Owed nothing

To the author of "Owed an apology" [April 7] who got pranked on "DT Day," I had nothing to do with the prank, but feel you are owed nothing.

First off, it might not have been a "brilliant prank," but you sure fell for it. When I first saw the fliers, I was pretty excited, but quickly saw through it. None of the other DT towers were imploded, why should U Hall be any different? There was even an article in the DU some time ago explaining how the towers were going to be dismantled because implosion wasn't cost effective.

Free popcorn? Who was going to pay for that? Whenever there's any free food on campus there is always a sponsor, and no sponsor was mentioned on the flier. When I saw the date of the implosion, April 1, I knew it had to be a prank. Finally, didn't the lack of any police or security at the site indicate that something wasn't right? How long were you there?

Second, who are you to judge what's a waste of time? Passing out fliers might not be the best use of time, but going to watch an implosion isn't either. You're the one who turned down a date and put off studying (things we should be doing) to see an explosion.

Sounds to me like you're just bitter you got a ticket and want someone to blame. Swallow your pride, learn to take a joke, and start taking accountability for your actions.

Eric Fernlius
Simi Valley, Calif.

Don't shun hanging out

As a corollary to the letter "Are you dating?" I would like to address the bugaboo epithet of "hanging out." Ever since Elder Dallin H. Oaks's excellent talk on dating vs. hanging out, there seems to be a sentiment among the LDS community (especially at BYU) that any interaction with the opposite sex needs to involve commitment, and that the only purpose of dating should be marriage.

This takes Elder Oaks's counsel to the extreme and creates an environment where some of the men (returned missionaries, that is) hungrily hunt for a wife in a stalker-like frenzy, which causes the women to fear for their lives whenever an RM asks them on a date. As a result, guys who want to date casually, just to get to know different girls (I believe Elder Oaks called it "shopping around") are often rejected, as any semblance of a date at BYU means commitment (regardless of intention).

Second dates are a major red flag for these poor girls, because saying "yes" a second time is only a step away from engagement. You think I'm joking! So when a guy says he wants to "hang out" but the activity has been planned, paid for, and you'll be paired off, take it as a hint that he wants a no-pressure, casual date. Don't entirely shun "hanging out" either because it's one of the few ways left at BYU to get to know the opposite sex without scaring them off.

Eric Paul
Clovis, Calif.

I'm sorry

I'm assuming that by being at BYU, you've been alive for 18 plus years. I'm also assuming that you've lived in the U.S. for most of your life. That should be plenty of time for you to realize that nothing done on April 1 can be trusted as legitimate. It's called April Fools' Day. You ever heard of it? And yes, I thought it was hilarious. I didn't have any part in the prank, but I did walk past the crowd on my way to my car. All I could do was laugh.

I'm surprised anyone believed the fliers. Didn't you read the DU a few months back when they explained why DT would not be imploded like the rumor stated? But still, though the point of that day is pranks, you still believed it.

If you've decided to complain because of the ticket, well, I do believe you have your agency. I'm assuming that the pranksters "made" you get that ticket? Just like they "made" you show up? Just like they "made" you cancel your date.

Get over yourself, bro. You make the decisions for your life, and blaming others for that kind of stuff is irresponsible. So here's the apology on behalf of the pranksters. I'm sorry you were duped. I'm sorry you decided to cancel a 5 o'clock lunch date. I'm sorry you don't know how to use caution when you drive. I'm sorry you can't make your own decisions.

Brad Miller
Winslow, Ariz.

Girls first

I am writing this in regards to the article from Monday's letter to the editor, "Owed an apology." This writer explained how the DT April Fools joke ruined his day. It was ruined because he had to reschedule to create enough time for all the things he wanted to do. What really shocked me was that he turned down a lunch date with his crush, so he could, of all things, study and free up time for him to go to the supposed DT destruction.

Are you kidding me? That is where his problems started. Since when do you turn down a date to study? Especially with your crush. School is important, but come on, girls should always trump studying. You have to choose what you want more: a girlfriend or an "A"? If you are questioning which you want more, I'll help you. It's the girlfriend. Knowing this, it's a no-brainer as to what you should have done. You should have taken her out and treated her right to let her know you like her, and hopefully she does the same for you (she probably will).

So next time you are faced with this situation, please, please, please make the sacrifice and pull an all-nighter, or wake up early to study for that all important test, so you can take your crush out on a date. And maybe, if you play your cards right, that date might lead to a potential kiss. And that is always super sweet. Literally.

So my message to anyone choosing to study over going on a date, think twice because school only lasts four years, but your crush could last forever.

Also, don't be mad you fell for that April Fools joke either, you weren't the only one. But you were the only one who missed out on a hot date (I'm assuming).

Jason Nau
Anaheim, Calif.

Seriously

I hope my incredulity can be forgiven, but I believed the ribald rantings in "Owed an apology" [April 7] were a belated April fool's joke. When I first saw the fliers concerning the implosion of the tower, I knew pretty soon that it was not going to happen. If the explosives were to go off, do you really think they would allow people and cars within 30 feet of the target building? Why would it be on April 1?

I think it somewhat bold to say that someone else could waste your time, when it is your choices that determine what you do with your day. Was watching the explosion, in the first place, the best use of your time? What if it had imploded? You would likely have complained about how you were covered in dust and debris.

It worries me that your were unable to laugh at yourself for your gullibility. I think it is a spreading problem that people can't laugh at themselves and take everything personally. It also worries me that you blamed your speeding ticket on a building that didn't explode. I think that had little to do with the prank and more about your overreaction to it. Are we not counseled to be patient, long suffering and "slow to anger"? The pranksters may offer you an apology, but I don't think you deserve it.

J. Mark Fillmore
American Fork