UVSC College Times, 2004-10-14, Special Edition

              o , o r ilwis!-!'!.--i,XH Seam !!ter,mtVv,tt? 'x-"t UTAH VALLEY STATE COLLEGE IE U rmr 4 '1 IbwlLilLiniuJlfi ilMllM) C EL BUEN PANO EN EL ARCA SE VENDE 7 .;:.V im:)3-: VOLUME 33 ISSUE I IJ : i Vim 5 lUmGBMD m i ! aa rm qui mmjm in) ixanmi o off ill n no By Shawn Mansell Your News Editor Sean Hannity didn't pull any punches in his criticism of John Kerry, Michael Moore or liberals in general during a speech he gave to a capacity McKay Events Center crowd on Monday night. The crowd was largely supportive, something Hannity acknowledged. "I just wish the rest of the country was this red," he said. "I love Utah." Hannity shot his segment of the "Hannity and Colmes" show live from the McKay Events Center. His speech was slowed by a half hour due to security delays. When Hannity took the stage, he wasted no time in blasting Michael Moore. "Michael Moore isn't worth one red cent. I would demand your money back," Hannity said of the student fees that have gone to cover Moore's asking price. Hannity went on to prime the crowd for Moore's appearance. "Are you all gonna be here next week? Please send him a message that Sean Hannity says he is a gutless coward for not showing up tonight." Hannity then issued catcalls to liberals in the audience. "There are always some in every crowd. I know you're here I just want you to identify yourselves. Here-little liberal liberal liberal. Here little liberal." When a small group of people did stand up, the capacity crowd greeted them with resounding boos. He honed in on one self-identified liberal. "You look like a very proud liberal what's your name?" Hannity said. UVSC student, Jesse Steele, responded by giving him an alias "Vinny". "Everyone say hello to Vinny," Hannity said. After a brief exchange with Steele. Hannity issued a qualifier for the rest of his speech. "I do not hate John Kerry. I do not hate liberals. I just disagree with them." He personalized his comments to Steele. "I don't care Vinny, that you have a different point of view. We don't dislike you. We can be friends. You can move into our neighborhood if you like, if you can afford it.. .we can go out to dinner. We know we'll pay but we'll go. Liberals are always looking for something for nothing." He indicted modern liberalism. He listed past democrats he approves of, including Truman, FDR, JFK, Scoop Jackson, and Zell Miller of Georgia. The audience broke out in applause upon 3 DimsttnaanttG G(&' EDPGaeCDGS eSuDlsj By Shawn Mansell News Writer ; When one Orem resident set up a table and started collecting signatures for the fecall BassiVogel petition, LDS institute director Jack Christianson wasn't amused. Christianson informed the man of the LDS Church's position on politics and told him hot to collect signatures on institute grounds. Even after being moved to the sidewalk, 'The very law that allows Michael Moore to be here is the exact same law that allows me to have a booth down on campus and recruit students to institute. " Jack Christianson Director LDS Institute the petitioner continued to proposition institute goers. After students complained to Christianson of harassment, the police were called. "Church facilities are not to be used for political purposes. I have to follow that," Christianson said. "I cannot let this institute be used for political purposes." That event and others surrounding the Michael Moore visit have Christianson concerned. While he doesn't care for Michael Moore's work, he also doesn't care for some of the hostile rhetoric that has been used in an attempt to upend Moore's coming. "The tragedy of this for me is, if someone doesn't want to go, don't go. ff you don't want to support him. ..don't bring attention to it. I don't endorse what Michael Moore does. I'm not going to go," Christianson said. He also added that he didn't see eye to eye with Hannity, and didn't attend his speaking event. Christianson hopes that those looking to muffle dis senting voices and political ideas they deem offensive use perspective. "The very law that allows Michael Moore to be here is the exact same law that allows me to have a booth down on campus and recruit students to institute," he said. "If we do away with that law, then we've also done away with the right for us to have a presence on campus." He saw some irony in the similarity between the intolerant uproar and backlash over Michael Moore and Utah's history. "The very issue that drove the Saints from New York, Ohio, Missouri and Illinois was intolerance. That's why we are here in Utah." It is civility that Christian-son champions. "We need to learn to disagree without being disagreeable." When asked what he would do if Moore or Hannity were to visit the institute building, Christianson said, "I would greet them very cordially. My kindness to people is not conditioned upon their belief system." He is familiar with both President Sederburg and student body president Jim Bassi. "There is no one that has more respect for Bill Sederburg than me," Christianson said. "His views on life are not Michael Moore's views." Christianson had kind words for Bassi. "He is good young man. He is not some rabble rouser." However, he felt Bassi made a small mistake. "He miscalculated the intensity of a political issue, and then we're going to hang him by the thumbs for it?" Jack Christianson hopes that the non-ldslds rift isn't made deeper by the contention. "I would hope those people who see others in their fanaticism would know it is a small group," he said. He won't be there on the 20th to hear Moore, but he won't be threatened by the presence of someone he doesn't agree with. "It's what is great about living in a free country," he said. QQWm big By Joseph Gibbs News Writer The decision to bring Hannity and Moore has brought much tension, and an increased threat of violence. In response, UVSC is taking special security measures to ensure the safety of the speakers, in addition to maintaining the general peace. According to Derek Hall, UVSC spokesperson, "We have 30 uniformed officers from our own police department, as well as other local departments, and we have also contracted with a security company who are assisting our ushers and handling security checks at the door." One of the biggest differences between the two events is the time of day; the Moore speech is going to be held in the afternoon, so students are going to be coming straight from class to the rally. Since backpacks and bags are not allowed, a bag check will be set up between the P.E. build ing and the McKay Events; Center. i Patrons will be subject, to a security search upon; entering the McKay Events'. Center. Items hot allowed, into the arena include bags,; backpacks, purses, weapons spiked clothingjewelry banners, signs, food or bevC e rages. 1 Anyone causing disturb bance or interference with the! proceedings will be subject h ejection from the arena. Ther& will be no re-entry allowed:-Violations of any guidelines; will result in ejection from the event without refund. A designated protest zone; will be available near the: main entrance to the McKay Events Center. Patrons ard encouraged to arrive early. Doors will open two hours" prior to the start of the event."