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Show February Letters to the Editor ( Petition response Dear Editor, in response to an article by SUN staff writer, Ron Im writing written Rushton. In this article titled Segregation at Dixie?, Mr. Rushton pointed out the absurity of a petition requiring an opinion about the of older students at the Preference Dance. I personally agree with Mr. Rushton regarding the nature of the Opinion Pole,and felt it was just as valid as the perpetrators spelling. However, I strongly disagree with Mr.Rushtons resolution to the petitions insulting nature. He stated, Next time you see one of these stupid petitions, tear it off the wall or write grafitti all over it! As a member of the Earthwide Cosmic Consciousness and Luncheon Society, we must condone the right to seek expression. As far as I know, the petitions were violating nothing legally objectionalble, and were only seeking an opinion, which may in fact have some unseen value to the person or entity that posted them. Therefore, in response, rather than responding to one insult with another, please have the class to object in an ap- propriate manner. I suggest leaving any posted material alone, within its constitutional rights, and bring your complaint before a body in authority, such as the president, dean, or executive council. Please have the forethought to take responsibilities for your actions, even if others do not. If it is handled in this way, further insult by anyone may be avoided, and everyone will continue to uphold the guidelines that maintain the constitutional rights of our nation. Think about it, Joni L. Kerr Dear Editor, While reading through the January 30th edition of our Dixie Sun I was disappointed to see,(in the same paper 13, 1987 3 heralding freedom of the press, speech and expression, )staff writer Ron Rushtons closing remark in regards to the stupid petition being circulated around campus. Regardless of the source or content of this or any petition, announcement, or commentary, tearing it off the wall or writing graffiti all over it, in a very real way compromises the freedoms we all share. Laws and institutions are in existance to protect these freedoms, in this case, vandalism and censorship by representation. In the future I would hope the students, faculty, and staff show a little more tolerance and humor towards one another, because in the absence of these qualities, ignorance and prejudice govern our attitudes. Sincerely, Michael Heaton Diplomatic Advisor ECCLS SUN suggestions Dear Editor, I am a freshman at Dixie and I have found myself enjoying every minute of my new college life. Being the newcomer that I am, I refer quite often to the Dixie Sun to find out about upcoming events at Dixie and in St. George. It is an enjoyable and enlighting paper to read. However, it would be nice to be able to see the Dixie Sun expand to include stories that pertain to events outside of St. George. There are many things happening in the world around us and as a student I am eager to learn about those things and I imagine that many students on campus share my opinion. I have read newspapers from other two and four year institutions which include wordly happenings so I know that it is not beyond your capacity to include such stories. I would be grateful if you would consider my suggestion and perhaps put it into use in future editions of the Dixie Sun. An Avid Reader Sincerly STUDENT OPINION What is Civil Disobedience? A week ago last Wednesday and Thursday (Feb. 4th and 5th), I had the opportunity to participate in the largest nuclear test ban rally ever held at the Nevada Test Site. While there, I witnessed some 2,000-plu- s people join together as one, and rally against something they believe is the single biggest threat to mans exisistence nuclear weapons. I very much enjoyed taking part in something so worthwhile, but there was one thing about the peace rally that kind of puzzled me. It occured when 438 of the protestors got into a line, and marched onto the property of the governments test site, an action that constitutes nonviolent civil disobedience. That form of civil disobedience is classified as a misdemeanor trespass charge, and once a person crosses the boundary line of the test site, he or she is then handcuffed, placed on a bus with other offenders, and transported to the nearby town of Beatty, where they wait for their hearing. The penalty for commiting civil disobedience is a S150 fine for a first offense, 2'2 days in jail and a $50 fine for a second offense, and so on, with the fifth offense carrying a penalty of up to six months in jail, and a $1000 fine. At first I thought to myself, Now why would anyone want to get arrested for something so meaningless and petty ? What does commiting civil disobedience prove anyway? My opinions soon changed however, especially after listening to the reasons of some of the people in favor of it. One of the protestors said that by commiting civil disobedience, a person was making a statement to the leaders of our country, that they are not about to stand around and watch while the government continues to If you have any comments about a story in the SUN, or about something at Dixie College, please let us know with a Letter to the Editor. Submit a copy of the letter to Ed Rogers off Ice, which is located at the bottom of the Student Union Building next to Campus Security. threaten the existence of man. If people are not willing to make a strong but peaceful statement about how they feel, then they dont have very strong feelings, stated Tim Eicher, a resident of civil disobedience is one way Valley. to make a statement to other people that you feel strongly enough to want a change, and strongly enough to risk arrest. Another person who took part in civil disobedience, Dixie College student Rich Cronshey, told me the reason for his actions. Its an error to assume that human existence is gi anted value. Value for human life has to be proven through action. Civil disobedience against the arms race is the most direct method, at least for me, to do that, stated Cronshey. Dam-mero- n Non-viole- While I was getting arrested, 1 fell that my existence was vaild, and I didnt need to apologize for the space take up. I dont know that this sort of action will effect the legislator, but at least it creates an imperitive that human beings can choose. Civil disobedience is like direct democracy, where my body becomes the ballot, and jail is the ballot box. Civil disobedience may not be the answer to solving all the problems of nuclear testing and weapons, but people working together, striving for one common goal, peace, may be the first step in making the world a safe place to live once again. fclanor Roosevelt may have summed it up the best when she said, It isnt enough to talk about peace, one must believe in it. And it isnt enough to believe in it, one must work at it. Do you believe that St. George Policemen go out of their way to bust college students? a He was quite progressive of his time, and he was instrumental in establishing new and innovative ideas at the college. He stated, Here in the walls of Dixie College, may be found the greatest portion of spiritual and educational wealth that we will ever know. The friendships, loyalities, richness of the world outside,, has been significantly brought to our attention. On every J f Perry "I'm from here (St. George), and have lived here almost my whole life. I dont think the police force pays any more attention to the campus activities than it does to the activities in town. The reason why it seems out of proportion is that Dixie College is a major (part) of the town. Everybody thinks that Dixie College is getting hit, but its not. The college is just part of he town. 7 think that they definiteToby Racine ly do. They should pay more attention to real crimes instead of little parties held in the dorms. They re (the cops) so hard up for a bust, that they will crawl through the bushes at the narrows, just to catch one person who has had one beer. College is for learning, and everybody parties a little. They should just let us have our fun, as long as we dont cause anv problems. W ' ' find a wall lined with pictures of friends, places near and remote, objects of admiration and inspiration, shadows ol dispair and reverberation of singing laughter. Would that walls had ears to , Michelle i History of Dixie College presidents tor man continued from page 10 Ellvert H. Himes was chosen to become president of Dixie in 1951, because of his many years of devoted service to education and his knowledge of how a college should be managed. side, we memories, Joe Zane 7 believe that college students have always been a target because they set themselves up. When someone does something wrong, they should be punished for it. As for St. George Police down on Dixie college students, I have had no trouble with them. DIXIE SUN Page j 'M- - . A Jarron Payzanl "We came down to Dixie to learn and to have a good time. A ll the cops want to do is try to get us in trouble. We spend all of our money on college expenses, and the cops try to bleed the rest of it out of us. hear with, eyes to see with, and lips to speak the secrets that hold the sto'1 of the life of each individual who as attended Dixie College and thus ha been enriched by all the experience within these walls. It is my since hope that all of you may continue ir a life filled with wall offerings an.l beautiful pictures with vistas of a lai distant sky with glittering sunshine coming through the windows revealing a glorious future. May you open the door that through you may pass into the life that has been so significantly contributed to within these walls. He left to become head of the Graduate School at Utah State University in 1954. Since he retired from U.S.U. he has been living in Arizona. r inwwrJ |