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Show 2 The Magna TlmeaWest Valley News, Thursday, April 11, 1996 Viewpoints Guest editorial Letters to To the editor: April 13 is the birthday equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of of a man who brought a revolutionary change in our lives. Never again would we be forced to do the will of a monarch. We would be the only country in the world where the people would choose their leader. We would be the freest in the world, and the world would follow our revolution. Thomas Jefferson, one of our greatest presidents, helped grant us the freedom and protection of our Bill of Rights, and was the main brilliant author of our Declaration of Independence, setting the tone for our revolution: We hold these truths to be that all men are created Happiness. He achieved enough knowledge to be a lawyer, architect, inventor, farmer, and author of the most interesting books, such as Notes n Virginia. This, and books of his compiled writings, which include his letters can be procured at any book store or library. His great thoughts are sure to raise your intelligence. Respectfully, John N. Marguire III Myrtle Beach, SC self-evide- Dear Editor: Senate due to the tactics of these The issue over the number of acres as wilderness that should be set aside in Utah has been in the news a great deal during the past year and it has probably been groups. The citizens of Utah have a right to be fairly represented. At the wilderness polls they elect representatives that will fight for their rights and values as citizens of the state. The fight over wilderness should not be left to the extremist environmental groups who would probably prefer that we all moved out of the state and left it to them for their private stomping rounds. worked over to death. As a Washington County official, however, I have become tired of standing by and watching eco-nucall for 5.7 acres of ts wilderness. First of all, most of the 5.7 acres they are proposing have never been studied by the BLM because they clearly do not meet the criteria. Of the acres that have been studied, many of them were found unsuitable for the same reason they do not meet the criteria set by Congress and the Department of the Interior. It is preposterous to ask the federal govern'menttb violate their own regulations just to satisfy the environmentally-con-sciou- s Ronald W. Thompson District Manager Washington 0 ed HOWARD STAHLE Publisher BONNIE STAHLE Advertising Manager Office Manager GARY R BLODGETT Editor KENT GOBLE SportsFeature Writer DEANNA JONES Arts I Entertainment Editor Production Manager DALE SIMONS Sports Columnist STACEY T CASE Staff Writer SHARON LINSCHOTEN Staff Writer Published each Thursday Subscription $15 per year $18 per year out of state Second class postage paid at Magna, Utah 84044 Postmaster Send change of address to: Magna Times 8980 W. 2700 So. Magna, UT 84044 (801) or FAX 250-565- (801) Today, powerful technology can connect a student to the library in another state or country. It can help you find a job, research a medical condition or get the latest stock market reports. But what if a childs parents or school cant afford a computer? What if you dont own a computer or know how to use it? The information superhighway threatens to widen the gap between the information rich and information poor even as it revolutionizes how we live, leam, work, and connect with one another. The solution to public access exists in virtually every community. Its doable and affordable its the library. Americas libraries have always been the great equalizer, helping people of all ages and back- grounds to lead better lives, regardless of their ability to pay. Over the years, their services have expanded to include not just ymRme message Libraries Chang'e Lives. Call. Visit. Log on. More and more people are getting access to information they need for their jobs, their health, finances, and just plain enjoyment WASHINGTON, D.C. - To preserve the protect the constitutional mandate of Americas forefathers, Utahs Republican Senator Bob Bennett joined in introducing legislation which will send much-needpower, flexibility and freedom to the states by reigning in the reach of the federal government, and legally restricting its activities to only those outlined in the U.S. Constitution. In announcing introduction of the bill, Bennett cited the words of James Madison, the father of the Constitution, who said, The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government, are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the statfe governments are numerous and indefinite. In a relatively short period of time, we have all but completely departed from the original, and sage, intent of our forefathers. To return us to this principle, we must reinforce a trust in state and local officials to make their own decisions. We must carry the banner that government is most efficient, and more responsible, when it is closest to the people. 8980 West 2700 South Magna, Utah 84044 J PRESIDENT AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION at their libraries. They are the lucky ones. Nationally only about one in five public libraries offer public access to the Internet, the vast network of computer networks which makes up the information superhighway. Even fewer school libraries are on-li- connected. How our government confronts the challenge of developing our national information network will test one of our most basic values in a democracy society public access to information. Just as not everyone can afford to buy all the books they need; some cant afford computers and expensive charge. In fact, the most recent statistics show that only one in 10 Americans has access to the vast network of databases known as the information superon-li- ne highway. Political leaders as diverse as Vice President Albert Gore, Jr., and Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (who called libraries investthe most ment in learning that we can make) agree that our nations libraries must be linked to the cost-effecti- information superhighway. We need more than words, however, if there is to be equity on the information superhighway. Many of those seeking to influence our nations telecommunications policies are driven by a profit motive. an TJwyJiays,,49fiikPffi5tet.s access to power at the highest levels. Unless steps are taken to protect the public interest, the information superhighway will most likely be available only to those who can afford to pay the charges. Bennett moves to return power to states, introduces bill to enforce 10th amendment MAGNA TIMES 325-58- J.TUROCK 14-2- 9, Editor TimesWV News Magna 8980 W. 2700 So. Magna , Utah 84044 ts by BETTY books, but magazines, videotapes, CDs, telephone reference, and computers. And they provide something more, the professional assistance of a librarian. In the age of electronic information, this role is more critical than ever. Water The theme for National Library celebrates the Week, April of changing role todays libraries n Opinions? Send letters to: public. have Secondly, these eco-nutaken it upon themselves to represent the majority of Utahns. This is simply not the case. The local government officials who do represent the majority helped draft the first wilderness proposal that was recently rejected by the U.S. US PS County Conservancy District St. George Who will ride the information superhighway? The 250-568- Tenth Amendment Enforcement Act of 1996, which Bennett introduced today with its lead author, Senator Ted Stevens ), requires the federal government to restrict its legislative regulatory activities to only those powers delegated to the federal The Magna Timet it a bonified newtpeper. Member of the Utah Press Ateodetion 4 ple. powers not delegated by the Constitution, and the states may exercise all powers not withheld by the Constitution. Federal laws may not interfere with state or local powers unless congress expressly declares its intent to do so and cites its specific constitutional authority. The legislation introduced includes the following provisions: Congress finds that the 10th Amendment means what it says: the federal government has no Members of the Senate and the House have the ability to raise a point of order challenging any bill that lacks such a declaration or the under Constitution. The 10th Amendment reads as follows: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the peo- government IT NEVER FAILS Nothing is more important to the future of our democracy than ensuring public access to information. We live in an information society. Our jobs, our education, g of our the health, and families depend on it. Today, more and more of the information we need is in computers. That is why we need all of our nations public, well-bein- school, college, and university libraries on-lin- e. If Americans are to continue to enjoy the same open access to information that we do today, our communities, states, and federal government must invest in libraries as centers for information in all forms electronic as well as print. The new provision for discounted telecommunications rates for libraries must be enforced. Congress must also act to ensure that any change in copyright policy protects fair use of electronic information by library users. If all people not just those who are rich enough or smart to be able to ride the enough information superhighway, it will take leadership from our elected representatives of all political persuasions. And it will require those who stand most to benefit members of the public support, not just their local libraries, but all libraries in their efforts to ensure that all people have the y informa-,tjPlLft?- wjbggyn u f. i . .f lUUU ( IMJIIilll . print,?-on-line- JUS The 21st century is almost here. Americans cant wait for equity on the information superhighway. at their They need it now libraries. that cite insufficient constitutional authority. Syph a point of order would require a three-fifth- s major- - Federal Agency rules and regulations may not interfere with state or local powers without constitutional authority cited by Congress. Agencies must allow states notice and opportunity to be heard in the rulemaking process. Courts are instructed to strictly construe federal laws and regulations that interfere with state powers, with a presumption in favor of state authority and against federal preemption. |