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Show I. u H s U J 11 il 11 Phone: 626-7121 Jeffrey R. Hurt, editor in chief Signpost VIEWPOINT WSU educators take stand "As concerned educators, we are committed to the principle of free expression, open discussion of ideas, and the inherent worth and dignity of every person. "Discrimination against lesbians and gays is inconsistent with these principles, and may be emblematic of a more profound and pervasive system of censure. As human beings and citizens of Utah, lesbian and gay members of our community are entitled to all constitu tional rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of association. "We, the under- signed, declare our strong opposition to discrimination against lesbians and gays. We feel compelled to express our condemnation openly, lest our silence be taken as condoning a discrimination that diminishes us all." This is an anti-discrimination statement from a petition a group of Weber State University educators are making to be printed in local newspapers next weekend. This statement will be attached to a petition with supportive faculty, staff and administrator signatures. It is gratifying to know educators at WSU are expressing their discrimination concerns and getting involved with issues prominent on campus, as well as across Utah. Educators need to take a stand on such issues just as much as students and community members. At other campuses across the country, professors are well known in their community for their outspoken nature and involvement.This group of WSU educators is choosing to take a stand. They are doing so by making a statement on anot-so-popular issue in hopes of providing more information and challenging the status quo. These educators feel it is a moral responsibility to open community member's eyes to lesbian and gay discrimination, as well as any form of discrimination-a topic people don't want to talk about. By having educators such as these, it not only enhances WSU's reputation, but gives students, faculty, staff, administrators and community members a well-rounded outlook.Professors should be admired not just for their intelligence, but for their wisdom, and especially for their contributions to society. opinion written by Heather Stallings, The Signpost copy editor, editorial board ratified 6-2. 3Efae SigmpQsti Recipient of the UPA General Excellence award Editor in chief Managing editor News editor A&E editor Assign, editor Sports editor Copy editor Features editor Graphics editor Photo editor Production mngr. Advertising mngr. Secretary Adviser Publisher Jeffrey R. Hurt Amy Baker-Butters Alisa Rasmussen Mindy Rose Melissa Karren Joe Wren Heather Stallings Caroline Lusby Taylor Fielding Ryan Shupe Melissa Boothe Trent Walker Georgia Edwards Dr. S. Josephson Dr. Randy Scott 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 626-6164 626-7401 The Signpostts published Monday, Wednesday and Friday during Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. Subscription is S9 a quarter. 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, telephone 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: Jeff Hurt, editor in chief. SAWAA1 IS STILL. OUR ' CURRENT CHAMP HERE on THE HUSSEIN i & HA i - Power of half turn underestimated The half turn-it's something we've all received and given at one time or another in our life. A good one, a bad one, an impartial one, these are all different types of half turns. What is it you may ask? Why would you give one? What is the point of using it? These are all questions someone who didn't really know what a half turn was, might ask. Little do they know the power or potential of what turning half, way around can have. . An example of a half turn would be what happened to me and a friend while attending a speech. My friend and I were gabbing away and began to sound like a little kid messing with the volume control on a stereo.One moment we would be laughing out loud, the next moment we would be whispering like two seventh grade girls discussing boys. The next thing I knew, I noticed we attracted the attention of the young woman sitting in front of us. She wasn't enjoying our conversation nearly as much as we were. So, she let us know. She started by motioning her head towards her right shoulder. Her upper body turned ever so slightly to her right. I saw the white of her right eye gazing at me over her right shoulder. Her j&z hi in ii i niin . i .. lit. Strong words By Cody Strong head stopped turning when her left eye caught my eyes. When I saw her, I could only imagine that inside her brain was this terminator like tracking system that was reading "locked on target, fire when ready." I realized she wasn't looking at me just to see who I was. I knew she was saying "SHUT UP" without uttering a word. I didn't know what to say, so I smiled like an innocent child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Her point was well taken. My friend then noticed what was going on. He became suddenly quiet also. Both of us were stopped in our tracks by what in reality is so simple, yet practically so ef fecti ve-the half turn. Although you may think all half turns are meant to be taken in a bad way, that is not necessarily the case. There is the sitting "I can't believe you just said that" half turn. This is when you are sitting in back of someone and you say something that really shocks the person in front of you. The person in front of you gives the above men-. tioned half turn by turning very quickly around half way, opens their mouth to about the size of a softball, exhales deeply and widens their eyes to the size of baseballs.There is the climbing "How did I manage to get this far up the cliff" half turn. This happens to climbers when they get about 100 to 150 feet up the side of a mountain and use this half turn to check their progress. The end result of this half turn could be anything from sounding like a 14-year-old girl who just saw Freddy Kruger for the first time, to crying like a 15-year-old boy who just totaled his dad's new Lexus. Also included in this bunch of half turns are the standing or sitting "I hope heshe can't tell I'm listening to their conversation" half turn. -The standing or sitting "Man, she's a babe" half turn. Then there's the one we all forget to do, the driving "I wonder if there's anyone in my blind spot" half turn. Half turns really do come in all types, sizes and potential. The effect you want it to have on another person, or yourself, is entirely up to you. Be aware, however, that once a person has grasped onto this all important form of communication, the possibilities are seemingly endless. Letter to the Editor WSU committed to constitutional right of free speech Weber State University recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of every person and is committed to the constitutional principle of free speech. We believe anyattempttolimit people's access to ideas violates the nature of a university. As. a university, we must let all ideas and perspectives be presented and debated. During a recent visi t to our campus, Dr. Carlos Cortes, of the University of California at Riverside, wisely urged us to conduct discussions of difficult topics with flex ible minds and civility. We live in an era when we can no longer avoid contact with a diverse world, and we must learn to reason and discuss respectfully. We have faith that through such a process, truth will emerge and destructive convictions will be rejected. When free' speech deteriorates into acts of hatred; however, the limits of our tolerance are challenged. Several forthcoming events will explore the fine line between expression of ideas and hateful or destructive acts. During the spring quarter the Honours Programme will sponsor a series of Issues Forums focusing on hate groups, radical poli tics and conspiracy theories. The university's Second Annual Holocaust commemoration will also explore the phenomena of scapegoa ting and conspiracy theories among the groups. We urge all members of the university community to participate in these events and to discuss these serious issues with your colleagues. Weber State University President's Council |