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Show OPINION Monday. September 11,2006 Page 8 THE CHRONICLE'S VIEW Don't carry guns C to class just • ^because you can ust because something's legal doesn't mean it's logical to do it. This simple principle was demonstrated y University of Utah President Michael Young and the previous administrators who enforced a policy of prohibiting guns on campus in spite of pressure from state legislators, who vehemently deny the U's right to exercise autonomous authority over the issue of gun control. However, the Utah Supreme Court decided last Friday that the U campus is subject to state law, and thus, the university itself cannot prevent the possession of firearms on its premises. The Supreme Court's interpretation of Utah ..;. state law is now subject to federal examina- * tion for constitutional compliance with First Amendment rights, but it nonetheless seems likely that the U's longstanding policy toward guns on campus will soon change. U students ought to heed President Young's warning that the no-gun policy is still very ' much in effect until federal court reviews and finalizes the decision. If it does become le' gal for students to carry weapons in the near future, we should follow Young's example and . exercise responsibility and caution instead of bringing guns to school just to recklessly flaunt our newfound freedoms. . . Forgetting how badly this issue reflects nationally on the Utah State Legislature's intentions, the thought of having gun-toting students on campus threatens the likelihood that other students will take part in free speech or demonstrations that might prompt hostilities from others. At least that's the U's argument, and it will be the primary focus for the federal court in deciding the viability of the state's decision. It has • yet to be seen whether that contention actually holds any weight, since last time the case went to federal court in 2004, the judge insisted upon the state examination, which finally concluded Friday, before devoting time to analysis of the ; law's First Amendment congruity. $ If the decision is upheld, we should take the time to consider rationally: Does it really ; make any sense to bring firearms on campus? It is perhaps unlikely that anybody would be harmed if people were to bring guns on campus, but common sense dictates that there is . little reason to risk it. Think about it. If all students were to follow the same policy—regardless of how harmless they might know their weapons to be in their seasoned, considerate hands—everybody at the U could feel safer in knowing that nobody is armed. 0 thanks .... if I need to defend myself I I I just scare them off with this Bookstore receipt. I . ^ • — Unsigned editorials reflect the majority opinion of The Daily Utah Chronicle Editorial Board. Signed editorial, editorial columns and letters to the editor arc 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, 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.dailyutakchronicle.com. Letters that the editor deems best represent those received will be printed in the newspaper as well as online. : .. " •" ERIC EVANS/ The Daily Utah Chronicle Keep piece on campus As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death... T hanks to Attorney General Mark Shurtleff— and others who've pushed for firearms at the U for more than five years now^students will finally feel safe and free walking around the dangerous, despotic U campus. Thanks are also in order for the Utah Supreme Court, whose fine use of time and taxpayer dollars will allow us to finally protect ourselves from the ruthless, bloodthirsty mountain lions that come out of the nearby canyons to murder unsuspecting U students during mating season. That's really starting to become a major problem. Of course, our security is still in jeopardy until the case goes to district court, where they'll make sure the decision matches up with the federal rag. God, how I hate red tape. Hopefully they can get that crap over with soon so I can start enjoying the benefits of my new freedoms. "Like what?" asks the traitorous liberal scum. Well, besides fending off those fearsome cougars, my gun would serve many other useful purposes at the U. If I'm walking by the Sigma Epsilon house and I come across a deviant man engaging a young woman in debauchery, I can blast his ass back into more chivalrous times without asking questions. What do they call MATTHEW PIPER that? "Citizen's arrest" or something like that, right? And, if by chance, I'd happen to meet a pretty little lady at the Union afterward and find trouble making conversation, she's sure to be impressed when she checks out the size of my fitty cal. I gotsta let 'em know that's how I roll, boy. Most importantly, however, this new law will work wonders for my academic standing. The Salt Lake Tribune reports U.S. Chief Justice Christine Durham as saying "the university may not subject a student to academic discipline for flashing his pistol to a professor in class." Fantastic! A's for everyone! Can you believe that was the dissenting opinion? Unfortunately, University of Utah President (and commie sympathizer) Michael Young disagrees with the decision, and so the U will continue to persecute gun-wielding U students until the district court leads us into a glorious new era of resplendent liberty. In the meantime, I'd like to encourage Utah citizens to fight other statewide institutions for the emancipation of our ammunition. Currently, churches, courts, prisons and airports can all still declare "gun-free," according to the Tribune's report. It's a tragic situation that requires action. I challenge you, Utah citizen, to pop off a few in your pews. Make sure God hears your prayers. Drop by the penitentiary to see some old friends.--swand do some pigeon hunting out in the.,,, yard. You should even bring your gun with you on a plane or two. As Holly-'""? wood's special effects have proven, it's far safer than a cobra. And if you do encounter a cobra—or a bloodthirsty mountain lion—you will be equipped to deal with the situation. You might be subjected to some rough treatment by local officials—no matter how civil your armed demonstrations may be—but you can take comfort in knowing that there are lawmakers in this great state who've made it their first priority—over education, crime, economic development, the environment and the nation's highest rate of bankruptcy—to free up more places for you to pack heat. Sound like something you support? I'm glad. Now get on the floor while I rob this moth-a. letters@chronicle.utah.edu . Onljnepoll Remember Sept. 11 T he legacy of 9/11, five years later, is this: We, the people, are now subject to the manipulation of fear. With Labor Day marking the beginning of campaign season, the president has turned up his threatening rhetoric. "Five years after our nation was attacked, the terrorist danger remains," Bush said during a speech in Washington on Sept. 5. "We're a nation at war. We're engaged in a global war against an enemy that threatens all civilized nations." Truly, there are many reasons to be fearful. Osama bin Laden remains free to man the controls of al-Qaeda, despite the president's vow on Sept. 13, 2001 that "the most important thing is for us to find Osama bin Laden...it is our number one priority, and we will not rest until we find him"—he changed his tone on March 13, 2002 with comments that he had "no idea and really (didn't) care (where bin Laden was). It's not that important. It's not our priority. I am truly not that concerned about him." In Afghanistan, opium production reached record levels this year, according to a recent New York Times report. The executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime told the Times that this increase in the country's poppy crop cultivation is directly linked to the Taliban's resurgence in the area. Iraq is on the verge of civil war and has become a breeding ground to.a new generation of extremists, who hate AAHON ZUNDEL America. The only source of stability is the continued occupancy by our military, presenting a catch-22: The presence of our military fuels a growing hatred toward the U.S., yet the complete lack of planning by our leaders after the invasion has made it impossible for our troops to leave Iraq without leaving a permanent hotbed for terrorism. All this mayhem stems from one day—9/11—when a rogue terrorist organization killed 2,750 Americans. Our country failed to root out that organization from Afghanistan, instead pursuing a different enemy: Saddam Hussein. Our attention-deficit disorder foreign policy has drained the resources of America's defense department and galvanized terrorist groups across the world. The leadership that created this situation has no apparent idea how to terminate this wasp nest—it can't even find the nest, be it Osama bin Laden or the alleged WMDs. The administration has merely swatted at a buzzing swarm, inciting more conflict with nations in the region that may have sympathized with us five years ago. Instead of building a connection between Arabs and the West, Americans must now pretend to be Canadian when traveling in the Middle East. If any progress is to be made in finding a peaceful balance in this world, compromise and vision must be practiced. We must remember our proactive roots and stop allowing ourselves to be paralyzed by our fears. Republicans entrenched in tight races for election recognize the quicksand into which Bush has led us and they have tried to distance themselves from the administration—yet they still stump that fear must be feared. "(Terrorists) are waiting for the Democrats here to take control, let things cool off and then strike again," Orrin Hatch told the Tooele Transcript. This assessment coincides with the Republicans' agenda to control and persuade through color-coded terror alerts, thus politicizing the tragic events of 9/11. Those who died in New York City five years ago were true patriots. To honor their memory, the country must hold those in power accountable for their failure to make this country a safer plate. God knows our leaders have allotted more than a fair share of our taxes in the name of that promise. We, the people, must find the courage to overcome our government's blunders. Five years of failure do not merit another chance. It is time to change the current course before we have no sense of security left. letters@ chrgnicle.utah.edu How long do you ahticipraf^ taking (from start to finish) to get your undergraduate degree? • •#$' • 4 years Right on time, still ahead of the curve: 111 D 5 years I strive for mediocrity at all costs • 94 • Who knows? I'll play it by ear-50 • 6 + years My parents need my company • 4 4 30.8% 3 2-3 years Dooqie Howser has nothing on me • 29 This week's question: Hpwao youj Vote online^t www.dailyuT guns on campus? iicle.com RYA.N PER.KINS/77* Daily Utah Otrvnicle Ever since kindergarten we have been taught to share... Send a letter and share your opinion with us today: letters@chronicle.utah.edu |
