Readers’ Forum Oct. 13, 2006

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    Correction: The signature to the letter “Bare Bodies” (Oct.11, 2006) was misspelled. The letter writer’s name is Tim Shurtz from Palatine, Ill.

    Still Time to Register

    Friday’s stirring–and scathing–editorial, “Voters Left Behind,” had one mistake: it is still possible to register for this year’s general elections. The deadline for postmarked registration was Oct. 8, but you may still register in person at the County Clerk’s office or by satellite at various other locations. The clerk’s office for Utah County is just a few blocks south of BYU campus, at 100 E. Center in Provo. For more information, see elections.utah.gov

    I owe a big thank you to The Daily Universe staff for keeping me informed on voting issues, and I hope they continue to cover the election and voting procedures. I also appreciate Stephen McQuay’s assertion on Friday that there is no wasted vote when it is thoughtfully cast. I add my voice to theirs in encouraging everyone who can to vote.

    Andrew Draper

    Provo

    Discriminatory cartoon

    I was highly offended Wednesday morning by a cartoon depicting an extremely buff male clothed in tight shorts. Is the artist not aware that wearing tight and revealing clothing is a violation of the honor code? Furthermore, I am offended that the artist was so narrow-minded as to imply that only buff males wear shorts during the cold fall weather. I represent a silent minority of fat males wearing shorts in cold weather when I say, we don’t shiver – we’re fat. To imply that all males shiver in the cold is erroneous and represents a bias that could be construed as intolerant and even discriminatory.

    Aaron Beavers

    Provo

    Memo to Cartoonist

    OK, campus cartoonist. I get it. You think the coller-poppin’, sunglass stylin’, faux-hawking preppies are dumb. Don’t you think it’s time to move to something else? I have some ideas if you want to shoot me an e-mail.

    Berkley Walker

    Portland Ore.

    Managing Migraines

    Students suffering from debilitating migraine headaches were left with no hope after As Daily Universe article Oct. 10. I have experienced migraine headaches my whole life, and I have learned a lot about relieving this terrible pain. First of all, get your eyes checked. I found out I was far-sighted after I graduated with my bachelor’s degree, and now it only makes sense that exam stress wasn’t causing my headaches–it was all the reading and eye-focusing. Also, a nutritious diet can substantially reduce migraines–especially around those stressful times when junk food is so convenient. Finally, keep a good posture. Neck muscles get really tired from slouching or leaning over books for a long time. Try massaging the very top of your neck, and even your jaw. If your headaches persist for more than a day, go see a masseuse or chiropractor. So don’t worry, there are other answers besides drugs and sleep. I hope this helps you.

    Steven Olsen

    Kitchener, Ontario

    Solution to BYU’s Labor Shortage

    With all due respect, head of grounds Roy Peterman was dead wrong in an Oct. 9 article about the shortage of student workers when he claimed “There is this radical change in philosophy where students feel like they don’t have to work.?

    I would be bold enough to claim the opposite. With the recent high increases in the consumer price index, I am willing to bet that students and parents alike feel more inclined to work and earn extra income to offset the effects of higher inflation.

    The real problem lies therein that competing employers are offering students more attractive wages to work at their firms. Hence, students flock from on-campus jobs, to these employers where they make more money.

    The solution, therefore, is simple: The BYU administration must increase student wage levels until the invisible hand gently pushes students to the employment office to apply for the open positions. Mark my words, administration: this is the only solution that will work, and even if you don’t agree with me, Ben Bernake would.

    Kyle Blodgett

    Kennewick, Wash.

    Glorifying Terrorism

    I was very disappointed to see that the international cinema is choosing to show the film “Paradise Now.” The film is a disgrace, plain and simple. It glorifies murderers and there is nothing more that can be said. It takes a sadistic ideology and tries to portray it as natural behavior. Would we ever support a movie that tries to show the “human side” of Charles Manson and Ted Bundy? We would never. These murderers are the same as every “shaheed” ever sent out by Hamas and Islamic Jihad to kill innocent Israelis. There is nothing human about massacring 27 people during a Passover Seder as was done on March 27, 2002. There is nothing human about murdering 11 athletes in an Olympic setting as was done in Munich in 1972. There is nothing human about the attack on the Jewish state carried out in 1973 on the Day of Atonement, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar where people were attacked mid-prayer in synagogues throughout the country.

    This is the fundamental problem in the Middle East today. While Israeli society as a whole denounces extremism by banning racist political parties like Kach and court-marshalling soldiers that don’t act in accordance to the strict rules of engagement of the IDF, Palestinian society glorifies murderers by naming streets after them and singing songs in praise of them. They keep their memory alive by putting pictures of them throughout the Palestinian territories. They vote into power the group that has encouraged their sadistic actions.

    Overall, There is nothing human about “Paradise Now,” and this movie should not be supported or encourage.

    Kfir Orgad

    Las Vegas, NV

    Ease off Cheerleaders

    I want BYU students to stop criticizing our cheerleaders’ uniforms. They are athletes, and until the volleyball team or tennis players start wearing short sleeves and knee-length shorts (which they shouldn’t have to), you have no rights to point your finger. Although I have never been involved with cheerleading, I can imagine how difficult it would be for cheerleaders to perform their routines and stunts in outfits that are hard to move around in, not to mention hot. Are you going to harass the swimmers next? Think logically. The BYU Honor Code is extremely strict – guys can’t even grow sideburns past the bottom of their ears. Why would the administration let our cheerleaders wear clothes they didn’t believe were suitable for the activity? Ponder it while you’re doing a back flip (no trampoline) – unless you can’t. In that case, the cheerleaders will be at our next game. Enjoy

    Kelsey Harmon

    Gray, Tenn.

    Sexism Apparent in Honor Code

    I thank the writer of “Bare Bodies,” (Oct. 11) for his rousing and bold article. I agree with him in that there is a discrepancy in the enforcement of the Honor Code. The cheerleading squad is a legitimate example of this inconsistency. The Honor Code is not enforced in equal measure to both sexes.

    It might be an everyday occurrence that at least a handful of males are questioned for the time of his last shave. Though how often do we expect employees of the testing center or intramural sports to actually inquire on the length of female shorts or v-neck line? Are we afraid that we might offend the women at this university by enforcing the code? Such a simple act teaches as it disciplines. Or maybe Maeser’s Code should read as follows: “If you can’t wear anything nice, don’t wear anything at all.”

    Jeff Hill

    Centennial, Colo.

    Future Pharisees

    I’m so relieved to know that my eternal soul is being vigilantly watched out for by the writer of “Short Skirts and leggings” (Oct. 9) and other righteous individuals. That letter concerning short skirts and leggings reminded me of the bust-enhancing-single-satchel-strap-across-the-chest controversy a few years back. Such people have bright careers as Pharisees or possibly Honor Code Office personnel ahead of them.

    Ian Brown

    Kingwood, Texas

    Thanks, Testing Center

    I would like to express my thanks to a testing center worker who pulled me out of a bind on Tuesday.

    I came to the testing center at 8:45 p.m., 15 minutes before they close the doors, and finally reached the front of a very long line. Tuesday was the late fee day, the only day I had time to take the test, so I knew I would have to pay $5; what I didn’t know is that I couldn’t pay with credit card or with a joint form of payment. I had only $4 cash and a few dollars on my signature card and I apparently couldn’t use both.

    Right when I was about to abandon all hope, one of the workers pulled a dollar bill out of her pocket and handed it to me. She did so without admonishing me and without expecting thanks.

    I’m grateful to people at BYU who are like that girl at the testing center.

    Robert Gibbons

    Orem

    More on “Stupid Pedestrians”

    Consider this a constructive criticism or just a friendly note to the senior majoring in print journalism who penned the delightful “All hail Stupid Pedestrians” (Oct. 9). To begin, I was interested in your article when I read the title and thought it could be a nice little opinion article. I think I was in the second paragraph when I was already tiring with the exaggerating, accusatory tone that you employed. The whole piece felt like an article from a high school paper–every sentence was too long, too mean and it felt like you were just trying to get noticed. I think the first constructive thing you said was buried in the second to last paragraph after you attacked every possible person at BYU who doesn’t drive a car.

    By the time I had hacked my way through to the end, I felt almost sick to my stomach. The whole piece was so cynical. I think it was English 115 where they taught us that a reader is quickly annoyed with mean-spirited criticism. Really, I don’t think anyone escaped your shots.

    I do not attack your topic–I think it could have been a humorous and witty article. Sadly, it felt like you just sat down and typed, spewing opinion and no substance. Your readers could really benefit from a little more style and tact.

    As I said, this is just a friendly note. Before a real newspaper rips up your work, I thought I’d help you out, even if I am just another “stupid pedestrian.”

    Daniel Woolston

    Sugar Land, Texas

    Intramural Nazis

    Anyone who has done intramurals here at BYU knows that they enforce the Honor Code when you check in for games. Just the other day I tried to check in before our match and the supervisor said my hair was too long and would not check me in. When I asked her how my hair was considered too long she merely said that it was not approved. Then one of the RB workers that set up the volleyball nets, badly I might add, has the audacity to try to tell me that my hair is against the Honor Code. Maybe he should focus more on doing his job correctly than trying to tell me that I’m disobeying the Honor Code. I ended up having to trim the sides of my hair before she would let me play.

    This was not an isolated incident either. One other person from my team and two more people the next hour were told they had to cut their hair before they could play. She then tried to give one of my friends a red card for saying that it was stupid. None of us had hair that was against the Honor Code. Maybe she just likes the missionary hair cut, which is fine, but she shouldn’t try to enforce her own personal preference as the Honor Code.

    Robert LeSueur

    Trabuco Canyon, Calif.

    Consider an Alternative

    With the upcoming election, many are thinking about whom to vote for. Most will vote simply along party lines, while others may change their votes because of current political conditions. Before we enter the booth, let me suggest another choice that should not be taken lightly. Our country is stuck in a two- party system even though several other parties exist. I have heard many people say that they are voting for the lesser of two evils. However, they don’t consider that they are still voting for evil. We can choose for our country to have a quick death, a slow death, or no death at all. There are a few third parties out there that actually fall in line closer to our ideals than those represented in either of the main two parties and will preserve us against a national downfall.

    Some may say that a vote for a third party is a wasted vote, that you actually may be helping the “enemy.” However, if we changed our outlook on the two-party system, we could make a difference. Debate is a good thing and encourages ideas and effective problem solving. But the current mentality in our partisanship, whatever that may be, is that our party is right and every one else is wrong and we will fight to the death before we give in. Instead of following the masses, be different and study the third parties and at least consider them before you cast your vote.

    Richard Walton

    Manti

    Stop and Salute

    I’m usually around campus while either the American flag is being raised or while it’s being lower. I stop and put my hand over my heart as the national anthem plays over the speakers. Then I look around and I see very few students stopping to do the same.

    What was more shocking to me was to see people doing that on Sept. 11. It’s a day we call Patriot Day, and still people think that it’s okay to just walk on by as if nothing was going on.

    To those who do stop and salute, I thank you. To those of who don’t, I feel you need to check your priorities. There is something wrong with you if you are an American and don’t show respect to this country by taking a few seconds to salute the flag as it is being either raised or lowered.

    This country gives us many rights that we could not enjoy if we lived elsewhere. We should be thankful that God as created a nation that allows us this kind of freedom. We should show our respect to that nation by saluting the flag.

    Taking a few seconds to pay yours respects to this country will not make you late for class. It will not hurt your schedule. So what’s the problem? It’s easy. Stop. Put you r hand over your heart. Listen to the nation anthem. I promise it will only be a few second

    Taylor Summers

    Boulder, Colo.

    Off-campus Housing Problem

    I agree, students should read their housing contracts very carefully before and after signing, in order to be informed of their rights. However, I don’t believe that BYU’s off-campus housing policies and the BYU Student-Landlord rental agreement are in the student’s best interest. They are fine for those of us who don’t mind paying cleaning re-check fees based on the self-interested assessment of a landlord, or paying carpet cleaning fees based on the ambiguous “reasonable wear and tear” clause, or paying 12 months’ rent for little more than 11 months of tenancy. BYU should either take complete control over off-campus housing, or back out altogether and let us take care of our selves. That way those of us who mind being fleeced by our landlords would be free to look for housing in an open market. After all, married students are allowed to live wherever they want. That means, according to BYU, a freshman bride is more capable of entering into a legal agreement than a single 24-year-old senior. That just doesn’t make sense to me.

    Andrew Stephens

    Auburn, Wash.

    BYU Needs to Understand Market Forces

    The recent shortage of on campus labor is the result of only one thing: BYU’s continual ignorance of market forces. BYU has tinkered with market forces by artificially reducing the supply of student housing through its so-called “bubble policy” which may lead to increased housing prices. It has ignored market forces by allocating scarce on campus parking without using a price thereby leading to a parking shortage, and it has ignored the labor market by paying too low of a wage leading to a labor shortage. Finally, the market has fought back and BYU is reaping the consequences. BYU students have not “changed their philosophy” about working while attending school, plenty of BYU students have jobs off campus where they either get paid more than on campus or enjoy their jobs more. So as BYU has said of parking: “there is plenty of parking on campus it is just not where students want to park,” I say to BYU: “there is plenty of labor on campus it is just not available for what you are willing to pay.”

    Joshua Daniels

    Topeka, Kan.

    Where’s My Second Amendment?

    Colorado, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Is there a way to put a stop to it? No. Guns are not the problem in any of these situations, granted they were used to create a violent scene, but guns don’t kill people, people kill people. As a gun owner, I believe that the idea of limiting gun ownership will only make the problem larger. Limiting the use of guns will only make people want them more, just like alcohol with underage drinkers. The fact of the matter is, the guns are not creating violence; it’s the people who create it. If a car accident occurs because someone is drinking and driving, is the car blamed? No, because it is the asinine person behind the wheel. So does the ban of guns on campus really help? Not in the least! The U of U flagrantly ignored the state law because they know it won’t help and is now pending a federal jury on the final outcome of their gun ban. Is BYU next? I certainly hope not. Just lock the crazy people up and let me own my gun.

    Nick Barnes

    Orange, CA

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