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Show PAGEA5 Tough on crime bullheaded Irish peace process must go on "Tough on crime" cont'd from page A4 of crystal meth. The police officer said that he was driving by a known distribution location. As he passed, he noticed a running car that had no driver, and a passenger waiting in the right hand seat. He said that in his experience as a narcotics detective he had seen that kind of thing many times. When a car was running outside a drug distribution center, it meant that the person inside was most likely buying drugs. So, what would do you guess the officer did? Did he make a plan to use the knowledge about a drug house location to bring down the organization it is a part of? You would think so. However, this detective - as I'm sure most, if not all others - was under the directive that arrests are more important than results for society. So, he followed the car, stopped it for the first moving violation it committed, and performed a search and seizure. Rack another one up for the war on drugs. Do we need to lock criminals up? Certainly. The law must be respected. However, the time came long ago to begin striking at the roots of our societal calamities. The crime problem will not be solved unless first we reckon with its sources. Until then, expect to keep locking your doors at night. "Irish peace process" cont d from page A4 Cold shoulders don't solve anything. President Bush and Congress are justified in their anger at the IRA's mafia-style actions. But closing the door on a group of people that still has serious support in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland would be a mistake. It is my hope that America still keeps an eye that little island and stays diplomatically involved. Decades of armed resistance in the face an oppressive government won't eviscerate overnight. The GFA has already saved lives, let's not throw it away. Readers Forum... "The Utah State Legislature indeed has an anti-liberal bias. And when the bias of a bunch of bitter and hardened men can have such a profound effect on a school, they have a little too much power." - Jeffrey R. Kirk Senator Valentine reinforced the truth he tried to dispel Dear Editor: I would like to respond to the letter to the editor written by John Valentine. When I heard that UVSC was not going to get their library based solely upon the fact that the legislature was "trying to punish us" for the recent activities and events held at UVSC, I was ; ^opalled. I found it very frustrating, as I'm sure most of the students at UVSC did, because we are not BYU and we are not trying to be BYU. However, we are also not based on being anti-BYU. We are our own school and there is a great need for the students at UVSC and for the community surrounding UVSC to understand that. When I read John Valentine's re- sponse to the rumors that have been circulating that UVSC didn't get its library because of the legislature's anti-liberal bias, I got a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. He made it so clear that there was no anti-liberal bias; it was simply because of funding. The U had raised half of their funds themselves and had been waiting for four years to get their library. I thought, "Oh good, there never was any anti-liberal bias, it was just paranoia on the part of the students at UVSC." Then I came to the very end of the letter where Mr. Valentine blatantly lies and contradicts everything he had previously written: "...the priority of the U's and other's projects, coupled with the negative reactions of some to Reader Guest Op-ed the various controversies, made consensus to fund UVSC's library this year unachievable." Although Mr. Valentine's letter to the editor attempted to clear up some of the negative reactions and falsehoods about the reasons UVSC did not get their library, he did absolutely nothing but simply reinforce everything that had already been assumed: the Utah State Legislature indeed has an anti-liberal bias. And when the bias of a bunch of bitter and hardened men can have such a profound effect on a school, they have a little too much power. Jeffrey R. Kirk, Lindon ••• Compulsory "community values" antithetical to "free agency" Reader Laurie Jemison broadens the discussion surrounding "community values" with an exploration of LDS theology. Claiming LDS teachings place a high premium on opposition and free agency, Jemison says those Utah County LatterDay Saints who seek to ban contrary philosophies from this valley betray their own religous belief system. Jemison draws upon the LDS theological belief in a premorta/mt in Heaven, arguing if you are LDS and seek to eliminate choice and force others to "choose the right" you are subscribing to Satan's preexistence plan and utilizing his tactics. I am so amazed at all the talk I've heard about UVSC not reflecting the values of this community, yet I haven't heard one person utter just what those values are. Roughly 90 percent of this county is comprised of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints, and as I understand it, LDS theology values freedom (free agency) over everything else. In fact, it is only because of that principle that the need for a Savior exists. Quite frankly, I can see little or no evidence in this valley of the principles and values of free agency upon which the LDS church was founded. Parents council their children to take a stand, yet they seek to eliminate everything in this community that would cause menchildren to make a stand. They say they believe in free choice yet they continually strive to eliminate all choices. Most of them just can't understand that it is only by opposition that an individual or a society can define themselves. There can be no eye in the middle of a storm without the storm. A white wall cannot know it is white without with his life, pay for them so that a black spot. I cannot experience once again, we could all return to who I am without experiencing God. Christ's plan won by a twowho I am not. It is really quite thirds margin according to LDS simple. We cannot freely choose theology. something without something to Then, as the story goes, Satan's choose from! followers were not allowed to The LDS culture's heritage is come to earth and receive bodrich with belief concerning the ies. In the event that this story has importance of opposition and some truth to it, I would have to diversity. Alma gives a discourse disagree on one point. The followto his son in the Book of Morers of Satan did come to earth and mon which addresses the issue of receive bodies. You can find most opposition. He states, "For there of these people here in this valmust needs be an opposition in all ley. They are the "righteous" folk things." Meaning, a person could who are still trying to force us to not possibly know happiness with- "choose the right" by stripping us out sadness, joy without sorrow, or of any other choice. righteousness without evil. What I have observed in this LDS theology also supports a valley, is a community that values theory about a supposed war in judgment, intolerance, arrogance, heaven. According to this myth, a and fear. For that reason I cerbattle was fought over two protainly hope that UVSC does not posed plans for life here on earth. "reflect the community's values!" Satan proposed a plan where he I hope that it continues to encourwould come to earth and force age diversity and opposing views, everyone to be good and make which is the only way that gives "right" decisions so that we would people a choice. all make it back to heaven. Christ proposed a plan where Laurie Jemison, we had our free agency and were Philosophy Major allowed to make mistakes. He Orem would then come to earth and, f LETTERS TO THE EDITOR * E-Mail letters to uvscopinions@hotmail.com * The NetXNews room is located on campus in SC220. * All letters become property of NetXNews and may be edited for content, specifically clarity, length or other concerns at the discretion of the Opinions Editor. * Letters between 50-250 words are encouraged and those letters marked by their succinctness are more Likely to be published. * Letters must be accompanied by full name, address, and phone number for verification purposes (contact information will not be published). Occupation, title or major is optional. Letters with an asterisk at the head have been abridged due to length and space considerations. If you enjoyed reading the abridged version visit www.netxnews.net for our reader's original uncut letter. The merits of being a moderate a call for ASUVSC to not favor the squeeky wheel over the moderate majority. Dear Editor, I'm not a liberal or a true conservative. Would that make me an "open-minded conservative" or a "quiet liberal?" 1 guess I'm more what some people call a "moderate." What is a moderate? It is not someone who can't be bothered or doesn't care. It is not those without important thoughts, actions, or ideas. A "moderate" thinker does make a choice to patiently look over issues. A "moderate" listens to both extremes and weeds out exaggeration. A moderate will see points made by both the left and right of issues, and understand that it is possible that both sides can be correct or wrong but rarely will one be correct just because the other is wrong. Sometimes "moderates" require time to form views and take stands. Unfortunately "moderates" have been criticized for doing nothing fast enough. Because of this "moderates" often wind up living with the results of those quicker to act. "moderates" don't usually hold up picket signs or speak out, but after seven months attending UVSC I think that maybe my ideas are not in the minority. Just maybe there are a lot of "moderate" thinkers going to UVSC. And they do care! They are good students who want UVSC to grow and to be a respected school. They don't want to be pushed into a trend of extreme ideas one way or the other. I hope that the newly elected ASUVSC representatives will remember to slow down a minute and let everyone at this school know what the plans are and take into consideration that perhaps the majority of "moderate" thinking students that you represent want to digest the proposals for change and improvement. Although the moderates are probably the majority, they do not always get back to you as fast as those that are used to being squeaky wheels. Sincerely, Tammy Ballard Independent Studies Those who find play offensive lack sense of humor Dear editor, I am writing in response to one of the letters written about the play " A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." In this letter, Mr. Monson tears the play apart, calling it appalling. Well Mr. Monson, I have just one question for you; where is your sense of humor?? This play is by far one of the best productions that the theatre department has put on. You say that as a man you were offended. If anyone was to be offended it would be women because of how they were portrayed, but my wife wasn't. The men are not portrayed as "lust-crazed dullards," but simply men trying to find true love and happiness. You say you can't believe UVSC would put on such a production; well it has been sold out every night, so apparently the play was well liked. For future reference, Mr. Monson, don't take plays so seriously; enjoy humor when it comes. It is hard to find a good quality production these days My wife and I left the play laughing at the humor of the whole play and how well it was performed. I would have recommended this play to anyone. Michael Gourley The greatest show on Earth ASUVSC elections a circus Dear Editor, Hang the red-and-white tarp over the highest pole found on UVSC campus. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, come one, come all! It is overwhelmingly clear that it is that time of year. But think twice before taking all of that free junk! Student government races should be about platforms, educational betterment, and change. Instead it is a three-ring circus full of false promises, free fatty additives and power seeking pansies in suits. The banners, hall decorations and illegal displays of movies (yes, I'm calling into question the exhibiting of private home DVDs) are shallow in their attempts to gain student support. They only buy votes through being "cool" and not through actual support for the motives of those running for office. Have we not graduated from such immaturity?! Are we still juvenile enough to allow free popcorn, snow cones and cotton candy to buy our voices? The answer should be no! Instead, prospective student government leaders have taken the main role of ring-leaders in an attempt to accost students.as they traverse the halls of academia. If we let them do this now, what will they get away with in a seat of power? It is time to throw these candidates and their cheap tricks to their own proverbial tigers. If they wanted to be taken seriously, they would conduct themselves as student leaders in a mature and decent manner. The students attending UVSC are not "wild" animals that can be represented by suits and top hats followed by flying trapeze men. The campaigns are meaningless jhows of who can mass produce fliers and banners the best. This is not .dent government's main function. But the parade continues, and so another year's circus is brought to town. Jen Allen |