THE DAILY
NEBRASKAN
Editorials
I i
Pag'e 2
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1967
Commentary
Too Complacent To Dream
At the risk of being accused of pouting
about the outcome, the Daily Nebraskan
feels obligated to comment on the general
conduct and meaning of the ASUN election.
The voter turnout was the largest in
the history of ASUN and most likely the
largest in the history of this school's stu
dent elections. Although it is too soon to
generalize about what significance this
fact may have in a larger perspective, it is
sure enough to say that this indicates some
kind of new awakening of interest among
students in the governing of the environ
ment in which they are temporarily living.
However, the nature of this interest is
the question which is open to interpre
tation. As has been repeatedly discussed
by the Daily Nebraskan, the emotionalism
which identifies this campagin from a 1 1
others was disgusting and degrading to
the student body. If this is the factor which
stirred up students enough to vote in such
great quantities, then perhaps the cam
paign signified nothing, or even will rate
only negative comment, in the long-run
perspective.
It is not to students' credit to have
voted as a result of pressure which even
bordered on bribery applied from so-called
campus leaders or pseudo intellectuals or
to have voted after listening earnestly to
only the side which earmarked their for
mer prejudices. The most obnoxious aspect
of this is the attempt at outright cheating
at the election polls. Clearly, this took
place on at least two sides of the political
picture. The executive candidates on these
two sides must be absolved of blame for
surely they did not condone the incidents
of double, triple and in many cases multiple
voting by a single person. If they knew it
was going on, it is likely that it got com
pletely out of their control.
The ones who deserve the blame are
the organizers, the pushers, the extrem
ists on both sides. One bad turn did not
deserve another, but many people ration
alized that if the other side was collecting
identification cards from the dorms and
sending sympathizers through to vote, then
their side could only be fair to itself and
try to keep up. It is curious why the out
come was of such extreme importance to
soma people to cause them to insult the
integrity cf those running and the integrity
of the student body itself. Most likely the
people who indulged did not consider the
results a life or death affair for the future
of their school but, pardon the expression,
sungy "lost their cool" and let the excite
ment get the better of them.
Then, perhaps, maybe lost cool isn't
the only thing involved. It is obvious that
despite the personality clashes and
unusually odd circumstances that started
the ban rolling (Le., t h e split in PSA),
there was what appeared to be a choice
between persons holding varied political
philosophies, from radical to liberal to con
servative. Supposedly then, following this reason
ing, informed students cast votes favoring
either: beer in the Union, liberal dissemi
nation of birth control pills and complete
voluntary selection of housing (SDS plat
form); a revised advising system, college
of independent thinking and a liberal inter
pretation of Article 5 of the Bill of Rights
Pfeifer-Aitken-Olson platform); or inter
disciplinary programs, team -teaching and
support of the alternate Article 5 (PSA
platform).
If in their completed forms the plat
forms did reflect a dichotomy of thought
into somewhat clear categories of political
philosophy and if the students knew them,
understood them, and then voted according
to their considered opinions, then it would
be a most encouraging reflection of the
evolving level of sophistication and intelli
gence of University students. Then one
could later note, in retrospect, that the
student government elections of 1967 were
a landmark in the transition of the Univer
sity student from an apathetic and some
what naive playboy to a concerned, re
flecting "student of life."
Sadly, It cannot be true. The plat
forms, with the exception of a few ideas
presented but not pushed by SDS were not
dissimilar. Everyone pushed the education
theme, which is fine, but with ideas bor
owed from the advisory boards of
each other. By necessity, Article S w a s
bent out of proportion so it could appear
that there was a radical, a liberal and a
conservative interpretation of it Perhaps
to the extent that philosophical intricacies
were involved this is true but all candi
dates said that ASUN would have to ne
gotiate with the Administration in order to
make any progress towards different pol
icies, because this was the only realistic
way.
In the realm of pure political thought,
which may or may not be relevant in the
development of student government, the
campaign appeared to be just as con
fusing. There were radicals, liberals, con
servatives and in-betweens of every shade.
In the context of the traditional Nebraskan
conservative, one would think of him as
a "rugged individualist," opposed to most
sorts of governmental controls and sin
cerely loyal the purist of democratic insti
tutions. But strangely enough those who
were earmarked "conservative" were
talking about the need to prepare for the
future by adapting ourselves to a society
which is quite strictly regulated. They
were not calling for a situation which
would insure "individualism" among stu
dents. No this role, the conservative role
was trumpeted by SDS and the so-called
non-SDS liberals. Well, it is hard to tell
what to call who.
Perhaps better than trying to pin old
labels on students and student politicians
it would be more accurate to say that
what reigns on this campus is narrow
mindedness. Surely students in the prime
of their lives should be excited to at least
consider new ideas. This is not to say all
new ideas are good ones and should be
accepted eagerly for their own sakes. But
apparently the mandate just given to stu
dent government is that it just exists
throughout the year and Jje quite sure not
to stir up any controversy.
A philosopher once said: "a person
who isn't radical at 20 isn't thinking and a
person who is still radical at 40 never
started thinking." If we immediately re
ject things that are a little wierd sounding
and play up to the status quo while we are
University students, we surely will not be
equipped to be the persons who are trying
to find solutions tomorrow for a better
world This is high sounding, true. But we
do believe in an eventual better world,
dont we? Or is our generation too cynical
and complacent to dream?
The College Switchboard
The next target of the student move
ment should be the college switchboard.
Perhaps I am overly sensitive my Job re
quires a number of calls to students on the
nation's campuses.
Nonetheless, it seems to me that an
innocent requistioner to His Majesty's
Royal Dormitory should be entitled to bet
ter service than the nasal voice of a sep
tegenerian informing you that, "We have
no such number available, or, "I'm
sorry, sir, that line is busy, for two hours.
Even the CIA gives better service.
"Oh. Wen, then,
message"
could you leave a
"I'm sorry, sir, we
sages.
"Wei, then, why do
switchboard open?". -. .
don't take mes-
yo'i keep the
"We will accept an emergency call.
sir
Picket line
Take my alma mater, Qberlin College
in Ohio. The first problem in reaching
Oberlin is the Northern Ohio Telephone
Company free-flowing group which
made the mistake of competing with
A. T. & T. Calling through Northern Ohio
always gives you the feeling that you've
crossed a picket line ri some tort
The situation is so bad that a protest
we ran at Oberlin against discrimination
in Northern Ohio hiring practices attracted
a large crowd with signs demanding bet
ter service.
The College cannot be blamed for
Cleveland that's a cesspool of its own
creation. Oberlin, however, has developed
its own ingenious obstacle course. Students
hole up in the library all day long, in
which, of course, there is no phone.
Torsade Announced
At 11 p.m., "le deluge." The dammed
tip calls of an entire day bombard the
dormitories as if a tornado had Just been
announced. One hour later, however, the
gate slams shut. After midnight, out
siders are greeted with, "I'm sorry sir,
you didnt beat the clock, the clock beat
you, but as a ...
Oberlin does well by comparison, how
ever. At least you know where you stand.
At least you ran leave a message with
someone. At least somebody cares.
More typical was an attempt to reach
a student at Providence College in Rhode
Island. The conversation went something
like this:
'Jobs Eardweir
"Hello, mam, could you put me in
touch with John Bardwell"
"I'm sorry, air, we dont accept out
aide calls between 7:30 and 10:00.
"Well, this is an emergency.
At this point, the caller received the
number of a pay phone engulfed deep in
a basement of a dormitory. Needless to
sty, the student lived on the third floor.
Dormitory Meal
Something just has to be done. The
idea that a college student is sot entitled
to receive a phone call after a certain
hour, or cannot get a message when he's
not available, or has to be shielded from
the outside world like some tort of sal
manfier in a cage is every bit as insulting
to an undergraduate as the average dormi
tory meaL
Yet who protests? Who even knows?
There are, doubtless, thousands of students
who have lost millions of dollars in job of
fers, just because some switchboard oper
ator decided to take a stand.
It is time for the students of this
country to take a stand. I would suggest
that after repeated attempts to convince
college administrations to change these
policies fail as they always do students
run a nation-wide phone-in.
Yield Results
Two hundred students on a campus
should arrange that friends call them
throughout the day, particularly at hours
when the switchboard wont let them
through. When the operator refuses, each
friend should heap abuse on her. I mean,
the nastiest things they can say. Two
weeks of such treatment should yield
Act now, however. People are prob
ably trying to call yeu at this very mo
ment, with little success. You really do
have friends. Your boyfriend really has
been trying to reach you. Love may spring
eternal, but ringetb not at afl. Down with
the switchboard.
Ed Schwartz
Collegiate Press
Service
Our Man Hoppe-
Russia With Mixed Feelings
Arthur Hoppe
Vienna
I'm out! The feeling of
escape, the sense of relief
that washes over you as
you safely cross the Soviet
border is hard to describe.
But what is even harder
is to know whether it is
justified.
Room Bugged? :
Was I watched during my
week In Russia? Was my
room bugged, my mail
opened? Were those two
tough characters question
ing my maid M. V. D.
agents?
Or were the constant ten
sion, the occasional suspi
cious, the flashes of fear,
merely the result of imag
inings produced by 20 years
of Cold War conditioning?
I simply dont know.
For the casual tourist, I
can think of no more se
cure place to visit than
Russia. The in tourist
guides meet you at trains
and planes and shepherd
you to your hotel and ush
er you through each air
port. How convenient it is.
How coddled you f eel
Old Russia
And yet, as old Russia
hands point out, what an
efficient way to keep tabs
on where you go and whom
you see.
I think of Russian friends
I made and how openly
they laughed and joked in
private about politics or
bureaucracy. And yet, if
we parted in a hotel lobby
or public square, how
quickly they shook hands,
turned and walked away.
I think of the American
newsmen in Moscow, living
in apartments with Soviet
police at the doors, presum
ably checking out each per
son who enters. I think of
the harrowing tales they
tell of this colleague black
mailed or that one exposed
and of the conspiratorial
caution they use in person
al dealings.
American Bachelors
I think of the handful of
The Labyrinth
By Bruce Mason
It has been said that many a man has perished in the
flark confines of the labyrinth. Many have tired of the effort
expanded in fleeting hopes of escape.
Dismal Fate
Some, oblivious to their stifling prison, sink deeper
and deeper into the abyss. Others cast their eyes downward,
resigned to their dismal fate.
Rarely, a few escape; their eyes stinging from the un
accustomed brightness. Those few, even before the sore
ness of their eyes has vanished, with spirits soaring from
their laborious liberation, plunge back into the gaping cav
ern. By their wasted bodies, poisoned with the foul air,
strewn about the dark corridors, others grope their way to
safety. They also, after the brief exultation has faded, seek
the hideous bowels of the chasm.
They Plunge
The serenity and calm is rejected for the mavbem and
me viienees of the labyrinth. Their senses numbed, their
yes blurred to the filth and pestilence, only downward can
they plunge.
For inside their bellies a demon exhorts them to seek
out those who have failed to escape the labyrinth. A living
sacrifice, to those who will later vomit their eaten flesh,
they become. With their faces marred by dust, sweat, and
blood they pummel to their destructive triumph.
Men of vision blinded In their seed to free the others
perish beneath the chains of the very ones they so desper
ately sought to save. The serpentine walls nuifflf their
wards. The thick air rots away their brains.
Slime Mocks
The slime mocks their feeble attempt The oppressive
ness pounds their hearts to annihilistlc submission. No
encouragement rebounds In the labyrinth.
Battered by the assaults of the enslaved, their muscles
cream for an end to their misery. Their insane win lives
to persist.
With their bones crushed, their fleBh charred, their
guts spilled out on the craggy floor, they have escaped the
hideous pit forever.
Yet, as their struggle oozes to an end; others begin
their destructive Odyssey back tote the Jaws of the laby
ringth. Lured by the screams of those below, they too will
perish. For only In death do they escape the claws of the
labyrinth.
American bachelors there.
Most Russian girls won't
date them, they say. And
how they suspect the few
who will!
Yet I wonder if the
American community, cut
off and ghettoized as it is,
doesn't tend to become
slightly paranoid.
But why are there - no
stairs in the towering
Ukraine Hotel?
Guests Forbidden
At times, you have to
wait half an hour for an
elevator to go up or down
one floor. But if there are
stairs, guests are forbidden
to use them.
"It's because the 12th
floor is jam-packed with
bugging equipment," says
an American with a know
ledgeable smile. "And they
dont want anyone wander
ing around.
Maybe. Maybe not I
dont know. I simply dont
know.
But after a week of day
t i m e tension, nighttime
fear, gloomy hotel rooms,
indifferent food and a vast
confusing panorama of
strange people, strange
scenes and strange emo
tions, I have checked into
the most luxurious hotel in
Vienna.
Hot Water
The dependable hot wa
ter is cascading into foe
gleaming tub. The huge,
warmed towel bangs wait
ing. The deep bed with the
feathery comforter is
turned down.
And there's one thing I
do know. There are times
in life when there's nothing
more richly enjoyable than
to be a thoroughly decadent
capitalist
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Foreign Flight Problems
Dear Editor:
Quite a few foreign students felt that the Nebraska
International Association could perform a worthwhile serv
ice to our University by offering a low-cost flight to Eu
rope. While we do not suggest that there exists a conspir
acy against our attempt, it does seem strange- that we
should have to face so many difficulties.
Better Arrangements
About two months ago I wrote a letter to the editor
asking whether not better arrangements could be made for
a flight to Europe than had been done by the Nebraska
Union. Not until about a month later and about three days
after we had asked the Union to put up our posters an
nouncing that we were offering a flight for $300 (which
were never put up) did the Union answer by accusing us
of using a foreign airline.
It seems strange that the Union should not have been
aware that TWA is an American airline. Since the Union
had failed to put up our first posters we saw ourselves
forced to put them up every few hours realizing that they
would be torn down soon.
About three weeks ago we arranged to have an infor
mation evening at the Union for students who like to go to
Europe. Although we had been promised by the Daily
Nebraskan that an article would appear announcing the
event it was never published.
Space On Flight
Since we were told a few days ago that the Union flight
would not have enough people we contacted them offering
to try to find space for them on our flight, which they
seemed to appreciate.
. It appears they are now making an all out attempt to
get enough people for their flight, which is only fair. How
ever, after we had again made arrangements for a meet
ing with slides and refreshments and the Daily Nebraskan
again assured us that they would carry a story concerning
our trip and meeting, it is somewhat strange that instead
of an article appeared concerning the Union flight and a
meeting being attended by a local travel agency and an
airline agent
We do seem to have enough people for our flight in
any case, but it seems somewhat strange that it should be
so difficult for foreign students to contribute something to .
their University. We do feel that our flight is the better
deal and we do hope to offer next year also flights to Asia
and the Middle East.
Hospitality
In the same way that we enjoy the hosnitalitv offerprf
to us by Nebraskans, we do hope that our friends here will
enjoy visiting our countries and that this all may help inter
national understanding. For that reason we offer a flight
as reasonable as possible and without making any profit
on it Whatever the outcome may be, we do hope that many
of you will be able to go.
Benno Wymar
Report Not A 'Minority'
Dear Editor:
Apparently my report (April 5) on the success of the"
Nebraska Free University is not so much a "minority" re- "
port as Mr. Rod Easier inferred in his letter published :
Friday, April 7. 1 am informed that the E.S.P. class of 75
signer-uppers has dwindled to "10 or 12" regulars. Appar
ently another survey of NFU courses is in order
I am happy to hear of the success of the NFU Human
Reproduction course. I would be disturbed, indeed, to hear
that students have lost their interest in sex.
Charles R. Gruner
What's The Fence For?
Dear Editor:
With spring beautifying the campus, the students of the
University owe special thanks to the students of the art de
partments who have helped in their own little wav. Not
oniy have they covered an area north of the Woods Art
Building with gravel, but they have succeeded in assem
bling the largest conglomeration of Junk ever to appear on
our love!) campus. And another thing, what's the fence for?
To keep out the trash collector maybe?
Francis Law son
Nekra&kan
MrO M. 1MT
Daily
Vol Me N
ni mmh paaj a limn.
Mak.
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tar ar a) tor (to aaaaanu aaa
toned aJocOajr,
and Fnon t
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aaruda. by tw awaaatt af am In
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a raa Im aanty a IM aua
aoinmiUM ar aar aaraai autaiaa Ma
Vaiwarali Miiimaia at ao Naaraakaa
Errors Pointed Out
Dear Editor:
.. il!,'70nibston,f EPltftPh" amusing especial
SJVEH y0Ur ?e?1 ,upport rf SDS" However the4 -.
TLtmZ- tteiT ra-y impartial analysis oT
the campus political teen, which I should lite to point
fc,iJr2 l?u.tbor ?! Dvittson' fine paper,
t 2,r r,a Lf0na' I red toe mucript on the way
?estiL convention, and made several minor sug-
2. Though many members lncludini myself suDnort
nP,!PStt T" lw convention work
shop, attended by SO or 40 people.
n."vw!?"i PlrU "obtain control of our cam-
r":, ' ' " w tne minority rule of the Re
gents, we want to fee the University democratically gov-
erned.
MKilalaa Collarta) rim.
0anwuai aarviaa, Jaaia
txaraaaa lluam. laann, iak- JU&
esrrotuM. gtkrr
Editor tin KraaaoMt
fUur Braaa OUaa; Maa Atm
1'iuni Hn editor Pat
tvonarMi Page Mataiaai aaar ruw
kwarai Editor fit lararfflai ajaauuun
twra) cxlttor larr Oraaminki aantar
fl Wrttare Julia Hurra. Cnarrl i nn.
luiao Irayi iuxum atari nwn, Mir
Lowa, tlevKJ kantaia, Hoaar koaa, J up
fcviaaar UmM Uauaar, Paul aVaana Mark
Coram. Chrla far warn Mma 4atlwa
Eiam Wlrthi ftwwaranhara. aUaa
Harmak. Dong ataanars Cam SMliara
Romaey ftauual. Lsnut Aaa UvCbamala.
Mar Oknnok. 4aoa Ciaaanaa. Oum
PS. It is true that we'd have trouble eettme inni
rtop bajing daily. Studies have shoCtlaf AiVS are
peculiarly neurotic about "cleanliness. Mavbe ir thl
hoy Scout syndrome. - y
Al Spangler
DKNBM etaVfT
AkvarlMiiyi
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aaonari
ClaaaltMKl
Chariaa
akvartwint Manaa.
auk rMHnnujuM
awaratary ajna koaaka, Kaaiaaa a-
&araar. Garaa ri-Msdl
"Hilar. Cnna Uaaaa. fcacnr
i Una Jaftrvyi ubaonpuoa
Jim Haatai Urrjalaaaa Maa-
amr Uroo ftattijrnj Clreulakaa A "Blat
ant Gary Meyarj f r rr Cnic
kaaa
2 Memo On An April Slorning
Please, Miss April, fashion a lute
From reeds beside a stream
And let the honeysuckle wind.
More fragrant than a dream.
Play cool andantes to the frees
fweet meadow grasses, dewdrop-dean!
And when the draperies of du&
Enfold the darkening blue,
Then open doors of starlight please,
And let my heart look through
With wonderment and awe, and be
Companion to infinity
XPardlUurfs'
