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Letter: Felonious food

Mon, 10/26/2009 - 13:06

I’m writing this in response to the article written about Del Taco in the Restaurant Guide written on October 21st.  To be honest, I’m so horrified by the shear culinary naivete displayed by a statement that claims Del Taco could be considered “5-star cuisine” I’m nearly left with no words.  When I first read the article I was so taken aback and incredulous that I immediately flew to the closest computer to Google other restaurants named Del Taco in the area, thinking that perhaps I misunderstood what restaurant was being described.  Sadly, I found no other restaurants that went by “Del Taco” and I was forced to accept the fact that the Del Taco that was being spoken of was the chain whose food now haunts the dreams of sick little children all over the mountain west.  

Letter: Why do we come to BYU?

By Heather Wrigley

- Mon, 10/26/2009 - 11:21

Two months have passed since my first day at BYU. As I am Asian and not LDS, every time I meet new people, they never fail to ask, “What brings you to BYU?”  Although its identification as a church school made it hard for me to decide to come here, the belief that BYU can offer me the best education brought me here at last.  I understand that BYU is strongly concerned with students’ spiritual development, however, I think it is time to think about the purpose and virtue of the university itself, which is academic development.

Letter: Pay up

Mon, 10/26/2009 - 11:20

Whenever I study the scriptures, I like to know the context in which principles of the gospel were given, the context of when certain revelations were revealed. It gives greater breadth and understanding to why such things are significant. It enlightens further how the gospel can apply in our lives. If context was not important, many of the issues about "grace not works" and "none shall be added to the bible" brought up by contesters of the LDS religion would be valid, since the significance of those teachings are in the contexts to which they are written. What may previously confuse or lend little light to a principle of the gospel can be further emphasized through its relevant context.

Letter: A way to study abroad

Mon, 10/26/2009 - 11:18

In response to last Thursday’s “Study Abroad,” please consider: As a fellow BYU student, my heart goes out to you, and I want you to know that I also felt like there was no way I could afford to study abroad. Please don’t write off this unique opportunity for yourself! Upon investigation, I found out that I could afford some of the BYU study abroad programs, though I myself was very much an “average student.”

Consider these facts: On average, a semester abroad with one of our programs is cheaper than a semester here in Provo when you add up all the living expenses. $8,000 is quite unrealistic to the actual program costs, and the majority of the programs are several thousand dollars cheaper than what you mentioned. If a full semester seems impossible, consider spring and summer terms! They are usually half the cost.

Letter: Students miss the point

Mon, 10/26/2009 - 11:16

I write in response to the argument that BYU professors are missing the point.  This accusation from the author of the letter “Imprecise professors” is nonsense.  It is the disgruntled student, not the professor, who is missing the point. I turn to the author’s example, the test question that dealt with Moroni’s visits to Joseph.  The “obscure” facts and details involved in this question help you to understand many things:

First, I assume that the professor asks this question to give the student the chance to prove he knows that Moroni visited Joseph on different occasions and in different places:  in his home, on the farm and at the Hill Cumorah (Palmyra and Manchester).

Letter: Water polo pride

Mon, 10/26/2009 - 11:11

I have something to say to the author of the Oct. 22 article, “American gridiron tackle football.” I’m from a little town called Kearns up in Salt Lake County (I’m telling you this on the assumption that you’ve never left Utah County which, from the absurdity of your article, it sounds like you probably haven’t).  Up here in Kearns, we don’t take a whole lot of pride in our high school football team.  And it’s for one simple reason: they aren’t very good. 

Letter: Grow up and get over it

Mon, 10/26/2009 - 11:10

We are adults, and I would appreciate more of us acting in a manner suitable to our privileges.  Deposit garbage, including gum, in proper receptacles.  This is an imperative statement, not an optional suggestion.  If your waste material is recyclable, please be conscientious.  As it stands, most of you are fairly conscientious, but the rest of your mothers would be ashamed.

This extends further to grounds management.  Although I have seen this point belabored in the past, few have heeded.  Don't cut corners across the grass!  Especially as the weather cools and grass turns dormant, you are costing the university thousands of dollars annually and creating eyesores for all the rest of us.  Regardless of the hypotenuse of the triangle’s appeal, it isn't worth the time it saves.

Letter: Who wears short shorts?

Mon, 10/26/2009 - 11:08

Have you noticed the shorts around campus are getting shorter?  I have seen some girls around campus wearing shorts a couple inches too short and have ignored it.  However, I have to say something about the dress I have seen the past couple months.  I am appalled at the shorts and skirts that are blatantly against the Honor Code.  I am more disappointed than upset at these people.  Apparently they don’t understand what BYU stands for.  Apparently they are more worried about being hot or fitting in than following God.  But I know we are better than that.  So, like Sister Dalton, I ask for a return to virtue.  Women, we are daughters of God! Let’s start dressing as such.

Tiffany Meredith
Mission Viejo, Calif.

Letter: Religion class and testimony time

Mon, 10/26/2009 - 11:07

I wanted to give a sincere bit of gratitude to the wonderful religion teachers here at BYU who challenged me academically to learn more of the gospel. Once in a while, I learned a few unimportant facts, and at times was questioned about them, but I didn't mind. From several teachers, I developed new hobbies of studying biographies and history as well as developing better skills at re-examining scripture for further truth.

To those teachers who turned their classes into testimony time, I'm upset that you wasted my tuition money. I have plenty of testimony time at church, at home with my family and during my personal study time. I'm somewhat bothered by the notion that if a class is academically challenging, it can't be spiritually uplifting. Even my chemistry classes are spiritually uplifting. Once again, thank you for the wonderful gospel education you've helped me attain and thank you for the uplifting spirit you brought with you.

Letter: Just ask

Mon, 10/26/2009 - 11:06

We do not totally know or understand the reason for some things at Brigham Young University, but still we criticize or murmur against the rules or systems at BYU. However, there is a better way to express your opinion if something is bothering you. Go and talk with the person responsible for the issue.

I have recently had an experience with this. Every day as a custodian at BYU, I throw away more than 100 newspapers that nobody reads. I thought the problem was that BYU was spending money on too many newspapers, and didn’t distribute them correctly. Then I took all my evidence to the Brimhall Building, where The Daily Universe resides, but what I thought was evidence was really just my opinion.

Letter: Online Polls

Mon, 10/26/2009 - 11:04

I noticed a poll online asked, “Is global warming man made?” The possible answers were: "Yes," "No” and "To a point." You forgot to add “I don't know,” “Haven't drawn a conclusion” or “Not enough evidence yet.” 

I'm not even going to share what my answer would be. When polls like this are asked, it persuades people to make a decision one way or another when we should learn to keep an open mind and continue looking at scientific evidence.

Taylor S. Cline
Frazier Park, Calif.

 

 

Letter: Support your local planetarium

Mon, 10/26/2009 - 10:59

I'd like to congratulate The Daily Universe on an informative and interesting article about a stargazing event held two weekends ago in Salt Lake City. Observing the heavens with quality telescopes and knowledgeable guides can be a thrilling experience.

An apt subject for next week's paper could be a week-old report on the BYU Astronomical Society's star party, held this past Friday night. You could speak about the number of quality telescopes the public looked through, the excellent local skies or the subtle grandeur of the Veil Nebula. Better yet, you could inform readers of weekly star gazing opportunities on the roof of the Eyring Science Center, monthly star parties held just up the canyon near Vivian Park or fantastic weekly planetarium shows presented right here on BYU campus.

Viewpoint: BYU needs to make a statement against TCU

By Matt Payne

- Thu, 10/22/2009 - 10:09

In preparation for College GameDay’s trip to Provo, ESPN asked Daily Universe sports editor Matt Payne to write a column for their Web site. The column is reprinted here for the benefit of our readers.

At a time when the rankings often favor style over substance, BYU football coach Bronco Mendenhall stands stoically on the side of conservatism.  

He doesn’t provide out-of-context bulletin-board material to pump up his players. He doesn’t use trick plays. He definitely doesn’t run up the score.

Mendenhall does things his own way, seemingly without much concern for what others might think. He cares solely about restoring the Cougar football program to national prominence, and he seems to be on the right path. In four seasons as BYU’s coach, he has led his team to four bowl games and three consecutive 10-win seasons.  

Letter: Be loud in the library

Wed, 10/21/2009 - 20:46

Bursting out in laughter in a quiet library where everyone is studying intensely is pretty embarrassing. But if someone laughs out loud in the “No Shh Zone” in the Harold B. Lee Library, it’s OK.

Most BYU students are aware of the “No Shh Zone.” There, students can work with groups so they can talk out loud. Students are even allowed to talk on the phone in the Zone. Even though students are aware of the “No Shh Zone,” they are not aware that the “No Shh Zone” has been expanded.

The area next to the honor study room in the HBLL has become an extension of the Zone. Being aware of the new zone, I automatically started using the zone by talking to my friend but someone just glared at us and shushed us!

Letter: I believe

Wed, 10/21/2009 - 20:44

I believe in peace and prosperity. I believe in equity and equality. I love my neighbor. But I believe that there are way too many people who are so absorbed in their own petty way of thinking that they are simply blind to their own impudence. And I believe that publicly shaming people is the most effective way to get them to stop being annoying.

I believe that conformity is an absolute evil, and I will never allow myself to indulge in such an egregious sin. If there are differences between us, I will be happy to help you see the error of your ways and encourage a positive change in your thinking.

I believe it is wrong to pretend to be something you are not. If you are not a hipster, don’t pretend to be one. And if you did not serve a mission, you should not pretend to be a good person.