4 Wednesday, April 7, 1993 OPINION UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN IN OUR OPINION Owners should observe laws, leash their dogs Spring apparently is here, and the campus is hopping with outdoor activities. People are wearing shorts, burying heavy sweaters in boxes and bringing dogs to campus that have been kept indoors all winter. Many dog owners like to let them run free with no leash, so the dogs can catch Frisbees, walk or jog with their owners and play other games. Although this may be harmless most of the time, it could easily create problems. Most dog owners could swear that their four-legged friend couldn't hurt a flea, but no human can predict what could happen if a dog is startled. With walkers, joggers, and children on campus, there are a variety of ways that either a person or a dog could be injured. Suppose a dog is chasing a Frisbee disk on the Hill. The disk is heading in the direction of a child, the child sees a dog running toward him or her, the child screams. This scene could lead to a major problem. The KU and Lawrence police departments require dogs to be on leashes. These laws are not enforced but that does not give people the right to let their pets wander and endanger other people. By using leashes, dog owners can look out for their pet's safety as well as that of fellow pedestrians. CHRIS RONAN FOR EDITORIAL BOARD LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Crimson Crew recruits players, not escort them In the March 15th issue of the *The University Daily Kansan*, Vared Hankin expresses her disfate for KU's Crimson Crew. The Crimson Crew is the recruiting hostess program for the KU football team. The sexism issue has arisen due to the recent media exposure received by other similar organizations around the nation. As Kansas football players we possess the insight into the Crimson Crew that her column lacks. Our direct exposure to this program and others allows us to say that RD Helt runs the recruiting program in a professional and dignified manner that others seem to lack. We understand your concern with the degradation of women, but since we have first hand knowledge of this organization, we fail to see any justification for your accusations. The Crimson Crew is not an "escort" service, and RD Helt is not running a house of ill repute. The young women in the Crimson Crew are not harlots as you portray them to be. These ladies have a genuine interest in the improvement of the Kansas football program. These ladies give the young recruits a chance to spend time with a person whose interests are not specific. ically football. The crew also gives the recruits a chance to get a woman's perspective of college life. In regard to the summer ambassador program, the fact that these student-athletes commit to a university in early February is not stated in your article. This creates the need for information about the school well before the summer time. The fact that the recruits also are shown around by football players as hosts is not stated in your article either. This eliminates the need for male Crimson Crew members since these young athletes are surrounded by males 90 percent of their visit to our university. And as for the comments about the post card, a large percentage of people find their future companions in college, a photograph of a bunch of men would not attract male athletes just as a picture of females would not attract female athletes. Also, if being a member of the Crimson Crew is performing a "service" to the KU football team, then your column is a "service" to the students and faculty of KU. If this is true, then the football team performs a "service" for much of the state. It appears to us that we all are just a bunch of performing monkeys. Dick Holt Wichita sophomore Redone Castle Rock, Colo., sophomore NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE Clinton is afraid to cut defense The more things change,the more they stay the same. Less than three months into his first term, President Clinton often fails to stand by tough decisions he makes, especially when he offends powerful, special interests. Take the proposed $263.4 billion defense budget, which includes an appropriation of $2.5 billion for the McDonnell Douglas' C-17 cargo plane. The decision to continue funding for an aircraft that doesn't work is part of a one-year reprieve from cuts the Clinton administration has granted the nation's defense contractors. In reneging on a campaign pledge to aggressively military, Clinton is trying to protect short-term economic interests of some Californians, a key part of his electoral base. What happens after one year? Who knows? The only thing that's sure to change is Bill Clinton's mind. The Sun-Times Chicago 'Basic Instinct 'is more than just entertainment Have you ever been in a situation when you have objected to something in a movie or on television and a friend's only response is, "Well, it's just entertainment?" Take the film "Basic Instinct." This sizzling box-office sensation released in 1992 may just have been a steamy story of a trigger-happy cop played by Michael Douglas, who becomes entangled in love and murder. But the film's portrayal of lesbians angered homosexual-rights supporters nationwide. Thousands of demonstrators disrupted filming to protest the movie's depiction of lesbians as men-hating psychopaths. They argued that such dangerous stereotypes could provoke gay-bashing among some narrow-minded amoebas. However, Michael Douglas couldn't see what all the fuss was about. Personally, I would have thought that a mob of angry protesters swarming around the set would prompt anyone to see the light. He dismissed their complaints, arguing that the movie was nothing more than a "hot, sexy thriller." "Basic Instinct" is an excellent example of the media's influence. TV programs and movies transmit messages that reinforce stereotypes prevalent in society. STAFF COLUMNIST These messages don't have to be blatant to influence us. Just because a little man doesn't bound onto the screen shouting. "I'm a homophobic, racist, sexist, chauvinist pig," it doesn't mean that the messages aren't there. Often the media resorts to stereotypes that audiences can identify with to persuade us into a certain mode of thought. "Basic Instinct" depicts lesbians as psychopathic men-haters, and this sentiment reinforces social beliefs. To argue that movies and TV programs are nothing more than pure entertainment is to underestimate your own intelligence. Viewers are not vacuous idols when they watch television or movies. Your mind is constantly alert and receptive to the underlying messages. If you are still adamant that you can't be influenced by a night in front of the box, then peruse the statistics. A "TV Guide" survey revealed that nine of 10 prisoners interviewed admitted learning "new tricks" by watching TV crime programs. Likewise, 17 percent of prisoners doing time for assault had been motivated by something they saw on television. If the media can inspire people to violence, then surely it can influence people's ideas. Some people are so bewitched by the TV spell that they send letters of support to their favorite traumatized soap opera character. This may be extreme, but look how extreme the extreme is. If television can successfully delude people in this way, it can surely have a more subtle and damaging effect on people. If you still aren't convinced, then take a look at film ratings. If movies were that harmless, then kids would be more likely to watch them than "Levenger Mutant Ninja Turtles." Movies especially are more thanjust harmless entertainment. They have become multimillion dollar business ventures bent on drawing in crowds at whatever cost. In "Basic Instinct," this cost was to women. The lesbian issue was completely exploited merely for titillation so the male audience could have a good gawp at a load of scantily clad women posing in various compromising positions. The movie obviously was meant for males. When the director appeared on the set, he said he wanted to see more naked bodies in the movie. This request clearly demonstrates his disregard for political issues and suggests that he would go to any length to bring in the male crowd. His comments and his movie are demeaning to women. It exploits the lesbian interests and portrays women as sex toys. This isn't erotica. It reduces women to objects of male desire. I suppose you could argue that the female viewer gets her fair share of pleasure with Michael Douglas. But let's face it. This shrieved prune is hardly the equivalent of sultry Sharon Stone. The sight of Mickey D mincing around in that extremely tight green V-neck sweater with his chest hairs sprouting over the top (those who have seen the film will know what I mean) did nothing for me at all. females and lesbians in particular. So are movies and TV programs still innocent entertainment? There is no such thing as a completely unbiased movie Producer, directors, script writers and actors, probably all ably trained to furnish a film with their beliefs. The original script of "Fatal Attraction" intended to make the unfairful husband, played by your ever-friendly-politically aware actor Michael Douglas, more responsible for his adultery. However, Old Brainless (Douglas) complained that he wasn't going to play some namby-pamby unheretic character. The script was inevitably changed to the glorious product that we can see today. Michael Wittless obviously has a very fragile ego and will go to extremes to prove that he is a real man. Mickey D sees himself in an extremely masculine role, and this is reflected in quite a few of his movies Basically, the movie does not hold the flaming torch for women. It endorses social stereotypes about If you still aren't convinced of Doug las' disregard for political issues, then here is another depressing example. The scriptwriter wanted to modify an aggressive sex scene in "Basic Instinct" so that it didn't bear such a strong resemblance to date rape. The scene eventually stayed the way it was. When Michael Clueless was questioned about the potential changes, he replied that such talk had been just bull. "It was all politics," he said. Does the man have a brain or is he a complete parasite? The fact that he will do anything to prove that he is a real man suggests the latter. "Basic Instinct" is just one example of how the media can send out subtle misogynistic messages to a widespread audience. The media is our most influential form of communication. With Michael Brainless and the rest of his bigotged friends behind the media machine, these prejudices in our society. Movies and TV programs have the power to reinforce, instigate and change people's beliefs and they do with admirable success. I believe that we need to be more analytical and 'aware of what we watch. Eventually, more people might realize that movies and TV personalities, like the infamous Kush or the more than harmless entertainment. They basically stink. Francisco Glyn Jones is a Ludlow, England junior major in American studies. STAFF COLUMNIST GILMAN Predictions accompany the rites of spring The boys of summer begin again this week. In baseball 1993, all starts anew, an opportunity to see rookies and veterans show their stuff, or in the case of the Royals, just veterans. I'm looking forward to this year, hence my predictions. In the American League West, the Royals should be exciting, probably not as exciting as their contracts, but nevertheless bank on a least a few free-agent buests. Seriously, David Cone should be strong, plus his longevity will keep Kansas City should challenge Oakland for the top spot. In Texas, watch for Jose Canseco—and his attitude. Youthtaught me measure home runs were long! Check out this guy's police record! Oakland should win the West again. Any organization that can accommodate Rickey Henderson realizes that winning may be the easy part. McGregor will contribute with benns runs, and Laroussis's pitching staff will be consistent. To the East. It's so un-American, but Toronto will be tough again. Recent acquisitions of Dave Stewart and Paul Wylie made up the loss of the league thinking "Oh Canada!" The Orioles should challenge. Look for Brady Anderson to be as popular as his nickname (90210) and his batting average to drop. Camden Yards should be sold out the whole year, except for October. Good news in Boston. The Red Sox will climb out of the cellar, but not far. This year they are going to try something new: a mix of good pitching with timely hitting. Crazy, but it may work. Don't expect much other than that from Roger Clemens, who should again win 20 games. In the National League West, the Colorado Rockies, one of baseball's newest teams, should surprise by losing more games than humanly possible. There is hope though, with young talent in David Nied, and rookie manager Don Baylor. Rockies shirts and caps will sell like nobody's business. The Braves will again be the team to beat, justice will be served, with the addition of Greg Maddox to their already dominant staff. Terry Pendleton has only good games left, and should again challenge for MVP. In San Francisco Barry Bonds will be sharing time in Left Field with his contract, which is almost as big as his ego. Bonds will join Will Clark, and together they should give the Giants some degree of stability and power The East won't be a disappointment. I like the Expos to win. With Dennis Martinez anchoring their pitching staff and Marquis Grissom and Larry Walker giving support, the Expos could make it an All Canadian Series. The Mets and Bobby Bonilla will be everything you expect. a fifth place team. At least they'll win more than the Marlins! The Cubs will again suffer through a 500 season. By losing **a** or **r** pitcher to Atlanta and their own outfield leader, the Cubs are moving in the right direction. There's no doubt this will be a great year, and I almost forgot, I see the Expos winning Canada's second straight World Series, and the Americans banning baseball in Canada for the 1994 season. After all it is America's favorite pastime. Andrew Gilman is a Norman, Okla., sophomore majoring in English. KANSAN STAFF GREG FARMER Editor GAYLE OSTERBERG Managing editor TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser BILL SKEET, Technology coordinator Editors Aast. Managing Justin Knupp News Monique Guillain Editorial David Mitchell Campus Stephen Martino Sports KC Traue Photo David Mitchell Mark Rowlands Features Lynne McAdoo Graphics Dan Schauer Wife Tiffany Lash Haft Assistant Editors Assoc. Editorial Chris Moeer Assoc. Campus Joe Hander Asst. Campus Gianluca Bordeau Assoc. Sports Stacy Morford Reporters Vicki Bode Mark Button Jess DeHaven David Dorsey Matt Doyle Dan England Ben Grove Man Neher Lynn Leake Frank McCleary Terrilyn McCormick Brady Prouser Jim Reece...Brett Riggs Todd Selfert...Blake Spurney Jay Williams...Era Wolfe Copy Chiefs Scott Anderson...Shelly Solon Copy Editors Heather Anderson...Aaron Berra Clarion, J.B. 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