Thursday, January 15, 1998

Lapham applauded

Cheers for Bob Lapham's Jan. 11 stance against filthy language in motion pictures.

Movie makers use the rationale that a movie with such disgusting language is reflecting "real life."

I spent 24 years in the Navy and two years on the railroad, both isolated groups renowned for their foul language, and so I am no stranger to cursing. But -- and this is a big but -- in my day such habitual cursing ceased when ladies or children were present.

The "real life" excuse is stupid. We've been subjected to scenes of men standing at urinals, relieving themselves. We do that in "real life." What's next? In real life, human bodily functions are routine. Are we to be subjected, say in a Western movie, to a close-up view of cowboys squatting on the prairie to evacuate their bowels? It happened in "real life." A vile and repulsive concept.

My wife and I seldom go to movie theaters (except the Paramount) anymore. Instead, we enjoy our collection of classic movies on tape, made when producers and directors had at least a modicum of good taste.

Television has followed the movies. Most of the current shows are embarrassing to watch at any time, but especially in the company of others.

Not attending the theaters and, in the case of TV programs, avoiding their sponsors' products appears to be our only recourse.

Hooray for Lapham's outspoken condemnation of such garbage.

B.A. WALTRIP

Buffalo Gap

Via e-mail

Fighting abortion

Thank you, Michael Grigsby, for your wonderful Jan. 13 letter to the editor, "Glory to the flag." Your words help encourage a renewed belief in the common decency of the people of this great nation.

Your question, "Does anyone else remember what it means to stand for something right, just because it is right?" is a good one. I just sent a copy of your letter to the Republican National Committee, asking them to consider it as they debate whether party campaign funds should be denied any Republican politician who will not support the abolition of legalized infanticide, i.e. partial-birth abortion.

In the 1850s it was the Republican party that had a so-called litmus test, denying GOP funds to any who would not support the abolition of slavery. It was the right thing to do. More recently, the GOP denied party support for David Duke because he would not completely renounce and denounce the KKK. It was the right thing to do.

We must now insist that those who represent us in government stand firm in support of the fight to end the slaughter of the unborn in this country (4,000 per day). It is the right thing to do! The alternative is God's judgment on our bloody hands.

BRYAN BOSS

Canton, Pa.

Via e-mail

Against the treaty

The so-called world leaders in Kyoto, Japan, last month produced a treaty that, if ratified, will boost gasoline prices 31 percent, heating oil 55 percent, food prices will go way up as will everything else take a huge jump in price.

The experts who are bragging about global warming are the same people who were warning us about global cooling 20 years ago. They want control, and it does not make any difference to them how they get it. If this treaty is ratified it will cost the average family more than $2,000 per year in living expenses.

Is this what people want?

CHARLES HOLDEN

Clyde