The Republic from Columbus, Indiana • Page 4

A4 The Republic. Columbus, Saturday. January 22. 2000 p5ran) All eyes omi Cosmo 9 coverap Blinders hide story of censorship Mags unfit for women, children THE REpL'BLIC By Britt Kennedy The Republic Howard Herron Publisher E-mail bherroh therepuW ic com Bob Gustin Managing Editor E-mail address: rlgustin therepublic com John Harmon Editor E-mail address: jharmon therepuWic.com Harry McCawley, Associate Editor E-mail address: harry therepublic.com By i 004,9 y'xy Showarter Republic II HORSE owners have long used blinders on their steeds to keep them from seeing anything at their sides. Watchdog group Morality in Media wants to help protect us animals with two legs and tiny brains, I guess, with a drive to cover up that which the organization deems unsuitable for children's eyes.

Since last year, the New-York based group has led a drive asking supermarkets to "shield children" by placing blinder racks over "prurient" photos and headlines on Cosmopolitan and other magazines in checkout lines. Kroger Co. announced earlier this month it is placing Cosmopolitan Point We shall endeavor to make our paper the champion of the people Bartholomew County and we shall advocate, irrespective of political considerations, all measures that have for their object the good of the community. In short, we hope to make our paper such as no intelligent person in the county can do Isaac T. Broun, Founding Kditor, 1875 this stuff up? Well, ladies' economic fortunes may no longer turn on landing the right guy, but women want to be perceived as attractive." So do guys.

Men's magazines Counterpoint I see more children clamoring for chocolate and gum than looking at magazines or tabloids, many of which have headlines rivaling or equaling those in Cosmo. It's a classic example of pandering to a vocal few and then saying it's "for the children." Long-standing concerns The brouhaha over the covers also has revived the argument that Cos such Maxim (circulation 1.3 million) are extremely popular. According to National Journal correspondent William Powers, Upfront disposition a model 'W Handling of charges against court officer erases suspicions PUBLIC officials seeking a model on how to handle embarrassing personnel situations might want to co'nsidejDthe upfront disposition of drunken driving charges filed against a Bartholomew County deputy prosecutor. Earlier this week, Shari Kinnaird pleaded, guilty to a charge of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and was sentenced to a 60-day suspended jail term, In nHtitinn cho lirQC rl 'j try nrnKotinn fir' AN organization called Morality in the Media has targeted several retail chains with a campaign against magazines with sexually oriented headlines. This includes Cosmopolitan, often sold in racks at the checkout counter.

The group feels Cosmo and similar magazines are too racy for children to see. The Kroger Co. grocery chain agrees and is installing "blinders" in each of its stores to hide Cosmo's sexy headlines The decision to cover Cosmo has many crying foul. They say we should be able to decide for ourselves what we and our children, will see. OK.

But if I'm not mistaken, the stores belong to Kroger and the company can choose which products it sells and how they will be displayed. If you're offended in any way, shop somewhere else. But whether Cosmo's headlines are fit for children is not, I believe, the question we should be asking. What we should be discussing is whether Cosmo and other such magazines are fit for grown women. Coincidentally, the day before the Cosmo story broke, I read an article in the Wilson Quarterly, the journal of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Titled "Sex and the Women's Magazine," this article is a survey of recent articles on the topic published in other periodicals. Its conclusion: Things have not changed much since the early '60s. Still drivel In her 1963 book "The Feminine Mystique," feminist pioneer Betty Friedan was no fan of women's magazines such as Ladies Home Journal and McCalls. They contained, she said, an overabundance of drivel. The men who run the women's magazineshe said, seemed to have a low opinion of women.

"Where is the world of thought and ideas, the life of the mind and spirit?" she asked. Today, most women's magazines are edited by women. Yet according to author Hal Colebatch, Friedan's question is still a good one. On a trip to his newsstand Cole-batch found Cosmo headlines such as "The big bang: How to be a show-off in bed," while Marie Claire offered, "Are you sleeping with the right man?" Colebatch termed today's fare "no less intellectually vacuous" than the old magazines. Indeed, he said, the new ones have added "baseness and decadence." Alexandra Starr, an editor of the Washington Monthly, says women's magazines today Jre pushing the same message theyiVere half a century ago: Women's existence revolves around landing the right guy.

"Except these days, the seduction isn't accomplished through baking the perfect cake, sculpting your nails or making sure your hemline isn't crooked," she says. "It's accomplished through sex, sex, sex." Supply and demand But according to Bonnie Fuller, former Cosmo editor and currently editor of Glamour, these magazines are giving their readers what they want. And it's hard to argue with monthly circulation of 2.3 million for Cosmo and 2.1 million for Glamour. "Why," asks Starr, "do women lap under cover. They'll still sell the magazine, mind you.

And they'll leave it uncovered a few hundred feet from checkout lanes, on their newsstands. A compa-ny sflokesman said the action was taken after complaints by parents of young children, who didn't want the kids exposed to headlines like "Sex Tricks Only Cosmo Would Know: 20 Earth-Quaking Moves That Will Make Him Plead for Mercy and Beg For More." I would never question a store's right to sell what it wants, how it wants. But I'm terrified that, a vocal minority can elicit such a response if I'm put off by a tabloid cover covered with dicey headlines about the Keeping it under wraps women magazines and men's magazines are becoming increasingly indistinguishable in their outlooks. "A wave of gen- -der-bending madness has swept across America," Powers says. "Women are trading tips on how to improve their abs and get hot men in the sack.

Men are studying clothing layouts and fantasizing about life as a top fashion model." Today's magazines, he says, "offer evidence that's more reli- able than any opinion poll or statistic of the ways that feminism has mopolitan and magazines like it promote unhealthy images of women, offering impossible standards of beauty we can't live up to. Betty Friedan, Germaine Greer, Gloria Steinem and other groundbreaking feminists' made that point years ago. Step into this century with the rest of us, please. I agree that some women can be intimidated by the magazines. But strong, confident women aren't turned into jealous masses of lustful jelly by racy headlines and beautiful women in push-up bras.

Once again, women are being portrayed as weak creatures need protection. And those who are intimidated? They need the love and support of family and friends far more than the rest of us need to have our hands held. While I've never been a big fan, feminist writer Camille Paglia once told a group of young women that "we should not have to apologize for reveling in beauty. Beauty is an eternal human value. It was not a trick invented by nasty men in a room someplace on Madison Avenue." Raising healthy children Whether we're talking Morality in Media or any group that wants to determine what's moral and what's not, blaming anorexia and bulimia and insecurity and immorality and all the ills of the world on the media is a cop-out.

Positive body images and morality are cultivated from infancy, by parents who talk with children about sex and beauty and aren't afraid of tough questions. By the time we're old enough to read women's magazines, we need to have an idea of who and what we are. When we're adults, we shouldn't have to apologize for what we read to anyone, especially those who would censor that with which they don't agree. In short, we can direct younger children who aren't reading saucy headlines away from them we'll probably find them screaming for candy, two aisles away. We can be honest with older children who inquire about what a phrase on a magazine cover means.

If they're old enough to read and ask questions about sex, they need answers. And as adults, we can refuse to let anyone dictate what's right, decent or moral or to go through life thinking blinders can protect us from the things we don't see. Britt Kennedy can be reached at Wire Reports Since last year, the group Morality in the Media, based in New York, has conducted a campaign to place blinder racks Over questionable magazine covers at U.S. supermarket checkout counters. Kroger Co.

recently announced it would add the blinders to its racks. The company operates 2,268 grocery stores and about 800 convenience stores in 31 states under the names Kroger, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Smith's, King Soopers, Dillon, Fry's, Food 4 Less and Quality Food Centers. Issues on the store's newsstands will remain in the open, said Gary Rhodes, spokesman for Indianapolis-area Kroger Stores Officials at Marsh Supermarkets did not return several phone calls seeking comment. Andrea Kaplan, a spokeswoman for Cosmopolitan, said that Cosmopolitan has the highest newsstand sales of any monthly magazine, more than 2 million. one year and must complete a counseling program "required of all first-time drunken -driving offenders.

The effects of her Jan. 13 arrest were not limited to her court appearance Thursday. Within hours of her arrest, Prosecutor Joe Koenig placed her on paid administrative leave. The next day she was suspended indefinitely without pay, and a state disciplinary panel was informed of her arrest. Bartholomew.

County officials went to great lengths in handling the case to avoid any suggestion of prejudice. A Scott County prosecutor was appointed special prosecutor, and the case was turned over to Jackson Superior Court Judge Frank Guthrie. The disposition, was standard for first time drunken driving offenders. 'Her driver's license will be suspended for 30 days and will be restricted to employment-related and family emergency situations. The case was unusual because of the forthright manner in which it was handled.

Instead of waiting to be asked what he intended to do, Koenig immediately announced his decision, first with the administrative leave and then the suspension. For her part Kinnaird quickly expressed remorse, entered court on her own, pleaded guilty and accepted the judgment of the court. Her future with the prosecutor's office is still undetermined, but it is a relief for the public to see firsthand an embarrassing situation handled in a forthright and open manner by all parties concerned; Farewell to a local institution Jerry's here for only 36 years, but it left a memorable mark THERE are some institutions within a community that for some hard-to-define reason occupy a special place in the president's sex life, can we cover it up? If I'm the friend of an alcoholic and I'm incensed by vodka sales, can we throw a blanket over the liquor department? And I'm stupefied that anyone believes the stores that cave in to pressure groups really care what children are reading when they put blinders on magazines but still sell the offensive material. You don't notice candy being removed from checkout lanes, although adults have for years complained about that, too. And as I shop, changed the culture probably permanently." Is that really what the feminist movement is all about? I guess so.

Women want to be equal citizens. And I guess that includes the right to be equally as obsessed with sex as the male of the species is. So how come Playboy isn't sold at the grocery store checkout counter? Yep, you've come a long way, baby. Doug Showalter can be reached at 379-5673. LET LOOKING BACK early options like Mifepristone.

Now in spite of attempts by politicians to block In and around Columbus Jan. 22 News of this day about Columbus Abortion pill soon will be available The results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine and the Archives of Family Medicine in 1998, demonstrated Mifepristone effectively. terminated 92 percent of pregnancies nearis 01 tnose wno live mere. In Columbus, one such institution was Jerry's Restaurant, which closed Thursday. In terms of history, Jerry's is a relative newcomer 'to Columbus.

It opened in 1964 but quickly became a place to meet for individuals and groups. It developed a history, not so much for what happened there or even for what was served, but for the friendly atmosphere that made customers and workers comfortable with each other. Those customers will now be looking for another place to meet, but it's unlikely they'll ever find a place quite like Jerry's. up to 49 days in duration. Additionally, more than 95 percent of women in the same clinical trial reported they would recommend it to others.

The most common side effects reported by women using Mifepristone followed by a prostaglandin are similar to those of a spontaneous miscarriage: uterine cramps, bleeding, nausea and fatigue. Mifepristone is as safe as surgical abortion. What will this early option for abortion mean in the abortion conflict? Women will likely gain access to early abortion from their neighborhood physicians in privacy the way all medical decisions should be carried out. No longer will religious political extremists be able to use violence and intimidation to block women's access to abortion clinics. Surveys show many physicians who do not now offer abortion services would be willing to provide Mifepristone.

Planned Parenthood believes in a woman's ability and right to make responsible choice, so we offer women all the medical options they need to implement their choices. Planned Parenthood of Central and Southern Indiana is already an experienced provider of safe, local abortion. Our affiliate has been offering medical abortion in Bkmmington and Indianapolis using a different drug for the Berry's World its approval, American women won be denied this early option for pregnancy termination. No tax money for jail From: Larry Clipp Columbus This letter is in response to the recent article pertaining to the Bartholomew County Jail capacity. Every other week it seems that the president of the United States, the FBI, the Associated Press and The Republic are all telling us that the crime rate is dropping and is in a trend to continue to drop.

Yet a consulting firm from Indianapolis reports that our jail's capacity needs to be doubled. Paul Franke is quoted saying there are several ways to pay for the expansion, including property tax dollars. I have a problem with that one We are already being taxed to death by every level of government ho in turn are ail squabbling over the billions of surplus tax dollars that haw already been collected. If we cannot ret neve tax money that we have already paid out of our pockets to reinvest in projects such as this jad expansion, what mill the money be used for? Raise increases for elected government officials? mabe another bridge and high-priced architect? If a jail expansion is truly needed, then maybe the county officials involved should consider throwing some plastic tarpa trvrr the dorne-cw enng the inmate recreation area and roll out some army surplus bed mats. From: Sandra Andersea Vice president of medical service Planned Parenthood of Central and Southern Indiana Inc.

Today America commemorates the historic 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion for American women. 2000 will mark "another historic event in women's lives. American women will finally have access to Mifepristone, also known as the "French abortion pill" or RU-486. American women are only now getting access to this pill, as approval by the FDA is anticipated by spring.

What will this early option for pregnancy termination mean to American woman? Mifepristone allows women to end an unintended pregnancy early within the first seven weeks. It requires no anesthesia and is a completely noninvasive procedure. Mifepristone is an antiprogesterone drug that blocks progesterone, a key hormone that establishes and maintains a pregnancy. A spontaneous miscarriage results when Mifepristone, followed by Misoprostol, a prostaglandin already available in the United States, is administered in early pregnancy. It is estimated that approximately 500,000 women in Europe have had pregnancy terminations using Mifepristone.

Between 1994 and 1995, more than 2.000 women participated in clinical trials of Mifepristone and Misoprostol sponsored by The Population Council at Planned Parenthood and other U.S. health centers. on the pages of The Evening Republican and The Republic 10. 25 and 50 years ago. 1990 Erma "Bee Whipker, a Clifty Creek Elementary School teaching assistant and frequent attendee of Bartholomew Consolidated School Board meetings, has received the Educational Partnership Award in recognition of her support and promotion of education.

Bartholomew County Commissioners are making a third try at obtaining a state grant to correct drainage problems in the Jewell Village subdivision. 1975 A group of Columbus women Fleta Jonassen. Mary Ann Zimmerman, tfandy Wertz, Julia Dickey, Susan Free. Ada Hinds. Pat Skinner and Marilyn Hayes attended a Statehouse hearing on the Equal Rights Amendment Indianapolis.

Randy Dwenger. Columbus East High School junior, took first placg in poetry interpretation at a forensic meet sponsored by Ball State Umver- Sify 1950 "-A grease drive contest among members of the Jive Kennel is under way with students volunteering to pick up used cooking grease from 11 Columbus stores and sell the old fat as part of their purchasing fund dnve. Former Columbus High School basketball coach Everett Case, now the he a 3 lor 'North Carolina State, had a reunion New York with one of his otd CHS players. Pipe Hearhardt, a star on the 1919 team. i 11" Ll 1 past year When women need to end a preg nancy, they deserve the best in health care including access to new, safe SpMtor9 of mntionaMton MY BOX bgyer (toff YOUR BOX'.