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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 17, 1969)
PAGfc 2 IHc DAILY NEBRASKAN MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1969 Agiiew speech a basic threat Recent statements of Vice President Spiro Agnew concerning the press, and more specifically the broad cast industry, are self-centered and can be interpreted as a threat to the basic democratic belief of fair comment and criticism of government. In a speech before the Midwest Regional Republican Committee Thursday, Agnew said that power over the television news is in the hands of ' a tiny and closed fraternity of men." He questions networks' right to interpret the news by saying that hostile critics could have more influence than the President. In our society, everything the President does must be reported and commented on. The type of society that would result if the President could say what he wanted without opposition would be one in which Agnew might want to live, but hopefully few other Americans. About 750 of the nation's leading newspaper editors, radio and television broadcasters, journalism educators and students met in San Diego this weekend for the national convention of Sigma Delta Chi. Delegates at the convention passed the following resolution: "Sigma Delta Chi, the nation's largest journalistic society, at its 60th anniversary convention, rejects and condemns any efforts by the vice president or other government officials to control or impede coverage and flow of legitimate comment on and analysis of the news." The resolution said that Agnew' criticisms of the press went "far beyond anything that might be con sidered constructive and, in fact, can be construed as a threat to the American freedom to collect and comment on the news." Others have also condemned the speech. Dr. Frank Stanton, president of CBS, said the speech was an "unprecedented attempt by the vice president to intimidate a news medium which depends for its existence upon government licenses." "Perhaps the vice president would prefer a dif ferent kind of TV reporting one that would be subservient to whatever political group was in authority at the time," was the statement of NBC President Julius Goodman. Looking at another side of the picture, the national Freedom of Information committee of Sigma Delta Chi reiwrted this weekend that news coverage problems in Washington continue to be difficult, despite the promise of President Nixon to provide "an administra tion of open doors, open eyes and open minds." The report said that many government sources remain shrouded by secrecy and evasion, especially the Pen tagon and the consumer-oriented federal agencies. What Agnew doesn't seem to realize is that the main reason for the existence of the press or broad casting media is for protection of our system of 'government. If he really thinks the press and broad casting media are all consciously, deliberately and uniformly working to put the administration In a bad light, then the people of the United States have been exposed to some of the poorest and most ignorant thinking ever to be espoused by such a high govern ment officer. Roger Boye So goes the nation Nixon fails to alter course or stir hope PROSPECTUS in retrospect too What has become of freedom of the press? My last two columns, full of hitherto repressed information of astonishing relevance, have been repressed by the supposedly "independent" Daily Nebraskan? I have objected, but such is the tyranny of the times that I fear they shall never be printed. My only concern is that you readers be presented with all the information necessary for a Richer, Fuller Life, and so I must pause to shed a tear for your impoverishment (the fact that I am to be paid for each column printed does not, of course, concern me. Monetary matters are of Interest only to capitalist pigs and other fascists, whom we all know are now historically Irrelevant). Musing (in my humble way) about the on-going march of history which has revealed the transitory nature of so many things (everyone over 30, the Western Cultural Tradition and all that rot), I found myself wondering, "What has become of Helen Snyder?" Remembering my undergraduate days, I could not help but recall that she was then so much more than merely Helen Snyder she was an Issue. She, the defender of the Innocence and purity of Nebraska's young womanhood; she of stern visage, impervious to blandishment, the Queen of In-loco-purentis; she, one of the few women on the NU campus capable of arousing real passion! Compared to those halcyon days the Issues on campus now (as reported in The Duily Nebraskan, my only source of information) seem strangely sterile representation on various policy-making bodies, concern with curriculum in short, tackling the bureaucratic mess deemed necessary for any large institution. I even note concern about the Student Union. This is indeed admirable, but no one has yet put his finger upon a real sore spot the slwckingly rough toilet paper used in the men's rest rooms. This problem touches almost all male students, and yet Student Power has been strangely silent regarding it. But then not for nothing are NU students called Cornhuskers. What has become of the ad bomlnem attack? Alas, It has been transferred to such national representatives of Evil Incarnate as Richard Nixon (who can't even read his own speeches correctly) and Spire Agnew (who, unfortunately, can). They are too remote lor really effective hate. Oh, for Villain rlose-at-hand: Chicago is fortunate Mayor Daley provides more emotional release than Hugh Hefner ever dreamed of. But I digress. Nostalgia grips me and clasps me to her bosom land a firm one it is. 1 must fonfuss). Is Helen Snyder walking the streets? Tending bar at Casey's? Playing the accordian at Marie's (al lowed an occasional solo on "Lady of Spain" Ted Mack, where are you?)? These "questions relurn to me as 1 lie awake listening to the muggings, and when I fall into a fitful slumber. I am haunted by the Image of that Keeper of the Key to the chastity belt of the Midlands. A disembodied voice asks. "Where are the snnws of yesterday?" and then in a blinding flash of revelation ! know they arc lulling in a fresca commercial. by Sen. Edmund S. Muskie There was a kind of predictability in President Nixon's address to the nation Nov. 3 and in the response to his talk on Vietnam. He made it clear that he was not about to be moved by the protesters. Those who hoped he would offer some new proposals for ending the war were disappointed. Saigon was ecstatic, as were the ardent supporters of the Thieu-Ky government Hanoi and its supporters were bitter in their denunciation. In a sense, things were no differrent after he spoke than before. The Administration was firm in its adherence to a "plan" without announced details. The President's policy seemed to be one of buying time at home and standing firm overseas. He was willing to talk in generalities about a schedule for withdrawal of United States troops and about "Viet namization" of the war. It was clear that the rate of withdrawal depended on Saigon and Hanoi and the chances for a negotiated settlement on Initiatives from Hanoi. From the volume of telegrams and letters an nounced by the Wfiite House, and from the post-address polls, it seems clear that the President did buy some time from American voters but for a substantial price. 1 m F v " n fit ) The sound of marching effete Rv t.iutrino thnsA whn Hlsnirpe with him as oo"'a " o "withdraw now" advocates, regardless of their specitic proposals for disengagement, he Increased the gap between himself and many thoughtful and concerned Americans. He also reduced the chances for turning the continuing debate over Vietnam into more con structive channels on ways and means of ending the fighting. Bu refusing to lean on the Saigon government, to broaden its base and to seek a political settlement, the President implied that his primary commitment is to President Thieu and Vice President Ky. He also failed to give encouragement to pressures for social and political reform in South Vietnam. By refusing to lean on the Saigon government, and various secret diplomatic efforts to convey United States views directly to the North Vietnamese, the President lessened the chances for effective use of private channels in the future. For a temporary pro paganda point he threw away a valuable diplomatic tool. The trouble with the President's speech was not a "hawkish" tone, although there was some of that. He was not oblivious to the pressure for disengagement in our country. A careful reading of the speech reveals his decision to end our participation in the war. But that reading does not reveal the how of that end. The how of that end should contain some promises to the American people in terms of how the President plans to proceed. It should also include some warnings on the difficulties of ending such a war on satisfactory terms and with full recognition of our obligations to the South Vietnamese people. The President did not do that. The President's message should have included some clear promises to the South Vietnamese people on what we hoped to do for them, in paving the way for a political settlement. It should have involved a warning that we are not there to protect a given group of political or military leaders. The President's message gave vague promises, but no warnings to South Vietnam. The President's message carried warnings to Hanoi, but no real promises which might encourage them to seek a negotiated settlement. In fact, one got the feeling he had little hope for such a settle ment. As time passes, and the war continues, the President's time for maneuver will be reduced. The cost of the time he bought Nov. 3 will go up, in terms of domestic opposition, Hanoi intransigence, and Saigon uncertainty. If he is to reduce the costs he must show more willingness to talk with and listen to the American people and a greater capacity for initiatives, in South Vietnam and in Paris. Tlx Ladgar Syndicate, Inc. Nebraskan editorial page Open Forum Dear Editor: As a college professor, I am more or less inclined to believe that one of the func tions of a university is to educate. I was therefore particularly disturbed by both the unanimity and superficiality of the student responses to Nixon's speech reported in the Nebraskan Nov. 6. It is shocking that these students, several of hom I know personally to have ex cellent minds, should attack the President's speech as "full of lies, distortions, half truths and general stupidity" and at the same time talk confidently about the United States' policy of ag gression," or of Nixon's "pride in the inevitable deaths" that the war will cause. But it Is to their teachers, not to them, but one must direct the obvious question: why are these students unaware that their opinions are not self-evident truths and that the New Republic or Evan and Novak may be charged with distortions and halftrutht even as the Na tional Review or James J. K 11 patrtck? The obvious answer, to be sure, is that most of their teachers seem equally unaware of the fact. The groundrules for any faculty lounge discussion of Vietnam (at least in the Liberal Arts college) are ihese: that the war is unjust and immoral, that it cannot be "won" (whatever is meant by the word), and that rapid withdrawal will finally save lives and bring "peace." To question these dogmas is both social and intellectual heresy. If this Is so. then universities cannot claim to be arenas for objective and disinterested debate, but are Instead Institutions for the propagation of a specific philosophy of life (secular humanism) and Indeed of a specific brand of politics. Ail of which means, alas, that a parent should think twice before sending his children to ne. Left-wingers doubtless will see much significance in the fact that of the students in terviewed, onlv a Ireshman girl undertook an extensive defense of Nixon. Might I suggest that this is not because she is as yet unenlightened and unlearned, but because she is as yet un trained in those responses which are socially acceptable in the mod mod academic world. R. D. Stock, Assistant Professor of English Dear Editor: I would like to clarify part of an article about myself. In the story printed Wednesday, Nov. 5, there was reference to my being dismissed from a high school in Ankeny, Iowa for saying an "Anglo-Saxon word for sexual intercourse." (In cidentally I was very in terested in how "the word" was presented by The Daily Nebraskan. Maybe you felt that saying it outright would be using poor judgment. Perhaps you have editorial pressures on yourself. This word has some very peculiar qualities and consequences.) I said the word In answer to a question concerning an example that I had brought up In class. We were study, lug the rise of liberalism In nineteenth century Europe. I cited an example of a pro blem which Is pertinent to liberal values. A Wayne State College teacher had been dismissed at least In part for saying the word. 1 identified the word by saying it had four letters and meant sexual intercourse. A student asked me what the word was. I said that the question put me in a difficult situation, but that I felt that I could say the word without endorsing its meaning or advocating its use as an epithet. I said that I would say it as a fact an event that contributed to a teacher being dismissed. (Ironically 1 would be dismissed because 1 "rela.ed" this teacher's story.) 1 said it. Aaain I told t class alxtut the manner in which 1 was using it. I was not usm-l the word as an epithet aimed at a person. I was fired for relusmg to pledge that I would never use the wosd aym in any cun- text in Ankeny Senior High School. I just couldn't ullow that kind of censorship. The school board, ad ministration, teachers, and I never discussed how I may have hurt my pupils. The use of the word in any way seemed so unjustifiable that un absolute prohibition was enforced. I thank you for the op portunity to reveal from my perspective how this dismissal took place. It is important that this story be clear. I'd be interested in reactions to the dilemmas in this incident. I'd like to turn to a more affirmative realm a place culled Came lot a place where persons, men and women are becoming in wonder full ways. Centennlul College Is such a place. I'd like to thank the people there for being and becom ing. You who are about a joyous and sometimes despairing odyssey in search of many charactered ulti mates I thank you. There is a meeting in this place a coining to know a knowing, not just flinging theses about but a knowing of wholesomeness and fulfill ineiu. There is discussion, not just the flaunting of long words but attempts to live the words spoken, to know deeply the meaning of know ing, to realize the world of an oilier openly and ecstatically. Questions, im mense questions raised persons authentically relating to great dilemmas. Joy ! an open bllssfullness of each with each with a e embodied fully. Oh yes. despair too persons deeply agonized by disturbance and injustice: but there Is a will, lioness to stop the horrors Inflicted on men by themselves and by others. I'.ut aain un ongoing af firmation ol those so very "red" red balloons yesed and each softly, gently. ' scin Ulatin.sly J'lyiully with each. An act for two. a scene for two uul II, scene II. roam ing with jubilation one with one wonderfully. There is so very much to say, to live. Hon Kurtenbach Dear Editor: The critique of the poetry in the University of Nebraska Review 3 seemed needlessly harsh. The verse was regarded narrowly and misinterpreted. Perhaps it was the weakest feature of the review, that hardly warrants the disdain of "surely there are more people writing better poems than those appearing". The Rogers poem and one of Siporin are jointly dismissed as "based on faith in an acid trip". The cultural oneness with peers In Rogers" "Neon: My World" transcends the drug scene. Indeed the poem Itself Is If at all loosely drug link ed. Through bis drug metaphor Alan Siporin expresses con flict of the times. His other poem ''Lightness and Darkness" vividly expresses the existential choice. The other poem, hnvn h!so been equally and hastily mis judged, I find the critic rather than Gary Hill guilty of cllched phrases with his comment "the age of the generation gap". Furthermore I find sympathy and not indifference In the poet as he says "woman, go ahead". Tom Deeds' "I been railroaded" is pnrticulary significant in light of the Chicago Conspiracy trial. The Review has shown greater merit than a mere willingness to print obscenities. The critic speaks of Ann Miller's "Paragraph Poem" ns "no more than rambling thoughts about one of thu.se doom-desp air-di struct ion themes". The poem specifically slates the opposite: "... like the world was going to end. Well it wasn't. He knew It and I knew it." It is rather an essay of communication. Perhaps the critic felt a balanced review was required and since the play, story and fihutcgrnphs were commended onlv the poetry as left to al ack. The quality of the review is not limited to the prose, drama and photographs, but extends to the poetry as well. I find the magazine most commendable and corgrnttiititv the staff on Its efforts. Jane I'urtzcr Times are changing! (Sloidy) by Don Stenberg Student member, Curriculum Committee Pre-registration time la here again. And you, miserable fellow students, probably fail to appreciate the spirit of the season. It's sort of like Christmas; and now. just as at Christmas time, you've got to go shopping for your loved ones. Your list probably looks something like this one. 6 hours for Great Grandpa College Requirements 6 hours for Mother Major 3 hours for Father Advisor (The poor soul needs someone in his class) If you are one of the fortunate few who has a few hours left to treat himself to a few goodies, let me suggest the following. Biology 3 This course is not listed in the catalog because it was just approved one or two weeks ago. It will deal with the current problems, connected with biology, which confront our society today; consideration will be given to the way the biologist attacks these problems; what things can and have been done about the problems; why things are the way (hey are; and what things might be expected in the future. Class discussions and guest lecturers should add a bright flavor to this course. The code number for the course Is 0863. The class will meet MWF at 11:30. For more Information about the course contact the Zoology department office or see Dr. Boohar, 428 Oldfather Hall. Physics 61 This course traces the development of the science of Physics from its origins to the present. This course will probably be a little more technical than Biology 3, but it should be a worthwhile course If you have ony interest In how our present space-age technology came Into being. Music 187 This course traces the development of jazz from its origins to the present day. The social forces that shaped the development of Jnzi will be one of the major areas of studv. Biology 3 and Physics 61 can be counted toward fulfillment of the Arts and Sciences group E science requirement. These courses have no prerequisites. Sophomore standing Is a prerequisite for Music 187. Both are In the catalog. I hope you will find this list of some use as you prepare your second semester registration Let me say that there are many other outstanding courses being taught here at Nebraska. I chose these three or sixyial consideration because they are quite new. It was therefore my feeling that their existence should Mh of you ntk'"tl0n f yU' my rcaders - DAILY NEBRASKAN KMtti.i. M, untvn, Mat. Tt.pht dltor m ini Haw. Vt-ltw, IMmh cimi 'ha Dally Naaratka it a ilvdmt U(,ttM, -,,,,. m. Aodmtj Daily Nearaiktn Naaaik Uftitn Univrrtity el NrOritka line!, Netratka tux - . Itfitanat staff mt Ram, lay.- Mnina I a tor Kan) - . m. a, Dan latftly, Jim Dm, H award tamtaa m?m Na-m.a; co tdliar, pM Laoay, jJTl Parka. . wuimt tlatt