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Show Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010 Page II Views&Opilli011 Utah State University • Logan, Utah • www.utahstatesman.com OurView A bout U S Editor in Chief Keep church and state separate in Utah Benjamin C. Wood News Editor Catherine Meidell L ately it seems like people are either protesting Boyd K. Packer, coordinating efforts to express their love and support to Boyd K. Packer, or simply just don't know exactly who Boyd K. Packer is. Clearly, it is the current hot topic within the ongoing gay rights movement, particularly in the state of Utah. Before jumping to any decisions about who is right and who is wrong, it seems important to remember the forum in which Packer spoke. Like it or not, Packer's words were spoken in a forum which is intended to be directed at members of the church which he represents, and in that forum, he is entitled to whatever expression he chooses. Basically, Packer's talk was a church issue, not a state issue. Not to say that what he said was either right or wrong, but rather that it was what Packer felt was relevant to deliver to his audience at that time. It seems that beyond the surface of viewing Packer's talk as a hate speech, the real concern is that his talk may have future negative impacts on the gay community's political outlook, especially in our state. What's really important to remember is that the current gay rights movement, whether you support it or are against it, is this generation's equivalent to civil rights movements of the past. Some discount that notion, saying gay rights are different because they believe homosexuality is a choice rather than an inborn trait. To that point, the overall population may never know one way or another, but it seems tough to believe that so many people would simply choose a sexual orientation that results in as much political and social oppression as the gay community currently is faced with, without deep-seeded physical and emotional feelings. This movement is not going to go away anytime soon, and most likely never will until the gay community has equal rights with everybody else. Chances are that in 20 years or so, our generation and future generations are going to look back and wonder how we ever thought gay couples, and individuals, didn't deserve the same rights as others. Until that point is reached, the debate will surely rage on, but hopefully the hate within the debate can steadily recede from both sides as understandings are reached over time. Strikes, the answer to all life's problems We need more strikes i7--se The 'Low in this country. The few Down strikes that do materialize around here are all too peaceful and usually end up going nowhere. A strike is defined as such: "To declare or engage in a suspension TYLER BARLOW of work until an employer grants certain demands, such as pay increases, an improved pension plan ... ." We must look to France as our example. As we speak, the entire country is crippled by transit strikes as masked youth chuck rocks, cobble stones, or whatever they can find at the police. Half of the trains are not running since SNCF, the state-owned company that operates most of the rail traffic in France, has joined the strike. Train strikes are routine as rain in France, but this time they are coupled with bus and metro strikes, as well as a gasoline shortage. Thousands of gas stations across the country are closed as the workers join the state employees in their protest. What is their reasoning behind this? The French parliament has come across a problem. The pension program, meant to act much like our own nation's social security program, is beginning to go broke. In a country where millions of people depend solely on the government for housing, health care, and every other conceivable life essential, this can create somewhat of a problem. The parliament is trying to change the retirement age from 60 to 62. Yes, that's right. The ruckus is coming from a simple request to work two years longer than the shortest career length in the world. So what is our problem? We have sat idly by as much more serious problems plague us. While educators in France will strike at the drop of a hat, it took the Utah Education Association several years to build up the courage to conduct a peaceful one-day walkout, which I See FRENCH, page 12 Assistant News Editor Megan Bainum Features Editor Courtnie Packer Assistant Features Editor Kellyn Neumann Sports Editor Adam Nettina Assistant Sports Editor Matt Sonnenberg Copy Editor Chelsey Gensel ForumLetters In defense of freshmen To the editor: As a brand new freshman here at Utah State I would just like to say thank you in behalf of all USU freshmen. Thank you for being prejudiced, intolerant, arrogant, and judgmental in the editorials I've read recently in the Statesman. Thank you for discriminating against us because we were born after 1990. I'm so excited to continue my education so I can broaden my mind, and learn to judge those that seem "inferior" to me. For the record, I would like a few things to be known. One, we know how to speak. Just because we have cell phones and some of us use obnoxious abbreviations, does not mean we are lacking in intelligence. May I point out, that it is not just freshman who use "1°1" and "omg," text or get on Facebook during class, and sponge off their parents? I am not some lazy little girl who came to college to giggle and flirt. I have a job and I study hard. Yes, my classes are probably easier than yours so I have a little more downtime. But stop generalizing and give us some respect. Freshman are people, too. Perhaps you should look beyond that textbook you supposedly have your nose in all the time, and realize that we too have dreams and plans for a better life. We too hold down a job, study for our midterms, and attempt to squeeze in a little fun. We deserve at least a little bit of your respect. McKenzie Smith Following the prophet To the editor: In light of recent opinions regarding the LDS Church's teachings on homosexuality, I feel a need to express myself. Like many others, I am an LDS student in my mid-twenties. I also grew up singing the words, "Follow the prophet." I'm also not perfect nor claim to have the answers. What I do know is what the Lord spoke through the Prophet Joseph Smith, in relation to following prophets: "For his word ye shall receive, as if from my own mouth, in all patience and faith." He then gives the blessings for doing so. Call that dogmatic or close-minded or whatnot — I know this is true, because I have asked God and strived to live it. So if the President of the Church asks members to support legislation that strengthens the family, the basic unit of society and key to God's plan, doing so does requires patience and faith, especially when conflicting with personal views. If a mod- Photo Editor Carl R. Wilson Letters to the editor • A public forum ern apostle unites his voice with Church leaders in calling for charity towards identified homosexuals while decrying homoerotic acts, but leaving it at that — then following such counsel, even for one who is gay, requires a tremendous amount of patience and faith to obey. If God does not reveal more, it's a test of faith to follow what is spoken, a trial of patience to endure until He reveals more, in His own time and way — and a sign of devotion to God. He knows how unspeakable it is to have homosexual feelings while striving to remain chaste. But because He knows all things, he provided His Son Jesus Christ, who aligned His will to God's, even when He felt incredible pain and isolation. Do I then believe my Church leaders are preaching hate from the pulpit? No, what I hear is an invitation to yes, come unto Christ, but also to repent—align our will as Christ did. Do I believe following such counsel is difficult and can incur prejudice and some uncertainty? Absolutely, but following His prophets is following God, both in faith to what is revealed and patience to what is yet to be, and brings untold blessings and surety. Don't take my word for it: experience their words and ask God if they come from Him. It may be simple for a complex world, but following in patience and faith is what I believe and know to be true. Jeremy Pettersson Seven habits of educated students OK, let's lege. Who knows? Maybe some of them start with a will even be useful afterwards. Faculty brutal truth. 1. Seek ye breadth. That means try to When it learn about a wide variety of subjects, Voices comes to separated by different professors, departpreparing ments and colleges. It's better to have you for the more tools in your bag than fewer. It's future, none true that you may never be called upon of us profesto recite any medieval poetry, but the UENEMANN sors know interpretive skills you gained in that class what we're might become useful in all sorts of spots, doing. And like when you have to interpret Uncle Herbert's will. admit it: you yourself don't have a clue. This is partly because the world is chang2. Focus. Meaning: spend some time ing rapidly in just about every direction, each week paying close attention to one and partly because there are thing at the exclusion of all a million little random things else. Put away the phones, 6 there's noth- computers and iPods, and that will end up hugely affecting new in all ing your life. So, the Basic observe. Go to a concert or Truth: nobody knows. this uncertainty. an art show, alone, and lose On the other hand, there's yourself in the experience. People have nothing new in all this uncerWhat you'll find is that the tainty. People have been wor- been worryconstant buzz of techno-info rying about the unknowns isn't doing as much for you ing about the in the future for as long as you thought. unknowns in the as 3. they've been thinking. And Get surprised. How future for as so philosophers and sages do you get surprised? By of the ages, from Seneca to putting yourself into unfalong as they've Descartes, have been drawmiliar classes and situations been thinking." ing up general rules to live by and seeing what happens. You didn't think you'd like in the hope that, no matter what changes come about, ancient Greek and bagpipes, you'll be ready for them. Think of it as did you? Surprise. Now you find you like a general preparation for an unknown them, and maybe even want to spend future. Or, think of it as going to college. your life developing those strange interIt's in this spirit that I shall now bestow unto you some rules you ought to conSee RULES, page 12 sider living by, at least while you're in col- Assistant Photo Editor Alison Ostler Web Editor Tyler Huskinson Editorial Board Benjamin C. Wood Catherine Meidell Courtnie Packer Adam Nettina Chelsey Gensel Tyler Huskinson About letters • Letters should be limited to 400 words. • All letters may be shortened, edited or rejected for reasons of good taste, redundancy or volume of similar letters. • Letters must be topic oriented. They may not be directed toward individuals. Any letter directed to a specific individual may be edited or not printed. • No anonymous letters will be published. Writers must sign all letters and include a phone number or email address as well as a student identification number (none of which is published). Letters will not be printed without this verification. • Letters representing groups — or more than one individual —must have a singular representative clearly stated, with all necessary identification information. • Writers must wait 21 days before submitting successive letters —no exceptions. • Letters can be hand delivered or mailed to The Statesman in the TSC, Room 105, or can be e-mailed to statesman@aggiemail. usu.edu, or click on www.utahstatesman. corn for more letter guidelines and a box to submit letters. Online poll " Was hiring BJ Novak worth the price? • • Yes. He's hilarious and we'll make it back in ticket sales. No. There's plenty of funny people for a fraction of the cost. Visit us on the Web at www.utahstatesman. corn to cast your vote and see results from this straw poll. |