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Show Saturday, September 4. 2004 AS EDfTOUAL tOAKD . Afcert J. Maud. President ft Publisher " Randy Wright, Executive Editor Donald W. Meyers, Editorial page editor John CasteUt Public adviser Christian Harrisoa Pubbc adviser Sam Rutbfarth, Public odvuer EDITORIALS IN OUR VIEW BYU fans should kick it up a notch The BYU football season off literally and BYLTs 1 administration hasd't helped matters in recent years. It banned, for example, the harmless tradition of throwing tortillas in celebration of BYU touchdowns. It was like your mom telling you that Dame. It would be good for BYU fans you're going to shoot your eye out with a BB gun. How many eyes to pay attention to their counterhave been lost to tortillas, for heav-- . parts from South Bend. They may en's sake? Those pointy paper airlearn a thing or two about enthusiasm. planes so many people toss seem a lot more sinister. This is not to say that BYU fans At one point, former BYU Presi- - . don't stand behind their team: dent Merrill J. Bateman rebuked While they have their fickle moments, BYU fans are true blue. But fans for booing. He also discouryou often don't get that impression aged students from painting their faces and bodies in L. sitting in the stands blue and white paint. at La Veil Edwards BYU fans don't Seem It will be interesting Stadium. It can be to see if the school's pretty sedate, even tO exhibit the new Dresident. Cecil reverent. ' BYU fans don't Samuelson, worries enthusiasm raucous as much about such seem to exhibit the raucous enthusiasm and energy so much enthusiastic trifles. . While LaVell Ed- and energy so much m evidence at wards Stadium is in evidence at college owned by the IDS football games elsecollege football where. BYU fans are Church, that does not simply not ... well ... games elsewhere. make it a house of The stadium fanatics. And maybe BYU fans are simply worship. is probably the only that's a good thing, even if somewhat place BYU students not ... well ... ran lpt thpir hair quaint. Certainly restraint is not entirely fanatics. And maybe down and have some bad. Nobody wants that's a good thing. hooliganism. hours. BYU administra- -tors and Provo of Having said that, ' we recognize that could justifiably BYU has had a tradition of cjass. give prayers of thanks every time As one writer to the Daily Herald the evening news shows rioting sports fans trashing a town. Defeat observed, disapproval was once shown not by hurling invectives or victory hardly seems to matter; the town gets trashed one way or ... and boos but by the jangling keys. Fans applauded fallen players from the other. the visiting team. They eschewed But Cougar fans only seem to p harsh language and get worked up for the "Holy War" the game against Utah. And antics. It would be nice not to lose that even then the response is relatively class as fan behavior across the natepid. They're told not to boo, and tion continues its inexorable downthey obey. There are some people who are ward spiral BYU should bring back the trying to inject a bit more energy But having class doesn't mean into LaVell Edwards Stadium. The SuperFans group, for example, has the removal of all spontaneity and fun. An enthusiastic crowd encourtailgate parties before the game. And there are always a few stuages the players to do their best. It's called home field advantage, dents mugging the TV cameras. But there's just not a lot of adrenaand it's both fair and fun to exploit line in the stands, not enough peoit. BYU Coach Gary Crowton is dople wearing blue and white, not ing his best to improve perforenough people shouting whatever. It's as though the school hasn't mance on the field. It's now up to won a national championship for the fans to do their part and make 20 years. The crowd seems more LaVell Edwards stadium sound like a party, not General Conference. than polite. It seems demoralized today at Edwards where BYU faces "Sound system . .. check. Balloon drop . . . check. Call Central Casting to hire minority extras ... check." Convention contention ftu?' "To those critics who are so pessimistic about our economy, I say: Don't be economic girlie men." Arnold Schwarzenegger, California governor and ac- tor, promoting President Bush's economic policies to delegates at the Republican National Convention in New over-theto- . York. Lm II ZZf I f L M Wsm y"it M n it, iTiL It i "'wiw ifPi f I ? "I hope we show a strong dissent" Laura Pessieri, 27, a protester from New Jersey, on her plans for the Republican National Convention. Police arrested more than 1,700 people at protests spurred by the convention. Beehives & Buffalo Chips ' ' 'm. Buffaloa'PtotheU.S. Secret Service for going Salt nuts on a ! Lake City man's bumper sticker. Derek Kjar printed out a sign from the Internet that showed President Bush's head with a crown on it, as Jvell as the words "King George off with his head." Humorless heighbors called the authorities, nd the Secret Service questioned Kjar for more than an hour, wanting to know such important things s whether he's a member of a terrorist group or likes to read about assassinations. Does the Secret Service honestly believe that a presidential assassin is going to advertise his intentions on the back of his car? Besides, he was probably Quoting Robsepierre. . Beehive to SpringviDe of-ficials for letting people speak at a community fo ; rum this week. The last time the city conducted one of these meetings, pilled as a chance to talk to city officials, most of the time was dominated by a presentation by city staff. This time officials sat down and .. spoke only in answer to questions. Repentance is a beautiful thing. '. -- 'Jn- iU, 5a '. War to the grem-- " lins that derailed a visit to Provo by a World Buffalo Chip Flying Fortress. The Sentimental Journey, a bomber restored by the Commemorative Afr Force, was scheduled to come to Provo Municipal Airport for Labor Day weekend. People look at hiswere to get an even a ride for a hefty fee. tory Instead, engine trouble forced the old gal to cancel. At least it didn't conk out while carrying passengers around as planned. up-clo- j. Beehive (speaking of planes) to Amelia ww" Earhart School in Provo for taking to the skies to encourage children to read. The school launched its reading program by celebrating the life of its namesake, Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. The school's principal, Rosemarie Smith took a ride dressed as Earhart. Fortunately, she didn't vanish like her predecessor. air-fiS- m Buffalo Chip to lawyers for Brian David Mitchell for wasting everybody's time trying to keep Elizabeth' Smart's accused kidnapper's competency hearing closed to the public. They earn a special dual Buffalo Chip for making the hearing an issue in the first place. After losing all their appeals, the lawyers ultimately stipulated in a hearing that Mitchell was, in fact, competent. The question is are they? jiO lt fj i uHBuwimrmaup i A0OUTTH5HOM 0Jf iccGonrmiFMf i MHtrrwMfh pent 'am THAVS SO '80s! MO TALKS ) 3 - bush'"- r , m - tMNOUITALK- IN6TOA40tSH,m- - r o D00NESBURY Garry Trudeau CmAXK, mvtM NOT US! HOWSSS- - MALLARD FILLMORE t Bruce Tinsley V bad Hem. BBN LIVING A US!, Ne&ISSQOml! I r I I IK II W n 1 got I rrnjeo 11 ziecim v - r. n-Hu- r wee :r. |