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Show ^ ^ ^ D A I L Y UTAH CHRONICLE OPINION www.dailyutahchronicle.com Tuesday, January 24, 2006 Those who don't oppose illegal immigration are evil Editor: I am writing in response to Jay Logan Rogers' article ("Bill could raise tuition for undocumented immigrants," Jan. 20). Thanks for this article. However, we are talking about "illegal aliens," not just "undocumented immigrants!" We have a disaster in our state and nation as millions of illegal aliens invade our land yearly, raping taxpayers like me, destroying our language and culture, overpopulating our cities and taking our jobs. It's the pathetic lying traitors mentioned in your article that are in it for their own power and money, including: David Ure, Ivory Homes, the Catholic Church, etc. Shame on all of them, as they are traitors to our country and should be deported with the illegal aliens. Shame on those at the U, including Kim Wirthlin for supporting illegal aliens. Shame on Rebecca Chavez of the Hispanic racist group called Centro de la Familia de Utah. They all think it's fair that my taxpayer money supports illegal aliens, while at the same time our own citizens can't even get in-state tuition just because they live in Evanston, Wyo., or have been in the military for a few years. All these people and groups you mentioned are only thinking about themselves, whether it is for money, power or race. The Daily Utah Chronicle keeps the students there very ignorant to what's really going on. Shame on the U staff and The Chroniclei David Ure is one of the most pathetic proillegal-alien leaders we have in our state, right up there with the evil Congressman Chris Cannon. Thanks for reporting this and I hope the bill passes! Kenny Williams Local Resident THE CHRONICLE'S VIEW Bikers aren't the only ones Greeks need to rally behind the Tri Delta house : | Tri Delta chapter is still around in the n April 30, the Delta Delta Delta who cause damage sorority will lose its charter—unless Other members of the greek system should Editor: Imagine for a moment a section of pristine wilderness, seemingly untouched by man. As you are enjoying the peace and tranquility that nature provides, a mountain bikerridesby. Obviously, mountain bikers are the only ones who cause damage to the areas we should be able to enjoy. At least, that is what Mike Vandeman would like you to believe ("Mountain biking is too destructive," Jan. 23). This argument is similar to one between WW kayakers and others (mostly fishermen) in the Southeast. Some say that kayakers should be banned for being destructive, even as they stomp through riparian habitat to reach their favorite fishing hole and leave beer bottles on the riverbank when they leave. Granted, not all fishermen are like this, and not all kayakers are good to the environment. This is true in mountain biking, as well. Some are destructive, sure, just as some hikers are destructive. If you feel that an area is being destroyed, don't isolate one group. If an area is closed to access, it should be closed to everyone because everyone has at least some impact. Scott Syndergaard Freshman, Biology Point/Counterpoint inappropriately simplistic Editor: I was disappointed to read today's Point/Counterpoint ("Is the GOP on the light side or dark side of the Force?" Jan. 23) and realize that The Chrony had chosen a completely and inappropriately complex topic to debate. Dividing politics into a Republican vs. Democrat framework is simplistic and meaningless. With such a premise to work with, Fawson and Coloroso can only pick sides and make broad generalizations, further perpetuating party stereotypes. I consider this an insult to the intelligence of the readership and suggest that The Chrony seriously narrow its topic for Point/Counterpoint in the future, enabling factual and meaningful debate. If this is not possible, I recommend sticking with the" age-old dilemmas of boxers vs. briefs, blonde vs. brunette, or Yankees vs. Red Sox, which are innocuous and far more entertaining than politics. Christian Leininger Junior, Economics Fetuses are human beings Editor: I am writing in response to the letter "Fetuses aren't conscious beings" from Jan.19. I find it disconcerting that Christopher Simons apparently thinks human beings spontaneously pop out of women when it's their time to be born and are all of a sudden human. Are you sure the stork didn't bring them, too? If he took the time to study the medical facts, he would have found what I have. First off, the first trimester obviously is the first three months. Eighteen days after fertilization, the heart begins to beat independently of the mother's. After 20 days, the brain begins to form. At 40 days, brain waves can be recorded from the fetus. At 4 to 8 weeks, the baby is capable of responding to outside stimuli such as touch. At 8 weeks the baby's organs are fully formed and it is completely recognizable as human. Moreover, almost from concep- , tion the baby has neurotransmitters in the embryonic nervous tissue that allow it to respond to the emotional state of the mother. This sounds like "feeling" to me. For Simons' information, the definition of life is a being that is capable of reproduction, consumes nutrients and grows. All of these are applicable to a fetus. From the first day after fertilization the embryo is human. I defy Simons to prove that at his stage of life he was anything different than a zygote. To say anything else would be to say that life spontaneously occurs and that has absolutely no basis in fact. Mark Sorensen O .:. its members and the other members be the most outraged at this injustice. It is possible for the U chapter to appeal ';>? of Greek Row do something about it, the decision, but it will be a difficult, uphill Tri Delta is the second house on Greek process. .•£?: Row to lose its charter this semester—the first being fraternity Phi Delta Theta. The The greek system should rally behind thef^ loss is part of a disturbing trend for the ; $^$•Tri Delts to help them appeal and improve•. greek community, which is already suffer- ~" rtheir numbers. The implications of the Tri %•;ing from low participation. 4 ^ Delts' charter being revoked should be dis« 7 '•";--v"•-•; It appears that the sorority hasn't donev^ •^turbing to all greeks. anything wrong except fail to attract the#$J |£ Every house should be aware that the H ri minimum number of members expected by ' national organization can revoke charters at its national executive board. Yet four other . anytime, for any reason. c sororities at the U have also failed to attract There are more people hurt by the clor : •; the minimum number—which was recently sure of these houses than the members^ •; lowered from 80 to 63. themselves. Every year, members of the greek system raise tens of thousands of dolWhy is the chapter being held to a set of lars for charity. The closure of the Tri-Delts arbitrary standards? Why aren't individual has significantly jeopardized the budget ..V situations being taken into account? The of the Boys, and Girls Club of Greater Salt ' people who should be standing up for the sorority are actually the ones advocating > the closure. •;••:• ''••"•; • • • 'T^-S'^^i^ y.' The decline of the greek system also damThe official decision came from the na- *!" ages the quality of life on the U campus. A tional executive board. The people to whom healthy greek system prevents the Ufrom.j . all Tri Delts must pay hundreds of dollars^ becoming a purely "commuter campus." |v and work to please—are now stabbing them Greeks are active in student government, in the back. energetic promoters of bn-campus social c activities, participants in service organizaUnless behavioral rules have been breached, a national board should do ev- '_ tions and loyal alumni. ; ^ S':-;; / V: v • '"., erything in its power to support the local The U cannot afford to lose its greek syschapter. Yet the chapter cannot even get a tem—and the greek system cannot afford straight answer on what the appeals proto lose another house. The closure of two cess is. . ' ' :/ . . . . ••'.- -;•.:?•-/••;;; houses is a significant blow to the system, Members of Greek Row need to clo every- and all members need to rally in support of : thing in their power to make sure that the one another. • * . " Unsigned editorials reflect the majority opinion of The Daily Utah Chronicle Editorial Board. Editorial columns and letters to the edi- *• i.-r tor are strictly the opinions of the author/The forum created on the Opinion Page is one based on vigorous debate, while at the same -• time demanding tolerance and respect. Material defamatory to an individual or group because of race, ethnic background, religion,* 1 creed, gender, appearance or sexual orientation will be edited or will not be published. All letters to the editor will now be published*, • online at www.dailyutahchronicle.com. Letters that the editor deems best represent those received will be printed in the newspaper-^-'_ as well as online. . . - . • • - " • •* j, - ,-, • 1 1 " • : • • . • ' •' ' • •- T •"- "' ;• '"'•" i ' " • ' • '"A. .'. ^ ' ' " ' • ' • '• - • f.r" What do you think of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito? He's the cat's J^^^HH pajamas! ~ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ | ^S He's seems alright. — l ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ f BOO! HISS! 1 havpn'f hppn paying much attention. - ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ H ^ i ^^ _ ^i _^ ^ ^^ —I^^^^^^B1^^^^^^^ G •: 34 votes t 35 votes • 1 ll 62 votes 25 votes 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Senior, Political Science Leave our school alone! U students, not Utah legislators, should make decisions about campus C onservatives are supposed to hate government intrusiveness—yet this trait is exhibited on a yearly basis by the Utah Legislature. Utah conservatives love to meddle in other people's affairs, particularly those of U students. Every year, the Legislature passes laws that have to do with higher education. In the current legislative session, there are 11 bills that involve you, as students, which you will have no say over. More bills are most likely forthcoming. Most of these bills, like sales-tax exemptions for students purchasing textbooks and making returned military officers eligible for in-state tuition, are positive bills and probably would be looked upon favorably by the student body. But other bills, like appropriations bills and bills that would allow students to carry concealed weapons on campus, probably should be looked upon with more scrutiny by U students than by the Legislature. No matter how you personally feel about the gun issue, sales-tax exemptions or illegal immigrants paying in-state tuition, you have no voice over the solutions to these issues—except for one vote for your legislator. We should not accept such intrusion and meddling into our affairs. Why should someone—a legislator, lobbyist or attorney general—who never steps foot onto our campus be able to craft decisions regarding our safety? State Attorney General Mark ShurtlefFsaid in 2004, "The Uni- Jay Richards versity of Utah still is a part of Utah and has to obey the laws and rules of Utah." Yet Utah's constitution guarantees that Utah universities should retain control over their functions. The constitution, the supreme law of the state of Utah, says, regarding institutions of higher education: "All rights, immunities, franchises and endowments originally established or recognized by the constitution for any public university or college are confirmed." U attorney Alan Sullivan said, "Striking down the (U's) ban on guns would strike at the heart of academic freedom and could possibly open the door to the Legislature dictating everything from hiring practices to subjects taught on campus." The constitution also makes clear that universities in Utah should remain free from "sectarian control." I can't think of a greater force of sectarian control than that of the Utah Legislature and attorney general. The U is an autonomous creature, and we ought to make our own decisions regarding our institution. Why do we even elect a student body president or a student senate if they aren't "being utilized to' -' make decisions like this? Is their • * -1 only function to organize the next; • Crimson Nights? -These are our representatives, not! those up at the Legislature. They ' ' * should be making decisions regarding our safety, welfare and finances. Decisions that only affect us really shouldn't be made by our representatives, but by all of us united - together. Progressive, deliberative'. democracy really is the only way for! us as students to develop as citi- ; ; zens of a 28,000-plus community/If; government "by the people, for the people and of the people" is ever going to exist, then why not start right • here at the U? ;; letters@ chronicle.utah.edu |