We are now celebrating a holiday, which commemorates events that have ensured freedom for all in the United States.
It is ironic however, that this holiday is beset by pronouncements of thanks for freedoms not used: the rights to gain knowledge about the events in the world, the rights to speak out about issues that conflict with our central beliefs and the rights to elect officials who will represent us.
Only 13 percent of Utahns act on these rights, as demonstrated by the latest primary elections. This is not because the information is unavailable or because the press sways voters' opinions, taking away true voting privileges.
It is because we have become a lazy people who thrive only on matters that immediately effect us.
No longer is our government a true representation of the majority. Sure, officials are elected only on majority vote, but what is the majority of 13 percent of the population?
This fact has weighed on my mind for some time. As a journalist, I am taught the importance of freedoms such as free press and access to public records. In fact, they are freedoms that make the media the watchdog of our government, businesses and other groups. These are freedoms the public should enjoy. It is frightening, then, to see the deplorable lack of concern the other 87 percent of Utahns show in civil matters.
It is my duty to fairly inform all of the population, both the 13 percent and the 87 percent, who would rather be ... fill in the sentence. This is a heavy responsibility.
I'd like to think my words make a difference. The fact is, our lack of concern in the United States, in Utah and at BYU for politics, outside of President Clinton's personal life, goes much deeper.
Our society has become a society which no longer thirsts for knowledge. Instead, we search for the quickest, most accessible and enjoyable entertainment.
If asked who their local civic leaders were, many could not even venture a guess, but they would know what the last episode of Seinfeld was, even with its dumb ending.
In interviewing people about why they don't vote, many initial responses are 'I didn't know anything about the candidates.'
This cannot be accepted as a valid excuse. Today's technology provides as many opportunities for growth as it does for laziness.
Pick up a paper and read, yes actually physically look at the words and interpret their meanings. Then there is no excuse.
After this response, the next most common retort is something about how everyone in Utah basically has the same opinion so it doesn't really matter. This is also a fallacy. The Republican primaries depicted the contrasting views members of one party hold.
The point is that many died for our freedoms, especially the freedom to elect people who will represent us. Every vote counts.
Even the votes of BYU students count, whether they vote by absentee ballot for hometown elections or are registered Utah voters.
Think about it. We have freedoms like no other country. We need to act on them and remember them, especially as we pick up a sparkler and sing the National Anthem and the Stars and Stripes pass by.