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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 28, 1970)
The spirit of 1925 Forty-five years ago, in the small town of Dayton, Tennessee, a young instructor of mathematics and physical education was found guilty of teaching evolution in' the local high school. William Jennings Bryan, a fundamentalist, was brought in from Nebraska to prosecute the case. John Scopes died last week bat the spirit of the Monkey Trial still lives. State Senator Terry Carpenter is certainly no William Jennings Bryan, for Bryan was not a demagogue he fervently believed in his causes. Carpenter's campaign lacks the refinement of gold and the latest is a two-day hearing planned for this week in Omaha where the topics will be sexual psyehopathology and Nebraswa University's Pro Seminar in Homophile Studies. Commenting on the class. Carpenter state, "It is a sad commentary when the faculty, irrespective of the wishes of the chancellor and the Board of Regents, can force through such a course. I have it from high authority," he continued, that the Regents were pressured into approving the course." Yet the highest authority, president of the Board Robert Raun, claimed that the Regents were "definitely not" pres sured into approving the course and Chancellor D. B. Varner denied that the course was forced through, "irrespective' of his wishes. Carpenter's statement that "The Regents obviously don't know what's going on" applies more accurately to himself, at least in University matters. Though he stated that he found the course "very definitely offensive, he admitted that he has never attended a class and "doesn't expect to." Although Carpenter's motives are often difficult to fathom, it appears that he is conducting these hearings for personal political gain and as an effort toembarrassthe University and the Regents, particularly the two up for re election. The senator is known to harbor a grudge against the Board for allegedly having rearranged priorities after they had gained his support, thus causing him embarrass ment Other points which lead one to believe that Carpenter is muddying the water for his own benefit are: 1) the hear ings are being held just before the elections. If Carpenter were interested in knowledge rather than publicity, he could have conducted his inquiry after the Regents passed on the course la August. Indeed, there is great question as to the need for a public hearing. 2) Though Carpenter stated that he "wasnt interested in anyone's convenience,' it is probable that he is holding the hearings in Omaha because he feels he will receive more favorable press coverage there. 3) The fact that he has in vited the candidates for the office of Regent as well as the present Board members re-enforces the argument that one of his main efforts is to embarras the present Board otherwise there would be no need to invite non-Regents. Carpenter is "opposed to accepting the homosexual as a normal person," and "presumes" that homosexuality is a disease, yet he is opposed to the study of homosexuality and considers it a "terrible thing." He dismissed a report of the National Institute of Mental Health which was u'jed as one of the guidelines for setting up the course by say ing that he haunt read it and didn't care what it said. Perhaps, as for the character representing Bryan in "Inherit the Wind,' a new book could be created for Car penter and slipped in between Leviticus and Numbers. And this book would be concerned with the prevention of learn ing and the dissemination of knowledge. THE NEBRASKAN Tiptonm: Editor? lutirms: VZ-TMt, Mmi 47-2570. Sacontf clau postocr at Lincoln, No Subscription rahn r U pwr Mmastor or M.M tr r. Publlthnt Monday, Wodrmdoy, Thursday and Friday durina tti Ktioui Mar mcapf durina vaca tions and axam eariods. AA amour at ttio Intarcoflaalsta Praia, National Educa tionat Advertising Sarvlca. Tna Naeraskan la a studant publication, tndapandant of tht Unlvwslty of Nafe. rosna's administration, faculty and ttudcnt aovarnmant. Addrosa:: Tna NaorasHan 34 NaDrasHa Union University of Naftraska Lincoln, Naoraska MUt eirartat Staff Editor; Hal lav lakarj Manaln Editor? Coiinla Wlnklarr Nawa Editor: Bill Smittrarman; Snorts. Editors.- Jim Johnston and ftosar Kite; Naoraskon Stat Writart; eary Saacrast. John Dvorak. Mick Moriarty, Daw Brink, Stava Strasssr, Sua Senator, Stava Kadal. fat McTaa, Carol Coatschlua; notogr. nars: Dan Loty. Mlka Haymanf Entartainmant Editor? Frd Eisanftart Lirarary Editor? Alan Baya Maws Assistant? Marsha Banc art; Copy Editors: Laura Partscn, Jim Gray. Warran Oar, Blytna Erlcksom Nlahr Maw Edlhjrt Tom Lanawartttj Nlgnr Nawa Assistant! Lao Scnlalcttar PAGE 4 Women's Action Group I l CM ijis caprare coveted, award "What the hell's going on back there . . .? Our man hoppe When bombs are outlawed, only outlaws will have bombs by Arthur Hoppe The recent wave of legisla tion in Congress to curb bomb ings has stirred Up a hornet's nest Whipping up protest is the huge ami influential National Bomb Association. The NBA's motto, which can be seen on the bumpers of pickup trucks and campers across the land, is, of courser -WHEN BOMBS ARE OUTLAWED, ONLY OUTLAWS WILL HAVE BOMBS." The NBA's case is most thoughtfully set forth in the November issue of the organization's magazine, uThe National Bomber." The caver depicts a kindly, pipe-smoking father showing his grinning, freckle-faced son how to light the fuse of a small, junior-sized stick of TNT. The lead article is entitled simplyr 14 WHO Is Behind Thi3 Plot to Take Away the Only Means We Americans Have to Defend Our Homes, Our Families and Our Flag?' Ex cerpts follow. Bombs (writes the author J. B. (Buck) Buckley) are as American as apple pie. They are part of our heritage, our history and, bursting in air, our National Anthem. LET US NE'ER FORGET that the inalienable people's THE NEBRASKAN right to bear bombs and other arms is guaranteed by our sacred Constitution itself. In their wisdom, our Founding Fathers foresaw that America would ne'er remain free without bombs. What war would we have ever won without bombs? Without bombs, America would long since have been overrun by the British, the Mexicans, the Spanish, the Huns, the Nips, the Nazis, the North Koreans and the Vietcong. INSTEAD, THANKS to early training of our Nation's youth under NBA-sponsored pr ograms we have preserved our heritage of having the finest bombers in the world. It's bombing in the Great Outdoors that holds the family together. What Dad's heart hasn't swelled with pride to the look in his boy's eyes after the lad has bombed his first rabbit with a well-thrown hand grenade? Show xne the kid who's out bombing ducks in the crisp autumn air and I'll show you a kid who isn't banging around a pool hall smoking marijuana'. BUT NOW THEY would take our bombs away from us. First, they would curtail our right to purchase bombs through the mail. Next they would license every bomber in the land And lastly, they would force us to get permits firom some faceless bureaucrat to keep bombs in the sanctity of our very own homes. IT SEEMS CLEAR this is a calculated plot Once they have cut off our supplies, once they have our names on a list, once they know where every single bomb is in this great land of ours, they will swoop down in the night, seize our weapons and render us defenseless. Who is behind this plot? Simply ask yourself, "Who wants to render America defenseless at heme and abroad?" AND WHAT EXCUSE do the tools of tiiis conspiracy offer for their vicious legislation? "Bombs," they say, "are dangerous."' But it's a known fact that more people are killed each year with paring knives than with bombs. Yet do they pro pose to outlaw paring knives? As we of the NBA say: "Bombs don't kill people; only people kill people!" So let every loyal American join in preserving our precious freedom to bear bombs.. For in these perilous times, can any American sleep easily at night, knowing he is safe from harm, unless he has a bomb under his bed? Ne'er! by TOM V. HILLIARD and BARBARA TARAS The Great-Balls-of-Fire male chauvinist award of the week goes to the members of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity on the basis of an interview held last Friday: We entered the cavernous brown and orange living room of the Phi Gamma Delta House and were shown to a chair by an eager young pledge who hurried off to find Mr. Rick Windle, president of the house. CURIOUS about the recently published "Fiji" Calendar, the University Women's Action Group had come to interview Mr. Windle. Now we flipped through the pages of the 1970 calendar which revealed the photographs of nine campus "playmates." We had to give credit to the calendar, for despite the ob vious inexperience of the models and the limitations of the photographer, the whole production struck us as a fair attempt at copying the famous Playboy format. THE ONE NUDE which had been scheduled for the cover was replaced at the last minute with the traditional symbol of Phi Gamma Delta. It was a caricature of a male Fiji Islander, complete with exag gerated and imaginary racial characteristics. In one hand he held aloft an over-flowing mug of beer and in the other, a skull on a stick. He wore a top-hat and grass skirt and one earr ing. Some of the models in the calendar wore more, some wore less. The casual slouch of the Islander contrasted with the arched backs and posed smiles of the "playmates." ON THE BOTTOM of each page we observed the names of advertisers who had financed the production. We saw such names as the Nebraska Book Store, Magees (three times), Kosmet Klub, The Red Hanger and Bronco's. We wondered where all the money had gone from those ads, since we knew that none of the women in the calendar had been paid model ing fees. As we waited for Mr. Windle, we noted the surroudings of the ' fraternity house. The large over-stuffed chairs hovered around tables manufactured in WAG: How many members of the "rustic" style. The imitation-wood panelling was an ef fective contrast to the mouse grey walls. On one table was a huge bouquet of artificial flowers and on the far table, thrusting into the air some four feet, was an ornate gold-plated trophy for putting on the best at last year at Kosmet Klub. AT LAST Mr. Windle arrived and directed us into the dining hall Throughout the interview we noticed a slightly nervous quality in Mr. Windle's movements. WAGt Well, to begin with, just why do you publish the "Fiji" calendar? Windle: First, let me say that I'm newly-elected president of the house- ; ' WAGr Does that absolve you from responsibility for the calendar? Windle: Yes, I'd rather not be held responsible Jim Pedersen was president when we started putting it together. WAG: But why do you suppose your house puts out this Calen dar? Windle: I can't give you a reason there is a reason, but I'm not sure of what it is. I'm not sure of its intent It's a na tional "Fiji" tradition. All the houses usually do it. WAG: Why do you use the symbol of the drunken Fiji Islander on the cover of the calendar and as a symbol of your house? Windle: That's a good question too. That may well be discon tinued because it's derogatory. WAG: Do you think it is derogatory? Windle: I think it's more derogatory to our group. WAG: Do you know what racism is? Windle: Well, I can't give you a professional definition, but yes, I can recognize the symptoms of racist tendencies. WAG: Does your fraternity exhibit those symptoms? Windle: Our group has minimal tendencies. We are taking positive steps to end racism we're having (Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences) John Robinson over to live with us for three days. We're also showing movies with all black casts, in connection with other groups! minority groups do you have in your house? Windle: We have nothing but . . . white . . . no minority groups. WAG: Is there a possibility of your pledging a member of a racial minority group in the Immediate future? ' Windle: What do you mean by the immediate future? WAG: In the next one or two years. Windle: Yes, there is a possibility. The problem now is finding blacks willing to participate. WAG: Yes, that may be dif ficult. Do you know what sex ism is? Windle: I don't really unders tand sexism. WAG: To define it simply, it is discrimination on the basis of sex which leads to the ex ploitation of women. It also concerns the use of female human beings as sex objects. Windle: Okay. WAG: Do you think the "Fiji" calendar i3 sexist? Windle: I think it's exploiting good looks. WAG: Why are there no good looking men in the calendar then? Windle: (Thoughful silence) I'll have to abstain on that one. WAG: Do you think the calen dar which you have been distributing might be offensive to some women and men because of its sexist and racist tendencies? Windle: Yes, it could be of fensive. WAG: How were the women models chosen to be in your calendar? Windle: Well, there was one guy in charge of it and they were just his personal contacts. WAG: Personal "contacts"? Windle: Personal friends. WAG: Do you think he had certain qualifications in mind such as intelligence when he selected the models? Windle: They were probably not chosen for reasons of in telligence. WAG: Will your group continue to publish this calendar? Windle: There is a good possibility we won't. Originally it was supposed to be good public relations, but I don't think we should exploit young ' ladies. If I have anything ;o .say about it, there won't be another. WAG: Do you see a connection between racism and sexis -.? Windle: Yes. They both have to do with the exploitation of :i group of people and prejudice is also involved in both. Bu; I must admit that since in both cases I am in the posiutn if exploiter, being white and maie, I can't really uncicrs ai.d what it is like to oe discriminated against For racist and sexist reasons. WAG: Thank ycu. Mr. Wirdic. We wish all thj numbers oi your house could co 1 e 'o even such a limited undrs a idiny. View from the right ASUN turns down two by RICHARD RECKER Last Wednesday the ASUN once again demonstrated its policy of blind negativism by its rejection of Michael Egger for an ASUN senate seat. This continues a policy previously shown when it rejected the nomination of Robert Vlasak two weeks ago. Vlasak is the chairman of CUE and one of the leaders of the anti-strike forces last May. At the time of his interview questions were directed to him concern ing his organizations, and little attempt was made to ascertain whether or not he had any qualifications for the post. After the candidates left the room, the senate held a long discussion con c e r n i n g Vlasak's candidacy. Some of the seantors at that time said that Vlasak, as the head of the anti-strike forces last spring, represented a signifi cant portion of student opinion and he should be elected to the student senate. Other senators, obviously a majority, said that Vlasak's viewpoints were en titled to representation but Vlasak was irresponsible and the ASUN could not afford to have someone making ir responsible statements as an ASUN senator. However, they continued, should a responsible conservative apply for membership in the ASUN senate, the ASUN would greet this as a favorable development. I disagree with the ASUN assessment of Bob Vlasak and believe he would have made a fine addition to that body. Be that as it may, Wednesday the ASUN offered the candidacy of Michael Egger. vice president of Institute for Political Analysis. Egger, a Regents scholar wiih a 4.15 grade average, is a former president of the French Club and served as a alternate delegate to the Constitu tional Convention. Does the ASUN con sider a background like this too low for their standards? I should hope not. Egger was rejected because he is a conservative and this is the only basis on which a judgement of ASUN actions can be made. The policy of the ASUN leadership is to avoid a broad spectrum ot student opinion in the senate a n d to maintain its present nearly monolithic structure. Those few courageous senators who voted for Mike Egger are to be con grat dated for their moderation. Letters . . . Letters . . . Letters . Dear Editor, With the publishing of the letters from Mr. Davis and the Board of Regeants (sic), we can all hope that this matter is finally drawing to a close. As a member of the university community, I wish to commend the Board of Regeants (sic) for their action in refusing Mr. Davis a teaching position here. I feel that their reasons were sound enough and that the action was intended for the betterment of the Uuiversity in tiie long run. Mr. Davis, I am sure, is a capable instructor in his field. However, his teuching talents do not appear to be unique or exceptional in any way. It was not Mr. Davis's teaching ability which was questioned, however, but rather his non academic University actions of the past and the probability (sic) of their repetition in the future. Mr. Davis clearly believes that a University should be "politicized." Many of us remember the effects of this belief last spring. If this University is to remain strong, then it is important that our instructors are firmly dedicated to their teaching and not willing to place this dedication second to individual political beliefs. A University should not sup port or condemn, as an institu tion, any political view right or left. The Universities facilities (sic) should not be used to support or endorse any political orientation. This stand in no way incringes (sic) upon individual freedom of speech or of choice! In their action, the Regeants (sic) have stated that from now on, future instructors will be checked for their capacity, in tent, desire, and willingness to contribute to the disruption of academic and University for personnal (sic) and political motives; as well as their teaching qualifications. In our time when we demand that Senators, legislators, Supreme, and lower Court Judges conduct themselves under prescribed ethical stan. dards outside of their respec tive positions; I see no reason why my college instructors should be subject to less. The action by the Regeants (sic) was a promising step in that direction. Douglas G. Voeglcr Nutionul Committeeman U. of N. Young Republicans Dear Editor, Senator Roman Ilruska is now running for re-election, probably with a slogan of "Law and Order." This credible. seems in- Only a few months ago, in an obvious attempt to pay off a political debt to those Southerners who made his presidential nomination possi ble, President Nixon nominated Judge Huynsworth and then Judge Curswell, an avowed racist, to the U.S. Supreme court. With what might charitably be called a luck of candor, President Nixon described Judge Carswcll's judicial record as "impec cable" when, in fact, it was one of the worst fh the entire federal judicial system. When numerous sources indicated that the kindest thing you could say about Judge Carswell wa3 that he was mediocre, your Senator Ilruska said, in essence, "That's fine with me. There are a lot of mediocre people in this country and they should be represented on the Supreme court." Ladies and gentlemen of Nebraska, I can assure you that, with that one stupid statement, Senator Ilruska made the State and people of Nebraska look like fugitives from the funny farm. Thanks to more courageous senators, both Republican and Democratic, we now have on the Supreme Court a new justice who does credit both to the Court and to our country. As a Republican attorney, more interested in principles in party, I feel certain that you will send to Washfngton a new senator who does . not aspire to mediocrity. Party hacks should be turned out to pasture. Albert Barclay Htghtstown, N.J. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1970 THE NEBRASKAN PAGE 5 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1970