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Show Wednesday, Page 12 Oct. 27, 2010 VieW S &01)1111111110111 Utah State University • Logan, Utah • www.utahstatesman.com AboutUS OurView Let your voice be heard, get out and vote Editor in Chief rom concerns about immigration and gay rights to issues with social programs and government spending, a range of topics need to be addressed and this year's election could alter the way problems are or are not solved. Across the country we are seeing that this election is poised to disrupt the status quo. College students have a role to play in this "historic" election. What is upsetting you the most right now? Health care, the war in Iraq and the economy are all effecting college students in one way or another, and voting is a way we can help fix these issues, or at least fix who is representing us and our views on these issues. Even though it is too late to register to vote if you haven't already, registering for the next voting session is as simple as going online to Utah.gov. As for the people who are registered to vote, make sure you do vote. You don't have to wait until election day, you can vote early on campus or the county courthouse in downtown Logan. Not only should you vote, you should be informed before you do it. There is no point in voting for someone if you don't know what they are standing for. It only takes a few minutes to go online and see where candidates stand on the issues that are most pressing to you. Being an informed voter is vital to the process of how the government works and you are not doing anyone any favors by voting for the candidate that you remember seeing on the biggest poster out on the lawn. Voting matters. Your votes and opinions matter. It doesn't take very long, and it is your responsibility as an American to vote. Voting is what this country is built on, and even if you are too young or are not registered to vote for the election Nov. 2, talk to friends and family who are. Get the conversation started. Our government is supposed to be "by the people." You are the people, go out and get your voice heard. Assistant News Editor Megan Bainum Benjamin C. Wood News Editor Catherine Meidell F Students need to embrace their curiosity "I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask a fairy Faculty godmother o mother to endow it with Voices the most useful gift, that gift should be curiosity," Eleanor Roosevelt said. I'd like to be that fairy godmother. If there's just one thing I'd like to see everyone exhibit a bit more, it's curiosity. I don't mean being curious about the new Lady Gaga outfit (although we might need an engineer to explain how she keeps it on), but being curious about what's going on in the world around you, related to and not so related to your major. Everyone here wants to be a success. As I see it, the fast track to that laudable goal is to start asking questions, letting those questions lead to more questions, and reading a daily newspaper - getting involved with Honors doesn't hurt, either. I honestly don't think that you can find success in your career without knowing what is going on in the world. And I especially don't think that you can be a contributing member of a democracy without a daily news source. Although I said "newspaper" I don't think that you have to actually read a broadsheet and get newsprint on your hands every day - although The New York Times is on sale in the HASS Dean's office for only a quarter - but I do think it's incumbent upon us to keep up with the world. Doesn't affect me, you say? Our top 10 majors include education, economics, mechanical engineering, psychology, biology, English and communicative disorders/deaf education. What is happening in the world profoundly affects each of these majors. How can you be a good teacher if you aren't aware of what's happening regarding education in the state and nationally? Econ major? I'd like to see every economics major not only be able to speak about the mortgage crisis, but take a position on how to fix the economy - same goes for other business majors. Biology major? The state of the economy affects how much tax revenue we collect; tax revenue affects the coffers of the National Science Foundation; USU applies for and gets more than $136 million in research funding each year - a good percentage of which comes from the NSF. I didn't even mention the debates over what government funds may be used for, such as stem cells. English majors - at the very least - should know what's happening in the world of publishing and should be reading books (books!) that have recently been published, and the book review pages I See AWARE, page 13 Features Editor Courtnie Packer Assistant Features Editor Kellyn Neumann Sports Editor Adam Nettina Assistant Sports Editor Matt Sonnenberg ForumLetters Local families leave legacy To the editor: Currently two U.S.U. Professors are pushing for a countywide library system which is largely viewed as a socialist power grab. It is not popular with the "autonomous" individually and well managed libraries in the satellite communities around Logan. Twelve mayors are rightfully opposed to it, as are most of us tea party individuals. It is no surprise then that one proponent of this latest scheme (which is nothing short of another tax and burdensome layer of government) is Professor Craig Peterson, who has grad degrees from Stanford. Observing what happened in California with its economic collapse, we're opposed. Professor Peterson's presentation (doctorate) was in how to apply for and receive federal grants. It is also a fact that USU, since Peterson arrived, has become the single largest applicant and recipient of federal grants with Jay Monson's blessings. I do not believe in coincidences. I do believe that liberal, left-wing, so-called educators have misled and conditioned, indoctrinated even, this entire generation of "socialists" to expect that everything you need, from the cradle to the grave, comes from the government. It does not. It comes from us taxpayers and we're cutting you off. Capitalism hasn't failed, Marxism is killing it. Sixty years of socialism in the U.S, in Northern Utah (or maybe 160 if you count the socialist workers party of S.L.C.UofU, circa 1850) has stifled, restricted, regulated and taxed small business and individuals of free market enterprises almost to death, thanks to Marxist Obama's economics. Enter a local business involvement: Around the turn of the 19th century a famous selfmade businessman, Scottish immigrant and steel magnate, Andrew Carnegie made enormous contributions to the USA with libraries. He didn't owe anyone, he didn't have to give anything to anyone and he started with nothing. Logan and Smithfield had Carnegie libraries. There is no way of knowing how many Americans became educated, liberated and successful as a result of the Carnegie endowments. Another great and pretty humble man from right here in Cache Valley, Junior Miller, also made a new library possible with a huge contribution. Junior, his father E.A, his brother, the late Lynn Miller, also have earned every penny the hard way, good, honest, noble, dedicated and persevering work in free enterprise within an extremely necessary element to society, food production to sustain life. Not only have the Millers put meat on the table for hundreds of millions, their operation has provided full-time and part-time employment for countless college students, locals and immigrants from throughout the globe, not to mention a job for some just out of jail, whom Millers would hire though others might not. I'd take issue with anyone's disparaging comments contrary to appreciating the family beef-packing marvel that has done so much for so many, and for so many decades. Anyone envious, jealous, spiteful, or socialistic who would take away credit or praise of this extraordinary company and its testament to free enterprise can take Karl Marx "Communist Manifesto,"leave the country (and don't come back). Today's "progressives" (communists, some right here in Cache County) need to be educated. Perhaps they can start with "Atlas Shrugged" (Ayn Rand), it's in the Hyrum, Utah Library. Anyone sour about the library should subsist on beans and rice or be deported. I prefer the latter idea for those who would seize unearned wealth. Don Dunbar alumnus Parking citation wrongly given To the editor: Recently, there was an article written about parking on campus. There were some Letters to the editor • A public forum statements that were said by the parking department that I felt were misleading. To start off, my husband and I were recently given a ticket for parking in the Spectrum parking lot on a game day after the designated time, noon. We were disappointed to see that we had a ticket after being in class from 8:30 to 1:30 with no breaks in between, making it difficult for us to move our car. We went to get the issue sorted out in the parking office, but that wasn't the end. After paying our ticket, we asked why the parking lot was closed so early for a football game. We were answered abruptly by, "We need to set up for the game." To my knowledge, all the parking authorities had to do was set up cones in the exits and entrances. The parking department said that they "take education into consideration when handing out citations." I felt in no way when we got our citation that our education was put into consideration when we have to miss a class to move our car for a game. Noon is too early to be kicking students out from parking lots on game days. It was also said that the "vision for parking revolves around service - this is one of (the) primary concerns, and the customer comes first." When talking to the parking department about our ticket, again, I felt like our feelings were disregarded. They were more concerned about reprimanding us about parking in the parking lot. The parking office didn't help us with our questions, and after being yelled at by everyone behind the desk, we went to higher authority. It was only then that someone listened to our concern. The parking office can't close the parking lots at noon and still expect to keep "education into consideration." I'm not writing this to complain about getting the ticket, we parked in the parking lot after the designated time, and we deserved the ticket. I am writing in search of change; I seek for fairness to the primary customers of the university (the student body) who have paid to park in the parking lots during their school schedule. Candace Knight Prepare yourself for the gridlock The election is one Opposition week away, Research ladies and gentleman. One week before we are to enjoy two JUSTIN HINH wonderful years of partisan gridlock and bitter rhetoric. So first off, let's be honest here. The Republicans are going to take the House of Representative and possibly the Senate - depending on if that whack-job Sharron Angle wins in Nevada. They're primed to make this election theirs. But don't hold your breath if you are expect- ing the Republicans to do anything productive once they attain power in January. As a political junkie I can't help but watch cable news and political campaigns. The Democrats are confused and in chaos - as usual - and Republican have only one theme, that they support the constitution and oppose President Obama. Reading over the Republicans' so called "Pledge to America" and ignoring all the pretty patriotic pictures in between, this so called "Pledge" was nothing short of vague political dribble aimed to upset and rally the masses. It's easy to see that Republicans are trying to I See ELECTION, page 13 Copy Editor Chelsey Gensel Photo Editor Carl R. Wilson Assistant Photo Editor Alison Ostler Web Editor Tyler Huskinson Editorial Board Benjamin C. Wood Catherine Meidell Courtnie Packer Adam Nettina Chelsey Gensel Tyler Huskinson 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 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@aggiemail. usu.edu , or click on www.utahstatesman. corn for more letter guidelines and a box to submit letters. Online poll Are you planning on going to The HOWL? • • • Of course. It's the biggest party in Utah. No. I've got other plans. Maybe. I need to find a costume first. Visit us on the Web at www.utahstatesman. corn to cast your vote and see results from this straw poll. |