THE DAILY NEBRASKAN
Commentary
Wednesday November 29, 1967
Editorials
Page 2
Politics . . .
That Dirty Game'
Poilitcians and their profession would
probably rank right alongside gangsters,
kidnappers and murderers if you polled
the average American citizen.
The numerous stories of political
courage in the face of overwhelming un
popularity are overshadowed by the stor
ies of politicians involved in pay-off
scandals and the supposedly easy life.
The vast majority of Americans are
totally unaware of the trials and hard
ships' that many politicians suffer during
their periods of service. Thus, the pic
ture of the politician as an obese, cigar
smoking old man lounging in a large,
padded easy chair from 8 a m. to S p.m.
And then it's off for a round of gala
cocktail parties with your supporters or
it's off on a round-the-world boondoggle.
But this is not as it is.
The Christian Science Monitor recent
ly noted that: "Perhaps Americans should
be grateful that anybody aspires to be
president. Consider the headaches."
"Just to keep in the competition, a
hopeful may have to slog through New
Hampshire's snow, ice, and-or mud be
fore the early March primary. He may
have to race, marathonlike, through the
other state primaries. Meanwhile he must
be developing a "hail fellow television
stance, touring the big cities, and. if
there's time, traveling to Asia and Eu
rope to prove he's an expert, on familiar
terms with world leaders.
"If by any chance he wins at the
nominating convention, the candidate has
two months of rough-tough campaigning
before November polling day. His zigzag
tours among the various states will re
semble the track of an electron in high
energy physics . . ."
And this pace continues even during
the term of office. What can be said of
the president is little different than most
other elected officials. The common man
can become exhausted merely keeping up
with the schedule of most elected offi
cials. This exhaustive work, in the face of
low salaries for most public officials,
however, is most often overlooked by the
American public.
The Republican Party will attempt
this weekend to shed a new light on po
litics for student leaders on Nebraska's
college campuses. Included in the "Oppor
tunities Unlimited" is a seminar with
some of Nebraska's public officials deal
ling with politics as a career.
But public affairs should extend into
the life of each and every individual and
not merely to the life of the politician.
With this in mind, other seminars will
include public affairs in communications
and in business.
The Daily Xebraskan believes it is
time that the old image of a politician
be buried forever and that public affairs
become an important part of each citi
zen's life.
Politics is not a dirty business!
U7Vi
ft.
The Maddening Crowd
CAiWUS OPINION: Hi, Fraiili
Viewpoint
Dear Editor:
Far be it from me to accuse Frank
S. Device of intemperance, just because
be writes a letter Daily Xebraskan Nov.
20j that a more phlegmatic type would
not have written. As be says. . . ex
cesses such as those mouthed by iDick)
Gregory are sure to bring excesses by
those who oppose the destruction of pri
vate property "
Why should not a man present him
self as an illustration if be wants to?
Mr. Device, who deplores name calling,
writes of 'pro-Communist slobs," and
"lovers of Chairman Mao. Gregory, (Joan)
Baez and the Juke," Even though "Such
same calling is always distasteful." that
is no reason for him to shriek from a dis
tasteful duty.
One is left reassured that Mr. De
line is equally ready to sacrifice taste to
duty when acting in bis official capacity.
for be begins by stating that be is go
ing n record ""as a member f the Uni
versity Counseling Servk." One readily
pictures Mr. Devise at work giving aid
and comfort to poor doubl -bedeviled stu
dents seeking a sympathetic ear.
If Mr. Devise is made more secure
by knowing names of ?espe of whom be
can feel ashamed, I bope I am ocA the
one to deny a feDow man in Deed. Un
fortmalely, though rather fond of Greg
ory and Baez, I niust confess that Chair
man Mao is no partxiilar favorite of
rriUpt: however, I am sure that a man
of Mr. Detine's capacities is net one to
cavi at a detail.
So Hi Jihere, Mr. Devise, and if ywnTJ
tell me where rno live ITU make it a
point aever to come up your walk.
Robert Xarvew
Associate Prfescr t Eaglaa
DearEditM-:
I anni writinH to yw in reference to
Mr. Frank S. Devki's letter puiaished
Xov. 20.
Mr. Devine's lleHer is full of subjec
tive. ejxtuuwiiu i.tcEjfcjjii Kaii s ";.ti
Communjist c4 "tb Hwem of Chair
man Mas. Djck Gregory. Jwan!l Baez
aoS wthers." 1 am wondering whal kikwl
of appropriate attkms'" Mr. DeiDe plans
to take against Mr.. Walters Uamet 5L
Waiters, lattratlyr of Pfcilciwopby!) if he
sees iam ceasing up his walk?
At Mr. Devine is a member of the
University Cimseimg Service, I am won
dering af be is balanced esough to be
aMe to fulfill Ms task. His letter does
nut suggest it and I am sore that my
colleagues ea the facility would wish to
be cartful nc to send students to as cn
fcalanced person..
I ami ft&jefticg to Mr. Devise's arga
jnenl that tie Xew Left "isides behind the
fnzzy idea f academic l&wsiom." The
University 4$ the place for dissent and Mr.
WaSe.- is a professor of his iastitataon.
Ftr Mr. Devise's toformalion, the term
""professor" is defined as one who pro
fesses avows or declares.
I believe thai fts acadersic prf4sii
should be fcappy that Mr. Define is oot
a prcdessor tor what be professes is pre
cisely the kind of system which exists
today ia Qosa saider the CT&airman Mas
be so despises. I am hoping that Mr.
Device's assodattoo wi3h the Cmmetmz
Servke is coore am a pressjnai ie-
than is iBiirated ia his letter, but I tin
jej doubts..
Itaa V
Assistaat Pnsr f puttitieai Stiree
Dear YAiXm .
Does Fraii S. Deiise. -EysLbtT af
Cbe Uc3erK3r Connseling Service. truly
exat? Tic Eiiad beges at the prospect
tout the UastriL2j Dredory dauss that
fctdyts.
Such a man would hardly "bide be
hind the fuzzy ideas of 'academic free
dom." ' His office is in Administration
108. where those who feel they might
profit from his counsel will find him.
George E. Wolf
Assistant Professor of English
Dear Editor:
I did not attend Dick Gregory's talk
and therefore neither applauded nor failed
to applaud Ms remarks. But I do feel
qualified to comment on Mr. Frank S.
Devine's extraordinary letter attacking a
fellow faculty member, Mr. James H.
Walters.
It seems very surprising to me that
Mr. Define is such a bitter opponent of
Mao Tse-fcrg. From the tone of bis letter,
I shoold think that be would be very
much at borne in an environment bke
that of Communist China, where he could
participate in Red Guard purges of uni
versities' faculties to his heart's content
Xow that our full-scale participation
in the Vietnam war is about to enter
its fourth year, it is only natural that
this type of raucous jingoism should
make its appearance. Wars, especially di
visive and unpopular wars, invariably
create pressure for conformity and for
imaniinoas acceptance of military leader
ship. Eat alert citizens of a free country
sboiuld not be deceived by current efforts
to equate patriotism with unthinking ac
ceptance of our Administralion's policies.
Quite apart from the moral questions
involved, many sober and patriotic Ameri
cans, whs supported our intervention in
World War II and Korea, simply do not
believe that these policies serve the long
term interests at the United States or of
the free world.
It may very well be that by devot
ing our national energies primarily to
chasing native g aerillas in Vietnam
while Bntian devaluates, the Soviet
Union establishes itself as a Mediterran
ean power, the population erplosion
threatens worldwide starvation and con
sequent political upheavals, American for
eign aid is reduced to a mere trickle, and
our central cities become even more on
batntabJe and ungovernable our pres
ent administration may actually be
strengthening the prospects of world com
munism. At any rate. Lttie is to be gained by
substituting orum-beating and invective
for rational evaluation of these ques
tions. Rlph ZariUJ
Associate Professor of Pt&kal Scieare
A National Volunteer Army?
By WALTER GRANT
Collegiate Press Sen ice
Although Congress has extended the
draft for four more years, the Selective
Service System may still become a cam
paign issue in next year's Presidential
election.
It is highly doubtful that either the
Democratic or Republican candidate will
pledge to abolish the draft at this time.
But it appears likely that one or both
parties will propose a number of reforms
in the military system, which, among oth
er things may be aimed at reducing draft
call to zero.
Such ref orms would be designed to
encourage more young people to volun
teer for the Army by making military ser
vice appear more attractive. The most im
portant reform would be to raise the
military pay scale so that it begins at a
level comparable to the minimum wage
rates.
Chances that increased pay for
soldiers will be a campaign issue were
boosted last week when a Gallup poll
showed that eight out of ten people favor
such a plan. When an issue has such
widespread voter appeal. Presidential can
didates are not likely to ignore it.
Our Man Hoppe
The proposal also is becoming more
popular in Congress. Twenty-two Republi
can House members recently issued a
joint statement advocating certain mili
tary reforms, including an increased pay
scale, as a way of reducing draft calls
and putting the armed firces on a volun
teer basis.
The House already has taken the ini
tial step by passing a 5.6 percent in
crease in basic pay for the nation's 3.5
million military servicemen. The bill,
which would cost about $633 million in the
first year, is expected to receive positive
action in the Senate.
The big question is whether or not
more young people will volunteer for the
military if Congress and the Pentagon in
crease the benefits for military personnel.
Most observers agree that military re
forms will result in an increase number
of volunteers, but there is disagreement
over whether there would be enough new
volunteers to end draft calls.
At least five Congressmen think an
all-volunteer army is indeed possible if
the right improvements are made. Their
ideas appear in a book entitled. "How
to End the Draft" which was published
this month.
Bobby Kennedy's
Toughest Campaign
Arthur Hoppe
Spi
es
Dear Editor:
The whole concept of student spies to
patrol drag abase am -war campus reeks
'A George Orwell's "Big Brother" philo
sophy. If such a practice were to begin, one
can conceive of some well-ineanin; per
son suggesting student rpies to curtail
campss dri&ki&g, traffic offenses, or oth
er activities the police cannot completely
handle.
If oar law enforcement agencies are
enable to handle the drug problem, it
rt-nit iltty are proving their owe i&iifi
cency by a3uisg students to iniorm on
and. an efiect pass jodgeineot on their
peers. A ryttem that must resort to "se
cret police" to handle its problems needs
a food re-evaluation of its laws or its
present enorcemtot methods.
J. Dwaey
(The Xebratkaa resenes (be rigM to
c0eae letters. Vuugt4 letters w21 iM
be pristed.)
By far and away the best kept politi
cal secret in years was the recent open
ing of Mr. Bobby Kennedy's Xational
Presidential Campaign Headquarters..
Located in a LMe-toown cavern in
the Catekills, it lok like any other Ken
nedy Headquarters pretty girls dash
ing this way that and crcw-crt yoimg
men in shirtsleeves growling rapidly into
telephones,
The major difference is a banner
stretched between two stalactites bearing
the campaign slogan: "A Vote lor Bobby
is a Stab in the Back
"Good heavens." said the campaign's
national director, Mr. Homer T. Pettibone.
Harvard '43, when I expressed surprise at
the tenor of the slogan. "Bobby isn't wag
ing a campaign for the Presidential nom
ination. He's waging a campaign against
a."
I said this certainly showed Mr. Ken
nedy's love and devotion to President
Johnson. After be bad recovered from a
sadden coughing spell. Mr. Pettibone said
that certainly was true.
And besides, be said. Mr. Kennedy
didn't want to look disloyal. Xor did he
want to wage a bitter fight to get the
Domination of a badly divided party and
"lake a from me," said Mr. Petti
bone gloomily, "the only thing that'll
keep Bobby from felting elected Presi
dent an '72 is if be rets nominated in
"6!. That or be gets fcrt by a truck. Bit
this campaign against the nomination
as the toughest he's ever faced.
Os. we've hired She finest talent
money can buy Harold Stassen strate
gists. Duck Y'xon press fcandiers and a
cvp3e of All Lifjdvn ipeech writer But
the polls show we're in trouble. We're still
ahead.
I atked why Mr. Kennedy didn't
sljBply fly around the country to teH every
body be wasa't runnug for President
"Like Ronald Reagan?" said Mr.
Pettibone with a shudder. "I tell you
Bobby's sincere. He can't just say be isn't
running. He's got to prove it"
Well, lie could always speak out on
the issues,
"What? And alienate half his sup
porters?" Perhaps. I suggested, he could say
he'd been brainwashed, grow a five
o'clock shadow and divorce Ethel in or
der to marry a younger woman.
"We don't steal from other candi
dates," said Mr. Pettibone with dignity.
"Besides, we Just want to lose once. It
isn't easy. Look at New Hampshire. At
best that's going to be a tough, uphill
struggle to defeat"
Was Mr. Kennedy planning an all-out
handshaking campaign in New Hampshire
against himself?
"Too risky. You know the Kennedy
magnetism. We're just keeping him un
der wraps and praying. But even if we
pull off a stunning upset loss in New
Hampshire, we've got to go on and lose
big in Nebraska, Wisconsin and Oregon,
too. Frankly," said Mr. Pettibone glum
ly, "there's a jackening odor of victory
rathe air."
Wait a minute, I said, I bad it!
Think of what every Democratic candi
date will avoid doing at all costs next
year if be hopes to win. If Mr. Kennedy
does it bell look loyal, sound sincere,
and. bent of all. bell be sure to lose.
"What's that?" said Mr. Pettibone.
all ears
Campaign vigorously for Mr. Johnson,
1 said. And with Mr. Kennedy's well
kmn Jove and devotion lor the Presi
dent. I'm sure be'd be delighted to . . .
Eat "Mr. Pettbone bad lost interest
Maybe we ought to re-think ssnne of
tbese discarded ideas." be was saying,
"Xow, Jet's see, if b got bit by a truck . . .
Grand Sprix
by George Kaufman
Although Terry Carpen
ter's visit to Selleck Quad
rangle the Monday night be
fore Thanksgiving vacation
has long since lost its news
value, some things should
be said about that event
which were not even hinted
at in the coverage by the
local press (as usual).
The idea was a good one,
an excellent one: that the
perpetrator of the new Ne
braska narcotics control law
should visit the campus of
the University, where re
side the law's most prolific
violators and-or opponents,
for an intellectual joust, a
clashing of philosphies.
That the actuality fell pit
ifully far below the idea is
due to only one person
Terry Carpenter. If it was
doubtful in anyone's mind
before, it should be clear af
ter the Great Selleck De
bate that Terry Carpenter
is not an intellectual in even
the kindest sense of the
word and. worse, is mere
ly a reflection of tradition
al puritan Nebraska ultra
conservatism in everything.
This in itself is discon
certing enough; but the
really frightening thing
about the Selleck Debacle
was that Tern's inconsis
tencies and irrelevancies
actually drew some ap
plause and, in the case of
one rabid young lady's pro
Terry outburst, real praise
and support.
But back to the senator
from Scottsbluff: Terry be
gan his encounter with his
dissidents by proclaiming
that be believed that mari
juana and "other narcotics"
were bad for the mind and
the body, that he couldn't
understand why anyone
would want to use the stuff
(anyhow) and that the anti-marijuana
law must be
right because it was passed
after all the '-expert testi
mony" which came before
his committee.
Now. friends, let us take
these points one at a time:
1. While the law in Ne
braska classes marijuana
with other hard narcotics,
the federal laws do not clas
sify "grass" under the same
category of narcotics at all
in fact several top feder
al officers in the field have
repeatedly pooh-poohed the
marijuana scare in this
country, and stated that
mariujana is probably less
harmful than cigarettes and
alcohol.
(I think at this time it is
appropriate to point out that
Terry Carpenter owns a
chain of liquor and beer
outlets. He admits this with
glee, but points out that
this is legal and that he
personally never uses the
stuff himself, and be ad
vises others against it
He has declined to ex
tend this rationalization
philosophy of morality
that legality is morality
to whether or not he would
sell narcotics if they were
legalized. )
2. He can't understand
why anyone would want to
use alcohol, either, but this
does not prompt him to use
"spies" to ferret out
drunks.
3. As someone pointed
out at the Selleck meeting,
the Legislative committee
before whom the "expert
testimony" paraded killed
Terry's bifl. He was forced
to use all the tricks and
political pressure he knew
to have the Legislature as
a whole. wk-h was ignor
ant of all the "expert tes
timony", raise the bill to
the floor and finally pass it
into law at Terry's insis
tence. Now, Terry's stock an
swer to everything is either
"Because it is law" or "Be
cause I think so", which
unfortunately in many cases
are the same thing, so pfiBS
erful is his presence in jtrg
Nebraska Unicameral
And his answers to th5se
who dissented Monday night
were: either "Break th
law',' and have it ruled un
constitutional in the courts,
or march on the capjtsdj
(yes. again V.
I think most studaaE"
know what would happen
were a group larger than
three University students
even to look cross-eyed at
the capital. The local press
and Nebraska people are so
starved for anything newsy
locally that everything the
students do is over-blown
to the point of discouraging
such activities (witness the
Dow demonstration and
Joan Baez's appearance! i - "
And. as far as taking any-'
thing to the courts is con
cerned, I think we already
have a graphic illustration
of what kind of treatment
students get from the law.
Case in point Because of.
the Carpenter law and sub-;
sequent scare among the
Nebraskans and University
administration ranks (seem
ingly to an equal degree)
a University student was'
arrested for smoking or pos-.
sessing marijuana in an NU
dorm. The administration
immediately dismissed him
from school.
But then came the clinch
er. A few weeks later, au
thorities announced that no
charges would be filed due
to "lack of evidence". Yet
this student had been tried
and convicted, for all prac
tical purposes, without a"
trial or even being charged
with a crime. This sort of
irrational response is due
to the uninformed scare
tactics by people like Ter-.
ry Carpenter. -
It is a sad fact of life
in this in - between - every
thing state of ours that Ter
ry Carpenter has become,
due to an unbelievably dull
and unintellectual ruling
body, a sort of legendary
figure, someone who will
always give you a quote
and champion publicity
prone causes. When he feels
the force of his uninformed
constituents behind a move
ment, as in the Nebraska
drug scare, be is quick to.
adopt it. At this he is a
master, it cannot be denied.
But it also cannot be de
nied that Terry Carpenter
controls his district via a
Nebraska-s i z e d political
machine (a mini - ma
chine?) in which the peo
ple of Terry-territory ex
changed votes for the satis
faction of seeing in the pa
per every' day "Sen. Terry
Carpenter of Scottsbluff
charged today . . ."
Terry himself slipped
once Monday night and re
ferred to the people of
Scottsbluff and surrounding
territory as "my peopled
Perhaps all this has beeir
going on so long that Ter
ry himself has come to be
lieve in tie legend he has ,
methoaically built on rich
Nebraska fears and fertil
ized with flag-waving.
Perhaps, indeed, it Lai ,
been going on much too
long. At any rate, despite
your views on marijuana or
anything else (and it is true
that a well-prepared orator
could have strode into that
room and easily shot down
a handful of long-haired in
articulates that night), the
only concrete thing to
emerge from the meeting
which he turned into a carn
ival was that the real BJufI "
of Scotts Bluff county spends'
most of bis time in Lincoln.
Daily Xebraskan
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