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Protest against fiction film
nothing more than folly
By Doug Vaughan
Editor in Chief
Alfter a postponement and several at
tempts to ban the airing, ABC Entertainment is
setting Nov. 20 as their date for the showing of
a two-hour drama about the effects of a nuclear
war, called “The Day After.’’
The $7 million production takes place in
Lawrence, Kan., and is based on the screenplay
by Edward Hume. The show stars such actors
as Jason Robards, John Cullum, Steve Gut-
terberg, Jobeth Williams and John Lithgrow.
But that is not the controversial part. What
is raising the hair on peoples backs is that the
film is deemed by some as “Anti-American.”
Actually, what is “American.” Isn’t this
the land of the free? Yes, free thinking, free
press, free religion, etc.? Or are we supposed to
have the same beliefs in such areas as nuclear
weaponry? This is the feeling I get from the
film’s opponents.
T^his film is said to be “the most con
troversial and horrifying film ever made for the
home screen,” by the New York Times. But
isn’t nuclear war controversial and horrifying?
Or is my mind somewhere up in stratosphere?
The only thing that I find horrifying,
maybe the correct word is unbelievable, is that
ABC is willing to take a loss on the film. We are
talking dollars and cents.
The film is costing the network $7 million—
three times more than the average television
film. Even if they sell all the advertising slots, it
is said that they will only recoup half the $7
million. Most of this is due in part to a commer
cial free second half.
According to the descriptions by viewers,
the film leaves no disrupting graphics out.
There are enormous destruction scenes by
firestorms, vaporizing people, loss of food and
water supplies, murder, the breakdown of
medical care and disfigurement and death from
radiation sickness.
Believe it or not the effects are said to be
believable. Actors, wore makeup simulating
burns and sores, and wigs were worn from
which their hair fell out. Maybe not appetizing,
but, from what I have learned in my thirteen
plus years oLschool, realistic.
Of course, the grusome scenes are not
exactly what people are ranting and raving
about-either. More or less, it is the plot. Or let’s
Calendar of events
Thursday, Nov. 17
Women’s Awareness Day. CC Mall—All day.
Part of Awareness Week. For information
call ext. 307.
Friday, Nov. 18
Senior Awareness Day, CC Mall—All day.
Part of Awareness Week.
Wednesday November 16, 1983
say, what they think the film is leading us to
believe.
A major accusation is that the film leaves
the audience not knowing which side launched
their nuclear missies first. The assumption
“either we fired first of they fired first” is im
plied. If it is going to kill the majority of us
anyway, why point fingers?
This is where challengers of the film would
say nasty things about me because they say the
film implies that it does not make a difference
who launches the bomb. The show implies the
enemy is the bomb rather than Russia.
The opponents claim that “the bomb being
our enemy” is historically false because U.S.
nuclear missiles have successfully prevented
war for the pst 38 years. Sorry, but I just blew
my nose on that statement.
Just because we have not been in war for
38 years does not necessarily mean that nuclear
missies have, in their terms, “successfully
prevented” war. I feel we are lucky that they
haven’t destroyed each and every one of us, and
I am not too sure that someday they won’t.
Letters to the editor
The Print gladly accepts any letters to the
editor. All letters are subject to editing, and
should not be libelous, obscene or false.
Letters must be typed and double spaced.
It must be signed with author’s address and
phone number, but can be held anonymous
upon request.
ASG president
reports to students
Fellow students,
Once again this is your
Student Government bringing
you up-to-date on what’s go
ing on.
First of all, I would like to
thank all of you who came out
to support the college on elec
People are also concerned with the effect tion day. We appreciate peo
ple like you who come through
that the movie will have on younger viewers. when help is needed. Obvious
ABC recognizes the hazard by a disclaimer at ly, we will have to try again
the beginning of the movie stating that it may until we succeed, so please
not be suitable for younger viewers.
don’t lose your energy.
The concern surrounding this deals with
For those of you who did
the psychological effect that it will have on the not take the initiative to vote,
children. Dr. Harold Voth, a psychiatrist, said you will have to pay the price
“the program can only scare the wits out of when cuts start to affect us. A
young people, challenge them with unsolvable committee has been formed to
problems, and ultimately lead to a sense of investigate as much as possible
hopelessness about the future.”
how to encourage students to
Wait a minute. Nuclear war is fun and register and to vote. The col
enlightening, right? Can .you say nuclear lege levy could have passed if
holocaust? ... Yes, I thought you could.
just one-half of our twenty
Portland' Public Schools are showing thousand full and part-time
their concern by advising parents to not let students had voted.
students under the age of 16 watch the show.
ASG is making new
And for students 16 and older, they have ad moves to be of more help to
vised them to watch it in the company of an the underprivileged members
adult. That is right, hide the simulation of the of the community. We gave all
truth. Don’t let them know the dangers of the help we could for Take
nuclear arms.
Charge Day on Oct. 22. The
’
The fact is, a nuclear war should be a day long event was extremely
fear of everyone. It is possible, and should be successful.
faced. “The Day After” is only a movie. But it
We have also made a
does give us a picture of what we might be in
for if we just let things happen.
Personally, I hope to be doing more ex
citing things this weekend than watching T.V.,
but that doesn’t mean nuclear war doesn’t I
scare the pants off me.
commitment to raise some
funds for the United Way. We
are not sure of exactly what
type of event we will sponsor.
Maryellen Newton, a vol
unteer for the organization,
spoke to us about their cause.
It’s amazing what this
organization does and can do
for our community.
ASG is sponsoring a can
ned food drive starting the
21st of November and running
through December 7. This will
be an inter-club competition
with first-place finishers
receiving a $50 prize. For all of
you who care to donate cann
ed food for our community,
please bring it to the Student
Activities Office after
November 21.
A special Ladies Day in
the Recreation Room is com
ing up soon. It will be for
“ladies only” with special
prices and handsome instruc
tors.
The Club Council is
working well, all club constitu
tions are due in by December
1. These must be in by this
date to be considered eligible
to request ASG funding.
Sincerely,
John Sagoe, President
Saturday, Nov. 19
Fall Pruning Class, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in
the Environmental Learning Center. For more
information call ext. 351.
THE OPPORTUNITY EXISTS.
EXPRESS YOURSELF!
Sunday, Nov. 20
“Old Time Fiddlers,” performance set from
10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the CC Mall Cafeteria. For
more information call Greg Baker 657-7125.
Trailer B
Ext. 309
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