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Show Friday, March 24, 2006 Editorial Editor in Chief: Maria Villasefior Phone: 626-7121 The Signpost editorial board TV 5TATIONJ5 Cl>ose To Respect vs. tolerance VZCBtsiCY 5TAMQAR05 Tolerance is a word often used to express the need for human beings to get along with each other regardless of race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, etc. In fact, there is a Web site named tolerance.org. The site promises to "awaken Americans to the problems of hate and intolerance, prompt them to action, and encourage them to dig deeper into themselves..." Digging deeper and acting appropriately are important in solving the cultural problems in this world, country, community and campus. Surely that means more than just tolerating these things. The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines tolerance as a "capacity to endure pain or hardship." Taken literally, tolerance can't be the answer alone. If people are willing to sit back and painfully endure someone else expressing their beliefs or opinions that are drastically different from their own, then so be it. But if people are willing to listen intently with respect and/or admiration for the differences this other persons holds, that seems to be much more effective. Perhaps it is all semantics; perhaps this is the attitude a lot of people have when told to have tolerance for Muslims or African-Americans or gays or whatever the difference may be. An ABC News/Washington Post poll earlier this month asked Americans about their knowledge concerning the Muslim faith. Questions asked were such as, "Would you say you have a generally favorable or unfavorable opinion of Islam?" To that question, 43 percent answered favorable, 46 percent answered unfavorable and 11 percent answered unsure. Optimistically; the 11 percent who were unsure of their feelings had thought quite a lot about the important issues that have been taking place between predominately Islamic countries and this predominately Christian country we live in. Perhaps this 11 percent can't seem to weigh in the many complex factors. On the other hand, it can be inferred that this 11 percent has been taught to tolerate. They know there have been many sensitive issues that have arisen on the subject in the past few years, and they choose to "endure" passively. This world, country, community and campus need respect and love, not tolerance. To find true understanding, there needs to be true desire to understand. Weber State University has a fairly diverse student body, faculty and staff. Problems arise due to race, ethnicity and religious beliefs, whether they are made public or not. Don't just tolerate the differences that often cause these problems; respect them and try to understand them. THAT DO^N'T STOP, Media should not censor 'swear words' What do The Bible, The Catcher in the Rye, The Howard Stern Show and Brokeback Mountain all have in common? The most obvious choice is that each is offensive to some aspect of society, and revered by another. The more pointed answer, and today's topic of consideration, would be that each has been, at some point, the scapegoat for societal or religious censorship. The practice of censorship is not new; News from South Dakota that the state legislature passed a law this month prohibiting it has been practiced by conservatives virtually all abortions did not come as a shock to those on the abortion-rights front. Linda in every society since the beginning of Williams, director of Planned Parenthoods Mar Monte chapter based in San Jose, Calif., was civilization. The most common trait of one of those who responded stoically to the ban in the badlands. "I Ve thought for some time that we're likely to have to lose Roe in order to save it," she said. people who censor is an attempt to prevent change by preventing knowledge. They are "This is what it might take to wake people up." There is no question that the South Dakota law was tailor-made to work its way up to people afraid of new ideas and opposed the U.S. Supreme Court as a direct challenge to the Roe v. Wade decision now that two new to free speech. One great example was the conservative justices are sitting on the bench. Of course, even if Chief Justice John Roberts and censorship of a rabbi, known by his peers as Justice Samuel Alito did vote to overturn Roe, which guarantees a woman's right to abortion, Jesus. It was conservative Jews who ridiculed, there is still a slim majority that would likely vote to uphold it. But the possible retirement of mocked and eventually asked for this liberal 86-year-old Justice John Paul Stevens, who has backed Roe, could mark a seismic shift for the man's crucifixion. It was his crucifixion that future of abortion rights. launched him into martyrdom, being called When I first heard about the South Dakota law, I thought about the e-mails I've received a prophet by some cultures, and the Son of over the yearsfrommoderate conservatives who insist that Roe v. Wade will always be the law God by others. Through the ages, some of the most of the land. I remembered some complacent college students I've spoken with who skipped their right to vote in the last presidential election — women who might be among the most censored materials have become historical profoundly affected if Roe is overturned. icons. In 1941, the powerhouse Hearst family And I found myself agreeing with Linda Williams. Maybe this is what it will take. If nothing else, the move by South Dakota lawmakers exposes the uncompromising agenda of the anti-abortion-rights movement. Forget about "chipping away" at Roe while leaving it in place, as has been the very effective strategy in recent years. This is a sledgehammer blow, a law that doesn't even allow for abortions in cases of rape or incest. The only exception to the ban is if the life of the woman is threatened. But you have to wonder who exactly would be making that determination. A doctor or the South Dakota Legislature? One thing is clear: The decision of the pregnant woman in question would be left out of the equation entirely. A law like this might be a bit easier to understand if more in the anti-abortion crowd were as committed to preventing unwanted pregnancies as to forcing women to take such pregnancies to term. Instead, they seem to have a renewed vigor for restricting access to No surprise that a Utah politician contraception and spreading misinformation in sex education classes for randy teen-agers introduced racist legislations aimed who are most likely to become pregnant by accident. at Spanish-surname persons. Hey, our But if there's any interest left in having both sides of the debate find common ground, racist attitude and behavior toward California just staked out impressive territory. A recently released study by the Guttmacher the Spanish-surname people must Institute found that California was No. 1 on a list ranking the efforts of all 50 states to reduce continue. They cannot be allowed to unintended pregnancies. become educated and self-sufficient. The study based its results on criteria including ease ofaccess to contraceptives, state laws and They must defer to the dominant policies supporting contraceptive services and public funding to back it up. California's rate of ethnic group of this state. This is the teen-pregnancy dropped almost 40 percent from 1992 to 2000, the most recent year reported only way that we can maintain our false And where was South Dakota in the Guttmacher ranking? No. 44. perception of being superior. (This So much for common ground and compromise. Sounds a lot more like all or nothing. is the mindset of many of the Anglo people in Utah.) The above-mentioned behavior is By Sue Hutchison, Knight Bidder Tribune: All-or-nothing strategy raises stakes in abortion war poop, and piss are all acceptable words, but the word sh-, or f— cannot be used. Admittedly, "swear" words do not make By Dustin Chase Jasmer a person sound all that intellectual. They columnist | The Signpost do not always augment the reputation of an individual either. They don't necessarily enhance conversations, or make people attempted to suppress the release of Citizen feel warm and fuzzy. What they do is say Kane, 20 years later it was touted as the best something no other word can. Nothing movie of all time. Soon after the Catholic makes a stubbed toe feel better than a Church condemned Martin Luther for proliferation of so-called verbal obscenity. preaching his version of the Bible, thousands The fact is, these words are part of our flocked to hear his teachings. When words, language and ultimately our culture. It must be realized that to suppress a ideas or media are restricted, they become vital part of our,language is deleterious to more popular and prevalent Censorship is still happening amongst our education. We are grown-ups and I us. It is perpetrated on all public broadcasts. for one am sick of being treated as a child. Even in the newspapers of universities, Do not hide words from me. "When I read a the words sh—, f—, and a—hole are newspaper at a university that has the motto unacceptable, despite the fact that each "Changing Minds," I should be given the of these words are commonly spoken opportunity to make up my own mind about by professors and students, both inside what words are appropriate. I should be able and outside the classroom. Who are we to read exact quotes, not be patronized with protecting by removing these words from a letter followed by some dashes. I find it to our printed works? On television the words be utter bullsh-, that in this day in age, we death, die, kill, rape, molest, screw, sex, have not yet moved past being offended by copulation, coitus, feces, caca, doo doo, restricted words. From the Left Letters to the Editor Racist attitude toward Spanish-surname people must stop The —^ A Weber State University weoer orate university Signpost Editor in Chief Managing Editor News Editor Sports Editor Copy Editor Features Editor Entertainment Editor Business Editor Photo Editor Graphics Editor Online Editor Advertising Manager Office Manager Advisor Distribution Publisher Signpost Fax a detriment to the social fabric of this nation. The Hispanic culture dictates that we treat others with respect, and we do. If the others choose to not acknowledge this proper mode of behavior, that is not our problem. I have an idea. The U.S. government can sell back to Mexico the land that it reportedly bought: Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Oklahoma and Kansas. This is unrealistic and so, being that the Spanish-surname population is supportive of the U.S. government. Marfa Villasefior Jason Staley Cory Duclos Jon McBride Bryan Magafia Jesica Medelfin David Fairchild Lynn Wilde Tricia Gerrard Brady Leaver James Gabrielsen Brandy Lee Georgia Edwards Allison Hess Austin Adams Dr. Randy Scott 626-7121 626-7614 626-7655 626-7983 626-7659 626-7621 626-7105 626-7624 626-6358 626-7661 626-6358 626-6359 626-7974 626-7499 626-7974 626-6464 626-7401 The Signpost is published every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the semester. Subscription Is $9 a semester. The first copy of The Signpost is free, each additional copy is $.50. • The Signpost Is a student publication, written, edited and drafted by Weber State University students. Student fees partially fund the printing of this publication. Opinions or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed by the university. • The Signpost welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must include name, address, telephone number and the writer's signature. Anonymous letters will not be printed. • The Signpost reserves the right to edit letters for reasons of space and libel and also reserves the right to refuse to print any letter. Letters should not exceed 350 words. Bring letters to the editorial office In room 69 in the Stewart Library, mall to: The Signpost, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah, 84408-2110. this group of people must now become fully involved in the political process by registering to vote and voting in specific elections of our own choosing. Other than the Native American, we are all foreigners: Spanish, French, English, African, Mexican, Greek, German, Russian, Italian, etc. We are all Americans and we all fight in wars to protect the land of the free and the home of the brave. Understanding is simple. — JakeL.TrujlHo, WSU alumnus The Signpost doesn't support students with traditional values An announcement of a gay scholarship was made on WSU's campus Nov. 5, 2001. The continuing scholarship is awarded not only to students with same-sex attractions, but as prerequisite, they must "openly support gay, lesbian or bisexual issues." December 3, 2003 The Signpost printed four articles, one Viewpoint, and a letter to the editor as something of a press release announcing that homosexual students exist on WSU campus and face tremendous "homophobic" pressures. To neither of these announcements did any student with traditional values submit hateful or retaliating editorials. As the semesters continued, so did gay activism, supported by WSU and The Signpost. For example, during 2004 and 2005, The Signpost printed two articles showing gay opposition to Amendment 3; a faux marriage by the Gay Straight Alliance, two articles and one Viewpoint supporting the need for a student gay rights senator, one article highlighting a gay speaker, and two articles applauding two gay-themed plays produced at WSU. , In contrast, there has not been one protraditional article printed in WSU's student paper. It is impossible to determine how many pro-traditional articles have been rejected, but of those I know about, The Signpost somehow neglected coverage of the College Republicans' efforts to support Amendment 3, disregarded a submitted Viewpoint supporting traditional values, and since February 27, has ignored a group of college students who have submitted a study entitled Vie Purple Oppress, underscoring harassment from both professors and students directed toward WSU students with traditional values. Last summer, the students who submitted the study to The Signpost, ensured by editor in chief Maria Villasefior that she would be willing to include an article on traditional values if a story came up. However, multiple emails and phone calls to both Villasenor and managing editor Jason Staley have proven worthless. And this is not the first article or column about traditional values The Signpost as turned down. But The Sigfipost is not the only source of discrimination. Several professors have also contributed. As recorded in Appendix D of The Purple Op-press, I was denied an internship by the psychology department, and further I felt I was forced to withdraw from my senior project for publishing editorials in Vie Signpost expressing my traditional views. The Purple Op-press itself demonstrates an interesting phenomenon often suspected by conservatives, but always denied by gay activists. That is, harassment toward students supporting gay activism is nearly 12 times LESS than the discriminatory remarks toward students of traditional views. The study further indicates that at WSU, students who have traditional views are four times more likely to make statements of sympathy and understanding toward gay students than the converse. The discussion section of the study addresses the issue of science and traditional values. According to these students' research, science and traditional values do not disagree, despite strong claims by professors. Students desiring further information about The Purple Op-press can obtain a copy by going to www.thepurplepam phlet.com. This Web site also includes seven professional papers demonstrating that science and traditional values agree. Many of these articles have been published in peer-reviewed journals, and one published in an APA journal. Several links are provided to professional organizations providing science-based information and sexuahe-orientation therapy. — Chad McBride, WSU alumnus |