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Show Editorial FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14,2011 THE SIGNPOST The Signpost Viewpoint The passing of a true American hero Following the death of Steve Jobs, Facebook, Twitter and the Internet in general were flooded with sad posts of people sayinghowthey would miss him, and that he was one of the greatest minds the world has ever seen. Some even called him a hero. While Jobs did accomplish a lot in his life, and was a great leader for Apple, he shouldn't be called a hero. There are many more people in the world who better deserve the tide 'hero.' Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth is an example of someone who better fits the description of a hero. He was a preacher in Alabama during the civil rights movement. He spoke with Martin Luther King Jr. He was beaten multiple times, his house was bombed and his family was attacked as he strove to bring racial equality to America. Shuttlesworth died on the same day as Jobs, but news of his death was greatly overshadowed. King once called Shuttlesworth "the most courageous civil rights fighter in the South." Shuttlesworth was unshakeable in his determination to end segregation. He told CBS in 1961, "We are determined to either kill segregation, or be killed by it." Throughout his life, he was nearly killed several times because of his involvement in the civil rights movement. He was hospitalized after being shot with a fire hose. His house was bombed, with a bomb placed under his bedroom, yet he only had a few minor injuries. Bull Connors, who was the commissioner for public safely in Birmingham, Ala., during the civil rights movement, once said that Shuttlesworth had caused more trouble than any man who has ever been in Birmingham. Shutdesworth rallied members of a group he founded, the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights, to challenge and defy the practice of segregated bussing. In 1957, during an attempt to integrate an all-white school, Shuttlesworth was beaten with chains and whips. He helped to organize the historic march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965. He also protested segregated lunch counters, and organized sit-ins at diners in the South. Following his death, President Barack Obama released a statement about his life and the sacrifices he made. Obama said that he "dedicated his life to advancing the cause of justice for all Americans. He was a testament to the strength of the human spirit. And today we stand on his shoulders, and the shoulders of all those who marched and sat and lifted their voices to help perfect our union." In 2001, Shuttlesworth received the second-highest civilian award, the Presidential Citizens Medal, for his leadership and work in the fight for equality It was his determination and will to fight, despite repeatedly being attacked and injured, that helped end segregation. He gave everything he had in the fight for equality, yet his death was glossed over in coverage in comparison to Jobs. Shuttlesworth died quietly at the age of 89. There weren't many Facebook posts lamenting Shuttlesworth's death. Celebrities didn't chime in to memorialize him, yet he did more for the country than Jobs ever could have, and sacrificed more than most ever have. Shuttlesworth was a true American hero. Comment on this column at wsusignpost.com EXPERIENCE THIS MB FOLLOWING ABOUT SOME MEMBERS OF „.LIKE,«LY.. Abstract Academic The Fix-It Kid is back, with all the answers Kory Wood • The Signpost columnist Howdy, y'all! It's time for another week with me, the Fix- It Kid, your weekly guide for how-to-ing, do-it-yourself-ing, home-improving and, on occasion, guilt-free devil's food cake recipes. Last week, we helped Clark M. from Phoenix, Ariz., install his garage door, and we are proud to report that Clark was recently released from the hospital in stable condition, and has even regained some feeling in his lower extremities. Way to go, Clark! Make sure to check out my book, 50 Funky Fungi to Grow Inside Your Body Cast. Our first e-mail this week comes from Dave in Buffalo, N.Y. Dave writes: "Dear Fix-It Kid, My wife's father keeps giving me grief because I'm an English major and I don't have any useful life skills, like carpentry or changing the oil in ray car or doing long division. Just because I devoted four years of my life to learning the difference between John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley, that doesn't mean he can call me names like 'Moby Wimp' and 'Dr. Wimpenstein.' Or 'Lord of the Wimps.' Or 'The Last of the Wimp-hicans.' He's a man of few words. Mr. Fix-It, what are some things I can do to look like more of a man?" Great question, Dave! I think if I were your father, I would have gone with "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Jekyll." Get it? Anyway, try this: Next time your father-in-law comes over, ask for his help in doing something really manly and time- consuming, like moving all your college textbooks down to the basement. When he takes one look at all those cereal- box-thick tomes with names like The Complete Works of Every British Author Named John, William or Robert, he'll make some excuse about being too old and you will have won. "Dear F.I.K., We recently purchased a German shepherd puppy, and we're now attempting to house-train her. At first, we thought her perky ears and alert gaze signified a deep intelligence and aptitude for learning, but 46 rug stains later, we have realized that this alert posture is just her way of saying, 'What?' Do you have any practical dog-training advice for us before we run out of paper towels?" -Susan in Orlando, Fla. Absolutely, Susan! If I know anything about dog-training, and I really don't, I think that your best option is what I call the "scout camp" method: Line your entire house with rubber sheets. I think it's sold by the yard at places like Home Depot. Newspaper will work in a pinch. "Dear Fix-It Kid, I recently moved into a new apartment, and the shower drain is clogged. I stuck a wire coat hanger down there, and something grabbed onto the other end and pulled it in. What do you think I should do?" -Murray in Tampa, Fla. You should move. "Dear Fix-It, I've been trying to hang our family portrait in the front hall, but my wife keeps telling me it's crooked. I've tried measuring. I've even tried a level, but I just can't seem to get things straight enough for her. Please help me before I say something I'll regret." -Mike in Sacramento, Calif. Next time you're going to hang it up, try shaving a few millimeters off the bottom of one of your wife's shoes the night before, and I promise, the portrait will be hung straight. Comment on this column at wsusignpost.com 5c5st WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY 1 facebook Say HELLO to us on facebook. Just Search "The Signpost" fH . THE ,»ja£_ ^^^ Signi Editor-in-Chief Spencer Garn 626-7121 Managing Edito Stephanie Simonson 626-7614 News Edito » Kasey Van Dyke 626-7655 Sports Editc >r Nathan Davis 626-7983 Photo Edito r Bryan Butterfield 626-8071 Business Ed itor Cole Spicker 626-7621 The Signpost is a student publication, written, edited and drafted by Weber State University students. Student fees fund the printing of this publication. Options or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed by the university. Features Editor Jerrica Archibald 626-7105 A&E Editor Kory Wood 626-7624 Copy Editor Alexandria Waltz 626-7659 Adviser Shane Farver 626-7526 Ads Manager Shelley Hart 626-6359 Office Manager Georgia Edwards 626-7974 The Signpost reserves the right to edit for reasons of space and libel and also reserves the right to refuse to print any letter. Letters should not exceed 350 words. Letters should be submitted online to thesignpost@weber.edu and read Letter to the Editor in the subject box. |