray to the spirit of the Wildcat for forgiveness. Ron Holt WSU professor Of course college basketball and football are for entertainment, entertainment is a part of life, a part of growing up and being socially educated. Athletics is also a business - just ask Denny Huston. I feel that the basketball program did not make the money that the university wanted last year. They need to make money to keep the university in operation. I worked for the Athletic Dept. this year and I saw where all the money was spent. They could cut back on expenses by watching what they buy and when. Athletics is a great way for students to get through school and for other students to be entertained. I think athletics is a part of real education. Kelly Brandon WSU students THE sLncS Senators portray ignorance on matter To the editor I am writing in response to the May 15 Signpost article which reported on a Senate resolution that would have designated an Open Hour in recognition of Malcom X. Social Science Senator Robert Nelson objected to the resolution because history viewed Malcom X as a violent man and his view on separation of races was unacceptable to civil rights organizations. Scott Robinson, non-traditional senator was quoted as saying "when we deal with civil rights, Malcom X was on the wrong track ... He wasn't even accepted by his own people." As one of his own people, let me set the record straight. Mr. Nelson stated that "history viewed Malcom X as a violent man." History, Mr. Nelson, is just that - HIS STORY. Close examination of the facts often prove that HIS STORY does not always reveal the truth, but rather a subjective presentation of past events. Take the total obliteration of African American, Native American and Hispanic contributions from our history books for example. That may be HIS STORY but it sure isn't a factual account of events. While we're talking about history, lets talk about some of the things that all of us know to.be true. America was founded on violent revolution and we have partici The Signpost Staff Editor-in-chief Necks Palmer Managing editor Paul B. Johnson News editor Lorin J. May Senior reporter Joyce Zabriskie Sports editor Scott D. Summers Asst. Sports editor Alan Hinckley Arts editor C. Mark Howard Asst. Arts editor Jennifer Harding Signature editor Sarah Hansen Asst. Signature editor Barry Devine Special Editions editor Christine Rasmussen Copy editor Shawn Peterson Asst. Copy editor Bernice Bridenbecker Photo editor Jim Sawdey Asst. Photo editor Danielle Mabey Production manager JayStoeckl Asst. Production manager Alba Johnson Ads Design manoger Jana Jacobs Ads manager Brandi Johnson Asst. Ads manoger Matthew Meikle Secretary Linda Harrington Advisor P. Lorry Stahle Asst. Advisor - Editorial DaleS. Oberer Publisher Dr. Randolph J. Scott The Signpost is published Monday, Wednesday and Friday during fall, winter and spring quarter. Subscriptions are $9 per quarter. Ad deadline is two days before publication. Editor-in-chief - 626-7 1 21 News Arts. ...626-7105 Sports. .626-7953 Classifieds 626-6358 Advertising 626-6359 Fax 626-7401 Production. 626-6358 rflpW J pated in all subsequent wars under the guise of human rights and freedoms. How is this inconsistent with Malcom X's advocacy of violence as a means of protecting the rights of black citizens in America? As citizens of the United States, everyone is entitled to the same rights and we should be able to appeal to the law when our rights have been violated. But what happens when the people that enforce law turn on us with their fists? I wonder if Mr. Nelson would have branded Rodney King "violent" if he had been able to get up and fight back? Would Mr. Robinson have said that he was "on the wrong track?" Some people were upset about the comment Malcom X made upon the death of John F. Kennedy ("The chickens coming home to roost.") but I don't believe that Malcom X meant that the president deserved to be assassinated; I think he was saying that society reaps what it sows, to paraphrase Malcom: "whenever you have a country that is founded on the law, and law makers refuse to enforce their own law, ... you have anarchy." I sat in the Senate meeting last . Monday, May 20, and found myself scared to death, the senators that are supposed to represent the students here at Weber State were grossly uninformed and pathetically narrow minded. Not one of tor the opposing senators had read the Autobiography of Malcom X or done any other significant research on the subject. My advice to these senators is: "Better to remain silent and thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." One senator even went as far as to say that he didn't believe that the senate should be dealing with "this type of issue" anyway. Well he was wrong, this is precisely the "type" of issue that an institution of higher education should be dealing with. If jve don't open our minds to new ideas then what is the point of higher education? If we plan to remain as closed minded as possible, how can we contribute to society? And you, Mr. Robinson, are a total disappointment to all non-traditional students who return to college with the idea of getting a meaningful education. How dare you look me in the eye and tell me that the majority of "his own people" did not agree with him? Malcom X represented pride, empowerment and self determination for millions of Americans (past and present) and for you to baselessly assert that we didn't accept him is an insult. Let's get it right Scott - it is people like YOU that will never accept him. Tanya Hunte BSU staff advisor and student Letter to editor policy The Signpost welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be typed and should not exceed 300 words. For lengthier exposition, arrangements may be made with the editor-in-chief. Letters must Include name, address, phone number, relationship to WSU (I.e. student, staff, Ogden resident, etc.) and the signature of the writer. Letters without this information will not be printed. The Signpost reserves the right to edit for reasons of space and libel and reserves the right to refuse to print any letter. Bring letters to the editorial office in UB 267 or send them to: The Signpost Weber State University Ogden, UT, 84408-21 10 ATT: Editor-In-chlef |