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Show Is It Really Utah Bashing? By Lee Raszczynskl It seems these days that If anyone says anything about Utah In a critical format, It Is considered to be Utah bashing. I was sitting in class and made a comment with regard to some small businesses and their disinterest In exporting. Immediately a fellow student said, "Oh, here we go again with this Utah bashing crap." For a moment, I almost took offense, but then I thought and gave the subject some came up with this column. Many times those of us from outside the state are transferred here thinking that we have been doomed to a theocracy. We have extremely biased views on many different subjects based on contrasting opinions of what we've heard from varied parts of the country. Subsequently, we tend to voice those opinions in various ways and through several different forums that However, many times are Inappropriate. considering the culture shock that many of us suffer when we first get here, perhaps a more tolerant view would be offered. Please understand, I make no excuses; I'm Just giving reasons for what may appear to be a prejudicial view of a state that has a great deal to offer, but could use some definite changes despite the belief of those who still consider this to be the Land of In-dep- th ' ng problems with "y "l "7 "'' 11,11 Lingerie Pipes , T? mn ( ill ' & i Halloween ft 33 E. 2100 So. 1074 wwf to their neighbors In spite of their religious orientation. From an outsider's view, when a church leader has to tell its worldwide congregation that they have to make an effort to be more friendly, would the effort not seem a bit contrived? Most recently, we have had the opportunity to witness some of the most outrageous demonstrations of religious ordeal. fanaticism with the Slnger-Swap- p went and the newswire When this story hit Utah's over all out the country, image once a black eye. . This again suffered unbelievable stand-of- f happened Just after the trail of Mark Hoffman and that The Singer-Swap- p continuing saga. Hoffman affair, and the the incident, on-goi- - jr' D b F1 fftti"1 - Vaterpipes 8 G - - - TJTJ Ideas ... - Adult Novelty .ho.. tf . Toys Jewdxy . Cards Hooeiy Hours the many M-T- 10 a.m.- - 7 p.m. FY4 10 ausn.- - 9 p.m3 Sat 11 a.m.- - 7 .? p.m. Sun i p.m. - 6 pia. ti polygamist communities continue to wreak ML havoc on Utah and give a certain validity to t turn. I this being a state for religious lunacy. The last item that gives many of us great concern is the education system In the state. The most recently published facts state that Utah is 49 out of 50 states in academic status. In fact, Utah is ranked Just above Mississippi and yet we have these tax rollback fanatics that say If we cut taxes, education is going to get better. Folks, I don't know where those people learned arithmetic, but that statement Just doesnt add up. I sincerely hope that the . are Zion. social drinkers, can you image how rollbacks are voted down, because none of By Lee Roszczynski Just recently there was a study us want higher education bills or lower foreign it must seem to be unable just to at hill are the it conducted to assess Utah's image and to student IQs. Well, the old boys on order a drink without jumping through all see to a take to want Now establish if there really Is a problem. This the legislative hoops set forth by our poll they These are Just three areas that have again. all In banned be should to with head the a if brown bags concern was brought eating illustrious moral majority? Is it really fair to been susceptible to what has been the Is on This the state. in establishments release of the state's new slogan, Utah, a considered Utah bashing. But, in all heels of a statement from the LDS Church inflict this kind of restraint on individuals I a was state. In 0f different ethic an religious backgrounds pretty, great sitting fairness, I must ask you Utah natives to put meeting Just alter the release and Governor yourselves In our shoes. What if you came to remove all beer from the convenience simply because there is no tolerance for those differences here? Dangertcr said that the slogan did Just what here from an area that was relatively free of stores. Will it ever end? I sometimes think that those in power everyone wanted it to and that was to cause religious predjudice, where there were no One of the arguments in favor of an upheaval of emotion. There was a conceivable are this state in way using every removing beer and brown bags is that oppressive liquor laws, where there was no barrage of commercials touting the state's polygamy, and the education system was possible to damage Utah's image and drive Utahns drink more than their counterparts educational system, recreational activities, in other states. Its no wonder there is regarded? I would venture, to say out every outsider. and lifestyle that accompanied the slogan. highly from the state is suffering Presently, such a problem when one considers the that your attitudes would be greatly some very tough economic times. The ramifications of living in such an oppressive Many of us from thought that changed. this was Just another way of rising to new This state has a great deal to offer. It economic development group for the state society. When someone who has been fine to of was and that it heights mediocrity has some of the best skiing In the world, it is trying everything possible to convince deprived for years comes upon something be Just an okay state. major corporations to move here to create new and different, what happens? I think offers a magnificent array of recreational Another area that we outsiders tend answer Is clear. and It has some of the best new Jobs and develop a larger tax base to to hammer is the cloistered society here In activities, the for the future. And yet, we ensure growth as yeSf there are problems when in However, long country. Utah. This particular view stems from colleges as there continues to be no separation of have these moralistic mashoclsts who, at individuals drink too much, there is no many of those who have transferred in from church and state, as long as religious every turn, try to mandate morality for the denying that, but should the whole of different parts of the country finding it fanatics are of the world and it does nothing but SOCiety pay for the inadequacies of the few? protected, and as long as its rest extremely hard to develop friends simply education system falters more and more irreparably damage the state time and time i think tlme is long overdue when due to a difference In religious affiliation. each again. if the attitudes of to the to will state ourselves we need suffer ask continue I cannot fathom a philosophy that This can be validated by the fact that the an year, is needed for will one for which are and those what it in power really image problem LDS Church at Its conference last year told believes a can be state that totally state. We of the the growth Its members to start being more receptive pay dearly. No man is an island, no state need iong.term to ask If there are changes to be made is a country. When a firm comes here to an(j allowing another liquor law to be review the state s offerings, it not only we cause ourselves more harm and comes to look at the cheap, but passed, damage our image, when we need workforce, it comes to see if again, is so it really worth it? badly, the employees of that firm will be happy help Must once again, see a mandated we, here. A company will not flourish if its morality for all as opposed to encouraging a employees find the societal atmosphere tolerance of those who subscribe to the unrcecptlve. Part of being unreceptve Is an usc oflhc ms and allo'wl the frecdom Jys of soclallzln8 and of choice for those who choosf to abstain? imbibing In alcoholic beverages If lhese ch passed. When a company comes here and Its lndeed ,sc our hf 1, and a lot czunts. principals arc Jewish or Catholic, and they morc where lt .IHWIf. i Mandated Morality out-of-sta- te self-sufficie- well-educat- ed fr 7-1- Gem: FROZ E N YOGURT BUY OWE GET ONE -- apoon rrozen Yogurt, ana we will treat you to portion FREE. We feature 8 flavors daily along with 30 different toppings. Limit one coupon per person-n- ot good with any other offer. Expires Nov. 30, 1988 - 7 6 Forum 8-o- z. October 25, 1988 Issue 5 |