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Show Honors Bishop continued from from continued from front HIOTO liV [tRICfi kTISCH I IIII WSU economics professor Doris Geide-Stevenson speaks on the imbalance in U.S. foreign trade Tuesday at an Honors Issues Forum. Page 3 The Signpost Friday, March 24,2006 finance U.S. foreign debt. The U.S. trade deficit with China is even greater — about $100 billion. She did note this deficit is easier for China to handle. "China is one of the countries that does run a current account surplus of about 4.2 percent of its GDP," Stevenson said. This means China produces everything it needs to sustain its country, and still has some left over to finance foreign debt. Stevenson said the U.S. can't easily get out of the foreign debt it has accrued. The U.S. economy has become dependent on foreign goods. She said neither concerned individuals, nor the government have the power to change the trade deficit because it isn't a single decision made by government, but rather several decisions made by several corporations concerned with their bottom line. "lust putting pressure on China is not the solution," Stevenson said. "The fundamental imbalance is that the U. S. is spending more than it makes, and how can you get out of that?" Mondi said he felt Stevenson did a good job of explaining these ideas. "I thought she did a really good job, especially of explaining economics to people like me who don't know anything about economics," he said. "I thought she was really good at using language we could understand, but not dumbing it down for sissies; she used all the terminology, but explained it clearly." He said she also did a good job of presenting the issue without bias. "She didn't really take a personal stand," Mondi said, "she didn't take an alarmist view." they have accrued and level out the deficit. Bob Mondi, Honors Program director and Latin professor understood this concept as something similar lo starting a business. "I think it's kind of like borrowing money to start a business," he said. "You can't make any money if you don't start a business, and you can't start a business if you don't borrow money." The U.S. is not one of these developing countries, but still runs a huge trade deficit. Stevenson explained that the U.S. is currently running a $617 billion trade deficit. The trade deficit, she said, is much different than the national debt, which is an internal debt the government runs by selling bonds to its citizens. Trade deficit doesn't occur on a government level, itoccurs when corporations and businesses engage in foreign trade instead of making products inside the country. Trades with India contribute $10 billion to that deficit. However, Stevenson said India does not have the means within its border to fund $10 billion of U.S. trade. India has to give up You can reach reporter Cory some of its GDP that it needs Duclos and contributing reporter for its own people in order to Julie Lebo by calling 626-7655. GET READY TO "FIND THE ROCK" Look for your first clue in the next weeks issue of The Signpost Rules: 1. Clues will be published in every issue of the Signpost until the diamond is found. 2. The diamond will be hidden outside, but on campus. 3. A list of previous clues may be obtained at Farr's Jewelry (2466 Washington Blvd.) 4. No clues will be given over the phone. 2448 Wuhlnglon Baul»v«fd www.fafrsjewelry.com Ethics continued from front Congressman Rob Bishop speaks on campus Tuesday. Among other topics, Bishop said he feels the war in Iraq is a success and has accomplished a lot. science sophomore, asked, "What are you doing to improve the economic situation in Utah or create jobs in Utah?" "Cut taxes," Bishop said. "Could you expand on that?" Holland asked. "Cut more taxes," Bishop said as the crowd responded with laughter. "There's obviously a point when cutting taxes becomes counter-effective, but we're not even close to that." Bishop explained that by cutting taxes, it would give the people more money initially. In return, they will invest it, spend it and keep the economy growing. WSU history senior Chris Rupprecht was curious to see how the congressman felt about the war in Iraq and whether or not it is a failure in helping their economyBishop said he does not believe the war in Iraq is a failure, he feels it has been very successful. "If you look at it historically, in three years, we have been able to create in Iraq the removal of a dictator who was a 'problem child,'" he said. "And if you think keeping him around would be a better world, then you've got some real problems." Bishop said some of the accomplishments in Iraq are, "the establishment of a constitution. Two elections in which 70 percent of the people are showing even though they're being shot at." In conclusion Bishop stated, "it is certainly not a failed war in any stretch of the imagination." Bishop had strong opinions on political and war issues, but as far as helping students become part of them, his advice was slim. After listening to Bishop speak, one might take some of his advice to heart: "If you're not satisfied with that solution, you've got to talk to more people." You can leave a message reporter Aimee Geddes by calling 626-7655. Student Speaker for Spring Commencement One student will be selected to speak during Spring Commencement, Thursday, May 4, 20*06 If you are a student receiving your Associate, Bachelor, or Graduate Degree, you are eligible audition for this opportunity. ign up in the Department of Student Leadership and Involvement office, SU 250 by Monday, March 27, at 12:00 p.m. Please submit a copy of your speech (4-minute time limit) k d resume which includes tatement of your future plans. Auditions will be held on ednesday/Thursday, STch 29th and 30th, 2006 Media lawyer Jeff Hunt talks about media law and ethics Tuesday. He explained how reporters are liable for many aspects of a story, including how they got the story. It's Legal, Doesn't Mean It's Ethical; A Conversation About Journalism Ethics and Media Law." First to speak was Nancy Conway, the first woman editor in the 135-year history of Utah's largest newspaper, The Salt Lake Tribune. Conway has been a reporter and editor in Massachusetts, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania, to name a few. Conway told the story of a man, now in his 30s, who alleged he was sexually abused by a church leader. The church leader was indicted, his name was used in news stories at the time and he was dismissed from his position in the church. Prosecutors said they had a good case, but it was dropped because of the statute of limitations and he couldn't be tried. He never had a day in court, so his case was dismissed. About a year later, parents of the young man wanted to talk publicly about it. "They wanted to tell their story, but didn't want us to use their full name," Conway said. "They wanted to tell their tale as a cautionary tale to others. The family wanted us to use the name of the man that was alleged in the abuse. After much debate, contentious debate, we decided not to use the name." Conway said the questions they asked themselves were: Almost a year had passed, should we name the accused? His name was mentioned in the news, should we name him now? What was right in this case? Was it fair? "You make the best decisions you can with the information you have," Conway said. "You seek the best counsel that you can find and constantly try to balance privacy, fairness, possible harm and the public's right to know." Conway went on to talk about another dimension of ethical decision making involving staff behavior, referring to a reporter and editor being really ;,L,jective and unbiased. "Journalists have a very strictly-enforced set of rules," Conway said. "You tell the truth to the best of your ability — you don't lie, you don't make things up and you don't plagiarize. You include all sides of an issue and use multiple sources, not just the official. You act independently and try to give voice to those that don't have a voice, and you also avoid unnecessary speculation and innuendo." After Conway finished, media lawyer Jeff Hunt addressed the group. Hunt practices in the area of commercial litigation with an emphasis on first amendment media and intellectual property law. Hunt talked about what a media lawyer does. He told a story about his first encounter with media law, when he was a reporter for the Quad City Times 20 years ago, covering the police beat. "I got a tip that the cops were running a protection racket at a local truck stop involving a group of prostitutes," Hunt said. "What they were doing was, instead of busting prostitutes in the Johns, was offering protection to them in exchange for favors from these ladies. My source's name was Sparkle. She basically told me the story about what the cops were doing." The story went on about how the police wouldn't give him information, and how the internal affairs people wouldn't give him information. He just couldn't get any confirmation on the story. "I told my editor that I wanted to go out with a photographer and case it out and see if I can see these ladies and police officers approach one another and get confirmation on this story," Hunt said. "Before I got out there I was put on the phone with the lawyer from the newspaper and she started asking me a bunch of questions such as: would we be trespassing on truck stop property when we aren't customers? Would the telephoto lens capture images inside the trucks so that there would be an invasion of privacy?" Hunt said the lawyer had this checklist that made them question their methods for getting the story. Hunt and his editors changed their game plan a bit and, in the end, Hunt broke the story and it ran for two weeks. Hunt went on to discuss what he does as a media lawyer. "What I do is to make sure that if we run that story that we have done everything possible to legalize the risks and {h§\ if I have to defend that story in court, I know we will witt? The editor wants to make sure^ the story is accurate, fair and thorough, and that's also what I want to do." WSU journalism student Cynthia Norberg attended the discussion and said it helped remind journalists to have accountability, because after all, we are reporting for people about people. "I think it's important to remember that while there are ethical guidelines set for journalists, ethical issues are more abstract than legal issues," Norberg said. "Writing ethically is a matter of following the law and protecting people's rights; it's not always cut and dried. Sometimes there is a whole ocean of gray area. As a journalist, you have to be willing to evaluate every situation and remember that there are people behind the story." You can leave a message for reporter Trevor Warner by calling 626-7655. International Student Banquet March 25 t f \ 2006 6:00pm to 9:30pm Union Building Ballroom Students $12 Non-Students $15 Portion of proceeds go to Katrina Relief Fund. Raffle 2 IPOD Nano 2GB Jazz tickets Food From Around the World Peru, Taiwan/China, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Desserts from Germany, Russia, and Ukraine.... Music, Dances & Fashion Show From Around the World African Drums, Flamenco, Middle Eastern Dance, and other entertainment For tickets visit the International Student Office, SC 143, or UB Information Booth at Weber State University or call 626-6853. This ad is sponsored by WSU Diversity Office & International Area council. aft LAKE PARK APARTMENTS BESPONS1VE PBOPCKTY MANAGEMENT 2-bedroom units wlh central air, gas heat, walk-In closet and outside storage Great foi Ronmmatcs Lake Park Apts. 4950 S 350 E Washington Terrace 479-7050 |