The Charlotte News from Charlotte, North Carolina • 16

ietters 'Close Encounters' deserves all four stars of excellence The climax was symbolic momodo I mK17rRwtolEr''''''''w''-'''" The io 19 was 4) 1 4-c 0 :1 i to' I 4 symbolic -004 A-i1 i 1 I 4 0 0440 0 -te ii I 1 to I i i 1 tL ----m--- 4 1 4 1 they could not see land It was impossible for them to give their locations because the compasses on all the planes were out of order The last words from Flight 19 were reported to be "It looks like we areEntering white waterWe are completely lost" This was the first reported incident of planes disappearing in the Bermuda Triangle "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" was if memory serves me correctly in the planning stages before "Star Wars" Also "Star Wars" is a movie made purely for entertainment while there is a premise behind the making of "Close Encounters" that being "We are not alone" It is a movie to see that should leave one thinking "Close Encounters" is certainly not a Btype movie made by some unknown company This film was made by Columbia Pictures "Close Encounters" is a movie well worth the $350 I paid to see it and I would gladly pay that much to see it again Matthews Editors The News: I would like to comment on the letter of NAME WITHHELD concerning "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" It's too bad he went to this movie with the advice of his friends waste your ringing in his ears and clouding his perception 'rills film deserves every one of the four stars of excellence it was accorded by Bob Wisehart The opening desert scenes coincided with the release of the captives from the alien ship at the end of the movie The first five captives who were released were the pilots of the airplanes found in the desert Their planes had been reported missing in the area known as the Bermuda Triangle On December 5 1945 Flight 19 five Navy planes took off from the Naval Air Station at Fort Lauderdale Fla on a routine training mission A little more than an hour later the control tower received unusual messages from the planes The flight leader saying the situation was an emergency claimed that the group was off course and Editors The News: I hope MrMrs NAME HELD of Kershaw SC is reading this I saw "Close Encounters" and thought it was a very good film The opening scenes in Mexico are a key part of the film This is where the research team finds some planes that disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle In the last scene the pilots of these planes are released from the Mothership There was no reason for thinking the opening was "from a foreign film" Richard Dreyfuss is a very talented actor It was Dreyfuss who helped make this a successful and entertaining film ews: NAME Kershaw SC is I saw "Close En-thought it was a scenes in Mexico of the film This is search team finds at disappeared in Triangle In the Le pilots of these Dleased from the 'here was no readng the opening )reign film" eyfuss is a very It was Dreyfuss ake this a success-Lining film Editors The News: I hope MrMrs NAME wrri HELD of Kershaw SC is reading this I saw "Close En- counters" and thought it was a very good iIm The opening scenes Mexico i are a key part of the film This is where the research team finds some planes that disappeared in Is 'Close Encounters' a great movie or a dud? 'Dumfounded at the accolades' "Star Wars" was a milestone in film making and another masterpiece cannot be created merely by having a group of big name actors and technicians work Jogether on the same movie "Close Encounters" is a glowing example of this ed critics and men of science have bestowed upon it Ray Bradbury called "Close Encounters" "possibly the most important film of the decade!" Did he see the same movie I saw? I am quite literally speechless in light of some of the attention accorded to this in my opinion dud of a movie CRAIG SUMMERVILLE religiously Lincointon DANNY BEATY max ligiously ic Lincolnton DANNY BEATY clitnaous 1 religi Lincointon JIIII DIE CHARLOTTE NEWS It is based on UFO studies Wadesboro Editors The News: I cannot express my elation when I read the letter in the Thursday December 29 edition of this paper regarding one moviegoer's reactions to the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" I only wish I knew the writer's name so that I could openly laud him (or her) for asserting an opinion which I have been hiding for two weeks When Spielberg's film opened in Charlotte I rushed to the theater in anticipation of seeing another great science fiction spectacle the other being of course "Star Wars" Not only was I supremely discouraged after seeing lhe movie the film was grossly discontinuous and hard to follow throughout and the much publicized special effects were very disappointing but I was (and still am) utterly dumbfounded at the accolades that many respect Charlotte ROLFE NEILL President and Publisher STEWART SPENCER Editor TOM BRADBURY Associate Editor KENT BERNHARD Managing Editor ROBERT SUAREZ Business Manager WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4 198 Editors The News: After having investigated and researched 1110s for the past 33 years I was amazed at both the subjective and objective information Inherent in the ''Close Encounters" The movie much of which was based on investigations of Dr Allen Ilynek for the US Air Force's Project Blue Book highlighted much of what has Nuclear aid with controls I liked the movie and so did the rest of the audience The special effects were fantastic even better than "Star Wars" The plot and acting were also better "Star Wars" was a fantasy A good one but a fantasy nevertheless "Close Encounters" could very well happen "Star Wars" was a battle between the forces of good and evil "Close Encounters" is a story of good and a "greater" good It is the perfect film for the holiday season It shows that there is hope and that they are as curious about us as we are about them But NW does have a right to his own opinion I would especially like his opinions on the entertainment he receives from his "television not even switched on" The climax was religiously symbolic such as the UFOs lighting up the heavens It is an experience that should not be missed and will not be soon forgotten So after all of you people have read this and seen the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and noticed its unique quality think about the unknown NAME WITHHELD of Kershaw SC who at this very moment is at home looking at a blank television movie and so did he audience The were fantastic an "Star Wars" acting were also Vars" was a fantane but a fantasy "Close Encounry well happen was a battle beTes of good and Encounters" is a and a "greater" perfect film for Bon It shows that and that they are out us as we are have a right to on I would espe opinions on the he receives from sion not even was religiously as the UFOs heavens It is an at should not be ill not be soon for- )f you people have seen the movie tters of the Third oticed its unique about the unWITHHELD of who at this very lome looking at a An Editorial Editorial been found out about UFOs over the past three decades namely: the sensory effects upon animals the electro-magnetic effects upon machines and instruments the physical and chemical effects upon soil samples and the physiological and emotional effects upon humans Aside from the fact that many scientists today are studying the landing marks and physical traces the photographs and movie films radar tracking and occupant (UFOnaut) reports etc (points which NASA should have considered measurable in regards to President Carter's recent request that they investigate them) the movie "Close Encounters" has its roots in historical perspective social acceptance special effects and its pure entertainment value I would have enjoyed it regardless of my background in the field I recommend others to see It and make up their own minds ermtt-' A-14411: la Movie had substantial basis in fact ALLEN NORWOOD Chief Editorial Writer ALLEN NORWOOD Editorial Writer Charlotte to confirm our opinion that Editors The News: "Close Encounters" is one of the Notwithstanding the perfor- most important as well as entermance of Mr Dreyfuss (which taming films of the year "Close we feel was perfectly adequate) Encounters" was as Encounters" dealt with provoking as "Star Wars" was relevant questions about man's fun if "NAME WITHHELD" possible contact with extra-ter- wished only to be entertained restrial life The movie itself perhaps he should have unlike the cosmic comic strip switched on his TV "Star Wars" had substantial basis in fact Recent reviews by PHIL BERNSTEIN several noted critics would seem ADAM BERNSTEIN That comment of President Carter's caught by an eavesdropping microphone in New Delhi Monday apparently caused few diplomatic ripples Carter later spoke to the Indian Parliament and left members applauding and pounding on tables The United States will send India nuclear reactor fuel Carter said and will help the country through other programs Earlier the President held a private conversation with Indian Prime Minister Morarji Desai Carter insisted that India agree to stronger safeguards on nuclear fuel imported from this country and Dual just as strongly opposed exterior controls After the meeting the President told Secretary of State Cyrus Vance "When we get back I think we ought to write him another letter just cold and very blunt" The comment was recorded and made available to reporters GEORGE FAWCETT Dilworth needs to keep its present assignments peaceful projects made the explosive device possible The matter involves more than India's or any country's ability to divert materials to the development of weapons It involves the growing threat to the entire world posed by snowballing nuclear ability It involves the danger posed by accidents or sabotage whether in this country India or the Soviet Union It involves the dangers posed by nuclear materials in the hands of the irresponsible or fanatic Scientists say clever amateurs could build workable nuclear devices and this country has already found it difficult to account for every gram of nuclear material Given the way the super-powers have handled the nuclear arms race it's hard to argue with the logic of Indian leaders who want the economic benefits of nuclear power for their country For our part though we'd like those benefits to come with all the safeguards that can be mustered Desai brushed the off-the-record remark aside: "I will not misunderstand Mr Carter and I am not at all upset about it So far as we are concered this is the end of the matter" MaaN41410 -ow 4 04f0s 0z 4tf'- i'g i 'qt: '34 10 of 'e ittiHt 4g :5 'i- 1 1 ti: re 41'i'7101 't'' -7'z Witglqt 41 4- '''V AQ- 0 in 1r 17 i itt aff tx141 11:: AO i ti pNfa -I 1 -1 1'-es 4 '1- 7 :::::41: 6 II 1 1-' '4 I 1 1) :1 '1'U'44v-''4Ax Charlotte Editors The News: When the original school-busing plan was adopted in 1970 the Dilworth community was a transitional neighborhood which quite frankly even real estate agents refused to promote The community responded and as you well know is still In the process of becoming one of Charlotte's viable inner-city living areas Dilworth Elementary School is located geographically in the center of his naturally integrated multi-ethnic area Her students teachers and parents have worked hard to build strengths reputation and stability She has regained students from private schools We feel it is necessary to remain in our present school assignments The stability of the schools in the past few years has led to many young families entering this and other inner-city communities The future of many of these communities will depend upon the stability and quality provided by our schools JESSI OGBURN But the matter hasn't ended India's nuclear technology developed with US help is still the major irritant to relations between the two countries A bill pending in the Senate would mandate international nuclear safeguards for nations receiving nuclear help from this country The President is properly concerned that such a bill would complicate and strain relations 1 urther AretS The Dilworth Jubilee: stability is important 4-i- CIA wanted its own assassination squad Almost perfect "We were seven turnovers away from a national championship" said an undaunted Texas coach after losing to Notre Dame 38-10 in the Cotton Bowl "In my heart I still believe we're better than they are" Now that's positive thinking We can think of several NFL officials who might want to try something similar in explaining how they were just a goal-line call or two away from perfection in a few playoff games the CIA had'hatched a plot to knock off Castro" On January 18 1971 we began a series of three columns describing the six assassination attempts and naming the Mafia killers and their CIA contacts Not until five years later did the Senate Intelligence Committee finally confirm our story The CIA recruited the hit men tempt upon the life of Cuban Premier Fidel Castro Now we've learned that the CIA wanted to create its own branch of Murder Inc a killer squad that would assassinate undesirable foreign leaders at $1 million a head It has taken us years to dig out the ugly facts We were able to report on March 3 1967 that By JACK ANDERSON WASHINGTON For years the Central Intelligence Agency's darkest secret was its undercover association with Maifa hit men who were recruited for international murder missions We finally broke the story that the CIA had used common gangsters in six at The matter concerns more than di plomacy India hasn't signed the nuclear nonproliferation treaty In 1974 it exploded a nuclear device and joined the nations able to wreak nuclear havoc In 1976 the world learned that 0: in all probability materials from this frcountry and Canada intended for The Ivory Tower I TB Public Radio in Charlotte: Where does it stand today? Public ern South Carolina community 1 'I 1 1 'Now the picture has changed and those who have been muttering about Charlotte's being a backwater of the beaux arts when it comes to radio may soon be in the delicious position of drowning in a tidal wave of good music' r1 if I 4r 4 1ii''' 4''-' '4 0--444 1 A to'J :1:: 1:1: 4 '4'1 i Ar10 4'' r- ii i I k'l is' I' Ail1- It i 1 wit :1 i it)kt 011 1 1 le-1i 1 qii 1 i 1 '1 IA 1 4 kis 1 0 1 $11i14 1 i i -1A: 00 1: i i ii 8KiI'vr'4'e: i itni through Robert Maheu a former CIA undercover operator who had taken charge of the late billionaire Howard Hughes' Las Vegas empire and had developed mob contacts in Nevada Around the time that Maheu was setting up the Mafia plot against Castro we've just learned the CIA also approached a former narcotics official with intimate knowledge of the Mafia He was Charles Siragusa a former wartime intelligence officer who had become one of the Big Three in the Federal Narcotics Bureau and had handled the bureau's liaison wil the CIA The bureau had cultivated Informants inside the Mafia and had compiled the best available files on the crime syndicate Siragusa was a logical person therefore for the CIA to sound out about forming a Mafia hit" squad to kill for the United States The retired Siragusa breaking a silence of more than 15 years told us about a strange conversation with a CIA official in Washington around 1960 After a few minutes of chitchat the CIA man made this startling suggestion: that Siregusa drawing on his knowledge and contacts in the underworld would recruit a crew of Mafia torpedoes for standby assassination duty They would be paid a bounty of $1 million in fees and expenses for each kill The CIA would assign the missions and underwrite the payoffs from its secret funds At this point the visitor stopped waiting for Siragusa's reaction "At first I thought he was joking" Siragusa told us still amazed at the recollection When he realized the proposal was deadly serious he flatly rejected it "In wartime it's one thing" he told the CIA emissary "but In peacetime it's something diffeent" Ile heard nothing more of the matter Siragusa speculated that the CIA selected him as the man to set up the murder squad because of his handling of two other special CIA requests Footnote: We are satisfied after long talks with top CIA officials that the CIA has given up its love nests murder plots and most other dirty tricks We have learned that Siragusa was re cently interviewed about the murder squad by the Senate Intelligence Committee Little more than a year ago it seemed as if Charlotte would never get a public radio station Now the picture has changed and those who have been muttering about Charlotte's being a backwater of the beaux arts when it comes to radio may soon be in the delicious position of drowning in a tidal wave of good music Here is a brief rundown of where the public radio situation is as of today: The Goal A public radio station is by informal definition one that provides an alternative to commercial broadcasting in an area usually programming classical jazz and public affairs features It can do this with or without funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting a governmental corporation that provides programming organizational and operational grants to approved stations To get CPB funding a station must have among other things a minimum budget of $80000 a year a staff of five full-time employes and be on the air 18 hours a day seven days a week Like television's Public Broadcasting System network CPB has a National Public Radio (NPR) network which supplies music public affairs programs and features to member stations some of which can be pur- chased by non-member stations WFAEFM (909) WFAE is a I 0- a tt student-financed station on the UNCC campus It is on the air from 3 pm to midnight five days a week with programs of classical jazz and opera as well as community interest features It has one full-time station manager and several part-time employes most of its staff is volunteer student help Its basic budget is 825000 a year from student fees Its transmitter is atop the library on the UNCC campus That plus the weak signal keeps the station from being heard much beyond the fringes Little more than a ye seemed as if Charlotte wi get a public radio station Now the picture has chi those who have been about Charlotte's being a of the beaux arts when 1 radio may soon be in th position of drowning in a of good music Here is a brief rundowt the public radio situatioi today: The Goal A publi( tion is by informal defii that provides an alternati mercial broadcasting in an ally programming classica public affairs features It with or without funding Corporation for Public Br( a governmental corporz provides programming tional and operational gra proved stations To get CP a station must have am things a minimum budget a year a staff of five ful ployes and be on the air day seven days a week Like television's Public ing System network CPB tional Public Radio (NPR which supplies music pul programs and features stations some of which chased by nonmember sta WFAEFM (909) 10watt student-financed the UNCC campus It is from 3 pm to midnight week with programs of jazz and opera as well as interest features It has on station manager and sev time employes most of i volunteer student help Its get is $25000 a year fro fees Its transmitter is atop 1 on the UNCC campus Thi weak signal keeps the st: being heard much beyond CCBF The Charlotte Community Broadcasting Foundation was formed in July 1976 It was a loose coalition of '60s activists which included former Labor Party mayor al candidate Mark Englander antiwar protestor Marvin Sparrow and black activist TJ Reddy The CCM applied to CPB for a $25000 organizational grant but was turned down as was WFAE on the grounds that sufficient community support had not been demonstrated CCBF claimed it had not intended to be cross-sectional that it drew its support from that portion of the population that had been excluded from access to commercial media Unlike WFAE and WDAV the CCBF never had anything on the air As the others worked to improve and expand existing programming to meet the goal of a viable public radio station CCBF could never get off the ground The coalition began to dissolve to the point that today many of its members are moving away from it to more realistic ways of serving the public interest in broadcasting One board member said a meeting is to be held sometime in the next month or so to decide what direction CCBF members collectively or individually should take The board member frankly admitted the meeting was going to be "a wake" Considering where it was a year ago the chance of Charlotte getting a good-music news and public affairs station has increased dramatically to the point it's almost safe to call it a sure thing What's even more amazing is that we may well end up with three stations to choose from The only thing that really stands In the way is getting up enough public interest to generate the money COINER week during the school year with contemporary classical and opera music and news and public affairs features It also broadcasts Davidson sports contests There is one full-time station manager and several part-time employes as well as student volunteer help Its transmitter is on campus at Davidson The station currently reaches only the Davidson community The station has received FCC approval to boost power to 18500 watts and move its frequency to 899 by May 1 which would give a strong signal inside a 40-mile radius and a receivable signal up to 80 miles It has been conducting a fund-raising drive to raise $70000 for equipment and has collected $20000 so far It also applied for an IIEW matching grant to bring the total up to $140000 but was turned down Like WFAE WDAV would like NPR membership but officials are more concerned with creating viable programming than joining NPR Wr RV-FM (889) The 100000-watt Rock Hill branch of South Carolina's educational radio network went on the air yesterday with the first phase of what they hope will be a twophase operation It is now on the air from 8:30 am to 6 pm carrying basically only the South Carolina educational programs If funding from the South Carolina legislature comes through it will expand programming to 18 hours a day in July carrying in addition to the education programs classical and jazz music as well as NPR features As part of the South Carolina network WPRV already has NPR membership and depending on the legislature's generosity will probably be the first station to bring NPR features on a regular basis to Charlotte This might hamper one of the Mecklenburg stations' getting CPB funds But CPB would prefer that a CPBfunded station reflect the community it is in CPB would have to decide whether WPRV is reflective of Charlotte or only of the Rock liill-North of north Charlotte It has applied to the FCC for permission to boost power to 28000 watts and move the transmitter to the WWI tower by summer which would give a strong stereo signal throughout the region Since last month WFAE has been conducting a fund drive to raise 825- 000 to purchase the equipment necessary for the power boost To date it has collected more than 85000 It has applied for a matching grant from the Department of Health Education and Welfare which would add $75000 to its 825000 WFAE's initial application for CBP funds was turned down and has not been resubmitted The station now meets neither the programming nor staff requirements The station management feels its first priority is to provide good programming for the community and let CPB fundng come in its own time WDAV-FM (905) WDAV also a 10-watt station is located on the Davidson campus It is on the air from 7 am to 1 am seven days a I I 1 St.