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THE SUMMER SESSION KANSAN
Tuesday, July 16, 1968
Violence mars 'America the Beautiful'
Murders, suicides, robberies, assaults—this is the Land of Happiness, America the Beautiful?
We boast of our glorious nation and of its great opportunities—the same nation where political figures, men and women trying to guide their country, live in constant danger of their lives.
Oh yes, leaders have been killed throughout history—Caesar, Charles I, Czar Nicholas II, and Louis XVI; but let's look at the more modern world. Take four of the leading countries of the world—Russia, Britain, France, and the United States.
During the past five years three U.S. leaders have been assassinated, in the other countries none have been. Even in smaller and less advanced civilizations, celebrities may travel and live in safety.
And where is the free and happy ordinary private citizen? He is barricaded in his gun - stocked home protecting his frightened family from rioters, looters, murderers and robbers.
Where has America's moral decay come from? The type of movies, songs, and magazines being presented to a public of men, women, and children are one cause of violence in America. How can youth whose thoughts and personalities are just being developed help being influenced by the hero-worship and glamorous life shown to be led by murderers and robbers?
Many people think that there should be stricter gun laws. Statistics show that countries with tighter gun restrictions do have fewer gun killings. Of course, if a person is really intent upon murdering someone this law would not stop him. It would, however, reduce the number of shootings occurring in sudden moments of anger.
Violence in America can be reduced only when the people really want it to be. They must want it enough to get out and demand that the screens and magazines be cleaned up. They must see that prisoners are given fair and just trials, but that the guilty are punished by law. They must teach their children high morals and the proper handling of a gun, and they must elect capable men and women to government offices.
—Mary Scott
Boredom causes violence
The rate of violent crimes in America goes up nearly 10 per cent every year now. What are the causes of this immense problem? How can it be stopped? Why haven't we already stopped it? Here is how I feel.
Of the many causes of violence the most understandable is the fulfillment of some physical need. Perhaps the kid who steals in order to eat is justified, but this is not what is happening. We don't murder, steal, or riot because we are hungry or cold.
Perhaps the greatest cause of violence in America is the supposed lack of anything better to do. The gang fights and particularly vandalism result in absolutely no personal gain. But they are exciting and it is fun to clobber a guy over the head. There is even a kind of primitive satisfaction in knowing that your gang is better than the other guy's.
Then, of course, there are the professional murderers. Violence is their business and they are well paid for it.
Another cause of violence is sudden, uncontrollable anger. In over three-fourths of the murders
in the United States the murdered person was acquainted with his assailant. Often they were relatives.
Finally there is undeniable public apathy. This may not cause violence—but it does allow it. Violence in the United States could virtually be eliminated if the people in the United States wanted it to be.
Pinckney's Potpouri
If Averell Harriman appears happier these days, it is because his vacation in Paris has no end in sight.
The North Vietnamese have enjoyed the after-session-tea more than usual. They were so delighted with the tea they stayed 42 minutes. Soon, diplomats will spend more time drinking tea that attending peace talks.
Maybe the Americans put whiskey in the tea, but Washington will most likely say it was bourbon.
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The American populace is settling back for the two highest rated programs on television; the Republican and Democratic conventions. There is speculation that the elephants and the donkeys will splatter more blood, or mud, on the screen, than did Zale and Graziano.
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De Gaulle may be tearing down the Maginot Line, but the wall that divides his kingdom is still in tact. The General's men won the elections, which leaves the Gaullists faced with the problem of fulfilling the promises he made to the French people. Not even his nose can hide the problems that lie ahead.
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As the Olympics draw near, the Chinese have begun the season of their favorite sport, factional fighting. The Chinese students are apparently the cause of the worse fighting since last year. What thoughts of Mao were in the heads of those Chinese who threw 43 people, bound by hands, feet and neck, into the Pearl River?
THE SUMMER SESSION kansan
The Summer Session Kansan, student newspaper at the University of Kansas, is represented by National Advertising Service, 18 East 50 Street, New York, N.Y., 10022. Mail subscription rates: $6 a semester or $10 a year. Published and second class postage paid at Lawrence, Kansas, every Tuesday and Thursday; free mail services for accommodations, goods, and employment advertised in the Summer Session Kansan are offered to students without regard to color, creed, or national origin.
The opinions expressed in the editorial columns are those of the editorial staff of the newspaper. Guest editorial views are not necessarily the same as those of the editor's own. Any opinions expressed in the Summer Session Kansan edition are those of those at the University of Kansas Administration or the Kansas State Board of Regents.
Executive Staff
Business Manager
Managing Editor Assistant Managing Editors
Office Manager
Jack Haney
Mel Adams
Helen Owens
Roes Rotvehik
Roes Rotvehik
Eric Kramer, Darrary Pinckney,
Richie Viets and Diane Wane
Photography Bill Seymour
Advisor Dr. Larry Day
The first cause of violence is probably the most tangible and therefore easiest to solve. The easiest way to stop people from killing to get food is to supply them with food in the first place. In a country as rich as ours this should not be a problem.
The way to stop violence for lack of anything better to do is to give these people better things to do. Put some meaning back in their lives with jobs. The majority of offenders in this group are youth. If they are too young to work full time give them part time jobs and recreational facilities. It is just as much fun to clobber a guy's fast ball over the fence as it is to clobber the guy.
This solution would go a long way towards stopping the next cause of violence also. Fewer people will get killed in acts of passion if the potential murderer doesn't have easy access to a weapon.
It is up to you and me. If we want violence to be stopped bad enough we can virtually end it.
Craig Williams
William Allen White's Wit and Wisdom
THAT MAN WHITE
Jan. 13, 1914, Emporia Gazette
A number of Progressives at Lakin, more kind than considerate, yesterday resolved in favor of this man White, of Emporia, for governor. They wanted him to run as a Progressive candidate. To which the GAZETTE says no—a thousand times no. For we are on to that man White, and without wishing to speak disrespectfully of a fellow townsman, who, so far as we know, may be at least outwardly decent in the simpler relations of life—perhaps he pays his debts when it is convenient, and he may be kind to his family, though that's not to his credit, for who wouldn't be—and he may have kept out of jail, one way or another, for some time; without, as we say, desiring to speak disrespectfully of this man, we know that he's not the man either to run for governor or, if such a grotesque thing could be imagined, to serve as governor.
He can't make a speech. He has a lot of radical convictions which he sometimes comes into The GAZETTE office and exploits, and which are dangerous. He has been jawing politicians for twenty years until he is a common scold, and he has set up his so-called ideals so high that the Angel Gabriel himself couldn't give the performance that this man White would have to advertise on the bills.
So, in the words of the poet, nix on Willyum Allen. The GAZETTE'S nose is hard and cold on the proposition to make him governor. He is a four-flusher, a ring-tailed, rip-snorting hell-raiser, and a grandstander. He makes big noise. He yips and kyoodles around a good deal, but he is everlastingly and preeminently N.G. as gubernatorial timber—full of knots, warts, woodpecker holes and rotten spots. Men and women would be trampled to death at seven o'clock election mornings, trying to get at the polls to cast the first vote against him, and at night perfectly good citizens, kind fathers and indulgent husbands, would risk a jail sentence to get in at least ten votes against him as repeaters. It may be that the Progressive party needs a goat, but the demand doesn't require a Billy-goat!
New Books
Mary Roberts Rinehart's THE STATE VS. ELINOR NORTON (Dell, 50 cents)—Mystery and courtroom drama going back three decades.
Agatha Christie's THE REGATTA MYSTERY (Dell, 50 cents) —Nine stories featuring such folks as Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.
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Some new paperbacks are worthy to be classed as among the distinguished volumes of the year. They won't sell like Harold Robbins, but they'll be around longer.
Like Phyllis McGinley's TIMES THREE (Compass, $1.65), poetry from three decades, with 70 new poems and an introduction by W. H. Auden. Miss McGinley's delightful style and humor come through strong.
Like D. H. Lawrence's THE LOST GIRL (Compass, $1.85). This is a work that Lawrence completed in the early twenties, a story about a young English woman from Lawrence's Midlands who falls in love with a young Italian and goes to live with him (as his wife, incidentally) in a mountain village in Italy.
Plus these:
GREEK TRAGEDY AND COMEDY (Compass, $2.45), edited by F. L. Lucas. This includes complete translations of "Prometheus," "Agamemnon," "Antigone," "Oedipus the King," "Hippolytus," "Bacchae," and "The Clouds," with summaries and extracts of the other extant plays.
A TREASURY OF YIDDISH STORIES (Premier, 95 cents), edited by Irving Howe and Eliezer Greenberg—Forty stories selected from a vast body of Jewish literature, including both classic and contemporary writings.
STRASBERG AT THE ACTORS STUDIO (Compass, $1.95), edited by Robert H. Hethmon-Tape-recorded sessions from one of the truly significant theatrical creators of our time.
b. s. the editor
Saturday night, Miss Finland who was the only blonde in the finals of the Miss Universe pageant, was named only second runner-up to Miss Brazil. Blondes may have more fun, but they certainly do not win beauty contests.
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James K. Hitt, who is being promoted from his position as registrar and director of admissions, was honored by his former office staff with a party Friday. It just goes to prove that anyone in Strong Hall would rather throw a party than do a little work.
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With two weeks of Midwestern Music and Art Camp left, most of the campers are dreaming about what they are going to do when they get home. Some are looking forward to riding in a car once more while a few of the wild ones keep yearning for that tall frosty "students' favorite BEvERage," but it is reported that a few have sent word home to include switchblades in
their CARE packages. All this caused by just a few Lawrence ruffians?
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In the midst of a passionate love scene in "Musician," which closed Sunday, Forrest Tucker, playing the role of Professor Harold Hill, stopped the show Friday to complain about the spontaneous sound effects. It seems that the airplane flying overhead had not been invented yet.
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Is anyone interested in 2,000 red name badges. Two weeks from now anyone desiring them may contact Russell L. Wiley, Midwestern Music and Art Camp. 214 Murphy Hall. It seems he may have a surplus.
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Now that the money for building dark rooms in Flint Hall has been vetoed by the Board of Regents, there is only one thing left to do. We can put a canvas roof over Old Robinson Hole and it will be cooler than the present facilities.