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Show AA2 __ The Salt Lake TribuneOPINION Sunday, April 7, 2002 re Tribute to Couple’s Life No April Fools’ Joke , And how did you celebrate April Fools’ Day? Did you pour salt into READER ADVOCATE someone's sugar bowl? Did someone lace your sneakers together? Or did you read The Salt Lake Tribune on Monday and wonder why an anniversary announcement was in the obituaries? « If you read the obituaries on Monday — and Tuesday you would have seen two photographs of what ‘SHINIKA SYKES appears to be a happily married cou- ple. The first picture showed them gazing lovingly at each other when they were young. The second photo shows the pair, now much older and as if they are celebrating an impor- tant date or milestone in their lives. Abovethe two photographs are these words: “Congratulations 55 Years and Counting.” But there is no text below the pictures. A handful of readers were puzzled and certain thatit was an April Fools’ joke gone wrong. For example, Salt Lake City reader Bill Snarr was sosure he wrote:“For the past two days, The Tribune has run pictures of a happy couple. . The couple’s children, thinking it the cartoonist and at The Tribune for publishing it. Ofthe handful ofcallers with whom I spoke, all said the graphic suggested that “all” Catholic priests were involved in sexual misconduct when, in fact, the problem is confined to a small minority. “What kind of sick person would possibly find this picture and dialogue to be funny or even a worthwhile commentary?” asked a reader in Ogden. “You all [The Tribune] should be ashamed,” said another, “aren't you Catholics?” First, I did not take a survey of religious affiliation among Tribune staffers. Frankly. I do not believe that would be a nice gesture for their wedding anniversary, probably paid for it. So. . . where does The Tribune placeit in the paper? Right smack in the middle ofthe obituaries. This has is any of my business. Thus, I can only opine that like the real world, there probably are some believers, non-believers and those in between — to be a continuing April Fools’ joke — all trying to be their best. right?” It was not an anniversary announcementandit was placed exactly where the family wanted it, according to Diane Butcher, Newspaper Agency Corp.Classifieds manager. “The pic- tares showing the couple were part of the obituary — directly above — for Prederick William Oeknick. His wife died four months earlier and the family wanted those two photos included as a way of paying tribute to their long life together.” Granted, the obituary was lengthy and somewhat odd, butif folks had read it completely they would have noted that it said: “Oeknick’s wife, Irma Sophia,of 55 years preceded him in death by four months on Nov.30, 2001,” when the couple were struck in and painful because every day we learn thatit is not just an aberration. It is not an isolated incident by one or two individuals. Hence, news reports andeditorial cartoons about it are not bashing the Catholic Church.It is a horrific scandal, whereby opinion writers and cartoonists are free to offer comments. Was Oliphant’s cartoon too ex- treme? Probably. Religion is a personal and sacred part ofone’s being. I understand and respect that. Still, I am familiar enough with Oliphant’s work to know thathe is not the least comfort zone. His job as an editorial crossed the street. a cartoonist is the put his take on the news of the day. Still, it bears repeating, editorial cartoons — like editorial viewpoints — will never please everyone. They to charges and allegations of sexual abuseby priests in the Roman Catholic Church was published in the Opinion section. The drawing by syndicated cartoonist and Pulitzer Prize winner Pat Oliphantdepicted a group of men coming out if what appears to be a church-schooland chasing young boys. The caption said: “Celebration of Spring at St. Paedophilia’s The Annual Running of the Altar Boys.” “Disgusting,” “irresponsible,” “of- Hatefui Calumny We Welcome Letters Training Grounds of Hate,” Cal Thomas gives the impression that every Islamic schoolin the U.S.is teaching hate in its curriculum (Tribune, March 8). He reminds us that there are over 300 schools across the country we need to worry about. Suchirresponsible journalism is the type of literature that incites the very thing he is condemning. most Islamic schools are established to provide a morally up- right environmentforchildren that is bit shy about jarring us from our an auto-pedestrian accident as they Editorial Cartoon Criticized: The Tribune also was taken to task when an editorial cartoonin response THE PUBLIC FORUM About the drawing,I, too, cringe not only from Oliphant’s cartoon, but also from reading newsreports as this scandal continues to unfold.It is sad envelope is supposed to get reactions and sometimes even make us uncomfortable. Fortuitous Fortnight Israel,.such comments probably are peculiar to certain and Another legislative session has come to an end. We should thank the Olympics for shortening the session. ‘The damage could have been worse if they had two more weeks to pass legislation designed to punish opposi- The Reeader ‘Advocate's phone number is (801) 257-8999. Write to the Reader Utah government. Salt Lake Tri- Wouldn't it be great if legislators had to abide by a Hippocratic Oath and each legislative session opened with an understanding they would “dono harm?” KEVIN DUDLEY Taylorsville Before Leasing an Auto continuous false god more seriously than we take our faith in the true one,” and now, his attack on Islamic schools. His anti-Islamic rants go ward enticing a consumerintoa more against the principles that America stands for. I would like to remind Cal that Ido not need to look like him or believe in the same things he does in order to have the same or higher level of expensive offering lower moral propriety. American Muslims monthly payments. Before entering into a car lease, a consumer should be love the U.S.A. as much as any nonCallate unc iLoeee JEAN HILL ina state with a lottery. I agree that though some people spend far more than they should on the lottery,it’s likely not that common. It is interesting that in Washington the per capita spending on the lottery is a little over $66 per year. I’m notsure whatit would be if children under 18 and people like me were excluded. It is true that the lottery only provides a fraction ofwhatis needed for a state’s educational needs. That makes Mr. Thueson’s question, “so?” so curious. Any money is welcome,but it won't be enough to raise salaries, build more classrooms, or reduce property taxes. that the Muslims “take theirfaith ina by @ Please type and doublespace. @ Letters are condensed and edited. @ Because of the volume of mail received, not all submissions are published. @ Mail to Public Forum, The Salt Lake Tribune, P.O. Box 867, Sait Lake City, Utah 84110 Lottery Perspective After reading Chad Thueson’s piece (Op-ed cominentary, Tribune, March %), i thought I would give a perspective from someone who lives That was the big shock in Washington. People thought taxes would go down. Lottery profits Understand the Contract car confidential. @ Keep it short. Concise letters developing a single theme are more likely to be published. @ Our fax number is (801) 257-8950. @™ Our e-mail address is letters@ fensive,” “distasteful,” “insensitive” weresomeof the criticisms leveled at Advertisements encouraging car shoppers to lease are becoming ever more insistent. Manyare geared to- daytime telephone numbers. Information other than your name and the city in which you live are kept sltrib.com. are opinions with which no one is obliged to agree. Some editorial cartoons will have us howling with laughter, others leave us seething with indignation. An editorial cartoon or commentary that pushes the @ When submitting letters to the Public Forum, please include your full name, signature, address and used to go into the general fund, but I personally think it was earmarked this year for education to boost sales. Lotteries usually try to appeal to something worthwhile like educa- tion. That makes it easier for us to part with our money when otherwise we would think thatit was wasteful, immoral or stupid. Lotteries are one of the few things that get bigger because ofa lack of in: terest. In 1983 we started with a scratch game and in 1984 added Lotto. Because people get bored easily, the lottery ings twice a week, a daily drawing, something Quinto, and multiPle scratch games. People who win have to be paid, which means more people haveto play. Thueson’s comparison to school fund-raisers is interesting. At school a groupof parents, usually moms,get together, plan an event and whenit’s over disband until there’s a need again. In Washington, the Lottery Commission employs 155 people and is overseen by a board of five direc- very aware just what he is getting the gener fund and the rest went to overhead. In 2002 the proje amount goes down only afford payments on a jalopy. A lease reduces payments on a newer, more reliable car. Leasing, like most rentals, means paying for the privilege of using another’s property, for a tax. If Utahns wantto fund education, they shouldjust do it, and ifthey want to gamble,it’s up to them. But don't ever kid yourself that a lottery is “conceptually” just another bake sale. At least with a bake sale you get to take home some cookies. himselfinto. Leasing can be beneficial for a consumer who needs a car but can toabout22 percent. Not very efficient nothing more.Atthe endof the lease, the lessee who wants to buy the car does not necessarily receive a reduc- tion in the sales price to reflect the BRUCE SMITH — Harbor, Wash. ally need out of the lease early, the costs can be as prohibitive as keep! the car. The lease will provide for myriad early termination fees. In fairness,it will state that those fees could be in the thousands. What it to spend money on lawyers researching all of the different state laws. It also means many consumers will end up paying fees they shouldn't because they don't know the laws either. If lease payments are sent to an out-ofstate bank, chances are greater that some of the fees are not necessarily } i E g i H a ill irHaiul sumer may not be legally liable for all ofthe fees, ee won't state so clearly is that the con- tax revenues go to all of the outlying malls. BRAD HUNSAKER Holladay |