In response to Jeremy Thompson's article, ("Sustainability fee passes temporarily; ASUU must reconcile versions of bill," March 11), I would like to address a few issues.

In Southern Utah, there are several pending lawsuits in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's approval of releasing a Russian beetle on a weed management expedition.

If everyone blindly believed the rhetoric of Bill O'Reilly or the extreme claims of the online newspaper The Huffington Post, our country would be extremely divided and misinformed. This is why taking these pundits with a grain of salt is imperative.

While Passi has a blatant agenda, scientists have an objective view on matters, basing their decisions and understanding on data and information. Ironically, Passi is entering the field as an opponent to his own career.

We've already seen results from the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act and The Truth campaign. It is inevitable that a smoking ban on campus would produce positive results. With all of the other influences in a young person's life, smoking should not be an option.

Reservations on certain types of research and other social practices need to be taken in to account in the formulation of public policy. Because, as history has shown, the moral truths that Americans hold dear will drive political groups to call out all the louder to be heard.

The Chronicle certainly was not involved in the production or distribution of the offensive flyers. We don't deliver papers to any private residences. The information printed on the flyers was disgusting and does not represent our view in any way.

The new progressive liquor legislation is a breath of fresh air and long overdue. Finally, popular grocery outlets such as Trader Joe's, which makes substantial profits from liquor sales, will be able to come to Utah. Loosening restraints on tourism and business will be welcome during the economic recession.

S.B. 78 strikes a good balance. Employers and other property owners are still free to prohibit guns inside their premises while law-abiding gun owners are free to store their weapons secured and out of sight in their vehicles.

I find it alarming that Patrick Reimherr is so willing to actively push a fee increase without proven student support. If, as he says, broad student support does exist, then he ought to have no problem with a general referendum on the issue.