Editor:

I’m writing in regards to Janice Kopaunik’s column about separation of church and state (“Let’s separate church and state: Moving hard alcohol to liquor stores won’t do us any good,” March 4).

For the most part, Kopaunik hit the head on the nail with this. Every teenager who has approached me and said, “Uhh, hey bro, if I gave you extra money, would you, um, buy me some beer?” has never asked me for a wine cooler (for clarification, I have never bought a minor alcohol, or anyone for that matter because I’m cheap). In fact, I know of no minors who drink wine coolers, despite their fruity taste.

Every teenager I know has done the same thing: they buy the cheapest beer they can to get the greatest quantity — quality of beer has never been a second thought for them. Also, the History Channel does documentaries now and then on drugs. According to the programs that air on the topic, marijuana is becoming more popular because of its easy availability over alcohol.

If I could complain about Kopaunik’s article, I would say, “Why did you hold back?” I know it might be that “they” don’t have to be mentioned by name because everyone knows who “they” are, but why not say, “The LDS Church”? Everyone knows that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dictates the politics here in Utah.

Utah is a theocracy — anyone who doesn’t think so has his or her head in the clouds. The church interjects itself into politics everyday despite its “political neutrality.” Slowly but surely, one day Utah will be apart from the United States, and the world for that matter. If people from planet Earth can wrestle control of Salt Lake City from the LDS Church despite every Mormon having 20 kids, then someday people from Earth can take control of local government and make Utah a part of the United States.

(The “people from Earth” comments are in reference to Homer Simpson’s comment about not being a Mormon because he was from planet Earth).

Michael WhitakerSophomore, Mathematics