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Show View&Opinion Friday. AUE. 3/, 2007 Page 19 Letters: bike responsibly CONTEST)| [1 continued from page 18 Wednesday's issue. As a short-haul truck driver in the summer months I've had one or two close calls with cyclists. As a pedestrian during the school year, I've had a few more. Probably all of these could have been avoided if the riders had known and obeyed state laws. A quick Google search is all it takes to find the laws that apply to cyclists in any given state. I think you owe it to yourself and those you share the road, or sidewalk, with to learn what those are. My thanks to the responsible cyclists, and my apologies for having let few individuals taint my view of the cycling community. Cody Gochnour "The Best Photo I Took All Summer!" Categories: 1) Nature/Scenic, 2) People/Activities, 3) Bizzare/ Unusual. Send your file to: statesman@cc.usu.edu, subject line: Photo Contest. Add your name, major and a bit of info about the photo. Winners will be published and win prizes! Trust: watch who you vote for [J continued from page 3 someone she couldn't even remember, our continuing scene of political elections came to mind. There are plenty of "salespeople" involved in our elections. Campaign managers, pollsters, political advisers and, of course, the politicians themselves. Part of me is OK with that. After ail, I think I understand the process of effective communication and relaying things to a mass audience. Most of the time, however, we take what we're given like a baby's first bite of smashed carrots: regrettably, but we take it. Door-to-door salesmen and, I venture to say, even public leaders have an interesting string to play on. Both groups must promote an often flawed agenda with integrity - but not too honest too fast because it might scare the listener out of participating. It's a unique challenge. I tried to treat people the right way, but I can never forget the time a kid just a few years older than me looked at me sideways through a screen door with an almost frightened look on his face. ! think he was prepared for me to jump through the door; tie him up; take his iPod, DVD collections of "Heroes" and "The Office"; and leave enough time to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for the road. I think I'd leave dirty dishes on the counter just to spite him. Before letting myself out, I briefly showed the woman how to use her home alarm. It took considerable effort and skill to politely get out of her home. She was content to chat with anyone who came through the door, even the bald guy (me) who knocked on her door right before dark. Thinking about it now, that may be the reason someone before me gave her a security system. She just wanted to feel important and valued by talking to someone. Feeling like you're being listened to brings on strong emotions. This wasn't the first time she had purchased something from a door-to-door person without fully understanding it. Funny how for the past four months I worked in one of the most despised professions, and for the next four months I'll be working with another group of people - politicians - who, due to the demands of a large democracy, have become a subculture of professional salespeople. They don't have to sell a product. They try to sell themselves in order to make a difference in the world. The merits of a political candidate are not always seen if the salesmanship, if you will, of the competitor knocks him out of the running. Please don't get me wrong - I actually like most elected officials because I believe they do a lot of unappreciated work behind the scenes (not just behind closed doors as some people believe). But I wonder how many of us, the "non-politicians", really understand what we're getting ourselves into when we vote for, contribute money to or otherwise support a local or national leader. Are we getting "sold" something we don't really understand or appreciate? If that lonely old woman could let me into her home when she was allalohe and offefme a drink without really knowing me, do you think our voters are really making educated decisions? The dire situation of our society is that political candidates seem to need to sell themselves more than their stance on the issues. Being unable to remember the name of a door-to-door company selling anything seems a trivial thing. But, can you remember who you voted for in the last election besides the president, governor or state official who happens to be your distant relative? To be honest, I can't. Attorney general? School board members? I can't remember the incumbents' names half of the time let alone the people running against them. It's a good thing those "other" positions just aren't that important. Oh, wait...maybe they are. Save 2 0 % on aii art supplies The Art Shoppe has moved and changed its name to AMC Art.Movies.Copies A l t StUdentS get your 20% off art supply card at art movies AMC copies 25 West 100 North Open 12pm-8pm Welcome Back Aggies! is BACK! •A-.*--;-. u 2 only C\ INCLUDES: Jacob Fullmer is a junior in political science and journalism trying to keep his head above water as an intern in Washington, D.C., over the next four months while he nurtures bruised knuckles earned from knocking too many doors the last four months. A FREE T-SHIRT! Offer good for the first week of school and game days only GET A HAIRCUT! f L at USU Barbershop JO Men & Women Haircuts $ 12 r-—=~v\ • Ac J Ml Monday-Friday 9am-5pm No Appointment Needed 797-1648 22B1N. NorUiio^a Cash or check only Located in the TSC next to the bookstore Free WIFI -3252 Full D.A.i.c License V.*' |
