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Show Lehl Free Press New Utah! - Wednesday, October 14, 1998 - Page 2 Opinion for Trust Land bill a good deal After months of negotiations, the state of Utah and the federal government solved some of the state's long-tereducational funding issues, ensured the protection of some of the state's most cherished land, and saved millions of dollars in potential legal fees, all with a single act of m Congress. It was a remarkable move, an historic land swap that amounted to the largest public lands exchange in the United States. And both state and federal officials are to be commended for working out its details. The deal involved the exchange of hundreds of thousands of acres of school trust land land which had been set aside to help fund education in Utah. However, these parcels of land are scattered across the state and have never lived up to their financial potential for a variety of rea-- . sons. Friday's action changes all that. The deal exchanges school trust lands that were not benefitting the educa- tional system for present and future financial considerations. Utah's schools get the funding, and the federal government gets control of scattered parcels of property inside federally controlled public land. In addition to resolving issues that have troubled the state for years, the agreement should be a boon for Utah's schools. Here is what the schools will get out of this legislation: A $50 million check, deposited to the state School and Institutional Trust Lands Fund, which is a permanent endowment for Utah's schools. $13 million additional to be generated from the sale of unleased coal for the benefit of the Utah Permanent School Fund. More than 160 million tons of well-crafte- d coal. billion cubic feet of coal bed methane resources. Approximately 139,000 acres of land and minerals in nine counties. Other minerals including limestone, tar sands, and oil and gas. All of these assets can be used to somegenerate educational funds thing which was not true of the Trust Land, properties, transferred to the Federal Government in the deal. In return, the federal government 185 will receive: All state inholdings in the Grand National Staircase-Escalant- e Monument: 176,699 acres. 11 Utah's state land inholdings in National ParksNational Recreation Areas: 80,000 acres (Arches National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Dinosaur National Monument, Glen Canyon Recreation Area, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area). All state inholdings in the Navajo and Goshute Indian Reservations: 47,480 acres. Nearly all state inholdings within the National Forests: 70,000 acres (Wasatch-Cach- e National Forest, Sawtooth National Forest, Caribou National Forest, Uinta National Sal National Forest, Forest, Manti-L- a Fishlake National Forest, Dixie National Forest, Desert Range Experimental Station). Alton coal field tracts previously designated unsuitable for mining: 2,560 acres. Total surface acreage to be received by the federal government: 376,739 acres. Additional mineral-rights-onl- y acreage: 65,852 acres. This landmark legislation ends decades of disagreements and contention over school and institutional trust land which has been locked within national forests, parks, and, most recently, the Indian-reservation- Grand Staircase-Escalant- e Monument. It will head off litigation that was destined to cost Utahns millions of dollars representing even more savings for the state. At the same time, the state didn't give away the farm. Property was selected for the exchange with an eye on environmental concerns. At the same time, no lands were included in the deal which could be surface mined, with benefits from that activity going to the school fund. Also no lands were exchanged which was habitat for endangered species, areas of critical environmental concern, or potential wildeness. All in all, the exchange is a good which will realize deal for Utah new revenue in exchange for land which held little promise of producing and for the federsignificant funds al government which will be able to consolidate holdings in the areas involved in the swap. Any time you can expand funding for Utah schools in exchange for providing federal protection for the national treasures' for which Utah is famous, you've made a good deal. Utah's congressional delegation, state leaders and the U.S. Department of the Interior worked together in this deal to prove that win-wisolutions are still possible. By Zig Ziglar best-sellin- Post-Dispatc- Larry Froisted revealed this horri "What do you do for fun?" asked my new friend as she stirred the sugar in her tea. While I pondered that profound question, she went to say that she heard that people in Utah don't smoke or drink, either. Finally, she said that people in her neck of the woods (Montana) are hardworking, good people, but when they get through with work, they like to go out and have a good time. Her statement implied that one must smoke andor drink in order to have a good time. I explained that alcohol other than d beer must be purchased at or state-ruliquor stores and pointed out to her that I am just as surprised when I go into a grocery store in one of our neighboring states and see at least part of one aisle devoted to different kinds of wines. "You mean you can't get wine at Albertson's," she asked, incredulously, becoming even more surprised when I explained how you can't even buy beer at certain times. For a long time I've joked about how our community, as well as many others in this unique state, rolls up the sidewalks at dark. But her question about how one could have fun without alcohol really intrigued me. A lot of people in this area go hunting for fun. Some of them will tell you that they only go for the "meat," but they must be having a lot of fun while they shoot some food to sustain them through the winter months. I think it is ironic that these people will go to the store and buy hundreds of dollars worth of chips, cookies, soda, perhaps beer, perhaps a lot of beer, and even beef jerky, to be more comfortable while they hunt for food so they can save on grocery costs. state-owne- n recurring event, they will be hell-beon getting there and will do anything to get a parking space. For the shopper who has never been to a certain boutique, the drivers of oncoming vehicles bear the responsibility of defensive driving, because e when the boutiquer spots y meccas, she one of the will immediately turn in, even if it means turning directly in front of you, without benefit of any sort of signal. Boutique shoppers should be required to have a very visible fruit or flower stencil on their cars so that other drivers can be prepared for any sudden movement. Those who organize boutiques should also be required to place traffic signs that read "Warning: Boutique Crossing Ahead. Proceed with Caution. Vehicles may enter or leave traffic at any time without notice." Finally, some people work for fun. friend had come to My Utah County to participate in a network marketing organization's convention. She was enthusiastically telling me all about the future in the telecommunications industry and shared a little bit about what she and her husband had learned at the meetings. She even suggested that I would be better off if I could work in a company like hers and not have to answer to a strict regimen of work. But I like work, and for me, work is nt On the other hand, some people may go out just for the fun part of hunting, as opposed to the food aspect. I am amazed at those who haul the conveniences of home television, microwave, cell phone, even hot tubs so they can have "fun" (I've heard) communing with nature. "Scrapbooking" is another way some people have fun. Personally, it would drive me to drink, not away from it. But the hobby is very popular in Utah, so much so that the name of the finished product has become its own verb. What I picture is obsession. You're out having fun on your family vacation and the scrapbooker of the family has her camera on hand at all times to record the moment for future inclusion in a "Treasures of Truth" book. So you have to pose for a certain type of picture because the scrapbooker has a certain motif in mind. And you have to o it at every twist and turn in the road so that the trip is permanently recorded in the "Book of Life." If a picture is worth a thousand words, just think what a tures mean. thousand pic- Speaking of nouns becoming verbs, how about those who go "boutiquing" for fun? I don't know about you, but I think it could aptly be spelled because it is a pretty scary to get in the way of someone thing headed to a boutique. Don't ever drive behind a boutique-boun- d shopper. If the boutique is a ," first-tim- artsy-crafts- fun. I suppose there are times when a little nip of "tonic" might take the edge off some stressful situation, but for the most part, I derive fun and joy in what Ida If my new friend ever returns to this area, perhaps I'll take her to a boutique, then sit down and show her my scrapbooks. There's too much time between elections Is anyone else bothered by the fact Lowell Nelson and Janice Mayne running for Dist. 57. But the lack of a recent primary has kept campaigning so obscure that most people are unaware of who the candidates are. Heck, most people are unaware they are going to be voting in jusunder that in less than three weeks we are expected to go the polls and elect a new slate of U.S. representatives, state legislators, county commissioners, and various other county positions? Y.,.,.;VT.)1,--.;r.- I don't knowsiabouf but foiijt three weeks- fitt&, this current election year' positively and thats somemind numbingj thing for someone who is a political junkie. Frankly, I've felt this way for the ever since past several elections the Utah Legislature changed the state's primary election date from September to June. It seemed like a dumb idea at the time. It still seems like a dumb idea. Before the change, the political process was compressed into a few short months, with primary and general elections taking place a month or so apart. That meant all the names and faces that were featured in the primary election were fresh on the minds of the voters as they went to the polls for the general election. For the voters, I think that meant increased interest, better voter turnout, and overall a better election. But it didn't work that way for some of the candidates especially among the members of Utah's dominant party. The last time we had the primary and general election fairly close together, the two Republicans running for U.S. Congress in District 3 beat each other up so badly during the primary election that by the time the general election rolled around, Utah County voters elected a Bill Orton. Democrat That was an unprecedented move for a congressional district that was considered one of the most conservative and most Republican in the nation. So the powers-that-b- e decided we would all be better off if we put more . n Misguided loyalty 1997 Creators Syndicate, Inc. g High on the list of books is one by Dr. Bill Bennett entitled "The Death of Outrage." Bennett writes that nothing of moral misconduct seems to outrage us in our society today. I fully agree with him. When a child is raped and murdered, after an initial burst of anger and indignation, we ponder the question, "What can I do?" and then helplessly shrug it off. Recently, something came to my attention that bothers me as much as anything has ever bothered me, so here's my question: What would you have done if someone confessed to you and 200 other people that he had murdered his daughter by setting his home on fire? I hope you would have revealed the incident to the police, regardless of how you obtained the information. Surely, that is the right thing to do. An editorial published in the St. h Louis stated that boutiques can drive one to drink Hunting fying bit of information to some 200 e chat room suppeople in his port group. It is beyond belief that of the 200 people involved in the confidence, only three notified police that a murder apparently had been committed. Two of those who turned him in were subsequently "flamed" by those outraged at the betrayal of a cyber confidence. Apparently, an unspoken rule of confidentiality girds the culture of Internet support groups and chat sessions. We must all recognize that somebody else's crime or wrongdoing does not excuse us from accepting our own responsibility for acting as good citizens. To do otherwise would mean anarchy and no one would be safe in our society. Surely we need to examine our consciences and start thinking in terms of the sanctity of human life and giving criminals their just due when they take the life of another. Surely a rebirth of the value of life would give all of us cause to rejoice. on-lin- in . ii . mm wi mi wwmmnwnnTmB distance between the two elections basically to give the winners of those nasty primary races time to lick their wounds before they had to go before the public again. The idea was that with more time, the surviving candidates would have more time to campaign for the final election. Maybe that's true, but what has happened is that instead of one fairly interesting campaign season with a primary and general election, what we have now are two election season neither of which is particularly interesting. Instead of energizing the campaigns, the strategy has turned into one almost guaranteed to produce - - Keeping those two elections' .tea-sonably dose, together would. ..have changed some of that, maybe a lot of it. As it is, we're all hoping for some serious activity to make voters aware that the election is near. Newspapers are starting their usual coverage. We are always aware of election dates because they provide major news stories for us. It's one of the benefits of working for a we almost always vote. newspaper But for other folks, Nov. 3 threatens to pass them by as just another day, until they wake up on Nov. 4 and find out that someone has been elected to make important decisions about how their taxes will be spent, and they didn't even bother to vote. There are some things that need to be done if we are hoping to take advantage of our rights as citizens of voter apathy. this great country. Those who aren't Take this year for example. In the registered to vote should get regisprimary election, the only race which tered. There is a story on the front generated much heat was that for page of this newspaper telling you Utah County Sheriff, when Richard now. Mack mounted a loud if unsuccessful Voters who don't know the candiattack on incumbent David Batemen. dates should make some effort to find Bateman faces another challenger out who is and what they in next month's general election, but stand for. running does anyone think an unknown When the Utah Democrat is going to present a seri- changed dates for the legislature primary elecous challenge for an incumbent tion, introduced this element of they Republican in Utah County? If they apathy into the electoral process. But do, they aren't dealing with reality. it isn't their job to get the people to And U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon isn't the polls that responsibility lies facing any opposition in this year's with each one of us. election. We are, each one of responsible The general election does include to be the best, the mostus, educated votsome fairly interesting legislative ers we can be. It is our responsibility races, with David Cox and George to see that nobody takes that away for 56 Dist. and from us. Tripp running Reader's Forum Extremism is not a vice Washington was willing to engage in the extreme actions of war. That's extreme! A principled statesman, like President Washington, understood the necessity of carrying a political principle to its extreme conclusion. He did not compromise on principle, but rather was extremely uncompromising, knowing that compromise gradually lead to bondage, death or some other Editor: George Washington said that extremism in the cause of liberty was no vice. Extremism means going to extremes, or deviating in the farthest degree from the center of popular opinions. Thus, for the principle of protecting liberty, Washington believed extremes were justified. What kind of extremes? To free the American colonists from a British tyranny being foisted upon them. evil. A Utah politician's recent sign reads: "mainstream, not extreme." Does "mainstream" infer that Published weekly by NewUtah! (ISSN No. 8750-4669- (U.S.P.S. No. ) 309-50- it .tteviacv-M- NATIONAL NEWSPAPEH ASSOCIATION & Circulation Publisher Ulli 'Ml MUM '.IM.i.tJHima 59 West Main American Fork, Utah 84003 Deadlines Telephone Numbers Advertising News iewiahjews he intends to "go with the flow of popular opinion," no matter how much the "masses" or the "mob" may be mislead or ignorant about an issue? Isn't the "mainstream" equal to the "popular," the "faddish," the way the political wind blows today? Whereas "extreme" is a position based on principle which may be fair, but unpopular. For example, are you extremely against murder? Then aren't you an extremist against murder? Are you extremely against theft? Then aren't you an extremist against theft? Is it wrong to be extreme? Ask first if it is moral Managing Editor City Editor , . Brett Bezzant .Marc Haddock Subscription price $24 .RussDaly per year Periodicals Postage Paid at American Fork, Utah POSTMASTER: Mnd address ctanp to 59 West Msin, Amwtcsn Forte, Utah 84003 Classified Advertising . Monday, 2 p.m. Monday, 2 pm. .Monday, 2 p.m. Missionaries Weddings Obituaries .Tuesday, noon Monday, 5 p.m. Display Advertising News Community Calendar Letters to the Editor . . . .Monday. 10 a m. .Monday, 10 a.m. Tuesday. 11 am. to be extreme. If you are extremely against murder? Isn't that moral? Stalin reveled in murder, he was thus extremely Isn't that an immoral extreme? Aren't extremes good or bad depending on the morality of the position? But what then is "mainstream?" Isn't it whatever a poll says will keep a politician in office? Isn't it the attitude: "go along to get along" or "go with the flow" that get's you elected? Bliss W. Tew Orem pro-murd- We welcome letters to the editor. All letters must include the author's name (printed AND signed) and a telephone number. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, punctuation, taste and length. Letters are welcome on any topic. HOW TO REACH US By Mail P.O. Box 7, American Fork, UT In By Fax 84003 Person 59 W. Main, American Fork 756-527- ' 4 By editornewutah.com POOR COPY ; |