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Show Zone Monday, Oct. 17, 2011 Page 10 Free Speech • 5)411)Pi n Opinions on this page (columns, letters unless otherwise identified are not from Utah Statesman staff, but from a wide vadety of members of the campus community who have strong opinions, just like you do! This is an open forum. Want to write something? Contact: statesman@aggiemaiLusu.edu Utah State Universit • Lo • an. Utah • www.utahstatesman.com O urifi ew A bou tth 114 WERE To TELL CAN'T VELIEVE W GOIENGE.. Political protests Occupy our minds Editor in Chief Catherine Meidell Copy Editor D. Whitney Smith I s crapping on cop cars protected under the First Amendment? After founding U.S. politicians were done arguing over its parameters, the First Amendment consisted of five tenets regarding the voice of the American public — the freedoms of speech, lobby, assembly, press and petition. The United States itself was built in the wake of grievances and protests by a whole cohort of early colonial settlers who sought a life other than the one the English monarchy allowed in the 17th and 18th centuries. With the rise of the politically charged Occupy movements spreading throughout not only the U.S. but the globe, all sides with a voice are stepping forward to speak out on the range of opinions surrounding the efficacy and legitimacy of such protests. As of Sunday, Oct. 16, it was reported that among arrests for illegally convening in public places and blocking traffic, perpetrators of violence, indecency and public nuisance have been apprehended by the police. There is no doubt that millions of Americans share — to at least some level — the idea that economically and governmentally something in the U.S. needs to change. What most people cannot and will not agree on is how this change should come about. Media coverage has underscored a growing sentiment that the Occupy protests are at best wan attempts to draw attention to the growing cleavage between the richest and the poorest. While the First Amendment protects the right to assemble, lobby or petition the government for redress of grievances, it does not protect most forms of civil disobedience and certainly will not condone violence, nudity, rioting or smearing feces on cop cars. So, the question is: What can be done to solve the problems we face? Ideally, our votes would truly count and every member of the American public would have equal chance to be heard. Ideally, those who feel their votes don't count would write their representative and receive a direct response to prove their voice is in fact heard. Ideally, those who are most passionate about change would find the mobility through higher education to rise up and become lawmakers, lawyers or lobbyists, who have direct political interaction. Is it possible, in this day and age, for everyone and anyone to rise to the level of being heard and making a change? Unfortunately, many would say it is not. Are the Occupy movements really making any sort of positive change in America? It seems people from all sides have varying opinions on this; but one thing remains the same — we are, as U.S. citizens, given the right to stand up and say what we think. We suggest those who do take the time to do it right. After all, the sum of all best intentions doesn't necessarily add up to a successful outcome. Access the outlets established for students As the Student Advocate vice president, I am here to represent the students. My main objective this year is to help students know, understand and internalize the fact that they have a voice, and can "Speak Up." USU is unique in that the administration will listen to the students and make changes that will benefit students as a majority. Often students come to the Student Advocate with unresolved issues or suggestions for the university as a whole. These suggestions range across a broad spectrum of concerns with Administration, Student Services, auxiliary services or the university's policies and procedures. One of the duties of the Student Advocate is to maintain key relationships with faculty and administrators. The recent summer was spent interning with vital campus auxiliaries through USU Support Enterprises. I spent two weeks with the following departments on campus: Housing, The USU Bookstore, The Card Office, University Inn and Conference Center, Dining Services, Parking, the Taggart Student Center and with Associate Vice President for Business and Finance Dwight Davis. I learned the different positions and jobs in each department as well as what they do and their key function in keeping the university running. All of this was done in order to adequately serve student needs that would arise throughout the school year. I wanted to be able to not only know who can best assist to solve the issue when a student comes to me with a concern, but also know the best route in bringing about the desired effect. Now, for those students who are too busy, feel as if their issue is too small or have no idea how to voice their concern, it is my responsibility to find out what you're thinking, what you would like to see changed or what we can improve to better your expe- ►See CONCERNS, Page 11 News Editor Rob Jepson Assistant News Editor Megan Allen Features Editor Kellyn Neumann Assistant Features Editor Allee Evensen Sports Editor Tavin Stucki Why base voting on religious preferences? From the left ANDREW IZATT Mitt Romney's Mormonism recently made headlines again when Texas Pastor Robert Jeffers, reflecting the fairly mainstream sentiments of his fellow Evangelicals, referred to Romney's religion as a "cult" and "not Christian." The accusation is by no means a new one, but it has renewed interest in Mormonism and increased the curiosity of the media regarding the LDS Church. These sorts of debates seem to always occur in the Republican Party — dominated in recent years by the self-declared "Moral Majority" — in which the candidates beat their chests and loudly vie for the title of "Most Christian" as if they were in the Miss America Pageant. However, the Republican's brand of Christianity has become a leveraging device to garner support for a variety of causes that I would consider highly un-Christian. I've always found it strange that socalled moral issues, such as abortion and gay rights legislation — topics about which, ironically, Jesus had little or nothing to say — always dominate the conversation while the evils of war, materialism or the disparity between the rich and the poor, which Jesus seemed to spend the majority of his ministry addressing, never get mentioned. Christians should be the first to condemn war and look for alternatives, but the supposed Christian voices on the Right seem to be the first to support it. Take former President George W. Bush, for example — a Bible-believing fellow and favorite of the Religious Right. Despite all his professions of faith, I don't think we have had a less-Christian president. Ignoring Christ's call to turn the other cheek and love one's enemy, Bush led us into two ongoing wars. He borrowed massive amounts of money in order to destroy, he sanctioned torture, ► See Page 11 From the right AColumn Divided Two students take two angles on one political issue Assistant Sports Editor Tyler Huskinson Photo Editor Ani Mirzakhanyan Assistant Photo Editor Carl R. Wilson Web Editor Steve Kent MIKE BURNHAM With Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman in the primaries, the role that religion plays in the lives of our candidates has once again become the central issue of the campaign. It is easy to say that a candidate's religion is of no importance and that we should elect leaders based on political merit alone. The Constitution calls for a separation of church and state, and we're choosing secular, not spiritual leaders. I disagree with this assessment, however. A separation of church and state does not mean that religion shouldn't be brought into the public forum. In fact we should actively engage and explore the religion of our public figures. It is foolish to pretend that we can leave morality out of politics when there is no neutral stance on so many sensitive issues. If we are to address morality, then there is no reason why we should not address its source, whether it is religion or a lack thereof. A significant political figure has stated: "The discomfort of some progressives with any hint of religion has often prevented us from effectively addressing issues in moral terms." I would imagine many of the right-wing readers out there will be somewhat surprised to know that this statement doesn't come from Glenn Beck, Pat Robertson or even Mitt Romney. These are President Obama's words. In fact, the incumbent has been one of religion's strongest advocates in the political realm. This is a powerful statement on religion's power to unite, rather than divide parties when properly engaged. "Secularists are wrong," he continues, "when they ask believers to leave their religion at the door before entering into the public square ... to say that men and ►See Page 11 (TELL THEM THAT SMOG Is HARMLEs5. 7- 1-1- THEM THAT PROTECTINGCORR7RATION5 15 MORE IMFORTANT THAN PROTECTING THEIR NEAL111.TELLTUEM TWIT YOU NM SOLD YOUR SOW_ TO US. Editorial Board Catherine Meidell D. Whitney Smith Tavin Stucki Kellyn Neumann Ani Mirzakhanyan Steve Kent Rob Jepson 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 e-mail 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.com for more letter guidelines and a box to submit letters. — |