Thanks, Kind Strangers
On March 8, I was in the Brimhall Building when I started to have terrible abdominal pains that got to the point of unbearable (I am 17 weeks pregnant). A few people, whose names I do not know, came to my aid and made sure I got medical attention and watched over me until my husband and the EMTs got there. My husband and I are so grateful for you whoever you are, and wanted to let you know my baby and I are just fine. Thank you also for making it possible for my husband to ride with me in the ambulance by driving his truck to the hospital. Whoever you are, may the Lord bless you always.
Emily and David Ybarra
Provo
Students Belittle BYUSA
“Ukulele madness” (March 9) stated the BYUSA election was “a pointless election.” Well, I agree to the point that apparently the student body treats it as such. As long as the students at BYU think of it that way, and don’t place educated votes for those they feel will actually do the best job, then it will be pointless.
If you placed your vote based on issues such as “this person is cute,” “I hate the ukulele,” “orange is cooler than yellow,” “I’m voting for the underdog,” “a friend on facebook asked me to,” “I want a free hotdog” or “they took out my trash,” then you wasted your vote. And if you didn’t vote because someone asked you questions and tried to inform you as to why voting was important, then the problem is you for not helping make the office mean something.
I think it is a shame some people got “fed up” so easily with the campaigning. I give credit to those who were out there giving it their all.
The “guy with the ukulele” was out there for hours, playing and singing and had to be talked into taking breaks for lunch. There is nothing wrong with that kind of effort and dedication.
And my last thing is that trying to support your case with “The Daily Universe [said] whatever,” as stated in the letter, does not add infallible credibility to a comment.
Bobby Stewart
York, S.C.
No Right to Complain Now
I am sure all of you saw the yellow and orange booths set up all over campus last week. Face it; they were hard to miss. These booths, the posters and those campaigners were representatives of those running for BYUSA president – the ones who want to represent you. However, over 25,000 of you somehow missed these messages and neglected to vote. It was time to vote and over 25,000 of you did nothing. I guess now you 25,000 have no place to complain.
As a campaigner for one of the BYUSA candidates, I talked to hundreds of people, many of whom made promises to look at the Web sites and vote. Only 5,000 of those talked to actually fulfilled their promises. Along side these false tales of school spirit, I heard many comments from students regarding the uselessness of BYUSA and, therefore, the pointlessness of voting. This begs the question: why do they do nothing to fix the problem?
When you refrain from voting you contribute to the “pointlessness” of BYUSA and your voice cannot be heard. The BYUSA president is a representative post, created so that students have a voice in the running of this university. When the students do not vote a representative cannot represent.
So, to all of you who did not vote, quit complaining about BYUSA. You have shirked your duty as a constituent and now must reap the consequences. Just remember, if you want change, vote.
Andrea Sorenson
Ft. Wayne, Ind.
Punished for Passion?
I laughed when I heard Summer won, then gasped when I heard it was true.
Strictly looking at the initiatives, John and Jason win hands down. I admit S&D’s effort to improve the alumni network is appealing. Overall, though, J&J had the interest of the whole student body in mind, trying to put ratings online and create an all-encompassing calendar of events, something that caters toward students of all interests, not just sport lovers who want a breakfast before the big game or a better weight room.
Initiatives aside, the campaigning alone easily proved in J&J’s favor. Everyday I saw different ways that orange earned the attention of students, constantly finding that little jingle “JasonandJohn.com” dancing through my head. A writer described this as annoying, but I choose to see it differently: passionate and innovative. It bothers me that people would vote for S&D because J&J showed they actually wanted to win. Last year’s robbery outraged the students. This year the student body decided to commit it themselves.
I smile when I think of a man so dedicated to a cause that he stands on a glacier for hours straight playing the ukulele, ignoring the sun damage to his face. I can honestly say I will never forget John’s face as he shook my hand, bursting with energy, and told me how happy it made him to be campaigning. I only hope I will someday forget Devon dancing.
Craig Palsson
Danville, Calif.
Change Ticket Policies
There has been a lot of complaining and talk about the ticket distribution for the BYU/Utah basketball game. I would like to give my 2 cents as a Cougar super-fan. I think the athletic department is on the right track with the current system. All the big schools have a similar system of waiting in a line to get tickets to the big game. The only thing BYU’s system is missing is a bit of regulation.
My group got to the women’s game six hours ahead of time. We felt good about being the 18th group in line. But then right before the doors opened there was a mass of “fans” in front of us. A majority of the people came right before game time and found their “friends” at the beginning of the line. Don’t get me wrong; I’m all about saving a spot for my posse. It was out of control though.
The Athletic Department needs to assign numbers to those who come early and only allow a certain number of friends through the doors with each number. Also there has to be regular and random checks made throughout the waiting period to make sure there is always someone in line for each number holding the spot. I would love to have a meeting with Tom Holmoe to further discuss this issue. You’re doing a great job, Tom, keep it up. Also, I think it was great to make the women’s game part of the whole process. Go Cougars!
Bryce Youngquist
Plymouth, Minn.
Change Methods, Media
If I were to ask a large majority of any group of residents throughout the country “what exactly is going on in Iraq?” I’m convinced only a small number of people would be able to give an accurate explanation. I feel like I have walked into a film an hour late and I am completely lost as to the plot of what is happening. Every single day the newspaper tells of the latest attack and other tragedies that occur. Not only do I have a limited idea of how I can help, but I am also unclear as to whether to support or oppose the government’s efforts.
Obviously, if someone was to sit down for a few hours and research the subject, they would probably be able to reach a conclusion. However, with the many different demands on time, this is somewhat of a challenge. As I have looked into the subject I respect that it is a complicated issue. I feel that the media has left us behind as to the progression of the story. Therefore, all I propose is that unlike other world issues, the media educate us a little more on a regular basis about the background and history in each of the different events. This will allow us to have a greater understanding of the significance of the day-to-day occurrences and be able to make a stronger political stance.
Nathan Wigglesworth
Reading, England
WEB LETTERS
Unblock MySpace
There is nothing as frustrating to me as not having the ability to make my own decisions about things. I signed the Honor Code, and I like to think that I’m an honorable person … so why do I have to deal with “spoon-fed honor?” When I signed onto myspace to check a few messages my friends from home had left me, and found out I couldn’t even get to my own profile, let alone theirs, I was pushed past my limit. I understand there are things out there we shouldn’t see or partake in, especially when it comes to the Internet, and I understand limiting our connection to those sites that are “damaging,” but I feel as if I am not being taken seriously, that my signing the Honor Code means nothing. I’m not trying to look at sites that I shouldn’t be, I’m just trying to keep in contact with my friends from home, where I have no other way to contact them. We signed the Honor Code – let those that don’t follow it see the repercussions, but don’t spoon-feed me the right choices. Let me make them myself.
Jessica Cookson
Saco, Maine
Know-it-Alls
After a few years of being a pre-med student I have noticed some trends that I think many students like me (science related majors/classes), have noticed this as well. Ever since my freshman year I have noticed some of my professors and TAs have the “look at what I know” attitude, instead of teaching. Being a TA myself, I realize how easy it is to have this attitude, but I try my hardest to stick to pertinent material even though I stray sometimes. We’ve all seen it, the professor who spends at least a day on his latest “exciting” research on and wastes valuable time for studying class material. The TA who will teach you about this “cool new thing” and then speak for 30 minutes on it in class, have you take notes, and then have it not show up on a test, or ever again in the class.
Now, I am not saying this is all professors because it isn’t, not even most. The professors I have dealt with here at BYU are open, friendly and committed to their students. I just ask any teaching faculty reading this article to take a step back every time you are teaching, ask yourself “will they need to know this?” or are you just adding to our “gee whiz” collection?
Brian Jorgensen
Detroit, Mich.
Tithing = Lord’s Money
It seems some have made it a point lately to criticize BYU and BYU sponsored organizations, such as BYUSA, for doing what they call “wasting” tithing. Statements like that don’t sit too well in my stomach. First off, I don’t think we fully understand how tithing funds are distributed amongst the students. Consequently, we don’t know if the money used to update a Web site or pay a stipend was provided through tithing or by other means.
Secondly, tithing is the Lord’s money not ours. Who are we to even begin to judge how it is to be spent? Tithing is not like tax; we do not have a say in how it is used. Instead, the Lord calls just men, whom we sustain, to determine the distribution of tithing funds, and if, hypothetically, they feel that a portion of the general tithing funds should go to BYU to be spent on Web site improvements and stipends then that is the Lord’s business.
Who are we to act as if our money is being misused? It is not our money to begin with and we have no authority to judge whether or not it is being misused. I know the critics of BYU expenditures reverence the Lord and the payment of tithing, but let’s not seek to counsel the Lord with our criticisms. Let’s be better than that.
Brad Graham
Cowan Heights, Calif.
Replace Trees of Life
Having been a resident of Provo most of my life, it’s been great to see the improvements made around campus. I’ve seen major renovations of the Wilkinson, the former Smith Family Living Center being redone and renamed the JFSB, the swimming pool at the RB getting lights, a new indoor sports facility and many other improvements. I look forward to seeing what the JKB will look like once the construction there is done.
Might I make one suggestion for a near-future project? How about replacing the super old and dysfunctional showers (aka “trees of life”??) in the RB Men’s locker room? Seriously, most of them spray weakly, unevenly or not at all, the handles are inconsistent (which way do I have to twist to make the water on this one hotter???), and those little antiquated soap dispenser thingies look silly.
Just a thought.
Nathan L. Christensen
Provo
Look Upon the Heart
In response to “Reprehensible Stereotypes” (March 9), I wish to reply with the following: It makes no difference whether a woman, a man of color or a man of diverse faith is running or not, because it is their motives and intentions that should be brought into question during any election. Their race, gender or religion shouldn’t even be a factor of consideration when we are always encouraged to prayerfully select a candidate who will uphold the supreme law of the land, the Constitution (which is hanging by a thread), and will promote a lifestyle that is in harmony with the commandments of God so we may be blessed and prosper while living under correct principles and not need to rely on the government for everything.
Yet these days we are continually seeing political candidates who are not only not living according to those principles, but who basically openly declare their intentions are to restrict or even take away the God-given freedoms granted to us, steal our money to give to those who refuse to work for themselves and trample on both gospel principles and our Constitution. And the woman and man of color are two of those candidates. Why is that not a great cause for alarm?
It was John Adams who said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Is it any wonder why our great country is being driven into the ground by the wicked leaders and Gadianton robbers who have crept into our government?
Dave Paradise
Kawajalein Island
