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Wednesday, November 9, 1977
University Daily Kansan
Comment
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Unsigned editors represent the opinion of the Kansan editorial staff. Signed columns represent only the views of the writers.
At the very minimum, college campuses are supposed to be places where new or unconventional ideas can mix freely with accepted maxims. An educated person is one who can sort out the ideas of the establishment apologist, the anti-establishment gadfly and the middle-of-the-reader and make some sense of them.
After Fonda delivered an anti-business speech at Central Michigan State University, Dow Chemical Co. dashed off a letter chastising university officials for paying a fee to someone who advocates "the overthrow of the country."
In the last week, however, there have been two alarming incidents, both involving activist actress Jane Fonda, that indicate she was not the only person not the open-minded places they should be.
THEN, TO BACK UP its wrong-headed attempt to wett antagonists like Fonda from campus speaker lists, Dow withdrew its financial aid to the university until the company is assured its donations will not be used to finance such speeches.
On the heels of that shameful attempt to stifle a college's intellectual freedom came word from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln that Fonda's speech there prompted a series of phone calls questioning the visit. The calls, directed to university administrators, came from state officials and interested observers.
ADMITTEDLY, FONDA grates on the nerves of those who bankroll many college frills. In her speech at Nebraska, for example, she called the U.S. Congress decidedly pro-business "country club" composed of white male businessmen and
She questioned—and rightfully so—whether anything is accomplished by giving political rights to people who do not "have democratic input into economic decisions."
Dow Chemical Co. clearly does not want to hear about democratic input into America's energy sector.
But the company should have the integrity and courage to support the dissemination of both popular and unpopular ideas. If the company's goal is to finance programs that mold students in the corporate image, it must make its money and look for another tax write-off.
COLLEGES IN GENERAL need to need a shot of invigorating blood in their lethargic arms. People such as Jane Fonda can use her pulse, even if they do it by arousing anger.
At the University of Kansas, where the speakers' schedule is distressingly filled with Sam Ervins and Jerry Fords, a little agitation might be a good thing.
When the public at long last gets a glimpse of the Federal Bureau of Investigation file on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy later this month, few if any of the puzzles surrounding the case will be solved.
Release of JFK file misleading
The FBI announced last week that they would open the file in response to more than 50 public requests for information under the 1975 Freedom of Information Act. On the basis it looks as if the FBI is making a conscientious effort to lay to rest the doubts that have surrounded the assassination. In actuality, however, they are merely throwing a bone to the nasty dogs who have been involved in government version of the events of Nov. 22, 1983, since the Warren Commission closed its books.
Only 80,000 pages of the massive file, covering the first six months of the investigation, will be released. These 80,000 pages have undergone ex-actual testing of the FBI for two and one-half years before the file was deemed ready for public consumption.
IF THE OSTENSIBLE purpose for releasing the documents is to provide a public airing of the data accumulated in the document's consequent conclusions, then it would be reasonable to
Dave Johnson
Editorial Writer
assume that the report could be released verbatim.
Some of the data are being withheld as well. The report contained information from the Warren Commission that is still under review, but not under the seal of the National Archives. The report to be released also will not contain materials that the FBI obtained from other federal agencies or the CIA or the Secret Service.
The FBI said it intended to release the rest of the file at the end of the year. Fine. When this happens, perhaps the bureau will receive the blessings of the segment of society that still opposes Lee Harvey Owland acted alone in the shooting of Kennedy.
On the basis of what the FBI is planning to release this week, the public is going to see a watered-down version of the original report. The decision involves two things about the FBI.
- Their attempt to present a clean image before the public is going to fall substantially short.
- At least for now, they really are not interested in sharing all
they know about the Kennedy assassination.
When the Senate Committee
Meanwhile, the trench-coat warriors who have doggedly pursued the "truth" behind the truth will continue to survey their theories and speculations about conspiracies, multi-bullets, Cuban-inspired plots and just plain rumors of popular myths for the public.
on Assassinations concluded last year that it was satisfied with the Warren Commission's findings because the facts on which the government was basing its findings were still concealed. The waves of disbelief will not stop until they are made known to the public.
There are many things in history that are not readily believed. One of these is the
idea that Kennedy was the victim of one man bent on making his imprint on history.
But if the truth does exist beyond the rumors and doubts, then the only way to get at these rumors is to only organize the only organized investigation of the assassination. Until the FBI does this, the doubts will persist in bureaual自卑 sincerity in providing these facts will be suspect.
Readers discuss Baptists. bands. law librarv. sex
To the editor:
In reference to Mary Mitchell's column titled, "JesusSales correctly tolerance." I wish to thank her with a few of my own feelings.
coercive Christians as she seems to have.
First, I would like to agree with her point that mass evangeliance leaves something to be desired in personal choice, as Mary pointed out in her article, and I have just as much trouble with
However, I resent her classifying Southern Baptists as part of this group. I grew up in a Southern Baptist church in the South, and I found a lot of love, openness and sharing from the community associated with other Southern Baptists that I have come to love, appreciate and learn from those who don't happen share
my values, beliefs or lifestyles.
KANSAN
Letters
opportunities. More than 50 students from more than 10 different countries and several states within the United States have enrolled in religious and Christian denominations (including some of no religious persuasion) are involved in the organization's efforts to foster Operation Friendship, is sponsored by the Baptist Student Union and Student Senate. Few organizations on campus can boast of more true sharing such vastly different people.
And it is no accident that it "happens to be sponsored by the Southern Baptists. I think it happens among us, and among the members of the denomination of a need for learning to work together with persons from all over the world. A major publication of the Southern Baptist Conference devoted a sizable amount of its space to encourage its readers to work towards becoming "world citizens." This is something I am working on, and I believe that we must remain associated with Southern Baptists is that I find support from its members in
my efforts to become a world citizen.
In conclusion, I have real trouble believing that we "crucy tolerance"—our accem seem to indicate otherwise.
Lawrence graduate student
Ben Broome
Library policy needs a change
To the editor:
I am an undergraduate student not using law materials but wishing to use a University library from 9 to 12 p.m. Friday or from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. There is a University library open at this time, but because of my status and the fact that I am in residence materials, this University student cannot use the University library.
The reason I write this is to point out and comment on this problem. Obviously University students flaw that needs to be corrected.
I am also an out-of-state student. As a result, I am not familiar with how to have University policy changed, but I am
sure that this policy needs to be changed.
Wilmette, Ill., sophomore
Jav Lubarskv
Marching band worth the effort To the editor
To the editor:
In response to the Oct. 25 column concerning marching bands, I would like to present them from a different point (from a different perspective).
As a member of the Marching Jayhawks for three years, and having previous experience in high school, I disagree with the points made about marching bands.
The music a marching band plays is more a reflection of the director than of public opinion. "Theme from Rocky" and "Star Wars" seem to be two different styles in many high school and college bands are capitalizing on this year.
But they are both very popular and effective, so why shouldn't they be played? Their popularity certainly parallels
that of the Sousa marches at the time they were written.
The "value of sameness" that marching bands supposedly teach young people is also not quite true. No ensemble, not band, instrumental or vocal, should ever allow someone to "stand out" unless it is specified in the form of a solo performance. That is not good musicianship when that occurs. The purpose is to complement each other by producing a unified, overall sound.
Making music is also not subservient to athletics, but works with it. If you would like any of the KU football team or coaching staff, I think you would find they have an appreciation for the band. When they are playing a game, who helps the cheerleaders and the yellleaders keep the crowd support going? The marching band is often instrumentally but vocally.
I am also a musician and I don't feel that marching bands musically exploit it. It is a learning experience, like any other musical activity, with skills and musical integrity to produce a good performance.
Vietnam's problems surmountable
However, harvests for the
Poor infrastructure and port facilities, in addition to the overly centralized decision-making processes and apparent absence of coordination, are already preventing industrial projects from meeting their completion schedules.
AS VIETNAM implements its second five-year plan, it estimated that the output of about $7.5 billion. In real terms the plan calls for raising the rice output from 14 million in 1980 to 21 million in 1990.
Hanoi presents a relaxed, peaceful, orderly and frugal picture, while Haiphong remains a primitive port and a moderately developed in the context of 30 years of war, undeveloped.
Vietnamese officials and the Hanoi diplomatic community continually reminded me to keep the 30 years of war in mind when evaluating conditions in Vietnam.
By EDWARD G. HARSHFIELD
HARSHFIELD Y. Times Features
N.Y. Times Features
HONG KONG-For an industrialized America and the first American businessman to visit North Vietnam in more than two decades, a visit to Hanoi and Haiphong could not help but create high expectations and many questions about the past, the war and the future.
BECAUSE The Mekong Delta is fertile, the zones are already transforming the farm belt into a productive area. The 600,000-member army is building the infrastructure, a job it does not enjoy. The 1977 state plan specifically calls for the participation in economic redevelopment with assigned tasks in agriculture, transportation and engineering-based industries.
In foreign affairs, while Laos has cemented its ties with Vietnam, Cambodia has moved closer to China, much to the chargin of the Vietnamese. And Vietnam's
"Our country is like any other, country in Southeast Asia, the foreign trade强国. Dang Dang said in our meeting. "After the
A high priority has been given to relocating the surplus population in and around Ho Chi Minh City to new places. The city is about 5,000 families, forms a self-contained village. Each family is allotted 10,764 square feet of land, some rations and implementes, and a requirement to raise product for their own consumption as well as the open market.
last three successive seasons have fallen short of expe-
ctations, forcing large-scale, unplanned imports of grains and a major deviation from planned import levels.
Relations with France are at their best. Swedes are
1954 Geneva conference,
Vietnam sought inclusion in
the French union and the
development of ties with
countries, but U.S. policy prevented
this from happening."
constructing a paper mill, a hospital for coal miners and a pediatric hospital.
Another problem is the assimilation of the South and socialization of its traditional private sector.
A British firm is trying to arrange the construction of a barn for the breeds being sponsoring a beef farm, and Indians are assisting in organizing a rice-research institute and cattle-breeding
relationship with the Soviet Union continues to be warm, although are signs that it would prefer less dependence
The Japanese have not made any fresh grants beyond the $13.5 million grant of 1975-76, and Japanese firms are tentatively for the off-shore oil to be developed.
Government leaders have openly welcomed Western participation in economic development.
time spent at home and away performances.
The Russians, East Europeans and Cubans continue to play a dominant economic role.
It is that dedication that keeps the band going and growing strong and stronger both emotionally and musically. Perhaps you ought to take a second loop?
THE COUNTRY has established diplomatic ties with more than 80 countries. In addition, the country Europe, with the exception of Denmark, Norway and Austria, have opened embassies in Hanoi despite the country office and housing facilities.
Vietnam's pragmatism has been displayed on both the diplomatic and economic fronts by adoption of the most modern government regulations promulgated by a socialist government.
In foreign affairs, the major goal is to have the U.S. trade ban lifted that American technology, particularly
energy-related, can be imported.
A U.S. presence in Vietnam could also help maintain equilibrium between the Soviet Union and China, in the opinion of most Western diplomatic observers.
SUCH AMBITION to develop energy- and export-related industries is yet to be matched by official actions in disseminating data on disminishing the use of travel facilities, less complex visa issuance, and reduction of governmental formulations so that the prevailing world interest in developing exploits attract investment capital and technology.
Florissant, Mo., junior
While the willingness to develop relations with the West obviously is moving in a positive direction, this has been dictated by Vietnam's geopolitical situation.
Given the policy direction of key decision-makers in the government, which favors a centralized management of assimilation of the South and closer ties with Western business, especially U.S. business and industry, it is likely that the internal and external costs of such difficult, may not remain insumountable for long.
Edward G. Harshfield is vice president and senior officer of Citibank, Hong Kong.
Barb Koenig
The Marching Jayhawks continue to be one of the best, if not the best, bands in the nation. They are the top college bands in the nation. The execution of the drills and music is done superlly, and is the thing that makes the Marching Jayhawks what they are.
A wide range of music and shows that appeal to all kinds of audiences. The novelty features are performed throughout the season to provide variety to the crowd as the music indicates, they apparently enjoy them.
Sex orientation personal choice To the editor:
]
Marching band does mean a lot to a lot of people in spite of what you personally think.
There's definitely something there to make the dedication of its members so strong. Who else would go through long hours in the heat, pouring down rain and bitter cold, not to mention the
I have been reading everything that you have published on homosexuality, including the "blue jeans gayday" ads and the counter-ads. None of the published books have raided the reader's swaverable questions in my mind so much as the "Life not chosen by homosexuals" by Christopher Budd, Oct. 26.
Mr. Christopher Budd seems to mix "facts" with "values". The fact is that every human being must have heterosexual, homosexual, or both. One exhibits one's sexual preference in accordance with one's values, therefore, the child must be able to restrain one's sexual urges."
Budd says a person's sexual preference "is well determined by the time the person enters grade school," but he fails to say how and what factors are involved in the life of determination. By referring to the particular period "by the time the person enters grade school," Budd leaves his statement open-ended with many possibilities, among which are these two: parents and kindergarten. I hope he and kindergarten make children kindergarteners make children heterosexual, homosexual, or both.
Heterosexuality and homosexuality, or homosexuality—change is a choice. It is not wrong to choose but it is not right to deny that every person chooses to be heterosexual, homosexual, or
Baridoo D. Ikaba Nigeria graduate student
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Published at the University of Kansas daily August 13, 2018. Subscriptions are valid June and July except Saturday, Sunday and ballet Friday. Subscribers by mail are a $2 member or $15 annual fee a year outside the county. Student subscriptions are a year outside the county. Student subscriptions are a year outside the county.
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