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Show Free Press Wednesday, October 26, Editorial Mike Leavitt, is designed to encourage all of us to go for one day without violent entertainment or violent behavior. Tomorrow, we are all asked to turn off violent television programming, to avoid music that encourages violence, to not go to violent movies or rent violent videos. Furthermore, and more importantly, we are asked to solve problems in nonviolent ways. Because, after all, behavior is the thrust of the "Turn off the Violence campaign, particularly the behavior of our youth, which is becoming increasingly violent. Here are a few facts: Between 1987 and 1991, arrests of juveniles for violent crimes increased 50 percent. About one fifth of our nation's households were affected by crime in 1992. Every day 15 children under the age of 19 are killed accidentally or intentionally by gunfire and more are injured. Twenty-thre- e percent of America's public school students say they have been the victim of an act ofviolence in or around school. One in four students, regardless of school level or achievement, feels that violence has lessened the quality of life in his or her school. These trends call for change and the change must begin with each of us. "Turn Off the Violence Day" gives each one of us an opportunity to stop condoning violent behavior by passively accepting violent entertainment. It's a video-oriente- pre-tee- n No athiests good first step. So tomorrow, for at least one day, take the opportunity to turn off the violence. in bombers A man by the name ofJohn Sinor gave us a nice bit of wisdom. He wrote: "Early afternoon, when the sun is still high, is the best time for sleeping under a tree. During these hours it is a warm shade that comes straight down around the trunk. Any kind of clothing that is not crumple-proo- f is suitable. The idea is to wake up wrinkled on the outside but straightened out a bit on the inside." What a lovely thought as we see the snow descending from the mountains. For no reason in particular the falling rain got me to thinking about a time when I was a young man. I had a friend named Larry. Why we were friends is hard for me to explain because we were so different, yet we became as close as it is possible for friends to get. He was a student at the university while I had a job and worked for a living. Larry was a brain. He was the kind who could sell iceboxes to Eskimos and was always engaged in some kind of project. There was one other way in which we were different. I was religious and active in my church while Larry felt he didn't need the help of God to succeed. He had the ability to succeed without anyhelp. In a way he was right, he always had plenty of money and was popular with the girls. He even got me a blind date occasionally. Then World War II came along and Larry was drafted into the armed services. Because of the type of work I was doing, I escaped the draft. Larry became a pilot in the Air Force and soon he was the pilot on those big bombers that were flying from America to England for use against the enemy. He and the crew had flown several successful flights to England but on this one as they were approaching the coast of Ireland, money-makin- By TOM GRIFFITHS f one of the motors conked out. This wasn't too serious as there were still three motors to fly. But a few minutes later a second motor went out and the plane started to descend toward the ocean and Larry, who had never prayed or needed God, suddenly prayed: "Oh God, ifyou will help us get this plane to our destination I promise I will always remember you. They did manage to land the plane in England and Larry kept his promise. After the war ended, he married and settled in San Francisco and went into business. We corresponded quite regularly, then to my pleasant surprise I received a letter from Larry informing me that he had been installed as a bishop of his ward. As I read the letter I thought of that plane descending toward the ocean and a man who had never prayed opening up his heart to God. Indeed, the Lord moves in a mysterious way. high -tech four-stor- - -- AMS -- - Quick, get a doctor. I think I've discovered a new syndrome of some kind a malady for the 90's. Acute Malaise Syndrome, I call it, or AMS. Symptoms include lack of energy, an extreme attachment to the mattress and an intense desire to do absolutely nothing all day long. It all started a few weeks ago, about the same time I was completing a play in Lehi. Suddenly, without warning, I was overtaken by the aforementioned symptoms. Gone is the desire to do the simplest task. Where once I was filled with tremendous energy and enthusiasm, now I just want to go back to bed. When Sharon asks if we can go out to dinner, I want her to pick up a package of wieners and buns and cook some hot dogs. If she wonders if we could go see a play or even catch a good movie, I just want her to pick up a video instead. Ill just stay here on the couch, thank you. I can't wait for daylight savings time to end on Sunday so I can stay in bed just one more hour even if it's only for one more day. Working is very difficult. And that's tough. This is the election season, one of the most exciting times of the year. But I dont care who wins. I don't care who is running and I don't care why. See, Fm like most voters. Writing this column? It takes a physical effort just to get me to approach a keyboard. Especially since Fm writing it at home, just Editor: Congratulations to the Lehi City football programs. The sixth, seventh and eighth grade teams all played for the championships in their classes. The sixth grade took first place, going undefeated all season. The seventh grade lost in the championship game, taking second. Their combined record over two years now is 15 wins and one loss. The eighth grade lost in the finals and ended the season 7 and 3. The reason for this success is, of course, There was a tacit consensus that only the present and the past are real and the future is incalculable. Tipler is not alone thein reconsidering some ories. Copenicus knew that he was resurrecting a theory that had been rejected by astronomers for 2,000 years when he solar syspronounced the tem. Louis Pasteur encountered ridicule and open hostility when he introduced physical chemistry to medical science. "It is time," says Tipler, "for scientists to reconsider the God hypothesis, to absorb theology into physics, to recognize that heaven is as real as is the electron If only as intellectual calisthenics, "The Physics of Immortality" is worth reading.' Tipler, at no small risk to his own reputation amonghis peers, is daring to say that the Omega Point Theory is a tested, physical theory for an omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent God who will one day resurrect every single one of us to live forever in an abode that is, in all Heaven essentials, the Is the human race, following a hightech bread crumb trail, finding its way home? long-reject- y I don't know the history of firearms, but they, too, became more sophisticated with each new release. Like a fine camera, they will probable become so automatic that they will incorporate the latest electronic devices, and ultimately fire themselves at a predesignated target. As man developed his skills and his weapons, somewhere along the line the hunt must have changed from the frightful "do or die" situation to a pleasurable gathering. The comforts of the hunt might have led the participants to realize what they were missing out on the comforts of home. So instead of giving up the party atmosphere of the "hunt," they started bringing along some of the familiar things from home a favorite blanket, the certain pillow, maybe even the whole bed. The tent gave way to the camper, the camper to the trailer, the trailer to the motor home, all up the lodging chain. No longer is one tied to a house with built-i- n electricity. Battery operated devices and portable generators have allowed the hunter to bring along the coffee pot, the television and the ultimate in conveniences jTEne Hull PIOHQfc By RUSS DALY a Second on my list is the merchant hoping to get a buck ofhis own by having the "Deer Widow" sales events. All men should be grossly offended by this type of marketing strategy and should boycott any store who particiever-prese- nt non-hunti- pates in such events. - - the microwave oven. While the doting wife (who used to stay at home to worry and wait for their husbands to return from the mountains) is seeing the latest in Chippendales employees, the men (who now celebrate Deer Hunt with more gusto than ever) can bravely face the elements - running water, electricity and a comfortable bed. confined to quarters suffering from AMS. So I'm seeking fellow sufferers so we can get our syndrome recognized and generate a little publicity out there maybe start an Fund to finance our extended sleeping habits. We could build an AMS shelter where AMS sufferers could go and sit in huge arm chairs and commiserate over how little energy we feel and how much we don't want to do anything. I'm just not certain how we would get organized. No one who suffers from AMS would want to take charge. It all requires too much energy. Then again, maybe I'm the only victim. Everyone else seems to be living out their life with normal intensity. IVe thought of going to Pioneer Park in Salt Lake looking for sympathetic souls; we could hang out and do nothing together. But I can't generate enough energy or interest to actually make the trip. So I just lie here in bed thinking about it, and it makes me tired. Another symptom I suppose. There is hope for some alleviation from this oppressive affliction, some sign that the malady may be seasonal. d In recent weeks, the sights of the mountain tops have piqued my interest. Skiing can't be that far away, can it? Ah now, there is something this particular AMS sufferer could get into - a day on The - AMS-Suffere- 4 By MARC HADDOCK a few feet from the bed and abandonment. Sports don't interestme.Ihaven't missed the World Series, I didn't watch BYU defeat Notre Dame, I don't know ifthere will be a hockey season or not, and I don't care. I consider all of this pretty serious stuff. Is the O.J. trial still on? I don't know. I can't bring myself to pay attention any more. Another pack meeting? I don't think I can sing one more silly song or lead another goofy cheer. There's no fire in the belly. How about a game of Monopoly? I don't want to have to move that little dog around the board, and the idea of buying property makes me tired. First thing you have to do is start fixing it up, and that's no fun. I'm not depressed. If I have a pillow pressed to my head, I'm as happy as can be. The thought of doing nothing thrills me. The idea of having nowhere to go makes me smile secretly. I'm certain many folks would just figure I'm lazy. And I suppose that could be, but I've been lazy all my life without being rs snow-covere- -- the slopes. Otherwise, I think I'm just going to stay here in bed and think about it If anyone finds a cure, call someone else. I don't care. Congratulations to youth football program ignored. He discovered God! Using the most advanced and sophisticated methods of modern physics, he proved the existence of God. His new book is called The Physics of Immortality The first half of the book is in lay language for you and me. The second half of the book is in language detailed and technical for the purpose of intercepting critics amonghis colleagues. Tipler has satisfied himself that every hum an being who ever lived will be resurrected from the dead. And he says it can be proven mathematically as surely as we can calculate the properties of the electron. He has new tools: Computer speeds have increased by a factor of 1,000 over the past 20 years. Physics is no longer limited to the finite. Tipler notes that the mathematical techniques to analyze the global struc the hunted. a malady for the malingerer years ago. So, almost all physicists have ignored the future of the physical universe. The God hypothesis was refuted or Harvey Products Inc. October On the other hand, men, if the sale is weekend." When I was in school, Deer Hunt was an good enough, sneak in the store and take official school holiday; but we paid for it by advantage of it. Just don't let any other only having two days off for Thanksgiving. male see you do it. For those men who do hunt, watch out Notbeingahuntermyself, I enjoy watch-ingth- e antics of people as they deal with the for the tempting offers ofthe hot spots such as clubs or gambling emporia. For their Deer Hunt in their own way. First, I am amazed at the animal activ- "specials," I've heard they really take a lot off. ists that protest the deer hunt. Either they are strict vegetarians, or Finally, I am amused by the deer huntthey don't count cows and pigs as edible ers themselves. At the very least, they take off work or school to participate in the animals. Imagine this: As the cows walk into the yearly event; no upper limit has been found slaughter house, one turns to the other and yet. Evolution is clearly present in the huntasks, "Is this the line for the greener pasOtis?" cycle, starting with early man clubbing ing ture, Even if they can justify their selective whatever killable creature came along. The development of knives, bows and slaughtering, they still can't win the argument, because I once heard a gardener say arrows, and other creative devices, hunting that a cabbage is just as much a living thing must have become easier with time since the hunter could remain farther away from as an animal. ture of the universe did not exist until 25 1994 Paul in "three-da- y bread crumb trail Over much of the world are fantastic ruins and improbable objects that cannot be explained by conventional theories of archeology, history or religion. How could an ancient Sanskrit text contain an account of a journey in a spaceship with a graphic description of the force of gravity? What possible explanation is there for y a huge block of rock the sizeofa house, weighing some 20,000 tons, complete with steps, ramps and decorations? What titanic forces could possibly have turned it upside down? And what do you say of the stone figures with human heads on tiny Easter Island in the South Pacific? What would you say to the notion that the God of creation is thus challenging us? For each generation, the Hand of Divinity appears to have parted the curtain a fraction farther on the mysteries of the infinite. Or has He rather allowed us, with the refining of our intellect, to part that curtain for ourselves thus to find our way back to Him? Professor Frank Tipler was a typical scientist nitwit and an atheist. As a physicist, he could not accept as fact anything that he could not prove. But when he began to calculate the ultimate end of the universe - wow! I called the Lehi City offices Monday, forgetting that it was a holiday. Yes, a holiday. If I understand correctly, they work on Columbus Day in order to have time off for the Deer Hunt. Maybe you've heard of those interviews with young people who don't even know the name of the vice president of the United States. I would almost place money that many Utahns ofall ages would have no clue when Columbus Day is. Some might not even know who Columbus is. If Congress hadn't already done it, manipulating holidays may have been a violation of some code, but the tradition around here probably even supersedes the popular - g Following the Page 2 The hunt for orange Take the day to turn off violence Turn off the violence. Can you do it? It's getting tougher and tougher. Violence has become an everyday part of our society. Turn on the television and you are likely to witness a beating, a shooting, a murder. Such acts are a staple of dramatic television. Go to a movie, and you are likely to witness mannings, mutilations and beheadings. Such acts, portrayed in graphic and bloody detail, are a staple of today's "Action" films. d And in our culture, this version of violence is readily available to theyounger set, as well, if no one bothers to enforce the restriction implied by the rating. And often no one does. How else do you explain the popularity ofAlien characters based on three films but marketed to the set? Even videogames are moving towards more realistic portrayals of violence. Cartoonish displays have been replaced by scenes of death and mayhem that feature plentiful blood, graphic dismemberment and gore, as typified by the recently-release- d Mortal Kombat II, which carries a parental guidance warning that will probably be unread and unheeded by most. We don't wish to argue cause or effect, but simply to point out that for too many of us, violence is becoming an ordinary way of being entertained, settling arguments or blowing off emotional steam. This trend has prompted a national move to "Turn Off the Violence tomorrow, Oct. 27. The event, which has national support and has been designated as "Turn off the Violence Day" by Gov. 1994 sun-centere- d Judeo-Christia- n the ability ofthe players, but also the skill, knowledge and dedication of the coaches. The ninth grade team, however, was the most impressive. Playing in the county-wid- e league against 4A and 5A schools, the team virtually destroyed every team they beat, losing only to powerhouse American Fork during the season and a very good Orem team in the championship game. A very stingy defense allowed only 99 points, intercepting nine passes, recovering nine fumbles and sacking quarterbacks countless times. The offense scored 230 points, pushing for about 1700 yards and passing for about 15UU yards. The ninth grade coaches all have said that this team is as good as any they have coached and the quarterback the best lehi has ever had. So many thanks and much appreciation to all the coaches of our football teams: Gary Cooper, sixth grade; Chad Smith, seventh grade; Nile Hanson, eighth grade; and Rick Nelson, who has been coaching his team for 18 years, the ninth grade special thanks. -- Many, many parents Thanks to Ric Nelson Editor: Of the several thousand players that have passed through his influence, most would say that the ninth grade was the most memorable. His coaching staff has been with him many years and are also to be commended. So Shane, Chad, James, Jeff, Colby, but most of all you, Ric, from myself, my family, my sons, and the thousands of other parents who have given their sons to you over the years, a much deserved and much appreciated thank you. -- Van Washburn I would like to publicly thank Ric Nelson for his 20 odd years of coaching the Lehi ninth grade football team. Nelson has, at great cost to himself, coached this football team through good years and bad. He has given a positive experience to young men who could play football or could not, could pay the fee or could not. He always gives the boys as much time as they need to learn positions or plays and is never derogatory or mean spirited. Thanks for soccer support Editor: An open letter to the people of Lehi, I would like to publicly thank the parents and friends who supported our soccer team this year and gave us encouragement when times were tough. I wish I could name each ofyou individually, but I do not wish to offend anyone that I might omit. There are never enough words of gratitude to convey the appreciation we have for all of you. I am deeply grateful to those who atten d match against Pine View. our semi-finThe crowd was great! The match was a difficult one, which we might have won according to some who later informed me that one ofour shots had indeed crossed the goal duringregulation. We played our hearts out and gave all that we had. It was the greatest match I had seen played all year. Scoreless at the end of regulation and again scoreless after the overtime! Pine View had never been held scoreless all year up to that point! It was a great defensive effort by our team. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in the shootout There is no shame in losing when you have given all that you have. I am very proud of the girls who played soccer this year. In my heart and mind, I know we were Pine View's equal. These girls are champions, no matter what the score read last Friday. --Coach Kevin Pedersen al V Wewelcomeletteritothoedltor.AII letters should and double spaced. Letter mutt alto tlgned, and mutt Include the wrtteft nam and telephone number. Please tend lettera to Editor, Newtah Newt Group, P.O. Boi 7, American Fork, Utah,S4003. N typewritten . |