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Show fVifje 4 The Thunderbird Monday December 2, 1385 Opinion A Christmas wish list: two changes wed like Every year about this time we print a list of a few minor changes wed encourage the administration to consider as steps in making SUSC an even better place to go to school. We say even better because we like to make it clear we think this is already one of the finest colleges in the West. It is simply that an alteration here and there seldom hurts. So, with that in mind, here are two things wed like to see happen as this college continues to grow and improve: A crosswalk by Juniper Hall This, of course, is something for city officials to consider. It true that no one has yet been killed walking across the street that divides Juniper Hall from the rest of the campus, but it would be sad if it took such a tragedy to get action on this request. Anyone who stands near Juniper Hall during class breaks knows the game that is the current rage there: car dodging. Every day hundreds of students play this game, not because they're particularly fond of it but because they have no option. It is a game that can be, and should be, avoided. City officials in Logan, faced with a similar dilemma near Utah State University, even considered closing off a major traffic artery. We dont suggest that. We simply believe a crosswalk or perhaps large sign alerting drivers that this street has a heavy load of pedestrian traffic would do the trick nicely. is well-marke- d a- - Improved Library hours Once upon a time this college almost closed up on weekends. That was because most students came here not to study seriously, but because it was a good place to party while Mom and Dad were .under the impression they were learning something. In those days having a library that closed at 5 p.m. Fridays, and only opened for a handful of hours the rest of the weekend, made great sense. Not anymore. We arent a party school anymore. Most students come here because this college offers a unique opportunity to learn and grow, while at the same time benefitting from the friendly, atmosphere. In the past, when a change has been attempted, few students showed up during the extended hours. But perhaps they werent prepared for the change perhaps, lacking a tradition of regular library hours over the weekend they werent conscious of the opportunity available to them. Maybe change needs to take place an hour or tu'o at a time. But in any case, change is needed. small-scho- v8jjf (he Cbunderbird mi mipim iv wnvnwM'i m'i iui k t i.mi r.n iiiu;i VOLUME 80, NUMBER 10 Editor Doug Christensen Copy Editor Ken Roberts Photo Editors James Howells Derek Miller Senior Staff Writers Kris Johnson Kon Komoginnnis Production Manager Kelli Fov Advertising Designer Gavin McNeil Advertising Representatives Kellie Jensen Sports Editor Sum Kontogiannis Laura Wearing Entertainment Editor Tvler Jensen Assistant to the Editors Annette Grooms Faculty Adviser Larry Baker The ThwuhrhirJ i published each Mondav of the academic vear hv and for the student hodv of Southern Utah State College and is not affiliated in anv manner whatsoever with the College's department of communication. The views and opinions expressed ill The Thumb-Thirare the opinions of the publications individual writers and Jo not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the institution, faculty, staff or student KkIv in general. The unsigned editorial directly above is the opinion of The Thitruerhm as a single entity. Letters to the editor must be typed and include the name, student number (if from a student) and phone number. Only the name will be printed. Name's wilt not he withheld under any circumstances and the editor reserves tiu right to edit letters for length and to preclude libel. Le'tte'rs must be submitted by lux'll Frielav for inclusion in the following weeks edition. The Thmidcrhtrd: editorial and advertising offices at 521) West 200 South, Cedar Citv, 77S8. IT M720. Mail at SUSC Box W. Cedar Citv. UT 84720 (SOU Games simulate life, provide escape Doug Christensen, a senior majoring in communications, editor of 'The Thunderbird. Access is a recurring column featuring items of concern or interest to students and other members of the SUSC campus community. is T wo years ago I was 'he commanding general of an allied expeditionary force that had landed in the north of France and was trying to batter a hole in the Nazis defense. I remember clearly the fiasco that followed. I gathered all my armored units together and made a mad dash across Europe. We bashed the Nazis right and left, and within three months we were in Berlin. For a while it looked like we would stay there. But I had underestimated my opponent. With cunning and innovation he pulled his troops back from the front, cut my line of supply in several places, and sat back while my troops starved to death in a hostile city. I lost more than two million troops that way. That may all sound like a flight of my fanciful imagination, but it is all true, it all happened. More or less. I am an avid historical simulation game player. You know, those weird games with all the funny die-cmarkers and colorful maps and rule books longer than a Russian novel. Most such games recreate famous battles or, as in the game I was playing, entire wars. The game in which I butchered several million of my own troops in a foolish and regrettable manuever is called Third Reich, and it is a simulation recreation of World War II. Sold by Avalon Hill, it is one of the best of its kind. In fact, it is such a fine game my friend and I played it twice in one year that may not sound like much of an accomplishment, unless you consider that each game lasted about 180 hours (World War II took a while, too). I believe I love these marvelous little games for two reasons: ut They are great escapes. Aside from reading a trashy novel or watching a good movie, I can think of no better way to waste time and escape from the tension and stress of everyday life. These games are fantasies based on reality. It isnt that real life is so bad, necessarily, but rather that these games open a new dimension to life. Like These games satiate my subconcious most humans, I find something frighteningly attractive about war, but I logically can find few redeeming reasons for that particular exercise in bloodshed. These games, precisely because they are so realistic, allow me to feed my militaristic emotions without anybody getting hurt. Besides, after playing these games I am more convinced than ever that war is unnecessary and hardly justifiable. Although in some superficial ways games like Third war-lus- t. After playing these games I am more convinced that war is unjustifiable. Reich may sound similar to such games as Dungeons and Dragons, they have their own peculiar following. In fact, you will often find that D&D players wont touch historical simulation games, and vice versa. Of course, it isnt necessary to be a militarist to play these games (and I would probably be offended if anyone called me a militarist). There are business simulations (stock market games, business management games, etc.), space conquest simulations, mystery games (and these latter resemble Clue about as closely as Remington Steele resembles a real Brooklyn cop), and much more. Frankly and I hope no one gets the wrong impression from this there are times when the world of historical simulation gaming is a whole lot more interesting to me than the real world. |