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Show Monday, November 28, 2005 Page 4 Editor in Chief: Marfa Villasenor Editorial The Signpost editorial staff Don't like istm; There is still time to dodge that rabid reindeer of Christmas frenzy. Christmas frenzy may mean obsessive behavior about demanding or giving the perfect gift, denying the holiday exists at all or postponing shopping until the last minute. Christinas frenzy fixations lead to retail riots over things as idiotic and vapid as the Cabbage Patch Doll and the ludicrous Tickle Me Elmo. Somehow, only that one perfect gift would do... be flexible, people. For those who do too much, yule frenzy means Christmas Eve is time to start knitting that sweater or building a playhouse out of tongue depressors for nieces and nephews. Take five deep breaths, focus and stop it, stop it, stop it. This frenzy comes from procrastination. Follow the Socratic injunction and "Know thyself." There is another kind of holiday hysteria. Some people pretend the world has retreated into a peculiar red-and-green motif for no apparent reason, and all that glistening silver tinsel is some kind of widespread tribute to heavy metal music or orthopedic dentistry. It's here, there's cheer; get used to it. No matter how much one may hate shopping, Christmas, Kwaanza and Hanukkah gifts are either for loved ones or ones whom are somehow entitled to serious sucking up. Now is the time to plan ahead and think about what the other person may want or need. When in doubt about what kind of gift to get a loved one, The Signpost editorial staff suggests three pairs of nice, useful socks. Wool socks for hikers, cashmere socks for businessmen, cute socks for children; almost everyone wears socks. ' Yes, we can question materialism and agree commercialism is evil, but loved ones often have certain expectations that should be met. The magic words here are "Happy Holidays," and not "I hate to shop, so please excuse me for being a jerk." This is a unique flavor of self-centered Christmas frenzy. Many members of The Signpost staff have plenty of sympathy for people who regard any kind of holiday spirit as a regrettable overkill. But no cynic is an island, and even cynics have loved ones. Remember that business about climbing the highest mountain and swimming the deepest river? Remember the horrors of dating the strange? Take a little time here, get some advice, know your budget and plan ahead. If the significant other demands more man the wallet can give, then reassess that relationship. Many of us will soon be in the grips of trying to find that perfect gift while shopping at a 24-hour convenience store on Christmas Eve. You know who you are. n Arum, more Commonly known as the CORPSE FUOWER; is native to Sumatra and can <arow to neaf% Phone: 626-7121 lowers . FOUL odor is often compared fc,. fftrfta/L SWEL15 ONE TOME/ Celebrities are not political experts Celebrities have always been politically active and outspoken, but From the Right in the last decade or so it's just gotten By Layne D. Hansen silly. Prior to the last two elections, columnist | The Signpost many celebrities vowed they would leave America if President Bush were elected. Well, he won both times and Another frightening trend is the they're still here! It shows these people creation of shows to push a political have no conviction. They speak for agenda. The "West Wing" is not the more attention; more attention to first, but it's perhaps the most popular. feed those massive egos and their Now we have the "Commander in ridiculously large insecurities. Chief," a transparent ploy by the left Artists like Green Day and Eminem wing to show that a woman - namely made political statement albums Hillary Clinton - could succeed as before the 2004 election. George Lucas, president. They script tough scenarios creator of "Star Wars," changed the for this female president to deal with 1 If avian flu were to pass into the general population now, the United States, like the rest of the world, would be unready. Experts predict millions could die. Few vaccine nature of six films worth of characters and she handles them flawlessly. By mentioning this, I do not mean production facilities operate in the United States; most of the vaccine Americans could to make a statement about Bush. Sad, access is made outside the country. In the case of a worldwide health panic, there is because I really like "Star Wars." Sean that I think women are not capable no guarantee that nations in which those vaccine plants are located would allow the Penn, Barbara Streisand, Bette Midler, of being president. I think women Warren Beattie, Tim Robbins, Susan are ready to handle the American lifesaving serum to leave the country. presidency, but I do not think Hillary Why is the U.S. capacity to manufacture vaccines - against seasonal influenza Sarandon: The list goes on. Just because a person is famous, Clinton is that woman. (More on this or any number of possible pathogens - close to nonexistent? Simple economics. Producing vaccines is a high-risk, low-reward enterprise. There is no guarantee that whether it is in the film or recording later in the year). The point is, just the huge investment necessary for research and development of vaccines is going to industries, does not give them license because a television show portrays a pay off, givenfluctuatingdemand. to speak on political matters as if they woman handling the complexities of And because of the breakneck speed at which companies would have to produce were experts. The saddest and most world politics does not mean Hillary a vaccine once a specific health threat is identified, there is practically no time to test frightening about this is that many Clinton can step in and do the job. the serum adequately for safety. Vaccine makers would open themselves up to liability Americans are so dumb and gullible Maybe Condaleeza Rice, but nbt lawsuits that could destroy their companies. Hillary. they believe what these people say. The Biodefense and Pandemic Vaccine and Drug Development Act now before Congress would provide market and other incentives to pharmaceutical companies to encourage vaccine production. The most controversial provision would effectively protect vaccine makers against personal injury lawsuits, though it would provide for some compensation in the event of adverse health effects. Trial lawyers and their Democratic allies are up in arms over the proposal, but unless the U.S. government takes up vaccine manufacturing on its own, the industry's concerns are reasonable and should be accommodated. We cannot expect to be protected from risk entirely. Americans must decide whether they'd rather run the risk of a vaccine shield that might work badly or take their chances with no shield at all. The former is unfortunate, but, given the immensity of the avian flu threat, the latter is unacceptable. I wish to thank The Signpost for hypothesis, in full accordance with After stripping it of a dangerous provision that would exempt a newly created publicizing the debate over the teaching the scientific method, that the government biomedical agency from the Freedom of Information Act - thus of intelligent design ("Intelligent observed design evident in nature is protecting its workings from necessary public oversight - Congress should waste little design in the classroom" - Nov. 21). true design, not "apparent" design as time in passing this legislation. As your article made clear, this debate Darwinism holds. Intelligent design is raises important issues that impact not thus a scientific disagreement with the only science, but religion as well. core claim of evolutionary theory that Weber -^ A vveoer State ocaie University university The article accurately quoted the the apparent design of living systems Intelligent Design Network as to the is an illusion. scientific basis for intelligent design. The evident alarm that the thought of However, the careful reader should teaching intelligent design engenders notice that there was no substantive in Darwinists is somewhat amusing. Editor in Chief Maria Villasenor 626-7121 rebuttal to the IDnet position Almost without fail, the programmed Managing Editor Jason Staley 626-7614 beyond simple declarations such as, responses are as unscientific as they News Editor Blair Dee Hodges 626-7655 "Intelligent design is not scientific, it's are errant. Responses such as "[T]he Sports Editor Jeremy Tyler 626-7983 not supported, it shouldn't be taught, it evolutionary process has been tested, Copy Editor Kristen Hebestreet 626-7659 should not be there. Period." proven and is well substantiated, Features Editor Jesica Medellin 626-7621 Such is the typical reply from intelligent design cannot be proven," Entertainment Editor David Fairchild 626-7105 evolutionists: high on zealous rhetoric, are par for the dogmatic, "Don't Business Editor Lisa Mann 626-7624 question us on the fact of Darwinism" low on scientific substance. Photo Editor Mo Williams 626-6358 course most Darwinists take. Graphics Editor Brady Leaver Why, one wonders, is intelligent 626-7661 Online Editor Nick Litster design not scientific? Intelligent 626-6358 In fact, if "the evolutionary process" Advertising Manager Brandy Lee 626-6359 design is simply the scientific is taken to mean the unguided, Office Manager Georgia Edwards 626-7974 Advisor Allison Hess 626-7499 Distribution Austin Adams 626-7974 Publisher Dr. Randy Scott 626-6464 Signpost Fax 626-7401 Congrats to the WSU men's soccer team represented themselves and WSU The Signpost Is published every Monday. Wednesday, and Friday during team! The regular season was great, very well. You guys were so much fun to the semester. Subscription is $9 a semester. The first copy ot The Signpost Is free, each additional copy Is S.5O. the regional play offs were exceptional watch. I am so glad I made the trip to • The Signpost Is a student publication, written, edited and drafted by and the national tournament in Tuscaloosa. You made it a vacation of Weber State University students. Student tees partially lund the printing of Alabama was out of this world! The a lifetime. Thank you, gentlemen. You this publication. Opinions or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed From Dallas Morning News: Vaccines: Made in America; threat of bird flu outweighs safety concerns These people are reckless. They give no thought to the consequences of what they are saying. In many cases, they are giving aid and comfort to our enemies. They are pushing for withdrawal from Iraq when that would be a huge mistake. I have no delusions that any celebrities read my column, but I wish they would make their movies, record their songs and shut up! They're given a forum because of their fame, but they are abusing it by their reckless words. My advice is to turn the channel or the radio dial when these people start spouting their lies and half-truths because in most cases they don't know what they're talking about. Some may say to me. "What about their freedom of speech? My response is, celebrities have freedom of speech, but they should not be allowed to have that speech magnified louder than regular citizens like you and me. I'm sure celebrities have forgotten and you starstruck people have forgotten that celebrities are only human. They're no better than you and they are definitely not experts when it comes to politics. Letters to the Editor Intelligent design an important issue The Signpost unintelligent process for producing new species, then it is not tested, proven or substantiated. There has never been one observation, one test or one substantiation of an unguided, unintelligent random mutation being naturally selected to produce so much as a ribosome, much less a species. Statements like the one quoted above are simply the dogmatic chants of a ; dying paradigm. , Students deserve better. A university should be a place of academic freedom, religious neutrality and unbiased science. Censoring intelligent design from the science classroom is the wrong thing to do for any university, but it is particularly surprising for one with the motto: "changing minds." - Roddy M. Bullock, Executive Director, Intelligent Design Network of Ohio Family cheers, congratulates men's soccer 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 tn SUB 267, mail to: The Signpost, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah, 84408-2110. Attn: Editor in Chief, email thesignpost@weber.edu are the best! Way to go #3! Your family is proud of you! THESIGNPOST@WEBER.EDU - Pete Jahsman, WSU alumnus |