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Show Editorials ! Editor's Column This college needs an end to intellectual constipation What I did during spring break: am writing in response to the February 23 Forum which published several opinions about Trevor Mavin and his writings. Metamorphosis and a voice mail service I IthinkTtemhistokM TurmcUison tion is restricted by ignorance ...Tunnel vision is caused by optic fungus that multiplies when the brain is less energetic than the ego ... That is why virtually every revolution in history has failed ... What limits people is that they dont have the ... nerve or imagination to star in their own movie, let alone direct it. Right from the get go letme say that in the past month and a half I have come to the by Liz Peterson Forum editor A circle was completed when I visited my parents in Hinckley, Utah for 24 hours during spring break. My parents, naturally, are responsible for teaching me about life according to the guidelines of their world. This world would include growing up during the Great Depression, going from horses to automobiles, and moving up to indoor plumbing and remote control televisions. They taught me the values and skills of the world they were familiar with. However, those values and skills have changed, and now those who grew up in my parents generation are trying to adapt to what exists in mine. When I arrived at my parents house last week, my mother began telling me of all of the Hinckley people. Duane had a stroke, and so did Walt Manis. Phyllis Galli has lupus. Thorpe Waddingham is establishing new views of feminism. Han Cropper has gangrene in his legs. Jim Christensen has a heart condition. These people are all growing old, and not very gracefully. I was thinking from listening to my mother that the people who had helped create my entire childhood experience arc changing irreversibly, so that I now have nothing concrete to remind me of what it had been all about only memo ries. When I talked with my mother I thought of Darwins theory that a species must either adapt or die. My father needed a favor Wednesday Continued on Page 8 isVdi'se ufwhich pcrccp-- and press and other such nonsense. Had they thought at all, Im sure they would have amended it right then and there. No doubt, they would aspect or express ideas wantplei think dissat- norm or to everyone thirds the sttaeAing, talks the same . of saying something, out of humor, that might be offensive to some individual or group. This college needs an end to the intel- lectual constipation so symptomatic of this pervasive and limiting movement that, like sewage, stagnates all that is good. But, lest I waste too much time on the movement itself, lets consider these editorials. Well start with Dr. George E. and K.C. Geipheidc. I cant find a logical justification that gives you the intellectual Omnipotence to advocate censorship (They the racist com- ... have absolutely no place in any publication.) These thoughts would be appro; priate in the blissful world of conservative ignorance and mediocrity, but not here, not now. And I say that Trevor Mavin owes no one an apology. I hope that you would agree that no decent person could be expected to apologize for an individual's (or groups) lack of vision (and humor). Furthermore, have you everheard that this is afree country? Dontbe too alarmed now, lots of people around here dont seem to know this either. Theyll be equally surprised, Rich Erwin for example. Hey Rich, that document called the Consti- tution is a pretty neat little document; try to really read it sometime. But hey, I understand. I think our forefathers really couldnt imagine a song like Cop Killer when they passed the Bill of Rights with all that freedom of speech togfaeaS'onotomervmisrnwte con- wy express trary to the accepted isfaetion with the government or any of its agencies. Surely you agree that the idea of rights was a bad one! Shame on you. Professor Rich! The advocacy of censorship or any limitation on what this nation was founded upon is misguided, illogical, repressive, and, frankly, as Im sure youll understand, very But, enough time here, lets c y efits of a ow Wei Kinyon! Lets write on behalf of the Deacons of this congregation to express appreciation for the cooperation we received from the faculty, staff and students of Westminster College in promoting our recent blood drive in conjunction with IHC Blood Services. We wish to pay special thanks to Liz Peterson, in her capacity as editor for your campus newspaper, and the Nick McClure for his helpful guidance and encouragement. Our hope and bust is that we may be able to share in future cooperation ventures, bringing our respective families into closer relationship as we seek to address the needs and concerns of the broader community. With all good wishes and our gratitude. David C. Lee cc. Frank Chuk John Marsh Page 2 forum . , , J . 1S . , of , , pom-advoca- (what-lyzingfe- ar tree thought under the heady yokes of Progress, The Right, and paternalism: little , McCarthys in students clothing. Oppression never equaled liberty or freedom. Those views advocate something deplorable, somethingbest leftinthedarkrecessesofthepasttoberemem- bered but never resurrected. The flushing out of suc views at this college was a welcome revelation, and your performance in this task ts was exemplary. Much appreciated and gender specific ethnic deity bless. Oh, and tian you Trevor, for giving this college a much needed enema and giving me a good non-men- ed t non-gend- er he-he- non-specif- ic SophomoreHistory and philosophy at-Ta- ke anti-semite- ), burn your Aristotle and Hemingway (they were, as many say, sexists), disregard Nietzsche (he was, God forbid, an elitist). Down with education! Down with the past! Lets place moral judgments on every war in Rome, the Caesars took over as The recent controversy invites readers to absolutists. These dictators allowed only think through these issues providing banal gossip and trading in the forum a we allow no Caesarean voice of right-reness to force its point of view on us, tragedy. The Westminster Forum faces the chal- - whether it be Mavins voice or an oppo-lcng- e of the Caesars: If voices of right- - nentofit. ness succeed in controlling the readers of Since the controversy continues, it indi- the Forum , then only those right ideas cates that our Forum is still free. To me, it will likely emerge. A new absolutism will ispreciscly what a college newspaper should be in control, whether we call it political be. But all sides of the debate should bear correctness or some other dogma that in- - some history in mind: once Caesar did take sists we not think for ourselves. Our Forum over, there was no going back. For centu-wi- ll relive an old tragedy called banality, ries Romans submitted to the Caesars who I found the writingsof Mavin and about became both law and god. Intellect stag-Angin and this witty, crazy world, a nated. Freedoms disappeared. So I offer the a is so smile welcome. laugh, Sexism, . laurel wreath to all who had the courage to racism etc. was not an issue because I took, practice, rather than simply enshrine, our their writings in the spirit they were of- - freedom of speech, fered: humor in service of stimulating our grey cells. As a college teacher, intellec- - Michael Markowski tual stimulation is my classroom goal. I do Assistant Professor of History March 9, 1993 A . of humor, and no sense critical thinking, a of the nation we all live in. Most importantly, te you exude an abundance of overzealous posity showing, in essence, that you think that you are better in your conform: st niche than one ares spedc out and be himierself w ever kPP6? to that Uttle experiment called equality?). It is thoughts like these that stifle see, Concerning Mavin, Angus and their opponents: Wasatch Presbyterian The word forum is Latin. It denotes a my best to encourage all students to think Church thanks us for public center of a Roman city where people through ideas for themselves and to come discussed matters trivial and impor- - to their own conclusions (not those of blood drive participation openly tant. However, after a long period of civil someone else, or worse, of some dogma), I . to cjs vls1IyfseI5e0 lxk Kim ... you state that you are writing as an of personal expression through mu- sic and other forms of art (I would hope this includes journalism, certainly a written art). I shouldnt have to say more, but just in case I havent quite made my point, ponder, if you will, this little thought: Mavin, when writing this review (among everything else), was ex-ercising his right of personal expression. Surely, you are not offended by the very thing you advocate, are you? Lets not have hypoc- risy here, Kim. And finally, just a few generalized com- ments about the many people who have writ- ten in to the Forum about Mavin s articles editorials. I dont feel that the journalistic writing in the Forum should feel to use such PC terms as specific ), car! or humor a deficient, or (like ethnicity .Thanks butno thanks, with political correctness; its hell In fact, to such a drab and lifeless concept. Geez, people, get some skin, toughen up a little, laugh a bit, youll enjoy life more. What has happened to the intelligence in this country, indeed, at this college? If you cant handle the concept of freedom, and that other people have the right to exercise it without being personally tacked, go home and tune into RushLimbaugh, throw away your Wagner tapes (he was and hard-press- ) PeoP e , ed widt the freedom tha they ve least t0 their person. 'Hie majority of the an. TwtoelrsforKim burinstrad asuuT al , us . Staff Writers: Elys Bank, Steven Beckstead, Stephanie Carlton, Judy Connor, Tamera Evans, Christy Fender, Ann Gambrino, Calvin Harrington, Dawn Kennally, Jane Luger, Trevor Mavin, Douglas Murray, David Neisler, Kimberly Pfaff, Blessing Ream, Kathryn Smith, Cheri Stringham. Photo Staff; Alex Ferguson, Temmie Fleming, Amy Friberg, Amanda Johnsen, Doug Murray, Mike Weaver. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Fred Fogo The Forum is published every Tuesday. The address is 1840 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84105. The Forum editorial staff encourages letters from students (include major), faculty and all other readers. Submissions must be sent to Converse Hall, room 205, no later than 3 p.m., the weekprior to publication. Due to limited space availability, the Forum editors reservp the right to edit all copy submitted.' Opinions expressed on the editorial or commentary pages are those of the writers and are not to be construed as those of the Forum, Associated Students of Westminster College, the College adrptjuistration, faculty or staff. Mail subscriptions are $20 per year. |