Editorials: “Fiction trumps reality” and “New school color: green?”

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    FICTION TRUMPS REALITY

    During the final minutes of Wednesday night?s episode of ?CSI: New York,? the popular forensic science drama was interrupted to air a special report announcing the death of Yasser Arafat. The news bulletin prompted a host of viewer complaints. And hours later, the TV network took the bizarre step of issuing an apology:

    ?An overly aggressive CBS News producer jumped the gun with a report that should have been offered to local stations for their late news. We sincerely regret the error. The episode of ?CSI: New York? will be rebroadcast Friday, Nov. 12.?

    CBS News announced Sunday the ?overly aggressive? producer who decided to break into the last minutes of the program was fired.

    But although one of the most powerful men in the world died, ironically, Americans were more upset that a fictional show had been broken up. The incident reflects Americans general disinterest with issues in the Middle East. Even as tens of thousands of Palestinians mourned the passing of Arafat, Americans turned their focus to the alternate reality of television drama. Americans are becoming so obsessed with reality TV, but when something ?real? actually happens, Americans fail to see the need for actual reality news.

    While Arafat is seen as a terrorist to many, the incident should have been treated as a significant news event. Whether one thinks Arafat was a freedom fighter or a terrorist, the fact remains that Arafat has long been the political focus in Palestine. His death marks a momentous occasion in the Israeli and Palestinian conflict and will hopefully offer the best chance for peace that there?s been in years. The death of a prominent world leader is worth cutting into a television show.

    As Elder Dallin H. Oaks encouraged BYU students last Tuesday, citizens should read the news of the world around them. All citizens should take an active interest in becoming an informed citizenry.

    NEW SCHOOL COLOR: GREEN?

    Perhaps it is just an over-developed capacity for looking on the bright side of bad situations, but many BYU students and faculty have commented in recent weeks that even a loss to Utah this Saturday will be a win for BYU.

    That?s because by beating BYU, the Utes will likely retain their BCS ranking and qualify for a BCS bowl. That means big money not just for the Utes but for the entire Mountain West Conference. If BYU loses badly, the conference will likely split the $14 million awarded to bowl-bound teams.

    This game should not be about money. No game at the collegiate level should be. Because collegiate athletic programs more and more resemble a business model, the tendency is to be motivated less by the traditional ?true blue? school pride and more by the green a bowl game can bring.

    Obviously, true Cougar fans are counting on, and hoping and praying for, a win Saturday. But if the team doesn?t pull off a win, true blue Cougar fans will lament the loss, not cheer for the possible financial gain.

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