Eastern Illinois University The Keep
The Post Amerikan (1972-2004) The Post Amerikan Project
3-1984
Volume 12, Number 10
Post Amerikan
Follow this and additional works at: https://thekeep.eiu.edu/post_amerikan
Part of the Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, Journalism Studies Commons, Publishing Commons, and the Social Influence and oliticalP Communication Commons Water Dept; Harber Hall; sports; city tax
Bloomington- Normal 25¢
March., 1984
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~OLT9 ~I 'N~~IW~g ~OLT9 71 'NO.LDNIWQ~g 89T "ON J.I'Wlf!ild· ~Sv£ XOa H~IddO oLSOd - GIVd :!l:f>VoLSOd • S" 0 N\i}ID:l:!I:WV oLSOd H.LW )l'l(lg GH.LSHOOaH NOI.t~H~O~ SSH~aav • In this ISSUe- Post sellers BLOOMINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT HOME INVASIONS TO BE STOPPED City Manager tells Post the ordinance will be changed ••.••••••••.•• 3 Amtrak station, 1200 W. Front The Back Porch, 402~ N. Main LIVE AND LET DIE Biasi's Drugstore, 217 N. Main How the government deals with a 'black spot' in So. Africa •••.•.••• 4 Bus Depot, 523 N. East Common Ground, 516 N. Main NEW CITY UTILITY TAX PROPOSED Front and Center Building You may be helping to pay for eastside flooding .••••••••••••••••••• 6 Law and Justice Center, w. Front Lee Street (100 N.) RAPE MYTHS REVIVED Main and Miller streets castration sentences raise old issues •••••••••••••••••.•••••••••••• 7 Medusa's Adult World, 420 N. Madison Mel-0-Cream doughnuts, 901 N. Main 9 TO 5 AT ISU Mike's Market, 1013 N. Park Union organizers lose credibility •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 8 Mr. Donut, 1310 E. Empire Nierstheimer Drugs, 1302 N. Main ~ORMAL OFFICIALS TRESPASS AT STUDENT PARTY Pantagraph (in front of building), What to do if the pigs won't leave •••••••••••••.••••••••••••••••••• 9 301 W. Washington The Park Store, Wood & Allin BLOOMINGTON HUMAN RELATIONS ORDINANCE CHANGES PROPOSED Red Fox, 918 w. Market Progressive amendments being considered by city council •••••••• l0-11 Susie's Cafe, 602 N. Main u.s. Post Office, 1511 E. Empire GAY RIGHTS ON THE MOVE AGAIN (at exit) Just when you thought discrimination was here to stay ••••••••••••• l2 u.s. Post Office, Center & Monroe Wash House, 609 N. Clinton TAKE THE STING OUT OF XMAS Washington and Clinton streets Start your 'no giving' campaign early ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• l3 NORMAL MULTI-MEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA SLATED Your Mom brings 11 different musical acts ••••••••••••••••••••••••• l4 Alamo II, 319 North (in front) ISU University Union, 2nd floor MOVIE REVIEWS AND COMMENTS ISU University Union, parking lot Post sta ff ers cons~"d er •s;lkwood'• and 'Never Cry Wolf' ••••••.••••• l5 entrance ISU Milner Library (entrance) CONTRACEPTIVE SPONGES AVAILABLE Mickey's, 111 E. Beaufort (in front) New non-prescription birth control on the market •••••••••••••••••• l8 Midstate Truck Plaza, u.s. 51 north Mother Murphy's, 111~ North St. ALTERNATIVE OLYMPICS PROPOSED North & Broadway, southeast corner Something for everybody every year •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• l9 Record Service, Watterson Place Redbird IGA, 310 S. Main CUTTING AND PASTING FOR PURITY Upper Cut, 318 Kingsley Making encyclopedias say what you want them to say •••••••••••••••• 20 White Hen Pantry, 207 Broadway (in front) Miscellaneous outrages ••••• S Letters ••••••• l7 My Sister, the Punk Rocker •••• 6 Community News •••• l8 Amerikan Almanack ••••••••••••••• l6 Classy-fried ads ••••• l8 Urbana, Horizon Bookstore, 517 S. Goodwin Blackburn College Bookstore BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL'S ALTERNATIVE Carlinville, Illinois
SINCE 1972 good number~ Alcoholics Anonymous ••••••••••• 828-5049 POST Volume 12, Number 10 American Civil Liberties Union.454-1787 CETA •••••••••••••..•••••••••••• 827-4026 A·M·E·R·I·K·A·N Member, Alternative Press Syndicate Clare House (Catholic Workers) .828-4035 Community for Social Action •••• 452-4867 Connection House •.••••••••••••• 82~-5711 The Post Amerikan is an independent countering Domestic Violence ••• 827-4005 commun~ty newspaper providing infer~ We like to print your letters. 'l'ry to limit yourself to the equivalent of Department of Children and mation and analysis that is screened Family Services ••••••••••••• 828-0022 out of or,downplayed by establis~ent two double-spaced typewritten pages. If you write a short, aLusive letter, Draft Counseling ••••••••••••••• 452-5046 news sources. We are a non-prof~t, Gay/Lesbian Information Line ••• 829-2719 worker-run collective that exists a~ it's likely to get in print. Long, abusive letters, however, are not HELP (transportation for handi- an alternative to the corporate med~a. likely to get printed. Long, bril capped and senior citizen~).828-8301 Decisions are made collectively br Illinois Dept. of Public Aid ••• 827-4621 staff members at our regular meet~ngs. liantly written, non-abusive letters may, if we see fit, be printed as Illinois Lawyer Referral ••• 800~252-8916 Kaleidoscope ••••••••••••••••••• 828-7346 we put out ten issues a year. Staff articles. Be sure to tell us if you Metropolitan Community Church •. 829-2719 don't want your letter printed. members take turns as "Coordinator." Mid Central Economic Opportunity All writing, typing, editing, pho~o An alternative newspaper depends very Corporation ••••••••••••••••• 829-0691 graphy, graphics, paste-up, and d~s McLean County Health Dept •••••• 454-1161 tribution are done on a volunteer directly on a community of concerned people for existence. We believe that Mobile Meals •••••••.•••••••••••• 828-8301 basis. You are invited to volunteer McLean County Center for your talents. it is very important to keep a paper like this around. If you think so Human Services •••••••••••••• 827-5351 too, then support us through contri National Health Care Services Most of our material and inspirati~n butions and by letting our advertisers (abortion ass't in Peoria) •• 691-9073 for material comes from the co~un~ty. National Runaway Switchboard ••• The Post Amerikan welcomes stor~es, know you saw their ads in the ~ Amerikan. . •••••••••••••••••••••••• 800-621-4000 graph~cs, photos, and news tips .f~om in Illinois ••••••••••••• 800-972-6004 our readers. If you'd like to JO~n us Nuclear Freeze Coalition ••••••• 828-4195 call 828-7232 and leave a-message on The deadline for submitting material for the next issue is March 22. Occupational Development Lour answering machine. Center •••••••••••••••••••••• 828-7324 Operation Recycle ••••••••.••••• 829-069~ ,PATH (Personal Assistance Telephone · Help) •••••••• ·••••••••••••••• 827-4005 or •••••••••••••••••••••• 800-322-5015 Parents Anonymous •••••••••••••• 827-4005 Moving? Planned Parentho6d ••••••••••••• 827-8025 Tfha11 Post Amerikan •••••••••••••••••• 828-7232 This issue is in your hands thanks to: When you move, be sure to send us your Prair~e State Legal Serv~ces ••• 827-5021 Susie, Russell, Tom, Mark, Melissa, new address so your subscription gets Prairie Alliance ••••••••••••••• 828-8249 Deborah, Diana, Dan, Bobby, Kathy, to you. Your Post Amerikan will not Project Oz ••••••••••••••••••••• 827-0377 Drew, Sues., Sue L., Ralph, Bumper, be forwarded. (It's like junk mail- Rape Crisis Center ••••••••••••• 827-4005 X, Rich, Have, Mark, Becky, and no kidding!) Fill out the handy form Sunnyside Neighborhood Center •• 827-5428 Dave (coordinator)--and others we below and return it to us. TeleCare (senior citizens) ••••• 828~8301 probably forgot to mention. Unemployment compensation/Job Name ______Service ••••••••••••••••••••• 827-6237 Special thanks to Dan Hunan and his •UDi te.d E'armworkers Support ••••• 452-5046 stupendous kitchen help for the elegant food, fascinating fashions~ Street ------and ethnic atmosphere. And to Sus~e s. for her generous donation. City/State/Zip ------~page 2 March 1984 Post Amerikan val. 12, #10 page 3 •iarch 1984
Sues MCEOC Harber Hall oinks again
During the time that Bloomington tration drive was evidence of MCEOC's developer and right-wing know engaging in partisan politics. nothing Harber Hall was State Senator, "Harber Hall Oinks Again" was one of the Post Amerikan's Hall was referring to Project Vote recurring headlines. It seemed to (covered in last month's Post get almost as much use as the Amerikan) ,· a coalition of volunteers headings for the "letters" and who were organizing a door-to-door "community news" sections. registration campaign.
Even old retired boars still squeal, "During the campaign," the Observer' s· and Harber has oinked yet once more, article said, "volunteers will be apparently just to let us all know he's going door to door asking for unreg he's still there. istered voters. The Democratic precinct committeeperson will follow, and that Perhaps Hall wouldn't have been satis fied with the Observer's article even Hall filed suit Feb. 15, alleging individual is authorized to register voters." if the \•Tord "Democratic" had been that the Mid-Central Economic omitted. Savvy P.epublicans (Hall Opportunity Corporation (MCEOC) was Hall's suit apparently believes that probably isn't one of these) might using federal funds for partisan realize that after all the Republican politics. the use of "Democratic" turned an o~herwise neutral article into a attacks on poor people, simply regis tering poor people to vote actually is MCEOC receives federal money to misuse of federal funds. a partisan political act because there administer several programs aimed As Carol Reitan, executive director is a 90% chance that they'll vote at helping poor people. The agency against the Republicans. helps pay for heating bills, of HCEOC pointed out to the Panta weatherizes homes, helps with hous- graph, there's no such thing as regis !ing, and conducts educational work tering as a Democrat or a Republican. Hall's suit demands that the court shops geared to teaching how to sur- You just register. (Reitan, by the way, enjoin MCEOC from using federal vive on a restricted budget. narrowly missed defeating Hall in a funds to promote voter registra \ bitterly-contested Senate race in 1976. tion by Democratic precinct com Does filing this obviously petty la,.,r MCEOC does not engage in partisan mitteepeople. In addition, ~he politics. Its federal grants forbid suit give Hall an extra vengeful pleas suit asks that MCEOC "withdra\'r" the agency from supporting particu ure?) ail copies of the Observer's lar candidates or particular polit January issue. ical parties. Since MCEOC does not Mike Matejka, who helped organize Pro engage in partisan politics, Harber ject Vote, sent lette~s to all precinct It's not clear how Hall intends Hall had to look really hard to committeepeople, both Democrats and Re for HCEOC to "withdraw" some- come up with any evidence to support publicans. He asked a~l of them if they thing that has already been mailed his harrassment suit's contention would be willing to go to people's homes to several thousand people. But that MCEOC is using federal money to get them registered to vote. Hall wasn't even waiting for the to engage in partisan politics. court to make its decision. Accord None of the Republicans were interested, ing to reports reaching the Post Hall found an article in ~he according to Matejka. It seems that Amerikan, Hall has already been down Observer, the bi-monthly news Harber Hall himself turned down the to at least one social service agency letter published by MCEOC. opportunity to help poor people get personally trying to remove a stack of registered. As a Republican precinct Observers placed there for distribu Hall claims that the Observer's committeeperson, Hall received one of tion. coverage of a local voter regis- Project Vote's letters .. --~1ark Silverstein
Water Dept. home invasions to be stopped
Last month, the Post Amerikan revealed "If that is the official policy of the that Bloomington water meter readers city, then there are numerous Stanczak backed up Whikehart's misread sometimes enter the homes of city constitutional problems involved," ing of the ordinance. According to the residents without their consent or Taseff said. "The ACLU certainly Bloomington Corporat:io n Counsel, the knowledge. intends to follow this up with some ordinance telling pulmbers not to action." install water meters inside of stair Since that time, Bloomington Corporation Counsel David Stanczak has defended the cases somehow authorizes meter readers water deparatment's policy. The Can anyone read? to enter unlocked homes. Stanczak defended the water department's prac American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Last month, Judy Whikehart of the water tice, and said the ordinance was has vowed to take action against the department claimed that the entry city. And Bloomington City Manager Bill policy is authorized by the ordinance constitutional. Vail has told the Post Amerikan that he governing operation of the water will get the policy, and (if necessary) department. Specifically, she pointed OK, I thought. The city will have a the ordinance, changed. to Section K, which reads "All water fight soon, when the ACLU starts meters shall be so located that they taking action. Current water department policy, will be easily accessible to the Meter according to Supervisor of Accounting Reader." To find Section K, Whikehart But maybe not. Only three days after Judy Whikehart, is this: had to dig through the portion of the ordinance detailing specifications for ;Stanczak defended the water depart A meter reader will knock first. If mains, taps, cocks and their locations ment's policy, City Manager Bill Vail there is no answer, the meter reader and spacing. approached me just before a city will try the door. If the door is council meeting. unlocked, the meter reader is authorized Tom Eimermann ,.- who teaches law, and to enter the premises and take a attorney George Taseff both said that reading. "I saw your letter about the meter Section K does not authorize meter readers," Vail said. "There's no Illegal readers to enter unlocked homes. The reason for us to be going into people's ordinance just doesn't say what "It is blatantly illegal for a city Whikehart wants it to say. And if it homes like that. That's from the horse agent to enter someone's home without did say that, Taseff added, the and buggy days." some form of consent or judicial ordinance would be unconstitutional. authorization," George Taseff, ACLU "I'm going to do something about this," Chairperson, told the Post Amerikan. Vail declared. "If that's in the "An unlocked door is not consent to I thought the problem would be cor enter," he added. rected this month, when'I contacted ordinance, we'll get that changed." Bloomington Corporation Counsel David Since publication of the article last ·stanczak. (Maybe an accountant could Has an article in the Post Amerikan "month, Taseff said, two people have .not read an ordinance, I thought, but actually helped bring about meaningful contacted the ACLU, saying this unwanted ·surely the city's lawyer could.) social change in our lifeti~e? Stay intrusion by the water department had tuned for next issue's follow-up. happened to them, too. Wrong. --Mark Silverstein Welfare PARTMENT ~="WELFARE justice f?Ec;uLA TiDNS Live In the small town of Dawson, just out side of Springfield, off Highway 72, an event took place that was unique and says much for the people who and let reside in this small town. It shows that even in these times of hardships, people will come to the aid of an die individual in need. In medieval England they used to The people in Dawson banded together paint white crosses on houses struck to raise money for a wheelchair~-a by the plague. In modern South wheelchair for a woman in her early Africa, black people knew that a twenties, paralyzed from the neck down, as a result of an unfortunate white number painted on their house accident. She is being helped by can also be a sentence of death. different agencies, one of which is the Welfare Office. Welfare's In Driefontein, a farming village contribution is $25 a month. Just about 200 miles from Johannesburg, think, $25! Seems unreal--even a the people joked about the numbers completely healthy person could not on their houses. The officials, live more than three days on that they say, told them that numbering amount of money. would help the Post Office deliver their letters. They laugh when they What would $25 buy for a woman who is say this because they know that a paraplegic? I am not even going to the officials know that they know try and guess. If someone gave her a what the real purpose is. donation of $1, $), or $5, Welfare would deduct it from the $25 a month The people of Driefontein know that she receives each month for her needs. the numbers mean that they must go. This is all true, but I cannot use her The social engineers in Pretoria name or Welfare might take away her have designated their community school, bus service; stores, churches, $25 they give her, causing unnecessary a ~black spot"--and apartheid and water supply, and go to the over suffering on her part. decrees that all "black spots" crowded dumping grounds that are must be eliminated from the face of known as "homelands." Now the main fact of this story is the "white" South Africa. people in Dawson, Illinois, who cared Crowded and unhealthy enou~h to help. The townspeople and Unless the people of Qriefontein can local businesses decided they would hold out against removal, they will Kangwane is already so packed with help raise money to buy a wheelchair join half a million blacks already displaced people that cholera for this woman~ A walk-a-thon was swept off their farmd and deposited broke out in 1980 in some places held, people went from door to door (because the government failed to looking for donations. The towns by government trucks in the "home supply proper water and sewage lands," along with at least three people and businesses also held a times that number of black people facilities). No more than 16% banquet, supplied the food and of Kangwane' s re-sidents are refreshments, even a place to have it. otherwise displaced from the 86% economically active (i.e., have a job) of South Africa appropriated for Their sole purpose, to raise enough white ownership. as opposed to 44% of blacks who live money to bring a glimmer of hope and in "white areas." to show this woman, people do care. On the gravestones The tin huts and tents temporarily Everything was paid for out of the Last November, numbers also suddenly loaned by Pretoria offer little townspeople's own pockets. No one appeared on the gravestones in protection, so that children and asked rto be reimbursed. Happily they Driefontein. Apparently the govern old people often die of respiratory donated the minimal cost, to raise a ment intends to move the village infections. Severe malnutrition greater amount than any one person cemetery along with the 5,000 living often follows the resettlement, could afford. Money was raised, not inhabitants. because people have been forced to quite enough, but a start. The money dispose of their livestock, which was put into an account for the woman If the government has its way, the at least insured a small supply of and the townspeople continued to raise community will be split up--Zulus fresh milk. money, hoping to reach a goal of the to Babanago adjoining the Kwazulu amount needed to purchase a special "homeland" and Swazis to Lothair The vast apartheid apparatus wheelchair. near the Kangwane "homeland." No responsible for engineering the one knows where the graveyard will resettlement of blacks into the Welfare became aware of the past go. "homelands" is called the Department events and decided to confiscate the of Cooperation and Development. When money, to be paid to Welfare for their The South African government has its most recent minister took over the helping this woman, now and in the promised that it will provide "rations job, he declared that his philosophy past. -would be one of "live and let live." free of charge for three days" during The thing that makes this so unusual the removal, while tents or pre Obviously he didn't have the people of Driefontein in mind. is that the townspeople who involved fabricated houses will be provided themselves on their own time and at temporarily in the new areas, free of their own expense are tax payers whose charge. But the people of. Driefontein --Ferdydurke dollars help support Welfare. Knowing don't want to leave their settled, Sources: New Statesman, 18 Feb. all this, these same people were peaceful community, which has its own willing to give more, and gladly so. 1983. But what they got was a surprise: helping someone in need could not be done without hurting the individual. Post Amerikan val. 12, #10 page 4 March 1984 NOW WHERE IS THE JUSTICE?? When I went to Springfield to the Welfare Office to inquire as to why STOVES * REFRIGERATORS * COUCHES * DINETTE SETS outside help would not be acceptable in this case, it was like walking into a stone wall blindfolded. Caseworkers en ... were unavailable, supervisors were out' Ill· -< for the day, and no one at the office Buy- Sell- Trade New and Used "a had any information to give in this ~ m case. So being left to draw my own CJ conclusions, I concluded that Welfare -... justice is something out of the z I middle ages, determined at the whims Cl. of the office involved, with little -ii1 or no regard for the individual. ·!a en The people of Dawson were smart enough en· to go about it differently after Wel z fare failed to confiscate the money. ~\IIILIL II~()~ The money for the wheelchair is 0 protected and for all practical iii en purposes does not exist. GREAT GOING, >- 801 W. Market ...m DAWSON! !a The moral of this story: Welfare ·~· Bloomington, IL 61701 m justice is unreasonable and totally 0 without compassion for the people whom .... Ph. 829·5382 it is supposed to be caring for, the en people in need. S.L!IS MIOOHG!I8 • S100.L • SH!INI1:»!1H • AH!INIH:»YMI --Arthur Morrison Post Amerikan vol. 12, #10 page 5 Harch 1984 Miscellaneous outrages . you may have .missed antagraph sets it wrong
The Pantagraph's miniscule "Setting It Right" column has always been used to correct factual errors which the Pantagraph has inadvertently published. Sometimes we read that an address was misprinted, the wrong person was named as doing something, maybe even a statement accidently misquoted.
A breakthrough in "Setting It Right" occurred Feb. 4. That's when the Pantagraph's column apologized, not for any error of fact, but for its selection of correct facts.
The Pantagraph apologized for an article which it said "gave a misleading impression of a Normal official's opinion of the student party problems."
The earlier article reported on a meeting of an advisory committee formed to discuss Normal residents' complaints about student parties. One resident said a home worth $90,000 in a "good" . . area would sell for only $50,000 in a student district. After the meeting, the Pantagraph said, Normal Assistant Wealthy g~t another City Manager Tom DeGiulio said he'd be willing to trade his home in El Paso government handout (which he's been unsuccessful at selling) for a house in a student Plans for an additional r~nway at the neighborhood close to his job. Ninety percent of the cost will be Bloomington-Normal airport received paid by the federal government and The Pantagraph's "Setting It Right" preliminary approval fron the McLean 5% by the State of Illinois. Five column apologized for printing a County Regional Planning Commission percent will be paid by the Airport statement that "understated in early February. Authority. [De~iuliols] opinion of the seriousness of student parties disrupting Airport manager Charles Waugh told In other words, almost all the fund neighborhoods and lowering property the group that increased airport values." ing will come from taxpayers, rather traffic made the runway necessary. than from the actual users of the The Pantagraph's apology did not say But Waugh did not have any traffic airport. But don't start getting DeGiulio had been misquoted. DeGiulio statistics with him, according to a upset about government money subsid ·apparently really said what the Pantagraph article. izing rich people's transportation. Pantagraph said he said. But the We're only supposed to get upset Pantagraph apologized for printing what Waugh also neglected to bring any cost DeGiulio said, because printing that government money goes to subsidize estimates with him, but you can bet the transportation of people who statement "understated" DeGiulio's real the pricetag will be high. The opinion. otherwise couldn't afford it--like airport authority needs to buy 200 the bus system. Until now, the Pantagraph's "Setting It acres of land and pay for the re-loc Right" column has corrected only errors ation of part of Oakland Avenue. --M.S. of fact. Now, after a phone call from a public official, the Pantagraph has apologized for what particular factual details were.included in a story.
Almost any account of an event involves selection of certain details. Almost any such selection will give impressions some people would quarrel with. If the Pantagraph wants to begin correcting errors of selection as well as errors of fact, it might be a progressive (though cumbersome) development. But let's hope the Pantagraph is as open to the criticisms of ordinary people as it seems to be to the complaints of an angry city official. Public is · NATURAL FOODS Come visit our newly remodeled store. We have more of everything, including ~special interest' Sl6 N. Maill St. an expanded produce section, to serve you better. Bloomington Mayor Richard Buchanan Bloomington, Ill. 61701 included Illinois' Freedom of Informa tion Act in a list of new laws which he claimed serve only special interest COMMON GROUND now offers you the opportunity to cut food groups, according to a Pantagraph story and vitamin costs by 10%. You may obtain your 10% discount club card in the following two ways: During a luncheon with Lt. Gov. George (1) You may purchase a discount card for a yearly fee of $10. (2) You may earn a free discount card by accumulating $50 Ryan, Buchanan included the Freedom of worth of COMMON GROUND sales receipts. Simply save your Information Act when he complained of receipts until you have a total of $50, at which time we will new laws that he said were "anti-muni present you with a FREE 10% discount card ~ood for one year. cipality, anti-citizen and anti- tax payer." Once you have your discount card, simply present it at the checkout counter for a 10% discount ~n every purchase. • The Freedom of Information Act spells out what government records shall be . dutW1cfe ~on of 111~ ---. available to the public. --M.S. 1lfood$ ~~~ ~ =r,~:J::e~ I Post Amerikan vol. 12, #10 page 6 · March 1984 New city utility ·tax proposed
The City of Bloomington is proposing Two schemes have been devised--a boundaries, so Bloomington could be to tax your utilities--gas, phone, property tax increase, which would faced with continued flooding problems. electricity, cable tv--to pay for a sock a $60,000 home owner for about Or 1•That if Normal or the county have $5 million flood control project $40 a year, or a utility tax which another development boom, or expand over the next 5 years. would hit everyone in town, renter, the present one, and the paved areas or owner, who pays for their own util are increased, pouring more gallons For the past few years, flood control ities. If you are paying $1500 a westward and southward toward Blooming and flood damage have been growing year in utilities, this would come to ton? problem in the community as heavy about $15 a year. There is a third rains and flooding streams have taken alternative, and that is to do nothing. But oblivious to these possibilities, their toll on people's basements and the city management is convinced that homes. The criticism that is coming from the utility tax is a fair solu~ion, many residents, particularly west ostensibly because more of the burden Why the problem? Some might blame siders, is two-fold. One: who caused would fall on large users, like busi Bloomington's eastward creep: more the problem in the first place? nesses. Imagine someone scraping by, and more farm land, which used to Should the whole city have to pay be renting a drafty old house, energy absorb and retain water, is paved, cause of over-development on the inefficient and \ ·~ ;;· j# 'I KI'IOW SOME"t>A Y I:1'-\ ! .. '1 Gro1N& lo ME.ET MR. RlCTH ., ..J:. JVST f!(;PE ~:" ~ HE RE.l.0(4N IZ-e S (' ME..!' r: .. t .. ~ r.. 1 ·~ -·- I :\ : 1 '} ~ ., "'\ .. ...'l' 1 t 'I) t ,;. 1 (·' i .. ~ r": kAT'S PARTY WAS ~liN- BvT 1\NP ~ ME"T LOTS oF /'IIC.E Boys 'THEN- So.t>t>ENL~- IT WAS AS IF :£ ALWAYS H~P 0/t/E RESTLESS SYE AT THE PARTY- BIIT $OME IIDW L E"ERYONr IN TKE: RooM f-{-At:> 'DIS.APPEA ON THE l>OOR_-I. KEPT-rH IN/ The big myth that seems to be getting We can only hope. a lot of play these days is that rape is.a sexual crime, not a violent crime. --Deborah Wiatt (To remind you of the difference, pre marital· sex is a sexual crime; assault HeP-seZf/cpf is a violent crime.) And rape is a violent crime. This myth is one of the first that we of the anti-rape testosterone and reduces the male's movement busted. sex drive. Depo-Provera usually inhibits erection. For a while there (with only well publicized, outrageous exceptions), The offers of surgical castration or it seemed almost everyone finally chemical castration to convicted knew and understood at least that rapists move rape back into the sexual about rape. I noticed the changing arena. The theory of both is that if attitudes among the police and hospital men cannot get an erection or be sex personnel, as well as among the high ually stimulated, they will not rape. school students and women's groups I spoke to. If they knew nothing else, I will grant you that if a man cannot they knew rape was a crime of violence. achieve an erection he will have a hard time raping a woman with his penis. SEN]): Would that they could know that again. But in this county alone, women have SLI.OO PLUS SO~ been raped with knives, bottles, To: But thanks to a certain judge in North broomsticks, fists, fingers--basically OAIUfAUS . DiStGtNS ~O'i N. OAk Carolina and another one in Texas, the anything long and hard that a man QLOOIVITN"TO~, lL. 61fO I issue has once again been clouded in could think of to shove ~p a vagina. the minds of all save the people who And none of those women felt any less work daily with the problem of rape raped because she wasn't raped with and the victims of rape. a penis. t Tile No room for debate It does nothing .. lacn••l& RAPE These two judges have opened the door Inhibiting a rapist's .ability to get ...... CRISIS for debate in an area in which there an erection or become sexually stimu a-iela is no room for debate. The judge in lated does nothing to stop the problem. CENTER North Carolina offered three convicted It also does nothing to eradicate the Drea• rapists castration as an alternative root of the problem, the need to TRAINING to their 30-yea~ prison sentences. dominate and humiliate someone. The judge in Texas offered a convicted Neither form of castration is going SESSION rapist the choice between prison or to decrease the rapist's anger, 10 years of probation with regular frustration, hostility, or hatred. FEB. injections of Depo-Provera. It may, in fact, increase them. Castration, for those of you who have 25 & 26. It does not speak to a culture in never been around steers or geldings, which the violation of women is is the surgical removal of the tolerated if not applauded. Both WOJllen and testicles. Contrary to popular A hilarious cartoon history men welcome. opinion, castration does not always of the good old U.S.A. Call PATH at It says, rape is sex and if they By Estelle Carol, Rhoda Grossman inhibit erection, but it is probably !:!27-4005 or can't have sex, they can't rape. and Bob Simpson 1-800-322-5015 a very effective sterilization process. $6.95 for more The woman in North Carolina was Ask for it at your local Bookstore information. Depo-Provera, called "chemical castr.a or order from- battered and beaten over several hours Alyson Publications tion" by some, is a female birth PO Box 2783 Dept. B-1 as well as gang raped. Yet the judge control drug which, .when injected into Boston, Massachusetts 02208 seems to think that castration is a $7.50 poatpaid the male, inhibits the production of (reduced rates for multiple copies) ...... ------r---·-·-··~·-~·--~~~--., .. GEORGE F. TASEFF ~ Attorney at law Rape Crisis Center GelteM£ PJtO.c.:ti..c.e ID · w.Uit emphiu,.U, on CILi..mina.l Law & C-ivil 1U..ght:.6 of Mclean County 822 E. Washington, No. 2N Bl0omington, IL 61701 309/827-6528 WE'RE A NON-PROFIT VOLUNTEER GROUP WHOSE MAIN PURPOSE IS TO OFFER ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES. FEMALE VOLUNTEERS ANSWER OUR CALLS, BUT BOTH MALE AND FEMALE VOLUNTEERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR CRISIS ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS. Business card size ads i$6 for individuals• If you want to talk to on• of us (businesses slighty highe_~) ~ Call PATH 827·4005 and ask for the A Great Deal! \ Ca~l 828-7232 ....._. __...._RIIIiiii!lloQe Crisis Center ,or write P.o. Box 3452, Bloomington Organizing clerical workers It's 9 to 5 at ISU ISU's clerical staff has been agitating But an ISU civil servant can be fired for union representation since 1978~ for conducting union business on the they established the Employee Bargaining state's time. Association (EBA) in 1981, and a majority of ISU's clericals signed A~though Dist:ict 925 has be~n working signed authorization cards"that w~th ISU cler~cals since 1978, their indicated they wanted a union election- representatives come and go. Birkey but the Board of Regents (nine despots ~rrived at the end of January~ Touhidi, who control all ISU, NIU, and Sangamon ~n October. (They expressed interest State University policy) vetoed the and surprise when I said that many ISU EBA's request for a democratic, campus civil service employees were wide election. dissatisfied with their insurance benefits.) According to clerical So they picketed the Administration sources in Milner Library, building~ they marched from the library dissatisfaction with District 925 dates into the Quad, shouting slogans. Even from October--the main complaint being the Pantagraph noticed.· the reps' tactics: bugging people at work, calling people at 9 a.m. on Sunday And now, with the Illinois Collective morning with the blunt query, "Why Bargaining Act in effec~ as of January, haven't you signed your card?", general the BOR can't stop the EBA from having rudeness, no personal concern. their election. Also, according to the same sources, But ISU~s clericals are suddenly silent. ~her~ were as many as ten building reps ~n M~lner alone, until October. Since On February 1, this reporter attended a then, they have become inactive, reception given for Karen Nussbaum, more gossipy whispers, and a very few although they still support author of ito 5: The Working Woman's questions. To say the least, the unionization. Guide to Office Survival, founder of 9 meeting lacked enthusiasm. to 5, National Association of Working The clericals' support for unionization Women, supporter of District 925--one of Homa Touhidi and Jaqui Birkey, is readily apparent. The recent silence the unions (an affiliate of the AFL-CIO) International organizers for District and lack of visibility could be that is jockeying for the ISU clericals' 925, maintain that the February 1 attributed to sulkiness: how can you support. meeting "was a good turnout." They also support a union when you can't say that they have signed cards communicate with its representatives? supporting District 925 from "almost There were about 30 people there, half 50"%" of ISU's eligible staff. When I The other union vying for the clericals' of whom were given gifts by Nussbaum for asked when the next District 925 public support, the American Federation of being good building reps for District meeting was scheduled, they replied that State, County, and Municipal Employees 925. The other half whispered or they were planning a February-March (AFS~ME), already represents ISU's non visited the buffet while Nussbaum newsletter. Touhidi and Birkey also clericals, the maintenance and kitchen related horror stories and advocated !plan to maintain contact with ISU's ~workers. The problem some clericals District 925. (Nussbaum's book, by the Clericals by visiting their workplaces have with supporting this union is one way, presents some excellent and useful 1 of integrity: when the EBA was looking 1and r~ques~ing they complete a four page material~ buy it or borrow it, but be for representation, AFSCME was not .quest~onna~re, on the spot, to gain a warned that it reads like a pop !better understanding of the staff's willing, but District 925 was. psychology paperback, and towards the !concerns. end you get suggestions like: "The first The situation appears to be at an step in starting a union is to call in impas~e. But AFSCME is gearing up- an organizer. [For example, call plann~ng a "television blitz." The District 925, SEIU, at 202-452-8750] .") District 925 reps have not divulged a The subsequent question and answer Post Amerikan vol. 12, #10 similar plan. P~rhaps they should--any ,period was short, filed with pauses, plan is better than none. page 8 ~1arch 1984 --J. Accuse Union struggles SUGAR CREEK: The Movie Norma Rae may drown. But no one will company that offers no re-training they make up with in dedication. win an Academy Award for it. You see, for workers replaced by machines. They \ But the victory scene may never play ·········~·········· out. The Sugar Creek t-'!eat Packing TRUCKS & Company may re-open; so eventually ... We specialize the lockout will end, and the lock- CARS in will begin. The case of charac ters will change. New faces who are in diesel car '**********"* more "cooperative." They believe losing a limb for the economic re FOREIGN & covery is a patriotic duty. Workers repair will be locked in to a life of min DOMESTIC, imum wages and maximum health hazards •. ******************** Locked in to a life of "you take ; what they give you," and are grate ful when want you to work in forty degree temperatures. Locked in to a 508 N .. MADISON ST. 9:00-5:30 828-1714 Post Amerikan vol. 12, #10 page 9 March 1984 Normal officials trespass at student p·arty ·Normal Police Chief David Lehr and · Assistant City Manager Tom DeGuilio that police would obey the law when writer who thought police would leave were guilty ot criminal tresspass confronted. We didn't say what party when asked.) November 11, according to attorney hosts should do if police refuse to George Taseff. Taseff is chairperson leave. Visits to continue of the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. Sue them, and file charges against them DeGuilio said Normal police had later, says attorney George Taseff. attended two or three dozen parties According to Taseff, Lehr and last fall before cold weather put a Lehr and DeGuilio were trespassing at stop to large outdoor gatherings. City the KTB House at 111 E. Cherry where a DeGuilio's refusal to leave 111 E. Cherry is a Class 3 misdemeanor officials were never directly asked to ~rty was in progress. Bob Le~hy and (Criminal Trespass). Lehr and leave any of the parties, except for Mike Olsen, both residents at 111 E. the one at 111 E. Cherry, according to Cherry, told the Post Amerikan that DeGuilio can also be hit with a civil DeGuilio. they asked the unwelcome city officials suit, Taseff said. to leave. "Once the hosts ask the police to Normal officials can't be accused of leave," Taseff told the Post Amerikan, sneaking around or spying on these Both Lehr and DeGuilio refused to leave student parties. The police wear their the party. They stayed for an hour and "their remaining is a criminal act." a half or two hours. Replying to DeGuilio's claim that uniforms. DeGuilio wears an official Normal officials "had a right" to looking Town of Normal jacket while handing out his business card. But the 'We had an invitation, and we weren't remain at the party, Taseff said "That blatant police presence i~ certainly disrupting the party," DeGuilio told is flatly against Ilinois law. They intimidating. the Post Amerikan. "We felt we had a apparently have no knowledge of what right to be there." · the criminal code requires." DeGuilio denies trying to intimidate DeGuilio and Lehr's "invitation" Taseff cited a recent decision of the students into not partying. But listen to his description of how party hosts consisted of a flyer which had been Illinois Supreme Court. During a party, the hosts asked some undercover are informed of the police plans to posted in some public places frequented attend: "No one should be surprised by by the general student population. police officers to leave. The police did not leave. Later, the police our arrival. Someone from the City Last August, Police Chief Lehr observed some illegal activities and visits at least 24 hours in advance. We announced that he and other city made an arrest. The court ruled that tell them that if they decide to go through with the party, we'll be there." officials would begin attending large the arrest was illegal, since the (The residents of the Cherry St. house "publicly advertised" student parties. police were no longer legally on the premises when they observed the illegal did not mention this 24-hour "warning" The intent, he said, was to discourage of the police arrival.) underage drinking and illegal alcohol behavior. sales. Using this court decision, a creative As the weather warms up, Normal party host could turn the police's officials plan to resume their visits Naive bel i et unwanted attendance into a benefit. to student parties, DeGuilio said. Just ask the police to leave, wait for The Post Amerikan advised readers at Those plans, according to attorney the t1me that police could not be their refusal, then light up a joint prevented from attending publicly with no fear of arrest! (If you George Taseff, are "provocative, believe this will actually wo·rk, then ridiculous, and illegal." ~dver~ised parties, but they could be 1mmed1ately asked to leave. The you are as naive as the Post Amerikan · --Mark Silverstein article_~as wri~~en in the naive belief Search warrant issued • i ISU student turns 1n roommate r ISU student Anna Marie Mastro has not seve:al ~nvel~pes apparently containing yet been rewarded with the public coca1ne 1n Re1sener's room. Carr recognition she deserves for her apparently passed this story on to public-spirited contribution to law investigator Knapp, who cited this enforcement last fall. third-hand hearsay in his written request for a search warrant. She turned in her dormitory roommate for pot and cocaine, according to The subsequent search of Reisener's dorm McLean County court records. room turned up what investigators list~d as several packets of suspected Records show that ISU Security coca1ne-and suspected marijuana. investigator Don Knapp obtained a search warrant for 1753 Manchester Hall But as of mid-February, two months on Nov. 17. later, no charges have yet been filed. \ Knapp based his request on a ISU Security investigator Don Knapp conversation he had with Anna Marie told the Post Amerikan that the case Mastro, who had just moved out of the was "still under investigation." Manchester Hall room she shared with Jennifer Reisener. According to court The most likely explanation of the records, Mastro reported seeing her delay: ISU police are holding potential charges over Jenifer Reisener's head, \I roommate both possess and sell cocaine. trying to persuade her to "cooperate" \ Mastro's apparent loyalty to her by turning in her friends. \ roommate was matched by dormitory officials' dedication to the principles --Mark Silverstein of students' privacy. Residence Hall Assistant Ellen Dwyer, who lived at 1752 Manchester, allegedly reported to Hall Manager Paul Carr that she saw THINK SPRING! •••• and Wilson's Cycle Includes: 919 W. Market *Brake adjustments Spring Tune·up *Adjusting gears Bloomington *Lube & re-pack 829-6824 Special bolt om bracket _*Wheel truing *60-day conditional $19.95 warranty on repairs (reg. $22.50) *Fast service *Parts extra We accept: *VISA *MasterCard *Amerikan Express -Hours: Mon.- Sat. 10·6- page 10 Bloomington Human R·elations The city council meeting of February 13 him that the commission is having The Human Relations Commission of trouble pursuing cases and that is Bloomington has proposed to the city was originally billed as a public hearing on the proposed amendments. justification for adopting the new council that the existing human ordinance. relations ordinance be amended. The But the council changed the ground proposed changes would provide rules at the outset and declared the Council member Walt Bittner made the additional coverage and increased meeting a public work session--meaning obligatory statement of support for the relief for victims of discrimination. that the public could sit and listen HRC and then asked questions about the If approved, the amended law would ban but not comment on the proposed increase in the fine. In Bittner's discrimination in employment, housing, ordinance (as they would be allowed to opinion, increasing fines won't solve public accommodations and financing do in an official public hearing) . A discrimination. Bittner also wondered based on marital status, sexual group of about 20 spectators did gather if 25 complaints in 3 years was enough preference, and unfavorable military for the informal discussion of the to warrant change. Responding to this discharge. amendments. last query, Commissi6ner Webb said, "We prefer to anticipate rather than react The new ordinance would also make it After listening to Webb's opening to problems." illegal to refuse to rent to statement, Mayor Richard Buchanan said prospective tenants because they have he wanted to hear what council members She, he, or it children under the age of 14 or because thought about the proposed amendments. they have physical or mental handicap Council member Donn Pierce stated that Then Council member Jesse Parker spoke (including people who have guide dogs). he had high respect for the HRC but he up. His strongest objection, he said, opposed the changes. Pierce said he was to the amount of increase in the damage award. If a person is not The present ordinance alreadi bans was worried that when you increase the discrimination based on race, color, rights of some groups you take away satisfied with the relief provided by sex, religion, age, ancestry, and rights from others. He said a 250% the HRC, "she, he or it can go to small claims court," said Parker. (The national origin. increase in the amount of the damages was unjustified. (The proposed dollar limit in small claims court is also $1000.) Parker concluded his In addition to the new coverages, the amendments call for a 150% increase.i revision would increase the possible comments by saying that he didn't like Pierce thought that some provisions of the "scare tactics" of the fines. maximu~ fine or damages settlement from the new ordinance might be redundant the present limit of $1000 to $2500. and that state statutes might prohibit Tim Walker, Director of the HRC, It would also provide for the possible enacting legislation in some areas, hiring, reinstatement, or job upgrading responded to the questions about the although he didn't specify which 150% increase. He pointed out that the of people found to be victims of provisions and areas he felt were discrimination in employment. faulty. HRC has sought only 2 increases in 10 years, the last in 1980 which raised Hezekiah Webb, chairperson of the the award limit from $500 to $1000. Human Relations Commission (HRC) Where will it end? Walker said that $2000 in 10 years was presented the proposals to the city Council member Jesse Smart also not so dramatic, given the incireases in wages and prices during that same council at a work meeting on Monday, expressed his opposition to the new Feb. 13. Webb explained that the HRC ordinance. He wanted to ·know why period. (Walker might have also pointed out that the original fine of has had 25 complaints since 1981 specific groups had to be listed. He involving possible discrimination on said left-handed people are $500 was too low to begin with, and ·that increasing the amount would bring the basis of marital status, sexual discriminated against and so are short preference, and refusal to rent because the award in line with what it should people~ why not include them? "Once y.ou have been all along.) of children and because of a ·guide dog. start naming, where do you end?" asked He also indicated that several cases Smart. He felt the point should be Mayor Buchanan spoke in favor of the which the HRC handled called for more "don't discriminate, period." Smart amendments, primarily because he is relief than the present ordinance called the proposed changes "overkill." pleased and comfortable with the provides: in 8 cases reinstatement or overal~ credibility and effectiveness hiring was needed~ and in 6 cases the Speaking in favor of the amendments, of the Commission. "An ordiriance is actual amount of losses the victim council member Steve Simms responded to only as good as its administration," sustained greatly exceeded the.amount objections raised by Pierce and Smart. said the mayor~ He said the HRC was collectible under the existing law. "I don't think we're going to be not a "pushover": "we turn down more removing too many rights from those who cases than we accept, which I think is We must change too already have them," said Simms. And he just tremendous," Buchanan said; pointed out that history shows several Webb said that it is "imperative that movements in this country to put The mayor noted that forbidding we adopt these changes" and that "times definition behind the phrase "justice discrimination based on sexual and conditions change and we must too." for all." Simms said it's apparent to preference is not part of federal or Fighting discrimination in Bloomington suspended, and there were 9 still The Human Relations Commission (HRC) violations). All three cases involved racial discrimination. A case of sex being processed when the annual report of the city of Bloomington is discrimination in employment was was written. responsible for dealing with settled for $500. There were 9 cases complaints about discrimination in still under investigation or in the The Bloomington HRC also conducts a employment, housing, public accommo- - conciliation stage when the fiscal number of community programs to dations, and financing. If a citizen promote human rights and inform feels that he or she has been year ended in September of 198J. groups about the laws governing discriminated against because of race, color, sex, religion, age, ancestry, Most of the cases for 1982-83 involved discrimination. These programs national origin, or physical or mental employment (16) and alleged racial include an annual Multi-Ethnic dis~rimination (1J). There were 4 Cultural Festival, an Equal Employment handicap, that person can file a cases of discrimination in housing and Opportunity Program for employers, an complaint with the HRC. 2 in public accommodations. sex annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The HRC receives complaints filed by discrimination was charged in 7 cases, Awards program, a Youth Employment and there was 1 charge based on Orientation program, and a program for people who feel victimized, but the religion and 1 based on age. the Bloomington-Normal board of Commission can also initiate a charge realtors. of discrimination. Complaints within Of the 22 cases, 5 were dismissed, 4 the jurisdiction of the HRC are were conciliated, J were referred to --Ferdydurke investigated by the staff or the other sources (like the Illinois director, and if there is probable Dep~rtment of Human Rights), 1 was cause that a violation has occurred, a closed conciliation conference is held. Most of the complaints received by the HRC are dismissed or conciliated. If the closed conciliation does not resolve the conflict, the Commission can order a public hearing on the case. During fiscal year 1982-8J, the HRC held no public hearings. Resolution of the conflict between the person who lodged the complaint and the alleged violator can result in a fine to be paid to the city and/or damages to be paid to the complainant. At present, the total of fines and damages (and any other benefits such as back pay) can't exceed $1000 for each offense. Of the 22 cases handled by the HRC in 1982-8J, only 4 involved monetary · settlements: a public accommodations's case that resulted in a $200 settle ment, a complaint about housing that was settled for $1000, and another public accommodations case that had a $2100 settlement for two ordinance changes proposed page 11 state law; only Champaign, Urbana, and the mayor. He also recommended that amendments again in a work session, Evanston have such provisions in council members re-read the existing from 6:30 to 7:15 pm. on Monday, March Illinois. "All of us are opposed to human relations ordinance before the 12. discrimination," Buchanan added, "but meeting. we have to identify protected classes; --Ferdydurke otherwise we have a disfunctional The city council will consider these philosophy." Not 'fine happy' Buchanan also said that the rationale for the increase in the fine is "appropriate," especially since the RELAX.-· Commission is "not fine-happy." The HRC hasn't "exploited the $1000 award," TH£SE TI-l/NB-S in Buchanan's opinion. 1AI<£TIME! Council member George Kroutil also expressed doubts about the amount of \ the fine increase. Kroutil also had questions about the role of the HRC in assisting people who might want to pursue their cases in civil court, but there wasn't sufficient time to explain to Kroutil how the HRC functioned. The only spectator given time to speak to the co~ncil was Scott Eatherly, represent1ng the American Civil Liberties Union. Eatherly presented a letter ~rom the local chapter of ACLU support1ng the proposed changes in the hu~an relations ordinance. The letter sa1d that ACLU was pleased to see that ;he HRC has developed the proposals becaus~ we fee~ they provide important prot~ct1o~s aga1nst discrimination and the 1nvas1on of personal privacy." Mayor Buchanan asked to schedule another work session on this matter. "I perceive that there's suppression of questions due to press of time," said Discrimination exists The proposed changes in the Blooming when the couple called to make an people at wo-rk, and word evidently got ton Human Relations Ordinance reflect appointment, but when they went to back to the management. The woman an ~ttempt to cover all citizens who look at the apartments they said she had worked there for a year need protection against discrimination encountered a variety of shocked and a half, had been promoted once, (see adjoining article). The Human facial expressions and stunned "Ohs!" and had received 2 or J raises in Rela~ions Commission has proposed One landlord actually told them he that short time. addi~ional coverages because of a wouldn't rent to them because they number of complaints that could not weren't married. He gave them a What's more, the management lied to be handled due to lack of religious rap and assured them that her about their reason for firing her. jurisdiction. it had nothing to do with the fact They told her that since she had been that one was "a Negro." in a car accident recently, they The HRC reports 12 complaints didn't want her to lift heavy trays involving marital status and 4 The woman told me she thought she was because she might throw out her back involving sexual preference, as well aware of racism, but not until she and sue them. But that's a bunch of as 9 more in other areas. The Post locked for an apartment with a black bull1 she'd told them she had a bad Amerikan knows of two fficre cases of man did she have any idea how strong back when they hired her, and she'd d1scr1m1nation that were not reported racist attitudes are in this town. been lifting those trays for a year primarily because the people involved "I didn't expect to encounter it," she and a half and it didn't seem to knew that they had no legal recourse. said. bother either her or the management. They both demonstrate the need to Besides, the only injury she'd identify more protected classes, as She also told me that if she had more sustained in the car accident was a the HRC wants to do with their confidence that the HRC could really cut on the head. proposed amendments. do something about it, she would have taken her case to them. "Test cases The woman said she didn't even think One case involves an unmarried black would help a lot," she added. "Land of taking her case to a governmental man and white woman who looked for an lords need to have that threat that agency. She knew that gay people apartment to rent together. Both are they're being checked out" for didn't have any legal rights or . professionals (a teacher and a possible discrimination. protection against discrimination in librarian) and appear to be the this state. Although her sexual perfect renters. They knew they would The second case involves being fired preference had nothing whatsoever to be extremely good tenants. Their because of sexual preference. A woman do with her effectiveness at work, she arrangement is economic, not romantic who was a head waitress at a local had been judged on the basis of group or sexual, but that didn't seem to restaurant knows she was fired when affiliation and not on individual make much difference to the people her lesbianism became known to the merit. Her case clearly illustrates who refused to rent to them. management. She knows because a why gay people and other groups need friend who was a manager at the to be specifically identified as The woman told me there were at least restaurant attended a meeting at which protected classes. Otherwise "justice 5 places where it was clear they did the reasons for firing the woman were for all" is an empty slogan. . not get rented to because of their discussed • race or marital status. The landlords --Ferdydurke would sound excited on the telephone The ex-waitress had come out to some Gay rights on the After several years of setbacks and only sporadic gains, efforts to secure legal and political protection for gay move men and lesbians in this country appear to be moving forward again and picking up some speed. Gay rights may • even win support in Bloomington, Illinois (see story on page 10). aga1n In the last few months gay peo~le have won a series of victories. Some are • ---~ significant, some are primarily symbolic, but they add up to progress. 1n u.s. With Reagan in the White House and NCPAC on the rampage, these successes seem resolution got on their knees, shouted even more impress~vea hallelujahs, waved bibles, and ca.lled I hope you don't ex~ any eggs f~m me. I'm a lesbian. for the death penalty for homosexuals. --on Jan. 26, the committee on human Their behavior made it very clear that development for the U.S. Conference gay people need proteqtion. of Mayors passed a resolution recommending "that all levels of --On Dec. 20, two California cities vote. If the bill becomes law, government adopt legal protection for extended civil rights protection to Michigan would be the second state in the rights of gay and lesbian gay people. Sacramento's city council the nation to have a lesbian and gay Americans." The resolution will be expanded its antidiscrimination policy civil rights law on the books. considered at its annual meeting in to include gay people in matters of Wisconsin enacted such a measure in Philadelphia in June. city hiring. In oakland the city 1982. council passed an extensive municipal --on Dec. JO, Ohio Governor Richard ordinance that bars discrimination on --In early Dec. the California Workers Celeste signed a long-awaited the basis of sexual orientation in Compensation Appeals Board awarded a executive order prohibiting discrimi- employment, housing, business man, Earl Donovan, $25,000 in survivor nation on the basis of sexual activities, and city services. Both benefits following the death of his orientation in state government measures passed unanimously. There lover, Thomas Finnerty. Finnerty, a employment. Celeste also established wasn't any opposition raised in former deputy district attorney in Los an advisory committee within the Oakland, and only one protestor spoke Angeles County, lived with Donovan for Dept. of Administrative Services to against the action in Sacramento. 27 years until his death by suicide in assist in implementing the executive 1976. In overturning a 1978 ruling, order. Executive orders prohibiting --on Dec. 1, the Judiciary Committee the appeals board declared that homo antigay discrimination in state of the Michigan legislature voted sexual relationships had to be given employment are currently in force in to report an antidiscrimination bill the same credence as those of New York, California, and out of committee to the House of unmarried heterosexuals. Pennsylvania. Representatives for consideration. An amendment to the state's civil --On Nov. 18 1 Governor Mario Cuomo of --on Dec. 27, the Rochester, NY, city rights act of 1977, the bill would New York issued an executive order to council voted 7-1 to approve a gay guarantee equal access in education, protect gay men and lesbians from rights resolution barring discrimina employment, housing, and public . discrimination in state employment and tion on the basis of sexual preference accommodations for Michigan's in the provision of state services. in employment and provision of estimated one million lesbians and While described as an important services by the city and by firms and gay men. The measure faces stiff victory, a 10-month delay and the agencies doing business with the city. opposition in the House, but its somewhat weakened form of the order Gay organizers say the victory was a sponsor, Rep. James Dressel, a (it doesn't affect contractors doing aided by the vicious opposition of Republican who represents a conserva business with the state) left fundamentalists and others. One ~ive d~s~ri?t in western Michigan, activists disappointed. But Gov. observer said that opponents of the l.S opt1.m1.st1.c after the committee Cuomo did set up a task force to over see the implementation of the order as it.pertains to state services and jobs. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Electoral politics also became a little more responsive to gay Amerikans this past year. In November openly gay people were elected to council seats in two large cities and two openly gay men became the mayors of their respective communities. --In Boston the city's District 8 elected their first openly gay city councillor on Nov. 15· David Scondras edged former White House aide Mark Roosevelt by 10) votes. Scondras noted that it was the combined efforts of tenants, women, blacks, hispanics, and members of the gay community that got hii!l elected. --In Minneapolis a gay man was elected to the city's council. Democrat Brian Coyle beat independent Tom Clarke on Nov. 8, winning 10 of the 6th ward's 13 precincts. Coyle attributed his victory to a coalition of gay men and lesbians, senior citizens, tenants, and "amazingly enough, some people who have never voted before- disenfranchised street people." --In Key West, FL, a gay art dealer was elected mayor. Richard Heyman, a former city commissioner, defeated his opponent by a margin of 4)6 votes. Although the opponent's campaign stressed his family ties, Heyman said he didn't think sexual preference was an issue,in the race. --In Santa Cruz, CA, an openly gay man was elected mayor by his fellow city council members. John Laird, a JJ-year-old county affirmative action officer, was unanimously appointed on Nov. 15. Santa Cruz became the 4th city in.t~e.country with an openly gay mayor, JOl.nl.ng Laguna Beach (CA), Key West (FL), and Bunceton (MO). --Ferdydurke Sources: Gay Community News, 26 Nov., J Dec., 10 Dec. 198); 7 Jan:, 14 Jan., 11 Feb. 1984. The Advocate, issue )86 (24 Jan. 1984) and issue 387 {7 Feb. 1984). The New York Native, Jan. 16- 29, 1984, issue ~ Taking the sting out of Xmas If you want to come out of the next holiday season feeling more sane than this time, you have to start now. I assure you, if you really want out of .....N this crap you can get out...... Begin right now by announcing how 0 utterly depressed Christmas had made :> you, how far you're in debt (or at least deprived); try to look pale and weak. Make a lot of statements about how you just can't face it one more single time. Everyone else feels pretty much the same way right now. .' Reward any sign of agreement with the jovial remark, "Now, remember next year that you said this, when I don't "They want to know if it's been tested for ED a c.Ontamination,. buy any presents!" Little wi~l they know you mean it. After about two months on this pro Murdock union busting at Post gram, lay off until September. Greet comments on the nice fall weather with Tempers have been hot ever since arch although Deborah was heard to cry out, reminders like, "Yes, I enjoy it so conservative publisher Rupert Murdoch "Don't hurt that furnace!" as she was much more now that it doesn't make acquired the Post Amerikan last month. dragged out. me dread the Xmas season. I toid Pickets were immediately put in place you that I'm not buying prese~ following his announcement of sweeping WACKO president and beauty consultant this year, didn't I?" changes in the paper's style and tone, Mark Silverstein vowed to fight to the Now you've slipped it in; all you need and a work stoppage was authorized by bitter end. "They haven't heard the to do is reinforce it. Stick like hell the·writers' union, Writers Against last of us 1" he warned. "We can play to this line until people finally Crazed Kapitalistic Oppression (WACKO). rough, too." He then swallowed three believe that you're doing such a typewriter elements and a thermostat radical thing. Mention that they Flushed with success over his recent coil. shouldn't buy you anything; some of firing of 750 strikers at the Times them will, but many of them will feel like you've given them a great gift of London, Murdoch promptly canned the "Long live the revolution," he grinned. as they cross you off their list. entire Post Amerikan staff. He then announced that publication would con --Scaramouche --Phoebe Caulfield tinue with the help of U.S. Army jour nalists from Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. The paper's name would be changed to the Military-Post. Don't send the marines there! In an effort to stop this clear abuse From the Halls of Montezuma to the inappropriate for the Marin€s to go shores of Tripoli, the United States to any .lnnei o:t: place that harbors ·tnat of workers' rights, WACKO invaded the will go anywhere, no matter how as official representatives of the Post's posh office and formed a human dangerous or meaninglessa Saigon, Marine Corps. And if they're in chain around Deborah's new furnace, Lebanon, Grenada, the White House. uniform, that's why they are." (Does blocking access to the thermostat. But they won't go into a gay bar. In "any kind of place that harbors that" Shouts of "We're pro-freeze!" and uniform. When someone might see them. include the barracks? or the House "Murder Murdoch!" could be heard. of Representatives?) Mark Siefker, the ex-Marine owner of This guerilla action was thwarted by a gay bar (the Job Site) in North Pritchett said the Marines would be gorilla ac.tion when Murdoch's new staff Hollywood (CA), told the~ bn&eles glad to accept the bar's toys if they. Times that the Marines in Enc~no (CA) were dropped off at a collection center. called in a batallion of the 82nd Air had agreed to pick up some toys that 'borne Division to dislodge the bar patrons had collected for the California State Senator Alan Robbins, strikers. WACKO put up no resistance, Marines' Toys for Tots campaign. But obviously concerned about all those when the Marin"es didn't show up at cabbage patch kids with blank adoption the appointed time (during a party on papers propped up against the booze, December 18), Siefker called them the told the Times he "couldn • t believe next day. He was told that they would it." He sa~d he decided to pick up not be able to pick up anything from the toys and deliver them himself. any gay bar. Which he did, the Thursday before Chr*stm*s. Robbins said that the (Hey, fellas, I'm never able to pick Marines were "appreciative." For up anything in a gay bar either, but what, he didn't specify. you gotta give it a try. Where's that gung-ho Marine commitment to futility Lt. Col. Pritchett also told GCN that we've all come to know and the Marines had never committed appreciate?) themselves to picking up the toys as Siefker claims. Lt. Col. Sally Pritchett, a spokes person for the national Toys for Tots She also added: "We have to be care program, told Gay Community~ ful where we send the Marine's blue {GCN), "We want toys from every source uniform." wecan get them." BUTa "Homosexual ity is not permitted nor condoned by Tell that to Ronald Reagan, Sally. the Marine Corps" (as opposed to napalming villages and machine --Ferdydurke gunnin& Arabs). ANDa "It is Sourcea GCN, 14 Jan. 1984. Reagan smitten at white house White House staffers were thrown for that paramedics were called. After quite a loss February 14th when vowing to halve the defense budget and President Ronald Reagan suddenly replace George Bush with Shirley expressed great love for the poor, the Chisolm for the '84 campaign, Reagan downtrodden, Democrats, Communists, called for his limosine in order to, CBS, atheists, and homosexuals. as he put it, "find and embrace my good buddy, Tip 0 'Neill." The problem surfaced at a Congressional luncheon when Reagan was Mrs. Reagan persuaded the President suddenly noticed to have a goofy grin to "have some jellybeans and a nap on his face. An alarmed First Lady 'first." When he did so she called in pointed out that it wasn't "the usual a team of specialists from Walter goofy grin." Secret Service agents Reed Hospital to examine him. They leaped into action and ten of them removed a three-inch candy arrow from wrestled an infant to the ground, his chest in a non-surgical procedure. disarming him of a pink longbow and An hour later Reagan was gleefully FINES ·GAY ENTERTAlNMEN ruining his diaper. ordering salvos from the New Jersey '• •again, blissfully unaware of his close IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS "Gee, guys," the President was heard ·call. ·to say, "Aren't you being a little OPEN NlGHTLY 'TIL -4-A.M. · rough on the fellow?" He then ·Ed Meese is resting comfortably. A PRESENT THIS AD AT THE BAR :proceeded to speak for six hours on frustrated Shirley Chisolm could not FOR A DRINK. LIMIT ONf PER . the plight of the poor and the hungry, 'be reached for comment. CUSTOMER PER NIGHT . sending Ed Meese into such deep shock --Scaramouche Post Amerikan vol. 12, #10 page 14 March 1984 No finger sandwiches in this evening Multi media with Your Mom "The your mom extravaganza." I spend extravaganza slated my life trying to forget ''my mom"- The Centerstage Committee of the ISU then these people come along and try Student Center Board is proud to and draw attention to her. My mom's The · ' present the "Your Mom Extravaganza," extravaganza consists of eight snooty an evening of improvised and not-so ladies at a bridge party eating improvised music. The three hour broccoli casseroles and tiny chunks ~yegl MCDM presentation will contain eleven of fresh pineapple off of the good different musical events, including china. le-A,tf:WagiilJZit_: /~ , members of both diaTribe and the now ~ .... ~ defunct Shmaz. I hope they aren't going to herd us ~ "N EVEN/Nr oF IV\USICA/.. WORJ< ~- into the ISU Circus Room Feb. 29 to ~~ .MARI Annoyed, I switched off the amp and was gratified to hear Black Cat fade into radio silence. Thus I turned to my trusty M1-FM stereo tape player and inserted Adam Ant, only to be once more assaulted by "on the flip-flop" and "I be gone" (I only wish). Further experimentation has proven the only safe media to be magazines, radio (Hi, Robin!), and MTV. Friends of radio-bent have informed me that this misfortune is due either to Blac~ Cat pushing too many amps, or because he's broadcasting from our attic. Over the past few months, ·we've had our listening pleasure interrupted durlng Roxy Music, Talk ing Heads idesecration), and the Ramones (utter blasphemy!) While I defy anyone to infringe on Black Cat's right to talk to the truckers, there are times when I wish he'd dash off a quick note instead. His fluency in the CB jargon borders on parody, and we never hear any reply. I suspect B.C. merely enjoys his own chatter, leading me to con clude that he is masturlabial. Mr. Black Cat, I enjoy my music pure, pi and I resent your intrusions, especial ly as I've been told that you are probably operating outside legal limits. Although I feel we live in a world of super-regulation, I support 105 Broadway .~ Normal FCC standards which protect innocent others from transmissional torture. Lower your amps, good buddy; then UITAR we won't "catch you on the flipflop." . WORLD- RAF ~~o-.;plat~ . ·•• t•c_tfvou .. --·- - .. ------·' ---- ..,._._.,.. ich( the.d"-"' tU:rta._,!~ Movie review Never Cry Wolf: Instructive fables In the summer of 1979, 200 scientists flute passage in something by Ballard and his writers have taken the convened in Portland for the first Respighi; a look that says, "Some best of Mowat's story and with a international symposium on wolf thing's there that I'd almost little of their fictive embellishment research. Virtually every wolf forgotten--there it is!" have given us a film which teaches us specialist in the world attended, from some of the same lessons that were those famous in the wolf world such as For Dr. Stephenson was reminding us taught over many months to Bob Dave Mech to undergraduate researchers of things that were so precious and Stephenson and to Mowat as well. and fellow travellers such as yours yet so obvious and fundamental that truly. most of us had f.orgotten. He talked Those who take this film as literal about the Esk~mos of Alaska and how fact miss the essence and purpose of Scientific symposia are usually dull they brought him, metaphorically, out myth, whether ancient or moderna to gatherings, with papers read for of the lab and into the landscape, enrich through fable. Never Cry Wolf hours on end and politicking in the into the matrix of tundra and human is myth, of course--but infinitel-y-- corridors--which of co~rse is the real and wolf. He spoke softly but in more constructive and instructive than reason for such an event. The usual startled terms of the lessons taught the wolf fables we have inherited from reports were read with the usual to him by Eskimo and wolf, and how he our past. polite critiques, with a few learned--or relearned--to listen. digressions, such as the brewing --Wolfperson Jack philosophical war between the The simple and precious lessons of ethologists and the behaviorists. human and wolf are precisely what this But something happened at this film offers us. I came to it with ~...... gathering of academics and egos that considerable skepticism, having was as touching as it was unusual, and studied wolves in college and also it pertains directly to carroll Ball having Mowat's book, in which the author blended the Eskimo culture with· Ballard's film version of Never rry his personal experiences as a I thouaht we were havtna mou.ue for Post Amerikan val. 12, #10 page 15 March 1984 Silkwood: not great, but moving This is about "Silkwood," the movie. neurotic, drug-ridden, and unable to Her friends think she is crazy and will It is by no means a "great" film--but maintain lasting relationship with her get them fired. She can't trust the for me it told a story that is both friends, lovers and children. But her doctors: some say "there are no safe moving and powerful. When I first read energy shines through, neurotic or not, levels of exposure to plutonium," about the Karen Silkwood case in MS and creates empathy (sisterhood?). others say "you have nothing to worry magazine in 1974, I was angry. And I Perhaps I am only responding to Meryl about, but why don't you bring in a was frightened. &treep's boundless energy. daily urine sample." The movie recreates some of those And of course she can't trust the feelings for me: the scenes in which The movie makes an uncomfortable company, who plants radioactive Karen and her co-worker get "cooked" statement--namely, "You can't trust plutonium in her house when she starts (contaminated with radioactivity) seem anyone." Karen learns not to trust the agitating. No wonder Karen is especially terrible. When the union union, who could not care less about portrayed as increasingly crazy and doctors hold a meeting for the workers, the working conditions at the plant but paranoid, no wonder she ,gets strung out describing the effects of radiation who wants her to risk her job, and on ludes, no wonder she dies •••••• sure, I was amazed: these folks had no possibly her life, to get evidence clue what it was they were working about illegal tampering with fuel rod --Praxis with. quality (and she certainly can't trust the union rep who beds her and then I must admit I wearied at long scenes becomes a voice on a telephone on hot summer porches and the movie's answering machine). attempts to make Karen "human," eg. The All·new\MY S!i~ter, -- the Punk Rocker Buy it, T·shirt ~. ******************** - a:\ ~I need a My Sister the Punk Rocker T-shirt. lt· .V~ear • ~· :~=~=·s my $6. * ...- .. ~-:·~~--. il Address lt .City, Zip lf- 1 • - ---- ~-. . pi:re S M L XL lf- 'S · Pit On .•. ,--~~Here's my generous of lt . ~Proceeds go to the _ .. ---- ...... Mail...... to: . Post Amerikan P. o. Box 3452 'Bloomington, IL 61702_. items to Amerikan Almanak, P.O. Box 3452, Bloomington. Mori. Feb. 20 Mon. March 12 *Film, "Story of Floating Weeds'" *Speaker: Michael Manly, former (silent with Englililh subtitles) Prime Minister of Jamaica. ISU's 7:30p.m. ISU's Center for Bone Student Center. Free. Visual Arts, room 140. Wed. March 14 *ISU's CVA Gallery has a fun art *Gay People's Alliance meeting. exhibit, "West Coast Realism." 8 p.m. 401 Stevenson Hall, ISU. Will be up only until Feb. 26. "Gay Parenting" Tues. Feb. 21 *S.C.F. Peace Group meeting. *Meeting, Committee for Solidar 7 p.m. Campus Religious Center. ity with El Salavador. 7:30 p.m. Fri. March 16 room 310 Stevenson Hall, ISU. *Film: "Psycho II" ISU's Capen Cinema. 7 & 10 p.m. $1.50. *Film, "Duck Soup" ISU' s Union Film Board. 6 & 8:15 p.m. $1. *Theatre: "They're Playing Our Wed. Feb. 22 Song" Community Players. Call 663-2121 for information. *Meeting Local/Global 8 p.m. Fell Room at the Unitarian Churc Sat. March 17 Speaker: Dr. Wm McNeill, prof. *Film: "Psycho II" ISU' s Capen of history at Univ. of Chicago Cinema. 7 & 10 p.m. $1.50. * Theatre: "For Colored Girls Who ' *Theatre: "They're Playing Our Have Considered Suicide When the Community Players. Rainbow Is Enuf" ISU's Braden Auditorium, 8 p.m. Free. March 18 *McLean County Arts Center *Speaker: Judy Goldsmith, Presi Mon. Feb. 27 Amateur Art Show begins: con d~nt of NOW. ISU's Capen Audi *-Film: "Burden of Dreams" 7:30 pm tinues through April 24. torium, 7 p.m. ISU's CVA, room 140. *Theatre: "They're Playing Our *Gay Peoples' Alliance meeting. *McLean county Arts Center accept Song" Community Players. "Legal Rights of Gay People." ing work to be juried for their Fairchild Hall, room 112, ISU annual Amateur Art Show: paint 8 p.m. *Film: "Psycho II" Capen ing, graphics, photography, Cinema (ISU). 2 & 7 p.m. $1.50. sculpture, skilled crafts. Entry *S.C.F. Peace Group meeting. 7 p.m. folders and info., 829-0811. Mon. March 19 Campus Religious Center *Speaker: Jim Hall, "Promise Them Tues. Feb. 28 Anything"--collection of campaign· Thurs. Feb. 23 *Film: "Bonnie and Clyde" ISU's commercials. ISU' s Prairie Room. . *Film: "Body Heat" ISU's Capen Union film board. 6 & 8:15 p.m. 8 p.m. $1.00 Auditorium 7 & 10. p.m. $1.50 Bone Student Center. $1.00. *Film: "El Salvador--Another *Theatre: "Hedda Gabler" ISU' s *Theatre: "Hedda Gabler" West Vietnam?" Beginning of Central Westhoff Theatre. For tickets hoff Theatre, ISU. 8 p.m. America Week on ISU campus. For phone 438-2535. 8 p.m. more info. call Michelle, 828-5662 Wed. Feb. 29 Fri. Feb. 24 *Gay People's Alliance meeting: Tues. March 20 *Theatre: "Hedda Gabler" West "Gay-Straight Rap" 112 Fairchild *Committee for Solidarity with El hoff Theatre, ISU. Call 438-2535 Hall, ISU. 8 p.m. Salvador meeting. 7:30 p.m. for ticket information. 8 p.m. 310 Stevenson Hall, ISU. *S.C.F. Peace Group meeting. 7 p.m. *Film: "American Gigolo" ISU's Campus Religious Center. Wed. March 21 Capen Cinema. 7 & 10 p.m. $1.50. *Speaker: Arturo Magana, nephew *Bound for Glory Singers perform of President of El Salvador. Sat. Feb. 25 "Free at Last," a musical salute Call Michelle at 828-5662 for *Film: "American Gigolo" 7 & 10 to Black History month, Tri details. p.m. ISU's Capen Cinema. Towers Basement, ISU. 7 p.m. *Gay People's Alliance meeting. *Theatre: "Hedda Gabler" ISU's Thurs. March 1 112 Fairchild Hall, ISU 8 p.m. Westhoff Theatre, 8 p.m. Call *Film: "Psycho" ISU's Capen 438-2535 for ticket info. Cinema. 7 & 10 p.m. $1.50. Thurs. March 22 *Film: "West Side Story" ISU's *Operation Recycle drive at Sears Capen Cinema. 7 & 10 p.m. parking lot, Eastland Shopping *Theatre: "Hedda Gabler" 8 p.m. $1.50. Center and Turner Hall parking ISU's Westhoff Theatre. lot, ISU. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tues. March 6 *Deadline for next Post Amerikan. *Committee for.Solidarity with Send articles, money, letters, *Rape Crisis Center training El Salvador meeting. 7:30 p.m. and more money. session. 401 Stevenson Hall, 310 Stevenson Hall, ISU. ISU. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fri. March 23 Wed. March 7 Sun. Feb. 26 *Demonstration: Anniversary of *S.C.F. Peace Group meeting. Oscar Romeo's death. ISU's Quad, *Rape Crisis Center training 7 p.m. Campus Religious Center. 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. session. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 401 Stevenson Hall, ISU. *Theatre: "One Flew over the *Community Players. "They're Play- Cuckoo's Nest" IWU's McPherson ing Our Song" Call 663-2121. * Film: "American Gigolo" ISU' s Theatre. 8 p.m. 556-3232 for Capen Cinema. 2 & 7 p.m. $1.50 ticket info. *Theatre: "Hedda Gabler" 8 p.m. Thurs. March 8 •:··················~4 M~. M~ch 26 • Westhoff Theatre, ISU. 438-2535 *Theatre: "One Flew over the + *Singer, author, poet, dancer, + • actor MAYA ANGELOU will be at for ticket info. Cuckoo's Nest" IWU's McPherson :+ Theatre. 556-3232 for info. + ISU. Sponsored by the Black •• · *Music: Maynard Ferguson. IWU + Student Center. She will be + Main Lounge. Tickets $6, avail Fri. March 9 • reciting poetry and speaking in .• the Bone Student Center Circus able at Record Service. *Theatre: "One Flew over the + Cuckoo's Nest" IWU (see above). + Room. Free. . + Sat. March 10 *Theatre: "One Flew over the Post Amerikan vol. 12, #10 Cuckoo's Nest" IWU (see above). f+··················t·page 16 March 1984 page 17 Two more hostages of the Department of Corrections have told the Post that they'd like letters from the out Hostages side. Send correspondence to: Michael Benson N-34567, South 3, llB P. o. Box 711 need Centralia, IL 62801 Thomas J. Phillips N-18207 P. 0. Box 711 letters Centralia, IL 62801 Treatment worked but the patient died Dear Post Amerikan: bones. So the third doctor called in more to it. the only cancer doctor in Blooming I have enjoyed your paper for a long ton. Well, he came in and like a The point of all this is to let people time. I think it should be a \oTeekly shoe salesman talked mother and knm1 about these doctors and about instead of monthly, and I wish I could Dad's Lrothers into chemotherapy chemotherapy and radiation. They give help 1r1ith money but I can't because for Dad. you pamphlets about these treatments, my husband is on disability and I have but please talk to someone \-lho has four children. Well, that is Hhen things really st-arted to get Horse. I took Dad had them or to the family of someone to the office and waited for 2 hours \·!ho has had them if you want to knm·J Eut anY1flay, in the past I ';/as going the truth. The doctors say these to call you and report different things while they put drugs into his body treatments work. But I would like to that are so wrong and I get so angry intravenously. He would come hone know the names of people who these about, but I just got frustrated weak and thro\oTing up. But he Has drugs have helped. I would also and said it \-Ton' t be printed because happy because Doc kept saying, "You like to talk to the families of it all !1as happened to my family and are doing fine. Your blooJ is clear." people who died of these treatments. probably wouldn't anger anybody else. This went on for 4 months. I watched I think these treatments destroy But this one will be told. If I just my dad go rald. I watched him los€ people's minds, their bodies, and kill help one person to know the truth I all of his weight, get sores in the the good cells they have left. The am satisfied. I don't v•ant anything mouth, and get \-leaker and 'tleaker. patients are human guinea pigs for but to try to save someone else. I called the doctor and he .,.,ould these cancer specialists. tell me Dad is fine: "It's to be expected." My father who was 64 years old, a And one more thing: I condemn St. construction worker at Local 362, Joseph's Hospi'tal for their so-called started getting pains in his back Finally Dad had to go hack to the support groups in the basement they and hip and losing his hearing in hosoital. The Doc 1-1anted more tests. have for cancer patients. I went to the winter. He went to one of the The~ they found a tumor in his head. one when my dad was dying and they most respected doctors in ·Blooming Why didn't they find it before? Doc had this famous cancer doctor there ton. The doctor told him he \'las sent Dad home, but he got radiation pushing chemotherapy. I got up and having muscle spasms and gave him treatments as an outpatient. I \•lalked out, The doctor wouldn't pain pills, muscle relaxers, all took him back and forth for 3 treat even look my mother and me in the kinds of medicine. It didn't help. ments. He \vas in a wheelchair and face. Dad 1r1as suffering, in so much pain. began to get pain in the eyes. Well, this is just part of my story Doc again said everything is fine. ~1y mother and I called t!1e doctor and you probably won't print it be every \•!eek t\10 or three tines. But Dad went back to the hospital. cause it is too long. But I will be He would just change the medicine. Seven days later Dad dies, with the heard. I will sit down and do what It didn't 'trork. Dad still suffered. Doctor still saying fine. The day I have done so many times before. before he died we didn't want Dad Finally Dad went to another doctor to have the radiation treatment, but Thank you very much for reading this. in town. This one didn't even bother the doctor said he \'las fine and made to look at Dad; he agreed uith the him have it. Dad was semiconscious first doctor: nuscle spasms. All then. Janice Quinn this time Dad sufferecJ., cra\oTled on 828-4129 This isn't explained right, but I have t~e floor and vomited. Hy mother 907 N. Elder rurbed Dad's back, hip and legs tried to explain as short as I can Bloomington, IL until her hands were blistered and some of the details. There is a lot she was exhausted. Dad would have 2 or 3 bad attacks a day. Finally my mot~1er and I ~ade another appointment with another doctor. Well, he immediately sent Dad to the hospital for tests. T\'JO BE A STAR days later Ne 1•rere notified that my father had cancer of the lung and Send us your Turn heads as you walk outrages! down the street! If you've had a hassle with a land~ lord, a doctor, an attorney, the police, the state, or anybody else, -cLIP -N -SEND•---- -~ and you would like to tell the r---- world (or your little piece of it), 1 YES, I crave the fame and glory 1 just write it up and send it off to I a Post-Amerikan T-sh~rt w~ll 1 the Post Amerikan. We want to bring me! I can-'t l~ve w~thout I hear about ~t. I it. In fact I'll just die if I' I can't have a Post T-shirt! I Don't worry if you can't spell or if you don't know proper grammar. Some I ~nclosed is my check for $6. 00, I of our best writers have serious I Thank you. You've made my ·life I problems in those areas, too. But 1 worth living again. I we've got editors who take care of that sort of thing. I Circle Size S M L XL I I I So if you're mad about something and I Nwne I your friends ~re sick.to death of hearing you b~tch, wr~te to us. We .I Address. : never tire of bitching. II -city, State, ~ I Send your gripes to the Post·Amerikan, Clip-n-send to Post-Amerikan, P.O. P.o. Box 3452, Bloomington, IL 617~2. I I 1 Box 3452, Bloomington, IL 61701. I 'For 20¢ you, too, can get your 2¢ ~n. ------· Post Amerikan vol. 12, #10 page 18 March 1984 Contraceptive sponges now available The Today contraceptive sponge is How is it used? how women get TSS, but many women now available in local drugstores The sponge may be inserted up to who have gotten it were using some and at Planned Parenthood. Here are 24 hours before the couple has kind of vaginal product (like tam some facts about the sponge. intercourse. They may have re pons, diaphragms, sponges) during peated intercourse using the same their menstrual periods when they What is it? sponge without removing it and first had symptoms of TSS. Because The contraceptive sponge is a without using additional spermi of this the manufacturers suggest sponge made of a synthetic material cide~ The woman should wait at that you should NOT use the sponge called polyurethane. It looks like least six hours after the last during your menstrual periods. or a small doughnut with a hollow or time she has intercourse to take if you do, insert it right before dimple in the center of one side, the sponge out. intercourse, use it for only one instead of a hole. On the side act of intercourse, and take it out opposite the dimple is a nylon Where can I get it? six hours later instead of leaving tape, which forw~ a loop. The You can buy sponges at drugstores it in for 24 hours as you could sponge is saturated with a chemical or at Planned Parenthood. You during the rest of your menstrual which rmmobilizes sperm, called a don't need to be a certain age cycle. spermicide. or have a doctor's prescription How does it work? to use them. However, women who are sexually active should have a CAUTION: The sponge works in three ways: yearly exam and pap test, no matter 1) It places a barrier in front If you experience what method of birth control they a sudden fever, of the cervix (the opening to the use. uterus). It gets in the way when vomiting, diarrhea, the sperm try to swim through the How much does it cost? cervix to get to the fallopian a sudden drop in blood pressure, tubes where they could unite with The sponges cost 75¢ each or three dizziness, sponges for $2 at Planned Parenthood. or a rash that looks like sun an egg to cause pregnancy. Prices at local drugstores average 2) It re~eases the spermicide, burn while using the sponge, which stuns the sperm and stops three sponges for $3.25 with no remove it and see a doctor their movement. individual sponges sold. IMMEDIATELY. 3) It absorbs the sperm and traps them inside the sponge. What are possible problems? For questions about the sponge or Some people may be allergic to the any other methods of birth control How effective is it? material the sponge is made of or call Planned Parenthood at 827-8025 to the_ spermicide. If irritation It's about 80-85~ effective. That or your doctor. means if 100 women use the sponge occurs, discontinue use. as their birth control method for --Maggie a year, 15 to 20 of them may get What about pregnant. Women who use the sponge Toxic Shock Syndrome? correctly every time they have Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a intercourse are less likely to get rare but very serious disease. · pregnant. Doctors are not yet sure exactly Free expessionists Rape Crisis Center get it together Community training The Bloomington-Normal Free , The Rape Crisis Center of McLean Expressionist Group announces its County will hold a training session impromptu founding and urges all open News_ for new volunteers the weekend of· minded persons to join us. Feb. 25 and 26. The Saturday session will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. and the Sunday session will run from Our first project: an .evening's free 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. artistic expression, to be held at a public place in this community. The training session will be held at 401 Stevenson Hall on the ISU campus. We invite all interested individuals, Area artwork All interested worr,en and men are including poets, film-makers, invited to attend. Both days of solicited training are required for those who musicians, and other expressive people wish to become volunteers. to call our co-ordinating team- A special invitation is extended to Viceroy, at 452-1257: or Peanuts, qualified area artists to be among the The two-day training will include at 829-4130. exhibitors in Art in Action to be pre discussions of the victim, the rapist, sented by American Society of Artists, child sexual assault, the laws, the This could all become a valid response a national membership organization, at medical procedures, same sex assault, to 1984. avoidance and resistance, rape in Eastland Shopping Center, Bloomington, McLean County, and the politics of Friday through Sunday, May 4, 5, and 6. rape. Artists will exhibit their work and all exhibitors will work/demonstrate For more information call PATH at at various times throughout the show. 827-4005 and ask for the Rape Crisis Center. Only original, creative work will be accepted for exhibition in this juried show. To be juried for the show, potential exhibitors should submit four slides or photographs of work which they wish to exhibit and one slide or photograph of their display set-up. A resume and/or show listing would also be helpful. Additional informa tion and applications may be obtained Bound for glory MCC meets again from American Society of Artists, P.O. • Box 1326, Palatine, IL 60078--exhi s1ngers The Metropolitan Community Church bitor telephone (312) 991-4748. has begun to hold meetings again "The Bnund for Glory Singers," an in Bloomington: 1 p.m. on Sundays occasional group of local folks (Mari at 501 W. Mulberry St. (Bloomington). laurice Hemlock, John Mueller, Raechelle New and exciting activities are Pope, Kari Sandhass and Mike Matejka) being planned. Everyone is welcome. will perform an original production, "Free at Last," on Wednesday, Feb. 29, Those who want to learn more about at 7 p.m., in the basement of the Tri MCC or wish to make their interests Towers dorms at ISU. known in MCC's activitie~ are en couraged to attend an informational RED HOT BOOKS about the struggle for The program is a salute to Black His forum on Thursday, March 1 at 7:30 peace and justice around the world. tory month, and traces Black History -·p.m. at 501 w. -Mulberry, Bloomington. Send 20¢ postage to RECON publica from slavery times, using poetry and For more information about MCC, tions, P. 0. Box 14602, Philadelphia, dramatic readings, folk songs, and ·call 829-2719. PA 19134. spirituals. val. 12, #10 Post Amerikan ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~up~ag~euul~9~~u~~a~ruchU£1~9u8~4LU~ Alternative olympics proposed I wasn't going to write about the while as bloody as the Slasher Olympics--! really wasn't. But I Olympics, serve a more useful purpose. figure if Art Buchwald and Andy Rooney Any public official is eligible to can, and if the Revolutionary Worker compete. In order to qualify, the can devote its cover to the Olymplcs, official must have a petition signed surely I can have my say, too, by at least 5 citizens of his or her country. I love the Olympics. Always have, probably always will. But I don't Elimination Olympics would always be like the fact that they happen only played in a neutral country. If no every four years. So I have a neutral country (one which has sent suggestion for sports fans and no participants) can be found, the competing tv networks alike--let's site of the Elimination Olympics have the Olympics every year! will be determined by the playing of Russian Roulette. The team captains Now I realize that limiting one's sel.f (those officials who had the most to just the more traditional Olympic signatures) will play this pre-game, events would be hard to take every · and the last surviving Olympian's year, but I believe that sports fans nation will host the Elimination can be served without boring the skeet Olympics. The team captain will then out of them. This is what I propose, take his/her own life, and new team captains will be chosen. First, have the Traditional Olympics as they are, '84, '88, '92. Then the The motto of the Elimination Olympics next years, '85, '89, '93, have the will be "Live, and Let's Die," and Slasher Olympics. -These games would its colors will be black on black, appeal to those of us who root for the with just a hint of a smiley face downhill skiers to fall off the Slasher Olympic judges whose scores barely visible, are questioned by any team member will mountain, the bobsledders to vault out Elimination Olympics will be played of their little ditch, the gymn~sts be hanged and their scores eliminated. to miss the horse and wind up in the with very few rules. Any Olympian stands. Next, I propose an Arm-Chair Olympics. found hiding so as not to be killed These games would attract all those will be shot. Otherwise, the For these fans I offer Slasher folks who sit at home and watch the traditional games will be played. Olympics. Only the 20 top-rated Olympics on their color tvs. In Arm Although downhill skiing may make the sports in its field will be allowed. Chair Olympics, they, the spectators, Olympian a squatting duck, the bobsled To qualify, a sport must be one of the would be the teams. Anyone who has offers much protection and excitement ever muttered those immortal words, "My four-year-old daughter could have caught that pass," or "Didja ever notice how Kareem don't even try?" o:r: "Any friggin' fool can do that," is eligible to play. The motto for the Arm-Chair Olympics would be "Live to Sit Again," and its colors would be Avacado and Harvest Gold on a field of Coppertone. The same sports that are offered in the Traditional Olympics would be offered in the Arm-Chair Olympics. Here is Amerika's chance, finally, to world-wide top 20 as far as deaths, see real amateur OlymFians, unlike the mutilations, and general blood and professi'onals we are forced to watch gore. No protective clothing would be now, from the USSR and thE NCAA. permitted. For instance, although ice hockey would qualify as a Slasher Anyone who played a sport in college Olympic team sport, it would be played would be ineligible for the Arm-Chair as we watch our leaders offing other in sweats and skates. Olympics unless she or he was leaders at speeds up to 75 mph. Hand graduated at least 15 years ago or guns and rifles will be used in the The motto for the Slasher Olympics has gained at least 25 pounds since winter Olympics, bows and arrows, would be "Live and Lose," and its graduation. Any prospective Olympian knives, and swords in the summer games. colors would be black, blue, green, who can pass the President's Physical and sickly yellow on a field of red. Fitness Test would be automatically Judges will be representatives from Instead of marching into the arena disqualified. all those hurt by government spending during the opening ceremonies, the cuts. Any Olympian disagreeing with athletes would be carried in on Arm-Chair Olympics will be judged by a judge will be disqualified. Any stretchers, in anticipation of what the friends and lovers of the team Olympian disqualified will be shot. is to come. members who always lobby for "Family Classics" during the football season. All the Olympians left at the end of Those teams with the most deaths in Medals would be awarded to every Arm the games will be poisoned at supper any event would be declared the Chair Olympian who actually completes on the last day. Since all the winners. If no deaths occur, the an event. All entrants would be participants of Elimination Olympics teams with the most comatose and available for the press and their will be dead, no medals will be permanently disabled members will win. peers to ridicule and harass at the awarded. If no team records anything but mere end of every event. bumps, bruises, and broken bones, the At the closing ceremonies the world's event will be considered null and Finally, in the years before the people will be declared the winners. void and the medals not given out Traditional Olympics, I propose the at all. Elimination Olympics. These games, That takes us to '88, and the next Traditional Olympics. The advent of Olympics every year has many positive monetary considerations, too. With my plan, even more cities would get THE WORLD'S NATURAL RESOURCES to cash in on the Olympic spirit and ARE LIMITED; SAVE THEM SO THAT the Olympic money. New sponsors FUTURE GENERATIONS WON'T GO TO would have to be found, but that WAR OVER DWINDLING SUPPLIES. should be no problem. Blue Cross/. Blue Shield should want to sponsor the Slasher Olympics, Ethan Allen would no doubt love to be the official end OPERATION table of the Arm-Chair Olympics, and Smith & Wesson would kill to sponsor RECYCLE the Elimination Olympics. But more importantly, the fans would McLean County's only not-for be satisfied. If it is true that the profit full-service community fans make the game, then these new recycling center Olympic contests sould satisfy every fan everywhere. , I intend to approach the International 1100 w. Market Olympic Committee in the near future with my ideas. Since I am confident ORIGJIW. Ali1WCliiK BY IIMCY GORRELL, B50 IDOOCINO AVEIIU£, BERKELEY CA 94707 they will be accepted, I will accept 829-0691 your gratitude in advance. Remember, START A PEACEFUL HABIT TODAY! We accept newspapers, tin cans, you read it first in the Post-Amerikan. glass containers, aluminum, --Deborah Wiatt, corrugated cardboard and office The "Jim McKay" PLEASE RECYCLE paper, of the P-A Post Amerikan vo1. 12, #10 page 20 March 1984 Censoring encyclopedias Cutting and pasting for purity The Reagan administration wants tax erased from the glossy paper used in credits for private religious schools. printing encyclopedias. You can over They take some of the tax burden off come this by taking a razor blade and those parents who want to send their lightly scraping the surface until it kids to church schools--and add to the loses its glaze. After this is done burden of the rest of us who are pay the magic marker will not erase. ing for public education. "As for evolution, cutting out the Do you have the sneaky feeling that sections on the subject is practical some of that money is being wasted? if the portions removed are not thick You bet it is. enough to cause damage to the spine of the book as it is opened and closed in To give you some idea how it's being normal use. When the sections needing spent, let me share some parts of an correction are too thick, paste the article I ran across while looking for pages together being careful not to material on censorship. The article smear portions of the book not intend is called "Reviewing and Correcting ed for correction. Encyclopedias" and appeared in some thing called the Christian School Builder (vol 15, no. 9, April 1983, "Reproduction: Two basic categories PP• 205-07). of reproduction are ~ and animal. Reproduction in the animal kingdom And I quote: shifts the attention away from the human level enough to make it a more "Encyclopedias are a vital part of neutral platform for the presentation many school libraries. They repre of facts. As for human reproduction, sent the philosophies of present-day volume description and page numbers humanists. This is obvious by the can be easily passed from one student bold display of pictures that are used to another, and an atmosphere may begin to illustrate paintings, art, and taking place that will lead to a break sculpture. This makes it important down in moral reserve and purity of that the materials we place before our thought. children are free from that which would inflame passion. "The work of cutting out or pasting together pages will be done by those "In encyclopedias we are not battling who have the burden for that which is a plot that captivates minds but are right: school board members and the looking for erroneous information, pastoral committee and burdened sensual pictures, and unchaste details. parents." One of the areas that needs correction is immodesty due to nakedness and While the financial burden for those posture. This can be corrected by expensive encyclopedias--and the drawing clothes on the figures or markers, razors, and paste used to blotting out entire pictures with a mutilate them--will be shared by the magic marker. This needs to be done rest of us. with care or the magic marker can be --Ferdydurke GOD! I FORGOT TO RENEW MY SUBSCRIPTION TO THE POST AMERIKAN ,::::: 0 ·r-1 .....0.. .j.J N ~ 10 .j.J -urC en 0 0 .. ro ~ ,::::: ...... (I) 0\0 Q,) t'j ·r-1 {/)- ..c ...... j.J .j.J rJl 0! .. ·r-1 .j.J 0 ~ ~ .j.J t)·r-1 Ul en..c ,::::: ..Q en 0 :;j I ·r-1 en+J :t: .j.J 10 10 10 ,::::: 0 .....0 Q,) Q,) 1-l '0 C) E! E! '0'0 g ,:::::,::::: 1-l Q,) Q,) ~ en UlUl ·r-1 I I I ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• I remembered to take.out the garbage, leave food for the cat, turn off the air conditioner, pay the telephone bill, and water the philodendron. But all of that means nothing, without a Post Amerikan subscription. My life is empty ••• I desperately seek thrills and f~nd them all sordid and meaningless ••• Don't let it happen to you. For the next 12 issues, send $4 to Post Amerikan, PO Box )452, Bloomington, IL 61702