OCR Text |
Show Opaeaini Jeffrey R. Hurt, editor in chief Phone:626-7121 Signpost VIEWPOINT Mixed on Memorial Day It's officially the beginning of Memorial Day weekend, and a lot of us have planned for parties and family reunions because of the so-called warm weather. Most of us will try to make the holiday safe and productive, or at least safe and fun, while others of us have this selfish side that likes to take other people's lives and place them in danger. This side is the drinking side. This side is the dark, dangerous and drunk side. Now, drinking is not all in all bad, if done in moderation, but for some reason, people think they're invincible. One drink can't hurt me. (Yeah, if it's virgin orange juice!) It's that same selfish attitude that "I'll be fine. Alcohol won't have any effect on me; I've been drinking it for so many years already." Anyone ever read the labels on the beer bottles? Or how about the anti-depressant drugs they've taken right before the relatives get to their house? It usually reads something like "do not operate any heavy machinery while using this drug." But then, some people think, "Aha! Alcohol is not a drug!" Wrong again. Alcohol is one of the most abused drugs substances in the world, and it's because of this tiny little misconception that people make the mistakes they do. Holiday weekends often end in tragedy, because people either don't realize the effect they're going to have on people around them because of their silly actions, or they just don't care at the moment. Later, they realize as they're watching the news in a jail cell full of other recovering addicts. If people want to drink, they should think. If we plan to drink over the holiday, let's consider being responsible. If we plan to drink (or do drugs, or whatever) we should make sure we have a way out. Give the keys to someone not interested in downing a keg or snorting a kilo. Memorial Day shouldn't become a Memorial Day for the lot of us. People should be more careful and concerned not only with their happiness, but with others. Traffic hazards involving people who take it upon themselves to drive under the influence are just waiting to happen. Let them wait this holiday, so that other holidays can follow. (Oh, and save some of that virgin orange juice for the non-drinkers, instead of mixing it into a tequila concoction.) opinion by Alisa C. Rasmussen, The Signpost news editor. The editorial board concurred unanimously 7-0, but reserved the right for a designated driver. rThe -Sig Recipient of the UPA General Excellence award Editor in chief Managing editor News editor A&E editor Assign, editor Sports editor Copy editor Sidetracks 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 Wallentlne Caroline Lusby Taylor Fielding Ryan Shupe Tom Biuhm 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 Signpost is published Monday, Wednesday and Friday during Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. Subscription is S9 a quarter. The Signpostis 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. rr - riiaLL ' ' tr -- - i '. ' 2T-c'V'-i'r- .z ijm - --- b'iirii i (imi mm s Concealed weapons not welcome I understand that the State of Utah has now issued several thousand concealed weapons permits. I wish to serve notice to all my present and future students at WSU that I will not allow concealed weapons in my classroom.I hereby join Blockbuster Video chain and other establishments who do not allow gun-carriers on their premises. I find that carrying a deadly weapon is antithetical to philosophy and the spirit of education in general. Moreover, the names of concealed weapons permit holders should be made public and identified on class roles so that professors and fellow students may be aware of who is in their midst. TheNationalRifleAssociation itself now seeks to identify, and so boycott businesses who enforce a no-gun policy. TheNRA's influence over its members may Guest Editorial Jock Glidden, WSU department of philosophy affect my class enrollment, but this will serve to deliver those of us remaining from a presence of fear, distrust of humanity and the intimidating potential of deadly violence.Anyone who insists upon protecting themselves with a hidden handgun must be every moment conscious of the weight of the gun on their person, surreptitiously scanning the audience for a possible attacker or prone to use the gun on another human being in the hea t of an argument distasteful to them. A person with a mentality as this could not possibly benefit from the free inquiry of philosophy. There is a curious irony about Utah and the 2002 Olympics. During the Olympic games in ancient Greece, the many independent city states set aside their differences, friend and foe alike, to gather in sportsmanship, not war. A condition of attendance was that all spears and swords were to be left outside the Olympic arena except for competition purposes. The State of Utah is prepared to host the 2002 Olympic games, but will itallowpermi tees to carry their concealed weapons among the spectators? If it does, then the world is welcome here, but at its peril. If Utah suspends the right of permitees to carry guns there, then the same should apply for places of education. In the spirit of the original Olympics, anyone who wishes to study philosophy is welcome to my classes, but not with a handgun, hidden or exposed. ACT scores often misunderstood The Signpost article (522) on Ogden ACT test scores contains multiple misunderstandings about test score results, among them that Utah average scores are higher than the national average, or that local averages are comparable to state averages. First, it is a misuse of ACT or SAT scores to interpret them as evidence of schooling effectiveness or its absence. ACT or SAT scores only reveal individual performance results, and nothing about school effectiveness, the success or failure of teaching, learning or the curriculum in any state or the nation. Second, more than 80 percent of the variation in average state standardized test scores can be attributed to the percentage of students taking the test in any. Guest Column Donald K. Sharpes WSU professor of education state. In states where there are a large number of test-takers, scores will tend to be average. In states where the number of test-takers is low, as is true in Utah, test scores will be disproportionately high because those taking the test are almost exclusively high-achieving students. For example, in 1993, Utah's raw, unadjusted SAT scores were compared "to other states, and Utah's raw score rankings was described as fourth in the nation. However, taking in account the low percentage of students taking the test, Utah's actual adjusted ranking compared with states in 1993 was 42nd. This low percentage of high performing students obviously skews the results if average scores are compared between states. Public policy based on unadjusted SAT or ACT test scores leads to erroneous conclusions about educational success in the state, or among districts wi thin thestate, especially if state educational expenditures are linked to annual scores. Contrary to prevailing opinion, research has convincingly shown a direct link between educational expenditures and schooling success. Multiple forms of evaluation, and plenty of caution in interpretation, consti tute the best program for enlightened educational policy. BSSecE: issa IWIsar |