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Show The Summer Chronicle - Page Six Wednesday, July 17. 1991 Politically correct war is nothing but a struggle for power All appears calm as the summer sun bakes Happy Valley, but, our latest desert storm having blown over, a war of another kind rages and we, this nation's students, are one of the prizes. The battlefields on which this war is being fought are the universities. The combatants intellectual "traditionalists" and cultural purists on the right (including such people as Allan Bloom, Roger Kimball and E.D. Hirsch, Jr.), and postmodernist, and beliefs, and, finally, reason itself. As this conflict has a direct effect on the lives and education of students in a way that so few political issues seem to it behooves us to sit in front of a TV, turn on PCNN (Politically Correct News Network) and watch the fireworks. The upstarts of the Left (also known as the "Butchers of Standards"), led by a crew of esoteric "deconstructionists," initiated the war with a series of intellectual moves that drew blood. Fighting not for country, glory, or God, the thinkers of the New Left declared that "objectivity" is dead. This most valued Western ideal, a cherished historical legacy, is a foundation for all scholarship everything from science to law multiculturalist progressives on the John Randell left battle for our hearts, minds, and, Smith As most everyone knows by now, this most importantly, our ideologies. Chronicle Columnist and has been dealt a mortal blow. Postmodernism, taking its intellectual inspiration from a to journalism diffuse amalgam of French literary theories, has killed it. With the "fall" of objectivity, reason itself was soon to follow. This was the first attack of the war. Only a fool or a pacifist doesn't respond to attack. What we are now witnessing in the form of the already cliched and of the Right. overhyped PC "debate" is the counter-attac- k Reason and objectivity, they say, are in the best of health. Our war is said to be about the curriculum at universities. It is alleged that in the name of cultural, racial and sexual diversity an intolerant authoritarianism has arisen. Examples of students being expelled, or in other ways punished for racial and sexual slurs, are offered as evidence that a thought police has overrun our campuses, a fascistic movement that has grossly limited student expression to the point of violating free speech rights. This is the situation as it is presented in the press. What's really at stake in this contest, however, is power, control and, ultimately, dollars. What's claimed to be at stake is free speech, intellectual "objectivity," morality, our traditions from page five category of movies which flaunt n actors who ultimately can't override a plotline. This movie is receiving far more attention than it deserves. far-fetch- ed is no longer ladylike. subscribe to many of the same stereotypes they are supposedly defying. Thelma ultimately feels "awake" the first time in her life after her for sexual awakening by her first extramarital lover. The women's removal of makeup facilitates their growing aggressive tendencies and ability to overcome the men with whom they come in contact. The women ultimately lose control of their rational capabilities when they are handed firearms. If the movie were really just a feminist rag, did the screenwriter, n, of many laymen and male and female journalists who have taken it upon themselves to point out the movie's weaknesses. Thelma and Louise casts two women in roles and situations traditionally filled by men like Clint Eastwood and Schwarzenegger. With male leads, however, the lead characters and directors screw up and forget their original intentions? Or is this movie just meant to prove two women can fill the roles Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid did in a similarly revenge monger, lead character is acceptable. pistol-bearin- Editor: women, the two characters actually ex-wiv- PMS-drive- What was once cute and endearing and still is with male Ironically, while some claim Thelma and Louise defy every stereotype ever conceived about screenwriter, admits she wrote the shaken. Although Khouri's motives might be highlighted as more defensive is reaction the interesting Vote leads Callie Khouri, the movie's with the express their one spree until people start getting killed, locked in car trunks and having their semis blown up. well-know- screenplay truth-seekin- whose lives are really very pathetic. I mean, who considers a fishing trip in Montana a great vacation? No one begrudges the two women Walsh purpose of creating female movie characters who weren't passive, clinging wives, mothers, daughters or girlfriends or obscenely vocal prostitutes, or one night stands who can't be g Enlightenment tradition of scientific and moral continues. The alleged "death" of reason is nothing more than the propaganda of leftist, "tenured radicals." Our schools, religion, economy, and, ultimately, our entire American way of life is being threatened by this deconstructive, Leftist attack, say the Rightists. The implication of this, if one believes the rhetoric, is that modern literary theory is the primary cause of the manifold social problems we face today. g, The dilemma Thelma and Louise presents is the fact that the two women are so damned likable! We empathize with the two women endearing and entertaining way? I think so. voting for your first time. Exercising this right can be a lot of fun, but it can also be confusing. Unless you have done a lot of research, the ballot you are issued will contain a few familiar names, like those running for president and governor, as well as the names of several others you have probably never hear of, such as those running for local positions. If you are like I was, you will pick and choose among these foreign names at random and abuse the privilege of voting. If you are like I will be this year, you will take the time to find out who is who, and reward those politicians who have been acting in a socially responsible manner (Yes, they do exist). As many of you know, the Utah is a strange beast indeed. The overall trend is for our state representatives to vote in an extremely conservative way, to appease the loud, prudish and overly conservative moral majority. Unfortunately, this type of voting can often result in legislation that infringes on people's individual fif I U if Omar Bunnell, Price; Paul Fordham, Taylorsville; Scott Howell, Salt Lake; the views of these legislators to This list of legislators represents a group of people who are not afraid to speak up against the establishment. Chances are, if their views are consistent with yours on this issue, that their views will be open-minde- support them. The following is a list of Utah legislators who voted against Governor Bangerter's restrictive abortion bill, as well as the districts they represent: House of Representatives: Byron Anderson, Riverdale; Bob Anderton, Taylorsville; Vernon Borgeson, Clearfield; Gene Davis, Salt Lake; Mike Dmitrich, Price; Haynes Fuller, Weber; Dionne Halverson, Ogden; Joseph Hull, Hooper; Arlo James, Kearns; David Jones, Salt Lake; Paula Julander, Salt lake; Joanne Milner, Salt Lake; Evan Olsen, Young Ward, Cache; Kurt Oscarson, Sandy; Frank Pignanelli, Salt Lake; Allan Rushton, Daniel Turtle, West Valley City; Gale Voigt, Syracuse; Blaze Wharton, Salt Lake; Max 1 if. 14 Sr.. Many people argue that one person's vote does not make a difference. Your vote does make a difference, and it is important that you use it wisely. If you live in the district that the above legislators represent, by all means support them. If you live in a district where your representative is not on the above list, either let them know how you feel, vote against them or both. You can make a difference Dean Rodgers policy anti-discriminati- on teaching fellow and staff member, I can understand some of Stuart McDonald's frustration and anger ("Gay harassment ignored by U. Affirmative Action office," July 10) that the U. has, as yet, no wording in its anbliscrimination policies which specifically mentions homosexuals. I have worked hard for the U. and I do my job well. I have received recognition and respect from all with whom I have worked, from presidents and downward. My sexual orientation has never been an issue. Indeed, I'm certain that many of those with whom I have worked did not know that I am gay. After all, one's sexual likes and dislikes should not be a consideration of one's job performance, unless she or he works in a whorehouse. Yet, during these past 23 years I always felt that I was protected by perceptive and fair APR vice-presiden- This special 9.75 used car loan rate is only available for a limited time. So apply today at any University Credit Union location. B. similar to yours on other touchy issues as well. Young, Murray. Editor: As an openly gay male who has been associated with the University of Utah since 1968 as a grad student, l-- Used Car Loans 9.75 Repayment Periods of up to 60 Months Same Day Loan Approval No Application Fees 100 Financing Available We'll Refinance Your Bank Auto Loan If You're Not a Member, You Can Join Salt Lake; Robert Steiner, Salt Lake. H Is The University Credit Union has money to loan at some pretty incredible interest rates. In fact, for a limited time our used car loan rates are as low as 9.75 APR. But there's more to our used car loan than just a great interest rate. It comes fully equipped with features like: Mantes, Tooele; Eldon Money, Spanish Fork; Millie Peterson, West Valley City; Winn Richards, Ogden; Karen Sheperd, George changes are a positive step m r Senate: Rex Black, Salt Lake; rights, such as a woman's right to a safe and legal abortion. Representatives who vote against such legislation do so at great risk to their own political careers. It is, therefore, extremely important for d students who share U. 4 for Truth. And the "PC police" are screwing this noble enterprise up. As in all wars, in this one the disinformation is knee deep. The issue is only tangentially one of free speech. It is a battle for control and power. "Objectivity" as an ideal is a tool in the service of the status quo and the Left's goal is to upset this order. The Right's "job" is to discredit the moral and intellectual aims of the dissenters. Let us, as students, the supposed objects of this ideological battle, be clear as to the nature of the cataclysmic rhetoric of Bush and other conservatives; the PC issue is not about standards, objectivity, free speech, morality, tradition, truth or reason. It is about power ana control and who has them. Once we see the underlying structure of the debate, and filter out the rhetoric, we will be in a better position to judge the relative merits of each sides goal. For now the shooting continues. John Randell Smith is a senior majoring in philosophy. politicians back into office pro-choic- e This year, many of you will be government Drugs, crime, unemployment, pollution, wars, immorality all these have resulted from the breakdown in values, which is, in part, due to deconstruction in our schools. These, then, are the first two battles in this war for power. And it was only a matter of time before the Commander in Chief himself entered the fray. In a speech last month in which he decried the politics of "PC," President Bush effectively declared the war a holy jihad. The issue, said Bush, is free speech. The university has always been a sanctuary where ideas were freely exchanged. In other words, the university is committed to an objective search ,.. ts supervisors and that if I were somehow to be placed under a f Yfrffir.. ..... vTiin n m , m- '- CREDIT UNION 481-880- 0 homophobic supervisor, I might very well lose my job because my sexual orientation might suddenly become of importance though it had nothing to do with my job performance. I've lost my cool at times, once even in an Equal OpportunityAffirmative Action Commission meeting. And I'm a member of that commission. However, I think Mr. McDonald is shortsighted in his observations of the OEOAA attitude toward the discrimination and harassment of on this campus. I have no direct knowledge of specific instances of antagonism to which Stuart alludes. I have heard innuendo, but no confirmable details. If the Board of Trustees adopts the recommended changes to the U. Policy and Procedures, I'm comfortable with the idea of the OEOAA staff handling complaints of discrimination and harassment of gays, because I feel that gays the staff will deal with those complaints seriously, efficiently and with respect toward the complainant. Also, I sit as a member of the OEOAA Commission subcommittee on Policy and Procedures and I had my say in what that subcommittee recommended as changes in the sections of the Policy and Procedures Manual regarding the discrimination and harassment of homosexual students and employees on our campus. I approved wholeheartedly of the recommended changes. The faculty Senate's recommendation surprised me somewhat, because they went farther than I had envisioned they would. What the Board of Trustees does is anyone's guess. Emmett Coordinator, Student Support Services Les |