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Show 17 FRIDAY, MARCH 25,2005 T A T E S M A N U T A H Contact: 797-1762 editor@statesman.usu.edu t K.-i-^i-.,.^.---1 Valley needs emissions testing Cache Valley is just getting out of another winter full of inversion-filled air, chest colds gone worse and four months of barely seeing a mountain. We just barely crawled under Environmental Protection Agency action - but just barely. Another cold winter and continued growth in population and the EPA will be right here - creating mandatory emissions testing for vehicles. We might as well save our pride and make the requirement ourselves. Sure, Cache Valley is a beautiful and spacious valley that lacks the population other counties in Utah have that already have required testing. But, it's growing. And getting uglier with each puff of exhaust that comes out of cars. Plus, the valley is bowl-shaped, which keeps dirty air right at breathing level for a longer period of time. There are plenty of reasons to require emissions testing. Yes, it's going to be a few extra dollars every year to get tested. But, guaranteed, our beautiful valley will stay beautiful for longer, our lungs will feel more healthy and we might just be able to actually see our snowy mountains from December to March. Logan city Mayor Doug Thompson admits we have a major problem, but is only recommending a voluntary emissions testing program. That doesn't make much sense. Those who know their vehicle won't pass the test would never voluntarily test it, only to find out they have to spend more money. Thompson said those who choose not to be tested would not be allowed to drive on certain days. There is no way to monitor that. Voluntary testing barely touches the problem. Emissions testing is not a violation of any type of freedom; it only enlarges freedom. Many new residents moved to Cache Valley for its beauty, which long-time residents have enjoyed. Let's keep our freedom of breathing clean air. Let's require emissions testing. Schiavo case is political, not personal On Wednesday, Utah Statesman fAlm columnist Jon Cox tOIIMlII wrote that "the most powerful political body in the world took a weekend to pass a bill just for [Terri Schiavo];" that he was "enthralled" by Congress' focus on an individual, and that this sort of action shows just how much we care. Mr. Cox is wrong. In the United States alone, there are between 15,000 and 35,000 persons being sustained who have been diagnosed as being in a persistent vegetative state. Why were none of these mentioned in this national version of 'Terri's Law?" Where is our concern for them? There is no overpowering concern in this nation for Terri Ricky Fielding Poimrs See Page 18 Utah Statesman I WANT Staff Editor in Chief Emilie Holmes News Editor Katie Ashton Assistant News Editor Brooke Nelson Features Editor Joel Featherstone Assistant Features Editor Steve Shinney Sports Editor Aaron Falk Assistant Sports Editor Andrea Edmunds - A N D YOUR OLD MAN, TOO. Editor, Recently, one of the letters to the editor took issue with one of the anti-drinking ads published in the Utah Statesman. "This ad is not only unfair, but it is covertly political and motivated by moral elitism." Apparently the author is not familiar Photo Editor John Zsiray Assistant Photo Editor Letters to the Mil u Ad is just another opinion World & Nation Editor Lindsay Kite Michael Sharp Editorial Board with ads/marketing in gener- harmful effects of drinking, al. Advertisements should especially drinking patterns not be considered and common in college stuauthoritative or unbiased dents, would take the opposource for... well, anything. site tactic? Please DO study the facts Watching a pro-drinking ad by any one of the various for yourself before making companies who produce decisions. Don't rely solely alcoholic products would on advertisements from lead you to believe that either "side." But don't be surprised when different drinking will win you friends, improve your looks, opinions are presented in and make you have a won- ways that you may not agree with. derful time. Is it any surprise then that groups concerned with the Benjamin Fore Emilie Holmes Katie Ashton Brooke Nelson John Zsiray Aaron Falk Michael Sharp About Letters • Letters should be limited to 350 words. • All letters may be shortened, edited or rejected for reasons of good taste, redundancy or volume of similar letters. • Letters must be topic oriented. They may not be directed toward individuals. Any letter directed to a specific individual may be edited or not printed. • No anonymous letters will be published. Writers must; sign all letters and include a phone number or e-mail address as well as a student identification number. • Letters representing groups — or more than one individual — must Krispy Kreme in town was have a singular representagreat. When they started selltive clearly stated, with all ing them at every gas station necessary identification and grocery store in town, information. they became not so great. • Writers must wait 21 days Similarly, most research before submitting succeson drugs concludes that the sive letters — no excepaddicted person spends the tions. rest of his or her aadicted life • Letters can be hand delivtrying to recapture that initial ered or mailed to The feeling of bliss. For me, I Statesman in the TSC, think it was that first cup of Room 105, or can be etruly strong, truly fresh roasted coffee at the Salt Lake mailed to edito EstatesRoasting Company in 1985 man.usu.edu or click on that headed me on the www.utahstatesman.com downward spiral of caffeine for more letter guidelines addiction. Tnere have been and a submission box. many other cups since then but none that truly compare. My quest has included at least 10 different coffee brewing contraptions and visits to every seedy Java hut Online Poll in the Intermountain West and beyond. I still love the Will you be voting in the ASUSU primary or final elections? FIRSTS Is once enough? Apply the donut rule for first experiences The main thought I had while watching this year's best movie of the year, Million Dollar Baby, was "Oh please, oh please don't make a sequel of this." If you have seen the movie or heard about the plot you'll note that at lease one of the characters can't come back. However, never underestimate greed and elaborate plot devises that could overcome even this. What's wrong with being great just once? What's with our powerful urge for the encore? We deride one-hit wonder bands and authors that can only produce one good book. Athletes that only have one great season are flops. "Beginner's luck" is the insult we throw at anyone who can't keep coming up with bigger and better whatever. Like the fall of the Berlin Wall and prostitution, the driving principle can be answered witn economic theory. The law of diminishing returns is an overriding ballad of the universe and economics. The simplified version is something like this: The first donut is great, the second one is pretty great, the third is merely good and each succeeding donut levels off into some moderate amount of satisfaction. Sometimes we try other donuts; sometimes we put jelly in the donuts or sprinkles on the donuts to enhance the experience but in reality we can never reattain that first Krispy Kreme moment. It is sort of the opposite of reincarnation, which presupposes that your life force starts off weak and ineffectual and you keep coming back till you get it right. So to become the producer of "Million Dollar Baby" you must have been making porno movies and beer commercials in a former life. Interesting metaphysically, but does anyone get it right the first time? The other economic principle at play is scarcity. One Slightly Off Center Dennis Hinkam See Page 18 Who's afraid of intelligent design? The Washington Post WASHINGTON My favorite high school teacher, Al Ladendorff, conducted his American history class like an extended version of "Meet the Press/' Nothing, ing as history until I recently not even the textbooks other started to read about "intelliteachers treated as Holy Writ, gent design/' the latest assault was safe from attack. I looked on the teaching of evolution* forward to that class every in our schools. Many educaday. tion experts and important My biology class, sadly, scientists say we have to keep was another story. I slogged this religious-based nonsense joylessly through all the phyla out of the classroom. But is and the principles of that really such a good idea? I am as devout a Darwinist Darwinism, memorizing as best as I could. It never occurred to me that this class LlFF could have been as interestSee Page 18 Jay Mates Quote from Republican memo: "...the pro-life base will be excited....a great political issue.. • Yes, it's important for the future of this university. (25%) • Yes, I have acquaintances running whom I will vote for. (0%) • No, my vote doesn't matter that much anyway.(13%) • No, ASUSU's decisions have little influence on my life. (44%) • Who knows, I'm just confused about its new organization. (6%) • I don't know yet. We'll see when the time comes. (13%) Visit us on the Web at www.utahstatesman.com to cast your vote and see results from past Utah Statesman online polls. Check out these links on www.utahstatesman.com • Local TV listings • Faculty evaluations • Comics |