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Show Tuesday, March 4,2008 THE DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE T h e U n i v e r s i t y of U t a h ' s I n d e p e n d e n t S t u d e n t Voice S i n c e 1 8 9 0 www.dailyutahchronide.com • ^ „ Vol. 117 I No. 134 ©2008 — Campus excepted in open carry bill Rochelle McConkie ASST. NEWS EDITOR Lawmakers in the Utah House of Representatives decided to keep guns hidden on college campuses, although concealed weapons permit holders may open carry firearms throughout the state. The House passed House Bill 473, which clarifies current gun laws, on Monday with a vote of 60 to 11, but amended the bill so permit holders would have to keep guns concealed on university campuses, either under clothes or in a purse, handbag or briefcase. The Senate must vote on the bill before the session ends Wednesday night or the bill will die. Rep. Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, said he spon- UTAH LEGISLATURE sored the amendment at the request of state institutions of higher education, including the U. Kim Wirthlin, the U's vice president for government relations, said allowing open cany would create an environment of fear on campus and would make it difficult for the U to recruit and See CARRY Page 4 House Bill 473 What changed? The Utah Hduse of Representatives passed House Bill 473 on Monday, a bill that clarifies current gun lam to allow concealed weapons permit holders to openly carry firearms. However, Rep. Steve Urquhart, R- Si George, sponsored an amendment to present open cany on college campuses and require permit holders to conceal then weapons under dothirtg or In a bag. Bill sponsor Rep. Curt Odd, R- Gearfield, opposed the amendment. The bill passed with a vote of 60 to 11 with five representatives abstaining. What's next? The bill will now move to the Senate for a vote, but senators must vote on the bill before the session ends at midnight on March 5 or eise the bill will die. What's the U's position? Vice President for Government Relations Kim Witthlin said the U worked with Urquhan on the amendment. Allowing open carry on campus would create an environment of fear and make it hard for the U to recruit faculty, staff and students, she said. 'Perfect storm' threatens U.S. Former Bush adviser speaks on America's problems Daniel Treasure STAFF WRITER According to a former White House adviser, "ffie'TJhlted States is-a "house of cards that could tumble at any moment." Domestic issues such as social security payouts and foreign issues such as America's fear of its allies have caused the country to embody a fragile state. Stephen Studdert, a former senior White House adviser to U.S. Presidents Ford, Reagan and Bush Sr., spoke at the Hinckley Caucus Room on Feb. 28 about the threats the country is facing Former White House Adviser and U alum Stephen Studdert came to speak about his book, America in Danger. The book explains what Studdert views as the top threats to America. and what the government should do about them. The former adviser also spoke about his new book "America in Danger: What You Must Know to Protect Yourself" during the presentation. Studdert identified key-threats our country Is facing in its future, both foreign and domestic. On the home front, Studdert said the biggest threats to the economy are "time bomb" pensions, social security payouts and the loan market, which has increased the population's debt significantly. He said the future "credit crunch" would create the largest number of bankruptcies our country has ever seen. "Our political system today is rife with problems," he said. Politically, Studdert said money has corrupted elections by giving incumbents distinct advantages over challengers. He also spoke at length about America's foreign policy issues, mentioning that many countries that are friendly with the U.S. in appearance are enemies behind closed doors, including China, India and Russia. Studdert said America has a fear of its ally, India, because of India's high Muslim population, its possession of nuclear weapons and its ongoing conflict with Pakistan. Besides Pakistan and India, Studdert said the threat of radical Islamic teachings in Saudia Arabia and Iran have the possibility of creating turmoil in the countries' futures. "It won't be very long until that rising generations of Saudis rises up and overthrows the Saudi government," he said. Studdert also mentioned the possibility of Iran possessing nuclear capabilities as being one of America's biggest threats. "(If) Israel is forced to take a preemptive attack, what happens then in terms of the United States when that happens?" he asked. "We are instantly engaged in a much broader regional conflict. The elements of a perfect storm of destabilization and crisis are really all about us." Sheldon Wardwell attended Studdert's presentation at the Hinckley Institute of Politics. "I'm definitely gonna go out and check out his book," said Wardwell, who is a political science major. See THREAT Page 4 U freshmen Chelsea Hovt and Scott Downard wrestle in sumo outfits Friday during Crimson Nights in the Union. Around the world Campus groups join, bring culture to Crimson Nights celebration Jonathan Ng nator and a third-year graduate student in biochemistry. The event hosted more student groups and activities than the usual Crimson Nights, the campus party held about every two months, because of the collaboration between the two groups. There were more than 30 different groups present, including Serbian Dancers and a Brazilian band. Kobia Eringo, a U alumnus, was responsible for the Kenyan presentation. Eringo and another Kenyan student displayed STAFF WRJTER On Friday, students had a chance to go around the world in just one night. "Ready, Set...Global" was the theme of the third annual, internationally themed Crimson Nights, which was organized by the Crimson Nights Board and the International Student Council "(International Night) is all about getting American students and showing them the variety of culture around the world," said Olesya Ilkun, council events coordi- ' See NIGHT Page 3 woman did not receive medical care on her wrist, according to a police report. Ana Breton ASST. NEWS EDITOR - ;. Kingsbury Hall employee allegedly assaulted An employee at Kingsbury Hall told police she was assaulted during a Feb. 22 performance. The victim, a woman working as an usher for the performance, said she attempted to assist a man who was standing against the walL She said the man, who said he was the director, grabbed her wrist and asked her to be quiet multiple times, according to a police report. The woman told police she suffered from arthritis and her wrist "hurt extremely bad and continued to hurt throughout the night." The Employee allegedly assaults woman V A woman told police she was assaulted by a man who is an employee of the University Neuropsychiatric Institute on Feb. 19. She said she was standing in the doorway of the employee's room asking him to give her the toilet paper holder he had torn off the wall, according to a police report. The man then threw the toilet paper holder into the bathroom and told her to go get it. When she asked him for it again, he allegedly began to beat her in the face, head and neck with a closed fist. She also told police he kicked her in the back, leg and buttock area. He stopped when other staff members arrived. Man cited for unpaid taxi fare Officers from the U Police Department See CRIME Page 4 -. ^••••- • American funds making Pakistan a 'terror stctt^ judge says Dave Roberts STAFF WRITER American presidential candidates are not the only politicians focusing on change. Elections in Pakistan held two weeks ago capped a tumultuous few months for the nation, leaving the country with hope for a political turnaround. Pakistan has experienced recent political unrest, including the imposition of martial law, the suspension of numerous civil liberties in late 2007 and the December assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Long-time President Perez Mushar- ref is being pressured to step down as well. "(The elections) seem to be changing the course of Pakistani history," said languages and literature professor Ashok Rajput. Rajput and former Pakistani judge Chaudry Ali discussed the current situation in Pakistan during a forum at the Hinckley Institute of Politics on Thursday. Rajput explained how Pakistan's current problems stem directly from issues that have existed since the nation was formed. "The people of Pakistan want a democratic and even somewhat secular constitution," Rajput said. "No one saw it originally as an Islamic a a fundamentalist state." Rajput blamed rapid demographic shifts that took place during the country's inception in 1947 for much of the instability that remains today. He said the country remains in the "ideological captivity of Pakistani elites" who project the fundamentalist and nationalistic mindset that is often attributed to the entire country. Ali mostly echoed Rajput's sentiments as he detailed the nature of Pakistan's justice system, which he said has been blatantly abused and disrespected by Musharraf and the Pakistani military. When asked what Americans can do to help stabilize the region*?Ati said he wants to see America again as "a social worker and not as a mercenary.* He said the Pakistani military is taking the money America is giving it and using it to make Pakistan into a terror state. He advised that the best remedy would be to stop giving money to Pakistan's government. < ' .- ; ; Both men stressed that Paki-' stanis as a whole are not a.mttV tant people. The country has good schools, good hospitals and a good infrastructure but lacks real leadership. Ali made it a point to say that "the best minds in Pakistan are not in politics." Calling the students in attendance "the backbone of any society," Ali said a similarly promising generation of young people is alive in Pakistan, merely waiting for the opportunity to make a difference in its country. He said the best way to help would be finding some way to contribute to Pakistan's community work, a notion many of the students in attendance were satisfied with. > "I'm glad he offered a perspective • about'what we can do," said Megan Tatum, a freshman in communication. "Oftentimes we point out a problem but not a solution." <Lroberts@ chronicle.utah.edu |