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Show Thursday. May 30, 1991 The Daily Utah Chronicle - Page Five Editorial Amnesty International continues fight for rights Thirty years after it was founded by British this year when a correspondent was allowed to Peter Benenson, Amnesty International observe a conference for the first time. lawyer continues to play a vital role in the recognition Even President George Bush, with his and elimination of human rights violations. comments about Saddam's brutal atrocities in With more than 1 million members in 150 Iraq, managed to use information obtained by countries, Amnesty International is no longer Amnesty International, thus validating its considered a radical, leftist group that simply credibility in the eyes of many Americans. (Of course, Bush only chooses to acknowledge digs up the dirty details that have been stuffed under the rug or that embellishes the truth about human rights abuses when doing so will bolster oppressive regimes to stir up political trouble. the arguments for the achievement of his The dedicated human-right- s group is accepted as objectives. Recognition of the inherent dignity of a credible source of information about the every human being and the accompanying rights internal affairs of nations. to basic needs, freedom and life is only U.S. The widespread influence of Amnesty policy when the administration has a case to International is evidenced by the fact that the build.) Soviet Union, once (still?) a bastion of human Regardless of who chooses to recognize the rights abuses, allowed the organization to open organization's accomplishments, with its an information office in Moscow. The strong insistent calls for the recognition of governments walls of North Korea also fell to the organization and regimes that routinely kill and torture innocent citizens, Amnesty International undeniably plays the Socratic role of the gadfly on the back of the state. Its calls for the elimination of the death penalty, corporal punishment, imprisonment and torture for either political or religious beliefs may not always be heard. Its reports of stomach-churnin- g and grotesque torture may not always be believed. And its unflinching stand on the integrity of the individuals may not always be accepted by governments who are motivated by economic and military factors. Nevertheless, it remains an international voice that should prick the conscience of every individual. Students interested in the organization can call Donna 355-684- 4 or attend a p.m. meeting every third Wednesday downtown at Cafe Mediterranean, 524 E. 400 7 South. Police actions reflect SLC racial problems At around 1:30 a.m., on Sunday, May 12, the best and finest of the Salt Lake City J. Bel Ami de Montreux Police Department, sirens blaring, guns loaded and drawn, and cussing descended Chronicle Columnist g racially-degradin- epithets, on a private residence where a group of people were having a party. This was not a regular party because the participants were not regular people or even people by Utah standards. The hosts were black although privileged members of the University of Utah football team. So were most of the guests. A black party. Now that is not acceptable in our self-righteo- white Zion. The brave SLPD would see to that. Were the party held by traditionally Letters white East-benc- Commitment to change grade simply hot air Editor: In September I was told I need only complete and pass an auditing class for my CPA certificate (I had previously completed all other requirements). No problem! Actually, I looked forward to the experience. After all, I had received my B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from the University of Utah. (Here would be an opportunity to show off my license plates reading "UTES" and "UTES.") Unfortunately, I was not able to enroll fall quarter. After three visits to the campus, being bounced around between the Annex and business buildings, resolving ed status, and getting the was in prime position to register winter professor's permission, rowdy fraternities, or white punks from h the high schools, there would not have been any arrests made. The police would come crawling like obedient dogs to beg the hosts to "lower the decibels, please." But that Sunday, to crush that "illegal" assembly of minorities I quarter. This I did. I registered the very day I was allowed to do so. Of course I had to pay a $20 late fee. (After appeal, this was later refunded.) At last, I am in class. "B" range was from 771 to 768 (a four point spread). After we the the discussed the grades, the professor agreed to change my grade to a "B." (I knew I had no chance for an "A-"As of May 22, my grade has not been changed. Three times I called and left a recorded reminder of his commitment to change the grade. Why this letter? I write this letter !) Grades! (Remember, winter quarter is a short quarter!) My grade was a "B." A good grade, as the professor was later to say, but certainly less than I thought I would get. Why? It had to have been the final, so I asked the professor for the details of my grade. The final had brought my grade down; however, received a total of 767 points as compared to the lowest "A-- " point total of 772 points. Apparently the "A" and "A-- " grades ranged from 828 points to 772 points (a 57 point spread) whereas I with the long-ter- m interest of the university and College of Business in mind. Perhaps the appropriate administrators should review the importance of public relations and adherence to ethical standards as exhibited in this case as well as the daily operations of their staff. Stan Reed We are responsible for country's problems Editor: During the past few weeks there have been several letters concerning the legalization of marijuana and other drugs. May I respond to Gregory Martin's comments ("Too much money spent to keep pot illegal," May 24)? Yes, it is a great expense to us as taxpayers to fight the various crimes associated with illegal drugs. Yet, if a foreign nation were to come against us to destroy our government, what price would be considered so high that we would be willing to surrender the freedom we enjoy? I believe that the legalization of drugs would lead to the establishment of effects such g other as gambling and prostitution. Look at the adverse effects of alcoholism. Now add to these the dependence of adults and newborns on these devastating drugs and also consider what other crimes might occur from the free use of drugs. I believe there are certain values we must stand for or we may lose many things we believe in. My intent here is not to argue the pros and cons of legalized drugs, although I cannot see any long-teradvantage. Harvey Self made an excellent comparison of the positive socially-degradin- and negative effects of drug use. The comment was also made that the government is near a state of bankruptcy and that we have lost faith in our leaders. We, as citizens, make up our government, and we are all responsible for the condition which the United States may be in. Let us exercise our citizenship and be a part of the solution, not the problem. We have many freedoms as U.S. citizens, but we are not at the liberty to jeopardize independence of this nation. m Dave Thorson Sophomore engineering and restore Zion's holy peace, SLPD, under the influence of too many viewings of scenes from the Los Angeles police beating of Rodney King, dispatched not two, not ten, but 24 police officers armed with night sticks, sawed-of- f shot guns to the twilight zone. The SWAT team was put on high alert. That armada of "Bull O'Connors" had Gorilla in the Mist on their minds indeed when they arrived at the black athletes' residence where the party was coming to a close and guests were already leaving the scene. One terrorized party guest explained: "When the police got there they saw the majority of the people were minorities, mostly black people, the first thing that came to their minds was every stereotype they'd ever heard about blacks. So, they resorted to force when it was not necessary." Cop Scott Atkinson, a high official of the proud SLPD, expressly substantiated the SLPD's policy of brutality towards blacks and minorities in saying: "I can't say that there wasn't action taken that was not racially motivated. This is a regular kind of thing." You need not tell us more, Sergeant, sir. We understand. If we can't have an Aryan Nation satellite overtly operating in this state for political reasons, SLPD shamelessly substitutes to conduct racial terrorism under color of state. Bravo! When SLPD's 24 pitt bulls in blue shirts and armed with a mandate to brutalize black people were through satisfying their insatiable racism and their neurotic need to assert unnecessary force to control the black athletes and other minorities, several hosts and guests were arrested, shackled, charged with disorderly conduct and hauled off to the pigeon hole. Their real crime not being white. And that is disgusting! "It is unusual for 24 police officers to respond to any situation in this city. Somebody overreacted here, who it was, I don't know," said an astonished Edward Brass, the lawyer defending the student-athlete- s victimized by the police. Mr. Brass is forgivably ignorant of the mores of this state and this country's fatal addiction to racism. I have been in this state and in this country long enough to help refresh my colleague's memory. I shall. America has an unhealthy fixation with vilifying and terrorizing minorities, especially black Americans. This country has institutionalized racial hatred. It has raised racism to an indecent art form. Long after their ancestors robbed Black Americans of their culture and personhood, some descendants of former slave owners still cultivate the grossly stupid idea that they are somehow better than blacks; that they are superior in every facet of life be it intellectual, social, or even religious. That is bloody garbage! It is because of this very racism that today we must have antidiscrimination laws, politically correct speech and unpopular affirmative-actio- America, n a plans. In today's qualified black person cannot find employment because of the color of his or her skin an immutable physical trait. In today's America, a black person fears strolling in some neighborhoods. If the white residents are not harassing the black walker, a white policeman will beg to do the lynching. see "Montreux" on page six |