Show I 0 “Right conclusions are more likely to Be gathered out of a multitude of tongues than through any kind of authoritative selection" — Judgs Learned Hind American jurist (1872-196- The Herald Journal Logan Utah Thursday March 25 1999 Page 27 Guost commentary Going to the movies? Expect to be ear-itat- ed By Sherry Cromwell It finally opened We had wailed to attend a in movie a “real" movie yean theater in Logan It was a Friday night and we drove through the unfinished parking lot with anticipation The tickets cost more than in the old theaters but we knew it would be worth the price They hadn't finished laying the carpet in the new building The air carpet and fresh popcorn The ticket taker directed us into The- ater 2 The huge screen sat high enough for all to see It was pure white no stains or repaired tears — this would be great! We found a row about down and half-wa- y worked our way to the center We didn't have to check for seats that collapsed on one side seats covered with sticky candy or seats which were missing The large black cushions felt wonderful as we rocked back and forth My husband Phil placed his drink in the cup holder and started munching his popcorn I always saved my Junior Mints for the beginning of the movie All seemed well The theater was about a third full when the first picture came on the screen We were anxious to see what new movies would be released that summer Then it hit The preview was an explosion I immediately sunk in my seat and covered my ears I thought of reports of the 1990 San Francisco earthquake People said they heard it coming before they saw the ground buckle Some said it sounded like an oncoming freight train as glass shattered into the streets Was I experiencing the same sensation? Was it an earthquake? Was I about to be run over by a train? No I was experiencing the preview of an action movie full of exploding cars crashing boats and rapid fire machine guns I turned to my husband and yelled “IS THIS LOUD TO YOU?” He shouted back “YEAH! IT’S PRETTY LOUD!” He didn't take his eyes from the screen or miss a beat moving popcorn from container to mouth The next preview with its GALACTIC SONIC BOOST sent me straight out of my seat I yelled to my husband as I struggled past him towards the aisle “THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I'M GOING TO TELL THEM TO TURN IT DOWN!” I noticed several people evacuated the room with me One was a young mother with a screaming child her hands covering his ears as they hurried up the aisle As I walked towards the candy counter I was met by a man who had already voiced his complaint “I already told them to turn it down” he said The line at the counter was four deep as the movie patrons waited to voice their complaints One person spoke to an employee behind the counter saying ‘That is way too loud" Another complained “It's so loud it hurts my ears” When it was my turn I protested as strongly as I dared “You know the sound is so loud in Theater 2 I'm afraid it could damage someone's hearing It’s terrible!” The recipient of all these complaints was the assistant manager who told us that “It's only that loud during the previews We don't even have it on as loud as they tell us to They want you to 'feel' the movie" I often “feel” things at movies In fact we all desire to feel something when attending a movie I have laughed right out loud with delight at the antics of “The First Wives Club” My heart pounded with romance as Kevin Costner as Robin Hood lovingly sent Maid Marion across a foggy lake to safety Who doesn't remember crying when Bambi couldn't find his mother? That's what I call “feeling” a movie I have never walked up to the trumpet player in the orchestra and asked him to play a few blasts in my ear before the symphony started so I could preview the experience in a “feeling” way I have no desire to walk out on the football field before a game and ask one of the players to tackle me from behind while the coach yells at me so I can “feel” the action about to occur When listening to my CD player I have never had the urge to lay my head on the speaker for the first few measure to “feel" the vibrations of the music After the assistant manager's explanation I went back to the doors of Theater 2 and stood outside until the previews were over sharing complaints with the other outraged volume victims Once the sound was turned down to a bearable level we reentered the theater and watched our movie I wonder if the movie distributors have considered all the possibilities here After our hearing is gone how will they lure us to their movies Will they include sign language in a comer of the screen for those who have over imbibed in their art? They might try super titles — it works for the opera Or maybe program notes like they do at the ballet so we can get a sense of the story without hearing the words Perhaps they will have books for sale in the foyer to encourage us to “read all about it” However think of all the lost revenue from compact disk sales No score will be necessary for these new”non-talkie- ” movies I guess if they can't make a movie which makes the audience “feel” something because of the story line character development or even special effects they can always attempt to shake the audience into a state of awe with an unbearable sound level Maybe the problem is that we have seen so much of it before Exploding cars police chases and plane crashes can be seen every night on the Channel 5 News How then can they make it more exciting? THEY MAKE IT LOUDER! Perhaps they should be required to preface each preview with a warning from the Attorney General: WARNING: THIS PREVIEW COULD BE DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH Sherry Cromwell Is a resident of Preston ft Fired wildlife chief knew one thing By Stephen Stuebner have to recognize that public support Q WJ teve Mealey the buffoonish direc- tor of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game got fired last week On the surface the axing was just the coup de grace for a career bureaucrat who had lost touch with his core constituency Wildlife advocates and environmentalists never liked Mealey never trusted him and they were disgusted that he openly tried to snuggle up to Idaho Republican political leaders Good riddance Idaho legislators on the other hand were hopping mad They had reluctantly Fish and agreed to give Game a fee increase after much lobbying cash-strapp- ed by Mealey but when they heard about his dis- missal they killed the bill They got snubbed so they got even Mealey who got caught moon- will slowly slip away from them if they continue to hack business and industry to ‘W'MRrreRS the detriment of endangered species trout habitat and clean water Poll after poll shows that Westerners care deeply about the environmental health of their home The commissioners who fired Mealey were merely mirroring the concerns of the hunters fishermen and other outdixir lovers in the state There are signs that a few Republicans understand this Western governors led by Utah GOP Gov Mike Leavitt and Oregon Gov John Kitzhahcr a rare Democrat are talking about a newly coined term called “Enlihra” meaning good stewardship and balance in environmental affairs The idea is to bring industry and environmentalists together to develop state-ru- n recovery plans for endangered species and polluted waters Western governors should assert leadership on endangered species issues because they represent the citizens of their stale Republicans and industry however must be willing to make real sacrifices to recover endangered species and improve water quality They need to walk the talk about a healthy economy and environment going hand in hand Steve Mealey was unable to walk the tightrope between his constituents and Hw1 on the Range made at a political level — either in Washington DC or in state houses throughout the West Remember when the hack-packe- ve Congress swept into our nation’s Capitol in 1995 and cut funding for endangered species protection? They decided the program was getting out of control and placed a moratorium on new listings Those two actions which have been rescinded by the Clinton administration placed a real chill on species protection “I have never seen such acute political interference in the biological process relative to threatened and endangered species” says Jasper Carlton executive director of the Biodiversity Legal Foundation who has 30 endangered species cases pending in federal court Republican-controlle- d Wildlife advocates in the interior ing (yes you heard that right) the shoreline of a North Idaho lake on an agency junket in 1997 was never the right guy for the job His ego and abrasive style alienated many of his own staff But what Mealey tried to do — improve relations between the fiercely independent agency and Idaho Republican political leaders — raises some intriguing questions for wildlife agencies throughout the West He recognized something that many conservationists continue to ignore: Republicans call the shots in the West The blurred line that used to exist between environmental protection and politics is no longer a line at all In nearly every instance decisions about endangered species public lands dean water and hazardous waste cleanup arc being Rocky Mountain West have to face the new political reality: Republicans have a vice-lik- e grip on state government in Idaho Utah Colorado Montana and Wyoming The “Rs” as we political writers call them control the governor's office and the legislatures in all five of these states State fish and wildlife agencies in the West will have to work with Republicans on budget and policy matters or they won't get anywhere This point was driven home by the Idaho Legislature when it decided to get even and leave Idaho in the Fish and Game $35 million-plu- s hole Mealey understood this dynamic and he actively opposed plans to restore grizzlies and endangered salmon — two species that Idaho lawmakers do not support Republicans on the other hand will rs Republican leaders Idaho Fish and Game’s new director must have belter balance He or she must he a politically savvy leader who can build a bridge between the and preservation camps Republicans and Democrats It's a tall order but it may be the best — and only — recipe for effective environmental leadership in the 21st century Stephen Stuebner is a contributor to ters on the Range Wri- a service of High Coun-fr'- y News based in Paoma Colorado (wwwhcnorg) He lives in Boise Idaho Your viow t' The rest of the Kids Card story To The editor: I feel compelled to address the Kids Card a topic for the Herald Journal these past weeks The aforementioned venue failed to interview someone who uses and endorses this program namely a parent So I come forward to tell the REST OF THE STORY I have children in three different schools a week doesn't go by that I am not asked to purchase overpriced coupon books wrapping paper candy magazines or other sundries items Schools are fortunate to keep 50 percent of profits while promoting advertising for private venture Then there's Kids Card a program wholly endorsed by the State School Board and The State Superintendent of Schools I finally have a choice where donations go and how they are spent Businesses tnat are continually approached for donations no longer turn anyone away for Kids Card benefits all Using Kids Card parents no longer purchild-generat- chase unwanted items in support of schools You choose the schools that receive your donation when you fill out the application for the free card You then shop at participating business purchasing only what you need and want The donation percentage of your pur- chase is dispersed as follows 50 percent directly to schools 20 percent in your “educenls” account used by you for your child's expenses at their school 5 percent benefits the State School Board 15 percent to Cache Education Foundation for Scholarships 13 percent is divided between maintaining program locally and the Children's Miracle Network 6 percent volunteers 9 percent administration Remarkable when compared to the American Red Cross a nonprofit organization using 1213 percent on administration and 4 percent for volunteers Schools must use the money only on disposable items No salaries classrooms or ongoing programs Yes to playground equipment computer programs art supplies etc Each school’s Onsite commit- Cache County School District Superintendent Norton Cache Education Foundation and Cache principals for their forward thinking Kudos to generous business that support Kids Curd Thanks to parents who shop at participating businesses putting needed money into our schools I thank IC One for giving Cache Valley businesses schools and families this opportunity to he the pilot program nationally Last but not least I am THANKFULL my children attend Cache County schools tee consisting of parents teachers administrators decide collectively how best to spend the money What a novel idea! I can't remember the last time the Legislature or our governor asked how I think educational monies should be spent Better yet when was the last time you were consulted about funding at your school? Agreed we must watch for red flags of ignorance and those who blindly demean a fundraising program that benefits all Especially at a time when front page headlines scream of less funding for education I applaud the Lisa Stephens Providence Mallard Fillmoro Herald Journal CQMFWme ABOUT Gw Rrfr ycoemf&tHnaz VwiMw&Pzx&it itte Gorier fejpte &tooL Xiflousttr yoop&G(ap to it Afon&e Atr e&you WfteN i Z&fcMie Masofly tfw&pcur tope A v V V 1 The Opinion papa Is Intended to acquaint readers with a variety o( viewpoints on matters ol public importance and provide members of the community with a forum lor their views Personal columns cartoons and letters from readers reflect the opinions of their writers and creators Editorials under the heading 'Our View represent the views of the Herald Journal editorial board Members of the editortaJ board: BRUCE SMITHpubiishor CHARLES McCOLLUMmanaglng editor MIKE WENNERGRENdty editor CINDY YURTHleatures editor HHI The Herald Journal welcomes letters to the editor Potentially Hbetous or offensive letters wilt not be published however and the editor reserves the right to edit all letters to conform to the length and style requirements of the newspaper Letters should be: d Typewritten and No mote than 450 words in length Addressed and Include daytime phone number for purposes of verification Signed by the author Individuals are limited to one published letter within any y period Address letters to tyletter hjtiewscom Guest commentaries are also welcome and are run at the editor's discretion double-space- 30-da- a dUl A |