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Show "Good plans shape good decisions. That's why good planning helps to make elusive dreams come true/' Lester Robert Bitteh 72 Wednesday, April 18; 2007 797-1762* statesman@cc.usu.edu \ www.utahstatesman.com i In honor of Va. Tech's students and faculty The horrible tragedy that occurred on the campus of Virginia Tech Monday morning is a stirring reminder to us of how precious life is and how quickly lives can be changed by the actions of others. The bloodbath that ensued as a disturbed gunman entered the Virginia Tech campus and went on • a shooting rampage is an event to be looked upon with great -solemnity. We at The Utah \Editoridl~ •""'••"."•' Statesman and across USU wish to express our condolences to the families and friends of the victims and want these people to know that our thoughts are with them. Blacksburg, Va,, is a small, peaceful town much like Logan. It seems to be the most unlikely of places that an event like this could happen. The events of a cold spring morning forever changed the lives of many people and senselessly ended the lives of 33 people. Many are.asking how this could happen What would possess someone to do this horrible deed? There are few hard and fast answers to this question. But one thing seems to be common in almost all school shootings: the shooter was a loner who felt like an outcast. While this is no excuse for killing anybody, it is a reminder to each of us that we should reach out to other people. There is enough hate to go around everywhere, so instead of adding to the problems, we can be the solution. We can be nice to people and be accepting. Perhaps just being nice to people won't stop horrific events like this from happening, but at least in some small way we can each do our part to avoid this violence. Another thing to be remembered is that the shootings were an isolated event, not indicative of the habits of a people. The shooter, Cho SeungHui, came to America from South Korea in 1992. The South Korean government recently expressed fears of backlash to Korean students, who are the most numerous foreign students in the United States. It should be remembered that the shooter alone is responsible for the events that happened, and is no way a reflection of the Korean people. Tragic events such as the bloodbath in Virginia remind us how truly fortunate we are to live in the safety we do. Events like this are common occurrences in some parts of the world and while we are deeply saddened by what happened on Monday, we should also be grateful that we do have a predominately safe country to live in with law enforcement officers who work to preserve our safety and freedoms. When events like this happen it gives us a chance to reevaluate our lives and realize what is important to us and how we can reach out to others. Let's do more than just give lip service to this idea, let's implement this into our lives and reach out to those who are hurting and suffering from this tragedy. Utah Statesman Staff Editor in Chief Elizabeth Lawyer News Editor Di Lewi^ Assistant News Editor OurView '- L" ' Friday's letters not credible To the editor: Friday's Statesman contained three letters which were so intellectually backward and morally perverse that I feel compelled to respond. (I'd like to think the writers were engaging in irony, but sadly I believe they were not.) First, someone writes that if homosexuals would just stop making such a big deal about.their orientation, they'd be as welcome in society as left-handed people. But the point behind gay pride rallies, parades, etc., is to protest the way our culture oppresses homosexuality, both politically and socially. Urging them to "not make an issue of it" would be like telling the civil rights protesters in the 50s and 60s not to treat racial inequality like it's a big' deal. Sometimes it takes a show of force to seize political rights. Second, someone argues - well, asserts - that homosexuality is simply a weakness that can be overcome. But in what possible sense is it supposed to be a.vvekness? rslo-'Wedical doctor would calMt'that. Maybe it's a moral'weakness? But. then where is the victim? Who gets hurt? Several religious leaders call Holly MitchelP Assistant Features Editor , Manette Newbold Sports Editor Seth Hawkinsj Assistant Sports Editor *i Samuel Hislop Diversions Editor Steve Shinney/ Copy Editor Gun control not black and white 1 With .a nation and violent crimes potism were to rear its head. Matthew grieving over that they have been But gun control is a controMonday's horrific Blackham used for, I also find an versy that transcends political events at Virginia Tech armed populace in the boundaries more than any and with the Trolley event tnat we need to other - some of my most Square shooting still overthrow despotism liberal friends are opposed to fresh in our minds, at home quite agree- stricter gun control and some people will begin disable. And really, we of my more conservative or cussing gun control are talking about con- moderate friends hate them. again. With finals LiBeral! stitutionar rights here People on both sides of quickly approachin liberals are.all over the issue have used and argu1010 I thought I'd weig mctblackham@cc.usu.eduthdX Stuff. I don't haveably misused tragedies like in. to own one to defend Columbine to buttress either What would scare the neo- your right to. a pro or anti-gun point. I cons more than an armed Guns are both a useful tool mean, what would have ' Liberal populace? I know I and a great (though arguably happened Monday if one of am supposed to hate guns necessary) evil. I only hope those students was armed and but really, I am a Utahcrat, that the patriots in National so I've actually held and fired Rifle Association country will one. And while I dislike them recognize the need if ever des- • REACTION see page 13 What could lead to this? How does a person get to the point where America was a dangerous place. They said they think it's OK to treat someone else badly? she'd get shot. Last night she said again^This When did we stop killing people with kind- is why people in France think Americans so ness and starting killing them with ^ ^ — — - ^ - ^ dangerous- things like thisi" ' V guns? There is a lot of bad stuff Mikaylie ~ I know the events of this week will going on in the world. The news Kan er reports on it daily - people stealspark all kinds of discussion about gun control and guns at school, especially ing, people lying, people killing, here in Utah with the University of people dying; Monday night I sat Utah's recent issues about restricting down to watch the 10 p.m. news on guns on campus. But this is not the KSL and the first three stories were: issue I am addressing in this column. first, Virginia Tech, second, about a I want to talk about the people. Ot O f Utah student who was locked down My roommate is from France, and in one.of the buildings at Virginia a while back she was interviewed mikayiiek@cc.usu.edu Tech, and third, about a lady who by another student about stereotypes stole a purse from behind the counsome French people have about American and ter at an outlet store 30 seconds after telling Americans, and vice versa. She said when she told her friends she was coming to America to go to school, they told her not to go because • C A U S E S see page 13 ••mi r r r i n i n n n ' w it mm • n irr-r—' i*i m» i ignored. I know because I am left-handed. That's right, I'm coming out of the closet; I'm a southpaw! However, this does happen to homosexuals; I know because I have friends that are homosexual. I wish the GLBT community didn't need to have parades or a Gay Pride Day or even worry about what other people think of them based on their sexual preference, but there is a need because of the prejudice. Charlie Huenemann Secondly, Peter Griffin's letter was also absurd. Will someone tell my why people continue to bring religion into the issue of gay rights when religion has no place in the To the editor: discussion at all. I understand why most religions do not I usually try and avoid accept homosexuality and reading the letters to the see it as a sin, even though I editor because reading let- don't agree. But this is a polittersfrom people who think ical issue. The GLBT comthey know what they're munity isn't fighting for equal • talking about when they rights in religions or churches actuallydon't makes me maa. or temples or mosques, but However, today I slipped and as citizens of a democratic stole a glance. The fact thatit nation. The problem is that was Friday the T-3th should've the government is saying that been warning, but curiosity two consenting adults cannot killed the cat. get married and have all of To start off, Ryan Beck's the rights heterosexual coucomparison of left-handed- ples have. The government ness and homosexuality is shouldn't have that right. I absurd. Left-handed people understand that we elect the don't need to march in the , officials that.are.gnt.the gqvstreets , ; qr .celebrate..•thpiq .j«jp nrie'rtt/ '(sc[i¥. -OtI)V b"ut ."when left^handedness ""•' Because1* .we agree with' their discrimileft-handed people are hot nating ideals we; are forcing discriminated against or our religion on "others. So, called names or attacked or leave religion out of it. Students' letters annoying J Features Editor Letters to the Editor it a weakness, but they never present any reasons for thinking so; they just call it one and expect the case to be closed. But surely that's a poor means for setting public policy. Finally, someone complains that a poem by the 17th-century writer Robbert Herrick is "pornographic" and has no business appearing in the newspaper. Well, 'nuff said. 9 Arie Kirk1 And I'm not even going to comment on Eric Dmger's 'Inappropriate Poetics' letter. Ben Johnson Leave religion out of it To the editor: Let's face it, Jesus taught us a lot of things. While His ideas can be interpreted from many perspectives, from Branch Davidians to the Jehovah's Witnesses, one constant Christian message is love. Love and acceptance. I am continually dumbfounded at how unlike Christ many of his followers can be. Still, the doctrine of religiously zealous imperative continues to implement itself in a majority of opinions in our campus community. I wish to present another idea, the simple possibility of a mistake in the common LDS belief on homosexuality, that "homosexuality is simply a weakness that can and should be overcome," much like the history of mistakes made by a church still in its infantile stages compared to other major religions. While there is undoubtedly wisdom in much of the church's doGtrine, I beg you all. to consider some alternatives to blind faith. These are sometimes known as "facts," the first being that susceptibility to homosexuality nas been mapped to the human genome, creating little controversy. Homosexuality has zero negative influence on the Mormon Church, other than the few occasions involving its own clergy. I wonder about the community's vehemence on this subject, rather than any number of subjects that actually do affect the LDS community, like the largest Per Capita consumption rate of Prozac in the country. While many people of the LDS faith tend to bastardize sexual orientation, I am appalled that you can seem to disregard factors in our own lives and "valued" community, which seem a bit more pressing. While covert and copious pill-popping may not seem as imminent a threat as one person's individual preferences, I urge you to consider actually acting Christ-like, and accept and love people for who they are, how they grow, and what they choose, especially when it is not in any way detrimental to your own lifestyle. I believe pointless hate has been expressed in recent letters to the editor. Finally, I feel inclined to ask religiously imposed and pointless hatred in the future to be either subdued or solved as an alternative to imposing bigotry on' the conscience. Skyler Bosworth , Rebekah Bradwa^F Photo Editor >i # Jamie Cran^ Assistant Photo Editor Tyler Larsenv. Editorial Board Elizabeth Lawyer Di Lewis Seth Hawkins Steve Shinney Holly Mitchell • ^ H ii i, About letters • Letters should be limited to, 350 words. 3 • All letters may be shortened, edited or rejected " for reasons of good taste, ' redundancy or volume of J similar letters. ,' • Letters must be topic oriented. 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