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Show Signpost-Frid-ay, February 19, 1988 5 Sliwa (cont'd from front page) New York's "muppct mayor" Ed Koch tried to ignore the group because by recognizing it he would be admitting that New York had a crime problem, Sliwa said. Many people were scared of the group at first. "The very people you're trying to help are intimidated because you're young," he said. Soon, however, the Guardian Angels gained the respect of the people. In 1981 the Angels organized in Atlanta and soon expanded to many of the largest cities in America. It was not easy, Sliwa said. "For anything you ever do and anything you do that succeeds, failure is a word that dogs you time in and time out." Sliwa said the Guardian Angels' philosophy is "citizenry arc the first line of defense." People get excited about international problems like Libya, he said., but don't get excited about local crime problems. Sliwa blames part of the problem on an "over- EdlTORlS NOTE Edlron's notc Is a weekly feATURe which AppeAns In our pApeR. WrIttcn by The Slqivposr STAff, It Is somctImcs sarcastic, sometmes SCRlOVS, SOMCTlMeS hUMOROVS, bllT AlwAys dlffCRCNT. Tony Butler Staff Reporter Hang on to your shorts, kids. We're about to enter the twilight zone. During the week of January 18, the Signpost ran two articles concerning a Supreme Court case. So what, right? The Supreme Court ruled that the principal of Hazelwood East High School in Hazelwood, Missouri, could censor what the students printed in the school paper, the Spectrum. The students had wanted to print articles on teenage pregnancy and children of divorced parents - issues that certainly affect the high school community. Still so what, right? The what of the matter is that the Supreme Court's 5-3 ruling stated, in effect, that teachers and administrators, by virtue of their years of education and medical experience, know what is best for students. By the same token, shouldn't doctors, by virtue of their years of education and medical experience, know what is best for their patients? If that were true, then the words "malpractice suit" would not be in our vocabulary. The Supreme Court ruling does not provide malpractice insurance against bad teachers or inept administrators who can now censor the student press if they feel it isn't in the students' best interests to read about certain issues. It is bad enough that the High Court (ever wonder how it got that name?) has ruled against freedom of the press at the high school level, but more frightening is the response here at Weber State-In an informal poll conducted by the Signpost, half the supposedly bright, aware and thinking respondents felt that censorship was okay. One student felt that censorship applied especially in cases where students were printing pornography. I wonder what this student was focusing on. Pornography was not an issue in the Hazelwood case. Another respondent said that while the paper provides a learning environment and abortion should be discussed in high school, some censorship is necessary. Abortion was not an issue in the Hazelwood case, either.. Not trusting my memory, I went and looked at the First Amendment to the Constitution. Try as I might, I could not find the part that says freedom of the press is only guaranteed to high school newspapers when teachers and administrators say it is in the students' best interests. The amendment clearly slates that freedom of ihe press shall not be abridged. I worry that a dangerous precedent has been set here. Will college presidents soon be able to decide what is best for college students to read? Will mayors soon be able to decide what is best for the residents of their cities to read? Where will it end? Or will it end? I used to think that schools were a breeding ground for critical thought. I always felt they were designed to teach children how to think, not what to think. In this new dimension of sight and sound, I'm not so sure that's true anymore. lawyerizalion" of society. This litigant society "has turned us into a nation into crime watchers instead of crime stoppers " He said of the role the Guardian Angels play, "This is what most people ought to be doing without this funny looking beret and t-shirt. "We believe from the time you pop out of the womb you have a moral responsibility." 'Here's a NEW TAX LAW tip" SCHOLARSHIPSFELLOWSHIPS RECIPIENTS: If you aren't a degree candidate, your grant is fully taxable. For degree candidates, the part of your grant used for books, fees, and other direct expenses is tax free. The remainder, including the portion used for room and board, is taxable. See IRS Pub. 920 for details. 9 -x ' V? v r L i WE'RE FIGHTING FOR YOUR LIFE American Heart Association You've thought about it. You've tried to imagine what it would be like. You know it would be exciting. And a challenge. And quite possibly the most rewarding experience of your life . . . Three Americans overseas in Asia, Africa and South America speak frankly on what Peace Corps life is like for them. It isn't easy and it isn't for everyone they'll tell you that up front. But if you've ever considered going overseas in the Peace Corps, then now is your chance to see and hear for yourself what could be "the toughest job you'll ever love." Mote: Former Peace Corps volunteers will be on hand to answer questions following the 25 minute film. And it's free! FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19 at 12:30 p.m. STUDEMT UniON UB280 U.S. Peace Corps The Movie "The Toughest Job You'll Ever Love" (J Xs-$ - V f X -A ,1 K 1 :;, .: jp FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 801-581-5100 OR 1-800-525-4621, EXT. 674 DtTm |