The Government Will Tell Us
In Thursday's article on global warming, Nick Grey was quoted as saying he didn't think global warming was too big a threat or 'the government would let us know, considering we are citizens.' Perhaps the simplest response is that, like individuals, governments have motives and agendas. Full disclosure and rapid action on complex data aren't often government hallmarks. Rather than offer my own list, I trust readers can come up with their own examples of governments-historical and modern-which have ignored, withheld, or manipulated information.
Ron Woods
Provo
Tone It Down, Media
In the past we could read or watch the news without having to see the horrible and graphic things that are happening around the world.
However, the media is starting to gear more and more towards these graphic images. I am specifically referring to the images that we see that make us cringe, feel sick to our stomach, and have to have to hide from our children.
The tragic 9/11 videos of the planes crashing and the buildings falling were informative and pulled at all of our heartstrings. However, the media took it one step too far when they filmed people jumping from the buildings.
If any of our parents or siblings or loved ones had been forced to jump, we would never want to show that or be shown that over and over again. Other current examples are the Iraq war violence and the Hurricane Katrina media coverage showing footage of dead bodies. These images are not necessary to burn into our minds to make us act.
I call on the media to more judiciously choose the images it decides to show. We have plenty of other sources for graphic images.
Dane J. Oborn
Missoula, Mont.
Questionable Math
$1.29 + $ 0.49 = $2.99. A Veggie Bowl at Teriyaki Stix costs $3, but the advertised price of a rice bowl ($ 1.29) and veggies (49 cents) at the same place is $1.78. Please don't insult the intelligence of your patrons. Lower your price, and you'll have a loyal customer for the duration of my schooling.
Chris Ashworth
St. George
Honesty at All Times
Bravo to Shawn Curtis for his recent Viewpoint 'Make $80,000, lose your soul.'? Having recently been swindled by a member of the church (second counselor in a bishopric, might I add), I feel that this is an issue that must be addressed. There is no excuse for returned missionaries and other members of the church to behave differently in their business dealings than they would in church meetings, to wear two coats? as it were. Have we become so carnal that we are willing to set aside our scruples in order to line our own pockets, or to maintain a lifestyle we cannot afford? A few months ago, I talked to a good friend who took a job finding properties for a realtor who, like himself, was an active member of the church. After several months of hard work, my friend became frustrated as his boss continued to pay him only a fraction of the promised commissions for his work. In the end, the realtor cheated my friend out of about $60,000, and has yet to admit that he's done anything dishonest. Honesty should be the standard for all members of the church at all times, not just when it's convenient.
Mark Hollingshead
Centerville
President Benson Underestimated
The author of 'Presidency's political views' on Sept. 15, 2006 underestimates the understanding, knowledge and prophecy of President Ezra Taft Benson. How does she know that President Benson didn't write 'The Proper Role of Government' out of divine inspiration? Does she not remember that President Benson was the Secretary of Agriculture under President Eisenhower? He was in a much better position to know the workings of the government than any student. He talked with communist leaders like Mr. Kruschev who assured him that his grandchildren would live under communism. Please read 'Our Immediate Responsibility,' a devotional address at BYU by President Benson. 'Although President Benson continued this practice while he was prophet doesn't mean that he was inspired when he did so.' The fact that he did when he was prophet leans more to the truth that he was inspired. She must've been asleep in Sunday school when it was taught that the Lord would never permit any man who stands as Prophet of the true church of God to lead us astray, and that if a Prophet attempted to do so, the Lord wouldn't allow it.
I'll put my faith in a prophet of God, not a political science student.
Tyler Petersen
Roy
Dirty Hands
In the solitude of the library bathroom stall while reading from this very newspaper, I noticed something that both haunts and disgusts me. This may come as a shock to some people and others not at all, but a lot of people at this university do not take the time after they have finished their business in the bathroom to wash their hands! These vile offenders are the same people that we shake hands with at church, high-five at football games, share tubs of popcorn with during movies and turn doorknobs with to get into classrooms. The non-hand washers may rationalize their actions by saying that they are in a hurry and don't have the time to lather, rinse and dry their hands. But for the rest of us germ-a-phobes, at least give the impression of washing by running your hand through the water before you walk out and infect the rest of the world.
Believe me, if I could, I would name the offenders one by one and publicly shame them into cleansing their germ-infested hands. I would like you to wake up and realize we no longer live the Law of Consecration. You (the dirty non-hand washers) don't have to share everything (germs) with the rest of the student body. I can honestly say that I love every single one of my brothers and sisters at this fine university, but to be completely truthful, I don't love you THAT much!
Benji Cunningham
Vancouver, Wash.
Theft, Rape...Deadbolts?
I am a freshman and live in Heritage Halls. This past Sunday, my hall had a meeting regarding Safety Week. We intently listened as stories of past years in the dorms were told. There were stories of thefts, robberies, bag ladies, a man that hid in closets and exposed himself and rape.
At first my apartment thought about this and how we would be more diligent in keeping our doors locked, even when at home. But then we thought again and realized what an empty habit that could be. You see, we have no security system, no cameras and, more importantly, no dead bolts. I have broken into my own room with a BYU ID in less than a minute.
This leaves BYU freshmen in unequipped apartments that are over $300 a month. For that price somewhere else in Provo, I could live in a house with much better accommodations, not to mention an ample door lock. BYU is making enough money off the dorms, why can't they spend the money to keep the residents safe? A deadbolt that could prevent a break-in or rape can cost as little as $12. How much is my safety and virtue worth?
Bethany Davis
Boise, Idaho
Global Warming Exaggerated
Having just returned to BYU from Iraq I did expect an irregular amount of conservatism from this almost unequalled bastion of the political right - but seriously, global warming as a front-page truth or fiction? Everywhere else in the world, global warming, its causes and consequences aren't even debatable.
Clay Burnett
Arlee, Mont.
Worldwide Neighborhood Examined
In response to Frank from Long Beach, Calif., ('Worldwide neighborhood,' Readers' Forum Sept. 20). You must not be living in the same world I am. My observations have been very different than yours. Here are some examples of the 'cul-de-sac' as I see it.
While living in Orange County, Calif., one of my students, living in his Orange County cul-de-sac, minding his own business, loving everyone around him, was brutally stabbed to death by his neighbor in his driveway. Sometimes, Frank, everyone is not willing to get along in the cul-de-sac.
Also, as I recall, the U.S. didn't seek out wars in Japan, Germany, and the Middle East. And after the U.S. cleaned up the bullies of WWI and WWII, didn't we help them become some of the world's most successful countries? Wasn't Kuwait attacked by Iraq, and like a good neighbor in the cul-de-sac, didn't we then come to their rescue? Weren't the Twin Towers destroyed, along with U.S. soldiers in their barracks, a U.S. ship damaged and sailors killed while refueling in a port, and a U.S. Embassy taken by force in Iran, etc., etc., before we ever responded with force? Aren't we now trying to help Iraq be free?
Seems to me we're just helping the World's Cul-De-Sac behave itself, and be a little more loving, if that's possible. If we're such bullies, why do everyone and his brother try to get into this country? And name one country that we've ever kept after saving it?
I hope you survive your cul-de-sac, Frank. So far I've been pretty lucky with mine.
Terry Gunn
Elk Ridge
Straw Man Argument
According to Wikipedia, 'a straw man argument is a logical fallacy based on misrepresentation of an opponent's position. To 'set up a straw man' or 'set up a straw-man argument' is to create a position that is easy to refute, then attribute that position to the opponent.'
David Nance recently wrote a letter in which he suggested that everyone read Ezra Taft Benson's 'The Proper Role of Government.' In a later Readers' Forum, Margaret Olsen set up a straw man argument in what appears to be an attempt to dissuade people from reading this book, or any of Mr. Benson's other political writings. Her straw man was this: 'As a political science major at BYU, I often heard President Benson's political beliefs quoted as prophetic scripture and as absolute authority on ideology.' She then proceeded to try to destroy Mr. Benson's credibility by 'proving' that everything political he has said or written should not be considered scripture (also interesting is that she added that she is a political science major to buttress her own credentials.)
It should be obvious to most Latter-day Saints; however, that not everything an apostle or prophet has ever written should be considered scripture. Not everything that is non-scriptural is false, however. This is not an issue of whether Mr. Benson was speaking as prophet, or as Secretary of Agriculture. The issue at hand is whether or not 'The Proper Role of Government' is worthwhile reading. It is a simple but well-reasoned defense of limited government (in spite of the fact that it is non-scriptural and not official church doctrine) and is good start for anyone wanting to learn more about government.
Spencer Burgess
Grantsville