| OCR Text |
Show 14A The Salt Lake Tribune, D't'ribu'tdbr Sunday, April 28, 1985 V 'ii Common Carrier King F'u' Syndic' Qjxry,. Man Is Failing to Live Up To Name Homo Sapien I wonder if the human race is pitiless or simply ignorant, particularly a certain group of Individuals. Has this group no compassion for our uncertain future? Im not only referring to the Homo sapiens future either. What about the rest of the life forms and ecosystems of this planet? It is, after all, the only really precious, solid thing weve got. Let me clarify. There are millions of people dying of starvation in Ethiopia, not only there all Today's Common Carrier author is Valerie A. Heath, 1117 Heath Aye., Salt Lake City, Utah 84106. A native of Carbon County, Ms. Heath is currently working as a secretary In the environmental affairs office of the Bureau of Land Management. The views expressed in the article are the personal views of the author. over the world. Ethiopia just happens to be the most blatant example. And theres positive evidence that this will continue despite relief efforts because that land, regardless of modernized farming techniques, simply cannot support such a massive number of people. The Worldwatch Institute as one voice for scores of other individuals and organizations has said that this tragedy may be a portent of what could be in store for the rest of this planet whose population is reaching 5 billion. Theres not much reason nor proof to be had that allows us to doubt these gloomy predictions. China, itself, has had to introduce a national one child per family policy to avoid what is happening in Ethiopia at this very moment. A decision is made in desperation. Deaths from illnesses such as heart disd ease and cancers; neurosis, et abuse, alcoholism, cetera, are on an drug average of twice as high in our major population areas as elsewhere, with the northeastern part of the United States leading in almost all cases. Need I say that the northeast is also our most populous region? Denver, Colo., just last winter had to ask its population to voluntarily adopt a program which restricts individual driving habits fend the burning of household fires because its air quality is a severe health threat. Salt Lake area agents are asking that individuals restrict their use of woodburning equipment because we are being faced with the same threat as Denver. One of Denvers worst days, the pollution content of the brown air was many times stress-induce- higher than Environmental Protection Agency standards allow. This particular health hazard occurred twice last winter. Denver has a population of 1,620,920 as of the 1980 census. Were now faced with the fact that forests in the northeastern United States and a large part of Europe are dying in massive tracts as a direct result of what is called acid rain. In fact, the acidity in some of the eastern United States high mountain lakes and streams has reached such a level that these areas can no longer support the more advanced forms of aquatic life. Scientists are unsure of how to stop this degradation of our delicately balanced environment but they all agree that the causes are mankind-induce- d by our inconspicuous use of automobiles and our need (real or assumed) for products that are industry related or produced. I have heard from various sources that we are rapidly losing incredibly large areas (approximately 5,000 acres) of the remaining tropical rain forests every day due to human growth and development. Projections indicate that this loss, in turn, could ultimately affect global climate with possible dire consequences. The world loses almost 25 billion tons of topsoil annually due to erosion that is a result of careless overdevelopment. The mighty Colorado River now dries to a mudhole before it even reaches the Sea of Cortez; whereas, before growth and increased water usage, before of this river occurred, it ran deep and swift over-allocati- Valerie A. Heath into the ocean. I feel this loss deeply. I see it as a symbol of what is to come. The aquifers of this country are running dry and a good many are contaminated by toxic wastes. I see this as a frightening omen of what can occur within the next generation or two. To tie in with the above, the EPA has identified approximately 600 toxic waste sites that are on the national priority list. Thats priority sites, not all. That means that 600 sites are serious health threats. There are actually thousands that have been identified. These sites are contaminating ground-wate- r, major waterways, air, soil, plant life, animal and human life. I see this in terms of: Growth usage waste When the Fish and Wildlife Service first initiated its threatened and endangered species program in the 1960s, there were 70 listed rare and endangered life forms. Now there are 829. This is due in part to disappearing habitat which is crucial to their survival and to predation by man even though a lot of these species are inedible and unusable. I have watched areas dear to me go from pristine wonderlands to garbage dumps for the ignorant and callous. This is partly a result of increased use. This increased use is due in part to increased population. I hear, read and see these horrors every day. There are dozens more I could relate. All are a direct or indirect result of an world population. Then I stop and listen to various pro-lif- e groups that dismiss birth control and abortion as moral wrongs. Admittedly, birth control is infinitely better than abortion, but some of these people persist in their allegations that birth control itself is wrong. Do they care for the quality of life? Is quantity the only issue? Should I also go into problems connected with too many unwanted, abused, and neglected children? The financial and emotional hardship of feeding and clothing one more child? Do these prolifers care for the other life on this planet? Have they ever thought they might be wrong? What then? Still uncontrolled growth and ultimate Only it wont It will be the genocide of be just about every living thing on this planet. Is that morally right? I think not. Because we are the world's most intelligent and destructive creatures, we also carry the burden of having the most responsibility for insuring the survival of this planet in whole, including not only our own species but those of the plants, animals, birds and aquatic life, at a quality level. It is a moral responsibility and one that must be taken up by all peoples of all nations, regardless of archaic individual beliefs. Okay, so I couldnt find the best sites. I did find a fantastic deal on a BMW. . n. ever-increasi- diet is a device for turning ugly fat into ugly skinny. A Few things arc more irritating than being kept awake b. a loud party that you werent invited to. Anybody who says we aren't enough for the elderly forgets about doing The Public Forum Tribune Readers Opinions Thanks West Valley I would like to say thanks to West Valley City for helping residents of 5600 West to limit the number of trucks that travel that street. For years the trucks have traveled 5600 West with no restraints whatsoever, tearing . up the streets, leaving dust, diesel fumes and residue in our homes, and keeping residents awake by running all night. More recently, they have taken up the practice of running red lights and using noisy brakes when it is unnecessary. In 1980, my home was destroyed by a diesel truck, so I am very happy to see them leave. Since their partial departure the traffic situation has improved. So, once again, thanks to the West Valley City officials who had the guts to stand up to the trucking companies. JEANNE HARRIS West Valley City Paved Road to Beauty of About 25 years ago, I traveled a section 5 between Blanding, San Juan and Utah-9- the Colorado River when the road was little more than a trail passable only by vehicles. The road wasnt traveled much by anyone except ranchers and uranium miners. Over the Easter weekend my wife and I traveled this same roadway. This is now an excellent paved road that provides access to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. It is easily traveled in a regular car and makes this area available for all of us to enjoy. As a highway engineer I appreciate the tremendous job the planners, engineers and construction people have done in constructing this highway. I realized, as I drove this Forum Rules Public Forum letters mu$t be submitted exclusively to The Tribune and bear writers full name, signature and address. Names must be printed on political letters but may be withheld for good reason on others. Writers are limited to one letter every 10 days. Preference will be given to short, typewritten (double spaced) letters permitting use of the writers true name. All letters are subject to condensation. Mail to the Public Forum, The Salt Lake Tribune, Post Office Box 867, Salt Lake City, UT 84110. highway, the hardships, dangers and isolation these individuals endured. I am grateful for their achievements and salute them. As others drive this highway I hope they enjoy it and think of the efforts of the dedicated people who made it possible. D.L. CHRISTENSEN Problems With Banks How many people are experiencing problems with banks? I and a few others are. We come up short. We have to travel back in with three months accounting records. The personnel seem in competent, indifferent, arrogant and con- temptuous. Some even seem to delight in mischief. Is this a result of the lost generation rising to positions of responsibility? Social engineers that mold incompetents, transgressors and potheads into a semblance of normality and foist them upon the trusting citizenry? CHARLOTTE M. HOWE . ' , DUI Laws Too Stiff Driving a car is a right. It should not be considered a privilege , any longer. The punishments for driving the influence of alcohol are too harsh. A s person can end up spending thousands of for a lawyer, increased car insurance ; and fines, let alone depression, loss of jobs for the drivers and their and families. When a person is drinking to excess and . then driving, he has an illness. This illness . X should be helped and not punished. The laws .f. and punishments have not solved the prob- - v lem. They have, in fact, just made it worse. Driving is a necessity and most people ; have to drive to commute. In most cases, these people will drive with or without a license. Let us help these people, not condemn . them and their families. 1 The laws can and should be changed. DUI be a for should cited and fined, I People in some cases maybe put into jail for a few 1 days, though not long enough to lose their un-d- er dol-lar- self-respe- v jobs. Most importantly they should be to enroll in a self-hel- p program or a pro- hospital, even an be should not their But driving right gram. taken away. These people do have to go on living. alcohol-awarene- How to Submit Articles Opinions expressed in Common Carrier do not necessarily reflect those of The Salt Lake Tribune or the Common Carrier Board of Lay Editors. Articles in this department are selected by the lay board of editors which operates independently of The Tribune editorial and reportorial policies. The Common Carrier board, representing a cross section of the community, is composed of Mrs. Mary Green, a veteran federal employee; Dr. David Mulder, psychologist; Mrs. Deanna Clark, civic worker and past president of the Utah League of Women voters; Ms. Connie Meske, office manager, Plumbers and Steamfit-ter- s Union, Local 19; and Robert a retired Air Force colonel. The board seeks articles from all segments of the community. Articles need not be professionally prepared but should be about three and a half pages of typed copy. They should pertain to g of the economic or social the Intermountain Area. Articles should be timely, have a basic idea, promote dialogue and be challeng- - DIANE TALBOT . ; Mul-dro- double-space- Seen His Last $20 i d, well-bein- ; ing. Material should be mailed to Common Carrier, The Salt Lake Tribune; P.O. Box 867, Salt Lake City, Utah, Only in Utan could you charge people $20 for a general admission seat, make them wait in a concession line for better than an hour to buy a beer, sell two tickets for each available seat, generally treating them like sheep, and keep your job. That is exactly what the Salt Palace has done. This has happened on the last two closed- circuit telecasts of championship fights. We deserve better, but all we get is more of the same. Salt Palace, youve seen my last $20 ' ' -- , i 1 bill! 84110. SCOTT HOLBROOK Murray movies. ! MX Is Only Part of the Threat of Nuclear Annihilation By Edwin B. Firmage The heartbreakingly close vote funding additional MX has, quite naturally, discouraged some who have long fought this misbegotten missile which lacks a defensible strategic purpose or a secure basing mode. Attempting to defend an indefensible weapon, two successive administrations have each year offered a different reason to justify this missile. the Carter administration. . First, under MX in mobile basing mode would extend the life of the leg of the triad (land- land-base- d Edwio B. Firmage is a professor at the College of Law, University of Utah. strategic weapons) by providing invulnerability even though each side's accuracy was improving enough to permit the targeting of weapons rather than cities. When this was proven politically and technically false, a theory of fighting and winning a nuclear war came in with the A "hard target kill" Reagan administration which amountwas MX touted, capacity for ed to a strategy of the first use of nuclear weapons (why target empty silos). When, during the first two years of the Reagan administration, the candid expression of this concept of building nuclear weapons for use in war rather than deterrence from war produced a healthy fear of worHwHn enrh Insanitv against this policy, pressure increasingly was put upon the administration, both from our allies abroad and from our own voters, to enter into arms-contrnegotiations. This administration was pulled and pushed, seemingly against its will, into the arms control talks at Geneva. Significant majorities in both houses of Congress were by this time convinced that MX was a weapon without a justifiable purpose. But members of Congress are notoriously vulnerable to an argument by the president that "national security demands a particular weapon. When Mr. Reagan linked MX as a "bargaining ciiip" in the Geneva negotiations, the old pattern of arms racing under the guise of arms reductions again proved successful. President Reagan and Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger have presided over the greatest expenditure on military weaponry in the history of this country. Simultaneously and directly related, they have caused a greater increase in the national debt than that of any other administration, without either war or depression to combat. "National security is a term completely debased in this administration. Mr. Reagan has approximately 30,000 nuclear warheads as bargaining chips at Geneva. without MX. The Soviets have larger but fewer and less accurate rough equivalents. MX, rather than giving us increased leverage at Geneva, will simply produce a reaction by the Soviets toward further increases in their own strategic weaponry. We will simplv bareain from a position of both sides possessing even more weapons which, somehow, each side must ultimately dispose of. Funding MX does not, as this maintains, demonstrate strong national resolve, national consensus. Continued deployment of a weapon without purpose, at great cost, proves only a lack of intelligence and prudence in national leadership. Whether this condition will frighten the Russians into a compliant mood is yet to be demonstrated. Budget economy and national security demand less, not more, nuclear weapons. Each side now knows that the "nuclear winter" scenario, first presented by Carl Sagan and Paul Ehrlich, is essentially correct. That is, the detonation over the cities of the Northern hemisphere of a small fraction of the nuclear weapons possessed by either side would produce such a cloud of heavy radioactive debris into the atmosphere that the sun's light would disappear. Temperatures would plummet. Much of the world would freeze in a dark night of months of winter Photosynthesis would cease. The chain of life would be sundered at countless points The continuation of life on the planet could not be assured. This struggle is not fundamentally about MX. If MX funding had been denied and that system ended, we would still face scores of times overkill in the nuclear arsenals of the two superpowers. Our goal is and always has been to remove the threat of nuclear annihilation from the world. We must continue our efforts, whatever political party controls the White House or Congress, to reduce and finally eliminate nuclear weapons, and re- solve disputes by peaceful means. We face e three short-terobjectives and one hua of to esential continuation goal man society. we must first end the On the short-terarms race with the (or vertical) quantitative Soviet Union. The sheer size of the nuclear stockpiles must be reduced below the level of a potential nuclear winter; and then finally eliminated entirely. This can be done by freezing, and then deeply cutting and finally eliminating, the stockpiles of each side with multilateral and verifiable agreements bestates. tween the nuclear-weapo- n Second, we must end the qualitative arms race, by which each side continues to improve its nuclear weapons in accuracy and in ability actually to use such weapons in war, rather than seeing nuclear weapons at best as deterrents against any use by another of such weaponry. This can be done by a complete ban on further testing of nuclear weapons. A nation will not deploy a new weapon it cannot test. Third, the horizontal arms race, or the proliferation of nuclear weapons to nations not now possessing them, must cease. If we do not bring this spreadinr infection to a halt, we will soon face a world with 20 or 30 nuclear-weapostates. Terrorist groups also will finally obtain nuclear weapons. Then nuclear war by accident, miscalculation, insanity or design will simply be a matter of time. This goal can only be accomplished when the major nuclear powers no longer maintain a position of unnatural superiority over states by the continual develop long-rang- n ment of nuclear weaponry. Only from such a position of legal and ethical behavior our-- selves could the present nuclear states de, mand and then enforce abstinance from oth- ers. The town drunk cannot preach the.-virtof abstinance with credibility. A But finally we face a greater challenge, which surpasses even these enormous chal- lenges to politics and diplomacy. Even if we could by some magnificient flowering of in- - . ternational diplomacy somehow match the ; creativity of our Founding Fathers who gave us the American Constitution, and eliminate all nuclear weapons from the earth, the 1 quest would not be over. Each generation I from this moment on must make the deci- - I sion for itself whether to develop, deploy and eventually to use such weapons. The knowledge of nuclear weaponry is ; forever out of the bottle. We can never again return in innocence to a Eden. I We must somehow raise our consciousness, J become aware that we as human beings have profoundly so much in common with ? each other that our real differences are mi- - ; nuscule by comparison. We must learn to see each other as basically indistinguishable from ourselves. We must not externalize ues evil. As we would not ' dismember ourselves L we must not injure each other. Love of neigh- - bor as oneself has been a concept central to the world's great religions, and enemy lovd J has been at the heart of the greatest teach-ing- s ever given. The ultimate wisdom, even necessity of such a vision, should now be ap- - ; parent to ail who care about this planet and the life that exists upon it. |
