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Show 6 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, THE DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE 2000 Prosecute the Crime. Not the Motive Make Up Your Mind their attentions and efforts on Editor; To Scott Lewis; - How ironic professor Paul CasselF by ail accounts a and esteemed academic) for exhibiting some passion in pursuing U.S. Supreme Court clarification on the Miranda issue, you encourage the students at the University of Utah to "focus well-respect- This letter is written in response" to the Daily Utah Chronicle news article printed Oct. n titled "Hate Crime Bill A Must Say State Sena- identifying their passious Which is it, Mr. Lewis? Would you have us accept the status quo, or attempt to "make a mark on the world by working on issues we are passionate about? You can't have it one way last week and another way this week. that the week after you 'criticize ed rather than for crime? I would ask Editor: tors." As a preface to my statements, I would like to say that although the "hate-crimeffort to enact is apparently bilegislation partisan, I am vehemently opposed to the implementation of such lege" so-call- ed JOHN C. HARWOOD Graduate Student, Lay islation. In her article, Genevieve Sehy cites the murder of Matthew Shep-ar- d in Wyoming as a "perfect" ." example of a While it is certainly tragic that Shepard was murdered because of his sexual orientation, the fact remains that the actual crime commurmitted was that of in is our der. It apparent that many society, including, sadly, some of our leaders, are not able to make the distinction between motives (sexual orientation in Shepard's case) and crime. At this point, I feel that I must pose a very relevant question. Do we, as a society, really want to form a legal system that inflicts punishment as a consequence for motive "hate-crime- first-degr- ee the reader of this letter to carefully ponder this question, for such would be that natural evolution of the implementation of "hate-crimlegislation. I will freely concede that Shepard .was murdered because of his sexual orientation. It is also certain that during the course of criminal prosecution for this murder that this must be established to lend credibility to the prosecution's case that the defendants did indeed commit the act of murder. (Any of you law students or political science majors out there may feel free to correct me if I am in error on this.) Once the guilt of the defendant is established, then he (or in this case they) must suffer the established penalty for the crime of murder. What can we do to further punish someone for his or her motive than we do for the crime? Is not the penalty for murder, which in most states is either capital punishment or adequate? Are we prepared to live with a system of justice that punishes the motive rather than the crime? What if no crime is actually committed? Do we arrest someone simply e" because they want to kill someone who is gay? Consider this carefully, for this will truly be the natural course of evolution of "hate-crimlegislation. Personally, I believe the people of the State of Wyoming were wise to recognize the difference between crime and motive, and understand that we must punish someone for the former rather than for the late" ter. glad that Wyoming rejected " the implementation of I pray that Utah legislation, and I am "hate-crime- will follow suit. Tragic as it may be when anyone is murdered, the fact remains that the person is dead, and that the perpetrator must be punished for the act of murder, not because of the reason that he committed the murder. I will close with one final question for those who support the " implementation of legislation. Do you propose a punitive system that is graduated to the severity of the motive rather than the severity of the crime? Just wondering. "hate-crime- MATT BELLISTON Junior, Biological Chemistry Differences Help Create Bridges mm PRESEntED BY FOX 13 BOYS & GIRLS OF GREAtER SALT LAKE BEflEFittinC t H E CLUBS well-intentione- d, SEPtEmBERJ22nD tHRpUCM OCtOBERJISt 3400 SOUTH 8 in STATE STREET SALt open-minde- ng- ,Just like being heterosexual involves far more than finding-- fiie- opposite ex attractive, I have found through my friendships with other homosexuals that being gay involves far more than just being sexually attracted to men. My homosexuality has stretched my emotional spectrum, increased my understanding of all people, strengthened my character, and intensified my spirituality and religious convictions. Ironically, those who are most intolerant of homosexuals choose to focus almost exclusively on the bedroom expressions of gay and lesbian sexuality. Anderson put it well when he said: "It is easier to label and stereotype when one trait or choice is highlighted." CITY DiFFERnt AttPvPCtions, incLUDinc The - oll-m- w darjs Mfluntinc aiid the insariE asylurj 7:30 10:30 Tuesday Through Thursday -- 7:30 - miDniGHT FRiDAY AnD SATURDAY CLOSED SUriDAY AilD fnOHDAY ADULTS: UJEEKniCHTS $10 IXIEEKEI1DS $12 CHiLDREH 2: $6 CHiLDREn UF1DER 6 FREE FORCROUP RATES GALL 322-44- 1 Most people love their parents even though the thought of their parents having sex is'unappealing possibly even repulsive. This is because we value aspects of our parents' characters other than their sexual expression. Likewise, I hope that those who find homosexual sex repulsive can value other aspects of gays and lesbians iiii'lnM in diiiM wiiiffi hi it TTv)iif so as not to become unloving and intolerant. While I agree with Jared that we should "focus on Editor: As a homosexual student I'd like to thank Jared Anderson for his Oct. 4 column, "Sexuality Discussions Do Not Need Buildings." I am glad that Jared drew attention to the fact that overcoming false ideas about gays and lesbians involves seefng them as "friends with many more facets to their character than to which gender they are attracted." d Even with people, I before to character other of my try emphasize aspects known because being only sharing my homosexuality as the guy who finds other guys attractive is very limiti- ummiummm wHitmnmMtmrmm tihii i airriiM mnwn iiiTiTP iMifrirfik winih ' the commonalities between individuals," I don't think that tolerance and acceptance will be achieved by keeping sexual preference a "private, sensitive matter." Imagine how many people who receive blood would die of intolerance if today's doctors focused only on the similar red color of our blood and chose not to value our different blood types. Our differences arc important. Our commonalities shouldn't hide our differences; they should bridge them. A center for gays and lesbians may very well "bring to the foreground of everyone's consciousness the reason. for conflict and misunderstanding." However; consciously thinking about and addressing misunderstandings is precisely what a university environment should promote. How can we expect to develop and find ourselves intellectually or morally if we avoid conflict and refuse to step outside of mainstream popularity? Jared aptly noted that accepting those of all beliefs requires frequent, open discussions. Truly, we don't need buildings to have such sexuality discussions. Then again, discussions and buildings are equally irrelevant in the sense that they are both outside of us. What we really need is more genuine love for each other. We need more courage to understand those who are different from ourselves. Ultimately, the solution to the problems of intolerance and misunderstanding lies not in changing the world around us, but with changing ourselves internal- iy-- CHRISTOPHER DIAL Sophomore, Psychology imiMinrninir Thursday, October i9Union Ballroom, Saltair Room.Collegiate Room, East foyer o:ooam-3:oop- Liberal? m Conservative? Other? find the jb e!MPF of 'IlSIMpS aMCil Male? Female? Oilier? J available!'- Bring a. resume?, dress nicely For more information on employers attending the Career fair, visit the University of Utah Caeer Services website at Snide er Simpte? Communicate your thoughts... revel in being called a moron. http:carcers.utali.edu w rf1 -- w iiiiianiMir iiW |