Civilizations oppressed by tyranny fill the pages of our history books. With this in mind, I have to ask, “Why do so many of my fellow Americans believe in the benevolence of government?” Our nation’s founders knew firsthand that government is a “fearful master” that must be bound down by the rule of law.

Wisely, these men established the Constitution, which limits the power of the federal government. Any politician who pushes to expand the role of government in our lives does not have the best interest of the people in mind. Instead, he is leaving us vulnerable to oppression by breaking down the structure that holds back tyranny.

I write to point out that Douglas Henderson of the Chemistry Department has misunderstood what a “well-regulated militia” actually means.  To those who wrote this amendment, this meant a well-disciplined, or a well-trained militia.  This is contrary to Douglas’s belief that the wording of the Second Amendment gives the federal government authority to control gun ownership. Here are a few examples of the interpretation our Founding Fathers used: Alexander Hamilton, in Federalist No. 29, or in the "Journals of the Continental Congress" from Dec. 13, 1777, and George Washington in "The Writings of George Washington."  The regulation which Henderson speaks of does not exist in the Second Amendment.

To Whom it may Concern:

While I have never actually fostered an environment of understanding and cooperation in the international community, I am entirely in favor of strengthening our international relations with the world.

While I might not have taken any sort of definitive action, or even articulated a coherent strategy for ending nuclear proliferation on a global scale, with particular regards to Iran, Pakistan, and North Korea, I am unequivocally opposed to it, both in theory and in practice, on moral, social, and political grounds.

Finally, though I have not yet discovered the mechanisms with which to save the world from global economic downturn, let it be known that I have never supported, nor do I now support economic depression on a global scale.

Respectfully submitting my candidacy for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize,

 I don’t understand all the bad press President Barack Obama is getting for winning the Nobel Peace Prize. I admit I, like everyone else, was surprised, and I do feel it was awarded a little prematurely, but I view this as a good thing, for not only the president, but for all of America.

Hope that Obama can help the cause of peace is hope that America can bring peace to the world and itself be a peaceful nation. Instead of disregarding the opinion of those who awarded the prize or suggesting the award is now cheapened, we should be grateful and proud that the man America elected to be its leader is the person the Nobel committee believed has done (or will do) the most to promote peace and fraternity between nations.

Alan Peters
Oak Lawn, Ill.
 

Many have complained about the restriction the Honor Code places on beard growth, saying many of our church leaders, including Brigham Young, wore beards. The opinion by Brooke Randell, “Special ‘staches” (Oct. 8), complains that President Young wouldn’t even be able to take a test in the BYU Testing Center.

All I have to say is President Young would be able to take a test, and this is why: If he were a BYU student, he would live by the Honor Code and not wear a beard.

Todd Wight
Orem

1. Looking like a slob is neither fashionable nor stylish. It only demonstrates that the individual wearing such clothing has little self-respect. It is possible for men to dress like gentlemen and still be comfortable, save money and look much better than those depicted in the Oct. 7 article on men’s fashion.
 

2. Growing a beard has less to do with fashion or rebellion than  the fact that men do not want to scrape their faces with blades every single day. It’s time consuming and, for some, it hurts. The Honor Code must be changed.
 

3. There is quite a bit that can be done to improve devotionals:
 

A) Administration can help students understand how devotionals are an integral component of the “Aims of a BYU Education” through creative advertising. This is the responsibility of the advancement vice president, not BYUSA.
 

I am writing to send my most heartfelt condolences upon hearing of your winning the Nobel Peace Prize.  I know your stomach must have turned into knots when you were awakened with the horrible news this morning.

The foreign policy situations facing you in the first eight months of your presidency have been intimidating to say the least, including two deadly and unpopular wars, belligerent states seeking nuclear weapons, economic disturbances and crises in Africa, but surely this has to be the most difficult of all.