Most theaters already card young guests for admission into rated R movies. But if a parent comes to the box office and tells us it is OK for their child(ren) to see an R-rated film, we have traditionally let the child watch the movie, since it is the PARENT'S decision, not ours.

Now, due to President Clinton's announcement and the possibility of this proposed bill becoming law, most theaters nationwide are now carding anyone who appears to be under 25 years of age. Parents can no longer just give permission for their children to see a rated R film, they must watch the movie with their child. This is going to cause many upset parents who either don't have the time to watch the movie, or who do not want to pay the extra $6.50 - $9.00 for an extra ticket, or who don't want to watch the film themselves, but are OK with their children seeing it.

We in the industry traditionally get more complaints from parents who are inconvenienced by even coming to the theater box office with their kids than parents upset over their children seeing rated R movies. Our job is to show movies, not to babysit.

And with the number of theater managers that will quit, there won't be enough to keep theaters running. Who wants to risk $5,000 - $10,000 fines every day at work? Theaters will close down, and there won't be enough open to show movies.

There have been many calls to Hollywood to reduce violent programming on screen. But Hollywood is a business. The Matrix has topped $150 million. Obviously, there is a desire amongst the general public to see movies of this sort.

Hollywood has become the scapegoat of Washington. Apparently, bad parenting, overcrowded schools, and other equally hideous problems have no effect on children. It's all Hollywood's fault. And who the hell is Bill Clinton to talk about family values when he's off sleeping with interns?

The Columbine shooting in Littleton, CO, was indeed a tragedy. But the fact that one of the shooters liked to play DOOM has nothing to do with it. How many millions, including many of you viewing this page, have played DOOM many times, and have NOT shot people?

Washington, D.C. 20515-1315
(202) 225-4561

Addison, IL 60101
(630) 832-5950

I encourage you to call and/or write Mr. Hyde and tell him your thoughts on this. Also, write your own representatives and senators, as well as President Clinton, and voice your views on this subject.