OCR Text |
Show Wednesday. January 15, 1992 The Daily Utah Chronicle - Page Four Opinions - -- G lllTAKS SOME RSSOtAR The Daily Utah Chronicle unANPAPACK oPcieARemss MAPtMNBROtQN WRAPPER. Editorials V3L Paul Simon f Tour through South Africa in spirit of peace Never been lonely. Never been lied to. Never had to scuffle in fear. Nothing denied to. Born at the instant church bells chimed. The whole world whispering: Born at the right time. these lyrics is Paul Contained withinof peace. It is the message that he hoped to bring with him to South Africa, but it was corrupted by black radical groups who threatened to follow his concert tour with violence. Perhaps these radicals failed to recognize that Simon stands for the racial equality for which they have been fighting. By employing a multicultural band, he activates the cooperation between cultures lacking in South Japan no more to blame for lagging economy than for George's illness a break from reading, (and Taking was the first week of the quarter?), I flipped on the news just in time to see my idol, George Bush, plant his face in what appeared to be the very appetizing food on the table before him. My first thought was that if Africa. And, Simon's performances will ultimately benefit Blacks in the country. White South Africans who attend the concerts will hear some of the country's greatest musicians playing in Simon's band, thus proving to a white public the brilliant capabilities of these musicians. The traditional excellence of Simon's concert performances cannot help but halt the negative stereotypes existing in South Africa about Blacks. But to just bring his music and message to white South Africans who can more readily afford the concerts would be hypocritical of Simon. So, he has offered to present a free concert in a black township so that he can. spread his message of peace to Blacks as well Jennifer Gully Chronicle Associate Editor L someone couldn't throw a banana cream pie at him for some of his idiotic actions, this was the next best thing. And, he did it himself. Realizing bis efforts in Japan weren't amounting to much, he volunteered to start his own smear campaign. Yes! as Whites. recognize that musicians such as Paul Simon carry a political message. By silencing them, radical groups show their insincerity towards That possibility alone made me want to plant my face in the bowl of. Ben and Jerry's raw cookie dough ice cream I was using to numb the pain solving racial conflict. Secular state the screen. My God, it was Quayle time. of school. As I munched contemplatively on a chocolate chip, I thought that as much as I dislike George, I would never wish any harm on him, resemble school Churches don't buildings. And what goes or on inside churches shouldn't resemble what goes on in the classroom or in government meetings. Luckily for Utah, the ACLU has stepped in and brief in conjunction filed a with a lawsuit against prayers given at Salt Lake City Council meetings. The lawsuit seeks to keep the City Council secular, thus making the meetings accessible to all people, regardless of religious affiliation. friend-of-the-cou- this confirmation should be left up to individuals who opt to attend church. To do otherwise limits participation in government to those who believe in a deity, but leaves out those who do not. Rather than continue the discriminatory during City Council practice of praying meetings, Salt Lake City should voluntarily comply to the Bill of Rights and separate any notion of religion from government. ial was just a manifestation of the flu, exotic food and a stressful trip, instead of a dramatic promotion of Danny Boy to the presidency. The next day, every medium of communication in the country was showing, writing and talking about Bush's collapse during dinner. Given the allegations the president hurled against Pacific Rim economies, businesses and governments during the trip, 1 was surprised that everyone, especially his press secretary and speech writers, refrained from blaming the obvious culprit for his collapse: Japan. After all, it was. the government-controlle- d schedule of the evening's events, the Japanese Prime Minister's selection of the restaurant, the chef who was hired specifically for Bush's visit and the country's fresh food standards that caused Bush's queasy stomach and exhaustion. If it hadn't been for all of the circumstances that were out of his control, he never would have slumped down in his seat. Any one of the previous reasons, (except, of course, the notion that the Japanese government strategically manipulated every one of them to make Bush look ridiculous), could have contributed to his illness, but they didn't constitute or unilaterally cause his illness. Letters Academic standards must be set for college athletes rt The city government's recognition of a deity during meetings confirms that a deity exists and vice-president- . As Barbara lunged to her husband's side, my mind jumped to the more realistic implications of the footage that had just flashed across Black radicals in South Africa need to given our situation. I was truly relieved when the news anchor reported Bush was alive. It is fortunate for all of us that his fainting spell and subsequent, regurgitation of the evening's meal especially Editor: Robert Gehrke's article, "Testing athletes not fair to ethnic groups," was quite amusing. He seems to think that because someone wants to participate in college athletics and because that person has an ethnic background, heshe should be exempt from academic standards. Well Mr. Gehrke, let me clue you in to the primary objective of most colleges EDUCATION. I've noticed quite a few ethnic persons on this campus, many of whom don't have a complete grasp of the English language, many of whom are not involved in athletics; I'm sure most of their ethnic G.P.A.s n would put my white, Anglo-America- G.P.A. to shame. Mr. Gehrke, I hope you realize that this proposition is intended to weed out those athletes who are not really interested in education. I strongly doubt that this' proposal will have any adverse effects on ethnic athletes. In fact, why don't you do a study on how many of our ethnic athletes would be in academic trouble or would not have been admitted if this proposal were in effect? Assuredly this proposal will draw criticism, mainly from coaches, but those coaches who have a sincere concern for the education of their athletes will applaud it. While it's easy to dismiss an absolute connection between Bush's illness and Japan's role in causing it, the very nature of Bush's visit to Japan indicates that it's more difficult for him and other Americans to dismiss the connection between our economic woes and Japan's role in causing them. Indeed, Lee Iacocca, Chrysler's chairman, said the power of the American auto industry has declined because of Japanese trade practices and "insidious" Japanese influence in American political and economic decisions not a lack of motivation or hope. Undoubtedly, Japanese trade practices have made it difficult for American companies to achieve an edge on the market and the increasing levels of Japanese investment in our economy make it difficult for us to completely disregard them when making political decisions about our trade' relationship with them. But the moribund American economy wasn't caused by Japan and Bush is assuming too much when he declares his trip to Japan a success that will translate into more jobs and a stronger economy. He is simply hoping that he can transform his recognized foreign policy expertise into magical domestic solutions that will silence his critics. Rather than traveling across the world for an economic solution; Bush should look at the American economy as a domestic illness that requires a domestic remedy. LETTER POLICY The Daily Utah Chronicle Business hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 581-704- 1 The Chronicle welcomes reader response. Please bring typed, double-space- d letters, not exceeding two pages, to 240 Union "Building. Each letter should include your' name, major, year in school and telephone number (for verification purposes only). Unsigned letters will not be considered for publication. The Chronicle reserves the right to edit letters for Troy Wright Senior sociology spelling, grammar and space. |