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Show A5 WWW.NETXNEWS.NET MONDAY • MARCH 26 • 2007 Opinionated Say what? Quips and quotes from the rich and the famous Bono Y;"I think America has no experience with terrorism or even with war. In Europe, we know a little bit more about these things." Soulforce and I: agreeing to disagree In a time of division, it is still possible to peacefully discuss any issue Jeremy Pettersson Opinions Writer As part of its Equality Ride 2007, the queer activist group Soulforce visited Utah Valley State College Wednesday in an effort to promote social justice for those who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. While I • attended the meeting, sharp disagreements arose. / ' regarding certain '' points of their J presentation, yet > . it was impressive v*f that despite . \ ;, living in a time of \ ^ religious divide and political partisanship, Soulforce members and opposing visitors could agree to disagree and appreciate the challenging of their viewpoints. Soulforce aptly decried the hate, prejudice and misunderstanding that leads to abuse and violence against those of this alternative lifestyle, but they misguidedly called it blatant injustice that Brigham Young University a private ^ institution I owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (as well other similar religiouslyaffiliated institutions) would deny them access to their campuses. Those same "unalienable rights" in the United States Constitution that allow Soulforce its freedom of expression and gathering also guarantee the right of private institutions to decide upon access to their organization and to regulate the internal affairs thereof-including asking Soulforce to not enter their campuses. For example, last year the group was allowed on BYU campus, under the condition to engage in one-on-one conversations. Once group meeting and a staged demonstration ensued, the private university took action and dismissed Soulforce, as it was their right to do. This is the actual reason they have been asked not to return this year. When the questionanswer session at UVSC turned into a round-table discussion, Soulforce Riders and supports took the standpoint that homosexuality is not an act but an actual state of being and part of who they are: "God made us this way." In counterpoint, the doctrines of the predominant LDS church are that although same-gender attraction happens and must be resisted, acting upon them is not acceptable practice and goes against the church's basic gospel tenets. Although the issues were not satisfactorily resolved on both sides as the discussion drew to an end, no one was declared right or wronj Surprisingly both sides expressed appreciation for the dialogue and for the friendliness of one another. Regardless of any possible showdowns between the Riders and religious campuses, it is encouraging to know that on our campus, conversation, debate, dialogue - whatever you call it - can be handled peacefully and in a respectful manner. Agreeing to disagree can provide a peaceful discussion of any issue, any time- whether addressing the social issues of 2007 or the assembling of a united nation in 1776. Letters to the editor but the utter repetitiveness, the lack of specifics in the "opinions" given signifies that nobody has any comprehension Judging from the detailed remarks of twelve random as to what the difference students in a recent College between "college" and Times survey, UVSC is "university" actually is. We can all agree that simply gushing over the "university" certainly status change to "UVU." Most of the responses sounds more impressive. consisted of, "I am very So, are we are simply excited about the name swayed by those five syllables as change," while the flowing remainder felt the change opposed to the scrawny was either "good," "great" two "college"? or "sweet." Six professors This verbal status surveyed expressed similar climbing might be obvious sentiments. This is the kind to some, shocking to others, of unity that can only be but as anyone knows, a rose observed when there is a is still a rose even if you huge amount of ignorance call it a fire hydrant. Will on a given topic. the name change make a Maybe .I'm the only significant impact on the moron here and all the quality or intelligence of advantages are so clear the professors? We will that to spend words would be taught by the same be wasteful and redundant. people and attend the same I'm not saying that if courses. anyone had a clue to the I have heard, over and distinctions that they would over, that the status change rally against the change, "will look better on my Will UVU feel like a university? Avril Lavigne "I .don't believe war is a way to solve problems. I think it's wrong. I don't have respect for the people that made the decisions to go on with war. I don't have that much respect for Bush. He's about war, I'm not about war - a lot of people aren't about war.'" diploma." I guess that we all are in agreement that we, as well as the employers of our dreams, are suckers for words. When Calvin names himself the president of the clubhouse, Hobbes declares himself dictator; Calvin redubs himself Emperor of the Universe. Is the difference that students will feel that much more serious because we are now "university 'scholars'" and not merely "college kids"? Placebos do, indeed work; prophecies have been known to fulfill themselves; we are all gullible in our self-congratulating selfaffirmation. ' I won't go into my thoughts on how a change in "status" is also an ineffective attempt .in a change of "class," though that's mainly what this whole issue is about. After all, salesmen impress and sell mainly to other salesmen, so it may just work. But, if academic ascension was the ultimate priority, what would the three first masters programs really look like? The unanimous support makes me suspicious. I wish I could simply settle for being the master of the universe. John-Riley Harper Zodiac review lacked accuracy I just wanted to take the time to write you about Luke Hickman's review of Zodiac from the Mar. 5, 2007 edition of the College Times. When I read movie reviews, I generally expect the reviewer to know a little about what he's talking about and if he doesn't, I would expect him to do some research to find out. Hickman goes through a list of Fincher films declaring his first to be The Game when a simple check on IMDb would have reminded him that Fincher's feature film debut as a director after a successful career in music videos was the under-rated sci-fi/thriller Alien 3 and his second film was Selen. The Game was actually his third film. I understand that this is a college paper, but I still expect accurate information and relevant articles. This felt like Mr. Hickman was closing in on a deadline without having seen the movie and "reviewed" it based on other reviews and his own obviously limited knowledge of David Fincher. And don't get me wrong —I liked Zodiac, just not this particular review of the film. Bruce Willis "They don't show you anything good coming out of Iraq, all they say is, 'This many dead since President Bush took office.'" The informed voter. CALL FOR LETTERS STUDENT ELECTIONS WEEK! The College Times wants to hear your opinion. VOTE HOW VOTE WOW! at o o 3 Robert Aftman "When I see an American flag flying, it's a joke." a> 3. g. o 3 wt O 3 • E-Mail letters or cartoons to '. . .. • uvscopinions@hotmail.com . . . ; * The NetXNews room is located on campus • inSC220. * Ail letters become property of NetXNews and may be edited for content, specifically clarity, length or other concerns at the discretion of the 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 „ ^ ^ H ^ ^ ^ | ' purposes (contact information will not be published). 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