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Show Friday, February 18, 2005 Editorial Editor-in-Chief: Natalie Clemens Phone: 626-7121 VIEWPOINT Journalists subject to law Two reporters, Judith Miller of The New York Times and Matthew Cooper of Time magazine, refused to comply with subpoenas that require them to reveal their confidential sources to a grand jury. The grand jury is investigating the criminal disclosure of a CIA operative in both publications. Shortly after President Bush delivered his 2003 State of the Union address claiming that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, both reporters published articles that identified Valerie Plame as a CIA agent working on WMD-related issues. Plarne is the wife of Jospeh C. Wilson IV who, after Bush made his claims of Iraq's WMDs, published his opinion that Iraq had no such weapons. According to The New York Times, Wilson believes that other federal agents secretly told the press of his wife's position in the CIA in response to his disagreeing with Bush. Revealing the identity of a secret agent violates federal code 50 U.S.C. § 421. The code states: "Whoever, as a result of having authorized access to classified information, learns the identify of a covert agent and intentionally discloses any information identifying such covert agent to any individual not authorized to receive classified information, knowing that the information disclosed so identifies such covert agent and that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal such covert agent's intelligence relationship to the United States, shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more thanfiveyears, or both." Clearly, these reporters intentionally disclosed this classified information. Further, in Branzburg v. Hayes (1972), the Supreme Court ruled that requiring journalists to appear and testify before state and federal courts does not violate journalists' First Amendment rights. Therefore, pursuant to federal code and case law, the journalists have no basis to claim immunity from the grand jury. These reporters deserve to be in prison, not only for their refusal to testify, but because they themselves have committed a serious criminal act. What if it was their family member who-was exposed as a covert agent, and whose life was possibly in danger as a result? Would they be so eager to publish that information then? Further, wouldn't they seek prosecution for the person who violated federal code by giving up the names of their co-workers? Sadly, many journalists believe that reporters should always have full immunity from grand juries. "We continue to believe that the right to protect confidential sources is fundamental to journalism," said Norman Pearlstine, editor in chief of Time Inc. Perhaps journalists should have protection from frivolous inquires; however, there are limits to how much immunity they should have. - Roy Pyatt, Features Editor _ ^ ^ ^ Natalie Clemens Maria Villasenor Heather Hunt-Wood Jon Nelson William Hampton Roy Pyatt Becky Palmer Candice Dallin Mo Williams Samuel T. Platt Nick Litster Devon Crus Georgia Edwards Allison Hess William Hampton Dr. Randy Scott Gay rights senator not needed Am I the only person on campus who is sick of seeing and hearing Cari Bohm? Either this young lady is looking to go into politics or the legalfieldbecause she is really gaining a lpt of experience getting face time. During the election season, she was very outspoken - and might I add belligerent - about Amendment 3 and gay marriage. Now she wants £ay and lesbian students to have a senator. Cari and the rest of this group is like the kid that cries and cries until their parent finally gives in and gives them what they want. This is my problem: The Gay and Straight Alliance isridinga wave of contradiction. On some fronts they say that they want to be treated like everyone else; on others, and when it's convenient, they want special treatment. This is the thing: If you're operating under the premise that it's OK to be a homosexual, then why do you need special treatment? Do you have academic needs that no one else has? Don't you go to classes, take notes, study and take tests just like the rest of us? Why do you need special representation in student government? Does a gay English major have any different needs than a straight one? No. The plain fact is this group wants attention, publicity and special treatment. Also, in my personal opinion, I feel that they are setting themselves up for some possible discrimination lawsuits against the school, school authorities or peers. *" "fWould say that a gay rights senator would be necessary if there were a larger homosexual population, but we're not in San Francisco, LA. or Provo. Also, homosexuality, while not necessarily accepted, is not outwardly discriminated against. Probably more than any other environment, college campuses are more accepting of the homosexual lifestyle. If there were any incidents of discrimination that were highly detrimental to a student, that would be handled quickly by the school. Please Cari, I beg you, give it a rest. This isn't as big an issue as you're making it. - Layne D. Hansen VVSU student Cell phones disturb in computer labs Weber State University weDer atate university Signpost Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Sports Editor Copy Editor Features Editor Entertainment Editor Business Editor Photo Editor Graphics Editor Online Editor Advertising Manager Office Manager Advisior Distribution Publisher Signpost Fax Letters to the Editor 626-7121 626-7614 626-7655 626-7983 626-7659 626-7621 626-7105 626-7624 626-6358 626-7661 626-6358 626-6359 626-7974 626-7499 626-7974 626-6464 626-7401 The Signpost is published every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the semester. Subscription is $9 a semester. The first copy of The Signpost is free, each additional copy is $.50. • The Signpost Is a student publication, written, edited and drafted by Weber State University students. Student fees partially fund the printing of this publication. Opinions or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed by the university. • The Signpost welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must Include name, address, telephone number and the writer's signature. Anonymous letters will not be printed. • The Signpost reserves the right to edit letters for reasons of space and libel and also reserves the right to refuse to print any letter. Letters should not exceed 350 words. Bring letters to the editorial office in SUB 267, mail to: The Signpost, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah, 84408-2110. Attn: Editor in Chief, email theslgnpost@weber.edu As I sit here writing this letter to you from the Social Science computer lab, there are two people talking on their cell phones. It seems that ever)' time I try to write something from one of these labs there is someone talking on their phone. I wouldn't have a problem if they could do it in a low tone or even just a normal talking voice. Most people, however, talk on their phones in these labs in an inappropriately loud voice. I know that the labs aren't a library, but at least back when there was a computer lab in the library I expected the people to maintain the same type of low- key attitude as they would in the rest of the library. There isn't anywhere for people who want a little quiet to go anymore, or at least I don't know where it is. Are there any computer labs that don't allow cell phones? It would be nice to have at least one if not all of them cell phone-free. Perhaps you can wield your huge influence as an editor of the most influential paper on campus and do something about it, unless of course you're one of those people talking on their phones. Sincerely, - Ryan Jacobs WSU student Valentine's Day not just for women I am writing in response to the editorial offered on Monday Feb. 14.1 would like to express my outrage over the publishing of such blatantly sexist remarks by the author. I, too, am not a fan ofi/alentines Day, but the remarks about the holiday being invented by women as a means to be revered and spoiled was offensive and ignorant. If the author {who conveniently has withheld his or her name) would have done more research on the subject they would have found that Valentine's Day is in fact in honor of St. Valentine, a Christian martyr who was killed by the Roman Emperor Claudius for performing Christian weddings. So in fact, this holiday is yet another celebration of Christian misogyny. A little more research would also have enlightened the author to the fact that the American Greeting Card Association states that 85 percent of all Valentine's Day cards are purchased by women, showing that obviously women are not the ones being revered. Did this Viewpoint really showcase the best efforts of our author? Because if it is, I am inclined to assume that it indeed was written by a man. A man who obviously cannot handle the pressure of purchasing a 55 box of chocolates and a greeting card to show someone that he cares. It is this type of man that has made me hate this holiday, because I get let down by men the other 364 days of the year. So in effect, all Valentine's Day really is for me is another day to be disappointed by a man. - Karlin Hicks WSU student |