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Show iitiiii'iiiii.'ii'ti'ittt'i AboutVs OwrView Editor in Chief Seth R. Hawkins Don't kill a part of school pride News Editor Arie Kirk Assistant News Editor Alison Baugh tah State tradition. We've got True Aggie night - a gruesome hormonal display of love at its best. It also seems like we've had the same security guards since 1992. That's been pretty steady. And each hew school year brings in the tradition of limited parking, which also complicates matters when the traditional HOWL party is held in October. But overall the USU traditions that are THE BAILOUT strong are the traditions that should keep on going. One tradition that has been around since 1997 is the lighting of the Aggie Pride Light, otherwise known as the "A" atop Old Main. This "A" is lit blue during times of success for the university and includes, but is not limited onday evening, Congress and the as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. to, the following events: Homecoming, athletic nation had the chance to hear the However, he merely expressed the desire to victories, True Aggie nights, Aggie Pride Light [president deliver his last State of the reform these unconstitutional programs and Honorees, A-days, Robins Awards, Utah State Union Address. During his speech, the presi- ensure that they continue to exist for future dent addressed some of his accomplishments generations. This \u also contrary to the prinCarnegie Professor of the Year, student elecduring his term of service, as well as his vision ciples of limited government Bush expressed tions, first day of classes and Founder's Day. for what he would like to see happen during his commitment to. Deciding which of these events deserve the short time remaining to him in the White The president also urged Congress to an Aggie Pride lighting is now being debated House. authorize more "free trade agreements." He Throughout his speech, President Bush held up the recently passed agreement with by members of ASUSU. Some think the light evoked the ideals of liberty, individual respon- Peru as an example to follow, explaining that has lost its meaning since it is used so often. sibility and limited government. However, he such agreements would provide access to new But that is only one group's opinion on such a also advocated many polices that clearly were markets and "support good jobs for the finest well-established tradition. Have USU students workers in the world: those whose products contrary to these essential principles. been able to comment on possible changes The president also mentioned the value say 'Made in the USA.'" However, Peruvian he placed on his oath of office, which he President Alan Garcia demonstrated the true concerning the "A" lighting? No. Not yet at any interpreted as giving him the mandate to, result of these "free trade agreements" when rate, and not on any large scale. While nothing "carry out the people's business." However, he invited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to is finalized yet on the fate of the "A," we hope the oath the president took before beginning "come and open your factories in my counstudents are able to comment before anything his service as president is worded quite dif- try so we can sell your products back to the ferently. The Constitution declares, "Before U.S." This confession came just before Garcia does become final. he enter on the Execution of his Office, (the signed the "free trade agreement" mentioned Although ASUSU has not decided which ^*i£sufen^slralktak£vthe-/^ •fcthjsr-is to.-be*th&-r«sult-of1 lighting, events s h o u l d ^ - propped, a tradfifioif*- '- Affirmation:- '\ do' solemnly 5wej£jpr affirm) this of being a USU Aggie is at stake. This isn't '•• that I will faithfully execute the. Office of policies clearly Will not help the American ' "'."• - c ~ * some random, new tradition like the Library. •the President of the United States, and.will* worker. V .. ,".' ,' ': . . ;to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect, Also on -the list of: promises was the oftHowl, which takes place during Finals Week; and defend the Constitution of the United repeated vow to secure our borders. This is and which, honestly, is a lame thing to do in a ,: Spates.'" Throughout his presidency, Bush has a promise the president has made repeatedly place reserved for studying. ....••;.* >• .;?i$SS# frequently violated this oath. but hasnever fulfilled., , '. . . , To his credit/Bush did address the need Bush also took the opportunity to request . So why the change all of a sudden on such * for, judges to strictly follow the Constitution. that Congress continue to provide him with an integral part of being an Aggie? As far as The president said, "On matters of justice, we the tools nefeels he needs to fight terrorism. we're concerned, the "A" isn't lit blue enough. must trust in the wisdom of our Founders and He called on Congress to renew legislation '. There's something special about seeing the "A" empower judges who understand that the granting the executive branch the authorConstitution means what it says. 1 have sub- ity to monitor any communication between blue. It provides pride in being an Aggie. Let's mitted judicial nominees who will rule by the American citizens and individuals believed face it, white is kind of a bland color, but.the letter of the law, not the whim of the gavel." to be outside the, U.S. The president warned blue "A" is something special to USU. Not only Unfortunately, the president and his adminis- Congress, "If you do not act ... our ability to .-ithat, the blue "A" can clearly be seen coming tration have not held, themselves to the same track terrorist threats would be weakened, standard. and our citizens will be in great danger." ; out of Sardine Canyon at night. Sure it can Bush's dedication to spying on Americans The president did give sound advice on the sometimes be confusing trying to figure out need for the government to operate ,w,ithin, would suggest that perhaps Bush is exactly why the "A" is blue, but at least students a balanced budget. Unfortunately, the'lpresi-" committed to trusting the American know something special happened. Eliminating dent and his administration have consistently and preserving our freedom as he wants us to failed to do so, helping to greatly enlarge our believe. events to eliminate confusion probably won't national deficit. At the close of his address, the president solve the problem. ASUSU's ideas to better Although promising to cut wasteful gov- made a very profound statement. He stated, announce why the "A" is blue are much more ernment agencies, the president seemed all "The secret of our strength, the miracle of valuable. Let's not kill a part of school pride. too willing to propose new ways to expand America, is that our greatness lies not in our the federal government and create new pro- government, but in the spirit and determina• V An old adage seems to apply well in this situgrams. He spoke of the need for more fund- tion of our people." He then spoke of the need ation: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Well, it ain't ing for research in several areas, including to have "confidence in freedom's power, and •broke, so put away the legislative pens. energy, physical sciences and medicine. He trust in the people." Unfortunately, the actions V Students, let your opinion concerning this also proposed more federal funding for edu- of Bush and his administratradition be known. Maybe most students cation, as well as the need to continue the tion have shown that they flawed "No Child Left Behind" policy. Also operate under a very difdon't mind the changing of the Aggie Pride on his list was more government intervention ferent set of beliefs. light, but for those who do, make sure you in the current housing crisis, for which the present your arguments to ASUSU. :, .... federal government and the Federal Reserve Colby Lyons is a senior U State of the union address full of contradictions M Seeking a stable <State of the union share much of the blame. These policies will only serve to enlarge the government, which contradicts Bush's professed commitment to a limited government. Bush recognized the existence of problems with our current entitlement programs, such I 've goFT^ay, I was sorely disappointed with Monday's State of the UniorrAddress. This year's was especially lackluster. You could just telh-President Bush didn't have his heart in it .— the lies and empty rhefotic^come too easily fo^hirrrnbw. ./. President Bush* claimed thelraq^roop surge"""(has) achieved results few of us could have imaginelSjust one year ago." It's true that the violence is down in Iraq (thanSrfyllyl), but this rela.,;tjve calm is fragile. For example, our ceasefire wi£h the Madhi Army, a radicaiShia militia, expires next month, a>»d Violence could resume. Moreover, the surge has yet to yield significant political progress, its stated goal. And absent that progress, the surge has failed. , To demonstrate our "successes" in Iraq, Bush touted the recent decrease of troop levels. "Today, because of the progress just described ...the surge forces we sent to Iraq are beginning to come home," Bush said. '';•' • Army Chief of Staff General George Casey, however, has another explanation for the lower troop levels. He said,' "the surge has sucked all the flexibility out of the system." The fact is the Pentagon must bring the troops home quick-. fMSeeSTATE,page 13 " '.',::, •"' .: - ^ r A majoring in law and constitutional studies. Comments can be sent to him at c.lyons@aggiemail.usu.edu Tell us what you think. 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