ITEMS

Herald Journal Opinion Piece

No wonder our social structure is collapsing

To the editor:
After reading the article on the 30-plus teen-agers that had trespassed on private property in Logan Canyon, we felt compelled to present our view of a hitherto unspoken portion of this alleged violent occurrence.

The purpose of “law” is to protect the rights of the citizenry. The first principle of all law does not compel performance. Quite to the contrary, law prohibits performance. “Do not speed, Do not ill, Do not covet.” I fail to see the action of the watchmen as being as reprehensible, as we have been led to believe.

Where do the parents stand on the issue of their children breaking the law? Does this issue take a back seat because someone held these young adults accountable for their actions?

I have not read one iota of evidence where the watchmen werw outside this private property inviting anyone in. These teen-agers knew that they were trespassing, yet because they were caught and held for the police the watchmen are the ones in the public hot seat.

If my teen-ager had been among those involved, I would have been just as outraged as those parents, but at my teen-ager, not the watchmen. We, as parents, have a God-given responsibility to teach our children to respect other people’s rights, such as obeying the law and being good citizens.

Also to Mr. Chambers, Logan attorney, to teach your children that being frisked or emotionally distressed by our “now” teen-agers taking guns, knives and explosives to schools, churches, etc. The idea of making the perpetrator the victim and the watchmen the villains appears typical of jurisprudence today. Do we even need to wonder why our social structure is breaking down?

Susan Walker
Wellsville

Youths could have prevented incident

To the editor:
When we first picked up the paper and read where we could leave a message for you between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., we found your “mailbox” was full, so we decided to leave this at your office.

Incidentally, we do not know any of the parties involved in this Logan Canyon incident, so we have no preconceived notions because of any friendships.

We would expect our community to hold people accountable for their actions. Although the caretaker definitely overreacted, if the story as reported was accurate, but one must realize this would have never occurred had the youths involved not been breaking the law in the first place. We feel the youths should be required to perform some form of public service to make up for their actions, which initially caused the problem.

A reprimand to the caretaker is all that should be required, as he probably handled it the way he thought best to control the crowd which had him overwhelmed.

Monte and Eunice Merrill
Logan

Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives, FOLK COLL 32

Reproduction for publication, exhibition, web display or commercial use is only permissible with the consent of the USU Libraries Special Collections and Archives, phone (435) 797-2663.

Utah State University Folklore in the news collection, 1973-2012, FOLK COLL 32

http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv04849

St. Anne's Retreat

http://digital.lib.usu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p16944coll20/id/26

SCAFOLK032Bx003Fd07Item0017.pdf

No wonder our social structure is collapsing

To the editor:
After reading the article on the 30-plus teen-agers that had trespassed on private property in Logan Canyon, we felt compelled to present our view of a hitherto unspoken portion of this alleged violent occurrence.

The purpose of “law” is to protect the rights of the citizenry. The first principle of all law does not compel performance. Quite to the contrary, law prohibits performance. “Do not speed, Do not ill, Do not covet.” I fail to see the action of the watchmen as being as reprehensible, as we have been led to believe.

Where do the parents stand on the issue of their children breaking the law? Does this issue take a back seat because someone held these young adults accountable for their actions?

I have not read one iota of evidence where the watchmen werw outside this private property inviting anyone in. These teen-agers knew that they were trespassing, yet because they were caught and held for the police the watchmen are the ones in the public hot seat.

If my teen-ager had been among those involved, I would have been just as outraged as those parents, but at my teen-ager, not the watchmen. We, as parents, have a God-given responsibility to teach our children to respect other people’s rights, such as obeying the law and being good citizens.

Also to Mr. Chambers, Logan attorney, to teach your children that being frisked or emotionally distressed by our “now” teen-agers taking guns, knives and explosives to schools, churches, etc. The idea of making the perpetrator the victim and the watchmen the villains appears typical of jurisprudence today. Do we even need to wonder why our social structure is breaking down?

Susan Walker
Wellsville

Youths could have prevented incident

To the editor:
When we first picked up the paper and read where we could leave a message for you between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., we found your “mailbox” was full, so we decided to leave this at your office.

Incidentally, we do not know any of the parties involved in this Logan Canyon incident, so we have no preconceived notions because of any friendships.

We would expect our community to hold people accountable for their actions. Although the caretaker definitely overreacted, if the story as reported was accurate, but one must realize this would have never occurred had the youths involved not been breaking the law in the first place. We feel the youths should be required to perform some form of public service to make up for their actions, which initially caused the problem.

A reprimand to the caretaker is all that should be required, as he probably handled it the way he thought best to control the crowd which had him overwhelmed.

Monte and Eunice Merrill
Logan