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The Coe College Cosmos Cedar Rapids, Iowa April 20, 1998 Oscar Nominated Producer to Speak About Filmmaking Journalism By Jeanne Venneman Dan Gifford, coming to Coe this Thursday, produced a documentary film entitled Waco: The Rules of Engagement, about the standoff at Waco, TX between David Koresh's Branch Davidians and the FBI. This critically acclaimed film has not only been shown at Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival, but was also nominated for an Oscar under the category of Best Documentary. Gifford also heads up Fifth Estate Productions and SomFord Entertainment with his wife Amy Sommer-Gifford. The documentary tried to get to the heart of what really happened at Waco, and points much of the blame at the FBI. The movie will be shown on Wednesday April 22, at 7:00 PM in Hickok Hall 105. Gifford will be on campus the following day, Thursday April 23. He will hold a discussion and question-and- answer session at 7:00 that day in Hickok Hall 105. On Friday the 24th, Gifford will also act as a guest lecturer in a few classes, according to Julia Saari, president of Coe's Political Science Club. Admission to all events is free. Saari was instrumental in bringing this accomplished speaker to the Coe campus, as she did much of the calling to arrange for Gifford to come to Coe. Saari said that Steve Serrot found out about Gifford in an e-mail, and he then contacted Bruce Nesmith, the advisor to the Political Science Club about bringing him to campus. From there, Saari placed a great deal of phone calls to turn the idea into reality. "You should see my phone bill for this month," said Sarri ruefully. However, she feels that her efforts were well worth it, especially since the speaker is of such high caliber. Not only was Giford a journalist for ABC News and CNN, but Saari said that she has also heard wonderful things about his speaking abilities. "It was not diffficult to get money from Senate to fund bringing Gifford to Coe," according to Saari, "because his credentials speak for themselves." Saari stated that the Political Science Club decided to bring Gifford to Coe because the group felt that his documentary focused on an issue relevant to the students on campus. "The film focuses on the power of the government versus civil rights, which is something that should concern all people." The issues dealt with in Gifford's film are very powerful political and religious issues that the club hopes will interest everyone. Bringing Gifford to campus was sponsored by the Political Science Club, Young Democrats, Artists Anonymous, and the Cosmos. The Political Science Club has also been active in other ways this semester. The club will be holding a carry tray lunch with this week's Marquis speaker on Monday at eleven in the Pub. On April 30, the club is also holding a joint event with the Mount Mercy Political Science Club, in which both groups will meet at a park to discuss civil religion. Anyone interested in attending this event should contact Julia Saari for more information. Political Science Club has also launched a newsletter called the Coe Informant. According to Saari, the purpose of this newsletter is to educate the Coe campus about national and international events. Beginning this week, the newsletters should be available Monday afternoons. The groups keeps a nonpartisan stance in the newsletter, as well as trying to add irony and satire in the stories, instead of just straight information. Students have said that they like the entertaining format of the Informant. As Sarri said, "You have to laugh at our political system, because if you can't, you're just screwed." The Political Science Club meets Thursdays at 9:00 PM in the Stomping Grounds. Copyright ©1998 The Coe College Cosmos

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