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Show Friday, September 2,2005 Editor-in-Chief: Maria Villasenor Editorial Phone: 626-7121 "The Simpsons" visit Ogden In an episode of "The Simpsons" called "Marge vs. the Monorail," the city of Springfield stumbles onto $3 million dollars, thanks to a lawsuit against Mr. Burns. The city is in a huff-puff about how the money should be spent and a town meeting is held to decide what to do with the money. Maude Flanders suggests the money be used to hire new fire fighters to put out a fire on the other side of town. Lisa thinks the money should be put into schools. Apu suggests money be spent on the police department. And Marge suggests fixing Main Street. Before the decision is made, a salesman by the name of Lyle Lanley unveils a model of a future Springfield monorail that is similar to those in Ogdenville, North Haverbrook and Brockway. After his presentation, Lanley does a little song and dance and convinces the majority of the public to spend the $3 million on his project. The funny part about this episode is the scary similarity between Ogden and Springfield. The Utah Transit Authority and the Wasatch Front Regional Council recently did a study about building a mass transit system from the 23rd Street hub to Weber State University. The study involved three forms of mass transit: Rapid bus transit, streetcars/trolleys and aerial gondolas. The UTA's response was to suggest building the streetcar system. Even though the UTA has made their recommendation, Ogden Mayor Mathew Godfrey continues to do his dog-and-pony show for a gondola, although the gondola suggestion only made it to third place. One reason is because the speed of the gondola is equal to the current bus system. Being in third place has turned Godfrey and friends in to the Lyle Lanley of Ogden. They say it will bring tourism to Ogden. Sorry Mr. Lanley: Why would anyone want to ride in an over-glorified ski lift? In addition to being slow, the gondola will have only two stops: WSU and the 23rd Street hub. The streetcar system would have more stops and be faster than the "ski lift." In the cartoon, Marge Simpson drives to North Haverbrook to get a better understanding of the monorail. In the city is a billboard sign that states, "Where the monorail is king!" She finds the monorail is not king and, instead, was the fall of North Haverbrook. Marge is able to stop the monorail from ruining the city and sums up the foolish decisions of the leadership and residents of Springfield: "And that was the only folly the people of Springfield ever embarked upon. Except for the Popsicle stick skyscraper. And the 50-foot magnifying glass. And that escalator to nowhere." Hopefully, UTA will be Ogden's Marge Simpson and stop the gondola. The -^ A By Lon Hatch guest columnist | The Signpost In the aftermath of the destruction that was Hurricane Katrina, each of us is faced with a decision on the potential help we could lend to victims. In this situation, the choice we make may say more about our human nature than we think. Recently while visiting McKay-Dee Hospital, I had an experience that taught me about human nature. While talking with a volunteer in the lobby, I heard a loud "thud," followed by the sudden rustling of concerned voices. Looking around, I discovered the source of the noise. About 20 feet from where I stood, an elderly man with a cane had fallen flat on his back while walking toward the lobby elevators. The atmosphere in the lobby quickly became that of concern. The eyes of everyone in the lobby seemed to be giued to the elderly man as he struggled to turn himself over. As the elderly man began the process of raising himself to his feet, the crowd - The Signpost Editorial Board of people that surrounded him suddenly began to reach out to help him. But - as if stopped by an imaginary forcefield- not a single one made physical contact. Weber State University vveoeroi-ate university The elderly man continued his unaided effort to get to his feet and as he finally brought one knee up and placed a foot on the floor, an onlooker broke through the unseen force field and reached out a hand Maria Villasenor 626-7121 of help to the struggling man as he made his Jason Staley 626-7614 final effort to get to his feet. Blair Dee Hodges 626-7655 As I left the lobby, my mind was filled with afloodof questions. Why in the midst Jeremy Tyler 626-7983 of their concerns did people seem unable Kristen Hebestreet 626-7659 to bring themselves to action? Why did so Jesica Medellin 626-7621 many onlookers, myself included, simply David Fairchild 626-7105 watch as the man struggled up from the Lisa Mann 626-7624 Mo Williams 626-6358 Brady Leaver 626-7661 Nick Litster 626-6358 Brandy Lee 626-6359 Georgia Edwards 626-7974 Allison Hess 626-7499 Austin Adams 626-7974 Dr. Randy Scott 626-6464 626-7401 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 Advisor Distribution Publisher Signpost Fax Don't hesitate to help hurricane victims • The Signpost is published every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the semester. Subscription is S9 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 thesignpost@weber.edu ground? Why was there only one willing to lend a helping hand? Psychology teaches us a simple principle concerning people's behavior in crisis situations. When in an emergency, people tend to base their behaviors on the actions of those around them. People typically employ a self-serving bias. By nature, people are more concerned for themselves than others. Even in an emergency situation, the fear of what could happen by becoming involved outweighs the needs of others. People convince themselves that someone else can provide better help, even if no one does. In extreme situations, a person's fear of loosing their own life causes them to remain in a state of inaction when able to save the life of another. This line of reasoning based on fear is broken when others begin to take action. If another sets a positive example, the fear is swept away and effective, helpful action follows. Had even one person taken the initial step of helping the elderly gentleman to his feet, everyone within reasonable distance probably would have followed suit. Unfortunately, only one man found the confidence within himself to help a stranger in need despite the inaction of others. Swimming in a sea of onlookers, the elderly man would have received better help if there had been only one other person in the room. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina's devastation, one of our nation's worst national disasters, we become witness to this phenomenon on a national level. Whether willing to help on their own or inspired to action through that of another, thousands of people are taking action and helping the victims ravished by Hurricane Katrina through their labors and The Signpost wants to know what you think. Send us a letter with your name and phone number to: THESIGNPOST@WEBER.EDU |