Jordan River Forum

Seat belt laws need enforcement\nAfter reading the second column against enforcement of seat belt laws, I need to share another perspective. I have seen the results of neglecting to wear a seat belt. (Most police officers have seen this also, which is why they are especially interested in enforcing the law.) I wept with the parents of a young child killed in this way. I wondered about the tremendous cost in medical resources to care for those injured in this way. When so many people lack medical care because of cost, why are we using our limited medical resources on those who chose to take this risk? There are also costs in personal resources of family and friends whose lives are affected by caring for the injured, or by losing those who die.\nWe live in a society and must negotiate personal rights in the context of the needs of the society. Each new generation considers if it will accept or change society based on individual needs. This University teaches students to think about issues from all sides as they construct their position. This educational process is important. The consequences of not wearing a seat belt go beyond the fine or your personal loss if injured. Society is affected. A seat belt law is a difficult choice to make, but one that should be carefully thought about. And the IDS would have more interesting columns if the writers would take an ethics class!\nJoelene Bergonzi\nStaff\nIt's no 'perfect afternoon' without a seat belt\nI can't believe that anyone would ever contest the enforcement of the seat belt law. Brian Longly's column describes someone getting a ticket for not wearing a seat belt, and "there goes your perfect afternoon." \nWell, I have another hypothetical situation for you to ponder: How would you like for your "perfect afternoon" to be spoiled when your skull smashes through your windshield? You can't compare wearing a seat belt to using a coaster, or coordinating your clothes, because the consequences are life and death. People I went to high school with are DEAD right now because they didn't wear seat belts. They died before they even turned 19. It's hard to imagine anything more terrible and tragic than that. I can't think of anything less comparable to beer cans on a coffee table! \nBut it can so easily be prevented! I realize that everyone is entitled to make his or her own decisions. But ticketing people for not wearing seat belts is like trying to talk down someone who's about to jump off a bridge. The police force's job is to serve and protect, and what is more important to protect than people's lives? They're not ticketing you to simply inconvenience you and ruin your day -- they're trying to save your life. For me, common sense is enough to get me to wear my seat belt. But for some people, it's that annoying cop that will finally get them to do it. \nChristine Boone\nSophomore\nEnough is Enough\nI for one am tired of the protest camp set up in front of the Indiana Memorial Union. To those involved: You have made your point. While I fail to see the similiarity in this conflict to those of a previous generation, you have once again demonstrated you pacifist approach to life. \nI by no means discourage individuals voicing their beliefs, but enough is enough. Our once serene meadow now possesses the aesthetic value of a homeless shelter. The tents are run down and the grass remains littered. I no longer see the justification for ruining our once beautiful campus. \nTo me, those involved don't even seem like students. Surely they do not attend class, for that would interfere with their daily routine of sitting alongside their tents. It is my opinion that if such a demonstration is to take place on campus, it should at least be comprised of mainly students. \nIn conclusion, I offer those involved one suggestion to further aid your cause: Why not a protest march? You could pack your bags and tents and march out of our grassy meadow. \nJonathan Uebelhor\nContinuing studies\nStudent stories offer perspective\nI want to offer a counter opinion to Wednsday's letter, "More opinion writing, less storytelling needed." While some portion of the letters that appear on the opinion page don't take a stance on an issue that directly pertains to a specific political or societal issue, I still feel that most hold some relevance and interest to students at IU. They do to me, anyway. \nPersonally, I want to be able to read slice of life musings from some stranger's head as well as political arguments. Granted, I might not always find them interesting, but I'm glad these stories are written. These slice of life stories describe other IU students' encounters with everyday things that others may be able to relate to or find interesting. While they seem inconsequential when compared to the plight of Afghans, they still can hold some kind of merit. It usually at least seems worth the minute or so it takes to read these stories. While they may not be arguments trying to convince readers of something, they still offer perspectives on life, and those can be opinions in their own way. \nDavid Stoller\nSophomore