Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 23, 1970)
RAPPING World in Revolution The World in Revolution conference was a success. At a time when the relevancy of the Stu dent Senate is being questioned, the confer ence stands as an example of what enlighten ed student government can accomplish in be half of its constituents. As with any three-ring circus, the con ference had something for everybody: The traditionalists, including (of course) the faculty members, were impressed that 3,000 people would turn out to hear Sen. Ribicoff at the All-University Convocation. Conference planners were thrilled that all sessions of the program were well-attended, not only during the "prime time" slots (2:30 and 4:00 p.m.) but at those times when students normally have "better things to do" (10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.). Those who partook of the conference fare were excited when speakers stayed around after their addresses to talk informal ly with students at rap sessions and even in classes. With the possible exception of Professor Yarmolinsky's peroration, all of the speeches were greeted with enthusiasm and inspired considerable reflection. Naturally, there were hitches in this four-day affair. Nebraska's faculty managed to put their worst foot forward. "Where are your faculty members?" Robert Theobald quizzed students. "They are the ones who must be interested in change if change is going to occur here." With the sole exception of Saul Alinsky, each major speech drew less than ten faculty members from among Nebraska's one thou sand. And students who attended Tuesday's panel discussion were treated to the spectacle of two University professors baiting confer ence participants in an absurd game of "one upsmanship." Another source of criticism was the load ing of the agenda with activist speakers. Where were the proponents of Nebraska's "conventional wisdom?" Weren't those who attended tne conference already in agree ment with the speakers? This criticism is effectively answered to day in the "Rapping" column by conference organizer Kerry Winterer. Students interest ed in the conventional wisdom need only pick up a local paper or read the statements of our own Clown Prince of Mediocrity, Roman Hruska. Finally, the conference may be called into question by the large group of campus cynics, who see it as fulfilling a strong stu dent desire to talk about, rather than act on, problems. To an extent this last criticism is justi fied. Many students left the World in Revolu tion feeling a strong sense of frustration in their own inability to help resolve the prob lems of our cities. Yet, now they are more aware of these problems and of the efforts of a variety of men to correct the problems. In increasing student awareness, The World in Revolution accomplished its fundamental goal and thus must be hailed as a significant success. jiff! J-r'ihtt sg Little Miss Nix-It WASHINGTON Tricla Nixon feels that Vice President Agnew'a attacks on the newt media have had a sulutary effect: "I'm a close watcher of newspapers and TV. I thlnfc they've taken a second look. You can't underestimate the power of fear. They're afraid if they don't shape up . . Ml v Dave Buntain by FRANK MANKIEWICZ and TOM BRADEN Washington The candidacy of Mayor Sam Yorty of Los Angeles for the Democratic nomination for governor of California represents one more move in Gov. Ronald Reagan's desperate Btrategy to win the Presidency in 1972. Reagan will be 60 years old if he starts a new term as governor of California, and he Is running only because he thinks he has a chance at the 1972 Republican National Convention. He thinks that Strom Thurmond's defec tion to Richard Nixon at Miami Beach cost him the nomination in 1968, and he is gambling that catastrophe un controlled violence at home and defeat In Vietnam will cause the COP to abandon Richard Nixon and turn to the right by 1972. IT IS A FANTASY, but the Reagan men never noted for a sense of humor believe It. And for It to come true he must be re-elected In California this year by a large majority. That is not as easy as It once looked. Recent statewide polls show Reagan leading Democrat and former Assembly Speaker Jess Unruh 48 to 39, a . sizable gain for Unruh and significantly the first time Reagan has dropped below 50 In any statewide polls. Reagan has held on to his lead by playing the politics of confrontation with The spoiler the militant students a game they are happy to play. Reagan misses no chance to stir up controversy and to arouse militancy in this respect his aim and that of the SDS coincide. But Californians are beginning to realize that the quality of state services is declining even as the cost goes up. The indispensable ticket-of-leave to the good life a college education is no longer available to all. and air and water pollution increasingly impede recreation and even life itself. And the Late-Show glamor is wearing thin; this year Reagan must make it as a politi cian. SO THE YORTY move - to split the Democratic Party makes good sense from the Reagan point of view. Without a challenge, Unruh would un. doubtedly have polled more votes in the Democratic primary than Reagan also unopposed among the Republicans. Now that will not happen. Yorty's backers are Reagan's. GOP oilman Henry Salvatori, who is Reagan's leading financial backer, Is solidly in Yorty's corner. More Reagan money will be available. Yorty can also expect financial support from those who do business or might like to do business with the city of Los Angeles and who regard the mayor's tries for statewide office as a part of the game. One problem In the Yorty campaign Is some $50,000 raised last week at a testimonial dinner for the mayor. Editor: In response to Brent Skinner's com ments in Friday's Daily Nebraskan, I believe a few things need to be said in defense of this year's World in Revolution Conference. In the article Brent was quoted as saying, "Frankly, those events attract people that agree with such activist ideals anyway." Frankly, I don't see how anyone can ac curately characterize those who attended the conference sessions as activist or anything else. Granted, those speakers who had activist leanings may have appealed more to those students having the same leanings, but no one can claim that these were their entire audience. And, what's more important and contrary to what Brent Implies, not every speaker was activist. Consider Abraham Ribicoff or Adam Yarmolinsky. ANOTHER comment that particularly needs to be corrected is that the conference was "anti-war" and urged "violence and power over compromise." Brent should be reminded that the World in Revolution Conference centered on city problems and their solutions. If there was talk against the war during the conference, it was because some believe that the war stands in the way of solving these problems. If there was talk of violence, it was because it is coming to be viewed by more and more people as a means to the solution of the problems of the cities. And if there was talk of power over com promise it was because this, too, seems to some as the best means to a solution. If the majority of students are against their money being used for the World in Revolution Conference as Brent maintains, then it is certainly a "silent majority". Everyone who has made comments to me has been, if not enthusiastic, at least in terested in what was happening. BRENT SKINNER may feel that the Conference was a "waste", but those of us who spent time planning it would disagree. And it would seem that faculty and students who filled the Coliseum to hear Senator Ribicoff (said by some on the Convocations Committee to be the largest convocation in seven years), who left standing room only to hear Saul Alinsky in the Union Ballroom, who voluntarily requested a tremendous number of bibliographies, reprints of articles by con ference' participants, for personal and classroom use, and who spent hours rapp ing with Robert Theobald and Martin Oppenheimer would also disagree. Kerry Winterer Co-Chairman 1970 World in Revolution Editor: I was told that a portion of my tuition and fees went to support the Student Union, a student run and organized institution. Yet how much choice does the student have concerning Union programs, rules, and objectives? It would seem that as in other phases of campus life the NU student sadly lacks any control over his extra-curricular activities. The entire student body selected the schedule of weekend movies for this semester and yet the director of the Student Union arbitrarily removed one of the films, Tarzan the Ape Man, under the suggestion of the Afro-American lobby on this campus. Their objection to the film was that it portrayed blacks in, as they said, a degrading position. Director Bennett upon receiving this information cancelled the film. When one man and one group can reverse a majority decision without con sulting that majority it becomes apparent that free choice is not considered one of the NU students' rights. AS A FREE and responsible individual I have a right to see what films I wish, read what books I want, and talk to whomever I choose. It is a repugnant thing to be told that I cannot attend a movie I chose because someone objects to its content. If every film is to be subjected to this blind censorship, few, (if any), shows of major importance and effect would ever be shown. To deny others their freedom of choice in this matter is 'to deny them the freedom of individuality. AS A STUDENT supported and oriented our man organization the Union should be under the control of those who benefit from its services. As this incident has shown the Union is anything but a STUDENT Union. William R. Flaugher Elaine M. Warren Editor: A mediocrat named Frank Morrison wants to run for the U.S. Senate! Is this the Frank Morrison who in February told the press he did not choose to run and then did a politically unethical switcheroo? Or is this the Frank Morrison who was angry with the late Gov. Ralph Brooks because he did not commit himself early enough as to whether he should run for senator or governor to suit Frank Morrison because Brooks had the political integrity to make up his mind and stick to it? Is this the same Frank Morrison who seriously suggested that Roman Hruska be named a U.S. Supreme Court Justice? Or is this the Frank Morrison who several days ago (amidst a lot of double talk) snortled that mediocrat Hruska was wrong in wanting mediocrity represented on the Supreme Court? Perhaps it's the Frank Morrison who at government expense took a junket to the Far East and after a two year snooze decided that perhaps we should not be in Vietnam? Or is this the Frank Morrison who, when declaring his candidacy for the U.S. Senate got his inspiration during an eclipse? Which Frank Morrison is it? Oh, I know, it's the Frank Morrison who wishes to become a mediocratic can didate for U.S. Senate from Nebraska after having been a mediocre governor of Nebraska. But maybe it's the Frank Morrison who first became governor of Nebraska only because his opponent was more mediocre than he. You can be sure, however, that no matter which Frank Morrison you choose, you will find intellectual honesty lacking and mediocrity in abundance. Herbert W. Burton Member, State Central Comm. of Nebraska Democratic Party Invitations expressly pledged that the $50-a-plate receipt would not be used for a statewide campaign. The dinner was a disappointment to Yorty ap proximately 700 people rattled around in the 2,000-plus capacity Paladium ballroom. BUT THE MAYOR Is a scrapper -he comes across as a sort of road com pany of George Wallace and he will pick up some votes in the primary by attempting to brand Unruh as the leader of a left-wing faction. There is irony in this: Unruh for years was the target of the liberals in the party for what they felt was his conservatism and his running battles with former Gov. Ed mund G. "Pat" Brown. But most polls show Yorty with slightly more than a third of the Democratic vote and little chance of enlarging it. He will serve Reagan's purposes by making trouble among the Democrats, but he may even stimulate some Unruh supporters to come out early to fight off the Yorty challenge. The mayor, Democrats recall, has not put his weight behind a statewide Democratic candidate since his barely disguised anti-Catholic attacks on John F. Kennedy in 1960. As for Unruh, his aides say he will try to ignore Yorty and save his best shots for Reagan in November, observ ing the ancient political rule: "Never attack the monkey when the organ grinder is in the room." by ARTHUR HOPPE Vicious charges that Judge Carswell is at best a mediocre candidate for the Supreme Court were at last brilliantly answered on the Senate floor. The great thing about Judge Carswell, said his loyal defenders triumphantly, Is that he is, when all is said and done, really mediocre! "Wouldn't it be better to have a B student or a C student (on the Court) than another A student?" demanded Senator Russell Long of Louisiana. "A judge doesn't have to have all that brilliance to satisfy this Senator." BUT IT was Senator Roman L. Hruska of Nebraska who delivered the clincher in Judge Carswell's behalf: "Even if he were mediocre," said the Senator, "there are a lot of mediocre judges and people and lawyers. Aren't they en titled to a little representation and a little chance?" Here Is the democratic ideal at its finest. Finally, the vast body of mediocre Americans will have a justice to represent them on the Nation's highest court. Is it enough, however? Judge Carswell may be mediocre, but he isn't and I hesitate to say this stupid. What of the millions upon millions of stupid Americans who are unrepresented today by a single Supreme Court justice? As far as we know. NOW THEY have hope. There can be no doubt that The Roman L. Hruska T h e o r y of Democracy in Action will sweep the country. Politicians have long sensed the futility of appealing to The Egghead Vote. Look what hap pened to Adlal Stevenson, William Buckley aand Eugene McCarthy. They have, Instead, directed their campaigns toward The Mediocre Voter with results we can see around us every day. But The Mediocre Vote Is usually split between the two major candidates. It is, in the final analysis, The Stupid Vote that swings most elections. The Wallace vote almost swung the last one. What else lies behind the Carswell appointment and Mr. Nixon's whole Southern Strategy? And now that Senator Hruska Iioppe has justified the need for all intelligence levels to be represented, we can expect our more forward-looking can didates to engage in blatant appeals to the vast Stupid Vote. "VOTE for Graspar Grom met," the billboards will pro claim. "He's just as dumb as you are!" "My fellow stupid Americans . . ." speeches will begin. And tributes will be paid on election night to "the confidence the stupid voters have placed in me." There will, of course, be mud-slinglng. Whispering campaigns will hint that Grommet rends The Economist in the original tongue, photostats will be circulated of his eighth grade report card, showing three respectable C's and God forbid! an A minus. The day will come when Vice President Agnew will deny ever having an I.Q. of 135. And I, for one, will believe him. BUT UNTIL that brave new era dawns, millions upon millions of stupid Americans will remain disenfranchised, ignored or patronized by the politicians, unrepresented in the hallowed halls of our democratic government. Except, of course, on the floor o! the United States Senate. DAILY NEBRASKAN Second dais postag paid at Lincoln, Nr-b. Talaphonaa: idllor 471-1511. Buatnati 471-159, Newt 471 150. Subscription rate ar U par lematter or la par vaar. Published Monday, Wednesday. Thurtdav ana Friday during I ha school yr except during vacation and axam parioda. Mam bar of intercollegiate. Prat. National Educational Advar tlslng Service. The Dally Nebraskan la a student publication, Indapandanl of the University of Nebraska' administration, faculty and tw dant govarnmant. Address: Dally Nebraskan 34 Nebraska Union Unlvaralty of Nebraska Lincoln, Nebraska. MMf PAGE 4 THE DAILY NEBRASKAN MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1970 PAGE 5