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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 1985)
Editorial Violent dims were poor forum choices Graphic violence will be presented this weekend and next, thanks to the Cultural Forum. The forum is presenting “First Blood," the first John Rambo blood-and-guts thriller, “The Terminator," and for those who need a double-shot of Rambomania. “Rambo: First Blood Part II,” The violence extravaganza starts tonight and continues Saturday and next Friday. John Kambo, the star character played by Sylvester Stallone in both “First Blood" and “Rambo,” stabs, shoots and slaughters his way through each film. Rambo is respected for being a remorseless killer and makes killing and war look glorious. In addition, the film “Rambo" perpetuates the belief that American prisoners of war still are trapped in Vietnam. The Arnold Schwarzenegger feature, "The Ter minator,” is somewhat milder ideologically, but makes up for it in graphic tasteiessness. Viewers witness various bullet-pierced people crumple to the ground. Merciless killers are not new to the silver screen, but rather than being sought by the film's hero, Rambo and the terminator are the heroes. And as heroes, the characters ad vocate achieving one’s means through violence and force rather than through negotiation. Some psychologists believe that these types of portrayals may soften American attitudes towards violence and military conflict. “First Blood” is already credited with influencing Michael Feher, the University student who injured a wrestler, killed a jogger and then killed himself almost a year ago, and two Beaverton juveniles who constructed lethal booby traps in a neighborhood park. The Cultural Forum presents films on campus at economical prices and provides an appreciated service. And although the forum shows its share of mediocre movies, it usually presents a surprising number of classics, unusual films, and recent releases. Sean Axemaker, the forum's film programmer, said that the three films were chosen primarily to generate revenue. He said that due to limited funding, the forum needs to make money on some films in order to subsidize others, par ticularly during fail term because of decreased attendance during winter and spring terms. Axemaker said "The Terminator” was chosen because it is popular with students, but also because he thinks it is a good movie. But he admitted that “First Blood” and "Ram bo” were chosen after the financial success of "Rambo” this summer. We understand the forum’s need to generate money, but think that popular, less objectionable films exist. These three films were poor choices and denigrate the "Cultural” Forum. To the forum’s credit, however, they have arranged to have ex-Green Beret Denis Chericone speak on campus Oct. 28 about “Rambo" and the film’s social and political ramifications. The forum agreed to have Chericone speak after Vietnam veteran Ron Phillips of the Draft and Pre Enlistment Counseling Project requested that the negative effects of the film be presented. Information tables organized by DPECP, Students Op posing Registration and the Draft, the Vietnam Veteran's Outreach Center and the the local chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America will be present at the entrance to “Ram bo” next Friday. We encourage other students and com munity members to boycott the films. If violent films fail to attract an audience and are thus unprofitable, the Cultural Forum will consider their choices more carefully in the future. '■fclS M0« (SnJRTF*®?Ttou Swttv AS OV*SR>, WHICH VOi» NOXXX^C IMP6eE>,TiqoBKBl.y ARE. ae Hu mm(r be mm&ng *roon6 uke ih»r. Letters Be Tao, man I would like to respond to views expressed by Darrel Kothauge (ODE, Oct. 16) con cerning the state of our univer sity upon his recent return. At first, the letter was amus ing: the unusual dress of college students shocks many people, and we note his concern for the state, giving Oregonians the choice to become "potheads” (as opposed to tobacco heads). As far as protesting apartheid in South Africa. Darrel ad monishes us to ". ..concentrate on local issues where (we) could possibly have an effect on policies that affect (us).” It’s true that by averting our eyes to remain fixed at our feet, we would not have to witness what occurs at the horizon. And of course, the U of O alone will not change South Africa's racial policies. The U of O is one par ticipant in a movement whose unity and breadth will have ef fect. For a forest to stand, each comparatively small tree must make an effort. The letter grew derogatory when he questioned the presence of a lesbian student body president. First, quotes around “flaming, leftist, liberals” are inappropriate when it is meant to be taken seriously. Second, the les bians did not suddenly appear on campus and "take over” the student body during Darell's absence. And lastly, why the hell not a lesbian student body president? Her being lesbian has as much Oregon Daily Emerald The Oregon Dally Emerald ts published Monday through Friday except during ax am week and vacations by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co., at the University of Oregon, Eugenis, Oregon, 97403. The Emerald operates independently of the University with offices on the third floor of the Erb Memorial Union and is a member of the Associated Press The Emerald is private property. The unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable by law. General Staff Advertising Director Production Manager Classified Advertising Assistant to the Publisher Susan Theien Russell Steele Vince Adems Jean Ownbey David Wood - Sales Manager, Michael i Robin Joannides, Carlos Lam ad rid, Marcia Leonard, Lewis, Brett Plckman, Laura Willoughby Vince Adams, Kelly Alexandre, Shu-Shing i, Ellen Cross, Judy Dierlnger, Storml Dykes, Manuel mores, Steve Gibbons, Rob Here, Jim Marks, Ross Mar ti*, Mary May, Mary McGonigai, Rob Miles, Kara Oberst, Cfiarta Parker, Ken Parrott, Jennifer Peterson, Geoff Raln vifle, Michele Ross, Alyson Simmons, Pea Solonika, Gregory Tipps, Colleen Tremaine, Mary VanCura, Steven Waif Ddiw> f A Editor Managing Editor NewsEdltor Editorial Paga Editor Editorial Paga Assistant Sports Editor Photo Editor les Editor S Edition Editor tas Editor Night Editor Associata Editors Higher Education Community General Assignment Administration Student Government Student Activities Julie Shlppen Diana Elliott Jolayne Houtz Michelle Branca Matthew Dodson Robert Collias Karen Statlwood Ross Martin Sheila Landry Allan Lazo Scott McFetrldge Gary Jimenez Scott McFetridge Linda Hann Kirsten Bolin Mary Lichtenwal ner Julie Freeman Sean Axmaker, Dan Coran, Karen Engel, Frale de Guzman, Deborah Janes, Kim Kaady, Andrew Lamar, Robert Oakes, Barbara Shaw, B.J. Thomsen. Photographers: Kamila Al-Na|jar, 8hu-Shing Chen, Steve Gibbons, Rob Hare, Jim Marks, Ross Martin, Steven Wall. News and Editorial SM-5611 Display Advertising and Business M4-3712 Classified Advertising 6M-4343 Production SM-AMI Circulation_ 686 5511 to do with her performance as student body president as Darell's being straight has to do with his study of History. As we ‘'‘flaming, leftist liberals” like to say: be Tao, man. Rick Rinehart U of O student In hibernation? In regards to the letter by Dar rel Rothauge (ODE, Oct. 16) en titled "I'm confused!” Yes, you are confused and you certainly do need help! There are no Emeralds distributed in or around Gilbert Ha|i because business students read the Wall Street Journal. Strange dress behavior? Your pants probably have a built-in athletic supporter! As for scooters, don’t tell me you can find a parking space every day. and God forbid that you should still be walking to class. Yes, there is an elevator in PLC, are you blind? Mr. Con de is actually very benevolent in his efforts to save glacoma vic tims. Concerning the apartheid issue, boycotting classes does bring people together to con centrate on real problems, where as, the Dow (ones in dustrial average is mostly tabloid literature anyway. We have a lesbian student body president because men are not popular these days. Does AIDS help curb your sexual behavior? Do you believe everything the courtyard evangelist says? Where the hell have you been, honey? In hiber nation for 16 months? Deidra Coppage Grata Vanderrandm Eugene Requests As a student at the U of O, i travel to and from campus In a number of ways — bike, car. and foot. And I am beginning to fear that no matter how I travel, my fellow traffic elements are out to kill me in ugly ways. So I would like to make some re quests of the groups of travelers. CARS: Please signal your lane changes and turns at stop signs, stop lights and when parking. We can’t read your minds. Don’t cut bike# off when turn ing across their lanes, Don’t-, turn into the far lane when turn ing onto a one-way street. BIKES: Please signal your - turns lust like cars. Watch carefully at stop signs. Don’t . rid:) the wrong way on bike ; lanes or streets. Don't run • through stoplights. Try not to make people mad at you when.* you take advantage of your size and maneuverability. P E D S : ; P I e a s e d o n •! t sit/stand/sleep in the bike lanes (especially in . front of the bookstore). When crossing bike *' lanes, watch oiit for us —‘go faster than you think we do. lie reasonable about crossing against traffic don,’.t challenge, cars and bikes unnecessarily. . MOPEDS/MOTORCYCLES: Please don't use the bike lanes to pass traffic. Temporarily, be careful of whore you park your cycle nearfillbert Hall. as.there is a bottleneck there which could make bicycles get reckless. See you on the roads.; Megan Snyder Computer Science Moral concerns In response to Darrel Rothauge's concerns about the ultimate destiny of those atten ding the University of Oregon (ODE. Oct. 16), I’d like to offer the following consolation. I certainly don’t think that all of us who are a part of this university community may be doomed to eternal hell, as Mr. Rothauge suggests, as a result of those of us who call for moral concern in a time when morali ty often takes a backseat to power and profit. ' However, if there is a hell awaitin’, I suspect that homophobic, self-righteous, uninformed. knee-|erk. reac tionary attitudes like those of Mr. Rothauge may contribute to carving out a shortcut for those who share them. Jeff Joslin Graduate Student Architecture
