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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 20, 1987)
Editorial 'Amerika' expectation led to disappointment It seems that once a year television comes out with a program that attracts the not-so-pleased attention of a group of people, one which is instantly propelled into the limelight before shooting is even finished. This year, ,,Amerika,, followed in the footsteps of such greats as ‘The Day After” and “The Maltese Fa Icon” (colorized version, of course). Yet even after all the hype and controversy died down, ABC’s six-part, 14-hour mini-series emerged as just that — another mini-series. Months before it aired, opponents condemned “Amerika,” saying it portrayed the Soviets in a negative light. Further, the basic premise of the Soviet Union taking over the United States — because we lost patriotism — seem ed totally unrealistic. They feared people would develop in accurate perceptions of the Soviets and this in turn could damage foreign policy relations. Despite the negative feelings surrounding the show, “Amerika” claimed the number one rating spot on Sunday evening. The first episode beat out both NBC and CBS ratings combined. The American public, however, proved not to be as passive as the “Amerikan” public. In newspaper response polls and calls to television stations, people realized the plot line was flawed. The idea that the Soviets could just walk in and take over the country without a fight looked as ridiculous on screen as it sounded in opponents’ complaints. Most people watching the show were skeptical of its message. The curiosity inspired by the hype is largely responsible for the ratings sweep of its first episode. But pro bably the most important response felt by some was a renew ed sense of patriotism. It’s a very basic concept, but one the mini-series conveyed quite well. Overall, “Amerika" was just another mini-series. And not a very good one, at that. Aside from the plot line, the first episodes were long and boring. Viewers had to sit through hours of tape while ABC set the scene and introduc ed the characters. All the hype about a propaganda program led to a big disappointment. Any message ABC hoped to communicate was lost in the set up. This is not to say the point of “Amerika” is not valid. Sure, Soviets invading the U.S. is unrealistic, but the Soviet Union has taken over other countries. A change in govern mental systems and ideologies is a serious matter. Even if the chances of a take-over happening in America are slim, it is important that we realize the impact one can have on a country. “Amerika” had the chance to do this and failed. Unfortunately, shows that do effectively convey the fears and emotions involved in destroying an old govern ment and establishing a new system haven’t received half the attention “Amerika” did. A Children s Story, tor example, is to Amerika” what “On the Beach*’ was to “The Day After.” The impact conveyed in the one hour long “A Children’s Story” is ten times more powerful than all 14 hours of “Amerika.” Anyone who has seen the show knows and remembers the emotions produced when a classroom of children cut up the American flag. “Amerika” was viewed by more people than will ever see “A Children’s Story." The potential it had to be a power ful and important mini-series, however, was lost in a lengthy, superficial production. LWS.WBS Letters Research With a reputation like the University's, why would it even consider allowing classified research? President Olum who worked on the Manhattan Pro ject — the classified project that gave the world its first atomic bombs — can't even remember the difference between classified and proprietary research. Oh yes! There is a difference. On Jan. 2B. 1987, at the River front Research Park Commis sion. Charles Minshall of the Battelle Corporation — one of the ten largest defense contrac tors in the United States — presented the Battelle Feasibili ty Study for the Riverfront Research Project. Me said. “Cer tain people have classified and proprietary research mixed up. However, they are two different things.” Me also said that this “pro ject" could not survive without classified research (sound familiar?). Do you suppose Bat telle does any classified research? Would you think that Battelle would have any interest in prompting classified research for our park? You couldn’t im agine a more unbiased feasibili ty study, could you? Of all the Oregon Daily Emerald The Oregon Dally Emerald Is published Monday through Friday except during exam week and vacations by the Oregon Dally Emerald Publishing Co., at the University of Oregon, Eugene. 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 Susan Thelen Production Manager Wayne Michael lottinville Classified Advertising Alyson Simmons Assistant to the Publisher Jean Ownbey Advertising Sales: Peter LaFleur / Sales Manager Teresa Acosta, Brent Collins, Beryl Israel. Janelie Heit mann, Laura Goldstein, Catherine Lilja, Rick Martz. Joseph Menzel, Peter Miller, Joan Wildermuth News ana taitonai Display Advertising and Business Classified Advertising Letter Perfect Graphics Production Circulation t>«t> 5511 686 3712 666 4343 666 5511 666-4361 666-5511 Editor Managing Editor News Editor Spectrum Editor Spectrum Assistant Editor Editorial Page Editors Sports Editor Photo Editor Spectrum Photo Editor Graphics Editor Night Editor Associate Editors « Community Politics Higher Education / Administration University Affairs Student Government Student Activities General Assignment General Assignment General Assignment Michelle Brence Lucinda Dillon Michael Rivers Stephen Maher Stanley Nelson Michael Drummond Angle Muniz Capi Lynn Michael Wilhelm John Giustina Lorraine Rath Jolayne Houtz Jolayne Houtz Nick Reed Chris Norred B J Thomsen Carolyn Lamberson Sarah Kitchen Karen Creighton Dennis Fernandes Scott Maben Reporters: Sean Axmaker, Mary Courtis, Gary Henley, Janet Paulson Photographers: Sherlyn Bjorkgren, Shu-Shing Chen, Maria Corvallis. Derrel Hewitt, Bobbie Lo, Dan Wheeler Production: Michele Ross / Ad Coordinator Kelly Alexandre, Elizabeth Asher, Ronwin Nicole Ashton, Virginia Baniaga, Sandra Bevans, Sara Briscoe, Shu Shlng Chen, Janet Emery, Judith Gatz, Lisa Haggerty, Donna Leslie, Curtis Lott, Kelli Mason, Mike McGraw, Rob Miles, Angelina Muniz, Julie Paul, Ingrid White, Serena Williams. X Kang Xie companies that do feasibility studies. 1 wonder why (how) this company was chosen? Minshall used the Silicon Valley as an example of “prospering” semi-conductor industry. However, what he forgot to mention is the high rates of business failure, the high unemployment and the polluted environment surroun ding this prosperous, clean industry. As a matter of fact, few of the kinds of companies that Battelle recommended locating in the park are making a profit. Maybe that's why the park can’t sur vive without classified research. Only those “research" companies (like Bat telle) that are dealing with the Department of Defense are mak ing any money. Richard Gold Senior, English and geography Cheap claim Oregon Commentator Editor Duane Dungannon's remarks at a forum titled, “Campus Media: Editors and Dialogue," subse quently quoted in the Emerald, were full of iactual errors and misperceptions. Dungannon, under whose tutelege the Commentator has become the most knee-jerking conservative paper at the University yet, described the founders of the Commentator as “reactionary-minded." Unfortunately for Dungan non’s credibility, this is ob viously not true: early copies of the Commentator and discus sions writh the founders and others would bear this out. 1 was the key co-founder of the Commentator and am about 90 percent libertarian. The other co-founders of the Com mentator. Richard E. Burr, Mike Rust and Bob Davis, also were not reactionaries, except perhaps to the extent that Rust is a former liberal. Dungannon also claimed that the paper has “evolved" to now including journalism students on its staff. A check of old stu dent directories will show- that almost everyone on the 1983-84 staff members were. In short, Dungannon’s com ments show incredible ig norance about his newspaper’s past and/or a blatant attempt to dishonestly ‘‘win points” with the University community. Dane S. Claussen, president The Press, Ltd. Misquoted In response to Alex Gardner’s letter (ODE, Feb. 11), I would like to make a few comments. With just a 250 word-limit, it is not possible to give you a physics lesson. If you care to debate a point, you must not ask what it means. Instead, give me your interpretation. You mis quoted me. Granted, I left out a word that 1 intended to type; however, you left out four words. Don’t you hate when that happens? “...the Second Law (of Thermodynamics) was not always the case.” You mis quoted me here, too — I cor rected it for you. Where did our planet come from? Is it con ceivable that an ENORMOUS amount of energy in space created a complex solar system? That’s a major negative entropy change — bad news! And what caused the energy? Where did the material come from? Was it “just there”? Do atheists have more “faith” than theists? The Law isn’t a law, or at least it hasn’t always been one. Also, an update to Professor Dodds’ claim (ODE, Jan. 29) to the $400 being offered for an ir resolvable conflict between Christian ty and secular reason ing. W'e regret that Dodds did not write in himself to withdraw his claim. I took the time to go to his lab and explain to him where he was mistaken, and he did admit that he was wrong. Understand, what we regret the most is that he doesn’t seem to show much respect for anything but his own pride. Brian Frary Biology
