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Show Your Opinion PAGE A4 MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2005 Kougar Korner A weekly skewering of our sister-college to the south Ammon Van Orden Opinion Columnist censored. Lucky for you and I they didn't completely do away with it; one just has to do a little digging on BYU's newsnet to find this naughty list. These are some of the highlights from last week (if you think this is ridiculous search the archives, it only gets worse). Thanks for all of your feedback. Because of your overwhelming requests, I have BYU criminal activity posted come back with another installment March 14, 2005: "A verbal argument between two of How to Humble the Self-Righteous 101. So, where do I begin? roommates at Gates Hall in HeriHow about we start at the bottom of tage Halls March 8 turned into a the barrel, BYU's finest, the crimi- fistfight after one of them punched nals. No, I'm not talking about the the other. The fight started over use football team which has a strong and possession of a laptop computer tendency toward raping underage that belonged to a mutual acquaingirls every year. Even worse, the lit- tance. " tle known felons of BYU's Campus I can only imagine how this went Police Beat. down. "Hey buddy, I was using my For those of you youngans who friends laptop first." "Yeah right haven't been around that long, BYU punk, we have been friends since used to post its weekly rap sheet seminary council." "That's nothin the Daily Universe. But I guess ing chump, we were APs together these high crimes weren't that good and if you don't step away from my for the school image, so like every- friend's computer I'm going to show thing else at that institution, it was you some martial arts we learned in "Tough on crime" approach ignores root problems make them safer. "Tough on crime" policies lash out Steve Hall at crime with the same blind irratioOpinion nality that is often used when lashWriter ing out at people who have offended us. Rather than solving problems, this kind of reactive response just exacerbates the issue and creates "Tough on crime" advocates have even more problems to deal with. long accused leftward thinkers of One problem that underlies "tough being less capable of fighting the on crime" leadership is that it forces tide of crime in our society. This public servants like prosecutors, mentality has become so pervasive peace officers, and even mayors and that many people consider it a no- city councils to find quick and easy brainer. "Of course the right knows approaches to generate a hardball better how to fight crime," it is said, image for public consumption. "only Republicans have the courage For instance, because there are to declare wars on the criminals." so many drug users going to prison In reality, however, the left's pol- each year, many in the public are icy of seeking to curb crime at the under the impression that the war places where it starts - poverty and on drugs is being won. Yet, little is under funded schools, among many being done to attack the actual sysothers - is not an act of cowardice. tem of drug trafficking in this counOn the contrary, it is one of the most try (or the international network that courageous challenges we face on feeds it). the left. The right ought to face it For example, while I was sitting in too, as crime is a national and not a court the other day, waiting to tesDemocratic problem. tify against a man who perpetrated a Many people have missed the real- crime on me, I overheard an interestity that the "hard on crime" policies ing case about a woman caught with of the right and even the new left are drugs. A police officer was brought reactive at their core. When we fight to the witness stand and asked to tell crime by increasing prison sen- the story of how this woman sitting tences for the easy crimes it makes beside her defense attorney came to the public feel better, but it doesn't be caught in possession of a baggie jump through Korea!" the whole conLewd acts: A 22-year-old male student was re- cert, we 'II let ported to have performed a lewd act him have the March 7 in the Learning Resource money we get Center while looking at inappropri- from it." ate material on the computer. He Charity nevwas issued a citation and the case er fails. Hey has been turned over to the city at- friend, if you torney to see if charges should be can jump rope pressed. for two straight Honor code or not, that is just plain hours we will wrong. I feel sorry for the poor sap give you the we who caught him. Talk about trauma- quarters earned from our tizing. kick'n concert. It might just be Payin' the bills: In other, happier Y news, the enough to pay for the flowers. Daily Universe reported a pressing story on March 8 about a student Utah drivers: band that was performing in hopes Last, but certainly not least we of raising money for their friend's have the tip of the week from the wedding: Daily Universe, printed March 11 in "Our buddy who's getting mar- a list of nine ways on how students ried is dirt broke, so we thought of can conserve gas. Second on the list 'Quarters for Kenny,"' Drew said. (I'm not making this up): "Don't "We bet him he couldn't jump rope accelerate or brake." for two hours straight, so if he can It is no wonder why Utah drivers get a bad rap. I must admit though, with conservation techniques like this, you're bound to save a few pennies. Keep those comments rolling! ammonvanorden@hotmail.com Peace in Ulster The U.S. cannot abandon Irish peace process Shawn Mansell News Editor Northern Ireland's peace process is in trouble. Sinn Fein, Ireland's most prominent nationalist or "republican" political party can't seem to find a friend. Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has been an official guest of the White House on St. Patrick's Day, dating back to the Clinton administration. This year no such invitation was extended. Two of Sinn Fein's biggest allies in the U.S. congress (Sen. Ted Kennedy and Rep. Peter King R-New York) have shunned Adams, refusing to meet with him. Reasons for the rift include a huge bank robbery in Northern Ireland and a brutal barroom murder in Belfast, both events that law enforcement officials think is the work of Sinn Fein paramilitary friends, the Irish Republican Army. Robert McCartney, the man stabbed and beaten to death purportedly by IRA thugs, is survived by a family who won't settle in the quest to see his killers brought to justice. His sisters visited the White House on St. Patrick's Day and also met with sympathetic Irish-American leaders. The IRA claims to have suspended or expelled members involved in the killing of McCartney, a Catholic and a Sinn Fein supporter. They promised not to retaliate against witnesses who cooperate with Northern Ireland cops. Adams says Sinn Fein is working with the proper authorities. Three of the party's candidates were in pub the night of the attack. They haven't as of yet provided any helpful details to a police force they view as part of an illegal occupying army. Meanwhile, Irish Nationalism's biggest foe, the Reverend Ian Paisley, is trying to use the controversy as political capital and trying to push Sinn Fein out of government. The Good Friday Agreement, which was gruelingly negotiated by former American Senator George Mitchell, as well as his Canadian and Finnish counterparts was a massive step forward in ending Britain's apartheid-style policies in Northern Ireland. The GFA gives Sinn Fein political legitimacy provided the IRA disarms. Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein have enjoyed sharing power with their protestant counterparts. Adams, who himself was wounded in an assassination attempt claims he no longer has a taste for the gun or bomb. He insists Irish Republicans are committed to peace. For the peace to hold though, it will take more than disarming and "Tough on crime" cone d on page A5 Sinn Fein means "ourselves alone" or "from ourselves." 1905 - Sinn Fein founded 1916 - Sinn Fein plays a role in Easter Rising 1919 -IRA founded 1921-26 of Ireland's 32 counties separate from Britain 1936 - the IRA is outlawed in Ireland 1960s - guerilla warfare and violence known as "the troubles" begins 1972 - British soldiers kill 14 unarmed protestors 1994 - Ceasefire in Northern Ireland begins 1998 - Good Friday agreement signed 2004 - Belfast bank robbed of tens of millions of dollars 2005 - Robert McCartney murdered/Sinn Fein hundred years old decriminalizing the IRA, and opposing protestant paramilitaries, it will take continued American support. "Irish peace process" cont'd on page AS Portrayed drug use in video games will inevitably lead to increased teen drug consumption Ikwo Ibiam Opinion Writer Last week The New York Times ran an article titled "Where a Puff of Marijuana is the Ultimate PowerUp." The story focused on a trend of new video games that enable the main character to take illegal drugs as part of the storyline. In the game "Narc" you play a narcotics officer arresting pushers and confiscating their drugs. During the process, you can opt to use some of the substances yourself. For instance, a simulated puff of marijuana temporarily slows,down the action of the game. LSD causes hallucinations. An ecstasy tablet produces a mellow atmosphere that can calm aggressive enemies, and the use of crack grants the player the aim of a marksman. In some situations the use of a drug can make a challenge easier. Games such as this will receive an "M" or Mature rating, "restricting" anyone under the age of 17 from buying them, but that doesn't really matter. Obviously a large number of drug users fit the teenage demographic. Many substance abusers no longer in the teen demographic partially owe their condition to incidents involving peer pressure during their teenage years. Should a video game with such blatant content be marketed to "kids" for recreation? N arc's producer Mr. rial are more likely to exhibit such Cline said that they didn't want to behavior. "Violence is embraced in glorify drug use, but rather hoped our culture, which is why you see to handle it responsibly and still violence in video games," said Mimake it fun. I think I hear a contra- chael Pachter, an analyst who foldiction. How can you "responsibly" lows video game development. "I use drugs in any context, let alone don't believe society believes drugs in a game where by the very nature are an appropriate thing." Pachter's of trying to make it fun, it will nec- belief about the popular consensus essarily be glorified? Will 17-year- on drugs can be seen in the current olds be able to make the distinction disappointment with baseball playbetween the tragedy of real life drug ers who allegedly used steroids to use and its fun portrayal in a game? enhance their athletic performance. Only time will tell. We do not know the full extent of the ramifications of the media using The media we allow to entertain drugs as an avenue for gaming enus will have a direct effect upon our character, even if we mistakenly joyment. Such games will undoubtthink that degree can only be mea- edly promote exploration and exsured using nanotechnology. Exten- perimentation. The war on drugs has sive studies have shown that people been waged for decades. Dealers who repeatedly view violent mate- don't advertise Ecstasy using tele- \ vision, magazines, or radio. On the other hand, there have been many campaigns for anti-drug movements like "Just Say No" during the 80s and the series of thought-provoking commercials that have aired recently. In spite of these progressive efforts, drug abuse continues to cross racial, socioeconomic and educational boundaries. How can portraying illegal drug use in home game consoles lead to anything positive or counter the apathy about drugs displayed by many of us who have not personally witnessed a loved friend or family member writhe in the clenches of addiction? |