I
8Th3 DzXy T&r HzziFrttzy, October 1 1, 1935
93 rd year of editorial freedom
Arnu Rickert and David Schmidt
READER FORUM
Broaden perspectives
Stuart Tonkinson
Ben Perkowski
Dick Anderson
Janet Olson
Jami White
Andy Trinqa
IJitnr
Managing Editor
Associate Editor
Associate Editor
University Editor
News Editor
State and National Editor
VJitnr
Loretta Grantham
Mark Powell
Lee Roberts
Elizabeth Ellen
Sharon Sheridan
Larry Childress
City Editor
Business Editor
Sports Editor
Arts Editor
Features Editor
Photo Editor
Yul Brynner and us
Two voices so distinguishable they
needed no introduction, so resonant they
were the kind actors long for, so
powerful they could instantly command
an audience's attention by simply
booming a few syllables from deep
within.
A voice does not a person make,
though, and Yul Brynner and Orson
Welles were certainly much more than
a couple of men who could create drama
and tension. Rarely is there a day when
two such prominent figures die; their
. deaths Thursday left the entertainment
industry reeling. But they have also left
behind their legends, and Brynner's in
particular is deserving of recognition and
respect.
The King and I will surely be dusted
off and retrieved from the Closet of
Classics in the coming days as a kind
of final curtain call. During a 35-year
span in which he played the King of Siam
before 4,625 live audiences, Brynner
seemed out of place if photographed not
wearing his red satin Oriental garb and
a scowl that could melt the fiercest of
personalities. In the public's eye,
Brynner and the King of Siam were one
in the same.
After a performance, as the audience
waltzed its way out of the theater
humming Shall We Dance?, those in
attendance realized they had seen a
master craftsman at work. Brynner was
constantly honing his character, perfect
ing his portrayal of the king who put
up a ferocious facade that Anna saw
through from the day she entered the
king's palace. In an age where the idea
of the Renaissance man is enjoying a
revival, we realize how Brynner was such
a rarity. While some superstars hop
around from one role to another and
balk about contracts that pay enough
to help retire the national debt, it was
heartening to see one work for love of
his trade.
Identifying Brynner with the King
seemed to be more than public percep
tion in recent years. The King tells Anna,
"Every day I try to live another day,
. . . Every day I do my best for one more
day." Since 1983, Brynner had been
battling cancer. Yet, when the curtain
came up in January for another revival,
Brynner, albeit fatigued, was onstage.
The effects of chemotherapy treatments
were evident, but the King had returned
to do his best for one more day.
Long live the King.
To the editors:
In response to Robby Sheaffs
letter "Global provider too long"
(Oct. 8), I would like to defend the
Campus Y Executive Committee
and other globally-oriented groups.
I am not a member of that particular
committee, but I am concerned with
global issues, especially world
hunger. As a member of the Hunger
Responsibility Committee, I find
Sheaffs attitude quite frustrating.
My first complaint results from
Sheaffs claim that the "Executive
Committee attempts to instill a
feeling of guilt in students by
declaring that we have a 'respon
sibility to respond to that human
need. " I don't believe that the
executive committee of any other
Campus Y organization is trying to
instill guilt in people. In addition
to fund raising, these groups try to
raise awareness of social problems.
After becoming more educated
about some of the harsh realities in
the world, many people do feel
guilty. But this is not the goal of
the people behind awareness events.
Guilt is a negative result of feeling
responsible; we want to encourage
positive action.
My second problem with Sheaffs
letter is his insinuation that it is
impossible to think globally and act
within our own country. He asks:
"When are people going to stop
thinking globally and show some
concern for their own nation?"
Although I strongly disagree with
Sheaffs assumption that the two are
mutually exclusive, he does bring up
an important question: When are
we going to recognize the human
suffering in the United States? We
do need to be active within our
country and community to help
alleviate social problems at home.
But the fact remains that local
action can help with global prob
lems as well as national and local
ones. In an effort to express the
dimensions of working for social
change, Campus Y has adopted the
motto, "Think globally, act locally."
Local input can make a difference.
Unfortunately, however, I don't
really think Sheaff was advocating
local or national social programs in
his letter.
This brings me to my final
complaint: Sheaffs plea to Amer
icans to think individually. First,
Sheaff equivocates collective
response to a needy country or cause
with communism: ". . . if you yhink
that this talk of collectivism sounds
familiar, it is. Look at the Soviet
Union." This sort of misrepresen
tation makes people less apt to help
those less fortunate than themselves,
for fear of sacrificing their individ
ual liberties. Globally-oriented
I
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AwflE 7HX6 METHAT aOT
r'ADtr rrvv-' 7
JC
You can 't legislate souls
We all shine on.
John Lennon,
born this week, on Oct. 9, in 1940.
To the editors:
In response to J. Thomas Jack
son's column "Moral decree good
for state" (Oct. 10), first let me say
that I totally agree with what you
said in the last two paragraphs. Yes,
I do believe that Jesus Christ dies
for our sins, and I believe that he
is the saviour. However, what does
this fact have to do with the new
pornography laws?
I do not condone pornography.
I have never seen an adult movie,
I do not read adult magazines, and
I have no plans or desires to do
either. I do not agree with porno
graphy. This is my opinion, and I
expect everyone to respect my
opinion. But I have no right to judge
someone who does watch adult
movies. And the government cer
tainly has no right to tell people
what they can and cannot watch in
their homes.
What will be next? Regulation of
all television, books magazines and
records? Mandatory attendance of
church? Mandatory prayer meet
ings and Bible studies? Condemna
tion and persecution of all Jews,
Catholics, atheists, agnostics, homo
sexuals and anyone else who doesnt
quite agree with you?
I feel very grateful to live in a
country where I have freedom of
choice. I do not want to see an
America where people say, "How
lucky we are to live in a free country,
as long as we agree with Students
For America." Changing the law
will not create a moral nation,
Jackson. Concentrate more on
saving souls, not legislating them.
Todd Medlin
Avery
Rat-a-tat-tat, Tonkinson
To the editors:
I just experienced the worst
Humpday of my life. In fact, this
past Wednesday was more of a
Dumpday. Not only did Hoffman's
B.A. 71 exam fry my skull, but the
comments of Stuart Tonkinson in
the DTH ("Johnson is a clothe
shorse, not an actor") put the
finishing touches on a rotten day.
First, Stuart, why does it bother
you that Don Johnson got upset
when he didn't win an Emmy? Was
he suppposed to be glad that he
didn't get an Emmy? Maybe he
should have thrown an "I didn't get
an Emmy" party. Secondly, lay off
Capt. Kirk and dont talk junk
about Lieut. Castillo; my man is a
stone-faced Ninja warrior.
Anyway, Stuart, my final gripe
follows. You wrote that "Paul
Newman is to Johnson what
Wham! is to Buddy Holly." I had
no idea that Wham! was your
favorite group. Obviously, you have
no taste and you are blind. Get a
grip or change your major.
Craig Tierney
Old West
Karate-dos and don'ts
The Daily Tar Heel
Editorial Writers: Keith Bradsher and Jim Zook
Assistant Managing Editors: Cathy Cowan, Randy Farmer, Anjetta McQueen and Laura
Zeligman
News: Lisa Allen, Crystal Baity, Lisa Brantley, Loch Carnes, Kerstin Coyle, Randy Farmer,
Charles Fernandez, Katy Fridl, Jill Gerber, Todd Gossett, Mike Gunzenhauser, Kenneth Harris,
Sharon Hodges, Denise Johnson, Robert Keefe, Scott Larsen, Donna Leinwand, Lana Lewin,
Mitra Lotfi, Dora McAlpin, Anjetta McQueen, Yvette Denise Moultrie, Linda Montanari,
Kathy Nanney, Beth Ownley, Rachel Orr, Grant Parsons, Gordon Rankin, Rachel Stiffler,
Rachel Stroud, Joy Thompson, Jennifer Trotter, Elisa Turner, Laura Van Sant, Devi Sen,
Rhcsa Versola, Kim Weaver, Lorry Williams, Laurie Willis, Katherine Wood and Karen
Youngblood. Guy Lucas, assistant University editor.
Sports: Scott Fowler and Tim Crothers, assistant sports editors. Rick Beasley, Mike Berardino,
Phyllis Fair, Paris Goodnight, James Suroweicki, Buffie Velliquette and Bob Young.
Features: Marymelda Hall, assistant features editor. Mike Altieri, Nancy Atkinson, Louis
Corrigan, Kara V. Donaldson, Heather Frey, Matthew Fury, Keith Griffler, Wayne Grimsley,
Jane Mintz, Mary Mulvihill, Peggie Porter, Tara Reinhart, Laurie Rodgers, Liz Saylor, Denise
Smitherman and Martha Wallace.
Arts: Mark Davis, Jim Giles, Aniket Majumdar, Alexandra Mann, Alan Mason, Sally Pont,
Deanna Ruddock, Garret Weyr and Ian Williams.
Photography: Charlotte Cannon, Dan Charlson, Janet Jarman and Charles Ledford.
Copy Editors: Lisa Fratturo, Bryan Gates, Roy Greene, Tracey Hill, Gina Little, Amanda
McMillan, Cindy Parker, Kelli Slaughter.
Artists: Adam Cohen, Bill Cokas and David Sumner.
Business and Advertising: Anne Fulcher, general manager; Paula Brewer, advertising director;
Angela Booze, student business manager; Angela Ostwalt, accounts receivable clerk; Doug
Robinson, student advertising manager; Alicia Brady, Keith Childers, Alicia Susan D'Anna,
Staci Ferguson, Kellie McElhaney, Melanie Parlier, Stacey Ramirez and Scott Whitaker,
advertising representatives; Staci Ferguson and Kelly Johnson, classified assistants; Johnnie
Parker, advertising coordinator, and Cathy Davis, secretary.
Distributioncirculition: William Austin, manager; Tucker Stevens, circulation assistant.
Production: Brenda Moore and Stacy Wynn. Rita Galloway and Rose Lee, production assistants.
Printing: Hinton Press Inc. of Mebane
To the editors:
I would like to make some
clarificiations concerning informa
tion about the UNC Taekwondo
Zen Club as stated in the article
"Local groups teach self-defense"
(Sept. 26).
Our group is affiliated with
"Kyokushinkai Karate-do," an
international organization with
more than 133 member countries
worldwide. Club members are
eligible to compete in the fourth
world tournament in Tokyo in 1987
and are also eligible to join the two
year training course in Tokyo's
"Young Lion's Home" dormitory.
All expenses are paid for.
Our head instructor, Master
Seong Loo Choi, is a fourth-degree
black belt in Taekwondo, in addi
tition to being a black belt in judo
as stated in the article.
So far this fall our club has taught
Taekwondo (Karate) and a self
defense course separately with the
help of Master Choi and seven
additional black belts.
David E. Coleman
President,
UNC Taekwondo-Zen Club
organizations are not trying to start
a Communist movement; they
merely recognize the necessity of
working together for the movement
as a whole. Second, Sheaff says it
is more difficult to think individ
ually than globally. I must once
again disagree. I'm afraid that it is
all too easy to think only of one's
self in a capitalist society, where
private gain is the very essence of
our economic system. Sheaff, I am
not trying to make you feel guilty,
nor do I wish to convert you to
socialism. But I do wish you would
broaden your perspective to include
people beyond your immediate
sphere. By all means, fight for your
individual rights, but instead of
thinking individually, think glo
bally. Instead of acting selfishly, act
locally.
JeanDobbs
Winston
He-Man 's no sissy, 'DTH'
To the editors:
. Never before have we felt com
pelled to write a letter to the DTH,
but you've finally surpassed our
tolerance. In Tuesday's editorial on
Halloween costumes (". . . And not
23 days too soon"), you placed He
Man in the same category as
Cabbage Patch Kids and Rainbow
Brite, as well as labeling him a
"sissy." We would like to redress this
wrong with some facts about He
Man. First, we find it hard to believe
that a man with his physique is a
sissy. How many times have you
punched a solid rock wall or split
the earth with one mighty punch?
Secondly, he is constantly in
combat. We do not intend to
advocate violence, nor does He
Man. He-Man has never injured or
killed his enemies. As a matter of
fact, he has saved Skeletor's life
twice as well as saving Merman
from a sea monster. When has any
modern hero saved the lives of his
enemies while conquering him?
Thirdly, a man is judged not only
by his friends, but by his enemies
as well. We dare say that Skeletor
is one of the most formidable
opponents any man has ever faced.
Skeletor ranks up as evil as Darth
Vader and Thulsa Doom. His
cunning is constantly devising plans
to conquer Eternia, and though he
is always defeated by He-Man, his
plans are somewhat successful. He
was ruler of Eternia for approxi
mately seven minutes, and sat on
the throne of Castle Greyskull for
just under one minute.
Finally, what "sissy" has ever
received gifts from supernatural
powers? If one warps his imagina
tion, he may compare He-Man to
Achilles in this respect. Just as
Achilles has the help of the Greek
goddesses, He-Man has the help of
his magic sword and the Sorceress.
He-Man's magic sword is one of his
greatest weapons, equalling Exca
libur in its supernatural power. This
sword deflects laser rays, power
bolts and spells. The Sorceress is a
great magician who uses her powers .
to defend Castle Greyskull, the
source of He-Man's strength.
Thus, we conclude that He-Man
is no "sissy." Accept the fact that
he is "the most powerful man in the
universe," and that as much as you
may hate it, He-Man has the power
of Greyskull to make him far greater
than Batman or Wonder Woman.
Guillermo F. Arana
- Kevin Mical
Patrick B. Hanford Jr.
Ehringhaus
Professorial misconceptions
To the editors:
I was quite impressed that UNC
boasts such outspoken laymen as
Scott Carson ("Bible reference
confusing," Oct. 8). I wonder why
Carson chooses the term "Profes
sor" to describe Mark Mills ("Ways
of SFA, reactionary right labeled
non-conpromising," Oct. 7). Per
haps Carson is modest enough to
realize that Mills is, as is evident
from his letter, more thoughtful in
writing than Carson. As I recall,
Mills did not state anything con
cerning what the Bible does or
doesn't condone, only that "if you
want to find a book with more
homosexuality, prostitution, vio
lence and blatant sexuality, I dont
think you could." As Carson is a
"mere amateur," in fact a "dilet
tante" (Hey, I didn't call him that),
perhaps we should forgive him for
reading, incorrectly, fiction into
fact. The Bible excuse me, that
body of hegiographic language
known as the Judeo-Christian Bible
does, in fact, contain references
to homosexuality, prostitution,
violence and sexuality. Carson
seems to have misinterpreted. Mills
was not trying to confuse a "poor,
ignorant slob," but rather, trying to
help enlighten a poor, confused,
ignorant slob.
Tim Shearer
Chapel Hill
3 thoughts on disinvestment
To the editors:
In response to Robert Medford's
column "Disinvestment would only
be a hindrance" (Oct. 3), I offer three
thoughts:
1. I am surprised that Medford
has not heard any reasons to not
' disinvest while on campus; his
agenda seems quite comparable to
the College Republican line (or
Reagan line, or Botha, for that
matter) I hear it too often.
2. I agree that by choosing not
to disinvest, we make a statement
to the government of South Africa.
However, that statement does not
include "saying that we do not
support the principle of apartheid,
in any form . . ." but rather that
the issue of apartheid is not signif
icant enough to us to chage our
economic policies.
3. To compare the situation in
South Africa to the situation in the
United States is a grave error. To
say that "apartheid" in the United
States began its "peaceable and
gradual demise in 1954 and lasted
until 1968 is naive. There are many
who would disagree with the state
ment "We can see the benefits of
this gradual reform now." Racism
and racist policies are still far too
present both in the United States
and abroad. A moral imperative
demands that these issues be
addressed. Disinvestment may be
only a part of that, but significant
nonetheless.
Susan Casey
Chapel Hill
A tribute
To man in his singular state
By ARNERICKERT
I wanted to write something in tribute
to Orson Welles, who died yesterday. But
let me sign it, so everyone can be sure that
it is only mine.
How much and yet how little is there
to be said about that private man? His is
a figure that seems not to have been altered
by the years but to the contrary, seems
to have altered the years themselves. His
enormous early successes are unparalleled
in the history of the cinematic arts as
actor, writer, director, innovator. Perhaps,
too, one may say that -Welles' private
exterior in later years is divinely inextri
cable from the countenance of his own
masterpiece, Citizen Kane.
The figure of Charles Foster Kane stands
as much as the father of modern America
as any figure in this century, historical or
otherwise. In a nation short on mytholog
ical heroes and tyrants, Charles Foster
Kane is the archetype of the pained
American consciousness. Yet he is pro
foundly universal as well. He is the Lear
that feebly keeps us together and cries for
us to know humility; the Satan of "Paradise
Lost" for whom we cruelly sympathize. He
is Arthur Miller's salesman and Eugene
O'Neill's father, rent apart by the smallest
dreams that exceed one's grasp; or Jerzy
Kosinski's Chance, the hero of Being
There, whom the world smothers and does
not deserve.
He is the black stone engraved with the
names of 57,000 men who died in Vietnam,
the stone that knows the chill of night and
wears the dew of mourning. His is the face
of the Kent State figure, who cried a sound
that all could see yet none had heard; the
eye of the photographer who captured but
could not forestall the final moments of
John F. Kennedy's life. Singularly Amer
ican, inarguably universal, Charles Foster
Kane is the very symbol of the violence
we do unto ourselves; the emptiness of our
spirits; the unflagging austerity of our
righteousness.
The creator of Charles Foster Kane no
longer belongs to this world. Orson Welles,
who has left all of this, is dead.
Who has not known him?
Ame Rickert, a senior English major
from Topeka, Kansas, is co-editor oThe
Daily Tar Heel.