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Show www.dailyutahchronicle.cor 5 OPINION ► Tuesday, March 9, 2010 Abortion bills sidestep real issue very year Utah legislators look for ways to waste time and money. The easiest way always seems to be tackling the tricky subject of abortion. In this session there have been two different abortion bills—House Bill 200 and House Bill 462—both of which have been passed by lawmakers. The first bill, H.B. zoo, requires abortion clinics to offer ultrasounds to women seeking abortions. This is aimed to discourage abortion by making women feel as guilty as possible about an already difficult and emotional decision. E House Bill 200 Informed Consent Amendments Chief Sponsor: Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman General Description: Requires the dinic to offer to show an ultrasound to a woman before an abortion. If a woman chooses to see the ultrasound, a detailed description of the image would also be provided. The bill describes printed materials and an informational video relating to abortion that the Department of Health would be required to produce. Source: Utah Legislature, le.utah.gov House Bill 462 Criminal and Homicide Abortion Revisions Chief Sponsor: Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman General Description: Removes prohibitions against prosecution of a woman for killing an unborn child or committing criminal homicide of an unborn child. Also provides exceptions and definitions of what is or isn't considered criminal homicide. Source: Utah Legislature, le.utah.gov x. tite to moo iialkaorioN 154 10 flptv5 womEocalciski fitatc-tioNS CHRIS WADE sToki ib -We voices o-F vtAcpy cvutprEp ctik SCAM., )(aft PAylt - Junior, Mass Communication and Political Science The second bill would label intentional miscarriages as criminal homicide. H.B. 462 is in response to a teenager who paid someone to punch her in the stomach to induce a miscarriage. Utahns were outraged, but because there was no law on the books in relation to the crime, those involved did not face charges. Although the entire state was up in arms over the event, I was appalled for different reasons. It seems abortions have become so restricted and vilified that a teenager would actually consider getting punched instead of following the proper channels. Is that really what we want? Many conservatives feel women should be "held responsible" for their decisions and forced to endure an unwanted pregnancy, as the unwanted child will then be placed in an adoptive home or state-run foster care. However, there is no line of eager conservative families waiting to take in these unwanted children. According to a study conducted in 2005 and available on childwelfare. gov, 26.4 percent of the population allowed to adopt has considered adoption. However, only 1.3 percent of "ever-married" women have ever done so. In fact, the only time conservatives seem to have an interest in adoption is when they can stop gay couples from doing so—because we all know our foster care system is much safer than a loving home VLADIMI R SOKOLOV/The Daily Utah Chronicle with two dads. According to Planned Parenthood and abortionno.com, more than 43 percent of women in the United States will have an abortion. If a woman wants to get an abortion, she will get one regardless of what she needs to do or how many "feel bad" movies the government forces her to watch. Why do we have so many couples seeking abortions? I believe the same conservatives who are trying to discourage abortion are themselves directly responsible for many performed in the United States. In Utah, like many other conservative states, sex education is optional and requires written permission from parents. Content taught is Old troubles resurface in conflict with UTA, American Indians A recent tiff involving American Indian groups and the Utah Transit Authority highlights existing tensions between the federal government and the United States' indigenous population. UTA's planned FrontRunner route from Salt Lake City to Provo has raised questions concerning what happens when the federal government has to deal with issues regarding former American Indian villages, cultural artifacts and remains. On Thursday, the Utah Rivers Council, in conjunction with local tribal councils, held a press conference discussing the need for more thorough communication between the government and American Indians. American Indian groups have hardly been treated fairly throughout the history of the United States. Since first contact with Western explorers, thousands of American Indians have tragically perished during the course of 500 years by way of genocide, European-induced illness and warfare. It is no secret that early European pioneers viewed American Indians as culturally and racially inferior and consequently tried to destroy indigenous cultures and languages, and convert large populations to Christianity. The results continue to be disastrous to this day. "We exist as 1.7 percent of the entire population of the United States—we are always last regarding any kind of issue," said Ella Dayzie, executive director of Salt Lake City's Indian WalkIn Center. The Indian Walk-In Center is a Utah organization with a mission to "heal 'The People' by strengthening the community" through support for social programs and cultural awareness for American Indians and Alaskan natives. The federal government is not meeting the needs of the American Indian community, let alone respecting archeological sites and remains. The battle between Utah tribes and UTA is just the tip of an old iceberg. "The community would definitely want to be consulted about finding DOUGLAS JENNINGS Ael Sophomore, Anthropology artifacts on private land and informed about what was found," Dayzie said. However, federal law does not require private landowners to specifically consult with local American Indian groups about artifacts found on their land. Dayzie also expressed concerns about academics and researchers excavating American Indian sites. "Our elders would prefer to let things be as they are, or be on research committees—being at the table from the beginning to the end," she said. There is a gross disconnect between the federal government and existing needs of the American Indian community. From health issues to protecting ancient homelands, the need for stronger communication is pertinent for much-needed progress. As a world power, the United States has an obligation to ensure the dignity and longevity of its indigenous populations. The tragedy of past actions cannot be forgotten. Although history is not easy to own up to, it is imperative that we take responsibility for our historical wrongs. The truth is, hundreds of nations already existed in North America before European settlers found it. Cultural genocide—the forced banning and destruction of a culture—is the aftershock of colonization. American Indian populations deserve to be heard with their own seat at the table from beginning to end. If we haven't figured that out with an issue such as UTA hub construction, then we still have a long way to go. letters@chronicle.utah.edu restricted, and most schools can only touch on the topic of contraception—many avoid it all together. Schools are banned from handing out condoms, and pharmacies are not required to sell the morning-after pill to minors, or even to carry it. Although I do not think it is a good idea for young adults to be having sex, where is all this important knowledge supposed to come from? The Internet? The idea of couples having to figure out birth control at 25 is a scary thought. According to abortionno.com and Planned Parenthood, 52 percent of women obtaining abortions in the United States are younger than 25. This clearly shows the education students received at home and in high school was inadequate. Why are we giving up this perfect opportunity to fully educate our population while we have their attention? Abstinence-only sex education and trying to cover up human sexuality is not working. According to the Center for Disease Control's website, more than one-third of women under the age of 25 have some form of a sexually transmitted disease. We are willing to spend millions on abortion wars, but we are opposed to talking about protection and birth control in sex ed classes. If we really care about human life, we need to start caring about women's health, and the rest will follow. letters@chronicle.utah.edu LETTER TO THE EDITOR Crockers' generosity helps move UMNH research ahead Editor: Regarding the article "College of Science replacing UMNH in Thomas Building" published March 8, I would like to make sure that your readers understand that our announcement on March 8 was that Gary L. and Ann S. Crocker are making the lead private donation of $io million towards the renovation of the George Thomas Building. I understand that the university community is justifiably interested in the timeline of this great and historic building, in the reshuffling of academic units and building space that will accompany this project, and in the ultimate impact on students. However, I think the real story here is that two of Utah's truly great citizens, Gary and Ann Crocker, have seen fit to give back to the university—yet again—in a huge way, in order to move research and education in math and science forward in the new century. On behalf of the College of Science, I would like to thank the Crockers for their extraordinary vision and generosity in establishing the Crocker Science Center at the U. Brian T. Saam, Associate Dean, College of Science Letters to the editor should be sent to letters@chronicle.utah.edu . Letters should be fewer than 15o words and must include the writer's name. Letters from students should also include the writer's major and year in school. Letters from U faculty and staff should include department and title. Letters from alumni should include the year the writer graduated. All other letters must include the sender's name and city of residence. 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