THE DAILY NEBRASKAN
Editorials
Commentary
Page 2
Monday, .October 23, 1967
Grow Up
Shocking, though true in many
aspects was a statement made by Norm
Snusted, Schramm Hall resident director,
in relation to dormitory , floors occupied
by only graduate students.
Snusted said that one advantage to
graduate floors is that they provide "a
better study atmosphere for people who
are serious about studying."
Although the last part of the state
ment implies a generalization that grad
ate students are the only individuals at
' the University who are serious about
studying, it could not be more true about
the majority of students.
Much money is spent each year to
educate students at the University but
but how many of these students really
take advantage of the opportunity for an
. education?
Too often the bulk of time is spent in
: finding dates, spending hours in dropping
fire crackers from windows, "bull" ses
sions, and any number of assorted other
activities. Studying is slipped in only if
..-it does not interfere with the other activi
ties. To outsiders who realize this situa
tion, it only points out the immaturity of
many University students. Yet many of
our student leaders are attempting to
fight for increased student voice for these
immature students.
A Free Press
. (Editor's Note: The following editorial
.reprinted from the Kansas State Col
legiate, points up some specific free press
problems on coUege campuses.)
The question of so called "jour
nalistic responsibility" was raised Tues
- day at Senate and immediately buried
" after a near-unanimous vote against re-
strictive legislation but the question
: still lies entombed in the minds of many
: senators.
: The bill considered by Senate stated
: in bare terms that a definition is need
: ed to outline the "place of 'freedom of the
press' when it comes into direct conflict
: with the expressed will of Student
: Senate."
Further the bill said, "Freedom has
; been used in poor taste against the ex
: pressed decision of Student Senate."
And ". . . discretion has not been shown
: in the past concerning the desires of Sen
v ate ... a means must be established
to enforce the will of Seante on matters
: of this nature."
The bill, ended by resolving that af-
ter any further action by this paper on
: matters that, according to senators,
i should not go beyond Senate chambers,
all material concerning Senate meetings
should be subject to prior approval.
In addition to the bill's obvious un
constitutionality (the First Amendment
guarantees freedom of the press and has
Repertory Theatre
Pace, Talk Hurt 'Misanthrope'
By Kenneth Pellow
Instructor of English
It would be difficult to find two plays
: that differ more than Moliere's Scapin,
: as produced last year by Nebraska Uni
: versity Theater and Moliere's The Mis
I anthrope, which opened the University
: Theatre season last Friday evening.
'Scapin was broadly, howlingly funny:
The Misanthrope is wryly, ironically
funny (and, more often, thought-provok-ngly
serious). And while Scapin was
always brisk and lively, The Misanthrope
is generally slow, occasionally even flat!
The Misanthrope is o n e of those
annoyingly ambivalent commedies.
It raises some entirely just cirticisms of
;the soceity of its day an excessively
formalized, fashion-minded society, fawn
er ing and hypocritical. However, it puts
i- those criticisms in the mouth of a "hero"
v' -the misanthropic Al c e s t e with whom
'the audience cannot possibly identify.
The result is that we find ourslves alter
..nately admiring or hating both "sides"
and we come away from the play still
not certain whether we sympathize with
Alceste or not This fascinating ambiva
lence is one of the play's strengths, yet
accounts for its major weakness also.
The University Theatre cast captured
: all the paradox excellently, but only at
: great sacrifice. For, in order to stress
i.r the strong arguments both for and
i- against Alceste's view of his contempor
aries, Director Joseph Baldwin's actors
played this highly rhetorical comedy
quite slowly. Action and movement were
minimized and lines were delivered
with oratorical deliberateness. This has
the advantage of allowing an audience to
stay with all the argumentative dodges;
unfortunately, however, it makes for a
first act (where the conflicting ide
ologies are most dwelt upon) with about
' as much dra'nati" zes -'s a Frank Mor-rison-Dwight
Burney debate.
Since pact was to be sacrificed for
dialogue, this play could have b e en
greatly helped by the adootion ot erse
translation, rather than the prose trans
lation which is used. The translation by
contemporary American poet, Richard
Wilburfor instance would have, by use
of lively word-play and modern idiom,
This immaturity is well pointed out
in classes which contain undergraduates,
and those individuals who are working
hard to get an education graduate stu
dents, students who have returned from
military service and older people return
ing to get a degree.
Perhaps this problem hinges on in
structors and their ability to relate the
meaningfulness of a course to a student's
later needs. But it still remains fur the
student to do something about his atti
tude toward learning.
It is very disheartening for a profes
sor to attempt some communication with
a class and to find that those individuals
in the class know nothing about the sub
ject under consideration.
But when that first day of work looms
ominously in the near future, too many
students only then realize the importance
of their education. And then it is too late.
Students might take time each week
to evaluate themselves and find out
whether they are getting the most out of
their education. In other words, whether
they have grown up.
And then it will no longer be neces
sary for graduate students to get a floor
by themselves so they have a "better
study atmosphere for people who are
serious about studying."
been interpreted in Patterson vs. the
State of Colorado to mean "there should
be no previous restraints upon publica
tions") it portrays a belief held in Sen
ate by more than the bill's sponsor.
This is the central issue. Some Sen
ators are indignant that problems or
statements made during the legislative
meeting, are printed in this paper when
such publication . is against some form
of "expressed decision" of Senate.
This paper, just as Senate, has no
corner on perfection. But unlike Senate,
it has the responsibility to the student
body to print any issue deemed impor
tant. What some senators fail to realize is
that to cover up any event at Senate
only incrases speculation as to what
takes place there. When an issue, such
as a recent one involving Bob Wehling,
Commerce senator, is brought into the
open, only then can it be resolved.
If some senators are concerned with
the . coverage afforded their meetings,
restrictive legislation is not the method to
show disapproval.
Would senate rather have a complete
ly obliging press concerned only with
Senate's benefits and not with its faults?
Would Senate's senators rather have an
obliging press in Washington that prints
only the good about this nation's government?
have served considerably better. If con
centration is fixed upon the language of a
play, one has a right to demand that the
language be pleasing in itself.
Despite the handicaps of pace and
translation, the show has a lot going for
it. Technically, it's almost flawless. The
Theatre's new tech man, Jerry Lewis,
and new Setting-and-Costume Designer,
A. E. Kohout, have made impressive de
buts. Lighting and set combine for a
properly garish, yet remarkable pretty
environ, and the costumes and hair styles
are perfect!
Also, given the limitations forced
upon them, the actors perform very ad
mirably. They nearly all . had trouble
sustaining reactions to the speeches of
other characters, but, considering the
amount of time some of those speeches
took, that's not surprising. The leads,
John Jessup as Alceste, and Susan Vosick
as Celimene, had less trouble with this
than some of the other characters and
stayed in character quite consistently.
Jessup's job was particularly tough since
the character of Alceste is so amgibuous;
nevertheless, Jessup made him a thor
oughly believable personality. In sup
porting roles, Phillip Zinga, as Acaste,
and Mary Meckel as the prudish Arsinoe,
did much in the last three acts to over
come the slowness of the first two acts.
James Sellmeyer set what perhaps
should have been the pattern for all five
acts. His speeches, though capturing all
the pomposity of the self-congratulating
Oronte, never dragged and seemed, at a
couple of points, to help pick up the
tempo for the entire ensemble.
The first half of this year's repertory
system at Howell Theatre hits The Mis
anthrope alternating with Edward Albee's
A Delicate Balance, which opens
on November 3. To University play-goers
who have not yet seen The Misanthrope,
, I would recommend catching it late in
the semester. It is perhaps the most diffi
cult of Moliere's plays to perform, and
this past weekend's premiere gave indi
cations that by the end of its run, after
ample opportunity for improvements in
tempo, the challenge will have been
successfully met
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Our Man Hoppe
Ronald
Figures
The White House has flatly denied
Governor Ronald Reagan's charge that we
are actually winning the war in Vietnam
and the President is cleverly keeping it a
secret.
Mr. Reagan said he figures the Pres
dent is holding out on us and will let us
have the good news when it's "politically
advantafeeous for him to do so." Mr.
George Christian, the President's press
secretary, was obviously caught by sur
prise by this charge and said he didn't
know what to say, except it wasn't true,
which is a pretty weak defense.
In reality, however, Mr. Reagan is
very close to the truth. The truth is that
we won the war six months ago.
To understand why the President has
kept this a secret you have to understand
what kind of man he is humble and
straightforward with an abiding abhor
rence of adulation.
You can imagine the dilemma this
placed him in when he received the news
last April that the war was over we
having killed, by actual body count.every
single enemy soldier in Vietnam, many
of them several times.
"Great balls of fire," said the Presi
dent to Mrs. Johnson, "What am I going
to do now?"
"Well, dear, why don't you just tell
people you've finally won the war?"
"What? And have the whole country
start idolizing me? Why folks would be
shaking my hand and pounding my back
and shouting my name. I'd never have
another moment's peace and quiet. You
know I never could abide that kind of
thing."
"It's your only fail ng, dear,
but..."
Campus Opinion
Dear Editor:
That the students should
be held responsible for the
administration's error in
calculating the amount of
dormitory space necessary
is both ridiculous and ab
surd. I should think this as
justifiable as my expecting
a separate grading scale for
my botany class because I
dislike the subject and con
sequently fiad it difficult to
study. .
Adam Craft
VoL tl, K. M
f YoU DoMT WANT
To V,TT tfiMjMiiL
iTiJt OooR-
-
Reagan
It Out
Arthur Hoppe
"But, nothing. And think of my dear,
old friends over in Congress the ones
who keep returning my letters marked,
'Sender Unknown.' They'd be calling up
night and day to ask if there's inythinc
they could do for me. One thing I can't
stand is a grown man fawning over me."
"You simply must overcome this
weakness, dear."
"Oh, I try, I try. But worst of all I'd
soar upward in the public opinion polls
and there 'd be no way on God's green
earth to keep a grateiul nation from re
electing me to this awful job for another
four years."
"How I wish you could be vice pre
dent again, dear. Those were your
happiest years."
"There's no hope of that if this gets
out. Nope, the only chance is to keep it a
secret and pray the party will nominate
that fine young man I have long admired
and quietly helped every chance I got
that boy I think of as a son. Bobby
Kennedy."
"Yes, deer, but I just wish the world
know what a shy, humble, self-sacrificing
man you are."
"Good Lord, Bird, don't tell. It would
ruin everything."
Up to now, the President's secret
plan has been succeeding admirably. Be
yond his wildest dreams, even. But now
that Mr. Reagan, with brilliant political
sagacity, has stumbled so close to the
truth, the President may no longer be
able to keep the best-kept secret of his
Administration.
I am referring, of course, to what a
shy, humble and straightforward man he
is.
Daily Nebraskan
Oct . 17
Hob.
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ataid tb Uaivmitr. Membcra of tb Nrbnukas an napoanM for what Ihv
can t b printed.
Member Anociated Colleitatc Pren. Kitmoal Mvartlatn- Rctvm, Hear
orated. Published at Boom si. Nebnuka Uaa. Uacota. Nb.. Ml
EDITOBIAL KTAFT
Editor Bruce Gilea: Maaasini Editor Jack Todd: New Editor Cberrl Trltt:
Night News Editor Alan Pleismaa; .Editorial Pate Auntaat Jalie Morriii SporU
Editor Mark Gordon. Aasisuat Sporta Editor Charlie Davie; Auittam Niaht
News Editor. Randy trey ; Stall. Writers. Dave Buataln. Andy Corriiaa, Gary
Gillea, Ed Icenogie, Daa Liooker. Mick Lowe, Sherry McGaflia. Jan Parks, Toai
Victor; News Assistant Kendra Newland; Senior Copy Editor, Dick Tegtmeier;
Topy Editors. Lynn Gottachalk, Betsy Fenimoic Jim Evincar, Jeaa Reynolds;
Photocraabara Mik Haymaa aad Daa Ladle.
Liixrm rtajr
SasnMa Maaarer Glenn friendti KaOoaat Mfrari&nt Manaftr Roger Bayct
Productma Manater Charles Baxters Secretary Jamt Boatman; Bookkeeping and
aasstted Allan bra not; tafaacrspbea ataaaaer J Ctrruation Manater
rd Ktnanatub and Gary Meyers SaJea kUaafaca Onaaa, Katfiy Drat to.
Back aaark. & Millar and Wan ksolas.
IIIIIIHHIINIIHmininHUII(niMIIIIUIMIllll)UIIIIIIHIHIIimilltlllllllllltHMIMIMnillllllllllllllll!lll!!ll!!
Grand Sprixl
I . by Geor&e Kaufman j
This being the month of the Great , Pumpkin, the
time has come to confer upon deserving parties the an
nual Make Every Day A Halloween awards.
The Wicked Witch of the West Award this year goes
to The Lincoln Star, for Its fine editorial against draft
ing capital (machines and labor) from the nation's in
dustry for the Vietnam war effort. "For," states the
Star writer, "how much can a nation ask of it's citi
zens in an undeclared war." A lot of local mothers got
a real chuckle out of that one
The Good Witch of the East Award is taken by Frank
Morrison for his public service of getting out of politics.
The Linus Award For Believing in the Unsubstantiated
in the Face of Ridicule and Adversity goes this time
around to all Red Sox Fans and to Nebraska football
fans who believed the Huskers would win the Big Eight
title again.
The Lucy In The Sky With Pumpkin Award for be
ing a little too cocky for their own good is given to St.
Louis Cardinal fans and Coloardo football followers.
The Charlie Brown Wishy-Washiness Award goes to
Dick Schulze.
The Trick Without Treat Citation is grabbed by Chan
cellor Hardin for his interpretation of Equality in housing
rights.
The Halloween Is Meant for Kids Award goes to the
Lincoln Police Department for arresting three Lincoln
youths for being dressed in women's clothing at a private
party on a 1936 statute prohibiting the wearing the ap
parel of the opposite sex in public places. All girls wearing
slacks and sweatshirts beware.
Best Costume of the Year was awarded to a group,
rather than an individual, as it was impossible to de
cide from among all the fine SDS nominations.
The Squash The Pumpkin Before the Frost Gets It
award goes to faculty senate for screwing up Thanksgiving
giving Vacation.
The Edgar Allan Poe Award for best death and sub
sequent burial technique goes to Che Guevera and the
Bolivian government. A hard act to follow.
The Vampire Award for drawing blood goes to Dean
Helen Snyder for sucking all the blood from every coed
on campus.
The Adolph Eichmann award for being credited with
the most deaths in one year goes, by an overwhelming
choice, to Lyndon Baines Johnson.
And the Dick Nixon Award for wasting your time goes
to all the readers who got this far in the column.
P.S. Keep those cards and letters coming in,
friends.
Sigkt'n . . .
Sound
(By Cater GkamUee
"Vietnam: The War and The People" is a documen
tary film produced by the British Broadcasting Co.
It will be shown free of charge at 7:30 p.m. Tues
day in the small auditorium of the Nebraska Union as
part of the Vietnam Week on campus. It is an unplea
sant film which everyone should see. Its subject is war
and the pity of war. The poetry is in the pity.
The boy in the film is crying. He is crying because
the stump of his leg is tender. The men measuring the
stump for a prosthetic device are gentle, but still it
hurts the boy, who being only five, cannot understand
that his pain is unavoidable. His mother watches im
passively. One cannot know her thoughts. She too must
be in pain, for both her legs are gon.e Her husband
died in the same" bombing raid. All she remembers about
the night is the sound of the planes.
The 17-year-old girl is very beautiful with long black
hair and the thin-boned delicate grace seemingly char
acteristic of East Asians.
That she is a bit proud of her beauty can be de
duced from the touch of vanity implicit in her gold
earrings. She was engaged until her leg was blown off
in the bombing raid three months earlier. As she learns
to walk on her artifical leg, her left hip twists out gro
tesquely. The Army sergeant looks to be in his early forties and
appears to be an unremarkable man, an average citi
zen. He must be a good man, however, for as a special
project of his, in his spare time, he collects children for
the hospital. He brings about eight a week to be fitted
for artifical legs. At first it was difficult to get patients
to come to the hospital, but those who have received
new legs pass the word around and now the hospital is
overrun.
The G.I.'s on leave in Saigon tell the old woman
that they, too, are poor, that they, too, have children,
and that they cannot help her. The two children are not
hers, but are her competitors. They follow the soldiers, who
thank the policeman who takes them away.
From time to time in Saigon the police round up the
street orphans between the ages of five and 13. They get
400 to 500 each time. The children are put into prison
for three months, for vagrancy is a crime. They are kept
in a large compound with the insane on one side and
the prostitutes on the other. There is no exercise yard,
they receive no schooling they have no beds, for that
matter. About a dozen a week are released to the Catho
lic Church on condition that they attend Mass every day,
and shine shoes for a living since shoe-shinning is a
respectable trade.
The soldier explains that he buys lighter fluid in the
PX for 26 cents and sells it on the black market for
about 86 cents. The buyers resell if for a dollar. The
soldier laughs as he explains that trade is so brisk that
the PX runs out of supplies quickly so that he buys most
of his own supplies on the black market. The camera
shows that the street vendors are well-stocked with Ameri
can goods.
The soldier is a young 22 and has a thin, newly ac
quired beard and mustache. He explains that getting shot
; and killed are the worst part of it. The heat, the dust
and the mud are bad, too. One is never clean except
at base camp. His unit has lost 11 men on this mission.
No, he feels nothing about the people he kills. No, he
didn't enlist Another soldier says that it is stupid. War
is stupid. But he guesses that we have to.
The psychological warfare specialist, who planned
this mission is nervous and he giggles as he describes
it. He is m his 20s and wears glasses. He looks like a
bright economics major, a grade-getter. The village has
been under Viet Cong control for 11 years. His unit will
surround the village so thc.t no one may leave They
will then warn the villages that anyone attempting to es
cape will be shot. Four farmer-villagers are along to
finger the Viet Cong members. When asked what will
happen to these men, the specialist grins and says that
"If they run, 'Blat!' " Then he giggles again.
No one was in the village but the very old and the
very young. One old man was accidentally shot. The
Viet Cong who were there are gone. The villagers are
told to pack their belongings as they are to be moved
to a frotified valley five miles away. They are told that
their village, their homes, are to be destroyed.