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Show i OiRONicU Friday, Pqt Six Mck4, EDITORIAL Civil Rights Ac should be law One thing to be thankful for in 1988 is that the Reagan administration is finally on its last legs. It's clear that bedtime for Bonzo can't be soon enough. Consider Reagan's vow to veto the recently passed Civil Rights Restoration Act, which some veteran lawmakers compare to the great civil rights statutes passed in the '60s and 70s. Reagan claims the bill "dramatically expands the scope of federal jurisdiction over state and local governments and the private sector" and "poses a particular threat to religious liberty." It's hard to follow the spurious and incomplete logic which produces Reagan's claims. This act is long overdue and represents a historic bipartisan victory for civil rights. It says that entire institutions and government agencies must comply with statutes if any program or activity within them receives federal aid. The restoration act was designed to reverse a 1984 Supreme Court decision that narrowed the laws which were meant to scope of civil-righ- ts prevent taxpayer financing of discrimination. anti-discriminat- f MEXICO f s t' a W :;lf r''S , 4 ffc yU Cij ion Edward Ruiz In that case brought by Grove City (Pa.) College, the Supreme Court held in a 3 opinion that Title IX applies only to specific programs or activities within an institution, not the institution itself. Title IX is a law that bars sex discrimination in federally funded education programs. Here is an example of how the 1984 Supreme Court ruling works. Suppose the University of Utah's math department wanted to discriminate against women and the U. supported that move. 6-- In the event of complaints, the math department might have federal funds decreased or stopped. But other federal funds for the U. would not be affected. However, the root of discrimination lies not in a separate department, but in the institution itself that adopts discriminatory policies. One lawmaker said the 1984 law has caused "an avalanche of discrimination nationwide." Hundreds of cases have been restricted or dropped, while investigators spend time tracking federal dollars instead of determining if discrimination has occurred. Despite such information, Reagan said flatly in letters delivered Wednesday to several House Republicans that he will veto the measure "if it is presented to me in its current form." Perhaps this is what swayed our own GOP representatives, James V. Hansen and Howard C. Nielson. These gentlemen voted against the bill, which overwhelmingly passed in the House by a 315-9- 8 margin. The Senate passed it by a 75-1- 4 vote in January. As Rep. August Hawkins, D. Calif., chair of the House Education and Labor Committee said, "Those who dip their hands in the public till should not object if a little democracy sticks to their fingers." One wonders what Hansen and Nielseon thought in formulating their votes. Fortunately, Hansen, Nielson, Reagan, et al, didn't get what they wanted from Congress. Because if they did, the old fashioned, yet nonetheless vile, Jim Crow laws might be back on the books. Chronicle The Daily Utah Chronicle is an independent student newspaper published during fall, winter and spring quarters, excluding test weeks and quarter breaks, by the University Publications Council. Editorials reflect theopinionof the editorial board, and not necessarily the opinions of the student body or the administration. Subscriptions are $25 a year, $ 10 an academic quarter. All subscriptions must be prepaid. Forward all subscription correspondence, including change of address, to the Business Manager, Daily Utah Chronicle, 240 Union, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112. 1988 Legislative awards With the end of the Utah Legislature's General Session on Wednesday the 24th, everyone's reaction has basically been the same: not much went on, but the basic job was done. As an intern up at the Capitol, I had a chance to n, see the daily action, or on the Hill. And for hell decided the of to I've it, give out my just "1988 Legislative Awards." And the winners are . . . Most boring issue: The Utah Legislature. Bob Bernick Jr., political editor of the Deseret News, said it. Rod Decker, KUTV reporter, said it. And even Sen. Richard Carling, said it: the session was boring and not much was done except for the basics. The reason for the lack of any major achievements, controversy or dastardly doings by the Legislature is simple. There was no money to do anything and more importantly, this is an election year, which means issues were kept under the rug as much as possible. Futhermore, potentially hot 'n sexy issues such as cable television regulation, liquor laws and taxes, never really got hot. Best rookie legislators: Joanne R. Milner, Lake. Both Lake, and Frank R. Pignanelli, first-terMilner and legislators, Pignanelli are effective who have dealt with sincere, legislators cable with television regulation, legislation dealing crime, education and social services. And very importantly, they seem to have respect among other legislators, which they need to be effective. The "Snake Eyes" award goes to representatives who voted against legislation to allow a state lottery, or allow bingo games and raffles by charitable organizations. Rep. Pignanelli, summed it up best when he said, "Mormons have road shows, Catholics have bingo. We're talking elderly citizens putting down $2 or $3 on a bingo game. I don't know of one old lady who had to go to Gamblers Anonymous because she played bingo all the time. Bingo in a church hall has never led to drugs and prostitution." non-actio- vote-threateni- ng D-S- alt D-S- alt m The "I'd Rather Wear Burlap Underwear Than Not Vote for This Bill" award goes to S.C.R. 3 (Sen. Lyle Hillyard, "A Concurrent Resolution of the Legislature Honoring Utah Mothers and Recognizing the Utah American Mothers Association for Its Outstanding Work." You'll be hard pressed to find anyone who would say Editorial Board: Kent Anderson, Shauna Bona, Andrew Hunt, Bryant Larsen, Dee NaQuin, Rosemary Reeve, Fara Warner Editor in Chief Managing Editor News Editor Editorial Editor Sports Editor Feature Editor Photography Editor Chief Copy Editor Investigative Editor Campus Editor Assistant News Editor Assistant Editorial Editor Assistant Sports Editor Assistant Feature Editor Shauna Bona Kent Anderson Fara Warirr Dee L. NaQuin Laury Livsey Rosemary Reeve Steven C. Wilson Bryant Larsen Dennis Romboy Lorf Bona Darren Hawkins Andrew Hunt Glenn Seninger Loreen Erickson Assistant Fafur VA'n ; Assistant Photography Editor Assistant Copy Editor RePorters something against honoring moms. It looks like dads will have to wait their turn before the Legislature honors them. The "You've Got to Be Kidding Me" and "Give Me a Break"awards go to S. J. R. 17 (Sen. Hillyard), "A Joint Resolution of the Legislature Acknowledging the Historic Role Played by the Dutch Oven in the History of Utah's Families; And Promoting the World Championship Dutch Oven Cook-O- ff Held at Utah State University's Festival of the American West." Dutch oven? At least Hillyard was smart enough to take off the original part of the resolution declaring the dutch oven as the state's official oven. And in case Utah ever gets an official oven, my vote is for the microwave. H..C. R. 11 (Rep. Donald LeBaron "A Concurrent Resolution of the Legislature Commending the Brigham Young University Basketball Team for Its Single Season Consecutive Win Record of 14-- 0 and Its Top 10 Ranking; And recognizing the great honor they have brought to Utah." Absolutely pathetic. This is strictly h), election-ye- Photographer Business Manager . Acou",ant Uss,fieds Accounting Clerk . ar material. Most up and coming controversial issue: AIDS. This issue was the subject of some good debate and it will definitely remain a hot item. The "Screw Logic, Let's Just Get This Passed" award goes to S.B. 14 (Sen. Alarik Myrin "An Act Relating to Fish and Game; Lowering the Hunting Age to 14." That's just great. You have to be 21 to get a beer (legally) in this state, but hey, if you want to carry a portable cannon in the hills and shoot the crap out of anything that moves, you only have to be 14. I just tingle all over when I come across such wonderful logic. The "Schmuck of the Year" award goes to Sen. Jack Bangerter, who, during a debate about an AIDS bill, said all people who have AIDS should be painted red and isolated on a deserted island. This kind of pathetic, ignorant and discriminatory thinking, should not be tolerated. Little does Bangerter know, however, that he's already part of a large deserted island made up of idiots it's called Earth. Edward Ruiz, in m7Cf ... , ...Q 'isa senior ntninrinc assistant communication, copy editor of the Chronicle. . n jonn fecoreiii Erin Calmes Ruiz Kent Condon Todd Curtis Sharon Deckert Ellen Garff Kelly Hindley . . . . Amber McKee Darren Tucker Dean it Wimmer Guy E. Elder IV Robert McOmber Kay Andersen Charlene Collins Kim Bartel Collections Account Executives Michael Allsop John Hausknecht Kris DeBry Tammie Bosrick Todd Butler Sara Wilson James A. Beck Typesetters Production Manager Assistant Production Manager Production Staff Distribution Tracey L. Heinhold Michael Q. Cleary Kenny Watanabe Abbie Hall Maria Lisieski James Olsen Todd Mat sud a David Orchard Christopher Stratford .... 1988 |