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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 13, 1968)
THE DAILY NEBRASKAN Editorials Commentary . Wednesday, March" 13, 'l968r Page 2 A rf rI r i j: f; ! I ;i t Men V answers For years the University's speaker schedule has read like a reject list for the "Almost Who's Who Almanac." Finally some concerned administrators, the Ne braska Union and Senate have unlaced the moldy l purse strings of the speaker's budget for the sum . of $5000. The result is the two-day World in Revolution i Conference which promises to be the most worth- while program scheduled here in a long time. The five outstanding men who will participate . vin the Conference Thursday and Friday are not pseudo-intellects who pretend to have answers for -' every world problem. r The nationally known speakers are experts in .. their fields and hold impressive sets of credentials. '- they are dynamic and stimulating men who un derstand the real problems America faces and are not only vitally concerned with these issues, but '" most important may have some of the answers. For example the main speaker, Abraham Ribi coff, has held positions of Cabinet member, Sena tor, Member of Congress, Governor and judge. One hour spent listening to him would be more valuable (and more stimulating) than three weeks of poll " tical science lectures on the same topics. Rep. John Conyers, Jr. is the first and only ... Negro to sit on a Congressional committee which "handles civil rights legislation. He's probably one of 'Tithe most knowledgeable men in the country on race riots. And race riots happen anywhere even Ne braska. - Another speaker, Dr. Nevitt Sanford, is one of -' the most respected educators in the country. Uni 7'versity Greeks should be particularly interested in this speaker as his ideas were incorporated into the t: deTerred rush reports last fall. And so the list continues. These men are not only involved with America's problems but they t obviously are interested in how college students are ?- reacting to society's frequent upheavals. ; - Most of the speakers will hold an open press 'Jeonference Friday afternoon for reporters and any I interested persons who wish to ask further ques I tions. . These men represent the exact type of speak l ers the University has been begging for for the '.' speaker's program. This type of program should be continued in the future with even more funds i allotted for speakers. But, an empty Coliseum will J not guarantee the conference's continuation. , . University members are strongly urged to at- tend World in Revolution. It will be time well in- vested. Cheryl Tritt rRodney Powell . . . ; Fluctuate with me . There comes a time in everyone's life when one must decide between two opposing world views: J 1) things are orderly and 2) things are screwed up. One may promiscuously alternate between these ; conceptions for a time, but eventually one's gen- eral outlook on life must be set, if only to as- sure a certain intellectual fidelity. Isn't that right, I sports fans? Musing on this difficult problem of Alternat . ing Conceptions, unfortified by Ovaltine, harrassed ' by the strains and stresses of life itself, I was suddenly struck by a telling blow (quite a story " too, but smutty). I am a Walrus Softly humming "Into Each Life Some Rain TMust Fall," I collapsed as if in the throes of a ; vision, which as a matter of fact I was. (All my - loyal readers are now expecting a description of i this same vision, but just to prove that I'm above "these repetitious tales of personal experience, I I will now undertake a learned discussion of what ; Norman Mailer terms the metaphysics of the belly). The belly is a marvelous invention. All man- kind needs bellies. But some people are not yet ; privileged enough to have bellies. I'm all for sop- homore bellies, and maybe even second-semester I freshman bellies, if the children are mature and ; responsible enough to use them properly. Otherwise, no dice, nix, the deal's off, forget ; it Sam. Bellies are also a big help in times of stress, for they are absolutely indispensible as '. thumb-holders but that's another story. ! Now that we are all suitably instructed on 'bellies we may move on to the respiratory sys ; tem. Across the nation, many respiratory systems ; are: in danger; they are just not keeping up with ', the times. But we all know how important res piratory systems are, don't we? Without them - what would little boys do? Thank heaven for me. I I know wtt to do to save the respiratory sys V tem. Stop smoking. - Having imparted more wisdom with In this ; brief space than even Eric Hoffer could reason- ably be expected to come forth with, I must now Cleave yon with a final word on the Conceptions which brought this whole thing on or op or some- where. These remarks should be prefaced by a - word (or two), but unfortunately such words can 4 not be printed la family newspapers. ' So, my remarks: When the one Great Scorer . comes to write against your name, tell him to go 1 to hell. m I 1601 OF C0 MY i (Mas mm amp m Ym what mm mi-am? T60TOrr TtlF W 9 m mm mm Ml - "-l JMAlk' nrr r kvsjw m AKI27 TIL OFF. fsr 1&J VP William F. Buckley Norman Mailer is outraged because he has been told to report to jail for five days for breaking the peace outside the Pentagon. Who knows, he may write a book about it The American Civil Liberties Union hasn't taken up the vic timization of Mr. Mailer, but that is about the only defen dant on the landscape the ACLU isn't defending. Its directors have now de cided to offer the Union's help to the Spock crowd who have been indicted for violating the Selective Service Law. At first, the ACLU reasoned that it had no proper business in that imbroglio, since nobody sane was exactly contending that the Selective Service Act is a denial of anyone's civil liberties. But the ACLU has a nose for publicity, and after a heat ed session, the majority re versed themselves. And of course, before the trial is a half-hour long, it will be clear that the defendant is The ACLU, or what is a civil liberty the United States of America, not Spock et al. That is the way it was choreographed all along. And the Justice De partment, by waiting as long as it did, by moving as slowly as it has, walked right into the ambush. Among the lawyers will be Mr. Louis Boudin, who will defend Dr. Spock. Mr. Boud in's clients over the years have consistently included ad mitted Communists, persons asserted to be Communists and such a notable Commu munist government as the Castro government of Cuba. When last seen socially, Mr. Boudin was attending a testi onial dinner in honor of John Abt, presumably celebrating the anniversary of the steal ing of some U.S. secret cr other. Mr. Abt's name, does not ring a bell the way it used to do back when Whittaker Chanters identified him as a member of a spy ring. Lee Harvey Oswald, for in stance who aked the Dallas police to get in touch with Abt to defend him. Mr. Boud in has been around along long time. He dates back to the famous defense of the Communist Party in the peti tion to President Roosevelt. He is just the lawyer for Dr. Spock. Yes indeed, it will be a great spectacle. No doubt there will be demonstrations all over the world denouncing the United States and apotheo sizing the defendants. It some times appears as though all of Europe were practicing for such demonstrations. Last week the students rioted in Rome. There was a very reassur ing demonstration in West Berlin a fortnight ago, or rather counter-demonstration. There they live close enough to the Communists to be grdg ingly aware of America's con tribution to their liberty. But demonstrations against Red China? North Vietnam? The Soviet Union? The typical European would as soon dem onstrate against Caroline Kennedy. The same day that brings the news of the mas sive anti - American demon strations in the Low Coun tries reports Pravda's reac tion to the charge of having persecuted Soviet writers. Norman Mailer is the prop er bard for such an age as this. The same Norman Mail er who eight years ago was urging Fair Play for Cub a, sponsor of a committee which it transpired, Castro was personally subsidizing. He is the man to write a hundred-million words on w h y we should all be indignant against Lyndon Johnson, and reverential towards the Com munists. It will take just about that many words to ex plain what's going on. Perhaps the New York Times would devote its entire Sunday edition to it? Editor's note: Today's re view of the University The atre production of King Lear is by Ken Pellows an instructor in the department of English. Charles Lamb said of Shake speare's King Lear that it "cannot be acted." In the 150 years since Lamb's pro nouncement, many brave the atric groups have proved it hyperbolic; this weekend, the Nebraska University Speech and Dramatic Art Department added still another proof. Un der the direction of Professor William Morgan, the Univer sity players have come up with a surprisingly smooth indeed, nearly flawless pro duction of one of the most challenging plays in English theatre. Emotionally brutal to an audience, King Lear is at least twice as tough on most of the actors. If it is not "essential ly impossible" (again. Lamb's words), it is certainly ex tremely difficult to produce. But with the aid of excellent costuming, subtly effective lighting, and some marvelous work with sound. Director Morgan and his cast have presented a credible and properly "punishing" pro duction. The most difficult part of the play is the representation of the main character. Lear mast be erroneous yet sym pathetic, feeble jet kingly, for glvably wrong at some times and understandably mad at others. Little wonder that the role might sometimes seem Impossible to perform! How ever, the University Theatre group is fortunate enough to have the very talented and versatile Andy Backer whose Lear may be the finest thing he has ;et done in theatre; those familiar with Backer's previous achievements will, I hope, recognize the strength of that statement. From his very entrance on stage, Backer is in full com mand. In his first scene, so vital to the stablishment cf Lear's character, he conveys the ambiguity of the king through a combination of a tottering, uncertain walk and a voice as yet undiminished in power however ill-advised its pronouncements may be. Nor does Backer rela once ha has mastered that difficult scene; he rants and rages, cringes and cries throughout, in what must be on of the King Lean a challenge met most exhausting roles in any play. His performance alone would make the production worth seeing, even if he were not so admirably supported. Most of that support, and much of the challenge, which Backer receives, comes from Jim Baffico's performance as Kent. In fact, perhaps the hardest thing Backer has to do in his first scene is to dominate a stage which al ready seems nearly filled by the large and talented Baffi co. This kind of challenge, when the lead role is up to it, works, of course, to the benefit of all. Baffico's Kent is a some what surprising one; to the rugh-and-ready type of humor that characterizes Kent, he adds an almost "pixish" qual ity. That's hardly the right word, obviously (would you believe, a 230-pound pixie?), but there is much about Baf fico's performance that is reminiscent of his previous Howell Theatre success as the mischievous S c a p i n. Of course, one who is six axe handles across the shoulders is almost bound to portray roughness, consequently Baf fico's addition of "lightness" results in a very interesting character. And in his serious scenes, Baffico is able to throw away the mischievous quality and remain thorough ly believable. Complementing Kent almost perfectly is the excellent Fool played by Ric Marsh, who combines quick movement, fine timing, and remarkable stage presence to produce an entirely satisfying perform ance. ("Stage presence," in this instance, refers especial ly to a sense of position on stage, particularly in relation to other characters.) Another definite plus, in a difficult supporting role, goes to Dana Mills, as the Earl of Gloucester. To go from an ag ing fellow who fondly (in both the Elizabethan and modern senses) reminisces upon his adulteries, to a semi-mad but extremely perceptive blind man, is no small task; but Mills manages to be believabl in both situations. Bill Jamison, as Edgar (Gloucester's legitimate son), presents a strange paradox: he appears to be much more at ease in those very difficult scenes in which Edgar goes about as Tom o' Bedlam than he does in the (theoretically) easier scenes in which Edgar is himself. Perhaps this par adox typifies the manner in which the entire cast re sponded to the difficulties which the play presents. In any case, Jamison's "Tom" was excellently done. One of the most unusual things about this play was the ensemble acting. Ordinarily, when a college group presents a large-cast Shakespeare play, this is a major shortcoming: just when he should be re sponding to news of his king's death, The Third-Soldier-from-the-Left is counting the house or grinning at a prompter. However, in this production, there are no such amateurism lapses. And the "realism" of the battle scenes must be seen to be appreciated! Naturally, not everything to satisfying about this presen tation of Lear. Perhaps most disappointing were the fe males' performances. Moving and speaking in excessively stylized manners, Susan Vos ik (Cordelia), Laura Ursde venicz (GonerD), and Kathy Baines (Regan) all appeared to agree with the Elizabethan social dictum that women do not belong on stage. None 'f the three seemed to feel as natural as her role as most of the main male characters Daily Nebraskan Man 11. IMS Vol. l. So. 77 Sfrnnd-cliiwf Dutan nM r' l.inmiM mii TELEPHONES: Editor 472-2588, Nrwt 472-SMt. BtUbMM 47)-J9W. SoharrinHmi rf?a arft $4 t& emraiar mr SS hjt inv acauaraic ym. Publithfd MoOd. Wadnenllv. Thmrl and Prid. daiini th achael vear. ncapl dart ml vacations and nam periods, by the students ol ths UaivrrclQr ( Nebraska nndxr the kiiiHlk'Uoii of the Faculty Subcommittee en Student nnnrsooiis. Publications shall be free from censorship bj the Subcommittee f 1 prma outside the University. Hemoere of the Nebraakan are respoasiMe hwt wnn uir t ceugeio oe printed.. Member Anodaud Collegiate Press. Natkms.1 Educational Mverturfaf Service. ..llor, Cheryl Trltt: Mans rim Editor Jack Toddi Neva Editor Bd leeswfle; Night News Editor I. L Schmidt; Editorial Paae Assistant June Wanoneri Assistant NUht Nrs Editor Wilbur Gentryi 8porte Editor George Raurmani Assistant Sports Editor Bonnie Ronneani Newa Assistant Lynn places i Jlm evl'' Bare Uartla, stars Gordon, Jan Parks, Joan McCulksjh. Jane Maxwell, Andy Cunningham, Jim Pertcrsea, Monica Pokorn. Phyllis Adkisson, Kent Corkson, Brent Skinner, John Dvorak. Senior Copy Editor Lynn Gottachalhi Copy Editors: Retsy Fenimore, Deve Flllpl, Jane Dteya. Molly Murrell, ChritUa SctmarUkopf : Photographers Mike Haymaa and Dan Ledely. Business Manager Gtona Friend!: Production Manager Charlie Baxsrri Ifa. Uonal Ad Ma laser Letts Macneyi Bookkeeper and classified ada manager Our Hollinlsworlhi Business Secretary Jan Boatman l Rubeertptioa Manager Jam ulLn V"tT i1" '-"". " sUaaiar, Deaesa aulciwua Joal Davis, Lyaa Womacijue. did. This is not to Imply that all the male roles were hand led flawlessly; Bill Szyman ski's Edmund was perhaps not strong enough (Glouces ter's bastard son could be con. siderably more bastardly), and Skip Lundby, as "the Gen tleman," was too consistently "serene" in his responses to the action about him. There were problems that do not come within the do mains of the actors. Although generally very functional, the sets sometimes complicated the limited-space problems of Howell Theatre's stage, rath er than alleviating them. On the other hand, the problems of changing sets (another of this play's severe challenges) were handled extremely well. Some of the lines in King Lear almost have to be al tered for the modern stage and some of the action could surely stand to be. Directoral option was exercised (and ju diciously) in at least a couple of places in tin's production "jakes" was changed to the somewhat more modern "pri vy," for example and prob ably should be extended to some other revisions. Corn wall's "I have received a hurt" (when he has just been dealt a mortal sword-wound) is an unfortunate line; so is Albany's "Produce the be they alive or dead." In fact, the entire final scene of Lear threatens the ludicrous: almost simultan eously, the bodies of Regan and Goneril are carried in by wailing mourners (Edmund, meanwhile, Is dying on stage); Edgar promptly shouts "Here comes Kent" (he's been gone a while, and has to be brought back on stage somehow); Kent comes in seeking the king, and Al bany is reminded that in the midst of all this excitement they've forgotten about Lear! It's a scene that requires ex treme caut'on and which, on Friday night at least per haps the result of its being opening night was much too fast-paced. No ending, however, could undermine what Backer and his supporting actors worked so exhaustingly to create a tragedy of unparalleled pow er, artistically executed. Per haps no play in University Theatre's history has been such a "must-see" as King Lear. skin Larry Grossman St. Peter and a ai at ii ' a at ping stones ; The beach at Ninilchik, Alaska has the best skipping stones in all of North America. The waves have worn the stones smooth and if thrown cor rectly, each will skim over the waves four or more times before sinking into the cold water. Scattered pieces of pumice, a volcanic material so light that it will float, are mixed in with drift wood and piles of rotting kelp. The town itself is a small fishing village 100 miles south of Anchorage on the Kenai Peninsula. I arrived in Ninilchik on a cold day that wore a tedious face of grey. Rain had followed me all morning and not even my green Navy parka kept me dry. Travel Notes Ninilchik was typical of the towns one finds in Alaska. The houses were built of faded, weather beaten boards, greying in the grey light, or of rough, dark brown logs roofed over with black tar paper. The yards around the houses and cabins were mud, with a few half submerged planks serving as a path to the front doors. Oil tanks on stilts stood next to the houses and watched over piles of cut logs stacked on the ground. Around every house was an amazing collection of junk machinery, rusted and broken from the constant humidity. Old truck bodies, pipes, and oil drums lay about in disorderly heaps. The rain dripped off the dull metal into the mud. I was searching for work and had been told in the town of Clam Gultch that the canneries in Ninilchik were hiring. The canneries were all lo cated near the beach. A narrow channel of water separated the beach and the main part of town. Three salmon boats were tied up in the chan nel next to log sheds. The owners were out in the rain, inspecting their nets, oiling motors, and scrubbing down the decks. One ship, a faded blue color, bore the name, Peter theaGreat. Above the channel was a gentle hill on which most of the houses of the village rested. At the very top near where the forest began, stood the village church, St. Peter of the Fishermen. It was a white frame building well painted and preserved. It had an onion shaped Russian dome. From its door step one could look across the waters of Cook Inlet to where Mt. Iliamna, an ancient vol cano, slept. . I found a cannery and entered through a side door. The immediate heavy smell of salmon caused me to hold my breath. A Chinese man in a yellow rain slicker was hosing down the machinery with a steam pipe. He waved an arm through the Dantesque clouds to the managers office. The manager was a nice man but he wasn't hiring. He told me to go down the Peninsula to Anchor Point or to Homer. The runs would be starting in a week and there would be plenty, of salmon to can. Now there was only maintenance work to be done. I headed back into the rain and down to An chor Point. The town is distinguished by being the most western point in North America to which one can drive. Anchor Point wasn't hiring nor was Homer. I ended up going to California to pick oranges, but that Is another story. Ruben Ardila Activest student and his society A few years ago the best men in education were trying to understand the problems that cause arrests of many students accused of being "acti vists". After many discussions they found that the most important way to understand the situation would be to evaluate the goals of college eudca tion and the place of this education in modern so. ciety. A number of psychologists studied the person ality of the students involved in protest move ments, compared with the "good" students who did their homework and didn't break the law. They found many interesting points. Student activism involves a very few selected, students in a very few selected colleges and uni. versities. As one of those social scientists writes: "The great majority of students today manifest the apathy and conformity that have characterized stu dents in the past." After applying some tests and performing per sonal interviews with many .thousands of students across the country, the team of psychologists re ported that only 23 of the sample considered themselves as "non-conformists," and among them only 1 wanted to be called radicals. The rest showed very little political interest; the majority had an utilitarian orientation toward college, religion and politics. The students involved in activities like the Free Speech Movement of Berkeley were more sensitive, more open to ideas, had greater capacity for introspective thinking, autonomy, estheticism, and complex personality, than the ordinary student. Many parents' and teachers probably were shocked when a prestigious social scientist wrote that "what we refer to as political activism is complementary to the whole education process " and that "the time may be right, and the need' urgent, for the college not only to stimulate ac tivism among its students, but to provide the cir cumstances under which it can flourish." My-student opinion in this matter, is that to ' fight against the ESTABLISHMENT, at the univer sity or in everyday life, is not a sigh of creativity and originality in itself. Many people simply follow the leadership of intelligent and activist students." f But on the other hand, ths creative and original man has a frame of reference broad enough to realize that many things of our society may be improved; and also the guts to attempt the change himself. . . ,...., Could we change our attitude toward student activists? They are not larzy, trouble-makers who prefer to chat endlessly instead of going home to " memorize the lesson for the next day. They are in telligent people who are more perspective than others. . . . An open society like this one could profit simply by listening to its critics. The activist students , should be given credit for recognizing ills in our society and for acting according to their convic- turns. r V .av. fjfc djlv a sj es i ;." rn '