A look backward at '66...
By DENNIS BUCK
The year 1966. now in its closing days, perhaps will not be recalled as an epocal period in the United States, history and probably will not be recalled for a series of dramatic crises.
The 12 months have not felt the impact of a president telling a hushed Congress that we have suddenly been attacked by a major power.
The year has not been marked by a major upheaval—as an economic collapse bringing bankruptcy to thousands of enterprises, unemployment and poverty to millions.
INSTEAD, 1966 appears to have been dominated by a reasonably prosperous economy, a generally calm and settled public. A more-than-normal prosperity has continued through its 12 months. Adults have obtained near-maximum employment. Youth has received steadily improving educational opportunities. The elderly have received a little more attention, a few more benefits.
No drastic changes or innovations have disrupted the daily life of citizens. No revolutionary machines have revamped congested traffic. No new communications devices have supplanted the telephone, the newspaper, the radio or the television. No new drug has conquered a major allment or disease. Daily modes of living have been unaffected generally.
IN DOMESTIC AREAS, the federal government and the city governments have given increased attention to social and economic problems. In federal programs, Medicare has perhaps been the one notable step. Cities in 1966 have been pressed increasingly with housing, education, racial problems, and other needs requiring vast outlays of funds. To modernize their positions, state governments now are seeking blanket reallocations of federal revenues.
Perhaps the most publicized of the domestic issues during
1966 was racial relations. Demonstrations and some riots were experienced in urban centers similar to such events in the early 1960s. The most publicized element of racial relations that developed in 1966 was "black power." The general elections revealed some evidence of a "white backlash." Civil rights activities generally appeared to hold their ground, stand ready to move onward, upward.
POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS of 1966 appeared to turn as much on personalities as on issues. This was evident in the large industrial states as in some of the smaller-populated areas. Voter concern or fury apparently was not aroused by issues of inflation, high costs of living, expanded government or Viet Nam policies. Perhaps with the generally affluent period, voters felt they could afford to mark their ballots according to likes and dislikes of candidates. Certainly candidates of both parties found that issues drew no mobs of yelling, frenzed citizens.
In the dominant area of international affairs during 1966—the Viet Nam conflict — the United States appeared no closer to a solution. Military commitments of the United States in Viet Nam continued to mount. A half million United States military men are involved. A majority of the public appears noncommittal on the Viet Nam issues. A sizable minority appears apathetic. Several million relatives of military men involved have direct personal interests.
ASIDE FROM the Southeast Asian involvement, the United States appeared to score a few dramatic achievements internationally. It withdrew military forces from the Dominican Republic, where it had interceded in a revolution some months before. It modified its Food for Peace plan, stipulating that food "hand-out" aid would be deemphasized, that more attention would be given to helping needy
nations meet their own food needs. For nations seeking food assistance from the United States, the 1966 Food for Peace plan also advocates birth control programs.
1966-year of the book and best reading yet
If baseball was once the national pastime, it has long since yielded to a usurper—reading.
The Kansan staff has picked the following books as the year's best:
FICTION:
Up the Down Staircase—A carry-over from 1965 by Bel Kaufman. Both profound and humorous, the story comes from the pinpoint of all education—the teacher's heart. Miss Kaufman does more credit to the teaching profession than the last five years of college graduates.
Valley of Dolls—Tells the engrossing story of the China dolls of showbiz. Novelist Susann is the factory boss in the toy factory.
Games People Play—The social climber's Kinsey Report. Dr. Eric Berne takes a sidelong glance at the psychological whimsies of social intercourse and comes up with some barbed truths about man, the gregarious animal.
NON-FICTION:
Events and developments in the United States during 1966 did not shatter or wreck the public's desires to move forward, onward and hopefully upward. The nation experienced no dramatic crises to be etched in the pages of history. It was marked by no political upheaval. It suffered no major economic reversal—a paralyzing strike, a recession, a depression. With the exception of a Manila conference on the Viet Nam situation that was attended by the President, the nation was not involved in dramatic international meetings.
In Cold Blood—Down to earth murder on a western Kansas farm prompted author Truman Capote to spend six years in close contact with the condemned. For his graphic picture of the crime and its aftermath, Capote's literary star seems to have risen a good deal higher.
Papa Hemingway—A. E. Hotchner's melancholy portrait of a brilliant author turning bad is as honest and as readable as Hemingway himself. Apparently the judges who slapped down Mary Hemingway's suit thought so too.
Human Sexual Response—Speaking of Kinsey reports, gynecologist William Masters and psychiatrist Virginia Johnson of the Reproductive Biology Research Foundation report their professional observances after a field day (actually 11 years long) of sexual intercourse among volunteers in the lab. The book is an excellent psychological and physiological probe into the intricacies of sex.
In fact, 25 years after Pearl Harbor, the American public showed no visible concern over trends in world affairs. In fact, in the year 1966 the average American either was reasonably satisfied or reasonably dissatisfied. For the most part he was preoccupied with his job, his family, his recreation, his neighborhood activities, his status.
"Let's Not Have Any Of That Rendezvous Stuff Around Here"
Romney seems to be the heir-apparent to the Republican nomination; he is also just about the only one who wants it, except for
Some predictions for '67...
By ERIC MORGENTHALER
As the last, turbulent days of 1966 close around us, the fools of the world take it upon themselves to try to outguess 1967. So here I go—my predictions for what it will be like in that wonderful year about to break:
On the American legislative front, we can begin saying our good-byes to the Great Society, at least for the time being. The Republicans and conservative Democrats in Congress undoubtedly will give the President a rough time and bring a lot of his spending to an end.
Here at home, the war protests will continue. We probably can expect to see some major revisions in our draft law when it comes up for review in June. Any changes probably will be aimed at pulling more students out of the colleges and onto the battlefields.
Viet Nam will continue to dominate the news, naturally. Unless some power takes an unexpected course, the war a year from now probably should bear remarkable resemblance to the war of today. We will still be bombing the North; the Reds will still be infiltrating the North and the South; and everybody will still be looking for peaceful settlements and running into dead ends.
The big names in American politics in 1967 will be Bobby Kennedy and George Romney. LBJ will still hold the power, but the public seems to be getting tired of his handling of the war, his home-spun outlook on life, his egotism and his idiosyncrasies (to name a few—his passion for secrecy, his sensitivity to criticism and his daughters). Kennedy won't threaten LBJ in 1968, but he will rival him for news coverage and outstrip him in popularity in 1967. Hubert Humphrey will continue talking; there seems to be little hope that he will learn how to keep his foot out of his mouth.
The biggest spending pinch will be felt in programs already hurting for funds, like the war on poverty. But any cut in domestic spending may well be nearly offset by the increase in defense spending, to which Congress will give the green light.
good ol' Dick Nixon (who might just pull a fast one and wrap it up in '68). Romney will increasingly be a newsmaker as he begins his campaign build-up for the summer of '68. Jacob Javits, who wouldn't mind the second spot on the GOP's '68 slate, also will try to keep in the news; but he probably will be upstaged by the new breed—Percy, Lindsay, Hatfield, Reagan—none of whom seems especially interested in 1968.
On the civil rights front, the outlook is for a legislative slowdown and a consequent flare-up in demonstrations and Negro violence.
Moving to the world picture, 1967 might well be the year of Red China. Something of major significance has been going on in China this year, what with the Red Guard and the political upheavals; 1967 might be the year for the significance of these happenings to come to light. Especially if Mao dies, we can expect China to dominate the news.
We also should be looking for changes in the United States' policy towards China. We have been increasingly tolerant of Red China in the last few years and, at times this year, have been almost friendly with Mao's boys. In light of the fact that Mao can't live too much longer and a new order may well take his place, the United States' attitude towards Red China will become increasingly liberal and flexible in 1967.
American-Soviet relations should continue to improve, despite the war in Viet Nam. More in the way of cultural and social exchanges can be expected. American-France relations will officially remain static (can't afford to lose an old ally), but public opinion will grow less and less favorable to the Fifth Republic as Le Grand Charles continues to strut on the stage.
This should be an exciting year in West Germany. The newly elected coalition government, which controls 90 per cent of the Bundestag seats, should work some major reforms in the country's political and economic structure. In international affairs, we can expect to see Germany demanding the political respect and attention that is rightfully hers. As Erhard went out, so did postwar Germany; this is a new Germany we will be dealing with in 1967.
In Rhodesia, Ian Smith finally may buckle under. His regime has endured for more than a year, but the pressure is mounting against him from all quarters. He may voluntarily enfranchise the blacks or he may be forced into it through strict economic and political sanctions. If and when Rhodesia does alter its racist course, the world will turn its eyes to South Africa and expect a change in course there.
A prediction for 1967 could not be complete without comment on some of the personalities of 1966. Therefore, I mention that Lyda Bird and George won't marry; Charlie Brown's baseball team will have a losing season; "The Screw" won't last through the year; Cassius Clay won't be drafted; Mao won't swim any more rivers; and God will be discovered alive somewhere (Eudora, perhaps?).
And somebody, somewhere, will get the splendid idea that he ought to look into the crystal ball and make predictions for 1968. A word to the wise: forget it.
Official Bulletin
TODAY
Foreign Students: Turn in Christmas holiday plans to 226 Spring Hall. Form is on last page of Dec. Newsletter.
Danforth Devotions, 4:30 p.m. Sponsored by Lutherans.
SUA Majors & CareerS Forum, 4:30 p.m. "Careers in Religion," Father Woodward Room, Kansas Union; Downey Room, Kansas Union; Chu Sigma, Kansas Union. Prof Chu Sigma, 7:30 p.m. Prof
Alpha Chi Sigma, 7:30 p.m. Prof.
Dennis Dahl, 305 Kansas Union.
Newman Club Lecture, 7:30 p.m.
"Honesty in the Church"
in Newman Chapel, 515 Straford Street.
Speech I Potpouri Finals, 7:30 p.m.
University Theatre.
Classical Film 7 & 9 p.m. "Bringing Un Baby." Dyche Aud.
Up Baby. Joycey Ada.
Up Baby. Jennifer Ada.
Bouston busit Swarathout. Recital Hall.
tion, flutist. Swarahout Recital Hall.
Experimental, Theatre, 8:20 p.m.
(Monday through Saturday).
Experimental Theatre, 8:20 p.m.
"The Rogue's Trial."
TOMORROW
Ph.D. Finals: Allan Kirk, chemistry,
bombermaker, chemistry,
chemistry, 2 p.m. 234 Malot
Speech I Potpourri Finals, 7:30 p.m.
University Theatre.
Experimental Theatre, 8:20 p.m.
"The Rogue's Trial."
Daily Kansan editorial page Wednesday, December 14, 1966
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