Posted on March 22, 2006
I am responding to the article by Brian Goodman in the March 15 issue of The Breeze. I found it irresistible to comment on the rather amusing trend among psuedo-intellectual college students these days to extricate subtle and complex right-wing conspiracies portrayed in the media and every other facet of society. I’m sorry, but “300” was, in all reality, just a movie. Any fool could see that it was not meant to be historically precise, but rather a kick-ass film designed to rev up our testosterone production or make us lick our lips with pleasure at the exposed six-packs flying across the screen. How is this a bad thing?
Is Goodman saying that all male homosexuals are effeminate, pierce their skin and wear makeup? That certainly never crossed my mind, to be honest. To me it was evident that Xerxes was painted and pierced to portray the fact that he was vain, seeing how he considered himself divine, and it certainly didn’t escape my attention that Xerxes’s tent was swarming with female concubines. I personally agree with what the film’s message was concerning what a “real” man is…i.e. strong, brave and loyal versus vain, tyrannical and traitorous.
I rather enjoyed the style of “300,” timing and integration of mythology, as well as the several dozen rippling pectorals on the screen. So loosen up and let the people enjoy their sex and violence; they will no matter how much “integrity” you encourage them to have.
Bess Dalby, junior health science major
A quote from a JMU student in the March 19 article on gas prices was sorely misinformed. Jackie Campitell was quoted as saying “It’s just ridiculous the way gas stations can gouge us like this prices are crazy nowadays.”
This claim is inaccurate on many levels. Many gas stations are privately owned or leased and these owners have very minimal control over the price of the gasoline that they receive from distributors. I have worked at a BP gas station and I have seen firsthand that the average profit margin on each gallon of gas sold is sometimes no more than a few cents, especially after credit card fees, etc.
The claim that “gas stations are gouging us” is totally erroneous given the current price of gasoline, and it is also very unfair to blame local gas stations for the price of gas that the consumer pays in the Harrisonburg area. If you want to blame someone, blame OPEC, as the controller of such a large percentage of the world’s petroleum reserves can influence global prices.
It is true that America’s oil companies are currently reaping record profits, but I can ensure you that whether gasoline is $1 or $5 a gallon, local businesses see no significant difference in their profit. Perhaps instead of unfairly targeting local businesses, Campitell could sell her “bulky SUV” and buy a more fuel-efficient car.
Kevin Flint, junior economics/SMAD major
