KANSAN Comment ROTC: introducing the moral debate I know no one who enjoys killing other persons. To see the bullet splay a hole in a man's flesh, to see the blood spurt, to see the man's eyes cloud, his head drop. To know that this man's wife will never again lie with him at night. To know that a child will lie awake in the dark and think about a scratchy goodnight kiss, a big hand leading him, a deep voice and an electric razor humming in the morning. To know that this man came from a woman just as you did. To know that he wanted to live as badly as you want to live. No, it's not very pleasant to kill another man. Only a few psychotic, aberrant individuals really get a kick out of it. Yet I know many civilized, educated, reasonable men who are trying to accept the fact that some day they will participate in this blood sport, war. Our country must be defended against Communist aggression. We must defend other countries against Communist aggression. Build the empire. Maintain a position of strength so no one will be foolish enough to attack us. "Make the world safe for democracy." As long as this world carries people, they are going to fight each other for a variety of reasons and call it "war" And they are going to take the smartest of their young men and train them in military history and the economics of war, map and aerial photo reading, military law—and marksmanship. So they can aim their weapons and commit an act which destroys something inside them as well as another person. And since they're so smart, they can lead other people into battle, so they can do more killing. They will watch the bullets rip the flesh. They will see men shattered by napalm. Children scarred by bombs. Babies scattered across the fields, an arm casually rolling in a ditch, a finger lying in the gutter, a head rolling like a basketball. Races will continue to be destroyed, gassed or burned by napalm. Cultures will continue to disappear. Families will be homeless, will live without husbands and fathers. I don't understand it—but they say it is necessary to maintain freedom. But if men, women and children have to die for my freedom, I am sunk more deeply into debt than I was before the fighting began. I will never be free. *** The University Senate begins discussion of ROTC on campus during this afternoon's meeting. I have read the Majority and Minority Reports of the Senate ROTC committee; I have read the appendices and exhibits attached thereto; I have heard people argue the academic reasons for maintaining or removing ROTC from the campuses. And it is on academic grounds that ROTC will remain or go. Yet, recognizing the inevitability and futility of warfare, I wanted to re-emphasize the moral side of the question. Is the futility of war reason enough to kick ROTC off Mount Oread? Is the inevitability of war reason enough to support it? Joanna K. Wiebe Off the wire By United Press International WASHINGTON—Senate Republican Leader Hugh Scott said this week about U.S. involvement in Vietnam: "I think the sooner we can remove all combat troops from Vietnam, the better. The delay, any delay, would be counter-productive." - * * NEW YORK—James L. Goddard, former U.S. food and drug administrator, urged revision of present marijuana laws this week. $$ * * * $$ "They are unenforceable, excessively severe, scientifically incorrect and revealing of our ignorance of human behavior," he said. GENEVA—Soviet disarmament negotiator Alexei A. Roschin, noted the U.S.S.R.'s recognition of the talks' importance recently: "We express the hope that the forthcoming negotiations would facilitate the solution of an important task of today, namely, to put an end to the nuclear arms race." $$ *** $$ CHICAGO—Bobby Seale, one of the "Chicago Eight" on trial for conspiracy during the 1968 Democratic convention, objected to the courtroom rulings of Judge Julius J. Hoffman. "You are denying my constitutional rights," he said. "You have been denying them—deny, deny, deny. You begin to oink in the faces of the masses of the people." The quiet majority speaks To the editor: With all the pros and cons being voiced about the Moratorium, could it be possible that one worthwhile accomplishment is being gained? It's a fact that the widespread demonstrations are inviting reactions from all sides. Perhaps the so-called silent majority will shed its muzzle and we at long last know what the citizens of this country really have to say. Larry J. Nutsch Hill City junior To the editor: The resumption of cigarette sales on campus will have a startling effect on the efficiency of KU. Now, our beloved campus policeman will undoubtedly re-direct their sole aim (giving out parking tickets) and re-orient themselves to a "stop-the-smoke" war. Sixteen dollars for the fifth offense will undoubtedly lead to the banning of "butt" sales, allowing our police to once again pass out those famous blue tickets. One question: Why don't they devote their time to stopping the continuous string of car-stereo thefts, instead of looking for violators? Mark Botsford Westport, Conn. sophomore To the editor; I saw the production of Iolanthe being sponsored by the Mount Oread Gilbert and Sullivan Company on Thursday night. Since it was presented in the Union Ballroom, I assume that it is neither connected with fine arts nor was it permitted to be performed in the University Theater. Both are a shame. This is probably the most enjoyable evening of entertainment I've attended in Lawrence in four years. By comparison, it may be the only one. Nancy Carlson Ludlow, Penn., graduate student THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN An All-American college newspaper Published at the University of Kansas daily during the academic year except a publication in annexed periods. Mail subscription rates: $6 a semester, $10 a year. Secured accounts may be used for goods, services and employment advertised offered to all students without regard to color or rank. Opinions are not necessarily necessary to the University of Kansas or Board of Regents. News Adviser James W Murray News Advisor ... James W. Murray Managing Editor Alan T. Jones Editorial Editor Joanna K. 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