Don’t Ruin Our Big Day
Several years ago BYU invited Helen Thomas to speak at a Forum. I have never been more embarrassed than by how some students reacted. Droves walked out mid-speech. Someone sitting behind me had the gal to boo.
Thomas is a liberal who despises the Bush administration. Obviously, many BYU students did not agree with her. I didn’t. But she is one of the nation’s premier journalists and I learned from her perspective that day.
It is, therefore, disgusting to me so many are already planning to show such a lack of respect again – this time on the other side of the aisle – by starting their protest groups to oppose the Vice President of the United States.
I hope we will be respectful of Cheney and represent both BYU and the Church well when he comes and not make the same foolish mistakes some made during the visit of Ms. Thomas. Whatever your political persuasions or personal opinions, we ought to have the decency to show all people courtesy and respect. So go protest somewhere else in some other way, but stay away from my graduation. We don’t need your signs and pickets to ruin our big day.
Mike Maughan
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Poor Speaker Selection
I was listening to the radio on my way home from school Friday and was dismayed to hear Vice President Dick Cheney would speak at this year’s commencement ceremony. With the last four years featuring Elders Hales, Scott, Ballard and Tingey as speakers, I was excited to have my parents and in-laws attend my graduation. In stark contrast to these men of God, however, we will have politician — not only a politician, but one who is entangled in controversy and scandal. Having the vice president speak would normally be a great honor to the university, but inviting one who is so divisive can only be interpreted as a political statement, and a university run by the LDS Church should be, like the church, apolitical.
Our commencement speaker should be someone who gives advice and encouragement as we enter the next phase of our lives. I don’t believe a vice president whose closest advisor was convicted of a felony only two weeks ago has the moral authority to do so. I doubt any other university in the nation would tolerate such a speaker. At very least, I hope the university is not using tithing funds to encourage him to come.
Ryan Frei
Bremerton, Wash.
VP Visit an Honor
I was pleased to hear Vice President Dick Cheney will honor our campus by giving the commencement address next month. I am glad BYU has remained above the irrational hatred and intolerance directed towards the Bush administration. You can disagree with the decisions and opinions of Vice President Cheney, but to allege he has “frequently demonstrated his lack of ethics, morality and respect for human rights” as stated in a letter Friday is simply a lie.
Vice President Cheney has only fought for American interests in the manner he believes is best, and without any of the political ambitions of most vice presidents. If he wants to win in Iraq rather than pull out, you can disagree with that, but it is certainly not immoral or unethical. To me, the only thing that seems to be against “LDS beliefs” is organizing angry protests to silence anyone with a different viewpoint than your own.
Joshua Cutler
Twin Falls, Idaho
Belittled March
In reading the article on Soulforce this Friday, I was a little annoyed. There was mention of the six hour march and then the comment, “which basically ended after four hours.” As a participant, I can assure you the march certainly did not stop after four hours.
Community members were invited to come and go as they saw fit, but that does not mean the decrease in numbers in the late afternoon meant the march was over. I personally did not stop walking until after 4 p.m., and I know many of the Soulforce Equality Riders kept on until after that. Some of us walked nearly 20 miles for this cause, and I feel it belittling to our efforts for you to claim we did not do what we set out to do.
Melissa Pomeroy
Sahuarita, Ariz.
Soulforce Appeased
Soulforce came to BYU, again. They were issued citations, again. According to an editorial, they cared only about posing for the cameras and getting attention, again. It was practically the same story this year as last. They came, BYU students didn’t really care; they were put in multiple newspapers, on television programs and became a topic of discussion. If BYU doesn’t endorse their position, their behavior or their group in any way, why do we make such a big deal out of it?
They only desire one thing – attention. If they are going to harass students and break the law I don’t think they should be given the attention they seek. That is just giving them what they want. They show their passion for homosexuality by harassing people who disagree and they break the law; BYU doesn’t let them on campus and kindly warns us that they are going to come. This is good. But then BYU and local new agencies show them in newspapers and on television the only way they can get their point out. Thus, they accomplished their goal of reaching us. Why don’t we just stop giving them this privilege and then, hopefully, they will leave us alone? And if they choose to show the respect to us they say they want and stop breaking the law, we could let them visit.
McKay Young
Orem
‘Are You Really Listening?’
The opinions flying around the Issues and Ideas page in regard to Soulforce are ridiculous; though I shouldn’t be surprised. This church is really good at being condescendingly tolerant. We learn the message of others, and then immediately reject it. This is deplorable. Is it really such a bad thing to let your conscience supersede your faith? The university told us to respect the Equality Riders, but what form does that respect take? From the opinions I’ve read in The Daily Universe and from what my classmates have said, it appears that respect takes the form of condescending tolerance; we listen to the argument, and immediately pass it off. When you go into a discussion with a mind-set that your opinion will not be changed, are you really listening?
Andrew Mecham
South Jordan
Skin is Not In
So to most everyone’s delight the weather is warming up. Shed the layers, and maybe put on some sunscreen. Unfortunately this change in weather has brought some disturbing consequences.
With the warmer weather it seems a reason for both guys and girls to stop wearing clothes. I have seen girls with short shorts, short skirts and revealing shirts, and guys without their shirts on. This is inappropriate. We all know the Honor Code, and we also all know what we should do as members of the Church. I just ask we think a little more about what our clothes really say about us. Also if you think a particular item of clothing is questionable, don’t wear it. A majority of students honor the Honor Code and live their standards; it is not an impossible task.
Steven Fredrickson
Sunnyvale, Calif.
WEB LETTERS
Let Cheney Come
I disagree with the author of “Nix Cheney appearance” (March 23) about U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney’s scheduled visit to BYU’s commencement this April for three reasons.
First, according to The Daily Universe, the invitation was extended by the First Presidency, not the “institution” of BYU. I believe the First Presidency understands the ramifications of inviting Vice President Cheney and I fully support their decision.
Second, I would be equally honored to have other distinguished Democrat political figures such as former Vice President Al Gore, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi or Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid visit our campus. While I might disagree with their political views, their presence would indicate respect for the BYU community and the LDS Church.
Finally, I believe the current disdain for Vice President Cheney is baseless and clich?. Vice President Cheney has been a tireless public servant and I believe he is a patriot.
So organize your protest. I will counter your protest by wearing black and enjoying the commencement exercises from inside.
Kordel Braley
Union City, Calif.
Cheney is A Liar
Far be it from me to disagree with the prophet, but I wonder what he could have been thinking when he invited Dick Cheney to speak at commencement in April.
His qualifications? He’s the most reviled vice-president in history. He has been a drunk, a college dropout, a draft dodger (five deferments from Vietnam; “I had other priorities”), a politician (that is, a liar), a liar (even more so than most politicians), a war criminal (Iraq, torture), a hypocrite (he’s against gay marriage and adoption, unless his lesbian daughter is involved), a war profiteer (Halliburton) and a serial abuser of power (the list is far too long for this space). He shot an old man (Harry Whittington) in the face and obstructed justice (his Secret Service detail refused to let the sheriff see him, for “security reasons”). He is arrogant and he is unrepentant. He is wrong about everything (“greeted as liberators,” “last throes,” “best Defense Secretary in history,” “we’re winning”). He told a United States Senator to go f— himself.
I cannot think of any public figure whose life and work is less in accordance with the values BYU and the Church claim to espouse.
Whatever the prophet was thinking when they invited him, we as moral people cannot tolerate his presence here on our sacred campus.
Peter Johnston
Lexington, Mass.
Responding to “Nix Cheney Appearance”
In response to the woman who is “shamed” that BYU would invite Dick Cheney to speak at BYU’s April commencement, I’m deeply sorry she feels that way. As a student graduating this April, I am now more excited about graduation, and I cannot wait to hear our vice president speak. I hope he does not get political like some of his liberal counterparts tend to do during commencement speeches, but I know he will give us graduates sound advice as we start a new phase in our lives.
The Friday article about Cheney’s visit quoted BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins, who said the invite was “extended by members of the First Presidency of the LDS Church in their capacities as chair and vice chairs of the BYU Board of Trustees.” I realize this decision may not have been done in their capacity as “prophet, seers, and revelators;” nevertheless, I respect their decision. I feel they made a right one, and I know they would not put this university in jeopardy in any way.
I plead with this woman who said she will help organize a protest that she would not do it during our graduation. Although this is her right as an American citizen, I ask her or any others not to do it then. This is a time of celebration for the young men and women who have worked hard for four-plus years to reach this milestone.
Chris Killion
Fort Worth, Texas
Board of Trustees Picked Cheney
The vice president’s invitation to speak at BYU was not extended by any of the subordinate groups or administrations at BYU (many of which, admittedly, could stand a great deal of improvement). The University Board of Trustees, and in particular the members of the First Presidency, were the ones who extended that invitation.
Even when acting in a different capacity, the members of the First Presidency are wise, knowledgeable men who are close to the Lord and whose judgment I trust. Cheney’s actions may not coincide with your “religious beliefs” – I suspect a better phrase would have been “political convictions” – but they seem to sit well enough with the Board of Trustees.
The Brethren have said Church leadership is politically neutral. Assuming they have kept their word, I believe the invitation to Vice President Cheney (and their similar invitation to President Bush last year) was based on Cheney’s position, not his political preference, and that it was given because – regardless of what you or I think – the Board of Trustees believes President Cheney has enough merit to speak here.
This isn’t General Conference, and you are certainly not required to like the Vice President or agree with the decision of the Board of Trustees. Staging a massive protest against the Board’s decision, however, does not seem wise or prudent. There are more respectful (and, I might add, effective) ways to voice difference of opinion.
Ryne Steinacker
Elk Ridge
Legalize Skatboards On Campus
While the comparison may seem extreme, as I notice students on campus ludicrously carrying their skateboards around I am reminded of the many tyrannical regimes throughout history that have restricted cultural, philosophical and religious rights of minority groups like unto the French Committee of Public Safety. I pose the query: what were these Jacobins thinking when they put forth the edict strictly forbidding skateboard use on campus? One does not see students carrying their bicycles or scooters on campus, yet skateboarders are forced to play the role of the village idiot.
Perhaps the argument is skateboards are dangerous and the school wants no liability. What? And BMX bikes are not? And scooters are not? And rollerblades are not? Maybe it is feared skateboard tricks will be destructive to school property. If that is the case then let us disallow bubble gum, ketchup packets and cars, for they can also cause damage to the campus when handled by a moron. I have been riding skateboards since I was 5 years old and they are a wonderful mode of transportation especially in a college setting. If we are going to eliminate an item because we don’t care for the culturally attached image then let’s also ban burritos, big hair and basketball shorts too because they are also as inherently unholy as a skateboard. Lay off the transportation discrimination, Robespierre.
Gregory Packer
Valencia, Calif.
Acting Politically Correct
Thank you for the editorial in the March 23 issue titled “Less Forceful.” I have to wonder where I am when I’m reading in the BYU newspaper about “straight allies” and gay sympathizers at BYU.
Not only is homosexuality disgusting, but it’s just plain immoral. Sometimes I think BYU students are so conscientious about the fact that we have values that we hide them to appease people who would like us to act “politically correct.”
While the members of Soulforce are people with just as much value as you or I, they are identifying with something that is diametrically opposed to what we are trying to accomplish. Because their actions and their purposes are symbolic, we cannot simply accept them as people; we must reject them as being symbolic of something much deeper. Let’s stop fawning over the Emperor’s New Clothes, and call it like it is.
Seth Ure
St. George
Kick Out BYU Student
I, and I’m sure many other students here at BYU, call for the immediate expulsion of the two BYU students who affiliated themselves with Soul Force on Thursday. The Daily Universe reported two BYU students, one a “straight ally” and one a lesbian, went to the Soul Force rally at the Kiwanis Park.
First off, the student (Lauren) identified herself as a lesbian. That is not what this Church or college stands for and is not only a violation of the Honor Code, but also violation of the commandments. Therefore, she should not be allowed here on campus.
Second, the male student (straight ally) should be expelled because he went to this rally and participated in the events. This also is against the Honor Code. In the temple recommend questions the Bishop will ask you if you are affiliated with an group which has teachings contrary to the church’s. This is definitely against the church’s teachings. It is really bothering to students here at BYU to go on missions, spend two years of their lives fighting this atrocity, and then come home to BYU to find the homosexuality we were fighting against in the mission field is here and prevalent. We must send a message to these people that we will not accept these actions. Accept the person…yes…but never accept the actions. They must be removed from enrollment or the Honor Code office truly has no backbone.
Tyler Moore
Santa Clara
Don’t Demonize Opposing Views
One of my favorite aspects of our free society is the exchange and discussion of different ideas. Unfortunately, a major threat to open discussion is the polarization and partisanship that we see today. Both the left and the right assume a black-and-white world in which a solution must fit their paradigm to be acceptable. Each side is blind to the good the other does and to the bad their side does.
Both sides, unfortunately, play a destructive political game. Nancy Pelosi’s push to allow delegates from various U.S. protectorates (almost all of whom are Democrats) to vote in the House when it sits as the Committee of the Whole is no less blatant gerrymandering than Tom DeLay’s redistricting in Texas. And U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon is happy to hold an immoral Clinton fully accountable, but conveniently places the blame on pageboys and their parents in fellow Republican Mark Foley’s scandal.
In spite of this, there are many people on both sides working with and trying to understand each other. This should be the goal of us all. We should realize being liberal does not necessarily mean one is unpatriotic, unrealistic or immoral, and that being conservative does not necessarily mean one is uncaring, selfish or an arrogant American. Instead, we should learn from and respect each other as fellow Americans.
Ultimately, Bush is not the worst president ever, and neither was Clinton. The country survived one and will survive the other. What it may not survive is division into political factions and the hatred of each side for the other. We can and should have divergent opinions, and we can and should disagree on important issues. But opposing a measure does not require that we demonize those who support it, no matter how much they may demonize us.
Clark Monson
Euless, Texas
