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Show Standard-Examuner Friday, March 11, 1994 141A Opi ‘Philadelphia’ allows us to mourn those who died while still young Years from now, people hunting through the video archives for something to watch will not understand what we saw in “Philadelphia”, nor whyit was an important movie. The plot is a muddle, the courtroom scenes are unrealistic, few of the characters are successfully realized and the movie has only incidentally to do with Phila- delphia. What viewers in the distant future will not grasp is that manyof us ended upat this movie, even if unintentionally, to mourn. We mourned not just those we knew who died of AIDS, but all those who, we felt, died too young. Perhaps we even needed “Philadelphia.” Our ceremonies for tending grief tend notto satisfy; our beliefs about the fate of the soul are undernourishing. And so, in 1994, we find ourselves among strangers in a darkened theater, yielding to the timeless hunger for consolation — almost as if there were something shameful about it. The story in Philadelphia is this: The exceedingly likable Tom Hanks plays Andrew Beckett, also likable. Beckett is a bight young lawyer entering the prime of his career. As the movie opens, he is given a promotion and entrusted with an important case. Meanwhile, we learn in a slow and horrifying way that Beckett is just beginning to get sick from AIDS butis hiding his ill- ¥ M.J. Anderson Scripps Howard News Service a” (also the fact that he is gay) from everyone at his irm. Through circumstances unclear, a documentis misplaced, and Beckett narrowly missesa filing deadline in his big case. The firm fires him and he sues, asserting he was sabotaged because he wasill. In the process, Beckett secures representation from a black lawyer, who dislikes gays and who confronts his own prejudices as the case unfolds. The movie clearly is out to change some minds about homosexuality, yet the politics of the situation fade next to the stark spectacle of Tom Hanks/Andrew Beckett's dying: how can welet this lovely and gifted young man go? The hospital scenes are uncomfortably realistic; a memorial gathering, at a familiar-looking house, is one we have been to — the friends and family milling about; the buffet table. We feel the visceral achiness of loss, and are either ravenousorrepelled at the sight of the food. It is no special picnic when someoneolder dies. But the death of someone young mocksour dearest proj— and biggest plans. Our goals are hollowed, and we rift. Several weeks ago, I ran into a friend who told me one ofhis best students had died of a freak illness during the Christmas break. All who knew him were ing lines of consolation ever extracted from the English language. It is, to be sure, a Christian poem. But even those who cannot embrace the Christian belief in stunned; the death required some response. My eternal life would have to be made of stone not to find friend's job was to organize some kind of memoria! gathering, but he was perplexed about how to proceed. Were there things written about dying that it would be somesolace in “Lycidas.~ In Milton's elegy, nearly every emotion familiar to those who have confronted early death is beautifully mined. Why bother writing poetry, the author muses, good to quote? We both pondered — we were riding the bus to work together; a young man who had been sitting in front of us turned as he departed and volunteered, “Dying is easy, comedy is hard.” But he was unsure of the source. It was another week before I thought of “Lycidas.” The breakthrough poem of John Milton’s earlyyears, it was written in response to the death of Edward King, a talented young man who had studied with Milton at Cambridge, and wholater died at sea. Milton, lamenting the loss, completed “Lycidas” at the age of 29. The poem turned outto be great, and famouslyso. or doing anything difficult at all, if life can end so abruptly: why not just have fun? How best to spend But I was disappointed, on rereading it, to find that it private, and much too dark. could not very well be recited to a group of contemporary mourners who were not already somewhatfamiliar with it. 1 could imagine my friend’s audience shifting in their seats at such phrases as “the rathe Primrose” (meaning “early”), delivered without benefit of footnotes. And yet this poem contains some of the most mov- one’s time is very much the needling question that remains when grief has washed partly away. But the world lumbers on, with no great urgency or any recognition of ours. Outside the movies, we must pretend things are fine. One day, perhaps we will be pitied for having lacked the ceremony and poetry suitable to our devastation. Choruses should swell, and cellos rage and weep, for all these young gone, and still going. Multitudes ought to gather in a public square, and unfurl the banners of grief. Instead the theater of our loss is small, “Philadelphia” helped us — that is the notation we should maketo posterity. And if it is not THE great movie about AIDS, perhaps such a film may yet be made. In the meantime, the best we have in English about premature death is still “Lycidas,” written in 1637; the poet left us more than three centuries ago, after a longlife. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Post Office never finds package Logan’s Whittier School reunion planned First of all, congratulations to Glenna Lowder, maybe we should have talked to Al Martinez. On Sept. 21, 1993, we mailed a Logan’s Whittier School still standstall and proud on the corner of Third North and Fourth East. Recently scheduled for destruction, a valiant effort to save the school was made by some Cache Valley residents. They succeeded because those citizens believed in the Whittier’s value to youth and community groups in Cache Valley. Built in 1908 the Whittier remains structurally sound. In 1927 the school becamea training or laboratory school for USU students majoring in elementary education. In later years it became the Adams Annex and then a sheltered workshop. Much of the charm of the original decor has been recaptured by the Whittier Community Center package containing eight packets of our granddaughter’s wedding pictures to her mother in Chicago. After a period of 10 days we were notified that the package was not received yet. We called the post office, went in and filled out the necessary forms. We received the times, and the attitude has been the same each time. We took your package and your money, now leave us alone. They don’t even have time to look for your package. Weare nowinto the sixth month and still waitin, So to you Glenna Lowder, congratulations. As for me, eventhough it is the closest post office for me, I will not use it. forms back and no package found. George Thornock We have gonein three different Ogden Clinton is a breath of springtime I would like to express my views be the law-givers of this land. Its on why I like President Bill Clinton, that is if I, a Democrat, have sole duties are to interpret and enforce the law made by Congress. Republican state. Otherwise, I see no reason why I should keep on writing out checks to a press who denies me my Constitutional rights prits that legalized abortion, took God and prayer out of the schools and forbade the reading of the Bible by the astronauts! They have placed themselves above God. In a ball game, each player has his designated spot on the team. The catcher does not assume the duties of the pitcher, first, second, or third base, nor thefielder. If it is attempted, the gameislost. See, the Supreme Court cannot handle its own responsibility because it is running the Congress. It has lost control of the streets and the schools are outright failures. The USAis in a terrible crisis because this nation hasset its heart on gold, the majority have forgotten their God. Mrs. Elsie R. Thomas Ogden the privilege of “free speech” in a as a citizen. Whydo like President Clinton? Because to me it was like a_ breath of springtime to have a change of regimes. I like his straight forward personality, his humility, boyish grin and helistens. He inherited a terrible mess from the so-called conservative party, ha, conservative indeed! There was a depleted budget, a flack-flinging Congress who haslet the Supreme Court assume their duties while they go off on vacations paid for by special interest groups and lobbyists. That is why they can’t say “no” to big business. Yes, the Supreme Court has assumed, against the Constitution, to number so we can verify the letter’s authenticity. uThe desirable length is 300 words. We will either return longer letters or edit them tofit. wa No more than oneletter from any individual will be published during a month. w Wedo not publishletters soliciting witnesses to accidents or other materials related to potential legal actions. w Letters of appreciation or announcements will be published based on individual merit. A Husky dog was hit by a car Thursday, Feb. 24, at Canyon and Monroe. The pup was unable to walk. A lady plus myself pulled the dog to safety. The lady who hit the dog also stopped. She was asked to take the dog to the veterinarian. She refused and got in her car and left. The dog pound wascalled by the owner. It took the pound at least 45 minutes when it should have only taken 15. The dog was suffering very much. The lady who pulled the dog from the road said she would take the dog to the vet. It would have been fair for her to keep it. The ownersaid to put the Committee. A Whittier Reunion has been planned for all alumni, parents of alumni, teachers and others who had any association with the Whittier. It will be held on Saturday, June 4, from | p.m. to 6 p.m. Bob Welti will act as Master of Ceremonies. A dutch oven dinner will be served to those who make reservations. If you can be with us write to “Whittier Reunion”, Whittier Com- munity Center, 290 North 400 East, Logan, Utah 84321. Weare interested in any memorabilia you might have. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the tremendous outpouring of help in the rescue of the snowmobilers at Monte Cristo. Wewill be eternally grateful to all who had a part in the successful outcome. The sheriff's department, search and rescue teams, and other snowmobilers are high on our list. “Thank you” notices may be published in the classified ad section. Consumer complaints will not be published. m We welcomeyourletters, but we reserve the right to reject letters that may be offensive to the community. wSend letters to: Letter to the Editor, Standard-Examiner, P.O. Box 951, Ogden, UT 844020951, or bring them to the Asso- ciate Editor’s office at 455 23rd Street in Ogden, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. w Weregret that notail letters will be published. For queries on letters, call 625-4205. Strict laws and severe punishment deter crime Have you visited Singapore? One is immediately impressed with the cleanliness, orderliness and beauty of the city. Qne pleasantly finds travel can be undertaken anywhere, anytime in complete safety. A chat with the taxi driver or any local resident reveals pride and sense of joy just to be a resident of the country. This does not come by chance. There are strict laws with swift and severe punishment for transgression. Drug dealers get an automatic death penalty. Even spitting gum onthe street can get you a $50 fine. “Still, residents don’t view their legal system as restrictive, they see it as a guardian of freedom. They are free from a society rifled with drugs. Free of worryfor their children. Free to travel in safety. Free to conduct business on a level playing field. Michael Peter Fay, an 18 year old from Ohio with too much time on his hands forgot he was not in America. He was just doing what he normally does at home. Among other acts of vandalism he improved the appearance of a few Mercedes Benz and BMW’s with a can of spray paint. Unlike the legal system he grew up with, Michael was caught and sentenced to six strokes of a half- Many of my friends thought the punishment excessive and inhu- mane. Let me reassure them that Michael will survive the whipping and the jail time. He will however, probably reconsider anyadditional art work in Singapore. Mysense is that Michael will soon return to America. Here he can be assured of a long and successful carreer of spray can art free of any meaningful punishment. Paul Litchford Thank you for your generous dona- tions of your time and equipment. We also appreciate very much the professional skill and the kindness of the doctors and nurses at McKayDee Hospital and St. Benedict'’s Hospital. Thanks to the media for their sensitive coverage and assistance with helicopters. Thanks to local Ogden put on the dog and pick him up gently. My friend would have helped him take the dog to the truck. « If that is what the pound does, then it should be put out of business. There is no call for cruelty and that was cruelty. Barbara Galindo Ogden merchants who provided snowmobiles and food without charge. And thanks to the manyfriends, acquaintances and even strangers who madethis difficult time easier. The prayers offered in our behalf are truly appreciated. We are overwhelmed by the compassion extended to both of our families. Whata privilegeit is to live among such caring people! Both men are making rapid improvements and expect a complete recovery. Thanks again to all who have had any part in this effort. Valeen Sullivan and Families of Boyd Sullivan and Joseph Bowden Layton Steel spacetrame j Rack-and-pinion steering oN O00 split fold-down Adjustable steering column \ \ ‘ friaeih athe dog to sleep. When the poundfinally got there he put a noose around the dogs neck and picked the dog up bythe fur of his back. I have never heard the cries of horror from a doglike I did that day in 56 years. The pound should have had a muzzle to Outpouring of help rescued snowmobilers Carol W. Clay Logan They (the justices) are the cul- STANDARD’S LETTER POLICY mw The Standard-Examiner encourages participation in the letters to the editor column. 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