OCR Text |
Show OPINION Page 5 Monday, June 12,2006 THE CHRONICLE'S VIEW ";.'\ •ASUU press secretary is unnecessary T he induction of sophomore Cameron Beech as ASUU press secretary is a perfect illustration of how the Associated Students of the University of Utah is missing the boat in its correspondence with The Chronicle and other press organizations—if there are, indeed, other press organizations interested in the actions of ASUU. While it is commendable that ASUU seeks to 1 strengthen its bonds with other campus entities, this is the wrong way to go about it. The creation of this position will only further isolate ASUU from the rest of campus—something the new administrators has said it doesn't want to do. After promising to maintain an open-door policy during their campaign for office this spring, ASUU leaders have already created a new barrier between themselves, the students and media organizations that hold them accountable. ASUU is not a unified front, and the idea that one student executive could possibly speak for the entirety of their $1.35 million operation is laughable. It would seem that Jake Kirkham and Toby Collett could just as easily field questions themselves as brief as Beech on every move they and their subordinates make. President Bush has Tony Snow to conduct official meetings and press gatherings because—love him or hate him—you have to concede that Bush is far too busy to explain his actions to all concerned parties personally. Kirkham and Collett may work very hard for students at the U, but it's hard to imagine that they don't ever have a free moment to talk with a newspaper that's situated roughly five steps across the hall from their office. Talking with The Chronicle has always been the job of the student leaders themselves—one of the duties for which they receive $2,400 each month. This is the first time in recent memory that ASUU has hired another position (for which a scholarship will be awarded) to deflect these responsibilities. This year's leaders were elected to represent the student body, and because of this, they have a responsibility to be completely forthright with their constituents and peers—the students of the U. The position of press secretary creates a new obstacle through which student groups and media organizations will have to go to ensure ASUU is fulfilling its responsibilities, and to herald it when it has done so. • ' ."l Unless it has nefarious secrets to hide, there's no "' reason to employ a professional scapegoat to operate at students' expense. Unsigned editorials reflect the majority opinion of The Daily Utah Chronic e Editorial Board. Editorial columns and letters to the editor are stri ;tly the opinions of the author. The forum created on the Opinion Page if, one based on vigorous debate, while at the same time demanding toltjrance and respect. Material defamatory to an individual or group becausfe of race, ethnic background, religion, creed, gender, appearance or scxiial orientation will be edited or will not be published. All letters to th'/editor will now be published online at www.dailyutuhchronicle. com./Letters that the editor deems best represent those received will be printed in the newspaper as well as online. Poisoned apples Growing popularity of the iPod may create a generation of zombies NN reports that in the latest biannual research study conducted by Student Monitor, Apple's iPod was rated by 73 percent of polled students as "in," dethroning even beer for the first time ever. When I first read this, I was not surprised. I, too, own and operate an iPod, and the popularity of the device is still growing throughout the world. However, this is a subject of great concern. Due in part to the iPod's influence, we have become a generation of silent and ignorant lone wolves. We walk alone, white cords sticking out of our ears, and think nothing of the people around us. People might approach or even greet us with a smile, and the only response we offer is a resounding, "Huh?" It gets worse as the 24 hours of nonstop top tunes take control. For example, I was recently on the train, casually listening to my innocent-looking iPod, when suddenly I bit my lower lip and bounced my head in a way that screamed: "I'm white, and I have no rhythm!" Before long, I was singing the familiar lyrics with reckless abandon, almost about to stand up and do the Robot. C 'God doesn't start war People are idiots to ignore greed and pride while blaming religion for the world's violence I drop a few f-bombs lenge the idea that every time I hear it. religion has caused a I'm not normally single war. Every war a swearing man, but in which a cross, star, ANDREW whenever I hear somecrescent or wheel one say that religion has KIRK has been waved for caused wars (the more justification has actuignorant even say it has ally been about somecaused the most wars), I thing else—usually can't hold it in. economics. It's hard for me to Religion is a great accept that I'm of the unifying power. IZ/very war in which a same species as anyone Unity is conducive cross, star, crescent or that stupid. to business. Money results in power. So, First, how could naturally, religion anyone ever say that re- wheel has been waved for has been supported ligion has caused more justification has actually and promoted to wars than any other make money and factor? been about something gain power. Does that Let's look at the else—usually economics. mean religion is to causes of the deadliest blame for war? Or is wars of the last hundred —— _ ^ _ years: colonialism, fasgreed? cism, communism, Ba'athism, nationalism A perfect parallel with religion's role and imperialism. in war is flags. Nearly every war has used flags as a unifying symbol. The ability to I may be missing a few, but religion fly a flag over a certain city has motivated hasn't been one of them. the capture of thousands of cities. Love Name for me one war that was motivated by religion. The split of India, Ban- for and allegiance to flags has motivated countless troops. In return for the sacgladesh and Pakistan, perhaps—between rifice of life, a flag is given to the fallen Hindus and Muslims? But was it really soldier's family. Clearly flags are to blame about Vishnu vs. Allah? Or was it about cultural, geographic, economic, linguistic for those wars, right? and political differences? * Flags are used in war and said to motiBesides, every war that could convate war, but they are just pieces of cloth. ceivably be blamed on religion has only Likewise, religion can be misused and resulted in the deaths of thousands. All abused any way greedy, horrible people so-called religiously motivated wars wish; but the people are to blame, not the combined couldn't match the death toll faith promoting ideas. of World War II, in which millions died Scripture of all kinds and faith in all because of fascism and communism. gods has taught the human race to imSwearing is the only thing that keeps prove itself and to promote better living. me from slapping the people across the Religion is to be credited with preserving face who are stupid enough to suggest peace in a world fraught by pain because that religion is to blame for the most of greed and pride. deaths. letters@ But I take it one step further: I chalchronicle.utah.edu Luckily, one of the earpieces fell out, snapping me from this uncontrollable seizure and allowing my eyes to slowly open to the harsh light of the outside world. Not only did I have no idea where we had stopped, but everybody on the train was staring as if he or she were watching a bad episode of "So You Think You Can Dance." This is exactly why the madness must stop. What happened to the guy with the stereo on his shoulder, anyway? At least he would share his music with everyone else, inviting all to join the party instead of shutting the door on the world around him. Are we really so self-absorbed that we can't give the rest of the world a chance? I say no, we are not so selfish. It may take a few efforts to beat the hypnotic glow of our miniature screens, but it is possible to walk from your house to the grocery store while actually paying attention to what is happening around you. Open your ears. Let the music of the city surround you, instead of what you downloaded last night. Lean over the melting pot of the Salt Lake scene and breathe in the sounds of bad traffic and construction. Is the iPod going to destroy you? Probably not; but you may be faced with an extreme case of embarrassment similar to what I experienced. More importantly, you don't know what you may be missing. There may be potential dates watching you walk from behind or even shouting an excited "hello!" from across the way. Look up! Be a part of what is going on around you. Social interaction may actually be fulfilling, or maybe a better song is being played by the restaurant down the street. Let me take you to that restaurant; let me show you what you have been missing. Take out the headphones, let your hair down and, for heaven's sake, woman that I always see in the parking lot, turn around and tell me your name! letters@chronicle.utah.edu LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Gay marriage won't hurt anybody Editor: In your recent two-sided editoral ("Is it good that the Senate rejected the Federal Marriage Amendment?" by Jessica Fawson and Christina Coloroso, June 8), I found some things in Fawson's editorial to be less than realistic. First, Fawson ignorantly presents the idea that gay marriage would make everyone gay, stating "without heterosexuals, our society would cease to exist, as you can't have a new generation without children" and "the attempt to... define marriage as between a man and a woman was an attempt to save our society...from extinction." As though every man and woman in the United States would automatically become homosexual if gay marriage were allowed! I know many gay people and many straight people, and they all like what they like, as it were. The studies that she references are questionable, since there are studies on both sides of the argument that say what makes a good home for children. The most sane and unbiased opinion I've ever seen on the topic says that a child only needs one thing to truly thrive: love. Our society is constantly evolving; why then should the institutions that constitute our culture and society not evolve as well? The Supreme Court justice in Massachusetts was correct in saying marriage " was an "evolving paradigm." Whether you like it or not, things change. Fawson is correct when she says, "Marriage...is more than childbearing." But from there her message degrades once more into the party line she is attempting to toe. Marriage has ultimately become a fashion accessory in our world. People get married because they think it will change something in their lives or because they think it willfixtheir problems. Marriage can't be protected from a culture that doesn't value it. Forever now means "until I get bored." Utah's passing of the constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage was just one more incidence of institutionalized persecution. It goes on here just like the rampant persecution of African Americans did in the South. Back then blacks and whites weren't allowed to marry, by law. Since when did two people getting married hurt you? David Yancey Junior, Anthropology Young people should stand up against the old geezer amendment Editor: In the name of justice and common sense, don't add the mean-spirited old-geezer amendment to the Constitution of the United States! Nobody who supported the idiotic prohibition amendment ever apologized for cluttering up the Constitution and creating social discord (organized crime). If the anti-gay amendment ever passes, it will be repealed in 20 years and its current supporters—like those who supported prohibition—will be nowhere to be found. I'm a straight male, aged 60, who has been married for 36 years, and I challenge anyone to tell me exactly how my marriage will be damaged by gay marriage. On the contrary, gay marriage is a stabilizing factor and will not only be good but great for America. I admire any young person who has the courage to stand up and say that on this issue, the old geezers are wrong. Roger. E. Carrier Sandy, Utah Send letters to the editor. Letter A^chronLcLe.utahxdu |