8A Tuesday, August 21, 2012 Opinion ... Standard-Examiner

Lee Carter, Andy Howell, Doug Gibson, Publisher Executive Editor Opinion Editor

Protecting the head e’re pleased with the ef- years banging heads and helmets at forts of the Wasatch Front the level of strength, are very suscep- Football League to protect tible to long-term brain injuries. It Wthe heads of the youths makes sense that the NFL, and other who participate in the league, which high-quality leagues, do something to has more than 7,000 young players. stop the increased danger of injuries Starting this year, only two of the four caused by athletes who get faster, practices teams in the WFFL have stronger and bigger every few years. will be full contact. However, there is a “Catch 22” A larger youth football organization, here. In order to remain popular with Pop Warner, has enacted similar pro- fans, and retain absolutely astonish- tective measures. ing TV and other marketing revenue, This concern for player health at the talent level of the NFL must re- the youngster level has the potential main high and must improve. to one day bring protective measures Any efforts to make football safer at higher levels of football, including for athletes will not tamper with the the NCAA and, ultimately the Nation- quality on the field. It seems likely, al Football League, which is the elite at least for now, that any preventa- league of the world. The NFL is fac- tive safety measures in the NFL will ing a spurt of former athletes who are stress warnings and insurance rather suffering from mental and emotional than stopping the hard hitting in the injuries that many feel have derived game. from years of NFL football activ- That’s why the measures adopted ity. The recent suicide of NFL great by the WFFL and Pop Warner are a Junior Seau has brought attention to good sign. These child athletes who On StandardNET: this problem. The NFL is facing law- are being protected with the new suits from former athletes who allege rules may retain that respect for ALBERT R. HUNT: The football-related brain injuries. long-term health and bring that same Congress, Ryan have superior health care coverage Bloomberg News columnists It seems reasonable to assume sentiment one day to the elite aspects write that the selection of Paul Editor, $34,000 above the request Ryan on the Republican Party that athletes, such as Seau, who spent of the game. Notice how Rep. Ryan and $67,000 above the fiscal ticket focuses both campaigns only talks about cutting back year 2012 enacted level. on trying to get a high turnout health care for the middle If Ryan wants to cut of the base. class citizens/voters? Never Medicare, then he should *** does he mention about let the people who pay his See this column and more cutting back the Congress’ salary buy the same health at StandardNET’s medical benefits. Congress insurance that he and all the National Commentary voted themselves and federal employees are able Congress employees’ access to buy. to the Office of the Attending According to ABC News, Physician. in 2009, Republican Rep. In 2009, members paid Lee Terry of Nebraska was College towns about $500 for this medical introducing a bill to expand service. I believe this benefit another health care model gden City officials are interested then. is above their health care used by Congress — the in working with Weber State College towns also offer opportunities benefit. Congress passes a Federal Employee Health OUniversity to make Ogden a truly for residents to engage in at least some bill to cover the expenses Benefits Program — to all great college town. I can certainly identify recreational sports. Some have become whenever more money is Americans. with the goal because I understand the meccas for hikers, snow boarders, skiers, needed. The FEHBP is an Handicapped senior enchantment of a college town. mountain bikers, and rock climbers. Here are the statistics: insurance exchange that told to wait outside When I was growing up, one of our Ogden already has a lot of these Committee reports, 112th allows federal employees to favorite family outings was to make elements in place. In fact, Ogden ranks Congress (2011-2012), House choose health insurance from Editor, the nine-mile drive from our house to among the best in terms of a beautiful report 112-511, Office of the several options. On Aug. 14, I took a the University of Arkansas. Once at the natural setting, and ample recreational Attending Physician, 2012: What happened to that friend to the Davis County university, we would walk the entire opportunities. Weber State brings an The 2012 appropriation bill? We are the CEO of the Correction Center in campus from Greek row to Old Main to the expansive range of cultural events to the $3,400,000 company of the U.S. Farmington. I decided to reflecting pool. community. Still, there is always room for The 2013 budget request Members of Congress are wait for him inside, rather Although I didn’t know it at the time, I improvement, and that is why city leaders 3,433,000 our employees; we pay their than wait out in the hot car think my parents’ secret have set their sights The Committee salary through our taxes. since the building was air agenda was to have the Top of Utah Voices on enhancing the recommendation is 3,467,000 Why do we not get the great conditioned. I had done this kids fall in love with elements of a great The Committee health benefits we pay for several times before without college. Their hope was college town. recommends $3,467,000 for them? any problem. that all the kids would earn As Ogden officials the Office of the Attending LeeAnn Bowes As I was sitting waiting, college degrees, something Michael purse this goal, they Physician. This amount is Huntsville a woman officer sporting a no one in the family had Vaughan must be mindful badge, asked what I was doing previously done. of the single most and I told her I was waiting If that was their goal, important feature Vote-by-mail method costs more, is less secure for a friend. She said, “You it worked. All the kids Commentary defining a great can’t wait here.” I told her that earned degrees. By the college town. The It was reported by intimidation during the waiting in the car was too hot. time I was 25, I had best college towns realclearpolitics.com southern reconstruction She told me to move out as I completed my Ph.D. and Michael Vaughan is Weber State University’s are unique, one-of-a- in June 2011, that West period. Family members couldn’t wait there. It took a was working as a full-time provost. He accepts e-mail from readers at kind places. Virginia spent more or others can intimidate us few moments for me to get up faculty. In my 30-plus [email protected] Although college than double on their first or coerce us to fill out our from my chair. Then, taking years in higher education, towns share a vote-by-mail than what ballots the way that they my cane for balance, I went I have studied and few common the city had anticipated. want us to fill it out because outside. There was another worked in college towns. I have traveled themes, there is no single archetype for Councilman, Ron Bane the ballot is mailed to our gentleman outside to whom I to countless others for conferences and a college town. Some are in the middle of stated, “12,000 of the 16,000 homes. vented, and he said that there accreditation visits. a metropolitan areas, some are located in ballots weren’t cast, and It is not wise when was a waiting room upstairs. I’ve been to Ithaca, Lincoln, Lawrence, small towns, and some are out in the sticks. that means the city wasted desire for increased voter I said, “I thought it was a Princeton, Pullman, Eugene, Walla Walla, The favored coffee shop in Lawrence $25,000.” participation supersedes felony for a person to leave Madison, Tempe, Berkeley, Fayetteville, is different from java joint in Columbus, Our county clerk mailed concern for ballot integrity. an animal in a hot car, even Columbus, and Corvallis. I could list a and neither is owned by Starbucks. The out 2,500 vote by mail According to the Democrat with widows down. Yet, as couple of dozen others, but I will stop the preferred beer in Eugene isn’t the same as surveys and only received Herald of Albany, Ore., in an 81-year-old man with a recitation before I start to sound like the the brew of choice in Ithaca, and you can 60 back. Will we learn from 2002, “The idea that VBM handicap, I was shown no mythic truck driver in the Johnny Cash be certain that neither is Budweiser. others mistakes? was an automatic help to concern or respect by this song “I’ve Been Everywhere.” In Madison, students can choose from a The passing of HB172 boost voter participation woman. She never mentioned I haven’t been to every college town, but variety of Jamaican restaurants featuring allows the election officer turned out to be flat wrong.” a waiting room upstairs, I have been to a lot. So, what have I learned some great jerk pork and chicken. In to decide whether or not Please come and sign which I could not have about the things that make a great college Fayetteville, you won’t find a single our county is voting by our petition, we will be accessed without an elevator town? Here are some common elements. Jamaican restaurant, but you will find some mail. Another freedom located at the Box Elder because it is difficult for me to College towns are scenic, whether the pretty good barbecue. has been taken from us. County Fair in booth 69 and go up and down stairs. beauty originates from the natural setting, Residents of college towns steadfastly VBM subjects every then during Peach Days in I called the sheriff’s office meticulous landscaping or architectural eschew corporate chain stores and favor citizen’s ballot to being lost, front of Permanent Solution and he was not in, but I stated elements. Great college towns are locally owned and operated businesses. misplaced, stolen or filled located on Forest Street. this concern to his secretary, culturally rich, offering an eclectic menu This makes college towns unique, and that out by someone other than Also, call your county who said that the matter of contemporary music, theater, symphony, is one of the primary attractions of living in the individual voter, and clerk, state representative would be taken care of. galleries and museums. Multiple a college town. that is just with the post and Governor Herbert and It seems to me that some transportation options abound in great As Ogden leaders seek to enhance the office. The same can happen encourage them to restore individuals, when they get college towns ranging from mass transit to city’s status as a college town, they should at our homes. and protect every Utah a little authority, they use it bicycles. avoid a cookie-cutter approach and develop Intimidation and citizens right to a secret in unrighteous domination. I College towns normally have at least a college-town experience unlike any other. coercion becomes a factor ballot. would hope that more respect one college sports team beloved by the If you want to offer your own opinion on again, since the first secret Say, “no,” to “forced” and consideration will now be community and supported by strong making Ogden a college town, go to Weber ballot was established voting by mail. Repeal shown to elderly, handicapped attendance at home games. It is even better State University’s Facebook page where after the civil war in which HB172! individuals. if the team responds to the community’s you will find a lively discussion taking recently freed slaves DeAnna Hardy Jerome R. Willden support by winning a game every now and place. were suffering from voter Brigham City Sunset DOONESBURY By Garry Trudeau MALLARD FILLMORE By Bruce Tinley