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Show Page A16 GheSalt LakeTribune OPINION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER22, 1999 AOeae Wg Nie o Neo OUR VIEW ) Ny PISO 2 Sa G The Salt Lake Tribune's Editorial Position Russia. If George W. Bush doesn't know politics in Russia arevolatile, and appearancescan be deceiving. The accepted wisdom seems to be It is worth celebrating that Russia has passed its third parliamentary election in the post-Soviet era without violence. That the Communists lost power in the Duma, the lowerhouse ofparliament, also is a good sign, although they remainby far the best organized political party in the country and they did winthelargestblocofseats. Unfortunately, most other political People in the United States should be wary when dispirited people in large, powerful nations with weak democratic traditions yearnfor a strong leader. Putin is popular because Russians feel threatened by the bombings and the internal unrest that have shaken their nation. He has moveddecisively against the Islamic insurgency in Chechnya, and that has given ordinary Russians a little sense of reassurance. But if the war there turns ugly for the Russian army, and the body bags of conscripts begin coming home in large numbers, Putin's current status as the heir apparent to Boris Yeltsin in next June's presidential election could evaporate like a morning fog. For now, though, Putinis the man of the hour. If neither the war nor the mercurial Yeltsin turn against him, he could end up the next president of forces in the country have coalesced around personalities rather than ideologies. The exception, aside from the Communists, is Yabloko, the party most closely aligned with Western-style democracy and market economics. But Yabloko, which gained only6 percent of the vote, compared to the Communists’ 24 percent, remains barely more than a fringe party. The real power, aside from the Com- munists, lies within the circle around Yeltsin in the Kremlin and with the new oligarchs of the economy. Parties are invented almost overnight to champion thelatest palace favorites, and they can -_ that the people of Russia are tired of volatility —in politics, in the economy, in their daily lives. They are tired and they are scared. They voted for the parties endorsed by Prime Minister VladimirPutin because they see in him the hope of a strong leader who might bring stability. whoPutinis, he hadbetter start boning up. “YOU DSAPPEAR. Fae THREE DAYS WITH THOSE NoGoD BuDDies F (OURS ANDTHE, BEST OU CAN NE UP WITH IS" WE GOT LOST LookING For A CHRISTMAS TREE’ disappearjust as quickly. For now, though, Putin is the man riding the Russian whirlwind. If the bare-knucklepolitics of the parliamentary election are any indication, don’t be surprisedif it is a wild ride to the presidential election in June. it remains an annual touchstoneto the workingsof the natural world. A common theory holds that Christmas is celebratedat this time of year becauseit coincides with the dates of ancient pagan festivals that the Christian faith adapted in turn. Those ancient celebrations likely were tied to the DecemberSolstice. It would be natural for early humans, observing the days growing progressively shorter, to fear that the light would continue to wane to perpetual darkness. The December Solstice, which marks the end of the sun’s decline in the heavens and the beginning of progressively longer days, is a natural subject for legendsofrebirth. The symbolismof the growth oflight in the natural world is a powerful one for manyreligions. Whatall of this means for modern humans, if anything, probably varies from person to person. But even the contemporaryoffice worker, far removed from seasonal cycles of agriculture, may feel glad today that the shortest daysof the yeararepast, that spring and longer, warmer days are on the way.Just toughit out through January, and the happy days of summerwill be almost within sight, just over time’s horizon. Judge Not Where to Write I sometimes wonderwhenI read a letter as half-witted as David Nelson’s (Fo- @ When submitting letters to the Public Forum, please include your full name,signature, address and daytime telephone numbers. Information other than your name andthe city in which rum, Dec. 18) on high birth rates that the paper is baiting readers to respond. OK, T'll bite. I am nota flamingliberal, just a woman with — I hope — compassion and some commonsense. If I got Nelson's letter right and 1 ama Mormonora Catholic, I should have a large family; then willbe free from drug or alcohol addiction. I don’t know wherehe getshis ridicu- lous statistics; I know I have heard that Utah has been knownto be the Prozac capital of the country. Maybe Mr. Nelson should re-think about who receives what and to remind him that much of the money that people spend on that nasty stuff called alcohol goes to the school lunch program which helps to feed the manychildrenin this state. Judge ye not! youlive are keptconfidential. @ Keep it short. Concise letters developing a single theme are more likely to be published. Please type and double space. @ Letters are condensed andedited. @ Because of the volume ofmail received, not all submissions are published. @ Mail to Public Forum, The Salt Lake Tribune, P.O. Box 867, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110 @ Ourfax numberis (801) 257-8950. Americans are having second thoughts about genetically modified food after yearsof payinglittle attention while consumers in Europe were in hysterics. Since the early 1990s, genetically modified grains and vegetables have turned up on produce shelves and as ingredients in processed food. Butthat’s changingas consumers,legislators and even federal regulators begin to raise questions about the safety of biotech food and about farmers’ problems caused by genetically modified seeds. The industry hopes to ward off regulatory action with more lobbying; that's a mistake. The questions about what has become known as GM food must be answered, not shoved aside. As in Europe, many U.S. consumers have now become jumpy about food with altered genes. They raise reasonable questions about the unknown risks, the unintended consequences or the long-term effects of genetic engineering — from the potential escape of modified traits into wild species to the effect on infants of eating plants that produce their own pesticides to muta- tions producing harmful side effects. Others demandclear labeling simply because they want to have a choice. U.S. governmentsafety and environmental agencies say that test after test has foundthe food safe to grow and eat. But caveats are beginning to multiply. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, whosedepartment has admitted that the tests are fine as far as they go, said “there are many more questions that haven't been thoughtof, muchless an- swered.” The Food and Drug Adminis- tration was sure back in 1992 thatno labeling of GM food was needed. Last month, it held a series of hearings around the countryto take a closerlook. Glickman now concedes that some kind of consumerlabeling of GM food might be inevitable. Monsantoandother leading produc- ers ofGM seedsare also underassault in the courts. A handfuloffarmers filed a class-action suit Dec. 14, claiming that the plaintiffs were defrauded by safety claims on GM seeds. The companies were also accused of illegally controlling the supply ofthe seeds. Litigation is hardly the best forum County (Tribune, Nov. 29). [cannot think of a moredifficult responsibility. Tears shed surely need no apologies. Weare fortunate in this area to have facilities that euthanize animals in what is believed to be a humanemanner.Carla Fletcher, Robin Karalainen and many others mustsurely be skilled after com- pleting this task 27,000 times a year. Our family has hadthe good fortuneto owna shelter dog. She has beenhealthy, easyto train and a joy every day for 10 years. And except for grooming and yearly shots,she feels the same way, she tells us. Robin and Carla, she is spayed. You'll neverhavetokill any of heroffspring. Thanks to all of you shelter people. I am glad that I do not have to go to work where youdo butfor the sake of so many animals, I salute your caring courage. BETTY MERRITT Salt Lake City Q consider themselves to be Monsanto's dupes. But the lawsuit sends a clear signal to the industry that the opposi- tion to the new technology must be takenseriously. The industry, instead of fighting its ultimate customers, should concentrate on trying to build public confidence in the new technology. John F. Fitzpatrick (1924-1960) PUBLISHER Dominic Welch Joha W. Gallivan (1960-1983) Jerry O’Brien (1983-1994) EDITOR James E, Shelledy No Religious Endorsement I have been a resident of Salt Lake City since 1970. I about the trend of some years, by which the mayor and governor endorse religion, espe- cially Christianity and Mormonism. Governmental declarations of annual Bible Weeks are outrageous to those of us who are without superstition. l urge that the American Civil Liberties Union use its influence, legal and otherwise, to put a stop to the practice of official annual genuflection to Jehovah and to Jesus, to heavenly Father and to so-called Christian values. Not everyone is a Christian, and we don't all value or worship whatthe mayor the n nor think that we ought. iatieteputa stop to the practice of governmental endorsementofreligions. We don't live ina theocracy. At least that’s what the Constitution tells us, ay playground. Wouldn’t you think that the church would open this land upforits membersandthe public to enjoy? Since 1950, I have seen more land closed every year to the hunters,but the ownersstill hunt onthis land for the animals that should be classed as stateowned. I would like the UWBto answer these questions: How muchlandhasbeenclosedto the hunter since 1950? How many employees did the UWB havein 1950 and how many land owner, which does not benefit the public? Just who owns the animalsin the wilderness of Utah? They said too many buck permits were sold. May we havethe number that were takenby the public? If the hunters would not purchase a permit or license in the coming year, whatdo you think would happen? First, the state would lose all this revenue. actingasif they wereliving in the distant nd, gas stations wouldlose sales, Third, stores would lose money on food not purchased for the camp. The sporting business would lose on the sales of guns that we are being governed by people past. Is Stephenson, a member of the Senate Education Committee, telling Utah teens that they should aspire to be burgerflippers? WILLIAM B. THOMPSON Salt Lake City and ammunition. Nowif the state cannotfind some way for the public to huntin these closed areas for a fair charge, thenlet no one hunt in these areas. I would be willing to bet that 80 percent of the deer and elk on Broken Faith It is a tragedy for wildlife and for human beings that South Jordan andthe U. Monte Cristo are in the Deseret area. Since there is so much land closed and private, then the UWB could do everyone in the state a service by running the deer and elk outof the Deseretarea. 8. Fish and Wildlife Service have reached an impasse onbeing ableto protect and restore 110 acres of prime wild- life habitat along the Jordan River. The the Great Salt Lake, and a biological sanctuary between Utah's west desert and the Wasatch Range.It is also located at the heart of the Great Salt Lake flyway and {s therefore a crucial stopover for of of birds each season which need undisturbed habitatin order to survive in our region. To not restore this area is a break of trust with the future. unwi ofSouth Jordan to sign the conservation easements nall: upon is alsoa break oftrust with the 1,500 volunteers that donated over 4,000 hours to restore this area asa wildlife under our supervision. We at have with South Jordan with great success on several projects, We sincerely that it will reconsider its position eye) to this one. If it does not, the loss be immeasurable, Salt Lake City A JIM COROLES Ogden o city has reneged on its original agree- mentto setasidethis area specifically for wildlife habitat, and not for active recreation. The Jordan River and its adjacent wetlands are vital to the survival of mi- HAROLD ILLIG Y iain land, decided to makeit a rich man’s mentfrom a legislator madeit moreclear habitat corridor between Utah Lake and KEARNS-TRIBUNE CORPORATION, 1438, MAIN ST, SALT LAKE CITY,#4111 4 (Tribune, Dec. 11). Seldom hasa state- gratory songbirds. It is a migration and souped-up corn or soybeans and do not UTAH'S INDEPENDENT VOICESINCE 1871 i Hatsoff to the staffs of the various animal shelters in and around Salt Lake again. I have hunted for 35 years in the Deseretarea until the company, including the LDS Church, whopurchased this closed, then why notgetrid of some of these employees thatcaterto the private Poor Advice State Sen. Howard Stephenson says that “80 percent of the jobs available today don’t require a four-year degree” Salutary Service for the determination of scientific issues, Moreover, most farmerslike the The Salt LakeTribune PAST PUBLISHERS Qa Hunting for Answers Well, I see that the Utah Wildlife Board (UWB)hasscrewedall the hunters in 1999? Since there is so much land Spring City ANOTHERVIEW Biotech Foods: Second Thoughts ,, Letters from The Tribune’s readers LINDA ERICKSON From The Los Angeles Times ?f! THE PUBLIC FORUM Glad Tidings Todayis the DecemberSolstice, the shortest dayof the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the astronomical beginning ofthe winter season. To ancient humans, it was a day fraught with dread and meaning. To many modern people, o The outcome of the parliamentary election in Russia looks positive; the Communists suffered a setback. But SRA\\ Russia’s Emerging Leader? Arrogant Potentates AsI see thelatest reaction from the Olympic Committee regarding Brighton ski resort's use of the Olympic name (Tribune, Dec.14), it again drives home the point how outof touch these people really are. Come on, where is their sense of humor? Oh,I forgot. These arrogant kings of the Olympic Games do not have one, After all the scandal that has become known,theystill expect to be treated as if the savior himself was coming to town, The only reason they are concerned about the ownership of the Olympic nameis because they do not want to miss —_a beat ifmoney is to be made,It seems to me that the facts prove that these national crooks knew all along about the shady dealings within the organization, yet did little about it until we caught them with their hands in the cookiejar, Now under the guise of “Olympicin—_tegrity” they insist that no one but they use the name . Talk about oxymoron. The thing that coul happen for the Olympics is for the curv rent committee to and go inte VAUGHN LOVEJOY ALF SEEGERT MERYL REDISCH eswhere they can nin tae re bribes, guns otherperks 80 that they feel dha ib Salt Lake City ble ies ietCL. 4 A |