Unfortunately I have not have had the "pleasure" of seeing the movie "Tropic Thunder" like my fellow student Colin Keeler has. However, I have had the pleasure of knowing both Mary Forr and Mary Conroy and all I can say is that I thank God their siblings have them as sisters. Maybe it is necessary to know someone with a physical or mental handicap personally in order to truly appreciate that they are a gift from God, but for those of us who don't, it is certainly never acceptable to degrade or put down any of God's children in any way.I'm not sure if anyone else had the same reaction I did when I read Colin Keeler's Nov. 12 Letter to the Editor, "Learning to Laugh," but I could not disagree with it more. Not only was he defending a stupid movie over human beings, but his only valid argument in its defense was, "I hate to break the news, but many comical movies do have jokes concerning race and religion ..." This statement is completely ignorant. First of all, he is assuming that all disabled people can defend themselves to the degree that one who is fully able can. I am not saying this to insinuate that the handicapped are completely incapable but is it fair or right to pick on someone who cannot defend themselves the way you can?In his Letter, Keeler also calls upon examples such as "Van Wilder" and "Legally Blonde" in defense for his unwarranted appreciation for degrading comical movies. Yet, the last time I checked none of these movies were even close to being respected in the industry. So why should anyone respect them as arguments in defense of the film industry?Lastly, I'd like to point out the fact that Colin claims Mary Forr went on and on about the use of the r-word in the movie. Not only is the overuse of the word completely uncalled for, but there's also a point in the movie when Matthew McConaughey, who plays Speedman's agent Rick Peck, seems to have a child who is in some way disabled. In one scene the child stands beside his father, who's talking on the phone, and says, "At least you get to pick him," referring to adoption. This is just baffling to me. How would you like it if your parents said that about you?Just because some people find making fun of people with mental and physical handicaps hilarious does not mean that Our Blessed Mother has a sense of humor ... sorry, Colin.
Lindsey McMahonjuniorPasquerilla West HallNov. 12
