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Show 4ditor@istatesman.usu.edu < tatesmah@Gc.usu.edu AboutUs OttrView Our hearts go out to NIU | Editor in Chief Seth R. Hawkins News Editor Arie Kirk Assistant News Editor Alison Baugh Features Editor Brittny Goodsell Jones T he unthinkable happened again. •'•' * For the fourth time in the past week alone, a gunman entered a school and started a murderous shooting rampage, this time at Northern Illinois University. The masked gunman killed five students before turning the gun on himself, transforming a day celebrated for love into one of horror and sadness: Our hearts go out to the students, faculty and families at NIU. As college students, we have a common bond, regardless of the colors we wear or the mascot we cheer for. Their suffering is our suffering. The scary thing about these shootings is they seem to be more common at universities nestled in small, quiet towns, not too unlike Logan. These students likely went to school that day thinking it was just another day. School was almost done for many that day, in fact, even the class in which the shooting occurred was almost done for the day, but the massacre was just beginning. Sadly, these so-called unthinkable acts aren't so unthinkable anymore, they're becoming more common every day. While many Americans are concerned about terrorism from abroad, there seems to be plenty of internal terrorism to worry about. Like all forms of ,,terrorism, it is hard to predict and hard to combat. • :•-= •-.-' :•-. ,-;».-- V., . • ' . ,.."YW,. •; . What could schools do better to protect students and faculty? At NIU, they had emergency systems in place. They had practice last year shortly after the Virginia Tech shootings, when threats were found written on a bathroom wall in a dormitory. Taking a cue from the fatalities at Virginia Tech, NIU didn't casually brush this t aside, they canceled classes in order to run a safe investigation. Even with all the precautions, a tragedy still struck. So, what's a school to do these days? Is it too dangerous for schools to operate? Do we need to have metal detectors and pat downs at every entrance? Even if that were in place, would it still stop these horrible tragedies? Probably not. Those who commit these horrible acts will find a way. The gunman at NIU, dressed in black, walked onto a lecture stage and started firing with a shotgun and later with a handgun. From all the evidence currently available, this attack seemed planned and deliberate. How do you stop a murder before it happens? This is a question law enforcement officials have grappled with for years and have yet to come up with a solid answer. The terrible truth of our time is these shootings are a reality and schools need to be aware that these events could happen at their school and there should be some sort of emergency plan in place. At USU, there is such an emergency plan prepared. Hopefully it will never have to be utilized. But, something more must be done. These shootings cannot be allowed to continue at the increased rate they are happening. Politicians talk a considerable amount about threats from abroad. It's about time more attention be given to threats within the United States. These solutions will not come easily, but hopefully with more attention, research and study, something can be done about this : travesty. • v Until that time, we at USU mourn with NIU. Change is in the air at the polls W in or lose, Barack Obama has changed America. It's one thing to believe in a picture we'd like to be true — a society moving toward a colorblind ideal — and something entirely different to live each day with a personification of that ideal. "I've actuallv changed my view of Americans/' said Marvin Lawson of Columbia, a black man who is retired and went with his wife, Victoria, to see Obama speak at the University of Maryland this week. "I've been pleasantly surprised. This country still has a racial divide; we cannot ignore that. But this campaign will take us to the next level, that we really are ready to accept those values we espouse as a nation." [M See POLLS, page 14 Assistant Features Editor Di Lewis Sports Editor Samuel Hislop Assistant Sports Editor David Baker Copy Editor Rebekah Bradway Photo Editor Forum Lett © rS Players are not unpatriotic The outward act of folding your arms or kneeling down doesn't accurately portray how one feels inside. To the editor: Likewise, neither does the position of your hand durThis letter is in regards to ing the national anthem. the opinion in last week's Therefore, we shouldn't pass Statesman where the writ- blame without first knowing er accused the basketball a person's intentions. players of being disrespectSecondly, it is disrespectful. He alleges that they ful to portray those who "snubbed our flag by keep- don't salute the flag as being ing their hands at their sides horrible people. There are or behind their backs," and certain religions (such as I just wanted to point out Jehovah's Witnesses) that how hypocritical and naive don't believe in pledging these comments were. allegiance or saluting govFirst of all, just because ernment icons. I don't know a person doesn't have their whether anyone on the team hand over their heart dur- is a Jehovah's Witness, but ing the national anthem regardless of whether they does not mean that they are or not, it is certainly not are disrespectful or unpa- fair to condemn people. Not triotic. People have differ- everyone believes the same ent outward expressions of things and therefore should appreciation for the coun- not judge them based on try. If you turn on your TV subjective opinions. or attend any professional/ Lastly, it was argued that collegiate football, basket- the flag is the "symbol of ball, or baseball game in the our freedom" and "delibcountry and watch the play- erate inaction is not only ers, you'll find that it is actu- disgusting, but a slap in the ally more common for them face of every person who to put their hands behind has fought and died for their backs and bow their our freedom." I find these heads, than it is to actually claims extremely ironic. "salute" the flag. Take the Think about it. The flag does Utah Jazz, for instance. I symbolize freedom, and have season tickets to the this includes the freedom Jazz and have been down to NOT put your hand on there many times this sea- your heart if you don't want son to see them play. During to. Soldiers have died for the anthems, they usually our freedom to be able to stand with hands behind garner our own thoughts, their backs, heads bowed opinions and beliefs. Even and eyes closed. There is if the players intentionally nothing disrespectful or did not salute the flae, it is unappreciative about this. because of this hard-fought For all you know, during freedom that gives them the Anthem, they may be that right. But I certainly contemplating or meditat- do not believe that it was a ing about how wonderful "deliberate inaction" on the this country is. part of the USU basketball On this same note, allow team, as was alleged. me to offer an analogy. I think that our players Imagine a person going to really do appreciate the church and being in the opportunity to get a world congregation when a prayer class education and conis offered. Do people fold tribute to the community their arms or kneel down through athletics. Whether every single time a prayer is they make it to the pros said? Doubtfully. Does this or not is irrelevant to this mean that they are being discussion and says nothdisrespectful and unappre- ing about their pride in ciative of the prayer? No. America. It is ignorance like YowrTake So long colonel Letters to the editor • A public forum this that sets our community back and naively perpetuates intolerance. God bless America and the freedom to act as we wish by being ourselves. Go Aggies! Blair Wardle Who has the real right of way? To the editor: As both an avid walker and cyclist, I must both agree and disagree with Ryan Anderson's letter to the editor in Wednesday, Feb. 13th's, Statesman. First and foremost, I strongly agree that a little sidewalk etiquette would do everyone a deal of good. While I do enjoy the occasional saunter with company, the better part of my walking occurs in hasty commutes and at those times, nothing is more frustrating then getting stuck behind a herd of Sunday strollers monopolizing the entire sidewalk. However, on the other side of the coin, nothing chaps my lower quarters more than obnoxious bikers riding on the sidewalk. On any sidewalk, yes, even those on campus that are the only option, bikers do not have the right of way. Off of campus, or anywhere that the street is an option, bikers should in no circumstances be riding on the sidewalk. I myself, in younger more foolish days, plowed two innocent victims over while riding my rig on the sidewalk andlearned a valuable lesson: someone was bound to kick or sue my butt eventually. Beyond my own physical and financial well being though, riding on the sidewalk is a serious danger to those that ought to be there - walkers. So please remember that a little decorum on both fronts is necessary. Ryan Deery Tell us what you think., Submit a letter to the editor at .,-•••-.. www.utahstatesman.com What's with the Atlantic Coast Conference? They have powerhouse football programs with stadiums that rival professional arenas. They actually have BCS prowess, something unknown to o many school west of the Rocky Mountains. They have top-notch asketball programs and the education is first rate. And now they ave one thing USU had going for them - Randy Spetman. Serving as athletic director for USU for more than three years, Spetman recently signed a deal with Florida State to become the athletic director for the Seminoles, a sure boon for one of the nation's perennial athletic favorites in a variety of sporting events. Our loss is surely tnier gain. In the short time Spetman has been at USU, the athletic programs have moved into the Western Athletic Conference, competing at a much higher level than before and gathering the ability to garner more national attention. With the absence of Spetman, what will happen to the athletic programs at USU? Who is even in the market for athletic director that USU could affbrdand convince to come to this frozen tundra? Will USU suffer from this loss or will it continue on well under the guidance of coaches and staff? What's your take? Tell us at www.utahstatesman.com/messageboard. Tyler Larson Assistant Photo Editor Cameron Peterson Multimedia Editor Gideon Oakes Editorial Board Seth R. Hawkins Arie Kirk Di Lewis David Baker Alison Baugh 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 towara 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 email address as well as a student identification number (none of which is published). Letters will not be printed without this verification. • Letters representing groups — or more than one individual — must have a singular representative clearly stated, with all necessary identification information. • Writers must wait 21 days before submitting successive letters — no exceptions. • Letters can be hand delivered or mailed to The Statesman in the TSC, Room 105, or can be e-mailed to statesman@cc.usu.edu or click on www.utah statesman.com for more letter guidelines and a box to sumbit let ters. Online poll What does Valentine's Day mean to you? A terrible holiday that wastes money A wonderful chance to show love A day to Visit us on the Web at www.utahstatesman.com to cast your vote. 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