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Show Free Press - Wednesday, June Editorial Look out. The way we watch television is going to change again and again and again. The broadcast industry has never been one to stand still, but it is looking to its early days to solve a dilemma created by modern technology. Rules first implemented in 1927 to protect the rights of radio programs m ay now help preserve our local television stations from the competition presented by cable television. The problem is the rules for of television programming were changed when cable television was in its infancy. The cable industry was facing the tough task of convincing the public that it could provide more and better programmingthan was available through television. So in 1959, when cable was getting started, the Federal Communications System gave cable television operators the right to rebroadcast local channels at no charge, along with other cable offerings. It was a good deal for cable, since operators could offer local channels with improved reception along with the variety of other channels brought in on the cable system. For years, cable television provided local channels with improved reception along with limited programming from of old other stations mostly television shows and old movies. But over the years, the industry has caught up with the technology, and now cable television offers a broad range of video entertainment that cannot be television matched by local broadcasting. First run movie channels, news, MTV and programming, the Disney Channel it is all there and available to anyone willing to pay the price of a cable subscription. over-the-a- ir re-ru- over-the-a- ir ts 24-ho- - Even though I've been preparing inforfor the paper, I mation about the Round-up hadn't really thought about the celebration a personal level until today. While we were making plans to attend the rodeo, we started talking about the hamburgers. Not just any hamburger, and not the And with popularity, themedium more. Cable television gaining in is changingeven no longer needs the help of the FCC to stay in business - it is taking over the business. In fact, many cable operations take place in monopoly situations which encourage high costs and poor service all the while competing with local television stations. So last year, with the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act, Congress tried to find a way to reduce the advantage it had given to cable and one method was to give local stations more balance in their relationship with cable operators. Now those local broadcasters can force local cable providers to carry their signal - an option called "must carry," or they can negotiate with cable subscribers for conterms of carriage sent" which means that the local stations can charge the cable subscribers to -- over-the-a- ir -- carry their signal. Retransmission consent is an attempt to restore balance in television program ming. Otherwise, cable television threat- -- ens to eliminate local television stations altogether - which would mean the loss of local news, public service programming and programming that reflects community values in a local sense, substituting them for the values of a nation gathered aroundtheelectronichearth of television. Such a loss would be tragic. Locally, KSL has chosen to negotiate with local cable providers for retransmission consent which would mean the exclusion of KSL from cable companies that cannot reach an agreement with the station. It will be interesting to watch as local stations fight for their lives against the incursion of cable. It remains in the public interest to see that both survive. - What a difference time and places can make. Here I am in Utah and out of my east window I can see Mt. Timpanogos. Many years ago I was in another land. Out of my east window I could see Mt. Rysog. The land was Wales. There was the valley, the brook, then the mountain. My life was entwined with these things. To me the brook was a living thing. As it flowed over the rocks it had a voice. When it was bank full with winter and spring rains its voice wa strong and vibrant and spoke of strength and endurance. Then in summer its voice changed. It now sang like a sweet lullaby. This was when I loved it the most. It was an adventure for me to follow the brook up the valley to where it bubbled out of Pontypool Mountain. My father, bless him, did not hunt or fish. These hobbies were too expensive and reserved for the rich. As an example, only two men in the village had licenses to fish the brook and the reservoir. They were Judge Morgan and the village druggist. Father, or Tad, which was Welsh for father, was talented in other ways. He could play the accordion and resole shoes, he loved to sing and taught the children to sing in parts. He never owned a home or a telephone. I doubt if he ever spoke into one. Like most wage workers he never owned a car and I don't know if he ever rode in one. I can understand why he joined the Mormon Church. He belonged to the Church of England, although neither he nor any member of the family had been baptized. Being poor, he and his family sat on the hard wooden seats in church. Those better off financially sat on the padded seats or in the private pews. I have often thought how my parents fulfilled a Biblical quotation, "My church The U.S. Supreme Court has approved In Hialeah, Fla., the Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye appealed to the Supreme Court in the name of "religious liberty" to sacrifice animals. The Supreme Court said yes. Either the justices left this decision to their junior law clerks - or they should - The Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye is an outgrowth of the Santeria cult which originated in Nigeria, Africa, and came to the United States through Cuba. The weird rites are practiced by 70,000 s living in South Florida. There are segments of Santeria in New York and Chicago. The Supreme Court decreed that the city law in Florida unfairly targeted this one admittedly "unpopular minority faith." And thus was opened a potential Pandora's box of what Scripture warned against as "sins in My name." Historically, our Supreme Court has d work. Last year, we took all three of our children to theRound-up- . Some ofthe time they were only interested in the hamburgers. Or in climbing up and down under the bleachers. I'll bet that I was accused of the same thing when I was that age. But I do have some fond memories of attending the Lehi Round-up- . My father liked to get there early to avoid the crowds. With a head start of about an hour, we were able to sit just about any- where. One of our favorite places to sit was the very top row of seats on the north bleachers. That way we could put a blanket up behind us to ward off the wind. Rodeo wasn't the only action that we enjoyed. Although it always drove me nuts to get there so early, Dad liked to watch the people almost as much as he liked to watch the rodeo. for American Fork We had just left Canyon Road when we saw them - hundreds of caterpillars trying to cross the highway from the north to the south. Derek and I werereturningfrom a screening of "Dennis the Menace," the sneak preview they showed at 9:30 Saturday morning. (There ought to be some kind of regulation against displaying anything before noon that would create an urge to eat popcorn, don't you think?) We had enjoyed the film and its nonsense as much as can be expected for a movie before noon, and the trip home had been filled with retelling the best parts. And suddenly there they were crawlingas quickly across the highway as their many legs wouldcarry them, takingtheir chances with the passing cars which had left the remains of hundreds of their brethren smeared all over the road. So we stopped to watch and to take a photo - which you see on this page - of one of the lucky ones' whjch had made it to the other side. The picture doesn't show it well, is on the but this particular white paint strip that defines the road. We had watched it as it risked life, limb and antennae. A dozen or so cars passed over this critter, the turbulence created by the passage of each car blowing the fellow over on his side. he quickly righted himself, to some destination we Admittedly, we helped a little by being there along the side of the road, trying to take a picture. Cars would move away from f will be one of a family and two of a city." So on Father's Day, my father taught me the meaning of courage. One day a well meaningcitizen wrote an article in the local paper. He wrote, "We don't wantMormons in ourtown. We should unite and drive them out of town." I remember that evening in our little living room by the light of the oil lamp and the fireplace. Father read the article to us, then with a big smile he said. "In the Old Testament there is a story about Daniel, oneofGod'sprophets.A decree had gon e out throughout the land that anyone caught praying to the unknown God would be severely punished. "Someone saw Daniel praying to his God through a window and reported him to the authorities. As a result he was thrown in a den of lions. Don't worry," father comforted, "we have no lions in our town." He didn't leave us anything of earthly value but if memories could be painted with gold his would be of the purest kind. in us, and the caterpillar, allowing it to safely complete the journey. But it had ri sked a lot, an d from the looks of the highway, the odds weren't good for any caterpillar makingthat particular trip. I wanted Derek to witness this mindless trek that we sometimes see in nature - I'm -- not sure why. I have seen it two or three times before, twice that I remember well. Once was along the highway in Ovid, Idaho, near my home. After a particularly LetttGFS caruey 1991 Lot Angele Time Syndicate been willing to limit the religious liberty of parents who withhold medical treat- ment from their children. The high court outlawed polygamy for Mormons. The "religious liberty" of David Koresh andhisfollowers was summarily abridged by federal police who stormed his "religious retreat." Our Republic is protected by only the thinnest veneer of civilization anyway, and when refugees from elsewhere are allowed to import morals, mores and customs utterly alien to our own, they become a Trojan Horse threat to our own Trinnaman what the score was. She probably thought I had absolutely no interest in the actual playing of the game. We never wanted to fight the crowds in Salt Lake for Pioneer Day, but one year we chose to attend Spanish Fork's FiestaDays. g Of course, we got there at a hour, but that was great for a woman who loves bake sales. That alone people-watchin- in aboutthree returned, havingmadea blocks down the street. Apparently parade-goer- s like to see both sides of the entries for the full effect. I've decided summer, or at least the fun of summer, is over when you start shopping for school clothes. I remember hating that ordeal as a kid, and dreading that ordeal as a parent. Fortunately, the fun and the celebrations are enough to outweigh that. And if they're not, at least you can look forward to school. crossing that road flie Editor's Column By MARC HADDOCK - . bar- run - -"- wet winter and wetter spring, I was driving along this road only to be confronted with pavementcovered with shiny, hoppingfrogs trying to get, I suppose, from one pond to another. It just happened that the ponds were on opposite sides of the road. And to the frogs, the trip was worth the risk. The sounds of the tires unavoidably crunching the little frog bodies was not pleasant. I remembered it for a long time, and I was glad I was not a frog. A few years later I saw something similar in Mexico, on the road between Hermosillo and Nogales. This was in the Sonoran Desert, where the saguaro and prickly pear cactus rule. I was driving from one city to another in a small, yellow Datsun, when I came upon a pilgrimage of large, dark brown bugs that looked like millipedes crossing the highway. This road was not as well travelled as Canyon Road, and the millipedes were having much more success moving from one feeding ground to another. I stopped the car and got out to see what kind of creatures these were, and where they were going. There was just as much desert on one side of the road as there was on the other with the same kinds of plants for food, and the same kind of sand. I still have no idea what prompted the millipedes, or the frogs, or the caterpillars to travel from one place to another over the most dangerous of surfaces, when obviously the same conditions existed on either side of the road. Did one caterpillar start the journey and entice his fellow caterpillars to follow -most of them to a quick and squishy death? Or were these butterfly larvae following some prompting embedded deep in their beings - some type of migratory urge that just could not be denied? And how much, I wonder, are we like they are, following others, or our own urges, across the dangerous highway to get to a place that is very much like the place we just left? Anyway, Saturday morning Derek and I cheered the survivors, watching as 10 or so of the caterpillars made it to safety on the other side of the highway. Some, as I mentioned above, we may have helped a little feeling a sense of pride mixed with guilt - after all, some caterpillars are voracious eaters, and I have no idea what kind of future butterflies we were preserving. But for the most part, the effort made me feel good, like I had helped a small creature across a great chasm to a land where it could find whatever it was lookingfor on the other side. The feeling lasted for about a quarter of a mile, when we found another group of caterpillars crossing the highway going -- -- - the other direction. Everybody wants a piece of our tax dollars Editor: The economic conditions of our area are low with the layingoff of many employeesat Signetics, and the low salary rates throughout the county. We have many struggling young families and senior citizens on fixed incomes. institutions. 3 member constantly asking Frances moving. We stayed seated, and the parade soon to ths GCOStOP God's name PauB I can understand that sentiment now, not only because I now enjoy watching people, but also because I enjoy seeing people I know in the community. Another favorite event was the coming of the trains. We always wondered if the conductors or the men in the caboose tried to get a peak into our rodeo. At that time, the train took my attention away from the horses, at least long enough to count the number of cars. We had other favorite celebrations, too. The Fourth of July always took us to Vet's Ballpark for a big baseball game before the fireworks. I enjoyed watchingmy older brother and other ward members play, but I also re- -- could not fathom. By TOM GRIFFITHS By RUSS DALY There's danger Each time 1 Daly Planet have-it-your-w- and kept on moving -- have. BigMacs. Not even the Whopper or the gourmet burger of the esoteric burger emporium. No, these are Lehi Round-u- p hamburgers and they can only be purchased at the rodeo. In fact, they can only be enjoyed at the rodeo. Taking them out just would not mass-produce- -- Legalizing sins animal sacrifices in the name of religion. variety of fast-foo- d guaranteed our return the next year. We've now made Fiesta Days a part of our annual tradition. It seems that we're fell in not alone. Last year, my love with the celebration and wants to join us again. The Miss Lehi royalty has started attending that parade, and the high school marching band will participate this year in Spanish Fork. We can't wait, especially now that Lehi will be there. Maybe I shouldn't brag so much. Everyone is probably proud of their hometown celebration. One year, we had been camping during the Fourth of July holiday. Driving home on July 4, we had to make a detour in Paris, Idaho, to make way for the parade. We deci ded to stop and join in the festivities and see how another community celebrates its heritage. After the parade looked like it had finished, we were ready to leave, but it didn't seem like anyone else had any intention of sister-in-la- on Father left treasures, but not those of earth Cuban-American- brings back host of memories Round-u- p Technology changes way we watch TV blood-drinkin- g 23, 1993 - Page 4 I know on the Statue of Liberty it does not discriminate when it invites the world's "poor, tired, huddled masses." Yet, that inscription was never part of our Statue of Liberty until a wealthy woman poet named Emma Lazarus added it 17 years after the 9tatue was dedicated. It was ironic that the same day the Supreme Court gave its blessing to this alien blood cult, our National Security Council, State Department, Justice Department and Immigration Department were contemplating strategy for dealing with terrorists already within our gates. If any religion's "practices" are now to enjoy the protection of our laws, an invader need only to proclaim his followers a "church" and we have no recourse. Any policem an has seen the escalation from animal cruelty to other kinds. A "church" that wants our animals now may next want our daughters. What most n ations of Europe and Asia are electing to do with outsiders who don't conform is to send them home! President Clinton and the Democratic Congress are workingon the largest tax and spend legislation in history. Utah County Commissioners have set a huge bond election property tax increase to build a brand new county jail facility. Alpine School District had a voted property tax increase last year to build two new junior high schools. Now the Alpine School Board is planning on taking advantage of the generosity of the taxpayers by increasing the property taxes by another $40 to $50 this next year. The school district had a $23 million surplus carry over from last year's budget and they anticipate having a similar sur plus tocarry over next year. That is millions of dollars, not thousands of dollars. I believe this superintendent and school board needs to be more realistic and accountable to the taxpayers. The certified tax rate established by the county is .007871 which would provide the same income to the district which was authorized by the voted leeway. I believe the school board needs to provide a little back bone and adjust the budget to the certified tax rate. All of us have to adjust our budgets and be more responsible. Especially in light of the tax increase mania. Wright Thanks for pageant support Editor: We would like to thank everyone who helped in any way with the Miss Lehi Pageant. A very big thank you to Mr. Felt and Mr. Sheif, and the custodial staff at the high school. Also thanks to Dennis Woodcox and his crew for all their help with the lights and everything else they did for us. We would also like to thank Steve Swenson for the use of his spotlight. A very special thank you to Carolyn Player for all her support, and to the Lehi City employees who so graciously helped with the ramp. To anyone else who may have contributed in any way, we extend our gratitude for making the pageant a very successful and positive experience. -- The Miss Lehi Pageant Committee Policy on letters to the editor We welcome letters to the editor. All letters should be typewritten and double spaced. Letters must also be signed, and must include the writer's name and telephone number. Please send letters to Editor, Newtah News Group, P.O. Bos 7, American Fork, Utah, 84003. |