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Show Editorial WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2012 3 THE SIGNPOST The Signpost Viewpoint What's wrong with speaking for the trees? Although The Lorax has received mixed reviews, the attempt to teach mass audiences of the importance of caring for the environment should be applauded, not criticized. In other words, why are so many people arguing over whether the story is anti-industry, left-winged or brainwashing instead of focusing on the good its message can bring? Back in December, Lou Dobbs on Fox Business Network attacked Hollywood for producing a film that is "indoctrinating our children," saying that The Lorax not only speaks for the trees, but for the liberals as well. As many college students have already discovered, political ideological labels don't matter; protecting the environment does. Whether or not The Lorax's message is anti-industry, its pro-environment message should be important to everyone. Dobbs also criticized Universal Studios for teaming up with other companies to promote eco-friendly products, such as Mazda and their new compact crossover sport utility vehicle, the CX-5. Many have expressed frustration or even outrage that an environmentally friendly movie would partner with an SU V, and especially the "Truffula Tree Seal of Approval" the advertisement features. Whether the partnership is wise, logical or even ethical is another argument. But at least Mazda is working to create a more fuel-efficient fleet of automobiles. With the introduction of its Skyactiv Technology, Mazda announced that it plans to make a 30 percent improvement on the average fuel economy of Letter to the editor WSU Signpost Attn: Editor & Staff Advisor I was crushed... and livid!! Coverage of the first ever LGBT initiatives sponsored student dance (the Black and White Ball) at WSU did not make the cut to be published in today's edition of the Signpost. The Ball, held Saturday, March 3rd in the SU Ballroom, was a groundbreaking moment in WSU history. After seeing the photographer and journalist from the Signpost at the Ball, I was eagerly awaiting reading the story today - only to be bitterly disappointed. Especially since "regular" dances are covered. I'm wondering why? Why was an event that was so meaningful and politically relevant not covered? I am well aware that WSU is a conservative environment. However, as a publicly funded institute of higher learning, my expectation is that our university should be an inclusive, increasingly progressive setting. Since I returned to WSU in 2007, I have noticed stories focusing on LGBT issues have been gaining increased coverage. For example, Deliberative Democracy Day's conversation regarding Legality and Same-Sex Marriage, as well as the discrimination and harassment connected to student elections. Regarding the increased coverage, keep up the good work. Regarding missteps like this, keep trying. Jennifer Killpack-Zion 1569 N 450 E North Ogden, UT 84404 WSU Alumna and Graduate Student Editor's note: No editor at The Signpost assigned a reporter or photographer to cover Saturday's dance. 1 Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Asst. Managing Editor News Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Business Editor compassion for other living things. He begs the Once-ler to stop destroying so much just to make his Thneeds, which is not a thing that everyone needs. Why waste time and energy criticizing a children's movie for not covering every facet of the complex issues of environmental health, industrial growth, animal rights, entrepreneurial ambitions and more? We should applaud it for doing something. A recent study led by University of Nebraska-Lincoln sociology professors has found that, over the last several decades, nature of any kind has almost vanished from children's picture books. Researchers examined books receiving the Caldecott Medal from the award's beginning in 1938 through 2008 - nearly 8,100 images and more than 300 books. They found a steady decline in illustrations of natural environments and animals, as well as humans' interactions with both. Although the study was limited to Caldecott winners, the honorees are often featured in schools and libraries, and so can influence children's taste in literature. The Lorax teaches us to not let our compassion become overrun by greed, to enjoy and protect the natural beauty of the world, to stand up for what's right, to risk all for love, to atone for mistakes, and that "unless someone like you cares a whole lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." Those are all lessons we should want our children can learn. So why not just let the Lorax speak for the trees? Comment on this column ai wsusignpost.com Abstract Academic The birthday gift of an extra Zinger Dear Editor, - Mazda vehicles sold worldwide by 2015. Mazda seems to know that, while electric and hybrid cars are better for the environment, regular gas-powered vehicles aren't going to disappear, so they're working to improve them. Out of all the horrible things that happen in the world, why attack anyone who is trying to make a difference? The Lorax, with his funny mustache and duty to protect the environment bestowed by an unknown source, doesn't plead with the Once-ler to abandon all capitalist dreams and become a hippie who sits in on protests to Occupy Wall Street and throws red paint on people wearing fur coats (not that those things are bad). He asks the young man to take his business elsewhere, be conscious of the consequences of his actions, and have Spencer Garn Stephanie Simonson Thomas Alberts Eric Jensen Nathan Davis Amanda Lewark Jessica Klemm Kory Wood • The Signpost columnist So it's my birthday this week. I'm not saying this because I want attention. I'm saying it as a warning. Please, don't ruin my week. See, birthdays haven't gone so well for me. I don't know what it is, but there's something about this week that always makes me feel like a deckchair on the Titanic. It might be genetic. My dad had terrible birthdays growing up, too. He was the youngest child of tired old farmers, and they didn't have a lot of birthday pizazz left in the bank for him. One year, they got him a bottle of SpriteTM in a paper bag (I wish that was a joke) and a promise to "take him down ta' town and get him something next week, if they had time." Statistically, my birthdays have been pretty awful. I think there have been at least three birthdays that involved eating too much pizza and throwing up at Chuck E. Cheese (I will not reveal how recently these instances happened). In fact, throwing up is sort of a common theme. One time in junior high school, some of my friends threw a party for me and this girl whose birthday was a day before mine. This girl also happened to be cute. We all went to her house and played night games, which 626-7121 626-7614 626-7614 626-7655 626-7983 626-8071 626-7621 The Signpost is a student publication, written, edited and drafted by Weber State University students. Student fees fund the printing of this publication. Opinions or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed by the university. Features Editor A&E Editor Copy Editor Adviser Ad Manager Office Manager should really just be called "games that are almost as fun as games you play in the daytime, except sometimes you run into low-hanging tree branches with your bare eyeball." Anyway, we were playing night games, and I was chasing her, and then I was chasing her some more, and then, for a change, I chased her for a while. It wasn't a problem until I realized that (a) she didn't want to be caught, (b) she was a trained cross-country runner, and (c) all this running was going to make me york all over the yard. Which, consequently, is what I did. That birthday was pretty awful. But thinking back specifically, there was one birthday which really took the cake (which also happened to me once on my birthday): my first birthday in preschool. In preschool, it was my birthday, which meant that it was my special privilege to get my parents to bring a treat for everyone else in class. This was back before kids were allergic to things like nuts, strawberries and competition. Wild days, they were. Anyway, my parents sent me off to school whistling contentedly with a box of ZingersTM under each arm. Have you ever had a ZingerTM? They're like little fatty torpedoes of happiness. One box was chocolate, the other raspberry. Ooh, I was so excited to share my ZingersTM with the class. The teacher helped me pass the treats out, and once we were all finished, I realized there was a special birthday Jerrica Archibald Kory Wood Jennifer Sanda Shane Farver Shelley Hart Georgia Edwards treat in store for me: One girl was absent! That meant two ZingersTM for me! Life could not be better. I slowly devoured the raspberry Zinger, then unwrapped the chocolate one. I was going to savor it, this extra cake-like dessert product of my dreams. The other kids watched me enviously. At that moment, the door to the preschool opened. In walked the absent girl. I had a choice to make. I could either do as my teacher was asking and hand the chocolate ZingerTM over to this girl, this late girl, or I could carry on in my present course and enjoy the ZingerTM surplus that was to be my birthday. "Kory, you need to hand her that dessert," my teacher asked. I looked at my teacher. I looked at the girl. And I shoved the entire ZingerTM inside my mouth. I had to have it explained to me what I had done, and I ended up not only being forced to apologize to the girl (I still don't know why), but also being put in time-out until my parents came. In my defense, I had been promised two ZingersTM but had only received one. It didn't matter. What an awful birthday. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy your spring break. I know I will once I can get past this birthday nonsense. And then, oh then, I will eat my weight in chocolate ZingersTM. Comment on this column at wsusignpost.corn 626-7105 626-7624 626-7659 626-7526 626-6359 626-7974 The Signpost reserves the right to edit for reasons of space and libel and also reserves the right to refuse to print any letter. Letters should be submitted online to thesignpost@weber.edu and read Letter to the Editor in the subject box. Letters should not exceed 350 words. |