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Show Opimiiiin Up Wildfires destroy vital land, natural resources Every summer brings sweltering days, vacations and endless things to do. However, summer also brings one of natures biggest destroyers wildfires. We live on a planet that is quickly running out of precious resources. Although we as individuals can have only a limited effect on some of these resources, we have it in Signpost VIEWPOINT with recycling. However, little focus is aimed at fire prevention until one of these blazes is burning out of control, devouring precious land. People around Utah were heard moaning and groaning when restrictions were placed on the use of fireworks for the Fourth of July and Pioneer Day. People were heard asking what fun the holidays would be without fireworks. While it is true the displays which light up the skies are a large part of celebrating, the question becomes what cost are we willing to pay for a few colored sparks? Is it worth jeopardizing lives and homes? Is it worth risking the loss of thousands of acres? Fire officials tried repeatedly to warn the public of the danger, but many paid little heed. Illegal fireworks smuggled in from out of state were one of the main causes of fires that scorched property. Their users were too obsessed with the thrill of the explosions to care where the sparks came down. People around the nation were devastated by the wildfires that ravaged Yellowstone National Park a few years ago. We all mourned the havoc wreaked on one of our favorite vacation destinations. The damage done by those fires will- take many years to right itself. Only last year we turned on our televisions to view the loss of palatial homes in California. Even the superstars with all their money were helpless to stop the destruction of their homes. Although many of the fires that burn every year are caused naturally, lightning and such, too many are caused by man. It is time we learn to protect our land for all its worth. It is our greatest natural resource. So the next time you see someone lighting illegal fireworks, being reckless with a campfire or flickering a cigarette out a car window, do something about it. Because, for the time being, this is the only planet we've got, and it's up to each of us to protect it! The Recipient of the UPA General Excellence award Editor in chief Managing editor News editor A&E editor Sports editor Copy editor Features editor Photo editor Production editor Systems analyst Ad designer Ad manager Asst. ad manager Secretary Adviser Publisher Hillary Lundgreen Jennifer King Laurie Albrechtsen Karen Wilcox Jared Page Caralyn Arnett Jeff Haney Steve Conlin Kelly Goff Paul Roskelley Phil Mickey Douglas Perry Trent Walker Georgia Edwards P. Larry Stahle Dr. Randy Scott The Signpost is a student publication, written, edited and drafted by Weber State University students. Opinions or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed by the university. The Signpost welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should not exceed 350 words. Letters must include name, address, phone number, relationship to staff and the signature of the writer. The Signpost reserves the right to edit for reasons of space and libel and also reserves the right to refuse to print any letter. Bring letters to the editorial office in UB 267 or mail to: The Signpost, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah 84408-2110. Attn: Hillary Lundgreen, editor in chief. our power to help prevent the destructive force of a wildfire. With the push in recent years toward conserving the earth, it seems fire prevention would rank right up npost The Signpost Phone numbers Editor in chief Managing editor News desk Arts desk Sports desk Production Advertising Adviser Fax 626-7121 626-7105 626-7507 626-7105 626-7983 626-6358 626-6359 626-7120 626-7401 The Signpost is published Monday, Wednesday and Friday during Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. Subscription is $9 a quarter. There comes a time to say good-bye There comes a time in all of our lives when we have to let go. That time has come for me. This is my "swan song," departure, hasta la vista or whatever one chooses to call it. This is the last editorial column I will write at The Signpost. I have lived through many things in my career at good old Weber State UNIVERSITY. The last year, although difficult, has been unusually interesting for me. Working on The Signpost has been what I needed to make my senior year memorable.I have covered things that have made me a better person for being there. It is a shame that so many of the students at the UNIVERSITY don't get involved in the things that are happening on campus. Because I was involved in the covering of student fees and strategic planning, I feel that I have a better understanding of how the system works. The administration at the UNIVERSITY is very diligent in the performance of their responsibilities. Most of them rank on my personal top ten list of people I don't want to be. If I were Pres. Thompson I would be fired. I would have not been able to ha ve the poise the man has shown. Marie Kotter has been on the hot seat this year more than once and Arizona prison inmate looking for To the editor: I am a prisoner at the Arizona State Prison and I am writing this to ask if you will run this letter in your campus newspaper for correspondence. You have probably received this request many times from many prisoners, and I hope that they have not burned you out. Iam here doing life and have no family and the few friends that wrote to me for a while when I first got here have kind of just Confederate flag To the editor: It's hard to understand how someone like Glen Mendoza can be so narrow minded. The Confederate flag is a symbol of some A View from the Top Laurie Jane Albrechtsen has been a lady every time. Many of you may be wondering why I am capitalizing UNIVERSITY. It is because many of you don't know it, but this is the best damn education you will get anywhere, and the UNIVERSITY needs to be stressed. This is the big boys and girls now, gone are the days when ANYONE on campus should feel like they are at a school that is less than other schools in the state. The Signpost will be tough to leave. I feel sorry for Jeff Haney because the two people he has liked to tease the most are Hillary and I. Hillary can fire him. I will be gone. By the way, Hillary did not d ie from nuclear radiation. She was made editor-in-chief. Ifsheglows in the dark from having the microwave on her desk we are not sure. Wewillhavetocallhernew husband, Bobby. Jared (the man) Page and I somehow bonded. He is like having a little brother. I will miss the trickled away. Iam not really look ing for any type or particular correspondent and will answer any letters that I might get. I just want to get some mail and to maybe make some new friends to talk with through the mail. Prison is probably one of the most boring experiences on the planet and you have to actually think up ways to break the monotony once in a while oryou will go nuts. I will be happy to answer any questions symbol of pride, proud people "who respect their heritage. It has nothing to do with discrimination. Should we ban the Mexican flag because they attacked the Alamo? It's people like Jazz talk and the sports talk. What I will miss the most though is putting things on his computer. Sorry, you have to be a Signposter Child to understand. I will miss that special way that Mark Forsberg would look at me and say, "do you think I can jump over this garbage can?" I had seen him do it every production day for the whole y ea r, so of course I knew he could do it. Sure enough, he would jump over the garbage can. He even got so that he could jump over as many as three in a row. Wow! What a guy. These were standing jumps by the way, there was no running approach. I wonder if he jumped over the garbage cans by my desk because he knew I would watch or that I needed the tension relief of trying to meet deadlines. I will miss Larry Stahle more than he will ever know. He has been a safe harbor in the stormy sea of life. The Signpost staff is a wonderful bunch of people, I wish them all well. For them, I must say, go forth and prosper. But one thing my mother taught me was to be a lady. A lady always knows when it's time to leave. Farewell my friends, I hold you forever in my heart. correspondence that anyone may have about prison life, my court experiences and or criminal activity or we can just talk about anything anyone might want to talk about. I very much appreciate any help you can give me in this matter and if anyone is interested write to: Kenan Robertson 95908 Arizona State Prison-Rincon 10,000 South Wili-not Road Tucson, Arizona 85777 not discrimination you who make it hard for various ethnic groups to co-exist. Get a life! Brooke Cluise WSU student |