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Show The Salt Lake Tribune FRIDAY/September 26, 1997 Page A38 OUR VIEW The Salt Lake Tribune's Editorial Position Guv Needs Guts on Guns If Gov. Leavitt feels so strongly about the inadequacyof the state's 1995 concealed-carrylawthat he would defy it with a no-guns rule for state employ. ees, thenheought to beableto lend his estimable political clout to the move- ened security measures. In anyevent,it ment to change thelaw next year is logical that employers, private or As reported in The une last week, the Leavitt administration last year enacted a rule barring state em- presence of a couple of concealed- weapon permit holders would defuse the situation, nor is there any reasonto believe that such freelance “‘deterrence” would be preferable to tight- public, should have the authority to choose which level of security to enforce in their workplace. carrying concealed weapons in state fa- The problem, though, is the 1995 law. It was so sloppily conceived that it made it easier for Utah gun owners to lowed in correctional facilities or air- ployees. with a few exceptions, from cilities or state vehicles. The rule seems to contradict the 1995 state law that obtain concealed-weapon permits: that lawstates that such permits are valic “without restriction.” Of course, the governoris right in principle. His administration's no-gunsin-the-workplace rule expresses the conviction that unknown numbers of the state's 17,000 employees reporting to work with a concealed weaponis an unsettling prospect that would make most employeesfeel less safe, not more so. has already had to be amendedtoclarify that concealed weapons are not alport secure areas. And last year, protests came from various corners that the law should be clarified to disallow concealed weapons in churches, schools, universities, and private busi- nesses that don’t want them. But the reaction last session by the Legislature to this groundswell was ir- responsible silence. The governor must notallowthelegislators to be that negligent again in 1998. Gov. Leavitt should expend someof that mighty political capital of his on State Sen. Michael Waddoups, who rally disagrees. He described the Leavitt rule as “an invitation to somebody coming in and shooting up a state of- fice.” This is conventional pro-gun is whether he has the courage to make a public fight ofit in the Legislature with deterrent — beefed-up security. In Waddoups’ doomsdayscenario, the pro-gun conservatives of his own there is simply no assurance that the party. He should not shrink from it. Curious Classes forum sponsored by Utah State University and Utah Valley State College” arrived, irritation augmented skepticism. Listed as featured speakers were professionals variously described as “highly trained and experienced financial and estate planners:” “one of the foremost legal experts on . tax exempt trusts.” And who's paying for these free meals, anyway? Whenpublicly-financed institutions of higher education mix instructional opportunities with commercialized per- sonal services, confusion can result. Consider a recent offering from Utah State University’s Extension division. When the first flier arrived from USU Extension’s dean of continuing education, Rex L. Tueller, the Utah property owner was bemused. Here,after all, was a public administratorsoliciting clients for a seminar on ‘‘state-ofthe-art strategies to avoid or eliminate taxes’ when taxes subsidize USU programs The second flier got the property owner wondering about USU’s apparent endorsement of the guest speakers, private financial “professionals” who undoubtedly drummed up a bitof estate-planning business at these seminars. Might other professionals detect that their own tax dollars were subsidiz- Estate planning — irrevocable life insurance trusts, tax-exempt unitrusts, credit shelter trusts — is notthe sort of thing most people studied in school. The subject is complicated and everchanging. It probably has a place in a program like continuing education, which targets people whoreturnto college occasionally to pursue newinterests or brush up on rusty knowledge. It should be clear to everyone concerned. however, that publiclyfinanced institutions of higher learning do not endorse or solicit business for private individuals and entities. Besides potentially creating unfair competition, the university could be held liable for en- ing some unfair competition for clients? After all, these advertisements were mailed at bulk rates under the auspices of a prestigious, non-profit organization, Utah State University. couraging a private transaction that turns sour. Bythe timethe third invitation to a “complimentary luncheon and dinner Worthwhile Education Test President Clinton wants to establish a away from local control. But localities could opt in or out under Clinton's proposal. And remember that the uneven education quality documented in the landmark 1983 Nationat Risk” report sparked the push for national academic standards. Liberal critics worry that disadvantaged children would be stigmatized and cademic progress effectiveness nationwide ‘That's a goodideain principle. But there's heated debatein andout of Congress over his proposal for voluntary and minimal national assessment tests: of reading in the 4th grade and mathin the 8th rade. The controversy centers on whowould set the standards, design the tests and how they might be used tracked into less challenging classes ‘They've got a point: High standards and The Clinton tests would be based on tests lo measure progress towards them are meaningless — and potentially dan- standards established through the re spected National LDSForthright About Change In his attempts to get in some jabsat the LDS Church, Topher G. Mehlhoff (Forum, Sept. 17) makes some serious mistakes regardingthe change to 2 Nephi 30:6. The change wasoriginally made by Joseph Smith in the 1840 edition, but since later editions took their text from the 1837, the change did not reappear until 1981. Contrary to Mehlhoff’s claim, the church wasforthright about changes in that addition. This particular change was discussed in an article by BYU religion dean Robert J. Matthewsin the Fall 1982 issue of BYU Studies. It was also discussed in the 1986 Book ofMormonCritical Text, issued in 1986 by the Foun- dation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. Moreover, Webster's 1828 dictionary lists the following as meanings of the term “white”: “pure, clean, free from spot, unblemished.” That skin color was ssment of Educ independent panel of educators and members of the public: The existing Nevertheless, 2022. each other (Forum, Aug. 24). She hopes we will be willing to offer a helping hand to the lonely. In the same Public Forum, a driver from West Jordan urged lawmakers to issue paintball guns to motorists, so he could shoot the vehicles of drivers who offend him. Hefelt it would be “fun” and said he ‘can’t wait.” Who will the public heed — the child pleading for peace or the “adult” screaming for war? The ancient prophet said, “A child shall lead them.” Thank you, Ruthie, for remindingus to be kind. JOAN HAVEN Holladay cording to him, Janet Ryan-Finlayson (Forum, Aug. 30)is “out in the cold” and wrongfor leaving the LDS Church. I be- I thinkit’s neat, all these television stations putting live cameras along the I-15 construction area. It graphically shows all the areas of congestion. NowI will is the point of Janet's letter in the first and it was not the winter of my discontent. It was the warmest and brightest oO lieve thathis attitude and otherslike his Janet is not out in the cold. I believe she has the unconditional love of God to keep her warm. As for Reschke and others like him, until they even try to understand what non-Mormonsaretrying to say, I suggest they stock up on firewood LANNIE SULLIVAN Salt Lake City Q NAEP standards would providea solid foundation for thefirst national tests of student achievement. while. With safeguards to assurefairness and to prevent mis! national assessment tests could help show where school Let MurrayVoters Decide The results could help mobilefamilies track the quality of a child's education from school to school. Thetests would also encourage quality-enhancing competition among schools At its core, America’s educationcrisis is about a lack of will to fuel the engine of excellence — adequate resources, equitably distributed — so that every child, the people decide whetherthe city should grow by nearly 10,000 residents ina sin- Council let comeindividuals, which is what Title X does? I believe Title X, America’s family planning program, is not a crime. Each tax dollar spent on family planning saves Mandatory parental consent means more teens won't use birth control, more will get pregnant, and more will have abortions. Mandatory parental consent means that more teens would develop sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, that would go undiag- nosed and untreated. Mandatory parental consent for Contraception doesn’t meanteens won't have sex. The effects of mandating this communication can be devastating. A Jour- nal of the American Medical Association study determinedthat “rather than promoting parental involvement, mandatory notification laws appear to have the unintended effect of increasing health risks to the adolescent.” tion. Thefactis that most Americansrecognize the importance of family plan- ning, with 90 percent supporting funding of these programs and 74 percent of Utahnsagreeing. DEBBIE COHEN Salt LakeCity Riverton Logging Roads Should Be Subsi I am writing in response to the letter from Cress Bohnn (Forum, Aug. 31). Asa non-federal forest resource professional, I feel compelled to give another perspective on theissue. I am continually amazed at individuals and groupswho claim to be pro-environment, yet they fight tooth and nail to hamper efforts of natural resource agencies that are trained to protect the Why won't the Murray City provide subsidized services to low-in- JIM PLATT place. I, too, have left the LDS Church dayof mylife crime? Does this meanthatit is a crime to It is disappointing that Congressman Cook was elected to represent Utahns’ views and he isn’t fulfilling this expecta- Highway Video knowall the areas to avoid — if and when I can afford a TV set for the car. Clinton’s plan is worth: districts need to do abetter job o A Warm,Bright Day In response to Horst A. Reschke (Forum, Sept. 12), I think he said it all. Ac- Rep. Cook said that ‘the crime must be stopped and punished.” Is Title X the to preventabortions. Ruthie Newman. an elementary-school fromthe fact that, in the very next verse, it says the Jews — who are not dark — “shall also become a delightsome people.” We must also note the similar passage in the Bible. Daniel 12:10: “Many ter, let's just note that the “Quakers living on the moon’ is, indeed, another story —a story not told until half a century after Joseph Smith was dead. planning program, I am appalled. Rep. Cook has consistently said that he supports family planning and he knows what a valuable program it is; however, heis contradicting himself since he is supporting mandatory parental consent for contraception. ningis a wise investmentand the best way student, asked us to care more about shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly.” In anticipation of Mehlhoff’s next let- Cook Wrong on Parental Consent After listening to Rep. Merrill Cook speak about Title X, America’s family about $3 in medical care. Family plan- A Child’s Wisdom not intended in 2 Nephi 30:6 is evident gerous — for children who haven't been taughteffectively tional Progress survey developed by an Where to Write @ When submitting letters to the Public Forum,please include yourfull name, signature, address and daytime telephone numbers. Information other than your name and the city in which youlive are keptconfidential. EH Keepit short. Concise letters developinga single themeare morelikely to be published Please type and double space. Bi Letters are condensed and edited. Becauseof the volumeof mail received, not all submissions are published. H Mail to Public Forum, The Salt LakeTribune, P.O. Box867, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110. ur fax number is (801) 237- a ANOTHER VIEW school Letters from The Tribune's readers JOHN TVEDTNES Provo Summarized From The Philadelphia Daily News and THE PUBLIC FORUM out restriction.” The only question now paranoia, which ignores the alternative reliable way to as FEcto ensuring that the law is changed next year. With his no-guns rule for state employees, hehas already madehis position clear: He believes concealed weaponsshouldnot be permitted ‘‘with- pushed the unfortunate “95 law, natu- environment The letter proclaimed that the Ameri- can taxpayerwill be picking up the tab for the timber industry, because Congress voted down the Porter-Kennedy o ed as Part of Forest Management nate continued heavy truck traffic that compacts soils and leads to rutting and then harmful surface runoff during storm events. Old logging roads must be retired and revegetated after a few years. New logging roads allow access to addi- tional timber which mustbe thinned to reduce heavy fuel loads. New logging roads allow Forest Service personnel quick accessto fight violent forest fires Why is it so hard for environmentalists to understand that our forests do require managing? The public demands multiple uses (recreation, aesthetics, wildlife, timber, clean water,ete.) from these land gle annexation? Amendment. Our government wouldcon- Thecouncil is hurrying to complete an annexation that will change the face of the city forever. But apparently they do logging roads in our national forests. We should all be thankful that Congress over- uents think about it. The only two public meetings that have been held were conducted in July, when they knew most tional forests wereleft alone underthis people would be away on vacation. Even the timber industry that our taxes are supporting, it is our national forests. In defense of new logging roads in our national forests, the catastrophic circum- then, only one of the meetings was actually held in Murray. We elected a city council to represent tirely true, Without proper state legisla- tion and the meansto monitor and control ed by our taxes, federal agencies like the UTAH’S INDEPENDENT VOICESINCE 1871 | PUBLISHER the best interests of Murray — not the logging practices, logging roads and ac- Dominic Welch nity. The council should abandonits efforts to annex Millcreek, But if council members won't do that, they shouldat manage our public lands and national forests. These agencies are already understaffed, with little logistic support to ac: complish all the objectives and demands pooror affluent, has a shot at an excel- Manyconservatives fear that govern- lent education, That challenge is largely the responsibility of state and local au- ment-designed tests on government-sanctioned standards are a slippery slope thorities, and too few areeager to meet it. The Salt Lake Tribune PAST PUBLISHERS John F, Fitzpatrick (1924-1960) JohnW. Gallivan (1960-1983) Jerry O'Brien (1983-1994) EDITOR James E. Shelledy EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR HarryE. Fuller, Jr KEARNS-TRIBUNE CORPORATION, 14) 8. MAIN ST, SALT LAKE CITY, 84111 not want to know whattheir own constit- interests of people fromanother commuleast sponsor a vote by the people most affected by this major action. Murray voters decide, LAN Let the 'TE JOHNSON Murray tinue using taxpayer moneyto build new turned this amendment, becauseitis not stances presented by Bohnnare not entivities can indeed have devastating ef- fects on a watershed. For example, takea look at Huntington Canyon in Emery and it cannot provide all of those uses without proper management. In addition, the humanimpact from thousands of daily visitors must be managed. If our nabarrage of human demands, the devastation would far exceed any timber clearcut By taking away needed funds generatU.S. Forest Service cannot effectively placed on them. It is timethat environ- County. Unregulated logging, with improperly planned and engineered roads, has all but ruined trophy trout fishing streams, It is ironic that this logging was performed on private property, and not mental activists stop fighting against those who know how to manage our natu ral resources and help them to achieve New logging roads are needed to elimi- Castle Dale national forest property , the multiple-use balance we seek MARK YOUNG POOR ¢ |