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Show "Truth has no .special time " Albert Schweitzer, always. Nobel laureate (1875-1965- ). of its own. Its hour is now German-bormissionary and A Spofeoo n Friday, February 2, 1996 The Daily Herald Crinna 6 Russia cause fof .concern Dim If Soviet Russia often acted like an outlaw nation under communism, democratic Russia is behaving increasingly like a nation of outlaws. American policy-makeare not pining for the return of the old Soviet Union. But with Russia's presidential elections just five months away, senior U.S. national security officials are at heightened alert over the deterioration of Russian society. As average Russians reel from rampant crime and corruption, the appeal of Comrs munists and like Vladimir Zhirinovsky grows. The House Judiciary Committee, for example, recently heard testimony that average Russians "now mistakenly perceive democracy as having granted criminals the freedom to loot and murder." Some officials privately blame President Boris Yeltsin for responding tepidly to public concerns about crime, even though Russians now cite personal safety as their paramount concern. Yeltsin's defense minister, Pavel Grachev, has even been accused of organizing the murder of a popular Russian investigative journalist who had published a series of exposes on military corruption and who was due to testify before a government committee. The signs abound that Russian criminals have gained a choke-hol- d over socimurder ety. There was the gangland-styl- e last year of the of the Russian TV network. Then there was the poisoning of one of the country's most e crusaders, along prominent with the brutal murders of more than 40 other senior bank officials. Taken together, these indicate the fact that the Russian mob is willing to mow down anyone to win control over the Russian banking sys- al airport in the United States. The major h6tbeds have been southern California, Miami and New York City. But Denver is also a growing concern. Russian gangsters are involved in everything from gas tax and health care fraud to extortion. But the te anti-crim- tem. violence garners fewer The headlines. For example, more Russians died of criminal violence in 1993 than ere killed during nine years of war in Afghanistan. In 1994, criminals took 118 people hostage in Moscow. Ten Western businessmen were kidnapped for ransom the same year, with one of them murdered. Russia is now home to more than 5,000 gangs, 3,000 hardened criminals, 300 mob dons, and 150 illegal organizations with international connections. Some 40,000 Russian businesses and other enterprises are controlled by organized crime, which presides over an empire estimated at $10 billion a year. Although President Clinton in his State of the Union speech hailed the fact that Russian missiles were no longer pointed at American children, the United States remains vulnerable to economic and military sabotage by the Russian mafia. FBI officials say they can almost guarantee they will encounter a Russian organized crime problem at every internation day-to-d- By STUART LEVINE hard-workin- g, JsckJLnfssca rJ' TUC affect us. Back in 1944. Dale Carnegie studied what we would now call "worry" "stress." He concluded that, in most cases, people have far more control over worrisome situations than they realize. Also, he discovered that people were so distressed about their work situation that they couldn't concentrate on the skills needed to survive and succeed in the workplace. Sound too easy? The following is a more systematic, approach to in a downsizing work environment: 1. ) Don't slip into a "victim" mentality. Do the best you can every day. Do your best to look professional, to be punctual, to keep making a contribution. Put yourself in management's shoes: Would you rather lay off an employee with a hangdog, gloomy attitude or one who tries hard every day? 2. ) Keep your skills sharp.Take advantraining offered, tage of any especially if it's computer-relatestep-by-st- "de-stres- ep s" in-ho- d. (cNStfVE THE BEKTWSoE. Washington VOX k- -r Merry-Go-Rou- 1 Heritage Foundation, recently warned Congress that "crime has become a major export." "Illegal drugs, weapons and some amount of nuclear materials are flowing K-v- ir (III TURN iMn Y StPE JUST TELL ME YW VnWWND0w6rJtS IT ISOUWANTIO IU.EEL HEW THEVWANT. FDrY SlHCERELV, m EFFECTS l II ino iv NtWR AND e u Or WAiKivA. SENSE -- f rrrt-r- T0TUANKPD7 W- LKST, I MTO TiVTGN6 n. tunc rue material housed in poorly safeguarded plants and facilities throughout the former Soviet Union. "My concern is that the nuclear material could very easily...get to somebody who may want to use it in a terrorist incident or some other form of extortion, and we've had some types of nuclear extortion already occur within the world," says one FBI official. Ariel Cohen, a senior analyst at the weapons-grad- mm J UVVNKlDU rOK MY UrA0MJ6K rWGiMeBm post-Sovi- et from Russia, Ukraine, Georgia.. .Criminal organizations around the world recruit former KGB officers with expertise in eavesdropping, assassinations and paramilitary training. Russian newspapers today are full of advertisements selling luxury villas in the Spanish Riviera, incorporation services in Panama, and even dual citizenships, diplomatic passports and honorary consulate positions. It is little wonder that many of the buyers are Russian mobsters." It's also little wonder that Russian demagogues are gaining popularity by peddling simplistic solutions. The Zhirinovsky, who is considered a serious contender for the presidency, once promised to halt crime in a mere three months by arresting half a million people. He's also advocated public mass executions of 10,000 mobsters. That is relatively moderate in comparison to another Zhirinovsky solution: an alliance of sorts with organized crime in which they could continue drug trafficking and prostitution in exchange for leaving "legitimate" businesses alone. Exploiting widespread public fear and anxiety appears to be Zhirinovsky's path to power. It is the same path chosen by the most notorious criminal of this century and the one that many of Adolf Hitler Yeltsin's vals will try once again. neo-fasci- st Polish any rusty skills you may have, from Spanish to spreadsheet analysis. You never know what s going to save your job (or help you find the next one). 3. ) Learn from your mistakes. Everyone makes them, even your boss. Make a mental note (or write it down) st Your first reaction might be "not much." That's when the stress kicks in. Stress is linked not so much to workload, to risk or to challenge as it is to feeling a loss of control over the events that I New! Job security stress can be reduced by management The sad fact of life in the 1990s is that talented people will many face a difficult time hanging onto their jobs or finding new positions on par with the ones they Tost. And with the recent announcement of 40,000 layoffs by AT&T and impending layoffs as a result of the Wells Fargo-FirInterstate bank merger, it's hard to get up and go to work in the morning. A survey issued by Dale Carnegie Training found that nearly half (47 percent) of American workers reported 1995 as the most stressful year ever. Thirty-fiv- e percent indicated that their the primary reason for was situation job the increased stress. And with the announcements this month, 1996 isn't looking any rosier. What can you do to minimize your chances of falling under the ax of America's ongoing downsizing, rightsizing and If remains the nuclear biggest concern ultra-nationalis- ts director-designa- rwar Ads too risque in today's society, I As a teen-agagree with the bad influence of advertisements. As I sit down in front of the television to watch family-oriente- d programs, I am embarrassed by some of the scenes and pictures in commercials. Some of the scenes featured are indecent and pornographic. Please do not misunderstand; there are good and wholesome advertisements. Some of them are for wonderful America" or car causes, like a "Drug-Fre- e safety. But the ads I am concerned about are those that are plastered on buses and d billboards with things like people poised provocatively. While traveling through Las Vegas, Nev., I was shocked to see what I consider a pornographic billboard. It showed several women, barely dressed, posed disgustingly. The road that this was advertised on was one traveled by many people, and I am sure many of those people were children. A certain beer company was strongly encouraged to change their label because of an offensive finger that their character extended. The company claimed that the extended finger was merely a newly devised way to signal the bartender. What kinds of things are these forms of advertising saying to the youth and children of America? Is it that we no longer possesses morals? Is it, "Make the ad pornographic and you'll earn a few more er half-nake- bucks?" We can try to discourage this kind of advertising by doing several things: 1. Not participating in activities that feature such ads 2. Not buying or using products featur. ing such ads 3. Voicing your own opinion to stop these ads We can stop the progression of this type of advertising that is becoming more and more common in the American society by letting advertisers know that we have high morals and standards and wish to keep it that way. Nina Logan Orem as to what you did wrong, what the result was and how you could prevent it from happening again. One thing management does notice is a dramatic improvement in performance. 4. ) Learn to listen. Understanding what your company is really saying is essential in a downsizing environment. If your chief executive says it's time to "get back to basics" or "work on core competencies." it means your company is leaving certain businesses. What are your customers really asking for in today's market and what are they truly willing to spend? Do they feel you truly understand their business needs? 5. ) Increase your personal flexibility. Think twice before taking on any major financial commitments and plan on building up an extra financial cushion. n Scale back on that big bash you were planning for your son's college graduation. Think about establishing flexibility to relocate for a better position, either within the company or outside. 6. ) Take time. Think. Prioritize. Many times, people working in a tough work environment make hasty, wrong decisions that can haunt them later. and the fear of Manage your stress just like every other aspect downsizing of your business life. Identify the things you can control and take steps to manage them to your own advantage. Stuart R. Levine is chief executive officer of Dale Carnegie & Associates Inc., which is based in Garden City on New York 's Long Island, and of "The Leader In You: How to Win Friends, Influence People and Succeed in a Changing college-graduatio- or World " (Simon & Schuster). Ads not misleading As a person who prides himself on getting correct information out to the public, I was shocked to see a recent letter challenging the accuracy of AARP's ads on proposed Medicaid cuts. These ads are not misleading; they are "reality." I do agree that the ads do not paint a pretty picture, but we will face damaging consequences unless Utah residents speak up now. I was intrigued to read that the recent letter to the editor took issue with the statement "dangerous cuts," claiming that they are not "cuts," but rather "reductions." Let me tell you that the word "reductions'" is true political jargon. If it walks like a cut and talks like a cut ... it's a cut! Under the congressional budget package, Utah would lose $1 billion in federal Medicaid funds over the next sev en years. Compared to estimated spending under the current programs, this would be a reduction of 20 percent. In 2002 alone, Utah would lose $277.6 million, or 28.9 percent of federal Medicaid spending. That's money that Utah will have to replace if it is to continue to care for its most vulnerable citizens. The letter also argues with the AARP's position to protect Federal Nursing Home standards. The "standards" refer to the Federal Nursing Home Reform Law. Prior to the 1987 law, the use of psychoactive drugs on residents, physical restraints and a high occurrence of bedsores were relatively commonplace. This law was enacted, in part, because states were not adequately protecting nursing home residents and assuring quality care. Some will argue that the states can be trusted to maintain nursing home quality without any federal oversight; this argument ignores history and political oversight. Right now, powerful nursing home lobbyists are pushing to deregulate the industry. We must protect our oldest and most frail citizens. The letter also challenges whether the AARP cares about the impact on future generations. Well, I'll be glad to shout this viewpoint from a mountain top. As a grandfather of two wonderful grandchildren, I would never do or support anything that would hurt the future of my prandchildren or anyone else's children or grandchildren. Medicaid is not just a senior issue, it's issue. The reality of an what can happen if the proposed cuts go through is frightening. "The truth hurts", but it's not too late to speak up and protect the future of Medicaid for everyone. Kenneth Creer AARP state director Springville inter-generatio- Paper in jeopardy was angered by the results of the y Brigham Young University described in the Jan. 3 Salt Lake Tribune. This study could prevent The Daily Universe, the campus newspaper, from accurately informing the BYU community about the many issues that occur daily. Taking editorial control of the student newspaper away from students and faculty is contrary to the purpose of a university. This will be detrimental to BYU's reputation when the Northwest Association accreditation team visits the camI self-stud- 1 under constant pressure to withhold information or prejudice the truth in favor of university administrators. Yet we were tenacious enough to raise issues that the administration would rather bury, and do so fairly and accurately. In the process, we learned more than we ever could. in a classroom about the importance of speebfi and press freedoms. I hope Merrill Bateman, the new president, will understand the harm that would come from implementing the study's recommendations for the newspaper. President Bateman can show true leadership by leaving editorial and business control to those who have studied and practiced the ethics of journalism. Stephen Orem Provo urban renewal About 25 years ago the city building, which was located on the southeast corner of the intersection of Center Street and University Avenue became inadequate, so the city commission appointed a group of citizens to study and recommend a new site for the building. Provo City School District owned the south two-thirof the block between 300 West and 499 West, which was for sale to ds the city for $100,000. The buildings fronting on Center Street were old and some of the building walls were made of adobe and were leaning on each other so they could stand up. The committee thought that would be a good place to locate the new city building. The city commission began to purchase the land and buildings, having budgeted $800,000 for the purpose. The intention was to acquire all of the land and buildings over to 500 West, including where the library is now located. When the cost reached more than $1 million, the city commission decided to stop trying to acquire any more land or buildings. The motel and filling station on the corner were and maintained as they were. The committee considered the project to be an urban renewal project, as well as a new, d ed much-neede- city building. Hopefully, the city council and the mayor will restore Academy Square, which could also be considered an urban renewal project. pus in March. U Provo Letters policy 7. editor-in-chi- ef BY GARRY TRUDEAU AS TVE BEEN QH1L 6RAMM HAS PROPPED PY TO FXY HIS RESPECTS TO FARMER BENANDROS IHA sS Verl G. Dixon The study's statements and recommendations are contradictory. The Letters to the editor are welcome. Please committee describes the newspaper as "an them to: Editor, The Daily Herald, address important means of communication on P.O. Box 717, Provo, UT 84603-071FAX campus," yet it recommends "that the Communications Department no longer Letters must be signed and include the have editorial and business responsibiliwriters full name, address and daytime tele ties and oversight for The Universe." In phone number for verification. Preference is short, the administration would take com- given to letters that are typed, double spaced plete control of the newspaper's content. and less than 4UU words in length. I am a recent BYU graduate, and I Letters that are too long, unsigned, illeg served as of the Universe ible, obscene or libelous will not be pub during spring and summer. My staff was lished. Doonesbury YOU Jay Parker TELL TRYING TO Mf CHRISTIAN FRNDS, WOWttMCtS ABOUT SEE, FOU&tMERB t 1,1 ANP OXJVRALMK! THE VALUES VIRTUES OF OUR. PEOPLE.' I a x JT5 AT THE CORE OF HY8EJN6! you FOLKS GOT ANY OJESnONSr YBSHOU CQHEKXJ NEVER. SMILE? rr" fiL I souhat UNPOF XbusinessY |
