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Show 8 - The Dally Utah Wednesday, November is 199s Chronicle ABETTERS & i It irr MsMpj-- v " yr : U. Policy on Bikes, Boards and Blades Should Be Tough University of Utah rules and regulations prohibit riding a skates at a speed exceeding 10 bicycle, skateboard or on Further, they prohibit what is known as mph campus. on "obstacle riding" benches, concrete curbs, stairriding cases, handrails and anything besides sidewalks and roads. Finally, riders are prohibited from riding in- a manner that would jeopardize the safety of themselves or others. The Daily Utah Chronicle feels the rules regarding skatein-lin- e - - skating and bicycling should be more boarding, strongly enforced on the U. campus. There are two clear should not reasons why the status quo of continue: First, these activities present a danger to U. students and the riders. Second, the property damage caused by these actions drains campus money, which is a tax burden paid by all of the citizens of Utah. Many students tell war stories of dodging flying skateskaters who are out of control and boards, careening e bikers who travel faster than most motor in-lin- e in-lin- semi-psychot- vehicle traffic on campus roads. These close calls should not be part of the college environment. Students should feel safe while on campus. Further, the liability implications are not worth allowing these recreational activities on campus. Even with its regulations, the U. could be sued by an injured rider, because his or her injuries occurred on campus. This is the same reason skate parks for skateboarders and skaters have such a hard time staying in business. The question of vandalism is by far the most disturbing symptom of skating and biking on campus. in-lin- mm '95- - e Salt Lake Should Provide Youths "Skate Spot" Dented benches, stained and pockmarked concrete and damaged handrails arc all evidence of the wear that these activities cause campus facilities. The thousands of dollars these acts of vandalism cause can only be replaced with U. funds. This means a part of each student's tuition will go to replacing and repairing damage the student may not have caused. Finally, most of the damage caused, the danger posed and the inconvenience presented are not the fault of U. students. While many students use bicycles to get around campus, skaters come to the U. most of the skateboarders and to find a place for their activities. They don't pay tuition and have no interest in the preservation of the campus. The Daily Utah Chronicle believes any use of U. campus or student funds to cover liability and repair or replacement of vandalized property is an absolute waste of money. It is money that should be going to campus needs. This is a situation where campus rules should be enforced more stringently, at least until the problems are solved. The Daily Utah Chronicle is an independent, student newspaper.. Unsigned editorials reflect the majority view of the Editorial Board Editor: I am writing this letter in response to the article printed in Tuesday's issue if The Daily Utah Chronicle titled "Boards, Bikes & Blades Thrashing U. Campus." I have been skateboarding for the last 11 paint-strippe'- in-lin- years. I have been attending the U. since March. Over the years, I have seen many skate spots go bust. I have also read many newspaper articles against skateboarding. The article by Sandy Jensen, like most of the others that I have read, seems to have focused on the wrong points. curbs aren't the prettiest Sure waxed-u- p the in And the ledges and world. things planters are being eroded. But the real concern here are these kids. Everyone wants to sec "Skate" on page 10 Wilderness Issue Receiving Deserved Publicity e Editor: The Utah wilderness debate is finally in and out getting the media attention of the state it deserves. Recent articles addressing the land battle in the west have appeared in publications as diverse as The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, and, most recendy, The New York Tines. With this heightened national awareness (on what is legitimately a national issue) one would expect the legislative - process to open up. It hasn't. Utah's Congressional delegation has shown few signs of moderating its views on a current wilderness proposal (1.8 million acres) that is clearly not supported by a majority of Utah citizens. (More than 70 percent of the 22,000 public comments received in the last year were in favor of greater wilderness protect- ion.) As a result, the wilderness debate has reached extremes. It has reverted back to the simplistic characterizations of radical environmentalists versus "bought" politicians. This is unfortunate. The wilderness debate needs not to have reached this point. It is time for everyone with an opinion on this issue to get beyond what has happened, and instead consider what can, and will, happen as the Utah delegation's bill comes to a see "Wilderness on page 10 Gays and Lesbians Should "Come Out" and Claim Rights persecution and prejudices they I'.C" - - II Clark ' Chronicle Editorial 1 XT! - Columnist I was at the Sun on Halloween night when I bumped into one of dressed as Indiana my Jones (I didn't even recognize him until he took' off his hat). We chatted for a while, then parted. Later, he came up to me on the dance floor and asked that I not tell anyone I saw him there, because he was still "in the closet" at work. I fully intend to respect his wishes. I don't think anyone should be outed unless they do it for them- selves. However, everyone who is gay should come out.- - especially in the :,Y- workplace. It is only byxoming out that gays and lesbians can fight against the at work? Simple. He could loose his job just for being gay. Or worse, he could face persecution and harassment by his But, he's not going to gain equal opportunity for employment and a suitable work environment unless he demands it He should come out at work. Gay rights have made tremendous progress in the private sector. Walt Disney Co., for example, has recendy extended its health insurance coverage to domestic partners (spouses of gay and lesbian cou- face. Gays and lesbians do not have the same civil rights as other minorities only because they arc an invisible population. One gay rights activist claimed that if the skin of all homosexuals turned green tomorrow, homophobia would be completely abolished in one day. The world would see that we are your neighbors, your fathers, bossdaughters, aunts, es, classmates, ward clerks, home teachers, friends and fellow parishioners. We're on your Softball team. We give your children piano lessons. We sit next to you' at football games, movies and: restaurants. "We're everywhere," my friend tells me repeatedly. Despite our infiltration into all levels of society, gays and lesbians do not have the same rights as their ' heterosexual counterparts. be Why would my afraid to come out to his colleagues er ples). , Walt Disney has merely added its voice to hundreds of other large corporations who have similar policies in place. ' But, progress can still be made in the area of civil rights. Recendy, I participated in a gay and lesbian panel for a human sexuality class. One of the questions addressed by the panel was "Why do gays and lesbians want special of the same gender. I want the private physical rights?" I was angered by the question. Gays and lesbians do not want special rights. They want and deserve the same rights and privileges that arc extended to heterosexuals. don't want that privacy to be under the scrutiny of Utah's sodomy law. These rights are not "special" rights. Gays and lesbians do not ask for quotas or special parking spots marked with pink triangles or want the right to take my boyfriend to a company party (which I've done) without fear of losing my job. Heterosexuals don't I - have to worry about whether they should take their wifehusbandsignificant other to a company party. Taking a partner to a social function at work is a right that society grants to heterosexuals. But, it is often withheld from homosexuals. special entry tickets into the celestial kingdom. We only ask to have the same protection under the law that heterosexuals have. I demand my rights by holding hands in public, by bringing a boyfriend to a work party, by letting people know I'm gay and that they shouldn't tell jokes that denigrate homosexuals. If you're gay or lesbian and not I want the right to hold my lover's hand in public, without someone yelling profanities at us, or trying to run us over, or throwing things at us. I want to feel safe in the city in which I live. I want the right to know that I can live in an apartment with a lover and not fear eviction. I want the right to participate in a legally recognized marriage with a partner inti- macy that I share with my partner to remain private and intimate. I . out, then get out. Come out. Demand the rights and respect that you deserve. You can make your world a safer and better place in which to live. If you're heterosexual, watch out because we're everywhere. - t |
