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Show --Free Speech Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 Page 12 V • 51)0 i 111 Zone Opinions on this page (columns, letters unless otherwise identified are not from Utah Statesman staff, but from a wide variety 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 Zz OurView New open carry , , ii NN'IN .‘V.V Editor in Chief Catherine Bennett bill unnecessary A bill in the Utah Legislature raised a debate over whether firearms should be visible in public. The HB49 Substitute would prohibit local municipalities from enacting or enforcing ordinances against carrying firearms, visible or concealed, without permission from the state Legislature. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clinton, is quoted in a story from the Jan. 30 issue of The Salt Lake Tribune defending HB49. Ray said the intent of the bill was to clarify which situations deserve disorderly conduct charges. "Just because I'm carrying the gun, they can't give me a disorderly conduct (charge)," Ray said. "If I'm acting in a threatening way, they certainly can." We disagree with this perception. If a person carrying a firearm acts in a threatening way, police are likely to shoot rather than arrest the carrier. In January, police shot and killed a 15-yearold student brandishing what they later learned was an air gun made to resemble a more lethal weapon. Perhaps a law-abiding citizen is well within his or her rights to openly carry a firearm, but considering recent news events it would be unwise. Virginia Tech and Chardon High School, in Ohio, are the most recent of several campus shootings that have happened in the U.S. Campus communities are becoming more wary of campus shooting warning signs. A person carrying an easily visible firearm on campus could prompt action from not only police, but faculty, staff or students who resolved to take action at the first potential sign of danger. The Second Amendment is a constitutional right, but rights should only be exercised with responsibility and the proper education. Anything with the potential to end lives, whether it be a vehicle, a drug or a firearm, should be treated with every possible precaution. If the sight of a firearm has the potential to cause panic, it's best to leave it out of sight. Some argue open carry has a deterring effect on crime, and we admit the appeal of openly carrying a firearm makes more sense in a dark alley, but it seems to us a firearm would be less of a deterrent on a busy university campus already patrolled by police. Public bathrooms require manners In my time at USU, I've From the never been one to talk about Soap Box anything spectacularly important. The topics of my columns have ranged from looking forward to watching the local rodeo, hating BYU and teaching people how to shower. I'm not terribly different in conversation. I apologize in advance, but today I feel the need to talk about a subject that has been weighing on me for a while. That subject is the freedom a person has to relieve themself in a public restroom without awkward moments. Such disregard for the norms of the restroom threatens our decency as Americans. To fight Americans' disrespectful bathroom habits, I thought up a few helpful guidelines I feel everyone should adhere to while in a public restroom. 1. Talking is only acceptable if you are continuing a conversation as you walk into the restroom with a friend. I've heard girls will chat about boys in the ladies' room, so I feel it is acceptable to use the restroom for gossiping. Also, laughter should be used on the same general guidelines. 2. Please, put electronic devices away. I hate to sound like an annoying freshman-level history professor, but it's weird to hear a phone going off in the restroom. As a reminder, bathrooms are plagued with germs. Who knows which germs are being transferred to your phone in the restroom. Later that day those germs will end up right on your face. Gross, man. 3. Wash your hands. No exceptions. Especially when someone else is already at the sink. I see the people who leave the men's room without washing their hands. You disgust me. I just hope I don't forget who you are and shake your hand at some point. At least make it look like you have good hygiene. As Jerry Seinfeld once said, "Play in the water a little bit for show." 4. If at first you don't succeed, flush again. Need I say more? 5. Quit your dawdling. Specifically, taking 10 or more sheets at the motion-sensor paper towel dispensers is unnecessary. Your hands are already dry by the time you've let them drip while waiting for six sheets to dispense. I only want one paper towel and don't want to wait for you. I know the motion sensor is fun to play with, but you can do that after hours. 6. Brush your teeth at home. I am always weirdly surprised See SOAP BOX, Page 13 AboutUS Copy Editor D. Whitney Smith News Editor Steve Kent Assistant News Editor Megan Allen Features Editor Allee Evensen Assistant Features Editor Natasha Bodily Sports Editor CAE DAI RiCK &9■LAToRUIA DISCO\IE.RLD 5/%1EIVER VEZM AIRE.R7 BUL.V.Y.TPROOF. Public schools need sex education programs We cannot mask facts of life with the notion of a non-existent utopia where all teens blindly accept abstinence as the one and only option for sexual behavior. Refraining from teaching sexual education or presenting a stratified, partial-picture version of sexual education to high school students is promoting ignorance. It is a stepping stone toward uneducated teenage heartache. It is time to wake up to reality and power the wheels of progressive legislation. Last Wednesday, the Utah House of Representatives passed HB363, a bill concerning sexual education in Utah public schools. All 17 Democrats and 11 Republicans in the House voted against the bill, but lost by a sweeping 45 28 margin. This bill allows Utah schools to opt out of teaching sexual education and prohibits teaching about the use of contraception - in schools that do choose to keep the coursMindful es. Not only is this bill a step Musings backward in a society that is sexually rampant, but is also an invitation for teens to explore sex in unreliable ways without any previous knowledge of safety precautions. Anyone who went to public high school in Utah know that teens are just as susceptible to explore sexuality compared to teens in other states — despite parents' perceptions of their teens' sex lives. To the editor: As a faculty member and specialist in turfgrass science, I felt compelled to write regarding the proposed Aggie Legacy Fields and issues that you might consider as you prepare to vote on their installation. The fact is that synthetic turf fields have not been in regular use for very long. As a result, there is the need for objective, peerreviewed research information regarding these fields — pros and cons. The information that I am presenting to you here is objective and peer-reviewed, but additional research is certainly needed. The complete life-cycle costs of synthetic turf fields, including installation, maintenance and disposal — they need replacing every 8 10 years are higher than natural grass fields. In addition, the removal and disposal costs of synthetic turf fields are incurred at the same time as installation costs for their replacement. It is my understanding that the Aggie Legacy Fields have the potential to be recycled and I commend the planners for that, - — Assistant Sports Editor Tyler Huskinson Photo Editor Delayne Locke Assistant Photo Editor Carl R. Wilson Web Editor Meredith Kinney Editorial Staff: Catherine Bennett Steve Kent Allee Evensen Meredith Kinney Delayne Locke Tavin Stucki D. Whitney Smith See MUSIN G S, Page 13 ForumLetters Turf material not compatible Tavin Stucki Letters to the editor • A public forum but this does not negate the cost of their future removal and replacement. Across the country, human health concerns have also been raised about the presence of heavy metals in the crumb rubber infill used in synthetic turfs: Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mb, Sn, Su and Zn. Other health concerns include the inhalation of fine particles generated as the infill wears over time, the presence of Staph bacteria and other skin and lung concerns. Regarding Staph bacteria, the proposed Aggie Legacy Fields would benefit from full sun exposure and its disinfectant properties. However, that very sun exposure leads to another health concern-the surface temperature of the fields. Reliable studies have measured temperatures ranging from 140 173 degrees F at the surface of synthetic turf fields, necessitating very sophisticated irrigation and drainage systems to render them cool enough for use. Environmental considerations of synthetic turf fields include the leaching of metals such as Zn, Al, Mg and Fe, with Zn leaching in the highest quantities. These metals - are toxic to aquatic organisms and invertebrates, and have also been found in the run-off from synthetic turf fields. I do not dispute that synthetic turf fields have a place in locations that are truly adverse to natural grass. However, the presence of natural grass on the HPER fields over the past many years indicates that conditions on the fields are not truly adverse to natural grass. Kelly Kopp Put focus on academics To the editor: As I reflect back on my experience at USU, I can say I've had many great experiences because of the many resources the university provides to students. My concern, however, is the new proposed plan for a recreation student center on campus. I'm an avid Fieldhousegoer, and I recognize that soon there will be a need to replace or improve those facilities. At the same time, is this recreation center the See LETTERS, Page 13 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. |