Jordan River Forum

'Click-it-or-ticket'a reasonable program I think that Cherry Blattert has missed a key point in her editorial regarding seatbelt laws and their impact on society ("Right to be stupid," June 3). While I agree with her that everyone has a right to be stupid -- I think that she should consider the result of individual actions as they play out in society. She states and re-states that it is only the individual and, in some cases, their families who suffer. Life in the real world proves to be the opposite. Please think about those individuals who suffer injuries that take away their ability to be productive, self-sufficient citizens such as those who require life-long care and can no longer contribute to society in a meaningful way because they thought that seatbelts were not for them. Please, also think about the police, firefighters and healthcare professionals who have to attend to the victims and have to clean up after an accident -- both property and human damage. Unfortunately, many of these individuals become wards of the state. As a result, all of us pay the price for that person's choice not to buckle up. This burden is also reflected in increased medical and automobile insurance costs, which are paid for by those who work and contribute to society. Please talk with your doctor, a hospital administrator and your insurance agent about the impacts of trauma on society -- both psychological and fiscal. I think that you will learn that the actions of one person most often affects us all. Timothy Mayer
Bloomington City Council Students, alumni should have say in athletics changes Apparently everyone has forgotten about the attempt to change the colors of the football team during Sam Wyche's short reign as football coach. Cream and crimson made a color combination that few people found pleasing. This is what happens when outsiders come in and try to impose their ideas with like sense of the tradition at IU. The next thing that will happen is the administration will decide that "Hoosier" is not politically correct or sophisticated enough and try to change the nickname. If they want to make everything uniform, just make all of the teams wear red and white. Or is that too simple for them? Lastly, I propose that before any of the changes be put in place that there be a vote by alumni and students. We should also have a proposal on the ballot to have the athletic director reimburse the University for wasting the money on the "new" logo. --IDS editors note: The money spent by the athletics department on the new logo comes from the department's marketing budget, separate from the University's budget. Garry W. Miracle
Brandon, FL Hate crimes mean unequal protection under the law Homosexuals are pushing for congress to list them as a special class of people such that if a crime is committed against them, it is called a hate crime. Any crime against anyone is a crime of hate. Penalty should be inflicted on the perpetrator. But is a crime against a homosexual any worse than a crime against my daughter or mother or grandchild? Is a crime against someone else worse than a crime against me? What people are more valuable than others? Adolph Hitler determined that Jews and gypsies were not eligible for equal justice. Who is it in America that shall determine who shall get unequal justice under the law? If your representative votes for it, vote him out of office. His phone number is (202)224-3121. Floyd Coates
Chairman, The Taxpayer's Watchdog Committee