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Show Friday, December 11. 1992 The Daily Utah Chronicle - Page Nine Writer uses amateurish practices It has been three weeks since Mr. Miller's column about the Iranian community, "Nutty Iranians give Islam a bad rep ..." has been published and I've seen letters in the Chronicle either against Mr. Miller or against some one opposing Mr. Miller's ideas. I would like to take this opportunity to reply to some of the controversy that Mr. Miller's editorial has caused, as someone who has talked to both sides of the controversy. Let us first start by defining Associated the Student's of the University of Utah's function. As it reads from the Constitution of ASUU: 1, To provide for the general welfare of students attending the University. 2. To represent students and initiate action upon issues arising in the University community. 3. To express student opinion. 4. To provide for participation and involvement in community concerns and affairs. Since the Chronicle is a student newspaper and uses student's fees to function as one, the Executive Board's decision to reply to Mr. Miller's article ("Derogatory language not worthy of print," Dec. 4) was in their perfect rights to say what they thought of such an article, since they are the student government of the University of Utah. The Iranian "community at the U. did not appreciate having student used to make racist remarks such as "towel heads," "camel humping sons of a donkey." and many more remarks that could have been left out. Using foul language and racist remarks only proves bad journalism and hostility of the author against a specific group of fees people. Being an Iranian, and one who is proud of his country's 2.600 years of history, I had to find out why Mr. Miller wrote such an article about Iranians. When I talked to Mr. Miller, he replied by saying that he did not want to accuse all Iranians of being nutty or any of the other adjectives that were used in the column, but rather was trying to talk about a specific group of Iranians who think putting a price on Rushdie's head was the right thing to do. He also added that the article was not as good as he wanted it to be because it was the "first draft that I submitted." Miller said he usually writes two or three drafts of a column, but on this one he submitted the first draft. I ask all journalists and all those who have ever written anything in their life, if the first draft is something you would turn in to a professor or a newspaper, especially if you are an Associate Editor of a major newspaper for a university? You should know better than to turn in such an article, shouldn't you?. Finally, let us talk about the First l Amendment of the Constitution. People say that Miller's First Amendment rights were violated by ASUU and other people writing to the Chronicle. My first question to them is this: Did ASUU or any other writer take any violent action against Mr. Miller? I think not. They were using their rights under the First Amendment also, to say what they thought of Miller's article. Second, sure, it is Mr. Miller's right to say what he feels about an issue, but is it humanitarian to use obscene language and racist remarks to prove his point? Third and last, why has Mr. Miller brought up the issue of Rushdie now? After all. that book was written a few years ago and forgotten about. The Iranian government, as it is known to anyone who knows little about politics, has one of the most sophisticated terrorist capabilities in the world today. Thus, if they really wanted to take Rushdie out of the picture, it would not be necessary for them to do so with the aid of all Moslems. This case is exemplified by recent assassinations of Shahpour e Bakhtiar minister of the (ex-prim- shah) or Faroukhzad (outspoken oppositionist). It makes you wonder if Mr. Miller by writing this article was practicing his freedom of speech or unknowingly advocating political games of that government. Mohair Borhanjoo mm 'Chrony' not investigative Editor:. . , 1 ... concerted efforts with some ASUU Where should the responsibility financial aid resolutions. Contrary be placed for informing the to the editorial, the Chronicle is student body? This is in reference not the only means of PR for to a recent editorial in the ASUU. The PR board has also Chronicle which stated that the enlisted the use of banners, Jlyers "public relations efforts (within and press "releases. In addition, ASUU) have been lacking this year there have been many efforts ("Invisible: Taylor administration through tables in the Union and in need of better PR." Dec. 8)." the Marriott Plaza to inform the ASUU realizes that we have a student body with personal responsibility to provide services contact. as well as inform those who have It is far too easy for the elected us. In addition, we believe Chronicle and others to place student representatives should be blame on the PR Board and ASUU held accountable for their actions for the general lack of knowledge and decisions regarding student and understanding of ASUU. fees. However, the responsibility However, it is quite unfortunate of disseminating that information that the Chronicle, a medium must also lie in other entities which has the primary outside the ASUU office. responsibility of providing This year. ASUU has made a information to the campus stronger effort in terms of public community, fails to provide relations through an expanded effective investigative journalism. It is equally unfortunate that the board and an increased budget. have this student we alone, During quarter body at large does not take in ads the various placed proactive roles in informing Chronicle on more than 50 themselves to have their needs and projects and events. Every concerns addressed. Tuesday, ASUU places a calendar , Andrea Braza of events in the Chronicle. In addition to this calendar, we have Public Relations Chair had feature articles on the new child care coordinator. Heidi Tamara Taylor ASUU President Cocheren. as well as stories on the S g Vj Days 5 ..J riiiiiiiiiiiri msmm ffi The Alcohol & Drug Education Center and S The Team of Peer Support (TOPS) will be moving to their permanent location during Winter Quartet '93. 5 : W ?j x mMZwm December 14 -17 v 0 - 1 EE l o r,o r: j ii u. taut t:rc km raranw ceiuro cf few ..l&::::-- : 00000 00 (Rflffl v STARE CENTER 7:30 PM-1- ST South of Huntsman Center Institute Concert Choir Presents FRIDAY .5 "GLAD NOEL" $2 donation SUNDAY 7:30 PM-SYMPH- HALL ONY St; LDSSA CHRISTMAS FIRESIDE ELDER RICHARD SCOTT Coundlof theTVvelve Institute Concert Choir nUDAyDEC.18V9PM-12AlV- Holiday shopping at its best. 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