OCR Text |
Show Wednesday, March 3, 2010 Page 11 Views&Opilli011 Utah State University • Logan, Utah • www.aggietownsquare.com OurView What are you up to tonight? II AboutUS EARTHQUAKES, ISUNAMIS,614ASTLY WINTERS! HOLY CON, MOTHER NATURE! VAT'S NEXT? Editor in Chief Patrick Oden News Editor Rachel A. Christensen Assistant News Editor Catherine Meidell W here are you guys?" "I'll be there in a minute," "I love you" and even "What are you up to tonight?" are important messages, ones you want to get across as quickly as possible when you're texting. We're college students and, for most, texting rules our social planning and day-to-day conversations with friends in Logan and all over the country. Texting has become incredibly casual. It's done while carrying a one-on-one conversation with a friend, on the front row of a lecture, at movies and performances, and even at the dinner table with Grandma. While society may have evolved and texting has become more acceptable in these situations, we agree with lawmakers that texting while driving should never be acceptable. The sad thing is that many agree whole-heartedly, and yet recall a time in the last week or so when they sent a text while driving. It's pretty easy to rationalize away -- most are proficient enough to text without hardly looking down at their phones or are simply sending a short reply. But that's probably all 19-year-old Reggie Shaw was doing when he sent a text to his girlfriend while driving his suburban into Logan. Shaw, distracted, clipped a Saturn with two passengers, causing an accident that killed both instantly. Since his accident, Shaw said it has "haunted him every day" but has since worked toward lobbying for laws against texting and driving, which passed in Utah last year. We commend Shaw for his proactive efforts against texting while driving, moving past the accident and becoming a catalyst for change. It is amazing what little it takes to change a life forever. Shaw's small decision to be distracted while texting and driving changed countless lives in addition to his own. "Be more aware behind the wheel," Shaw warns. "It changes lives so fast." We challenge you to stop texting and driving. You may think you're in control, that you can send it quickly or that you just do it without getting caught. But regardless of the law that prohibits texting while driving, think beyond the risk of getting a ticket to the lives that will be affected by your actions. Creating new mental disorders s chairman of the task force that created the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSMIV), which came out in 1994, I learned from painful experience how small changes in the definition of mental disorders can create huge, unintended consequences. Our panel tried hard to be conservative and careful but inadvertently contributed to three false "epidemics" - attention deficit disorder, autism and childhood bipolar disorder. Clearly, our net was cast too wide and captured many "patients" who might have been far better off never entering the mental health system. A The first draft of the next edition of the DSM, posted for comment with much fanfare last month, is filled with suggestions that would multiply our mistakes and extend the reach of psychiatry dramatically deeper into the ever-shrinking domain of the normal. This wholesale medical imperialization of normality could potentially create tens of millions of innocent bystanders who would be mislabeled as having a mental disorder. The pharmaceutical industry would have a field day - despite the lack of solid evidence of any effective treatments for these newly proposed diagnoses. I have been trying to gather my courage and a little bit of my will to write to you. It has been a tough beginning of the year. I got dumped and cheated on in the worse way and then left alone to ponder why. After that horrible breakup, I just shut down for a while but later got up when I found out all the horrible things that man was doing. So I moved on and met this wonderful guy who wasn't my type at all. In fact, the first time I met him I went "ugh" in my mind. Then I got to know him, talk to him, hang out with him, etc. I was having a blast, and I just fell for him, and I thought he did for me. He called me, sent me texts and chat conversa- Courtnie Packer Assistant Features Editor Benjamin Wood Sports Editor Connor Jones Assistant Sports Editor Matt Sonnenberg Copy Editor tions, and just looked for me all the time. With his free time, he wanted to hang out with me. But then all of a sudden, this past weekend, he stopped. We did have a conversation about relationships, and he did not want one "now" but said if he did, it would totally be me. I was fine with that because we were taking things slow. But now, he doesn't even want one? I know he is hurt from his ex and all, but he knows I am nothing like her. Miss Jones, I am not asking to be in a relationship now, but I thought that it would eventually lead to that, especially the way he was looking for me and treating me. It just sucks how much rejection I have had this year. I don't know what to do: to make Mark Vuong Photo Editors Pete Smithsuth Steve Sellers ForumLetters Letters to the editor • A public forum Guilty until proven innocent To the editor: became evident that I had not. After reading the recent article regarding the campaign for Graduate Student Senate vice president, I feel as though many facts were not stated and that it was significantly skewed to one direction. I agree with Trevor when he said there needs to be "transparency in the election process" and since none of my actions were done in secrecy, here are the facts the Statesman left out on Monday: - The meetings regarding my situation are to remain confidential. However, since comments have already been made regarding Trevor's issue with a conflict of interest, I will only state that the university administration described it as "very egregious behavior." - Before acting on my idea, I sought advice from an expert on campaign policy. This faculty member not only told me that I would not be breaking the rules, but in their mind it was not unethical based on the university's 10 principles of ethics. - Even though people may not believe it was the best idea, I did not break campaign bi-laws, the USU student code or any State of Utah laws, specifically Utah Law 76-8103, which resulted in the retraction of my disqualification. - Trevor's problem is a separate issue and did not affect my ability to run in the race. It is unfair to link his problem with my favorable situation. - Lastly, everyone involved, I believe, including myself, have tried to do the right thing. I'm happy that in the end the correct decision was reached. Thank you for allowing me to voice my side of the story. Although some might have previously disagreed, I hope that students will see that I am running an honest and transparent campaign, and welcome any comments or questions they may have regarding my platform and goals. - I received an apology from university administration and attorneys for previously stating that I had broken the law, when it Web Editor Karlie Brand About letters • Letters should be limited to 400 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 email address as well as a student identification number (none of which is published). Letters will not be printed without this Adam Nelson 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 statesrnan@aggiemail. usu.edu , or click on www.aggietownsquare.com for more letter guidelines and a box to submit letters. (Link: About I See DSM, page 12 Ask Miss Jones Dear Miss Jones, Features Editor Us.) him mine or just forget about him? Nothing seems to work. PLEASE HELP. Hurtin Dear Hurtin, I'm not sure if you read my column regularly, but last week's answer would fit perfectly with your problem. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but you seem a little clingy try relaxing, let things flow. When I was young, my siblings and I would go catch salamanders in the pond near our house. My first time was when I was quite young, and after catching my first ever slimy salamander, I made sure I could hold on to it as I ran around showing everyone. The problem was, when I went back to release it in the pond, the salamander was dead. The eye balls were popping out, the skin was dry, and when I unclenched my hand, the tail fell off. See, all I was thinking about was myself. I forgot that by squeezing too hard the poor salamander couldn't breathe and that its skin was delicate, and without it staying moist, the skin dried and cracked. This dead salamander changed my life. From that point on, I went by the mantra that I would never hold on to something so tight that I would suffocate it. Do you see where I'm trying to go with this? Because you were hurt in that previous relationship, I think the next time you had feelings for someone you went all salamander-killer on him and held on so tight there was no room for him to breath. While guys love having a girl pay attention to them, if they get too much attention, they are afraid they can't perform and resort to hiding in their shell or just shutting you off completely. Give this guy some time, if he comes back, great, just remember to loosen your grip. If he doesn't, then remember to take it easy next time. Good luck and remember: With as many times as Miss Jones has been around the block, her directions must be good. Miss Jones E-mail your questions to be answered by Miss. Jones to statesman.miss. jones@aggiemail. usu.edu or find her on Facebook. Sound Off Leave your comments on the stories and columns you find in The Utah Statesman at aggietownsquare.com |