Salt Lake Tribune | 1997-09-24 | Page 74

South Edition Wednesday, September 24, 1997 Citizens Letters Continued from Page I Thanksforthe photos This letter would like to compli- Jr., and theearlycivil rights move- derful photos ofthe adoptable pets, ment, though there is still roomfor improvement. At least now people are more aware and respectful of ment James Butterfield on his wonthat appear every weekin Citizens. Wehope they are always adopted and wish youcould advertise a pet a day! Keep up the great photographs, — Citizens Mr. Butterfield, and we thank you and everyoneinvolved. Thanks for all you do for our community. We may not say it much, but we (the public) appreciate the service you dofor us and for the animals. Many Appreciative Friends Everyone's “multiracial” Editor's Note: Curious about public feeling toward President Clin- ton’s federal schooltesting proposal, we foundafew people in downtown Salt Lake City, pointed a camera at them, and asked. Should there be a mandatory federal testing program for American public schools? ‘Ido think it’s a goodidea, If the federal government putsits finger in regulating the schools a little bit more. then state governments won't have their own prerogative in deciding just what they should be teaching. We'll be able to have a nice, even federal standard, and Bai they'll be able to judge schools on anindividualbasis accordingtothat [standard], thus weeding out the bad ones and improving [schools].” Dustin Clark Salt LakeCity “I don't have kids, so I'm not really sure; I'd have to know more | about it to make a decision ... It probably would help parents. I wouldn't mindit if they madetheir reasons [for requiring the tests] known.” Jane-John Doe Janis Moore Salt Lake City “Well, it’s not a good idea, because we already have all kinds of schools with mandatory testing programs. But I’m going tosay I go along withit, even thoughI don’t agree with it, because he’s our president, and I guess we have to do whathe says. Myfamily heritage can be traced back to Scotland and also to the Native Americans ofthis land. Shouldthis bit ofinformation make a difference to you? Should you even care? Not really, but if you're a government worker and 1 am applying for something such as financial aid, then this information is crucial because it puts me in a specific category. Weare not people, we are boxes on a sheet of paper, We are each looked at differently because each of us chooses adifferent box. All this happens whenwecheck oneof the race/culture boxes that appear on so many documents. one another. We believe in, and strive for, a world with greater equalit categories used by the governmenttake awayour equality and who inturnare tootrusting of phar- OX. Ideally, we should live in a world treat a beautiful, loving. non-stop- where it doesn’t matter what box you choose. Rather you are judged by the kind ofperson youare, not the people you come from. Who knows, maybe you come from mur- derers andthieves but are fine cit- izen yourself, or maybe you are a murdereror thief who comes from a line ofupstandingcitizens. Theinclusion of a “multiraci: box on all documents will be a change,butit won't change much. mine, to a large degree, whether Utah stalls amid orange construction barricades or coasts smooth- ly into the nextcentury. The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), thenation’s surface transportation law, is currently up for reauthoization. And although ISTEA deserves the support of Americans everywhere, this bill is particularly important for Utahns. A strengthened ISTEA gives local and state governments the ability to put moneyintothe areas they need most, including shifting money fromhighwayconstruction to transit. ISTEA is good for Utah because it allows local choice in spending federal transportation dollars, providing resources which enable communities to best meet their unique needs. ISTEA began an important move from aone-size-fits-all fed- erally mandated transportation thwarting the ability of local interests to develop their own, alternative transportation solutions. Though ISTEA has overwhelming support from local governments acrossthe nation. it also has opponents. In 1991, for the first time, ISTEA allowed local govern- ments to flex money from high- way construction into other options, and also encouraged communities to make sure existing roads and bridges are safe and to help us remember, noris it going choose one particular background Instead, they can choose the “mul- is in the samecategory. tiracial” box and lump everything together. Brandon H. Nesbit Sandy or a route connecting the two. In addition, IS1 does not only address urban needs. Nearly developingtransportation solutions. 30percentof the $4.1 billion Surface Transportation Program(the largest ISTEA program) can be spent anywhere in the state, In Local people should not be forced to use shrinking federal funds for projects which do little to meet local transportation needs, ISTEA does not mandate costly and shortsighted highway convides muterrail, improve our bus tem and encourage car-pooling, but could also benefit development of bike and pedestrian paths suchasthe Bonneville Shoreline Trail, the Jordan River Parkway Moscow, Idaho, ISTEA money bought vans to connect the city with outlying rural areas. Since 199] ISTEA has helped rural communities across America use transit tolink towns with workSites, nearby cities, airports and programs decision-making and better meet people's needs, they can save millionsin taxpayer dollars aswell. ISTEAnot only allows diverse negative information deceive the public? and thus In herlectures. Tracy has pointed beinga pet owner. Pleasebe responsible and spay or neuter your ani- out an LDS scripture that warns about “evils and designs which... mals. There is no excuse for what happenedtothis kitten. Please preventit from happening again. Teresa Rex West Jordan will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in thelast days...” Utahns might well heed that warning and wakeuptothe perilous state we are n. Diana We. as individuals, can start by ing ourfellow human beings’ weaknesses. We can change channels Continued from Page1 symbolof silent triumph would of unmet needs andunfulfilled dreams. We were touched to be robbed of her final success and final rewa'd, was blunt trauma to the soul. We cry for her, but we alsocry for ourselves and for each other because our hope andoptimism is shaken, and we learn the severity of her private struggles, which she bore with grace, as each of us bears our decency. Make the media aware that showing “blood and gore” ownprivate tragedies. fear that our dreams, too, may scenes during a newscast is not “what the public wants.” We can own bootstraps with poise, never cometrue. cry also because I am courage, grace and always with awestruck and overcome by the to think nothingofkicking their own friendsfor the funofit. We teach children that it can be fun to show disrespectto parents or teachers — doesn’t everybody laugh when Bart Simpson doesit on television? Many more examples can be found in popular children’s ‘Asshe pulled herself upby her teach our children that getting images of thousands and thou- charity, and as she bore the bur- den ofdivorce, losing hertitle, royal pressure concerning her laughs at the expense ofa friend's pain is not acceptable. Once we admit to ourselves that our actions in this life can help us. shape it, we can take onthe responsibility of changingit for the better. It does not have to be done on a sands of saddened and shaken people, each withhis or her own life, archtypified by this gentle maintenance, parenting and conduct, and endless harassment by paparazzi, we connected again princess. My heart fills with understanding, humility and a ‘Andfinally, we connected when newly discovered connection to peopleof every kind we saw the mature, complete programs. grand scale that all the world can In order to believe ina future for our world, especially our country, we have to believe in the overall see. Wedo nothave to be a Gandhi, a Mother Teresa or a Princess woman rise above her struggles, choose to love and give, and finally to find hope with a new Diana. We can just start with our- love as she embracedadulthood care. As LeoTolstoy wrote, “Every one thinks of changing humanity, but no onethinksofchanging themselves.” andits paradoxes. Torecognize. in a single “we reallyhad herat all,” we may yet interrupt this broadcast” instant, thatthis heroine of humanity and other before it is too late. How can wepossibly nottry? goodness of humanity.It is people like Princess Diana and Mother Teresa who prove that there is hope for us; they have showed us that evenone individual can make selves and with those placed in our Diana’s life. and death, is almost beyond poetry, beyond metaphor, beyond prayer. Perhaps, if we “realize we never be able to really “have” each Community Calendar Editor's Note: If you areintere:st ed in placing item in Citizens’ Copiniisy Calenie please mail, Sah including puppet shows, jous and sturylines for Sept. 27, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at 2150 Elizabeth Sueet (behind the in exciting activities, is looking for children of all ages, as well as edu- Sprague Library). Food, presentations, tours, arts andcrattsfor sale: offices and equipment to another fax or e-mail your notice to ‘Citizens,’ 135 Main, Salt LakeCity, Utah 84111. Fax; 237-2519. E- cational and practical lectures for adults, throughout September and mail: [e-mail]. For community support meetings and art exhibits. For information on * BruinFiesta: Salt Lake Community College's athletic boosters will be holding the BruinFiesta Auction °97 on Oct, 2, 6-9:30 p.m. at the college's Life- timeActivities Centertoraise funds. October. They also have many events, call yourlocallibra ter, 140 a variety of disabilities participate volunteers to assist with moving its space ashort distance away in Park Information call Karen Hale 4856642. * Help the NAC Move: The National Ability Center, an City on Sept. 30, Interested persons cancall [phone] organization that helps people with Continued on Page 3 Park, is sponsoring the AARP's 55 Alive Mature Driving Courseon Sept. 29 and 30, held 1-5 p.m. The eight-hour refresher coursefor older drivers mayallow eligible participants a 10 percent automobile insurance discount for tem will be holdingavariety of free celebrate the “Good Ol’ Days” on three years. Fee $8. Informationcall Julie Hendrickson at 566-6590, + Sugar House Celebration: The Sugar House community will Heartland's Annual Summer Sale cs S. + Senior's Defensive Driving: The Midvale Senior Citizens Cen for baseball, volleyball and basketball scholarships. Cost $20; includes Mexican dinner. Information call 957-4515, + Events at County Libraries: The Salt Lake County library sys: TACK SIN Hundredsofsizes, numerous styles and optionsavailable Heartland’s exclusive protection plan, 100% financing WAC, - since 1975 ages sojutions to rural transportation needs as well. A strengthened ISTEA provides balance and flexibility in meeting Utah's changing needs to help our state move efficiently into the next century. brain? Why would they withhold born. It’s the responsibility of a pet ly lear that the funniest part of the two weeks in advance. new roadsis the only solution to solving transportation problems. No one would deny that roads play a primary role in our transportation infrastructure,but it doesn't take longsitting on a gridlocked highway under construction to see that more pavement alone will not meet our exploding needs. Local communities must be allowed a range ofoptions—asprovided by a strengthened ISTEA—in interests associated with powerful show comes when Garfield kickshis friend Odie off the table. They learn in good repair before building choosing a mix of affordable, reliable transportation solutions. Tracy suggests that the politics of the FDA may arise from money pharmaceutical companies. Why would a pharmaceytical company Public unaffordable new ones. For Utah ISTEA could help develop not only light and com- andotherpsychotropiesubstances. promote the use of substances that have such harmlul effects on the ty don’t deserve the privilege of to change anything. And it won't helpthe Census Bureau if everyone eners anddiet foods), and Prozac by acar or die a slow, painful death ownerto prevent unwantedlitters. People whodon’t take responsibili- box on a sheet of paperisn’t going tries while approving questionable ofstarvation. It’s not a kitten’s fault that it is and what has happenedtous. But a trolled process giving citizens Still, aspartame (used inartificial sweet- never forget where we came from law to a balanced, locally-con- some peoplebelieve that building drugs like Fen-Phen and Redux, should keep them — it’s your fault that you have them in the first place. Recently there has been talk by more information, call NAC at 2372716. All items should be submitted and businesses flexibility in you are unable to doso, then you the U.S. Census Bureau of changing the boxes so that people with cartoons such as Garfield, and quick- And these decisions will deter- legal status for medicines with a proventrack record in other coun- take careofthekittens responsibly Tey tofind them good homes,and if Asa last resort, there are pet shops race, which would force them to The FDA has acquired notoriety by playing a dual role. It may deny to youroversight of thatfirst action, and animal shelters that will accept animals. Don’t be ajerk and throw your kitten out your car door as you drive by afield, leaving it to get hit whena station shows programming full of violence and disregard for Current ISTEA provisions include dollars earmarked for areas which fail clean air standards, including the Wasatch Front. Through encouraging a range oftransit and transportation options, ISTEA can help Utah clean upitsair. However, some versions of this bill that have been proposed in Congress would weaken or eliminate this clean-air option. Otherversions stack the deck in -favor of highwayconstruction, which means first you should have the senseto spay or neuter your cat Second, if your cat has kittens due Andifthe truth were told by each personfilling out the boxes, almost I do feel that it is important for each ofus to have our heritage and drenwithlearningor behavioral disorders that supposedly require the use of drugs Asa pel owner, it is your responsibility to take care of your animals. There will still be race distinction. everyone would have to check “muitiracial” anyway. maceutical companies and the FDA. We may naively put too muchstock in the “science” of psychiatry, trusting “experts” to diagnose our chil- purring animal this way? our identity. I also feel it is important to share these things with the younger generations so that we numerous ethnic backgrounds don’t havetofill out just one boxfor their panic disorder. post-antibiotic syn- blindin her left eye 1 am assumingthis defect is the patients are too trusting of doctors, “ISTEAshould be reauthorized nation’s mobility and efficiency. drome. candida, or uncommon ailments that can produce mental and rare or confusing ailments such as responsible for this atrocity is reading this letter. What gives you the right, or anyone for that matter, to than in its crash against the wall, spraying parts all over. ‘Wealsoare transferringourlust for more excitement and love of violence to our children. They watch health and safety issues as well. but she has one defect — she is that has been worked for so hardis. eliminated with the checking of a refusing to purchase tabloids and magazines promoting and exploit- Thisfall Congress will be mak- able to diagnose the true causes of emotional symptoms It is also. possible that Utah a difference. ing critical decisions about our enough big-city experience to be awful death. 1 hope the person ed in a well-driven car during a race range of mobility options, which is good for people across the nation, but it also enables communities to addressquality of life, abandonedby theside of the road. I aminfuriated that someone would treat this darling furball so horribly She is a beautiful, healthy kitten, reason she wasleft to.die such an John Arnold Tooele PETE KOLBENSCHLAG OnJuly 10, my husbandfound an adorable gray kitten that had been sugar has been knowntohave disturbing effects on body and mind. Maybe Utah doctors don’t get tage — to eachofus, The equality give an advantage — ordisadvan- Continued from Page1 SaLT Lake Crry Beresponsibleforpets Things have gotten better since the time of Dr. Martin Luther King, ATP FACTORY OUTLET 1567 WEST 2100 SOUTH 978-3336 LTRAMPOLINE WORLD 7291 SOUTH STATE ST. 566-2211 | ental SN GRABER’ pecial from (GAgER) frond Blinds Sale Ends September 31, 1997 CRYSTALPLEAT’ Patol soft, double cell shades and (beso The Value Leader in Single Cell Shades As low as $3325 Price example based on a 24"x36" Maestro shade after mfg. rebate, Similar savings on other sizes and products. Hirs Mon-Fri 9-5:30 Sat. 10-2 2432 S. State or1-800-444-6555 visit our web site at 487-5662 www com