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Show DAVIS COUNTY CLIPPER Tuesday, September 14, 1993 A5 Opinion In Our Opinion Arafat, Rabin, make strange, peaceseeking bedfellows The signing of the peace agreement between two bitter enemies in Washington D.C. Monday has the world holding its collective breath. Can Israel and the Palestinians, two warring factions, actually bury the hatchet and get on with more productive pursuits? History says "No." No less than four bloody wars have been fought over Israel since it was declared a state by the United Nations in 1948. It was created then only by taking land from the Arabs, enemies of the Jews. Palestine was divided and a portion of its land was given to the Jews. The United Nations ruled that the wandering Jews, who had lost their homeland centuries before and were nearly annihilated in the Holocaust of World War 11, deserved a place to call their own. Israel was created. Jewish immigrants took over the homes and businesses of the Palestinians who lived in the newly declared state. Bitterness ensued. The Palestine Liberation Organization was formed. Both Israel and the PLO have refused to recognize the right to exist by their enemies. Both have literally refused the right of the other to exist at all. The goal of both warring factions was annihilation of the other. The Palestinians look at the division of their land in 1948 much the same way Americans might view a decision by the U.N. that Seward had no right to purchase Alaska and that it rightfully belonged to Russia. Alaskans would not give up their homes peacefully. Compounding the problem in the Middle East is the fact that this is not only a war over territory, it is a religious war. How can this bitter struggle come to a peaceful end? Economics and power may be the answer. The agreement Thursday by Israel's Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO chairman Yasser Arafat to recognize one another's right to exist did not come because there was a softening enemies' hearts. It came because both of the long-tim- e recognized that they needed the other. The end of the Cold War sent a message to Israel that although the United States would remain a friend, it no longer needed Israel as an ally amid adversaries. The only choice for Israel was to work for stability and peace in its troubled neighborhood. The PLO faced a similar realization with the Soviet collapse. This took away Israel's Arab foes' superpower support, leaving the PLO to fend for itself in a hostile environment. During the Gulf War the PLO's backing of Iraq led to a withdrawal of support by other Arab nations. Its list of enemies was growing, especially with the emergence of the Palestinian Muslim fundamentalists fighting both Israel and the PLO mainstream. The result: an attempt at peace. Neither Rabin nor Arafat is a modern-da- y Joshua The the walls walls of are Jerico. tumbling symbolic an those ancient than The two surrounding greater city. are still bitter enemies. Each believes the other is a terrorist. The agreement is one of mutual need. Survival of the fittest would be the way either Rabin or Arafat would prefer to handle their differences. An all out confrontation which left only one survivor would be the method of choice. But seeking peace was more prudent. Seeking peace would have been more prudent for the 33 centuries that Jerusalem and its surrounding area has been embroiled in conflict. Not until Monday did the possibility of peace exist. It is a small step on a long road toward mutual understanding and acceptance. There may be three steps forward and two steps back during the incubation period, but with the unwavering resolve of both Israel and the PLO to reach a lasting peace the effort will move forward and a new world will be bom. Shalom. " DAVIS COUNTY WIIqJIq) ly 1954-198- 1892-195- 4 ISSN: Publication No. (USPS 1061-122- 149-18- on semi-weekl- y New Years at Bountiful, Tuesday and Friday except the week of Christmas and Utah Second class postage paid at Bountiful, Utah. Address all correspondence Subscription rate: 50e per copy. to P.O. Box 267, Bountiful, Utah 84011-026$20.00 per year, Mailed: $30.00 per year. News Advertising Circulation Classified FAX 295-225- 1 292-205- 8 292-202- 2 295-304- 4 Office Hours: 8:30-5:3- 0 Mon. thru Fri. DEADLINES TUESDAY PAPER Monday Noon Thurs. 5pm Classified Ads Display Advertising It Proof Required and Color Articles & Photos News Obituaries Public Notices POSTMASTER- ................Wed. 5pm Accepted Until 11am Mon. Friday 5pm J uesday 5pm Wednesday Noon Box 267, Bountiful. Utah Send change of address to Pavla County Clipper, PO is "parental and rhetoric, phrases" people unhesitatingly accept it as wise and profound. 84011-026- schools" has a dangerous side: parental encroachment upon the curriculum or parental meddling in things they know nothing about. A good example occurred this weekend when one parent took me aside to complain about a certain athletic coach. You figure it out: the coach has never had a losing season in 21 years... At his current school, his teams have won 73 percent of their games. ..Yet the parent, who hasn't held a football in 16 years, is ready to form a lynch mob since the team failed to win its early games. In a perfect a coach with a 73 world, Cyclops percent victory rate should be pre-seas- Politicians, educational theorists and school board members worship parental involvement, and, judging from a recent event, local educators are extolling its virtues. (I suppose they think "parental involvement in the schools" will lead moms and dads children to transform into celestial beings-- or, at the very Back-to-Scho- ol least, volunteer their time to operate the faculty room copy machine.) But, unlike most people, I cringe when I hear the term. "Parental involvement with one's student" is a laudatory goal, but "parental involvement in the bronzed but with "parental involvement" this successful coach is being hounded for "not being able to motivate' this Years players." It's a fine line between parental involvement and parental meddling, and, in too many cases, parents have limited knowledge. Think about it... Why should the parent, tor instance, be involved in the selection of literature choices for an English class when the average American parent reads only two books per year? Why should the parent be involved in a world geography curriculum when the average American adult has difficulty spotting Chicago on a map? Why should the parent be involved in the math curriculum when 68 percent of adults admitted in a recent survey that they've overdrawn their checking accounts? Why should the- - parent be involved in civics instruction when the majority of adults think are perfect. I become as angry as the next guy when I hear or see extreme examples of teacher incompetence. But at the same time, I understand that are educators most professionals. Since have I difficulty differentiating a wrench from a sewing machine, I don't attempt plumbing work at my home. When I experience a plumbing problem, I NAFTA is a pain reliever? At its best and most productive, parental involvement translates into parental support. At its worst, however, it leads to censorship. In the last year, parent groups around the country have tried to ban such books as "Little House on the call a plumbing professional. Similarly, since my knowledge of auto repair extends only to the proper spelling of "chrome" and Prairie," Most teachers should demand the same status. If teachers are "Huckleberry Finn," "Sleeping Beauty," and "Wheres Waldo?" In doing so, these parents have decided they have more expertise in education than the educator. But I doubt they'd try the tactics with other same strong-arprofessionals. Since few of the parents would question the surgical techniques of their physician, why should they question a teacher's professional plan to present moral questions through "Catcher in the Rye?" This is not to say all educators m "chassis," I call an auto professional when my car sputters, leaks or heaves. supposedly professionals, it's assumed that they also possess more knowledge of student behavior and curriculum than the average person. If they don't, they should be fired. But in the vast majority of cases, teachers are professional-a- nd if "parental involvement" turns teacher performance or a curriculum into a popularity contest, students suffer. That's much worse than losing will two football games. In Your Opinion Sidewalk issue needs rational thinking Editor, Enough already! Our city administration has now installed their eight foot sidewalk along the west side of Bountiful Blvd. through the golf course and south to Chelsea Drive, and they are anxiously waiting for cooler weather to get the trees moved fronting the Maple Hills Condominiums. Since they have already spent tens of thousands of dollars over the engineers estimate have been driven attract more pedestrians than a four foot. The administration will no doubt refute what I have found, but I live here and observe at all times of the day. I did a survey and 54 questionnaires were completed and signed. Only three persons favored the wide sidewalks and none were found in the first 40. It can easily be determined by a survey whether or not the wide sidewalk is needed and would be used, by providing a questionnaire to every pedestrian who passes a specific point in a whole day. I challenge the council to do, or cooperate with such a survey. Does mayor candidate Cushing, who preserves his seat on the council, have any interest in saving taxpayers money? Of hearing Bountiful citizens? (not just listening), in preserving and enhancing the beauty of our community? Perhaps this is an opportunity for him to demonstrate leadership and ability to reason independently. J.R. McDonald, M.D. an additional four feet out into the road because they prefer to walk or jog on asphalt. The same proportion of pedestrians use the existing four foot sidewalks on both sides of the road north of the golf course as use the eight foot sidewalk. The groups who want to use four or more abreast are still out on the road. The point in this: Too much money has already been spent on this project. It is not producing their expected result of getting most of the pedestrians off the road. The trees and grass scheduled for 24 Hours In Advance DEADLINES FRIDAY PAPER Display Advertising .. Classified Ads 1990's involvement in the schools" and, "buzz as with other breast-beatin- g others 3 published One of the most overused terms of the rd Judy Jensen managing editor 1370 South 500 West, Bountiful, Utah 84010 oks Parental involvement means meddling1 on the project; it seems like a good time for the council to recant and apply some rational thinking to the matter. It doesn't need to go any further. They now have a sidewalk through the golf course where we managed to get along without one of the for 17 years. About one-thiit. The are utilizing pedestrians Published by Clipper Publishing Co., Inc. 9 John Stahle, Jr. publisher Sr. John stable, publisher R. Gail Stahle publisher semi-week- AT, removal are still an enhancement to the area, and a change is not needed nor wanted. Admittedly, it does not look like what has been done north of 1800 S., but who wants that besides those infatuated with or obsessed with cement. An eight or 10 foot sidewalk does not appear to County fair offers good, clean fun Editor, I would like to add a rebuttal to the indifferent and negative comments on the Davis County Fair by your pollsters. Seems today, we are so busy prioritizing our time and money to drive to Salt Lake or other areas for all of the highly publicized and expensive sport entertainments, golfing and boating, that the thought of attending the county fair is degenerating. As chairman of the Floriculture section I was at the fair at some time each day and I can't express fair, enough the fine, beautiful exhibits, great 4-- H exhibits, crafts and senior citizen area. I wish I was still rearing my family and believe me they would have horses or other show animals. To see the pride in these young people, grooming, showing and participating in the rodeos, all good entertainment was provided and all could be improved if all Davis County citizens would realize what beautiful fair grounds are being developed and stay home and support and enjoy some good, clean fun right here in our own back yard. In addition, the view of the mountains as a background is one few fairs have. Next year, come enjoy the fair and find out for yourselves. added to the festive occasion. This year, after a fender-bendaccident. Farmers Insurance gave me a list of body shops where I could have the repair work done. I would have picked another body shop that I have previously used, except that I remembered that Murdock Chevrolet had done a favor for my daughter and for Woods Cross High. Your community service was the direct result of Murdock Body Shop getting $1,694 of repair work. What goes around comes around. er David M. Tanner Letters to the Editor Guide Geraldine Burwell Farmington One good deed deserves recognition Editor, Here is the text of a letter I sent to K.O. Murdock of Murdock Chevrolet. I think it will be of interest to community citizens and community businesses: This letter is to help you qualify the value of your community service. Last year when my daughter, Emily Tanner, was a student body officer and homecoming royalty at Woods Cross High, you let her use two convertibles, a white one and a blue one, for the homecoming football game. I picked them up at your dealership and drove one of them filled with homecoming royalty around the track in front of the homecoming football crowd. The borrowed convertibles greatly The ClipperKaysville welcomes Today from our submit letters letters readers. Please conforming to the following guidelines: 1 . Maximum length should be 300 words (approx. 1 12 dbl.-spac- typewritten pages). 2. No letter will be printed that may be considered offensive to our readers. 3. All letters should include the author's name, address and a daytime phone number. No unsigned letters will be printed. 4. All letters are subject to editing for content or length. |