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Show AA2 The Salt Lake Tribune When Election’s About Ego, Sunday, March 31, 1996 eraeePale) ilaad FOREIGN COUNTERFEIToto~ And No Longer About Ideas COKIE ROBERTS STEVEN ROBERTS a ati COMMENTARY parties The GreenParty in California nominat- THNSTRANDOF launchinga late attempt to get the con- HAIR IN EACH BILL ed Ralph Nader, and the Greens are sumer activist on the ballot in New York. Nader knows hehas no chance of winning the presidencybut. in a tight election, he could drain enough votes awayfromClinton to throw thecrucial state of Califor- a THESIS ; nia to Dole. Nader's reaction to a question on NBC DESIGN Newsabout howhewouldfeel about cost- ing Clinton the election? “He deserves it.” Why? Because the president hasn't WASHINGTON — This is not about me,” said Ross Perot to Larry King over and overthe other night. Oh. no? Then, whois “this” about? Perot's answer, of course, is that it’s the country he’s concerned about; that's why he’s taunting the DemocraticandRepublican candidates with the possibility of another presidential run. Pat Buchanan claims it’s the Republican Party he’s going to rescuewith his tantalizing talk of forming another party, and Ralph Nader proclaims it’s the issues that have mph speedlimit. Give us a break! That’s is retiring, meaning the amendment could succeed in the next Congress. If Perot however, is to fragment the dates That wouldn't be so bad if it weren't also affecting the waythose candidates really wants to see the House Republican agenda enacted, it would seemlogical for him to swallow Bob Dole’s prescription for success — elect a Republican president to sign Republican legislation. Instead, Republicans worry that Perot's candidacywill have just the opposite effect, that he'll take enough votes away from Bob Dole to elect Bill Clinton. Perot bristles at that analysis; he points to exit Juror Didn't Hear Whole Story Kelvin K. Ortonlast week in CedarCity, 1 am convinced there is good reason to made his case to the electorate, and the the winner, Instead, Buchananrefuses to shut the door completely on the prospect of an independent party candidacy At least Buchananput himself in the line of fire — he stirred up the faithful, listened to the discontent, visited the factories and farms, strong-armed the giv- ers, stayed in the cheap motels, consumed the bad food, handled the press — at least he campaigned, went to the voters thinking what theyhad to say mattered The other potential spoilers don't deign to do that. They spend their time talking, not listening — and what theysay sounds are complaining about Ironically, the nomineesof the two ma- jor parties happen to be men who, if they could shakeoff these non-compromisers from the outside, could make Washington work better. How do they do that when there are people with platformsout there sniping. not helping? There’s nothing sacrosanct about the Democratic and Republican parties; voices from outside the mainstream have played a significant role throughout our history. Third-party candidates make a difference when theyrepresent causes — as RossPerot did by bringing the federal deficit to the forefront of Americanat- tention four years ago. Oncethe cause is already on the agenda and the hopeless candidate's still in the race — then the campaign's no longer about ideas, it’s only about ego. Political Season Is the Time To Accentuate Differences democratic solution, and it surely beats gunplayor car bombs. Which is why it is wonderful to hear from folks who have a firm grasp of this truth. Such as another, more polite reader friend who wrote, “I have read your columnfora long time. As a goodcitizen and voter, I think you are getting more biased each year. Of course, that is ‘your’ privilege. Thank goodness, this is Ameri- ca and we can have our ownideas — that aren't so narrow. Youwill keep writing, and I'll keep reading. But we don’t have DALLAS MORNING NEWS DALLAS — The other day I mentioned a letter from a readerfriend, and mywife snorted, “He's not your friend — his letter said you reminded him of 10 gallons of bleep in a five-gallon bucket!” She is wrong, for once, Because (A) anybodywhoreadsthis stuff regularly in the newspaper is helping to put groceries on our table. And (B) it is the political season, which means it is OK to talk ugly about people who like thevillain running against yourhero. This just goes with the season. no matter which party you and your hero arein. A couple of decades ago, a bunch of folks in the news departmentwerestirred to open revolt by a promotion departmentsign thatsaid, “Why do people take our newspaper? Funky Winkerbean.” Theyhad a picture takenwith this offending sign and themselves, scowling fiercely Their contention was that all our subscribers were drawn bytheirbrilliant reporting of the news, not by some dopey comic strip. But we all were a lot younger in those days. Manygood newspapers have died since then, as literacy rates and readership keep dropping. I believe that many of these purists have come around to my wayof thinking, based on growing up ona farm town weekly: We ruraltypes had an ability to recognize manure when we saw it, and so we didn’t buytheline that read- ers were moldable masses whom it was our duty to lead to enlightenment — we saw them as the customers whose custom kept us eating regularly. Some gentle souls refer to reader let- ters with such phrases as hate mail. Not me. In this country, swinging verbally from the floor is an acceptable part of finding a to take your ideas or philosophy.” Verytrue. Let's all thank goodness, between bouts of slanging each other this year,that this reader hasit exactly right about this wild and woolly campaign sport — whywe haveit and what it is for. Heor shesigns off only as “a citizen who began voting before you ever did.” This “citizen,” undoubtedly a fellow se- nior, owes allegiances to the Democratic Party, I think. Seniors are the most Democratic voters of all age groups, as old New Dealers. Four decades of writing stuff from my own narrow Republican biases have taught me to recognize letters from citizens who are prepared to overlook my having biases, rather than the sound Democratic convictions they favor. I appreciate that and am equally tolerant of their Democratic quirk. Almost every observer of America for the past two centuries has marveled over the way that Americans can differ com- pletely on oneissue andyetstill get along and cooperate on other subjects and lev- els of activity. Al and Fred may have op- failed (he scored a -24, whichis considered terrible failure). Ironically, no lie detector test was suggested to Officer Or- ton originally by the Cedar City police chief, who is a strong proponent of lie detector tests. It wasn't until months lat- Apparently the lawis: polygraph re- sults can only be admitted in courtif the defense and prosecution agree to it. The defense cleverly denied its admission, and Orton continues on duty now, If lie detector tests can’t be used in court unless a defendant agrees to it, whygive such tests, and whydopolice often throw such tests at the public? Maybe it de- pends on whichsideofthe fence yousit Maybe what a juryhears should be called “carefully selected truths,” There were other statements gathered by Davis County from other women who had been given a police escort back to town, I gained a newfeeling for the motto to protect and defend.” doubting them, not trusting them? Give mea break! The public would be better served by calling the press next time they needhelp. JAMES A. SPAAK CedarCity o Put Animal Cruelty on Agenda Utah’s political and business leaders love to praise Utah's virtues to the world, as if we are the center of the universe, especially nowas we celebrate the centennial and prepare to host the Olympics. But are theseloftyclaims true? A state in which intentional, horrific crimes of violence against animals are commonplace and rarely punished definitely needs im- (Forum, March 15) who was upset when Utah Jazz player John Stockton didn't sign an autograph for her children. She wanted a response from the Jazz organization, and she will probably get it and she is going to get mine too. I haveseen those little darlings asking the Jazz players for autographs. Asking? Theyshove a piece of paper in their face without a word and grabit back without so much as a please or thank-you or a C misdemeanorin Utah. We think this is obscene, asit certainly doesn't reflect the values that mostof our societyplaces on our companion animals. HB303 would increase the penalities for aggravated cruelty to non-agricultur- al animals, up to a third-degree felony for repeat offenses. It's fair. it’s reason- able, andit’s not extreme, as we saw during the regular session when the Natural Resources Committee of the House gave unprecedented support to legislation protecting animals and the Houseof Representatives voted 65-1 in favor ofit, only to have it brushed aside in the Senate. dent LaneBeattie that they would get to it before the session ended. roots, volunteer efforts to collect 30,000 petition signatures and writing letters the agenda of an upcoming special ses- sion CHERYL SMITH Voices Against Violence Coalition Wasatch Humane Salt Lake City ety. Wanting more information before bors, she was told they would send it sometime in May, but wanted her help right away. Investigating further she learned the call came from Oakland, Calif., and, contraryto what she had been told, there wasnolocaloffice, and funds were to be mailed out of Utah. The National Charities Information Bureau, a government organization which sets criteria for rating charities, received a re- port from the National Children’s Cancer Society, but it did not contain sufficient information to be rated. by NCIB andhas a local office providing information and help on local level. The ACS fund drive in April raises money which is used right here in Utah. So far. no informationis available as to where or how moneycollected by National Children's Cancer Societyis used. Until more is known and can be verified, stick with an organization you know, that has a proven track record and provideshelp to you and your loved ones locally. When someone asks youfor your support in the fight against cancer, make sure you know who it is and support your local American Cancer Society. PATRICIA BRUSKIEWICZ Salt Lake City name onit? Sell it? Trade it? Throwit away someday? For this you want these Oo rupt their outing with their families? Wrong! They are not public property. They have a high-profile job and get paid well to do it. They do not belong to you. They have a right to a private life, as much as youdo. Give thema break. Let them go to a Buzz game and see the whole thing without kids bugging them. this decade has been settled. Mayor Deedee has given the green light to square- mento give up their privacy and inter- If your kids really want an autograph. the Jazz team has signing parties all the time. Take them to one or buy them a shirt Youpayyour $50 for your seat and you get your money's worth. Fifty dollars does not allow you to bug this man at a baseball game. If you want him to know that you recognize him, just holler, “Hi, John, we love you.” That will get a smile andis better than a torn piece of paper. DIANE LIMBERG Murray Yippee! _ It appears that one of the vitalissues of dancing on Main Street. In commemora- tion of this historic event, it seems only right that a little jingle should be composed, because, after all, it stands right up there with the Monroe Doctrine. Let's all give three cheers for Mayor Deedee, whoit seems,bless her, has said si si. You maydance on MainStreet‘til you're dead on your feet. Oh, wouldst that I couldst dance with Mayor Deedee One thing is certain, I've got a better chanceof playing center on the Jazz than being namedpoet laureate. DON BROOKS Salt Lake City o provement. zens, especially those who cannot speak for themselves. Animal cruelty of even the most unspeakable kind is only a Class called National Children’s Cancer Sociagreeing to solicit donations from neigh- As a volunteer with the American Can- We canstart by passing House Bill 303 and other bills that would protect our state's most innocent and vulnerableciti- Recentlya friend was called and asked to help raise money for an organization cer Society, | knowthat it is highly rated Not Public Property I am responding to theletter writer Tell me. lady, what did your kids want to do with that piece of paper with John's doesn'tdie here. Wekindly ask him to put HB303, the now-famous Utah Animal Cruelty Act, on to get there lished. @ Mail to Public Forum, The Salt Lake Tribune, P.O, Box 867, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110, @ Our fax number is (801) 2372022. word of admiration opinion writers are hiredto do. I aim to keep writing such stuff and am happythat my friend aims to keep reading it. Manyof us greatly enjoy hearing not only our own side’s sacred convictions, principles and beliefs but also the other side's nutty biases, delusions and no matter which direction we come from ceived, not all submissions are pub- were excluded dueto thestatute of limi- should condoneforcible sexual crimes. In the Orton case, after he was acquitted and the local radio announced Orton Now, we turn to Gov. Leavitt: It is up to him to make sure “Daug” Dougherty didn’t die in vain and that our many months and thousands of hours of grass- It is the American wayand works well. eters are condensed andedited. Becauseof the volumeof mail re- tations, I guess after a few years, we about mygetting more biased. Onecitizen’s opinion is what another citizen sees as bias — but opinion, notclinically ob- prejudices. Here, we can do that @ Pleasetype and doublespace. er, when Davis County undertookthe in- This despite promises from Senate Presi- jective, nonpartisan reporting, is what @ Keepit short. Concise letters developing a single theme are morelikely to be published. vestigation, that he was given thetest posite views on how much immersionis required for a baptism but still be teammatesin the bowling league and co-workers who can get the job doneeffectively. I surely hope mycitizen friend is right er than your name and the city in which you live are kept confidential. I kept asking myself why the jury didn’t get a chanceto hear about thelie detector test Officer Orton took but And our officials complain about us JIM WRIGHT telephone numbers. Information oth- things are excluded from the jurors. I still end up shaking your head in disgust actly what the people who support Perot name,signature, address and daytime wasremindedof the 0.J. Simpson case — every state, and, perhaps more significant, he denied the winner a majority — making it harder to govern, which is ex- Hedid not, however, draw equallyin @ When submitting letters to the Public Forum,pleaseinclude your full question the legal system when so many Bill Clinton might be spending their time now trying to enact laws that actually do some good. “Spoiler” is not a term these men want vast majority of Republican voters rejected him. That means it’s time to accept defeat and go home, or go out and campaign for RoseLAW FRM Fic CancerCharities Where to Write Rape victims, beware! After sitting through the rapetrial of police officer no matter what position one takes, you'll Pat Buchanan —WAPERNAME Letters from The Tribune's readers fromBill Clinton and George Bush equally four yearsago. see what else they are, -RECYLED ERSIREDDED THE PUBLIC FORUM polls showing that he drew voters away to hear applied to them, but it’s hard to MONKEES in the Senate. and the only Republican govern. Were they not worrying about the Pat Buchanans, Ross Perots and Ralph Nadersof the world, Bob Dole and 4 PRINTED ON party? One. the failure to approve a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, and, two, no Republican followthrough onthe “Contract With America What would he do to right these who opposedit, Oregon's Mark Hatfield, electorate, making it harder to come to ‘ “ BENERANKLINS WEBSITE Perot. His reasons for mounting a third light. Payattention to me, these guys are tion, / LYRICSTO WNRELEASED MICROPRINTEDINCOLLAR, Andif you think Ralph Nader's making unreasonable demands, listen to Ross saying, and we in the media are happy to oblige if it looks like anyorall of them consensus behind the major party candi- ps REPLACES SEC. OF TREASURY, the presidential litmus test? wrongs? Typically, Perot doesn't tell us. Thebalanced budget missed by one vote tirely possible. Theeffect of this atten- PITINOS Clinton's greatest sin: He signed abill eliminating the federally mandated 55 brought himintothe presidential game. Let's get real here. “This” is about national mediaattention. Time in thespot- could make a difference in the outcome of the election Given the fact that we elect our presidentsin state-by-state contests,that’s en- VeAareread segs been 100 percent pureonthe issues that matter to Ralph Nader OneVoter's Agenda Asvoters, we are being inundated with the usual barrage of mail and TVads for those seeking political office. And always the candidates speak in terms of general- ities or busy themselves attacking their opponents. Theywill say theyare for this or against that but few.if any, have concrete suggestions or ideas that they intend to pursue. The reason for this is ob- vious. For incumbents and would-be public school classroomsand better ani- mal control in our public parks and on our streets. Nationally, we have a serious need for term limits to get rid of career politicians. a serious and long-overdue need to re- vampthe nation’s tax system, we need to have a much harsher penalty for those who deal drugs and usefirearms in the commission of felony crimes, we need to politicians. it is a job that they want to get outlaw radar detectors which allow the statement of their intended objectives is to risk stepping on toes and losing potential votes. people to drive at reckless speeds with impunity, we needto limit the number of appeals in our court system, we need to come up with some new and different approaches to controlling illegal immigra- and then to keep, andto betoo specific in I am tired of hearing of political gridlock, mud-slinging and emptypromises. I want someone with thepolitical courage to stand up andstate in clear, precise terms just which problems theyfeel are priorities to be dealt with and precisely howthey, as individual politicians, plan to deal with the problemsthey have identified as important Hereare a fewsuggestionsof just what kinds of problems we, ascitizens. are concerned with: Locally, increasing gang vio- lence, a distinct lack of needed law enforcementonourinterstates, excessively high propertytaxes, little enforcement of existing laws against minors purchasing cigarettes and alcoholic products, little enforcement of existing liability insurance requirementsfor all car owners, not strong enough consequencesfor drunken drivers and repeat criminals, a big need for getting disruptive students out of our ( , tion and to do awaywith all tax-funded Support programs for those who are not legal citizens of the United States. Weneed more programs like the one that allows young people to do public service for collegetuition credit. We need to better utilize thosein the armed forces to combat drug trafficking and immigration problems. We need to do awaywith cor- porate fvelfare and invest more in the communities where the people who will be the Americans of tomorrowlive and work. We need to move from government by plutocracyand special-interest groups by doing away with the need to have millionsof dollars to run successfully for po- litical office. Now tell me how you are going to change these things and I will listen to what you have to say. FRANK BENSON Salt Lake City |