So, when Justice Lords Superman kept Lois locked up in a tower, under constant guard, because it was for her own good, that was okay?
Can't comment on that, I haven't seen it.
Or if he decided to make himself Emperor of Earth, because it'd be in the everybody's best interests, that'd be okay too then?
After all, he intends to do good and that's what matters isn't it?
But there's a difference between what is really good and what is not really good for everyone, isn't there.
The problem with the mindwipe kiss, despite the best of intentions, is that it treats Lois like a child or a subordinate and not an adult capable of making her own decisions. It's the superpowered equivalent of Superman saying "Don't you worry your pretty little head about that Lois dear, I'll do all the thinking for both of us." It takes the power fantasy into a weird, kinda misogynisty place too. It also denies Lois any chance at personal growth.
It doesn't do that for me. At the time it seemed stupid, but not weird fantasy with mysogigy. No stranger than the turning back time reset. Additionally, that film came out at a much different time. WIth 21st century eyes you can't look at it the same way it came across in 1980 (81?). The world is a different place.
To me with what's given in the scene is Lois in such a state of disrray and distress that based on her not so well written dialogue is that her knowledge of the situation is too much to take. Clark tries to convince her otherwise and only as a last resort does he use the amnesia kiss to aleviate her pain and suffering.
Realistically, that whole interchange is something that should have taken place over months, but within the confines of a feature film, it is boiled down to the essentials in a few minutes. As for growth, she says it herself. "there is no getting over Superman." Or something like that.
It's just like that old story that answers the question: Why doesn't Superman just solve all our problems for us? Because then we'd stay forever a child race.
That's a great story called "Must There Be A Superman."
In taking away her memories, Superman's not only treating Lois like a child, he's making sure that she stays one.
No, he's only taking away the knowledge of their relationship. He's not taking away her ability to grow after this situation. He knows not to make this mistake again and he won't. He's righting a wrong, just like her death at the end of S:TM. When taken together, at the end of S:TM he chooses being human over being Kryptonian and at the end of SII he chooses his mission over a personal life. Those two films as originally intended were to show how we get the Superman we know.
But it's also a long running theme in Superman stories that Superman will always be there to save Lois from anything. That's kind of the point. He loves her, and they know they can't be togther, but it doesn't stop him from putting her first and protecting her from harm all the time anyway.
And no, I don't think that's the message they were trying to send when they came up with that bit. I think they were just looking for a quick way to hit the reset button since the old turn-back-time trick had already been used. Nevertheless, the message was sent.
Well, I don't think the message they were trying to send was that Superman by erasing Lois memory was being selfish and trying to control Lois.
Superman leaving without saying goodbye was wrong. No doubt about that But it was a mistake apologized and atoned for, not simply wiped away.
There is no atonement for what's Superman's done in SR. He can never make it right. The damage is done. Period. My problem is not in how it plays out once it happens, but rather that the mistake he makes is not in keeping with his character. I think a young Superman giving up his mission for Lois would be in keeping with his character, but a Superman in a sexual relationship with Lois would never leave w/o saying goodbye b/c it's 'too difficult.' I just don't buy that. It's a completely incorrect characterization of Superman. Superman II and S:TM show Superman struggling with being Superman- and that feels right. SR shows Superman struggling to be a good person, and that is completely wrong.
But it wasn't movie-Superman's first mistake. When was the last time Superman didn't do something because it was too difficult you asked? When he didn't continue with his mission as Earth's protector in Superman II because the chance at a life with Lois was too difficult to resist.
It wasn't b/c it was too difficult- he felt like it was all over for him as Superman once Lois discovered his secret. Once she knew, he couldn't continue to try and hide it from her and he didn't want to. As the mythos went at the time- it was either Superman w/o Lois or no Superman w/ Lois. He chose their relationship b/c he chose being human at the end of S:TM.
No matter how you spin SII, SR is completely different. He knowingly hurts Lois b/c it is too difficult to say goodbye, and that is just wrong- completely out of character.
You responded to his idea, he posted it on the first page of this thread.
The audience was totally into it. Pure Trek geeks, like I. 
t: Of course, we all cheered and applauded at all the right places. 
